tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70182865015602368562024-03-19T00:55:03.263-04:00Make It SingRebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-20768611643250250982012-06-04T14:52:00.004-04:002012-06-04T14:52:57.714-04:00Heritage Plants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I tentatively re-enter the world of blogging, I thought we could start where I have been spending most of my time lately: the Gardens.<br />
Our home is a little cottage on a two acre lot and while it's an old house with many needed fixes it came with the most beautiful gardens I could possibly imagine.<br />
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Before I delve into the treasure that is my garden, I thought I would give you a brief understanding of the importance of plants in my life. <br />
One day a young father told me he was off to get his girls their spring pedicures. I looked at him blankly. He was surprised at my response and said "Don't you get your spring pedicure every year?! Isn't that a thing all you girls do to prepare for flipflop season?!" I looked back at him blankly. I didn't know why this question surprised me so much, since it is not unthinkable or illogical to splurge on a pedicure before revealing your little toes to the world each year. The realization hit me as mother's day rolled around and I thought of my mom. The Spring manicure and pedicure I had grown accustomed to involved every single nail bed being generously coated in a thick dark rich dirt. Spring means getting out the "old" pair of sneakers. The ones with no arch and the hole in the front toe. Throwing on that old pair of jeans with grass stains down the front and holes in the knees. Tossing your unkept hair in a sloppy pony tail or under an old baseball hat. Slathering on some sunscreen and bugspray and getting down on your hands and knees to til the old soil and weathered beds to make them new again. The coming of spring meant GARDENING.<br />
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I grew up with my mother's stories of growing up in upstate NewYork. How they bought a house there that had been used as a dump by the previous owners. They cleaned every trash heep and made it a garden. The way she described their treasured home always made me think of something out of a movie. The great pond stocked with fish and ducks and the large Weeping Willow protecting it from the warm sun. She had endless stories about growing up there and how she cut fresh flowers in the morning and scattered them in vases all around their home. </div>
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Later my grandparents moved to the mountains in Pennsylvania and began a new life there. My mother always said it couldn't compare to their old home, but to us it was magic. Acres of land with a dug pond and fresh springs, sweet peas, blue flag irises, bull frogs, grapes, and everything you can imagine.</div>
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When I think of my grandmother I think of roses. She always had a rose garden. My grandfather was quite the gardener as well. He knew the best way to make grape jelly was to mix his Concord grapes with wild grapes so you had the perfect combination of sweet and tart. He also was an avid blueberry picker and could come home with 10 buckets to my 1.</div>
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A couple years ago and after my grandfather's passing, my grandmother decided she needed to pack her bags and move to NH to live with my uncle. She left behind their motel that had been sold years ago, their pond that was dug by my grandfather, her rose gardens, my grandpa's grapes, their peach tree, and so much more on their enourmous lot in the mountains. My mother and I seemed to have more memories associated with the gardens than anything in the house.While family members sifted through her furniture, china, etc. to collect their cherished memories of the old house, my mother, aunt, and I rooted through the gardens digging up numerous plants and throwing them into plastic bags with the addition of some dirt. Among my memories I collected a bleeding heart, knockout rose, and even a Helleborus dumetorum or what Grandma called "the Irish plant." It has a subtle beauty and is one of the first blooms after the dismal days of February and March.</div>
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They had an enormous variety of Irises and I grabbed quite a few. Last year they were still recouperating from the transplant so this year the great reveal took place. I couldn't recall what I had gathered that day in the frenzy of packing, moving, and digging. This year I was met with an amazing surprise, PURPLES. Ever aesthetically minded, I had selected 3 varieties of purple irises and when they bloomed this year I was instantly in love.With each bloom I thought of my Grandpa, lover of nature, explorer, and gardener. </div>
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They are a perfect compliment to my blue flag Irises. </div>
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I have 3 varieties that came with the house and though they take the majority of one of my beds I can't imagine parting with any of them! They are very low maintenance and look like grasses when their season ends.</div>
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I also relocated my Grandma's knock out rose to my main garden beds this year.</div>
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Of course as soon as it bloomed I saw that it's bright pink color (that I love) didn't match anything else. So I made an emergency trip to the greenhouse and picked up some complementary pinks. </div>
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I also added some Rasberry Wine Bee Balm this year that should compliment all these when it blooms.</div>
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Here is my gardener in training riding next to my new Bee Balm.</div>
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Do you enjoy to garden or fear that you have a black thumb? What role do plants play in your family history?</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-71911078788328290842012-02-16T11:11:00.002-05:002012-02-16T11:11:40.573-05:00The DIY that stole my heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!</div>
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Which DIY stole your heart this year?</div>
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<br />Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-62010854240025199352012-02-16T10:58:00.003-05:002012-02-16T10:58:44.735-05:00Will you be my DIY? 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgi-U2g_0ysp6ZiPUmK1F1B_CQct7Nz4Yrf7LCp4wLx-4zRE1zpNo8ZABef2zAigJVmmI-8cdjzVhrnH0oa5ByClDZwFRAIvxEPRcLtpbmQqJ25VT6qCoRByOPt5tLvBTpTrEAstrE0E/s1600/49680402108919116_BCAWj1yN_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgi-U2g_0ysp6ZiPUmK1F1B_CQct7Nz4Yrf7LCp4wLx-4zRE1zpNo8ZABef2zAigJVmmI-8cdjzVhrnH0oa5ByClDZwFRAIvxEPRcLtpbmQqJ25VT6qCoRByOPt5tLvBTpTrEAstrE0E/s400/49680402108919116_BCAWj1yN_c.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
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I thought I would revisit the "Will you be my DIY?" post and share my favorite DIYs and tutorials for Valentine's Day 2012.</div>
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Hope you enjoy. </div>
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1. Crunch Photo Valentine- I love this variation on the lolipop photo valentine <a href="http://andreaburnsphotography.com/blog/page/3/">by Andrea</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gXVhvT5tf1S1vimAZMHfA_JWlDan8Sb8BbpSS3PUL_9GTxLGWt-wQYmDLu_cRQyMxEGelZ3kPfkgZPtYB8VeJ9ktR9iOtLIU_KD1n0i9V_fn_WD8eVaLDMP7ubfKwdGJFO7uQRIjZ4I/s1600/bookmark.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gXVhvT5tf1S1vimAZMHfA_JWlDan8Sb8BbpSS3PUL_9GTxLGWt-wQYmDLu_cRQyMxEGelZ3kPfkgZPtYB8VeJ9ktR9iOtLIU_KD1n0i9V_fn_WD8eVaLDMP7ubfKwdGJFO7uQRIjZ4I/s320/bookmark.bmp" width="239" yda="true" /></a></div>
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2. Photo bookmark- I can see both Grandmas using this bookmark <a href="http://urbancomfort.typepad.com/urban_nest/2010/02/photo-booth-style-bookmark.html">by Suzonne</a> for years to come!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN_4yUsbQadmbdkwtTf3XBxKLck2EpIyJ-x288HCRjV3W9Ochpv31DuFcg0CqmhIfNDHuKNus-1RJiXHPerAv2jBXg7llaPEi0JzAigK8gCSoHcMCTXhq61bMzfS0Z5sSOiZt7y4JysQ/s1600/Superhero_Valentine_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN_4yUsbQadmbdkwtTf3XBxKLck2EpIyJ-x288HCRjV3W9Ochpv31DuFcg0CqmhIfNDHuKNus-1RJiXHPerAv2jBXg7llaPEi0JzAigK8gCSoHcMCTXhq61bMzfS0Z5sSOiZt7y4JysQ/s320/Superhero_Valentine_9.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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3. I'm a sucker for Super Heros. No pun intended.. Thanks for this awesome idea <a href="http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2007/06/zakka.html">Zakka Life</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpZc30po9loIjdMyAp_OHxQq5W46cOxiIPrN5lgYn75SaZFe6oVabOjVQ9F895S3rfuS7j58UmOvFFt9oFpRglLEG2cOrPEB3PN_i01fKfBS1pcg2OUEw1R7Lz_pvyek92wZB1mKqo18/s1600/DSCF0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpZc30po9loIjdMyAp_OHxQq5W46cOxiIPrN5lgYn75SaZFe6oVabOjVQ9F895S3rfuS7j58UmOvFFt9oFpRglLEG2cOrPEB3PN_i01fKfBS1pcg2OUEw1R7Lz_pvyek92wZB1mKqo18/s320/DSCF0353.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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4. This is literally the cutest thing EVER. You open the hand and he's blowing kisses. TOO CUTE!</div>
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Check out the tutorial <a href="http://adamandhaleykjar.blogspot.com/2011/02/homemade-valentines.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QlAD0hvVf24yWiLFCB_ykg6Lm_h8B6MX_z7aG6p0pNOioVTBYB_AQFcpTwIQqWF_CiCqCTFGPz3HQOfz0yspIl1yqZGDynxkfG7JeyYj9cmcPIue0oEetxeOhXC7z247NESIpygY5p0/s1600/february_10_2010__7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QlAD0hvVf24yWiLFCB_ykg6Lm_h8B6MX_z7aG6p0pNOioVTBYB_AQFcpTwIQqWF_CiCqCTFGPz3HQOfz0yspIl1yqZGDynxkfG7JeyYj9cmcPIue0oEetxeOhXC7z247NESIpygY5p0/s320/february_10_2010__7.jpg" width="228" yda="true" /></a></div>
5. I am very pro any valentine that doesn't include candy. This is a great idea! You can be the healthy mom, but still be a cool a mom. Thanks for<a href="http://thecreativemama.com/will-you-be-my-valentine/february_10_2010__7/"> the idea, Bree</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPS5w0vmjvfgZXr2bG1L5rAkoLqTPOXHY39HlIgmuyZiW4AXx4Cxfyu4Vf1iXwvpGpS0h51jOms8PqHxiHCfU4IZhPHeGSgCdhPO_vCt-IWqLhXcBLChArCv-yrpsM_Y-rV9UtG2vOIQ/s1600/long_arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPS5w0vmjvfgZXr2bG1L5rAkoLqTPOXHY39HlIgmuyZiW4AXx4Cxfyu4Vf1iXwvpGpS0h51jOms8PqHxiHCfU4IZhPHeGSgCdhPO_vCt-IWqLhXcBLChArCv-yrpsM_Y-rV9UtG2vOIQ/s320/long_arrows.jpg" width="207" yda="true" /></a></div>
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6. These are super cute arrows. Though I am imagining them done as Pixy Sticks. Which I think would make them even awesomer. Here's the <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/02/diy-project-vintage-arrow-valentine.html">fancy pants tutorial</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-XI9oI-LuCFpHE6zCoZI2trGIMcUNAA-Dq93OGy5-wneXFLVOtU8AiY5YgibL4mZfemkqoR470T8rhSuZSbGqjYMn7QXqv4Pfk3T8RvKlfTubHz31r6PO-ohyphenhyphengw6B3NffVmg8KQmCwQ/s1600/267753140315737415_TDdStPTo_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-XI9oI-LuCFpHE6zCoZI2trGIMcUNAA-Dq93OGy5-wneXFLVOtU8AiY5YgibL4mZfemkqoR470T8rhSuZSbGqjYMn7QXqv4Pfk3T8RvKlfTubHz31r6PO-ohyphenhyphengw6B3NffVmg8KQmCwQ/s1600/267753140315737415_TDdStPTo_c.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div>
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7. An Airplane! Come on now. That's awesome. Way-to-go <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/candy-airplane-662757/">Disney</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwyLSOdiGwDdWpR51QW5ksHWgOQV85d-S6YVGycX3PO2CNnNerDq6IYcx3W6ZXvGzZ1gVThXdXZawjMtAQcQ-_mXf6pN0jhOJyWdgEFvU2mkDEULsSb2qndxxBj46fFDMjYjNSKVgjGg/s1600/218143175670253382_QrRXoLFX_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwyLSOdiGwDdWpR51QW5ksHWgOQV85d-S6YVGycX3PO2CNnNerDq6IYcx3W6ZXvGzZ1gVThXdXZawjMtAQcQ-_mXf6pN0jhOJyWdgEFvU2mkDEULsSb2qndxxBj46fFDMjYjNSKVgjGg/s320/218143175670253382_QrRXoLFX_c.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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8. I had to include the Lolipop gang. Props to <a href="http://blonde-designs.squarespace.com/blonde-designs-blog/2010/2/10/more-valentine-lollipops.html">this mom</a>, since it's one of the only ones I've seen where the kids are actually smiling!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjCIF_jqwMDzhVMebSpm67T8p3NF4N-GXJamYPHhNXLJpQKSb4znNKKVYgwahW5CZU7EsEzjbqNMR5ZCaGM-tWSbkphOQ4UM2k61EyEr65mfr2GvQ7yymlv-dWnMEQO_3TViCbEtCJwE/s1600/72198400245780748_4kbLrzPU_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjCIF_jqwMDzhVMebSpm67T8p3NF4N-GXJamYPHhNXLJpQKSb4znNKKVYgwahW5CZU7EsEzjbqNMR5ZCaGM-tWSbkphOQ4UM2k61EyEr65mfr2GvQ7yymlv-dWnMEQO_3TViCbEtCJwE/s1600/72198400245780748_4kbLrzPU_c.jpg" yda="true" /></a></div>
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9. HOLY CUTENESS! Hershey's Robots! I LOVE THEM! Thanks <a href="http://tunstalltimes.blogspot.com/">Reagan</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0asWOrVAoX98TsCcymusBqJ_Lut-8ltXmhV4geoS764hhWsd1D3Cy2WAhGWXcZ3VdYjLh6ABqHQHgJvpIoXPu1hum-_SCOeayfeZydZUz2896CmLFaFeV5ba6af06VkCUDsQwsZScJs/s1600/IMG_5851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0asWOrVAoX98TsCcymusBqJ_Lut-8ltXmhV4geoS764hhWsd1D3Cy2WAhGWXcZ3VdYjLh6ABqHQHgJvpIoXPu1hum-_SCOeayfeZydZUz2896CmLFaFeV5ba6af06VkCUDsQwsZScJs/s320/IMG_5851.jpg" width="213" yda="true" /></a></div>
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10. This one is especially sweet to me because my dad used to call me Pooh Bear and Honey Bunny, because I LOVED honey and.... I still do! Thanks for<a href="http://www.make-it-do.com/celebrate-it/bee-mine-valentine-card-template/"> the template</a> Calli!</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-79472351335120458132012-02-15T14:28:00.000-05:002012-02-15T22:16:35.411-05:00Lasting Lovies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOJCGS5P973PFgMxMHS7wrBZRTrre-2szO6AnkrdRepy85r-6RkJSfMaVAcqXDCPGKHhFxp8snwNq5nNGLKyNZNqkomPiq9WAgO1P9vhw5FzwYzOGr_B5UyR8k3AHvzusuQYLZhXVLic/s1600/127-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOJCGS5P973PFgMxMHS7wrBZRTrre-2szO6AnkrdRepy85r-6RkJSfMaVAcqXDCPGKHhFxp8snwNq5nNGLKyNZNqkomPiq9WAgO1P9vhw5FzwYzOGr_B5UyR8k3AHvzusuQYLZhXVLic/s400/127-1.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></div>
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I made my niece this <a href="http://www.rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2010/01/monkey-mania.html">Molly Monkey doll</a> back in 2010!</div>
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Here she is still loving on her two years later.</div>
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I made my nephew a <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2010/01/super-kids.html">Super Kid cape</a> and <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2009/12/super-monkey.html">Super Monkey</a> back in 2010. Here he is enjoying them both then and now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn13eGhnQZfM1nhC79AAE5V51SDw14UD1ZzdvMgIxgxEObGVVNNbuBLHz-7JSOZIe30F2yNkoJo9Jbpa4wcyQxhFfuKlV9Ct1M6o1ZGiME_oxc7Om4Zz91PTQLtiiGtHsAISvPLkkHKbQ/s1600/Joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn13eGhnQZfM1nhC79AAE5V51SDw14UD1ZzdvMgIxgxEObGVVNNbuBLHz-7JSOZIe30F2yNkoJo9Jbpa4wcyQxhFfuKlV9Ct1M6o1ZGiME_oxc7Om4Zz91PTQLtiiGtHsAISvPLkkHKbQ/s400/Joseph.jpg" width="286" yda="true" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 2010</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLCVVIlHVUNeyvoUFNTxDzF6K3UZLsWceZqRCnL8bRhOhsfR3SL9jUYaHjmJCcrZVqB9tkSjol23ouRBNyuDTBAQee61YUvaeCt6AV1_Ycb3EUZHX67qPQ4pwC0GIuvff0BURQvG6V4k/s1600/128-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLCVVIlHVUNeyvoUFNTxDzF6K3UZLsWceZqRCnL8bRhOhsfR3SL9jUYaHjmJCcrZVqB9tkSjol23ouRBNyuDTBAQee61YUvaeCt6AV1_Ycb3EUZHX67qPQ4pwC0GIuvff0BURQvG6V4k/s400/128-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2012 </span></div>
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Have you had the pleasure of watching your creations loved over the years? </div>
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<br /></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-80108989344608933372012-02-15T14:27:00.003-05:002012-02-15T16:22:55.289-05:00Happy Storm Trooper!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgE5EocVeNghOpVBbMr-tsMG53CXUZz0nemXdgM9r742Yd4h3a0j2t-uRtPH_nyGMK8gEuQBbtI8JHA0W971qaNTUyxH-31Rc7SPaO2kDw-E6UtuCw3rpzcAoy1tCFHqotunD5Zf90J0/s1600/IMG_5811-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgE5EocVeNghOpVBbMr-tsMG53CXUZz0nemXdgM9r742Yd4h3a0j2t-uRtPH_nyGMK8gEuQBbtI8JHA0W971qaNTUyxH-31Rc7SPaO2kDw-E6UtuCw3rpzcAoy1tCFHqotunD5Zf90J0/s400/IMG_5811-1.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Here is the birthday boy!</div>
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He is being Hans Solo <em>pretending</em> to be a Storm Trooper. He had to pose with a gun for the full effect.<em> (Good thing he was able to whip one up out of Lego blocks in no time at all.)</em><br />
He was very happy with the new characters as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnBrIHEk5VidcuejluvqMsN1W_lqlErctURBMNBG96qT2ivEBlFwyvASzMfDf5JJ0A-SJ_SBBd7Q5x6olNBIM3qJBrTGyVLjxsa2c-11YafY0CjF1VZZuY1rpW3ZqM3g3dloRvqMuFTY/s1600/IMG_5756-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnBrIHEk5VidcuejluvqMsN1W_lqlErctURBMNBG96qT2ivEBlFwyvASzMfDf5JJ0A-SJ_SBBd7Q5x6olNBIM3qJBrTGyVLjxsa2c-11YafY0CjF1VZZuY1rpW3ZqM3g3dloRvqMuFTY/s200/IMG_5756-1.JPG" width="142" yda="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qrejal_OBEHmWdAx6zCoKEAVHwbdVMZIw9bHGz0r6vkAvH4Nt6ALhGFUKo76AALQCQbTlYnLSd9VkX_3MfpaX1riUTov3CUaOn0VgHuUF16QQlg9AL5-4_7hlqbR2WMlb-vFfYs1llI/s1600/IMG_5748-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qrejal_OBEHmWdAx6zCoKEAVHwbdVMZIw9bHGz0r6vkAvH4Nt6ALhGFUKo76AALQCQbTlYnLSd9VkX_3MfpaX1riUTov3CUaOn0VgHuUF16QQlg9AL5-4_7hlqbR2WMlb-vFfYs1llI/s200/IMG_5748-1.JPG" width="143" yda="true" /></a></div>
I even added a Sand Person at the last minute. He requested some additional bad guy robots as well as "twentyfourty" more storm troopers and fifteen more Jawaws.<br />
He was very pleased with the eye choice for the Jawaw and stated that they do indeed have gold eyes. I also made weapons for them and he was quite satisfied with their accuracy to the movie. So overall we had a happy camper!<br />
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I love that he understands that these are custom made for him! Can you imagine opening a store bought gift and requesting revised weaponry, additional characters, etc. to your own desired specifications!<br />
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This is what makes handmade gifts so special! They are custom made just for you! <br />
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Have you made a handmade creation for someone recently? How did you customize it to meet their particular interests, desires, etc. <br />
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<br /></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-38791789481690077842012-02-15T14:17:00.001-05:002012-02-15T21:38:11.564-05:00Braided Infinity<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZXTD1KsPnx2Y76b1snf2Uqmd_wVAwqCp5aXHzw5pK8JW8ROvWxGJ3UxMxO3B_RO4_XFeCtjd38-glO5op-LPO3p0LgvYGGGz998QdROG2sAmM4ZSS2y1vTS9OMKM17ZwSBaY2KSvgDQ/s1600/IMG_5529-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZXTD1KsPnx2Y76b1snf2Uqmd_wVAwqCp5aXHzw5pK8JW8ROvWxGJ3UxMxO3B_RO4_XFeCtjd38-glO5op-LPO3p0LgvYGGGz998QdROG2sAmM4ZSS2y1vTS9OMKM17ZwSBaY2KSvgDQ/s400/IMG_5529-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
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For Christmas I also wanted to make a "younger" looking scarf for my two sister-in-laws. </div>
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I came across a braided scarf tutorial on pinterest and got to work. Unfortunately the tutorial had me literally pulling my hair out, so I thought I would post my own tutorial that addresses some of the issues and allows for a more polished result. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki3JBJGhFNMv1c4xKsQ9MgiufP1DkLvhiCX39TkTNv7cUz3C0RlbWJOGx5c4v70aRmXwtnq1BG6Y9QNeidqdmmuV4h4aAcDPJwSBHA1v1DqBxBGnF_O4XfhbOcT81nS__a9UuiFbN6dM/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki3JBJGhFNMv1c4xKsQ9MgiufP1DkLvhiCX39TkTNv7cUz3C0RlbWJOGx5c4v70aRmXwtnq1BG6Y9QNeidqdmmuV4h4aAcDPJwSBHA1v1DqBxBGnF_O4XfhbOcT81nS__a9UuiFbN6dM/s400/IMG_5530.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Again, I wanted to make two scarves from the same fabric so I simply cut it in half width wise. This left me with four 11"x 36" strips.</div>
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The pink scarf above was made from some leftover spandexy, velvety fabric I had lying around. I fudged around an just made a width and length I felt comfortable with. You can also use two medium sized t-shirts.</div>
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The green scarf below was made from standard cotton fabric from JoAnns.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Braided Infinity Scarf Tutorial</span></div>
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Take two pieces of fabric and sew them (right sides together) to make a tube. I used 1/4" seams. Leave about a two inches untouched on either end. </div>
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Do this again using the other two pieces of fabric.</div>
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Turn both tubes right side out.</div>
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Take a random strip of fabric and tie the ends of the two tubes together. Now you will have two circles.</div>
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You are now ready for your knot.</div>
<i>The knot was VERY confusing to figure out. I actually got my husband's help and practiced on two pieces of string. </i><br />
Hopefully, I can describe it clearly. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Knotting the Scarf</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHRVXVmfqSUq99FfK18-GzwN7x3bokO__juG5x1RfT6oXUDLF9yL6cEbfJ3zu6-er2EswYaa0G43jBI_t1jQeBfw0glMFTQMUrablOe9pouQb6XgZAXHJSYgTQ1BR4I-pjUPUaWrc5U0/s1600/IMG_5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHRVXVmfqSUq99FfK18-GzwN7x3bokO__juG5x1RfT6oXUDLF9yL6cEbfJ3zu6-er2EswYaa0G43jBI_t1jQeBfw0glMFTQMUrablOe9pouQb6XgZAXHJSYgTQ1BR4I-pjUPUaWrc5U0/s320/IMG_5431.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XEYKxym1KPxkqfVgK-5Oe6yTOdAqLLb1tNINLObPvX_dsjuxhphTtwNML6ulDDpLMB7tnPdrnzBViLjNLdN1KJv6jYOxiC8pXnkI54DGejKEB2XZrhFRQQzJEoVaZACnbKVX9XsWKO8/s1600/IMG_5437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XEYKxym1KPxkqfVgK-5Oe6yTOdAqLLb1tNINLObPvX_dsjuxhphTtwNML6ulDDpLMB7tnPdrnzBViLjNLdN1KJv6jYOxiC8pXnkI54DGejKEB2XZrhFRQQzJEoVaZACnbKVX9XsWKO8/s320/IMG_5437.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
Put the knotted end of circle A through the unknotted end of circle B<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN-EkrugcY9_55pWM-Tnh8BPn3Hqb2UUPF-NydesWQuJpxSjfWQZi93VPctGCvvrWpubnJIZBJ-O-Y8IRb7-iC6oIYwtkMANz0jQ2wFW1WXq4akh0hl0jA58954g2P_8cQFiO9QClAmU/s1600/IMG_5440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN-EkrugcY9_55pWM-Tnh8BPn3Hqb2UUPF-NydesWQuJpxSjfWQZi93VPctGCvvrWpubnJIZBJ-O-Y8IRb7-iC6oIYwtkMANz0jQ2wFW1WXq4akh0hl0jA58954g2P_8cQFiO9QClAmU/s320/IMG_5440.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Then take the knotted end of circle A and pull it up on top of the unknotted end of circle A.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3brTr70RZWcYr2eZr2j82u6m0-2DaXGuxHIm50zI7T4LN_oZDg4g5aqK47hIxY_kyXgsV4VFy4Oq-C4Ovh44PHZKXFsXFggShbJ7xYwcj_UV3aGmosxxCvH20mHFtRXQlR9XmIYkq_U/s1600/IMG_5440-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3brTr70RZWcYr2eZr2j82u6m0-2DaXGuxHIm50zI7T4LN_oZDg4g5aqK47hIxY_kyXgsV4VFy4Oq-C4Ovh44PHZKXFsXFggShbJ7xYwcj_UV3aGmosxxCvH20mHFtRXQlR9XmIYkq_U/s320/IMG_5440-1.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Now take the knotted end of circle B and put that through the center of everything (where the arrow is)</div>
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Now pull each knotted end.</div>
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It should end up looking like this:<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10ecerAwmEsnGr4zW4CLIbQ4OO0R2CTQK-1QETcP8i6QHbR0wCc1ZkeF3KfzTEZ1S1buqjhCrz4IFlyckz0AE8vEcro9Zgw2SHPX7KvTBwJPrSPeydLWHLlVvO67oO1BnB8n2hoRbqVU/s400/IMG_5560-1.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Closing the Scarf </span></div>
I left side openings on each tube like below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELe14kYirI_EMDY8T-iapm5m1QhWxUxo6B5HUUOCAn_h4Wn1508kxVwn9fi0mQExL-BBDEYwpufoIm9-OBkDhKU09gIuEd97Y_1Eg-Pvarsf0skLwM1t0lqcfuxEp5OR7kVBhbQBIlgs/s1600/IMG_5442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELe14kYirI_EMDY8T-iapm5m1QhWxUxo6B5HUUOCAn_h4Wn1508kxVwn9fi0mQExL-BBDEYwpufoIm9-OBkDhKU09gIuEd97Y_1Eg-Pvarsf0skLwM1t0lqcfuxEp5OR7kVBhbQBIlgs/s320/IMG_5442.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<i>please ignore the tulle inside the tubes, I tried it for extra volume, but it didn't look good.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzUSljjD6ltqvBy8HThl7awBjnc3uIucyZr_ynWI73jLBxxOLKDluc9R0UhduUU9_Ao-6iE4NTGsAtbx34FomWUpNVFcwzdB7-7xB7Mj9FtYu5aldt4DXMFzU1xx2GO2PwmMBzYc-Pz8/s1600/IMG_5454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzUSljjD6ltqvBy8HThl7awBjnc3uIucyZr_ynWI73jLBxxOLKDluc9R0UhduUU9_Ao-6iE4NTGsAtbx34FomWUpNVFcwzdB7-7xB7Mj9FtYu5aldt4DXMFzU1xx2GO2PwmMBzYc-Pz8/s320/IMG_5454.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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I then sewed the ends of each tube together. Matching right sides together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIV17q9ycU1KL9WrtJMf3CK9XQ9owhOeaeX-l52GJaq0lMdLtA-qZKo3upU8KYvWnDNi02zjsDP_V14FEuVdSxZYkrKBYOuAsQYbYuO1s3ZhAWpJXSflqKJQcaAnSDubwM7UnyOjot80/s1600/IMG_5455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIV17q9ycU1KL9WrtJMf3CK9XQ9owhOeaeX-l52GJaq0lMdLtA-qZKo3upU8KYvWnDNi02zjsDP_V14FEuVdSxZYkrKBYOuAsQYbYuO1s3ZhAWpJXSflqKJQcaAnSDubwM7UnyOjot80/s320/IMG_5455.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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It's fairly awkward to pin together and sew, but ends up with the best result. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5K_hC152GfuaWYbmUiEeqmkvtwVDGeJIX_O2LKQsgl9BY0wFiaT0zg1M8pb7m_00e2tiFEcFLXJBVaw7LHUirdyTEcvdQfyg8EvVHjz5ACBJt593K5LxpHWwDPtpia58v9j1Q-yN_XA/s1600/IMG_5456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5K_hC152GfuaWYbmUiEeqmkvtwVDGeJIX_O2LKQsgl9BY0wFiaT0zg1M8pb7m_00e2tiFEcFLXJBVaw7LHUirdyTEcvdQfyg8EvVHjz5ACBJt593K5LxpHWwDPtpia58v9j1Q-yN_XA/s320/IMG_5456.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Then you have a finished seam across the scarf. All you have left is to pin up the sides and hand stitch them.</div>
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Good Luck!!</div>
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<br /></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-22427002653019574882012-02-15T12:00:00.000-05:002012-02-15T21:37:38.152-05:00Forever and Ever Scarf<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YRPzL6e3DuSE38oMeL02z8BMYqKftMSMHR_Ru5bK9lcLIVArMRuMaJrBpiy9n4jhCLuERZ29P1N8uCMZXPY8ABnlOWZ6-CkIfPQ-An6ETEa8ImYhlEgeOy5rY7T5SQpeoVjNfv8MTT4/s1600/003-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YRPzL6e3DuSE38oMeL02z8BMYqKftMSMHR_Ru5bK9lcLIVArMRuMaJrBpiy9n4jhCLuERZ29P1N8uCMZXPY8ABnlOWZ6-CkIfPQ-An6ETEa8ImYhlEgeOy5rY7T5SQpeoVjNfv8MTT4/s400/003-1.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
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This is my beautiful mother sporting the new Infinity scarf I made her for Christmas.<br />
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She always forgets what they are called so she calls it her "forever and ever scarf."<br />
This photo also includes the doll quilt I made for my niece in the background. <br />
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I used <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/05/lightweight-spring-infinity-scarf.html">this tutorial</a>. The fabric I used was stardard cotton fabric found at JoAnns. I made mine slightly narrower than the tutorial so I could make two scarves out of one piece of fabric. I simply cut the fabric in half width wise to make my two matching scarves. I gave one to each of my Moms. (my mom and mother-in-law)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh1ILl87lCXh_T4HtF2qz4tYaYhTfI4NDGbx5AD0vTlGsQNp_YTecsWchLJwvSVqranxlgcM8R2iWlWWQazcsB3_2D8mVAjkDQwygWiG6AngtInGO6gMixmvigcxP_avQcdhXrVpn2FI/s1600/IMG_5537-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh1ILl87lCXh_T4HtF2qz4tYaYhTfI4NDGbx5AD0vTlGsQNp_YTecsWchLJwvSVqranxlgcM8R2iWlWWQazcsB3_2D8mVAjkDQwygWiG6AngtInGO6gMixmvigcxP_avQcdhXrVpn2FI/s320/IMG_5537-1.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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My mom is a teacher so she loves light weight colorful/ statement making accessories to jazz up practical work attire. She is anxious to make another for herself!<br />
<br />Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-65613426355421533232012-02-15T11:13:00.002-05:002012-02-15T17:46:26.022-05:00Activity Board!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02ogr04QkLqlVn9GEv1NUYV2eEmYUS4PNTGkVIuNv4kUbAKrx-WRVuZTqDFJo7-9hJ__c0G0GfIzagjvBpD-UDMUxr92e07flEEG-Ta-wlrX9oyFATvQlLdBEDVrTgRo-rYXvQqeAcEo/s1600/IMG_5780-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02ogr04QkLqlVn9GEv1NUYV2eEmYUS4PNTGkVIuNv4kUbAKrx-WRVuZTqDFJo7-9hJ__c0G0GfIzagjvBpD-UDMUxr92e07flEEG-Ta-wlrX9oyFATvQlLdBEDVrTgRo-rYXvQqeAcEo/s400/IMG_5780-1.JPG" width="285" yda="true" /></a></div>
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As I mentioned in a previous post, we created an activity board for Lucas for Christmas! <br />
After watching him play we made a few changes. We added a door knocker, a drain spout, and painted it with chalkboard paint!<br />
His favorite part is the springs that stick out at the top. We simply attached them with screws.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfrn8Tp0fbgggwkftxI7SXSGOBg5Klx9w5hMxYoFY73Hf4wal30XsRrpNUAVV7hfkjjOQP5m0C77cTo7vXp2wvxIHnv6KwuQWlkfZStPaoxFMAQph7K0-L0X4K2GxJT-mQJIoPbJIXO4/s1600/IMG_5786-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfrn8Tp0fbgggwkftxI7SXSGOBg5Klx9w5hMxYoFY73Hf4wal30XsRrpNUAVV7hfkjjOQP5m0C77cTo7vXp2wvxIHnv6KwuQWlkfZStPaoxFMAQph7K0-L0X4K2GxJT-mQJIoPbJIXO4/s320/IMG_5786-1.JPG" width="228" yda="true" /></a></div>
He also loves the top door that opens to a mirror. He always greets his reflection with an enthusiastic "HI!!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFN7lIXjqnsaxbVFMp-u3aLgorXr39pisaE2hLB2f3v_vr4Z8qP3aNsjcbv8jqx-7s5hTCjL40iaVdKnle_IkV2ugTnNCuyxKhNizq5bUKzN5iKWlT09eGA7IPq0eeLvyA0NKamaY1FU/s1600/IMG_5791-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFN7lIXjqnsaxbVFMp-u3aLgorXr39pisaE2hLB2f3v_vr4Z8qP3aNsjcbv8jqx-7s5hTCjL40iaVdKnle_IkV2ugTnNCuyxKhNizq5bUKzN5iKWlT09eGA7IPq0eeLvyA0NKamaY1FU/s320/IMG_5791-1.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div>
The drain was a great addition. He loves anything that functions like a steering wheel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMunIsHojMuOGVUQG6n3w5h9hD2_OHI4IhLdi59u66duBdjjf3nITHOFEGYu82qZUL6L8M5AEpT3941wEBX0SnIh_E2-qNBKReOfU9AJuckwP8BhUA-DiFZiJylTqy6U-C61b3FgVrUu8/s1600/IMG_5795-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMunIsHojMuOGVUQG6n3w5h9hD2_OHI4IhLdi59u66duBdjjf3nITHOFEGYu82qZUL6L8M5AEpT3941wEBX0SnIh_E2-qNBKReOfU9AJuckwP8BhUA-DiFZiJylTqy6U-C61b3FgVrUu8/s320/IMG_5795-1.JPG" width="228" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is included:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 doors</span></div>
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One with crinkly shiny wrapping paper behind it (leftover from Christmas)</div>
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The other with a mirror (from one of his old baby toys)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 door locks</span></div>
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1 hook lock</div>
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1 latch lock</div>
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1 chain lock</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 light switch</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 door knocker</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 caster wheels to SPIN, SPIN, SPIN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 Springs to BOING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One pulley to pull a string through</span></div>
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The board is made of two sheets a plywood attached together. We screwed them together so we could take them apart easily if we ever wanted to add anything else.</div>
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The two boards allowed us to open the doors and not have wall behind. </div>
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We made the doors by drilling small circular holes in each corner of a drawn square.</div>
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Then we could place a saw into the holes as starting points for each cut without losing our square to make the door itself.</div>
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As finishing touches we used a router along all the edges, primed with grey primer, and used chalkboard spraypaint.</div>
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Our son is involved with Early Intervention because of his heart condition. The supervisor was highly impressed and said this was excellent for developing gross and fine motor skills. </div>
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So we got a very big seal of approval!</div>
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Lucas absolutely LOVES it!</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-29048309400869163772012-01-17T16:20:00.001-05:002012-02-15T16:23:35.275-05:00Happy Birthday Storm Trooper!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojdmCRE-v8HVaHq-MoNqGcOhRmDZ8yetmUxSW1yQhHvDDGo9SFjCWhbLRbFLZcqwfq_gaOwD8rpbYoK5Us5ny-VCFMdn2KLokAwrLdqJ2JE0ZkLnPW2R8YfOl93M6mvvzNMjDFK1FY7k/s1600/IMG_5734_1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojdmCRE-v8HVaHq-MoNqGcOhRmDZ8yetmUxSW1yQhHvDDGo9SFjCWhbLRbFLZcqwfq_gaOwD8rpbYoK5Us5ny-VCFMdn2KLokAwrLdqJ2JE0ZkLnPW2R8YfOl93M6mvvzNMjDFK1FY7k/s400/IMG_5734_1-2.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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My nephew's birthday follows shortly after Christmas so it's always fun to be able to carry the theme or creations from Christmas over and have a bit more time devoted to just to him.</div>
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In 2010, I made his <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2010/01/super-kids.html">Super Hero Cape</a> to match the <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2009/12/super-monkey.html">Super Monkey</a> I made him for Christmas.</div>
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This year, I thought I would make him a Storm Trooper Helmet. It is made out of Milk Bottles! I used <a href="http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/10/milk-jug-storm-trooper-helmet.html">this tutorial</a>. However I used white milk jugs. Unfortunately they have an extremely different shape than the clear jugs used in the tutorial. So I had quite a bit of trouble trying to keep it truly Storm Trooper. I think it came out well despite the different shape and there was no spray paint involved. I just used acrylic paints including white that I used to cover up the hot glue from the hot glue gun. The nice part about this was that I could just wash off the bottles and start over if I made a mistake. I used black electric tape for the black band at the top and used vitamin bottle caps for the caps at the "ears." Hopefully he likes it! We are still waiting for an official fitting to put in the eye holes.</div>
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Also, at Christmas my nephew loved his Star Wars Finger Puppets, but as you would imagine as an almost 5 year old he had a few recommendations. He requested I add guns and some more "bad guys" so he could REALLY play with them. <br />
So with some simple folded pipe cleaners and some more floss everyone was equipt with guns in a matter of minutes, except for R2-D2 and C-3PO. He said Leah should have a gun, because Luke let her borrow his. As for the bad guys he requested a Jawa and Darth Maul. So here they are in all their glory.<br />
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My mom is bringing some red pipe cleaners on Thursday so I can make his double light saber. </div>
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She is also bringing black pipe cleaners so I can make the Jawa's gun. My nephew was very specific about the gun since it has a very large barrel. He even knew what it was called. I did a google image search and sure enough,<a href="http://www.ghostofaflea.com/archives/jawas.jpg"> they do</a>! I didn't even remeber they HAD guns! I really wanted gold eyes so I searched through my jewelry making supplies and found the eyes above. I know they are bigger, but I like that they make him feel smaller. Hopefully my artistic license is acceptable to my nephew. <br />
Unfortunately we all got sick so we had to miss his big day. We are hoping to get together soon to give him his new Star Wars friends. Don't forget if you want patterns for the <a href="http://www.rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-star-wars-finger-puppet-pattern.html">rest of the gang</a> to shoot me an e-mail at <a href="mailto:mcgowan.rebekah@gmail.com">mcgowan.rebekah@gmail.com</a><br />
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What projects are you working on over the winter months?Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-22203432043666798512012-01-12T23:37:00.001-05:002012-02-15T21:41:47.349-05:00Free Star Wars Finger Puppet Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="308" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr3lknsBN17kF3dwx2vcCTy9xxRIT1AVaWPx82dPd8Hhn_D-4vj2UdicyUQ3Txdh9E4VOG7C5v7kQkGwBppzjZwKHir_UO8UQMuwCQwaUXh0SfEeWfB7FlHhBM4mFa8oWOhxeBCSdExg/s400/Starwars-2.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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The Star Wars Finger Puppet Patterns are now available through PDF! </div>
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They print out on standard letter size paper. I have also included the basic instructions in the packet. <br />
Just e-mail me at <a href="mailto:mcgowan.rebekah@gmail.com">mcgowan.rebekah@gmail.com</a> and I will reply with the PDF that includes basic instructions and the patterns for all the characters shown above. <br />
If you enjoy the pattern and want to say a thank you, donations are accepted. There is a link in the sidebar to donate through PayPal.</div>
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<b>The Materials List is:</b></div>
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Assorted Felt</div>
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Assorted Embroidery Floss</div>
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Embroidery needle<br />
Pins</div>
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Pipe Cleaners</div>
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Please note: The Patterns are intended for Personal use only. They can not be produced for sale without my express permission and the patterns can not be sold privately or publicly.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-33291956521697678022011-12-23T11:21:00.000-05:002012-02-15T21:42:00.666-05:00Star Wars Finger Puppets<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WR0b5O63kRQ/TvSpWxJoQYI/AAAAAAAAJNk/fj4JLzMrv-k/s1600/IMG_5504-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WR0b5O63kRQ/TvSpWxJoQYI/AAAAAAAAJNk/fj4JLzMrv-k/s400/IMG_5504-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I just couldn't wait to show you! </div>
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These are for my nearly 5 year old Nephew for Christmas. They were so much fun to make! <br />
I have made printable patterns available through PDF. E-mail me at <a href="mailto:mcgowan.rebekah@gmail.com">mcgowan.rebekah@gmail.com</a> if you would like a copy of the free patterns for personal use. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IsKmtLV2oI/TvSpuKmYyAI/AAAAAAAAJOI/V6lymlzRpBA/s1600/IMG_5503-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IsKmtLV2oI/TvSpuKmYyAI/AAAAAAAAJOI/V6lymlzRpBA/s400/IMG_5503-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-48464789479930452372011-12-14T10:22:00.003-05:002011-12-14T10:31:17.470-05:00Carrie's Christmas Creation!<br />
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<em>My oh so very talented sister-in-law is joining us today as a guest blogger! I hope you enjoy her great tutorial for making Advent Calendar Christmas Trees:</em><br />
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I love Christmas, and am lucky enough to have a husband who is fully on board with my Christmas crafting addiction. This year, I really wanted to make an advent calendar. I love the sense of anticipation that comes along with an advent calendar but have been totally bored with the cheap paper or chocolate options available in stores. During an extensive Google and Pinterest search, I came upon some adorable options. (Here's a <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/best-advent-calendar/">great roundup of ideas</a>) My hesitation with most of the options I found was that they were aimed at families or took a far greater investment of time and money than I was up for. I knew I wanted to make some paper crafts, so I decided to re-purpose one as an advent calendar. <br />
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During my search, I stumbled across these adorable scrapbooking paper Christmas trees. I decided to make two of them and add pins to the bigger one from which to hang ornaments. This would be my grown-up friendly advent calendar.<br />
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First, I found some great holiday scrapbooking paper, double-sided is ideal. I bought <a href="http://store.scrapbook.com/ms-48-30108.html?o=10&t2=paper&t15-19=christmas">this great pad of Martha Stewart Crafts paper</a>. I also picked up some additional open stock pieces of green paper. I used <a href="http://crate.typepad.com/cratepaper/2010/09/lolly-chessies-famous-cp-christmas-trees.html">this great tutorial</a>, with a few minor modifications.<br />
Since I don't have a punch of any shape, I used a scrapbooking cutter to cut ovals about 1.5" long. I was also cutting out circles at the same time to make garlands, so I used an always handy cupcake tin to separate the colors and shapes. (I don't know if I would have made it through the cutting with out my husband's help!)<br />
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For my large tree, I used only shades of green but for my small tree I went for more variety. Once I had approximately <em>a ton</em> of ovals cut out, I wrapped the bottom and the top of my paper mache tree forms in dark green cardstock. Then, using a Sharpie marker, I curled the ovals about 1/2 way up. On the flat part, I put a dot of glue and then pressed the curls onto the tree form in a random order and in overlapping rows. I just used scrapbooking glue because I don't have a glue gun and it worked fine. When I got to the top of the trees, I cut a few more ovals in a smaller size to fill in the gaps. <br />
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At this point, my small tree was complete! Into my large tree, I stuck 24 white round head pins (pulled from my sewing kit). This was remarkably easy to do. I placed them so there would be enough space for the ornaments to hang. The final step was to make tiny ornaments for the advent calendar. Again, I cut little ovals using scrapbooking paper and wrote the numbers in black and silver Sharpie.<br />
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Using a tapestry needle and thin ribbon, I strung each ornament with a date tag and placed them in a little bowl by the tree. <br />
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Each day, my husband and I enjoy finding today's ornament and slowly decorating our little paper Christmas tree.</div>
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Thanks to Becky for letting me write this guest post! I write <a href="http://seasonalepicure.wordpress.com/">a cooking blog</a>, and couldn't figure out how paper trees would fit with the theme! I hope you are all having a great time getting in the mindset for the season. Do you have any favorite Christmas crafts that you return to year after year? Ones that it just wouldn't be the holidays without?<br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI02DbrtBy1ocK0hucU1xj52Xcrpvyx0_R7eyhISSdu-KzcIDK-M6NBM2d9UyX1ML4CrWXxQlSJBTwPWD_6uEFWc-tEoDXbrEoSjanhYhVzHZ1_39adKjnOKXXdoOcVg5vWrjjngPJnE/s1600/227619_708477568142_3101692_37265865_6919898_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI02DbrtBy1ocK0hucU1xj52Xcrpvyx0_R7eyhISSdu-KzcIDK-M6NBM2d9UyX1ML4CrWXxQlSJBTwPWD_6uEFWc-tEoDXbrEoSjanhYhVzHZ1_39adKjnOKXXdoOcVg5vWrjjngPJnE/s200/227619_708477568142_3101692_37265865_6919898_n-1.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
~CM<br />
<em>If there are any more talented crafters, aesthetic bakers, hand stitchers, crocheters, knitters, masters of the sewing machine, or creative people of any capacity or variety who would like to have a guest post, please feel free to send me a tutorial or post along with pictures of your work! I would be happy to consider you as a possible future guest post!</em>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-47870846430610938362011-12-12T15:37:00.000-05:002011-12-13T09:23:07.155-05:00The Goose is Getting Fat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's feeling like Christmas around here and we have been very busy little Elfs lately!<br />
In addition to our looming list of homemade gifts to make I of course had to make a few Holiday creations for Lucas. <br />
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We had a rod iron rack that held rod iron baskets of vegetables and towels next to our fridge. Unfortunately, the need to toddler proof forced us to take this down as Lucas loved to try to pull it on top of himself. We suffer from the same plight as many others. We neglected to realize that Stainless Steel is NOT MAGNETIC! Now that the magnetic black side was finally available for play, we wanted to give Lucas some much needed magnet fun. I had some magnet sheets from an old project in my craft drawer and I always have felt lying around so I decided to make Lucas some magnets. I started out with ABC. then used the scraps to make triangles, eyeballs, a line, a tounge, and a circle. I had also made him a felt tree with felt ornaments and a star and had attempted to hang it on the livingroom wall. Lucas immediately ripped it right off the wall along with some of the wall paint! We felt the fridge was a little safer. So I used the remaining magnet scraps for the back of my tree. There literally wasn't a scrap of magnet left in the end. I love that you don't need to put anything on the backs of the ornaments or star since felt sticks to felt. The new magnets are a big hit and they wander over to the non-stainless dishwasher from time to time as well. <br />
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We also have been working tirelessly on our Christmas presents. Some will have to remain secret of course, but I can reveal that I finished my pattern designs and began cutting on my StarWars finger puppets for my nephew. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SDnLxL7giG4fIQq59M97y_9UxxId1y2y6nIsf5Y1lh9YFyyqIZpOYIwbZcls9Cf-j07I-EsoK5ffjDHiVCVxSuPTqJCwX0nXqkrLPwZc8BCds6Zcux6JFP2wH45QdOr4h9OLLS3H6Fw/s1600/IMG_5338-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SDnLxL7giG4fIQq59M97y_9UxxId1y2y6nIsf5Y1lh9YFyyqIZpOYIwbZcls9Cf-j07I-EsoK5ffjDHiVCVxSuPTqJCwX0nXqkrLPwZc8BCds6Zcux6JFP2wH45QdOr4h9OLLS3H6Fw/s320/IMG_5338-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This idea was born from talking to my nephew and then watching him play. He had recently seen Star Wars III for the first time and apparently it changed his life much like thousands of other little boys and girls across the world. He later found Lucas' finger puppets and instantly began an extravagant narrative with them. So I thought what better thing than to combine the two! Of course I thought this was a completely original and brilliant idea until I did a Pinterest search. Low and Behold others had come up with the same idea. Luckily I could only find a decent Darth Vader that seemed to be a worthwhile pattern to work from. This left me to be able to make my own designs for the others. I hope they come out as awesome as they are in my head!!<br />
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My little niece turned two back in September. She adores taking care of her baby dolls and Lucas whenever she can get a chance. So I thought for her I would make my first quilt. I actually can't believe I've never made a quilt completely on my own, but with the power of Pinterest and Youtube I made it through! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUlzvFOEEQtudzq-GbegcupVAXEuEkkjS5I7W0qD4kQiGXtRSlleF_3362atHZ4k9EXqGx6mMowBhEn7vnFs3BsMnAlvtGtjKXQZ-uh6Auz86vRmgcRdOMx4arRjKJkAWjALjl4Y2H-o/s1600/IMG_5416-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUlzvFOEEQtudzq-GbegcupVAXEuEkkjS5I7W0qD4kQiGXtRSlleF_3362atHZ4k9EXqGx6mMowBhEn7vnFs3BsMnAlvtGtjKXQZ-uh6Auz86vRmgcRdOMx4arRjKJkAWjALjl4Y2H-o/s400/IMG_5416-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I only have the hand stitching left to do around the binding. I had a wonderful time making this little piece.<br />
If you have never made a quilt and are looking to get started I highly recommend using a combination of <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2009/02/sewmamasew-doll-quilt-sew-along-part-1/">this tutorial for the construction</a> , <a href="http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/5024-tying-a-quilt.php">a quilt tying tutorial</a> - you will need a curved needle- I used a 2", and I needed this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buCKs-Fgvb4">youtube quilt binding tutorial</a> inorder to really understand what they were talking about. <strike>I will try to add the quilt tying tutorial I used. I forgot to save it to Pinterest and unfortunately they have shut down their search feature at the moment. </strike><br />
We have also been stirring up a little Christmas fun in the kitchen as well! I planned to make a cheese log using <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/christmas-package-cheese-snack-688436/">this recipe</a>. However this was for a vegan, gluten free party, so the cream cheese was Tofutti. I found that it doesn't harden as well as regular cream cheese so it wouldn't keep it's little square package form on its own like the recipe intended. So I just put it in a small bread dish I had from our wedding and topped it off similar to the tutorial. I used green onions for the green bow. I found they curl best with an actual pair of scissors and if you run it along the inside of the leaf rather than the outside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIrnN6umnW0gQoTf6EHk89_DJ2vemsABlGK5_O0Wdc7_CCurbr7SofduiC-nCdwR_MMHaK43ImlAKF-aiWGzpaePFHquBPsg3t3sTTlz2TdibvCUqUxKLmPHEgpRIxdJ9U_Gl9_2RTUc/s1600/IMG_5301-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIrnN6umnW0gQoTf6EHk89_DJ2vemsABlGK5_O0Wdc7_CCurbr7SofduiC-nCdwR_MMHaK43ImlAKF-aiWGzpaePFHquBPsg3t3sTTlz2TdibvCUqUxKLmPHEgpRIxdJ9U_Gl9_2RTUc/s320/IMG_5301-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We also made our version of the santa hat brownie bites <a href="http://www.ericasweettooth.com/2009/12/santa-hat-brownie-bites.html">pictured here</a>. Again since we were going for Vegan/ Gluten Free we ran into a few road blocks. It turns out you can not use Egg substitutes with boxed Gluten free brownie mix. It will end up a crusty, overflowing, undercooked, and somehow overcooked mess. At the last minute we decided to just go Vegan and drop the attempt for Gluten free. I used my favorite <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/chocolatecakes/r/bl01018c.htm">Wacky Chocolate Cake recipe</a> (no eggs, no milk, yet super moist and rich) in a mini cupcake tin, frosted with Pillsbury vanilla frosting (no eggs, no milk, no gelatin) and topped with strawberries. Excuse our messy creations as we were unable to purchase tubed frosting since it typically has gelatin products and I still haven't overcome my fear of making my own piping in a pastry wrap tube. So we frosted with a knife and then used fondu forks to decorate. Bill ended up frosting most of them so I could get dressed for the party. What a great guy! He thought it was pretty awesome so he didn't mind the silliness or tediousness too much. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzxvEznDoSdpEW6sJq7nkygGvbx3I1CkixTL7nJ0dldzCqPZmUXNJxPN3l804VyWJarMF4VEOKvSb69O9fAgLMrHYmHb02dVhMnrQlKAU3hbL8R18jxPeHf6V50IIYZqLx3e-pvB2F4w/s1600/IMG_5309-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzxvEznDoSdpEW6sJq7nkygGvbx3I1CkixTL7nJ0dldzCqPZmUXNJxPN3l804VyWJarMF4VEOKvSb69O9fAgLMrHYmHb02dVhMnrQlKAU3hbL8R18jxPeHf6V50IIYZqLx3e-pvB2F4w/s320/IMG_5309-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, I hope you are having a VERY merry Christmas season!<br />
I have consulted with 2 potential creative cohorts who have said they may be willing to do a guest blog showcasing their amazing holiday creations while I try to keep my current works under wraps. <br />
So keep posted for some gorgeous hand made crafts by Carrie and Heather. <br />
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Merry Christmas, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4kyn-WpFtEWkJpJTOSAtInRawK5IXgJ_vuRG-x6c4YyxVAAjINIpfBQWG1UluA98O0jkugfPYKjr3ctZVmw2LfuowYJQAb-B0c-uewbY8V3bEYuJg0VRIAB1tJt81o770euzHnp5Elc/s1600/IMG_5315-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4kyn-WpFtEWkJpJTOSAtInRawK5IXgJ_vuRG-x6c4YyxVAAjINIpfBQWG1UluA98O0jkugfPYKjr3ctZVmw2LfuowYJQAb-B0c-uewbY8V3bEYuJg0VRIAB1tJt81o770euzHnp5Elc/s320/IMG_5315-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The McGowans<br />
P.S. That Party I was talking about, well it was a crazy Christmas sweater party. And as you can imagine, we won. </div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-63713570509969739502011-11-20T21:11:00.001-05:002012-02-15T11:39:43.193-05:00This Post was brought to you by the Number 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnU7mLyDzvvOa_4Rpwvg0tDpjpX7aBjuvIbp3CxhW72wsDo3xOX8PYkUElF3HW_f6QWJ9lUGjXpdqR_tLu6kD5eVTFWIVVhhqYx-xpFkjwsvEmYKghlB552x1IYYTmyckUiGfg6jwXpQ/s1600/IMG_5148-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnU7mLyDzvvOa_4Rpwvg0tDpjpX7aBjuvIbp3CxhW72wsDo3xOX8PYkUElF3HW_f6QWJ9lUGjXpdqR_tLu6kD5eVTFWIVVhhqYx-xpFkjwsvEmYKghlB552x1IYYTmyckUiGfg6jwXpQ/s400/IMG_5148-2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here is another little Home Decor creation to brighten up our little hallway to the Studio. </div>
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It's amazing how changing a door can change everything. All of a sudden, the hallway was about light. In the evening, that light story was a sad one. So we needed to change out the light fixture desperately. </div>
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I wanted something like <a href="http://thenaturecompany.mybisi.com/product/white-capiz-shell-chandelier-14x37">this.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNyUO_8sCuboGV8D8kzXSSJfXPrAEH7KI_hM0YgNtQl-Sfe-wJkwhKu99w6inCBRfYmrIKp2USfcrN1Vdimqw_S6pUeMhocNLzYRWoF7EV2_w7jH2mtj7lf4EtJWLduRE9pbeRCOjx50/s1600/1097699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNyUO_8sCuboGV8D8kzXSSJfXPrAEH7KI_hM0YgNtQl-Sfe-wJkwhKu99w6inCBRfYmrIKp2USfcrN1Vdimqw_S6pUeMhocNLzYRWoF7EV2_w7jH2mtj7lf4EtJWLduRE9pbeRCOjx50/s320/1097699.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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However, my budget was closer to $5 than hundreds. I also had only about 8.5" to work with. </div>
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I started Googling and Pinterest searching for DIY Capiz Shell Chandeliers, and I found<a href="http://www.freshlypickedblog.com/2011/03/how-to-make-chandelier.html"> one.</a> However, her tutorial <em>though fabulous</em> is only a series of pictures and is for a much larger chandelier. This left me with a general idea and a large number of questions. </div>
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I did purchase a 5" lampshade at Christmas Tree Shop for $1. I bought 2 rolls of wax paper at the Dollar Tree. I purchased a 1.5" circle punch with my 50% off coupon at AC Moore. </div>
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However, I couldn't tell how she attached the circles to the shade, and my hole punch was just making a frustrating mess until it finally jammed completely.</div>
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So here are my written instructions to make an </div>
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<strong>8.5" Faux Capiz Shell Chandelier</strong></div>
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My apologies for my lack of images. Feel free to check the <a href="http://www.freshlypickedblog.com/2011/03/how-to-make-chandelier.html">original tutorial</a> for any images.</div>
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<em><strong>Materials</strong></em></div>
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5" lampshade</div>
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2 rolls of standard size wax paper</div>
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1.5" circle punch</div>
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wire cutters</div>
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wire</div>
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2 small brass hooks</div>
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low wattage bulb (we used the type that looks like a candle)</div>
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standard single bulb light mount</div>
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(similar to the ones found in a closet or unfinished basement)</div>
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Take 6 large sheets of wax paper. </div>
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Layer them ontop of eachother.</div>
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Cover with fabric. </div>
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Iron until the entire area is fused together. </div>
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Cut lots of circles with 1.5" circle punch.</div>
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<em> I returned my Fisker for a Paper Shapers. I was pleased as PUNCH. Insert silly giggle here.</em></div>
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If you have punched your way through about 1.5-2 rolls of wax paper, you are doing great. </div>
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Rip the cloth off of your lampshade. </div>
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Cut out the bulb holder with wire cutters.</div>
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Find the mid line of the shade, and add a center wire line. </div>
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Determine how many circles long you would like each row to hang, then double that amount. </div>
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My top row is 5 long so each chain is 10 circles long</div>
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My second row is 4 long so each chain is 8 circles long.</div>
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My bottom row is 3 long so each chain is 6 circles long.</div>
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I also added extra 8 circle chains to the top row to add depth and a bit more layering at the end.</div>
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As suggested in the tutorial, I used a cupcake pan to seperate out each strand for sewing. </div>
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So first, I filled my tray with 10 circles in each holder, then 8, then 6.</div>
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I sewed using the same technique shown in the original tutorial. She includes a video. I just fed each circle into the machine one after the other to form the chain. I did back stitch at the beginning and end so they wouldn't unravel. </div>
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Then begin hanging the chains at the midpoint of the chain on the wires of the upside-down wire shade. </div>
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Keep hanging until you get your desired look. </div>
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Install your standard single bulb light mount. </div>
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Attach your brass hooks to the ceiling on either side of the light mount.</div>
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Hang your upsidedown shell covered shade to the hooks directly against the ceiling. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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I was pleased that it doesn't look overly DIY and really changes the whole feeling of this space.</div>
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Why was this post brought to you by the Number 6? </div>
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A. Because I've been watching too much Sesame Street with Lucas.</div>
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B. Because this entire project was a frustrating mess until I finally used 6 sheets of wax paper. Less sheets looks more sheer and shell like, however the punch worked perfectly with the extra sheets and it still left a shell like look. </div>
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Now I only have 1 project left for this hallway! I want to add a mirror to the bathroom door. </div>
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So this was yet another DIY hang up do to a little quirk in the process. </div>
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What's your magic number?</div>
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<br /></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-35726203352226096662011-11-16T20:27:00.001-05:002011-11-16T21:06:18.998-05:00For the Love of Plexi<div style="text-align: center;">
With just a little more persistance, the wall is now complete! Lucas practically wiggled his way out of Bill's arms in excitement and anticipation as I changed the last few pictures. </div>
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Bill's truck was at the shop and some dear friends had loaned us their extra vehicle. Tonight we went to return it and they happen to live in the craft store mecca of our area. So Bill agreed we could make a family quest in search of Plexi-Glass. No luck at Michael's. No luck at AC Moore. They had 2 sheets of 5x7 for about $4 a piece. So we popped in at the Dollar Tree as a last ditch effort. There they were. There were only four, but they were a beautiful site. 4x6 frames with Plexi-Glass! This allowed me to switch out the plastic on the crucial frames and I added Command Strips to my parent's photo which was still low enough to make me nervous. </div>
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He couldn't stop laughing, giggling, talking, and singing to all the wonderful photos. A few could use some updating, but I'm just so thrilled they are up and ready to be loved!</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-10082670051768962942011-11-15T20:32:00.001-05:002011-11-16T09:37:07.202-05:00Learning our Loved Ones and Limitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At last, I have created the ultimate family wall. It is touchable, pullable, pokable, and very<strike> lovable.</strike> <span style="color: red;">destructable! </span><br />
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Lately our little pumpkin is pointing at his Daddy and saying 'DaDa', 'Daddy', or even the occasional 'Bill' and is filled with snuggles for 'Mumma, Mummy, or Momma.' So we would love to teach him the other vital members of his family tree.<br />
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<em>Lucas' Loved Ones</em> wall was originally in his nursery behind the glider. It looked great up there aesthetically, but annoyed me that for him to look at the pictures he had to virtually crawl on your shoulders while you sat in the glider and peer over his lamp. The frames are from our local Christmas Tree Shop. They were $3-$5 a piece. <br />
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As always I was inspired by a post on Pinterest and once again it was from<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/"> YoungHouseLove</a>. <br />
They showed how they baby proofed wall hanging photos. Imagining Lucas standing in front of his family members and being able to physically point or poke at them as he learned their names was irresistible. <br />
They had switched out the glass for plexi-glass and used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Command-17204-Medium-Picture-Hanging-Strips/dp/B000M3YGOQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321410543&sr=8-2">Command Strips</a> to hang them. I had the perfect spot in mind! We have a mini hallway that passes the bathroom on the way to studio. <em>P.S. Ta-da!! I have a french door! Bill installed this gorgeous door for me. I love that is cuts down the noise from the rest of the house, but doesn't make me feel cut off or isolated. </em><br />
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Only plexi-glass stood in my way! I checked the posting and Sherry had pulled the plexi from some cheap frames they had around the house. So I was left to fend for myself. I didn't know where it was sold or how it was sold. I didn't know if I would have to cut it down or if it came in picture sized sheets. I contemplated purchasing cheap frames with plexiglass covers from the dollar store, but I had more than 9 pictures so spending $9 seemed silly when I would be throwing out the frames. Someone mentioned thick transparency sheets, but where would I get those? Could he pull the plastic down from the corners? So basically, I was left looking for a very specific item that there isn't a high demand for. My favorite...When all your shopping trips are limited to the few hours between naps and entail carrying a 13 month old in tow, searching from store to store is not an appealing idea to me. So as the procrastinating perfectionist I am, if I didn't have a perfect plan it goes on the back burner.<br />
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Today in Lucas' Early Intervention his PT offered the idea of laminating. <em>Yes, I was so obsessed I was talking about it in Early Intervention.</em> That was interesting. Laminate paper is easier to come by, but if I switched the picture I would have to re-laminate and heaven forbid I got a bubble in there! Not perfect.<br />
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Finally, I bit the bullet and went off to the local craft store. As I scanned the shelves for anything and everything that would work I saw a photo calendar. I could cut out the sleeves! This could work! 12 months means I have enough for 9 frames! But the price tag got me. $20 for something I was going to cut up, so back to the shelf it went. <br />
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But this made me realize, since I have 4x6 frames, I could cut out photo sleeves from any of my old photo albums! A perfect solution was born. Price tag $0. Nothing was holding me back. <em>I do have 1 8x10 and 1 5x7, but I hung them high enough on the wall that he shouldn't be able to reach them. </em><br />
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So in case the idea isn't self explanatory enough I took some photos of the step by step <span style="color: red;">of what didn't work</span>.<br />
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Here's my sassy little photo album circa 1999.<br />
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No holds bar, I started cutting. You have to cut directly around the photo as there isn't the extra room in the frame. Yes, there were some fun honeymoon pictures in this album circa 2005. <br />
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Make sure to leave one side of the sleeve alone. It makes a little plastic folder for the photo.</div>
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This makes me feel better about him being able to pull the plastic from the frame. If your little one has busy little fingers like mine, I think this might help.</div>
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Introducing his Great Grandma and his late Great Grandpa behind plastic!<br />
The plastic actually reduces the glare that you get from actual glass so even with the little crinkles and creases I was still quite pleased with the result.<br />
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Now on his way to go bang on the glass of my new door (<em>Bill thought ahead and got Tempered</em>) Lucas can take a pit stop and visit his aunts, uncles, cousins, grand parents, and even great grandparents. Mom and Dad are there too of course and the 8x10 is of himself. We think it's good for children to <strike>think the world revolves around them</strike> have self confidence.<br />
Ahhhh. Now I can stop laying awake in bed thinking about plexi-glass. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Update: I should have Kid tested before posting! Just as I feared Lucas' little fingers were able to rip out the plastic and photo in about .02 seconds. I guess tonight I'll be dreaming about Plexi-glass.</span><br />
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At least he had fun with it! Have you had a recent DIY disaster or struggled to find the exact materials for a perfect DIY idea?Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-91763756528629628752011-10-25T21:50:00.000-04:002011-10-25T22:34:39.396-04:00Killin' it in the Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am aware this isn't a cooking blog. Also, this isn't a 'being a mom' blog. However, being a mom does require a great deal of creativity and cooking! This creativity isn't always spun from a new innovative idea either. Sometimes the best ideas are the most tried and true. So I wanted to share this big, exciting, innovative, and NOT new idea with you all, because I'm hoping it will change my life or at least my week.<br />
So here it is.<br />
12 meals, 6 bags, 3 recipes, 1 hour<br />
The idea is to take 3 recipes, double them, put them in freezer bags, freeze, thaw, slow cook in a crock pot, and eat. <br />
I found this idea on pinterest. (are you seeing a theme?)<br />
I then followed the tutorials and recipes on <a href="http://mamaandbabylove.blogspot.com/2011/09/orange-beef-stew-chicken-n-cherries.html">this blog</a>.<br />
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I added fresh broccoli, brussel sprouts, and carrots to the French Beef Dip and I substituted a frozen stir fry mix and some peas for the spinach in the Orange Beef Stew.I wanted to make sure we all got our veggies!!<br />
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It took me about an hour to do all the chopping and assembling and I couldn't be more excited to see my full freezer! The 'Slap Chop' came in quite handy. (Actually I have the Pampered Chef version, but we like to pretend it's the more ghetto and excitingly silly Slap Chop.)<br />
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Bill came home and was drooling over the bags wondering if we really had to freeze them or if we could start cooking them right away! We'll be sure to follow up with how we enjoy them and even more importantly how the little man likes them!<br />
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Oh yes, and we finished the rocking chair. Good as new!<br />
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What creative solutions have you come up with in the kitchen? Have you found any out of the box solutions to solve your own household time management issues?<br />
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<br />Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-69453938703355810682011-10-24T08:46:00.002-04:002011-10-25T21:51:45.451-04:00Pumpkins with our Pumpkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Fall is my favorite season, hands down. We even got married in the fall and had our son in the fall, so it keeps getting better and better! One of my favorite things is carving pumpkins. Since Lucas is a little young for that, this year we thought painting pumpkins was an ideal choice. </div>
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So we set our little man up with some taped up pumpkins and some paint and let him go wild. </div>
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He had so much fun that he started crying when we put the paints away!! We had to get them back out and give him another pumpkin to paint!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He even gave himself a round of applause when he finished! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Did you make any awesome pumpkins this year or start any new family traditions?</span></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-32973026021732736762011-10-10T12:26:00.003-04:002011-10-10T13:55:11.759-04:00Drive By Delights!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHH968fbRt4AQJJxUIqy3z4YsnG1DZAJobPKQSGLE4_bo1IXx6KOXa17JopkByzJNv2ABsWTLaiKBSIK3-md6lNjTx-SadNI4HIEFipEE96h4SmOZV2f1P-iRMEQiwXQYgspr5NHWdhk/s1600/IMG_4824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7M0NgV4HstuzHlHPBj0UsJKPbCAqS_FQZZzvRBnKeHLw_f0TMDjIXbvw0YehiiCEQO1tRtGNuxVCzprU_mVmVXH9-9rvL921wpDTLCTB5Wc8yPshLramuhORh73e3JHElBcNq7uWfCc/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7M0NgV4HstuzHlHPBj0UsJKPbCAqS_FQZZzvRBnKeHLw_f0TMDjIXbvw0YehiiCEQO1tRtGNuxVCzprU_mVmVXH9-9rvL921wpDTLCTB5Wc8yPshLramuhORh73e3JHElBcNq7uWfCc/s320/IMG_4836.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I was driving home Sunday from church, I saw a fabulous sign. It said those magic words FREE. It was a 'day after yard sale- Free for all!' Usually things are pretty picked through at this point, but I grabbed this fabulous Child's rocking chair and an interesting bird house. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZSQRQLc7Mz2VNVmoimsm7wjtN_N-52irv4J1qkZuTkoy6fhkD7DmSHX5l2HuoiGgoLMZiuMObJmVDA2-Vn2FxJ2hO7LkB9jmzPJm4VvYogJI3NnpMg7a97uxadP-s-I_A2hPM_d6-co/s1600/IMG_4824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZSQRQLc7Mz2VNVmoimsm7wjtN_N-52irv4J1qkZuTkoy6fhkD7DmSHX5l2HuoiGgoLMZiuMObJmVDA2-Vn2FxJ2hO7LkB9jmzPJm4VvYogJI3NnpMg7a97uxadP-s-I_A2hPM_d6-co/s320/IMG_4824.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recently Lucas made a jump for it off of his changing table/ dresser. Thankfully he landed in his laundry basket. Needless to say, he is now changed in his crib to protect him from his own dare devil self. So we moved the Owl Mobile above his crib so he wouldn't miss his little friends. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This left a blank dresser. So what better accessory than an Owl house! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The dresser we purchased on Craigslist for $60. It was a hideous retro looking thing in a horrid yellow wood finish with wooden knobs. With MUCH sanding, painting, staining, and new knobs we made this gorgeous piece.This refurbish was inspired by <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/03/nursery-progress-refinishing-a-veneer-dresser/">YoungHouseLove</a>. They actually inspired our whole nursery! I'll tell you about that whole remodel in a future post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The owl house still needs a few touch ups, but was in good enough shape I thought we could start enjoying it right away!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Of course, I had to accessorize with more owl friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Bill was thrilled with my free finds and went right to work sanding the rocking chair. It's finish is pretty thick so he ended up quitting after an hour or so, but is excited to finish sanding so he can spray paint it as soon as possible.We put Lucas in it and he absolutely LOVED rocking in it. It is a perfect size with plenty of room for him to grow into. We couldn't be happier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95JVTD-jXUX0PG8owHys95ZwuOY5GHXo84lVZ2DkxclaBq8k5EjlD0WKzvVpHj7Bvi0LrxIU6Fy407jvFTrw2POxrRcogZuip8W2KGv3O4nBt8eUswoKoOR90IPGfxVE5GsZSrQFjVOc/s1600/IMG_4834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95JVTD-jXUX0PG8owHys95ZwuOY5GHXo84lVZ2DkxclaBq8k5EjlD0WKzvVpHj7Bvi0LrxIU6Fy407jvFTrw2POxrRcogZuip8W2KGv3O4nBt8eUswoKoOR90IPGfxVE5GsZSrQFjVOc/s320/IMG_4834.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-9011821398227383012011-10-07T07:58:00.001-04:002011-10-10T12:39:27.559-04:00Sewing Writer's Block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatN-6MgV2Xwmago5fdijvnPrTQhjsZ0llN4I0A-HzeCdDDMil3aO32MuUoMdK_lPCQLf5Cf_tbvL_kTSRHNlQqGwAMXCyzAKxqIBmUHF457MdCgb4Q19oq0rEGdNPTxFxNf2J5r3OKIP1/s1600/IMG_4433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatN-6MgV2Xwmago5fdijvnPrTQhjsZ0llN4I0A-HzeCdDDMil3aO32MuUoMdK_lPCQLf5Cf_tbvL_kTSRHNlQqGwAMXCyzAKxqIBmUHF457MdCgb4Q19oq0rEGdNPTxFxNf2J5r3OKIP1/s320/IMG_4433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I have curtains! This is my studio- <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2010/04/im-back-in-action.html">seen here</a>. There are lots more pictures of this space coming! Bill recently built a custom daybed for this window. It's ready for paint, but we can't give it up long enough to let the coats dry. We also have plans to build a <a href="http://leberpr.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/CL4.jpg">spool art table</a> for the other corner. I am currently in the process of completing my wall art with scraps from the bathroom we gutted for additional closet space. That hit a delay, because I didn't listen to my husband. <i>You'll hear that story soon.</i> Bill also built new shelves in the existing closet. And I am painting and re-upolstering a chair Bill's grandfather built for my sewing chair. This space is really coming together and is now one of our favorite spots in the house.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back to the curtains- I picked out this fabric at Ikea- <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2010/02/coming-soon.html">mentioned here</a>. It was the inspiration for my studio/ home office, but the fabric sat in the drawer for a year. I couldn't even use the space in the winter from the chill through the single paned curtain-less windows. I thought I would share what I have learned about myself through this sewing drought by reviewing the 4 items that will apparently stop me dead in my tracks and avoid sewing an essential item like it was disease infested. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMc0CkcOCdDAm4SNPd74xH5ce1zXOsaNaiP3gzPN7fbseyid7wPachemeR2_kfc3zoKNNERCeBnDYZKgkMv4Y5CVTNpybvJNnxR3bKBVxyFMGeWOpStf7X5YGDIeYEftAEPsipnlA0-YD/s1600/IMG_4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMc0CkcOCdDAm4SNPd74xH5ce1zXOsaNaiP3gzPN7fbseyid7wPachemeR2_kfc3zoKNNERCeBnDYZKgkMv4Y5CVTNpybvJNnxR3bKBVxyFMGeWOpStf7X5YGDIeYEftAEPsipnlA0-YD/s320/IMG_4743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Number 1: the astronomical price of bias tape. Well it's only a few dollars, but I needed a lot of it for 4 curtains. And it added up to an amount I felt was unreasonable for notions. Also I needed buttons. LOTS of buttons. I couldn't stomach having such a large receipt dedicated to bias tape and buttons, so I just didn't buy them.<i> </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> Note to self: waiting one year did not make them cheaper, did not allow me to think of a different solution, and the month where we had an extra $40 magically allocated to the fine category of 'sewing notions' never came.</i><i> </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end, I didn't buy all the buttons that the pattern suggested and it made me feel a little better. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Number 2: Adding backing. I decided to add a white fabric as backing so it would be thicker and more energy efficient. This added a step that was not part of the pattern. Evidently this terrified me.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Number 3: I have very odd shaped windows. They are wide and short and since they are cornered together one side is longer than the other. I have sewn many patterns in my life and I have made my own patterns, but I have not used a pattern to make something custom. I had to measure my windows and then figure out what that meant on the pattern itself. Again for no apparent reason this made me nervous.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Number 4: I have never used fabric that wasn't from the JoAnn's sale rack or my mom's stash. I was terrified to make a mistake on my precious Ikea fabric. Eventhough, I think it was only $9.99 a yard. This may explain my irrational fear of home decor fabric. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end my mother and mother-in-law came for the day, armed with their sewing machines and years of experience. They worked away sharing stories of their first sewing machines and who taught them to sew. I worked away at my <i>real</i> job and listened contently to their happy chatter. In some ways, the day was validating. There were many Pow-wows, rethinking, reworking, LOTS of seam ripping, and in the end the curtains were still a bit wider than the windows. They hit all the walls and made all the mistakes that I was scared to. It's just part of the process. Even still, they both said they wanted to make more of them when they were finished, since they finally found their rhythm by the third curtain.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All this to say, sewing has a huge learning curve. EVERY time. The first time you make a project it will never be perfect. You will always learn something. You will always make a mistake. You will use your seam ripper on nearly every project. Once you finally 'get it', you will want to make a million more and sell them on etsy. Then you will get bored the third time and move on. I don't know many things that are like sewing. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I remember one winter I was toiling away making a suit of armor for my nephew. My machine bound up every hour or so. I was constantly ripping, reworking. My husband questioned how it was fun at all and if I really enjoyed it. Then I finished. He couldn't believe I made it. And I think he saw how it was all worth it. The pains of labor make you love it even more. So don't let fear of failure overtake you. And as far as money: Yes, these curtains were probably more expensive to make then the curtains in my son's room that I bought at Target, but they are custom handmade curtains. No one has them. This is something our mass produced Wal-Mart world makes us forget. These curtains have a story. They have memories. They share all my mother and mother-in-laws stories too. You can't put a dollar amount on that. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTS_Kq-S7n3_-dhoKveUujj5IRNOqgpm1zMIXOQTQixPVpxWEKS8O0HSzrbAd8GD0DDDwwP8kEgW3w7o4Hz-cZwnAl1RoZKt7Rb-TwrJZYyPPUDac9I4Ad2nptCIb37NHVw6-RuBol070/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTS_Kq-S7n3_-dhoKveUujj5IRNOqgpm1zMIXOQTQixPVpxWEKS8O0HSzrbAd8GD0DDDwwP8kEgW3w7o4Hz-cZwnAl1RoZKt7Rb-TwrJZYyPPUDac9I4Ad2nptCIb37NHVw6-RuBol070/s320/IMG_4742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> What is the project that is beating you? What fabric or pattern is sitting on your shelf or in your drawer waiting to be tackled? What fears are holding you back?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-79404116590206907332011-10-03T20:09:00.002-04:002011-10-06T14:03:50.408-04:001st Birthday Ho-Down<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi87XWVLEaYti26uIUvqSBwnjBCPYl2KKEAnBfPO02qQfMug6CRuHpmEmE_CGKdXLlq9s0KWXEig0d8W3_k9h1lqJSFFR-PLgxyyD1K76cmrp62Rco0yovsm-kxblPNllcV-mCu5jPMvdz/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi87XWVLEaYti26uIUvqSBwnjBCPYl2KKEAnBfPO02qQfMug6CRuHpmEmE_CGKdXLlq9s0KWXEig0d8W3_k9h1lqJSFFR-PLgxyyD1K76cmrp62Rco0yovsm-kxblPNllcV-mCu5jPMvdz/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520033.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please ignore our classic error of looking into 2 different cameras. ;) </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">This weekend we celebrated our son's <span style="font-size: large;">1st year</span>. From reading you may know this is kind of a big deal for us, since our son only has half a heart and has already had 2 open heart surgeries during his little life. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">So needless to say this milestone has been on our radar for some time. We celebrated with a fabulous harvest festival that was just as much fun for the adults as it was the kids! </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I wanted to share a few of my projects with you that made this party extra special. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The first was a simple DIY bunting made with fabric scraps and left over double bias tape from my new curtains. <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-muss-no-fuss-bunting.html">Tutorial posted here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think they served their purpose beautifully. Since I used leftover materials this free project saved money </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I would have spent on balloons or crepe paper. </span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">My next project was party favors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7QemNY2vz6PUTfTKh0XsNgzO5DJ1O1ilOCdthOp5DQmpA8OPocKCp4wv-FLmAUzOvyLuG9dLHbsQGaW4f0SPcIN3IKwpcEPo10MtqkRRQNsQaiuUSNJS6XuaUE_udqPjYFpymxnh6XRW/s1600/IMG_4557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7QemNY2vz6PUTfTKh0XsNgzO5DJ1O1ilOCdthOp5DQmpA8OPocKCp4wv-FLmAUzOvyLuG9dLHbsQGaW4f0SPcIN3IKwpcEPo10MtqkRRQNsQaiuUSNJS6XuaUE_udqPjYFpymxnh6XRW/s320/IMG_4557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I had found the idea for pies in jar online and thought this would be perfect. After much debate of what to do for filling, I ended up making chocolate. This allowed me to pre-cook the pies so they only needed be refrigerated and EATEN! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> They came out beautifully and were DELICIOUS. My husband actually found out I have two extra crusts left and is insisting I make 8 more pies ASAP. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I also purchased <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67350706/favor-tags-big-green-tractor-by-10?ref=sc_1">adorable custom labels on etsy</a> that I glued onto the tops with craft glue. <a href="http://rebekahmcgowan.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-make-your-guests-cook-pie-in-jar.html">Detailed tutorial here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">For the kiddos I made chocolate lollipops of frogs, ladybugs, and butterflies. I never realized how easy these are. You make them in the microwave. Also, I didn't feel guilty about giving parents a bunch of junky toys or a bag of candy they would have to ration out all week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">For interior decorations I printed out our favorite pictures of Lucas from the past year. Then I glued them to scrap booking paper and hung them from rope clotheslines around the kitchen with mini clothespins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkXsoh7xG8H1AOXeW7RKd58RstEapVLxFw3OypoVdg6SM0mcn4DgX920PC_xW4nZyZrWSznAu1gYhKFiSKCLgMTyoaA8nPqIOqcXO1cd4c00Thl5pNpHVwnnU_mL0h-GeSKtp7oMDoEnp/s1600/IMG_4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkXsoh7xG8H1AOXeW7RKd58RstEapVLxFw3OypoVdg6SM0mcn4DgX920PC_xW4nZyZrWSznAu1gYhKFiSKCLgMTyoaA8nPqIOqcXO1cd4c00Thl5pNpHVwnnU_mL0h-GeSKtp7oMDoEnp/s320/IMG_4729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Activities: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We had 2 games and 2 big activities. The first was hay rides on our lawn tractor. The kids loved this! Especially the birthday boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg-RWbKAkiCX1pxT9C9-hDM-XwSBW58fXvrw2zcudFfvgOupK1fXwAmPwP0pPZ5s2dCNsXKOA7ZvXbG-heJZ3E75PQGLVnijopgzionQHuE39PBN41WTe7OjY88LmhvuXzvSj9fhdwNa-/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg-RWbKAkiCX1pxT9C9-hDM-XwSBW58fXvrw2zcudFfvgOupK1fXwAmPwP0pPZ5s2dCNsXKOA7ZvXbG-heJZ3E75PQGLVnijopgzionQHuE39PBN41WTe7OjY88LmhvuXzvSj9fhdwNa-/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Even a few adults jumped in at the end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Then I set up a photo station in front of our shed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8WlC-YNFem0b_wQQUVD0Gp0BBYWSNHjo_9QO3vc_Qn5XIL8tViUyw2hKzZVOXJBPLn1Rp2vtBvpPY6iA127NFKnYBOGhn3locSJzEpNy5BtzgbyJeb_R4-MHm0wCLzXCYpXY2i0VWoXO/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8WlC-YNFem0b_wQQUVD0Gp0BBYWSNHjo_9QO3vc_Qn5XIL8tViUyw2hKzZVOXJBPLn1Rp2vtBvpPY6iA127NFKnYBOGhn3locSJzEpNy5BtzgbyJeb_R4-MHm0wCLzXCYpXY2i0VWoXO/s320/IMG_4770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> We had lots of hats, fake teeth, mustaches, noses, etc. to choose from and took family photos of everyone in attendance. I made the mustaches out of felt, poster board, craft glue, and wooden kabob sticks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshw42_QiuKFkroLXjVmfYte-cCMR0iMdypqhk8eBgHlYuVTW3ee9bjHMfEMiuN7HlrABIKp1tDHG6vUXhNXDa0CGmgk6r3Cb22mJMt74rZrLdQ6rIrdvIznclp3H1kdYQpgsNtR6MpSd7/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshw42_QiuKFkroLXjVmfYte-cCMR0iMdypqhk8eBgHlYuVTW3ee9bjHMfEMiuN7HlrABIKp1tDHG6vUXhNXDa0CGmgk6r3Cb22mJMt74rZrLdQ6rIrdvIznclp3H1kdYQpgsNtR6MpSd7/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hyphenhyphenCn3SKZWbmMuPWqja4H_7EDM2bAJ3JXWDlFl6iwO6hrMlDNgIlxYIANgH7ihMLAPgFCIm2W4N38TRqblvDC-bb9cB4sKODnIRWcjfIz2IWrOAhACqRVm9CsG58uQ6TuxjLVfQxCEL8l/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hyphenhyphenCn3SKZWbmMuPWqja4H_7EDM2bAJ3JXWDlFl6iwO6hrMlDNgIlxYIANgH7ihMLAPgFCIm2W4N38TRqblvDC-bb9cB4sKODnIRWcjfIz2IWrOAhACqRVm9CsG58uQ6TuxjLVfQxCEL8l/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS8XO8o3MCHUTmKAbdCNDag-S83RSsvKbtj1NwDNPDfGE7xEN6OgWmwjPsjVNhW1MlDo1U77vUmyZhq8sX3W_fyPt1v5SfsF9f7-Up7clsG9FHOgoxPCc3TEcNvnN676EQ5NlT_xaI_yH/s1600/IMG_4631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS8XO8o3MCHUTmKAbdCNDag-S83RSsvKbtj1NwDNPDfGE7xEN6OgWmwjPsjVNhW1MlDo1U77vUmyZhq8sX3W_fyPt1v5SfsF9f7-Up7clsG9FHOgoxPCc3TEcNvnN676EQ5NlT_xaI_yH/s320/IMG_4631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">While everyone was waiting their turn I made Penny Pitch game with Poster board. I printed out some fun pictures of cows, pigs, barns, apple trees, and a cloud and glued them to the poster board. Then I picked up some giant pennies at the dollar store and a huge role of stickers. All the kids loved this game. They got a sticker if their penny landed on one of the items on the board. The older kids stood further back and some of the littlest ones just had fun putting stickers on the board!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7XboD-gWf-PGDf6ZlVG0dW-GdXxgc2tfUPEGZglOUc_ccFpzCDzMVftX-imL3qajbT7utBRkYGidchKPUsR6KGjkp3M5pHEBlnA3kXJ38ap1Nzc16pomsoXPl69mgUhVCfPJUThCT_-b/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7XboD-gWf-PGDf6ZlVG0dW-GdXxgc2tfUPEGZglOUc_ccFpzCDzMVftX-imL3qajbT7utBRkYGidchKPUsR6KGjkp3M5pHEBlnA3kXJ38ap1Nzc16pomsoXPl69mgUhVCfPJUThCT_-b/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520013.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg901m7lLGRAkCpy5lodb0UIE0DkiWarmSEj-3DgIgSetPs4G_mfaYaWzMWzzN_4CDxfrtkk1umUYYMiv9g9xDowbdep3MYxeYfBTs5dnEh2F0gQSJOEmyEUNs7pYHvlHpipEb4tw895SQt/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg901m7lLGRAkCpy5lodb0UIE0DkiWarmSEj-3DgIgSetPs4G_mfaYaWzMWzzN_4CDxfrtkk1umUYYMiv9g9xDowbdep3MYxeYfBTs5dnEh2F0gQSJOEmyEUNs7pYHvlHpipEb4tw895SQt/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">The other game was a simple donkey printed out and laminated with a roll of artist tape on the back. This was stuck onto the backs of unsuspecting guests. When they noticed they would in turn have to put it on someone else's back. Even though we made up the game the donkey spent most of the party on my husbands back or my own. Everyone got a kick out it. It was also a nice conversation starter: ' Why is there a donkey on your back?'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Food: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I TRIED to make a tractor cake. I bought the pan and all the accessories, but in the end it was 2pm and guests were arriving as I stood with frosting in hand not even sure how to put to put the piping bag together! Luckily my Sister-in-law stepped in and saved the day and finished the job for me. It came out adorably.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1ra9JXAgb2ekiXVZ4N8XmcS94SmhgDFYNXUaYa9j6tkjpXy6V6NsH4nZdrEAP6kViEXEQAct3NfEPztfvme45W4LyXkWru-_OaHQnbK9KaT456SUJfykbi_r1UreGD0YZRghn0dKERM2/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1ra9JXAgb2ekiXVZ4N8XmcS94SmhgDFYNXUaYa9j6tkjpXy6V6NsH4nZdrEAP6kViEXEQAct3NfEPztfvme45W4LyXkWru-_OaHQnbK9KaT456SUJfykbi_r1UreGD0YZRghn0dKERM2/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most importantly Lucas loved it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTUVPfIqwoAIvl4B2MM5KAXIMkB5cFNPvqmPFUuXDloal6N5sw84KvI4BEfGOyGXf7JgjlcffD3x0Yc9s5KBABjpW2M_Wymwxh2eXd0FN5w8qLgyZj4HhmFU2T6Ls50etnz0KZQm-YcS0/s1600/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTUVPfIqwoAIvl4B2MM5KAXIMkB5cFNPvqmPFUuXDloal6N5sw84KvI4BEfGOyGXf7JgjlcffD3x0Yc9s5KBABjpW2M_Wymwxh2eXd0FN5w8qLgyZj4HhmFU2T6Ls50etnz0KZQm-YcS0/s320/Lucas%25252527s%252525201st%25252520B%25252527Day%25252520055.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, my dear friend came baring the most beautiful delicious looking gift of all. She made vegetable themed cupcakes that she had slaved over for the past days. But, the cupcakes were never eaten.... you can read more about this tragedy on<a href="http://dancevegandance.blogspot.com/2011/10/potluck-and-moment-of-silence.html"> her vegan cooking blog</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnS2vVfi7PaK8Piz9EVtE1mTz13HeIFLdfgxTkFMXKg6_QPaTSUPx2QoYy2Lrh0fiHP6Z15G3Ki1AkJR5yCSLq437kiyRaMoBwxZ-SjFVzpC8FlE4PWJNWEa9JB0qhnznW4xR-HhjS8hQ/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnS2vVfi7PaK8Piz9EVtE1mTz13HeIFLdfgxTkFMXKg6_QPaTSUPx2QoYy2Lrh0fiHP6Z15G3Ki1AkJR5yCSLq437kiyRaMoBwxZ-SjFVzpC8FlE4PWJNWEa9JB0qhnznW4xR-HhjS8hQ/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We all had a wonderful day! Can't wait 'til next year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_wrUwHqfP8/TojOiNMsigI/AAAAAAAAEe8/KArXwtBgCZQ/s1600/IMG_4652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-84057409760108039202011-10-03T19:53:00.002-04:002011-10-10T12:40:39.378-04:00Don't make your guests cook! -> Pie in a Jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUApOM7r1vxVQEVqv0bu__gSpjhTejUqgoEK0U9w4ihKNJL4cgfziaGGGdADweE5-j39-S4zuVwQLCRCd1TdHlRAYudk9fBzvQ0xm9P3kXEURW-oPQde6lskDCIwyqvlUFLHF1eCQnX7Q/s1600/IMG_4560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUApOM7r1vxVQEVqv0bu__gSpjhTejUqgoEK0U9w4ihKNJL4cgfziaGGGdADweE5-j39-S4zuVwQLCRCd1TdHlRAYudk9fBzvQ0xm9P3kXEURW-oPQde6lskDCIwyqvlUFLHF1eCQnX7Q/s320/IMG_4560.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So if you are a pinterest and facebook addict like I am you may have seen 'Cake in a Jar.' This concept of making single serving cakes in mason jars made me so excited I talked about it for probably a month straight. When I started to plan for Lucas' birthday party it was a no-brainer that I was going to make them. But then I saw <i>these</i>. The most beautiful creations ever... <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/single-serving-pie-in-a-jar/">PIES in a Jar</a> . This was <i>ABSOLUTELY </i>perfect for my Harvest themed birthday party! The concept is to make individual pies in mason jars. The pies are uncooked. You freeze them and then when you want to eat it you bake it for 45-50 minutes and then eat it!<br />
As the party drew closer. I continued to run down the logistics with friends and family as I obsessed over these magical creations. Note that I think she makes FOUR pies in her tutorial and I was planning to make TWENTY FOUR. We later found this is the equivalent of making 6 pies. Flashes of my grandmother bringing seven pies to Thanksgiving one year went before my eyes.<br />
We still talk about it.<br />
Why?<br />
Because that's A LOT OF PIES!<br />
And my apple peeler corer leaves a lot to be desired. It basically works well if every apple is the EXACT same size and shape. But sorry, God don't make 'em that way. My grandmother recommended cherry pies. This made me sulk around the house for a day, because cherries aren't fall fruit and thus do NOT go with my wonderful Harvest theme. I felt like my masterful plan, my hopes and dreams for pies in jars were all falling to pieces before my eyes. Ahh, logistics.<br />
Then it came to me, PUMPKIN pies! I was all excited that I could use my handy Foley mill that I use for making my son's purees or if I lost ambition at the last minute I would just buy canned pumpkin pie filling! Easy Peasy!<br />
Now I don't know the last time I ate pumpkin pie<i> (I don't even like pumpkin pie)</i> and I have never made one in my life. Actually I've never made a pie before. I do make a mean crisp. My mom said I had to wait and make them the day before the party. She was worried about freezing them and thawing them just for our guests to freeze them again. The day before the party my mother-in-law mentioned what uncooked pumpkin pie filling looked like. She said its really runny and kindof gross. AWESOME. So we will give runny uncooked ugly pies to people.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After much discussion, chocolate came into the conversation. Precooked crust was mentioned. All you need is chocolate pudding for the filling was brought up. We were down to the wire and I was SOLD. Note: We did TRY making crusts to see how many we would need to fill a jar. There was flour everywhere and it was a disaster. Again we realized we would at least need enough for 6 pies. So the next day I packed up my one year old on his birthday and we bought out Market Basket of every last box of chocolate pudding and grabbed all the pre-made pie crusts they had. Here's how to make these bad boys.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roll out 1 pie crust- (or in my case- unroll my prepackaged crust)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cut it into quarters with a sharp knife</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use one quarter per jar. Push the center of you quarter to the bottom and push it tight against the glass.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Push the extra onto the sides. Overlap as necessary. Smoosh with your fingers until it feels evenish and completely layers the inside of the glass. Make sure that your edge comes as close to the top of the glass as possible. You can add extra dough if you need to. <i>I used one and half extra pie crusts just for filling in gaps and adding edging to the top</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I used a fork along the top rim to make an edge. Then take your fork and poke holes in your crust on the bottom and sides.</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now you really need pie weights or else they do sink down quite a bit in the jars. I used empty baby food jars.They worked perfectly. I used the pie crust directions cooking at 350 degrees for 11 minutes.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6BmiQH8cw8MKeKk7I3Tx5UWuqB_Lj8dQQLq0rn0XFQxcmz6mdzEd7sUj1N2Tas_jwc-XK1LAQ3PKRnzTmBYltw3hyr_GYYC3-RIs6PhhAMkDLh0ncZ28O-uzqjAv7c7xz2AvI4dzAHCb/s1600/IMG_4553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6BmiQH8cw8MKeKk7I3Tx5UWuqB_Lj8dQQLq0rn0XFQxcmz6mdzEd7sUj1N2Tas_jwc-XK1LAQ3PKRnzTmBYltw3hyr_GYYC3-RIs6PhhAMkDLh0ncZ28O-uzqjAv7c7xz2AvI4dzAHCb/s320/IMG_4553.JPG" width="240" /></a></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">You can see in the photo my first batch in the upper left. I didn't build them high enough and didn't use the weights. I also took them out a little early</span>. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Now mix up your pudding as they cool. You can simply follow the directions on the jello box. Once the pudding thickens and your crusts are cooled it's time to add them together!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMM9aBwzU-pfm_EWfCzuyNOf4OErFgW9QhKD8gWDZO3sgYG0qT_5fqonCPcAs8ZHqJXAyErog7dYMY-q3RautaXg_T3106ahKrtG0u_xyj8YV6rufQgXqFBb_KWDmXw16c5qy20mVTA6A/s1600/IMG_4556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMM9aBwzU-pfm_EWfCzuyNOf4OErFgW9QhKD8gWDZO3sgYG0qT_5fqonCPcAs8ZHqJXAyErog7dYMY-q3RautaXg_T3106ahKrtG0u_xyj8YV6rufQgXqFBb_KWDmXw16c5qy20mVTA6A/s320/IMG_4556.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">I let them cool together for about another hour before I sealed them shut and put them in the fridge. I bought labels from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67350706/favor-tags-big-green-tractor-by-10?ref=sc_1">this fabulous etsy dealer</a> .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzHbH0eQvBL5JqPUycNgBQ36s7kAFsY3YU4XJHwV0jnFvldsZ6N4_hlxFOnTmXE03HHzBrIJYZpCQJW92HP0E9zahyslZWaXuUxFHj-HfNN4oBk2eX7__wgXdC-cpKj64hLildF45TyVs/s1600/IMG_4557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzHbH0eQvBL5JqPUycNgBQ36s7kAFsY3YU4XJHwV0jnFvldsZ6N4_hlxFOnTmXE03HHzBrIJYZpCQJW92HP0E9zahyslZWaXuUxFHj-HfNN4oBk2eX7__wgXdC-cpKj64hLildF45TyVs/s320/IMG_4557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">A bunch of party goers forgot their pies when they left so we were left with 6 pies in our fridge. After trying one, my husband and I devoured the remaining 4 in the next 12 hours. They were delicious! And all my guest had to do was EAT them! Or put them in the fridge until they had a lovely chocolate craving.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Note: I used 1/2 pint wide mouth jars. The brand I used was Kerr and we picked them up at Ace Hardware.</span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-83033650799270647322011-10-03T19:43:00.003-04:002011-10-10T12:41:34.083-04:00No Muss No Fuss Bunting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDAhwxOwmKBgl9pYrm0p113bCZTWhBAozUlT54TKA6etwUH7rh3b_YlAF7AuQMwRDbTUMvCsF3OIy1zPjWkT9gxZGEsRUz7ZY15miJOisHkCoCtX3K4hX2ogBhYVuAMFFtJts5xMC8I0g/s1600/IMG_4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDAhwxOwmKBgl9pYrm0p113bCZTWhBAozUlT54TKA6etwUH7rh3b_YlAF7AuQMwRDbTUMvCsF3OIy1zPjWkT9gxZGEsRUz7ZY15miJOisHkCoCtX3K4hX2ogBhYVuAMFFtJts5xMC8I0g/s320/IMG_4761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I am a perfectionist. It's just how I roll. Now when I proposed making bunting and the materials I would use, my mother quickly reminded me about ten times that it doesn't need to be perfect. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She recalled making our costumes for our Reformation plays in grade school (what? Your school didn't perform REFORMATION plays!) Yes. We literally performed Reformation plays. It was a private Christian School with 80 kids in it. What can I say. Every year it was a different one. So every year we needed new costumes. I will never forget the year my sister was Queen Elizabeth. My mother toiled over that hideous green curtain fabric for days and weeks.In the end it was a hideous green dress that was done soo beautifully Queen Elizabeth could have worn it herself (if she was the size of an 8th grader.) My mother brought it into school and another mom reminded her- 'It's a play... There are bright lights and no one will even see the back.' That's when my mom learned the value of sewing for decoration or play. Don't fuss. Don't spend hours stitching perfect seams on a play costume. Then they will be scared to wear it. JUST LET GO.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making bunting (for decoration) is about just that. My triangles are not perfect. My cut lines from the pinking shears are not even. Even my well laid plan to have all my farm animals right side up fell through. My stitches are not straight, but I made four strings of bunting from soup to nuts in about one hour with no pins. And they look great because they are about effect- NOT becoming an heirloom or their re-sale value. No muss, no fuss.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This isn't going to be formal instructions, but should be enough info to get a person with some experience sewing through. If you run into problems, feel free to let me know. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So first take a piece of 8 1/2x11" paper and fold it in half lengthwise. Cut diagonally from one corner to the other. Unfold. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vuala- Pattern!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now fold up your fabrics into a nice long rectangle that is tall enough for your pattern and wide enough for a few triangles. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>If your fabric is too thick you may have to guage how many times you fold it so your scissors can still cut through.</i> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I didn't even draw the pattern on the fabric. I just started cutting along the edge of the paper. <i> </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Just be careful not to cut your paper since it will dull the shears. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only cut the diagonals.<i> </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>You will use regular fabric scissors for the bottom of the triangle when you finish cutting them out so you have a straight edge to sew to. </i> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you finish cutting both diagonals flip your triangle on the fabric so it matches the diagonal you just cut. Now you only have to cut one side! </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then flip and cut again until you get to the end of your rectangle. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do this with as many colors of fabric that you want.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make things easy for myself I then put them in a stack in the order I wanted to sew them. I tried to not make an exact repetitive pattern, but also tried to not have the same fabric twice.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I then placed my double bias tape along the bottom edge of the triangle on top of my fabric <i>(which should be facing up)</i>.Then start sewing. Remember to lock the beginning and the end so your stitches don't unravel. When you get close to the end of the first triangle slide your next triangle into place under the bias tape and just keep going . Leave room on both ends to tie off the bunting. <i>You don't have to use bias tape. You could use ribbon or apron cord or anything you have that won't fray.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRKAMdycmDiiRYZETFuNSrbRaCAUew_ufUYalBMiDr05fqQzjXsr2sm7DnmDaj3hyphenhyphenX4WFeNUPRaMEmUgWH_lAI88tNr6VM514xWCaGa0oscRK99kJxFs3l2KSPR0-7K-LwqmPHdLj4RZW/s1600/IMG_4666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRKAMdycmDiiRYZETFuNSrbRaCAUew_ufUYalBMiDr05fqQzjXsr2sm7DnmDaj3hyphenhyphenX4WFeNUPRaMEmUgWH_lAI88tNr6VM514xWCaGa0oscRK99kJxFs3l2KSPR0-7K-LwqmPHdLj4RZW/s320/IMG_4666.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7ZcuztRFqQ_LKSHD6OXdd08agMgAortVHv2ZvTpGPgot99pG051pHhfT_wTH39lcG7u4x7lYryviphE5l-DCOh76zGhb4Vt4zuhzptSaq286FApzbADW1lzlf9SdSwu4CSzia3Vz2Wl0/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7ZcuztRFqQ_LKSHD6OXdd08agMgAortVHv2ZvTpGPgot99pG051pHhfT_wTH39lcG7u4x7lYryviphE5l-DCOh76zGhb4Vt4zuhzptSaq286FApzbADW1lzlf9SdSwu4CSzia3Vz2Wl0/s320/IMG_4670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That does it! Now hang up your bunting and enjoy your party decorations that were hopefully next to nothing to make!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-42211789331317914772011-09-27T22:09:00.002-04:002012-02-15T21:43:22.700-05:00Sewing for BOYS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gem0qiJEbjCW8o_sVvUKAb5T0Dhde8wt3pKeQY31gFaVqpbXq8M7jqTqk6NsgWyQH6uj1wV7MwXoz_s6oDCayrJfa0Qhvdz69UTr9VSU_4NGzNrGWXS9HLPj1dzlWNTEhn_6pFTBAnc/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gem0qiJEbjCW8o_sVvUKAb5T0Dhde8wt3pKeQY31gFaVqpbXq8M7jqTqk6NsgWyQH6uj1wV7MwXoz_s6oDCayrJfa0Qhvdz69UTr9VSU_4NGzNrGWXS9HLPj1dzlWNTEhn_6pFTBAnc/s320/IMG_4534.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I constantly see the debates online between working moms and stay at home moms. I just chuckle to myself and sigh. As a work from home full time employee and mom to a child with special needs, sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel. However, as my little man found his rhythm and has begun to explore his world on all fours or shimmying around furniture, I seem to have found my rhythm as well. As I did, I found our budget is still tighter than ever and the stash of baby clothes from hand me downs and gifts has finally run out. My mother has been sewing nonstop for my little niece making her gorgeous little dresses and I felt frustrated that there aren't any fun patterns for BOYS! Searching through Pinterest one day, I found a few ideas and patterns and quickly came up with a marvelous plan.</div>
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Use DADDY'S old pants to make new pants for my little man.</div>
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We were desperately due for a laundry day so I thought it was a key opportunity to hunt through my husband's drawers. Whatever was left during this laundry famine was sure to not fit or be worn out. I pulled out 3 gems. 1 pair of jeans that he felt fit him awkwardly, 1 pair of Dickies that were uncomfortable, and 1 pair of wool dress pants that were used for a Halloween costume.</div>
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I'm sure this isn't an original idea and there are many blog posts on the web for this basic pattern and concept. However, I couldn't find exactly this simple process all in one place. So here it is. I keep saying these pants take 30 minutes. I'm bet it's longer than that, but I made 3 in one evening after the little guy was in bed and still went to bed at a decent hour. They are literally one of the easiest things I have ever made. And since they are made out of 'adult' fabric instead of thin cottons and jersey knits, I can let him be a BOY and play in the dirt and crawl across pavement, etc. Not to mention the constant compliments I get on his great pants. No one believes they are hand made. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg8r6gp6s15Yw9NtZjXBrUVB8_wQh_VJm7ecny2xjz-E4pV6jcoMrBidm0OIYV0lPHR11rrtQTf7bDjTv_-W5tWfnVAGxB40d6cTirErDoeAZhrr5LLoaZ9CnJuQ_xK3MSI-Lg3hK0r0/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg8r6gp6s15Yw9NtZjXBrUVB8_wQh_VJm7ecny2xjz-E4pV6jcoMrBidm0OIYV0lPHR11rrtQTf7bDjTv_-W5tWfnVAGxB40d6cTirErDoeAZhrr5LLoaZ9CnJuQ_xK3MSI-Lg3hK0r0/s320/IMG_4486.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The key to the simplicity of these pants is that I use the hem line and inseam of the Adult jeans. This makes them look professional rather than 'home sewn' and greatly simplifies the process. So you only get one pair of toddler pants per 1 pair of adult pants. But if you were going to throw them out anyway or they were just taking up valuable storage space in your dresser, it's definitely worth it.</div>
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My first attempt ended up a little tighter than I thought, but it was an easy tweak for the next pair. They are basically a perfect fit so there isn't much room to grow. I was amazed to see how easily he can move in them. Since I did run into this problem, please keep in mind if you are using a jersey knit as a template to make pants in a stiffer fabric allow extra room to account for the stretch you have lost. </div>
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Let's get started.</div>
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<b>What you will need:</b></div>
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Pair of pants that are in decent shape from the knee down </div>
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matching thread (I use a mustardy yellow for jeans)</div>
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fabric scissors</div>
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3/4" wide elastic</div>
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writing utensil- pen/ marker whatever is around</div>
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clothes iron</div>
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pins/safety pins</div>
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Step 1: <i>Making your pattern:</i> select your 'material' and a pair of pants that fits your child well to use as a template.</div>
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Take the template pants and fold them in half. Use the actual edge of the fabric for your actual pattern edge for the hem and side seam.</div>
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Add 5/8" to the interior edges to allow for a seam allowance. Leave about 2 1/2" extra at the top. </div>
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Step 2: <i><span style="font-size: small;">Cutting:</span></i> Now pin your pattern on the pants. I used 1 pattern for both pant legs, but if you choose to do it this way don't leave your brain behind. Because you will have to flip the pant leg and your pattern to do the opposite side. (I only say this as often by the time I have a minute to sew my brain has gone to bed hours ago.) </div>
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Step 3: <i> Sewing:</i> Start by unfolding the two pieces and place them face to face. Then sew along the two sides as shown below. This will be the front seam and the back seam covering the bum. </div>
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Next fold your fabric so the fresh seams are in the center. This makes the shape or you pant. Clip the seam allowance along any curves so the fabric can lay flat and iron. Now go back in and sew the inner leg lines. Start at one cuff moving up to the crotch and then turn and go back down ending at the other cuff. Clip the seam allowance along any curves so the fabric can lay as flat as possible and iron. Feel free to trim down you seam allowances.</div>
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At this point I had a fitting. I turned the pants right side out and folded the top down to where it was similar to the template pair. I then ironed it so there was a nice crease and tried them on the kiddo. I adjusted as necessary and carefully placed a safety pin to mark the spot and took them off.</div>
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To sew the waistband, You are going to have 2 folds that fold on the inside of the pant and end up being wide enough to fit your 3/4" elastic through. Make your folds and cut off any excess. I did my first fold as 5/8" and sewed it in place. Then I folded the second fold to cradle the 3/4" elastic nicely. I sewed this down right along the outside of the fold. Make sure to NOT meet your stitch as you come around the waistband. You need to leave enough room to thread in your elastic. Attach a safety pin to the end of your elastic and feed it through you opening and around the waistband. When it comes out the other end I safety pinned it to the pant so I didn't lose the end and had another fitting. Put the pants on your little guy or girl and pull the elastic until it is not too tight and not too loose. Un-safety pin your other side and safety pin the two ends together at the perfect length. Remove the pants. Then stitch the elastic sides together. Make sure they aren't twisted. Hand stitch up your opening for the elastic and DONE.</div>
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My husband had the fabulous idea of taking the Dickies label off of his pants and sewing it onto the bum of the Dickies we made for Lucas. I love how they came out! </div>
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</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018286501560236856.post-43797152617705686132011-05-23T15:23:00.000-04:002011-05-23T15:23:08.587-04:00Thanks for your patience.<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRxWHMTDkY1XA2jqKuQ00TndTXpnGumVMnYIRam61xlaazodEMaLn4p7sdWNQoLEbK0SJp7vMU1REm4a6XG3B-zjhBWtXi_uC8GR6zmpTqFukbLvxnxKrb-iLaw_Axjcy4gsP14TGqeE/s1600/227890_2048711852513_1085963078_32495516_7710380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRxWHMTDkY1XA2jqKuQ00TndTXpnGumVMnYIRam61xlaazodEMaLn4p7sdWNQoLEbK0SJp7vMU1REm4a6XG3B-zjhBWtXi_uC8GR6zmpTqFukbLvxnxKrb-iLaw_Axjcy4gsP14TGqeE/s320/227890_2048711852513_1085963078_32495516_7710380_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well our little bun in the oven was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect when I was 20 weeks. He has HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome). This means he was born with half a heart. He needs 3 open heart surgeries to survive. The first was 4 days after birth. The second was at 6 months of age. So he is now nearly 8 months old and has successfully made it through the first 2 surgeries with few complications. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We made this short video of his life for CHD awareness week shortly before his second surgery. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arg3uIGG7Iw">CHD Awareness Week- Lucas- HLHS</a> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are welcome to follow our other blog: </span><a href="http://www.babymcgowan.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Consider it Pure Joy</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to get updates of how he is doing and what I am up to on the mommy front. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am excited to finally have things a little more settled in my life. I hope to soon post a few blogs of the DIY projects that we used to make Lucas' amazing nursery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Including the finished Owl Mobile of course!</span>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06776048440315279105noreply@blogger.com0