tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2566909323873400142024-03-14T05:48:27.579-06:00auds & endsAudreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-14278630395501883882011-10-27T06:00:00.030-06:002011-10-27T06:00:02.302-06:00funky witch costume<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I made another witch costume, but this time it's a little more fun, and less traditional. It's for a little girl in our neighborhood, who is the same size as Rora (we'll call her Little Miss.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(modelled by Rora)</td></tr>
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I still used the corset-style belt from <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2114-costumes.aspx">Simplicity 4139</a>, but this time I made it a little smaller than recommended so that the lacings would be more obvious and Little Miss' mom chose green ribbon for the same reason:<br />
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The tutu is a no-sew tutu, except I didn't like the idea of the waistband being stapled, so I sewed it. I guess it's more of a "minimal sewing" tutu. (If you don't know how to make one of these, just Google "no sew tutu" and you should end up with plenty of options.)<br />
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The cape is simple. It's 36" wide, and the length that I wanted. Then I gathered it into a length of extra-wide double-fold bias tape (make sure to cut it long enough to tie on either side of the gathering.)<br />
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And the true test of whether a costume/outfit/dress is a success: does it make her want to smile and twirl?<br />
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<em>The hat Rora is wearing is the same hat from <a href="http://auds-and-ends.blogspot.com/2010/11/witch-costume.html">last year's witch costume</a>. Little Miss already has a hat, so there was no need to make her one.</em></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-63327368083376980642011-10-26T10:34:00.000-06:002011-10-26T10:34:05.823-06:00my absence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have been MIA for a few weeks now . . . not that that's uncommon, but this time I have a really good reason.<br />
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This November, Enos and I will be celebrating 10 years since the day we promised ourselves to each other. To celebrate, we went on a cruise, and dragged our best friends, Ben and Tonia along! (Thanks again for finding child care and coming with us amidst a move and job change.)<br />
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And now, I'm going to make you jealous:<br />
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We went ziplining in the Jamaican tree tops:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful friend, Tonia and her tolerable husband, Ben. ;)</td></tr>
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After ziplining, we played on the ocean toys in Margaritaville, Jamaica.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttu2kyKtxHg/Tqgx4ht9ULI/AAAAAAAAEyY/0ZVaT1cppus/s1600/IMG_9385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttu2kyKtxHg/Tqgx4ht9ULI/AAAAAAAAEyY/0ZVaT1cppus/s640/IMG_9385.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In the Cayman Islands, we played with the stingrays and snorkeled:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNhPbfQTyyI/Tqgx-lsjWvI/AAAAAAAAEyo/6W54cfOhuuQ/s1600/IMG_9462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNhPbfQTyyI/Tqgx-lsjWvI/AAAAAAAAEyo/6W54cfOhuuQ/s640/IMG_9462.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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And in Cozumel, Mexico we hiked the Mayan ruins while being eaten alive by mosquitoes:<br />
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We stayed up too late, got up too early, ate way too much, and had a generally amazing time. We hope to do it again in less than 10 years. Until then, I'll spend my spare time staring at beautiful pictures of sunsets and reliving the wonderful memories we created:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPBeFF793bY/TqgyOq2Y3mI/AAAAAAAAEzI/7-O5WIPuAxA/s1600/IMG_9649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPBeFF793bY/TqgyOq2Y3mI/AAAAAAAAEzI/7-O5WIPuAxA/s640/IMG_9649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-80799873836607358352011-10-03T07:00:00.002-06:002011-10-03T07:00:07.764-06:00homemade salsa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's that time of year when gardens are exploding with fruit and vegetables, and we start trying to preserve everything our garden is producing in glass jars so that we can enjoy it all year long. Well, some people do, anyway.<br />
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I have just about the blackest thumb you've ever seen! I inherited the ability to kill any plant from my mother, who also has a fairly black thumb.<br />
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Luckily, I married well, and my mother-in-law can grow enough produce for an entire neighborhood, which she doesn't mind sharing!<br />
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So, each year at this time, we steal tomatoes from Enos' mom and we make homemade salsa using Mrs. Wages seasoning packets.<br />
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They are the easiest way to do it! Just prepare your tomatoes, add the packet and some vinegar, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndH-J7bGbNk/ToKy9LrMuNI/AAAAAAAAExk/6qWqYRJ53RA/s1600/IMG_8791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndH-J7bGbNk/ToKy9LrMuNI/AAAAAAAAExk/6qWqYRJ53RA/s640/IMG_8791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
(we also like to add a few extra peppers for a hotter salsa,) then cook for 10 minutes. <br />
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At that point, you can eat, freeze, or bottle the salsa for later use.<br />
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There is even an option for using canned diced tomatoes! We tried it that way once, but if you have access to fresh tomatoes, they tend to taste better.<br />
</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-55422285342815896222011-09-28T07:00:00.002-06:002011-09-28T07:00:07.881-06:00tutu (butterick 5545)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today I got the opportunity to accompany my little niece to her parent/child dance class, since my brother-in-law was unable to take her. What a fun time we had! E and Rora were born 6 days apart, and have been good little friends all their lives, so it was super fun to get to do this dance class with them! (Since E is not mine, I've decided not to post pictures of her here, but you'll have to trust me that the two of them together were <em>simply adorable</em>.)<br />
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While at dance class, it occurred to me that I made Rora's tutu more than a year ago, but hadn't posted it here.<br />
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I made her tutu from Butterick #5545.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO9wONyOlgU/ToKgOk0gKvI/AAAAAAAAEw0/307SApky8Og/s1600/B5545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO9wONyOlgU/ToKgOk0gKvI/AAAAAAAAEw0/307SApky8Og/s400/B5545.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br />
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The directions were simple and clear, however it can get a little hairy when you're putting on the 6th layer of gathered tulle. <br />
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Have I mentioned before that I <strong>hate</strong> gathering? <br />
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I usually love the look it creates enough to power through, but I <strong><u>hate</u></strong> it!<br />
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I like how it ties in the back, which means it will last a little longer as she grows:<br />
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Just so you have pictures of all angles, here is what the tutu looks like upside-down!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAltLnH0qY8/ToKgQgufnII/AAAAAAAAEw4/MI8FhagKRjU/s1600/IMG_8864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAltLnH0qY8/ToKgQgufnII/AAAAAAAAEw4/MI8FhagKRjU/s640/IMG_8864.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
See? I told you we had fun!<br />
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Dance class doesn't get any more fun than tutu's and hanging on the barre pretending to be a monkey!<br />
</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-80409263223436159002011-09-27T23:22:00.000-06:002011-09-27T23:22:31.668-06:00deep cleaning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">At the encouragement of my best friend, I've decided to show you the mundane things that have been eating up my time as of late.<br />
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I called her one day to complain that I dislike deep cleaning because no one ever notices.<br />
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No one is ever going to climb up on top of my counters to look above my cupboards and notice how clean they are. <br />
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Nor are they going to open up the cupboards under my sink, or the countless drawers that used to be filled with masses of junk, but are now stocked with properly organized junk.<br />
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When looking inside my fridge, they probably will not notice that all the glass shelves are once again clear, as opposed to sticky and cloudy like they started out this week.<br />
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My husband notices all these things (partially because when I see him at the end of a long day of seemingly unproductive cleaning, I drag him to the things I've done and make him look underneath, on top of, and inside all the areas I've been working on so hard that day,) and now I'm going to give you a chance to "notice" them, as well.<br />
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<strong>Under the kitchen sink:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUOW-LTv2ag/ToKp8FWZdoI/AAAAAAAAExE/l0R6yt8FjqU/s1600/IMG_8889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUOW-LTv2ag/ToKp8FWZdoI/AAAAAAAAExE/l0R6yt8FjqU/s640/IMG_8889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A few days ago, this area was the catch-all for miscellaneous kitchen items that didn't have a home. However, since we also keep a lot of our cleaning supplies under here, it seemed an oxymoron to leave it in the state it was.<br />
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<strong>Above my cabinets</strong>:<br />
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See this cabinet?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ePa6uIAY54/ToKrQ8E7pFI/AAAAAAAAExM/msR4Yj9xZdA/s1600/IMG_8880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ePa6uIAY54/ToKrQ8E7pFI/AAAAAAAAExM/msR4Yj9xZdA/s640/IMG_8880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>the top has been scrubbed clean,:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-GKQGvOHr0/ToKrm57PqDI/AAAAAAAAExQ/1CBlseU2nxQ/s1600/IMG_8883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-GKQGvOHr0/ToKrm57PqDI/AAAAAAAAExQ/1CBlseU2nxQ/s640/IMG_8883.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
as have the tops of these cabinets.:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zw6MrTu4Nw/ToKr_1gl-dI/AAAAAAAAExU/oQ19CoK0AMQ/s1600/IMG_8887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zw6MrTu4Nw/ToKr_1gl-dI/AAAAAAAAExU/oQ19CoK0AMQ/s640/IMG_8887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nobody but those within my own family would look at this closet and think it looks "amazing," but if you had seen my crafting supplies a week ago, you might have thought I owned the company that makes plastic shopping bags because that is how it was all stored.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjHkBazZ5m4/ToKsm4DDCBI/AAAAAAAAExY/Wnc2BaO8Agg/s1600/IMG_8891+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjHkBazZ5m4/ToKsm4DDCBI/AAAAAAAAExY/Wnc2BaO8Agg/s640/IMG_8891+copy.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>This closet also happens to be where the extra toilet paper is kept, and look out if you needed to re-stock the bathroom because this closet was an open-at-your-own-risk, knee-deep hazard.<br />
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These are not the only areas that have been subjected to deep cleaning lately, but they are the only ones I took photos of. (Even <em>I</em> realize you can only indulge me for so long.)<br />
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While cleaning the tops of my kitchen cabinets, I discovered that the installers drilled no fewer than 17 holes in the wall looking for a stud! I guess it's kind of a good thing that nobody ever climbs up to look at the tops of the cabinets because I really don't feel like fixing what no one will ever see!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--W2Akuo1hoM/ToKt6mAwOTI/AAAAAAAAExc/Tw_ypY5g3ZE/s1600/IMG_8885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--W2Akuo1hoM/ToKt6mAwOTI/AAAAAAAAExc/Tw_ypY5g3ZE/s640/IMG_8885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-45905501988057577892011-09-07T11:50:00.000-06:002011-09-07T11:51:34.373-06:00rope bracelet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, so this didn't take a lot of time, and it's not even my design, but I promised to show you what I've been working on.
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The truth is that I've been working on camping, an amusement park with family, and all the other <strike>awful</strike> regular things that a long weekend creates: dishes, laundry, and the like. But, I did manage to squeeze in this tiny little project:
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdsAWSSmDi4/TmetO-BpJBI/AAAAAAAAEww/NpGa2ohARME/s1600/Rope%2BBracelet%2B01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdsAWSSmDi4/TmetO-BpJBI/AAAAAAAAEww/NpGa2ohARME/s640/Rope%2BBracelet%2B01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a rope bracelet designed by the georgeous Heidi at <a href="http://www.sewcraftcreate.com/">Sew.Craft.Create</a> (tutorial found <a href="http://www.sewcraftcreate.com/2011/05/rope-bracelet-tutorial.html">here</a>.)
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This one is cotton, and I'm thinking I also want to try it in a stretch knit . . . maybe an old t-shirt?<br />
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I also want to give this <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/03/v-and-co-how-to-jersey-knit-bracelet.html">knit bracelet</a> a go from <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/">V & Co</a>.<br />
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I'll be back soon!!</div>
Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-24096535807035830702011-09-02T06:00:00.002-06:002011-09-08T13:53:42.847-06:00sweater refashion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am the oldest of my siblings, which means I didn't get many hand-me-downs. Last month, however, my mom went through her closet and passed on this sweater.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmalhNysmYw/Tl_SBwjCRjI/AAAAAAAAEwc/kK9EZ8iqrbY/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmalhNysmYw/Tl_SBwjCRjI/AAAAAAAAEwc/kK9EZ8iqrbY/s640/IMG_0951.JPG" width="426px" /></a></div>Cute, right? I think so.<br />
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But I was in the mood to refashion, and wanted a cardigan instead. So, I chopped and sewed and this is what I came up with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfBHwPNeV8o/Tl_bvebTxKI/AAAAAAAAEwg/QD69IeoenBU/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfBHwPNeV8o/Tl_bvebTxKI/AAAAAAAAEwg/QD69IeoenBU/s640/IMG_1117.JPG" width="426px" /></a></div><br />
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I cut the band off the bottom, shortened the bodice by 3 inches, and put the band back on the bottom. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiMt0t96mq4/Tl_b-NlexCI/AAAAAAAAEwk/Qx0lcoD05vw/s1600/Collage+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiMt0t96mq4/Tl_b-NlexCI/AAAAAAAAEwk/Qx0lcoD05vw/s640/Collage+01.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
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I then used the fabric I cut out to make a binding for where the front pieces meet each other in the middle.<br />
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I finished it all off with a button and a loop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijYCXVA4nCg/Tl_cKi9Jg2I/AAAAAAAAEwo/daHJOhOQQ3w/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijYCXVA4nCg/Tl_cKi9Jg2I/AAAAAAAAEwo/daHJOhOQQ3w/s640/IMG_1122.JPG" width="426px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I'm not sure which way I like it better, but if for nothing else, this was a good project to get me sewing again.<br />
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Linked to:</div><a border="0" href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjzZ1M1Qh-A/THxI7fshPSI/AAAAAAAAZDs/yJ7qafJTTkQ/s800/takealookbutton.png" /></a><br />
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<a border="0" href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/SuburbiaTuesdaysTreasuresButton.png" /></a><br />
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<a border="0" href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx93/SaSites/tues2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><br/><a href="http://bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g453/bearrabbitbear/100_5760-1-1.jpg" border="0"/></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-62546652550793574052011-09-01T11:58:00.000-06:002011-09-01T11:58:08.656-06:00not a single one<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hmm. Not a single post in August.<br />
<br />
I sort of inadvertently took the summer off.<br />
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I didn't realize how busy 5 troublemakers were going to keep me (as opposed to last summer's 4 troublemakers.) I still haven't figured out how it works, since the two kids I lose at school time are the ones to dress, bathe, and sometimes even clean up after themselves. Yet somehow when they go back to school there seem to be less messes and things are accomplished so much quicker.<br />
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Whatever the reason, having the 2 older troublemakers back in school has freed up some time. I have been able to clean, maintain, and every now and then I get to deep clean something! It's been a long summer, and I was aching for school to start again. Now that it has, I've been more productive in the crafting department.<br />
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This past week, the stars aligned and both little troublemakers went down for naps at the same time, and Rora found herself with a hankering to watch a movie, so I indulged and got a few crafts done, which I'll be sharing with you over the next few days.<br />
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I'm going to try to be better, but I don't know that I can promise anything because soccer season started for our older three troublemakers. That means 2 soccer games every Thursday night, 1-2 games each Saturday, and practices in between, and sometimes they overlap. Things are busy, but when I can steal a spare hour or two, I promise to show you what I'm working on!</div>
Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-87187005135964051192011-07-22T07:00:00.002-06:002011-07-22T08:59:07.313-06:00basement reveal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Poor, neglected blog!<br />
<br />
Would you like to see what I've been working on while I haven't been blogging (or even making) cute sewing projects?<br />
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Last time I showed you the basement bedroom, hallway, and closets we've been working on, we had primed and painted the ceiling, doors, and trim white.<br />
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It looked a little something like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wUmHFRlNWE/TihkFZpci8I/AAAAAAAAEuM/RdrnCgwBKAA/s1600/IMG_8927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wUmHFRlNWE/TihkFZpci8I/AAAAAAAAEuM/RdrnCgwBKAA/s640/IMG_8927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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The wall paint made a huge difference, and then we added carpet, and I'm pretty excited to move our older 2 troublemakers downstairs and rearrange the bedrooms upstairs.<br />
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Here are some reveal photos:<br />
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Bedroom before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqloJAKFClg/TihkwPh9MiI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/4_Oj8lHynvw/s1600/bedroom+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqloJAKFClg/TihkwPh9MiI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/4_Oj8lHynvw/s640/bedroom+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After paint:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFmIclMdDbI/TihkyZE9bLI/AAAAAAAAEuU/30LUpVNqLrY/s1600/bedroom+01-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFmIclMdDbI/TihkyZE9bLI/AAAAAAAAEuU/30LUpVNqLrY/s640/bedroom+01-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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After carpet:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7im0vy3lU5M/Tihm4tAvvxI/AAAAAAAAEuY/flaRQhZUPV0/s1600/bedroom+01-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7im0vy3lU5M/Tihm4tAvvxI/AAAAAAAAEuY/flaRQhZUPV0/s640/bedroom+01-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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The other side of the bedroom before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bq-yHYSsKxc/Tihnc_gLB_I/AAAAAAAAEuc/7OMVXRLhYv0/s1600/bedroom+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bq-yHYSsKxc/Tihnc_gLB_I/AAAAAAAAEuc/7OMVXRLhYv0/s640/bedroom+02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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after paint:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ef2YH8B6yY/TihoC02ZTRI/AAAAAAAAEuk/Q7AW2FMFMkg/s1600/bedroom+02-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ef2YH8B6yY/TihoC02ZTRI/AAAAAAAAEuk/Q7AW2FMFMkg/s640/bedroom+02-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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after carpet:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nOkPpkpwGO8/TihoUT5ahSI/AAAAAAAAEuo/vhykGJNnrgc/s1600/bedroom+02-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nOkPpkpwGO8/TihoUT5ahSI/AAAAAAAAEuo/vhykGJNnrgc/s640/bedroom+02-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Hallway before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFOMopiAO3U/TihojU6iqSI/AAAAAAAAEus/WY2psoaOaCI/s1600/hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFOMopiAO3U/TihojU6iqSI/AAAAAAAAEus/WY2psoaOaCI/s640/hall.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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hallway after paint:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gA0ER2ZmP2o/Tiho5A1zYkI/AAAAAAAAEuw/-76IrjtiSUM/s1600/hall+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gA0ER2ZmP2o/Tiho5A1zYkI/AAAAAAAAEuw/-76IrjtiSUM/s640/hall+1.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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hallway after carpet:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_M9NZ8Tle9Y/Tihpw5ROw9I/AAAAAAAAEu0/VmSewPoIPoQ/s1600/hall+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_M9NZ8Tle9Y/Tihpw5ROw9I/AAAAAAAAEu0/VmSewPoIPoQ/s640/hall+2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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This room has been "finished" for about a year, but we decided to wait to carpet until we had the bedroom and hallway done. During the interim, we have been using a large carpet remnant in the center of the room.<br />
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Family room (angle 1) before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWxQdl9UFzo/TihqZ3k3lkI/AAAAAAAAEu4/9LhOdgZoL0s/s1600/family+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWxQdl9UFzo/TihqZ3k3lkI/AAAAAAAAEu4/9LhOdgZoL0s/s640/family+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Family room (angle 1) after:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2cr7l7Pu3g/Tihq7n4zKtI/AAAAAAAAEu8/MEVkTd96yHo/s1600/family+01-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2cr7l7Pu3g/Tihq7n4zKtI/AAAAAAAAEu8/MEVkTd96yHo/s640/family+01-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Family room (angle 2) before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqykZu7Dvtg/TihrgmlTJ5I/AAAAAAAAEvA/eAerm-6WAa4/s1600/family+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqykZu7Dvtg/TihrgmlTJ5I/AAAAAAAAEvA/eAerm-6WAa4/s640/family+02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Family room (angle 2) after:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjnaHv-ng54/TihsH1AJ_pI/AAAAAAAAEvE/tk7s9H9Lz9w/s1600/family+02-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjnaHv-ng54/TihsH1AJ_pI/AAAAAAAAEvE/tk7s9H9Lz9w/s640/family+02-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Whew! It was a lot of work just to make a room into something that we can now personalize with furniture, curtains, photos, etc!! Now the fun part begins.</div><br />
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Linked to:<br />
<a border="0" href="http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img a="" hlnk="alt=" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KDHYgW5AcZ4/S7oAT2FoYFI/AAAAAAAAHfY/instsRIHEnI/s400/Look+at+Me.jpg" target="_blank" title="Look at me, I am SO Crafty! @ Fun to Craft!" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-27514953286451106362011-07-21T11:15:00.003-06:002011-07-22T08:59:28.008-06:00crib sheets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My husband's cousin had a baby shower this past weekend, and I found myself wanting to make something different than what I normally make (ie: burp cloths, blankets) since I knew my mother- and sister-in-law, as well as several aunts are quite adept at making those cute crochet-edged blankets and burp cloths.<br />
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So, I got to thinking about why it's nice to have all those blankets and burp cloths. Naturally, it's because babies, while sweet and adorable, are also sometimes little packages of poop and puke just waiting to leak or, heaven forbid, <em><strong>explode</strong></em>.<br />
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The worst possible times for this to happen are in the middle of the night. Imagine entering your child's room in the middle of the night to realize he has spit up or blown out sometime in the 3 hours since you saw each other last. You find yourself staggering around in the dark, eyes half open, brain completely off from the countless nights without sleep, trying to clean up after your infant and his lack of control over bodily functions, only to reach into the drawer where his sheets are kept to realize that he did this exact same thing earlier in the day, and you haven't gotten to that mountain of laundry, yet.<br />
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*sigh*<br />
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So, what do you do? <br />
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Strip down the bed and lay down a blanket big enough to tuck in on the sides so as not to be a smothering hazard and vow to buy more sheets in the morning.<br />
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The next morning, when at least half of your brain is firing again, you wash a load of laundry containing both sheets, and then suddenly the need for more crib sheets is pushed right out the back of your brain until the next time you need more than one sheet in a day.<br />
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Having experienced this predicament more times than I care to admit, I wanted to provide the new mommy with a head start. I made her 3 crib sheets out of varying fabrics so she can decide what she likes. Hopefully these, coupled with the sheet that comes with her crib set will give her enough sheets to keep ahead of the disastrous projectiles coming out of her sweet little angel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpl5yGPYhGs/TihaLqYlUAI/AAAAAAAAEt8/R8oA5ZDPc_8/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpl5yGPYhGs/TihaLqYlUAI/AAAAAAAAEt8/R8oA5ZDPc_8/s640/IMG_0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I winged the pattern all on my own, but if you're interested in making your own crib sheets, I recommend using Dana's <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-crib-and-toddler-bed-sheets.html">crib sheets tutorial</a>. It's detailed, fun, and like all her tutorials, full of great, easy-to-follow pictures.<br />
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The only things I changed were that the sides to my crib sheets were 6 inches, rather than 8. Also, instead of creating a casing around the bottom edge, I simply serged around and then attached the elastic directly to the serge using a triple step zig-zag stitch, stretching the elastic as I went.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I used flannel:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFHaI9_tWEw/TihdJZZ20aI/AAAAAAAAEuE/OcE0cU9WF_k/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFHaI9_tWEw/TihdJZZ20aI/AAAAAAAAEuE/OcE0cU9WF_k/s640/IMG_0170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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cotton:<br />
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and super-soft Minky fabric: (this is what I would want to sleep on, if I were a baby)<br />
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So, the next time you're making something for a baby shower, don't forget to include a crib sheet or two!<br />
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linked to:</div><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://a.imageshack.us/img841/8999/floralthrilled.jpg" /></a></center></div><br />
<a border="0" href="http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img a="" hlnk="alt=" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KDHYgW5AcZ4/S7oAT2FoYFI/AAAAAAAAHfY/instsRIHEnI/s400/Look+at+Me.jpg" target="_blank" title="Look at me, I am SO Crafty! @ Fun to Craft!" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-32908830484921271902011-07-15T12:18:00.000-06:002011-07-15T12:18:04.069-06:00jeans to skirtThis project has been a long time coming.<br />
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I bought these jeans at a thrift shop because if you find jeans with a 30" waist and a 36" inseam, you just don't pass them up.<br />
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Unfortunately, even after paying only $6 for the jeans, I never wore them because the seam from waist to crotch was too long. I felt like I was wearing men's pants; they sagged and bunched under my crotch and I just <em>didn't</em> feel sexy in them!<br />
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So, I decided to make them into a knee-length jean skirt--something which I've never been able to find for myself because my legs are so long. I used the bottom of the jeans that I cut off to fill the triangle-shaped gaps created by cutting the legs apart. I'm <strong>so</strong> happy with the results!<br />
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Before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lT5824j-KIw/TiCCpQs_7DI/AAAAAAAAEtc/nu9QXYPRQbo/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lT5824j-KIw/TiCCpQs_7DI/AAAAAAAAEtc/nu9QXYPRQbo/s640/IMG_9826.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz46bjpb5Gs/TiCCtcHi4tI/AAAAAAAAEtg/d-t6ofal2mM/s1600/IMG_9828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz46bjpb5Gs/TiCCtcHi4tI/AAAAAAAAEtg/d-t6ofal2mM/s640/IMG_9828.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
After:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJVA7GCqOMc/TiCCvoTQZII/AAAAAAAAEtk/S3454pg9cGM/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJVA7GCqOMc/TiCCvoTQZII/AAAAAAAAEtk/S3454pg9cGM/s640/IMG_0150.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RqcjGaM4OSs/TiCCzk9-rOI/AAAAAAAAEto/C0DUwJYnRro/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RqcjGaM4OSs/TiCCzk9-rOI/AAAAAAAAEto/C0DUwJYnRro/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c05SmCGDntI/TiCC2kmOYOI/AAAAAAAAEts/2u0qSvbjxGU/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c05SmCGDntI/TiCC2kmOYOI/AAAAAAAAEts/2u0qSvbjxGU/s640/IMG_0155.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XnZ80HgeNfw/TiCC5-ggnlI/AAAAAAAAEtw/4sIcCMKG_NM/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XnZ80HgeNfw/TiCC5-ggnlI/AAAAAAAAEtw/4sIcCMKG_NM/s640/IMG_0153.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjoOQrbIuHk/TiCC-FOS3rI/AAAAAAAAEt0/K42RlmkwWro/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjoOQrbIuHk/TiCC-FOS3rI/AAAAAAAAEt0/K42RlmkwWro/s640/IMG_0157.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-24529273709047235492011-06-24T09:48:00.000-06:002011-06-24T09:48:59.685-06:00what do you love about summer?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Summer-time crafting is much more difficult. With my two older kids at home, it becomes harder to occupy <em>all</em> my troublemakers at the same time so that I can sew something. Plus, it's finally getting warm enough to swim, hike, etc, so we've been away from home a lot more.<br />
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I have finished painting the new bedroom in the unfinished portion of our house that we've been working on, and carpeting should be next, after which I'll post some "after" photos.<br />
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For now, I'm going to show to some of the things I love about summer and having the kids home:<br />
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<strong>French toast for breakfast:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1R9NDlS7RxA/TgSrLxa8QKI/AAAAAAAAEsw/ZU9tOIyvIvU/s1600/IMG_9200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1R9NDlS7RxA/TgSrLxa8QKI/AAAAAAAAEsw/ZU9tOIyvIvU/s640/IMG_9200.JPG" width="640" /></strong></a></div>I realize french toast <em>can</em> be made during the school year, but with me as their mother, my kids don't stand a chance. I don't make my kids a hot breakfast as often as I should, and when I do, it's not served before 9 am. So, now that school is out, hot breakfast happens more often.<br />
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<strong>The oldest and the youngest troublemakers sharing story time in the morning:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SNcBYAwmIg/TgSrQzTBAII/AAAAAAAAEs8/ADh3TZahEFA/s1600/IMG_9195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SNcBYAwmIg/TgSrQzTBAII/AAAAAAAAEs8/ADh3TZahEFA/s640/IMG_9195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>He even helps Graham with the "touching" part of the touch-and-feel books! (<em>gushing</em>)<br />
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<strong>Pedicures with friends:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwrycILugWk/TgSrOfQ_wzI/AAAAAAAAEs4/UGV1TrL6xOc/s1600/IMG_9040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwrycILugWk/TgSrOfQ_wzI/AAAAAAAAEs4/UGV1TrL6xOc/s640/IMG_9040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This was actually my very first pedicure in all of my 29 years. After we all got our pedicures, we wanted to take a picture of our cute toes, so we went to a store with cute shoes and "tried on" a pair for the picture. Notice how all of our feet are tied together with the security tags? It was quite a feat to get all of us that close together while our ankles were tied up!!<br />
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<strong>Summer-time fruit:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNZvBCxZGlQ/TgSrSxP-Q3I/AAAAAAAAEtA/nsixElfzjqw/s1600/IMG_9204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNZvBCxZGlQ/TgSrSxP-Q3I/AAAAAAAAEtA/nsixElfzjqw/s640/IMG_9204.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love that fresh fruit is all over the place during the summer, and snack time becomes <u>infinitely</u> easier! (Notice the hand in his pocket? This is a new discovery for Zoram, and I think it's just adorable!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Catching bugs:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vn_XDaDLNjo/TgSrM0bjz1I/AAAAAAAAEs0/xxg-ezRf88U/s1600/bugs+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vn_XDaDLNjo/TgSrM0bjz1I/AAAAAAAAEs0/xxg-ezRf88U/s640/bugs+01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The world is so exciting in the summer time with all the extra life outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Bare baby feet:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArhrBfK40hM/TgSrUKthyKI/AAAAAAAAEtE/mMjL1gDsdj4/s1600/IMG_9260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArhrBfK40hM/TgSrUKthyKI/AAAAAAAAEtE/mMjL1gDsdj4/s640/IMG_9260.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Need I say more?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Taking turns on the swings:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoR7rSb8EXM/TgSrYyt_YtI/AAAAAAAAEtM/cHzpOvveH_g/s1600/swing+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoR7rSb8EXM/TgSrYyt_YtI/AAAAAAAAEtM/cHzpOvveH_g/s640/swing+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Less than two years apart, troublemakers 3 & 4 don't always get along. It's very sweet to see them taking turns and pushing each other on the swing set.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Otter-Pops:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOwjTIr9OZM/TgSrWrghsSI/AAAAAAAAEtI/JvxPD-ZrLD8/s1600/IMG_9399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOwjTIr9OZM/TgSrWrghsSI/AAAAAAAAEtI/JvxPD-ZrLD8/s640/IMG_9399.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At less than a nickel each, how much better does it get than a cold snack on the back porch?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What are some of your favorite things about summer?</div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-36947536795632221372011-06-16T18:02:00.003-06:002011-06-16T21:50:09.081-06:00free father's day gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Last year, I wanted to play around in Window's Movie Maker to make my husband a cute little video as an "extra" Father's Day gift. The video turned out to be his favorite Father's Day gift, ever.<br />
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Because he loved it so much, I've made him another one this year, which turned out equally as sweet. I thought I would share with you how I did it, if you would like to make one of your own. (I'm not going to get very technical, but Movie Maker is fairly easy to use, and I would be more than happy to answer any questions e-mailed to me--if I know the answer, that is.) <br />
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At the end of the post, I've included last year's video as an example. {Please excuse the horrible video quality!}<br />
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The first thing I did was to come up with a list of questions to ask our kids. Include things like, "What is Daddy's name? Age? Where does he work? His favorite color? Occupation?" Older children could be asked to share a favorite story, or quality about dad.<br />
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I asked all the kids the same questions, including the kiddos that can't talk yet and recorded their <strike>answers</strike> responses. Smiles, cooing, or even a sleeping baby are still sweet to watch, even if they can't answer vocally.<br />
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<em>**Tip: When recording the interviews, try to leave a few seconds buffer before and after their responses so that it is easier to edit down to just them talking.**</em><br />
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After recording all your interviews, use Movie Maker to "split" your videos into clips with just their responses to each question. I then organized mine so that a question was posed, and then each child's response plays, and then the next question, and so on.<br />
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Because no one likes to hear themselves talk, I used title pages to ask the questions in the final product. <br />
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At the end of the interviews, compile a series of photos of Dad just being him. Both videos I've done, I've used pictures only from the past year, but you could use pictures from the first baby's pregnancy and forward, if you want a more comprehensive video.<br />
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While the photos are playing, it's nice to have something to listen to, so pick a song that means something to Dad and add that to the video. Last year I chose 1,2,3,4 by Plain White T's. Once the song is in the video, spend some time lengthening or shortening the amount of time each photo is displayed so that the song and the pictures end at the same time.<br />
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After the interviews and the photos, I like to put a final message using title page(s) and the end credits.<br />
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Finally, feel free to play around with the transitions and slide effects. You can make your photos ripple, pan across them, etc. When you have the video the way you want it, save it in a file that Dad won't look at until Father's Day, and wait to surprise him!<br />
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<em>**One final tip: Save, and save often! These videos can be <strong>a lot</strong> of work, so you don't want to lose any of that time**</em><br />
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Here is the video I made last year. I'm going truly embarrass my husband and report that he cried real tears while watching this. Then, I posted it on our family blog, and my mom cried real tears too. My kids sure do love their "Papi," and the seven years he has been such have been very rewarding. It's nice to be able to look back at all the times we've had together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyvJXupW74YQHUKEaSp1O_CYHr4H-y0D4i0LSxUJC5WSmxU0lbY2v_sH5BfuXRgY_JKar4x-GaS0xPupBi0fQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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For a free gift, it doesn't get any better!<br />
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</div>Linked to:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://a.imageshack.us/img841/8999/floralthrilled.jpg" /></a></center></div><a href="http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="A Little Knick Knack" src="http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae253/mgunyan/Blog%20Buttons/linkparty_button_png.png" /></a></div><a border="0" href="http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img a="" hlnk="alt=" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KDHYgW5AcZ4/S7oAT2FoYFI/AAAAAAAAHfY/instsRIHEnI/s400/Look+at+Me.jpg" target="_blank" title="Look at me, I am SO Crafty! @ Fun to Craft!" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-26641026212726156752011-06-06T16:33:00.000-06:002011-06-06T16:33:45.909-06:00make-your-own-costume kid craft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today is trouble-maker #2's birthday. He's 6, and he decided he wanted to have a costume party.<br />
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So we sent out the invites:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vef2p1JVRGs/Te1RC9sv1nI/AAAAAAAAErI/A2JgmoD-lec/s1600/Xavier%2527s%2B6th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vef2p1JVRGs/Te1RC9sv1nI/AAAAAAAAErI/A2JgmoD-lec/s640/Xavier%2527s%2B6th.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When each kid got there, besides the traditional party games, present opening, and cake & ice cream, we had a craft set up (the brain work behind which was mostly my husband's.)<br />
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We told each of the kids they could use whatever they wanted from the table to make themselves a *<em>new</em>* costume, and at the end of the time limit, Xavier, the birthday boy, picked the winner. (He, of course, went the political route and declared them all the winners.) :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gF__Fo8Bxvw/Te1URHcBqgI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/ZdwPEgJPX1g/s1600/IMG_9145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gF__Fo8Bxvw/Te1URHcBqgI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/ZdwPEgJPX1g/s320/IMG_9145.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
The items on the craft table included a 10" x 90" strip of fabric for each child, paper plates, regular printer paper, card stock paper, neon pipe cleaners, foam star stickers, yarn, ribbon, penne pasta, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue, tape, hole punch, stapler, and scissors.<br />
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Here is what they came up with: (sorry about the stars over some of their faces, but not all these little sweeties are mine, so you understand.)<br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2ycuVpH1OM/Te1ThZUnayI/AAAAAAAAErQ/C-icoCW0HyM/s1600/IMG_9143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2ycuVpH1OM/Te1ThZUnayI/AAAAAAAAErQ/C-icoCW0HyM/s640/IMG_9143.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A starry-eyed cowboy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BRHTStIlp-Y/Te1Thp4kWLI/AAAAAAAAErY/pS3-NslmmUo/s1600/IMG_9160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BRHTStIlp-Y/Te1Thp4kWLI/AAAAAAAAErY/pS3-NslmmUo/s640/IMG_9160.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little guy made a myriad of accessories, including a gun and a map.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y-3l6Cogoaw/Te1TiBGgsvI/AAAAAAAAErg/-suu-Rp0_cw/s1600/IMG_9162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y-3l6Cogoaw/Te1TiBGgsvI/AAAAAAAAErg/-suu-Rp0_cw/s640/IMG_9162.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shield and a whip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-70tx5Ff5KDw/Te1TiaBnX6I/AAAAAAAAEro/xtDIKWqrees/s1600/IMG_9150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-70tx5Ff5KDw/Te1TiaBnX6I/AAAAAAAAEro/xtDIKWqrees/s640/IMG_9150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an owl with wings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AiQ8DdZmog/Te1T_9bTelI/AAAAAAAAEr4/m8B45eISH4Q/s1600/IMG_9153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AiQ8DdZmog/Te1T_9bTelI/AAAAAAAAEr4/m8B45eISH4Q/s640/IMG_9153.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A necklace with "princess wings."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSjaCWheUJM/Te1UAa53saI/AAAAAAAAEsA/fbe5nL95hIE/s1600/IMG_9138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSjaCWheUJM/Te1UAa53saI/AAAAAAAAEsA/fbe5nL95hIE/s640/IMG_9138.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even my husband got in on the fun with his goofy ears and funky nose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4Tqt_uziJI/Te1UAuopyTI/AAAAAAAAEsI/-jkkxuVLXZ8/s1600/IMG_9152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4Tqt_uziJI/Te1UAuopyTI/AAAAAAAAEsI/-jkkxuVLXZ8/s640/IMG_9152.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the birthday boy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In my <strike>unbiased</strike> opinion, I think Xavier's was the best of them all! Happy Birthday, buddy!</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-26917136171811632292011-06-04T10:41:00.000-06:002011-06-04T10:41:01.109-06:00end of school<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm sure those of you with school-ages children are feeling the same way I am about this time of year. Nostalgic, proud, and excited for the lazy days of summer.<br />
<br />
We have a first grader and a kindergartner, and over the last few days, we attended each of their end-of-year productions. Samuel's first grade music program was Thursday night, and Xavier's kindergarten graduation yesterday morning. In looking at the pictures, I saw things about my kids that frustrate me at times, but today it made me laugh!<br />
<br />
First is Samuel. Samuel was blessed with my mother-in-law's smile. He has a wide, pretty-lipped smile that makes me jealous much of the time. Unfortunately, he is 7 years old, and smiles like this when I hold up the camera:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocP4zD9I0gg/TepfLjjxK6I/AAAAAAAAEqo/TDiBkU_wZa4/s1600/IMG_8996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocP4zD9I0gg/TepfLjjxK6I/AAAAAAAAEqo/TDiBkU_wZa4/s640/IMG_8996.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br />
<br />
He tucks his lips in and it becomes a very forced excuse for a smile. Hopefully he'll grow out of it, but someday I'm going to look back and be glad I have this picture to remind me of his "quirk."<br />
<br />
Then there is Xavier. When I sent him to get dressed this morning, I reminded him that this was his last day of school (and his graduation program,) and to try to look nice. Let's look at what he picked, shall we?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVrPkSBdeI8/TepfY3bqMnI/AAAAAAAAEqw/rTdigVW8GbE/s1600/IMG_9014%2Boriginal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVrPkSBdeI8/TepfY3bqMnI/AAAAAAAAEqw/rTdigVW8GbE/s640/IMG_9014%2Boriginal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Shorts and a t-shirt. Not even a button-up or polo shirt, but a t-shirt. And look where he is:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw_aThjVpq0/TepffqryDAI/AAAAAAAAEq4/oJLbux-6iig/s1600/IMG_9014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw_aThjVpq0/TepffqryDAI/AAAAAAAAEq4/oJLbux-6iig/s640/IMG_9014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
On the front row.<br />
<br />
See the kids around him?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GqiI-1oWhQ/Tepfm4ua6hI/AAAAAAAAErA/mn3kqLsW_4M/s1600/IMG_9014%2Bwriting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GqiI-1oWhQ/Tepfm4ua6hI/AAAAAAAAErA/mn3kqLsW_4M/s640/IMG_9014%2Bwriting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Yeah.<br />
<br />
Mine was that kid that people look at and either decided we were dirt poor, or that we didn't care enough about our kid to make him look nice. Xavier thought he looked nice, though, so that's all that matters.<br />
<br />
Anyone else have a humorous experience at "graduation?" I'd love to hear about it! And yes, I'm shamelessly fishing for comments.</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-21213831848416502072011-06-01T07:00:00.016-06:002011-06-01T14:33:56.184-06:00ruffle skirt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I wanted to make a cute skirt for myself, but didn't want to spend a lot of time. So, I cut out a <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-simple-skirt.html">simple skirt</a> from <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/">MADE</a>, but before sewing it together, I did a little embellishing with some ruffles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnVh0Vjpjs0/TeVShKnoAWI/AAAAAAAAEqA/g8OwoPJeOlA/s1600/Ruffle+Skirt+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnVh0Vjpjs0/TeVShKnoAWI/AAAAAAAAEqA/g8OwoPJeOlA/s640/Ruffle+Skirt+04.jpg" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
4 rows of them to be exact.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-coxohW9wczU/TeVRok0tHLI/AAAAAAAAEp8/qDfMz8mIElE/s1600/Ruffle+Skirt+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-coxohW9wczU/TeVRok0tHLI/AAAAAAAAEp8/qDfMz8mIElE/s640/Ruffle+Skirt+03.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div>For anyone interested in ruffles, mine are 1 inch wide. I cut them twice as wide as the skirt, and then gathered to the same width as the skirt using a long stitch running down the center of each strip.<br />
<br />
I think it's cute, and I might make another one out of something a little lighter weight!</div><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7055/wanderingwedbutton.jpg" /></a></center></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-12698885633981235462011-05-31T14:11:00.001-06:002011-06-01T14:34:20.954-06:00memorial day "crafting"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USLE8Bimfcw/TeVHxG2CKJI/AAAAAAAAEpo/VrAG0PwD_zo/s1600/IMG_8915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USLE8Bimfcw/TeVHxG2CKJI/AAAAAAAAEpo/VrAG0PwD_zo/s640/IMG_8915.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We have been finishing a bedroom, hallway, and two closets in our basement. It's been a long slow process since we're doing the work ourselves.<br />
<br />
Things are really coming together. We've finished priming, and painting the ceilings and trim white. Soon we'll roll the wall color, but yesterday we finished up the white by painting the doors. There are 4 of them, and it took up a lot of the day, but I got them done!<br />
<br />
It's not much fun to look at pictures of white doors, but I'm proud of them and wanted to show them off (and I'm hoping that by showing the progress I made over the weekend, it'll push me toward finishing other things up in a timely manner.)<br />
<br />
And so, without further ado . . . my white doors!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DLCF-SNyuk/TeVHl1KbpWI/AAAAAAAAEpU/4ckktqdyT4c/s1600/IMG_8907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DLCF-SNyuk/TeVHl1KbpWI/AAAAAAAAEpU/4ckktqdyT4c/s640/IMG_8907.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYMrv6nr3Wc/TeVHosvGTbI/AAAAAAAAEpY/mRtE5hit98A/s1600/IMG_8908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYMrv6nr3Wc/TeVHosvGTbI/AAAAAAAAEpY/mRtE5hit98A/s640/IMG_8908.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8OPJrXeRhM/TeVHq6eSJLI/AAAAAAAAEpc/C7qLyfu2tD8/s1600/IMG_8909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8OPJrXeRhM/TeVHq6eSJLI/AAAAAAAAEpc/C7qLyfu2tD8/s640/IMG_8909.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><br />
Since I'm such a go-getter, while I was waiting for paint to dry between coats, I started taping off the ceiling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFsh-whw-_0/TeVHzTjathI/AAAAAAAAEps/VvdJ84bx3kc/s1600/IMG_8917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFsh-whw-_0/TeVHzTjathI/AAAAAAAAEps/VvdJ84bx3kc/s640/IMG_8917.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl9fgf43W-w/TeVH1OtWKEI/AAAAAAAAEpw/OlB7vFAosTk/s1600/IMG_8927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl9fgf43W-w/TeVH1OtWKEI/AAAAAAAAEpw/OlB7vFAosTk/s640/IMG_8927.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl4jnQCNWRU/TeVHu76yiaI/AAAAAAAAEpk/3tpgUx6-Sts/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl4jnQCNWRU/TeVHu76yiaI/AAAAAAAAEpk/3tpgUx6-Sts/s640/IMG_8913.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22EgqrX-Svk/TeVHs2MabDI/AAAAAAAAEpg/fI2-Ah7icWo/s1600/IMG_8910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22EgqrX-Svk/TeVHs2MabDI/AAAAAAAAEpg/fI2-Ah7icWo/s640/IMG_8910.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And there you go--the sum of my "craftiness" during the Memorial Day holiday. What did you do with your "extra" time . . . as if there really were such a thing?!</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-26770463212439682352011-05-27T07:00:00.006-06:002011-06-01T14:34:38.415-06:00car seat re-cover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This little project was started before Graham was born, but got interrupted by his birth and didn't get finished until yesterday.<br />
<br />
The carrier car seat we own had an <strong>awful</strong> plaid, lumberjack-ish pad with almost no padding. So, before Graham came, I decided to redo the padding and sun visor in a gender-neutral, but much cuter fabric. I got the pad done the week before Graham was born, but other things came up, and I didn't finish the sun visor right away.<br />
<br />
Then, the weather here in Utah became extremely cold and rainy for the past two months, so it became unnecessary to finish the visor until recently. And, while the weather here still is not sunny and warm, I <em>refuse</em> to believe that the wet, cold weather can last much longer.<br />
<br />
I've gotten off topic, so without further ado, here is the car seat with new "upholstery."<br />
<br />
Without a pattern for a car seat pad and visor, I wanted to make sure the new ones would fit, so I tore apart the old ones and used the pieces as a pattern:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNwZYh76HpE/Td8tWUs5p_I/AAAAAAAAEo0/wcJP8hhsBvM/s1600/IMG_8864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNwZYh76HpE/Td8tWUs5p_I/AAAAAAAAEo0/wcJP8hhsBvM/s640/IMG_8864.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Everything seemed to fit perfectly, and I was able to fix a few things about the old pad that I didn't like . . . namely that the top and bottom edge came off a lot because the elastic had been stretched out and wasn't holding the pad on very well. Also, I used two layers of batting to make Graham's ride a little more comfortable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLm6vHa4L1g/Td8tYqM0kMI/AAAAAAAAEo4/ELcILHdB5W0/s1600/IMG_8868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLm6vHa4L1g/Td8tYqM0kMI/AAAAAAAAEo4/ELcILHdB5W0/s640/IMG_8868.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8OgrMxnLkXQ/Td8tajWNQyI/AAAAAAAAEo8/qJ8RElLj6eM/s1600/IMG_8870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8OgrMxnLkXQ/Td8tajWNQyI/AAAAAAAAEo8/qJ8RElLj6eM/s640/IMG_8870.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzuBenir-ps/Td8tc19xnYI/AAAAAAAAEpA/W_yEBBbarEY/s1600/IMG_8871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzuBenir-ps/Td8tc19xnYI/AAAAAAAAEpA/W_yEBBbarEY/s640/IMG_8871.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EM7t38m7sc/Td8tfuty-vI/AAAAAAAAEpE/7ckd3XZ0nrc/s1600/IMG_8873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EM7t38m7sc/Td8tfuty-vI/AAAAAAAAEpE/7ckd3XZ0nrc/s640/IMG_8873.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5ghtv1qi8M/Td8tiYKb_XI/AAAAAAAAEpI/uXZoev4MENs/s1600/IMG_8874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5ghtv1qi8M/Td8tiYKb_XI/AAAAAAAAEpI/uXZoev4MENs/s640/IMG_8874.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vqa-sLWT2fA/Td8tlGDdpRI/AAAAAAAAEpM/xU8im6Wxjzg/s1600/IMG_8875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vqa-sLWT2fA/Td8tlGDdpRI/AAAAAAAAEpM/xU8im6Wxjzg/s640/IMG_8875.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><br />
Hopefully, I'll have time for more sewing over the weekend. Have a great one!</div><br />
<br />
<a border="0" href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx93/SaSites/tues2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia " src="http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy39/Kristinsal/swirl2-2-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7055/wanderingwedbutton.jpg" /></a></center></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-89307974968420835022011-05-26T07:00:00.007-06:002011-06-01T14:34:52.169-06:00dress to skirt refashion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A friend of mine approached me about a week ago and told me she bought a dress in the children's department and wanted me to turn it into a skirt. Intrigued and slightly disbelieving, and agreed to take a look at it.<br />
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Turns out this thin friend of mine bought matching mother/daughter dresses: one for her five-year-old, and a size 16 for herself. Looking at the dress, it seemed like the remake wouldn't be that hard, so I dove right in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgFsit869VY/Td3T-oKwIEI/AAAAAAAAEoM/Y4hsp2tSXzk/s1600/IMG_8835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgFsit869VY/Td3T-oKwIEI/AAAAAAAAEoM/Y4hsp2tSXzk/s640/IMG_8835.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The dress started out with this pretty doily-like bodice, which is cute on a little person, but rather matronly on an adult waistband:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu-KMeZxqCA/Td3UBBIoq8I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/1MRwQO4W64Y/s1600/IMG_8838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu-KMeZxqCA/Td3UBBIoq8I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/1MRwQO4W64Y/s640/IMG_8838.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEZupGlRyl0/Td3UF8wDdNI/AAAAAAAAEoU/J7NwhUIyqu4/s1600/IMG_8839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEZupGlRyl0/Td3UF8wDdNI/AAAAAAAAEoU/J7NwhUIyqu4/s640/IMG_8839.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The first step was to detach the lacy overlay,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwNJmFdcvwg/Td3UKJKGVaI/AAAAAAAAEoY/3j7B1BDvwOU/s1600/IMG_8842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwNJmFdcvwg/Td3UKJKGVaI/AAAAAAAAEoY/3j7B1BDvwOU/s640/IMG_8842.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
then cut the bodice even with the back (approximately 3 inches above the seam at the top of the skirt.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl4ZejjCylw/Td3UOOGKZDI/AAAAAAAAEoc/I0oFIcGXeUE/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl4ZejjCylw/Td3UOOGKZDI/AAAAAAAAEoc/I0oFIcGXeUE/s640/IMG_8844.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I then serged around the raw edge, folded it over to meet the existing seam, pinned it in place, and sewed around, leaving a gap for the elastic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yD-IZEEIsIU/Td3UVTfJdeI/AAAAAAAAEok/zJxSqVFyE0Q/s1600/IMG_8849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yD-IZEEIsIU/Td3UVTfJdeI/AAAAAAAAEok/zJxSqVFyE0Q/s640/IMG_8849.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I added elastic and sewed it shut.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TK5CelbYNGI/Td3UXYMfyrI/AAAAAAAAEoo/zK-ucobtEto/s1600/IMG_8850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TK5CelbYNGI/Td3UXYMfyrI/AAAAAAAAEoo/zK-ucobtEto/s640/IMG_8850.JPG" t8="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Start to finish, the project took about an hour and a half and I think it tuned out beautifully!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpFOsat7BoY/Td3UfyDRP8I/AAAAAAAAEow/CZ8B2pSjdCA/s1600/IMG_8854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpFOsat7BoY/Td3UfyDRP8I/AAAAAAAAEow/CZ8B2pSjdCA/s640/IMG_8854.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXFH5YU8hVA/Td3UdLyD4YI/AAAAAAAAEos/FMrpbtGpO58/s1600/IMG_8852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXFH5YU8hVA/Td3UdLyD4YI/AAAAAAAAEos/FMrpbtGpO58/s640/IMG_8852.JPG" t8="true" width="426" /></a></div><br />
It's nice to get back to being creative! See you soon!<br />
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Linked to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2011/05/show-and-tell-linking-fun.html">Blue Cricket Design</a><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://a.imageshack.us/img841/8999/floralthrilled.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/" target="_blank"><img alt="Transformation Thursday" border="0" src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/tightwadtips/SSCThursdayButton.png" /></a><br />
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<div></div><a border="0" href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/fjnorm/ShowOffYourStuffPartyButton2.jpg" /></a><br />
<div></div><div align="center"><a href="http://adventuresofthemichelenafamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Catch a Glimpse Button" border="0" src="http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af54/allimarie17/Blog%20Design/catch_glimpse.png" /></a><br />
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</div><div></div></div><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/linkpartythursday.png" /></a></div><br />
<a border="0" href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx93/SaSites/tues2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.ladybug-blessings.com/" target="new"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.ladybug-blessings.com/pictures/handmadepact.gif" width="150" /></a></center><br />
<a border="0" href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjzZ1M1Qh-A/THxI7fshPSI/AAAAAAAAZDs/yJ7qafJTTkQ/s800/takealookbutton.png" /></a><br />
<a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia " src="http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy39/Kristinsal/swirl2-2-1.jpg" /></a></div><center><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7055/wanderingwedbutton.jpg" /></a></center>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-41373439428985196752011-05-20T10:48:00.000-06:002011-05-20T10:48:26.717-06:00donut day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've been a slacker. I haven't been crafting much since Graham was born. I've hemmed pants and repaired holes, but pure creation has been on hold while we finish a bedroom in the basement for the oldest two troublemakers to move downstairs . . . also, there's the adjusting to the newest troublemaker.<br />
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Graham will be two months old tomorrow, and I will begin crafting, sewing, and posting again next week.<br />
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For now, here are a few pictures of one of the <em>sweet</em> things we did today: we had donuts with chocolate frosting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g_szWyFWHsc/Tdaa5fRXU3I/AAAAAAAAEoE/rdfvs9VRPqo/s1600/IMG_8663+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g_szWyFWHsc/Tdaa5fRXU3I/AAAAAAAAEoE/rdfvs9VRPqo/s640/IMG_8663+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v38rUxPNv-k/Tdaa7dllWxI/AAAAAAAAEoI/iuuiX11CxyI/s1600/IMG_8666+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v38rUxPNv-k/Tdaa7dllWxI/AAAAAAAAEoI/iuuiX11CxyI/s640/IMG_8666+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
See you next week! I've missed you.</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-82258780568208342212011-04-04T07:00:00.003-06:002011-04-04T07:00:18.098-06:00coming home from the hospital - girl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The outfits I made for a little girl were a pattern of my own design. I used cotton fabric as the bottom layer with drapery sheers for the top two layers to create a light, flowy dress.<br />
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I used green because I feel like pink is so overused for little girls.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKeD7auGUXo/TZII2Z5dK-I/AAAAAAAAEm0/8TsvGUwnut4/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Girl+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKeD7auGUXo/TZII2Z5dK-I/AAAAAAAAEm0/8TsvGUwnut4/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Girl+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOkNOyeFjSc/TZII5VsX1yI/AAAAAAAAEm4/a10fidhzvdc/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Girl+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOkNOyeFjSc/TZII5VsX1yI/AAAAAAAAEm4/a10fidhzvdc/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Girl+02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRhm-lzVv54/TZII7p3xB5I/AAAAAAAAEm8/TVYn0YuJMzc/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Girl+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRhm-lzVv54/TZII7p3xB5I/AAAAAAAAEm8/TVYn0YuJMzc/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Girl+03.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I liked how they turned out, but I think I may end up doing some embellishing on the yoke because they look a little plain. (I have time to play with these because I certainly won't be using them for <a href="http://auds-and-ends.blogspot.com/2011/03/look-what-i-made.html">my sweet baby boy</a>!)</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-88097840789605021112011-03-31T07:00:00.000-06:002011-03-31T07:00:13.835-06:00coming home from the hospital - boy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is the first baby that we haven't known the gender, and this is also the first baby that I've been bold enough to trust my own two hands to make the little bundle an outfit to come home in . . . or 4.<br />
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"Why four?" you ask?<br />
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Well, because we didn't know the gender, and each of our babies has gotten bigger than its previous sibling, with our youngest weighing in at 9 lbs 2 ozs (which is why I also opted for my first epidural, people.) So, I took with me to the hospital two outfits for a boy, and two outfits for a girl (one each in newborn size and 0-3 month size.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-urx8ZRzz58U/TXal-YofAXI/AAAAAAAAElY/XOKGj0sUeQQ/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-urx8ZRzz58U/TXal-YofAXI/AAAAAAAAElY/XOKGj0sUeQQ/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I finished up the boy outfits and was completely in love with them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QZh5rAj7eAg/TXamAy5D-1I/AAAAAAAAElc/aou3HrRM1II/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QZh5rAj7eAg/TXamAy5D-1I/AAAAAAAAElc/aou3HrRM1II/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+02.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>From the get-go, I wanted to applique a tie onto a white shirt, which I was able to whip out quickly. <br />
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The pants were a little trickier for me to settle on a design I liked. Finally, I decided to use (Simplicity 5534 - out of print), except that I wanted a flat front.<br />
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I wasn't exactly sure how much to take out of the front pieces, so imagine my relief when <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/">Dana at Made</a> posted a tutorial for <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-kid-pants-with-flat-front.html">flat front pants</a> during her Celebrate the Boy!! I still used (Simplicity 5534), but I altered the front pieces the same way Dana altered hers for the flat look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UEN4W_7qjA0/TXamEfpQ5CI/AAAAAAAAElg/tdxCNKegJHM/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UEN4W_7qjA0/TXamEfpQ5CI/AAAAAAAAElg/tdxCNKegJHM/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+03.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
So, the pants for my baby boy are brown corduroy with a flat front . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6n0_CLGOORI/TXamGY4v-OI/AAAAAAAAElk/DYfM_DvtL7k/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6n0_CLGOORI/TXamGY4v-OI/AAAAAAAAElk/DYfM_DvtL7k/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+04.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and an elastic back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yMe1tXap59c/TXamIC94s3I/AAAAAAAAElo/_TrWrWm3taU/s1600/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yMe1tXap59c/TXamIC94s3I/AAAAAAAAElo/_TrWrWm3taU/s640/Newborn+Clothes+-+Boy+05.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-67154034282615606132011-03-29T10:21:00.000-06:002011-03-29T10:21:36.820-06:00look what i made!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last Monday (8 days ago,) I went to the hospital.</div><br />
They gave me these:<br />
<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5bO1hVRUbc/TZIFXHJX5YI/AAAAAAAAEmk/4oB1I7SE2AU/s1600/IMG_8099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5bO1hVRUbc/TZIFXHJX5YI/AAAAAAAAEmk/4oB1I7SE2AU/s640/IMG_8099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><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;"><br />
</div><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;">Then, they gave me this little guy (it's a boy!!):</div><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;">{7 lbs 11 ozs, 20.5 inches}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GBSEJi7OKQ/TZIF_-rmv_I/AAAAAAAAEmo/EI_bQJvPeY8/s1600/IMG_8246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GBSEJi7OKQ/TZIF_-rmv_I/AAAAAAAAEmo/EI_bQJvPeY8/s640/IMG_8246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJDVl3ASskE/TZIGC36_53I/AAAAAAAAEms/V7lN_GTdTtc/s1600/IMG_8150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJDVl3ASskE/TZIGC36_53I/AAAAAAAAEms/V7lN_GTdTtc/s640/IMG_8150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqWhGAgiAE4/TZIGEH7u0zI/AAAAAAAAEmw/IdwgCPy7TbQ/s1600/IMG_8271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqWhGAgiAE4/TZIGEH7u0zI/AAAAAAAAEmw/IdwgCPy7TbQ/s640/IMG_8271.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<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;">Welcome to the world, and our family, Baby Graham!</div><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;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay tuned for a few things I made to get ready for my little guy's arrival.</div></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-27497679150370020362011-03-08T14:44:00.000-07:002011-03-08T14:44:02.306-07:00reach for the sunshine quilt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I haven't died . . . and I haven't had my baby, yet. (Just over 2 weeks left.) I told you I have gotten into a non-crafting funk, so the posting would be sparse--turns out, I really meant that posting would be almost non-existent.<br />
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I'm very excited about this craft, though. One of my friends is having her first baby girl after three little boys, so I was very excited to make this little quilt for her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-43BnqGYW4CQ/TXag_FAsTxI/AAAAAAAAElE/gPNDdny3Sjs/s1600/Giraffe+Quilt+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-43BnqGYW4CQ/TXag_FAsTxI/AAAAAAAAElE/gPNDdny3Sjs/s640/Giraffe+Quilt+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I've had the pattern from <a href="https://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/applique/reach-for-the-sunshine-quilt.htm">You Can Make This</a> for a while, but hadn't had the time, energy, or opportunity to make it, yet. Now that I've made it, let me tell you, <a href="https://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/authors/1039292537">JesseKate Designs</a> made it super easy!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PuSLfR39yWs/TXahCNp8qoI/AAAAAAAAElI/7lpTSV-OSpM/s1600/Giraffe+Quilt+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PuSLfR39yWs/TXahCNp8qoI/AAAAAAAAElI/7lpTSV-OSpM/s640/Giraffe+Quilt+02.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>I think this little guy is just adorable.<br />
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<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="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xdkfJN2VZGo/TXahMZNpmtI/AAAAAAAAElQ/g4uKtHNXQsg/s1600/Giraffe+Quilt+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xdkfJN2VZGo/TXahMZNpmtI/AAAAAAAAElQ/g4uKtHNXQsg/s640/Giraffe+Quilt+04.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xf9IDUaPFc8/TXahElA51PI/AAAAAAAAElM/Oplpu5r1M-M/s1600/Giraffe+Quilt+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xf9IDUaPFc8/TXahElA51PI/AAAAAAAAElM/Oplpu5r1M-M/s640/Giraffe+Quilt+03.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This was my first attempt at embroidery, and I'm pretty happy with how it came out, although I now understand the importance of an embroidery loop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P25AcVHR3pY/TXahQZaH_fI/AAAAAAAAElU/XhAucnfTLT4/s1600/Giraffe+Quilt+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P25AcVHR3pY/TXahQZaH_fI/AAAAAAAAElU/XhAucnfTLT4/s640/Giraffe+Quilt+05.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>I planned a lot more time for this project than I needed, so I decided to hand quilt it. I love the look of a hand quilted blanket!<br />
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I'm pleased to report that my sweet husband didn't want me to give it away at first because he thinks it's the cutest baby quilt I've made yet, and wanted to keep it for our baby (which we still don't know the gender on, by the way,) just in case it's a girl.<br />
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It really was quicker and easier than it looks, and I promised to make another one after the baby, if he really wants . . . and finally I was able to pry it from his hands.<br />
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Obviously, this quilt would look adorable in blues and greens for a boy, or yellows and oranges for a gender-neutral look. I can't wait to make it again!</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256690932387340014.post-48488727641743360722011-02-22T11:57:00.000-07:002011-02-22T11:57:22.347-07:00unobtrusive coat hooks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have an adorable friend with whom I have a lot in common--not so much the adorable part, but other things. She also is pregnant with her 5th baby (and due within 2 weeks of mine,) has the exact same style house as I, and loves to be creative. Her creative strength, however lies with furniture and home improvement, which mine does not.<br />
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When Veronica posted <a href="http://veronicascreativespot.blogspot.com/2011/01/kids-coat-rack.html">this cute coat rack</a>, I realized how much I hate this part of my house. Puffy coats practically grabbing you as you enter, backpacks sprawled out on the floor (and half the time they're open and spilling the contents onto the floor.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6I-y_Cio4A/TWQFqG8jV7I/AAAAAAAAEjM/aEnAQoKycZQ/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6I-y_Cio4A/TWQFqG8jV7I/AAAAAAAAEjM/aEnAQoKycZQ/s640/IMG_8039.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3UHKvaqcLM/TWQFN3oF_vI/AAAAAAAAEi4/eWB3IDJYqqc/s1600/IMG_8040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3UHKvaqcLM/TWQFN3oF_vI/AAAAAAAAEi4/eWB3IDJYqqc/s640/IMG_8040.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
So, I stole her idea and followed her simple directions to replicated it . . . twice for my front entryway.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgrUIsQcIFU/TWQFdmDDinI/AAAAAAAAEi8/pU7KPpsu1uI/s1600/IMG_8043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgrUIsQcIFU/TWQFdmDDinI/AAAAAAAAEi8/pU7KPpsu1uI/s640/IMG_8043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFf5miI0BAI/TWQFfKH5QWI/AAAAAAAAEjA/4XvOYHZ2IIk/s1600/IMG_8045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFf5miI0BAI/TWQFfKH5QWI/AAAAAAAAEjA/4XvOYHZ2IIk/s640/IMG_8045.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
I can't even tell you how much I love it! The coat tree was always overloaded and felt like it took up too much of the room. Having everything flat against the walls really opens up the room and makes everything look cleaner and more organized.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59r6kYny9ho/TWQFg74frFI/AAAAAAAAEjE/uv-P1DigwfM/s1600/IMG_8047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59r6kYny9ho/TWQFg74frFI/AAAAAAAAEjE/uv-P1DigwfM/s640/IMG_8047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGn_Z9e8FuM/TWQFip4zruI/AAAAAAAAEjI/vCgCM4PppAw/s1600/IMG_8048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGn_Z9e8FuM/TWQFip4zruI/AAAAAAAAEjI/vCgCM4PppAw/s640/IMG_8048.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
Now I just need to get a cute floor mat for wet shoes during the winter.</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444598555985614409noreply@blogger.com3