tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86822073152140243452024-03-05T18:28:07.267-05:00krafting with kMiss K @ kraftingwithkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608855972416505082noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-23921787843649874292013-10-25T15:34:00.000-04:002013-10-25T15:35:24.596-04:00Halloween BannerHi there! I'm new contributer here at Kraftin with K. Ms K, my husband's friend from college, and I recently found out that we share a passion for krafting. I lost my kraft gene for a few years, but its back and better than ever. It has been so much fun "krafting with [Ms] K", and now here I am as a guest blogger on her site.<br />
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So, it has been awfully quiet around here. I hope the project I'm about to share sparks your interest. I think I am actually going to enter it into The Twinery Theme Challenge #0013, since it just so happens to use twine. You can find out more about the challenge by clicking <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/QipX1">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://networkedblogs.com/QipX1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxk0JesFZbAjqnoDtslgBC2ujiTaAY2R9UWa9SrSlfq3-8UQ90JG3PctFyjt8n8oglvLjGgF7q5d4W36-iY2M6r7ea8McrOTfYeiPgNNJBm5wEnTisU1Uuiwt1o-Vvdu9LUJUhWe4Fi8/s320/Boo+to+YOU.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My inspiration for the project was brought on by the fact that I have very few Halloween decorations. I felt like my mantel really needed something Halloween-y, so I got out my Silhouette Cameo and decided to make a Halloween banner. I think it adds just enough of a Halloween theme. The shape I used was a free shape of the week, the <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&id=37788">be mine and love banner</a>, a while back for Valentine's Day. I just changed the banner to say "Happy Halloween." The Silhouette shape, if you don't already have it, can be found <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&id=37788">here</a>. The banner is hanging by the <a href="http://www.thetwinery.com/product/charcoal-stripe-mini-bundle-15-yards">Twinery's Charcoal (Black) Stripe Twine</a>. <br />
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Without further ado, here are the pictures. What do you think?<br />
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Full shot</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dVk9Wq7f-IRw_PnO_vToTEBUpxm8BcvJm7xTPG3C3wi4g7ALIWpjaOHHHXYl55JFY5SEQg3EcQKLzL5FrNp-p4r9NSEevvcYZ8citsaUMWuOg-dAiarE7xROrpUSfNx7SkzCaVRrAEs/s1600/DSC04175+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dVk9Wq7f-IRw_PnO_vToTEBUpxm8BcvJm7xTPG3C3wi4g7ALIWpjaOHHHXYl55JFY5SEQg3EcQKLzL5FrNp-p4r9NSEevvcYZ8citsaUMWuOg-dAiarE7xROrpUSfNx7SkzCaVRrAEs/s400/DSC04175+(Medium).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Detail Shots - See the twine?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ-YBUHgGHbymNj2TO61ghCzh6iyZJ2els4tvd4GUTptGYZRBR8h6h49N2Ib743wnWindbkAfaNxsQ-lVhlW73pJ2IvNsN3KW0pfnGQSvXaxRN1fC1h25LivI6T14qfxgt7QP50cLuk0/s1600/DSC04179+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ-YBUHgGHbymNj2TO61ghCzh6iyZJ2els4tvd4GUTptGYZRBR8h6h49N2Ib743wnWindbkAfaNxsQ-lVhlW73pJ2IvNsN3KW0pfnGQSvXaxRN1fC1h25LivI6T14qfxgt7QP50cLuk0/s320/DSC04179+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope to be back soon with other krafty projects!</div>
<br />KraftinErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09855375982922835110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-32991775018658797602012-10-08T13:07:00.003-04:002012-10-08T13:07:53.813-04:00Thank You Cards<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mh4sSOxBXYo/UHMEKZGqYMI/AAAAAAAAA38/jpiq7IUUoog/s1600/cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mh4sSOxBXYo/UHMEKZGqYMI/AAAAAAAAA38/jpiq7IUUoog/s320/cards.JPG" width="320" /></a>I've been crafting up a storm but I've been really bad about posting pictures, tutorials and just general updates. Things have been nuts around here. I've been back to work and with a full 40+ hour work week, I have just enough time to sneek in crafting on the weekends and on some week nights. I work 40 minutes from our house so when I get home it's usually 7pm and time to eat and hunker down for the evening. </div>
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In other "busy" news, my tumor came back so when I'm not working or crafting, I'm resting from chemo treatments. Yuck. I'm having a fund raiser later this month for the <a href="http://dtrf.org/">Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation</a>. For people who donate, I'm giving them one of these snazzy thank you cards.</div>
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Here's the round-up of the completed cards. This has a scalloped design at the bottom - lots of pink love!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd9Ja6pM7oQ/UHMGMYQNCJI/AAAAAAAAA4E/v9_o1wbkNt4/s1600/cards2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd9Ja6pM7oQ/UHMGMYQNCJI/AAAAAAAAA4E/v9_o1wbkNt4/s320/cards2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one is a knock-off of another card I saw on pinterest. I can't find the link right now</div>
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This is also a pinterest card re-made. I love the conversation bubbles. </div>
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Here's the green/blue and purple/pink cards side by side</div>
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And the pink one by itself</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG4RQsjq82tnAPbnV0dN7kNkFHu2-Z-K0eiaL-uXgI_SOrmyz16QdpwNbKCZF4TXakrdaFRR5aFK0AlHf85LJYCtvGs0BxC6yRxC-HTYx5XjcefXBFKZf0gqD0vrz7w8YWnmCE35aX9Q/s1600/cards6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG4RQsjq82tnAPbnV0dN7kNkFHu2-Z-K0eiaL-uXgI_SOrmyz16QdpwNbKCZF4TXakrdaFRR5aFK0AlHf85LJYCtvGs0BxC6yRxC-HTYx5XjcefXBFKZf0gqD0vrz7w8YWnmCE35aX9Q/s320/cards6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the only one I made without using my Silhouette. The purple flowers are punches</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPTYZCmqfKA/UHMHNEzVIpI/AAAAAAAAA40/aulax91zJAk/s1600/cards7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPTYZCmqfKA/UHMHNEzVIpI/AAAAAAAAA40/aulax91zJAk/s320/cards7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought the "Thank You" stamp for $1 almost a year ago. The colored cards were all from Michael's but I think they stopped carrying them around here. I made 20 Thank You cards so the variety really helps keep me interested. Plus I want each one to be unique. While some are in the same family, there's not a single duplicate. What do you think? Do you have any cards you've pinned that you've made recently?</div>
Miss K @ kraftingwithkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608855972416505082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-87629851265146667292012-07-29T21:15:00.000-04:002012-07-29T21:15:36.487-04:00Crafting weekend funWow. I haven't really crafted in a while!<br />
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To be fair, I started a Master's degree and a job, so I've been really, really busy. The last thing I made was a christening outfit for my nephew in April. I started working on a yellow dress, but the fabric is very thin and I needed to get stabilizer so that I could sew it correctly without it bunching up. Oh yeah, and I got a new sewing machine! It's a Brother electronic machine. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but the more I use it, the more I like it.<br />
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So here are some things I've made over the past few weekends. I needed to take a mental break from school work!<br />
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I made a great teacher binder out of an old binder and some pretty yellow fabric. The best thing about it is that it's refillable because I made all the pages in Excel. I simply laid out the binder open on a piece of fabric and cut it so it was about an inch larger than the binder on all sides. Then I fired up my hot glue gun and started making lines back and forth across the cover. I pressed the fabric on, then moved to the spine and the back. I then laid the binder open and folded over the flaps, gluing as I went. The glue cooled pretty fast! I cut some scrapbook paper to size and then hot glued that into the interior. I made a word cloud on Wordle about teaching science for the front picture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention this binder is red underneath? Can't tell, can you?</td></tr>
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I've been wanting to make one of these for a while, so I followed the tutorial on <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html" target="_blank">Crafting with Orange</a>. I like the idea of making gift bags out of something recyclable and earth-friendly. The gift tag is from an old greeting card someone sent me. If it's a sentimental card, I scan it or take a photo of it, then cut the front picture up for gift tags.<br />
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I've also gone on a plastic-free kick after reading Life Without Plastic. I've never really been comfortable eating from or drinking from plastic things, so this has been a feel-good move on my part. It's been a lot harder to implement, though, because EVERYTHING comes in plastic at the grocery store. Mostly convenience items, but really...anyhow, I found this cute soap pouch tutorial on <a href="http://www.whimsy-love.com/2012/04/diy-soap-pouch.html" target="_blank">WhiMSy love</a> and decided to give it a shot. I used a boring old washcloth for mine, but it worked out great! I can't wait to give it a try and get rid of my old nylon scrubbing thing. The nice thing about it is that it can go through the wash after I'm done with the bar of soap, and be reused again and again. I'm thinking about adding a rope to hang it up with. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soap pouch! The flaps overlap so the soap stays inside.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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That's all I've made so far, but it's more than I've done in a long while. My next project is going to be flannel 'tissues'. We'll use them once, then throw them in the wash and use them again. Hankies, basically!<br />
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Have a great day!naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-65153362932531808942012-04-25T08:30:00.000-04:002012-04-25T08:30:01.902-04:00DIY Linen Invitation TutorialSo, our baby's baptism is coming up, and we are super excited about it. It is a great opportunity to get the family together, and also help start our baby out on the right foot spiritually.<br />
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Since this is such an important event for us, we wanted to do something really awesome with the invitations. I saw this idea on Etsy, but couldn't bear to spend the money on it:<br />
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So, my husband and I decided to make our own! He found <a href="http://offbeatbride.com/2011/05/how-to-make-your-own-linen-invitations">this great tutorial at the Offbeat Bride blog</a>, and we modified it to fit our needs. </div>
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Instead of cutting the fabric into 8x11 sheets and then affixing the freezer paper, we simply cut one long 11" strip of fabric and starched it....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayv87IoWgLF1viSTptAIrvk5XUDDS_GMcXt8EUHWuE9nxGPv2xA1KZlOQzmu7nYZKapZ-F-RV9Ru_oQXEzUw6j9GFwGUNQKco9VPVcZgGgHGeS3UfOxRCjVkymKy53cihAk26mQb4/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayv87IoWgLF1viSTptAIrvk5XUDDS_GMcXt8EUHWuE9nxGPv2xA1KZlOQzmu7nYZKapZ-F-RV9Ru_oQXEzUw6j9GFwGUNQKco9VPVcZgGgHGeS3UfOxRCjVkymKy53cihAk26mQb4/s320/IMG_7525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...then ironed the freezer paper straight onto it, and THEN we cut into printer-sized sheets for the invitations.</div>
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Then we just threw the sheets in the printer and ta-da!</div>
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We cut the invitations to fit the cards, and fray-checked the edges.</div>
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We used a special punch to edge the cards.</div>
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And the final product--invites fit for a king!</div>
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<br /></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-44681659789967284452012-04-21T10:18:00.002-04:002012-04-21T10:18:39.090-04:00MAN CRAFT: Hand washing machine tutorialWell, with a baby on the horizon, we have to think about diapers. We are cloth diapering, which means lots and lots of laundry. However, our current living situation calls for coin-op laundry machines. Ew to spending money.<br />
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So we looked at hand crank machines such as the Wonder Wash, but we weren't totally excited to cough up 50-60 bucks for one. So my genius husband went to Lowe's and figured it out for himself!<br />
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So now, I am going to attempt to explain what he did.<br />
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Supplies:<br />
5 gallon Bucket<br />
Drill<br />
Paint stirry thing aka mortar mixer<br />
PVC pipe<br />
various PVC connectors<br />
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First, he drilled a hole in the bucket to fit the mortar mixer.</div>
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Then he used E6000 glue to affix a PVC endcap to the bottom of the bucket. This helps keep the stirry thing off the bottom, which allows for more agitation and keeps the mortar mixer in place.</div>
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The next few pictures show how he used the PVC bits to make a handle for the mortar mixer. He used E6000 glue to attach it all together.</div>
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For ease of stirring, he put some bigger PVC pieces around the handle. </div>
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Now, how do you use it? We tested this device on some pretty gnarly stains, and found the best method is 1 wash with 2 or 3 rinses. Agitation is best done by turning the handle back and forth 180 degrees for about 5 minutes. Yes, it is a workout, but it will save us a TON in quarters!<br />
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<br /></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-84343046321136035072012-03-23T09:07:00.002-04:002012-03-23T19:58:16.154-04:00Date Night!Last week, I did a St. Patty's themed date night for my husband and I. I got the idea from <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/just-the-two-of-us/taste-the-rainbow-date/">this Dating Divas</a> post. While it is specific to a holiday, I would suggest doing it any old time!<br />
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Basically, I made up a scavenger hunt. At each location, I had a little dollar-store item and a clue to the next location. At the very end, I had a bowl full of my hubbie's favorite candy and <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/im-lucky-to-have-you/">a list of 10 reasons I was lucky to have him!</a> Here is a picture of everything--I did a "taste the rainbow/Irish" theme.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqP4-U5KL3HmJWaWxmaBh05139NdTR6PQ_1eoe3c9Ti-NSFr7SGZpbHKsYz6eYxYQ6y2xrTyA5zfLfxSdNQ4lNs9ycgOg2OBxsQw8h7leer8Hw_bXZLxTWqHnBWaaYO2LlIf98KH4/s1600/IMG_7336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqP4-U5KL3HmJWaWxmaBh05139NdTR6PQ_1eoe3c9Ti-NSFr7SGZpbHKsYz6eYxYQ6y2xrTyA5zfLfxSdNQ4lNs9ycgOg2OBxsQw8h7leer8Hw_bXZLxTWqHnBWaaYO2LlIf98KH4/s320/IMG_7336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had plastic mugs, skittles, a cookie, glow sticks (for the bathtub!), glow sand, Gangs of New York (okay okay Irish-American, but close enough), Peppermint Patties, and of course the printable from the Dating Divas. I also scoured the web for St. Patty's printables and found one with really corny jokes. I wrote the clues on the back of them. I also cooked the hubster a yummy <a href="http://www.parents.com/recipe/pirate-pasta/">Pirate Pasta</a> dish for dinner, and we ate it outside (we've been having some crazy warm weather here in the midwest)!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjUJI_mtJcTon5AOsqBqdl28eTd6pJxLButdkGyu9WIa5uHNUGi_obhQYGzCQCFQn-0RVGqoMpmTWdZA4MRfbYN-F-b1c2zdo18b93BzXUpsi6ZiG2KA3-yGYANhWZZwiGIuJ3BFd/s1600/IMG_7338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjUJI_mtJcTon5AOsqBqdl28eTd6pJxLButdkGyu9WIa5uHNUGi_obhQYGzCQCFQn-0RVGqoMpmTWdZA4MRfbYN-F-b1c2zdo18b93BzXUpsi6ZiG2KA3-yGYANhWZZwiGIuJ3BFd/s320/IMG_7338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took forever to set up the scavenger hunt, but my husband got so excited for all the clues. This is definitely something I would do again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And if you are looking for some AWESOME date night and marriage fun ideas, check out the <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/">Dating Divas</a>--I just found this blog, and I am so excited to try all of their ideas!</div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-75390084307912941622012-01-19T08:06:00.001-05:002012-01-19T08:06:00.218-05:00Easy car trash bags!So, I found <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/04/trash-bag.html">this great tutorial</a> on the Make it/Love it blog for how to make a car trash bag. I loved the boning idea, and then just made things up on my own, because I am bad at following directions.<br />
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I made my bag fully lined, so it adds a couple extra steps. If you do not want to line your bag, then start out by making it like I made my gift bags, and hop back here to insert the boning.<br />
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First, I cut two large rectangles of fabric and placed them right sides together, stitching up and around the whole outside, leaving a small opening to pull the fabric through. Then, I turned it out and topstitched, so there would be no raw edges on the final product.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCA49DHyUlGxdaNy93CuAjIo0Hn104vzBZu9Ay6bWExUxY5u0AKuRZcxU3iuXxRn90dQPIm5XxM1uWTU14n_aa7GxkS44NBirPMLa9xLhQYzA6GohLZVJKmPmplcqL8bu0c8qXGDt/s1600/IMG_7017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCA49DHyUlGxdaNy93CuAjIo0Hn104vzBZu9Ay6bWExUxY5u0AKuRZcxU3iuXxRn90dQPIm5XxM1uWTU14n_aa7GxkS44NBirPMLa9xLhQYzA6GohLZVJKmPmplcqL8bu0c8qXGDt/s320/IMG_7017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I folded the project in half and stitched all the way up two sides.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuswSnN_bT-gLRdnQZ5yPD3sAuY_OWgsRNjI4RuR9ZQ7iT-ugZLEvhLl55YDCxXYmVRp9uXQ7IrMsm4_LNjFH5_YBD6C0VwmjqxvZRYta378ka5QhbywYGiDrVhI3LD5raO1zZuhlL/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuswSnN_bT-gLRdnQZ5yPD3sAuY_OWgsRNjI4RuR9ZQ7iT-ugZLEvhLl55YDCxXYmVRp9uXQ7IrMsm4_LNjFH5_YBD6C0VwmjqxvZRYta378ka5QhbywYGiDrVhI3LD5raO1zZuhlL/s320/IMG_7018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Next, I folded down the top about an inch or so. Then I topstitched to make the casing, all the way around, leaving an opening of about 2-3 inches, so I could insert the boning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35d9OVoIdqdKwBW-dQfD9mNvl2TD7lGr2QGkijwaQ4rLDXAZ6zvTNd4NtJ0J86EzJIT1IcWcM5eDHpLvL4RMkrh7VmVUsZheW9pTFlrMse9_QQwuy180B9ltxFMx2mObTYGEDw6UT/s1600/IMG_7019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35d9OVoIdqdKwBW-dQfD9mNvl2TD7lGr2QGkijwaQ4rLDXAZ6zvTNd4NtJ0J86EzJIT1IcWcM5eDHpLvL4RMkrh7VmVUsZheW9pTFlrMse9_QQwuy180B9ltxFMx2mObTYGEDw6UT/s320/IMG_7019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then I inserted the boning all the way around the casing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHrshc6zT_xsIMpIasDKtxpq28IFYK-C5xK30KdNlsY5nFzq7e4g_tcR0Y__mDCno2d8ZtfLmTuxHJDmQmn2KVEz9AhFQjHIvrJqIbEhmYAsej1-oP5zZZgAXXkWHT8EKAG14lWex/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHrshc6zT_xsIMpIasDKtxpq28IFYK-C5xK30KdNlsY5nFzq7e4g_tcR0Y__mDCno2d8ZtfLmTuxHJDmQmn2KVEz9AhFQjHIvrJqIbEhmYAsej1-oP5zZZgAXXkWHT8EKAG14lWex/s320/IMG_7020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once I had the boning in, I cut it to fit and stitched it together. Now, this is a tricky part. You have to cut the plastic in your boning shorter than the fabric, so that you can stitch it shut. DO NOT TRY TO STITCH THE PLASTIC. YOU WILL BREAK YOUR NEEDLE! You will have to wiggle the boning out of the casing a little bit, in order to get it up under the needle of your machine. However, once you are done, you will be able to just slide the boning back in place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsms_ysolNLq64-x11e31YchNISISP_60wm_j5dP_YsPn7VAdsXAyDpn_-WLliOEbdQd4wHgB8FUXJJj-YUtvtaZ2QwTYfYNLQZ2MMrYnC5nUE6VLiyHyqC8Nw2o2uS7Gb6K0mZYJ/s1600/IMG_7022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsms_ysolNLq64-x11e31YchNISISP_60wm_j5dP_YsPn7VAdsXAyDpn_-WLliOEbdQd4wHgB8FUXJJj-YUtvtaZ2QwTYfYNLQZ2MMrYnC5nUE6VLiyHyqC8Nw2o2uS7Gb6K0mZYJ/s320/IMG_7022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The last step is to attach a hanger. You can use any material for this--I chose some parachute cord. I inserted the cord up into the hole in the casing, and then topstitched it all shut.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydsJraKYq8XzW9aEeD6VqaN7gMfp_sNpOYYbQOluDqKqZDN5cU5NXTsO3Miu_B9RfHeAK6W2M1gNrbae0DlpMMQEzDqKEFW1t287bkC9cQmSSSKbMPQVx0wYJZUdyb5BHrwUBKL5F/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydsJraKYq8XzW9aEeD6VqaN7gMfp_sNpOYYbQOluDqKqZDN5cU5NXTsO3Miu_B9RfHeAK6W2M1gNrbae0DlpMMQEzDqKEFW1t287bkC9cQmSSSKbMPQVx0wYJZUdyb5BHrwUBKL5F/s320/IMG_7024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then, I flipped the cord up, and topstitched it down to the top of the casing. Again, be mindful of where the boning is--you do not want to stitch on that plastic!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1nfp3P43AofwOKfgGToZk5GGrjrcqtIWzcvk5TBtuOQbEMKC6-j6FgsW_IhPqC8mKYg828EOD0kUfv6G6ZoSeIdCRYaz930InPmqf00bdxBaUe32JKHb3ssZDEp5MZ6qw0som5xo/s1600/IMG_7025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1nfp3P43AofwOKfgGToZk5GGrjrcqtIWzcvk5TBtuOQbEMKC6-j6FgsW_IhPqC8mKYg828EOD0kUfv6G6ZoSeIdCRYaz930InPmqf00bdxBaUe32JKHb3ssZDEp5MZ6qw0som5xo/s320/IMG_7025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Once you have the hanger stitched on, you are ready to hang!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aJ59Ex85KAtYdHiqKJHxUoShhifKd_ZXiN6H190Bd7fRihFVLKfOkQTAmJ2IBRmk34ljpahPucF0iOwQCCYuPQxWogu79ZTUj14Bf0CInsljMQA67K4IcFx_aeG-MXkaB8v0QeLL/s1600/IMG_7026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aJ59Ex85KAtYdHiqKJHxUoShhifKd_ZXiN6H190Bd7fRihFVLKfOkQTAmJ2IBRmk34ljpahPucF0iOwQCCYuPQxWogu79ZTUj14Bf0CInsljMQA67K4IcFx_aeG-MXkaB8v0QeLL/s320/IMG_7026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Or, lay flat for a glamour shot. Look how nicely the boning keeps the opening wide open!!! This is handy when you are driving, because you can just toss stuff in!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzPNJ4kOIRw2zOdeYBENrgSwIjYTA8ZQ3-BJab7gWW3IGmaFTivKDdjpAXjtbcMRXlPpOaRKHncJn9Cenr0cDlU81TedmUFNCJoiZcHXQHwclWid8IYivM4xekMiYEDA5AiVqohHM/s1600/IMG_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzPNJ4kOIRw2zOdeYBENrgSwIjYTA8ZQ3-BJab7gWW3IGmaFTivKDdjpAXjtbcMRXlPpOaRKHncJn9Cenr0cDlU81TedmUFNCJoiZcHXQHwclWid8IYivM4xekMiYEDA5AiVqohHM/s320/IMG_7028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> So, I wanted to go take pictures of this in the car, but it was too cold, so you will have to use your imagination a little bit. The nice thing about using the string for this bag is that you can tie it up to make it shorter or longer, depending on your needs. So, you can tie it shorter, to slip around your gear shift (or top of your rocking chair, as the case may be).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp71z48_UXSf5mGVM2WBCoUlAM9sYeh8nko_aFcm-32tww4TPwjerGi7Nko8msQGqiOhRKInZuHNNrn-OwKXyQrgTh-Rs-kUe_YnNM_qGphn8MQuj2WnpYI6Bmr5CT8iOnGVL4JYu/s1600/IMG_7029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp71z48_UXSf5mGVM2WBCoUlAM9sYeh8nko_aFcm-32tww4TPwjerGi7Nko8msQGqiOhRKInZuHNNrn-OwKXyQrgTh-Rs-kUe_YnNM_qGphn8MQuj2WnpYI6Bmr5CT8iOnGVL4JYu/s320/IMG_7029.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> Or, you can leave it longer, to fit around the back of your headrest, or glove compartment. (Or lamp.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsOwsW0yYzAkic_FXrUtoew71Sdl9NiZjgXOgn9Mwa_6X9fNU-pUkCptp3P0pSlejGZWrCGvoFDoOX7v1udMIN5S6ad6IjIv36qsFyhjRZutKDB1VL4oWX4AHA25hMObjkNrx_6KS/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsOwsW0yYzAkic_FXrUtoew71Sdl9NiZjgXOgn9Mwa_6X9fNU-pUkCptp3P0pSlejGZWrCGvoFDoOX7v1udMIN5S6ad6IjIv36qsFyhjRZutKDB1VL4oWX4AHA25hMObjkNrx_6KS/s320/IMG_7031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ta-da! Now there is no excuse for a messy car!</div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-2586425697372013502012-01-16T08:00:00.001-05:002012-01-16T08:00:01.350-05:00Easy Soothing Hot/Cold PacksSo, another gift I made for our handmade Christmas this year was soothing hot/cold packs. These are fairly easy to make, and generally very much appreciated, since not all of us can afford massage therapists!<br />
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I made both an eye mask, and a neck warmer. For the eye mask, I cut out rectangles of 4.5 x 10 inches. Then I placed the fabric right sides together and stitched 3 sides together at a seam allowance of 3/8 inch. <br />
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For the neck warmer, I cut one big rectangle of 9 x 26 inches. Then I folded it in half, hot-dog style, and stitched up two sides at a seam allowance of 3/8 inch. Basically what you will get is tubes with a small opening at the top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8NnpmeIPoukPFg4IxJzfKn3IKJITLv0zzGbnNo0wqVfEeXebUtMZD75yZn5QWQk-lBQB-EQw1CnU0dNdIxofgbzhwGjfLIjp9kJy8GOi7dfRQr5djkscU7F2YXcv70wVWO3Oea4m/s1600/IMG_7009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8NnpmeIPoukPFg4IxJzfKn3IKJITLv0zzGbnNo0wqVfEeXebUtMZD75yZn5QWQk-lBQB-EQw1CnU0dNdIxofgbzhwGjfLIjp9kJy8GOi7dfRQr5djkscU7F2YXcv70wVWO3Oea4m/s200/IMG_7009.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cut fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lt2FItxCmfknxNWOseJJredCQMx2iGm7lKSppbdEQ1eVRzja_DktifEl6bCnQ4Gqqj32o-onMkdp33W7AlTQGFkX1eS5j_2qAy1tNJBd1hqcN0IwFH3Yg-DqgiNZ89YK4nHWp5lH/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lt2FItxCmfknxNWOseJJredCQMx2iGm7lKSppbdEQ1eVRzja_DktifEl6bCnQ4Gqqj32o-onMkdp33W7AlTQGFkX1eS5j_2qAy1tNJBd1hqcN0IwFH3Yg-DqgiNZ89YK4nHWp5lH/s200/IMG_7012.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stitched and ready to fill</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVkZN8s5kn04a0BNPAnikx4Bae8f84QYZpsR-LssRpPl5im4rClz-35T4MtGmT77j-e7hGasg1agaiBfgzen2NYeiE94keWGpXeYyIftbUtk5_J7mmtzHlFXnn3PaZNOAILVFn_QL/s1600/IMG_7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVkZN8s5kn04a0BNPAnikx4Bae8f84QYZpsR-LssRpPl5im4rClz-35T4MtGmT77j-e7hGasg1agaiBfgzen2NYeiE94keWGpXeYyIftbUtk5_J7mmtzHlFXnn3PaZNOAILVFn_QL/s200/IMG_7011.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neck warmer, stitched 2 sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1irsErOZ4eUMZANSdTPJAQQQ0LNTn_6DqX2JD0ZVt-V-aaBI4P-4dBI7ceG4d-Qv3qjGQuUKw5BLD-qBsGjp3Ky1kz6Hced4CCZI3bi3iMJReLXBOeHSfV51yqDKsWs0Zh-P7bQ4M/s1600/IMG_7010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1irsErOZ4eUMZANSdTPJAQQQ0LNTn_6DqX2JD0ZVt-V-aaBI4P-4dBI7ceG4d-Qv3qjGQuUKw5BLD-qBsGjp3Ky1kz6Hced4CCZI3bi3iMJReLXBOeHSfV51yqDKsWs0Zh-P7bQ4M/s200/IMG_7010.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eye masks, stitched 3 sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then, it's time to mix the filler. You will need:<br />
A large mixing bowl and spoon<br />
A funnel<br />
A lot of rice<br />
Your favorite essential oil (I used lavender and vitamin E)<br />
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Mix a bag of rice and about 4-5 drops of oil thoroughly. That's it! You are ready to fill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YpXDh7Kr_lVnpiURodoGExQrZy0qiGxUwr1cyIFi1SGjXsAxDhr5ImZ_La_dg773cEHrOo3pY3WNzCTiEoYFGj2uDHx787v0Zhyphenhyphen-0s0U-NmkXH1sIztPLocP8kXNDnfSyVIvgIbS/s1600/IMG_7014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YpXDh7Kr_lVnpiURodoGExQrZy0qiGxUwr1cyIFi1SGjXsAxDhr5ImZ_La_dg773cEHrOo3pY3WNzCTiEoYFGj2uDHx787v0Zhyphenhyphen-0s0U-NmkXH1sIztPLocP8kXNDnfSyVIvgIbS/s320/IMG_7014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Turn your fabric right side out, and use the funnel to fill in your hot/cold packs about 2/3 full. Really, you can make these as packed or as loose as you want them to be. I kept mine fairly full, so that they will retain heat or cold longer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih8SzPjCEXIywtyIeQNu8B6T5ifvtfzcUl9fLDsAwjdK3UuhNnL1tumka7-oRJjds_BoUSRyRr9JF74iGz0echA6VTVR24CLpLQaTvQMX9itpaXhk34kwh-3ZeJTaBjYghlfSmgFd/s1600/IMG_7016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih8SzPjCEXIywtyIeQNu8B6T5ifvtfzcUl9fLDsAwjdK3UuhNnL1tumka7-oRJjds_BoUSRyRr9JF74iGz0echA6VTVR24CLpLQaTvQMX9itpaXhk34kwh-3ZeJTaBjYghlfSmgFd/s320/IMG_7016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And of course, I forgot to take a final picture again. But here is what you do to finish these off:<br />
Fold under the ends about 1/2 inch and topstitch as close to the top end as you can. This will seal off the opening and finish your project. Don't forget to include a card with instructions! To make these cold, simply place them in the freezer. To make them hot, place the eye mask in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. To make the neck warmer hot, place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. And enjoy!aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-18976162835983881912012-01-13T08:41:00.000-05:002012-01-13T08:41:52.188-05:00Easy Gift BagsOkay, so I know Christmas is over, but I have a few gift posts to share. The first one, of course, is about some environmentally-friendly, reusable gift wrap that takes very little time to make!<br />
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So, ignore the Christmas fabric, and focus instead on all the cute scraps in your stash that could be made into easy gift bags! The great thing is that these can be any size you want, so start stash-busting!<br />
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Start with a rectangle of fabric, and fold each of the short ends over about an inch and iron.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdp8V7POgKOZf5yUrmX5PFedcqc24oAn2n2eoET2OHdtTrwkPga4vma72Mm-BrUeLzeA0tUuBWD4A14HOOhKQx7DbVJb_7jr-eYoSlsAZuE4jkvO_ansgVNl-OeKKK3fv8rawe0TK/s1600/IMG_7001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdp8V7POgKOZf5yUrmX5PFedcqc24oAn2n2eoET2OHdtTrwkPga4vma72Mm-BrUeLzeA0tUuBWD4A14HOOhKQx7DbVJb_7jr-eYoSlsAZuE4jkvO_ansgVNl-OeKKK3fv8rawe0TK/s320/IMG_7001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then stitch, about 3/4 inch to an inch away from the top. This will make the casing for your drawstring.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf96V_HyW30gwquC1k2fHqNuJ3H-n1JVKTjdwvlemAbyKD2CaYi1aEw55b3XMPk8-5aL93gIvA3NDwUJ7aWS-RSbiAHoQprZX-AvdinvyOtNbg6P_ymAau-qy4YA5Uh95eeIMfXF9S/s1600/IMG_7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf96V_HyW30gwquC1k2fHqNuJ3H-n1JVKTjdwvlemAbyKD2CaYi1aEw55b3XMPk8-5aL93gIvA3NDwUJ7aWS-RSbiAHoQprZX-AvdinvyOtNbg6P_ymAau-qy4YA5Uh95eeIMfXF9S/s320/IMG_7004.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> Then, fold your bag in half, right sides together, and stitch up each side until you get to the casing. Do not stitch the casing shut!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDbQohjpswGo3pb7iah1Gq_2Yigo9mI8KZ59DKoGzUlKKHmelxGDCfFgo3nIqj5MaRO194TG1g9-BQBtvvm_vmLVIK-ejiHHbixVH-mSEzuqqNbZVBUUFLgrzsn9Vg2dnWct1-XyX/s1600/IMG_7005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDbQohjpswGo3pb7iah1Gq_2Yigo9mI8KZ59DKoGzUlKKHmelxGDCfFgo3nIqj5MaRO194TG1g9-BQBtvvm_vmLVIK-ejiHHbixVH-mSEzuqqNbZVBUUFLgrzsn9Vg2dnWct1-XyX/s320/IMG_7005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Once you do that, it should look like this. Then, just flip your bag right side out, and pull a string through the casing. Ta-da! Easy gift wrap, in less than 10 minutes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sWD5JJGevjuer6OzSMdoLnTuXX9ffe4wZ88jc6uzGYb98yCoiIU5zi4EqZulDg5GSuZrh70NNrG51uxQ7kgIMqmXGV_PBi6KamhK4xdUSIUU96OFyaG6AOeDls6R-XmRyC59tRC7/s1600/IMG_7006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sWD5JJGevjuer6OzSMdoLnTuXX9ffe4wZ88jc6uzGYb98yCoiIU5zi4EqZulDg5GSuZrh70NNrG51uxQ7kgIMqmXGV_PBi6KamhK4xdUSIUU96OFyaG6AOeDls6R-XmRyC59tRC7/s320/IMG_7006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And yes, I forgot to take a picture of the end result. So, I will provide you with a photo from the Easy Christmas Crafts website!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ46pbSJN9O3DgQVFQUUrShbTF7eYar-uei_uEm_SE9zN5MVpUErrU4cvwGPwdaWq6-rl5eofn61fnmJiGvybq9cqxaL3Xw6QO8JCgc2qgMUI7elCKRhX4CkjrKdWw0F0D5k6iT173/s1600/gift-bag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ46pbSJN9O3DgQVFQUUrShbTF7eYar-uei_uEm_SE9zN5MVpUErrU4cvwGPwdaWq6-rl5eofn61fnmJiGvybq9cqxaL3Xw6QO8JCgc2qgMUI7elCKRhX4CkjrKdWw0F0D5k6iT173/s320/gift-bag2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-25746490946326310662012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-09T08:00:02.514-05:00Recipe Box DividersAs the post title suggests, the new year's clean up rampage has continued in our household. Mr. D. and I cleaned up and re-organized the entire garage in preparation for a chest freezer (we get so much food from the farm that our regular freezer is full...and we were recently given an ice cream maker on top of that!).<br />
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So today it was rainy and I decided that the next thing to receive an organization makeover was my recipe box. I had a system for putting cards in- only the tried and tested recipes deserved to be written nicely on a card and deposited in the box. But I could never find anything when I wanted it! So here's how to make dividers for your recipe card box.<br />
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Step 1: Gather materials. You will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>A ruler</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Card stock or thin cardboard</li>
<li>Scrap booking paper</li>
<li>Markers/crayons/colored pencils</li>
</ul>
Step 2: Measure the size of your recipe cards and write down the dimensions. My recipe cards were 3.5 inches tall and about 5 inches wide.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmytkZyvAVgd6J5vHc6r54u28GnvBDk-FLNHzGg6QgHomN409fRrK7uXXgaQKATq_ZftThSMrYJJKG9DthJI2tQb6MQ4GIRmx-viB-WzVr-gjl5FVqliAMz2J15PS4H07eUE_3i_u3ZJ8R/s1600/Recipebox2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmytkZyvAVgd6J5vHc6r54u28GnvBDk-FLNHzGg6QgHomN409fRrK7uXXgaQKATq_ZftThSMrYJJKG9DthJI2tQb6MQ4GIRmx-viB-WzVr-gjl5FVqliAMz2J15PS4H07eUE_3i_u3ZJ8R/s320/Recipebox2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I then measured how tall my recipe box was. It was about 3.75 inches tall, so I figured I could make the tabs on the dividers about 3.5 inches tall without worrying if the lid would close or not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHnul47bwFlt_-uQwuwMU-3_-8u0WwCMt5GoxBhcQCFaeNhYovLpLlG5Ytiogvu4uPXr0lQ_ZeydW839OkfZLun2xUT_S6huPBlhkWOCOEtuHdFyk1cWhAnt-4kDEA8sVlJowhmgkpl3u/s1600/Recipebox1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHnul47bwFlt_-uQwuwMU-3_-8u0WwCMt5GoxBhcQCFaeNhYovLpLlG5Ytiogvu4uPXr0lQ_ZeydW839OkfZLun2xUT_S6huPBlhkWOCOEtuHdFyk1cWhAnt-4kDEA8sVlJowhmgkpl3u/s320/Recipebox1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Step 3: Using a ruler, measure out a rectangle the size of your divider. On one long side, draw a tab the length and position you would like, and round the corners if you wish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSWXWIJwJhgXE21kaW207haFLsajwkN4NCOJK8W32fR3i1tTWjRkfcbZeLB4rjHDTk4-2n6wNYfTVKWtx4XwHUiegbJBd84MSIylBs89FUrqlKJTP6HbBL1Cx1ME92oSBOInUIMS9yVUG/s1600/Recipebox4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSWXWIJwJhgXE21kaW207haFLsajwkN4NCOJK8W32fR3i1tTWjRkfcbZeLB4rjHDTk4-2n6wNYfTVKWtx4XwHUiegbJBd84MSIylBs89FUrqlKJTP6HbBL1Cx1ME92oSBOInUIMS9yVUG/s320/Recipebox4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Step 4: Cut this out and use it as a template for your other dividers. Make as many as you need, adjusting the tabs if you want some in the center or on the right side.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjVSoTIh4LuZBCMPkHHV7l4LCRvV9lekJkpU6UT_QSzsKZXwmx_rwh1D2_H2NZ5xkjVM7jxHOTNbgkgbFEfwErkfS3rFTONX6rFLsPY66lzot8hC4LCDuhKluEiZ4_rF3P-AGm_1JeGiQ/s1600/Recipebox5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjVSoTIh4LuZBCMPkHHV7l4LCRvV9lekJkpU6UT_QSzsKZXwmx_rwh1D2_H2NZ5xkjVM7jxHOTNbgkgbFEfwErkfS3rFTONX6rFLsPY66lzot8hC4LCDuhKluEiZ4_rF3P-AGm_1JeGiQ/s320/Recipebox5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2piGXHpXkVbd1b-TkRwazAMcJTOLU-g7crhXmv8b8E9U9fKtg1QD4-U2Fj1KTmHtrdKO9HFgTZYgPL5KXVNBLz0mJgZpyAPlPfOIYD03Emy495mQzHiMPhL7JA29sXiIiGbmh8zp5N9ui/s1600/Recipebox9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2piGXHpXkVbd1b-TkRwazAMcJTOLU-g7crhXmv8b8E9U9fKtg1QD4-U2Fj1KTmHtrdKO9HFgTZYgPL5KXVNBLz0mJgZpyAPlPfOIYD03Emy495mQzHiMPhL7JA29sXiIiGbmh8zp5N9ui/s320/Recipebox9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Step 5: Label and decorate your dividers. If you have scrap booking paper, you can cut it to fit the divider and simply glue it on. I labeled my dividers using thin Sharpie markers of different colors, then decided to cut out some decorations and glue them on:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfLLSzzanC4KcDOwfXN-J38sR7C78v2TogOfQUwV54ow2n1dsbgWfsbOhOY_TcQymh7DvvF1eXi6WL6AiIHiqlJsRanSoqKYOjGvSQpJlid__3N9v8h1ZvnL5DppFGTtAAbvW0T2CSeeS/s1600/Recipebox11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfLLSzzanC4KcDOwfXN-J38sR7C78v2TogOfQUwV54ow2n1dsbgWfsbOhOY_TcQymh7DvvF1eXi6WL6AiIHiqlJsRanSoqKYOjGvSQpJlid__3N9v8h1ZvnL5DppFGTtAAbvW0T2CSeeS/s320/Recipebox11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's cute, but it was so time-consuming that I simply gave up after this one and drew on the rest.<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiR5xjwC1h5JFZhIHkpY9h5NM6a7jdnh0Ip-O4xTD2fwvIqUETwcbr0v8P3fxhczpPGRhrOM-LDdMU8euHA6KrB_6HnIW4GnlGfz8RSahD7jGZAdI9XzKMLGBRaSQJIzk2pZ2dhs2LJbC/s1600/Recipebox10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiR5xjwC1h5JFZhIHkpY9h5NM6a7jdnh0Ip-O4xTD2fwvIqUETwcbr0v8P3fxhczpPGRhrOM-LDdMU8euHA6KrB_6HnIW4GnlGfz8RSahD7jGZAdI9XzKMLGBRaSQJIzk2pZ2dhs2LJbC/s320/Recipebox10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is an illustration of the cuts of beef. I thought it appropriate, even though I have no idea what the numbers stand for...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hXeBqnB1l6m0KVUlyuxQhsneWUTt5VwvuZDJ7mwM93Fy81FisfjK7RpthbkJSfUM4x5kYAip6gyp_wvSzhyphenhyphenmlAUX8Gew3i5FWiGqiEX0Z3Um3y1zKEPB2NlwwhRTKhTfU-NxkjnU7JFr/s1600/Recipebox12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hXeBqnB1l6m0KVUlyuxQhsneWUTt5VwvuZDJ7mwM93Fy81FisfjK7RpthbkJSfUM4x5kYAip6gyp_wvSzhyphenhyphenmlAUX8Gew3i5FWiGqiEX0Z3Um3y1zKEPB2NlwwhRTKhTfU-NxkjnU7JFr/s320/Recipebox12.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good....good....REAL good....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxE9tVFDS9UA4dJPEv2Kwm59L8xuZpNI9TohpE67vkG9k3lleZNLYSJuN9ZJMhHXKvSuZBPzV_wV1PTtzAuW2p0ZYqewiSUnaO0M33geTCMueP4FZqUbK7aXtX2Gx60g6ylDlu-VZwb85X/s1600/Recipebox13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxE9tVFDS9UA4dJPEv2Kwm59L8xuZpNI9TohpE67vkG9k3lleZNLYSJuN9ZJMhHXKvSuZBPzV_wV1PTtzAuW2p0ZYqewiSUnaO0M33geTCMueP4FZqUbK7aXtX2Gx60g6ylDlu-VZwb85X/s320/Recipebox13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some day, my children will find these and be shocked to discover where there meat comes from.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My categories included: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Seafood, Bread/Grains/Pasta, Soups, Drinks, Desserts, and of course, Veggies!<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjt7caRt_ZmdGgFigYxvNgR7A8Z252jbQcAxLmjhg036WbSEVq6UTASmZNotmFyAAAYb9sOBfNXqRFBvAof2EBpekgiW_YVnycd18PkxHvbTgGCGm_JtFGI18t8fQH_hEQhffXB7uw3fw/s1600/Recipebox14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjt7caRt_ZmdGgFigYxvNgR7A8Z252jbQcAxLmjhg036WbSEVq6UTASmZNotmFyAAAYb9sOBfNXqRFBvAof2EBpekgiW_YVnycd18PkxHvbTgGCGm_JtFGI18t8fQH_hEQhffXB7uw3fw/s320/Recipebox14.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt obligated to label my produce in case people couldn't tell what was what.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, once the dividers are in the box, you can't see the illustrations, but <b><i>I</i></b> know they are there, and it makes me happy to know that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSQ55T0plX-mBB6IcpyIiRZ900ly2yOnKhUUG6E0DRgxLyDIIluCiW4C2KWxTEfudvhs31BsHuIsdqW0Uxh53l7XqEfbLHSDlo4XEWwllNrz0OkdXhUbljDI4BsVOzFiYNQicaihgWfHg/s1600/Recipebox7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSQ55T0plX-mBB6IcpyIiRZ900ly2yOnKhUUG6E0DRgxLyDIIluCiW4C2KWxTEfudvhs31BsHuIsdqW0Uxh53l7XqEfbLHSDlo4XEWwllNrz0OkdXhUbljDI4BsVOzFiYNQicaihgWfHg/s320/Recipebox7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So now my recipe box is completely organized! If anyone would like a template to print out these dividers, let me know via comments. I'd be happy to make one up and post it here for all you lovely readers.<br /><br />naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-37297515439244284502012-01-05T15:02:00.000-05:002012-01-05T15:02:28.949-05:00Cleaning up Holiday CardsFor a while, I was just content to let our holiday cards pile up on the counter or get knocked over every time I passed the wine rack, but I finally just had enough of it. I decided it was time to organize those darned things and display them nicely. I reasoned that if people took the time out of their busy holidays to write, address, and send a card, that I could take a few minutes to display it and enjoy the beauty.<br />
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I spent a while looking through some ideas online. Initially, I wanted to construct some kind of ladder thing where the cards would hang on the rungs, but I was short on supplies. I found an idea for a cute clothespin wreath- except that I didn't want to have to store the thing once Christmas was over.<br />
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So after some more poking around, I finally got out some ribbon and started playing with it. My first attempt was to put up those sticky hooks on the walls and wind the ribbon around those. This failed miserably, as the weight of the cards bore the ribbon to the ground repeatedly. Then I had a brilliant idea. I took my length of ribbon and used a couple thumbtacks to attach it to the top of the door frame leading into our laundry room. I hung some cards using clothespins, and voila! Instant beautiful decoration and card holder.<br />
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When I'm done, I can just roll up the ribbon and use it for other things. How great!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6kZU8APhD73svDXsTConfEJwe1sq2PzvdBje83h_HE17MEGggFseZg0Uj5zKyIlLMGMFzAMbaJ3STiPSl8bKPV876pKtW-5u6HUGmJO2UvTwiW-eZ0xVZiWxFx3N01hpOWqyKQi-UhGN/s1600/137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6kZU8APhD73svDXsTConfEJwe1sq2PzvdBje83h_HE17MEGggFseZg0Uj5zKyIlLMGMFzAMbaJ3STiPSl8bKPV876pKtW-5u6HUGmJO2UvTwiW-eZ0xVZiWxFx3N01hpOWqyKQi-UhGN/s320/137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkh6MzkuNNLhZ06kfQuyRWpL-tZRboYwlbDRzUcap3rYaK52umpj8S2rK5tfa22-jlVWWycxArQ4Y-36aVHs8RYnkfjnhsFGhGmfgEzStKKkMw7kkZfIuY3gmSXm31zeGzNE7rA2HLBl5/s1600/138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkh6MzkuNNLhZ06kfQuyRWpL-tZRboYwlbDRzUcap3rYaK52umpj8S2rK5tfa22-jlVWWycxArQ4Y-36aVHs8RYnkfjnhsFGhGmfgEzStKKkMw7kkZfIuY3gmSXm31zeGzNE7rA2HLBl5/s320/138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PS: See the cute little message board? Mrs. K made that for me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zAx0S4T1EAyMzxlCNM2GSJhSiIxiughm6pzmlQLsGeq9_mwyKNpF9qEeodYxAF4WAEhgsces6AoI_tGF0vziJiqw1XSTF_4FVyRNmrRTRXH8PD0fUiv9YlDoFa9ngPMQZ9AnAmNaN5rX/s1600/139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zAx0S4T1EAyMzxlCNM2GSJhSiIxiughm6pzmlQLsGeq9_mwyKNpF9qEeodYxAF4WAEhgsces6AoI_tGF0vziJiqw1XSTF_4FVyRNmrRTRXH8PD0fUiv9YlDoFa9ngPMQZ9AnAmNaN5rX/s320/139.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to the right, next to a cork trivet my husband's sister made out of our wedding corks.</td></tr>
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<br />naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-75970091068193290862011-12-28T08:00:00.002-05:002011-12-28T08:00:05.198-05:00Christmas Stockings!Well, this year I wanted to give my husband lots of candy and peppermint patties (his favorite), and what better way to do that than to stick it in his stocking? Unless you don't have a stocking. Thank goodness I can sew! I used some vintage fabric given to me by a family member to create enough stockings for a family 4 pack!<br />
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On to the quickie tutorial: First, cut out two outer and two lining pieces of your stocking. I just surfed the web until I found a pattern that worked and used that for my stocking design. Then cut two each of the cuff for the stocking.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUq4GIA9us3a-Ny483TAgHSf5ur8mVEBQXcwlR4HNytagAayyNlMOwrawNCiZ0vQp9an4-bhRkGYsZ1TrAbW0kVqy54WNbyJXeScDh786MEmBkcz3CCsmTCPWxjIAQmigd0ZS0bNH/s1600/IMG_6928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUq4GIA9us3a-Ny483TAgHSf5ur8mVEBQXcwlR4HNytagAayyNlMOwrawNCiZ0vQp9an4-bhRkGYsZ1TrAbW0kVqy54WNbyJXeScDh786MEmBkcz3CCsmTCPWxjIAQmigd0ZS0bNH/s320/IMG_6928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, stitch cuff outer and cuff inner pieces together, and iron in half.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzD_VgMWKKEzeDK-Xl_FyBTdy9LIqvtGh6DBI1bSCAWapy_taVfapnXGktZ4lKF0hbl-F0BQmEDTTi4j8ESa8pQTmX9hK8Tv5X5HBhRApzHXieD9tQOUwjFMpBVzdh0zyOxaiBx_r/s1600/IMG_6930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzD_VgMWKKEzeDK-Xl_FyBTdy9LIqvtGh6DBI1bSCAWapy_taVfapnXGktZ4lKF0hbl-F0BQmEDTTi4j8ESa8pQTmX9hK8Tv5X5HBhRApzHXieD9tQOUwjFMpBVzdh0zyOxaiBx_r/s200/IMG_6930.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuLbBYkvGF4R1-xB1frinVNDqBDJUHs84KOwITfioOcgvKY0wgLjg0TNolWGBdWi9cxsk7ziLk79YtWJbFZsLdWXl-4oRb-3wP4FotzBZOsCHC3LrVLm_lzRBBHXnZMFa8-BRj8jF/s1600/IMG_6929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuLbBYkvGF4R1-xB1frinVNDqBDJUHs84KOwITfioOcgvKY0wgLjg0TNolWGBdWi9cxsk7ziLk79YtWJbFZsLdWXl-4oRb-3wP4FotzBZOsCHC3LrVLm_lzRBBHXnZMFa8-BRj8jF/s200/IMG_6929.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Next, stitch the rough edges of your cuff to the right side of the stocking outer pieces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tTq-DgTwH2FBFHK0huFqSS1mC89MBWpc3wSZm3lriLJTuo5oxaG7PzqRAnr_RhNnh2APtiYKO65QjUxP_K5bae3hXfllXm5BR-HsFFZESmPtgcm1Q5Zt379ZKQHM9nbultO8iysh/s1600/IMG_6932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tTq-DgTwH2FBFHK0huFqSS1mC89MBWpc3wSZm3lriLJTuo5oxaG7PzqRAnr_RhNnh2APtiYKO65QjUxP_K5bae3hXfllXm5BR-HsFFZESmPtgcm1Q5Zt379ZKQHM9nbultO8iysh/s200/IMG_6932.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAiOzZTFUa0igjoobO3H95XlrFhoOd_zz1yCQhyphenhyphenSvLeiQtjxIuTz4V2T5OCGlem7mzIjVW9KOg1RKfhXuDRIBCzIaQjRQUEgMRrQ8-mJshtf9qdW93PkRv8DC2m3SJgi-TclNZ3GB/s1600/IMG_6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAiOzZTFUa0igjoobO3H95XlrFhoOd_zz1yCQhyphenhyphenSvLeiQtjxIuTz4V2T5OCGlem7mzIjVW9KOg1RKfhXuDRIBCzIaQjRQUEgMRrQ8-mJshtf9qdW93PkRv8DC2m3SJgi-TclNZ3GB/s200/IMG_6931.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
Then, stitch the outer stocking pieces together around the sides, right sides together. Do not stitch the top! Then, stitch the lining pieces to each other in the same manner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PeKjUAkhePALqVseymBNgTOXRBfjtQ4c3UMM52EYzirILLycjd-QFasAZA35yM2Vxh9syx9XD8qWmpGf9lmfRrC2fYlNmhnjmdj5Vx2DMjGsIipohyphenhyphenhCz4MVi1NdAOxEk7lvERSC/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PeKjUAkhePALqVseymBNgTOXRBfjtQ4c3UMM52EYzirILLycjd-QFasAZA35yM2Vxh9syx9XD8qWmpGf9lmfRrC2fYlNmhnjmdj5Vx2DMjGsIipohyphenhyphenhCz4MVi1NdAOxEk7lvERSC/s200/IMG_6936.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCgHQchZdJGWwAKZNzYjwv8bbhFkWuy8-tOXOL-tpUl0cXojKi5_e259DSsiakYFemlRe4e3S3cT6G8rzxfhgLk2dXNLd3TagcZe-ZSVsZJIqeG2GLs56Guhkh12TDYEC23LLPDMX/s1600/IMG_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCgHQchZdJGWwAKZNzYjwv8bbhFkWuy8-tOXOL-tpUl0cXojKi5_e259DSsiakYFemlRe4e3S3cT6G8rzxfhgLk2dXNLd3TagcZe-ZSVsZJIqeG2GLs56Guhkh12TDYEC23LLPDMX/s200/IMG_6937.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, stuff the outside into the liner, with the right sides together. Stitch around the top, leaving a few inches open. Then turn the stocking inside out through that opening.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY1MmwjVOgtePOWQi_qVgMJFpaG89j653411iLWtxsqXixxWim2EJY8_vgUJdOY4VrWOpH4pSxbWXJcBhCbx4y_6muDiB6eNoZbb-F0qj9Ye6gOtduhseIYqJVFHDLDrYYT8URQ4U/s1600/IMG_6938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY1MmwjVOgtePOWQi_qVgMJFpaG89j653411iLWtxsqXixxWim2EJY8_vgUJdOY4VrWOpH4pSxbWXJcBhCbx4y_6muDiB6eNoZbb-F0qj9Ye6gOtduhseIYqJVFHDLDrYYT8URQ4U/s320/IMG_6938.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnllSkSvZwkCf98T4ChX7anu0y0CtTNX0gL2aoCoVpver0OSD_fFBIGmqmkaG6g5c3DsGjo98syBDYhKJ6-z6JLjsJeN51u1fsq9syi0Gf8d4NrqYE3rVswymVpTrd4yFrTI-b-7eo/s1600/IMG_6940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnllSkSvZwkCf98T4ChX7anu0y0CtTNX0gL2aoCoVpver0OSD_fFBIGmqmkaG6g5c3DsGjo98syBDYhKJ6-z6JLjsJeN51u1fsq9syi0Gf8d4NrqYE3rVswymVpTrd4yFrTI-b-7eo/s200/IMG_6940.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAaV2j_smsfli7hJpcNERqRlwNMIReg4Yn-ZsZe8SremHSvmZPfA0iITKeDyGzO6MIPSCW-gCyqfc9l8uQlosWvF5Y5eQ4hCrXdbVzTMyV6gVPxmzXcrGBgHBR4AnUN939nIhEspr/s1600/IMG_6942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAaV2j_smsfli7hJpcNERqRlwNMIReg4Yn-ZsZe8SremHSvmZPfA0iITKeDyGzO6MIPSCW-gCyqfc9l8uQlosWvF5Y5eQ4hCrXdbVzTMyV6gVPxmzXcrGBgHBR4AnUN939nIhEspr/s200/IMG_6942.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once turned, iron the stocking, and topstitch!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg8sipJzrOJl3AW8nVcdBGNTmaq8tYSNBVclY6DjFxWPhICTzjhVb0-DNBXnU5jtKitdNuNkxZe-HWOIlv1nfJul0Cy0NAPD6Oq9Vd3euV2HNdgSOeM1gcXKPW_Vgm8LEvS_Y8LLp/s1600/IMG_6943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg8sipJzrOJl3AW8nVcdBGNTmaq8tYSNBVclY6DjFxWPhICTzjhVb0-DNBXnU5jtKitdNuNkxZe-HWOIlv1nfJul0Cy0NAPD6Oq9Vd3euV2HNdgSOeM1gcXKPW_Vgm8LEvS_Y8LLp/s320/IMG_6943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi4YrvEguqorlIrC6YR07QDnjFdPuHhh88jC4uhD-cefCbOGp0GkcQleDk_HrBIYEdFGKkrorMwZ1fv5QokgQOY3G5KFTUc4uOS4nIQm74oL_spD596oJtlaqX7D9cfkbO1kgnkmC/s1600/IMG_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi4YrvEguqorlIrC6YR07QDnjFdPuHhh88jC4uhD-cefCbOGp0GkcQleDk_HrBIYEdFGKkrorMwZ1fv5QokgQOY3G5KFTUc4uOS4nIQm74oL_spD596oJtlaqX7D9cfkbO1kgnkmC/s320/IMG_6945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The finished stockings, with ample room for a couple bags of peppermint patties!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1HzoHFs9VeZGqHXSGiB5Z9IHhe2aquBQKj3mmYwmOQnmVBPZbu9QBhFrrM7TsHMPmjwkXNurCDPPG-A9WyCNvxzxww7pMdk_T3nuqre7OfYdp5py3_xC4R3HbuA7jHAVQXabY-0l/s1600/IMG_6944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1HzoHFs9VeZGqHXSGiB5Z9IHhe2aquBQKj3mmYwmOQnmVBPZbu9QBhFrrM7TsHMPmjwkXNurCDPPG-A9WyCNvxzxww7pMdk_T3nuqre7OfYdp5py3_xC4R3HbuA7jHAVQXabY-0l/s320/IMG_6944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-26717427191631408152011-12-27T09:46:00.000-05:002011-12-27T09:54:11.985-05:00Christmas Crafts #2<b>Cute Belt Bag</b><br />
This craft comes courtesy of One Yard Wonders. I really LOVE this book! If you're a fan of sewing and want some projects that don't require a lot of moolah to put together, get this book and use it.<br />
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This project took 2 days to complete. It was challenging, but I'm glad I pushed through and finished it, because it looks professional.<br />
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Here is a short run-down of what I did. First, I cut 4 pieces that became the front and back of the bag (2 were the outside, 2 were the inside lining). Then I cut 2 long strips that would become the sides and bottom of the bag. I also cut 4 pieces that would allow for the zipper to function (again, two lining and two outside) and then several pieces for pockets and one strip that became a key tab.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwEt8JEoVHI-GiYSsE76KUutkJfrzuiovOo64OB1rJHKNbdgmNaqS34RIHuCvdO8AgHl0WztGfegIBitjvVDBeQ2Z6_y6uSUgSw1c1kVd9b6dRdHwmbNQQUQ3FgTgBQNNjR-9trfacmYY/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwEt8JEoVHI-GiYSsE76KUutkJfrzuiovOo64OB1rJHKNbdgmNaqS34RIHuCvdO8AgHl0WztGfegIBitjvVDBeQ2Z6_y6uSUgSw1c1kVd9b6dRdHwmbNQQUQ3FgTgBQNNjR-9trfacmYY/s320/067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To assemble, I sewed all the outside parts on first. This included the tab pocket, the elastic pocket, and the belt loops. Then I sewed the inside pocket on and created bias tape for the key tab and attached that.<br />
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Once that was accomplished, I sewed the zipper pieces onto the zipper tape. I finally learned what my zipper foot looks like (hooray!) and how it works. It was easier than I thought it would be (probably because I was attaching the zipper to 2 free pieces of fabric).<br />
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Next, I assembled the whole bag. This was the tricky part, and I took my time here to reinforce the corners and make sure I was sewing the entire thing correctly. I took the zipper part and sewed it onto one of the long strips, making a long piece that would become the bottom, sides, and top of the bag in one continuous piece. Then I sewed this onto one of the outside pieces (right sides together, of course). I then unzipped the zipper and sewed on the other outside piece in the same way, making sure all the corners lined up. After that, I flipped the bag right-side out to ensure that there were no gaping holes.<br />
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I completed the lining in the same way. To finish the assembly, flip the bag inside out and put the lining wrong side against it. I was supposed to use a slipstitch to attach the lining where the zipper was, but at that point I was in a hurry to get done, so I just used the zipper foot again and did a little whipstitch at the ends to reinforce the zipper. It would have looked nicer if I had used a slipstitch, but the end result was still really nice.<br />
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To make the belt, I bought a 3-foot length of black webbing from the store and some D-rings. Made a double-fold hem at one end and sewed that closed, then enclosed both D rings at the other end in a double-fold hem. Once you slide that through the belt loops, you can wear it like a (ok, I'll say it) fanny pack. It's so much cuter than that, though! Don't you think?<br />
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<span id="goog_716488523"></span><span id="goog_716488524"></span>naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-65428298550908689102011-12-26T09:57:00.001-05:002011-12-26T10:10:21.934-05:00Christmas Crafts #1This year's theme for Christmas was Homemade. The siblings and I were all very busy sewing and making things for each other. I thought I would share a few of the gifts I've already given with you all. Crafting gifts is a lot of fun, and it can put you in a great holiday spirit to sit there sewing and thinking about how much the person is going to enjoy their gift.<br />
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<b>Customized Towel Apron</b><br />
I got this idea from one of Miss S's posts about towel aprons, and wanted to make one for a friend of the family. So I went to the store and got a large bath towel, took it home, and washed it. It was a good idea to pre-wash and dry, since the towel lost a lot of fuzz in the dryer.<br />
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I had my husband help me by holding up the towel to himself while I approximated where the neck string and waist string should go. I marked these using pins.<br />
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Next, I folded the seam allowances and sewed along the edges to create a casing for the string. This was a little bit difficult, because the towel was at double thickness while I was sewing.</div>
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To create the string, I sewed closed a length of double-folded bias tape and used a safety pin to pull it through one side of the waist to the neck, then down the other side to the waist.</div>
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I knotted the ends of the bias tape to keep them from slipping back through the casing.<br />
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Then I created the pocket. I made them kind of deep (to carry your favorite beverage, perhaps) and almost the width of the apron. I used some awesome flame fabric and cut two pieces, then sewed them, right sides together, leaving an opening to flip the piece inside out along the long top edge. I pressed the pocket, then took some double-folded wide bias tape and stitched that to the raw edge. I used a zigzag stitch to attach both the bias tape and then the pocket to the apron- it seemed to work better than a straight stitch through the thick fabric.</div>
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I made several lines for the pockets- these could hold your potholders, beverage, grilling spices, salt and pepper shakers, etc.</div>
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For a little extra decoration, I found a picture of a skull with barbeque implements behind it. I drew this design on a piece of paper. Mr. D helped color it, then we scanned it into the computer and printed the decal onto printable fabric. I then cut it out and ironed it onto the apron (after several test swatches, which turned out to be incredibly helpful- otherwise I would have ruined it!).</div>
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And tada! Easy towel apron, ready for grilling good times!<br />
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Stay tuned for more crafts and tutorials, coming your way soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-DizCSKwwCDMHq93B1TEG1TT1nWBcRYqfLghCGuI_jujr8MmvQk6C8kSoHk8exJo7xTz9ARkglkqu2Nw27czX1nDYeNvqtzQF8gQ8VWMeZ3vPiVVEAiJUmHJAmbK7HwtlM6zG1t8OAoi/s1600/apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-75481080554723370882011-12-22T09:45:00.002-05:002011-12-22T09:56:27.384-05:00Tips for a Craft FairHello out there! And Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Joyous Kwanzaa/Merry Solstice to all of you.<br />
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I recently went to my first craft fair. I was invited through someone who found me on Etsy. The entry price was reasonable and it wasn't too far away, so I decided to give it a try. I read some tips on what to ask and got some good advice. I felt about as prepared as I could be, given my circumstances (procrastinated on making things, then had to study for and take finals the week before the fair; stayed up until 1:00 am putting some last-minute things together). So here is what I learned:<br />
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1. Besides asking what size table you will have, it's also good to ask whether that table is round, square, or rectangular. I brought a round tablecloth and initially started at a rectangular table. It would have looked terrible. Luckily, I was moved to a round table. But the tablecloth was still not large enough. So note: bring a few different tablecloths or get more specific information.<br />
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2. Don't procrastinate! Start as early as you can and build up a stock of items to sell. Much of my anxiety came from feeling like I didn't have enough to put on my table compared to the other more experienced vendors. However, considering it was my first fair, I felt okay with not having to haul five or six totes of stuff in and out.<br />
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3. Check the date to see if there are any other craft fairs in the area that day, and how big they are estimated to be. The turnout at this craft fair was lower than expected because of another fair that day. If I had known about the other one, I would have packed up and gone over to that one because it was getting more business.<br />
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4. Bring bags for your customers to put their items in! This is one thing I neglected to do- wasn't even thinking about it. Bags also give you an opportunity to slip in a business card. If I had to do it over again, I'd make <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html">these</a> cute newspaper bags.<br />
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5. In addition to #5, bring more business cards. That's one thing I did bring, although I wish I had printed more of them ahead of time. I nearly gave all of them away.<br />
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6. Find a good way to display your items. My display was rudimentary because I didn't have many items to sell or time to figure out a better way to display them. A vendor next to me had a very professional display- and she had only been to 2 or 3 fairs. She said it was easier to store her display for the next fair rather than taking everything apart and then re-assembling it. See <span id="goog_2064021405"></span><a href="http://victoria-case.wrytestuff.com/swa12079.htm">this<span id="goog_2064021406"></span></a> page for some ideas.<br />
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7. Know your audience. Since this was a church craft fair, there were a lot of grandmothers shopping for grandchildren, women with babies and young children, and a few teens with their parents. Many of my items were meant for older children, so they did not sell. Age-appropriateness is certainly helpful, if you know who's coming. These cork fish were one of my most popular items:<br />
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That's about what I learned. Hopefully some of these tips will be helpful to you. If you are thinking about going to a craft fair, do it! It was a good learning experience, and I hope to do many more in the future.naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-89732381360152222452011-12-12T20:27:00.001-05:002011-12-12T20:28:36.194-05:00Wedding dress!Okay so here is a tip for doing a wedding on a budget: make your dress yourself, or find a friend who will do it as a gift for you. One of my good friends got married this fall (on a budget, of course--we are frugal friendly in my circle), and I (with a lot of help from my mom) offered to make her dress.<br />
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The materials: silk and lace. I took advantage of 50% off sales and coupons at JoAnn's to get their top-of-the-line fabrics, and the total was an astonishing $100! Many girls pay more than that for their veil!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muslin mock dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So how did we do it? First we made a mock dress out of muslin to make sure that the dress was the right size and fit. Our burlap dress was a perfect fit (my friend has the build of a model), and so it was on to the dress. For the most part, my mom and I followed the pattern instructions, just substituting an invisible zipper for the regular zipper.<br />
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At the second-to-final fitting we discovered that the dress was somehow a size too big. No worries, though, because my mom is pretty much a fairy godmother and was able to make the dress stunning!<br />
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I got the first idea from Disney's Family Fun page: <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/house-o-lantern-785223/">http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/house-o-lantern-785223/</a> . Of course, I subverted the idea for my own nefarious purposes. I used brown kraft paper (the kind you can get at Home Depot or Lowes in big rolls) and tissue paper (cheap now that stores have started selling Christmas stuff <u>at the same time</u> as Halloween decorations).<br />
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First, I measured our windows to figure out how long the paper should be cut. The roll was wide enough that two sections would adequately cover both windows.<br />
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Next, I drew a giant scary eye on one sheet and a mouth full of sharp scary teeth. I cut out this design and then flipped it over and traced it onto the second sheet (therefore both sides were equally symmetrical).<br />
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Then I taped sheets of red tissue paper onto the back of each design (making sure it was the correct side). The only issue I had was that the paper tended to want to roll back up, so I used books to flatten it.<br />
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On the evening of the party, we attached the paper to the wall using painter's tape (so it wouldn't make marks and would be easy to remove). We put a lamp on one of our plant stands and a stack of books and lit the face from behind. Here's the final result:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not kid-friendly!</td></tr>
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This was an adult party, so the design was scarier than the suggested jack-o-lantern face. If you're really good with paper cutting, I can see this being a neat way to silhouette your favorite scary movie creature (say, a zombie/mummy/vampire) or a scene from a horror film (like Psycho).<br />
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The other paper craft I did was Halloween luminaries. I purchased some white paper bags (around $2.00) and drew faces on them. The design ideas came from Googling 'Halloween luminaries'. I carefully cut out the faces. Then we filled the bags with dirt from our yard (cheaper than buying sand!) and put a tealight in each one (already had the tea lights). They came out more cute than scary, and would be a great way to welcome trick-or-treaters to your porch.<br />
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Happy Haunting, Boys and Ghouls!</div>
<br />naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-83582503777064154562011-10-28T09:00:00.000-04:002011-10-30T14:33:04.796-04:00Ghosts for HalloweenAn easy way to make some spooky spooks for your Halloween celebration!<br />
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First, obtain some cheap white sheers. Fold the sheers in half to mark where the head will be placed.<br />
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Then get some medium-duty wire. It should be stiff enough to hold a shape, yet flexible enough to bend into a form with your hands. Cut off a length about the width of your folded sheet, then twist a loop for the head. Arrange the rest of the wire to resemble arms. If your arms droop, tie them to the head using monofilament thread.<br />
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Then insert the form under the sheers, centering it.<br />
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<br />Find the top of the head through the sheers and clip a small hole in the fabric.<br />
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Then thread monofilament thread through the hole and tie it. This will allow you to hang the ghost. Make it as long as you think you need to.<br />
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After that, find a place to suspend the ghost while you cut up the edges. I cut off most of the hemmed parts and then shredded the edges ragged with scissors to create a ghostly effect.<br />
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Now all you have to do is hang it somewhere- can be inside or out! We have one hanging outside in a tree- it sways in the wind and is quite creepy. I hung another one from our attic pull at the end of the hall- we plan on having a fan blow on it during our Halloween party so it appears to move around.<br />
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Have fun!<br /><br />
<br />naturalistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09815886399579526028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-30137376921335210222011-10-09T20:52:00.000-04:002011-10-09T20:52:55.393-04:00Wedding Garter!As I mentioned, there is a wedding dress in progress. (More on that coming....no really, I promise it is coming....)<br />
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However, no wedding is complete without something blue:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71L0ETrAi-LEtbr6LszswRkGsjJEvrkVn-oSieki74IILDiHoQ7O0G22UOYWTdAdc5NsJXroyWvRpDhdyfVF6lJrv-kk08tmxr98RPz4tEzOU_f55U3y3ZW2VB_YBHx4MWcCTx_Q3/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71L0ETrAi-LEtbr6LszswRkGsjJEvrkVn-oSieki74IILDiHoQ7O0G22UOYWTdAdc5NsJXroyWvRpDhdyfVF6lJrv-kk08tmxr98RPz4tEzOU_f55U3y3ZW2VB_YBHx4MWcCTx_Q3/s320/IMG_6345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used <a href="http://modestmaven.blogspot.com/2009/09/wedding-garter-keep-and-toss-tutorial.html">this</a> tutorial online, and made it my own. It was fairly easy, but beware: wedding fabrics are slippery and difficult and want to bunch and gather in weird places. Luckily, garters are supposed to be bunched and gathered!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VlDTWVD8E6i7yhVnC1lFjgYuQWy_yFhxcpBUcH_vTXXQGsqs4IfliT5ywB5pG3JZwtx_tMxZhPNfCeLOyDp9q_swD2AZvmwyhvPf6j1NZLmMW5PVO4PxXRcPPdKBjj8Ml6H9Op73/s1600/IMG_6353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VlDTWVD8E6i7yhVnC1lFjgYuQWy_yFhxcpBUcH_vTXXQGsqs4IfliT5ywB5pG3JZwtx_tMxZhPNfCeLOyDp9q_swD2AZvmwyhvPf6j1NZLmMW5PVO4PxXRcPPdKBjj8Ml6H9Op73/s320/IMG_6353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-87328140401378368812011-09-10T15:35:00.000-04:002011-09-10T15:35:21.504-04:00Where have we been?<a border="0" href="http://maybematilda.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n628/rfield3890/Crochetalongbutton.jpg" /></a><br />
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So, us three ladies at KraftingWithK have come to a screeching halt--not in creativity, just in time. Mrs. D dealt with a surgery of her own, plus her husband as well! Mrs. K has recently started back at work and has been busy busy busy catching up! My husband (Mr. S) has also had surgery, and then I got pregnant! I am still in the first trimester, but it has been rough! I've also been working on a friend's wedding dress (which I will post later, with her permission).<br />
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But the big news is that I am participating in the Crochet-along with Maybe Matilda! Hit the box at the top of this post to check it out! Basically, I have been seeing all these cute crochet patterns on etsy, but I don't know how to crochet!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi0AQT48mfyiOKf2hcfChZzRZMi3QhRTo_LJPIOZZ7IQFI9w6VRTGXMf7HqY9M9w3VLM6YRPWi-aQ4zgBLR2WdwIuZb_xz4gbW46RD-WXVy5RFZCUkL8udvy0WKqhxr1QT3BM5dWG/s1600/il_170x135.268482243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi0AQT48mfyiOKf2hcfChZzRZMi3QhRTo_LJPIOZZ7IQFI9w6VRTGXMf7HqY9M9w3VLM6YRPWi-aQ4zgBLR2WdwIuZb_xz4gbW46RD-WXVy5RFZCUkL8udvy0WKqhxr1QT3BM5dWG/s320/il_170x135.268482243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From CrochetMyLove on Etsy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfB8XBZXHoxVBcnKwnYFClHl-TvDb04EBJx9w1soyQ9eWSzzGL0Hlkfihyphenhyphen_Cwd0tDy6m6V58rsF6vLVi2fJQv8NH3GcrNJiAe_o5otNtBKlRsqBfvD-kzH1372rwABiC-gAhIMnF2/s1600/il_570xN.239728037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfB8XBZXHoxVBcnKwnYFClHl-TvDb04EBJx9w1soyQ9eWSzzGL0Hlkfihyphenhyphen_Cwd0tDy6m6V58rsF6vLVi2fJQv8NH3GcrNJiAe_o5otNtBKlRsqBfvD-kzH1372rwABiC-gAhIMnF2/s320/il_570xN.239728037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From MaybeMatilda on Etsy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRon7QG4c0G55cNQor3CkduNqG_xb3AHFAVwAPiZqoEExHS_rnEt2KW2jGSAHImGH_0sYg9ANBh7AUJ9hqtP8Q8Eu_kzXHXjUgW_PJCVM_Ue9JG8-jlHmRyfolXfRiwuCio1enTTho/s1600/il_570xN.245727015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRon7QG4c0G55cNQor3CkduNqG_xb3AHFAVwAPiZqoEExHS_rnEt2KW2jGSAHImGH_0sYg9ANBh7AUJ9hqtP8Q8Eu_kzXHXjUgW_PJCVM_Ue9JG8-jlHmRyfolXfRiwuCio1enTTho/s320/il_570xN.245727015.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From CrochetMyLove on Etsy</td></tr>
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Do I have babies on the brain? Yes, yes I do! Sooooo I am participating in Maybe Matilda's Crochet-Along, because she is teaching us all how to crochet! Yay! This weekend's task is to go buy some yarn and a crochet hook. I believe the stitching starts on Monday. Wish me luck! Here is a picture of what I got:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqwJma3I4bJQUn_NvtydtLeJvjoPP_i53z9y-PYUtIG3SQR27Ogip2p1JISQ5hdx6qNgjEvjtngutDwBQ3sY78qphifb0nLZIch64ljBgQazgTAKxJAxmtXxkVttnke2u6bp7RqDC/s1600/IMG_5914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqwJma3I4bJQUn_NvtydtLeJvjoPP_i53z9y-PYUtIG3SQR27Ogip2p1JISQ5hdx6qNgjEvjtngutDwBQ3sY78qphifb0nLZIch64ljBgQazgTAKxJAxmtXxkVttnke2u6bp7RqDC/s320/IMG_5914.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-37029735847161226722011-08-21T09:26:00.000-04:002011-08-21T09:26:37.660-04:00Dumpster Butcher Block Makeover!Okay, it is not a true butcher block, but this kitchen work table is made out of solid hunks o'wood, and I can cut on it, so that screams butcher block to me.<br />
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The story? Well, we live in a college town, so everyone moves out all at the same time. Our complex puts out a huge roll-off dumpster, and opens the side to that you can just walk in and dump your unwanted furniture (and trust me, these kids throw A LOT of perfectly good stuff away). My husband discovered this beauty resting right on the end of the dumpster:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5l9eLfOiCJ0l-dT2MaVJqMIw1FKzHikEqEjz3Q14u9hDH9Q0DKjPzMDdSQzgh3sONUvAGEh1yOyPsBxms4RHQW5T0XkfYkINTPxYXJNSUZ-28RGxYyBMMv9RzuwYbFsgcf6jCYeT/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5l9eLfOiCJ0l-dT2MaVJqMIw1FKzHikEqEjz3Q14u9hDH9Q0DKjPzMDdSQzgh3sONUvAGEh1yOyPsBxms4RHQW5T0XkfYkINTPxYXJNSUZ-28RGxYyBMMv9RzuwYbFsgcf6jCYeT/s320/IMG_5821.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JfMNU5_BREA_DQXU_sF2kOo70gDycWdEDYv1xC0qs8rGM7HtGphnwQzKFY1Qv-haW1NJ-ujHn2jNBYp_gvroCll34m43OcwDqOa6JnOtdxPzUomWiSbJuMCoGQDE2PBF7ym4nJCH/s1600/IMG_5820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JfMNU5_BREA_DQXU_sF2kOo70gDycWdEDYv1xC0qs8rGM7HtGphnwQzKFY1Qv-haW1NJ-ujHn2jNBYp_gvroCll34m43OcwDqOa6JnOtdxPzUomWiSbJuMCoGQDE2PBF7ym4nJCH/s200/IMG_5820.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wayyy too early 90's country fair for me. However, my husband looked on the bottom and discovered that this work table was made by a local guy who charges $500-700 for a table like this. And someone threw it away? Yowsers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, there was much work to be done. The top of the table was very scuffed, and well, you see the paint job. So the hubster got to work (I was mostly the creative director/supervisor on this project). He got out some sandpaper and started sanding. That didn't work. So then he got out a heat gun. That didn't work either. So he got out a power sander. No dice. We eventually caved and got a soy-based earth-friendly paint remover, and then we saw some progress. It was a week-long adventure. Photos of the sanding extravaganza below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraId9yyPqy5VuKs5xUDTXNV60hetAPlvNFsW-Zq1x5iQLLYFhytY35dmXrvDtW3SUxCT8pEJvbwZ0ceJY3XWnUqxXQTWf7RYL-6stz2LQliu6hijIsbD36DuNwCJEemFwDzUf5Dax/s1600/IMG_5876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraId9yyPqy5VuKs5xUDTXNV60hetAPlvNFsW-Zq1x5iQLLYFhytY35dmXrvDtW3SUxCT8pEJvbwZ0ceJY3XWnUqxXQTWf7RYL-6stz2LQliu6hijIsbD36DuNwCJEemFwDzUf5Dax/s320/IMG_5876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zANzcrLL8DwR5ONd90xn59mTpnci9MGhRIdg51aaE4C-EO1RXllJ2SsmceIE19wxbibkH6jmC8nI-Sxuv0HzynGaF0RrqLiixK57LdJWab19FWeKxcVL09Tx1WVSd9OYQnPI-9nq/s1600/IMG_5877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zANzcrLL8DwR5ONd90xn59mTpnci9MGhRIdg51aaE4C-EO1RXllJ2SsmceIE19wxbibkH6jmC8nI-Sxuv0HzynGaF0RrqLiixK57LdJWab19FWeKxcVL09Tx1WVSd9OYQnPI-9nq/s320/IMG_5877.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZB9ze0fOBe-Ygi1l_Y2UoP8DgGspdyFR4VpNvDkuu4YP_tnHXmjKqVjXh7Bz5cisj8jBWinhTbJ4qBEPkAzxFhUls6UdaglevqaT_nzo2_Gqp4EGrCN1j5FY9ZKnvOuhFxVPN_Eu/s1600/IMG_5878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZB9ze0fOBe-Ygi1l_Y2UoP8DgGspdyFR4VpNvDkuu4YP_tnHXmjKqVjXh7Bz5cisj8jBWinhTbJ4qBEPkAzxFhUls6UdaglevqaT_nzo2_Gqp4EGrCN1j5FY9ZKnvOuhFxVPN_Eu/s320/IMG_5878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there was the sanded project. Mr. S still couldn't get all the blue off, but I'd say he did pretty well! So then it was time to paint and seal. We used a food-safe sealer for the top, and some Valspar paint for the body. We also painted the inside of the drawers with some free Glidden paint we got from a recent promotion. The hubs said the Valspar paint was much easier to deal with and less toxic to breathe in. We added a couple new drawer pulls, and voila! A pretty new butcher block for the kitchen!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn-pG8BOk8zjZvG6qH8gJTNfaiUgCw9n7krDjnjk8jV_VNHPdHWzvEmTi_G1ZecU3E8J4rjvgu8u94_N358GuUHFuCk7Y4KoNBNYxnJoBsdvQ2YMzY-qOb_wOh45RcXlZsCa62n0M/s1600/IMG_5889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn-pG8BOk8zjZvG6qH8gJTNfaiUgCw9n7krDjnjk8jV_VNHPdHWzvEmTi_G1ZecU3E8J4rjvgu8u94_N358GuUHFuCk7Y4KoNBNYxnJoBsdvQ2YMzY-qOb_wOh45RcXlZsCa62n0M/s320/IMG_5889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-39423738542153048962011-08-10T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-10T08:00:17.227-04:00New Etsy Store!Alright, well the Etsy store is up and running! Welcome to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteCloudsFlying?show_panel=true">WhiteCloudsFlying</a>, an Etsy store designed to feed my hobbies. I like making crafty stuff, but I am making so much that it has started to pile up!<br />
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Thus, I am <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteCloudsFlying?show_panel=true">selling my wares</a> online for super cheap! Almost all the items in my store are under $10 (including shipping), and much of it is under $5! This will also be a great way to help pay back all of my husband's surgery bills...oy. Every penny counts!<br />
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Here are a few items I really enjoy:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0vIrDt-ZgAcfZoK5KFBKlYIavCeXWdMq8izQc35fDOXheaa32A085SMtxitahF4AvHMrGsnquvwAgBqgxkOGqj41g9IBg3gL0Mk0vLZ8o1BFl_pvmySm1vQW2e2JFQ4i7TrzUaxz/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0vIrDt-ZgAcfZoK5KFBKlYIavCeXWdMq8izQc35fDOXheaa32A085SMtxitahF4AvHMrGsnquvwAgBqgxkOGqj41g9IBg3gL0Mk0vLZ8o1BFl_pvmySm1vQW2e2JFQ4i7TrzUaxz/s320/IMG_5756.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Bow Choker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXYG-XeR2HrNsbgGmf3Qnr0UFTKpBUhQNbLOzaFDoZ23o607OGukCoII5Sxbf83Jly-iWCoK_dCDkg-pUvVyEXy58u7Zao0seUWIcKyrDItd-Rijo_DbCgEeiWE2M4YsQnNeMYcDf/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXYG-XeR2HrNsbgGmf3Qnr0UFTKpBUhQNbLOzaFDoZ23o607OGukCoII5Sxbf83Jly-iWCoK_dCDkg-pUvVyEXy58u7Zao0seUWIcKyrDItd-Rijo_DbCgEeiWE2M4YsQnNeMYcDf/s320/IMG_5770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird Pendant Necklace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySHFILs6sNtBxkj1ayHYxKbYcFkUv65rgmHrPkCwyTW24QE58NSxqU_eq1udZvYJ6wbzQXEKQXJ_avyV-Ryjcv5M-WdlPFToi4IlazpqjlWWGY4auTaNAnEcL7j_V5NNQsr5XZ95w/s1600/IMG_5799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySHFILs6sNtBxkj1ayHYxKbYcFkUv65rgmHrPkCwyTW24QE58NSxqU_eq1udZvYJ6wbzQXEKQXJ_avyV-Ryjcv5M-WdlPFToi4IlazpqjlWWGY4auTaNAnEcL7j_V5NNQsr5XZ95w/s320/IMG_5799.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Leaf Tree Necklace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicdi9MgyEgdZnIaN6FSz68R6Abdi2v4DU_gn-luvtbTQSn3n9d3CfW6Mnm_kXJ5ubHUefI-rSlNx6jTKLTJGCnVESUO1MTFDZTajr0Jz1b5LkEHW3MhbXt-AZRXOUSvu_4ssILGtO/s1600/IMG_5837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicdi9MgyEgdZnIaN6FSz68R6Abdi2v4DU_gn-luvtbTQSn3n9d3CfW6Mnm_kXJ5ubHUefI-rSlNx6jTKLTJGCnVESUO1MTFDZTajr0Jz1b5LkEHW3MhbXt-AZRXOUSvu_4ssILGtO/s320/IMG_5837.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarn Flower Hair Clip</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZNj0ldg238hFhYLgLhEcUq61CxKMn81wwSORbbmp2vlu5foDiB48IOPccoVD08-9FfeLAb7RX93Qd4GOQ25IBe_lGshEl65bO3_wLi9rH4H3nWQKvc6LBjknyk9PpA7Vm-GIxxBn/s1600/IMG_5854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZNj0ldg238hFhYLgLhEcUq61CxKMn81wwSORbbmp2vlu5foDiB48IOPccoVD08-9FfeLAb7RX93Qd4GOQ25IBe_lGshEl65bO3_wLi9rH4H3nWQKvc6LBjknyk9PpA7Vm-GIxxBn/s320/IMG_5854.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Ribbon Headband With White Bow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-86503523102647212492011-08-08T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-08T08:00:18.130-04:00Vintage French Wall ArtYou remember this picture, yes?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KWWnzgYGJoE-sUBbtrdpkW7V5N-qvA1-GtczszjBsPDbQdP39VpkxSqrmH_nDI2X7Pl1eX6HQKESFOMJjzdyjHDTtZJ9jQ4W27mdPZmVmR_Y_-05jkj_Bhqx-6Ad0sOAdYZiFIj6/s1600/IMG_5827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KWWnzgYGJoE-sUBbtrdpkW7V5N-qvA1-GtczszjBsPDbQdP39VpkxSqrmH_nDI2X7Pl1eX6HQKESFOMJjzdyjHDTtZJ9jQ4W27mdPZmVmR_Y_-05jkj_Bhqx-6Ad0sOAdYZiFIj6/s320/IMG_5827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, it was the start of a project that I had hoped would turn into a tutorial, but alas, I forgot to take pictures. So I will just let you rely on your active imaginations to draw the pictures in your heads.<br />
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Step 1: Vintage background. I combined yellow, white, and brown to make the background. Now, I only half-mixed the paint, so that as I painted it on to the canvas, it would cover unevenly, creating an aged, uneven look.<br />
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Step 2: French stencils. I found these on clearance at the Hob-Lob a while back, and used some old Tulip Paper Paints in pastel colors.<br />
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Step 3: Attach drawings, pictures, and vintage-y stickers. This part was fairly simple--it's just like making a collage!<br />
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Step 4: Mod Podge, and add 3-D elements. I added some moulin rouge feathers, and a little bit of trim I got from the Wholeport Creativity Expo. Mod-Podge is a wonder substance. <br />
<br />
And here we go!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4asclF4Tq7Z97sCtX-ooe9eYzKKTs8oejq9lIr6m8LIMd0qsPYpbJiM50xUPOltVqCeMFpTUxvAMOfKkjO7N0am7XWRTapMg4fDkZKu_7AKH8QKZdwGQk76-s5J37WvOjVhCL4mIF/s1600/IMG_5865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4asclF4Tq7Z97sCtX-ooe9eYzKKTs8oejq9lIr6m8LIMd0qsPYpbJiM50xUPOltVqCeMFpTUxvAMOfKkjO7N0am7XWRTapMg4fDkZKu_7AKH8QKZdwGQk76-s5J37WvOjVhCL4mIF/s320/IMG_5865.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BMedA-09jTFyn1tkgVW3b6RE_NVn5IUjv_x0kDG3F11762J_h86xeyHTgpI2A2gQqNNArddIsnEH2j1cRk9wGP1RBUz6zDlRra-g65B6oUCzS77c576_HIB31JpKs5Z7nbKrqAoP/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BMedA-09jTFyn1tkgVW3b6RE_NVn5IUjv_x0kDG3F11762J_h86xeyHTgpI2A2gQqNNArddIsnEH2j1cRk9wGP1RBUz6zDlRra-g65B6oUCzS77c576_HIB31JpKs5Z7nbKrqAoP/s320/IMG_5872.JPG" width="174" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG2uF70SEOjfBFLOFanKlnWapLnkFE7ViK5cYOtBjctz8aPgQ6f-TAIGjgtjlD6XqIks3tkLjLxgjMYWNbmWGtwRAQjH8dIf1f7hURHRTR54WLXK6XBES66e4VyL2u4iBsg-80ZPh/s1600/IMG_5866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG2uF70SEOjfBFLOFanKlnWapLnkFE7ViK5cYOtBjctz8aPgQ6f-TAIGjgtjlD6XqIks3tkLjLxgjMYWNbmWGtwRAQjH8dIf1f7hURHRTR54WLXK6XBES66e4VyL2u4iBsg-80ZPh/s200/IMG_5866.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtwgCmWy0Q9FWnm6dr-hQgNflXlqJybtVks3uZN1GbzrANiNv7tHn8iq7GgNXijaKLwuXKm-kGoUqoUofS1CfFLzY8V3DNKYP3DP9sv1B-ipy_Jxwxo90WLvnQPrcKU2uDu7D0IFF/s1600/IMG_5868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtwgCmWy0Q9FWnm6dr-hQgNflXlqJybtVks3uZN1GbzrANiNv7tHn8iq7GgNXijaKLwuXKm-kGoUqoUofS1CfFLzY8V3DNKYP3DP9sv1B-ipy_Jxwxo90WLvnQPrcKU2uDu7D0IFF/s200/IMG_5868.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-61044867763055746672011-08-06T19:24:00.003-04:002011-08-06T20:31:02.195-04:0050 Follower Giveaway Winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOblsdUd9fFYcKORWzYOuYKlBCWL_yC2rPbUrr6VZfSEr80FDZLAxYc8BBKtZPSCYYRFRQaBzvYkPRaXSI-dUccJpq9NqqOSWFFgzLTEK69Px00icLH2w9xhmEIUXLNhREzbgIWcvX/s1600/giveaway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOblsdUd9fFYcKORWzYOuYKlBCWL_yC2rPbUrr6VZfSEr80FDZLAxYc8BBKtZPSCYYRFRQaBzvYkPRaXSI-dUccJpq9NqqOSWFFgzLTEK69Px00icLH2w9xhmEIUXLNhREzbgIWcvX/s1600/giveaway2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Congratulations to Laura, who won the giveaway, via random.org. No, I still haven't figured out the widget, but I did figure out how to get a screen shot! In this case, the late bird got the worm! <br />
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<dt id="c1877763170444336763" style="color: #333333; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 122%/1.4em Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="profile-image-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em; padding-left: 0.8em; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15863320446455841918" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="profile" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e0SMSYTCVrJ_CXt709kJlfnsWulaLTZDLNb07JdRnzSdOiKLt35P-b7h0TVcmKXjcOM1ynDjoq9aQFsMx7aIUEZHf3CChajZ509vdktL8auzzTRoVC4dekVTvQutkah0l3N0GfCHU64/s220/01171409+copy.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0.2em; padding-left: 0.2em; padding-right: 0.2em; padding-top: 0.2em;" title="Laura" width="60" /></a></span></div><img alt="Blogger" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogger.com/img/cmt/comment_sprite.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: -45px -117px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 16px; margin-right: 4px; width: 16px;" /> <span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15863320446455841918" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Laura</a></span> said...</dt><br />
<dd style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em;">New follower.....very cute giveaway!</div><div class="comment-timestamp" style="color: #777777; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em;">August 6, 2011 3:34 PM</div><span class="item-control"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=8682207315214024345&postID=1877763170444336763" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #3366cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" title="Delete Comment"><img alt="Delete" class="icon_delete" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogger.com/img/cmt/comment_sprite.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: -32px -101px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; height: 13px; width: 13px;" /></a></span></dd><br />
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And because no post should be without a picture:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56Nv1JYPdQI5doBAN31K5ECrwhlppKUTw4Riyp99_0EKiK_HvBNhi9L_WQ6pm6cMSQNDrTiG2pYM0kVqYzDH82wPIltMg7qH5l8oFm9uTQhEwEwFK6IvcnqA87M-FagtDEUv8L-i9/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56Nv1JYPdQI5doBAN31K5ECrwhlppKUTw4Riyp99_0EKiK_HvBNhi9L_WQ6pm6cMSQNDrTiG2pYM0kVqYzDH82wPIltMg7qH5l8oFm9uTQhEwEwFK6IvcnqA87M-FagtDEUv8L-i9/s320/IMG_5532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682207315214024345.post-80303800979429537242011-08-02T08:00:00.015-04:002011-08-02T08:00:15.561-04:00A little previewSince you might be wondering where we've been, I wanted to give you a little preview of a couple projects we have been working on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ5U-ywGFiNM3kt8v5cn3nlUJVLCHSpeq-UMxOh0GFX_549eDcXy45RPXWDtC2XUqK8IdPeVG5d0y-Cs7Vd00QaGJ4Pc6o3ZOY52zbpjCKq0UmpPlnsO39L7LzAC8tJXDRVjE6ZjU/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ5U-ywGFiNM3kt8v5cn3nlUJVLCHSpeq-UMxOh0GFX_549eDcXy45RPXWDtC2XUqK8IdPeVG5d0y-Cs7Vd00QaGJ4Pc6o3ZOY52zbpjCKq0UmpPlnsO39L7LzAC8tJXDRVjE6ZjU/s320/IMG_5821.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumpster freebie re-do<br />
(can you believe this was thrown away?--It's a $500 kitchen work table!)</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1c5KC3eaPp9gKywu7HItvoTFE_WJshQ7zs1dWbeQknaJv6XCFeCcsZ6xgnC0AWnSDoGgdSu4HhP6z4BPeqNUb2UBSp7NZvbCcLPRIXw1ea1EJ6kvaLc_hzaCs76-DwcbSsy_Z13r/s1600/IMG_5827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1c5KC3eaPp9gKywu7HItvoTFE_WJshQ7zs1dWbeQknaJv6XCFeCcsZ6xgnC0AWnSDoGgdSu4HhP6z4BPeqNUb2UBSp7NZvbCcLPRIXw1ea1EJ6kvaLc_hzaCs76-DwcbSsy_Z13r/s320/IMG_5827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage French wall art (still in progress)</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_BVX3pHCSM249r0AeZUFEcJGYRRIDqSW7mDhyRuouSooekFPHkOflE9lkgsnTbd4c2ZxjlxLrDemjt-OLk-ZiZxMVc7Rp9uTrHn2mH5_tjBTSYlnBJjnARe5C-jTyNCs8RgKMtU2/s1600/IMG_5799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_BVX3pHCSM249r0AeZUFEcJGYRRIDqSW7mDhyRuouSooekFPHkOflE9lkgsnTbd4c2ZxjlxLrDemjt-OLk-ZiZxMVc7Rp9uTrHn2mH5_tjBTSYlnBJjnARe5C-jTyNCs8RgKMtU2/s320/IMG_5799.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to open an Etsy shop!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>aStarToSteerHerByhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09629260233809472757noreply@blogger.com0