tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70984012701451313322024-02-02T02:11:17.416-08:00Moody Girl ProjectsMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-45182400801244653302011-06-20T08:47:00.000-07:002011-06-20T08:47:44.097-07:00Painting LaminateI feel like I should be back with something fabulous after being away for so long.<br />
However, it's 8:39 on a Friday morning. I've got about 20 minutes until my brother in law shows up to drop off my nephew and my own kids are awakened by my two dogs barking their heads off at the knock on the door. So instead of fabulous, you get fast and easy :)<br />
Fabulous will come later.<br />
<br />
Every DIY/Crafter wonders about painting laminate, right? It's the one thing that no one wants to say "sure! we can do that!"<br />
That's because there are so many different TYPES of laminate. Some are a lot cheaper than others. Some chip off the particle board underneath them.<br />
Some of them, however, are perfectly suitable for painting. It's just a matter of finding a piece that will work. Look for one without chipping or peeling. You shouldn't be able to get your fingernail into the laminate seams. And it should just FEEL thicker. Less glossy.<br />
It's hard to explain, but if you look at enough laminate furniture, you'll be able to tell the decent stuff from the crap.<br />
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I found this 3' tall, 2' wide bookshelf at my local DI for $5. For that price, I thought I'd try it. I was my daughters room mom this year, and I really liked her teacher. I wanted to give her something special for Teacher Appreciation Week, and a bookshelf for her classroom seemed like a fun, appropriate gift.<br />
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First step was sanding. I used 80 grit to go over it once - fairly lightly - then 100 grit to go over it a second time.<br />
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Then I gave it a coat of spray primer.<br />
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I painted it a pale aqua - a beautiful color I had mixed at the Home Depot in one of the Glidden paint samples for less than $3. I like using Glidden because their tiny pots come in both flat and eggshell, instead of just flat (like Behr.)<br />
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Once it had a couple coats of gorgeous on it, I decided it still needed...something. I considered distressing, but decided to go with a stencil on the sides, instead.<br />
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They totally played up the "grandma" feel of the piece - which I loved <3<br />
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My daughters teacher loved it, too.<br />
On the last day of school I helped her move some furniture around the room - it all had to be stacked in one area so the rest of the class could be cleaned. The paint had held up perfectly - despite a class of 25 third graders using it daily.<br />
So...painting laminate is definitely possible - as long as it's good laminate, and you do it right :)<br />
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NOTE: 8:39 on Friday morning actually turned into 9:15 on Monday morning, because on Friday the kids woke up at about 8:42 and my brother in law showed up at about 8:45 and then, before I knew it, it was Friday night at 9:30 when I was finally done doing kid stuff. Whew! Blogging is tough when you're a mom!<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-40752328669203844672011-01-26T11:23:00.000-08:002011-01-26T11:23:00.823-08:00Valentines Decor?I'm not even going to talk about how I'm the worst blogger ever. I'm just going to post a new project and try to be more dedicated than I have been. Forgive me, followers! I still heart you!<br />
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I saw this project posted eons ago and filed it away in my head.<br />
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At one point, I even purchased the wood to build my own.<br />
I never got around to it, though.<br />
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This is the view from my front door when looking directly to the back of my house.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The little wall over the stairs has never bothered me before, but a couple of weeks ago I suddenly decided it was the perfect place to hang something. I was putting my Valentines decor out at the time, and all the "Love" themed pieces must have reminded me of my Beatles inspiration piece.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The wood I had in the garage, however, was far too big. Instead I picked up a 2 gallery canvas's at JoAnn's.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">For my letters I created a custom document in microsoft publisher that was the same size as my canvas (24x12) and played with the size and stretch of the letters until it fit the way I wanted it to. Then I turned those letters light grey (so as not to waste too much ink) and moved them to a standard letter size sheet of paper to print them out. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Then I cut the letters out and attached them to my canvas with a regular old glue stick. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">(I started by just doing one canvas. That way, if it didn't work, I'd only ruined one, lol)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I love this reverse-stencil technique - and using a glue stick to make the paper stay works perfectly. It peels off without too much trouble but stays well enough if you don't jostle it around.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Anyway, I sprayed over the entire canvas with black spray paint. Two light coats.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">When it was completely dry, I peeled the paper letters off. They came off surprisingly well. So, instead of printing and cutting out an entire new set of letters, I reused these ones. They were a bit curled, but I pressed them with my iron between two towels and they were perfect.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The letters stood out as extremely white and the black was just a pit too perfect for my taste, so I took some fine grit sand paper to it. Then I diluted some bronze paint and rubbed it over the canvas, giving the letters a bit of color and softening the black.</div><br />
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I love the result. The question is, is it Valentines Decor, or not?<br />
I'm leaning towards not. I think I'll probably keep these up all year long.<br />
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Before and After:<br />
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Now I just need to replace those <i>hideous</i> sconce's. Bleck!<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-5705965402308793212010-11-22T10:44:00.000-08:002010-12-10T07:35:13.357-08:00Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Giveaway is closed - the winner is Lee Ann! </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Congrats, Lee Ann! I hope you love your sonic scrubber as much I do :)</b></span><br />
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ETA: The people at Sonic Scrubbers sent me a note letting me know that there is a discount available right now! Go to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: darkblue; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.sonicscrubbers.com/cleaneasy" style="color: darkblue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.sonicscrubbers.com/cleaneasy</a></span><br />
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I have been MIA for a while and I apologize for that! It's been hectic around here - there's so much going on this time of year! Plus, we went on vacation for a week, so that took a lot of time, too.<br />
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I'm returning with one heck of a giveaway, though!<br />
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A couple of months ago I was contacted about trying a new cleaning product and then posting a review for my readers. The best part was that the company offering the product was one who's cleaning products I already loved! Score!<br />
I heart scrubbing bubbles - disposable toilet brush's rock :)<br />
<br />
Anyway, they sent me this new, high tech toilet brush, and I tried it out.<br />
Here's what it looks like<br />
<a href="http://www.sonicscrubbers.com/tb.html">http://www.sonicscrubbers.com/tb.html</a><br />
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Like all the other scubbing bubbles toilet brush's, this one is disposable and has the cleaning solution build right in, so you don't have to squirt anything inside the toilet.<br />
The cool thing about this one, though, is that it's battery powered. It does all the work for you!<br />
I purposefully let my toilets go a little extra time between cleaning before I used this the first time. We have really hard water, and it stains the bowl...the longer it sits without cleaning, the harder I have to scrub. I figured if I was going to review it, I should <i>really</i> test it out ;)<br />
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Okay - the product itself:<br />
So it's this long handle, and at the end is this square button looking thing.<br />
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Then the brush is a round scrubbing pad with a square hole in the back.<br />
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The handle clicks into the scrubbing pad and you're in business. Easy-peasy :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj263ZMndGERFhMiTTgF8DjVDmhicKcA7rPRdANjlVxMJCHKLppPny03ZnK0P6cYQMBR0v1DwJYBqBfxKGsWcLc5R5hqKRVURKVrXBvy9nUHT9J7F6B9-fYEztAQoJbdNvuacZ4uVrP2Pw/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj263ZMndGERFhMiTTgF8DjVDmhicKcA7rPRdANjlVxMJCHKLppPny03ZnK0P6cYQMBR0v1DwJYBqBfxKGsWcLc5R5hqKRVURKVrXBvy9nUHT9J7F6B9-fYEztAQoJbdNvuacZ4uVrP2Pw/s320/IMG_0193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then you just push the button and it comes to life!<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if it was the battery powered scrubbing or the cleaning solution that's built into the head, but this toilet brush REALLY cut through the grime! I was definitely impressed!<br />
My one complaint is that when I pushed it into the deepest part of the toilet and started angling it around I popped the head off. I had a moment of panic, but all I had to do was push the button back into the button hole (still in the water - I didn't actually touch anything with my hand) and it was fine again.<br />
Of course - I didn't really need to PUSH at all...I did it more out of habit than anything. On the second toilet I refrained from pushing and didn't have any more popping off :)<br />
Also - this thing has plenty of cleaning power in it! I cleaned BOTH of my toilets with the one scrubbing pad and that was with them being extra dirty!<br />
<br />
So here's the cool part!<br />
The people at Sonic Scrubbers agreed to give one of my readers a Power Toilet Bowl Scrubber of their own!<br />
Just leave a comment here to enter.<br />
You can earn extra entries by "liking" them on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sonicscrubbers">Facebook </a>- here's a link to that!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sonicscrubbers">http://www.facebook.com/sonicscrubbers</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good luck to everyone! I sure do like mine!</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(giveaway will be open through Wednesday, December 1)</span></i> </span><br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-52321869572100569872010-10-08T09:32:00.000-07:002010-10-08T09:32:58.951-07:00HalloweenieSometimes my creativity runs out.<br />
In particular, I have trouble coming up with anything original for Halloween.<br />
So instead, I stalked some blogs and copied some things.<br />
Hooray for plagiarism!<br />
Even if it does make me feel like a (hallo)weenie. LOL<br />
<br />
First - this adorable<a href="http://craftsandsutch.blogspot.com/2010/09/trick-or-treat-frame.html"> "Trick or Treat Frame"</a> from Crafts & Sutch<br />
I made my own - and I love it :)<br />
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<br />
<br />
Next - I loved these cute <a href="http://diaryofapreppymom.blogspot.com/2010/10/2-x-4-scrap-spookies.html">"Scrap Spookies"</a> from Diary of a Preppy Mom<br />
So I copied them, too.<br />
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The Pumpkin (mine had a wood stem and glitter in the paint)<br />
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<br />
<br />
The Mummy (mine is wrapped in white burlap instead of muslin, and I used buttons for eyes)<br />
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The Frankenstein (no fabric on mine, and he has button eyes like the Mummy)<br />
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I did manage to come up with one additional scrap spookie...<br />
A Bat! (his wings are cut from leftover hardboard)<br />
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<br />
The one original Halloween decoration I made this year was a wreath for my front door.<br />
I died black tulle (and a tiny spot of purple, for interest) around a metal wreath. In the middle I attached a metal spiderweb I've had for years. Then I added some scary spiders. I love it!<br />
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Happy Halloween, everyone! And thanks to Erin @ Craft & Sutch and to Preppy Mom for making such cute projects! I had a blast copying them :)<br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-19253920830292179612010-10-07T11:06:00.000-07:002010-10-07T11:13:06.030-07:00Garage Door: Take 2If you have the time/weather for one more outdoor project this year, let this be it.<br />
Because it's fab.u.lous.<br />
<br />
Okay - from the beginning...<br />
Last Spring, I attempted to turn my metal garage door into something more decorative. I lusted after those super expensive wood doors, and had seen the standard metal doors painted to <i>look</i> like wood, and I decided I could do that, too. I didn't go at it blindly...I did some internet research...and the results were pretty impressive. At least, <i>I</i> was impressed. Here's the original <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2009/05/garage-door.html">Garage Door Makeover</a> post.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the finish did not hold up to the elements. Our home is on top of a mountain, and we have pretty severe Winters. Gusting winds...driving snow...you get it.<br />
The garage door came away from the Spring thaw looking a little (lot) worse for the wear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinu1Ryu6TMkUEpQ203PhI-82PdWyVZOKiLDTigLAfahyyeA_8J4yRPYd0QmHLD5NmDOmA5Uq3Adk9gb3ozecrmU0D8K30rkeK1-lnZ-yE35fq3LrBDBP1KihrxKblLmTxJETsROILNL0M/s1600/before+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinu1Ryu6TMkUEpQ203PhI-82PdWyVZOKiLDTigLAfahyyeA_8J4yRPYd0QmHLD5NmDOmA5Uq3Adk9gb3ozecrmU0D8K30rkeK1-lnZ-yE35fq3LrBDBP1KihrxKblLmTxJETsROILNL0M/s400/before+(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(not quite this bad - this picture was taken later in the summer...)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>So I thought and thought about what to do to fix it.<br />
Meanwhile, the garage door got worse and worse.<br />
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My darling husband begged me just to paint it black.<br />
"But it's so boring!" (I wailed)<br />
To which he replied "It's a garage door" (and he's thinking - how exciting does it need to be?)<br />
<br />
But I'm nothing if not a rebel. And anyway, I figured my garage door is 50% of my home's curb appeal! It DOES need to be exciting!<br />
So I did a little more internet research - I even looked into having the door faux painted by a professional. The cheapest price I could find for that, though, was $450.<br />
Um...no.<br />
<br />
Here we go.<br />
First, I pressure washed the garage door. The old stain was still flaking off in places, though, so it had to be sanded. I won't lie - the husband did 90% of this part.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaDPt61j7rkI03xdLk6hY7x8BVuLf-zqUs1wsYIgDWLkvN_48xs_jFlRF6ua8X60NrEB-PExueKWANCizfhM-z08_QlKoMmQ7kO46UWt2bxookOMxTnxnpaUqX9wa1X0DGVy5Xkf3J90/s1600/IMG_7702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaDPt61j7rkI03xdLk6hY7x8BVuLf-zqUs1wsYIgDWLkvN_48xs_jFlRF6ua8X60NrEB-PExueKWANCizfhM-z08_QlKoMmQ7kO46UWt2bxookOMxTnxnpaUqX9wa1X0DGVy5Xkf3J90/s400/IMG_7702.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(sanded and ready to go!)</span></div><br />
When that was done I painted it this disgusting caramel color. The neighbors were terrified, I'm sure.<br />
Next I added some faux wood grain marks (using a wood graining tool) to random spots.<br />
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Finally I started painting it. I used three different colors - the gross caramel color I started with, a chocolate brown, and black. I mixed them on the brush, in buckets, and on the door, working towards a natural wood look - with lots of color variation.<br />
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When I was done, I applied 2 coats of spar urethane to seal it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwvpZPphGLtqDXlzVwdc_PxNb35gLN2BPJe_2zpq0pf25P84WgjmkhBmqnLeZT3FsRNws0nWRPL2Zv6w8Jv2sxpQk34gzrskMUZUTzSgRThvLwPyqBfgMknoc2qgkO8u6RgPGtZeVBTg/s1600/IMG_7730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwvpZPphGLtqDXlzVwdc_PxNb35gLN2BPJe_2zpq0pf25P84WgjmkhBmqnLeZT3FsRNws0nWRPL2Zv6w8Jv2sxpQk34gzrskMUZUTzSgRThvLwPyqBfgMknoc2qgkO8u6RgPGtZeVBTg/s640/IMG_7730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQKhYTRrzH-3VdR_WIsr5oFLb_hDdVngoaqGcN_R6B0LFYvlIzrmqseBebTc2ilxSCumChF_pjbsoSiY4v__7JZE8e7ybSJ-fRJqvClHe_FtZc6DX0YQo-6CAh-P0CiCzp7_XE0nBvFU/s1600/IMG_7811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQKhYTRrzH-3VdR_WIsr5oFLb_hDdVngoaqGcN_R6B0LFYvlIzrmqseBebTc2ilxSCumChF_pjbsoSiY4v__7JZE8e7ybSJ-fRJqvClHe_FtZc6DX0YQo-6CAh-P0CiCzp7_XE0nBvFU/s400/IMG_7811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(in the sun)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8AAHy9OVE4LZwaXA7aqRueJiDz3-V9N8uGcX8JgNO36GCxlCbouPBLkSU4iY17ZgJzBESqcA5OhGiH0fY1Vt7y4tuCXV9GC9xU0n5oxyEKVwYKKKDTniBrZ3FVmyQfgZ0Nq65OEvmYk/s1600/IMG_7729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8AAHy9OVE4LZwaXA7aqRueJiDz3-V9N8uGcX8JgNO36GCxlCbouPBLkSU4iY17ZgJzBESqcA5OhGiH0fY1Vt7y4tuCXV9GC9xU0n5oxyEKVwYKKKDTniBrZ3FVmyQfgZ0Nq65OEvmYk/s400/IMG_7729.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(in the shade)</span></div><br />
This took a long time! I only worked on it while my little one was outside playing near me, though. If I had just worked on it straight through, I'd guess it would have taken about 3 days. One day for the base coat and first set of wood graining, one day for the painting part, and another day to seal it.<br />
<br />
I love the way it turned out, and I've gotten a TON of compliments on it. Several of my neighbors have stopped to tell me how beautiful it is, and one even asked if she could pay me to do hers! I declined...for now. I'm pretty confident that this will hold up - the door was sanded first, I used all exterior paints, and I sealed it with an exterior urethane product. But still...if this one chips off, I don't want it happening on someone else's house!<br />
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Here's the original before. The garage door as the builder painted it. Blah!<br />
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Here it is after my original "faux wood" treatment<br />
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And here it is today - absolutely gorgeous :)<br />
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The new finish is a HUGE improvement over the old one - live and learn, right?!<br />
Linking up all over town to show off my oh-so-labor-intensive project!<br />
<a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">Transformation Thursday</a> at the Shabby Chic Cottage<br />
<a href="http://lifeaslori.blogspot.com/2010/10/get-your-craft-on-thursday.html">Get Your Craft On</a> Thursday at Life as Lori<br />
<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2010/10/show-off-your-stuff-party-48.html">Show Off Your Stuff</a> at Fireflies and Jellybeans<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/10/sys-blog-link-party-with-arise-shine.html">Strut Your Stuff</a> at Somewhat Simple<br />
and maybe some Friday parties, too. I'm really proud of this one! lol<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-10889238977483746062010-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:002010-10-06T09:05:47.836-07:00Bow TutorialA few weeks ago I posted a <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-to-school-bows.html">Bow Holder</a> project I had made for all my daughters hair bows. I mentioned then that I would post a Hair Bow Tutorial at some point in the future...<br />
So here it is!<br />
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There are a lot of ways to make hairbows - mine probably isn't the best/most professional/easiest way. It's just the way I do it - and it works for me! My daughter is VERY (over)active, and these stay together for her - so I must be doing something right!<br />
Type A: The Boutique Bow<br />
<br />
To start I cut two lengths of ribbon based on what size I want my bow to be. I singe the ends with a lighter and fold them into loops. I use hot glue to attach mine - a very tiny bit! Otherwise you won't be able to gather the bow in the center.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE2m0UT43sggEv2yfzBo-slEGWDmaLzqztvmsd74_BFAGMEHqL2QsBITYGW-w63M3HnMu3egkZ445rZwNuguYeRQzrj-m7of29oNi6f9R-Or_3EBOVX0T4oo36soqeG44XueBOkWHzTo/s1600/IMG_7399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE2m0UT43sggEv2yfzBo-slEGWDmaLzqztvmsd74_BFAGMEHqL2QsBITYGW-w63M3HnMu3egkZ445rZwNuguYeRQzrj-m7of29oNi6f9R-Or_3EBOVX0T4oo36soqeG44XueBOkWHzTo/s320/IMG_7399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(I used to use sewing glue, but found that hot glue holds about a millions times better and dries about a million times quicker)</div><br />
Put one loop inside the other and turn them so they make an X<br />
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Then cut your additional ribbons. For this bow I used 1 wide organza ribbon and 4 coordinating gross grain ribbons (2 of each pattern.)<br />
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Again, I singe the edges with a lighter, then layer the ribbons on top of my X.<br />
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I use super thin floral wire to wrap the middle as tight as I can get it.<br />
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At this point I added another ribbon - it felt like it needed some more pink.<br />
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Then I choose a coordinating ribbon to use as the center wrap and attach it with a dot of hot glue.<br />
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I attach the barrette to the back of the bow with (yep!) more hot glue - then wrap the ribbon over it.<br />
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And there it is!<br />
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Type 2: The Pony Bow<br />
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I <i>just</i> learned how to make this style, and I love it. I actually purchased one from Gymboree so I could examine it closely. Mine are just as fabulous as theirs are, and are SO MUCH CHEAPER.<br />
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Start with several pieces (I used 10) of coordinating ribbon in different widths and patterns cut to about 14 inches long.<br />
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Make sure they're nice and flat - I use a 1/2 inch flat iron to smooth mine out.<br />
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You're going to choose two "main" ribbons to become your <b>T</b> for the bow. One will be the bottom, the other will be the top. They should match each other.<br />
Start with the bottom ribbon and begin crossing ribbons over the top of it.<br />
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The goal is that no two ribbons sit directly on top of each other - so you can see them all when it's laying flat - but you want to keep them pretty close together or the ribbons don't fall as pretty when it's in the pony tail.<br />
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Once they're all laid out how you want them, sew them together. You don't have to use a machine for this, but I did.<br />
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Sew it in an X, so you're sure to get all the ribbons.<br />
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Then you take your elastic, stand it up right and use your second "T" ribbon to attach it.<br />
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I marked where I wanted it and sewed the first side <i>without </i>the elastic in it.<br />
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Then I slid the elastic back in and sewed the second side down.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TK1p8vHBeEK8CIEkatDc-9rOppcK2ooGo0JEeFcgE7l_Yh9k7j0LaX2z_ubMnolLXbep9B_YExBhX3Dv1a6gAyojMEMQerFp4Se52bMJlsaO2YFNHUa3ra0cORsrqqi3-ruWH-nsZ04/s1600/IMG_7424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TK1p8vHBeEK8CIEkatDc-9rOppcK2ooGo0JEeFcgE7l_Yh9k7j0LaX2z_ubMnolLXbep9B_YExBhX3Dv1a6gAyojMEMQerFp4Se52bMJlsaO2YFNHUa3ra0cORsrqqi3-ruWH-nsZ04/s320/IMG_7424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And that's it.<br />
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Here it is in my daughters pony tail. I love this style of bow! It's so sweet - but a little more "grown-up" looking :)<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-35221929288063342592010-09-30T10:50:00.000-07:002010-09-30T10:50:58.470-07:00Indian SummerAutumn is my favorite season.<br />
I love the cooler temperatures, the changing leaves and the football. Usually I can't wait to pull out my Fall decorations and put them up.<br />
This year, though, I'm reluctant to let go of Summer. Luckily, Mother Nature agrees with me. It's been close to 90 every day this week! We are definitely having an Indian Summer.<br />
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While I'm wasn't really feeling my fall decor yet, I felt like the Summer stuff was a bit out dated. So I came up with an Indian Summer theme. My Summer decor this year was yellow and turquoise. I decided to keep the yellow and replace the blue with red. Instant change.<br />
You've seen the <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2010/09/sewing.html">faux-sew pillows</a>.<br />
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Sunflowers are EVERYWHERE right now, so I thought they'd work well on my porch, too. I used the super-fake looking artificial ones. Normally I hate silk flowers, but these are <i>so</i> fake they don't even look like they are trying, and that makes me like them more. (for today)<br />
I also added a brown bottle (de-labeled and scrubbed) with 3 sunflowers stuck inside it.<br />
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The rest of the sunflower bush got hot-glued onto a foam wreath, which I then stuck in the middle of a fall wreath that I've ripped most of the good stuff out of. I like the way it looks, simple, but beefy :)<br />
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My favorite part is the "Indian Summer" sign that I made - because I wanted the theme to be abundantly clear. I used a scrap piece of beadboard and a scrap piece of hardboard.<br />
Spray painted the beadboard red and covered the hardboard in yellow patterned scrapbook paper. Then I had lettered the words on using a sharpie. Hot glued the whole thing together, drilled a couple of holes and strung a ribbon through and the whole thing was done (even with paint drying!) in about an hour.<br />
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I like the porch. It's summery and autumny all at once.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaI6X0lnBibHqyyuxMMeHCsvkGixUzAoUYAJPmWCWPZl7oCjYc7XhkSpgU8_2wCYiFUPFpEmPzB6bd1B3BQ0Zb4SigNOQcZig_FkgLlBTyrye6b5UaeY4b56VNfu0FfaKe3vhtZjoypQ/s1600/IMG_7825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaI6X0lnBibHqyyuxMMeHCsvkGixUzAoUYAJPmWCWPZl7oCjYc7XhkSpgU8_2wCYiFUPFpEmPzB6bd1B3BQ0Zb4SigNOQcZig_FkgLlBTyrye6b5UaeY4b56VNfu0FfaKe3vhtZjoypQ/s640/IMG_7825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Tomorrow is October 1, though, and I'm planning to put up the Halloween decorations then. When they come down, my Fall will go up. This Indian Summer look is fleeting, but it was a fun change to make.<br />
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Now...if the weather will just hold out a couple more weeks, maybe I can get one more outside project in.<br />
Don't you think this window would look fab with shutters on it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28zejYd2z9uiTrED9-KAoM_zaoIsycT4FOVG5rPSGnbDejZ-x4YWyzEH81DnM5tKRx9Cyv7lODQI7HaBJvozuJFiAY5juBhiCIrI2kLmZtTtw0Oh01d2k8TBWQ7XMCgxFai8RXUkvc04/s1600/IMG_7821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28zejYd2z9uiTrED9-KAoM_zaoIsycT4FOVG5rPSGnbDejZ-x4YWyzEH81DnM5tKRx9Cyv7lODQI7HaBJvozuJFiAY5juBhiCIrI2kLmZtTtw0Oh01d2k8TBWQ7XMCgxFai8RXUkvc04/s640/IMG_7821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Me, too!<br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-43819764295532244432010-09-17T06:52:00.000-07:002010-09-17T06:52:03.312-07:00Before and After!<div style="text-align: center;">The Creative Chick Parade has come to a close!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today is day 5, our last day of linky love :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our theme today is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Before and After!</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can post a link to any project you've done - as long as there are before and after pictures! I can't wait to see what you have to show off!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=40882" type="text/javascript">
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-16497308043352611352010-09-15T19:58:00.000-07:002010-09-15T19:58:29.843-07:00Recipe Round Up!It's day 4 of the Creative Chick Parade!<br />
I don't have a cute graphic today :(<br />
I was stealing them from Diana at the Girl Creative and she didn't make one. I thought about making my own, but I decided against it.<br />
So now you know I'm a thief AND I'm lazy.<br />
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Please don't let that effect your decision to link up!<br />
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I can't wait to see all your recipes! I love to cook/bake/eat, so these will be lots of fun for me to check out! And I'll be linking my own recipe up, too! It's for the worlds best sugar cookies - be sure to try them out!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=40881" type="text/javascript">
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-27787656478339321982010-09-15T19:56:00.000-07:002010-09-15T19:56:19.146-07:00Sugar Cookie Love<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This is a repost from last year for the Recipe Round Up portion of the Creative Chick Parade!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJg7qb-CCUVhBQ5bx8Cv17gHendnAMPzlI7ASn-W5RaNZM2oz2r9ZlAX2jTf0WUXFtROjteaNszBcbJnqNTpFam6wp8OJgDWX30jP0sog6u2ALuwVQEi_gcMeWKSKWr7wbjsMOBf3KCs/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJg7qb-CCUVhBQ5bx8Cv17gHendnAMPzlI7ASn-W5RaNZM2oz2r9ZlAX2jTf0WUXFtROjteaNszBcbJnqNTpFam6wp8OJgDWX30jP0sog6u2ALuwVQEi_gcMeWKSKWr7wbjsMOBf3KCs/s400/IMG_3332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I’m president of the SPO this year at my daughters school (it’s their PTA – just a different acronym.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Anyway, we were in a meeting, planning the next several parent events we’ll be hosting and discussing food options. The general thought was that cookies were fine for afternoon activities, but for morning we should have something fruity/healthy and for evenings something savory.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">MY opinion was slightly different. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strong>I</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> will eat a cookie anytime.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Seriously – any.time. Wake me up from a dead sleep at 2am with a freshly baked cookie and I will thank you politely – then ask for more. I.love.cookies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">About a year ago I discovered a local bakery that makes the most amazing sugar cookies. Normally I’m not a sugar cookie fan. Give me peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip…throw as many extra ingredients in as you can. But sugar cookies? Boring!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">These ones, however, are like heaven. Heaven with a touch of almond extract. Heaven with a texture that’s almost a cross between cookie-like and bread-like, with a thick layer of butter cream frosting that also has a touch of almond extract in it. If God eats cookies, (and I’m sure that he does!) then these are one of his favorites.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I spent a small fortune over a few weeks buying these cookies as rewards for myself. Rewards (?) you wonder? Yeah. It was like those Arctic Circle commercials – cookies were a reward for anything – cleaning the house, going to the gym, volunteering at school…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Unfortunately the cookies cost $1.75 each.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I’m not kidding. Ridiculous, right? But sooooo tasty…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So I began a mission to recreate the cookies. First I dreamed of things I could tell the head baker to make her give me the recipe, but abandoned that when I actually pictured myself making that phone call.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Instead, I made about 8 batches of sugar cookies, experimenting with different recipes until I finally got it right. I was hoping that by mastering them I would break their hold over me. Alas, that has not been the case. Still, at least now I can more than one without dipping into my savings account!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I made some last weekend and decorated them cute to take to a friends house. Look at that yumminess!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIskuw1xw0X-T8npP17FQ0Uq8m5120BOL1a1b9egOraKZRMjofg2Ju8Z0V9z4ccjnp7kMDuxSfbmo9j8qNIUDE8oA-LrGXigBEsrW1UNG9besRyrbyM7snVpJHWoeqIHjhG4pOBQ0sZI/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIskuw1xw0X-T8npP17FQ0Uq8m5120BOL1a1b9egOraKZRMjofg2Ju8Z0V9z4ccjnp7kMDuxSfbmo9j8qNIUDE8oA-LrGXigBEsrW1UNG9besRyrbyM7snVpJHWoeqIHjhG4pOBQ0sZI/s400/IMG_3333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Now – when you make these (because you WILL make them, won’t you?) be sure to put a THICK layer of frosting on. Because the frosting is to die for.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mandy’s Sugar Cookies</b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup butter</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 cup sugar</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">2 eggs</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1.5 tsp vanilla</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp almond extract</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">2.5 cups flour</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">2 tsp baking powder</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">dash salt</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and extracts, then dry ingredients. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, then roll out between wax paper with plenty of flour to about 1/3 inch thick. Cut into shapes. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cookies will NOT be colored on top when they are done, but will be light golden on bottom.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cool completely, then frost.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mandy’s Best Buttercream</b></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup butter</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">3 cups powdered sugar (appr.)</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp almond extract</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp vanilla extract</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">2 Tbsp hot water</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Beat until fluffy – continue adding sugar and water until frosting reaches desired consistency.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-18658812202275315882010-09-14T20:38:00.000-07:002010-09-14T20:38:20.784-07:00Creative Chick Parade Day 3: Furniture Fix Up!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's Wednesday! Day 3 of the Creative Chick Parade blog hop!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The day you get to share your </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Furniture Fix Up's</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Furniture projects are my favorites. I LOVE furniture. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>This is going to be the BEST linky day!!!</i> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I can't wait to see everyone's projects. Link up as many</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> furniture</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> projects as you'd like - I'm planning to look at them all! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Once again, here's the list of bloggers that are part of this awesome blog hop! Check them out and share the love!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Sew Much Ado</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fingerprintsonthefridge.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Fingerprints on the Fridge</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thisismeinspired.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Girl.Inspired</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogguidebook.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Blog Guidebook</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Sumo's Sweet Stuff</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">The Girl Creative</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dillydallyandflitter.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Dilly Dally and Flitter</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">The Trendy Treehouse</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://luckystarlane.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Lucky Star Lane</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beatuntilfluffy.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Beat Until Fluffy</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dearmadelyn.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear Madelyn</span></span></a></div></span><br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-8127425116749045412010-09-14T20:30:00.000-07:002010-09-14T21:14:51.046-07:00My Furniture Fix UpThis is a re-post in honor of the Creative Chick Parade.<br />
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I refinished this chair for my mom for Christmas last year. I thought it would be a useful one to repost, since I see chairs like this at the thrift store ALL the time.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Here's the before.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcJ3uAyncDIEEbnA1JmYSN_VhejUdNXeHTLxU5udCo_8EQ1kjd2QMx2mWHj2H04uJSKoozpEDWdurnQF4vJ46yLXjIptbm8f2QERG2uEtnYTP8gWNpHEf23ivtlABdaGqK_Qc8J29CctL/s1600-h/IMG_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcJ3uAyncDIEEbnA1JmYSN_VhejUdNXeHTLxU5udCo_8EQ1kjd2QMx2mWHj2H04uJSKoozpEDWdurnQF4vJ46yLXjIptbm8f2QERG2uEtnYTP8gWNpHEf23ivtlABdaGqK_Qc8J29CctL/s400/IMG_3178.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="299" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Love the lines! Everything else, not so much.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The caning in the back was pretty damaged - which was okay with me, because I don't really love caning, anyway.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I sanded her down and painted her heirloom white.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKID2YWobCEPykUZYK0nFEQ9iMOVo5TdHAaZ2knxHiJu4S3-IVhNLfbapbvangwyw3JDFluJZZPoh0Nu-c_KAOUlwGEXVj-UMA8xrHCeTfO1MJ2aHJKgVOExSkt2Fmv8vpIJWidYe2QDbb/s1600-h/IMG_3212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKID2YWobCEPykUZYK0nFEQ9iMOVo5TdHAaZ2knxHiJu4S3-IVhNLfbapbvangwyw3JDFluJZZPoh0Nu-c_KAOUlwGEXVj-UMA8xrHCeTfO1MJ2aHJKgVOExSkt2Fmv8vpIJWidYe2QDbb/s400/IMG_3212.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="276" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Then I cut her caning out.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen4BqZ_B-nifVxAo5xm3SRXrZUkNLpQEP-x_qQcfWNyBqPn5ZqGxjpeTLMO0c_HHUScCZ4-rZxLOBuT18yDF1ZMdRsiHqkkzj2Y6PViyEQ8G2bjhbj9VrvN8ePv_fEsLyRTTRbHLM7pRp/s1600-h/IMG_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen4BqZ_B-nifVxAo5xm3SRXrZUkNLpQEP-x_qQcfWNyBqPn5ZqGxjpeTLMO0c_HHUScCZ4-rZxLOBuT18yDF1ZMdRsiHqkkzj2Y6PViyEQ8G2bjhbj9VrvN8ePv_fEsLyRTTRbHLM7pRp/s400/IMG_3220.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="358" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">She sat like this...backless...in the basement for a few weeks. I couldn't quite figure out how I was going to put a new back in. I began to wonder if I had screwed things up royally. Why didn't I just upholster the caning???</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Oh, right...because it wasn't really structurally sound.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(But seriously? If your caning IS structurally sound, I would just upholster that. Because what comes next would be a very unnecessary step if you didn't absolutely need to do it.) </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Then I remembered my new crafting best friend, hardboard.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Hubby cut some out in the right shape for me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJo2LWYZ42OIwF_u4XyamgWONQlmPXkcQ2dvGrZNKIJKjQqWD8jRVnjX0ZpIoLiLkB5IVPX80ZlM1g2H5Ftsu0zEKAu3SdxaFpw1W_5kCw_8pmuNKTkyF9Q4tT55lKhVPLZsBUaoRyGi6/s1600-h/IMG_4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJo2LWYZ42OIwF_u4XyamgWONQlmPXkcQ2dvGrZNKIJKjQqWD8jRVnjX0ZpIoLiLkB5IVPX80ZlM1g2H5Ftsu0zEKAu3SdxaFpw1W_5kCw_8pmuNKTkyF9Q4tT55lKhVPLZsBUaoRyGi6/s400/IMG_4491.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr5Lr4mNxADJfqjnnX1FzNKiWFJ512pWHDFtEO6oEl08vNNHaCwcsgvbUb3KDpCqXkCbkw8WHyCDNZQatu-xQthgJCOf7rjQUtCnYyePIwLPDGSZz3iEOyALuEl9wE1MiRSv2qESJy2af/s1600-h/IMG_4570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr5Lr4mNxADJfqjnnX1FzNKiWFJ512pWHDFtEO6oEl08vNNHaCwcsgvbUb3KDpCqXkCbkw8WHyCDNZQatu-xQthgJCOf7rjQUtCnYyePIwLPDGSZz3iEOyALuEl9wE1MiRSv2qESJy2af/s400/IMG_4570.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I wrapped it in a double layer of quilt batting and the fabric I had chosen (staple gunned it all on) and screwed the hardboard into the chair frame.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2j9DTHilBTA0K6TUENguZd-ZyE4wcMUSXmJSCHb79_ZBSpHX7IzJkc0JJjruJI77LHtlelFzkVhgvEuwrnpuE_nz2eOn9eLDegZQ1N6ea9TjZD4JMkcUmqlaxxxtvOyFKhdrhFRH-UBp/s1600-h/IMG_4576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2j9DTHilBTA0K6TUENguZd-ZyE4wcMUSXmJSCHb79_ZBSpHX7IzJkc0JJjruJI77LHtlelFzkVhgvEuwrnpuE_nz2eOn9eLDegZQ1N6ea9TjZD4JMkcUmqlaxxxtvOyFKhdrhFRH-UBp/s400/IMG_4576.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Then I took a piece of 1 inch foam and cut it to shape. I wrapped it in batting, too, then I used spray adhesive to attach the cushion to the hardboard.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtj5bpPUbAdKfEGHvOvbXNU1MWiackcKUZ5gPaXRcEuJD0rXA6bVuh4lf2M51W-ac7gxb2pTMXLqRwUPyAPnDmWDudGX09yfjUevxTtstdveHCt1WJ_k4JtN8GyfVNOgSB6w7-zyB5SHE/s1600-h/IMG_4578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtj5bpPUbAdKfEGHvOvbXNU1MWiackcKUZ5gPaXRcEuJD0rXA6bVuh4lf2M51W-ac7gxb2pTMXLqRwUPyAPnDmWDudGX09yfjUevxTtstdveHCt1WJ_k4JtN8GyfVNOgSB6w7-zyB5SHE/s400/IMG_4578.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I used the staple gun again to cover the cushion with fabric.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqKEg4YsvtqMBp5xrrafnitRYXvwSZ-miQ106Fg7ENhOwD2UIrkvHeJ_YlZa7S1tYR9jX42VKjtQTR87YZ_doytSST-4AMXl2uCOvkwR7oSSLzR5HwnSDFA0RqSwk0wmzwtRM0M5Bzvkd/s1600-h/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqKEg4YsvtqMBp5xrrafnitRYXvwSZ-miQ106Fg7ENhOwD2UIrkvHeJ_YlZa7S1tYR9jX42VKjtQTR87YZ_doytSST-4AMXl2uCOvkwR7oSSLzR5HwnSDFA0RqSwk0wmzwtRM0M5Bzvkd/s400/IMG_4579.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Then I covered the seams with a braided trim.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNimU26usHDV_BmDU91zJXmEj15nAfgEnY2sIaRV2jodI9AxmixS4n9YiBGUgi67koPEXAeXBDVqH4MB17YE1SOr3uzSfuT1gy6g-NCYA-Ux1NfIx2maum2dtrsGx5NXcjZi-AjtqEhUR/s1600-h/IMG_4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNimU26usHDV_BmDU91zJXmEj15nAfgEnY2sIaRV2jodI9AxmixS4n9YiBGUgi67koPEXAeXBDVqH4MB17YE1SOr3uzSfuT1gy6g-NCYA-Ux1NfIx2maum2dtrsGx5NXcjZi-AjtqEhUR/s400/IMG_4618.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJUKv4HixCSJZNQd-7zhGa1jccQm5CUPpvkFgwD_LxG8A6WRH8Q0gcm2_eg6JeAMOyXm1-wLpc0DcHORTY0NpZpqxk49pr7E72CabyAeFwWk14yS0LUrG9cnONHT86ecVKFi4qvgXhOPh/s1600-h/IMG_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJUKv4HixCSJZNQd-7zhGa1jccQm5CUPpvkFgwD_LxG8A6WRH8Q0gcm2_eg6JeAMOyXm1-wLpc0DcHORTY0NpZpqxk49pr7E72CabyAeFwWk14yS0LUrG9cnONHT86ecVKFi4qvgXhOPh/s400/IMG_4619.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">And here she is - totally revamped and gorgeous!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTbY-5vt3Eq7APMuUmWB2psG2KORyUMwoXBpTmSvFJH7tErvxpEGse3511Hj1WehVc2I8hfgBgWqi63DTe-1h8UpO8mwjD14MFAZY9i88JLLpgv3vzxPgoFpa92b4WvcZbwR7CXnJMkqF/s1600-h/IMG_4633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #5588aa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTbY-5vt3Eq7APMuUmWB2psG2KORyUMwoXBpTmSvFJH7tErvxpEGse3511Hj1WehVc2I8hfgBgWqi63DTe-1h8UpO8mwjD14MFAZY9i88JLLpgv3vzxPgoFpa92b4WvcZbwR7CXnJMkqF/s640/IMG_4633.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="604" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-19129894262831386282010-09-13T20:11:00.000-07:002010-09-13T20:11:18.054-07:00Sew What!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's day two of the Creative Chick Parade!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOmys14a93zBTZFYD5nza22ebyecrgd3s0yEGWDIQfTi7U0LZr3K_BjHr8AdbPdJFseqLiQeOSYWFoGxJxi82Yh0Av6iW4Wb6onh_JMEun6tRcPHNZWRexE_idn1TTQpyOr8QN-V_62xr/s1600/creative_chick_sewwhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOmys14a93zBTZFYD5nza22ebyecrgd3s0yEGWDIQfTi7U0LZr3K_BjHr8AdbPdJFseqLiQeOSYWFoGxJxi82Yh0Av6iW4Wb6onh_JMEun6tRcPHNZWRexE_idn1TTQpyOr8QN-V_62xr/s320/creative_chick_sewwhat.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Link up as many sewing projects as you want...we can't wait to see them all!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Once again - here's a list of all the super-cool bloggers that are part of this blog hop! Be sure to check them all out - many are hosting giveaways this week!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><a href="http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Sew Much Ado</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://fingerprintsonthefridge.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Fingerprints on the Fridge</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://thisismeinspired.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Girl.Inspired</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://blogguidebook.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Blog Guidebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Sumo's Sweet Stuff</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://dillydallyandflitter.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Dilly Dally and Flitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">The Trendy Treehouse</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://luckystarlane.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Lucky Star Lane</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://beatuntilfluffy.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Beat Until Fluffy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://dearmadelyn.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Dear Madelyn</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span></span></div><a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">The Girl Creative</span></a></span><br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-79738448550211314942010-09-13T20:00:00.000-07:002010-09-14T09:00:46.750-07:00"sewing"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I know how to sew.<br />
I'm not even bad at it.<br />
But sometimes it's a lot of work.<br />
Dragging the sewing machine out, threading the needle, winding the bobbin (it's always empty!)<br />
Blah, blah, blah.<br />
<br />
So when I wanted some sort of fall-themed pillows for my front porch, I decided to sew the easy way.<br />
With my glue gun.<br />
Bonus - I did the whole thing outside :)<br />
<br />
I picked up some beautiful outdoor fabric at JoAnn's in the remnant bin. The big piece was about $4, the little piece was only about $2. I used the pillows that I already had sitting out there and covered them up. I figure I'll just rip open the seams when I'm done with the Fall theme :)<br />
<br />
Okay - here we go! Easiest sewing you'll ever do.<br />
To start I folded the fabric with right sides together, then laid the pillow on top of the fabric and cut it to size.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkxc9MqYJZCbWkWUhVdY2n1hKkN_zBrYCb4_CHzywHqdjzUtuYNWlpzGED2N1Xaa-_xI10m-sNoXAhsf-JVhm0cW6nKl_fPunxYlDhe5w3RwCjh_v6WhuQ-L9ZO8YOQEL5m4XsWGHJjw/s1600/IMG_7526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkxc9MqYJZCbWkWUhVdY2n1hKkN_zBrYCb4_CHzywHqdjzUtuYNWlpzGED2N1Xaa-_xI10m-sNoXAhsf-JVhm0cW6nKl_fPunxYlDhe5w3RwCjh_v6WhuQ-L9ZO8YOQEL5m4XsWGHJjw/s320/IMG_7526.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then I used my hot glue gun to glue two sides together so that only the bottom was open. Here it is after I turned it right side out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbB9oIWLe2i9HtckDiAGLFXSfSaJ7ILD4qMu2_oNtWuCKfPOhyBTcuMyWBcDe2rBiFlcitUI84-pPtPGGdfx-FFaae864q8Qn0j1zIiBqPG0xTrC-FAWujsoVhCEYK2vV2Yp8CMqHMo0/s1600/IMG_7528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbB9oIWLe2i9HtckDiAGLFXSfSaJ7ILD4qMu2_oNtWuCKfPOhyBTcuMyWBcDe2rBiFlcitUI84-pPtPGGdfx-FFaae864q8Qn0j1zIiBqPG0xTrC-FAWujsoVhCEYK2vV2Yp8CMqHMo0/s320/IMG_7528.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then I put the pillow in and glued the last edge together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LiAPE6uZeHZ9KpPPZUodrkazdH-ZIWdDd-xLllR5_-DQjwgzJv3Kyzn_akQzm6wahFL5-8qA8iCOiyXtZenU_GXEsH8E4lNAa6XuzbbjRF61_O2dRIY_yskT-w3q3YqeR4ltreNhE6g/s1600/IMG_7529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LiAPE6uZeHZ9KpPPZUodrkazdH-ZIWdDd-xLllR5_-DQjwgzJv3Kyzn_akQzm6wahFL5-8qA8iCOiyXtZenU_GXEsH8E4lNAa6XuzbbjRF61_O2dRIY_yskT-w3q3YqeR4ltreNhE6g/s320/IMG_7529.JPG" /></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/AVvXsEi7IHFjPbYzLNozVl4cD9aXUshtTQqhzG5y1BpNcfwWFYAffgl13rNcEdwj02kCFVRz6PClGXBVS34Eb_sOljAWJn1l0Xy7gV9mj_LMPCWY4PAF0t5EHW32TnZuv7eZd51LK8VIsiCwsOA/s1600/IMG_7530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IHFjPbYzLNozVl4cD9aXUshtTQqhzG5y1BpNcfwWFYAffgl13rNcEdwj02kCFVRz6PClGXBVS34Eb_sOljAWJn1l0Xy7gV9mj_LMPCWY4PAF0t5EHW32TnZuv7eZd51LK8VIsiCwsOA/s320/IMG_7530.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This is how my final "seam" looks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1hbQyjKPcHdOjkgLN5L_NpZDGtKWU17V9mcjiHM5JnLUgJCKwyTa71l6jgLSmPx2dtEUm2BlHVfaYcyIarmBGDamjZjOxgWAMZ5ALrFu3XB27-ZHs2_HhZfnrLys1GMZX9oPQeZG5E4/s1600/IMG_7531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1hbQyjKPcHdOjkgLN5L_NpZDGtKWU17V9mcjiHM5JnLUgJCKwyTa71l6jgLSmPx2dtEUm2BlHVfaYcyIarmBGDamjZjOxgWAMZ5ALrFu3XB27-ZHs2_HhZfnrLys1GMZX9oPQeZG5E4/s320/IMG_7531.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Turned out cute, huh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_YiJOhOkeq5YWCpv9x4L-U_KepqRw01mu0aemCBaxMg5tiPszeZh-xWjmltEoR6Mydxz_R96MaEwki6oo2Fy52Wce9yZ0wNe50EmR8FP1sG1k1JQ6J07D5ZbIzim-pzFpu65PT5wV74/s1600/IMG_7725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_YiJOhOkeq5YWCpv9x4L-U_KepqRw01mu0aemCBaxMg5tiPszeZh-xWjmltEoR6Mydxz_R96MaEwki6oo2Fy52Wce9yZ0wNe50EmR8FP1sG1k1JQ6J07D5ZbIzim-pzFpu65PT5wV74/s640/IMG_7725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Honestly, I would never do this for pillows that were going to be inside the house - but for the porch? I love it - quick, easy and cute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh5hK_NvBWMdi_rxY58YtOZb2m6qAbCkYny9DUJXF0JCteQkb-QJyPUwH4NaIytzsrVTeuk1zX29giVRAyPCkZidrvqe5HQQOZAsE6TtQ9QOFLWT8HYRAagCERwMXMeaAscwUIs3Dp4A/s1600/IMG_7724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh5hK_NvBWMdi_rxY58YtOZb2m6qAbCkYny9DUJXF0JCteQkb-QJyPUwH4NaIytzsrVTeuk1zX29giVRAyPCkZidrvqe5HQQOZAsE6TtQ9QOFLWT8HYRAagCERwMXMeaAscwUIs3Dp4A/s640/IMG_7724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-9065663567541880532010-09-13T07:04:00.000-07:002010-09-13T07:04:30.981-07:00Mod Podge Mayhem!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroN_qc1PUvcjd6vFdYTwH5mtww8GpiUHfOjaqfbRekLZnnobOeLhhAAyJKwBPV6hswXpbkOMEy3AZ4kr2cYP0PMwyBPo2GEqR6DLZf7pd82hZmRaD5tSiBPHSCx6F0piEqGwGr7FFksPi/s1600/mod_podge_mayhem.jpg" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516150202795252002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroN_qc1PUvcjd6vFdYTwH5mtww8GpiUHfOjaqfbRekLZnnobOeLhhAAyJKwBPV6hswXpbkOMEy3AZ4kr2cYP0PMwyBPo2GEqR6DLZf7pd82hZmRaD5tSiBPHSCx6F0piEqGwGr7FFksPi/s400/mod_podge_mayhem.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 120px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">Hello, readers!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">This week I am participating in a blog hop with some amazing girls - I feel honored to be part of such a COOL group!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">Each day this week I'll be hosting a link party for a specific type of project, starting today with Mod Podge - something I know you all love to use as much as I do!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">I hope you're ready for a wonderful week of projects and giveaways! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">Add a link below to any project that you made with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: 29px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><b>Mod Podge</b></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">. Today is not the day to add your sewing projects or recipes (that will come soon enough this week) so be sure to <i>only</i> link up to your Mod Podge projects.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">A bunch of the other wonderful co-hosts of the Creative Chick Parade are hosting some pretty cool giveaways this week so be sure to check them out:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 21px;"><a href="http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Sew Much Ado</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://fingerprintsonthefridge.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Fingerprints on the Fridge</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://thisismeinspired.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Girl.Inspired</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://blogguidebook.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Blog Guidebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Sumo's Sweet Stuff</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://dillydallyandflitter.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Dilly Dally and Flitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">The Trendy Treehouse</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://luckystarlane.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Lucky Star Lane</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://beatuntilfluffy.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Beat Until Fluffy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span><a href="http://dearmadelyn.com/" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Dear Madelyn</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">The Girl Creative</span></a></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">There's NO limit to how many Mod Podge Projects you can link up! I can't wait to see them all!</span><br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-2467267297013540622010-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:002010-09-13T07:55:03.929-07:00My Mod Podge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRHzoBdjuGzGsD8y6VEi2-ULJNKPJedrVSf3U-6nrbzbJ0PcEZn32hSptOy2YbWoCZvgCbWqkUYUIDD0N6Yt1R0nNpJiL5PRilMEBHjKCepAcpy7JGqe8SfF0jQ7Fzy22OCSK_l927uC0/s1600/IMG_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRHzoBdjuGzGsD8y6VEi2-ULJNKPJedrVSf3U-6nrbzbJ0PcEZn32hSptOy2YbWoCZvgCbWqkUYUIDD0N6Yt1R0nNpJiL5PRilMEBHjKCepAcpy7JGqe8SfF0jQ7Fzy22OCSK_l927uC0/s640/IMG_7708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In honor of the <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2010/09/mod-podge-mayhem.html">Mod Podge Mayhem</a> linky party I'm helping to host this week, I thought I'd post one of my own mod-podge projects!<br />
I use Mod Podge all the time, actually, it's just rarely to make anything that's cool enough to post about. I, for instance, have never <a href="http://craftedition.blogspot.com/2010/08/mod-podge-shoes.html">covered a pair of SHOES</a> with modge podge. How freakin' <i>cool</i> is that???<br />
<br />
Anyway - this is supposed to be about my project.<br />
Which happens to be part of my kitchen redecorating project...which I've totally slacked off on posting about. I'm going to finish that up next week, I promise. So stay tuned for that.<br />
<br />
Anyway - (again) - as part of my kitchen redecorating project I went on a <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2010/02/part-of-my-current-project-kitchen.html">beautifying rampage</a>. My mantra was "everything must be pretty!"<br />
And we all know...can openers (though necessary) are <i>not</i> pretty.<br />
<br />
Rather than screw around with (and take the chance of destroying) a perfectly good can opener, I decided to disguise it.<br />
I started by building a backless, bottomless box out of the cabinet centers that I had removed for my <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2010/04/custom-cabinets-part-deux.html">custom cabinet project</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspKG5sfCEX8ClfgsijEZdZcgxyUwt-Jg2nVq0o924shuvg8tgSZmOBdSV4b4GK3Ma2l75NajTMi0AUXRD0s2_wkE2gtmmSDAaZbsnV8_2xzb7704wbbR90VZ50M231MglTiZuV4T127PT/s1600/IMG_5714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspKG5sfCEX8ClfgsijEZdZcgxyUwt-Jg2nVq0o924shuvg8tgSZmOBdSV4b4GK3Ma2l75NajTMi0AUXRD0s2_wkE2gtmmSDAaZbsnV8_2xzb7704wbbR90VZ50M231MglTiZuV4T127PT/s400/IMG_5714.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
I gave it a quick coat of cream paint so that the paper I chose would have a light background<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVbADDRu6fKzsQfLXLBaHWNEWfqb8AxGuSZKmVNj5O2jI9ZI1tdRsR3UBDP3eXTPunybvrrRvyMtZ6CoKm0B9PR3dEfWne-1615xgtqmH6Oe9VuzN744OHUnrzkuqK5wYAdP5MWVsibKk/s1600/IMG_5713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVbADDRu6fKzsQfLXLBaHWNEWfqb8AxGuSZKmVNj5O2jI9ZI1tdRsR3UBDP3eXTPunybvrrRvyMtZ6CoKm0B9PR3dEfWne-1615xgtqmH6Oe9VuzN744OHUnrzkuqK5wYAdP5MWVsibKk/s400/IMG_5713.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Then I cut the paper and applied it with Mod Podge. A coat underneath to adhere the paper, and two thin coats on top to give it a somewhat waterproof finish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKfVTkGUwlbKYaZq5Gl-gSbdYSoTUjN1XftP68gjb5N_b0CkCFhd0N80iuvSb4ENxdL0NFivGbumwRvsQ2_Ys-X27j7n32wjW59xnrEysvroKEAUQOxKv2-LHE4OlSdYqwfexIV5ajYJv/s1600/IMG_7714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKfVTkGUwlbKYaZq5Gl-gSbdYSoTUjN1XftP68gjb5N_b0CkCFhd0N80iuvSb4ENxdL0NFivGbumwRvsQ2_Ys-X27j7n32wjW59xnrEysvroKEAUQOxKv2-LHE4OlSdYqwfexIV5ajYJv/s400/IMG_7714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLWX5DvIANcwBp6T7KvD6wVigC62mwDGa8aJf5J2-D-mX7zJGGtGj2PhtC7LF4fWTkIOGILP6TrJim_dGqrzr014N-UzvxlUqvUvlVzMWKXukxBHhhiUNxV5AebcJ_mshBBa9lznRJQiS/s1600/IMG_7715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLWX5DvIANcwBp6T7KvD6wVigC62mwDGa8aJf5J2-D-mX7zJGGtGj2PhtC7LF4fWTkIOGILP6TrJim_dGqrzr014N-UzvxlUqvUvlVzMWKXukxBHhhiUNxV5AebcJ_mshBBa9lznRJQiS/s400/IMG_7715.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I love the way it looks. It's so cute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqhrTnV5GrAF5BLxDGtU477YNl6XKMKFY4rnl7Y4swiJ7Y1mlfJds6z78t_9VSsbA9Rs_SbGItf8XbStQKtyM5tOONzVyDM71pbDwr8Ij4BMAL7ORg1rp3IyfQ26QkrvglUdBfsXQpvo5/s1600/IMG_7710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqhrTnV5GrAF5BLxDGtU477YNl6XKMKFY4rnl7Y4swiJ7Y1mlfJds6z78t_9VSsbA9Rs_SbGItf8XbStQKtyM5tOONzVyDM71pbDwr8Ij4BMAL7ORg1rp3IyfQ26QkrvglUdBfsXQpvo5/s640/IMG_7710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And it's super easy to slide to the side so I can use the can opener.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_LXiYQDcHc-LIuV3l8HTgKkSkXfujnC4FW3ghUyExaj9vBXSKO7oQQOhkTbpVg17MxRUa6hVweOHWdDq6_kGAs4KqOtmSYC48xKImwAQ2BQXDD1kVulBOA_e4UEVMSCdu_ortX8w6Bs6/s1600/IMG_7712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_LXiYQDcHc-LIuV3l8HTgKkSkXfujnC4FW3ghUyExaj9vBXSKO7oQQOhkTbpVg17MxRUa6hVweOHWdDq6_kGAs4KqOtmSYC48xKImwAQ2BQXDD1kVulBOA_e4UEVMSCdu_ortX8w6Bs6/s640/IMG_7712.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's been sitting on my counter, right next to my sink, for 7 months and it's help up beautifully! I was a bit worried about steam or spray from the sink ruining the paper, but it's stayed perfect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRHzoBdjuGzGsD8y6VEi2-ULJNKPJedrVSf3U-6nrbzbJ0PcEZn32hSptOy2YbWoCZvgCbWqkUYUIDD0N6Yt1R0nNpJiL5PRilMEBHjKCepAcpy7JGqe8SfF0jQ7Fzy22OCSK_l927uC0/s1600/IMG_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRHzoBdjuGzGsD8y6VEi2-ULJNKPJedrVSf3U-6nrbzbJ0PcEZn32hSptOy2YbWoCZvgCbWqkUYUIDD0N6Yt1R0nNpJiL5PRilMEBHjKCepAcpy7JGqe8SfF0jQ7Fzy22OCSK_l927uC0/s640/IMG_7708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-16955118226014106462010-08-30T08:37:00.000-07:002010-08-30T08:37:02.555-07:00Back to School Bows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VvVCNVQx4_hyphenhyphenVYwdt8NDDco_-QUBLOpyFwoKZsc2TbZ-IwjfrNESvuEWc7l3ASjReTK9B8Ce2BWooX7rIWyHBgxbi8XkxNhbBAK1kQd0p9SdZlzGAlQyRkdEetAR12BpfVl5Got_6EP9/s1600/IMG_7389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VvVCNVQx4_hyphenhyphenVYwdt8NDDco_-QUBLOpyFwoKZsc2TbZ-IwjfrNESvuEWc7l3ASjReTK9B8Ce2BWooX7rIWyHBgxbi8XkxNhbBAK1kQd0p9SdZlzGAlQyRkdEetAR12BpfVl5Got_6EP9/s640/IMG_7389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Sorry for the long absence!<br />
My daughter went back to school last week, and I was busy preparing for that...<br />
Then I was trying to figure out how to pace my day around drop-off and pick-up...it's always so hard to change your schedule, isn't it?<br />
<br />
Every year before school begins I spend a day or two making hair bows.<br />
And every year, but the time Summer rolls around, she's lost them all.<br />
She loves to look pretty, but she loves to PLAY even more, and when she's running and rolling and hiding and seeking on the playground at recess she tends to lose bows. Since I'd rather she play than worry about her hair, I try not to get too irritated by it. And since I sort of like making bows, I keep replacing them.<br />
<br />
This year I went overboard. My ribbon collection needed to be cleaned out anyway, and I just kept making them. She ended up with WAY too many to fit in her current bow holder (a rubbermaid 3 drawer storage cube.)<br />
<br />
So I decided to make something cute to hold them all, instead :)<br />
<br />
I started with a chunky wooden frame (16x20) and a craft kit I found on clearance at JoAnn's.<br />
I forgot to take "before" pictures, so picture the frame an ugly wood tone and the butterfly pieces unpainted.<br />
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Once they were painted I attached the butterfly pieces to the frame - making it the center of the bug.<br />
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I purchased some rabbit wire at a local farmer supply store. Cut it to size with my wire cutter and attached it to the frame with hot glue.<br />
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A note about the rabbit wire - originally I wanted chicken wire (with the people at the farm supply store called Poultry Wire) but it was sold only in large rolls. The rabbit wire was sold by the foot, however, and they had two different sizes on sale for just 0.99 a foot. I bought 3 feet so I'd have some left over in case I decide to make another :)<br />
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Here's the result - before she was filled up with bows. I hung it on the wall in my daughters bedroom.<br />
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The majority of the bows I've made have the barrette style hair clip on them, as they stay in her hair about a million times better. A few have the alligator, pinch open/close style clip on them. Both stay on the holder very well! The alligator kind just pinches on, and the barrette style just kind of sits on the wire. It stays on perfectly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm sure you noticed the excess of navy blue...my daughter wears a uniform to school, so almost all of her bows have navy and/or white in them to match :)<br />
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I really like the way it turned out - it's sweet and girly and functional, too!<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-90609991499662878892010-08-10T11:59:00.000-07:002010-08-10T11:59:41.328-07:00Mason Jar Soap DispenserRecently I added a new folder to my "Favorites"<br />
I called it "To Make"<br />
I'm adding crafts to it like crazy - it's going to be my <i>favorite</i> favorite folder :)<br />
<br />
This darling soap dispenser is the reason I created my new folder - and it was the first thing I made from it, too. I just love it so much!<br />
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How cute is that?<br />
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It's been made by several people, but I went ahead and used <a href="http://heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2010/02/diy-mason-jar-soap-dispenser.html">Heather's instructions</a> from HeatherBullard.com. They were well written and easy to follow - a huge bonus!<br />
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Start with a soap dispenser you like, a mason jar, a drill with whole saw attachment and some epoxy.<br />
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Cut the top off your soap dispenser, leaving the threading intact. Measure and drill a whole into your mason jar lid for your bottle top to fit through. Then epoxy them together.<br />
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I went with a purple soap. It's blackberry-vanilla scented. Or something.<br />
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Anyway, it's lovely! I absolutely adore the way it looks - so cute and fun!<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-55697340754950673562010-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:002010-08-05T07:42:16.042-07:00TrainTableTopAs I promised in yesterdays <a href="http://moodygirlprojects.blogspot.com/2010/08/birthday-stuff.html">Birthday Stuff</a> post - here's the gift I "built" my son last week :)<br />
<br />
When my son turned two we got him a train table for his Birthday.<br />
It was a huge hit.<br />
But he was definitely too little to set up the tracks himself, and I didn't want to be doing it for him every 5 minutes...<br />
So we took a cue from the toy store and screwed the pieces on to the table.<br />
It worked out perfectly...except he just turned 4, and now he wants the freedom to move the tracks around. Plus, it would be nice if he could use the table for other things as well - like legos or race cars.<br />
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The old table top has screw holes in it now, though. Plus the wear and tear on it was pretty significant.<br />
So I decided to replace the top :)<br />
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I picked up a very thin piece of plywood - a 4x4 piece of flooring underlayment, actually.<br />
I cut it down myself with a circular saw. I'd never done that before. In the past, my handy-dandy, oh-so-helpful husband has always done it for me. But he was at work, and I'm impatient, and I decided to do it myself. It's a lot harder than it looks.<br />
But I managed!<br />
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Then I gave it a coat of apple green spray paint.<br />
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When that was dry I started the detail work.<br />
I'm no artist, but I figured my 4 year old wasn't going to be critiquing my work. I gave it a couple of bodies of water, a bunch of rocks, some trees/bushes and a road, of course.<br />
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After the detailing was finished I gave it a clear top coat to keep the paint from wearing away too quickly.<br />
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For his Birthday this year, we gave Ash a bunch of Hot Wheels race tracks that interconnect. The new train table is the perfect place to set them up! It's wonderful being able to use the table for more than just trains. Here are my kiddos, in their jammies, playing on the new table :)<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-46886911886917325072010-08-04T08:56:00.000-07:002010-08-04T08:56:56.093-07:00Birthday StuffI know "Birthday Stuff" is an awful post title. I can't think of anything else!<br />
<br />
August 1 was my son's 4th Birthday. His party was July 31. All last week I was busy with...well...Birthday Stuff! Apologies for neglecting the blog. I'm back now, ready to share everything I was working on for my boy last week!<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Invitations</span></span></b><br />
I purchased the card and the beach balls at a local scrapbooking store, then printed them at home. This is how I make most of my invitations. It's not much more expensive than buying the ready made ones and filling them in, and I love the custom look. These ones ended up costing less than a dollar each :)<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Favors</span></b><br />
I love a theme, and I wanted to keep everything really summery - sun, water, sand. When I found these miniature sand buckets on clearance for .48 at Target I knew they were perfect. I purchased mini water guns, water balloons and some splash balls at Dollartree and used a piece of teal tissue paper to fill up space. Each bucket cost about $1.00<br />
Bucket $0.48<br />
Splash Balls $0.25 (4/$1)<br />
Water guns $0.16 (6/$1)<br />
Water balloons $.04 (100/$1)<br />
Tissue Paper $.06 (8 sheets for $1, 1/2 sheet per bucket)<br />
Total $.99<br />
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I printed "Thanks 4 Coming to my Birthday Party" at home and matted it with cardstock.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Cake</span></b><br />
I found a <a href="http://www.wilton.com/idea/Looking-Very-Hot-Cake">Sun Cake</a> on the Wilton website that I thought would work perfectly and managed to recreate it pretty well! I baked the cake in a large glass bowl rather than buying the soccer ball pan Wilton recommends. It turned out perfectly :)<br />
I used <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/super-eazy-no-fuss-just-fizzy/">this recipe</a> from bakerella and made my own buttercream - my boys favorite :)<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Wardrobe</span></b><br />
We rented a blow-up-waterslide for the party, so my wardrobe choices were limited to swim wear. I did make a custom "4" appliqué for the back of a polo shirt for my boy to wear during dinner, though.<br />
If you haven't made your own appliqué yet, get going on that! They are easy and fun.<br />
Just cut your design out of fabric and fusible web (like wonder under) and iron on. Then follow the outline with your sewing machine. There are machines with fancy embroidery type stitches that you can use especially for this type of thing, but if you don't have one of those you can use a regular sewing machine - I do! Sometimes I zig-sag stitch, sometimes I just sew a straight line. If you don't completely cover the edges of your fabric it will fray when you wash it, but depending on the design that can actually look really cute.<br />
My son picked out his own fabric - bright green with skulls. I loved it.<br />
I chose a font and printed a 4 off my computer for a pattern. Then I ironed it on and did a regular stitch around the outside. LOVE how it turned out - although he only wore it for about 10 minutes. I haven't washed it yet, but this is one that will fray, and I think it will be darling :)<br />
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So that's it for the party itself. There was one other Birthday project, a gift I "built" that I'll share tomorrow.<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-66860754646836154062010-07-22T09:22:00.000-07:002010-07-23T07:55:53.894-07:00Pimp My Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Is that title offensive? Can I say "pimp my ride" on a craft blog?<br />
It's done, now. If it shocked you, please forgive me :)<br />
<br />
My little boy (Asher) is turning 4 in just a couple of weeks. Recently, I asked him what he wanted for his Birthday. He said he wanted a black car. To ride in.<br />
Now, since he already has a cozy coupe AND a power wheels jeep, there was absolutely no need to buy him a new ride in vehicle.<br />
But I'm a sucker for this face.<br />
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I <i>had</i> to figure something out.<br />
<br />
So I made over his old Cozy Coupe.<br />
Are you aware that this is the best selling car in America? It's popularity is astounding. <a href="http://reviews.carreview.com/blog/little-tikes-cozy-coupe-review-americas-best-selling-car/">This review</a>, about it's attributes, had me rolling on the floor.<br />
<br />
Anyway, on to the makeover.<br />
Ash has had this car for almost 3 years, now. It was his Birthday gift when he turned one. He was delighted with it then, and has played with it non-stop since.<br />
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It was actually a little beat up...<br />
Here it is, before:<br />
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To start, I disassembled it. I scrubbed the whole thing down and removed all of the decals - didn't want to be painting over stickers!<br />
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The drivers door (the one that opens) was cracked at the bottom - a result of my daughter standing on it to climb on top of the coupe. My husband used some sandable plastic epoxy to repair it. It worked REALLY well, filling in the cracks completely.<br />
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Then I gave it several coats of this paint<br />
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Rustoleum Direct-to-Plastic Spray Paint. No sanding or priming required. In High Gloss Black.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO0pE_wG0k4o0UF88VHDZCJmEPjHItRvBbKPtEXp7K5kp3h4sOFK1iggynRuRzYsuHlBR5rEh3I_1fBZ3oOK6TI5p16AfAkeo9IHMU_oTJJLqY6oF6KaX47zZDAiOSerZz8PHIiJ9kbGD/s1600/IMG_6861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO0pE_wG0k4o0UF88VHDZCJmEPjHItRvBbKPtEXp7K5kp3h4sOFK1iggynRuRzYsuHlBR5rEh3I_1fBZ3oOK6TI5p16AfAkeo9IHMU_oTJJLqY6oF6KaX47zZDAiOSerZz8PHIiJ9kbGD/s400/IMG_6861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When the entire thing (including the undercarriage!) had been painted, I rigged up a cover for the body using an old sheet that just allowed the seat to show through. Then I painted it white - using the same type of paint.<br />
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Once all the paint was on I gave the car a couple of good coats of a sealer - Rustoleums Clear Top Coat.<br />
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Then I reassembled and started on the detail work.<br />
I considered purchasing another <a href="http://www.littletikes.com/consumerservice/ReplacementParts-detail.aspx?Product_ID=2555&">set of decals</a> from Little Tykes - the cost is VERY reasonable...until you add in shipping. I always have a problem paying 4X the amount of the product for the mailing.<br />
So I improvised.<br />
Using paint pens I drew on a personalized license plate and filled in the tail lights.<br />
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Then I used a silver sharpie to give it a grill, some door handles and to outline the ignition.<br />
I really wanted to give it a speedometer or a radio on the dash, but with the top of the car back on I just didn't have a good angle to draw it with.<br />
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</div>Last, but not least, I gave the coupe white-wall tires. Ash requested them specifically. I actually used wall paint on this part - mostly because it was easiest!<br />
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After all the details were drawn on I gave one more coat of clear. And then a few more coats of clear.<br />
I'm worried that my makeover won't "stick" - the paint scratched off quite easily in the beginning. I had to touch up quite a few spots...<br />
However, the longer it's on there, the better it seems to be doing. Hopefully it will eventually become part of the plastic :)<br />
<br />
My boy loves it - and it's much more to his taste now. A classy black coupe with white wall tires feels <i>so</i> much more grown up than the red, yellow and blue original! LOL<br />
Here it is...all pimped out :)<br />
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Linking up to...<br />
<a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/07/making-magnets.html">Transformation Thursday</a> at the Shabby Chic Cottage<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/07/strut-your-stuff-thursday.html">Strut Your Stuff</a> at Somewhat Simple<br />
<a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-are-little-boys-made-of-weekly_22.html">What Are Little Boys Made Of </a>at Seven Thirty Three<br />
<a href="http://lifeaslori.blogspot.com/2010/07/get-your-craft-on-thursday_22.html">Get Your Craft On</a> at Life as Lori and<br />
<a href="http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/2010/07/look-at-me-party_22.html">Look At Me</a> at Fun to Craft<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-11465515983563407052010-07-12T08:13:00.000-07:002010-07-12T08:17:44.258-07:00Spa Wrap/Cover Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk4AITFyy2Cnue7LKWMKcdYkD3pcdQKhxTMU12WLYRuW3liNRbGRScepn4IYqLOcnEmFzA11zwtISh1bEDmbOWeYcEGClLIrgwgWkgsc_pTSK4Amvv08Fn5-aRqj73d8oA82Oc1mSLWCV/s1600/IMG_6971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk4AITFyy2Cnue7LKWMKcdYkD3pcdQKhxTMU12WLYRuW3liNRbGRScepn4IYqLOcnEmFzA11zwtISh1bEDmbOWeYcEGClLIrgwgWkgsc_pTSK4Amvv08Fn5-aRqj73d8oA82Oc1mSLWCV/s400/IMG_6971.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><br />
My daughter, Tessa (who just turned 8) and I are leaving for Girl Scout Camp today!<br />
It should be an adventure!!!<br />
<br />
I wanted to make her something special for camp. A little accessory or souvenir that she'd always associate with her first time at camp. I settled on a spa wrap/cover up.<br />
Our camp has a lake, and the girls will be swimming.<br />
I believe the showers are communal, as well. So her little wrap will be functional as well as fun!<br />
<br />
To start, I scoured the internet for a design I liked. I found <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/09/diy-spa-towel-wrap/">this one,</a> from Centsational Girl, and LOVED it. The ruffles were just too perfect for my little girly-girl. Eventually I may do what she did and make one for myself, but for now I only had time to make the one.<br />
<br />
This is a project that's been in my head for some time. Last year I bought a set of towels on clearance at Target with this project in mind. They were part of the '09 College Collection and I got 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 washcloths for $3.24. Score!<br />
I started with my cheap towels and a scrap of fabric I had in my stash.<br />
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I cut the fabric into strips (about 4 inches wide) then folded it in half, lengthwise, and ironed it flat. Then I folded it up about every inch or so and ironed those folds flat, making faux pleats.<br />
Then I sewed my pleats down.<br />
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Next I measured my daughter and cut the towel accordingly. My 8 year old is kind of tiny, so the regular size bath towel was quite large on her. I ended up cutting about 18 inches off one end, plus the finished end from the other side.<br />
<br />
I folded the top down about 2 inches and sewed it shut, creating a casing for my elastic. I measured my daughters chest, subtracted 2 inches and cut the elastic to that length. Then I put a safety pin on one end of the elastic and sent it through the casing, but not all the way. I sewed the other end into the towel.<br />
Then I sewed the ruffle onto one end of my wrap.<br />
Next, I measured the length on my daughter and hemmed the bottom of the towel (after cutting about 2 inches off.) Originally I wanted to give it a ruffle on the bottom, but I was running short on time and decided against it. I can always add one, later :)<br />
<br />
I used one of the washclothes to make a pocket, next. I decided how big I wanted it and cut it down to that size. I left the hem from the cloth on the bottom, and left the top raw, but I ironed the two sides in.<br />
Then I added a ruffle to the top edge and finished it off with a piece of double fold bias-tape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxgbghnk89Lsk3PljW4Ew1onrzRydzLoAY1N1H8fVKCE5NOFVif0cC0pcNplC_hN0MikDbDAFhdO4MWGq2fTLxDAwfYHToAOPFvq3pnsu_UhDrdl8eTdyZQxmQbS33cr7HYMK6nl8E75z/s1600/IMG_6963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxgbghnk89Lsk3PljW4Ew1onrzRydzLoAY1N1H8fVKCE5NOFVif0cC0pcNplC_hN0MikDbDAFhdO4MWGq2fTLxDAwfYHToAOPFvq3pnsu_UhDrdl8eTdyZQxmQbS33cr7HYMK6nl8E75z/s320/IMG_6963.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzmH47-J2WYc8y8aY9fo_3gv0JLI_m3DCpLZyqimwICFCNomu5FaESc7SJRlIhNH02EdfqGtO0uNIC8ITGwmQT6oufq6M7PemTQgLPP_j1QA24MTi9N6EmgeJUDFpWACGDxmYR1utSVhJ/s1600/IMG_6962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzmH47-J2WYc8y8aY9fo_3gv0JLI_m3DCpLZyqimwICFCNomu5FaESc7SJRlIhNH02EdfqGtO0uNIC8ITGwmQT6oufq6M7PemTQgLPP_j1QA24MTi9N6EmgeJUDFpWACGDxmYR1utSVhJ/s320/IMG_6962.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I top stitched it onto the wrap.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyfkgY3vM6XaZWNOYsJO5MoZkZ0M5aOmbrvwB3rLAsjaCBP_zo0QGxmuvOK0z4svi-wrAM1zBGrQR5t8t8br8X9LfZN3pSSrXUWXKk5Ex45hvylGZ3achvxYFAfyXKckAxVGDxeQ0XRI2/s1600/IMG_6972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyfkgY3vM6XaZWNOYsJO5MoZkZ0M5aOmbrvwB3rLAsjaCBP_zo0QGxmuvOK0z4svi-wrAM1zBGrQR5t8t8br8X9LfZN3pSSrXUWXKk5Ex45hvylGZ3achvxYFAfyXKckAxVGDxeQ0XRI2/s320/IMG_6972.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is when I finally finished the elastic. I waited until the end so I'd be working with a flat piece for as long as possible.<br />
First, I threaded the safety pin the rest of the way through the casing, then I pulled the elastic tight as I sewed from the finished edge to the unfinished edge. I did it twice, the second line just a few centimeters away from the first.<br />
Then I hemmed the unfinished end of the wrap.<br />
<br />
I added two sets of velcro to the wrap, so that it would stay closed on her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpFi3eqSHrtrfNjL_GCHVEmB1xG4zK2vnierlaZMXDeTcdnbMi2o3sW5f6QlLIrlbAaKyckXuDArI4O_ojxy7yNFKMKwdKsRGSTKc86A27d00gmXzIbRqBwNO1ybB_Y3PpZ2w8ogQJ96l/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpFi3eqSHrtrfNjL_GCHVEmB1xG4zK2vnierlaZMXDeTcdnbMi2o3sW5f6QlLIrlbAaKyckXuDArI4O_ojxy7yNFKMKwdKsRGSTKc86A27d00gmXzIbRqBwNO1ybB_Y3PpZ2w8ogQJ96l/s320/IMG_6964.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9rvMj2TwDHZRvy-76K2hYIcILGclfDQ-yktPei4clgAs6u-dQ7ATW5hd-wU6nWiDnH4IrideJE3dC8aGwIUsM3HzzrIN0U2GisObMEfZm4SeKX4bWIBruNkbMopyh857IwlyzihL48cI/s1600/IMG_6965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9rvMj2TwDHZRvy-76K2hYIcILGclfDQ-yktPei4clgAs6u-dQ7ATW5hd-wU6nWiDnH4IrideJE3dC8aGwIUsM3HzzrIN0U2GisObMEfZm4SeKX4bWIBruNkbMopyh857IwlyzihL48cI/s320/IMG_6965.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then I added straps (using the hemmed pieces I had cut off earlier) so that it would stay UP on her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUSwJhlhyphenhyphenn4r13THyigqUeF1hvgsN2GJTDBQbtfRgpzQxMx4xtsLlfEvvVBNe19PKKI0UsR8FOPefZWlUVnAsk28JWUIQrQfkwo7jfBV5wtsW3AhaCX7NEoj9-WVdm58i6qmsFN46YJRw/s1600/IMG_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUSwJhlhyphenhyphenn4r13THyigqUeF1hvgsN2GJTDBQbtfRgpzQxMx4xtsLlfEvvVBNe19PKKI0UsR8FOPefZWlUVnAsk28JWUIQrQfkwo7jfBV5wtsW3AhaCX7NEoj9-WVdm58i6qmsFN46YJRw/s320/IMG_6967.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And that was it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3XIrKMJip6URUQHxq2OJrJWWwz3-28TlarEoQ-Kh81OzdcgUM8JX5EYcUNN11AThf3pZx1ZCSAmA8KXu7NfKHFZJeGgE6gjzgfBIIEwYzSEN_d8GXBRWmzetkfdasN5VJYISqiC5liCy/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3XIrKMJip6URUQHxq2OJrJWWwz3-28TlarEoQ-Kh81OzdcgUM8JX5EYcUNN11AThf3pZx1ZCSAmA8KXu7NfKHFZJeGgE6gjzgfBIIEwYzSEN_d8GXBRWmzetkfdasN5VJYISqiC5liCy/s640/IMG_7031.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I love how it turned out. She looks adorable in it and LOVES it. We leave for camp in two hours - hopefully I'll get a cute picture or two of her in it in a real setting! For now, here she is, photoshopped into post-card form :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hy_gX3eCuVkcd89vHh5WQpVCHM-g4bAPIYy6_WkxmlXNDBJqk1dmOSqhSva9rClMOe4xQ8hpPnWqTy5Nt7dtXRnqAA0DO4AeaJAUgiX3Og5tVyZ3zR5gPFA5xosxSmaSmWfbBrWMSXc6/s1600/Tropical_Lagoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hy_gX3eCuVkcd89vHh5WQpVCHM-g4bAPIYy6_WkxmlXNDBJqk1dmOSqhSva9rClMOe4xQ8hpPnWqTy5Nt7dtXRnqAA0DO4AeaJAUgiX3Og5tVyZ3zR5gPFA5xosxSmaSmWfbBrWMSXc6/s640/Tropical_Lagoon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Linking up at...<br />
<a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/">The Girl Creative</a> and<br />
<a href="http://heathernow.blogspot.com/">Raising Memories</a><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-23215758395198625412010-07-08T07:48:00.000-07:002010-07-08T07:48:20.194-07:00GOAL!!!My daughter, Tessa, played Spring Soccer for the first time this year.<br />
She loved it, and was actually very good!<br />
We had a lot of fun with it as a family and went to the park a few times to practice...<br />
But practicing soccer is tough without a goal.<br />
<br />
I checked out a mini collapsible goal at Wal Mart, but it was cheesy looking and so light that I figured (staked or not) it would fly across the yard if anyone managed to score a goal! Plus, it was $35.<br />
I checked online and found a plethora of options - none for less than $40, plus shipping.<br />
<br />
At this point I (of course) started to wonder about building my own goal...<br />
I figured there HAD to be plans out there to build one out of PVC pipe. We have a large pile of PVC in the garage, left over from our sprinkling system.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVYxdUYqex557A0A-Xl3shb0ug6b2AxpPp7Wj2kq0KpaAMVxr6SBB-BOJtTy5yv3_hsmTaj_jgfYzmEqZvdOL9fD4Wu4cQMdEMzPUmSRsDnjsJZcJ4gVC-CLlGOY5oLxa-Uzs6JCXHcQ6/s1600/IMG_6939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVYxdUYqex557A0A-Xl3shb0ug6b2AxpPp7Wj2kq0KpaAMVxr6SBB-BOJtTy5yv3_hsmTaj_jgfYzmEqZvdOL9fD4Wu4cQMdEMzPUmSRsDnjsJZcJ4gVC-CLlGOY5oLxa-Uzs6JCXHcQ6/s320/IMG_6939.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Sure enough, I found several plans online. <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,20178064,00.html">This one</a>, from This Old House, was my favorite.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeCMmJ53eRUtTfiUhNdDyU-wdN4jHJy538i1lggB9UuGcsCggbydpGOihKjn6U5JUrYCc0FoYgob_NunlNjDbaSjkj_NXkLIA6OSnheTyBB6CCw5Rfoghhuqvpag_FYMzBGSsZvjMR6Op/s1600/overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeCMmJ53eRUtTfiUhNdDyU-wdN4jHJy538i1lggB9UuGcsCggbydpGOihKjn6U5JUrYCc0FoYgob_NunlNjDbaSjkj_NXkLIA6OSnheTyBB6CCw5Rfoghhuqvpag_FYMzBGSsZvjMR6Op/s320/overview.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I modified it a tiny bit and managed to build a goal for about $6!<br />
Since my garage was full of PVC pipe, I didn't have to buy any of that. I bought a bunch of PVC joints (about $3) and 2 fishing nets from the dollar store.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8wqe1huMmX6wC2gz2R1tO9BOl7y1PFY5iqprXqkifVmvcCAIDcLTMb_7bUhxYj72lTtm8KJfSGOu049KaEOe8FxkGtr49YqDTsBx3dVt74MnyJrr-qEixB53G6HikUiegHXDD402ERhI/s1600/net.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8wqe1huMmX6wC2gz2R1tO9BOl7y1PFY5iqprXqkifVmvcCAIDcLTMb_7bUhxYj72lTtm8KJfSGOu049KaEOe8FxkGtr49YqDTsBx3dVt74MnyJrr-qEixB53G6HikUiegHXDD402ERhI/s320/net.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The nets were the hardest part. The ones from the dollar store are NOT perfectly square. Actually, they're not any particular shape at all. They're sort of amoeba-ish. So I started by tyeing one net on to the goal in as many spots as I could stretch it to on one end, then I did the same on the opposite side. In the middle I trimmed the nets where it needed it and tied the two of them together. I cut and tied for about 30 minutes and it was tedious - but the money saved was well worth it! $2 was WAY cheaper than I would have been able to buy any other net for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFrBQYWwziTJmyLoY6g_hN9sNrkM0iVPNXN4S-KFb1fAkiatbcOSyRwsnoOOkEAIqcZIYfCQ-tL6-M4WYnPXtFYpis94gqrN7byyDZN_QxAdeTbKt_-4RgXJZ3lfuzknWl6R1wi6DiSUh/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFrBQYWwziTJmyLoY6g_hN9sNrkM0iVPNXN4S-KFb1fAkiatbcOSyRwsnoOOkEAIqcZIYfCQ-tL6-M4WYnPXtFYpis94gqrN7byyDZN_QxAdeTbKt_-4RgXJZ3lfuzknWl6R1wi6DiSUh/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" width="400" /></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/AVvXsEgki9iEAr3KwACt1srEsEotOcrPhL1MVg_Xpd492Byky-y4YdwUvokmky1CNkB1B9UuTEeAYbcqFqpPeCdZsoqpq237E3Jt-wB1yunXSiPHSmEb_Z8OpgG2OmjBuYfoJwMybaAg0lPvisAn/s1600/IMG_6932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki9iEAr3KwACt1srEsEotOcrPhL1MVg_Xpd492Byky-y4YdwUvokmky1CNkB1B9UuTEeAYbcqFqpPeCdZsoqpq237E3Jt-wB1yunXSiPHSmEb_Z8OpgG2OmjBuYfoJwMybaAg0lPvisAn/s320/IMG_6932.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQj8AZ8KI4QaAl9-HNDdPyTHFY_GPLtDi9Dt2oLJlh8Sym4ANZjQD4PX6bVGTFqZ6plF3EH9-K3Qtcsc4VvB2ALM4gLIy2VtkAYHMQLbnpQczkj-FVOSeBFYRpJziMwRP5-3vTEwMiQdz/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQj8AZ8KI4QaAl9-HNDdPyTHFY_GPLtDi9Dt2oLJlh8Sym4ANZjQD4PX6bVGTFqZ6plF3EH9-K3Qtcsc4VvB2ALM4gLIy2VtkAYHMQLbnpQczkj-FVOSeBFYRpJziMwRP5-3vTEwMiQdz/s320/IMG_6936.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1gytHfjaLgeVkk78x6dIqhLX7Ed4x1dbx8YIum81ZP-yKRt9TehFB4x42k19sTRULSD4q5xPc1Ip660hecF710qUqD5__RZSZNO9ksR4MPUPsx2EtLaxuX6_uMQlXJ34f4s18-4ZfQ9D/s1600/IMG_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1gytHfjaLgeVkk78x6dIqhLX7Ed4x1dbx8YIum81ZP-yKRt9TehFB4x42k19sTRULSD4q5xPc1Ip660hecF710qUqD5__RZSZNO9ksR4MPUPsx2EtLaxuX6_uMQlXJ34f4s18-4ZfQ9D/s320/IMG_6937.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Tessa will be playing soccer again in the fall, and this season her little brother will get to play, too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2vb137EzhM-0BpYoRjTq-NYRPaM_JtBfyI_Z9cV5FR1AixUkdUyU6kg2CdgcrqVttTaFJXD50lqAp7TLLa7qi-r4QNQsYbmshIWtgGwwQWNC0nkLrhE59m43rf_Sa3DQSPAQx3r681u6/s1600/mothersday+(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2vb137EzhM-0BpYoRjTq-NYRPaM_JtBfyI_Z9cV5FR1AixUkdUyU6kg2CdgcrqVttTaFJXD50lqAp7TLLa7qi-r4QNQsYbmshIWtgGwwQWNC0nkLrhE59m43rf_Sa3DQSPAQx3r681u6/s400/mothersday+(21).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We're all very excited - especially for practice at home :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcP1mr3JyzmLRTFTNKfpB0htYQ47W-OH-9PwDaG7TaAea0NvO2nEpqleyCbb3RV3vkGXL37SRhc9kGsxZKYYIpv2LN0JCu6lCQsjvsLeKjtxgHEgGobvhKRD1fVdEs6FewRIhIDnYdGjs/s1600/mothersday+(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcP1mr3JyzmLRTFTNKfpB0htYQ47W-OH-9PwDaG7TaAea0NvO2nEpqleyCbb3RV3vkGXL37SRhc9kGsxZKYYIpv2LN0JCu6lCQsjvsLeKjtxgHEgGobvhKRD1fVdEs6FewRIhIDnYdGjs/s320/mothersday+(22).JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHARyXOllKPlkfRbThzderudzWTZk49muklW5cJeVhD7eK_OChMLyAHnBCJHvT-tAANREDsUJGBBQ9r9jsfFszeOaseQKktgZaoQyezhGvQBfe2Hr4tetjI_LA4DpSqrZLVuLgGsOUSz6/s1600/mothersday+(23).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHARyXOllKPlkfRbThzderudzWTZk49muklW5cJeVhD7eK_OChMLyAHnBCJHvT-tAANREDsUJGBBQ9r9jsfFszeOaseQKktgZaoQyezhGvQBfe2Hr4tetjI_LA4DpSqrZLVuLgGsOUSz6/s320/mothersday+(23).JPG" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-67617457135033179522010-07-02T09:46:00.000-07:002010-07-02T09:46:26.868-07:00My Last Patriotic Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpahGK22-wyHo37nJhEIP7ybkp3EL48ZveVVXcC-lBV1cGywGHStI_e9CLWZB2cF1F7VBWLDm4L0iFx82a3AQCDtpSuWCc43Yac3int_QFK2ojm7PfXZWv-X-gpjQYCQwDAA_QAQyG6Zg/s1600/penny+art+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpahGK22-wyHo37nJhEIP7ybkp3EL48ZveVVXcC-lBV1cGywGHStI_e9CLWZB2cF1F7VBWLDm4L0iFx82a3AQCDtpSuWCc43Yac3int_QFK2ojm7PfXZWv-X-gpjQYCQwDAA_QAQyG6Zg/s640/penny+art+(16).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Okay - this will be my last patriotic project for this year!<br />
After all - the 4th of July is only 2 days away!<br />
<br />
In Utah we celebrate the 24th of July, too. It's Pioneer Day - and we celebrate it in much the same way as we do the 4th. Barbecues and Fireworks and lots of red, white and blue. That makes it possible to stretch my Patriotic Decor all the way through August 1 :)<br />
<br />
I needed something patriotic, but in a non-traditional (meaning not red, white and blue!) for my entry table. Here's what I came up with.<br />
<br />
I started with a scrap piece of bead board and am ikea frame (still in the plastic!) that I found in my basement.<br />
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Then I traced a metal star - temporarily stolen from my son's cowboy room - onto the bead board.<br />
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Then I hot glued penny's onto the star shape, overlapping some here and there to get the best coverage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I attached my bead board to the back of my ikea frame (now spray painted white) and in less than 20 minutes was done with this one. Nothing's better than a 20 minute project, right?<br />
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I LOVE the copper against the white. It seems patriotic enough to me - after all, that's USA Currency, baby!<br />
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By the way - does this count as defacing money? Can I go to jail for this?<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098401270145131332.post-73507932819423792322010-06-30T13:44:00.000-07:002010-06-30T13:46:16.727-07:00Darling, Inexpensive Party FavorsMy friend Diana, over at <a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/">The Girl Creative</a>, is throwing a linky party today that's Birthday Parties. She's looking for special inspiration when it comes to Goody Bags.<br />
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I am a Birthday Party throwing psych case.<br />
Sad, but true.<br />
Every year I go insane planning my daughters Birthday party. Each year I manage to outdo myself in craziness.<br />
Last year she had her first sleep over (which was actually a late-over for all but one guest.)<br />
I made each girl a white, lace trimmed nightgown. At the party they got the decorate their gown with fabric markers and iron ones. Then they had a fashion show, set to music, which I made my husband videotape (so I could take still photographs.)<br />
For the goodie bags I made them each a fabric bag with their initial quilted onto it. It was filled with sleepover paraphernalia.<br />
These types of things - even when done by clever, craft mommy's - end up costing a lot of money. So my Tessa usually only gets to invite a few friends. Last year she invited 8 friends.<br />
<br />
Narrowing it down is always the toughest part for my ridiculously outgoing girl. She counts EVERYONE as a friend.<br />
<br />
This year I was super busy with end of the year PTA madness, and I didn't have the desire that I normally do to go completely overboard, so, instead, we threw the easiest Birthday Party known to man.<br />
We rented a massive bounce house, reserved the pavilion at the park, and let Tessa invite everyone she knew to the party.<br />
We ended up with<i> 36 yes </i>RSVP's.<br />
And then I thought of the party favors.<br />
I panicked, a bit, at first. I didn't want to spend my life savings on party favors! Plus, I absolutely HATE when my kids come home with party favors filled with way too much sugar or cheap, silly toys that break 2 seconds after they start playing with them. I'm SO picky - it's hard NOT to spend a ton on favors!<br />
But I took a deep breath and went to the Dollartree to see what I could find...<br />
<br />
I purchased...<br />
Three 12 packs of fold-up cardstock favor bags..........$3<br />
Five 8 packs of snack sized Hershey Bars (Tessa's favorites)..........$5<br />
Five 8 packs of party blowers..........$5<br />
Nine 12 packs of sidewalk chalk..........$9<br />
For a grand total of $22<br />
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Each cute little favor bag got a cardstock cutout on the front - half got a star, half got a flower. I attached them with super glue after I folded the bag up.<br />
Then I put the candy bar, the party blower and 3 pieces of sidewalk chalk (tied together with curling ribbon) inside. They turned out SO cute and cost just 0.65 each (including tax)!!!<br />
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I can't guarantee that I won't go insane next year and go overboard with the party favors again, but for this year, at least, my favors were super cheap!<br />
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii118/LastingImprints/sig.jpg" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684978082501061248noreply@blogger.com6