tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90379712327438461392023-12-21T04:29:51.932-08:00Piles of ProjectsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-31153497256585580952012-11-27T19:00:00.002-08:002012-11-27T19:00:54.494-08:00Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Curd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuWBNe8LmsSBq338bEbs3IltZ41-wPujCOxLfB-zCxRLbFh_KxuoWeFDHQI3nKX2YmrJk_VXsK6ecgABn6Gb606Y_KYFU76uIgnJJ5ngK6FPaMgFX1S9v3yIAmXkVKtFEAuJdIrxR09TB/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuWBNe8LmsSBq338bEbs3IltZ41-wPujCOxLfB-zCxRLbFh_KxuoWeFDHQI3nKX2YmrJk_VXsK6ecgABn6Gb606Y_KYFU76uIgnJJ5ngK6FPaMgFX1S9v3yIAmXkVKtFEAuJdIrxR09TB/s320/IMG_8125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've always wanted to try making cupcakes with filling but was always intimidated by the idea of it, so I was pleasantly surprised that when I made these cupcakes for a church event this month, they turned out awesome! It was time consuming (probably because I was a first timer) but not difficult. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iI7dx4yrHhcWvzTs0vnk-OYrvLqGRKLrOv-D8hCDByb0pEvh-8CUa4dhcogIYHJgb25AvYutpvlKqdb_RY8brr3dy66CJGU5fedQZQX1IVzcJ48rimdMbqs1v1jMmYT27ovDyRiS7OPg/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iI7dx4yrHhcWvzTs0vnk-OYrvLqGRKLrOv-D8hCDByb0pEvh-8CUa4dhcogIYHJgb25AvYutpvlKqdb_RY8brr3dy66CJGU5fedQZQX1IVzcJ48rimdMbqs1v1jMmYT27ovDyRiS7OPg/s320/IMG_8136.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I found the original idea <a href="http://smells-like-home.com/2012/05/lemon-cupcakes-with-fresh-raspberry-curd-filling-for-a-memorial-day-virtual-potluck-party/">here</a> and only made one modification from the original recipe. Being that I was a little short on time that day, I used a regular lemon cake mix from a box. (I'm sure they'd be amazing from scratch- but honestly, they were great just the same). </div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08003740900253959381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-64284828250145076652012-08-01T15:06:00.002-07:002012-08-01T15:08:02.587-07:00Random Tip- Water colors<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzmIu7Wc9lAu3U1cvFZWG0OOfiHBTiFioPykBI9JlSeTybD1eElBNh2pF0yCiktGHfRGs3JX9Ace71Jjy4pjZNWmjNI1DgqNlg_LWJSO_vDFUQWJARQYaJQN4z2eA2sMxcGlARpwhI1L0/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzmIu7Wc9lAu3U1cvFZWG0OOfiHBTiFioPykBI9JlSeTybD1eElBNh2pF0yCiktGHfRGs3JX9Ace71Jjy4pjZNWmjNI1DgqNlg_LWJSO_vDFUQWJARQYaJQN4z2eA2sMxcGlARpwhI1L0/s320/IMG_7221.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I came up with an idea to day that I thought I'd pass along.</div>
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In the past, I've tried using a spray bottle to add water to water colors and it worked okay- not perfect, but okay. As I was getting the water colors out today, I thought I'd try something different- a Wilton's Candy Making Squeeze Bottle. It lets you add just the right amount of water without any mess! Just thought I'd share.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rZii9E7QEtZOn-LZAbtZONP4fY_lRO9GbjQg1Xx0uyYW5xn2vW_UXOm36Mo25nK2BXRpCntGlVoREUNhkPMdjwRwxO7_YlGXOCWJi1Lz-Zkf0FajdJG75y-J33ciE2oR3gMoodv4PDtp/s1600/IMG_7219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rZii9E7QEtZOn-LZAbtZONP4fY_lRO9GbjQg1Xx0uyYW5xn2vW_UXOm36Mo25nK2BXRpCntGlVoREUNhkPMdjwRwxO7_YlGXOCWJi1Lz-Zkf0FajdJG75y-J33ciE2oR3gMoodv4PDtp/s320/IMG_7219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-63532775731523701672012-07-30T12:23:00.000-07:002012-07-30T12:23:00.603-07:00Swim Noodle Wreath<div style="text-align: center;">
I've seen ideas for taking plumbing insulation for making a wreath (Of course on Pinterest) and thought that was really smart. So, I went to buy one at Lowe's, not realizing that it was really really thin. </div>
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I wanted something a little thicker so I started brainstorming what would be thicker and still flexible enough to make a circle. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZiLtx6UlHJpiPtu62Cc0UlNpDITMwh4QHD-c8-61y_1zjqKiiaPRzFwz9zsq9Xg2RpSioOZ8eM8_bT6AOQDEmX6e3bNKj5lh8iqHr15Fr7C2hNLdGNbbbQf5Zg19tynbfFrJfkAeP9zb/s1600/IMG_6946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZiLtx6UlHJpiPtu62Cc0UlNpDITMwh4QHD-c8-61y_1zjqKiiaPRzFwz9zsq9Xg2RpSioOZ8eM8_bT6AOQDEmX6e3bNKj5lh8iqHr15Fr7C2hNLdGNbbbQf5Zg19tynbfFrJfkAeP9zb/s320/IMG_6946.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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And then it hit me. A swim noodle! They're super cheap and everywhere since it's summer so I headed over to Wal-Mart and picked one up.</div>
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I cut it to the desired shape and used some clear duct tape to connect the ends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY-mdHhLtBrj4dDqI8rwyuQz6fSdcx0GQsZH02oZdFLrsDO90oEZ4jgjM-dmrJovOwQGKRFuPfTsbTlma5MYA-lQz1IvrFyIUCzqUiWifdhAIgC2ZB_lP72ggvL0r339kbZMbspHwZ6yL/s1600/IMG_6951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY-mdHhLtBrj4dDqI8rwyuQz6fSdcx0GQsZH02oZdFLrsDO90oEZ4jgjM-dmrJovOwQGKRFuPfTsbTlma5MYA-lQz1IvrFyIUCzqUiWifdhAIgC2ZB_lP72ggvL0r339kbZMbspHwZ6yL/s320/IMG_6951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the finished product!</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8CLVYkEa56nhVIaGEzmef99j1DnODpZYJavxL6Xer8YA9VCdnDXDKmHNtYqZwLQULaFDHW1fADKA6O65BknB2Zsb8m3Mc6qSAAie21PXJNP1MTIoELUM4mYlivz1lpdI3O8k8Zd-jJBc/s320/IMG_7067.JPG" width="213" /></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-40934375369970154532012-07-27T12:01:00.001-07:002012-07-27T12:01:57.255-07:00Painted Mason Jars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've seen a lot of painted mason jars on Pinterest lately and I LOVE it, so I decided to try some of my own. I used some of the favorite jars I inherited from my grandmother. I think adding the paint on the inside really brings out the details and unique shape of each jar.</div>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgma9sWNmiWIkjHbVeZ1CCEmVJNJzxCAfnfngyzW6sNvzJxMWQn-IDzCFOOmG4oIJrh3lOlWOWcxuIFIJUaGFoplu80XAtnsShWeag4lXjYVVg6HEpNcow_os7-7wzDpOjn0jW4mHyIFVl9/s320/IMG_7061.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
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I didn't take any pictures of the process. (I was too excited to do it to stop and take pics). But, I think the process is so easy, it doesn't really need pics to explain. I took an empty, clean mason jar, and squirted some acrylic paint into the jar and turned/spun the jar until the paint covered the entire inside surface of jars. Then, I layed out a brown paper bag and stacked 2 stacks of 2 popscicle sticks each to balance the jars on, allowing the excess paint to run off onto the bag.(I founds that idea on another blog- unfortunately I can't seem to find it to link up to when looking back). I let it drip like that for about an hour. Then, I turned the jars over and let them dry over night. Easy enough!</div>
<span id="goog_600539355"></span><span id="goog_600539356"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-54846490290713284482012-07-26T06:40:00.000-07:002012-07-26T06:40:10.340-07:00We Moved!<div style="text-align: center;">
After living in California for our whole lives, and in beautiful San Francisco for the last three, we have taken a huge plunge and moved to the Midwest. My husband graduated and now is a practicing dentist. So,we are now living in Missouri and loving it! Now that we are unpacked and settled, I am super excited to get back into crafting again. So, after a much needed break, I'm finally ready to post again!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-25940856149298313282012-02-19T22:01:00.000-08:002012-02-19T22:01:14.707-08:00Lego Table<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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96uAeH7zCrQgVQ4qx9FFXl9s1iXXY1046G4rDSo3PilrcEVnr8EC9yzTyJ4NZ-LwHujLnZF1cfJCrMIS6QDKgFimKFjEry0L0c_9SFIMOhP9FVL-ydsUaCqFdmLCK97ItYpwkKVRunIoO/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96uAeH7zCrQgVQ4qx9FFXl9s1iXXY1046G4rDSo3PilrcEVnr8EC9yzTyJ4NZ-LwHujLnZF1cfJCrMIS6QDKgFimKFjEry0L0c_9SFIMOhP9FVL-ydsUaCqFdmLCK97ItYpwkKVRunIoO/s320/IMG_3944.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I came across this idea on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/164803667583690819/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> about a month before Christmas. It's so simple! I knew it would be perfect for our kids- who are SUPER into legos, so I picked up the end table from IKEA for $8 and ordered the Lego base squares from Amazon. They were about $6/each. Then I picked up a bottle of Gorilla glue at Target and assembled it. On Christmas morning, my husband had a whole castle set up on the table when the kids came down stairs to see it. I doubt a single day has gone by that the kids haven't used the table.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-36015372263267207852012-02-04T10:18:00.000-08:002012-02-04T10:19:56.717-08:00Love Note (Dry Erase)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo4dy359h0Lxtf7YytpdKGIdJ7B4nHS5rW9UTivN7zuDB1qnrfNAkqGP_Y8Kx4jgq3vWYT61fbciOxpcX1M92TVN_qDZ4OUwpBRxJkFPhYBFJm8BnUQH1rwxg03MbWntGT6nieShyzRD5/s1600/IMG_4056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo4dy359h0Lxtf7YytpdKGIdJ7B4nHS5rW9UTivN7zuDB1qnrfNAkqGP_Y8Kx4jgq3vWYT61fbciOxpcX1M92TVN_qDZ4OUwpBRxJkFPhYBFJm8BnUQH1rwxg03MbWntGT6nieShyzRD5/s400/IMG_4056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> When my husband and I first got married, we used to leave each other love notes around the house all the time but as life got crazier, little things like that tend to get forgotten. This frame idea, that I found on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/164803667583885744/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, makes it so simple and easy to leave a quick little love note whenever I am thinking about it and my husband likes to leave notes on here, too. It has been so fun to walk into my room and find a new note waiting for me. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I changed up the design a little bit and used an IKEA frame. I made the felt flowers and hot glued them to the front. I cut a small rectangle of felt and glued it to the back to make a pocket for the pen so it doesn't get lost.) Great Valentines Gift, don't you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyHqBxpIDSBUkUrwgaFU535KslQX7uQIl9WDXtQuxlvZZoXuLO9ftDItaFsG-TR2tFxAsaUWJ667KSU1va9YwEuYUo-nxxAtJR2U3UXCc5xIh5zmkXQ-U_9Xp5aqJR4HKF_nif8vx7VAz/s320/IMG_4060.JPG" width="320" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-43533794478911107512012-01-25T23:54:00.000-08:002012-01-26T00:25:15.669-08:00How to Make Your Own Chevron Stencil {Freezer Paper on Fabric}<p align="center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRxcN8ESMC26_3qcwXMEccqWgInEVWFK2P-PP_VjxPIsMVgW_bOeBy4NX-YP1xcBHc6iDj3EHTkEfk04aIoibqz7q2ZvmSbnUtbHo0ST5XkxxBqxdbLCGyGsZlNdgByhLfqWtgzixUWc4/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRxcN8ESMC26_3qcwXMEccqWgInEVWFK2P-PP_VjxPIsMVgW_bOeBy4NX-YP1xcBHc6iDj3EHTkEfk04aIoibqz7q2ZvmSbnUtbHo0ST5XkxxBqxdbLCGyGsZlNdgByhLfqWtgzixUWc4/s320/IMG_3932.JPG" width="320" height="213" /></a></p>
<div align="center">I've been needing to re-do my couch throw-pillows for a while now, but couldn't decide on exactly what I wanted to do. </div>
<div align="center">So, when I came across a picture of this pillow on Pinterest, it got me to thinking...</div>
<p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701849762776664578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_WXZHDOmdPhxw7WKZZvI6k3onrf9IWli0iO7UtquheI0gsKKEn2-CswssRM5dIlRfa2e9kxBLf7Ug-IEMfS3is8xgg0_5bqUyR3OXecZxh9p_EoUmM1NZvsqynV_CwFUPP7-PBkG5LMk/s400/il_570xN.291412276%255B1%255D.jpg" /></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><a href="http://http//pinterest.com/pin/164803667583795286/">(source)</a></em></span></p>
<p align="center">I had already made a<a href="http://pilesofprojects.blogspot.com/2011/04/felt-petal-pillow.html" target="_blank"> felt flower pillow</a>, that I loved, but the white fabric I used as a background had been ruined my our 18 month old (blue marker and a bloody lip). So, I started brainstorming ways to reuse the flower and decided to carefully cut around the flower and restitch it on to another pillow. It worked! But I didn't want to use another plain, light-colored fabric again so I was really excited when I came across an idea on Pinterest about <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/164803667583795286/">how to create your own Chevron stencil on a wall</a>. It inspired me to try to put in on fabric-- that way I could get the exact color I wanted.</p>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator">I made a grid on a large sheet of butcher paper and connected the corners to make the chevron pattern. Once I had a couple of lines done, I laid a piece of freezer paper over the top and began tracing, moving it up and overlaying the pattern as I went.
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Once I had the whole pattern done, I used an X-acto knife to cut the pattern out, leaving the outer edge uncut so that it all remained in one piece.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">After ironing the majority of it town, I trimmed the edges and re-ironed the outside edge to make sure it was on there securely.
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVzsxNw5yf_0owOLUosQ-b8_cJmkyh4dCRVe2uAgxJMCBCkh-ZF3tdyddo8hD0XO09C96s0XKrgiqdrUBTyBZ3YdmhUoS7mPk0gR6B7_3uEFFzRGRy9Kd6WOt0WrkciwUtEXXEc3sMCPX/s1600/IMG_3921.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVzsxNw5yf_0owOLUosQ-b8_cJmkyh4dCRVe2uAgxJMCBCkh-ZF3tdyddo8hD0XO09C96s0XKrgiqdrUBTyBZ3YdmhUoS7mPk0gR6B7_3uEFFzRGRy9Kd6WOt0WrkciwUtEXXEc3sMCPX/s320/IMG_3921.JPG" width="320" height="213" /></a></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Then I was ready to paint. (I mixed a few colors I had on hand to get the shade of yellow I wanted. I used an extra baby food jar to keep the leftover paint in for future projects.
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKPGuNvbnkRMIi_07EHyOmONRMnnlQ2J9CpuOUL0O2fMqNb2UB49BewIFh7eaBggV9jclqUybl0WAubkoT5X_qZ6JSPC41Kdfor9AuXGc7jw20hrTQFTnAkcGXZ13-uHi8wZ9T2878vYb/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKPGuNvbnkRMIi_07EHyOmONRMnnlQ2J9CpuOUL0O2fMqNb2UB49BewIFh7eaBggV9jclqUybl0WAubkoT5X_qZ6JSPC41Kdfor9AuXGc7jw20hrTQFTnAkcGXZ13-uHi8wZ9T2878vYb/s320/IMG_3925.JPG" width="320" height="213" /> </a></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator">Once it was dry, I peeled away the stencil and had a great piece of fabric that was ready to sew my flower onto. (Forgot to snap a picture of the plain material after it dried-dang it.)
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhsAyUBzdUeGkPQwulakgppQc8L4ML2fcTVTSHHZqDYGanfXVKTO5XEpqfGrQabBi24PfpIZAxBFdp4T1qoWd_ABoiIrwhhBWOBfCyLdmtEFG_SHlHnwqiCXx_5Y8rLTJeYP_1Tv-Py5Q/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhsAyUBzdUeGkPQwulakgppQc8L4ML2fcTVTSHHZqDYGanfXVKTO5XEpqfGrQabBi24PfpIZAxBFdp4T1qoWd_ABoiIrwhhBWOBfCyLdmtEFG_SHlHnwqiCXx_5Y8rLTJeYP_1Tv-Py5Q/s320/IMG_3936.JPG" width="320" height="213" /> </a></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator">I'm really happy with how it turned out. I really like how sometimes a small change, like a pillow, can make the room feel so different. (Butterfly pillow soon to come).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-28947997001617281812012-01-10T13:04:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:08:14.049-08:00Date Night Kit<div align="center">Looking for a fun and easy gift for a couple? Here is a really simple idea that we gave a few of our friends and family these this past Christmas-- A Date Night Kit!</div>
<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 453px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696117108108548082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNr7JmZp3Vg2B3BMQxUw53hXAPBFcR_IbWXspyUs7F3vNu4wm2fth66A6Jjft4w3FBEZZxDhW3muaMqEcMojhOcPC62gZ0W-kfDyRW-CMPcWsJHmVRcP7EygjKJEt9ntVJJw7iVHOLif3/s400/IMG_3126.JPG" /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>What's inside:</strong></span></div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">Red Vines</div>
<div align="center">Reeses Minature Cups</div>
<div align="center">3 Packages of Microwave popcorn</div>
<div align="center">Peppermint Bark</div>
<div align="center">5 Redbox Rental CodesBucket (also to use to put popcorn in)</div>
<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696119387903091762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhen6cS0JpTQXf1R5J4mwvl0FXJSJgFIs4XkqufgM1_piFS3OWYdK24z1GePFabQswIrOBK23hTDoVBwSc9kW5dorOcKPRoED2fLnfooqZPL9cWgdGVoMIYA9pzWfd4VaqScrd20GWOnW0o/s400/IMG_3131.JPG" />I printed up a piece of paper containing 5 Redbox Codes (which you can buy on their website). I put them inside of a folded piece of paper with the instructions glued to the back.
</div>
<div align="center">Ghiradelli's Pepperent Bark- We LOVE this stuff. So so good. One friend dislikes mint, however, so we substituted another favorite instead- chocolate covered raisins. </div>
<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696119397983537442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjojlDG6NTD_SJxtj4RwIN2cn2YLL-xVpDbs1PXbW4OMyRtDH4To3d_MO7dB50PQ2aPjcunrA8eC8rT-iemBRMADBzBs-WUBo8Tt2BtPncOQupGwPGLHRe9ICWLbwwyG03OUGtLaDoTo7K/s400/IMG_3133.JPG" /></div>
<div align="center">Redbox Codes:
I purchased these codes from the Redbox website, but they are only made to print out using only one code per full sheet of paper. In order to fit them all in a small place, I copied and pasted the codes onto one small paper and glued it to the Christmas paper. Then I cut and glued the Redbox instructions to the outside of the envelope.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696124763845485234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDlyVPV1an_aSsDYCWLJQATfxgP3tTr-sYc0HOcnzyi9HsQUUWVPHwXHkIOKwpCpnNHcpxlDRBMOlstJQtFo_7c_usuNb31jZkNmjg7kiUe_amyw6xD5rHBQWN6PH2YihyphenhyphenNr1gjZ_TJcD/s400/IMG_3130.JPG" />
Who doesn't love a good date night? :)</div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08003740900253959381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-46339078299793198772012-01-08T15:45:00.000-08:002012-01-09T11:13:42.025-08:00SPY Kit!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAlbjmbUmKoSaCW9lQmmgKJCFbyLXpGfab0pUqGS6vEEysGMHDDWfpYquEdyarBHpOWgZXIxWisK4wiy88_nfZ1sPBvEuDXCKBl6Y3Ogk0-RNbwAz4-DC6WVMgVHeAyoaBvac4IUkKP18/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAlbjmbUmKoSaCW9lQmmgKJCFbyLXpGfab0pUqGS6vEEysGMHDDWfpYquEdyarBHpOWgZXIxWisK4wiy88_nfZ1sPBvEuDXCKBl6Y3Ogk0-RNbwAz4-DC6WVMgVHeAyoaBvac4IUkKP18/s640/IMG_3154.JPG" width="460" border="0" height="640" /> </a></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator">Have some super sneaky little spies at home? We definitely do! Our kids are very much into Inspector Gadget, the Spy Kids movies, and ANY thing spy-related, so... I came up with these.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><i>Here's how to make your own:</i>
</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>1. Draw string bag to carry all supplies in. </u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The bag is made of felt (I bought a remnant at Jo Ann's that easily made 3 bags and cost less than $2) and the letters are painted on using white paint and then glow-in-the-dark paint. </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">
</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I LOVE glow in the dark paint! That stuff is amazing! It works on clothes and can be washed and dried, and still works like charm. I thought it might add a fun little surprise for the kids to see that the bag glows. </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The letters were stenciled using freezer paper stencils. I used the Cricut to cut the letters but had a hard time getting the small letters to cut without ripping the paper. Finally I realized that it was the depth of the blade that needed to be adjusted so that it wasn't cutting too deep. </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQicN3Qyc6rbZC2lws868YORNL2MV9fVQRXarMAGrrFS7g9ZTxy8Gi12XZ2de0nlGA7UUfT_1JeRGXvTQZOirsKLiQEREwigz5xqdrG-KWu6KMtFodoG1xFdbk62D8Hb7B6FkoskoCnkP/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQicN3Qyc6rbZC2lws868YORNL2MV9fVQRXarMAGrrFS7g9ZTxy8Gi12XZ2de0nlGA7UUfT_1JeRGXvTQZOirsKLiQEREwigz5xqdrG-KWu6KMtFodoG1xFdbk62D8Hb7B6FkoskoCnkP/s320/IMG_3141.JPG" width="320" border="0" height="268" /></a></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>2. Disguises</u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Every good spy needs at lest a few disguises so I bought these glasses at Dollar Tree.
They look hilarious on! (See the end of this post) </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2JZMRPtjrLrPakdR0wqQBGrrFLMwxMdK8T_PpffJdwQ9TAIbIJtqLMn5KHc3Pq9EmMekpM7dR7FD3n-LqCoaRngUhV1gmTzvrZQFVoq-AdWvWQoLpfz0nK2Xq78tfw26J3ipFBIxNxAx/s1600/IMG_3149.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2JZMRPtjrLrPakdR0wqQBGrrFLMwxMdK8T_PpffJdwQ9TAIbIJtqLMn5KHc3Pq9EmMekpM7dR7FD3n-LqCoaRngUhV1gmTzvrZQFVoq-AdWvWQoLpfz0nK2Xq78tfw26J3ipFBIxNxAx/s320/IMG_3149.JPG" width="320" border="0" height="233" /></a></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>3. Aliases</u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I printed these up using <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/printables/summertime-fun-idcards-printables-0610.pdf" target="_blank">THIS</a> website. I printed up their pictures and glued them to the paper before laminating the whole thing. Later, the kids wrote their names using Sharpie markers on top of the lamination.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDXaemZ8mXM00tPqNhUSdCyAFOClCzz91kWEFti__Z8Z8Gif5FbjFKIQtPSoeA2-OccErKuju_8osmrCbHPvLqEJ1A4u4oATVkXq3BKxTKpw1HewGh66WmFxKiiZoWisBnUeGnmSpiULD/s1600/IMG_3157.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDXaemZ8mXM00tPqNhUSdCyAFOClCzz91kWEFti__Z8Z8Gif5FbjFKIQtPSoeA2-OccErKuju_8osmrCbHPvLqEJ1A4u4oATVkXq3BKxTKpw1HewGh66WmFxKiiZoWisBnUeGnmSpiULD/s320/IMG_3157.JPG" width="213" border="0" height="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>4. Mini Camera</u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I LOVE this camera. Probably my favorite part of the whole kit. I was so excited to find these at Dollar Tree right around Christmas time. I went back later to buy more to keep extras on hand but they only had one left. Very popular apparently. They sound just like a real camera and even has a little tiny flash. The kids have SO much fun with it.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16pvYoUKPH0FpPhAaQQEfvn7Zb-KuJ5kFV9wx17zRuenBDeADk1aVDaHzboVJEhxnViNZdklXiDtaZJ2uMZLDoviqpnaqH0piCXZcADiK4AgsvgDV3N0EnFRtE6RHPBawhwfqGMusRTLC/s1600/IMG_3144.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16pvYoUKPH0FpPhAaQQEfvn7Zb-KuJ5kFV9wx17zRuenBDeADk1aVDaHzboVJEhxnViNZdklXiDtaZJ2uMZLDoviqpnaqH0piCXZcADiK4AgsvgDV3N0EnFRtE6RHPBawhwfqGMusRTLC/s320/IMG_3144.JPG" width="320" border="0" height="213" /></a></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>5. Highly Confidential Notebook</u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Great for any notes on suspicious persons. Another Dollar Tree find. I printed out the image from <a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-top-secret-stamp-image8761739" target="_blank">THIS</a> site. and glued it inside the transparent pocket. I also tucked the spy ID cards into a pocket of the notebook for safekeeping.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSK2SD_024j73qI4-lPZ6zjo9zeo_gRqxdQrTwXPe_1IaMcYvLb2R1ySzSmhKYp6PkSw81KkUHpMz_Z5-VD3BzvbZo_HZaU2KNxdwZqgO8dbQGMex1HZdDIFAErMEvFmWStRxxzY0dqT4/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSK2SD_024j73qI4-lPZ6zjo9zeo_gRqxdQrTwXPe_1IaMcYvLb2R1ySzSmhKYp6PkSw81KkUHpMz_Z5-VD3BzvbZo_HZaU2KNxdwZqgO8dbQGMex1HZdDIFAErMEvFmWStRxxzY0dqT4/s320/IMG_3161.JPG" width="252" border="0" height="320" /></a></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>6. Pens, magnifying glasses, and glow sticks</u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator">(I forgot to get a separate pictures of these but they're pretty self-explanatory. Picked them all up at Dollar Tree as well. The glow sticks are just to give the kids a little bit of extra dark while spying in the dark (a little less hassle than a flashlight). The magnifying glasses came in a 3-pack that were all different which was awesome since these kits went to families with multiple kids. Plenty to go around.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><u>7. Mustaches</u></span></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Just a few more disguises cause you never know when you might need one. :) I found an awesome tutorial for these at <a href="http://easymakesmehappy.blogspot.com/2010/06/mustache-disguise-printable-template.html" target="_blank">Easy Makes Me Happy! </a>and used them for another project for a friend a couple of months ago. I'd been wanting to make some for our family and this was the <i>perfect</i> excuse!</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvdx_f4ykenqMe0M1mKufl4gwndgTyPAO8xVWonh1Q27Tg-h1n2KVslkWe0X-VdAFwcVonbOFGh9CNjBTR4nk_F016p6IaI5JpFqXkIggdjjTCkwTiCNsng4wnURQ0vYdmxDjGOloisxB/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvdx_f4ykenqMe0M1mKufl4gwndgTyPAO8xVWonh1Q27Tg-h1n2KVslkWe0X-VdAFwcVonbOFGh9CNjBTR4nk_F016p6IaI5JpFqXkIggdjjTCkwTiCNsng4wnURQ0vYdmxDjGOloisxB/s320/IMG_3158.JPG" width="320" border="0" height="273" /></a></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Let the spying BEGIN!</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQemS-8CcjOxlUGvpJqFAAcER1E4pW9Lxxsq4ggpSADeBE7tQaXprHvssJdDFwD0tYQvZOCDMNiGdsb404WF2Jt3gY5LhYydssvvMzM9ydDrI_5om16rCnpO6LvxRl3dA0EWGr1Jdc8vVY/s1600/IMG_3171.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQemS-8CcjOxlUGvpJqFAAcER1E4pW9Lxxsq4ggpSADeBE7tQaXprHvssJdDFwD0tYQvZOCDMNiGdsb404WF2Jt3gY5LhYydssvvMzM9ydDrI_5om16rCnpO6LvxRl3dA0EWGr1Jdc8vVY/s320/IMG_3171.JPG" width="250" border="0" height="320" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wdZJWbe5nmcfHl1kN1rJpOMhxIRI7XJJldrtyRK7oMe-SKklBKHL6lwSGC-H9-nyBj3NYRHzP9bdvLJ9YtHcUiF9ZpR3HOc9U_7fZrYvFv2aykD8Pc5aZjXiaSz6hhNM5o4VpXGWWmqy/s1600/IMG_3176.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wdZJWbe5nmcfHl1kN1rJpOMhxIRI7XJJldrtyRK7oMe-SKklBKHL6lwSGC-H9-nyBj3NYRHzP9bdvLJ9YtHcUiF9ZpR3HOc9U_7fZrYvFv2aykD8Pc5aZjXiaSz6hhNM5o4VpXGWWmqy/s320/IMG_3176.JPG" width="203" border="0" height="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-90315279267508522542011-12-18T15:31:00.000-08:002011-12-18T15:51:39.542-08:00Personalized Stockings-using freezer paper stencils<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCMGfL-YGmtbw_EkL0YV8UD_JulsW0IKxIGJfM1ZX1Z8SZ5rN3yRMzr_nwP5yTMN-S3a7j3mJn5p0r53zHBjc8Soxaj3Zp7IR8fk84viOqppwVxVq3dob0-SWjZ0hlzlqy3TRLkhVGD_C/s1600/IMG_2865.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCMGfL-YGmtbw_EkL0YV8UD_JulsW0IKxIGJfM1ZX1Z8SZ5rN3yRMzr_nwP5yTMN-S3a7j3mJn5p0r53zHBjc8Soxaj3Zp7IR8fk84viOqppwVxVq3dob0-SWjZ0hlzlqy3TRLkhVGD_C/s400/IMG_2865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687616418388130130" border="0" /></a>Last year was my daughter, Ellie's, first Christmas. We bought her a stocking and hung it with the others. I had bought some embroidery thread, intending to sew her name on it, but it just never happened. I set it aside in a drawer after Christmas so that I would get it done. I tried once to start it, but was such a perfectionist about it that I took it all out because it didn't look right.
<div style="text-align: center;">So, this year when we hung all the stockings, I was embarrassed to realize that it was still not done! (That's a casualty of being the fourth child, I suppose) So, I had an idea. I decided to try using a freezer paper stencil.
Freezer paper stencils are really easy to use. I first used it on <a href="http://pilesofprojects.blogspot.com/2011/04/bird-freezer-paper-stencil-pillow.html">THIS</a> project a little while back. For a good tutorial click <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/08/tutorial-freezer-paper-stencil-makenna.html">HERE</a>.
I always get a little nervous on a project like this, though, because you only get one shot to get it right but it worked perfectly!
</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4dKiu6aYK_8Jj0rIN_QBQIGnY5arXGDeyuAUH4ayLm2u0qCydqCCPtNOHUKMrZOZDd2kg3gWqINwij65x6IokW7uqBOhnHHq61afX0bT1V7u0hv7E65ilzVxT7qEFhyEWgZR_oJ9Tcle/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4dKiu6aYK_8Jj0rIN_QBQIGnY5arXGDeyuAUH4ayLm2u0qCydqCCPtNOHUKMrZOZDd2kg3gWqINwij65x6IokW7uqBOhnHHq61afX0bT1V7u0hv7E65ilzVxT7qEFhyEWgZR_oJ9Tcle/s400/IMG_2868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687616421491284802" border="0" /></a>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08003740900253959381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-84984874211032937402011-12-18T15:06:00.001-08:002011-12-18T15:30:09.579-08:00Preschool Welcome Board<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJxvc2bKax4ofzn2ixi6KHUJ92e9S47ZG0HG2cGhQJoDbPFXM2EQM2qDD3PUKPG154TjxGh0vWYaGcB_S-jnK-uFveLb5B_11aFV_4G0YuXjgbBbBkldqL7rSNjJrJ5OX0YwuxTmPAX76/s1600/IMG_2863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJxvc2bKax4ofzn2ixi6KHUJ92e9S47ZG0HG2cGhQJoDbPFXM2EQM2qDD3PUKPG154TjxGh0vWYaGcB_S-jnK-uFveLb5B_11aFV_4G0YuXjgbBbBkldqL7rSNjJrJ5OX0YwuxTmPAX76/s400/IMG_2863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687610370821982338" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">During our preschool welcoming exercises, the kids sing "Here We Are Together". This is the little board I came up with so that the kids can place their 'person' at the school when we sing each of their names.
The cutouts are from the "Everyday Paperdolls" cartridge using the Cricut machine. I borrowed the cartridge from a friend and it's really fun. I wanted "L" to have leggings so I just eyed those but I love the Crocs that "M" is wearing and there are so many options with that cartridge.
I added the detail with a Sharpie marker and then laminated each of them. They stick to the schoolhouse(which I was too cheap to laminate so I covered in Contact paper) using sticky-back Velcro. I taped a small manilla envelope to the back to store the paperdolls when not in use as well. The kids' school is called "Happy Hands Preschool" which is why there is a hand at the top of the school in place of the bell- (I thought it might seem a little creepy without an explanation).
</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiILf6_d-fmVWwzaHjA_nQO4j1HnMxpOYUuKMr2SjH1U7HYZZm2WuAWtOP38ybp-huTHeS5Mx7b7JR3cEvj4M6Fy_TluIrXkIe1YCFV0RRqw7tUf8qtR5rZFfyC2jRLf5_3Fn7IThmP29m/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiILf6_d-fmVWwzaHjA_nQO4j1HnMxpOYUuKMr2SjH1U7HYZZm2WuAWtOP38ybp-huTHeS5Mx7b7JR3cEvj4M6Fy_TluIrXkIe1YCFV0RRqw7tUf8qtR5rZFfyC2jRLf5_3Fn7IThmP29m/s400/IMG_2864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687610401660689106" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The kids get so excited to put their person on the board and I like that they each get to feel special when we sing each of their names every week.
</div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08003740900253959381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-88217917078285362212011-12-09T16:25:00.000-08:002011-12-09T16:49:25.600-08:00Memory Stars {Ornaments}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfi_-AURG1u1vy5Tomnackv8bDKxfOlcN_aURC-LvRG8mb1Pii2hD-dFauvjNbfn9hr4wwUjNjCdJIjTaSxtxPXHR3EtrbSkGS4LbXhjjWqn24mDJnhJik-UqRKpiN7qPo2oZBsBybAxG/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfi_-AURG1u1vy5Tomnackv8bDKxfOlcN_aURC-LvRG8mb1Pii2hD-dFauvjNbfn9hr4wwUjNjCdJIjTaSxtxPXHR3EtrbSkGS4LbXhjjWqn24mDJnhJik-UqRKpiN7qPo2oZBsBybAxG/s320/IMG_2979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
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Every year, I make my husband a Memory Star as one of his Christmas presents.<br />
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It contains words and pictures that summarize that year. We love to pull them out of the Christmas box each year and remember all of the biggest events from each of the years of our marriage. The events include pregnancies as well as births, graduations, moves, family vacations, etc. This year I am making our tenth star.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7hPQUPXkO9ncMpT5GdzHEhkcl8Ljepf4NmL-dUz16E9VoC6apr-kM47yx5zX9dlpJpLU3fQ-2jd3A4kjhd2ubmIwZ7R7ENB07jSyEN6bj8Kl6Zdo7uROFFDTjBWQIyoOPmwcfpwuNqX0/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7hPQUPXkO9ncMpT5GdzHEhkcl8Ljepf4NmL-dUz16E9VoC6apr-kM47yx5zX9dlpJpLU3fQ-2jd3A4kjhd2ubmIwZ7R7ENB07jSyEN6bj8Kl6Zdo7uROFFDTjBWQIyoOPmwcfpwuNqX0/s320/IMG_2976.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg_XwD9UK2eaNCiPj238-wwtq0FNm2pWqpcRfK4tKYFd5z3q7Fz_9Jc4Er2WI95V6gTDl0uRPOZhsh4Am3Va70DmCuijtgkdv6X5y8x-enmkPlQgHgk2zAXnNbYHNg2TLZMv674zqBehX/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://localhost:49495/083f9340932ab4824332eaf9740bd47a/image/b78052e4a84dd81c.jpg"><br />
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I buy the stars at Michaels for like $0.50 and paint them all the same shade of yellow. Some of the stars had a predrilled hole. Others I've had to drill myself. The past few have a ribbon simply hot glued to the back. The pictures are done with acrylic paint and the words are mostly done with a Sharpie marker after I've sprayed a clear coat of paint on each painted star to seal it. Some years have a lot of events crammed onto one star while others have just a few- depending on how eventful each year was. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg_XwD9UK2eaNCiPj238-wwtq0FNm2pWqpcRfK4tKYFd5z3q7Fz_9Jc4Er2WI95V6gTDl0uRPOZhsh4Am3Va70DmCuijtgkdv6X5y8x-enmkPlQgHgk2zAXnNbYHNg2TLZMv674zqBehX/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg_XwD9UK2eaNCiPj238-wwtq0FNm2pWqpcRfK4tKYFd5z3q7Fz_9Jc4Er2WI95V6gTDl0uRPOZhsh4Am3Va70DmCuijtgkdv6X5y8x-enmkPlQgHgk2zAXnNbYHNg2TLZMv674zqBehX/s320/IMG_2974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://localhost:49495/083f9340932ab4824332eaf9740bd47a/image/439b68c124270350.jpg"><br />
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They are really simple and cheap but have become one of our most treasured Christmas momentos. <br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-78077881579071586002011-12-02T20:35:00.000-08:002011-12-02T20:35:01.512-08:00Fabric Pendant- Christmas<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfiRJ4MbjubhiFHt5pyt_2Y64JSthMXIgfCuu7QKJTA4rF7T0RlzjuNuhYcmxTeGYNHFbsSoNvBrUvscIVubiRf6WmTxyIVCWcDjeUfx9G9eZaKl5mzHO0LOV1VPp_i8mCZ5xR0gO29PV/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfiRJ4MbjubhiFHt5pyt_2Y64JSthMXIgfCuu7QKJTA4rF7T0RlzjuNuhYcmxTeGYNHFbsSoNvBrUvscIVubiRf6WmTxyIVCWcDjeUfx9G9eZaKl5mzHO0LOV1VPp_i8mCZ5xR0gO29PV/s320/IMG_2874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've been wanting to make fabric pendant banners for a while and am SO excited to have my Christmas ones done! I found an awesome tutorial <a href="http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/fabric-pendant-banner-tutorial/" target="_blank">here</a> that makes 4 banners. 2 work in our apartment just fine, but I am holding out hope that next year (in a house) we'll have room for all four. I'm planning on doing a birthday one, as well as ones for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and maybe Valentine's day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDp4vp89mARvo23tB9_RHvdxxC3MbUMi01AurYeDsuVICjvHCDwX5CNqMoXAxeTFo_eRD4M8MCamFrznMBtc3n7fMfaGvb3K9GhDhoWxuJhBXDaw2emkjnX0Z3K0_8O9xSiKpQdWI4wb9/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDp4vp89mARvo23tB9_RHvdxxC3MbUMi01AurYeDsuVICjvHCDwX5CNqMoXAxeTFo_eRD4M8MCamFrznMBtc3n7fMfaGvb3K9GhDhoWxuJhBXDaw2emkjnX0Z3K0_8O9xSiKpQdWI4wb9/s320/IMG_2821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So fun and festive!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaREYkU9UNxCS4DSpAHVhc857L6Mp5_NXz-zbxzSeXY_FXXXdkxLrRFVo73jp7dnVcX-PlOYzv75Lv-KsHIgLeIZoVt9ayU7IenZk7YBiVTJzWm1jqLCh4rm4uMq5nk8v2sy0Mhmj65RDd/s1600/IMG_2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaREYkU9UNxCS4DSpAHVhc857L6Mp5_NXz-zbxzSeXY_FXXXdkxLrRFVo73jp7dnVcX-PlOYzv75Lv-KsHIgLeIZoVt9ayU7IenZk7YBiVTJzWm1jqLCh4rm4uMq5nk8v2sy0Mhmj65RDd/s320/IMG_2823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-83757155106024228052011-12-02T13:15:00.000-08:002011-12-02T13:16:39.113-08:00Rainbow Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8lfflooc_pKM6ktK7hlzLLqo4MkZlYdMRS6GBX1jqc6Rl4tAAQDqzjCuHuDY00_1X5iXmrTS_okXR88libky4KfMlbEFjMK_q1wk7d6k6hsz9UCV5POqai9d2jdMRTcprxmMURUpCZnh/s1600/IMG_2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8lfflooc_pKM6ktK7hlzLLqo4MkZlYdMRS6GBX1jqc6Rl4tAAQDqzjCuHuDY00_1X5iXmrTS_okXR88libky4KfMlbEFjMK_q1wk7d6k6hsz9UCV5POqai9d2jdMRTcprxmMURUpCZnh/s320/IMG_2854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So, along the same lines as my <a href="http://pilesofprojects.blogspot.com/2011/11/rainbow-jars-and-art-project.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, I taught preschool again this week and chose the theme "Colors". We talked about animals using colors as camoflauge or to be attractive. We also talked about color blending and we experimented with that using jars of water and food coloring. So, even though we learned about rainbows the last time I taught, I couldn't resist making these rainbow cupcakes for our color-themed lesson 'cause it was just too perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Here's what you'll need:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A cake mix **(light colored- I used lemon, but a white cake mix would work great, too)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Food coloring (enough to make all shades of the rainbow)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whipped Cream (I used light Cool Whip) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Cupcake liners</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWJwl-SsKhLXSx73bhSh9UHrceCnS3GVCE16rg2qVq0GRV5W9k7RzH1R7L0aiPqQiChWoRE9aSGPlRE8MRa43bfKAFVSSuoBfM_EY1jgyJD9wYbLmDLBnxZ8YAgyY-c5tOpXSjtHgRuz8/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWJwl-SsKhLXSx73bhSh9UHrceCnS3GVCE16rg2qVq0GRV5W9k7RzH1R7L0aiPqQiChWoRE9aSGPlRE8MRa43bfKAFVSSuoBfM_EY1jgyJD9wYbLmDLBnxZ8YAgyY-c5tOpXSjtHgRuz8/s320/IMG_2844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
**Prepare cake as directed on box, OR-- I was trying to keep them as healthy as possible so I didn't feel too guilty about giving cupcakes to three year-olds right before lunch :) so I used applesauce in place of the oil, and egg whites instead of full eggs (the premixed kind I buy at Costco). The consistency was a little bit denser but the lemon flavor of the cake hid any other changes from substituting ingredients. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">After mixing the batter, I divided the batter into six bowls and added food coloring to each bowl. Then I spooned the batter into the cupcake liners, obviously starting with purple and worked my way up. It took about an average sized spoonful of each of the six colors to fill each cupcake. After each color addition, I lightly smoothed out each color to make sure it touched the edge of the liner so the color would show when the liner was peeled away later.</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/AVvXsEhHh67LLcqUUAS2dUvOiFnVp8Pz167zfz9Ap_t-_A-yVKqj7m1xHpG98aQQC2Tg_h0vbenVKWnIT1ysDYm8tfbR6dt4GaKp_MwQT6fHCErTiM9dmMj4pDAgzK5NDkivbMJjGnTGvR0usRPx/s1600/IMG_2862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh67LLcqUUAS2dUvOiFnVp8Pz167zfz9Ap_t-_A-yVKqj7m1xHpG98aQQC2Tg_h0vbenVKWnIT1ysDYm8tfbR6dt4GaKp_MwQT6fHCErTiM9dmMj4pDAgzK5NDkivbMJjGnTGvR0usRPx/s320/IMG_2862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The liners themselves looked pretty cool afterwards, too!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Then, I baked them according to the directions. After they completely cooled, I added a dollop of whipped cream and served them immediately. (Tip: Make SURE they are completely cooled before added the whipped cream, otherwise the whipped cream will slide off the top). :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6sXdoBSmBaR0b8NjF6WZaqUB8QK0FVimFuB8jLsitxqy5YuozTN-R-ZVlwVEWDlZLVzctvG_rRJYBf16FuTXPc1EzDsTmbmso5hV1ZPcarwKWq9ZaFDHyn9VvfOqMuo7ASoMyyFUj0Xe/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6sXdoBSmBaR0b8NjF6WZaqUB8QK0FVimFuB8jLsitxqy5YuozTN-R-ZVlwVEWDlZLVzctvG_rRJYBf16FuTXPc1EzDsTmbmso5hV1ZPcarwKWq9ZaFDHyn9VvfOqMuo7ASoMyyFUj0Xe/s320/IMG_2859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> Enjoy!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-88159795657986931812011-11-04T22:29:00.000-07:002011-11-04T22:29:37.849-07:00Rainbow Jars and art project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzJFoM4z5j8OaHyrd8oE6TJbKmPaiE65hRAIaESIcURGiRNzbfvrQo1U2Nf9mnQw0u7UYOW6Qi-pet4G8eeyx_mqMck-WDHYIQUG3eNAP_2arm5DsIzGVBuFymQg2NhUisKrCPTPr0Q5R/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzJFoM4z5j8OaHyrd8oE6TJbKmPaiE65hRAIaESIcURGiRNzbfvrQo1U2Nf9mnQw0u7UYOW6Qi-pet4G8eeyx_mqMck-WDHYIQUG3eNAP_2arm5DsIzGVBuFymQg2NhUisKrCPTPr0Q5R/s320/IMG_2359.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I participate in a "mommy n' me" type preschool where I teach two days a week once a month (does that make sense?) This morning I was teaching the kids about water and rainbows and the amazing things that water can do. These are the arts and crafts projects we made to go along with the lesson. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used six glass bowls and poured 1/2 t. vinegar into each one. Then I added 4-5 drops of food coloring to each one along with 1/2 c. rice and stirred it well. After each bowl was mixed, I separated it into two sets of muffin tins )I didn't want it too deep so that the bottom wouldn't dry/cook. Then I baked the rice at 200 degrees F. for 45 minutes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found the basis for the idea <a href="http://www.123child.com/UBB/showthread.php?8017-Rainbow-Preschool-Lesson-plans">HERE</a> but didn't want to have the kids just glue the rice to the paper, so- I pulled out yet another bunch of old baby food jars. We layered the rice in the jars and hot glued the lids shut. The kids spooned the rice in themselves and were so proud! I think they turned out kinda cool! </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/AVvXsEguSrR5JjH6a_hjJ2U9YG-t55q3QUUtunb7F1Xoih1lKwF2x3akUOP3WmL4EVPk77asI15or5NjcjDRAGuP49oMOx4NBY7YViIRLE27INdm6XccE9d9BGC8pGFVNjMGqabaK9Y3zob0IdQi/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSrR5JjH6a_hjJ2U9YG-t55q3QUUtunb7F1Xoih1lKwF2x3akUOP3WmL4EVPk77asI15or5NjcjDRAGuP49oMOx4NBY7YViIRLE27INdm6XccE9d9BGC8pGFVNjMGqabaK9Y3zob0IdQi/s320/IMG_2354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDnRHfwkzMzipLHBvz1sx7bW61l2w-M5H8aRrVgjbO7crVpRsQKNugZweBBivDVSzpAQKd0OqXjLGhzks2tBPJUOrrcP4X4LIXeIKSDJ8aoobja5HjK9_X_-G6kn6D6TiQNgI4qTGVYRZ/s1600/IMG_2350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDnRHfwkzMzipLHBvz1sx7bW61l2w-M5H8aRrVgjbO7crVpRsQKNugZweBBivDVSzpAQKd0OqXjLGhzks2tBPJUOrrcP4X4LIXeIKSDJ8aoobja5HjK9_X_-G6kn6D6TiQNgI4qTGVYRZ/s320/IMG_2350.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also taped the crayons together to create a rainbow that they could easily draw on a large piece of butcher paper and then they glued cotton balls to the base of each side of the rainbow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQdPXtu5GFlESoRgAaeoDdc0izwmu1NLtlCV33D9FqJm9xrydIe-_-cQw3XYWiMYKS8y1Sfu_MevX4us8wyWPn_CAI2HhG-MtyxfqfzXyYH1AGxFAdc3YCu_pC5ufmdQABl7oJNTUoEkL/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQdPXtu5GFlESoRgAaeoDdc0izwmu1NLtlCV33D9FqJm9xrydIe-_-cQw3XYWiMYKS8y1Sfu_MevX4us8wyWPn_CAI2HhG-MtyxfqfzXyYH1AGxFAdc3YCu_pC5ufmdQABl7oJNTUoEkL/s320/IMG_2356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGflJgzjmKKmBjs85Ubv3_MvSbVQrwfJw8Cl6Mxmvww1H32ElgOTGQiPMtm3Ueo5v3Ple9aQSGR_N2wpgmpzM451P-ger6jC_IzeK1e57pl9k-TvXriNrOV9OBhmh5DKd1G52U3pe8EOd/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGflJgzjmKKmBjs85Ubv3_MvSbVQrwfJw8Cl6Mxmvww1H32ElgOTGQiPMtm3Ueo5v3Ple9aQSGR_N2wpgmpzM451P-ger6jC_IzeK1e57pl9k-TvXriNrOV9OBhmh5DKd1G52U3pe8EOd/s320/IMG_2358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-18184812367590120192011-10-24T23:58:00.000-07:002011-10-25T00:04:25.028-07:00Spooky Halloween Wreath<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStwXfJ7FawGvAiKmygMkr2vvI1uEhuiZiggPaTOZg9GpKisugEWPys5R6QBtDaLeBltDiGoxpQmTFfbKeVmFQHx4TCxe6S5rzv-EnhSxbbtKfjT9uOLMIVwa8XL7lFNzLn2MDkhgozDOM/s1600/IMG_1570-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStwXfJ7FawGvAiKmygMkr2vvI1uEhuiZiggPaTOZg9GpKisugEWPys5R6QBtDaLeBltDiGoxpQmTFfbKeVmFQHx4TCxe6S5rzv-EnhSxbbtKfjT9uOLMIVwa8XL7lFNzLn2MDkhgozDOM/s400/IMG_1570-1.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;">Last year I saw an all black Halloween wreath on a blog somewhere and immediately loved the idea. So, this year --when I finally got around to making it!-- I picked up all the supplies I needed at Dollar Tree (except the spray paint) and came up with this! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Supplies needed:</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/AVvXsEikQNJIPUvF59J2HHo5oXqtpW2OBongHZ0m3uI7MlRH8aO8q8Ua0F8OQWPIobHhb9AL22-y3k2leLvLZOzzCxRFUkWdjFkOX1ycsHjTzm0Pnv3QPqRHKZFOFQ_oAopbWcPzUG6agQ7FGvY_/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQNJIPUvF59J2HHo5oXqtpW2OBongHZ0m3uI7MlRH8aO8q8Ua0F8OQWPIobHhb9AL22-y3k2leLvLZOzzCxRFUkWdjFkOX1ycsHjTzm0Pnv3QPqRHKZFOFQ_oAopbWcPzUG6agQ7FGvY_/s320/IMG_1550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_jHgiH2l-_erLGkRrDag_q18thTsrA399VYLGFLLEnJohnZxXrx26DdU2eo0ehnCtXmkbKSXyvoNk3gj_uapsWZ8uf3FLCOTjLk8ZIa23LgmyO7HixEw-LbdDObSUPIDEtoHdaRkGE6-/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_jHgiH2l-_erLGkRrDag_q18thTsrA399VYLGFLLEnJohnZxXrx26DdU2eo0ehnCtXmkbKSXyvoNk3gj_uapsWZ8uf3FLCOTjLk8ZIa23LgmyO7HixEw-LbdDObSUPIDEtoHdaRkGE6-/s320/IMG_1548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRsRcBtZ_4L4zzrWJDusaIYm3YjPFnQYMXHjdVqoNKV6UUATM04Jt3FI1b1azew-OPyNqwOVKGsWH0VX-ExPYVd2lhZhiiediaMShIKaJN5vLiREYNmpoKGnlPAo4OPJaZ5ht45lgnBp0/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRsRcBtZ_4L4zzrWJDusaIYm3YjPFnQYMXHjdVqoNKV6UUATM04Jt3FI1b1azew-OPyNqwOVKGsWH0VX-ExPYVd2lhZhiiediaMShIKaJN5vLiREYNmpoKGnlPAo4OPJaZ5ht45lgnBp0/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The spiders just stuck to the spider webbing in the back and didn’t even need to be glued.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyWoV1NywcX1YQyp6YXo-ucu-2KkzMciOcA61358DLGSVMnWKH5pTWZJJQelDIUY-OHzXVbDfNh0vXt-iV0MpxFCjRPFXTVp8Pkc5K8UzehZSFKL1YolkK9R2wEgOZ_qL3oEs3KrM5Rem/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyWoV1NywcX1YQyp6YXo-ucu-2KkzMciOcA61358DLGSVMnWKH5pTWZJJQelDIUY-OHzXVbDfNh0vXt-iV0MpxFCjRPFXTVp8Pkc5K8UzehZSFKL1YolkK9R2wEgOZ_qL3oEs3KrM5Rem/s320/IMG_1536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bought the darkest colored berry branches I could find- which were these deep red colored ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I sprayed them with black spray paint, though, the paint made them shrivel up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I was frustrated, but after looking at it a little longer, on second glance, I decided that it just added to the creepy-factor. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UXESyw0PcXpL41Fiz_rjx6PZlSQKhaA8t5Kk263Ns0MvlEzO8Z9nPCwNt-iLRXZcfYKZiS021B5oVf2tJWAGLx3RYXsyV3uI0jvm6ZgRyCs74RVfh5feT4KtKRjG_N6TRJ6Gx0JrgNPH/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UXESyw0PcXpL41Fiz_rjx6PZlSQKhaA8t5Kk263Ns0MvlEzO8Z9nPCwNt-iLRXZcfYKZiS021B5oVf2tJWAGLx3RYXsyV3uI0jvm6ZgRyCs74RVfh5feT4KtKRjG_N6TRJ6Gx0JrgNPH/s320/IMG_1545.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put the whole thing together using primarily, hot glue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The frame needed some thin wire to secure it to the wreath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The raven came with wire attached to the bottom of the feet so that made it easy to secure as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXiF2LroiZFtErGgsM8meefbqhcVXUqLR2eiJ48tbn7murxeRf5JnkXSaZSFvAkGwvXp78IHwgRBKS7Bq-26z9I-7HT7DO9Pq0DqLjS-3nGEET4MmoUbuOt91WWUX6OIkzbNDCcYVbiKm/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXiF2LroiZFtErGgsM8meefbqhcVXUqLR2eiJ48tbn7murxeRf5JnkXSaZSFvAkGwvXp78IHwgRBKS7Bq-26z9I-7HT7DO9Pq0DqLjS-3nGEET4MmoUbuOt91WWUX6OIkzbNDCcYVbiKm/s320/IMG_1543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had an old plastic silver mirror (not pictured) I had picked up at Dollar Tree for a different project, but when I was putting together this wreath, I decided that it would be perfect to balance out the center of the wreath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sprayed it black, of course, and purposefully splattered some paint in the middle of the mirror to give it that old look. {ooh! And I almost forgot- I had some leftover black turkey feathers from a previous project that helped fill in the edges of the wreath as well. I attached them with some hot glue, too.}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Halloween!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyWoV1NywcX1YQyp6YXo-ucu-2KkzMciOcA61358DLGSVMnWKH5pTWZJJQelDIUY-OHzXVbDfNh0vXt-iV0MpxFCjRPFXTVp8Pkc5K8UzehZSFKL1YolkK9R2wEgOZ_qL3oEs3KrM5Rem/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-35026694404751107212011-10-15T21:13:00.000-07:002011-10-15T21:13:34.438-07:00Kid Friendly Meals<div style="text-align: center;">In an effort to get the kids a little more excited about dinner and to change things up a bit around here, we had some little 'critters' for dinner.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My daughter, Natalie, received a kids' cook book as a birthday present from her grandparents. We made a list last week of a few meals she wanted to try and used two of her recipes tonight. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first 'critter' was just made using a simple buttermilk pancake batter- and shaped into faces in the pan. Then we used nutella (to make the faces stick) and frozen berries for the eyes, nose, and mouth. </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/AVvXsEgCI46bvzVKYJh42lxwCD83LDRiWAuVZauC0syaZcbokes-j6WngTApyIMx_e3YzweDRu97rxmR15K6O7qMbDeDZaUjiou1AmO7LlCzz_Mh64jRVPWRTqT9uRBIWqCjGyTod0Yw4LldRT4R/s1600/IMG_1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI46bvzVKYJh42lxwCD83LDRiWAuVZauC0syaZcbokes-j6WngTApyIMx_e3YzweDRu97rxmR15K6O7qMbDeDZaUjiou1AmO7LlCzz_Mh64jRVPWRTqT9uRBIWqCjGyTod0Yw4LldRT4R/s320/IMG_1813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">To make the second little critters (the hash brown faces), we used almost a full bag of frozen, shredded potatoes-slightly thawed, and mixed them with 2 eggs, 3/4 stick of butter, and some salt. Wearing gloves, we rolled the mixture into balls, flattened onto greased baking sheets, and baked at 425 F until golden on the underside. Then we flipped them over and baked until both sides were golden brown. The faces were made with red peppers, radishes, and ketchup.</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/AVvXsEh1yVaHYYRiiuO6OcupOc1-4rQa-zvIMnS0BydGI3sOUTxcMVlP8XoTwannjNB7dWk7R-j6g3X7v04QD4wFDHTfohkSBYzpCTx1cKjJmfAvU_7crYPFhk5kGebc98AGH6chSEO5RByoarqH/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yVaHYYRiiuO6OcupOc1-4rQa-zvIMnS0BydGI3sOUTxcMVlP8XoTwannjNB7dWk7R-j6g3X7v04QD4wFDHTfohkSBYzpCTx1cKjJmfAvU_7crYPFhk5kGebc98AGH6chSEO5RByoarqH/s320/IMG_1812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our two boys were THRILLED to eat their dinner tonight and want Natalie to cook a lot more often. I am much more encouraged to let them help a lot more in the kitchen-- especially after Natalie kept telling me that this was one of the best days of her entire life! It was truly quality one-on-one time in the kitchen.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-59553937383764915712011-10-05T21:24:00.000-07:002011-10-05T21:24:35.370-07:00Keep Calm- Halloween Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQDN74ZYgjmRlxGYIQSGO6SyPPVCvzUrowHkgWS3ZWDIEO-tcsYsTueyjQSdRSEWCzArveTSMiMSF03c4komaU2w-eDG6b8LrIPPMC0LAzT1KvH2tFq5sOmc7uV5iO5Al9riXmGpy2Bt_/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQDN74ZYgjmRlxGYIQSGO6SyPPVCvzUrowHkgWS3ZWDIEO-tcsYsTueyjQSdRSEWCzArveTSMiMSF03c4komaU2w-eDG6b8LrIPPMC0LAzT1KvH2tFq5sOmc7uV5iO5Al9riXmGpy2Bt_/s320/IMG_1582.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this printable saying last year <a href="http://craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com/2010/10/free-keep-calm-and-scary-on-printable.html">HERE</a> and thought it was awesome!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Unfortunately, I didn't actually get around to using it until this year. I remembered it earlier today, so I printed it out , and instead of framing it like I had originally planned, I mod-podged it to this Dollar Tree mirror that I spray-painted black. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it resides on top of our entertainment center with some of our other Halloween decorations we unpacked this afternoon. I love a quick, easy, and festive craft!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-83927628268737859532011-10-05T21:04:00.000-07:002011-10-05T21:05:16.041-07:00Glass Finds<div style="text-align: center;">So, I LOVE thrift stores. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I love the challenging of walking in the door, never knowing what you'll find and looking at something and trying to imagine what it could become. Not that I'm amazing at it, I just like doing it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I<i> love</i> Deseret Industries, specifically the one in Sacramento, but since we no longer live close, I make a point to stop by there if we ever happen to be in the area. On a trip little while ago, I found all of these awesome different shaped glass jars, cups, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TFheUz3ou_uPdl84qC2YQDez7Z2S39Zv4ayLOSYRfXTSG8Dkc46XRUGEjzoBJsFQvA42ZvzUTEvfBdm2BfbkIedmauT8GrjmlhtqZ4M0F8eM5DZEcqyXByKR1hzPO-N6G5Bl7VtIJnYw/s1600/101_2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TFheUz3ou_uPdl84qC2YQDez7Z2S39Zv4ayLOSYRfXTSG8Dkc46XRUGEjzoBJsFQvA42ZvzUTEvfBdm2BfbkIedmauT8GrjmlhtqZ4M0F8eM5DZEcqyXByKR1hzPO-N6G5Bl7VtIJnYw/s320/101_2285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love using them for a variety of different things. I love using mason jars as drinking glasses, and caraffes and milk bottles for liquids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynmhDdk1pL56fCQsPP6s9E7QvEJHaTv3roNwKIO6NFB0-lONPHbsIQ5WjDreUXTkeYks4zdif5OzDVvcVCeuV_5ZufhfqgB6R2MUawCuT7jPBf9nq95iipH71hwWbnDNHQXKWY0dIrOq5/s1600/101_2287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynmhDdk1pL56fCQsPP6s9E7QvEJHaTv3roNwKIO6NFB0-lONPHbsIQ5WjDreUXTkeYks4zdif5OzDVvcVCeuV_5ZufhfqgB6R2MUawCuT7jPBf9nq95iipH71hwWbnDNHQXKWY0dIrOq5/s320/101_2287.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TOtBM-r9qIKwhlGP6nEp2c2ObU3RX1KXEWUB1NoT4PfITA96fCAfeyi8FkmPSatGjo_WhUkvdoypKQLgXEmVLPyIwjQCNBKrJ-xx0D-7Q3UZKgfU7MpyuhkuDIkZRRBEtb-jpvwrX1lV/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love using anything other than a flower vase to put flowers in. One of them is great for using for syrup, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I even found two diffent salt and pepper shakers and put them together for a mismatched set that I love because it is unexpected and it only cost me $1. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TOtBM-r9qIKwhlGP6nEp2c2ObU3RX1KXEWUB1NoT4PfITA96fCAfeyi8FkmPSatGjo_WhUkvdoypKQLgXEmVLPyIwjQCNBKrJ-xx0D-7Q3UZKgfU7MpyuhkuDIkZRRBEtb-jpvwrX1lV/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TOtBM-r9qIKwhlGP6nEp2c2ObU3RX1KXEWUB1NoT4PfITA96fCAfeyi8FkmPSatGjo_WhUkvdoypKQLgXEmVLPyIwjQCNBKrJ-xx0D-7Q3UZKgfU7MpyuhkuDIkZRRBEtb-jpvwrX1lV/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">What do <i>you</i> use your glass jars/bottles for?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-18293511061734216302011-07-29T15:34:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:35:29.517-07:00Felt Crayon Roll<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXByvL7eU-NHzQFEiYzJ_QetR8zgUSbjqUW_8RnKvsWUTtVKOPnghKsZ1DleN_Vetnz3sRsD0IxOQ8nXRlRf0HeNT0u8X_dO8PrkBq7Ag4bcq40Rs6MgbilIKzAy2aAQigA508J_2rrSYb/s1600/101_3499.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXByvL7eU-NHzQFEiYzJ_QetR8zgUSbjqUW_8RnKvsWUTtVKOPnghKsZ1DleN_Vetnz3sRsD0IxOQ8nXRlRf0HeNT0u8X_dO8PrkBq7Ag4bcq40Rs6MgbilIKzAy2aAQigA508J_2rrSYb/s320/101_3499.JPG" width="222" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My youngest daughter is just getting ready to start to learn how to color so I wanted to make something special just for her own little set of crayons. I've seen a lot of my friends' kids have these adorable crayon rolls and have been wanting to make some of my own for some time now. I searched online and came across a few ideas, but when I came across this one at <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/08/06/felt-crayon-roll/">Skip to My Lou</a></span>, I fell in love because it was made of felt. I LOVE felt. No hems-- it doesn't get better than that. So, I used her tutorial and came up with this... </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/AVvXsEhdm_bS3HiMn1VG7e_zI9f1DT1fLI4mhdFjmziEyS0acGGryamp_FazggLu1_Qr9Q1sO1NGkOlGuUUbguR1aBB9G4MXZMozpj-oxrzwoGVEvWQdOjfsLC77hH4QbcTVn8Gacv8CA6CQZFJT/s1600/101_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm_bS3HiMn1VG7e_zI9f1DT1fLI4mhdFjmziEyS0acGGryamp_FazggLu1_Qr9Q1sO1NGkOlGuUUbguR1aBB9G4MXZMozpj-oxrzwoGVEvWQdOjfsLC77hH4QbcTVn8Gacv8CA6CQZFJT/s320/101_3496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtQEVL4u9EaIzbf8E7t9oPkPqr3sfPdcsJWUkZvAQo-d71xhozPqJtIJH-O7xMMflxHCTtMFyCBZjZIG4c5IcEWpe-iULThZiYTqLJOIMOSOprQIussDpBXuNTdwZmYHYSkrDmVXoENlD/s1600/101_3493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtQEVL4u9EaIzbf8E7t9oPkPqr3sfPdcsJWUkZvAQo-d71xhozPqJtIJH-O7xMMflxHCTtMFyCBZjZIG4c5IcEWpe-iULThZiYTqLJOIMOSOprQIussDpBXuNTdwZmYHYSkrDmVXoENlD/s320/101_3493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-21615595198057601942011-07-29T15:04:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:05:55.450-07:00Puzzle Pockets<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYos-ZHLbdDE8smYLT97Cnxq03Kia1Elaq2pEzN5gbocq_6ThJQhXY36Q4KCsx-b2olpq9ola4LS_u7DnybsIFaXLDPYCwQaPes1-pgfsAMs91dQSlV_0he-UISqCAx7Qs4x0Utg8xLafH/s1600/101_3489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYos-ZHLbdDE8smYLT97Cnxq03Kia1Elaq2pEzN5gbocq_6ThJQhXY36Q4KCsx-b2olpq9ola4LS_u7DnybsIFaXLDPYCwQaPes1-pgfsAMs91dQSlV_0he-UISqCAx7Qs4x0Utg8xLafH/s320/101_3489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I came across this awesome idea a little while back at<a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/01/puzzle-pockets.html"> Cluck Cluck Sew</a>. Isn't it genius?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqakcG91bKQhTeGdF4qJ6Vf0-SKha93L2ZJPjUYzcnx0MNMLXapEtaSVtMuikAW4BG-egsq_5K24hWS9OK0KWqxgtQ6SETSyS1AtUWxXxppWZMsKJz9LKfCD3i6agWOhw2nWQf3yEK62Wf/s1600/101_3485.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqakcG91bKQhTeGdF4qJ6Vf0-SKha93L2ZJPjUYzcnx0MNMLXapEtaSVtMuikAW4BG-egsq_5K24hWS9OK0KWqxgtQ6SETSyS1AtUWxXxppWZMsKJz9LKfCD3i6agWOhw2nWQf3yEK62Wf/s320/101_3485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I never knew how to store my kids' puzzles before, and I always kind of dreaded helping them organize the bin of them because it would, inevitably, get dumped out again. I happened to have a bunch of sheets of felt on hand as well as sticky-back velcro, and, of course, I already had tons of hot glue.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXggbh6Y-yAOIAsK8X6Uikn74Ei0AnNSg-ldpytj1Eu1mbPmCbknU3zf3weRqkyBqcr0wC3JVkn_cVXdtJbgykLE2Q99hEzdKBq4O6l_Y1U7c8LEurJQy8ZdLNvEkIYZXJOKsEKDINT02/s1600/101_3484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXggbh6Y-yAOIAsK8X6Uikn74Ei0AnNSg-ldpytj1Eu1mbPmCbknU3zf3weRqkyBqcr0wC3JVkn_cVXdtJbgykLE2Q99hEzdKBq4O6l_Y1U7c8LEurJQy8ZdLNvEkIYZXJOKsEKDINT02/s320/101_3484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkAvHmgCquPSyQQVBMiyo1AMvVh79DrzRL10C6fqDCmT2WJqxCsrbaq4rReIDq4ymIonO0OBLemHbM7VYPtSxh567RC5zFKM6QE6PnSd-jKUmruy48JbSAMMZTX9Njgt6qXbWOVEjXM3N/s1600/101_3483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkAvHmgCquPSyQQVBMiyo1AMvVh79DrzRL10C6fqDCmT2WJqxCsrbaq4rReIDq4ymIonO0OBLemHbM7VYPtSxh567RC5zFKM6QE6PnSd-jKUmruy48JbSAMMZTX9Njgt6qXbWOVEjXM3N/s320/101_3483.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cut a strip of felt to be the top and used the rest of the piece for the bottom pocket. I hot glued around the edge to get them to stay and added the velcro--that was it. I sat down and made pockets for all of our puzzles and it took about an hour. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now the puzzles are organized, easy to access, and don't ever get mixed up. </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/AVvXsEghGD952GpBXUUaUKL_GdUPRiqHf2kJdkjityHGfcgI5e8l4FLEY5p9GMziOFvNN7OsRaKKemb8PUuGnMi1KM0M8fY5gLW7k2ogchGYbwsxzJte2nuLbq8BKq9NKb8ABeGCadVLLrgCoGQ0/s1600/101_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGD952GpBXUUaUKL_GdUPRiqHf2kJdkjityHGfcgI5e8l4FLEY5p9GMziOFvNN7OsRaKKemb8PUuGnMi1KM0M8fY5gLW7k2ogchGYbwsxzJte2nuLbq8BKq9NKb8ABeGCadVLLrgCoGQ0/s320/101_3488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXggbh6Y-yAOIAsK8X6Uikn74Ei0AnNSg-ldpytj1Eu1mbPmCbknU3zf3weRqkyBqcr0wC3JVkn_cVXdtJbgykLE2Q99hEzdKBq4O6l_Y1U7c8LEurJQy8ZdLNvEkIYZXJOKsEKDINT02/s1600/101_3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkAvHmgCquPSyQQVBMiyo1AMvVh79DrzRL10C6fqDCmT2WJqxCsrbaq4rReIDq4ymIonO0OBLemHbM7VYPtSxh567RC5zFKM6QE6PnSd-jKUmruy48JbSAMMZTX9Njgt6qXbWOVEjXM3N/s1600/101_3483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-538609200206744682011-07-28T23:27:00.000-07:002011-07-28T23:32:10.870-07:00Latest project- a photo book of San Francisco<div style="text-align: center;">I've been working on this project for the last couple of weeks, trying to make this book that will be a gift to our kids for Christmas. Since we have officially entered our last year here, we are trying to make as many memories as we possibly can. We took all the pictures from the book on our adventures. (The version I am printing for our kids is a little more personalized with our apartment complex, church building, schools, etc.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> <a href="http://www.blurb.com/books/2357866">Goodnight San Francisco</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-8899210615089527742011-07-15T17:03:00.001-07:002011-07-15T17:18:02.899-07:00Marble Mazes<div style="text-align: center;">,Long time, no blogging.
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Things are finally slowing down around our house after quite a bit of traveling and sight seeing. Now that we're back home, and my husband is back in school, I was looking forward to spending time at the parks and enjoying the outdoors but the foggy cold weather along with my youngest two children being sick with a stomach flu has put a damper on those plans. While we wait for them to recover (and for some warmer weather-crazy mixed up SF), I've been trying to find things for my older two kids to do since we're stuck here. So, today, we tried Marble Mazes. It's a really cute idea that I found in a <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/marbleous-maze-1002418/">Family Fun Magazin</a><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/marbleous-maze-1002418/">e</a>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdPlm7ewr-HeCOUIjhHPHBXAwnApxvx_BwXaGYe2K5AYlAlQq9mc7xxZXDic_V6ZG957rRjWVB1o3_4XS05YFggIn827pgvmUbw1ruoUVi9NsG5IIoK8DANKiqFPSCfTzt-smCuL3N18b/s1600/101_3286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdPlm7ewr-HeCOUIjhHPHBXAwnApxvx_BwXaGYe2K5AYlAlQq9mc7xxZXDic_V6ZG957rRjWVB1o3_4XS05YFggIn827pgvmUbw1ruoUVi9NsG5IIoK8DANKiqFPSCfTzt-smCuL3N18b/s320/101_3286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629737017828228466" border="0" /></a>
All you need is a shoe box lid (we used the box as well since we needed two), a bunch of straws cut into different sizes, tape, and a marble for each maze.
The kids didn't need any assistance putting them together. They just taped the straw pieces down wherever they wanted until they ran out of straws.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1iaNAolPHv_y7dq1tQYP_D7WGXLU1HP_GtwqeO-GAAPBxHxXxp5xN7wWnN6XDn5KDHsaxV2TWU4LgPU1AKP3Jk-nvAUGjUmwL44ByVBa1iq_Sj1zi8OYtOSgpM5JXjDtEkGus1pfy3Ce/s1600/101_3287.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1iaNAolPHv_y7dq1tQYP_D7WGXLU1HP_GtwqeO-GAAPBxHxXxp5xN7wWnN6XDn5KDHsaxV2TWU4LgPU1AKP3Jk-nvAUGjUmwL44ByVBa1iq_Sj1zi8OYtOSgpM5JXjDtEkGus1pfy3Ce/s320/101_3287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629737022505081842" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmOGGnudFbHhK6CaAO_qq2K8-Sjs7qmd10HCcWHhdCEEjS_W6oTE2OZ9gWnmHFat099-SKFhYZ40zS6NMEOfg5hhgDycAnPsJRqMRmPxGjATKRRpMT-kz4zHkKbW7AMG6SHX6YMkdZtIH/s1600/101_3288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmOGGnudFbHhK6CaAO_qq2K8-Sjs7qmd10HCcWHhdCEEjS_W6oTE2OZ9gWnmHFat099-SKFhYZ40zS6NMEOfg5hhgDycAnPsJRqMRmPxGjATKRRpMT-kz4zHkKbW7AMG6SHX6YMkdZtIH/s320/101_3288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629737031964589778" border="0" /></a>
Then I gave them each a marble and they went to town. My son loves 'racing' the marble through the maze, complete with sound effects. Super easy. And tons of fun.</div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08003740900253959381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037971232743846139.post-2620746039710414862011-06-18T20:54:00.001-07:002011-06-18T21:36:17.862-07:00Trying something new- Camping FoodsI haven't been up to a whole lot of blogging lately because my husband gets a whole month break during the summer and we end up packing in as much as we possibly can during that month. This last week was the first full week and we fit in a visit to in-laws, a camping trip, a trip to an amusement park, a beach trip, and had friends from out of town come to visit. Whew!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOXKNCcIpoLSlTKaFgTGzfiagbhFxqo_V2obcQJO4T2H8W1iRV8rKDRzIlRx33GEGSQVGMGD9qZt9ClS_8UCZN5OPIkXwJ13YQdV847zztpsKD3VOjUGFN_4borfA8sB-fT7Xpi4_FVku/s1600/101_3213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOXKNCcIpoLSlTKaFgTGzfiagbhFxqo_V2obcQJO4T2H8W1iRV8rKDRzIlRx33GEGSQVGMGD9qZt9ClS_8UCZN5OPIkXwJ13YQdV847zztpsKD3VOjUGFN_4borfA8sB-fT7Xpi4_FVku/s320/101_3213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619782042065995330" border="0" /></a>
On Monday, our family went camping for two nights in Yosemite National Park. SO gorgeous!! We got lucky and scored a reservation a friend had bought and wasn't able to use. I guess the reservations are in high demand and literally sell out in a minute or two of becoming avaiable online at the beginning of the year.
If you haven't been there and live relatively close, I HIGHLY recommend going. It truly is amazing.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT8nzCCl6EwfAhyphenhyphenVzkunIoB6coYenUjGEzDGYUXM4V0CH3dla5W_CtA0h3jzriI9JlZQPEwbQyValdTlxa4zze3REDy_tCEAM8uAvZOJ9nIbArMzsbPwLdoKm4-GKYQIEf2PCdthTNl5x/s1600/101_3198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT8nzCCl6EwfAhyphenhyphenVzkunIoB6coYenUjGEzDGYUXM4V0CH3dla5W_CtA0h3jzriI9JlZQPEwbQyValdTlxa4zze3REDy_tCEAM8uAvZOJ9nIbArMzsbPwLdoKm4-GKYQIEf2PCdthTNl5x/s320/101_3198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619782040941765346" border="0" /></a>
We had a wonderful time and the kids LOVE to camp. My husband and I like it too, but it is a lot of work for the amount of time we actually spend there. I remind myself that the kids are making amazing memories and that makes it all worth it.
When we go camping, we usually do the same old thing. Hot dogs. Cold cereal. Sandwiches. Smores. Not terribly exciting. Hot dogs get old after a while. So- I went online last week in search of some fun, new ideas. Unfortunately I forgot to save the links to a couple of blogs that I found but here are a few ideas that I really liked and ended up trying... (unfortunately I was too busy during the actual cooking of the meals to take any pics).
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWFq5FxAVGOx6pXk8ylQFmg1mQfAC88cU_70vACXC8x4WkrCeqHyom_w_ksVln-iRI2H0BKZR1YBKDhwuvBGtkwLbH1Zh6gALYWbhroThjVtiHJ_wALYW8-eYzyjI8CWojm46xZ9hZ3uU/s1600/101_3147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWFq5FxAVGOx6pXk8ylQFmg1mQfAC88cU_70vACXC8x4WkrCeqHyom_w_ksVln-iRI2H0BKZR1YBKDhwuvBGtkwLbH1Zh6gALYWbhroThjVtiHJ_wALYW8-eYzyjI8CWojm46xZ9hZ3uU/s320/101_3147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619782031194919378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(Bridal Veil Falls)</span>
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We still ended up doing cold cereal (granola) and bagels with cream cheese for breakfast. And hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows for dessert--- Some things go with camping. :)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_IIWNd7d1mydfoU_WnAr-_CkP9kydtanqYDPMhKz5LcdfDt-Vlpjo0XI5p1SAHuVmFtQJo0YDwpdbxCkwYtcaoRFeRMNlEZ1IXJCaXL0Uq4xUz2DtVr-5IK4xQbG5CB6bNiUW8OgbZ3W/s1600/101_3125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_IIWNd7d1mydfoU_WnAr-_CkP9kydtanqYDPMhKz5LcdfDt-Vlpjo0XI5p1SAHuVmFtQJo0YDwpdbxCkwYtcaoRFeRMNlEZ1IXJCaXL0Uq4xUz2DtVr-5IK4xQbG5CB6bNiUW8OgbZ3W/s320/101_3125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619782017952276018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(My sweet daughter at breakfast-hence the very sleepy eyes still)
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<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">1. Keilbasa and Red Potatoes, Corn on the Cob</span></div>
I bought a turkey keilbasa and sliced it up ahead of time. I put it in a ziploc bag in the cooler and reheated it in the pan over the fire when the potatoes were cooked.
For the potatoes, I just washed them, poked them, wrapped them in foil, and set them in the coals. SO easy and they tasted great. They cooked up pretty fast. I'd say maybe in 15-20 minutes or so.
For the cord, I left them in the husks, soaked them in water for a couple of minutes, then wrapped them in foil and put them in the coals as well. I turned them once. Then we unwrapped them, put them on corn-on-the-cob holders and served them with butter, salt, and pepper. (we'd done something similar at Girls camp as a youth but wrapped them in soaked newspaper instead. I like the foil a bit better, I think).
<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-size:180%;">2. Walking Tacos</span></div>
I knew my kids would love even just the name of these. I came across this idea on line and modified it a bit to fit our family. I started by browning ground turkey ahead of time and seasoning it with taco seasoning and storing it in a ziploc bag. I also brought a can of sliced olives, shredded cheese, a few tomatoes, chopped lettuce, a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, a small jar of salsa, and a small container of fat-free sour cream, mixed with a packet of taco seasoning. I gave each family member a gallon-size ziploc bag to mix their ingredients in. The kids' favorite part was shaking up the bags to mix it all up. They were all giggling and saying they were going to "shake it crazy". The original idea is to eat it straight from the bag but we ended up dumping it onto paper plates. Maybe next time quart sized bags to make it a little easier.
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</span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> <span style=" ;font-size:180%;" >3. Pita Pizzas</span></div>
This is probably my favorite of the three cooked meals we made during the trip. And the easiest. I bought a couple of packs of whole wheat pita pockets. I brought a jar of Ragu Chunky style spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese, as well as pepperoni and sliced olives. I assembled the pizzas by putting everything into the halved pita pockets and wrapping them individually in foil. Then I set them in the coals for a few minutes and turned them once. They ended up gooey, and the bread actually hardened up to taste a lot like a pizza crust. Mmmm. They were awesome. The one thing I will do differently is remember to bring tongs. Duh. Can't believe I forgot that. We were able to improvise and use our marshmallow sticks but it wasn't nearly as easy.
<div style="text-align: center;">Trying new meals and having success makes me that much more excited for the next trip and seeing what other creative ideas we can try out.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC7X7cmMea2ckTMcNCJJeCgdZ200oZ3uURNyEcnpI0WBUoywEApkDsXdhOLE-PpiRKmYC6QoiBfgG3S1S69ePoNwom2rXvF569rpxWDgbVA01BPS2qQdIefqeC-843WaruQ3M_YBEUxj5/s1600/101_3148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC7X7cmMea2ckTMcNCJJeCgdZ200oZ3uURNyEcnpI0WBUoywEApkDsXdhOLE-PpiRKmYC6QoiBfgG3S1S69ePoNwom2rXvF569rpxWDgbVA01BPS2qQdIefqeC-843WaruQ3M_YBEUxj5/s320/101_3148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619782026770602018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(Bridal Veil Falls-at the bottom)</span>
For an eerily-similar post, click <a href="http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-search-of-ideas.html">HERE</a>. I swear my sister and I are living parallel lives. Too crazy! :)
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1