tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80120314529750790012024-02-20T13:48:44.821-06:00a little bit of lifeLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-2470782730654308062013-03-10T22:29:00.002-05:002013-03-10T22:29:56.941-05:00We're Starting a Garden!<span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago I tried container gardening with a couple tomato and pepper plants. It didn't turn out well. My yard was too shady and I always forgot to water it. I don't recall if we even got it to bear fruit, but I did leave the <span style="font-size: large;">pot outside in the winter and it cracked.</span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5dACMTTNPT8wzMzSaCAqxZQMHiCGyfmyBrJr1fzQspHdWoAprjhHLoIew4Uoz5NRCNwR4Kvq7o0A00BeYbhft2NTCamJ13Dhkjn8TkopGssleKxRA2VBb7Df79N9qMH_sExu7bUKXwJQ/s640/blogger-image-42606575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5dACMTTNPT8wzMzSaCAqxZQMHiCGyfmyBrJr1fzQspHdWoAprjhHLoIew4Uoz5NRCNwR4Kvq7o0A00BeYbhft2NTCamJ13Dhkjn8TkopGssleKxRA2VBb7Df79N9qMH_sExu7bUKXwJQ/s200/blogger-image-42606575.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This year I am really motivated to give it a try again! We are in a different house and I've really been watching the yard for where the best sunlight is. I've also decided to try starting from seed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x1WZW5jSX8wBZ93r1X_NSZVjjTkCVJ9bLQ1Et3jK4_veIsu7rWmrHeZGIl-2a1se-slToc8Utls64QMrKwDoLdBMiM5nQ-txrMIYVkBmGdrFSZUXhusAA33pVNUYeylVVZQHVoM_W7sA/s640/blogger-image-1008461700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x1WZW5jSX8wBZ93r1X_NSZVjjTkCVJ9bLQ1Et3jK4_veIsu7rWmrHeZGIl-2a1se-slToc8Utls64QMrKwDoLdBMiM5nQ-txrMIYVkBmGdrFSZUXhusAA33pVNUYeylVVZQHVoM_W7sA/s200/blogger-image-1008461700.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of buying the seed starting trays, I am using halved toilet paper tubes in pans. Possibly a recipe for disaster, but if it doesn't work I guess I'll just go buy plants at the local nursery!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk78chGH0dcHAdLGq4j58g17OzaMnJiJBibNHmbM5oDFW8HVzagwJEfS_Lx_ChsSbUqBFp5dov2YgXsHq35b6OQYXA8cegcfBXBzlYOk63UfO8am7oTMj-G6t5S6nGYBeeDUqI1CAdTOc/s640/blogger-image--1093500895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk78chGH0dcHAdLGq4j58g17OzaMnJiJBibNHmbM5oDFW8HVzagwJEfS_Lx_ChsSbUqBFp5dov2YgXsHq35b6OQYXA8cegcfBXBzlYOk63UfO8am7oTMj-G6t5S6nGYBeeDUqI1CAdTOc/s200/blogger-image--1093500895.jpg" width="200" /></a>So far I have planted cucumbers, mini- bell peppers, a variety of hot peppers, and a tray of mixed lettuce. I have them setup in the basement. It's probably not warm enough down there, but it does get a good bit of sunlight through the windows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have seeds for beans, purple carrots, and spinach also, but I ran out of starting containers. I think I'll also buy some small tomato plants when it is time to move everything outside... I hope it warms up soon!</span><br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-52097920511816226502013-02-14T23:07:00.000-06:002013-02-14T23:07:04.203-06:00Love Rocks!<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day! I made these little rocks for the girls at work. Pretty simple, but fun- paper hearts Modge Podged on to smooth rocks I bought at the dollar store.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9cwbHy8TGJCor9fGEWRJa_QQGILj8GFOnEmzusiFdca98hUIHRAt1qepdIzoNZVcv8Q2OGJG42T-fyZo3L7ywXJZNBzrGw97kQdimnlzyhCBGizMTkw-FcSoUSvOGV2PnSMSK9PeGApj/s640/blogger-image-99812815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9cwbHy8TGJCor9fGEWRJa_QQGILj8GFOnEmzusiFdca98hUIHRAt1qepdIzoNZVcv8Q2OGJG42T-fyZo3L7ywXJZNBzrGw97kQdimnlzyhCBGizMTkw-FcSoUSvOGV2PnSMSK9PeGApj/s640/blogger-image-99812815.jpg" /></a></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-72484360375603868902013-02-06T21:52:00.002-06:002013-02-06T21:52:43.488-06:00Plastic Grocery Bag Crocheted Tote<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RUrzrZQQwALQjzHpgUiQnFOEQ9OaiwXN8GSZ_B0iJEY48SZiAekcPDdqXbQTSbZGJ2rrgr03uhPzAEZnJnsszEziJ3h-vuxiJTRQEiq6P6eNXuZuMMJ6VfPMonxUsQd85vdmvtvFZZMX/s640/blogger-image--2064907770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RUrzrZQQwALQjzHpgUiQnFOEQ9OaiwXN8GSZ_B0iJEY48SZiAekcPDdqXbQTSbZGJ2rrgr03uhPzAEZnJnsszEziJ3h-vuxiJTRQEiq6P6eNXuZuMMJ6VfPMonxUsQd85vdmvtvFZZMX/s400/blogger-image--2064907770.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This project took what felt like eternity and a million plastic bags!<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>About 1/2 way through I said I would never, ever make one of these again, but now that it is finished I might do more, just not nearly as large. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cut up plastic grocery bags into rings and looped them together to make plastic yarn, or "plarn" as the tutorial I was inspired by referred to it. I have no clue how many plastic bags this actually took. My best guess is at least 100<span style="font-size: large;">?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only other good use for the plastic grocery bags is as small trash bags since they don't recycle t<span style="font-size: large;">hem</span> around here, so I guess I make more? I think next time I might make a lunch bag sized one. I might also branch out to using a wider variety of colored bags or make a more complex patten than just the one stripe. </span><br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-83469876161998801472013-01-20T02:51:00.001-06:002013-01-20T02:51:20.543-06:00Etched Glass Mugs<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fjrljxECTBjITQVX-_2eXs-WX56qDQQ5fEjv1AApXdbgmbZetSfZNgv4984isLcRNjcuLsmDoGHrHhuWFVsc3xUT9W3_dMrm9c-y480pnJHPUc3kl2MV5EMApQSKEvkp3gbIkVJLAed6/s1600/blogger-image-1231700254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYh4Xrtx68RzgvMSIY1Fg6hvDWeMHfFdMAjypq-45PHxglmOZ5iI9y7exDxZkt9rip6sjb2abZZGvGsLLQba8zRY8qPoN9S0tiPDK7VA_ostUyj0CLqeTcNWrV6MkyrFPUWF55X-KaL5q/s640/blogger-image-473065239.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fjrljxECTBjITQVX-_2eXs-WX56qDQQ5fEjv1AApXdbgmbZetSfZNgv4984isLcRNjcuLsmDoGHrHhuWFVsc3xUT9W3_dMrm9c-y480pnJHPUc3kl2MV5EMApQSKEvkp3gbIkVJLAed6/s1600/blogger-image-1231700254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYh4Xrtx68RzgvMSIY1Fg6hvDWeMHfFdMAjypq-45PHxglmOZ5iI9y7exDxZkt9rip6sjb2abZZGvGsLLQba8zRY8qPoN9S0tiPDK7VA_ostUyj0CLqeTcNWrV6MkyrFPUWF55X-KaL5q/s1600/blogger-image-473065239.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A girlfriend needed a gift for the seniors on her son's bowling
team<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqonGGfqV1Dakq9iuN2jG-b45OFgg9VYJ2-AYpwJ3xktQeIvMwL_j8FUb4JTjhT_2JgiebQlcH_G_fwzd9gztSi0gFsKCV6hchUvnGydPunwwWH4d1ic5b7YeulH1lYXxwMqpXe72fBxn/s1600/blogger-image--1535923620.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqonGGfqV1Dakq9iuN2jG-b45OFgg9VYJ2-AYpwJ3xktQeIvMwL_j8FUb4JTjhT_2JgiebQlcH_G_fwzd9gztSi0gFsKCV6hchUvnGydPunwwWH4d1ic5b7YeulH1lYXxwMqpXe72fBxn/s1600/blogger-image--1535923620.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fjrljxECTBjITQVX-_2eXs-WX56qDQQ5fEjv1AApXdbgmbZetSfZNgv4984isLcRNjcuLsmDoGHrHhuWFVsc3xUT9W3_dMrm9c-y480pnJHPUc3kl2MV5EMApQSKEvkp3gbIkVJLAed6/s1600/blogger-image-1231700254.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>but was on a budget. Trying to think of something that works for
both boys and girls and something that they might actually keep and use,
we came up with etched, glass mugs! This is a super easy process that has a great outcome. I use a Cricut to make my stencil, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fjrljxECTBjITQVX-_2eXs-WX56qDQQ5fEjv1AApXdbgmbZetSfZNgv4984isLcRNjcuLsmDoGHrHhuWFVsc3xUT9W3_dMrm9c-y480pnJHPUc3kl2MV5EMApQSKEvkp3gbIkVJLAed6/s1600/blogger-image-1231700254.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>but you can use an exacto knife to cut out your design and it works just as well- just takes a bit more time.</span></div>
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cut the stencils out of vinyl, put on the etching cream, and voila! A
functional keepsake that looks pretty cool. She is going to fill them
with candy and wrap them up in school colored cellophane. </span></div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-64152055006067144392012-12-30T14:00:00.000-06:002013-01-20T02:08:00.464-06:00Now I Crochet?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq30Hpm7HLgnV5jCxOYrxSXEa4IoWVyWriXKYWQvvAKR6ax5i9gXH2QEjumqZ15YcY4qwYa0jyRHeL6tygobW6xGOINdNLTUJVsa5pf1vuWYZ3-N9nOIW9jHa5u4qqNz1GVkcdxRuf624/s640/blogger-image--57884512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq30Hpm7HLgnV5jCxOYrxSXEa4IoWVyWriXKYWQvvAKR6ax5i9gXH2QEjumqZ15YcY4qwYa0jyRHeL6tygobW6xGOINdNLTUJVsa5pf1vuWYZ3-N9nOIW9jHa5u4qqNz1GVkcdxRuf624/s320/blogger-image--57884512.jpg" width="239" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I guess I need another craft to get involved with?! A gal from work peaked my interest to try crocheting again when she brought in some cute hats she had made her grandkids. I had done a little bit as a camp counselor about 15 years ago. Since then, the hooks and 1/2 finished projects have been traveling around in my craft supplies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started with a basic scarf and it turned out "ok" but it is a cheap gray yarn that I would never expect anyone to wear. I branched out yesterday and bought pink camo yarn. Searching for a <span style="font-size: large;">manageable project, </span>I thought my tea mug needed a sweater. <span style="font-size: large;">It <span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span>urned out better than I thought on a first try without a pattern, although it really isn't a complicated project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I am looking for more things to crochet for practice. So if you need something small and basic, let me know.... Who else wants a MUG SWEATER?</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-25557384560028276482012-12-30T02:25:00.000-06:002012-12-30T02:30:37.936-06:00Lucy's Polka Dot Room<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fW5Va3RWz0fZ-B-mX-NXT5RRRDf1EqOX4pXnQ6B99MYYQ0w6XsYMZMsib5-BNwcXCokRt5iRfdltd4euDO6jxyEOkSsiUHokujk63SGBU0aNoBPf4V0KEJ316-FwYJEF5v30bpgRnSH_/s640/blogger-image-2070710276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiekQkIKVB1U5tfIvsa0s80SyePOYuQGDJ3kKaypckfoWmFfXbBv9IZeGGJ7rg4InKS43sMNJWdY9CnLW5IT3jj9t47E-bXX_-MQNE3ARFLMd6I1IVB0b1-IFjd_uJPbfNqIb86ilR_57/s640/blogger-image-1299728757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiekQkIKVB1U5tfIvsa0s80SyePOYuQGDJ3kKaypckfoWmFfXbBv9IZeGGJ7rg4InKS43sMNJWdY9CnLW5IT3jj9t47E-bXX_-MQNE3ARFLMd6I1IVB0b1-IFjd_uJPbfNqIb86ilR_57/s320/blogger-image-1299728757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been hemming and hawing about what room to put Henry in before he was even born, which means he has been living in our room for over 8 months- much longer than ever intended. This week we finally bit the bullet and made the decision. We have moved Lucy to the spare room and Henry will get Lucy's old room. It has the perfect set-up with a built in changing table and the spare room has a larger closet and we all know girls somehow accumulate more clothes than boys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fW5Va3RWz0fZ-B-mX-NXT5RRRDf1EqOX4pXnQ6B99MYYQ0w6XsYMZMsib5-BNwcXCokRt5iRfdltd4euDO6jxyEOkSsiUHokujk63SGBU0aNoBPf4V0KEJ316-FwYJEF5v30bpgRnSH_/s1600/blogger-image-2070710276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fW5Va3RWz0fZ-B-mX-NXT5RRRDf1EqOX4pXnQ6B99MYYQ0w6XsYMZMsib5-BNwcXCokRt5iRfdltd4euDO6jxyEOkSsiUHokujk63SGBU0aNoBPf4V0KEJ316-FwYJEF5v30bpgRnSH_/s320/blogger-image-2070710276.jpg" width="320" /></a>The spare room lacked any sort of decoration. Just boring beige walls. We are limited on what we can do to the walls because we rent, but I knew we needed to add some color. After weighing several options, I elected for using adhesive vinyl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used my Cricut and cut 3" circles out of four different colors (Navy,Pink, Lilac, and Green), in addition to her name in Lilac. Once all my stickers were cut, I went to laying it out. It was really a very quick process and in total, I probably only invested about 3 hours between cutting an applying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also bought window sheers to coordinate. In total, the room make-over only cost about $25 because everything<span style="font-size: large;"> used</span> just happened to be on sale and I already had the cartridge to cut the circles. And it was money well spent. Lucy LOVES it! She especially loves the green sheer. Every time she goes into the room she points and lights up! It certainly made transitioning to a new room a little bit easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And for our friends and family that frequent<span style="font-size: large;">ly use</span> the spare room in our house, don't worry. The wonderful air mattress still fits in the room great and we will figure out somewhere to put her when you visit! </span><br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-58680467328418324912012-12-30T02:24:00.000-06:002012-12-30T02:24:58.498-06:00Up-cycled Dress-up Wardrobe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBpG963IK4KLc1etxmHmqB3yk77k_9pgoYyJu_4ivv-Cxxa0HSzQu-LlqYWEbYgTeRiAWoqB750E61kcopSKgc_BpDlLil3TxnwZk5jFhl5T9mJImG13UVc0jlwTWKBKjQa62Q_powB0O/s640/blogger-image--1623730759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBpG963IK4KLc1etxmHmqB3yk77k_9pgoYyJu_4ivv-Cxxa0HSzQu-LlqYWEbYgTeRiAWoqB750E61kcopSKgc_BpDlLil3TxnwZk5jFhl5T9mJImG13UVc0jlwTWKBKjQa62Q_powB0O/s400/blogger-image--1623730759.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It must have been about a year ago that I reached a breaking point of dealing with Lucy's 1/2 broken dresser. The bottoms of the drawers always seemed to know the absolute worst time to crash through. I had seen so many up-cycled kids furniture projects on Pinterest and showed this one to Rudy. He embraced the idea and did this project 100% by himself! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He haggled for the pink drawer knobs a few months earlier at a flea market, bought butterfly fabric for the inside, found butterfly stickers and mirrors for the outside, painted it obnoxious pink, reenforced the "floor" of the closet, fixed the bottom drawer, and added the clothes rod. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We filled it with dress-up clothes and gave it to Lucy for Christmas. I'm not sure that as a 2 year old<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> she can fully appreciate it, but she certainly is enjoying all the dress-up things and I appreciate that it contains them all and that it is so freakin' cute!</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-13911193506020344692012-11-15T16:02:00.000-06:002012-11-15T16:02:42.370-06:00Advent Books<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I feel like it is still way too early to start thinking about Christmas, but it seems like everywhere I turn, decorations are going up. So let the preparations begin... </div>
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My parents always got me an Advent calendar each year to count down to Christmas. Sometimes it had chocolate, sometimes toys, and one time, my favorite- little wooden ornaments. I knew this was something I wanted to do with my kids but was trying to think of a fun, unique variation. I realize this year Lucy probably won't grasp the concept of counting down to Christmas and Henry is still way too little, but I thought it would be a fun regardless.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPc0Dgd7j6gyPnLkqQuUjYoCX3SWLUCzTNtnwPIzhEyucuRcb5JFuzfDUY_uns6H7HFwXHqSHHiWmPRPW-cuFknsCBqZ1aDpVpUfaG526Jl6vnPIK3wGJ5lXNveX0jq6CiibkGIeGgg4J/s640/blogger-image-1224363040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPc0Dgd7j6gyPnLkqQuUjYoCX3SWLUCzTNtnwPIzhEyucuRcb5JFuzfDUY_uns6H7HFwXHqSHHiWmPRPW-cuFknsCBqZ1aDpVpUfaG526Jl6vnPIK3wGJ5lXNveX0jq6CiibkGIeGgg4J/s640/blogger-image-1224363040.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well, Lucy LOVES books! This summer I started collecting Christmas books at yard sales, library sales, and thrift stores. With the help of some friends, I finally found the last few I needed to hit 24. I wrapped each one and labeled it with a number so we open one each day. Now I just need a basket for them! <br />
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On December 1, I will pull them out and let Lucy open the first one. I don't know what order they are in, so I'll be surprised by each one also! I hope she has fun with it and I know I'm in store for a lot of bedtime book reading now... <br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-69746565049121050732012-07-08T00:23:00.002-05:002012-07-08T00:23:56.931-05:00The Queen's Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXy2owO0Bx40aT-4EiOxnqIG3P3zcvmu3sr2jJyHATQ90LqTNCBpkMyAPNBg6lB7iGW5jHxKlUJRtdD6GEWS-pFSHBGOXH7sdsjEQIB502TtmpGwSAQ_lWUXS3xmAT2zZj4ScK4Q5AtLm/s1600/IMG_9642_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXy2owO0Bx40aT-4EiOxnqIG3P3zcvmu3sr2jJyHATQ90LqTNCBpkMyAPNBg6lB7iGW5jHxKlUJRtdD6GEWS-pFSHBGOXH7sdsjEQIB502TtmpGwSAQ_lWUXS3xmAT2zZj4ScK4Q5AtLm/s320/IMG_9642_2.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We went to the Long Grove, IL Annual Strawberry Festival a couple weeks ago and on somewhat of a whim, we entered Lucy in the festival's pageant. Before I get all the side eyes, this was a completely natural pageant with the girls wearing strawberry themed attire. No "Toddlers and Tiaras" sort of stuff, no flippers, fake hair, tanned infants, $1000 dresses, etc... although we did see some questionable parent behavior, kids downing pixie stix, and other very, very interesting things that kept us entertained during all the waiting, but I digress. We were heading to see friends and family for the weekend and decided if we had time that we would stop on the way back home to enjoy the festival and enter Lucy in the pageant, but again, only if we had time. Seeing as we would probably make time, Lucy needed strawberry themed attire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefpbUQg9YnvV-hxY2ArNb3YqbA9cdJ9p9KaV11tXXeYDg8zBC7s6uCfaRjGL62k3Nata7r_DKhQuprVDF3QyKIWcEzZhtvN68HwcPL7pwZx4octW-8nq1nP3cNRbjzoBs8C43X8Run6V3/s1600/IMG_9629_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefpbUQg9YnvV-hxY2ArNb3YqbA9cdJ9p9KaV11tXXeYDg8zBC7s6uCfaRjGL62k3Nata7r_DKhQuprVDF3QyKIWcEzZhtvN68HwcPL7pwZx4octW-8nq1nP3cNRbjzoBs8C43X8Run6V3/s320/IMG_9629_2.JPG" width="213" /></a>I had bought a fitted crib sheet with a strawberry print a couple months ago at Goodwill. Crib sheets are unreasonable expensive and I thought this one was cute and in really good shape. Well, once we decided we were entering Lucy into the strawberry pageant, it didn't stay a crib sheet for long. At about 11:30pm night before we left, the sheet to transform into a dress. I used one of my favorite little dress of Lucy's as a rough guide and cut the crib sheet into two pieces- a back and a front. Since Lucy was fast asleep when I was doing this and we had no time to spare since we were leaving the next day immediately after work, I decided it needed elastic in the back just in case it didn't fit quite right. I used the elastic corner of the sheet for the back piece. After I sewed the two pieces together, I use some red ribbon left over from another project to trim the edges and make the halter top straps. Luckily, Lucy had a pair of bloomers that would coordinate in color with the dress so I didn't have to make anything special for underneath and we already had cute shoes and a hair bow that would work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIuZ0M5F38OyadnmH_QZrwCuTDSZoTarPjMP55Nyi72HHw3Za3ltPXCsmBC9V8n6lx6xYgOTKA8gK1kAn_PmJlL60axa5YOrxZAjzgXdraPKlHJdlF-vrKgJ97j9oLn016BinhArX_Cz7/s1600/IMG_9605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIuZ0M5F38OyadnmH_QZrwCuTDSZoTarPjMP55Nyi72HHw3Za3ltPXCsmBC9V8n6lx6xYgOTKA8gK1kAn_PmJlL60axa5YOrxZAjzgXdraPKlHJdlF-vrKgJ97j9oLn016BinhArX_Cz7/s320/IMG_9605.JPG" width="320" /></a>The pageant was a hot mess. Literally. The day of the pageant was incredibly hot. Probably about 90 outside and it had to be nearing 100 degrees in the gym where it was taking place and the stage was even hotter. So I was very glad that the dress was so light weight to keep Lucy relatively cool. This was certainly a pageant for girls from all walks of life and experiences. Most of the kids were crying and running all over the place while others stood perfect. We were last in line on the stage and with a huge box goodies bags next to us- the ideal distraction for a 19 month old! She looked everywhere except at the judges during the age division line up. Between the lineup and Lucy's individual stage time, we realized that Lucy had quite the smelly diaper, but with no time to change her, she was a champ and we went back up for our quick appearance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did the pageant just to see what it was like. We weren't looking for her to win or anything- just something to try. We stuck around for the crowning for the same reason- just to see what would happen. They called the girls off stage one by one- giving them each their "princess" participation crown. Lucy was the last number in her age division so assuming that they go in order, I thought nothing about her not being called as others exited the stage, until I looked over and realized there was only one other girl left ... drum roll please... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lucy is the 2012 Toddler Miss Strawberry Queen! </span> </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulpvkodBSbE6GI8kiXEfbaHZP1LlFIyb79V8gl7UsZjfK9imycx_S9juLpHqQobnoS9qMdBLyfvjTlP92Pj_vX7kMS1auTXXUJxI7xD5bJ99DxO5hdR5LsSFWG_81KsjtMAEUPPQegZrX/s1600/IMG_9647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulpvkodBSbE6GI8kiXEfbaHZP1LlFIyb79V8gl7UsZjfK9imycx_S9juLpHqQobnoS9qMdBLyfvjTlP92Pj_vX7kMS1auTXXUJxI7xD5bJ99DxO5hdR5LsSFWG_81KsjtMAEUPPQegZrX/s320/IMG_9647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She also tied for Most Beautiful in her age division(18-24 months) and won Best Eyes in the 0-4yr pageant! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if we will put Lucy in more pageants. I suspect we might, but time will tell. All I know is that you can whip up a dress out of a bed sheet, throw it on a sweaty kid, and win a pageant- no super expensive dresses, hair styles, or drama needed!</span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-83627478958560635192012-05-19T01:29:00.001-05:002012-05-19T09:37:40.888-05:00Felt Play Food<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDwtDlCKce9dGxjWHAc_bEnhjtHPMTFYKGUT1hITxS1gOy9qrIox7_Ut8P9UyAnvF_3xfpHZfnk3txK2EgHk2j8iUNXvWWJlGw1v77Hm8NrYzVaoyvvrl-dPmueHbg0cgw4idlSLf91vH/s1600/IMG_8993_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDwtDlCKce9dGxjWHAc_bEnhjtHPMTFYKGUT1hITxS1gOy9qrIox7_Ut8P9UyAnvF_3xfpHZfnk3txK2EgHk2j8iUNXvWWJlGw1v77Hm8NrYzVaoyvvrl-dPmueHbg0cgw4idlSLf91vH/s640/IMG_8993_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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About a month ago some girls on a discussion forum I participate on started talking about felt food. They were doing a "Felt Food Exchange". I didn't join in. I couldn't figure out what the craze was all about, but after 3 weeks of being on maternity leave, I had to see what it was all about. Of course, Pinterest was a great resource to investigate this. Then, a friend gave little Lucy a hand-me-down play kitchen last weekbut we had no play food to stock it with. I figured I would give felt food production a shot. After $6 worth of felt, some batting I already had, and one afternoon of sewing, I ended up with the above stock of felt food items and quite a bit of left over felt. I made two main dishes- breakfast and a sandwich. Not everything turned out how I expected, which is why there are no bread slices and the waffles aren't exactly how I wanted them to look. I ran out of some colors so the next day I took a trip to the craft store for more felt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR2WmrwFl4gtBjPOA7gh0W-NjQIE8BkjU4cnbf-eqNcJ8UzRl0usiJrk0ayVFT9gc9XM1AE2WFtBfYuiV0QFlk-PavmJ7sqpZslZGmpd7mj6SSRvaxcIJjEHXO9aLPax_1xhbxTvSookh/s1600/IMG_8989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR2WmrwFl4gtBjPOA7gh0W-NjQIE8BkjU4cnbf-eqNcJ8UzRl0usiJrk0ayVFT9gc9XM1AE2WFtBfYuiV0QFlk-PavmJ7sqpZslZGmpd7mj6SSRvaxcIJjEHXO9aLPax_1xhbxTvSookh/s200/IMG_8989.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
I love how the sandwich turned out- specifically I love the lettuce and the bacon! Since the original production, I have also created pizza slices, peas, red pepper slices, pickle slices, a banana, and additional tortillas. I still plan to make broccoli, bread slices, pancakes, butter, ice cream, chips, pasta, and anything else I can come up with!<br />
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If you have a kiddo that needs play food and you have a sewing machine, then felt food is a good time investment! It is much less expensive than the plastic or wooden store bought stuff and you can make whatever you want!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-9110711158128994932012-05-18T16:26:00.002-05:002012-05-18T16:27:50.971-05:00Taco Chicken CasseroleThis isn't the prettiest dish, but it sure was tasty! I'm sure there is some official recipe out there for this dish, but I just threw together some stuff from the fridge and pantry that sounded good. I layered in the order listed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3S7hsMuoa_Jo48_qQCGEGPUrFfL5IBVM7YGEAJrHZyzErDZ2SUyInUadZK9mipS1fWDiculyPT7YdR7HW0xwsWeJODE7uE21ieuw9WFrdYrvvVYTXlZMXUrXnaqeUp-jv27jQxOmQ8P6/s1600/Taco+casserole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3S7hsMuoa_Jo48_qQCGEGPUrFfL5IBVM7YGEAJrHZyzErDZ2SUyInUadZK9mipS1fWDiculyPT7YdR7HW0xwsWeJODE7uE21ieuw9WFrdYrvvVYTXlZMXUrXnaqeUp-jv27jQxOmQ8P6/s400/Taco+casserole.jpg" width="400" /></a>2 breasts raw chicken- diced<br />
1/2 jar of Salsa<br />
1 can of corn<br />
1 can of black beans<br />
1 cup uncooked rice<br />
1/2 tub of sour cream<br />
1/2 packet of taco seasoning(mixed with sour cream) <br />
1/2 package of shredded taco cheese<br />
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The only thing I would have done differently is either put the rice as the second layer after the chicken with a cup of water or precook the rice because some of it was still chewy even though it was bubbling in the oven.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-9743444204476746062012-04-08T20:05:00.001-05:002012-04-08T20:05:28.690-05:00Oreo-Peanut Butter BrowniesI saw this recipe on Pinterest and was compelled to make it last night. Oreos and peanut butter layered and baked into brownie muffins...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxymZm3_SaSBXZzKIjI3C71iJ0lfeYr3c2dq4HyjhiweZFmgiVQCgfziY-jYNgkc5sDRvprsvnr2a4dEQBNMUaP8TlK_otp2oPoSDa_DP2LReQ76K6qSbQFwILTe4B0ufwXA2liYNPC5Q/s1600/oreo+peanut+brownie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxymZm3_SaSBXZzKIjI3C71iJ0lfeYr3c2dq4HyjhiweZFmgiVQCgfziY-jYNgkc5sDRvprsvnr2a4dEQBNMUaP8TlK_otp2oPoSDa_DP2LReQ76K6qSbQFwILTe4B0ufwXA2liYNPC5Q/s320/oreo+peanut+brownie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ridiculous is all I can say. Ridiculously good! I don't know when I will ever need to make these again, but it was fun to make them once. If I do ever make them again, I think I would get mini-oreos and make them in mini-muffin tins. A whole one is just too intense. Here is the link to the original poster of this recipe: <a href="http://www.foodsnots.com/2011/10/oreo-and-peanut-butter-brownie-cakes.html">http://www.foodsnots.com/2011/10/oreo-and-peanut-butter-brownie-cakes.html</a><br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-70422673243012965842012-01-02T10:51:00.001-06:002012-01-02T10:52:56.986-06:00Upcycled Wool Mittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcnZiWOWtzhCHcKAhg5D6E2-46v9i-KwvWzC87fbdvM3RKdtOXP_tL6lvCZxjgqGF6d5JOC9vjLCXnf73Az7GPi49SiQ2u9-enf9XtCChKVcKQ3xxJlYJD6lUHKYn7VpXv-rY_ZBlfbk5/s1600/IMG_7806_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcnZiWOWtzhCHcKAhg5D6E2-46v9i-KwvWzC87fbdvM3RKdtOXP_tL6lvCZxjgqGF6d5JOC9vjLCXnf73Az7GPi49SiQ2u9-enf9XtCChKVcKQ3xxJlYJD6lUHKYn7VpXv-rY_ZBlfbk5/s400/IMG_7806_2.JPG" width="400" /></a>Some of you may be wondering why I had scraps of wool sweaters lying
around to make Lucy's Christmas Stocking with . . . I have been making WOOL MITTENS! They are so much fun to make and I absolutely love the way they turn
out! I gave a few as Christmas presents this year and some I am still
working on. They are so easy to make and it has let me fulfill my desire to discount shop, as the best place to get a variety of
fun colored wool sweaters is yard sales, Goodwill, etc. </div>
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A co-worker was recently talking about how expensive handmade wool mittens were at a local shop and that it couldn't be too hard to make a pair. So I found a pattern online and adjusted it a bit to what worked for me and voila! After a couple test pairs of liners to get the sizing right, I started cranking out mittens! They are wool sweater material on the outside (after it has been washed in hot water/ soap and dried on high heat to shrink up the wool) and the inside is new polar fleece. So far I have made solid colored mittens with the exception of this one pair with the grey palms. Soon I might venture out into mixing and matching sweater colors to be a little more festive.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bring it on, WINTER!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-55713729863270217872011-12-30T11:40:00.001-06:002011-12-30T11:41:06.179-06:00Wool Christmas Stocking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24GOTqgFqaQG5n__Fwrmd9hKuJvEoXsg9T3AZMF3g88q3-LLkgLg5sjAk-pB0IMOjbj8UbCdFRguzw6yf1vqFkffYJIa8mfvtDnfE15YAljUBSHMId5wCdEWN5qxOKa27pTww4_aMQTrX/s1600/IMG_7791_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24GOTqgFqaQG5n__Fwrmd9hKuJvEoXsg9T3AZMF3g88q3-LLkgLg5sjAk-pB0IMOjbj8UbCdFRguzw6yf1vqFkffYJIa8mfvtDnfE15YAljUBSHMId5wCdEWN5qxOKa27pTww4_aMQTrX/s320/IMG_7791_2.jpg" width="212" /></a>Lucy's stocking last year was a cute pink "Baby's 1st Christmas 2010" stocking given to her by her Grand-dad, but this year I wanted to make her a unique stocking that had more of a Christmas feel. I have been making things with old wool sweaters this season and had quite a few scraps left, and thought that would make a cozy, festive wool stocking! I traced a stocking shape from one of ours that I like the shape of. Then I cut the paper stocking into shapes for a pattern and left about a 1/2 inch around all sides for a seam allowance. The whole process of making the pattern and sewing it together took less than an hour and was very easy. I love how it turned out and it looked even better full of presents!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-1024632819628708172011-12-23T04:30:00.000-06:002011-12-28T22:06:34.711-06:0030 Sucks.I saw this project on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/98023729358974116/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> a while back and kept the idea in the back of my head, knowing that I would have to have a friend turning a milestone birthday sometime in the near future. Well, I had a friend turn the 30 last week. So about a month ago I set out to make the "30 Sucks" sucker bouquet. I went a fairly easy route- Bought a block of florists foam and 2 bags of Blow Pops. Then I used 2 colored paperbags I had on hand cover the foam block. I think next time I would use wrapping paper, but I was impatient and excited to make it and I liked the bright pink. I used my new Cricut machine to cut "30 SUCKS." out of scrapbook paper and to make a little Happy Birthday card. Using an exacto knife, I cut 30 slits in the top of the bags/block and stuck in the suckers. Around the suckers I stuffed crinkle cut paper shreds(the kind you use in gift bags)... and Voila! <br />
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<br /> I thought it turned out very cute and hopefully it brightened her day for the dreadful 30.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-43260824552608262082011-12-04T20:40:00.001-06:002011-12-05T06:48:40.116-06:00DIY Christmas WreathsWe offer a wreath making class at our greenhouse and I went Saturday to join in. It was quite intimidating in the beginning. Of course, I was late and the other ladies were deep into the process. They were clipping greenery, bundling, wrapping with wire, using a variety of supplies and I was clueless! But I collected all my materials, observed some of the others, and jumped right in. It was actually a lot of fun and turned out much better than I expected! There were some ladies in the class that have been coming to the class for years even though they are nearly wreath making experts, so that they have all the supplies provided in a festive location. Their wreaths were incredible!<br />
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I have never bought a fresh wreath (I have a cheap fake one that I have used for years) but I don't think I ever will buy one- I will just make it from now on! I wish I would have taken some pictures during the process to share with everyone, but maybe it is good I didn't so that next year I can gather a group of friends to take the class with me!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-14544833535070835112011-11-13T16:38:00.001-06:002011-11-13T17:02:51.838-06:00Monkey Birthday Party!I just realized how long it has been since I posted last. I guess it is evident that I have been chasing around my little crawler who has now turned 1! I have also been working on a lot of things for her birthday party and didn't want to reveal them until party time. So here we are!<br />
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Lucy's Monkey Cake... </div>
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Cupcakes... </div>
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Lucy's "Smash" cake that didn't end up very smashed. Turns out Lucy doesn't like to be very messy. We will see how long that lasts! </div>
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Lucy's 12-month photo banner and a "1" collage of her photos...</div>
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Lucy's Birthday Banner and Hand-cut monkeys! </div>
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Table decorations...</div>
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Lucy's "1" Onesie...</div>
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This posting is sponsored, in part, by friends and family that gave Lucy toys for her birthday that have allowed her to be occupied/distracted long enough for me to upload these photos!</div>
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<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-64193764652642063682011-09-03T22:04:00.000-05:002011-09-03T22:04:18.450-05:00Yard Sales with a Purpose.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V1Zx9Nd-fuIxxeti_GvwTHSLVnTrI5SB-p3zr9UUwtcSxgciIUkomsTAEutZNQE5YCK3_W2KrWvPNviNoUgSItE74KzvEYFUu3Vhb_F_yp6T1HDWEN1YWhy3FyhtZk0n_XEcRM2eiXsD/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V1Zx9Nd-fuIxxeti_GvwTHSLVnTrI5SB-p3zr9UUwtcSxgciIUkomsTAEutZNQE5YCK3_W2KrWvPNviNoUgSItE74KzvEYFUu3Vhb_F_yp6T1HDWEN1YWhy3FyhtZk0n_XEcRM2eiXsD/s200/IMG_6237.JPG" width="200" /></a>Rudy and I LOVE yard sales. For years we would go with no plan in mind. We would end up with all sorts of random crap that will end up in our own yard sale someday soon. We moved this past spring and realized we have way too much random, underutilized crap. So we decided from now on we would yard sale with a distinct purpose and made a little list of items we would search for at yard sales. If it isn't on the list, there has to be a very compelling reason to purchase it. The things on our list aren't <i>really</i> need right away, just things we would like to have if they are the right price or that we will need within the next year. It is kind of like a treasure hunt list. Some of the things we have found this year so far was a Chicco hook-on travel highchair ($4), a microwave ($8), and today's find was a lot of 13 wooden embroidery hoops for $4!! I have a great craft in mind for the hoops, so as soon as I am able to I will share the finished product.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-83333818909072957912011-08-11T07:06:00.000-05:002011-08-11T07:06:44.489-05:00Beer Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I made this recipe last night that I found in a HyVee circular. It turned out much better than I ever expected! I have tried making bread from scratch in the past and it always ended up too salty or too bland or didn't rise at all. This might have had a little too much butter for my arteries, but I will certainly try it again. I just used a Bud Light because that is what I had on hand, but I next time I might try a flavored craft beer.... <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bent-River-Brewing-Company/58430423094">Bent River</a> Jalapeno Beer Bread anyone?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-76056025509696666172011-08-08T06:04:00.000-05:002011-08-08T06:04:44.462-05:00Freezer Paper Fabric Printing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgl7Bgy-nbaYRCYKRlMuuWHX3NzzMUVUGrOmYE3NkbNwD0ATeJLsE1dOBOqyDbSycU_2w0rjVumZhIL1sSrgMnxxxemT8GW5-Un_gJ2oDFr_CQxa342xY2L2KM5jcMyT_cz95CjjSDZM-/s1600/IMG_6030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgl7Bgy-nbaYRCYKRlMuuWHX3NzzMUVUGrOmYE3NkbNwD0ATeJLsE1dOBOqyDbSycU_2w0rjVumZhIL1sSrgMnxxxemT8GW5-Un_gJ2oDFr_CQxa342xY2L2KM5jcMyT_cz95CjjSDZM-/s320/IMG_6030.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6ufj8aXNk2SNYW8HPYrxxYXa0a8sTNzsMBlRGYr0ICprrnYmga6ldsn0TNFRhXjB0CLChmouzyjYoW_7P4b8W2P9pJ2E19tCRrWGW1_dzLPGCqdsVyWThE-7UEOnvASIORw-2SBgnkyc/s1600/IMG_6025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6ufj8aXNk2SNYW8HPYrxxYXa0a8sTNzsMBlRGYr0ICprrnYmga6ldsn0TNFRhXjB0CLChmouzyjYoW_7P4b8W2P9pJ2E19tCRrWGW1_dzLPGCqdsVyWThE-7UEOnvASIORw-2SBgnkyc/s320/IMG_6025.JPG" width="213" /></a>This has to be one of the coolest crafts I have ever made. Mainly because it is so easy and it has such a great outcome! All you need is:<br />
<ul><li>Freezer Paper (not wax or parchment, but paper with a plastic coating on one side)</li>
<li>Iron</li>
<li>Fabric Paint</li>
<li>Foam Paint Brush</li>
<li>Exact-o-knife</li>
<li>Pen or Pencil</li>
<li>Fabric item of your choice (I used one of Lucy's onesies)</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2aE1juoSE3A3mtsSBUGIR-GGZ6I6ICGDTlgwJO-kGt5ywqIvszEnSlYgyN45yWITOFEikZuWUBRlEWm3gIROPgbeaQmxteJE8CVITsWdYpsTKyipYWevT6kO9-wAsfT7WN_UlyUTF8tO/s1600/IMG_5997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2aE1juoSE3A3mtsSBUGIR-GGZ6I6ICGDTlgwJO-kGt5ywqIvszEnSlYgyN45yWITOFEikZuWUBRlEWm3gIROPgbeaQmxteJE8CVITsWdYpsTKyipYWevT6kO9-wAsfT7WN_UlyUTF8tO/s320/IMG_5997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I printed out an image I wanted to put on the onesie. I selected a bowling ball with a pair of bowling pins, perfect for the start of bowling season! Then I cut a piece of the freezer paper to just a bit larger than the image and traced the image onto the freezer paper with the plastic side down. Using the exact-o-knife, I cut along all the lines to make a stencil. I didn't have to worry about the pieces all being connected since it gets ironed on to the fabric so the will stay put.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbgcAGjXz3IJ7RbG8LDt24JEkARVTVZHlLtiVwq6R7nzjiIuE6vaS5ero65cCPuapBV9_mAK5XFFZp0Fpe4yBD75tMYlKPyrS3QR8ENiIU40PyvSgd1qewQcq2ItpLRqTtgeb5LKSrLtI/s1600/IMG_6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbgcAGjXz3IJ7RbG8LDt24JEkARVTVZHlLtiVwq6R7nzjiIuE6vaS5ero65cCPuapBV9_mAK5XFFZp0Fpe4yBD75tMYlKPyrS3QR8ENiIU40PyvSgd1qewQcq2ItpLRqTtgeb5LKSrLtI/s320/IMG_6019.JPG" width="320" /></a>After it was ironed on, I used purple fabric paint in the fabric exposed areas. The paint directions say to dry for 4 hours, but since it is spread out and I am impatient, I probably only left it for about 2-3 hrs. Then I pulled all the paper off and viola! I LOVE the outcome. I ended up making two and will probably make a lot more once I get more colors. I also plan to make some shirts and things for Rudy and myself. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRDSFTVtHkDwLUwHvMoS9na3waACgF1n0ZX2qjuU83dGApi16lCr8kBhJw-6p6meJxD9-xTPCYUGn6K_hZquKfcej3ZlB0j2wxh3YAWvNkWufpm2TYsqTlCwJtE3wf9nC8akc2t-xMqOj/s1600/IMG_6023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRDSFTVtHkDwLUwHvMoS9na3waACgF1n0ZX2qjuU83dGApi16lCr8kBhJw-6p6meJxD9-xTPCYUGn6K_hZquKfcej3ZlB0j2wxh3YAWvNkWufpm2TYsqTlCwJtE3wf9nC8akc2t-xMqOj/s320/IMG_6023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-73304924940630584172011-07-27T22:08:00.001-05:002011-07-27T22:09:04.694-05:00Bacon Wrapped Crab and Cream Cheese Stuffed JalepenosWhile looking through some old photos I found this one and just HAD to share it. It is making my mouth water and tummy growl a little. I actually made these sometime in early June. The picture doesn't do them justice, but trust me, they are so incredibly tasty!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSCh9TEwIMyAiwBwO22Qm1ssO0xsq8r1j8DBUEJai7RCeaEOkZpM1cz4cncWFyAlGjpcvDufsinb8_-HAlSjyOBLQ80bZVcdk4G2ylB4CuLgjgUs296TW_1nRxBSwz939BRl1AK518KGB/s1600/Cream+cheese+stuffed+jalapenos+w+bacon+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSCh9TEwIMyAiwBwO22Qm1ssO0xsq8r1j8DBUEJai7RCeaEOkZpM1cz4cncWFyAlGjpcvDufsinb8_-HAlSjyOBLQ80bZVcdk4G2ylB4CuLgjgUs296TW_1nRxBSwz939BRl1AK518KGB/s320/Cream+cheese+stuffed+jalapenos+w+bacon+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
10 jalepenos cut lengthwise in half; tops, seeds and veins removed<br />
1 package of immitation crab meat; chopped into small pieces<br />
1 8oz package of cream cheese<br />
10 pieces of bacon; cut in half<br />
Dash of black pepper to taste <br />
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Mix the crab, cream cheese, and pepper together in a bowl. Fill the jalapeno halves with the cream cheese mixture. wrap half a slice of bacon around the stuffing and jalapeno. Put them on the top shelf of a grill, filling side up, and cook them until bacon is crispy. <br />
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YUM!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-78230915183165667542011-07-18T22:24:00.000-05:002011-07-18T22:24:12.118-05:00Milk Jug CaseI found this "lunch box" made out of a plastic milk jug on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. Since we have quite a few infant water jugs siting around waiting to head out to recycling, I decided to give this a shot. It was really easy to cut the plastic, although I didn't cut very evenly. And I already had some self-adhesive velcro dots in my sewing supplies. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Now I just need to decide what I will use it for. Perhaps pencils, crayons, small toys, brownies, cookies, or carrots?</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-59913529945327626312011-07-17T18:35:00.001-05:002011-07-17T19:00:12.202-05:00The ExpeditSeveral years ago my husband bought me the most fabulous shelving unit for my craft room. The extraordinarily large, 6ft x 6ft IKEA Expedit Bookcase. It weighs 213lb, has about 100 pieces, and took me a couple hours and several bruises to assemble. Then 6 months later, we moved. The movers were able to easily get it out of our house, but after a 1/2 hour of trying, they had no luck in getting up the stairs to our 2nd story, 1 bedroom, downtown apartment. So off my new, cool shelf went to our storage unit to live for over 2 years.<br />
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Well, about 2 months ago we moved into a house and I was so excited for us to be reunited. Until we tried getting it into the house. Since our box-spring wouldn't fit, we knew the IKEA shelf wouldn't either. So here is the dilemma: do we concede to be beat by the bookcase and just make it into a piece of garage furniture? Or do we disassemble it with the hope that we can get it back together again in the room of our desire? After much debate, we decided to tackle the reassembly.<br />
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Much to our surprise, it was very easy! Unassembly went very fast, and reassembly wasn't that bad either. So here we have it...<br />
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Now it is time to work on organization of all my craft supplies!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-45201802976727468792011-07-06T23:02:00.001-05:002011-07-18T06:48:17.064-05:00Paper Bag Mini-AlbumYears ago I used to teach kids how to make paper lunch bags into all sorts of things, including scrapbooks. I would always start a sample, but never really finish it because it was just a sample to show them the concept and I didn't want to give them something they would try to copy. I would hole punch the binding and lace it together using yarn. Well the other day I had my sewing machine out and decided it might be fun to try making a mini-album out of paper bags similar to the ones I made with the kids.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikSzfKUIThz5zA21Ok2JEae59NNiLtH3grzMfDQMnIaTlS9lS6ia_z1xaU6kKo3aqL3AiO__22Irl5rTKdTvGnm6mYAb7YCa9cOSOYzW0oq4bnqGN8UQdWAO5ucwyof4wslpvTVZVMakc/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikSzfKUIThz5zA21Ok2JEae59NNiLtH3grzMfDQMnIaTlS9lS6ia_z1xaU6kKo3aqL3AiO__22Irl5rTKdTvGnm6mYAb7YCa9cOSOYzW0oq4bnqGN8UQdWAO5ucwyof4wslpvTVZVMakc/s320/IMG_5528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used an overlock stitch to bind together three folded bags. The stitch messed up a little from going through the thick layers, but I like the haphazard look it created. I alternated the bags directions so the flaps and openings of the bags would be mixed up to create a more interesting booklet of pages.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJmrrMmOEVeiLDlcPLW0MAkMsJ5DhFU7rE5UnyVYC5hxwah5yjzTFI4kwNLoGageyS_fXLN79ZHhoBcnRgukLkjl4RhKz9xxXnTj73pZ4i8WUyC8E9NZXVxW_veDdqAj5is5ILvOmusaI/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJmrrMmOEVeiLDlcPLW0MAkMsJ5DhFU7rE5UnyVYC5hxwah5yjzTFI4kwNLoGageyS_fXLN79ZHhoBcnRgukLkjl4RhKz9xxXnTj73pZ4i8WUyC8E9NZXVxW_veDdqAj5is5ILvOmusaI/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Since the bag openings make great pockets, I knew I wanted to put something in them. I found some tulle left over from a tutu I made for Lucy and I sewed a picture on an index card to give it some stability and tulle on the end of it that sticks out of the pocket for decoration. This album was made out of three bags, therefore it has three pockets and three picture/tulle cards.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLta_E8bistpHOUAZmMWBc3Xlxj-1Lo6xO92WKgRa0g9s5pffDNf3VzfGhFpKMiSXdV8Ij0TGOjhQnMqiIjagydiNqaONyD5W7nEhYecl4RPgWbB7tdh7uE0iV0oigtk3BXzDnjLALk1F/s1600/IMG_5534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLta_E8bistpHOUAZmMWBc3Xlxj-1Lo6xO92WKgRa0g9s5pffDNf3VzfGhFpKMiSXdV8Ij0TGOjhQnMqiIjagydiNqaONyD5W7nEhYecl4RPgWbB7tdh7uE0iV0oigtk3BXzDnjLALk1F/s320/IMG_5534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To sew the pictures directly onto the bag pages I used a basic straight stitch about an quarter inch off the edge. Under the flaps I have written a few words about the pictures on the pages or general characteristics of Lucy inspired by the photos. I used some decorative rub-on transfers and letters for the cover and to add thematic color to the pages.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyExDFgHAYkt_GsnijaC_-Rh6oz8nayRCPSu59MTm0SgPSaUp7b5m-mOwMAfhVBUjzUbWLV3hkOwlq4tIb4HgPmOOnhV7Ugda34ZmNoo3dFLK8swhKB8HfEhPusWKPeUYxNiFEBSzaaClW/s1600/IMG_5543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyExDFgHAYkt_GsnijaC_-Rh6oz8nayRCPSu59MTm0SgPSaUp7b5m-mOwMAfhVBUjzUbWLV3hkOwlq4tIb4HgPmOOnhV7Ugda34ZmNoo3dFLK8swhKB8HfEhPusWKPeUYxNiFEBSzaaClW/s320/IMG_5543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm not completely finished with this album. I still need pictures for two of the pages, but I was so excited about it and how it is shaping up that I just couldn't wait to share it.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012031452975079001.post-29515844407583582632011-07-01T18:07:00.004-05:002011-07-05T21:38:48.345-05:00Tags, tags, and more tags.Pre-motherhood I would see those <a href="http://www.taggies.com/home_us.html">Taggie</a> blankets, clothes, etc. and wonder why in the world that company makes so much money on that stuff and who would buy that for their kid. Then Lucy turned 6 months and tags were no longer safe. She can find a tag on anything and get it into her mouth.<br />
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So last weekend I decided that I could just make a taggie mini-blanket myself so that she could chew and slobber all over that and it would be easier to clean than the awkward shaped stuff with tags: stuffed animals, wrist rattles, and the toys on her exersaucer. Off I went to my bin of fabric, of which I have way too much, and out I pulled a colorful piece of duck fabric and bright pink scrap of terry cloth, both of which I used earlier this year to make bibs and burp cloths. Then I selected four different colorful ribbons to make into "tags"and I got to sewing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk_dBQDPNheBglpFBtGJ9RkQCnQ5qZnEjO3Qwu9TVAunhPBSZ5E6p7KRyjPyMQdP8XvvxH4klTFlabkS4q8YJ5D7FHJaJjFFyJmQjDi-berh3HkiChrIVD3lhqEPfno6daBL2DSLaOTCA/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk_dBQDPNheBglpFBtGJ9RkQCnQ5qZnEjO3Qwu9TVAunhPBSZ5E6p7KRyjPyMQdP8XvvxH4klTFlabkS4q8YJ5D7FHJaJjFFyJmQjDi-berh3HkiChrIVD3lhqEPfno6daBL2DSLaOTCA/s200/IMG_5338.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo-5QjIn3M7hMIqd3maecErOuLdDrTHdHlryqHkptBPRFRoKOo_Ym8XbsjU-_qDonpDfQ0Uzfha6us5Y1Tup3olkNy8TrCtEC4tR5GNFYr3GueqmhrpuAlta59dosk9PDWRJSo_04TJv_/s1600/IMG_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo-5QjIn3M7hMIqd3maecErOuLdDrTHdHlryqHkptBPRFRoKOo_Ym8XbsjU-_qDonpDfQ0Uzfha6us5Y1Tup3olkNy8TrCtEC4tR5GNFYr3GueqmhrpuAlta59dosk9PDWRJSo_04TJv_/s200/IMG_5340.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I was quite proud of my creation and immediately gave it to little Lucy, knowing that she would be in 7th heaven with so many tags! I was envisioning the cute pictures of her over the years as she would have her little home-made taggie by her side. She took it, looked at it, and threw it to the side while reaching for a tag on her pink plaid Scooby-doo. Oh well. I was glad my time investment was minimal and financial investment even less. And I had decided I would not blog about my little creation because it was a failure.<br />
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Well about 10 minutes ago she picked it up on her own! She has since put it down, but maybe there is some hope! Maybe it wasn't a complete waste of time and effort. Who knows! If you see pictures of her in the months to come with her little homemade taggie, then you will now know where it came from and that she has finally warmed up to it. Otherwise, tuck in your tags, none are safe from Lucy!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03488846762088205283noreply@blogger.com0