tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77490530050936429042024-03-13T20:46:43.073-07:00Nicole's Crafting AdventureFollow me as I try out new projects for gifts, for my home, and for my classroom.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-7240242052266940492012-04-15T15:22:00.000-07:002012-04-15T16:20:58.276-07:00Caterpillar Birthday!My daughter and my good friend's daughter turned 2 in December. We planned a joint birthday for them using the theme The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Here are some highlights from the party. Most of the ideas are from <a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!<br />
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Here is the invitation. <br />
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The first circle is the caterpillar's head. The second circle has the poem:<br />
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We can hardly believe</div>
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two years have passed.</div>
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Our little caterpillars </div>
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have grown up so fast.</div>
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Join the Dunnes and Heinleins</div>
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as we debut</div>
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Kiah and Audrey </div>
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are turning TWO!</div>
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The third circle has a photo of each girl, and the fourth circle has the party info. I used mini brads from Michael's craft store to attach each circle. I then rotated the circles so they were stacked and slipped it in a large greeting card envelope to mail them off to the party go-ers. <br />
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I put an invite in a frame and displayed it at the party. Making 20 of these invites took FOREVER, but they are so cute it was worth it.<br />
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A couple weeks before the party, we got the kids together and made these artworks. Celia (the other mom and party planner) bought these canvases, acrylic paint, and toddler friendly paintbrushes. I made the butterfly body forms with brown construction paper and glued them on top of the paint once it was dry. I also had googly eyes to add once the art was dry. We made this art as samples and displayed them at the art table at the party. All the guests who came got to choose which artwork they wanted to make, make it, then take it home as their party favor! It was a big hit with the kids AND adults alike!<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I later hung the art in my kids' room as display of their artistic ability!</span></div>
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I made the girls birthday shirts out of felt and fabric. I bought the plain white shirts at Kohl's. I loved the little ruffle detail near the neckline. I cut out the number two from polkadot and strawberry fabric and ironed on interfacing to the back, then ironed it to the shirts. I zigzag stitched all around the two to adhere it to the shirt. I then used my embroidery attachement to embroider the name letters onto different colors of felt. The eyes on the caterpillar head are just little zeros! I cut circles around the letters, trying to get the letter as centered as possible. I used my 2" circle punch to make a paper circle template that I pinned on top of each letter, then cut around. This worked well, but some letters are more centered than others. You can tell it is handmade! :) I then sewed each circle to the shirts using coordinating thread. This part took awhile to change the top thread and bobbin each time, but I am really happy with how it turned out. I wasn't going to sew the purple antennas on the caterpillar heads, but in the end I did. </div>
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Here is Audrey in her shirt. You can see the antennas. <br />
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Celia bought green tutus for the girls to wear, too. They were adorable!<br />
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My mom also crocheted the girls caterpillar hats. Here is Kiah modeling hers at her house:<br />
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I bought a book of the Very Hungry Caterpillar just to cut up and use for art. I got a butterfly punch at Michael's and made these two frames: one for each girl to take home after the party.<br />
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I also used the book to make signs for the food table. We served food from the book! The big lollipops are from <a href="http://www.dylanscandybar.com/" target="_blank">Dylan's Candybar</a>. Instead of an actual pie, my friend Janae made pie pops - they were adorable and delicious. And instead of cupcakes, I made a table runner out of cupcake fabric.<br />
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Celia made delicious sandwiches with the salami and swiss cheese, and in honor of the leaf the caterpillar eats to make his tummy feel better, we had salad.<br />
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I made name banners for each girl and displayed them in the dining room with the food. Here is Kiah's. The letters are punch-out letters from a teacher supply store. The colored polkadots around each letter are the girls' fingerprints!<br />
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Here is Audrey waiting patiently for her cake. My mother-in-law is a fabulous baker and made this cake.<br />
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Here I am enjoying the party with Audrey, my friend Carla, her daughter Kennedy, and my other friend Erin. A ton of work went into pulling this off, but everyone had fun, the food was good, the decor was cute, so I was a happy mama!<br />
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<i>No, stripes nor black and white clothing were a prerequisite for attending the party. My friends and I just have very similar taste in clothing! Ha!</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-2519834282706372052012-01-07T15:13:00.001-08:002012-01-07T22:20:40.114-08:00Freezer Paper LoveSo I didn't know it until recently, but I love freezer paper! Last year, while searching for something fun and unique to do at my good friend Carla's baby shower, I found a project for freezer paper stencils. I knew that with a little bit of effort, it would be fun!<br />
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I started out with random graphics that I liked. Most were found from Google images. This one is a tree with hearts as the leaves. I traced the graphic onto a piece of freezer paper with a pencil (on the smooth side, not the waxy side), and using an Exacto knife and a self-healing mat, I cut on all the lines. We wanted to have 20 different stencils for guests to choose from at the party, so my party planning hostess partner Janae cut out 10 and I cut out 10. I'm not going to lie. It took a long time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KPp81YUDHwGRiIGjmoZUUDsoDz8_Ibj44sUmgT94NGiE6kRwrUCyLQSElr9MgXav0nkoIrYqrJNSYf6Xt8SZTlOyMSqZUkNjyXeGs8Ej9vEEHBnJ0k6pD3jMUapX6mTDhXfWj-zpiO7t/s640/blogger-image-369189308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KPp81YUDHwGRiIGjmoZUUDsoDz8_Ibj44sUmgT94NGiE6kRwrUCyLQSElr9MgXav0nkoIrYqrJNSYf6Xt8SZTlOyMSqZUkNjyXeGs8Ej9vEEHBnJ0k6pD3jMUapX6mTDhXfWj-zpiO7t/s320/blogger-image-369189308.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Before the party, I ironed the stencils to the center of each onesie, positioning them so if Carla were to put pants or a skirt on the baby, you could still see the design. </div>
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Here are some of the party guests painting onesies. They choose the design they liked the best, and using sponge dabbers and fabric paint, sponged the colors on that they wanted. Some girls used a one color design, some got bold and used a variety of colors. We loved that guests could get creative with their onesie, but you did not have to be artistic for it to come out cute.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERivAIMJu4umK1P8NkBrK5GVitZhJo_TRlIZVnHnj9VASsXr3byu4hY9RBbuzzjQkdTeDLnQsbfm3QXI0p7-21nPsUs6qkpPeSOcc9er6KWmBggVGShjb1KE8RToUD0ca7oP-aEZN6MZ7/s1600/IMG_3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERivAIMJu4umK1P8NkBrK5GVitZhJo_TRlIZVnHnj9VASsXr3byu4hY9RBbuzzjQkdTeDLnQsbfm3QXI0p7-21nPsUs6qkpPeSOcc9er6KWmBggVGShjb1KE8RToUD0ca7oP-aEZN6MZ7/s320/IMG_3074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the paint dries for about an hour, you can peel off the paper. Make sure to launder it inside out for the first time. How very Portland of us - a peace sign and a recycling symbol :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMetZSk6RdnM3666NYqkboWTUlo8yrhj-YO3nHt48Jtu1to3effogBmYyLUbiMPf-jw9yYS19Lo_mmZkRomy41LjKj8y_k6vZQfGnZe1xX5lAAY4Q0A0f7x_QQvE6Ihr1ulgKpLNNvr7U/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMetZSk6RdnM3666NYqkboWTUlo8yrhj-YO3nHt48Jtu1to3effogBmYyLUbiMPf-jw9yYS19Lo_mmZkRomy41LjKj8y_k6vZQfGnZe1xX5lAAY4Q0A0f7x_QQvE6Ihr1ulgKpLNNvr7U/s320/IMG_3107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As a Christmas gift this year, I decided to break out the freezer paper again. My little sister lives in Eugene, a very Earth-conscious, "green" city. So naturally, I made her a bicycle t-shirt. I bought the plain gray t-shirt at Target and found a bicycle graphic that I liked from Google images. </div>
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Here is my stencil, all ready to be ironed to the shirt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtLnvmhRUiWyjRipJ6Q5P4HpTYGDX6v3YlMiVfZenCwWgJUhvDgI3RXPT6Vjctyof7KY4BRjDrd3BU7-ShJVp2he9eoY5iL-Hrr4fMcWoOa59wZT80fGdcx9_fiDFNGDiHz2Zv1hpaVOo/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtLnvmhRUiWyjRipJ6Q5P4HpTYGDX6v3YlMiVfZenCwWgJUhvDgI3RXPT6Vjctyof7KY4BRjDrd3BU7-ShJVp2he9eoY5iL-Hrr4fMcWoOa59wZT80fGdcx9_fiDFNGDiHz2Zv1hpaVOo/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And after ironing it. I positioned the triangle in the middle of the bike and the circles for the insides of the wheels while ironing. It's important to remember where each piece goes as you are cutting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKOTFUk8dAgIgVW-8Ga_k_ey5-lT9c_DhDr20v_a66vAK_rRfQqiOX8P6PGrpaNSDNrfhNT_tv-Mye1Y7Gf65m-fXOBlIupcIAluynGKXfwUjGC1dOidJKNNxuIaU2i0zsiKkNbx2dy7g/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKOTFUk8dAgIgVW-8Ga_k_ey5-lT9c_DhDr20v_a66vAK_rRfQqiOX8P6PGrpaNSDNrfhNT_tv-Mye1Y7Gf65m-fXOBlIupcIAluynGKXfwUjGC1dOidJKNNxuIaU2i0zsiKkNbx2dy7g/s320/IMG_0955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my Tulip brand fabric paint. I got the palette and sponge daubers at Michael's. I just sponged on a thin layer, making sure the coverage was good, but that I didn't use too much to make it bleed under the freezer paper. I put a piece of cardboard on the inside of my shirt so the paint wouldn't soak through to the other side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jsGCF4sG6oec6TVYOBxs7HzRkxZibJvkiaSpf_7S1QGwhXgSbs-tzqKiROHk956ikiGNoZ4lA9FTgB75dMjZG2BVXq8DWMrhrduHqJZtRz8rif4sbYq7eGxO-CNMfsMphC0CYTKFL0FI/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jsGCF4sG6oec6TVYOBxs7HzRkxZibJvkiaSpf_7S1QGwhXgSbs-tzqKiROHk956ikiGNoZ4lA9FTgB75dMjZG2BVXq8DWMrhrduHqJZtRz8rif4sbYq7eGxO-CNMfsMphC0CYTKFL0FI/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here I am modeling the shirt before I sent it off to Marley. Cute, huh? And since I only had to buy the t-shirt, it ended up being a very inexpensive gift. She said she loved it, so hopefully she wears it while riding her bike around Eugene! :) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojQA_zYibwYjgv3WNwGg2lReaw-ByBOtMuQG0fp22iTCc1NKQkhFhRe_CjkYV-y5pzpyqQzyyZO27MDEE-fnhmsoydQPDQazM7xqQ4QQmo-WyAf2STSrot3btXPa3nHAREDrnSMF-GZu3/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojQA_zYibwYjgv3WNwGg2lReaw-ByBOtMuQG0fp22iTCc1NKQkhFhRe_CjkYV-y5pzpyqQzyyZO27MDEE-fnhmsoydQPDQazM7xqQ4QQmo-WyAf2STSrot3btXPa3nHAREDrnSMF-GZu3/s320/IMG_0962.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Have you used fabric paint before? What are your ideas for fun baby shower activities? I'd love to hear about it! </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-62036859039988573362011-12-24T14:23:00.000-08:002011-12-24T14:29:52.455-08:00A Pinterest Christmas!Have I told you how much I love Pinterest? Haha. I do. I love it. Here are some projects I've been working on for Christmas this weekend:<br />
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An ornament with sand and shells that I brought back from our vacation to Kauai a couple weeks ago. I bought a clear ornament at Michael's, filled it with sand and the shells, then tied on ribbon and a little tag to remind us of where it is from!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mV6Dokd8HNU/TvZKtSFNyHI/AAAAAAAAC8g/Dk5QyTL_zXs/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mV6Dokd8HNU/TvZKtSFNyHI/AAAAAAAAC8g/Dk5QyTL_zXs/s320/IMG_0993.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/174866398001162241/" target="_blank">this</a> pin</td></tr>
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A clip to hang recipes I am using in the kitchen. This way they won't get dirty on the counter! I bought the pant hangers in a 4-pack at Target, then traced, cut, and glued on scrapbook paper. I used little black letter stickers to spell out the sayings and brushed on about 4 coats of matte Mod Podge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KoEYABKiqg/TvZKw1o-ZqI/AAAAAAAAC8o/8oDXgdueUic/s1600/IMG_0994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KoEYABKiqg/TvZKw1o-ZqI/AAAAAAAAC8o/8oDXgdueUic/s320/IMG_0994.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/174866398001162240/" target="_blank"> this</a> pin</td></tr>
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Other side - What's Cooking?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7C7Olrqff-I/TvZK051xpDI/AAAAAAAAC8w/y-KvPbd2oIY/s1600/IMG_0995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7C7Olrqff-I/TvZK051xpDI/AAAAAAAAC8w/y-KvPbd2oIY/s320/IMG_0995.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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A set of monogrammed gift tags for the whole family. D = Daddy, M = Mommy, A = Audrey, N = Nathan. The pin is from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/276334/holiday-gift-tags-and-labels/@center/307035/santas-workshop#/242939">MarthaStewart.com</a>. I printed out a template from the website, then pinned the templates to felt. I cut them out, then glued on strips of rick rack with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aleenes-oz-Original-Tacky-Glue/dp/B00178KLEY" target="_blank">Aleen's Tacky Glue</a>. I also cut out the initials from felt. I just eyeballed these, I was too lazy to make a template. I figured they are so small, it wouldn't matter if they were all slightly different. I sewed the rick rack on with a straight stitch and coordinating thread, then glued the initial on top. I sewed the initials on with a zigzag stitch and coordinating thread. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KihM2OBT7eQ/TvZK7H4b4rI/AAAAAAAAC84/e64CwMpIvRo/s1600/IMG_0996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KihM2OBT7eQ/TvZK7H4b4rI/AAAAAAAAC84/e64CwMpIvRo/s320/IMG_0996.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/174866398001204574/" target="_blank"> this</a> pin</td></tr>
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Here is the whole lot - 4 for each member of the family. I can't wait to tie them to all our packages!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpOu1kVqhiE/TvZLFYyAcwI/AAAAAAAAC9A/qYjrXwMz-d0/s1600/IMG_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpOu1kVqhiE/TvZLFYyAcwI/AAAAAAAAC9A/qYjrXwMz-d0/s320/IMG_0997.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The tags are a perfect companion to this idea I found on Pinterest - only 4 gifts a year. My kids share a room (so space is at a premium), and they already have so much stuff. I started my shopping this year with the 4 Gift Rule in mind. It was hard to stick to! My husband had an especially hard time. He loves to buy toys for the kids. He may have to just shop for Santa's gifts from now on!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHyIRJ12eS0/TvZNLlJCtfI/AAAAAAAAC9M/rO0ObH5TvAI/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHyIRJ12eS0/TvZNLlJCtfI/AAAAAAAAC9M/rO0ObH5TvAI/s320/Picture+1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot of<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/174866398001162243/" target="_blank"> this</a> pin</td></tr>
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What Christmas projects have you been finishing up this weekend? Do you love Pinterest, too??Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-63411149132188487502011-12-23T13:55:00.000-08:002012-01-05T20:43:27.674-08:00Super Hero Cape Tutorial<div style="text-align: left;">
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This tutorial is WAYYYYY long over due. Since Nathan's birthday last year when I made 7 capes, I've made 11 more!! Here is a quick tutorial on how to do it. Anyone who can sew a straight line can do it!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">1. </span></span> My mom helped me design these. We started with two colors of fabric,
one for the outside and one for the lining. First, cut both pieces of fabric into 21" by 20"
squares.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iiib_8H57c4/TvTsgd7DuiI/AAAAAAAAC6E/_IRfkzSTJ-4/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iiib_8H57c4/TvTsgd7DuiI/AAAAAAAAC6E/_IRfkzSTJ-4/s320/IMG_0971.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabric is folded in half here, so that the angles would be symmetrical.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">2. </span></span> Cut the bottom into a point with the shortest section
being 17" and the bottom section being about 3" wide. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDexYPZ4Rsk/TwZ3aj5JenI/AAAAAAAADAE/1_zEhebXSdc/s1600/IMG_3045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDexYPZ4Rsk/TwZ3aj5JenI/AAAAAAAADAE/1_zEhebXSdc/s320/IMG_3045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does that help? Yuck, I can see my old Blackberry in this pic!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">3. </span></span> Print out a Superman emblem onto a full size of paper and cut it out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gX0cOBtB5pg/TvTs3OatGWI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/YHoM_jahn0s/s1600/s-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gX0cOBtB5pg/TvTs3OatGWI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/YHoM_jahn0s/s1600/s-logo.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found via <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=superman+emblem&hl=en&biw=1408&bih=712&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=VL9j7YQrsR8DZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php%3Ftopic%3Darticles/the-s-story&docid=rc92Lhnfop5hoM&imgurl=http://www.supermanhomepage.com/images/logos-emblems/s-logo.gif&w=240&h=181&ei=Qfj0Tv_2EY7TiAKsisHTAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=691&vpy=305&dur=5&hovh=144&hovw=192&tx=90&ty=35&sig=104758936422924714032&page=1&tbnh=115&tbnw=152&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0" target="_blank">Google Images</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">4. </span>Pin the paper emblem to your desired color of felt and cut out the felt. If you are going to use an embroidery machine to stitch names onto the emblem, iron stabilizer on the back. If you don't have an embroidery attachment, you can leave the emblem blank and buy stick-on stars or other shapes to have kids decorate their own capes, or use stick-on felt letters to spell out the kids' names. The possibilities are really endless here.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7HIjvBLxZs/TvTtETbwCAI/AAAAAAAAC6c/Qn0-t3DQb-c/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7HIjvBLxZs/TvTtETbwCAI/AAAAAAAAC6c/Qn0-t3DQb-c/s320/IMG_3055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">5. </span></span> Pin the completed emblem onto the top piece of fabric and, using a zig-zag stitch, sew the emblem to the fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GDq9KMf7-s/TvTtuQCrk6I/AAAAAAAAC6o/6GCP14wWSwk/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GDq9KMf7-s/TvTtuQCrk6I/AAAAAAAAC6o/6GCP14wWSwk/s320/IMG_0973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">6. </span> Next, pin both pieces of fabric together, wrong sides together. Make sure to pin where you will leave a hole to accommodate the tie string. I just eyeballed it to go a couple inches above the top of the emblem. I wanted the emblem to be in the middle of the child's back and wanted a little bit of a collar to ruffle at the top.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCxlGpIKGE8/TvTyPfntARI/AAAAAAAAC7A/7TB3rs06Dlc/s1600/IMG_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCxlGpIKGE8/TvTyPfntARI/AAAAAAAAC7A/7TB3rs06Dlc/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">7.</span> Start to sew in straight stitches, leaving a 1/4 inch seam. When you get to these pins as you are sewing, backstitch to make sure it wouldn't unravel in the wash or anything, jump to the next pin and backstitch again. Make sure to leave a hole in the cape in order to turn it right side out. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bdrHjjY3ew/TvTym17SroI/AAAAAAAAC7k/Nfc_6aGzMIQ/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bdrHjjY3ew/TvTym17SroI/AAAAAAAAC7k/Nfc_6aGzMIQ/s320/IMG_3049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">8. </span></span>Turn it right side out and iron the seams flat. <br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">9. </span> Next, top stitch all the way around, skipping over the holes for the tie string again. You will then stitch across the top of the cape, from one side of the little hole to the other, making a track for the tie string to stay in. <i>(Note: It looks like I had sewed along the entire edge, but I just hadn't snipped the string that jumps across the start and finish of the hole yet. You will need that hole to be open in order to thread the string through.)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcYPh08naAA/TvTzlg4_TWI/AAAAAAAAC74/h7OIAv9w_3M/s1600/IMG_0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcYPh08naAA/TvTzlg4_TWI/AAAAAAAAC74/h7OIAv9w_3M/s320/IMG_0975.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">10. </span></span> The last step is to thread your string through the track. I have used ribbon and I have also used binding tape (folded in half and stitched closed). Then secure, you can use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prym-Dritz-Cord-Stops-Pkg/dp/B00175YDUK/ref=sr_1_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1324676372&sr=1-2" target="_blank">cord stop</a> on each side, or you can ruffle up the collar to your desired effect and stitch the ends of the track closed. Stitching it closed makes it not adjustable, but I don't really think that matters too much. Nathan's cape is stitched closed and he doesn't mind that he can't adjust it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy cape making!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt3vJHmdUkI/TvT2GtivOiI/AAAAAAAAC8E/oqrmEzdq0b8/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt3vJHmdUkI/TvT2GtivOiI/AAAAAAAAC8E/oqrmEzdq0b8/s320/IMG_2987.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating capes at Nathan's birthday last year</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5NuoNZLTm0/TvT2JqnmMNI/AAAAAAAAC8M/oFbDRWnmNEg/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5NuoNZLTm0/TvT2JqnmMNI/AAAAAAAAC8M/oFbDRWnmNEg/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing the completed capes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJOWy22TJ5s/TvT2OgQHAUI/AAAAAAAAC8U/c3u2A5CwUUU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJOWy22TJ5s/TvT2OgQHAUI/AAAAAAAAC8U/c3u2A5CwUUU/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in the neighborhood to save the day!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B4tjwJHmMS0IJ5x5KvHVOYl5FlVsZr-5djHnZgcBhKqMMiECO9hrYjVLdmQjJlTP6FgVYZVynD2RoCzYA85rCoQr9hFHzk1ZvwNvarPNhrIj6TM6enlUn_k9-m4FkmX_rBdO5NmFQHUU/s320/IMG_0976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="239" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished cape from my <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/12/craft-it-forward-2011.html" target="_blank">Craft It Forward</a> project</td></tr>
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Do you have any little ones who would like a super hero cape? Who is YOUR favorite super hero? Maybe you can just make one for yourself! Or by like my friend and make one for your dog! :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-49656996256774417832011-12-19T12:42:00.000-08:002011-12-21T11:05:44.786-08:00Craft It Forward 2011On January 4, 2011, I promised to make something for the first 5 people who commented on my Facebook status. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GQIE2MDn9Jj8vsjIf6zkVxZhCFZqN7vxfB28LEcrgN1IM6twzeAH17_sWYj8L0OMmPtm-cO7q4hlNzYS9NoA81pgVl_y5_pMCJyhRPfe7IZ0c5fFxV5X8LwV0Fcfui9T0tphq991V3Cr/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GQIE2MDn9Jj8vsjIf6zkVxZhCFZqN7vxfB28LEcrgN1IM6twzeAH17_sWYj8L0OMmPtm-cO7q4hlNzYS9NoA81pgVl_y5_pMCJyhRPfe7IZ0c5fFxV5X8LwV0Fcfui9T0tphq991V3Cr/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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So finally, the end of December, I am ready to mail them out! Thank goodness for Facebook's new Timeline. The first time I went to check who exactly had commented on this status, it took me over 30 minutes to scroll all the way back. Now, I just click on 2011, then click on January. Easy, peasy!<br />
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Now on to the gifts...<br />
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For Tia, a jersey knit scarf, sewn with elastic thread in the bobbin so that it would ruffle a bit. I got the idea from <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-summer-scarf.html" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial. Since I used jersey knit and it doesn't fray, I didn't hem the edges. It's really light weight and will be great in the late spring or summer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0O1QLTLeQzJ8hObpkySlsCXt56NMY6G82SYUP7pt5Le0IkcbTZY2rZwkjyu5bH9dFJCZ8cJIGXBnat4gcWk8mc0JYSsDgn_DkC-b3V4Dkn-V-0yg5_DOLp6jPhfJP1rXSFywrsKiaOz6/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0O1QLTLeQzJ8hObpkySlsCXt56NMY6G82SYUP7pt5Le0IkcbTZY2rZwkjyu5bH9dFJCZ8cJIGXBnat4gcWk8mc0JYSsDgn_DkC-b3V4Dkn-V-0yg5_DOLp6jPhfJP1rXSFywrsKiaOz6/s320/IMG_0960.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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For Laura, a shirt for her son, inspired by the Oregon <a href="http://www.madeinoregon.com/Heart_Oregon_Sticker-4409.html?utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Froogle&gclid=CO6Y9bLsjK0CFasaQgodhmhtmA" target="_blank">sticker</a> on my car. I printed out a map of Oregon, then cut out the shape from white felt and sewed it on a little boys black shirt with a straight stitch. I cut out the green felt heart and sewed that on top with green thread and a straight stitch. Really easy and super cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKCOnF4mcjXOhSf7foK1X1XMrngvcd_lcRfK5QYpOhIGA2sCcl7OgqYAcInflVlFQguAizXPeFgRG9K3cDrzgydKYK-8jiZU90DzQi5000uy0w4OG7oT-4gvY3QP41iIWQWlHpMVaKWqQ/s1600/IMG_0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKCOnF4mcjXOhSf7foK1X1XMrngvcd_lcRfK5QYpOhIGA2sCcl7OgqYAcInflVlFQguAizXPeFgRG9K3cDrzgydKYK-8jiZU90DzQi5000uy0w4OG7oT-4gvY3QP41iIWQWlHpMVaKWqQ/s320/IMG_0959.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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For Shannon, a fun coffee cozy. I've made them before, <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-christmas-gifts-part-3.html" target="_blank">here</a>. If she doesn't buy coffee drinks often at Starbucks or other places, she can also use this sleeve on Kleen Kanteens (those things can get really cold if you put ice in them) or on to-go coffee mugs. I used the left over fabric from making Kara's oven mitt and hot pad <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/06/3-different-parties-3-different.html" target="_blank">bridal shower gift</a> and top stitched it with a cute flower stitch on my sewing machine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8L27V7GiZ_uowFTKk33YcFKGQWPusPMmMi0qs2fBsb3md49CzeJu4RXVvXugUt4BNXtnveFs0VLL9S7CpGSzyAKS4cBMqphmm1EYyjv_RJ99ZPr9prWZa1MFOz8avGekkKaqWSvnJjZM/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8L27V7GiZ_uowFTKk33YcFKGQWPusPMmMi0qs2fBsb3md49CzeJu4RXVvXugUt4BNXtnveFs0VLL9S7CpGSzyAKS4cBMqphmm1EYyjv_RJ99ZPr9prWZa1MFOz8avGekkKaqWSvnJjZM/s320/IMG_0965.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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For Wendy, a onesie for her baby girl. I got the idea from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/174866398001135120/" target="_blank">this</a> pin on Pinterest. I had actually originally pinned the inspiration from one of Wendy's boards, so I hope she hasn't made one for her daughter yet! The flower is from <a href="http://www.heyjenrenee.com/2010/03/fabric-flower-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial because I wanted it to be permanently attached to the onesie. If Wendy wants to turn it into a pendant, she just has to snip the threads and glue or sew it to a pin from the craft store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwm90R4cFR-16BoU4EOw_lPRL5n-QqL1RmhEMr-EBrib22TlifgY-WbKO-P_lsF8Rp7lCHgPKd8cWp4Wz-CjuCnUwp1pFQLPrkTdBKqClZKmM14xt3himoPyKuBJ42pUIOj6sdRGNbQQV/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwm90R4cFR-16BoU4EOw_lPRL5n-QqL1RmhEMr-EBrib22TlifgY-WbKO-P_lsF8Rp7lCHgPKd8cWp4Wz-CjuCnUwp1pFQLPrkTdBKqClZKmM14xt3himoPyKuBJ42pUIOj6sdRGNbQQV/s320/IMG_0966.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For Kelly, a super hero cape for her daughter, Greta. I also made capes for <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/02/super-nate-turns-5.html" target="_blank">Nathan's birthday </a>last year and Greta's brother was one of the attendees who received one. I'll have to do a tutorial on those soon! Kelly is also a teacher and last year her class wrote an imaginative story about Super Greta, a brave and courageous toddler. In the story, Super Greta's cape was blue and red. I made her real cape blue and purple, because purple is her favorite color! I even practiced using my embroidery attachment to embroider "Super Greta" on the Superman emblem. It turned out much better than the <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/02/embroidery.html" target="_blank">last time</a> I embroidered something for Greta! Here is the finished cape in the car, on the way to the post office!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B4tjwJHmMS0IJ5x5KvHVOYl5FlVsZr-5djHnZgcBhKqMMiECO9hrYjVLdmQjJlTP6FgVYZVynD2RoCzYA85rCoQr9hFHzk1ZvwNvarPNhrIj6TM6enlUn_k9-m4FkmX_rBdO5NmFQHUU/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B4tjwJHmMS0IJ5x5KvHVOYl5FlVsZr-5djHnZgcBhKqMMiECO9hrYjVLdmQjJlTP6FgVYZVynD2RoCzYA85rCoQr9hFHzk1ZvwNvarPNhrIj6TM6enlUn_k9-m4FkmX_rBdO5NmFQHUU/s320/IMG_0976.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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So, moral of the story, if I participate in Craft It Forward 2012, I will start these projects WAYYYYY earlier! :) I'm such a procrastinator, it's not funny.<br />
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What have you been working on lately?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-21951897706469190462011-10-28T21:06:00.000-07:002011-12-19T12:49:03.307-08:00More Pinterest IdeasI freaking love <a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/">Pinterest</a>. I've been busy the past couple of weeks whipping up little crafts here and there for a variety of events. First, my friend Pat got a great idea to make a "30 Sucks" gift for our buddy Tim's 30th birthday. Here are the papers I made for it. Pat stuck all the suckers in a blue vase and a florist block from the dollar store. He loved it, but unfortunately, we forgot to take a picture of it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuakwd9jUxpvZwyBWtDc6SUlz2fn037pCNMy_hGHS3tf_X7ftno45HvIGe_cWINK9geycp6Y9OSomMMfICQOKXrqTXQ0Mum8HuKGuDYkJ_f83pwGcb0W6iQLPxzPUASzNomTfpAdq6Bwn/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuakwd9jUxpvZwyBWtDc6SUlz2fn037pCNMy_hGHS3tf_X7ftno45HvIGe_cWINK9geycp6Y9OSomMMfICQOKXrqTXQ0Mum8HuKGuDYkJ_f83pwGcb0W6iQLPxzPUASzNomTfpAdq6Bwn/s320/IMG_0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the papers are Duck colors!</td></tr>
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Since Tim's was such a hit, I went ahead and made another one for one of my very best friend's 30th birthday party the next weekend. She absolutely loved it! Sorry about the crazy lighting - this was taken in a basement, surrounded by red table cloths, and on my iPhone. Recipe for photo disaster. You get the idea, though. I used a pink, square vase I already had, bought a rectangle florist block from Fred Meyer and cut it down to size, then stuck in 30 Dum-Dums. The "30 Sucks" sign is hot glued to a chop stick and the "Happy Birthday" sign is hot glued to ribbon that is hot glued around the vase. Super cute and cheap! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq38LK-RzkuGp40JsAvR4bDxVAOuK2melm7yFiwlJpV3B591w0O5e_DTr4cgwzXne9OksspOLXkOwTAu2sbBUngE7vXrolz1wFTFAlJ_cm7WgjRq-a9zgpDrWCkkoDJ4d04URteZRrOdTP/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq38LK-RzkuGp40JsAvR4bDxVAOuK2melm7yFiwlJpV3B591w0O5e_DTr4cgwzXne9OksspOLXkOwTAu2sbBUngE7vXrolz1wFTFAlJ_cm7WgjRq-a9zgpDrWCkkoDJ4d04URteZRrOdTP/s320/IMG_0490.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idea from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/103220184/">this</a> Pinterest link</td></tr>
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I then got crafty for myself last week. I had been staring at all kinds of DIY necklaces on <a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/my-style/">My Style </a>board on Pinterest and knew I could make something cute with these grey seed-bead necklaces I had laying around. Armed with this "pinspiration" of <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/177778566/">another necklace</a>, I got to work. Using two pairs of needle-nosed pliers, I put two jump rings on opposite sides of each necklace (there were three necklaces), then laced one end of each of the necklaces onto one bigger ring. I braided the necklaces together, then ran the rings at the end onto a bigger ring. I looked all around my bathroom for an old necklace chain I could take apart, but couldn't find anything. So, I took "pinspiration" from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/138621774/">this ribbon and pearl necklace</a> and used some yellow ribbon. Yellow and grey are all the rage. Grellow, anyone?<br />
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Here it is! I decided to model as I was stuck in traffic. Totally acceptable use of time.<br />
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It's a little long, but for being free, I love it.<br />
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My next project was for 3 baby's birthdays. We were invited to two different first birthdays and a 2nd birthday. I knew I couldn't make all of the gifts, but I thought I could make at least part of them. For the two year old's birthday, we gave her some <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/336694471/">felt food</a> (orange slices, bendable bacon, and eggs - not pictured) and a little shopping basket full of cut-able food. She loved it! For one of the one year old's birthday, we gave her a set of felt food with a really cute baby pot and pan set with mirrors and rattles on it. She seemed really excited to play with it when she opened it! The third party was cancelled last minute, but I also made her the felt food and got her a recycled plastic tea set. It's so adorable, I can't wait to give it to her!<br />
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Once I decided to make felt food, I found tutorials for making felt food everywhere! Even when we went to the Pumpkin Patch, there was a booth selling tons of felt food and other felt toys. It was awesome! I'm really excited to make more felt things, since it was so easy!<br />
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Here is my last project - <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/343877888/">Brains in a Jar!</a> I saw this and instantly knew I had to make it for something. I don't usually like scary things, but this was so cool! I stayed up a little too late last night baking, making frosting, and putting 6 of these little jars together. Then, using a round cookie cutter, I cut the rest of the cake I had baked and placed each round inside a cupcake wrapper, smeared a little strawberry jam on the cake, and piped on some squiggles of the greyish-pink frosting. The website that these were pinned from had a free printable for the jar lids, so I just glued some onto toothpicks and stuck them in the mini cupcakes. I WISH I would have taken a picture. They were so cute and so yummy! Oh well, maybe next year I'll remember to take more pics. Or maybe not! :) I brought them to school for a little Halloween celebration in the staff room for the teachers. We don't celebrate Halloween with the kids, since a large portion of our population doesn't celebrate at home. But who says the teachers can't have some fun?!<br />
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So, does anyone else love Pinterest as much as I do? What projects have you been working on?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-486860830657427522011-08-28T20:53:00.000-07:002012-04-26T21:06:34.484-07:00DIY Crayon ArtI had a couple more boxes of crayons and a billion ideas pinned on my<a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/"> Pinterest</a> boards. So of course I had to make something else today!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIP0efeM3alZU9f9vmB6FtfiEmc_aA3gaRl3gmFPaLLC0NvVaVCznlg4UBO6f29Azv3mMrrlvFhSBVw-sos4Q5EI14WkYu2YE89jOWzs9EhOOtc11CETu4Pp3-5DGuqjEatExZDv3hl4r/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIP0efeM3alZU9f9vmB6FtfiEmc_aA3gaRl3gmFPaLLC0NvVaVCznlg4UBO6f29Azv3mMrrlvFhSBVw-sos4Q5EI14WkYu2YE89jOWzs9EhOOtc11CETu4Pp3-5DGuqjEatExZDv3hl4r/s320/IMG_0360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It all started with this inspiration:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlQi841lbm9DDXmRtoj8UOvukpw0nDOdXEhs4I8nBmOMT_-c08kBwrkUBTkUVnMEOqSidMws_t7J5qX4lM_sLCRiMf-Pw6qskUSOyQOmtI_LuMeGBa36-drvvvLLD9NgXfKyqnu-rCJcr/s1600/103834669_jBA1hG09_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlQi841lbm9DDXmRtoj8UOvukpw0nDOdXEhs4I8nBmOMT_-c08kBwrkUBTkUVnMEOqSidMws_t7J5qX4lM_sLCRiMf-Pw6qskUSOyQOmtI_LuMeGBa36-drvvvLLD9NgXfKyqnu-rCJcr/s320/103834669_jBA1hG09_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/103834669/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
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A seller on Etsy makes these for $75 bucks a pop. I knew I would be able to easily make one of my own. I had a couple canvases in the basement that I had been saving to paint some art work for our bedroom. I never got around to doing that and since we decided to sell the house later this year, I figured I could re-purpose the canvases. We've lived this long without art in the bedroom. What's a couple more months, right??<br />
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I googled "melted crayon art" and found<a href="http://unsimpleliving.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/melted-crayon-art/"> this tutorial</a>. She also used the Etsy piece as an inspiration. Great minds think alike! She peeled all the wrappers off her crayons, though, which is a step I didn't do. Mainly because peeling crayons sucks. Once of the commenters on her blog, however, said that if you soak the crayons in water first, they peel off easier. Great tip for when I make melted crayon shapes! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeZTolTsQPD2yLTaK4AVEbasjiKyU5azYgTS08kXpFox4CNF_icfO4LaBt29PoabUWn81IDOomtEXhpfpHK8ZCV4gmVx-IMND9ARcN-Cs9q6HG_JdyzbwsqPSlZPwT1eH8Cj2aJpkjdU9/s1600/p1060270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeZTolTsQPD2yLTaK4AVEbasjiKyU5azYgTS08kXpFox4CNF_icfO4LaBt29PoabUWn81IDOomtEXhpfpHK8ZCV4gmVx-IMND9ARcN-Cs9q6HG_JdyzbwsqPSlZPwT1eH8Cj2aJpkjdU9/s320/p1060270.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://unsimpleliving.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/melted-crayon-art/">Unsimple Living</a></td></tr>
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I got out the trusty glue gun and a couple more boxes of crayons that were left over from the <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/08/pinterest-craft-crayon-wreath.html">crayon wreath project</a>. I lined the crayons up on the canvas in an order that I liked and started gluing away. I omitted the gray, white, brown, and black crayons since I wanted it to be bright and colorful.<br />
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After they were all glued on, I let it dry over night. I didn't want to risk having the hot glue heat up during the next process and have crayons falling off the canvas. <br />
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The next morning I taped up an old piece of painter's plastic (we used it over Audrey's crib when we painted the ceiling in the kids room a couple of weeks ago) above the mirror and placed the canvas on top of it. In the tutorial above, it looked like there was some splatter behind. I definitely did not want melted crayons splattering on our gorgeous bathroom countertops!<br />
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I then got out my hair dryer and blasted the crayons at full speed, to soften them up. This worked well, but the force of the dryer caused a couple of colors to splatter across the canvas. Ruh row.<br />
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The effect was working well, though.<br />
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Ben mentioned that he had a heat gun. Would I like to try it? Yes, please! Enter Ace Hardware's heat gun:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAY4xFPttANIxGZd4-HBBXJCEsMZJ5NZKs2kypduNt_aF4ffin5mwsjRFQvgQUlPJsPrY7WTS9dN5zKI3rdL_gAYpDQxW7Epc-hmdw7dYa5NS3LDZm2ack_hiQSLG-O56yUtNuuQJxNWo/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAY4xFPttANIxGZd4-HBBXJCEsMZJ5NZKs2kypduNt_aF4ffin5mwsjRFQvgQUlPJsPrY7WTS9dN5zKI3rdL_gAYpDQxW7Epc-hmdw7dYa5NS3LDZm2ack_hiQSLG-O56yUtNuuQJxNWo/s320/IMG_0358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I used the low setting, since this is significantly hotter than a hair dryer. And I did not want splatters all over the canvas. It worked much faster than my hair dryer. I had to be careful of the plastic behind, though, since it liked to melt under the heat gun. No melted plastic is allowed on our bathroom mirrors. I guess that is an unwritten rule of the house. :)<br />
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I love how the crayons melted all the way to the bottom, filling up the entire canvas. The heat gun made it a quick project and I'm super happy with how it turned out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIP0efeM3alZU9f9vmB6FtfiEmc_aA3gaRl3gmFPaLLC0NvVaVCznlg4UBO6f29Azv3mMrrlvFhSBVw-sos4Q5EI14WkYu2YE89jOWzs9EhOOtc11CETu4Pp3-5DGuqjEatExZDv3hl4r/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIP0efeM3alZU9f9vmB6FtfiEmc_aA3gaRl3gmFPaLLC0NvVaVCznlg4UBO6f29Azv3mMrrlvFhSBVw-sos4Q5EI14WkYu2YE89jOWzs9EhOOtc11CETu4Pp3-5DGuqjEatExZDv3hl4r/s320/IMG_0360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to show it to you in my completed classroom! It will look so cute with all the other colorful elements I am adding. <br />
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Cost Breakdown:<br />
3 boxes of crayons ($0.40 a piece at Walmart) - $1.20<br />
White Canvas (40% off at Michael's) - already owned<br />
Hot glue - already owned<br />
Hair dryer and Heat gun - already owned<br />
Total cost - $1.20 - Smokin' deal!!<br />
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Do you have any <a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/">Pinterest</a> projects you are working on? What about back to school? I'd love to hear about them! Maybe you have some other DIY art ideas that you've been dying to try. Let me know!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-46391956464227953142011-08-28T14:24:00.000-07:002011-09-13T23:36:55.655-07:00Pinterest Craft - Crayon WreathLike I said in my <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/08/earring-holder.html">previous post</a>, I love Pinterest! I get so many awesome ideas for my home and classroom. It's great. <br />
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For my latest Pinterest-obsession craft, I made a crayon wreath. Here's how it turned out!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZgNGDymFUyfSSmod4lKnIPRfOC7sn6sppenNR8VlTBxbv5UfLo4rKHX8Rc-7AaKclXglKRu4CEzF9on2nejWNr1zo9NhpyuTWLJNk6R0XhzVBCFWA-e0yoiF49rELHjerLglQg-j79iC/s1600/IMG_0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZgNGDymFUyfSSmod4lKnIPRfOC7sn6sppenNR8VlTBxbv5UfLo4rKHX8Rc-7AaKclXglKRu4CEzF9on2nejWNr1zo9NhpyuTWLJNk6R0XhzVBCFWA-e0yoiF49rELHjerLglQg-j79iC/s320/IMG_0352.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I started off with these projects as inspiration:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlyRA2EOYkl6eQtkmMYkf1JCahmO09HrwK77KA6MLkgANiy_6Vw7uBVYOjpQm354hWhdnwvWyueMCgNgrfrwHCshLMdwdfiv911-2WypfAKDDAMQYTOCHEGcEH0FJH-WPgTtG8eIljeBN/s1600/103025365_1iozktZE_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlyRA2EOYkl6eQtkmMYkf1JCahmO09HrwK77KA6MLkgANiy_6Vw7uBVYOjpQm354hWhdnwvWyueMCgNgrfrwHCshLMdwdfiv911-2WypfAKDDAMQYTOCHEGcEH0FJH-WPgTtG8eIljeBN/s320/103025365_1iozktZE_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/103025365/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really liked the ruler sign with the teacher's name. I was afraid the lollipops would get gross after awhile, though. And I didn't like that you could see the styrofoam wreath behind it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu3KCHK4Olbs9TWZj3FxUvRcOWwtLe1u7zxZUKVYE7QBmX0rtaH49KUR1ww0SqU4EKu2CXTflSGzafr72l0JRwkOxx6GIzhlsmDA7Hs46f0n_dXoVVTIAvDNMRJSI103OquZpgxRCk5fN/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu3KCHK4Olbs9TWZj3FxUvRcOWwtLe1u7zxZUKVYE7QBmX0rtaH49KUR1ww0SqU4EKu2CXTflSGzafr72l0JRwkOxx6GIzhlsmDA7Hs46f0n_dXoVVTIAvDNMRJSI103OquZpgxRCk5fN/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://momspartycafe.blogspot.com/2010/06/teacher-giftscontinuedcrayon-wreaths.html">Moms Party Cafe</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This one uses embroidery hoops instead of a wreath form. I liked that you couldn't really see them from behind. I also really liked the dressmaker's ruler as the ribbon, but could only find bright yellow at Michael's so I ended up getting regular ribbon instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBL19HWDpR52QL7dSgTVnQTZDQGUmgwz-0PZEiYOqKeDrqQcoL8Nn0DOeESQJ1t3-t-IuvYrI1mWn8TFAw0dHBB1JLHpmpokjh8UqgoPj3blIL0HJI5pWinAKSelTz6kcbEDBZpWh-z4B/s1600/_DSC1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBL19HWDpR52QL7dSgTVnQTZDQGUmgwz-0PZEiYOqKeDrqQcoL8Nn0DOeESQJ1t3-t-IuvYrI1mWn8TFAw0dHBB1JLHpmpokjh8UqgoPj3blIL0HJI5pWinAKSelTz6kcbEDBZpWh-z4B/s320/_DSC1551.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://ballardbunch.blogspot.com/2010/11/teacher-gift.html">The Ballard Bunch</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I loved the fabric flowers on this one. I made some fabric flowers for my <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/08/earring-holder.html">earring holder</a> that I just finished, so I knew I'd be able to make these ones pretty easily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELBOfyGvKIv9Ys4rN49Ip2C0NZojmIxwOT9EwjsPU934gzG5Am7bvxz7roPLCJFa1BoowbHKfCV2_xGgMUGniPnrU8y7PYFVRyKlmMKatk25XqihM0annZo_I7UYEAd8Y4xCLPHyBntrQ/s1600/Door+Wreath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELBOfyGvKIv9Ys4rN49Ip2C0NZojmIxwOT9EwjsPU934gzG5Am7bvxz7roPLCJFa1BoowbHKfCV2_xGgMUGniPnrU8y7PYFVRyKlmMKatk25XqihM0annZo_I7UYEAd8Y4xCLPHyBntrQ/s1600/Door+Wreath.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://scrappingwest.blogspot.com/2010/07/classroom-crayon-wreath.html">Scrapping West</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This one also uses embroidery hoops and has a good description of how it's done.<br />
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Armed with confidence from trusty, old Pinterest, I gather my supplies and got to work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfij9LL_wJ5vqn7ILEvYIlqAihK3X2FlBk4_5o1Ll2auDp50wSZyA75a1wfrZc8t8EZz4esO0Teec0ztE5fcKMVsOWJq0qEsIv-vW2xrfL2JI-6d6QiRcaLkB8oULmWcUhVU6Fp-T9OGD/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfij9LL_wJ5vqn7ILEvYIlqAihK3X2FlBk4_5o1Ll2auDp50wSZyA75a1wfrZc8t8EZz4esO0Teec0ztE5fcKMVsOWJq0qEsIv-vW2xrfL2JI-6d6QiRcaLkB8oULmWcUhVU6Fp-T9OGD/s320/IMG_0303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I actually started this project when we were in Sunriver a couple of weeks ago. I love doing projects in Sunriver because I don't have to worry about weeding the front yard, finishing painting the ceilings, running errands. I get to spend time with the family during the day and craft away after the kids go to bed. I wish I could live there!<br />
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Anywho, I went to Michael's in Bend and got the glue gun, ribbon, and embroidery hoops. I ended up leaving the glue gun at the house in Sunriver so it will be there for next time I decide to craft up a storm while on vacation! I went school supply shopping for my classroom at Walmart and picked up a couple extra boxes of crayons and a wooden ruler.<br />
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I set the crayons on the embroidery hoops and decided how I wanted them arranged. I ended up going in rainbow order twice. After I was happy with the arrangement, I glued them all on with the hot glue. I glued them on label side down, because I thought it could get too busy with all the labels facing up. And then you can read the color names. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUX4eoH0HF9ZOV2wkb6W19I-iBMHl2p9neuIrOBcOqCkbqhyphenhyphen3PfTate9H8EdFqiejagfnmFz9OOsQmaC7YuZo9j8F0FvD41ctEv6EdPS7kvQRp0Njs2lxzccQz-ikKYaCXdjcE8WlGXbD/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUX4eoH0HF9ZOV2wkb6W19I-iBMHl2p9neuIrOBcOqCkbqhyphenhyphen3PfTate9H8EdFqiejagfnmFz9OOsQmaC7YuZo9j8F0FvD41ctEv6EdPS7kvQRp0Njs2lxzccQz-ikKYaCXdjcE8WlGXbD/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I then made my fabric flowers, using<a href="http://lillyella.blogspot.com/2010/02/crafting-fabric-rosettes.html"> this tutorial</a>, and glued them on. I laced the ribbon through the top, near the clasp that holds the embroidery hoops together, and glued the ruler on. I'm not super happy with my handwriting on the ruler. I might replace it with some sticker letters or enlist the help of an artsy friend. Or I might just get lazy and leave it the way it is. <br />
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I love it and can't wait to show you where it lands in my classroom after I'm all done setting it up!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZgNGDymFUyfSSmod4lKnIPRfOC7sn6sppenNR8VlTBxbv5UfLo4rKHX8Rc-7AaKclXglKRu4CEzF9on2nejWNr1zo9NhpyuTWLJNk6R0XhzVBCFWA-e0yoiF49rELHjerLglQg-j79iC/s1600/IMG_0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZgNGDymFUyfSSmod4lKnIPRfOC7sn6sppenNR8VlTBxbv5UfLo4rKHX8Rc-7AaKclXglKRu4CEzF9on2nejWNr1zo9NhpyuTWLJNk6R0XhzVBCFWA-e0yoiF49rELHjerLglQg-j79iC/s320/IMG_0352.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Here's the breakdown of costs:<br />
3 boxes of crayons ($0.40 each at Walmart) - $1.20<br />
1 wooden ruler - $0.97<br />
2 embroidery hoops ($2.50 each at Michael's Crafts) - $5.00<br />
Ribbon, on sale at Michael's - $0.99<br />
Fabric - already had<br />
Total: $8.16 <br />
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Do you know of any teachers who would love something like this? What do you like to do to get ready for the beginning of school?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUX4eoH0HF9ZOV2wkb6W19I-iBMHl2p9neuIrOBcOqCkbqhyphenhyphen3PfTate9H8EdFqiejagfnmFz9OOsQmaC7YuZo9j8F0FvD41ctEv6EdPS7kvQRp0Njs2lxzccQz-ikKYaCXdjcE8WlGXbD/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-57077579489806041932011-08-22T13:38:00.000-07:002011-08-22T13:38:21.539-07:00Earring HolderWhile perusing <a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/">Pinterest</a>, I've noticed so many adorable earring holders lately. I decided to make myself one! <br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/8018387/">Here's</a> one I loved, originally from <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/02/iheart-valentines-day-and-easy-diy.html">I Heart Organizing</a>:<br />
<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/AVvXsEiN_KL0QS8oKh6PF3sNkWNzB8VUXjYS8sczZ6h9m77DhDtGqs362kchvFT9sHg11rZqSmxO2ISzJsvk8kgCybScjkarJlaasNlvztO9D-5fnuVH9sS7-Eg6GDrd1CoUFDN_kJmSaoe2_Jny/s1600/JewelryOrganizer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_KL0QS8oKh6PF3sNkWNzB8VUXjYS8sczZ6h9m77DhDtGqs362kchvFT9sHg11rZqSmxO2ISzJsvk8kgCybScjkarJlaasNlvztO9D-5fnuVH9sS7-Eg6GDrd1CoUFDN_kJmSaoe2_Jny/s320/JewelryOrganizer1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>And <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/117509825/">another one</a> from <a href="http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/04/earring-holder.html">A Girl and a Glue Gun</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY4esHDUoi6WFwPW2tF9Ol_TMNTwZmBUiZGNTc_vutg2UZAkg0q-0CwuXOJR_2hBPqRcxIxgEctvn-WvEcD3XpKkbR0A8LH7GUepf30EDfZlgeSD2rGH7M_W1K8jaGaB2-1sN_SZhuLuc/s1600/DSC00541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY4esHDUoi6WFwPW2tF9Ol_TMNTwZmBUiZGNTc_vutg2UZAkg0q-0CwuXOJR_2hBPqRcxIxgEctvn-WvEcD3XpKkbR0A8LH7GUepf30EDfZlgeSD2rGH7M_W1K8jaGaB2-1sN_SZhuLuc/s1600/DSC00541.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I really liked the use of radiator screens from the top one and the fabric rosettes from the second one. I decided to use a silver frame Ben's dad had given us that was sitting unused in our basement. I then went to Home Depot and got a <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202525469/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">decorative radiator grate</a>. I had a guy at the store cut it into the dimensions I needed for my frame. There was enough for him to cut two pieces. I plan to use the second piece to make an earring holder for a friend as a gift.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphena1vyuFWUENdX-xp0wNMH55tvd-V84ZGWIKMabdAZyAFGdv9GN6h-kC_GiaVfTZYi1fx60FPE5khgRbcY4U3d5WXuYga2FQutHj4_h9dLFkRUAmP3dta1vjSW5LA6-kg-u34qT26fzZn/s1600/29e25fd6-db85-45fa-97e2-b597caf2b4cd_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphena1vyuFWUENdX-xp0wNMH55tvd-V84ZGWIKMabdAZyAFGdv9GN6h-kC_GiaVfTZYi1fx60FPE5khgRbcY4U3d5WXuYga2FQutHj4_h9dLFkRUAmP3dta1vjSW5LA6-kg-u34qT26fzZn/s1600/29e25fd6-db85-45fa-97e2-b597caf2b4cd_300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spray painted it white, since I thought this color would look ugly with my silver frame. We already had a can of spray paint in the garage left over from painting little bird houses for my friend Carla's baby shower. All I did was spray the grate white and pop it in the frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then got to work making the fabric rosettes. Here are my supplies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGUZXyf1cfjkyjxIkg5Kr7PLYHNuFU7370dnrd-LCaysGWeWUNLrSLZ79aaWdDC8U8GqXaCQZkqgwVNqpELTyazJu4HBO5N6GGWcTl_gy144DMqRUlPgOqb8LnTdrktiGBkv3nnax9vri/s1600/IMG_0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGUZXyf1cfjkyjxIkg5Kr7PLYHNuFU7370dnrd-LCaysGWeWUNLrSLZ79aaWdDC8U8GqXaCQZkqgwVNqpELTyazJu4HBO5N6GGWcTl_gy144DMqRUlPgOqb8LnTdrktiGBkv3nnax9vri/s320/IMG_0307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I started off with this tutorial from <a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/09/fabric-rosette-tutorial-extravaganza.html">Little Birdie Secrets</a>. She has you use fabric glue and 1 inch wide strips of fabric. She suggested ripping the fabric to create long pieces of threads coming off the fabric. I tried that, but it didn't rip very well. I ended up washing and drying my strips, then ironing them flat. This made it look a little more rugged. As per the tutorial, you tie a knot in the end of a strip of fabric, and twist and wind around itself to create the flower, gluing every few centimeters as you go. I made two flowers with this technique, one a little bigger than the other. <br />
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I then switched over to a tutorial from <a href="http://lillyella.blogspot.com/2010/02/crafting-fabric-rosettes.html">Lillyella: Uniquely You</a>. In the directions, you wrap your fabric strip around a skinny piece of cardboard. I used the side of an empty spaghetti box - work with what you got! You then iron the fabric to get creases in it. Then, you remove the cardboard and wrap the fabric around a pencil. When you remove the pencil, you can form it into a rosette. Go to the original blog for better pictures and directions. Lillyella does a much better job at explaining this than I do!<br />
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The next step was hot gluing the rosettes to my frame, adding earrings, and hanging it in my bathroom! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w4JVwKSFUcXpFCGm7P2le3r1ETkYfdoh0F9LE8z0SKngZ-0xoAq4PSYIP5JCG3w1W7wS7Qp51oHd8L-fkHAY0Gt5dyROSdepyLGrTG7cEU-BWSphMcOx7SZHuPPM7WeqikW_M8Gf8jZ_/s1600/IMG_0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w4JVwKSFUcXpFCGm7P2le3r1ETkYfdoh0F9LE8z0SKngZ-0xoAq4PSYIP5JCG3w1W7wS7Qp51oHd8L-fkHAY0Gt5dyROSdepyLGrTG7cEU-BWSphMcOx7SZHuPPM7WeqikW_M8Gf8jZ_/s320/IMG_0328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I love how it turned out! I layered the last rosette on top of the first two, since it was poufier (is that a word??) <br />
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Here is a close up of the flowers. You can see the raw edges of the fabric, which I like. It would be cute to add a little pearl bead in the middle of the biggest rosette, too. I think I'll stop here, though.<br />
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Here is a close up of another corner, so you can see the pattern of the metal sheet and the thin frame I used. <br />
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Here is a breakdown of cost:<br />
Frame - free<br />
Metal sheet - $18 (a little steep, but there was enough to make two frames)<br />
White spray paint - already had<br />
Fabric rosettes - already had the glue and fabric<br />
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Total cost: $9, since I plan to make another one as a gift for a friend.<br />
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How do you store your earrings? Would you use an earring holder like this? <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-17813392239652936342011-07-23T19:20:00.000-07:002011-09-13T23:36:03.144-07:00Happy Birthday Nash!Today was my awesome friend Katie's son's first birthday! Katie is seriously one of the funniest people I know. However, everytime I hang out with her, I am blown away by not only her quick wit but how she takes everything in stride and focuses on what really matters. I mean, the birthday boy himself was an hour late to the party and she didn't even flinch! "A boy's got a nap," she said. I, for one, would have been freaking out saying "Ohmygawd, people want to see the baby, but he's not here, ohmygawd!" Thank you Katie, you are an inspiration to control-freak, anal-retentive moms such as myself! :)<br />
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But on to more important things - like what the cutie-patootie birthday boy wore! :)<br />
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The theme for the party was mushrooms, butterflies, and forest friends. It was adorable! Katie made a cupcake stand by wrapping soup cans with wood grained contact paper and layering them with cut wood rounds. She made adorable cupcakes with red frosting, and upside-down white chocolate chips so they looked like little mushrooms. She then placed these adorable thin, edible butterflies on top that she had gotten on Etsy (they looked like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73897980/the-original-edible-butterflies-rainbow?ref=sr_list_35&ga_search_submit=&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=edible+butterflies+for+cakes&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">these</a>, however I'm not sure which vendor she used). I was in love with the cuteness. So with all these mushrooms and foresty things going on, Nash (the baby) needed a matching shirt - enter me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej1s_LkJP9gdXMM-3vr0_WHXuS6jwLfi9KimTTBOwtxAkSfCtNqPJfYf_QMYjP1zKwOZeOh6hihMVdhUWv7W4tGGznQnN6KkmgITkuHOxcT_pY4LYUcyG0dHH6QW6Th9cqqCzjT6jEn30/s1600/IMG_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej1s_LkJP9gdXMM-3vr0_WHXuS6jwLfi9KimTTBOwtxAkSfCtNqPJfYf_QMYjP1zKwOZeOh6hihMVdhUWv7W4tGGznQnN6KkmgITkuHOxcT_pY4LYUcyG0dHH6QW6Th9cqqCzjT6jEn30/s320/IMG_0174.jpg" width="239" /></a></div> I looked at some mushroom graphics on Google Images to get an idea of what shape to make. I then cut it out of the fabric (bought the red, but already had the brown and the felt). The next step is ironing on the fusible interfacing, cutting out, and ironing it onto my 18 month old shirt from Target. I zig-zag stitched around each piece, using red thread for the top and brown for the bottom. I then eye-balled and cut out the 1. I straight stitched him onto the middle of the mushroom with white thread. The 1 looks a little long, but I wanted it to be the length of the mushroom. In retrospect, I wish I would have made the mushroom squatter and shorter, so the 1 could fill the space and not be so skinny. Oh well, I still love it.<br />
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Here is baby Nash and his beautiful mama. Sorry about the terrible iPhone pics. Like I said earlier, Nash was woken from his slumber to attend his party, so he was a little groggy. But, he's still handsome!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbLV8YH2XhzJu1-cgdWdZt33a0VykoCqcU5FQyq9KVZ2te1aZcMvRLMmfQ4fHUsBS0-gvreB5IsE_BbliBWdZmIzFpIiAshp2FpE0nsVSi7Xi1kSeAEjTbDy7-SqI-vPOY1rwcw7ItAzz/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbLV8YH2XhzJu1-cgdWdZt33a0VykoCqcU5FQyq9KVZ2te1aZcMvRLMmfQ4fHUsBS0-gvreB5IsE_BbliBWdZmIzFpIiAshp2FpE0nsVSi7Xi1kSeAEjTbDy7-SqI-vPOY1rwcw7ItAzz/s320/IMG_0180.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
And here are Nate and Audrey playing with Nash in the soda bucket. They were enamored with the ice cubes. <br />
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Happy birthday, Nash! We are so glad that we could help make your day special!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-68739600114031768852011-07-17T22:08:00.000-07:002011-09-13T23:35:19.313-07:00Handmade Gift ExchangeI signed up for this summer's <a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/07/handmade-gift-exchange-linky-party-2.html">Handmade Gift Exchange</a>, hosted by the lovely Linda over at <a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/">Craftaholics Anonymous</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Uqg6HafW_2lHw4IJoLHdmI9rvT52RyQ9GqbsHkJwDKpcnS4dDm4BUOR1tG0AgxKLOrwvy8rLw-LI30jMiDGESkgmbZFDwDD1TtAr7fAZSeqYQkUsisJivlPutL_PeyT3jiw3lTDuDbhF/s1600/handmade-gift-exchange1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I emailed back and forth with my amazing partner Kris and learned a bit about her. She's a nurse and a mom. She lives in Tennessee and loves to sew. She has a couple of the patterns from <a href="http://sewliberated.com/">Sew Liberated</a>, but offered to make me anything I wanted! I decided on a nice tote bag for bringing things to and from school. Teachers can never have enough bags! When it arrived this week, I couldn't believe it - it's so beautiful and so me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3Tb4nCDzjj2hAZ3EW9bd2WBHOxcQl-ncSOcLmFw0WUKnwxNLQQTXP0h4icv20bRiZbyUALqLMKCnhp4dhFpdTBcCsH-BnWPW_OdK-_yIxJaFo746BQjYCwTg48qMwBrKx7Frivm27WO4/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3Tb4nCDzjj2hAZ3EW9bd2WBHOxcQl-ncSOcLmFw0WUKnwxNLQQTXP0h4icv20bRiZbyUALqLMKCnhp4dhFpdTBcCsH-BnWPW_OdK-_yIxJaFo746BQjYCwTg48qMwBrKx7Frivm27WO4/s400/IMG_0166.jpg" width="298" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't you just love the fabrics Kris used? I love bright colors and love the patterns she chose for my bag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a close up of the darling flower pins she added to the bag. I love that they coordinate, but I could also take them off and pin them on a jacket or scarf as a brooch. So smart!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsjo-VV1SW7RbSfGMAUFKTFG1EPFbFyRlm_YivUVddQfkEKFOa3Bi8ff1LJIi_9eAD9IRNKB0oFA5kK_WnYX44w3UwzeLeAUAG_fjEqy7CSxTni3OdzFIBA0Vs2GcUQLQwkjeveVmvxFP/s1600/IMG_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsjo-VV1SW7RbSfGMAUFKTFG1EPFbFyRlm_YivUVddQfkEKFOa3Bi8ff1LJIi_9eAD9IRNKB0oFA5kK_WnYX44w3UwzeLeAUAG_fjEqy7CSxTni3OdzFIBA0Vs2GcUQLQwkjeveVmvxFP/s400/IMG_0167.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She also wrapped the bag up in adorable pink tissue and tied it with lime green tulle. I wish I would have taken a picture, but I was just so excited to open it that the picture didn't happen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the gift I made for Kris, all wrapped up and ready to send off. I made a little ribbon bow and hot glued the wooden martini tile to the center, just as some decoration. I think it turned out cute. I tied the gift with twine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aV6avpCgW_B0cdWCckBmOknBwARlPtzfPoIDzXA67jJBV26jqPylk_gycP7p9L1WOgWNxfzHhePbova5NnaO7z76u6uSetAqCVF8DnFiiIrfyeYUmjT2i8DqV9f2qyMlwcY_ik1wqRIg/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aV6avpCgW_B0cdWCckBmOknBwARlPtzfPoIDzXA67jJBV26jqPylk_gycP7p9L1WOgWNxfzHhePbova5NnaO7z76u6uSetAqCVF8DnFiiIrfyeYUmjT2i8DqV9f2qyMlwcY_ik1wqRIg/s400/IMG_0165.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
I made Kris two gifts, actually. I was only planning on making her the oven mitt (see below), but as soon as I saw the bag she made me and the attention to detail she put into it, I had to give her something else as well. She made the coordinating pins, sewed three pockets inside the bag, chose adorable fabric, and she is such an amazing seamstress.<br />
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Here is the oven mitt I made her. The pattern is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Handmade-Simple-Contemporary-Patchwork/dp/1564778770?ie=UTF8&tag=nicolescraft-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The New Homemade</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=nicolescraft-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1564778770" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, a sewing book that I love. It's perfect for novices like me who want to learn about sewing. It has tons of easy and useful projects - they are perfect for gifts. <br />
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This side is the quilted side. I now know terms such as "stitch in the ditch" and how to use a "walking foot" for my sewing machine. I sound so smart and cool.<br />
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Here is the other side, with the patterned fabric. I loved this fabric when I saw it at The Fabric Depot - a HUGE fabric store in SE Portland (it's amazing and overwhelming at the same time!) I loved the graphic-ness of the polkadots, the cute pink, magenta, and teal colors (kinda retro, right??) And there are even little forks and spoons on it. So perfect for a kitchen item. It was literally begging me to make an oven mitt out of it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IvDthJWX_CTCJBQt1Hm0FMhIw4JXdoQPmTc0qOK3wpc6-nJ4iupNrwRRyHK6kOpTkPoTeZVl15ZoGLKIWLyVJo1iRwz-mShNwLiFkrmXmCUz98HCRzEqgYBx4y_Rj8tLQFaafbnkDs0/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXXwgVGoHwvUXWCzIgFu0h5rDcgrIeAI2HC2KejLp66JdfZfmtpQyYEMiR3mmrOGynNwEZsJ3Qj3Qz8XYHMdmeaFo8s7WU-0MzmzKps0m2bnD9lsK7EL7agkC_OF_SmosGGHBRaPsjcd4/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXXwgVGoHwvUXWCzIgFu0h5rDcgrIeAI2HC2KejLp66JdfZfmtpQyYEMiR3mmrOGynNwEZsJ3Qj3Qz8XYHMdmeaFo8s7WU-0MzmzKps0m2bnD9lsK7EL7agkC_OF_SmosGGHBRaPsjcd4/s400/IMG_0163.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the inside. It shows the liner is one of the fabrics from the quilted side. I even made my own binding out of coordinating fabric. I bought a teal binding tape in case it didn't turn out. I really need to work on binding things. It's hard to sew it even and hard to finish it off at the end without it puckering. Sorry Kris, it's not perfect. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE7U6CNJWXPNvvRDgGzaKTXLjP2E9xDa27NXd8QeNIeISoOinptrwhpO183F-ao8q3dDmsORf6CjT_YMjRWnn4zBRml5pg0rWex8WqhwwoOb_eUPN5azPv6MOTtAEDng-WD2xQAMZpyU2/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE7U6CNJWXPNvvRDgGzaKTXLjP2E9xDa27NXd8QeNIeISoOinptrwhpO183F-ao8q3dDmsORf6CjT_YMjRWnn4zBRml5pg0rWex8WqhwwoOb_eUPN5azPv6MOTtAEDng-WD2xQAMZpyU2/s400/IMG_0164.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Kris' bonus gift. I pulled out corks from Oregon wines and made her a cork picture frame. It was actually my husband's idea to cut some of the wine stained ends off and glue those on. What a crafty guy! I think it turned out awesome. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I even made the little sign inside with a free downloaded font. I wanted the picture to tie in the colors from the oven mitt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IvDthJWX_CTCJBQt1Hm0FMhIw4JXdoQPmTc0qOK3wpc6-nJ4iupNrwRRyHK6kOpTkPoTeZVl15ZoGLKIWLyVJo1iRwz-mShNwLiFkrmXmCUz98HCRzEqgYBx4y_Rj8tLQFaafbnkDs0/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IvDthJWX_CTCJBQt1Hm0FMhIw4JXdoQPmTc0qOK3wpc6-nJ4iupNrwRRyHK6kOpTkPoTeZVl15ZoGLKIWLyVJo1iRwz-mShNwLiFkrmXmCUz98HCRzEqgYBx4y_Rj8tLQFaafbnkDs0/s400/IMG_0161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I hope my partner loves it as much as I loved making it for her! I will for sure do this again in the future, it was so fun!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-29323894945076105702011-03-16T23:53:00.000-07:002011-09-13T23:34:51.537-07:00Keep CalmIs it just me, or are the Keep Calm and Carry On signs everywhere? For Valentine's day it was Keep Calm and Love On. For Thanksgiving: Keep Calm and Gobble On. And even for St. Patrick's Day I saw Keep Calm and Pinch On. <br />
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Well, I'm not so into pinching, especially with 1st graders, so I decided to make one of my own: Keep Calm and Read On. I actually saw it in a classroom my team was observing to learn more about Daily 5 and CAFE. I thought it was adorable and would be easy to re-create.<br />
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I put it in a clear sheet protector and, using packing tape, taped it to the side of a bookshelf in my classroom library. I love it and so do the kids! I might print another one to display in our large Expedit shelf - It would look great in a white frame! <br />
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Make sure to leave a comment with your email address and I will email it to you. If you'd like it in a different color, just let me know!<br />
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What other Keep Calm signs have you seen?<br />
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<i>Edit: I just uploaded several new colors to my <a href="http://www.scribd.com/nheinlein">Scribd</a> account and also pinned them on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/nheinlein/">Pinterest </a>account. Thanks!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-40837697775110573932011-03-13T00:42:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:34:03.406-07:00Giraffe Diaper CakeI went to a baby shower last week that had jungle animals on the invitation. So, I thought a giraffe themed diaper cake would be adorable! My idea was to find a giraffe print fabric for the burp cloth and matching onesie. I thought the mom would love how graphic it was and that it wouldn't be too babyish. She also doesn't know what she's having, so the giraffe print would be gender neutral. I ended up finding a perfect giraffe print flannel at my fav <a href="https://www.fabricdepot.com/">Fabric Depot</a> (where I've gone for fabric for <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-handmade-christmas-gifts.html">this project</a> and <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/audreys-birthday-bash.html">this project</a>). Here is the onesie and matching burp cloths I made:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIzczK77haU9dZFTr6_gl3Pn4P94vGoowWzXLdpKiuiFzHCYTUHQstlN3jFOKSZbMH4YW5cw3fi1yKfmbBHSz-Hlv5tqRshIsF9goy8T_HWWPx1troQREBIYqkE76sGncZ0wiAfUZ_QZ3/s1600/IMG00099-20110305-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIzczK77haU9dZFTr6_gl3Pn4P94vGoowWzXLdpKiuiFzHCYTUHQstlN3jFOKSZbMH4YW5cw3fi1yKfmbBHSz-Hlv5tqRshIsF9goy8T_HWWPx1troQREBIYqkE76sGncZ0wiAfUZ_QZ3/s320/IMG00099-20110305-2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I decided to put a star on the onesie, thinking it would be a good graphic for a boy or a girl. I also sewed on the new fabric labels I just got for my Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/nikkidanielle">Pic-Nik Designs</a>. I got them <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TagsandLabels">here</a>. Super fast shipping from Australia, great prices, and wonderful customer service. If you want to get customized fabric labels, I highly recommend them!<br />
<br />
Back to the diaper cake. Since the new mommy and daddy-to-be live in Kentucky and requested gifts to be travel friendly, I only made them a one tier cake. I used a half pack of Seventh Generation diapers and gave them the other half in a gift bag (so they would see which brand and size the diapers are). I wrapped the diapers with some giraffe printed ribbon I found at Joann Fabrics and added some green washcloths, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-Tm8q_v4pI">folded to look like flowers</a> (I knew from their registry they were going with a gender neutral green color palate for the nursery). I also added a yellow stuffed giraffe from Target that has a little wind-up thing on the side to make it play lullabies (kinda like <a href="http://compare.ebay.com/like/120612940340?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=217533156592&crlp=1_263602_309572&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=c091624312d0a0269d0386c3ff9f7d81&itemid=120612940340&ff4=263602_309572">this one</a>) and a little giraffe rattle from Babies R Us. <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4403679">This</a> is kinda like the rattle. Maybe I couldn't find the original one online because I had bought it in the store a couple months ago?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUX9JqL4_Y8pLfXQPD1eRheiPN30mTngzGJd09cmcyxTFztDKG1ckoSB4VJiRLpruE7xPP31IYK8GOkNru12jyhi7yAWKahIPBBd_bO149kEulDMtIaCxS6-CLgitZszGm8rnlHmtbhbu/s1600/IMG00100-20110305-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUX9JqL4_Y8pLfXQPD1eRheiPN30mTngzGJd09cmcyxTFztDKG1ckoSB4VJiRLpruE7xPP31IYK8GOkNru12jyhi7yAWKahIPBBd_bO149kEulDMtIaCxS6-CLgitZszGm8rnlHmtbhbu/s320/IMG00100-20110305-2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When I walked up to the baby shower, I saw a giant wooden giraffe on display on the front porch, wearing a bib. "Score," I thought. "My gift matches that giraffe." I then got inside and noticed the mommy-to-be was wearing a giraffe printed dress. Not only did my gift match the decor, it matched the mommy! Perfect! 500 points for me!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-3141425169751345612011-03-03T00:02:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:33:40.174-07:00More Owls!I am officially obsessed with owls. I found these super cute owl Valentine cards from <a href="http://www.livinglocurto.com/downloads/valentines-day-free-downloads/">Living Locurto</a> blog and I HAD to use them for Audrey's little daycare friends. Since babies can't do the whole Conversation Heart candy thing, I opted to sew them each a little owl. They turned out so cute! I got the pattern from the <a href="http://therubberpunkin.blogspot.com/2010/01/owl-softie-ribbon-teether.html">Rubber Punkin</a>. You can also check out <a href="http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2011/01/crinkly-owl-teethers.html">Homemade by Jill</a>'s crinkly version. I used fleece for the bodies (since I already had it) and used felt, ribbon, fabric, and batting that I already had. Yay to fun and free projects! The babies all loved them and the daycare lady placed an order for me to make a couple more for her two young grandsons for their Easter baskets. I can't wait to get started on them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YIrH2gjR56XGRsxrADY9hlX82CAMZJn7XKiy_Kqtae3EsQmAMSStF3kB-11wVGDMDV0XPqL-wSCkS2oh0GfmDxogLSi6XrMWfJqWkg7hO76UfeqdN5gDGBINr6qokVwSpV47ps9Usts6/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YIrH2gjR56XGRsxrADY9hlX82CAMZJn7XKiy_Kqtae3EsQmAMSStF3kB-11wVGDMDV0XPqL-wSCkS2oh0GfmDxogLSi6XrMWfJqWkg7hO76UfeqdN5gDGBINr6qokVwSpV47ps9Usts6/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Aren't they so cute with the ribbons as their little wings and feet?? Notice the feet ribbon from the gift bags at Baby Gap? I'm officially turning into my MIL and saving WAY too many craft items! (Love you Patsy! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG5ZEb1WtvfKrXc8Tkiqh69jbzC7jU8-R3dZvzwcQNxlucYBFMP4_HCdcZqdmna07cM3G5Fs0yTA-KquuvsKPo9Z-gOL6PM_ZT5U7thBfyfM3VBZDEZMlw4iuOjMZOvymAclv86Rn7XRX/s1600/IMG_3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG5ZEb1WtvfKrXc8Tkiqh69jbzC7jU8-R3dZvzwcQNxlucYBFMP4_HCdcZqdmna07cM3G5Fs0yTA-KquuvsKPo9Z-gOL6PM_ZT5U7thBfyfM3VBZDEZMlw4iuOjMZOvymAclv86Rn7XRX/s320/IMG_3032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-51198806831070525852011-02-20T23:30:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:33:21.942-07:00Homemade Crayons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a fun easy project I've been doing for a couple of years with Nathan's and my student's broken crayons! I used to just throw away broken crayons. Now I save them, Hoarders style, in a big yellow bucket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsGGetQbufdRMmgQ8mE45yA_IO-RFf5rngF-rn98P2MmWCBDdOQm9CmoF7jAcovC0zkS-dj7P5Orpy633PPznfcfUa5ITnswbrowRyJBvQ5QnJRTG1NHWBbetS-xADbi2w_H6mLEhwK1f/s320/IMG_2968.JPG" width="320" /></div>When I am ready to make crayons, I have to peel the labels off. This takes awhile so I plop myself on the couch with a good movie or a date with the DVR, and get to work.<br />
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I then sort the crayons into like colors. I only do the rainbow colors. So all the shades of blue go into the blue pile. I then get out my crayon supplies: a small metal pot and small metal bowl, both from Goodwill. I also have a hot pad that I use just for crayons, a skewer to stir the melted wax, an old towel to set out on the counter to catch any drips, paper towels to wipe out the metal bowl, and plastic molds to pour the wax into. Some of the plastic molds I have are soap molds, some are chocolate molds, and some are lollipop molds. I've gotten them at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/Seashells-Candy-Mold/bk0106,default,pd.html?start=22&cgid=products-bakeware-candymaking">Michaels</a>, <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2621&PRODID=xprd1130274">Joanns</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Garden-Goodies-Lollipop-Candy/dp/B001D1DFIE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298273198&sr=8-1">Amazon.com</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNM8yNnZ3GwLomZq1-LHmGClrrwTexiP_ujQVE9eoVHqbz85QH7Tpsb_qOFUaxAFcEEmH5-LkpxJLGyFhgbGG77Q0pkFLFLWG0od5NMppiy-OES4Ly0mWyY1ULH0ABaYQEbXUKB_cpgtT/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNM8yNnZ3GwLomZq1-LHmGClrrwTexiP_ujQVE9eoVHqbz85QH7Tpsb_qOFUaxAFcEEmH5-LkpxJLGyFhgbGG77Q0pkFLFLWG0od5NMppiy-OES4Ly0mWyY1ULH0ABaYQEbXUKB_cpgtT/s320/IMG_2967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I set the pot and metal bowl up as a double boiler, with water in the pot and the sorted crayons in the bowl. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_bcW5NIJRiyX1Qj1d1F_CV79k9gwzo0uNSKkUsRltbeY691p6DhAZH-d3ilcVC_B1jz3fpvbTAj2qB6Poweyi6G6USggDBsJncQLsX8L3QrYYdrp6wfQ1biR7MJ8dZ1xIAfbzLZ1jpjl/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_bcW5NIJRiyX1Qj1d1F_CV79k9gwzo0uNSKkUsRltbeY691p6DhAZH-d3ilcVC_B1jz3fpvbTAj2qB6Poweyi6G6USggDBsJncQLsX8L3QrYYdrp6wfQ1biR7MJ8dZ1xIAfbzLZ1jpjl/s320/IMG_2965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I wait until they are all melted, then using the hot pad, I pour the wax into the plastic molds. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWJYaH0XswRQFt8SJYrFsqOV72okie8m_qRuL8-2uBLEYG-PFenqxp7aS8Q0WHkYfnD_jJeztX7gEJ0iMawJC7bUawjQk_82ushc4GAB_8rqVzTGwvPqFIpcOoOTNI0cnfYFBc8xcdD4F/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWJYaH0XswRQFt8SJYrFsqOV72okie8m_qRuL8-2uBLEYG-PFenqxp7aS8Q0WHkYfnD_jJeztX7gEJ0iMawJC7bUawjQk_82ushc4GAB_8rqVzTGwvPqFIpcOoOTNI0cnfYFBc8xcdD4F/s320/IMG_2969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I allow them to completely cool. Sometimes if I want them to cool faster, I put the mold in the refrigerator. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8hKMLwCkptrhT_MgQG62wjglKpsnBvZbdBGtb2CN7QhpQv-qOC2IR1sD2DKeJcKdRyUkssLyCNyEFIhaTBF-2phBkfO2DwAT9bR0m_ztTl2yxfQg3j-YdKQTtiI7oaIFAZEVGbF72g2d/s1600/IMG_2966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8hKMLwCkptrhT_MgQG62wjglKpsnBvZbdBGtb2CN7QhpQv-qOC2IR1sD2DKeJcKdRyUkssLyCNyEFIhaTBF-2phBkfO2DwAT9bR0m_ztTl2yxfQg3j-YdKQTtiI7oaIFAZEVGbF72g2d/s320/IMG_2966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is the process again, but with green. Put the crayons in the bowl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr_MydJHJ1qLA8I1LPk4r3zNR8xovQ0CalkUpy4VSLI7XOvhXfnZ6J0IIgWaLoTQVtaZgWUraPm9VvJvh0O0hPJn3le7z1N7AWA3xGpDV8LHhCI5tNnYEvU8Hl48TGdvAlFnRVST-1IRO/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr_MydJHJ1qLA8I1LPk4r3zNR8xovQ0CalkUpy4VSLI7XOvhXfnZ6J0IIgWaLoTQVtaZgWUraPm9VvJvh0O0hPJn3le7z1N7AWA3xGpDV8LHhCI5tNnYEvU8Hl48TGdvAlFnRVST-1IRO/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Using the skewer, stir until completely melted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-iuboyVvSFo6dlDNAZbcg3rcYOIRhQFC8mI3FMnGezhaH44IDirNVndK_htr-FvNtKhhVcnwhPyH8tti_mZ_0JzYg7FILuQ6ikSyRt6j4HGch1tN35yxTqqM_2lWHReXttvddCBm6pJQ/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-iuboyVvSFo6dlDNAZbcg3rcYOIRhQFC8mI3FMnGezhaH44IDirNVndK_htr-FvNtKhhVcnwhPyH8tti_mZ_0JzYg7FILuQ6ikSyRt6j4HGch1tN35yxTqqM_2lWHReXttvddCBm6pJQ/s320/IMG_2971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When finished pouring the wax into the molds, wipe out the bowl with a paper towel to get rid of all of the green residue and to get ready for a new color. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpMtcCh6bEcwwitWJPo_tV8ZqHsR2gCcfWyu2hBhn1hv2uYcECSozEPKrGwensx3GgcXtTT0IPiSz3ztwCEzXgZLgN0fFqNtELxC6H7wnUpkB_fe1hrT0aIjX4Q8_NjmZJMRnIsYqp8eB/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpMtcCh6bEcwwitWJPo_tV8ZqHsR2gCcfWyu2hBhn1hv2uYcECSozEPKrGwensx3GgcXtTT0IPiSz3ztwCEzXgZLgN0fFqNtELxC6H7wnUpkB_fe1hrT0aIjX4Q8_NjmZJMRnIsYqp8eB/s320/IMG_2972.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's it! I made Super Hero crayons as part of the goodie bags for Nathan's birthday a couple of weeks ago. I plan to make crayons for the kids' table at my brother-in-law's wedding in May, and I always send my students home for the summer with some homemade crayons. This year they will be getting little paw prints, since we are the Mill Park Panthers. It'll be so cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=nicolescraft-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=chocolate%20molds" target="_blank">Search Amazon.com for chocolate molds</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=nicolescraft-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-45432330683558851902011-02-15T14:55:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:32:57.545-07:00Super Nate Turns 5!We had Nathan's Birthday party this Saturday over at <a href="http://www.blisscupcakeshop.com/">Bliss Bake Shop</a> in Bethany Village in NW Portland. My mother in law took Ben and I to a crab feed dinner at her church and we bid on a birthday party package at the silent auction. We ended up getting it! Bliss was great - so adorable, awesome staff, and delicious cupcakes. I highly recommend!<br />
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The theme was Super Heros, since Nate has been into them for awhile. His big Christmas present last year was a Bat Cave, he was Iron Man for Halloween, and he got Trio Batman and Joker sets for Christmas this year. I made his invitations with the Paintbrush application on my Mac (I wish I had photoshop!) It turned out cute! It took FOREVER to crop his picture. I hung a white sheet over the baker's rack in our laundry room for a backdrop. His outfit is Superman jammies with a velcro cape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQB0cmyLZb844NuIvQjGGu-ioT8UEMtqGJAk6GR2yfUV5NIv_5WtB9Ki16mPBCMp6he0muC25ozupmm8gbt6eN2gTjzj5KLMM_ANf6TxSYZy0OO-mo2W1YseDpKN1OkLQ0dcuOVgbmCnI/s1600/Super+Nate+Invitation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQB0cmyLZb844NuIvQjGGu-ioT8UEMtqGJAk6GR2yfUV5NIv_5WtB9Ki16mPBCMp6he0muC25ozupmm8gbt6eN2gTjzj5KLMM_ANf6TxSYZy0OO-mo2W1YseDpKN1OkLQ0dcuOVgbmCnI/s320/Super+Nate+Invitation.png" width="234" /></a></div>The treat bags were really fun. I ordered the bags from <a href="http://groovyholidays.com/newfor2011.aspx">Groovy Holidays</a>. I had a coupon for $20 off from <a href="http://deals.mamapedia.com/portland?utm_medium=topnav&utm_source=mmp&utm_term=login&fb_login=true">Mamapedia Sweet Deals</a>. I filled the bags with Iron Man and The Hulk Silly Bandz, homemade Batman and Superman crayons (more on those later!), Batman notepads from the dollar section at Target, Spiderman stickers, and a <a href="http://superherosquad.marvel.com/">Super Hero Squad </a>figurine. The kids were pumped about all the fun loot!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HeCf99SYeJ2w-5VpxubN75OjSgF09fe5h-1VgiKsITX8Y6YlZqa_UChybRM_AMx3xiV67IuCsCzbKO0P8xMbDXRRajw_7PMnuOWkG079yS6v45CgLlPbXe-ffR5O8NqbCLCzF1J0NnGu/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HeCf99SYeJ2w-5VpxubN75OjSgF09fe5h-1VgiKsITX8Y6YlZqa_UChybRM_AMx3xiV67IuCsCzbKO0P8xMbDXRRajw_7PMnuOWkG079yS6v45CgLlPbXe-ffR5O8NqbCLCzF1J0NnGu/s320/IMG_2993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_06yQoR11VLHdp0mHlSFHchuAH2VuYbtSjb35qwPxvYXwTejjSZyMhPPcvLsgRncfRf80ZP5P-bDkMzAV8VVISVK9qwjrI5kjXBMn5Q1FGmRy7tzm1VcqweL4xS3L4oAQ6rQAqU5aZ9v/s1600/IMG_2994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_06yQoR11VLHdp0mHlSFHchuAH2VuYbtSjb35qwPxvYXwTejjSZyMhPPcvLsgRncfRf80ZP5P-bDkMzAV8VVISVK9qwjrI5kjXBMn5Q1FGmRy7tzm1VcqweL4xS3L4oAQ6rQAqU5aZ9v/s320/IMG_2994.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I had one bag leftover and am going to use it as a pattern to make more. They are just sewn from felt. Should be really easy to re-create. And with my new embroidery attachment, I could personalize them!<br />
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I also made little cupcake toppers for the party. Unfortunately, I forgot to put them on! Here they are on the two leftover cupcakes after the party. A good idea, too bad I forgot! I found the graphics for free on a blog, but don't remember where and now I can't find it! If you want the graphics, I have them saved on my computer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiE1Oehvwx6zyoKYl38aZrwhB6pSvtz5MS9ynvNO_pCo8MiYI1QSFdwRGqJ1wvkTVj0CCK6gdkTr5s4xFQWuIPDEHV8H1BnqyiFWJ87ZJdWF88kwFB-9vuJrH56bAKWfkf2b_krFs1FMM/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiE1Oehvwx6zyoKYl38aZrwhB6pSvtz5MS9ynvNO_pCo8MiYI1QSFdwRGqJ1wvkTVj0CCK6gdkTr5s4xFQWuIPDEHV8H1BnqyiFWJ87ZJdWF88kwFB-9vuJrH56bAKWfkf2b_krFs1FMM/s320/IMG_2990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I also whipped up a quick bunting flag of all of Nathan's birthdays. I used a big circle punch to cut the pictures and taped them on in the car on the way to the bake shop! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1fYwDFTjL6w3GpuvS-dFpS0nqE3KGWaZVLI3vTcYt9C75PuRRY87j72W6MvGFLLjSUGPn76FR5O_oomZIcacbw6xHhJv4LtzjRFgk_1J69vas19HmhGVm8ObeYwT-GbgHi6Y8SSYxGlu/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1fYwDFTjL6w3GpuvS-dFpS0nqE3KGWaZVLI3vTcYt9C75PuRRY87j72W6MvGFLLjSUGPn76FR5O_oomZIcacbw6xHhJv4LtzjRFgk_1J69vas19HmhGVm8ObeYwT-GbgHi6Y8SSYxGlu/s320/IMG_2995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This was the photo we used for his birth announcement. Such a sweet little baby.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzHHGkT5LsgE0Nvf5c8x7ipjAEKfxrTCWL3DLzXPl-bwAGQXF0lr8DGx_7NvLnERzbCF6cwCVyqMf2pxSP00U5RsRDaLDQgiv5OHYHBbb6RR0DOusT-JDkTdTgeKiD1fzf0z2x3wUnOMw/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzHHGkT5LsgE0Nvf5c8x7ipjAEKfxrTCWL3DLzXPl-bwAGQXF0lr8DGx_7NvLnERzbCF6cwCVyqMf2pxSP00U5RsRDaLDQgiv5OHYHBbb6RR0DOusT-JDkTdTgeKiD1fzf0z2x3wUnOMw/s320/IMG_2996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Here are birthdays 1 and 2. We still have that little crown. It's now on a stuffed animal!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYpKRXO1lv4ba0AigaRt10CG6v7oIwmLK_ky0xVxW0_EfRJqd3vk-H11mQk2mIuezyQvjd4_2gqgDUL2Ebm7pHkpbMbM4l8w5d7_dPVNCAK3CZO6AOUAm6F33wuIYL-oZIH7MVYAcIgLV/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYpKRXO1lv4ba0AigaRt10CG6v7oIwmLK_ky0xVxW0_EfRJqd3vk-H11mQk2mIuezyQvjd4_2gqgDUL2Ebm7pHkpbMbM4l8w5d7_dPVNCAK3CZO6AOUAm6F33wuIYL-oZIH7MVYAcIgLV/s320/IMG_2997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Here are birthdays 3 and 4. I'm excited to keep adding to this each year! Maybe I'll make fabric flags and permanently adhere the pictures. What a fun keepsake!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdKmOA1IVpLIZLBAtIE5bnbSiJ-KSt7MLHR1CLXw8caZ0NwfD9nEraJLht-CQYKYuyGUFVleGZ6pVHZoUeJYTBPy3h794ArkSt8JgXHgCeZxlBer7vh6l52Gl_mSV6n7CMvVVfQcwlPc/s1600/IMG_2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdKmOA1IVpLIZLBAtIE5bnbSiJ-KSt7MLHR1CLXw8caZ0NwfD9nEraJLht-CQYKYuyGUFVleGZ6pVHZoUeJYTBPy3h794ArkSt8JgXHgCeZxlBer7vh6l52Gl_mSV6n7CMvVVfQcwlPc/s320/IMG_2998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Last, but not least, were the Super Hero capes!! My mom helped me make them and they turned out adorable! I made various colors and let the kids pick which they wanted. I also bought stick-on felt stars and let the kids decorate the Superman-esque emblems on the back. Originally, I was going to put each child's initial on the emblem, but then I wasn't sure who was all going to come, so I didn't want to make extra work for myself! This worked out great. The kids loved decorating their own. Here are Nate, Cody, Oliver and Audrey playing in the kid's area of the bake shop. The boys were running wildly, letting their capes fly in the wind! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EY-VDt9NwEo-Rw4cTEWarO5HM296NT0nnHvu9q4wK2Uu8t6VA9xbRjMXYqCzaHjWkJ-KkPwbnchcGeG9-teuwGwXP-uZbqaTk9o8OuqBZ0bhN8Jd6_vaTTdgV1sFzvZT2GIPe57k3NZv/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EY-VDt9NwEo-Rw4cTEWarO5HM296NT0nnHvu9q4wK2Uu8t6VA9xbRjMXYqCzaHjWkJ-KkPwbnchcGeG9-teuwGwXP-uZbqaTk9o8OuqBZ0bhN8Jd6_vaTTdgV1sFzvZT2GIPe57k3NZv/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here is my big 5 year old boy, with his special Batman cupcake! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ15nhntNPrMazFSfnQyMrLX6BIZpSmDaRajMrjma4WX5NF2t6xFwWN79HrhfzykVJ_zLTX0BeM2fFFaMRePzvIvA0BSzIor0n9cFIiyXQ_yH_BNB5FxL6uVK4R9RNe1Xm_bs1Z5qUtUhQ/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ15nhntNPrMazFSfnQyMrLX6BIZpSmDaRajMrjma4WX5NF2t6xFwWN79HrhfzykVJ_zLTX0BeM2fFFaMRePzvIvA0BSzIor0n9cFIiyXQ_yH_BNB5FxL6uVK4R9RNe1Xm_bs1Z5qUtUhQ/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> And a cute pic of Audrey. She now loves Oreos!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7VSWpxlWsHlceV3Eh9ZMaEaH297dGBziemS7jkkrFVpSsdXRO99ABcRt5sOHb0N0mKXvyuGgYFDUapX_xq2_uBeKu09LglfMRZEp4Y_mFl8opS1Q_e1uBu5OvR4TraLFPxBnnp_nw_Zp/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7VSWpxlWsHlceV3Eh9ZMaEaH297dGBziemS7jkkrFVpSsdXRO99ABcRt5sOHb0N0mKXvyuGgYFDUapX_xq2_uBeKu09LglfMRZEp4Y_mFl8opS1Q_e1uBu5OvR4TraLFPxBnnp_nw_Zp/s320/IMG_2985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That's it! The kids had fun and so did I! All in all, I'd say it was a success!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-78738954403166970772011-02-13T23:15:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:30:03.048-07:00Valentine's Day giftsTake a look at these cute Valentine's Day cards and gifts I whipped up for some work friends! The cards were a free download at <a href="http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/01/valentines-day-idea-cute-as-a-button/">Thirty Handmade Days</a>. Her idea was to make covered button earrings and attach them to the cards that read "Cute as a button." I loved that idea, but not many of my friends wear stud earrings, so I decided to make button thumb tacks instead!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrokVZF8ZgWW77SI9iA_8-3HwXWN6TMgpjatxxu0pC4KQRalIvXcOwnNLC9Er0Aa0ofsv1qbAPyrsw9k6z7EZr04E7Bszn-aDTScmbWdH2amCpp9ifao0mvR59tf4w2DwlMKDHXIK5cB9_/s1600/IMG00083-20110213-2052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrokVZF8ZgWW77SI9iA_8-3HwXWN6TMgpjatxxu0pC4KQRalIvXcOwnNLC9Er0Aa0ofsv1qbAPyrsw9k6z7EZr04E7Bszn-aDTScmbWdH2amCpp9ifao0mvR59tf4w2DwlMKDHXIK5cB9_/s320/IMG00083-20110213-2052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> All I needed were flat head thumb tacks, my big jar of buttons, and a hot glue gun. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj977RjVi7uVkVzhj5Y7FPM58pPw2VWrPVeh4Wmf3dtsiWib-d7jRvDlKZmYEcmwjF2wm_q-eqm15Kh5XGWDwJi0scqz7dH8ll3HdJaXQ_tlzgdazP1juyBBk8lcOH6NH2XBDX7Em1JmanL/s1600/IMG00084-20110213-2107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj977RjVi7uVkVzhj5Y7FPM58pPw2VWrPVeh4Wmf3dtsiWib-d7jRvDlKZmYEcmwjF2wm_q-eqm15Kh5XGWDwJi0scqz7dH8ll3HdJaXQ_tlzgdazP1juyBBk8lcOH6NH2XBDX7Em1JmanL/s320/IMG00084-20110213-2107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's the card printed out with 2 of the tacks stuck in. I love it! Maybe next time I'll make fabric covered thumb tacks. That would be cute, too!<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-28427695182472227482011-02-13T12:17:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:29:43.480-07:00EmbroideryRemember how my Mother-in-law gave me an awesome new <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-christmas-gifts-part-2.html">sewing machine</a> for my birthday?? Well, it came with an embroidery attachment that I didn't have time to open until last weekend. My friend Kelly had bought t-shirts for Audrey and her daughter Greta, so I decided to embroider the girls' names on them.<br />
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I had to read the manual to figure out how to use the machine. It's complicated! After figuring it out, I got to work. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYxH84GCbdOMmYa-m7LhWovQPwnAf9RPWdwKwBqS4DvhXDE_wr0WQ54K0aYAXlIRkKOAxsm3m7EAuokx9Xd0J2e0lW9YQ8k11prI3kCxApowiM2lenvzRTSLLXvTl9c-J3Qo4oLkOuRoK/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYxH84GCbdOMmYa-m7LhWovQPwnAf9RPWdwKwBqS4DvhXDE_wr0WQ54K0aYAXlIRkKOAxsm3m7EAuokx9Xd0J2e0lW9YQ8k11prI3kCxApowiM2lenvzRTSLLXvTl9c-J3Qo4oLkOuRoK/s320/IMG_2940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkBeiTctEDR9xBFHxJFwkzuyYpHeVw8eX7-f7uW_caekQiJSXZrohXkAxBTk0c1HdYn2LXsUaia-FHpwGQfJfgw8S8nOIxTqcGoDx_t7b788FI0GyyZKihQW2CFoiuQ3Oll6_1clnM8oM/s1600/IMG_2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkBeiTctEDR9xBFHxJFwkzuyYpHeVw8eX7-f7uW_caekQiJSXZrohXkAxBTk0c1HdYn2LXsUaia-FHpwGQfJfgw8S8nOIxTqcGoDx_t7b788FI0GyyZKihQW2CFoiuQ3Oll6_1clnM8oM/s320/IMG_2941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqazQaYab0Ez4BhGEPhiFgxOEfRQn-VikpfeCKHs_vTPZqdHGzOwOEy5A1And8A_Vz8fHzLqtmJsYRKDke5J0DeaPtkXJxZRS1WYfTuvaGjepkcQsbtPcirrTnMjWVsxbvcpHsTVnn4WR/s1600/IMG_2942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqazQaYab0Ez4BhGEPhiFgxOEfRQn-VikpfeCKHs_vTPZqdHGzOwOEy5A1And8A_Vz8fHzLqtmJsYRKDke5J0DeaPtkXJxZRS1WYfTuvaGjepkcQsbtPcirrTnMjWVsxbvcpHsTVnn4WR/s320/IMG_2942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here is Greta's finished shirt. I wish I would have tilted the name more, so it didn't go into the rainbow. But for my first try, it's not too bad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-RFuSH9f4wN4lm88WBVnfyw9KPIyWrLcm0B7SC5dyK3WjOrHvkp0BFKv2hDWV6yrKrvz-vgHFlnX2m6ybl6Srf2FA4mCLg-9QkbUM3SKNh9HqiujrVr4z23cdVRj8puPcW6CODDGtdvw/s1600/IMG_2944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-RFuSH9f4wN4lm88WBVnfyw9KPIyWrLcm0B7SC5dyK3WjOrHvkp0BFKv2hDWV6yrKrvz-vgHFlnX2m6ybl6Srf2FA4mCLg-9QkbUM3SKNh9HqiujrVr4z23cdVRj8puPcW6CODDGtdvw/s320/IMG_2944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1GAjw-7ZZO3v9YVS9VLHfW-okRJ4AThMMO_6nzUAxQ3ZR8_ptPXstjZ8nmg6z_qe_biWssfFzQFbXcDw6_uXRdMmNxtbDMB8_aNyHw5AWYNJtH4_RJRckDCyrLzVIcy-e_NDR91zWoNI/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1GAjw-7ZZO3v9YVS9VLHfW-okRJ4AThMMO_6nzUAxQ3ZR8_ptPXstjZ8nmg6z_qe_biWssfFzQFbXcDw6_uXRdMmNxtbDMB8_aNyHw5AWYNJtH4_RJRckDCyrLzVIcy-e_NDR91zWoNI/s320/IMG_2945.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Audrey's turned out a little better. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLxVkEM9k3c-5eA4tILuJPFt6836sF_-7lwzYk2zyhQWbT4KSCl73hQHVRwcrRplI-8o1f92FiPnuUuh1YXjzVs_po_jXYR1i0s0fCLZiBGBbRErdhPTu-0GuyHT7FKC7w-6PWK3NiGze/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLxVkEM9k3c-5eA4tILuJPFt6836sF_-7lwzYk2zyhQWbT4KSCl73hQHVRwcrRplI-8o1f92FiPnuUuh1YXjzVs_po_jXYR1i0s0fCLZiBGBbRErdhPTu-0GuyHT7FKC7w-6PWK3NiGze/s320/IMG_2946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was really excited about it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbcu30R5pQ_Rbv11Jbnda2T0E3dFzhGB4n3gTCZ66AqwflBcnrL0sJFThszkImCQz3gbjTDa3LS0vLhiVHH1s3IggXuhbDA5UlYHxXHzqTh2cixhngtBa9zO01tf2O3gyCZiXLZTASmh-/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbcu30R5pQ_Rbv11Jbnda2T0E3dFzhGB4n3gTCZ66AqwflBcnrL0sJFThszkImCQz3gbjTDa3LS0vLhiVHH1s3IggXuhbDA5UlYHxXHzqTh2cixhngtBa9zO01tf2O3gyCZiXLZTASmh-/s320/IMG_2947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I turned it over. Doh! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCLZ0UWmTFelBAD740ctdbjixSSm7KahZIEU2BHWI4621fcgiFuSKHykL_sRjLxDF9ZoTI5Er8Dgb9r1kJanuZKqP3Gd3KQOFCPcm4lB-yFEuqBI2x2mvSLFeGA7FYm0RvNUp_q6-LTxI/s1600/IMG_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCLZ0UWmTFelBAD740ctdbjixSSm7KahZIEU2BHWI4621fcgiFuSKHykL_sRjLxDF9ZoTI5Er8Dgb9r1kJanuZKqP3Gd3KQOFCPcm4lB-yFEuqBI2x2mvSLFeGA7FYm0RvNUp_q6-LTxI/s320/IMG_2948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So I busted out the seam ripper. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg061D6H9TPybPuN1NULG1vzFw3Zbxv5_sgoB290-6EJw93rxddMHe0B9ZTTToGP-uoVJRSikHjLcYZ4MIhR3i3Sfj45my8sMzYx0ykYaokQiO34ivWdvcLaKAzYJ4Zgdbyl-zgZB7jhN-z/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg061D6H9TPybPuN1NULG1vzFw3Zbxv5_sgoB290-6EJw93rxddMHe0B9ZTTToGP-uoVJRSikHjLcYZ4MIhR3i3Sfj45my8sMzYx0ykYaokQiO34ivWdvcLaKAzYJ4Zgdbyl-zgZB7jhN-z/s320/IMG_2949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And proceeded to stab my finger and bleed all over Audrey's new shirt. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFIWpS-oYLLWrC4Jiqrvhm4JNQEH5-KqTLL-bZ5Sks6y1E8dD0Ku6_zai1w2Ddb_pkrRb_8u41J0i6uAiX2kmTLwlzv4Fx-UssMsh3qahnwi8wv9UlzqlB-f3RXiH5rd-jD_OlPVu_1M6/s1600/IMG_2951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFIWpS-oYLLWrC4Jiqrvhm4JNQEH5-KqTLL-bZ5Sks6y1E8dD0Ku6_zai1w2Ddb_pkrRb_8u41J0i6uAiX2kmTLwlzv4Fx-UssMsh3qahnwi8wv9UlzqlB-f3RXiH5rd-jD_OlPVu_1M6/s320/IMG_2951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I'm planning on doing more practicing. If you have any things you'd like embroidered, I'll gladly do it for you! You'll just need to purchase the thread, since I don't have too many colors. Let me know if you are interested! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-48001946218905016192011-01-13T12:07:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:27:02.305-07:00Love is in the air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR-Q9AtjkRCLQJECBaKJfLS1buGYBed7VtVT4OSN8ZsTr7ipYSop-IIws87CaYJzAu3oaRWdf7JiqGtYBwMq-dBoS4qszo4xdlNeSLdUzW-7hDGeeA1_h-ZucrnUMnxAkJW8e508ZEsGK/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR-Q9AtjkRCLQJECBaKJfLS1buGYBed7VtVT4OSN8ZsTr7ipYSop-IIws87CaYJzAu3oaRWdf7JiqGtYBwMq-dBoS4qszo4xdlNeSLdUzW-7hDGeeA1_h-ZucrnUMnxAkJW8e508ZEsGK/s200/IMG_2882.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love Valentines Day! I love pink and hearts, so all the decor is right up my ally. On a recent trip to Target, I had to stop by all their adorable Valentine's Day stuff and check it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remember when I blogged about <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/03/window-fix-up.html">adding privacy film</a> to our bathroom window? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXvp2sbveknKsOBZX-R7ZWVB_KkmQLkM_FSZBtCon7FUGrYhyphenhyphenOQC61crPa2IuRz8G-8mrpj-HTxLTcP__lw4ZcLIitOcaoYame_KxGS1v8MOZGYSHVbSQzJzhQ5OLVZIg5em7qBJmwNhD/s1600/IMG_2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXvp2sbveknKsOBZX-R7ZWVB_KkmQLkM_FSZBtCon7FUGrYhyphenhyphenOQC61crPa2IuRz8G-8mrpj-HTxLTcP__lw4ZcLIitOcaoYame_KxGS1v8MOZGYSHVbSQzJzhQ5OLVZIg5em7qBJmwNhD/s320/IMG_2398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Well, now I've added these three cute little vases with bamboo plants! The vases were in the dollar section (that's what I call the area right up front with toys, books, teacher supplies, and other random junk) and they were only $2.50 for the set! Yay for cheap cuteness!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhKFwVRORwc7194DheLMI05B_WFZEv9ZWfOT61vi5Y2vfbDc31UTB13zc8hoi_mchMF3O3gDXUueHBwU4srfLF5_5OPJpa_dwmACXrScv2yp1QE9yclxJdw6IIPC9BBgGXdy6WzzbEzEl/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhKFwVRORwc7194DheLMI05B_WFZEv9ZWfOT61vi5Y2vfbDc31UTB13zc8hoi_mchMF3O3gDXUueHBwU4srfLF5_5OPJpa_dwmACXrScv2yp1QE9yclxJdw6IIPC9BBgGXdy6WzzbEzEl/s320/IMG_2884.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a close up. I & <3 & U. So cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR-Q9AtjkRCLQJECBaKJfLS1buGYBed7VtVT4OSN8ZsTr7ipYSop-IIws87CaYJzAu3oaRWdf7JiqGtYBwMq-dBoS4qszo4xdlNeSLdUzW-7hDGeeA1_h-ZucrnUMnxAkJW8e508ZEsGK/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR-Q9AtjkRCLQJECBaKJfLS1buGYBed7VtVT4OSN8ZsTr7ipYSop-IIws87CaYJzAu3oaRWdf7JiqGtYBwMq-dBoS4qszo4xdlNeSLdUzW-7hDGeeA1_h-ZucrnUMnxAkJW8e508ZEsGK/s320/IMG_2882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> Here's the bathroom with the new vases. My hubby is going to have a hard time putting them away after February 14th. I'm going to want to keep them there all year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrRlXxg2RztWuDAswmP_jLGxpoxLiyNwCKU-Jhk4YFUsk3TBnFrYTjj8iV3P9cRVprlQhWtGy2GMbcHKGYM92p_K9wdkvvB5BHI0NTZpGbRLCqlOu4S3wjyRJ72-ItV5D7dTUAhfeJY27/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrRlXxg2RztWuDAswmP_jLGxpoxLiyNwCKU-Jhk4YFUsk3TBnFrYTjj8iV3P9cRVprlQhWtGy2GMbcHKGYM92p_K9wdkvvB5BHI0NTZpGbRLCqlOu4S3wjyRJ72-ItV5D7dTUAhfeJY27/s320/IMG_2886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Do you decorate for Valentine's Day? Should I add some heart printed hand towels? Let me know!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-41789115752761455322011-01-11T12:23:00.000-08:002015-10-12T22:56:27.749-07:00Coffee TableLast summer I decided I wanted to build a new padded coffee table for Audrey as she started to learn to walk. I was inspired by a post from <a href="http://karapaslaydesigns.com/">Kara Paslay Designs</a> over at <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/07/lets-build-it-karas-amazing-diy-ottoman/">Young House Love</a>. The table was stylish, inexpensive, and didn't look too hard to make.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f1pIWb726adwkjNBWZ6-O861NZp_leiZkbd9FWipL8Hjh7GLOiOA73r-fGqog6RXtpZOI_cCKEIpVSnb7s_Kg0FRY5cS1O34OwMv2ji5A-TJQq31bHo5sR3q1JddnwV9ZlvnhYfwaMD6/s1600/DIY-ottoman-after11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f1pIWb726adwkjNBWZ6-O861NZp_leiZkbd9FWipL8Hjh7GLOiOA73r-fGqog6RXtpZOI_cCKEIpVSnb7s_Kg0FRY5cS1O34OwMv2ji5A-TJQq31bHo5sR3q1JddnwV9ZlvnhYfwaMD6/s320/DIY-ottoman-after11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Instead of building the base, like Kara did, I decided to search Craigslist for an inexpensive table. I found one very similar to this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kiNqBQhfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kiNqBQhfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table from Amazon.com for $89.99</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And I paid $25 dollars for it! Score! I promptly cleaned it, took it apart with an alan wrench, and started sanding the pieces. My wonderful hubby took over for me, finished sanding, and painted all the pieces white, using paint we already had to re-paint closet doors and trim throughout our house.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK9qSOm5U14nSZXiPT_T-4UzRoKNmuksRPfDrZk4iyo3fLbPmCYTmLi7HLuvlWwOwJgHr-Cr2pmKK5poQJ_qVbTsdyfNkNd8k6NMVtGBPYVQo8lJRlVaxc4kX5QwZE5zH2mktUNofySGd/s1600/DSCF0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK9qSOm5U14nSZXiPT_T-4UzRoKNmuksRPfDrZk4iyo3fLbPmCYTmLi7HLuvlWwOwJgHr-Cr2pmKK5poQJ_qVbTsdyfNkNd8k6NMVtGBPYVQo8lJRlVaxc4kX5QwZE5zH2mktUNofySGd/s320/DSCF0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the table, taken apart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I went to Ikea to get fabric (black with white leaves), then ventured over to the as-is section and found a HUGE piece of foam for $10. What a steal! I then swung by Michael's on my way home and grabbed a bag of quilt batting and a can of Scotch brand spray glue with some 40% off coupons.<br />
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To make the table, I borrowed an electric turkey knife from my mother in law to cut the foam, Design on a Dime style. (If you watch HGTV, you'll know they always use those things to cut foam! And it works!) I sprayed the top of the table with the glue and placed the cut foam on top. I then stretched the batting over the foam and using a staple gun, stapled it to the bottom. I trimmed any excess batting from the bottom. I then stretched the fabric over the top and stapled that as well. I stapled them separate in case something were to spill on the table, I could replace the fabric without having to replace the batting, too. <br />
<br />
I thought about adding the tufted buttons, like Kara's table, but in the end, it was too much work. I wanted to be done! I added a wooden tray to the top that I had gotten years ago from Target, and a blanket to the bottom shelf for cozying up with on the couch, and called it good!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlgx6V3n8-4Tm5F5BLSyM5YxbxGIjlfp101GEgPgxQ4oQ5CgfhaqlRGO3EOfoXeQkeOQsvRA_5wCT7AjehZPKEDFETy623Rsj8OIRsGSpwUUdC9gv2swpT6vgor6GqBCOQnTjpLG4zrXF/s1600/IMG00016-20101114-1703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlgx6V3n8-4Tm5F5BLSyM5YxbxGIjlfp101GEgPgxQ4oQ5CgfhaqlRGO3EOfoXeQkeOQsvRA_5wCT7AjehZPKEDFETy623Rsj8OIRsGSpwUUdC9gv2swpT6vgor6GqBCOQnTjpLG4zrXF/s320/IMG00016-20101114-1703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the breakdown of price:<br />
Coffee table from craigslist: $25<br />
Foam from Ikea As-is: $10<br />
Batting from Michales (on sale): $5.99<br />
Scotch spray glue from Michaels (40% off): $8.40<br />
Staple gun & staples: already owned<br />
Sand paper and white paint: already owned<br />
Mid-weight fabric from Ikea: $16 for 2 yards<br />
<br />
Grand total: $65.39<br />
Pretty good, since similar upholstered ottomans cost hundreds of dollars! If I would have just used a coffee table we already had for the base, it would have been even less!<br />
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What do you think? Have you tried to upholster anything? What about modifying or updating some furniture? Do tell!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-84065174505400654812011-01-08T17:08:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:24:34.614-07:00Hanging Christmas CardsI know this post is a little too late for this year, but I saw this card holder at <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/tree-card-holder/">Pottery Barn</a> awhile ago and have been craving it. It was $35, and of course it's no longer available.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq_JDb5mLxe5ScsseOSce-oqqcRFYuhgRsDQPT7nwpZmEJ3MqU0pPYxwX8e6LHBLYYuLAp-G2Fwnz3gvLBOz4TNHP_jgkWyssluroEKaud0OO_2Aloo1MqSNUCArrweaF7m330Xt_qkJS/s1600/PBphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq_JDb5mLxe5ScsseOSce-oqqcRFYuhgRsDQPT7nwpZmEJ3MqU0pPYxwX8e6LHBLYYuLAp-G2Fwnz3gvLBOz4TNHP_jgkWyssluroEKaud0OO_2Aloo1MqSNUCArrweaF7m330Xt_qkJS/s320/PBphoto.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You see, I have been wondering what to do with my Christmas cards since the one I used to have burned up in flames last year. I had made it when I was pregnant with Nathan because I never knew what to do with Christmas cards. It was a tree that I cut out of cardboard, covered with green fleece, and glued ribbon on to make it like a photo display. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCJYQcV4R-B1peUhk9S1Ul8d__d1_xNlvnqRIwPhQhFlWv-U1-P8tQNKBwMcm3coIuqupnZM4eTsZ_KNKsuSe5uvgmZ6rFsJrj_m6iqh0r1AGR0D1CESXysGtWFhNbUBLAKHHPrtkEakT/s1600/167234_1591257699418_1175134254_31335857_8339227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCJYQcV4R-B1peUhk9S1Ul8d__d1_xNlvnqRIwPhQhFlWv-U1-P8tQNKBwMcm3coIuqupnZM4eTsZ_KNKsuSe5uvgmZ6rFsJrj_m6iqh0r1AGR0D1CESXysGtWFhNbUBLAKHHPrtkEakT/s320/167234_1591257699418_1175134254_31335857_8339227_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At our annual Roomie Christmas Dinner last year, I had the card holder hanging above the buffet table in our living room with some cute, but cheap candles below it. I had lit the candles to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for my guests. During dinner I got up from the table and walked around to the living room to grab something (I don't even remember) and saw that the wall of cards were on fire! It had happened so suddenly, and I started screaming "FIRE!" All the boys jumped up from the table, threw the cards and candles out into the snow in the front yard, as all the girls were freaking out that the house could have burned down while we were enjoying Monterrey Chicken in the other room! Sadly to say, the tree burned down, the wall turned black, and we had some fallen soldier Christmas cards. One of my girlfriends got a little teary eyed after the whole ordeal, she was just shaken up by it all. Of course one of the boys called her out on it, "Really, you're going to cry over some burned up Christmas cards??" It was kinda funny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So imagine my surprise when I checked <a href="http://www.copycatchic.com/2011/01/pottery-barn-holiday-card-holder.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CopyCatChic+%28%7C+Copy+Cat+Chic+%7C+chic+for+cheap%29">Copy Cat Chic</a> this morning, only to find the same card holder for sale at <a href="http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/HomeAccentsD%C3%A9cor/tabid/508/List/0/CategoryID/134/level/a/ProductID/4456/ProductName/Scroll-Photo-Holderuu/Default.aspx">Pier 1</a> for only $10!!!! So excited! I may just have to snatch this one up so it will be ready for next year's slew of cards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvPmx9E21lwY9SNbUhnsrWn4yVd1nAXX46p8IEaAjMrai8c6udLYPQubZtTdvmcKZGxc9CP3_MuNuvPPu8eHcWvd5p1ijURDf5_wCrpOISbHf6Y0_XrkQjQ9_ECkbDI_3584Mcy_5gxO4/s1600/P1photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvPmx9E21lwY9SNbUhnsrWn4yVd1nAXX46p8IEaAjMrai8c6udLYPQubZtTdvmcKZGxc9CP3_MuNuvPPu8eHcWvd5p1ijURDf5_wCrpOISbHf6Y0_XrkQjQ9_ECkbDI_3584Mcy_5gxO4/s1600/P1photo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And you might be thinking, what do I do with all these cards I save after the holidays? Well, the photo cards go into a scrapbook that I keep of family and friends (it's fun to see how families change and evolve over the years!) and the regular cards get cut up into tags that I attach to all my gifts the next year. Recycling! Yay!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you do with all of your old Christmas cards? How do you display them?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-91911716678779476372011-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:24:02.709-07:00ScribdI just joined a website where you can upload documents for free and share them with your friends! Many other blogs I follow have been giving away calendars and posters with fun quotes on them. I decided to join the band wagon as well and have uploaded my own! There is a poem called "Babies Don't Keep" that I've been wanting to do something with. Every time I look at Audrey so peacefully sleeping, I think of it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJVtmeFF8hVOREqISPAkjzqXU47ekmS902ZoyUiaxdPzMME6Q3iCAB1f7eIuqo2TE50z8Qzw4niIl9t38YHe8jql5ImLbCd2FHOzQvmJk-nlMgW1xf6HQlud9OWAmgZpOGhS6FU15NcdM/s1600/_MG_5829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJVtmeFF8hVOREqISPAkjzqXU47ekmS902ZoyUiaxdPzMME6Q3iCAB1f7eIuqo2TE50z8Qzw4niIl9t38YHe8jql5ImLbCd2FHOzQvmJk-nlMgW1xf6HQlud9OWAmgZpOGhS6FU15NcdM/s320/_MG_5829.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken by <a href="http://ocallaghanphotography.com/">Carrie O'Callaghan</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Inspired by Scribd, I finally typed it up with fun colors and font and uploaded to share with you all! Let me know if you'd rather have a word document so you can change the colors and fonts to your liking. Maybe you have a poem you've always liked. What is it? Are you inspired to type it up and share it on Scribd as well? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/46517197/Babies-Don-t-Keep" style="display: block; font: 14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; margin: 12px auto 6px; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Babies Don't Keep on Scribd">Babies Don't Keep</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_58953" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/46517197/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-w4silg05nr5xgle92po" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();
</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-17836695424401341472010-12-31T11:20:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:19:02.477-07:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year! We are still in beautiful, snowy Sunriver as my cousin and her new husband are house-sitting up in Portland. Some of our friends are coming down today and Ben's cousin came down yesterday. We are going to have a fun filled night with a yummy halibut dinner and lots of champagne! I'm going to have to find projects to do with champagne corks! Haha.<br />
<br />
As I reminisce over 2010, I completed many of the projects I wanted to do. There is still a list of things I want to try out for next year. Without further ado, here is my to-do list for 2011:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3jtro5e0pa4x1XYoCfsut1ARj2ySbM8f1S-9mCcbIAMbPrBirMMMSs76p5yM2uznHfK-K2Xh968xMXN-ieEtnW50EvssQ5WDhTnkTEdK3SL2u_vAvoKqX612U8AnxXVrLVLQoeohsFZY/s1600/il_570xN.96603572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3jtro5e0pa4x1XYoCfsut1ARj2ySbM8f1S-9mCcbIAMbPrBirMMMSs76p5yM2uznHfK-K2Xh968xMXN-ieEtnW50EvssQ5WDhTnkTEdK3SL2u_vAvoKqX612U8AnxXVrLVLQoeohsFZY/s320/il_570xN.96603572.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find these adorable letterpress To Do Lists on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/32763713/i-heart-lists-letterpress-sheets-red">Etsy</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Wooden frame. While searching for owl decorations for Audrey's birthday, I came across this frame at the <a href="http://www.powells.com/locations/powells-books-for-home-and-garden/">Powell's Books for Home and Garden</a> store on SE Hawthorne. I thought it was so cute and would be fairly easy to make. I would collect twigs from our yard (we have TONS of huge trees that dump sticks and twigs during the windy east county storms). Ben could use his circular saw to cut them into 1 inch or less pieces, and then I would hot glue then to a frame (preferably one found on clearance at Michael's or Target). I would give it a light sand and could even brush on a coat of polyurethane or just keep it bare. I thought this idea would be cute with corks, too. My friend Bailey made a huge cork board with the ends of corks and it turned out so cool. I'll have to get a picture of it from her.</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja545V5ev5O7eVGV0NmN6bIF-Xj2Xbu0DI-e0T-odgTTfYt7tynv1I3msmoUe9EnkcFI8xNcluP5msO6Rfzzd_1NnBe8QvneIePEIqsNQlLmj2MB3xjwCYwkAaEvOK97RgK4IysYflChZv/s1600/IMG00008-20101031-1241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja545V5ev5O7eVGV0NmN6bIF-Xj2Xbu0DI-e0T-odgTTfYt7tynv1I3msmoUe9EnkcFI8xNcluP5msO6Rfzzd_1NnBe8QvneIePEIqsNQlLmj2MB3xjwCYwkAaEvOK97RgK4IysYflChZv/s320/IMG00008-20101031-1241.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the cute owl accessories around the frame!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">While on a mission to find owl ornaments for Audrey's birthday (I know, I'm obsessed) I ventured over to <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp">Anthropologie</a> and saw this cool circle garland. It was made out of light blue paper, music sheets, and was sewed together with white thread. I thought about making one for Audrey's birthday, using this tutorial from <a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2010/08/quick-and-easy-project-and-little/">The Pleated Poppy</a>, but I just didn't have time. I do have a 2 3/4" circle punch and a 1" circle punch, which would make this project really easy. I might just do it for Nathan's 5th birthday in February. </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCeWeeJg4LOHd6D9lt0iO1175d0mG-S7XZAyha7JczxrfozZat2xYI2i88swN6L-4-dF-Pf_09hz-jFg2R_HnfjaLbd_C4jDl0Q3gnuuQXaHkBhsWHWz5InGsbNz_xBPsaCTj2vbNihi3/s1600/IMG00012-20101107-1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCeWeeJg4LOHd6D9lt0iO1175d0mG-S7XZAyha7JczxrfozZat2xYI2i88swN6L-4-dF-Pf_09hz-jFg2R_HnfjaLbd_C4jDl0Q3gnuuQXaHkBhsWHWz5InGsbNz_xBPsaCTj2vbNihi3/s320/IMG00012-20101107-1527.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;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Tile Coasters. I wanted to make these from <a href="http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2010/10/24/tile-coasters/">All Things Heart and Home</a> using cheap ceramic tiles from <a href="http://www.georgies.com/">Georgie's Clay and Ceramics</a>, where I took some free teacher classes and made these little <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-christmas-gifts-part-2.html">leaf beads</a>, and also the left-over <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhi/R-202020163/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">mosaic glass tiles</a> from our bathroom remodel. I would just need to buy a little grout, but I think this would be a cool, easy project and would make an awesome gift for someone.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaM-JiwY694KNijpjepZCTpn4R1HTvHNbSiDoCNbb3oVTDPdWPg9WCWSvY54t84JqBoTRXt3v3ozrQ5iFIADiLZs6w8tF9PjmmK7IMnNLJTmpbcdgboEGSQdRhRs8eAoTTVOIJGQVHqhQ/s1600/coasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaM-JiwY694KNijpjepZCTpn4R1HTvHNbSiDoCNbb3oVTDPdWPg9WCWSvY54t84JqBoTRXt3v3ozrQ5iFIADiLZs6w8tF9PjmmK7IMnNLJTmpbcdgboEGSQdRhRs8eAoTTVOIJGQVHqhQ/s320/coasters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Fingerprint Art. This next project I thought would be really cute for Nathan to make for his grandparents. It came from <a href="http://tutusandturtles.blogspot.com/2008/05/fingerpaint-wall-art.html">Tutus and Turtles</a>. I would choose paint colors to match each grandparent's decor, so it wouldn't be too out of place in their homes. I love how the child who made these signed his name on the bottom, like real art! Art canvases are on sale at <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd295821">JoAnn'</a>s right now, so I may have to go stock up to get ready for Christmas next year!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHjkpXBnakTvc_NSKrSPFbsQ078lJdyInVk77hqwqBepkWRId5BurNrJqyhUr-Z8y5QpuNVidJTXVhBQRp7hlHDBfiLivvnV7JH9FwmM47bzwHi_CTJapwLFwPjgtXVIxQr8zx6pBTwRl/s1600/Fingerpaint+wall+art.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHjkpXBnakTvc_NSKrSPFbsQ078lJdyInVk77hqwqBepkWRId5BurNrJqyhUr-Z8y5QpuNVidJTXVhBQRp7hlHDBfiLivvnV7JH9FwmM47bzwHi_CTJapwLFwPjgtXVIxQr8zx6pBTwRl/s320/Fingerpaint+wall+art.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Mod Podge Hand Trees. This project is sooooo cool and I can't wait to try it. <a href="http://atsecondstreet.blogspot.com/2010/03/mod-podged-hand-trees.html">At Second Street</a> came up with this awesome project because she was sick of ugly kid art. I would gladly hang this at my house! Again, I might be heading over to <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd295821">JoAnn's</a> for those 50% off canvases! </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIS2QsaS-uU4JTyKjLRztge1VllKm1drk2IkHlw6wkk9xE0WyY2QsIGEvxqDi32lY1jRQ6ZdwyQVoLoEwM9mlQTwBf-2kl_g1B1airec4AiYgx_804mX2wMDxxDddi9oZRhHLZY9hQeAC/s1600/IMG_4090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIS2QsaS-uU4JTyKjLRztge1VllKm1drk2IkHlw6wkk9xE0WyY2QsIGEvxqDi32lY1jRQ6ZdwyQVoLoEwM9mlQTwBf-2kl_g1B1airec4AiYgx_804mX2wMDxxDddi9oZRhHLZY9hQeAC/s320/IMG_4090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Last but not least, Rice Therapy Bags, from <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=280">Sew, Mama, Sew!</a> I thought these would make nice gifts for pregnant friends or even good prizes for baby shower or bridal shower games. You could make them in a variety of colors and scents. I know I am hosting a bridal shower and two baby showers this spring, so I may have to whip some of these up!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nLhTrEhvjDSm9nFNb7DlbbnIDXSqpxsPEDnZRs9g_hGtRDo_FvnqFzR0wueb8VbMdB8RjfCgk3aVJsP0fCzKGRXPLaqIHYZHwZkV2RjqpirOgKLbolbaaula4F52ECvI3HgPLe2S2lx_/s1600/comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nLhTrEhvjDSm9nFNb7DlbbnIDXSqpxsPEDnZRs9g_hGtRDo_FvnqFzR0wueb8VbMdB8RjfCgk3aVJsP0fCzKGRXPLaqIHYZHwZkV2RjqpirOgKLbolbaaula4F52ECvI3HgPLe2S2lx_/s320/comp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>So that's it. My not too long To-Do list for 2011. I'm sure I will find some more awesome projects and even make up a couple of my own as the year goes on. Keep reading to see what I try and how it all turns out. And if you leave a nice comment, I might just make one for you! :)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-73707644000323873232010-12-30T13:42:00.000-08:002015-07-08T12:22:25.142-07:00More handmade Christmas gifts!Here are two more gifts I did this Christmas: a Wine Cork Trivet and a Re-usable Shopping Tote.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-heeceAxi_klurQhgqFf_5VVUhbSBU2QilEPnaVKt0nHnynIAVqn8HJReLaHreeIzblvtw8KaoqISE0R_7hskEa-Wo0fWw1v1t9q0uwh8FQb8pOSbQN8cXDFojI-yOLY6YZ80AsUpqKnW/s1600/IMG00030-20101222-2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-heeceAxi_klurQhgqFf_5VVUhbSBU2QilEPnaVKt0nHnynIAVqn8HJReLaHreeIzblvtw8KaoqISE0R_7hskEa-Wo0fWw1v1t9q0uwh8FQb8pOSbQN8cXDFojI-yOLY6YZ80AsUpqKnW/s200/IMG00030-20101222-2211.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMB4cOa2zRYZG9DVfZKqXiCDBT-OCjxUZRrqcidlwU2GavN7yZvV2NaD99JObbTIjK7tBGu8_pbXW1307zBuQa3ReA0xJwCQB9QWE_wqNu2IQGCqlfNYON6Ch4CV-ifV40ZdtHMHzzQ26/s1600/IMG_2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMB4cOa2zRYZG9DVfZKqXiCDBT-OCjxUZRrqcidlwU2GavN7yZvV2NaD99JObbTIjK7tBGu8_pbXW1307zBuQa3ReA0xJwCQB9QWE_wqNu2IQGCqlfNYON6Ch4CV-ifV40ZdtHMHzzQ26/s200/IMG_2854.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
I had been wanting to make a wine trivet for quite some time - see the <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/03/wine-tasting.html">post from last spring</a> about all things wine! For this trivet, I started with a wooden tile frame that I bought at <a href="http://www.georgies.com/">Georgie's Clay and Ceramics</a>, a shop in Portland that I went to some free teacher clay classes. Anywho, I saw these frames on sale for $6.99 each and thought they would be great for wine corks, too. Good thing I have been <s>drinking lots of wine</s> collecting lots of corks! ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4KfmpfE6d8QmCRcghORvzowUw0HzRT2eIuMugueVgMntuJd-bmva4qYgppNPIPYyGdn8SW6qldeobB3KfuNDczEj9AaFd482Z-uOj_3-gsZ8CXc6lQn7iHqNMOCeUwCqFn_iPtMCBN1j/s1600/Frame+SP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4KfmpfE6d8QmCRcghORvzowUw0HzRT2eIuMugueVgMntuJd-bmva4qYgppNPIPYyGdn8SW6qldeobB3KfuNDczEj9AaFd482Z-uOj_3-gsZ8CXc6lQn7iHqNMOCeUwCqFn_iPtMCBN1j/s320/Frame+SP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I had Ben measure and cut a thin piece of plywood for each frame as I grabbed my glue gun and a vase full of corks from my fireplace mantle.<br />
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I hot glued the plywood inside the trivet, so it sits on the lip. I then arranged the corks how I wanted them, and started gluing. I did have to cut some of them shorter and cut a small piece off of one to fit in the middle. See?<br />
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I made one for my friend Kara (the same friend who got the <a href="http://nicolescraftingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-christmas-gifts-part-1.html">silhouette ornament</a>) with all Oregon wine corks. One for my cousin who lives in San Diego got all California corks. Another one was for Ben's brother and his fiance with all Washington corks. They live in Kirkland. The one above is for my brother, and he got a combo of Oregon and California, since he has lived in both states. Another friend saw Kara's and has already requested one for her birthday. Looks like I'll be going back to Georgies for the trivets, since <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00283ZQL0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00283ZQL0&linkCode=as2&tag=nicolescraft-20&linkId=MXC3BLFNI4TZUQFP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon sells them</a> for much more!<br />
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My other project was a re-usable shopping tote. The pattern is actually from Ikea. I found it in the fabric section.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixByPyUYU6OwzCEBSLRoAzYrFjENcKSJDqIz2QYiNVmuprBXyVX2Zrp-WNlqRQL-atCFFAx-LRIZ6YYW9ZROTM2zr8LsrO8ffDI_UEyUx6NX2-cLLHt0aeaSt8oXYaSyICpLn51bhTF_Um/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixByPyUYU6OwzCEBSLRoAzYrFjENcKSJDqIz2QYiNVmuprBXyVX2Zrp-WNlqRQL-atCFFAx-LRIZ6YYW9ZROTM2zr8LsrO8ffDI_UEyUx6NX2-cLLHt0aeaSt8oXYaSyICpLn51bhTF_Um/s320/IMG_2833.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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The first step is to cut 2 pieces of fabric for the handles. I used a pink and white striped fabric from the Home Decor department of <a href="http://www.fabricdepot.com/">The Fabric Depot</a> in SE Portland (if you live in the area and haven't been there, you need to go!). The handles need to be 28" long and 3.5" wide.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvK4LOczdjPNAOfrCXa3FXusGyYzWS-yXv-ZVT9OsVxSy0mlOPmCPma4lZIBpB5riPWIp2-66GMNTkhI6tVZ6JCrw026sQjRHj0XD7WvuDOkQjOOQjFU7vkUT5iyrWxOZ2VbJV1_Q7jDb/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvK4LOczdjPNAOfrCXa3FXusGyYzWS-yXv-ZVT9OsVxSy0mlOPmCPma4lZIBpB5riPWIp2-66GMNTkhI6tVZ6JCrw026sQjRHj0XD7WvuDOkQjOOQjFU7vkUT5iyrWxOZ2VbJV1_Q7jDb/s320/IMG_2834.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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You iron a small hem on both sides, then fold it again. I folded the fabric in half first so I would see the center line as I ironed the hem.</div>
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Pin the hems down and zig zag stitch down the middle to secure. I used white thread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTLGyrAFDShnhAC6Ad6ib4TRMWhHQajbN6bkso3iVtiFLIQVARb2Y-qYNYbTLW2nFwt82FdqlHLnqwIVTwzQZ-Odw_V0FJ8AGRf37qj7qeqVvXIdEAaTWWHHtPU-QquEY0ah06HiCMvF9/s1600/IMG_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTLGyrAFDShnhAC6Ad6ib4TRMWhHQajbN6bkso3iVtiFLIQVARb2Y-qYNYbTLW2nFwt82FdqlHLnqwIVTwzQZ-Odw_V0FJ8AGRf37qj7qeqVvXIdEAaTWWHHtPU-QquEY0ah06HiCMvF9/s320/IMG_2831.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, you need to cut the fabric for the bag. The dimensions are 18" x 36". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOgMxEVLqk2QUWkkBA7RkN0KOQtUnUYxOsvn3fYeSb15SLWEWmntx3hcEPqnM1imDDfppuewtrqQ4pTqF2vmhHNUX5kH7qLiumWRRm5Cbc1xnGZOBRwRbi5FCo4k-akdRcv7JYtSRGuFW/s1600/IMG_2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOgMxEVLqk2QUWkkBA7RkN0KOQtUnUYxOsvn3fYeSb15SLWEWmntx3hcEPqnM1imDDfppuewtrqQ4pTqF2vmhHNUX5kH7qLiumWRRm5Cbc1xnGZOBRwRbi5FCo4k-akdRcv7JYtSRGuFW/s320/IMG_2835.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Iron down both sides,<br />
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Then fold and iron again to make the hem. Pin and straight stitch close to the left edge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EN6TEtUbnb1Jv9I_mswbtdHXqutUXm9tV1jegI4FoUvIRi1lUVg7Npfi0qMrVIC6NDQF77K2Jwa__2WWjxkcTajgz8l45MohljyTA7V-TEXkF5wyXYBBPrIjhP-pjJuDWyTvKk4LKGGF/s1600/IMG_2840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EN6TEtUbnb1Jv9I_mswbtdHXqutUXm9tV1jegI4FoUvIRi1lUVg7Npfi0qMrVIC6NDQF77K2Jwa__2WWjxkcTajgz8l45MohljyTA7V-TEXkF5wyXYBBPrIjhP-pjJuDWyTvKk4LKGGF/s320/IMG_2840.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Attach the handles 2.5 or 3" from the edges. Pin and make sure that both handles are placed in the same place. To sew the handles to the bag, I sewed a box then an x in the middle to make the handles more secure. Sometimes I stuff my shopping bags really full because I am lazy and don't want to carry too many bags out to the car. I definitely don't want the handles to fall off!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz4hzwPEjfW1tHdmbavtUmywv-Qi6kqC5horVUCmYKHSUVVOy_7Rs1W9YVs6vCgAP5BafZo8IWQ-o-iSx-eUvdJrSaybR-XPe7nqbLYZFfKbCSKqGc76dAVKqGyJrvVjKXxeaaZdjfhR2/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz4hzwPEjfW1tHdmbavtUmywv-Qi6kqC5horVUCmYKHSUVVOy_7Rs1W9YVs6vCgAP5BafZo8IWQ-o-iSx-eUvdJrSaybR-XPe7nqbLYZFfKbCSKqGc76dAVKqGyJrvVjKXxeaaZdjfhR2/s320/IMG_2836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then sew the sides of the bag closed, inside out.<br />
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Turn it right side out, and top-stitch the sides again. I had cut the raw edges close to the stitch before I flipped it right side out. That way when I top-stitched, you wouldn't see the raw edges sticking out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmbdNTGNWbKNJiGHMFrT5bPAGieDAETEvKIpvLCzss2BsXNR4VMm0IG6B5OGW7Vjem4dcy7RqbKa0MGZZJO6uPQwpiuUKcRgsqOfU9vrdWdZ76OE8Ni7Qe8op-L86svO_H2UNrK5lH4F9/s1600/IMG_2838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmbdNTGNWbKNJiGHMFrT5bPAGieDAETEvKIpvLCzss2BsXNR4VMm0IG6B5OGW7Vjem4dcy7RqbKa0MGZZJO6uPQwpiuUKcRgsqOfU9vrdWdZ76OE8Ni7Qe8op-L86svO_H2UNrK5lH4F9/s320/IMG_2838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the completed bag! I gave it to my mom, and she loved it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMB4cOa2zRYZG9DVfZKqXiCDBT-OCjxUZRrqcidlwU2GavN7yZvV2NaD99JObbTIjK7tBGu8_pbXW1307zBuQa3ReA0xJwCQB9QWE_wqNu2IQGCqlfNYON6Ch4CV-ifV40ZdtHMHzzQ26/s1600/IMG_2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMB4cOa2zRYZG9DVfZKqXiCDBT-OCjxUZRrqcidlwU2GavN7yZvV2NaD99JObbTIjK7tBGu8_pbXW1307zBuQa3ReA0xJwCQB9QWE_wqNu2IQGCqlfNYON6Ch4CV-ifV40ZdtHMHzzQ26/s320/IMG_2854.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I really like the idea of making these. It doesn't take too much fabric and people can always use them. You could make them out of nylon and make little bags to stuff them into. Or, sew little straps on the bottom with snaps, like this one from <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4301844">Bath and Body Works</a>, then you can roll it up and secure with the snaps. I made one for my friend Pat when she was subbing this fall out of<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60143402"> this fabric from Ikea</a> in gray. I stuffed it full of subbing supplies, such as a planner, stickers, colorful pens, thank you cards to leave for teachers, even a coffee thermos. She loved it and uses it all the time! I really want to try this pattern next, from <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=514">Sew, Mama, Sew!</a> It is a bigger bag with a pocket on the outside. <br />
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So that's it. Those are all the gifts I made this year. With Audrey's birthday party, my birthday, tons of events with my class, finishing up my last class for my Reading Endorsement, Christmas, and New Years, I think I did pretty well with making some thoughtful, quality gifts for friends and family. Did you make any gifts this year? Tell me all about them!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749053005093642904.post-52710845834593234642010-12-27T15:56:00.000-08:002011-09-13T23:17:05.548-07:00Handmade Christmas Gifts, part 3<div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coffee Cozies!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwxZUbzFsDFiit5IUoZuWVmHm-gAZaCISgndXMvu0oGTi78G6eMWPknObDInDmquCy7DorIEDUTj9vELorMDUiQpBGB1bUZGksS8Wr4OMqEJfAO6ysENBO9k_no0ks51Jq2p2O7wMeiYg/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwxZUbzFsDFiit5IUoZuWVmHm-gAZaCISgndXMvu0oGTi78G6eMWPknObDInDmquCy7DorIEDUTj9vELorMDUiQpBGB1bUZGksS8Wr4OMqEJfAO6ysENBO9k_no0ks51Jq2p2O7wMeiYg/s320/IMG_2851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I was inspired by Robin over at <a href="http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2010/10/31/coffee-cozymy-take-on-these-cuties/">All Things Heart and Home</a>. Make sure to check out her tutorial, since I didn't take the best pictures of this project.<br />
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I downloaded Robin's pattern and cut out 2 pieces of coordinating fabric and a piece of fusible batting. I pinned them together right side in and sewed along the edge, leaving a 3 inch hole to turn it right side out, and also sewing in a half of a hair tie into one of the sides (seriously, look at Robin's directions, it will make more sense!)<br />
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Once it was all turned right side out, I ironed it, activating the fusible batting, so the fabric will stick together. <br />
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Then I top stitched around. On this one, I tried out one of the fancy decorative stitches on my <a href="http://www.berninausa.com/product_detail-n2-i12-sUS.html">fancy new sewing machine</a>. This stitch is a simple flower. <br />
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I used a cardboard Starbucks coffee sleeve as a guide to know where to put the button. I hand stitched on the button and slipped the hair tie around it to clasp. <br />
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I think it turned out pretty cute! <br />
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This project was really easy. I made three of them in a couple hours for my work friends in our "coffee club" -we take turns each Friday buying a coffee for each of us, then sit around and chat before school while drinking our coffees. It's super fun.<br />
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I will definitely be making more of these, they would make a fun addition to a tea or coffee themed gift basket or throw one in with a personalized coffee thermos for a really special gift. Now I just need to make one for myself!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495170345488264745noreply@blogger.com3