tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57358377794540051052024-03-05T04:18:37.996-05:00Generally CreativeMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-85711858183228040142014-09-04T17:05:00.000-04:002014-09-04T17:05:00.173-04:00Acorn EarringsWith fall at our doorstep, I wanted to share these earrings I made last year. I was waiting for my family to pick up me and staring at the ground where there were these adorable little acorns.<br />
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I stuffed a bunch in my pocked not knowing what I'd do with them... they ended up being just about the same size as beads I had at home so I popped the top off and drilled a small whole in the top. <br />
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Then took a beed pulled it together with the cap.<br />
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I think they look cute and are a nice fall touch of whimsey...<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-88389758167421166932014-09-02T16:28:00.000-04:002014-09-02T16:28:00.409-04:00G Clef EarringsWhile I wasn't blogging... I was still being creative. I can't really turn that creativity thing off and survive.<br />
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I did manage to document a few projects, not always the process, but often the finished pieces. So I'll be posting a few of my favorites... these in particular I've remade on more than a few occasions so perhaps one of these times, I'll pull together some pictures of the process.<br />
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I ended up taking orders for this last Christmas through friends and family. For some, I went with a distressed hammered look, others wanted them smooth.<br />
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The most challenging part of these was that I love wearing what I make, but I'm not musical at all and it felt wrong to wear a symbol of music while having NO musical talent at all.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-47236791810012203022014-08-30T15:47:00.001-04:002014-08-30T16:21:08.923-04:00Baseball BraceletI have a baseball boy... he would eat, sleep and breath baseball if it worked. He loves all sports, but baseball really is his love.<br />
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He's also fidgety little thing and with second grade starting next week I was hoping to make a bracelet that he could fidget with in class that would be less of a distraction. I had 2 ideas for bracelets, this is the one I thought he'd like best so I started with it.<br />
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It is really quite simple, all you need is a baseball and knife of some kind. Each ball will yield 2 medium bracelets.<br />
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Very carefully cut around each side of the stitches. In design school we had to cut boards, mattes and all kind of materials, they taught us it was better to strike several light cuts than to try and muscle through a material with a single cut. Cutting a ball seemed like an opportunity to take this advice and not end up dragging 2 kids to the emergency room to have my thumb reattached. Thankfully, no thumbs were severed during this project.<br />
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Then peel back the leather from the ball. I started with the larger sections which made the sections with the laces much easier to remove.<br />
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This is where I got confused. How on earth did they tie the knots of the red laces INSIDE the baseball. Mind blown. <br />
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Untie the magic laces and begin to unravel them.<br />
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Then cut the leather so you have one long-wavy snake... If you work with the leather to warm it up, pull it straight, it will relax some of the curl. But after just 2 hours of wearing the actual bracelet there is hardly any curl left in it anyway.<br />
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Continue unraveling the laces until you have about 2-3" of thread at each end. Then cut the leather in half and unravel the laces at the other end.<br />
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I used a safety pink to attach the bracelet to my jeans so I could braid the ends of the laces together.<br />
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And then tied the bracelet on my boy... who I thought was going to be thrilled. He was not.<br />
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Thankfully, it seems to be growing on him a bit and I have caught him fidgeting with it, which is just what he's supposed to do... Hopefully he'll stick with it and save his second grade teacher the torture of trying to deal with my fidgety britches.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-57249105657086090982011-09-16T07:31:00.000-04:002011-09-16T07:31:00.262-04:00Sports BoxesI just completed another little detail for my son's big boy room. Kids always seems to have little treasures that can quite easily take over their rooms if left uncontained - I had a set of 3 nesting boxes that I got on clearance somewhere that I was going to do something with that I'd long abandoned. I figured they would make the perfect treasure keepers, and I knew just how I could dress them up.
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With all that I did in his room that I had to spend money on, quilt, paint, silver tape... I was determined to have projects that were just using what I had on hand, both to save money AND to use up some of the things that have been doing nothing but taking up space. </div>
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So I started with the boxes, paint and brushes:</div>
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You'll see I didn't have the right brown for the basket ball, I had to mix red, a touch of black and yellow to get the right blend.<br />
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When dry, I lightly penciled in the lines that make these not sphere shapes more identifiable as what they are intended to be, balls.<br />
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Ad then I painted them... that is really about it.<br />
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I'll add a coat of varnish once the paint has fully cured. That is one thing I've learned when it come to craft paint - if it isn't completely dry when you coat it with varnish, it runs and smears.<br />
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Now baby bear has the perfect places to keep his treasures without having them take over his room. When the boxes fill up - then it's time to pick what can be pitched.<br />
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-27208860022955757872011-09-14T07:05:00.001-04:002011-09-14T20:44:03.374-04:00Unique Border SolutionI knew I wanted to have 2 paint colors in Bear's Big Boy Room... what I couldn't figure out was how I was going to set off those two paint colors.<br />
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I didn't want to do chair rail. Not in the budget, not the look I wanted.<br />
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Didn't want a wall paper boarder.<br />
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Just having the 2 colors meet wasn't going to work either.<br />
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So after trying, and hating several different options - what I feel in love with was metallic tape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ8aN-6JEQkDAUmTmZ2J-ySGt2yWxffId91nxfLPIe37s6gGeJzs2STnH_nd2bI2LrNHeWjARFICkfHJBMoW5EoizDc88ZQhZXSzfIlmIQ-txEedd0jXVP9vSDMngwLAw9zu8rRuAUmQw/s1600/IMG_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ8aN-6JEQkDAUmTmZ2J-ySGt2yWxffId91nxfLPIe37s6gGeJzs2STnH_nd2bI2LrNHeWjARFICkfHJBMoW5EoizDc88ZQhZXSzfIlmIQ-txEedd0jXVP9vSDMngwLAw9zu8rRuAUmQw/s400/IMG_0667.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Note: this is NOT duct tape, though with all the decorator duct tapes out there you likely could use it. But I wanted something VERY shiny, with almost no texture of it's own.<br />
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While exploring Lowes, I discovered this metallic tape in the HVAC section - It's day job is holding duct work together throughout a house. But it was exactly the look I wanted for a boarder.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO-vfzIMJFgrzvAoTNY7gsNIfUKOcLVNZLGnZNZke91dlVrnWhW2ludKc4CfIOZoS9S9HfHIWjrBwFjFOtUxailR5wbSxONVZLHBhpPGS7_o0867fmdKmb-jiwv6I_4-xPO06mFmZUt9y/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO-vfzIMJFgrzvAoTNY7gsNIfUKOcLVNZLGnZNZke91dlVrnWhW2ludKc4CfIOZoS9S9HfHIWjrBwFjFOtUxailR5wbSxONVZLHBhpPGS7_o0867fmdKmb-jiwv6I_4-xPO06mFmZUt9y/s400/IMG_0666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYcsMDwWL20QQrB2KKmQsdukcC3tnz45QkcRp1cU6Eh8URzPre887i9k1O_aV7_3DdZy2MfV20jgRuQ5bLBVtANDl8H7H77qz9vlkWJQqx644fNitT4-EPt76N2qJ9zwIAApM92Q1S1yP/s1600/IMG_0653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYcsMDwWL20QQrB2KKmQsdukcC3tnz45QkcRp1cU6Eh8URzPre887i9k1O_aV7_3DdZy2MfV20jgRuQ5bLBVtANDl8H7H77qz9vlkWJQqx644fNitT4-EPt76N2qJ9zwIAApM92Q1S1yP/s400/IMG_0653.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Putting it up was a challenge. Definitely a 2 person job - thankfully, my mom and stepdad had come up for the day. I had to go to Ikea for a smaller train table and if I had gone without inviting my parents, I just might have been disowned.<br />
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A few tips if you decide this solution is something that you might want to try:<br />
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<ul><li>2 people is key, you need one person to remove the backing of the tape and press the adhesive to the wall while the other person holds the roll in front of you moving as you go along.</li>
<li>Keep the roll at the level that you are applying the tape, if you go even a bit above or a bit below where you want the tape to be, you'll get kinks and creases in it.</li>
<li>Have the wall below as perfect as you can get it - if you've got a tape line under the tape, it is going to show. I wish I'd sanded more before I applied the tape.</li>
<li>You will have imperfect spots, but once you load in the room with furniture and accessories, no one is going to inspect your board for flaws and if they do - then there are more issues than the imperfections in your boarder. </li>
<li>And last, like with any project, the only person who knew what it was supposed to look like is you, so if it come out different than you expected, you'll be the only one to know.</li>
</ul><div>Got an interesting boarder solution? I'd love to hear about it - I'm looking for something else to do in our kids bathroom. </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-50467054516300866212011-09-12T07:52:00.000-04:002011-09-12T07:52:00.206-04:00Paper Pennant GarlandOne of the things I love most about my <a href="http://generallycreative.blogspot.com/2011/09/big-boy-room-before-and-after.html">son's new room</a> are the paper banners I created.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRyMY_PvJbO5ixxyq8uZ6PqsIUZyhoP19WPEFLo1beBD1_gKui7HGpNwr9nLQJ1Y1BCugiBhwYkNTLz9JZ1Ed23k1ieKOUBX1IQbmAZVhqQ__0hQDZRDt7yETL4Ow32obm8-wDgOElrMA/s1600/IMG_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRyMY_PvJbO5ixxyq8uZ6PqsIUZyhoP19WPEFLo1beBD1_gKui7HGpNwr9nLQJ1Y1BCugiBhwYkNTLz9JZ1Ed23k1ieKOUBX1IQbmAZVhqQ__0hQDZRDt7yETL4Ow32obm8-wDgOElrMA/s400/IMG_0652.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here is how I made them...<br />
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Cut the the layers out on my cricut, red background layer (which if you look closely you'll see also has an oval cut out to help me thread them evenly), the white layer and then the blue letters.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nqveU4KQkeg7JERE54BPWG05NFd_wI8gw7IdrKeHvDbGc6yaRKzUrtYMH9D_mPcWYRY-bfsR9xjXwSpEcu4M3mjCWcK8QlwXecv9BAQfNB2NvLea6Zr_cZ_QXDuH77Ry3bh2wCCaKPYi/s1600/IMG_0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nqveU4KQkeg7JERE54BPWG05NFd_wI8gw7IdrKeHvDbGc6yaRKzUrtYMH9D_mPcWYRY-bfsR9xjXwSpEcu4M3mjCWcK8QlwXecv9BAQfNB2NvLea6Zr_cZ_QXDuH77Ry3bh2wCCaKPYi/s400/IMG_0579.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Then I assembled the individual banners:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I flipped them over to reveal the guide on the red layer that was cut by the Cricut so that each pennant would have their slits cut in exactly the same spot - what I tried and discovered didn't work was to precut the slit in both layers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why didn't that work? First, lining the two slits up perfect was a challenge, and second, the cricut couldn't get the slit as narrow as I wanted it - too wide of a slit and the pennants slide around on the ribbon and gravity is not the friend of the garland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I cut them by hand. </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;">And then I threaded them onto the ribbon, first trying and not liking them on white, then loving them on red. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA86xMP0cVay7eTQ6j1akMPotUtiT02dp193VRh1j37ZdAoQQc7uQY5EtF8aBWmyqpjhU-pB1cg72ZBvEYl1rfd22ONGxpURtzUKpnOWhCDmlR_QfaCwsoyMgl_Vjo9OKR3Dj64a_coKk/s1600/IMG_0593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA86xMP0cVay7eTQ6j1akMPotUtiT02dp193VRh1j37ZdAoQQc7uQY5EtF8aBWmyqpjhU-pB1cg72ZBvEYl1rfd22ONGxpURtzUKpnOWhCDmlR_QfaCwsoyMgl_Vjo9OKR3Dj64a_coKk/s400/IMG_0593.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that was it - 3 fabulous custom paper pennant garlands for his room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRyMY_PvJbO5ixxyq8uZ6PqsIUZyhoP19WPEFLo1beBD1_gKui7HGpNwr9nLQJ1Y1BCugiBhwYkNTLz9JZ1Ed23k1ieKOUBX1IQbmAZVhqQ__0hQDZRDt7yETL4Ow32obm8-wDgOElrMA/s1600/IMG_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRyMY_PvJbO5ixxyq8uZ6PqsIUZyhoP19WPEFLo1beBD1_gKui7HGpNwr9nLQJ1Y1BCugiBhwYkNTLz9JZ1Ed23k1ieKOUBX1IQbmAZVhqQ__0hQDZRDt7yETL4Ow32obm8-wDgOElrMA/s400/IMG_0652.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-14836091374960464752011-09-10T14:52:00.000-04:002011-09-10T15:20:57.243-04:00Big Boy Room - The Before and AfterWell I did it - I transitioned my son's nursery to a big boy room. There are still a few loose ends to tie up but in the span of the long weekend, while the husband and kids were visiting family in NY, I got the room cleaned out, walls washed, repaired, taped and painted. Created the artwork for the walls, sewed the window treatments, made what felt like 47 trips out to get things I didn't realize I needed until I needed them and got everything put back together before they got home.<br />
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I'll post some other details and how-to's later in the week, for now, here is the straight up before and after. Please, please, please don't judge too much by the before's. His room was a mess... embarrassing.<br />
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Before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06nMM30ODw4EA1NxIyU_UcD-eKXb3Yk4XG4fmnICgGxOVpKwJ2YOkL933vjUfRJYNaBPMzl4foKgRTbMgiUtqIYKkWhvBJqIp3LxZLBBklC1xpSpdmJt5SnJi7OHOlEPgbQAWATY5Nj7y/s1600/IMG_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06nMM30ODw4EA1NxIyU_UcD-eKXb3Yk4XG4fmnICgGxOVpKwJ2YOkL933vjUfRJYNaBPMzl4foKgRTbMgiUtqIYKkWhvBJqIp3LxZLBBklC1xpSpdmJt5SnJi7OHOlEPgbQAWATY5Nj7y/s400/IMG_0558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jQLS4iFnZR8pMJAeXyZn35CIx3f5U_EXeKA4s9wYPe-bv4SMYgiZk4YbixJ5DGSbeDcsTJ37w5CKspOCPMT-TyYroiopof28g7h6lVC8vIjmqIXVvYwNG83k0EOgGwUb_Bri6uLYhKgS/s1600/IMG_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jQLS4iFnZR8pMJAeXyZn35CIx3f5U_EXeKA4s9wYPe-bv4SMYgiZk4YbixJ5DGSbeDcsTJ37w5CKspOCPMT-TyYroiopof28g7h6lVC8vIjmqIXVvYwNG83k0EOgGwUb_Bri6uLYhKgS/s400/IMG_0559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKdgc2XmF9chQdDTL5VOhEgKIVbRYIokvgEcOK671Gh7lTzReNdn6LBzZCnwxNZxNsUyFCdWE3rT4DYbhKNCPMy0ipfyy-fRPd2-xnqZuGH_LAU_YOjSMvfE1stoffBc0gSTg0ONOaNpp/s1600/IMG_0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKdgc2XmF9chQdDTL5VOhEgKIVbRYIokvgEcOK671Gh7lTzReNdn6LBzZCnwxNZxNsUyFCdWE3rT4DYbhKNCPMy0ipfyy-fRPd2-xnqZuGH_LAU_YOjSMvfE1stoffBc0gSTg0ONOaNpp/s400/IMG_0562.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And after:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3LT-APIQN3yA3K9sPwMP26VXyloIUtwQM3LYNbHQ4yv2CY353aIYNzUJwlXvdnjtxztWBC_CtcIwomFb2n2WFHVWxOPy9H4LTDfg6EiVvkmAM6zULPaNm1L9ViulnNEa8uITmrrqkJs3/s1600/IMG_0673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3LT-APIQN3yA3K9sPwMP26VXyloIUtwQM3LYNbHQ4yv2CY353aIYNzUJwlXvdnjtxztWBC_CtcIwomFb2n2WFHVWxOPy9H4LTDfg6EiVvkmAM6zULPaNm1L9ViulnNEa8uITmrrqkJs3/s400/IMG_0673.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7pzTeJy_29M_oNzoLlu9QgWJw9CIJTTLRJrs00yZ4WZFqpaE31OP3nK4pwOfJVpu3lI03RZ2qbAD2IBMa-WMgApBjzgksM27ZZ17KG9ugiOTNarvOQyF1HYFtJABreH16N8m7iI0AMN-/s1600/IMG_0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7pzTeJy_29M_oNzoLlu9QgWJw9CIJTTLRJrs00yZ4WZFqpaE31OP3nK4pwOfJVpu3lI03RZ2qbAD2IBMa-WMgApBjzgksM27ZZ17KG9ugiOTNarvOQyF1HYFtJABreH16N8m7iI0AMN-/s400/IMG_0669.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9fASlXqJdLr5fZOM41F3tYMOcYIrbZ1U6boLOLYVYMZNZZcYdE2KnjY7pAmmnWjo6lEYr2iIa7TwfhbXMUy1p40bpMATNHkbiDFeWhtR6IIjk78DHkIJ3khL1s2IS-ktOxv0cdJbDLa_/s1600/IMG_0671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9fASlXqJdLr5fZOM41F3tYMOcYIrbZ1U6boLOLYVYMZNZZcYdE2KnjY7pAmmnWjo6lEYr2iIa7TwfhbXMUy1p40bpMATNHkbiDFeWhtR6IIjk78DHkIJ3khL1s2IS-ktOxv0cdJbDLa_/s400/IMG_0671.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The best part of his new room - he loves it. Absolutely loves it.<br />
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After almost a year of not linking to any parties I think I'll link this up over at <a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2011/09/show-and-tell-saturday-091011.html" target="blank">Be Different... Act Normal's Show and Tell Saturday. </a>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-63128664895017125622011-08-27T19:27:00.002-04:002011-08-27T20:02:43.969-04:00From Nursery to Big Boy RoomWell - my baby boy, isn't much of a baby boy anymore. In fact, he's growing up faster than I ever could have imagined. On Friday he received his "advanced white" belt in Tae Kwon Do.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U49eiTl7fDLgO35c2tp_e5JhF1MAO5TVXmcjeB8WJYCXjOnUAjMsedDPhQwZdPPu0TViwp485xVxXTmdIHl3gt4GU_bDFMVkefBPNhDKt6gXB3H3muiX9C9bn5JA1q-whfzUNLBf6Rt9/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U49eiTl7fDLgO35c2tp_e5JhF1MAO5TVXmcjeB8WJYCXjOnUAjMsedDPhQwZdPPu0TViwp485xVxXTmdIHl3gt4GU_bDFMVkefBPNhDKt6gXB3H3muiX9C9bn5JA1q-whfzUNLBf6Rt9/s320/photo+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And in just over a week, he'll be starting kindergarten - how is that possible?<br />
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What isn't working - is that his room, is still his <a href="http://generallycreative.blogspot.com/2009/02/barnyard-nursery.html">nursery theme.</a> Sure, we've added bunk beds (his sister, despite having her own room - sleeps on the top bunk in his... they are so stinkin' cute.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8Y02kHgJdCf97hM1u2ds3X8SEdBYUew3Tx6tAoatdtg_-KuJ0zL8sX6WaWJFc2fxDfie9DKFx9VWimdTaFb0a8meFE0fz7IwHj09T-lcLRe9_3OPqiuGXoCnwe8aXKmxbvscXURvfdNM/s1600/shelves6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8Y02kHgJdCf97hM1u2ds3X8SEdBYUew3Tx6tAoatdtg_-KuJ0zL8sX6WaWJFc2fxDfie9DKFx9VWimdTaFb0a8meFE0fz7IwHj09T-lcLRe9_3OPqiuGXoCnwe8aXKmxbvscXURvfdNM/s400/shelves6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I really want to his bedroom to be finished before he starts school. And as luck would have it, my husband is taking the kids camping labor day weekend and they'll be gone for 4 and a half days... leaving me to transform his room.<br />
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My inspiration is coming from this quilt:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ano7kmCXjCfG9QB1OZ-pmTxuSuTMHYXbwWX1GbN88170f4Ffh7DMikALw9_SZoJ8jaSe5aP9ci9MYzF9AlG83M6skROZuOrS3ErR1s3rTjWyJLsrx84OhbzZbIZjXqZTDXnCCwJEyyeN/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ano7kmCXjCfG9QB1OZ-pmTxuSuTMHYXbwWX1GbN88170f4Ffh7DMikALw9_SZoJ8jaSe5aP9ci9MYzF9AlG83M6skROZuOrS3ErR1s3rTjWyJLsrx84OhbzZbIZjXqZTDXnCCwJEyyeN/s400/photo+%25286%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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It suits his personality perfectly - he loves sports. I didn't want to go with decor that was specific to a single sport or a single team... he's 4, let's face it, his tastes are going to change. So the mix of 4 sports, without team affiliation is perfect.<br />
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I've fabric in the dryer for new valances and a little surprise I've got planned for his bunk bed. The paint has been bought. I've got the artwork ready to fire up the Cricut to create some fun personal touches:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqJIYsr-9cwMsPQDg9XRrStKuVAsj_HE4Gw430o3IFcg6eZRAHGIWwiW_qvucqlpDgRIDEt55aPsDzba2Jfn6lIKcpzlUeuBH4gU_OQdPl_RZ_uOhMnz2zSrR8HKi38Vv0o5nupCAopxE/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqJIYsr-9cwMsPQDg9XRrStKuVAsj_HE4Gw430o3IFcg6eZRAHGIWwiW_qvucqlpDgRIDEt55aPsDzba2Jfn6lIKcpzlUeuBH4gU_OQdPl_RZ_uOhMnz2zSrR8HKi38Vv0o5nupCAopxE/s400/photo+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hopefully - I'll keep up with the progress here. Fingers crossed.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-71194001068360494812011-07-17T13:33:00.002-04:002011-07-17T13:33:00.703-04:00Buffalo Chicken BurgerThese have fast become my husband's favorite - we literally fight over the left overs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV7FRiViHdjFiYGxQr1qR3RCI5YUeR_2oXyqyDW_t_DbmQZKROFTZdsSS6fuHI48aAMA9NQWTtViirsrqLlrqLHOAXrGkWK5oe1v5l3x41OozEewetRO6MKh1HFWwxo9VIkitAk7tbS1d/s1600/0711_buffaloBurger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV7FRiViHdjFiYGxQr1qR3RCI5YUeR_2oXyqyDW_t_DbmQZKROFTZdsSS6fuHI48aAMA9NQWTtViirsrqLlrqLHOAXrGkWK5oe1v5l3x41OozEewetRO6MKh1HFWwxo9VIkitAk7tbS1d/s400/0711_buffaloBurger.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<ul><li><b>1 pound ground chicken</b> - I've been buying 98% fat free and very happy with it.</li>
<li><b>1/3 cup of hot sauce </b>- I use Franks Hot Sauce. </li>
<li><b>4 Light burger buns</b></li>
<li><b>1/2 tsp chili powder</b></li>
<li><b>1/2 tsp paprika </b></li>
<li><b>1/4 tsp kosher salt</b></li>
<li><b>1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper</b></li>
<li><b>4 wedges laughing cow blue cheese</b></li>
<li><b>4 tsp fresh blue cheese crumbles</b></li>
<li><b>Lettuce, tomato, onion - whatever you'd like to top your burger with. Though we eat ours plain</b></li>
</ul><div><b>Servings: Recipe makes 4 burgers, 1 burger per serving</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Instructions:</b></div><div><ol><li>In a small bowl, combine ground chicken, hot sauce, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well - I've found that a rubber spatula works well to blend everything perfectly. </li>
<li>Divide mixture into 4 equal parts and form into thin patties. </li>
<li>Cook in a skillet on medium-high heat until juices run clear, 6-8 minutes per side.</li>
<li>Remove the cooked burgers and place them on buns</li>
<li>Spread 1 laughing cow blue cheese wedge per burger</li>
<li>Sprinkle 1 tsp of blue cheese crumbles</li>
<li>Add lettuce, tomato, onion... whatever makes your burger perfect.</li>
</ol><div>I'm able to make these delightful burgers for 7 WW points+ per burger. Be sure to plug your ingredients into your PP calculator or recipe builder to track how they work out for you. </div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-5726213077773432252011-07-14T09:24:00.000-04:002011-07-14T09:24:01.721-04:00Weight Watchers UpdateSo back in March I was a bit optimistic with how long it would take me to lose my 25 pounds.<br />
<br />
: )<br />
<br />
But I'm almost there...<br />
<br />
I've lost almost 23 pounds, just about 2-4 to go. I'm down 3 sizes, from a 12 to a tight 6. The 8's are too big, but the 6's are creating a lovely muffin top that no one wants to see.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDlMs7dnJwG0KIg-boHI0gZiO8wsIpQcllkFBD3KF4tsfxQXVGKMRJ52ftAWEgY1SG7scxuhIpkkptUcb_tAFa-oytjkephjLgSQYf4vdnF27zqR1048gWHqoKrxgDuMArFO-3yHVSepi/s1600/muffintop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDlMs7dnJwG0KIg-boHI0gZiO8wsIpQcllkFBD3KF4tsfxQXVGKMRJ52ftAWEgY1SG7scxuhIpkkptUcb_tAFa-oytjkephjLgSQYf4vdnF27zqR1048gWHqoKrxgDuMArFO-3yHVSepi/s400/muffintop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>So, I've adjusted my goal, from 25 pounds, to a size 6 - with NO muffin top.<br />
<br />
Hopefully I'll be there by the end of the summer.<br />
<br />
And since I'll be facing down an 8 day trip to New Orleans in October, I might need to take off a few extra pounds to make sure the muffin top does not return.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-43780661849965188892011-07-11T20:52:00.000-04:002011-07-11T20:52:58.661-04:00Bruschetta Tortilla PizzaI know, I haven't blogged in forever... long story for another day.<br />
<br />
My creativity has been diverse lately, going into a lot of new areas for me - but mostly, recipes. Which is odd. Generally, I'm not creative with food. But 6+ months on weight watchers, I've gotten creative with my meals and have had requests to share my recipes. Here is the first:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYRhjFPlVkfKEXtY-INkH9H3LkCj2NaHO6EZr7Aim3r86VP45yguq1Z6JJOR3zI4JqBrcSLrjAEIjjmQW40mITVgPpDK9HZzY4h03ZMmxMbOWC7HeZ-xxahFPPpa_I7Dio2tgfENA9NQG/s1600/0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYRhjFPlVkfKEXtY-INkH9H3LkCj2NaHO6EZr7Aim3r86VP45yguq1Z6JJOR3zI4JqBrcSLrjAEIjjmQW40mITVgPpDK9HZzY4h03ZMmxMbOWC7HeZ-xxahFPPpa_I7Dio2tgfENA9NQG/s400/0711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients: </b><br />
<br />
<ul><li><b>Tortilla of choice - 1 per pizza </b><br />
There are so many options, if you're on WW, you can find them for between 2-4 points per tortilla. They've got options for low fat, low salt, low carb. Go with what works for you.</li>
<li><b>Tomato sauce - 2-3 tbsp per pizza </b></li>
<li><b>Diced roma tomato - 1 per pizza</b>If I were making this for guests, I'd peel and seed the tomato, for myself, I don't bother. </li>
<li><b>Shredded mozzarella cheese - 1 oz per pizza </b> </li>
<li><b>Fresh basil - 4 leaves per pizza </b></li>
<li><b>Garlic clove (minced) - 1 per pizza</b></li>
<li><b>Olive oil - 1 tsp per pizza</b></li>
<li><b>Balsamic vinegar - 1 tsp per pizza</b></li>
<li><b>Kosher salt - 1 pinch per pizza</b></li>
</ul><div><b>Servings: 1 tortilla pizza per serving.</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Instructions:</b></div><div><ol><li>Place tortilla on baking sheet and bake for 2-4 minutes at 425° in oven or toaster oven to get it just a bit crispy. (I'm a big toaster oven fan...)</li>
<li>Prepare bruschetta topping by combining the diced tomato, basil, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, 1/2 of the mozzarella and salt in a bowl and set aside.</li>
<li>Remove tortilla from oven and spread the tomato sauce over the tortilla </li>
<li>Top with brushetta and remaining cheese</li>
<li>Bake for 4-5 minutes until cheese is melted and tortilla is lightly browned around the edges. </li>
<li>Slice into 6 wedges and enjoy!</li>
</ol><div>I'm able to make these for roughly 7 points per serving. WW point values will vary depending on your ingredients so be sure to use your point calculator or recipe builder. </div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-52969249870740523202011-03-09T08:06:00.000-05:002011-03-09T08:06:00.144-05:00New Orleans Inspired VaseOne of the things I loved in New Orleans was the iron works. I decided to bring a little of that to our house with the help of my cricut, some vinyl and a vase.<br />
<br />
I started with this image from our trip:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS1x_wJzXP_wZjK4qaJdOMivYy9UY1ty-51IJGsjEaN7janpnBz_K0wVbp8mjY-qHXyAVAhOk7E31jd0TjKqE4AOdyAHKZ_NFp9_X_hhQ0cOPp-yDhmXMJf9pnVE2h3O_wCcjfuqJXTqH/s1600/IMG_2346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS1x_wJzXP_wZjK4qaJdOMivYy9UY1ty-51IJGsjEaN7janpnBz_K0wVbp8mjY-qHXyAVAhOk7E31jd0TjKqE4AOdyAHKZ_NFp9_X_hhQ0cOPp-yDhmXMJf9pnVE2h3O_wCcjfuqJXTqH/s320/IMG_2346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I created a version of the pattern on my computer:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOSv2k5NcIKDCzqvRL_YAWXntLFqW4WbTjNmQcOaNNC9lGloY1xx_dC_ToeA1flADoe_wyk2aOOQdFXfqswYo5TJ9V7ovi5lvYP2XVtXYDpvszbK8pEcheutm-AcdaBbir64R3FaRe49Z/s1600/IMG_2393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOSv2k5NcIKDCzqvRL_YAWXntLFqW4WbTjNmQcOaNNC9lGloY1xx_dC_ToeA1flADoe_wyk2aOOQdFXfqswYo5TJ9V7ovi5lvYP2XVtXYDpvszbK8pEcheutm-AcdaBbir64R3FaRe49Z/s320/IMG_2393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And sent it over to the cricut:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGEoUdnXoBqcPG4oxLNaPsMPzQfnBurpbKAwhxrsr4uy16_PoURcRpbywhQhCN-3PLxgQzPFTudyQiiCduFOpPRWg4eOZlYeBe6WwhRT9pvYLwhQcUUNTUChzcPSg-9tYquoNU9q8N0Vs/s1600/IMG_2392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGEoUdnXoBqcPG4oxLNaPsMPzQfnBurpbKAwhxrsr4uy16_PoURcRpbywhQhCN-3PLxgQzPFTudyQiiCduFOpPRWg4eOZlYeBe6WwhRT9pvYLwhQcUUNTUChzcPSg-9tYquoNU9q8N0Vs/s320/IMG_2392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the cutting completed I weeded out the negative spaces:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-o9OgEXZudDDEowNGE0iy_2A11SJoUxMeF6YflN6Y7vEFWCejKo7C97jBGlOTOs0sj3aFnCG0s5Ps026evdbAX-htnrikdKwA0CJGZvKqRFPFY6vf9lt4JBEqZC7QX5_U1IdEK5WVVId/s1600/IMG_2395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-o9OgEXZudDDEowNGE0iy_2A11SJoUxMeF6YflN6Y7vEFWCejKo7C97jBGlOTOs0sj3aFnCG0s5Ps026evdbAX-htnrikdKwA0CJGZvKqRFPFY6vf9lt4JBEqZC7QX5_U1IdEK5WVVId/s320/IMG_2395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MW21x68neGWbx022WUl6igUY2dbPDTUSc-2cTpLz-n8bjG1i3BJHeuta4y2weDuv-PHg8ElCKvXqxAwbcNX8K3Xoi63CrXTcyj63A-cKMgAZTHLm-H-NZYNJGwhm3jslbh3N7tkrHOSi/s1600/IMG_2396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MW21x68neGWbx022WUl6igUY2dbPDTUSc-2cTpLz-n8bjG1i3BJHeuta4y2weDuv-PHg8ElCKvXqxAwbcNX8K3Xoi63CrXTcyj63A-cKMgAZTHLm-H-NZYNJGwhm3jslbh3N7tkrHOSi/s320/IMG_2396.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I removed the backing from contact paper:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX8sXsPb5eeOY4I-iwgkPxi96GrS1rKb9ADRC2HpdExS_0hKJ8UYBylyNhClVEMKsZ6eav2EMc715w0wXLUeHCxhjrWOXchyxBmlAgDGioXL9HMa5EYq2i2lZUtxQ_eXGcV33vmcFskbB/s1600/IMG_2397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX8sXsPb5eeOY4I-iwgkPxi96GrS1rKb9ADRC2HpdExS_0hKJ8UYBylyNhClVEMKsZ6eav2EMc715w0wXLUeHCxhjrWOXchyxBmlAgDGioXL9HMa5EYq2i2lZUtxQ_eXGcV33vmcFskbB/s320/IMG_2397.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And then burnished it down on top of the remaining vinyl.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmukiETfhKOgcK7Qdl_wZpnmBoBzlXB0YWzfAezN-r4W1oeaVjno9Zyr7Vmj4ZMzzHR9CcVgJRIdkP2dVHbeRWxkl9d_aQbqfNx9DbVOhA1DzGLM6ws8aDfjPjnvgkjccHwEsxoFwXalP/s1600/IMG_2398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmukiETfhKOgcK7Qdl_wZpnmBoBzlXB0YWzfAezN-r4W1oeaVjno9Zyr7Vmj4ZMzzHR9CcVgJRIdkP2dVHbeRWxkl9d_aQbqfNx9DbVOhA1DzGLM6ws8aDfjPjnvgkjccHwEsxoFwXalP/s320/IMG_2398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the contact paper was secured to the vinyl I pulled up both layers releasing the vinyl from it's backing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW48jnoTUCmOTcLJ6pNMHcg41gT34V0k0joLFt3mRa-3ck-_eeI-B-4QSX-Ftn1o2Q_gaL4wmBExpZOn0bqnosJrQPpyxCijPPqYpYPV4cLHJooZ1ohw7G8qWtKhRij3lyYImWcwysTNC/s1600/IMG_2399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW48jnoTUCmOTcLJ6pNMHcg41gT34V0k0joLFt3mRa-3ck-_eeI-B-4QSX-Ftn1o2Q_gaL4wmBExpZOn0bqnosJrQPpyxCijPPqYpYPV4cLHJooZ1ohw7G8qWtKhRij3lyYImWcwysTNC/s320/IMG_2399.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The two layers were applied to the vase and then burnished so that the vinyl transferred to the vase.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG-0oT0_x6yDArws04eDljiFvgqaulyklGA9fWQ3wFJFKZH-IuiLp96qAQTGvsPSE4TAAikbgi711O-X1FIsopGKnYkjk_Ay5ua7SJ6TM0gZLpYv6-ANmp65UOLq8X1ufBjJA7eEeL2Yi/s1600/IMG_2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG-0oT0_x6yDArws04eDljiFvgqaulyklGA9fWQ3wFJFKZH-IuiLp96qAQTGvsPSE4TAAikbgi711O-X1FIsopGKnYkjk_Ay5ua7SJ6TM0gZLpYv6-ANmp65UOLq8X1ufBjJA7eEeL2Yi/s320/IMG_2400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And finally pulled off the contact paper and secured any lose edges of the vinyl to the vase.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WRp2SYf2Jws5UazTadxQIfh4LXUoyEb4LLU1QyUdXnrXtfb2wwBAUmHGHNfGHtaPuUG5RGRexd8XOLyNJZghz-WcblQpAovQ9axYeBY80wtYg5t1e14S9onfIem4PjNjhDFu5rm3pWGy/s1600/IMG_2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WRp2SYf2Jws5UazTadxQIfh4LXUoyEb4LLU1QyUdXnrXtfb2wwBAUmHGHNfGHtaPuUG5RGRexd8XOLyNJZghz-WcblQpAovQ9axYeBY80wtYg5t1e14S9onfIem4PjNjhDFu5rm3pWGy/s320/IMG_2401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So now I've got a fabulous little vase that reminds me of our trip.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhRxGtclaTH0Yvz6Fitn_xdqQy5_BT5qU4bmVDbYpAuIw6MmmN0NrgUSbsJIPmRDbHglz2DzpGqg2LNVXHgXRrB5K7ji3CABz0I6PJd3Ega07Sf-KazOKf6lSrR6rtQxRPHT4ddkvqJlS/s1600/IMG_2408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhRxGtclaTH0Yvz6Fitn_xdqQy5_BT5qU4bmVDbYpAuIw6MmmN0NrgUSbsJIPmRDbHglz2DzpGqg2LNVXHgXRrB5K7ji3CABz0I6PJd3Ega07Sf-KazOKf6lSrR6rtQxRPHT4ddkvqJlS/s320/IMG_2408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBBg8J4o-exJG-qAi7H1uF1FYy2HOqJn0rR8cILux0nLWBwDByByqNMaWseKIr6KIpo8HqCmZbDsvccrMYeARjOvnxXhc_Xc2E1bR4M8l8bazicW6i4-DS-NoQgNv-RpB4apRT0XGOGZa/s1600/IMG_2404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBBg8J4o-exJG-qAi7H1uF1FYy2HOqJn0rR8cILux0nLWBwDByByqNMaWseKIr6KIpo8HqCmZbDsvccrMYeARjOvnxXhc_Xc2E1bR4M8l8bazicW6i4-DS-NoQgNv-RpB4apRT0XGOGZa/s320/IMG_2404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-30442117887637961812011-03-08T12:46:00.000-05:002011-03-08T12:46:16.043-05:00Stepping out of the closet...Because nothing in it was fitting.<br />
<br />
: (<br />
<br />
For the past 5-6 years, I've had a really bad habit of putting on 10 pounds, and then only taking off 5. I did fine the year I had my son... I put on 50 and took off 50. Ok, so maybe putting on 50 isn't good. But I do I get points for taking it off?<br />
<br />
My point is that the extra 5 pounds per year... has added up to 25 pounds that had to go.<br />
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And thanks to Weight Watchers - I'm over 10 pounds down in 6 weeks.<br />
<br />
<insert a="" animation="" dance="" doing="" happy="" here="" me="" of=""></insert><br />
<br />
I did weight watchers after the birth of my son and did well with it, but I've got to say, their new PointsPlus system - absolutely rocks. That coupled with the amazing recipes that Gina posts over on <a href="http://skinnytaste.com/">SkinnyTaste.com</a> and I'm one very happy girl.<br />
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Thanks to the support of friends, I've also managed since the first of the year to almost completely give up fast food, I'm calling having it 1-2 times this year, vs. 1-2 times a week a major victory. AND, I think I've finally got my stress eating under control.<br />
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So - for anyone thinking of trying out Weight Watchers - I say go for it!!!<br />
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Crossing my fingers that in another 8-12 weeks I'll be back with news that I'm back to the weight I was at before I had my daughter almost 8 years ago.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-36622946783917227892011-03-06T16:57:00.000-05:002011-03-06T16:57:26.676-05:00Mardi Gras JewelryA couple of weeks ago my husband and I took a trip to New Orleans, we just missed Mardi Gras, but that's ok - Mardi Gras isn't really our scene. But we loved New Orleans. This was my 4th trip there and his first. I have a friend there who told us all the spots to see and she was 100% right, she picked just the right things for us. <div><br />
</div><div>While Mardi Gras might not be for us, the city of New Orleans and Mardi Gras is what she is all about. And I wanted to do something as a thank you - so I created these bracelet and earrings for her. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0P_MU7sPzVcG0G0BR72GqW0g_ro8qpHBqvSYmkPGt0o0a2XzGrUdTM4dp4jzvOg1xZ-2c12egPoAFV2gfhMeJU3nJRS-zutFfJ-Ptkz46SJueZnEqVAMmnF1Ob2ur00GDaxxKEUob7lQ/s1600/IMG_2419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0P_MU7sPzVcG0G0BR72GqW0g_ro8qpHBqvSYmkPGt0o0a2XzGrUdTM4dp4jzvOg1xZ-2c12egPoAFV2gfhMeJU3nJRS-zutFfJ-Ptkz46SJueZnEqVAMmnF1Ob2ur00GDaxxKEUob7lQ/s320/IMG_2419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Here are the supplies to create this set:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJNbeN7zCGSO6Wzal1K01mxDaoFLs3TZQpSoikwCxVji0idJfyvgPPQw24hU2SZ5nPHNwhGGGaxPLF8JHof5D59H9ZWI58rZ8_-2yDFNAdqRqyMfZTTvi_47FLJocAR1aEoXap_liUrLf/s1600/IMG_2352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJNbeN7zCGSO6Wzal1K01mxDaoFLs3TZQpSoikwCxVji0idJfyvgPPQw24hU2SZ5nPHNwhGGGaxPLF8JHof5D59H9ZWI58rZ8_-2yDFNAdqRqyMfZTTvi_47FLJocAR1aEoXap_liUrLf/s320/IMG_2352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<ul><li> A variety of gold, green and purple beads</li>
<li>Stretch magic </li>
<li>10mm gold jump rings</li>
<li>Gold tone crimp tubes</li>
<li>Ribbon</li>
<li>Jewelry tools including a needle & crimper</li>
<li>Tape</li>
</ul><div>Step 1 - Arrange the beads as you'd like them for the strands of the bracelet. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq_geabXdpZWL5E98j2OVgN7eUJB6brFnJkKFmI_daYdF1pwbQvCHA6vH0dMOWqFb4wuh0g3DNEh-rlOr5A2Wci5yD_TB3_0jgX3_iONE_1TVahVZbyFb8RYLMeJkCsSO_x-B7OvmElIU/s1600/IMG_2357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq_geabXdpZWL5E98j2OVgN7eUJB6brFnJkKFmI_daYdF1pwbQvCHA6vH0dMOWqFb4wuh0g3DNEh-rlOr5A2Wci5yD_TB3_0jgX3_iONE_1TVahVZbyFb8RYLMeJkCsSO_x-B7OvmElIU/s320/IMG_2357.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
Step 2 - Cut a length of stretch magic to the length of bracelet plus 4". Then put a piece of tape 2" from the end of your stretch magic.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPzt-F0AnylVTyZFK30j__0CtoTfYZBCSDKyrK5rtXgEl7mL-RibmyiAHSvg0pZvqsh1QovGKAiUG1w6htWqjLMO65ZALxnMpGpQmBEXelFwTrGR4AGuoMnyUMJ4gxMxe5itpAXROzDdl/s1600/IMG_2358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPzt-F0AnylVTyZFK30j__0CtoTfYZBCSDKyrK5rtXgEl7mL-RibmyiAHSvg0pZvqsh1QovGKAiUG1w6htWqjLMO65ZALxnMpGpQmBEXelFwTrGR4AGuoMnyUMJ4gxMxe5itpAXROzDdl/s320/IMG_2358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 3 - Then string your beads onto the strand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbeUxL2ZvpGTFNJ1L-Zg5p87h67c2m1oLET4SpL4sfqAZukghpB0bFypR9DTUY1rcPQSLakZeQ1h69MxXZmrqFc19zVBLQV0rD5SOUFy7bAhbYuLW78QTgbQU01ZNi6vhYZOUGYE33R7o/s1600/IMG_2360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbeUxL2ZvpGTFNJ1L-Zg5p87h67c2m1oLET4SpL4sfqAZukghpB0bFypR9DTUY1rcPQSLakZeQ1h69MxXZmrqFc19zVBLQV0rD5SOUFy7bAhbYuLW78QTgbQU01ZNi6vhYZOUGYE33R7o/s320/IMG_2360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div>Step 4 - And then attach each of the strands to the jump rings. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUaqUKlp1mq2JEK6_Vvv2LCzOr-u5qQeQAvCvjkyX06NmOQJrzW-xbo8hLHVczFnUthVInVlO0okzB-_FoG7Z2g82OfiUBKnrb1SJiX7ROKHQgmbBEcypwnP5A5GUv1saqygGTVvAfjVi/s1600/IMG_2361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUaqUKlp1mq2JEK6_Vvv2LCzOr-u5qQeQAvCvjkyX06NmOQJrzW-xbo8hLHVczFnUthVInVlO0okzB-_FoG7Z2g82OfiUBKnrb1SJiX7ROKHQgmbBEcypwnP5A5GUv1saqygGTVvAfjVi/s320/IMG_2361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh_pWjp7pq6x9WBAUyruNkhRrTT48EcFiIIhqsdM1IIMtCpiKUW7ARNZzrH_NUX7Bc1h3430neB6pqE4jiYyE4rE7exlAmMnXgo3dK3kYSdz39fvsvtHmTuBVGqnbj8aLdgOZoxu3M_11/s1600/IMG_2363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh_pWjp7pq6x9WBAUyruNkhRrTT48EcFiIIhqsdM1IIMtCpiKUW7ARNZzrH_NUX7Bc1h3430neB6pqE4jiYyE4rE7exlAmMnXgo3dK3kYSdz39fvsvtHmTuBVGqnbj8aLdgOZoxu3M_11/s320/IMG_2363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And then loop a length of ribbon through the loops and you've got a bracelet! </div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtzeMVSCgzPzTBcAGQanbGbo5WMICyAAjh4LPRoaEQsKYbTWdTvVrdh0j23Z1wnzQ282aRzUdln9u9PLnxYZQfZkUDkn9BhuX9ZWWas4uhUx3tLoIbZTEYt73yV3g1-8_Z7P0H6d7Fz_k/s1600/IMG_2365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtzeMVSCgzPzTBcAGQanbGbo5WMICyAAjh4LPRoaEQsKYbTWdTvVrdh0j23Z1wnzQ282aRzUdln9u9PLnxYZQfZkUDkn9BhuX9ZWWas4uhUx3tLoIbZTEYt73yV3g1-8_Z7P0H6d7Fz_k/s320/IMG_2365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivunh5zYAaKtOGfW1iVaeqgyOAvijK43FV1LAcFrLvvOfjCPuLckJahYGe3QI1Q03yjl6fMCsdNKPxpjl7eKHY6j6hpdTlggLZzt7_Ge6Hi4BxA6aVGgOLH43VNzDPQ9HtPsVMWBVLz6RN/s1600/IMG_2417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivunh5zYAaKtOGfW1iVaeqgyOAvijK43FV1LAcFrLvvOfjCPuLckJahYGe3QI1Q03yjl6fMCsdNKPxpjl7eKHY6j6hpdTlggLZzt7_Ge6Hi4BxA6aVGgOLH43VNzDPQ9HtPsVMWBVLz6RN/s320/IMG_2417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt5kFTpneCSTo2fbk0zkpXPPgVohqEwFytIjMggxHMzotQPk1RJzfjfH1oRWzrEsyVTJlUyAaqwD6ktiEjr0MK38W_69AuLAQSnXD1-EMEDqGQSAfXq0ks5kiEHqD75OvTjQLOgQD-KZe/s1600/IMG_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt5kFTpneCSTo2fbk0zkpXPPgVohqEwFytIjMggxHMzotQPk1RJzfjfH1oRWzrEsyVTJlUyAaqwD6ktiEjr0MK38W_69AuLAQSnXD1-EMEDqGQSAfXq0ks5kiEHqD75OvTjQLOgQD-KZe/s320/IMG_2416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I'll admit - I liked this set so much, I made one for myself... just because I don't like the wild side of Mardi Gras, doesn't mean I don't want to celebrate it with my own style. </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-52445535652015858922011-02-23T22:03:00.000-05:002011-02-23T22:03:12.751-05:00I'm sad...My apologies for not blogging better over the past 2 months... My talents have been required elsewhere. Tending to a sick kitten to be exact.<br />
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Remember those kittens I posted about last month? I can't bring myself to post a picture of them... because the day after I posted about them, the little orange one fell very very ill. So for the past 6-7 weeks, I've been nursing him back to health. Or trying to. This care has included weeks of giving him breathing treatments every 3 hours, round the clock. Countless doses of more medications than I've ever seen anyone, let along a 4 pound kitten, take in a given day. And more trips to the vet than I could imagine.<br />
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Yesterday morning, that sweet little kitten passed away in my arms.<br />
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And I'm sad.<br />
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So so sad.<br />
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I'll be back to posting all kinds of creative things in the coming days and weeks.<br />
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Thanks for understanding.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-41149659445337321612011-02-06T20:55:00.000-05:002011-02-06T20:55:29.524-05:00Bridesmaids JewelryI was so flattered, and a bit terrified, to be asked to design and create the jewelry for the bridesmaids in an upcoming wedding. The bride and I went to pick out the materials last week, and tomorrow I'm showing her the "1st draft."<div><br />
</div><div>This won't be what the girls wear, this was just a starting point so that we had something to work from. Which means I'll likely get to keep this one - something I'm not at all disappointed about.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The necklace has a black satin ribbon that ties behind the neck with 3 strands of cream, champaign and beige glass beads. One strand is straight strung on wire, another has the beads on eye pins attached to a silver chain and the third has the beads strung on a silk rope with hand tied knots between them...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sSi77lL7YeiTgqqU_C9PKQXlSE6SwnbZOuTePN6EwMEJs9hXo_7X1dTRAcYYcr_jgZyBqa3B6QaVVmByZPKCaTS195Z-RIDTe6AKn-DLJRp6maiCkl7yzt76-fi3sVAYtwGzFgKXULJ6/s1600/IMG_2331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sSi77lL7YeiTgqqU_C9PKQXlSE6SwnbZOuTePN6EwMEJs9hXo_7X1dTRAcYYcr_jgZyBqa3B6QaVVmByZPKCaTS195Z-RIDTe6AKn-DLJRp6maiCkl7yzt76-fi3sVAYtwGzFgKXULJ6/s320/IMG_2331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeotY3Cm6xWnhK_ovTzpwZRdOCa5zDzfGzG2wRd6QulYtAeZZMBszXaanPOy4EoyRRwQi0LjRyj43q8O7-2osIMoIqBsPQQdyWYV0KlBvzyAdCX1jw3tGED8YdjEoRwxUi_pXIRloTxOo1/s1600/IMG_2328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeotY3Cm6xWnhK_ovTzpwZRdOCa5zDzfGzG2wRd6QulYtAeZZMBszXaanPOy4EoyRRwQi0LjRyj43q8O7-2osIMoIqBsPQQdyWYV0KlBvzyAdCX1jw3tGED8YdjEoRwxUi_pXIRloTxOo1/s320/IMG_2328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD04BtXg8AambFsyoAdVaIdB0dQQHytDY9zCxYDH2LCLthjdPGwrQeAtb4iD2YyidVctITxf2-NQwkh01fU4Lf79rRCCx-BjhJF6X4jDdROGr-QBByp-1pin18dbyRXgpJDzItM0hGkq8/s1600/IMG_2325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD04BtXg8AambFsyoAdVaIdB0dQQHytDY9zCxYDH2LCLthjdPGwrQeAtb4iD2YyidVctITxf2-NQwkh01fU4Lf79rRCCx-BjhJF6X4jDdROGr-QBByp-1pin18dbyRXgpJDzItM0hGkq8/s320/IMG_2325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vco1PAI7gMcE5yC1mngjD5Pi_IjL4aNgC9VekZQvcVv61HWcPV1kZDfDipPJjoef1O78hCmQ4iq_q9ZqQiDkm5RXfcXcYGY2sekC4MUBskwutHAG86hQpxm_dI241jYdUleFJQXbstw7/s1600/IMG_2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vco1PAI7gMcE5yC1mngjD5Pi_IjL4aNgC9VekZQvcVv61HWcPV1kZDfDipPJjoef1O78hCmQ4iq_q9ZqQiDkm5RXfcXcYGY2sekC4MUBskwutHAG86hQpxm_dI241jYdUleFJQXbstw7/s320/IMG_2323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEj6TNKv5nU3aABVW0CirPrwefmoCVxYIFk-aaIrs3Th9k_udYYAETgaYDB8AQA6L9uO92b6287DJ2Rm4Uim0LGCftjEmjeoACDr4hbXqixfB1f2qXvz0ExbVcdGhL64jDYs5mp7t7ct6BZF/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TNKv5nU3aABVW0CirPrwefmoCVxYIFk-aaIrs3Th9k_udYYAETgaYDB8AQA6L9uO92b6287DJ2Rm4Uim0LGCftjEmjeoACDr4hbXqixfB1f2qXvz0ExbVcdGhL64jDYs5mp7t7ct6BZF/s320/IMG_2332.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hand tied strand. My first attempt at something like this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JiCjEO9VvygTNJmyqvPABWA8-Jk9-rDNLkEv1PDh3SuEI7CW29jTDBBPJMoW7ntY4ItzGOY9FDS5OiWfQF2keIilIcH6Th-ytqy75aQQo_DarbanRUwJ8XkrXh1mGb4F7ylWs-tq8zkk/s1600/IMG_2322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JiCjEO9VvygTNJmyqvPABWA8-Jk9-rDNLkEv1PDh3SuEI7CW29jTDBBPJMoW7ntY4ItzGOY9FDS5OiWfQF2keIilIcH6Th-ytqy75aQQo_DarbanRUwJ8XkrXh1mGb4F7ylWs-tq8zkk/s320/IMG_2322.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI5LK3t9Jkq11NthXxT8M1SM7bfXjNZ5cizxugvKVREMEsNvzSAn2uf0q4glhHV90EMLyN3Ngnj_AOwZQuc3aIIWr9hM-6ClnbVI__qdiHLr63CWUnwBK3QTqD-LLTGh7hfmnJ7uf2DeX/s1600/IMG_2320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI5LK3t9Jkq11NthXxT8M1SM7bfXjNZ5cizxugvKVREMEsNvzSAn2uf0q4glhHV90EMLyN3Ngnj_AOwZQuc3aIIWr9hM-6ClnbVI__qdiHLr63CWUnwBK3QTqD-LLTGh7hfmnJ7uf2DeX/s320/IMG_2320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB4ulBFQMUMO9RfoHvhHiz4Gq6-WV-lJPIpf1cQ1oqxSCfE69032a6z17hoac8AlAmBK_Ob7Ekk3USl5UMzFY6ZZjF9QPEJ0qTl1z3Af-h13LkHpMFOWNEExlkJQqy_MVKS3VIYsvmh0I/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB4ulBFQMUMO9RfoHvhHiz4Gq6-WV-lJPIpf1cQ1oqxSCfE69032a6z17hoac8AlAmBK_Ob7Ekk3USl5UMzFY6ZZjF9QPEJ0qTl1z3Af-h13LkHpMFOWNEExlkJQqy_MVKS3VIYsvmh0I/s320/IMG_2311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm really nervous about showing this to her tomorrow - do me a favor and cross your fingers that she likes it. </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-17288348414029508032011-01-17T15:44:00.000-05:002011-01-17T15:44:12.840-05:00Coffee Hand ScrubI enjoy cooking - what I don't enjoy are the smells that can end up on your hands when you cook, especially when you cook with things like garlic and onions.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXwKOM8o4n6qwQQJkpWqfkFgeemhfTh_5bWqUQeRQ6_F1Z0SDqIGzKNOcDTUTUxdyspyFbAdd38OcPlzEqTTVilegfAuSihAbmqzXqd7PhbBlw5EUSM10dvnvXNKfhMh-q9Y29oAimdwG/s1600/onion-garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXwKOM8o4n6qwQQJkpWqfkFgeemhfTh_5bWqUQeRQ6_F1Z0SDqIGzKNOcDTUTUxdyspyFbAdd38OcPlzEqTTVilegfAuSihAbmqzXqd7PhbBlw5EUSM10dvnvXNKfhMh-q9Y29oAimdwG/s1600/onion-garlic.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Recently I heard that you can use coffee grounds to remove the smell from your hands - we don't drink coffee here so I bought a container of coffee and tried it. Sure enough it worked.<br />
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I figured I could get more, so I researched making my own scrub and thought you might like to make it too. It works great!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK6FhGDFnHjRagDxL5Iid63jWjY-9fD0F5S3-aC_2KP7I-DvKwRWwJ8pZa8qC6U0hocdlhnGF6wYFBeGC-iKzZuQxs_ymK4Uk4IijSIX9XnjlBMhScekmA2wbEOglohU8kuvQQOdfC_-M/s1600/IMG_2276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK6FhGDFnHjRagDxL5Iid63jWjY-9fD0F5S3-aC_2KP7I-DvKwRWwJ8pZa8qC6U0hocdlhnGF6wYFBeGC-iKzZuQxs_ymK4Uk4IijSIX9XnjlBMhScekmA2wbEOglohU8kuvQQOdfC_-M/s320/IMG_2276.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Materials:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWn9QM7hG0URt_LE5YHMlmgYTDjL8ZbEtqqzTS7Xe9l1e3Fc80OZEeRfugJdmIl8tbQcNb37w0AfK1DC4X6fGSFGCCMh8U6vCLTFY72rhkSJ_M9pi82voS_uhhejG1KFR9WtLJ80hJ9vu/s1600/IMG_2253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWn9QM7hG0URt_LE5YHMlmgYTDjL8ZbEtqqzTS7Xe9l1e3Fc80OZEeRfugJdmIl8tbQcNb37w0AfK1DC4X6fGSFGCCMh8U6vCLTFY72rhkSJ_M9pi82voS_uhhejG1KFR9WtLJ80hJ9vu/s320/IMG_2253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<ul><li>Ground coffee - I'd imagine you could use your left over grounds...</li>
<li>Liquid hand soap</li>
<li>Olive oil</li>
<li>Jars</li>
<li>Mixing bowl & something to stir with</li>
</ul><div>Step 1 - Measure out enough coffee to fill your jar about 80% full... And poor it in your bowl. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcw3eu2PW8SnI9H2hUxp3UQUwy577o2qrC2FSaJfoMFJXC7Omhh77x3Tv7Gepq4z3F_oy_1D09dgoQQMKwDxhtBdsjxD-7AzCK-hhcJ2q7Frsykd-bla3fVNDOpTTbvC97beDEMgKnCQAz/s1600/IMG_2255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcw3eu2PW8SnI9H2hUxp3UQUwy577o2qrC2FSaJfoMFJXC7Omhh77x3Tv7Gepq4z3F_oy_1D09dgoQQMKwDxhtBdsjxD-7AzCK-hhcJ2q7Frsykd-bla3fVNDOpTTbvC97beDEMgKnCQAz/s320/IMG_2255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Step 2 - Add the hand soap and olive oil. I was making enough scrub to fill 3 jars, so I used about a cup of soap and 1/4 cup of olive oil. You can adjust it however you like, you might want more soap for cleaning or more olive oil for moisturizing.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy-8d_BaqKeKPJF510MmWR0xcy67zUpdQgjFicJXjWNgnNhdD91UrOzGHvt3b84tW4AcPtPwVBog6wlBkVaNgpisFB0ztSt-ZqErSiMo9vag9zUY0q0tiOSxPgAPPkvJ-8-6Zni-yIS_q/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy-8d_BaqKeKPJF510MmWR0xcy67zUpdQgjFicJXjWNgnNhdD91UrOzGHvt3b84tW4AcPtPwVBog6wlBkVaNgpisFB0ztSt-ZqErSiMo9vag9zUY0q0tiOSxPgAPPkvJ-8-6Zni-yIS_q/s320/IMG_2259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Then stir:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gu_1ejz0nAERiP1ROU238nac7UV9dvc3rIPBJywp5xeFgxJmalQtw0OTAJoLSYKqvW-KP1IGGXIvz5NKNftRg8uT3akiyV2EBJgEl2AB6fbeIFEvlVkvuEOJOuplnAN2m-2Oo1UESAd_/s1600/IMG_2260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gu_1ejz0nAERiP1ROU238nac7UV9dvc3rIPBJywp5xeFgxJmalQtw0OTAJoLSYKqvW-KP1IGGXIvz5NKNftRg8uT3akiyV2EBJgEl2AB6fbeIFEvlVkvuEOJOuplnAN2m-2Oo1UESAd_/s320/IMG_2260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>You might find that you need to add more liquid, just keep stirring it 'till the coffee is all completely coated in the liquids. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSqsEa6sXWKlIYE-TV5SvLpdT9lkbDNBonMvNdpYn-1UVaw6Pe_8cZOqbGsir05IH6PulfgmrsGvInuRG4w2m_JmAaecbPiF4kFLiVj6WaDayo6qiQ6KgAg1rJtzDTE41Vbs8n9RHTNsF/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSqsEa6sXWKlIYE-TV5SvLpdT9lkbDNBonMvNdpYn-1UVaw6Pe_8cZOqbGsir05IH6PulfgmrsGvInuRG4w2m_JmAaecbPiF4kFLiVj6WaDayo6qiQ6KgAg1rJtzDTE41Vbs8n9RHTNsF/s320/IMG_2261.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Step 3 - Then simply fill your jars.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQwOcogQ9rGpmYWpCDL9_3DkdbXB7xrf71KEV4KE_ax5Oab_4r-iJgEZO25wKbCBjl6VMLFn8TcnId4cZr1iFiZ-o0oTCCD5eKDquCNihyoJzkxVsSsSJurtcl-aWioJxGm1XFu-7RCqN/s1600/IMG_2270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQwOcogQ9rGpmYWpCDL9_3DkdbXB7xrf71KEV4KE_ax5Oab_4r-iJgEZO25wKbCBjl6VMLFn8TcnId4cZr1iFiZ-o0oTCCD5eKDquCNihyoJzkxVsSsSJurtcl-aWioJxGm1XFu-7RCqN/s320/IMG_2270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q9OxJcVbnrcxq_pel43N5H1Hu5kbxzlnmURhZrEKyzQKnr2GEjPJpSXooEUn4FbhSEW-0PqfGlXijFz1WN0PFDBvSFyyOz1UI6Ou0FxXDEEcLifN8zFJ9geVH_ePMuyE8NJw8eFjAZ07/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q9OxJcVbnrcxq_pel43N5H1Hu5kbxzlnmURhZrEKyzQKnr2GEjPJpSXooEUn4FbhSEW-0PqfGlXijFz1WN0PFDBvSFyyOz1UI6Ou0FxXDEEcLifN8zFJ9geVH_ePMuyE8NJw8eFjAZ07/s320/IMG_2271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeYi52Oq5MqgRNbtAl63zkfBPpmLpDef8-tAktLXigpjvEkUCALYL9jOzcIdKfGe7LllwauKgikDFfuOr9z-jM9OD7tICFV5v-lFJGf8h96mxCIJkWSjqZVsmKKvcyESOzSa3ju1BBjIA/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeYi52Oq5MqgRNbtAl63zkfBPpmLpDef8-tAktLXigpjvEkUCALYL9jOzcIdKfGe7LllwauKgikDFfuOr9z-jM9OD7tICFV5v-lFJGf8h96mxCIJkWSjqZVsmKKvcyESOzSa3ju1BBjIA/s320/IMG_2275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then when you've that garlic smell on your hands, simply open the jar, scoop some out and watch your hands as you normally would.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rv_iisLAmEmD7yitf-hH2SrUxAkL0350Fd631fr2gw10xh4W2hwU2rmNlR6s5mFkyFQPplVaP7330E4JzFyq5i7QM3z5hsFzW0ro9jIk4pAjHM1dOnzlNtKaQysSwFOwDp1SLEbFISjl/s1600/IMG_2263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rv_iisLAmEmD7yitf-hH2SrUxAkL0350Fd631fr2gw10xh4W2hwU2rmNlR6s5mFkyFQPplVaP7330E4JzFyq5i7QM3z5hsFzW0ro9jIk4pAjHM1dOnzlNtKaQysSwFOwDp1SLEbFISjl/s320/IMG_2263.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw9AxD_H2kwL54E9Pc-qj83EuLBEsIpp0_KwHAFykdA-UPNwUQaSelf4a5pWfu1jPOg5U1Y_cCoy-9M40kSrfYmhDM5ToVkuJuZn0xBLgs_-sx4y4rKAxV02DGieetZw7puhrBmZm9C4b/s1600/IMG_2264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw9AxD_H2kwL54E9Pc-qj83EuLBEsIpp0_KwHAFykdA-UPNwUQaSelf4a5pWfu1jPOg5U1Y_cCoy-9M40kSrfYmhDM5ToVkuJuZn0xBLgs_-sx4y4rKAxV02DGieetZw7puhrBmZm9C4b/s320/IMG_2264.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b1PZq8oxzQtKzk7Q5BTaAIFKgEeoEGCocNi1H3KJmCXoozUH64iAdwkrDOZ1zeIdgFMP-4VXzpeg-FmSzY6mYD7xv5cOYHaL90QZZyUS8p7_KdR2dfMQZEvFzeqRSxUbccAPnnJ-x0yH/s1600/IMG_2266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b1PZq8oxzQtKzk7Q5BTaAIFKgEeoEGCocNi1H3KJmCXoozUH64iAdwkrDOZ1zeIdgFMP-4VXzpeg-FmSzY6mYD7xv5cOYHaL90QZZyUS8p7_KdR2dfMQZEvFzeqRSxUbccAPnnJ-x0yH/s320/IMG_2266.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>There you go! No more stinky hands - and I've got to say, the scrub feels great to wash your hands with. </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-51929955216194683342011-01-12T07:29:00.001-05:002011-01-12T07:29:00.296-05:00What I've Learned Wednesday: Freshening the Garbage DisposalAround the Holiday's I'm able to stock up my favorite garbage disposal fresheners...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_N_U8t2zqFPibJyAMKBGFatNj-pi3GolsIZiZpDKioZDl4f2qruyXyaiqU-ZZx-fba2Q07pM6MjQAGxVwW-YBNmsLmwKfe7Jn3zlPp7aSbG3JIRe0aP4I_7sHFqmbCAOG9f1jO4Z81cj/s1600/IMG_2234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_N_U8t2zqFPibJyAMKBGFatNj-pi3GolsIZiZpDKioZDl4f2qruyXyaiqU-ZZx-fba2Q07pM6MjQAGxVwW-YBNmsLmwKfe7Jn3zlPp7aSbG3JIRe0aP4I_7sHFqmbCAOG9f1jO4Z81cj/s320/IMG_2234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
First - eat the clementine. My favorite part.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhKEmZQsciS9tQdbMZ7W3lF2JxqvNPFFKPXyK1L7WNJt1_mLMW4z_eTO_MUsVRcn9cCxItLACNtnPp_KZr-b1fHNQxdTncS7T0F8shoWLJbiSCSgGqV4j364M7WaShffCMVEf2mtNHlT-/s1600/IMG_2236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhKEmZQsciS9tQdbMZ7W3lF2JxqvNPFFKPXyK1L7WNJt1_mLMW4z_eTO_MUsVRcn9cCxItLACNtnPp_KZr-b1fHNQxdTncS7T0F8shoWLJbiSCSgGqV4j364M7WaShffCMVEf2mtNHlT-/s320/IMG_2236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then take the peel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMs2YJiF6L6tlXBXVe3oANb52C8BOEs_z0wNoDbZK8cQziZKDYqXueuHEp4RxODDjRKQprDdqpcitzDmQSnwY1e4vAkrhWSu-oGhumr8FQy9qtNiZMunBzni9ikgLLzT110dS8TlZGYC0/s1600/IMG_2237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMs2YJiF6L6tlXBXVe3oANb52C8BOEs_z0wNoDbZK8cQziZKDYqXueuHEp4RxODDjRKQprDdqpcitzDmQSnwY1e4vAkrhWSu-oGhumr8FQy9qtNiZMunBzni9ikgLLzT110dS8TlZGYC0/s320/IMG_2237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And put it down the drain (this only works if you have a garbage disposal. Try it on a regular sink and I'm pretty sure all you get is a bill from the plumber.) and turn on the disposal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2_SipfBbj2m8GtJ9bO9naABY_-y-Zg6G_KdEDeQ_xDlG_mTvTFRRWJQIY6cyO2WErGn3JGOxELTgXETHD3gUcQ0LZ9f6dZ7D8ZMBJLAls-Mn5CQ5zWTbRCMcbpRBr4-7UBn70-emfsWG/s1600/IMG_2238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2_SipfBbj2m8GtJ9bO9naABY_-y-Zg6G_KdEDeQ_xDlG_mTvTFRRWJQIY6cyO2WErGn3JGOxELTgXETHD3gUcQ0LZ9f6dZ7D8ZMBJLAls-Mn5CQ5zWTbRCMcbpRBr4-7UBn70-emfsWG/s320/IMG_2238.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />
I throw all my peels in a zip lock back and put them in the freezer so that throughout the year, I can pull one out and throw them in the sink.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJWmgZWlxCTi1W7udcwDtUw9-vEY747h-liG_uWLQMweIhrgM-HKgppjKHTuXhl6xgrCKvVU_aIrYLJG9xIHdR9tOUYNIRyp6LPHvgBxHBEByPhsTfTnCbdjyZpZdRYcFR7hyWEUiyNS/s1600/IMG_2239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJWmgZWlxCTi1W7udcwDtUw9-vEY747h-liG_uWLQMweIhrgM-HKgppjKHTuXhl6xgrCKvVU_aIrYLJG9xIHdR9tOUYNIRyp6LPHvgBxHBEByPhsTfTnCbdjyZpZdRYcFR7hyWEUiyNS/s320/IMG_2239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-84337925888017752252011-01-11T07:22:00.000-05:002011-01-11T07:22:00.346-05:00Callie & MacIn April, we lost our beloved cat Otto. Since then, our daughter has been desperate for kittens. We kept waiting and waiting for the right time... then we saw Christmas on the horizon and Bug decided that Santa should bring us Kittens for Christmas.<br />
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And that is just what he did. Meet Callie and Mac:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP37zpif-Cm39o8QO3ig9CATJTiCrzb1Bh81EkSDzFwhUPLIiPF-9hngfXtDDLp5iitOiPpVJuACeKEntuNFvEptiuMfFoK1X_TBU_sDd8hOUxpfx-LlQthGhPkdT_2Pu1u8fwtIR45CEh/s1600/IMG_2243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP37zpif-Cm39o8QO3ig9CATJTiCrzb1Bh81EkSDzFwhUPLIiPF-9hngfXtDDLp5iitOiPpVJuACeKEntuNFvEptiuMfFoK1X_TBU_sDd8hOUxpfx-LlQthGhPkdT_2Pu1u8fwtIR45CEh/s320/IMG_2243.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Otto's brother Wojo is not really happy about this gift. But he's adjusting...Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-47262675684131821012011-01-09T17:22:00.000-05:002011-01-09T17:22:44.970-05:00Earring BoxI've loved giving the <a href="http://generallycreative.blogspot.com/2010/08/wire-wrapped-bead-jewelry-earrings.html">earrings</a> I've made as gifts, and the <a href="http://generallycreative.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-ive-learned-wednesday-gift-boxes.html">favor boxes</a> have almost been the perfect boxes for them. The only problem has been securing the earrings in the boxes so they aren't just rattling around or getting lost in a mile of tissue paper.<br />
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But - I've found the solution in a simple square of scrapbook paper.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ohz2Y65HMEKR9vCuwz3U7MlC2evcLByTx25IC6nUstbM-1Xlht2dlGp-rGKKtLcOanmU_Sf2C7MMd8repEaH-Q70SjqwgrTi6495N9L5Vkez2i3ay5v00OiFY3BgMNVIu2QH56IHDQi1/s1600/IMG_2232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ohz2Y65HMEKR9vCuwz3U7MlC2evcLByTx25IC6nUstbM-1Xlht2dlGp-rGKKtLcOanmU_Sf2C7MMd8repEaH-Q70SjqwgrTi6495N9L5Vkez2i3ay5v00OiFY3BgMNVIu2QH56IHDQi1/s320/IMG_2232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Simply cut a square of paper the same width as the box and about 1" longer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr4ReUkTLPz-kKyu1b4at4C8-EpBk_JAf5rLACyktSiyBuPKaWszOqvUDZSa9xa1vv-EWORB9nEF6cc8Ts5foVYrZUHPe5s74cRCJAzRqtMQ6T05UQrU9i9PkU0AMGb6RhxYK-1_GWImh/s1600/IMG_2221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr4ReUkTLPz-kKyu1b4at4C8-EpBk_JAf5rLACyktSiyBuPKaWszOqvUDZSa9xa1vv-EWORB9nEF6cc8Ts5foVYrZUHPe5s74cRCJAzRqtMQ6T05UQrU9i9PkU0AMGb6RhxYK-1_GWImh/s320/IMG_2221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2H6nKzi55m7QOJ_vYEX6sGYrlrzGRE7Tl2gbwhPQM9Bi3alj8X5qXSEJV3Jy3rBf7wtpiI3tobhXIu6Z0gAy-LjU6C8MVgLVdzyRaMzk3Ik8GT_1wzg93pI4GSeMwSUO2FaF5cmhcfIs/s1600/IMG_2223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2H6nKzi55m7QOJ_vYEX6sGYrlrzGRE7Tl2gbwhPQM9Bi3alj8X5qXSEJV3Jy3rBf7wtpiI3tobhXIu6Z0gAy-LjU6C8MVgLVdzyRaMzk3Ik8GT_1wzg93pI4GSeMwSUO2FaF5cmhcfIs/s320/IMG_2223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3IfmfGMxl2Pe_dm2HeVxf3ThjiI3fYz2HphzMgsxObkRT50KZmtWbims9uF3t-8nm_5hmx4p-bDyoCCUAsGNEysQtYs-gDsjtbwicXQqPLdyFU1DqILRefH8KnmYYjY3z4mHNQTCrumC/s1600/IMG_2224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3IfmfGMxl2Pe_dm2HeVxf3ThjiI3fYz2HphzMgsxObkRT50KZmtWbims9uF3t-8nm_5hmx4p-bDyoCCUAsGNEysQtYs-gDsjtbwicXQqPLdyFU1DqILRefH8KnmYYjY3z4mHNQTCrumC/s320/IMG_2224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then fold the extra 1" or so of the paper.<br />
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Then cut the number of slits you need at the fold.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNHzS5FPtHRhfcJ24isdotkbG4qYHXuwnRZwQZnpqudjcPEjBFb2QHIjR15R0DLw6TQt4btg2duCt_nQM08aH3orgsgyKK_gfbmgsCxj2ziEou3oBLhcyCgYco2jWWwfNSQ5z1C0rKMwF/s1600/IMG_2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNHzS5FPtHRhfcJ24isdotkbG4qYHXuwnRZwQZnpqudjcPEjBFb2QHIjR15R0DLw6TQt4btg2duCt_nQM08aH3orgsgyKK_gfbmgsCxj2ziEou3oBLhcyCgYco2jWWwfNSQ5z1C0rKMwF/s320/IMG_2227.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Slip the earrings into the slits and if you'd like, secure on the back with a piece of tape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTI6LOILwh_QDL11DuCcqfHf-eVmuvHuPow4rGPFqLU-N-zv1FzFqH79y9AzRAfjkNqlUKKr3gpPxn0e8TH8q_foaweapnSYe2HLoL7mKap3IFfb5-iGTyPaNbPJ9PPVR8zyxRrnK-6tm/s1600/IMG_2228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTI6LOILwh_QDL11DuCcqfHf-eVmuvHuPow4rGPFqLU-N-zv1FzFqH79y9AzRAfjkNqlUKKr3gpPxn0e8TH8q_foaweapnSYe2HLoL7mKap3IFfb5-iGTyPaNbPJ9PPVR8zyxRrnK-6tm/s320/IMG_2228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There you go - the perfect way to secure the earrings in the box. And it actually works for any sort of jewelry. You can thread the ends of a necklace or bracelet through 2 slits.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gcngVTXGP0quCsclp0SgxamxJ-8KX0Cm0SxRYNlj9FEhDnyR22ruZrsfBLxkhwteKBggFjbUbKryj-3aMmiW1inleynIjB2Z-KSf2UlQO3yQZbLGNxo0b8fnrLkzbOg4d8EJnqzkgxTQ/s1600/IMG_2229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gcngVTXGP0quCsclp0SgxamxJ-8KX0Cm0SxRYNlj9FEhDnyR22ruZrsfBLxkhwteKBggFjbUbKryj-3aMmiW1inleynIjB2Z-KSf2UlQO3yQZbLGNxo0b8fnrLkzbOg4d8EJnqzkgxTQ/s320/IMG_2229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-50100408069440433822010-12-22T14:59:00.000-05:002010-12-22T14:59:38.702-05:00Christmas UpdateDecember has been so busy - I've had no time to blog. But I wanted to let you know all know that was bitten by the Christmas bug and I'll have lots of things to share soon.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-13966088651558502182010-12-07T10:28:00.000-05:002010-12-07T10:28:01.707-05:00Where are you Christmas?I'm having a hard time getting into the Christmas grove this year.<br />
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The shopping is mostly done. The cards are practically finished. The house doesn't have a stitch of decorating done and despite listening to Christmas music - I'm not feeling it yet. I've got lots of wonderful project planned, I just can't find the creative energy to get moving.<br />
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: (<br />
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I thought going to church this weekend and seeing the children sing, that was going to give me the Christmas spirit. But it didn't.<br />
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I love Christmastime, it is my favorite holiday...<br />
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Hoping to get bitten by the Christmas bug soon.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-14314408228455688262010-11-28T21:25:00.000-05:002010-11-28T21:25:04.952-05:00Holiday Ornament CardsMy apologies to anyone on our Christmas card list - you're seeing our holiday cards a bit early. But, each one is unique so you still won't know which is yours 'till they are all done and in your mail box.<br />
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This idea was inspired by something a friend did last year, they have a tree by their door and with every photo card they get, each one is bunched with a hole, a ribbon goes through it and adorns that tree. So I thought, why can't our card include an ornament???<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl5uooYKt2GYUb-nfqXcB-6testSgu2yciLoJNjtjD2N_kZ7SxWIB0uwH97ebVT7CXOsEGlpYMS7UFD_rZCj1vSBatmqt6yAH8cdp0cZjD2h_cYkq-lHSijWr9gY8rf_OVaLHfeZp4MlJ/s1600/IMG_2082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl5uooYKt2GYUb-nfqXcB-6testSgu2yciLoJNjtjD2N_kZ7SxWIB0uwH97ebVT7CXOsEGlpYMS7UFD_rZCj1vSBatmqt6yAH8cdp0cZjD2h_cYkq-lHSijWr9gY8rf_OVaLHfeZp4MlJ/s400/IMG_2082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The ornament on the front of the card actually comes off - there is a photo of the kids on one side, and a lyric from one of my favorite Christmas Songs. (I've set a slide show to the song for friends and family to check out the rest of our year....)<br />
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Here is what I used to make the cards:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidCfIffe3g1TXS2k4yUJgKNOBWQD96HwPJJG37qTqisAwqAuerQG7gX15s6xlfvLTTcpvWlFaKNZyX_G_SWPE-t486DKZvzrZiaD7qNUg-npsty7-knrFax-6mhlktgLl5HdQYiod_XGs/s1600/IMG_2060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidCfIffe3g1TXS2k4yUJgKNOBWQD96HwPJJG37qTqisAwqAuerQG7gX15s6xlfvLTTcpvWlFaKNZyX_G_SWPE-t486DKZvzrZiaD7qNUg-npsty7-knrFax-6mhlktgLl5HdQYiod_XGs/s320/IMG_2060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<ul><li>Pre-made cards, purchased at Michael's, 50 of them for $6 using a 40% coupon</li>
<li>Holiday scrapbook paper, cut into rectangles for the front and inside of the cards, then circles for the ornaments. </li>
<li>Holiday messages printed on velim</li>
<li>Glue Sticks</li>
<li>Ribbon</li>
<li>Clear tape</li>
<li>Photo of the kids, cut into circles</li>
</ul><br />
To assemble the ornaments, I paired up coordinating papers and glued the picture to one side and the message to the other.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPmBkD1OTPuFFRLQcVy2zJkMlkppBARDIBWrqtjmVWaW5WU9oRKL7vvgqJHaQi6WyfEJ7UXBrrXEoSnLkKdndZEHkQKUd8yi23haMtU1qR8PikNzcu4jIY4TyDZ8bRAnsuBK0uInsGp8z/s1600/IMG_2061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPmBkD1OTPuFFRLQcVy2zJkMlkppBARDIBWrqtjmVWaW5WU9oRKL7vvgqJHaQi6WyfEJ7UXBrrXEoSnLkKdndZEHkQKUd8yi23haMtU1qR8PikNzcu4jIY4TyDZ8bRAnsuBK0uInsGp8z/s320/IMG_2061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Then I punched a hole in the top of the ornament and strung a ribbon through it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAr9Jx7mtGmm3ud-t-nfamkVzk5rCEZUB2d1CinqLHj_yVxUpaZJQ87WZhaK2rhCkA_Ri6JBY9pXMk504oHoAIAOc2kr_5IGrwwkgGJmmvGfh9XErZGWofb22oXkuW5yRcFS1ry2bdG20/s1600/IMG_2067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAr9Jx7mtGmm3ud-t-nfamkVzk5rCEZUB2d1CinqLHj_yVxUpaZJQ87WZhaK2rhCkA_Ri6JBY9pXMk504oHoAIAOc2kr_5IGrwwkgGJmmvGfh9XErZGWofb22oXkuW5yRcFS1ry2bdG20/s320/IMG_2067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LlEM2YQ2dKFwIZ9hlvlkdRrx0fGuqfyj0HOpulxo7FMmKqLrkh025XoUe-u75QPw3BAqh3-V_171jQ0L4uJQWfacVQ3AFyNITTxvp6KBy8XA416Eb9KHzGwcmdmkiTKSSMHztBEcdtw3/s1600/IMG_2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LlEM2YQ2dKFwIZ9hlvlkdRrx0fGuqfyj0HOpulxo7FMmKqLrkh025XoUe-u75QPw3BAqh3-V_171jQ0L4uJQWfacVQ3AFyNITTxvp6KBy8XA416Eb9KHzGwcmdmkiTKSSMHztBEcdtw3/s320/IMG_2070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next, time to create the cards. Simply glue one of the rectangles of scrapbook paper onto the front of the card. I also glued a circle to the front of the cards that were more plain so that once the ornament was removed the card could still be enjoyed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiRUSGhlsabhRwzvXL4kJHfRPWIWCmeyfG6iL0SgsLd40c5uD8T2tmLOFieNMeXr1JcqY3HWpMTOiJghVEqbdNL9bVBUgwpf1Spmz5TjGPGKxUgLWXJilyqj5DOzj9N86v35yNGhgzu8Z/s1600/IMG_2071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiRUSGhlsabhRwzvXL4kJHfRPWIWCmeyfG6iL0SgsLd40c5uD8T2tmLOFieNMeXr1JcqY3HWpMTOiJghVEqbdNL9bVBUgwpf1Spmz5TjGPGKxUgLWXJilyqj5DOzj9N86v35yNGhgzu8Z/s320/IMG_2071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRi9lTt0PfAYbNfT2xuntLap0d1qEeFXRVnLD-ojSSlx9eQbeVbXGoJEcCVne-nQvC-afW-mkKRtx5zn79hcaAxAiC19Xj17Ly_0k32LyH8jU_lcXFooMlCDnRSFElwQwx2El6kmBgznL/s1600/IMG_2072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRi9lTt0PfAYbNfT2xuntLap0d1qEeFXRVnLD-ojSSlx9eQbeVbXGoJEcCVne-nQvC-afW-mkKRtx5zn79hcaAxAiC19Xj17Ly_0k32LyH8jU_lcXFooMlCDnRSFElwQwx2El6kmBgznL/s320/IMG_2072.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp11OFVE0aZNZjeaOyPHq6m_fFRABcoA167aQasj50mky0Lh0zPVUF7rS9bXq_xmt8OFaRvm0zC9Ok3pA5OBi0YSuYCrLO0_kqc4x03XDI_tOImQxy6MJ0jzwbiXBHv3XAGXjeUlOh6Pc/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp11OFVE0aZNZjeaOyPHq6m_fFRABcoA167aQasj50mky0Lh0zPVUF7rS9bXq_xmt8OFaRvm0zC9Ok3pA5OBi0YSuYCrLO0_kqc4x03XDI_tOImQxy6MJ0jzwbiXBHv3XAGXjeUlOh6Pc/s320/IMG_2074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For the inside of the card, I glued in another piece of paper and then our holiday message.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN_YjaK9SA4bOcYRmPIjdHOpzbpa5_W4a_g8zdylRPcdqHKfZqeJCgNKFOxD1Rk8Yhx3urjyiUkLpdcBEg-L_p2uPCQpKDGAqs7JTxG17okMEGuG2nfK3qdIPvdgJGI079_8F1AJqZ-hK/s1600/IMG_2073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN_YjaK9SA4bOcYRmPIjdHOpzbpa5_W4a_g8zdylRPcdqHKfZqeJCgNKFOxD1Rk8Yhx3urjyiUkLpdcBEg-L_p2uPCQpKDGAqs7JTxG17okMEGuG2nfK3qdIPvdgJGI079_8F1AJqZ-hK/s320/IMG_2073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelc3j3AN0NGTawntDtd4Yc1Puff6NGVzHvO3mh4zNKsPe9rTRgDEDGUwb3Y275BRh93dsTRmsMXbiwMcxozKyT6lXT5PEDi8Ng7FJ9J4einm2sNdhRE0nnkPiCz_pykLwCkhojKhwcglM/s1600/IMG_2075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelc3j3AN0NGTawntDtd4Yc1Puff6NGVzHvO3mh4zNKsPe9rTRgDEDGUwb3Y275BRh93dsTRmsMXbiwMcxozKyT6lXT5PEDi8Ng7FJ9J4einm2sNdhRE0nnkPiCz_pykLwCkhojKhwcglM/s320/IMG_2075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then a small hole through the front of the card, and then the ribbon from the ornament is threaded through and taped to the inside.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWyp3H-NGyAO7yxStBpKaQoxG43lFdNhm5GPet2cd6_RwDJEj6idppFmyNcdH0WZCqYToqKCIzV9ZL2eX9KErP0jyb2V4cqVgoIrD1dcYYxFitr0sbUPEaWwca3WDVV-umWVTdch1k6rA/s1600/IMG_2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWyp3H-NGyAO7yxStBpKaQoxG43lFdNhm5GPet2cd6_RwDJEj6idppFmyNcdH0WZCqYToqKCIzV9ZL2eX9KErP0jyb2V4cqVgoIrD1dcYYxFitr0sbUPEaWwca3WDVV-umWVTdch1k6rA/s320/IMG_2076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMar-HumvQUKyXA-aVP3JQmJ6sG53b8VhOf3m5poSVVxjTPFPobSN62M5Me_JW4-lxWHwBBAPkldGeZyu3VwzeWMJB7OXdVYBgJVXjmhjYrmTCAQ7QBCUGKM1m488-ZK8Xe8YTXNAdIex/s1600/IMG_2078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMar-HumvQUKyXA-aVP3JQmJ6sG53b8VhOf3m5poSVVxjTPFPobSN62M5Me_JW4-lxWHwBBAPkldGeZyu3VwzeWMJB7OXdVYBgJVXjmhjYrmTCAQ7QBCUGKM1m488-ZK8Xe8YTXNAdIex/s320/IMG_2078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And you've got a Holiday Ornament Card<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiC6hCAiuVb1_hhVrdivpn5nW5JsL7K0qWJmWfiyP4ffdsS5_3L_av3VzGm0VHUBl9sD73UHp6qa5ilzHMpqLzrOM9_Uubvx5Zq0Xj9ASf20U_pJ2r9tccptZnWL39M42bt0HLz7wTJlM/s1600/IMG_2081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiC6hCAiuVb1_hhVrdivpn5nW5JsL7K0qWJmWfiyP4ffdsS5_3L_av3VzGm0VHUBl9sD73UHp6qa5ilzHMpqLzrOM9_Uubvx5Zq0Xj9ASf20U_pJ2r9tccptZnWL39M42bt0HLz7wTJlM/s320/IMG_2081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS39RNo9wvaAR7lFO_m9N9SwfaWwRG-G6J7kQatesV2ITbBxfduSIKblZJ8smeamx3q2vOpG-5R0h4c1YI-ZZp8CTtm3VKJreC2FslCG4p15ePzm9GRdKH-ZTvjxc_ll14dnYL4LSCuDDL/s1600/IMG_2082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS39RNo9wvaAR7lFO_m9N9SwfaWwRG-G6J7kQatesV2ITbBxfduSIKblZJ8smeamx3q2vOpG-5R0h4c1YI-ZZp8CTtm3VKJreC2FslCG4p15ePzm9GRdKH-ZTvjxc_ll14dnYL4LSCuDDL/s320/IMG_2082.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-71666346591195826092010-11-23T07:49:00.001-05:002010-11-23T07:49:00.626-05:00It just isn't Thanksgiving without cranberry bread!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7Z62w0X-hwlz2CQvE8GES-DT0VZf6SZj_80lzcIjja2z7p15JoQN9x2yNzGwO_IAzEQewrHHWKe-cUWw1DYV4eJwTmO-4eMppqsNl6Scp4GEosMZwQ1FSOYvPTsqo-27Cguold7uITd0/s1600/IMG_2059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7Z62w0X-hwlz2CQvE8GES-DT0VZf6SZj_80lzcIjja2z7p15JoQN9x2yNzGwO_IAzEQewrHHWKe-cUWw1DYV4eJwTmO-4eMppqsNl6Scp4GEosMZwQ1FSOYvPTsqo-27Cguold7uITd0/s320/IMG_2059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hmmm Cranberry Bread - actually cranberry orange bread.<br />
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My mom and I used to make it each Thanksgiving, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. But while her version is amazing. AMAZING... it takes a long time to make. There are many ingredients. Ingredients that need chopping.<br />
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A while back I tried the Pillsbury quick bread version and it just wasn't the same.<br />
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: )<br />
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So I started playing with it - and it turns out with just 2 added ingredients, you can get pretty damn close to Mom's amazing cranberry bread. Dried cranberries and orange juice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIBQZMIvgvt87Tbk_M1hyphenhyphenYMaxBLePGDqwi846IsiM6XOzWpO2GWkqO4splV2VvHpXEWCJDMCEafUxF6pyz_7VxAUzPt8xkOG2_iR3yJDajE2ImcXGJu9O5dhCd20muxYQ3qjojSUdHQCB/s1600/IMG_2054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIBQZMIvgvt87Tbk_M1hyphenhyphenYMaxBLePGDqwi846IsiM6XOzWpO2GWkqO4splV2VvHpXEWCJDMCEafUxF6pyz_7VxAUzPt8xkOG2_iR3yJDajE2ImcXGJu9O5dhCd20muxYQ3qjojSUdHQCB/s320/IMG_2054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
First assemble your ingredients and helpers - just as mom passed her recipe down to me, I'm passing Pillsbury's down to my kids.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnBYj6s2uCGanlBrFtUYx0tX5p6IwCSUGGzFM7Tq7B32iHFj2mVsm7SoL0kAS0HLwGyiM9EFM9ZawNTfU_Yzsz002s_KnFNYARhWBZjXiFu1_j5Q02u3PvGmaPiEyTigEARKFBFl2gnxN/s1600/IMG_2052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnBYj6s2uCGanlBrFtUYx0tX5p6IwCSUGGzFM7Tq7B32iHFj2mVsm7SoL0kAS0HLwGyiM9EFM9ZawNTfU_Yzsz002s_KnFNYARhWBZjXiFu1_j5Q02u3PvGmaPiEyTigEARKFBFl2gnxN/s320/IMG_2052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What you'll need to do is chop about half a cup of the dried cranberries and add them to the mix. (Pillsbury just doesn't include enough.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBJtWO8FyDGwm9thwqIwRSKJm5EncLZUBQ5DD8z1iA_tRMqRnc7QWlR6FyCMGJiX9FIKm9zdTyo_GiJuDKC-nWnbN354pHS5yGkFtCia726YR3uBIJra_j90upMh7wQmueK1zmg3IPU_x/s1600/IMG_2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBJtWO8FyDGwm9thwqIwRSKJm5EncLZUBQ5DD8z1iA_tRMqRnc7QWlR6FyCMGJiX9FIKm9zdTyo_GiJuDKC-nWnbN354pHS5yGkFtCia726YR3uBIJra_j90upMh7wQmueK1zmg3IPU_x/s320/IMG_2055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And when it is time to add 1 cup of water, swap out 1/3rd of the water for orange juice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpteaz004x70yZuNBgyg3e9KTymlTRt8zEikj_zdhX8hnFSGURxOjRw7dsaLB-5jyXojHf345FA-YslapAiYoqrAHxcP_oGxDKsZx_XpZAyy148Rxnr1uG__74yVz_Jovt_9LXpUlMD2b/s1600/IMG_2056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpteaz004x70yZuNBgyg3e9KTymlTRt8zEikj_zdhX8hnFSGURxOjRw7dsaLB-5jyXojHf345FA-YslapAiYoqrAHxcP_oGxDKsZx_XpZAyy148Rxnr1uG__74yVz_Jovt_9LXpUlMD2b/s320/IMG_2056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And there you go - prepare as otherwise indicated.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPyFUFUMm1RAHQEpemPkHyVshMXPY1kloXORQAVhFd1QFePKApGAuZndJFvuAp9yVqfZAdpoS3pa6WtGv29ThAgefDbM6cwnF5Nipj3IXNYIzUs7DGAJlVNc3M-j7UnO3KmJSYaMhfUD6/s1600/IMG_2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPyFUFUMm1RAHQEpemPkHyVshMXPY1kloXORQAVhFd1QFePKApGAuZndJFvuAp9yVqfZAdpoS3pa6WtGv29ThAgefDbM6cwnF5Nipj3IXNYIzUs7DGAJlVNc3M-j7UnO3KmJSYaMhfUD6/s320/IMG_2057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There you go - my version of homemade cranberry bread.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7Z62w0X-hwlz2CQvE8GES-DT0VZf6SZj_80lzcIjja2z7p15JoQN9x2yNzGwO_IAzEQewrHHWKe-cUWw1DYV4eJwTmO-4eMppqsNl6Scp4GEosMZwQ1FSOYvPTsqo-27Cguold7uITd0/s1600/IMG_2059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7Z62w0X-hwlz2CQvE8GES-DT0VZf6SZj_80lzcIjja2z7p15JoQN9x2yNzGwO_IAzEQewrHHWKe-cUWw1DYV4eJwTmO-4eMppqsNl6Scp4GEosMZwQ1FSOYvPTsqo-27Cguold7uITd0/s400/IMG_2059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Shhhhh, don't tell mom.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735837779454005105.post-73808428710738764052010-11-22T20:49:00.000-05:002010-11-22T20:49:06.022-05:00Multi Strand Bracelet Winner: Tanya!The Random Number Generator has spoken:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJh4Rfb7lxfn1V9Jikzj7URKpVMFiv-Y3sZvn5vVc9AQFtEDSe9HMWELWVr8TxKwCS7gO6oGx7yiyJGB6hrphAWQa1PALWRgwquuV0IWUBkgbd-C-v3tgC461SAxCubOu2p0kgw9QnZWP/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-11-22+at+8.45.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJh4Rfb7lxfn1V9Jikzj7URKpVMFiv-Y3sZvn5vVc9AQFtEDSe9HMWELWVr8TxKwCS7gO6oGx7yiyJGB6hrphAWQa1PALWRgwquuV0IWUBkgbd-C-v3tgC461SAxCubOu2p0kgw9QnZWP/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-11-22+at+8.45.41+PM.png" /></a></div><br />
That means Tanya is the winner of the Multi Strand Bracelet!<br />
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Shoot me an <a href="mailto:mbrescia@cox.net">email</a> with your address Tanya.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188236579570222538noreply@blogger.com1