tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88102588084797839582024-02-06T18:16:49.690-08:00Fiddle 'N' BowAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-23685800884746218102012-02-23T18:02:00.199-08:002012-02-23T22:38:00.531-08:00Random Craziness and Mr. Bombdiggity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">So.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been an interesting week, to say the least. A weird, sometimes frustrating, when-is-the-anvil-going-to-fall-on-my-head kind of week, concluding with my currently throbbing thumb. But I'm getting ahead of myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our saga begins last Wednesday evening. After praise team practice at church, I had to run to Walmart (ugh) for a few things. As I pulled out of the parking lot to leave, my gas light blinked on. No problem. I'll just drive home (4 miles) and get gas in the morning. Or so I thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I stopped at a red light not quite halfway to my house, and when the light turned green, I pushed the gas pedal and <i>nothing happened.</i> Yay. After muttering angrily to myself for a few seconds, I grabbed my cell and called Mike. Little did I know, life at the casa had been nuts, with 7th grade homework drama, bickering brothers, and a pee-pee accident (<i>ridiculously rare) </i>on the part of the 4-year-old. Mike had just gotten the little ones in bed and Seth settled in with math homework when I called. So he was less than pleased. However, being the awesome husband he is, he came to rescue me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I sat there in my van, waiting, counting how many cars passed right by (and even stopped behind me for two traffic light cycles, DUH!) I watched for Mike's car to hang a U-turn and park behind me. I was in the left lane, with a turn lane next to me. Instead of turning around, he just came straight at me and parked behind me, facing the wrong way. Traffic was sparse, so it's not like he was playing chicken with anyone. I leaned out the window and, after thanking him, said, "I bet the cops are going to get a call about you with your parking job!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mike: "I'm not too worried about it. This won't take long."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few moments later, two cop cars pull up behind Mike's car. Fortunately, the officer from the first car, who gets out, turns out to be someone we know. He laughed and told us they'd gotten a call about a drunk driver going the wrong way down the road! That would be my husband's car, thank you. Ha! Anywho, we finished up and went on our way. That was Wednesday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday wasn't too bad, until the bottle warmer I use for the little duck flipped over with an 8 oz bottle in it. Score. Milk all over me, all over the floor, and a very confused baby, who did NOT want to go back into her chair while I cleaned it up. Bonus: my mop was nowhere to be found. I guess it found its way out during the last garage cleanup? So, I used a wet mop cloth and pushed it around with my hands. I became the mop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How Zen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday, Mike told me that he had been invited to hang out at a friend's house for the evening. A guy thing. Here's the best part: he wanted to take the kids! Seth went to a youth weekend, so it was just Luke and Zoe. They each have a friend at this particular house, and there were going to be four additional kiddos there, as well. Rock on, Mr. Bombdiggity!! So, they went, and I got to spend the evening all by my lonesome....it was great! Except for the fact that I had to spend 45 minutes looking for the remote because Zoe dropped it <i>inside </i>the couch. Yay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday was date night! Mike cleaned the entire house while I was at dance! See? Bombdiggity. We went to dinner and a movie, and had a wonderful time together. Of course, Saturday wouldn't be complete without something wacko going on, such as nearly getting hit by a car while walking in the parking lot. When I say nearly, I mean I'm surprised I didn't get silver paint on my shoes. When your car is moving, stay off your phone!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday was church and relaxation. Church was great, and I even got to share my running-out-of-gas story, to which my friend gasped, "That was you???" Yup. Thanks for stopping. :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday, the kids were off from school. Seth went to help my dad work at the Christian Care Center for the morning, I had little duck and my two little ones to entertain. Got Seth back at 1, took him to a friend's house, then took the others to another friend's house, where we hung out and played until about 4:15. Got home, Mike was home from inservice, and my 2 nieces and nephew were already there. We were watching them while my brother-in-law and his wife went to a viewing for her grandmother, who had passed away Friday. We had them until about 8:45. So Monday was FULL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing major happened Tuesday or Wednesday, so I thought things were calming down, until the thumb incident tonight. I made baked potato soup from <i>scratch, </i>people...scratch! It cooked all day, and the only thing left to do was to blend in the cream cheese using the blender. I carried the base over to the counter and plugged it in as I was setting it down. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was on.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My thumb got caught in the little rotating thingy that turns the blades when the whole thing is put together. Thank you, Lord, the blades weren't on it! As it is, just the black thing sliced my thumb pretty badly. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I cried.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A lot.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mike was so sweet. He turned off the blender, which I had thrown down on the counter before doubling over in pain. Then he came right over to me to see how bad it was. After a few minutes, it looked like things weren't ER-worthy, and I went to the bathroom to wash it (ow, ow, ow-ow-ow) and he told the kids to get shoes on and get in the car. He was taking them to pick up pizza. My sweet man. While he was gone, I calmed down and bandaged myself up. My soup turned out really well, but we will eat it tomorrow. :o) My thumb really, really hurts. Really. It throbs with every heartbeat. Ouch. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Insult to thumb injury? I am in the middle of a huge rush order for a customer, and this doesn't help me get things done! Argh! Hopefully, the next several days will be calmer, quieter, and will not include injury by kitchen appliances! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">P.S. I have kept my kitchen sparkly clean since Saturday, thankyouverymuch! Martha would be proud. :o)</span></span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/55/5F466A25BA58492EA2134ED4C1F9E833.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-45550819427190779662012-02-15T06:47:00.000-08:002012-02-15T06:49:47.444-08:00Nothin' Says Lovin' Like Heart-Shaped Bacon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere, Martha Stewart's head is exploding, because my kitchen looks like this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDYTUdDHEZx58ESl3iCMDSbwzm83djiIJJ7Zx2Ck6dEchYnfXmv3f5QvjVdKD3eBw45ndK3_UDbMOXwneMTjHBEsANLRQVJOsQoFbNnMR6cVu0F_MIUxA_Tu1a3AIRk7wbrVk2E3GjMk/s1600/IMG_20120214_160024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDYTUdDHEZx58ESl3iCMDSbwzm83djiIJJ7Zx2Ck6dEchYnfXmv3f5QvjVdKD3eBw45ndK3_UDbMOXwneMTjHBEsANLRQVJOsQoFbNnMR6cVu0F_MIUxA_Tu1a3AIRk7wbrVk2E3GjMk/s320/IMG_20120214_160024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love having a clean kitchen, but doing dishes seriously grosses me out. I approach it in the same way I approach dirty diapers: just hurry up and clean it, while trying not to think of what I might be sticking my hands in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My intention yesterday was to clean the kitchen after the kids went to bed. Instead, I sat down "just for a minute" and PASSED OUT until after midnight. Oops. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the time I post this, the mess will be long gone. I'm not a barbarian, I promise. </span>:)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I can clean, though, all my ducks must be in a row. This is also true before I can pee, shower, think, make a phone call, finish a sentence</span>, <span style="font-size: large;">etc.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Can I get and "amen" on that one, mom peeps?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's what the ducks were doing while I did dishes:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlSXAmpcvibiXc4IWlLGIhSJnhJgitBuKw7OlyO31GdPR_hs3Ro8Fz1S-JdA0FkmVwwHFEEH4-A9Ue-ZaUslxgFAklFNl6hWb_xe-N7NLVmVQ3WXJRUWFCu6xR0lw0eUAIceMpdd-A7k/s1600/IMG_20120214_160053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlSXAmpcvibiXc4IWlLGIhSJnhJgitBuKw7OlyO31GdPR_hs3Ro8Fz1S-JdA0FkmVwwHFEEH4-A9Ue-ZaUslxgFAklFNl6hWb_xe-N7NLVmVQ3WXJRUWFCu6xR0lw0eUAIceMpdd-A7k/s320/IMG_20120214_160053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgiEft0GcZkq6NLBjp_vHWUM7Mcc7REyUZhmT0AlYQDkAbzroQfgADsttJO6B-wcXRiQ77bFj4EVWPObkrCyYf3mZvWUs69INAUwmw1Ul5WkiAaFZFG1pqJkryHoJbJdUjz-oDSnAxcI/s1600/IMG_20120214_160156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgiEft0GcZkq6NLBjp_vHWUM7Mcc7REyUZhmT0AlYQDkAbzroQfgADsttJO6B-wcXRiQ77bFj4EVWPObkrCyYf3mZvWUs69INAUwmw1Ul5WkiAaFZFG1pqJkryHoJbJdUjz-oDSnAxcI/s320/IMG_20120214_160156.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qdBXdNJsyAtE8vNxmSgp51THhwTayD0ZW6FP81wSaNS8LbDhkk6wp0xbg-6MzLIJd0-uYHgu9K96-9zlSmUl1gfEqFeKRFeg4wXo-6Tusgru5MVe4NtYAPAxrSkxeO8NCmc1SPyGKh8/s1600/IMG_20120214_160220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qdBXdNJsyAtE8vNxmSgp51THhwTayD0ZW6FP81wSaNS8LbDhkk6wp0xbg-6MzLIJd0-uYHgu9K96-9zlSmUl1gfEqFeKRFeg4wXo-6Tusgru5MVe4NtYAPAxrSkxeO8NCmc1SPyGKh8/s320/IMG_20120214_160220.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Littlest duck isn't mine, of course. I take care of this little cutie during the week. Sometimes it stresses me out, since it's like having a fourth child, but she's a doll and generally happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zoe drew a picture for her friend who lives down the street. She thinks about her friends often and is always talking about them. It's so sweet to see them together and listen to their little conversations. I met my childhood bestie when I was 5 and we're still close now. When she was done, we walked down the street so she could deliver it. Her little friend was so excited!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Luke's new favorite thing to do after school is play the Wii. I don't let him play for too long, but he really enjoys it, especially when he's doing well. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the baby went home, I made breakfast for dinner for the kiddos: heart-shaped pancakes and bacon, also heart-shaped! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1copbf1yGWOI-8fyMIl3Zmj2uaSUDAjCvYaj8ER5iTp_GuBwKweuiMuQ9BFFONEeRP12aOWJjKTMQbxM1ZfjzXT2_9eF_f89j5tyFkFh4z4RUNthZ7C0USRjrUfKA2LLxipERJt_eG8/s1600/IMG_20120214_182626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1copbf1yGWOI-8fyMIl3Zmj2uaSUDAjCvYaj8ER5iTp_GuBwKweuiMuQ9BFFONEeRP12aOWJjKTMQbxM1ZfjzXT2_9eF_f89j5tyFkFh4z4RUNthZ7C0USRjrUfKA2LLxipERJt_eG8/s320/IMG_20120214_182626.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSBsLvvFzvEkaSArX61gSp3cfRWuE-bIIQI3oFJ7yO4e9wCUiyV5Hp7AxsKc4I8glSlBZsdhlBjWWXjGaaL3eYR515kZQoabnBNDtTRvuCBSnFpV4pJNTOzR-1nsYfTmRrczHCuun6ag/s1600/IMG_20120214_184631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSBsLvvFzvEkaSArX61gSp3cfRWuE-bIIQI3oFJ7yO4e9wCUiyV5Hp7AxsKc4I8glSlBZsdhlBjWWXjGaaL3eYR515kZQoabnBNDtTRvuCBSnFpV4pJNTOzR-1nsYfTmRrczHCuun6ag/s320/IMG_20120214_184631.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a hit! Mike and I couldn't go out, so he went to the store and got a special dinner just for us: five cheese ravioli, garlic parmesan tomato sauce, fresh french bread, and salad. It was delicious. We put the kids in bed a little early, made a fire and ate next to it, using the piano bench as our table. Nice, quiet, and just the two of us! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm totally not doing the dishes until morning. HA!</span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope your day was wonderful, too! </span> </span></span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/55/5F466A25BA58492EA2134ED4C1F9E833.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-20502335898107847432012-02-02T08:38:00.000-08:002012-02-02T08:38:26.754-08:00I LIke Big Words and I Cannot Lie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">I like big words and I cannot lie...you otha brothas can't deny...when a girl walks in with a....AHEM...sorry. Today's smarty-smart word is "encaustic!" Say it with me: en-caus-tic. Awesome sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, so I have been wanting to do this project for SUCH a long time! I know the word "encaustic" sounds all fancy-shmancy, but all it means is a painting done with hot wax. In other words, MELTED CRAYONS! Why didn't I just say so, you ask? Because I live amongst littles all day long and rarely get to use big, smart words like "encaustic." :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Soooooo...to get started, all you need is a canvas, some paint (spray or brush-on, whatever you want), a foil muffin tin, and a whole mess of crayons. I'm going to use all the random crayon bits that have accumulated over the years. *Make sure you take the wrappers off. (DUH.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had a canvas left over from an art class I taught last year. It was a collage that a student didn't want to keep, and there was a really cool picture on there...at first, I didn't want to cover him up.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyuAkz1tg3yaSiJxcIVhdE8vtblR6Ojz-sv2ps1B37yYCQbAMxJ33GEzmcsKOIQ9GPQgodzxqNP1OBpLmJBKjeBdrZcVvQ82dyF_TpTCwYOfYzdeLtvjfEaEnX4HMsAlkbeaBDED-O64/s1600/IMG_20120125_103956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyuAkz1tg3yaSiJxcIVhdE8vtblR6Ojz-sv2ps1B37yYCQbAMxJ33GEzmcsKOIQ9GPQgodzxqNP1OBpLmJBKjeBdrZcVvQ82dyF_TpTCwYOfYzdeLtvjfEaEnX4HMsAlkbeaBDED-O64/s320/IMG_20120125_103956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted some texture on the canvas, so I used torn-up pieces of tissue paper and mod podged them on. Once dry, I put a coat of white paint over everything to even out the color, and cover up Mr. Face. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Once you know what you want your background color to be, paint your canvas and let it dry. I wanted a wash effect, so I diluted my paint a bit and brushed it on, making a streaky look. I used two colors, French Blue and Pool Blue. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0Vv8FdxPAt5pyn5Prg_HfRzV_N3AfBit0sM-B78GekmnBfC06emfZgGpyAeIBJfKr4lGkRul2-NG1DUpuF2EFX_9LQ1q3YydGSgfeVHtELZXB1lsquDYMENidyH10SGUvmif11rI7y8/s1600/IMG_20120127_135432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0Vv8FdxPAt5pyn5Prg_HfRzV_N3AfBit0sM-B78GekmnBfC06emfZgGpyAeIBJfKr4lGkRul2-NG1DUpuF2EFX_9LQ1q3YydGSgfeVHtELZXB1lsquDYMENidyH10SGUvmif11rI7y8/s320/IMG_20120127_135432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Here comes the fun part: Heat your oven to 200, then put your muffin tin(s) on a cookie sheet and pop them in. It takes a while for all the pieces to melt, so feel free to go play on Pinterest while you wait. :o)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnxXqBepDKGEoZ1Glfn2uQGfx_iGxHeHuahH_lEccyIGRHNHVdjxBl6ZhKg2qQCUT7cBuUmTEC9HMznvKw7g-AMS1lV_bLbL4arDmIMd4CXEUTX3xw33ZhsphOZWdwGun6LH2B2EMCHk/s1600/IMG_20120201_161400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnxXqBepDKGEoZ1Glfn2uQGfx_iGxHeHuahH_lEccyIGRHNHVdjxBl6ZhKg2qQCUT7cBuUmTEC9HMznvKw7g-AMS1lV_bLbL4arDmIMd4CXEUTX3xw33ZhsphOZWdwGun6LH2B2EMCHk/s320/IMG_20120201_161400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You'll need to work somewhat close to your oven, so you can pop your crayons back in there every so often to re-melt. They cool pretty fast!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now go all Jackson Pollock on this thing and start dripping wax in random patterns, all over the canvas. This can be a great project to do with kids, as long as your kids take direction well. Add as many or as few drips and colors as you want. You can leave at that, and have an awesomely textured, colorful piece of art, or you can be like me, who can't leave anything well enough alone. I wanted more. :o)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaKbUyyvd9alcsum4VHwXTxvOKt9S33wGlq0G-Io3NNb_2ALKVjTurpGb7TaXfGcVGhhIaI3VwbzUzftWfhnwVt5b7h7lvzWe3JtpC2m-Cn4G5u33HHZBHrfmURgZN54km10cPcjf5oI/s1600/IMG_20120201_161452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaKbUyyvd9alcsum4VHwXTxvOKt9S33wGlq0G-Io3NNb_2ALKVjTurpGb7TaXfGcVGhhIaI3VwbzUzftWfhnwVt5b7h7lvzWe3JtpC2m-Cn4G5u33HHZBHrfmURgZN54km10cPcjf5oI/s320/IMG_20120201_161452.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPwuBgcCx4s_AakTnZHLpYbnkjk3fsN79LMweyoYVHtsklPqP6HuswbNklejLu6OKi_Nx6NkAb-OvAaZb78Zb1G6sEg9PbP-wn8mEWTIdJ7IC5DmHycHeaacY6TSof0v5qxsHETzcvts/s1600/IMG_20120201_162953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPwuBgcCx4s_AakTnZHLpYbnkjk3fsN79LMweyoYVHtsklPqP6HuswbNklejLu6OKi_Nx6NkAb-OvAaZb78Zb1G6sEg9PbP-wn8mEWTIdJ7IC5DmHycHeaacY6TSof0v5qxsHETzcvts/s320/IMG_20120201_162953.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ37936CNdW36Q9-HFplw3v8oFYKb31KdrrOA05BV-hQ8AfdBVj_sF52beJ-UccM7Q_E9Jdp7YwxKrmUEZwMPBssqelTSAvdSV7oL18r_9bgqwF39Rrq4uoG-3zAMbhlcZ32oXowKSVWo/s1600/IMG_20120201_161805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ37936CNdW36Q9-HFplw3v8oFYKb31KdrrOA05BV-hQ8AfdBVj_sF52beJ-UccM7Q_E9Jdp7YwxKrmUEZwMPBssqelTSAvdSV7oL18r_9bgqwF39Rrq4uoG-3zAMbhlcZ32oXowKSVWo/s320/IMG_20120201_161805.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was making this for Zoe's room, and decided to put a butterfly right in the middle of the canvas. I started with the outline, dripping the darkest colors around until I had my basic shape, antennae, and body. Then I just filled in the wings with color, and <i>voila</i>!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2KSZo7y6rs0CyWYGSIjYVDoQNjmo9aELvJymDOsEXYvBMVRaR1DWIcfjTip6czfCjf75VuymfqMpDLgTbUKxF5_7pf4aUDeBTszBmw67qCsivkWXWCiRXlt8i5j_EtKLdQlSNf5ydsg/s1600/IMG_20120201_181500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2KSZo7y6rs0CyWYGSIjYVDoQNjmo9aELvJymDOsEXYvBMVRaR1DWIcfjTip6czfCjf75VuymfqMpDLgTbUKxF5_7pf4aUDeBTszBmw67qCsivkWXWCiRXlt8i5j_EtKLdQlSNf5ydsg/s320/IMG_20120201_181500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Zoe approves. :o) If you try this, I want to see! Send me a picture! Also, try to use the word, "encaustic" when you tell people about your masterpiece. They'll be impressed...you know you like big words.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/55/5F466A25BA58492EA2134ED4C1F9E833.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-44102050070309190382012-01-25T19:58:00.000-08:002012-01-25T20:00:35.813-08:00Something To Do To Your 'Do<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">So.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried a new hair trick for my mane. My hair is nearly waist-length, and there's a lot of it. Over the summer, I was ready to cut it up to my shoulders and start over, but after looking around the web for some hair fixin' ideas, I've decided to keep the length for a while...after all, you can't really pull off long hair forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the ideas that has been circulating around the internet, and especially Pinterest, is the sock bun. I love wearing my hair curly, but there is so blasted much of it that it takes forEVER to curl it with a curling iron, and I haven't had much luck with rollers....they tend to 'fro me out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I do not look good with a 'fro....I look nuts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sock bun is a surprisingly simple concept. Here's the tutorial I used:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3FV-YO46E8Y?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first time I tried this, it didn't really do much...this time, I misted my ponytail with a bit of water, and it was second day hair....as in, washed the day before. Freshly washed hair doesn't curl quite as well, at least for me, and I even have some natural wave. Here's my before and after!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwx5ozIy0Dycpl_l5e0rXF8EKIJ1RU5Rres-t1SOu0sw9NoKMmTzknGuNbC5nxl-oC6qUFqnf26-HCkDsSfADvzDbtTzVdY9tqG3joamIOdnu8rBNUMV9rq5Ub5cm1ckHbzwIEzH88UE/s1600/Straight+hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwx5ozIy0Dycpl_l5e0rXF8EKIJ1RU5Rres-t1SOu0sw9NoKMmTzknGuNbC5nxl-oC6qUFqnf26-HCkDsSfADvzDbtTzVdY9tqG3joamIOdnu8rBNUMV9rq5Ub5cm1ckHbzwIEzH88UE/s320/Straight+hair.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> It doesn't look quite as long in this shot...it's belly-button length when hanging down my back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_ao_-AuXIIx6ho0kHoVRslNm6R6w9Xx6RXENeb_W9Q4sTDQQ4AZuOygUGSFcrwqi0caTBS7lIDUh5KRFs3JRmrsPmQ2u38EWSVAXzzHp5lAuzy7kMUNXwAARxW8_u6hbsRhu8lXTOUg/s1600/Full+on+curly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_ao_-AuXIIx6ho0kHoVRslNm6R6w9Xx6RXENeb_W9Q4sTDQQ4AZuOygUGSFcrwqi0caTBS7lIDUh5KRFs3JRmrsPmQ2u38EWSVAXzzHp5lAuzy7kMUNXwAARxW8_u6hbsRhu8lXTOUg/s320/Full+on+curly.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These two pictures were not actually taken on the same day, but the outfit is the same, so don't go thinkin' I wore the same threads two days in a row. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I only do that if I'm not leaving the house. :o)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On a different note, I promised on my Facebook page that I would give away another Rosettes are Red necklace. :o) You get one entry for each separate comment that you leave on THIS post. Here's the 4-1-1:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1st entry: I will post a status on the facebook page with a link to this post. Share that status on your own wall and leave a comment here, letting me know you did that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2nd entry: Become a follower of the blog, if you aren't already. Let me know if you are new or a repeat offender in a comment here. :o)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3rd entry: Become a fan of Fiddle 'N' Bow on Facebook. Let me know if you are a new fan, or a golden oldie in a comment here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BONUS entry: Refer a NEW fan to Fiddle 'N' Bow on Facebook and have them tag you on the page, telling me you sent them! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The winner will be chosen one week from today, which is next Wednesday! WOOT! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. I absolutely HATE my glasses...they have a crack right in my line of vision in the left lens. I've been wearing them full time for the last couple of years, and it's driving me nuts! I'm planning an Office Space-style beatdown on these babies when I get new ones next month. Complete with gangsta rap. Represent.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/55/5F466A25BA58492EA2134ED4C1F9E833.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-58088945258456033052012-01-18T07:57:00.000-08:002012-01-19T08:13:32.147-08:00Refashioning in the Hood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">I did a quick little project yesterday that's been on my mind for a while, but, of course, hadn't gone any further. Zoe has this simple little hoodie I picked up at Walmart for $7.50. Very basic, good for the playground. I took some gray/zebra burnout knit and made double-layered ruffles next to the zippers. Here's the before and after:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZJJSvU1qBUvi9UCoMfphSs6QLe_IuBsgML-PXaQ63DgWHlO_xtCPNWT8F1MBd1f_ifKSk4sFj_gM3Z9h5h_p60rcAjHchVYsIqKJ07WLh01YI6Il-uASYYnEg8Dmoyuh9kxR2ZEKyL0/s1600/IMGP3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZJJSvU1qBUvi9UCoMfphSs6QLe_IuBsgML-PXaQ63DgWHlO_xtCPNWT8F1MBd1f_ifKSk4sFj_gM3Z9h5h_p60rcAjHchVYsIqKJ07WLh01YI6Il-uASYYnEg8Dmoyuh9kxR2ZEKyL0/s320/IMGP3966.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowOVqnk3bJ6xr-9W5tPBDoS8iiqdEl5vuoIWaiCJmbUa-1-Xo6qDXM9JmUjwv8PED23I5IG0o8kvnJ7COzBzLJDzMzxDX1yEVydF6ZhiH9inhQ727izy31IS9sT49n1IF7-u5e24_zYc/s1600/IMGP3968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowOVqnk3bJ6xr-9W5tPBDoS8iiqdEl5vuoIWaiCJmbUa-1-Xo6qDXM9JmUjwv8PED23I5IG0o8kvnJ7COzBzLJDzMzxDX1yEVydF6ZhiH9inhQ727izy31IS9sT49n1IF7-u5e24_zYc/s320/IMGP3968.JPG" width="180" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">I'm super happy with the results. I kind of want to add a ruffle around the edge of the hood, though. Once you start ruffling things, it's hard to stop!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also made some more porch decor for the mushy love holiday. I used some upcycled bottles that I had salted and spray painted to use at Christmas time. I drew hearts with my glue gun and added fuzzy red yarn. Super easy, took 5 minutes.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelI0Mm1fQq2wsz7IxrFlr1-qK-WF9mKlNefWwdkrXa5pmngeGD7D6EEjLFTzttl4s9y9aNyqKUMjuarXKbJcpHSIuIu4rAKIW0fp9AVdhYPap5FGGeGxCJ-IzjRdjKDuaWrvJrk9pETk/s1600/IMGP3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelI0Mm1fQq2wsz7IxrFlr1-qK-WF9mKlNefWwdkrXa5pmngeGD7D6EEjLFTzttl4s9y9aNyqKUMjuarXKbJcpHSIuIu4rAKIW0fp9AVdhYPap5FGGeGxCJ-IzjRdjKDuaWrvJrk9pETk/s320/IMGP3963.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet! I am totally crushing on red and turquoise right now! Have you made anything for Valentine's yet? I'd love to see! I'm linking my hoodie project to the linky party at The Train to Crazy!</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-90295545116015779642012-01-15T16:18:00.000-08:002012-01-15T16:20:06.466-08:00A "Love"-ly Wreath and a WiN!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, helloooooo there! Happy Sunday to ya! We had a great morning at church, followed by a relaxing afternoon. Kids in quiet time, hubs snoozing on the couch, and me cleaning while rockin' to my 80s Pandora station. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I even had time to change out the embellishments on my <a href="http://www.fiddlenbow.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-year-round-wreath-tutorial.html">wreath</a> to get ready for Valentine's Day. Yeah, I know, I never did a Christmas wreath. My porch was all kinds of boring...but, whatev...the inside of the house looked awesome. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's my LOVE-ly wreath all cute and gracing my front door:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAR_WFNHvUrj3Xv_XCUu80THIWhQohyqoFrzaqpY4XNfLINXaBpjoMo9e0MRqinlzsxZdZkP2Fxw_foeTShZCQMGdWZfbGyvKGy-ckIipNM4VlCCmuUAV0Nhz96klhYJia5SQiDuqDt8/s1600/IMGP3960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAR_WFNHvUrj3Xv_XCUu80THIWhQohyqoFrzaqpY4XNfLINXaBpjoMo9e0MRqinlzsxZdZkP2Fxw_foeTShZCQMGdWZfbGyvKGy-ckIipNM4VlCCmuUAV0Nhz96klhYJia5SQiDuqDt8/s320/IMGP3960.JPG" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> I took some lace trim and pinned it every couple of inches, sticking the pin through a black button.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqwzCwyIFbHCLD-R_nrpdsWF0vuFhCiH1fSvlWYgEQyTaEzI37kI7_3FNteIyuJS6_sdSXlX9cYKSbKwCZ8cKnnGZQ4EZIVB6wNevh1oyIQ3XVdEjWqX7WOAdzeFchm0T8RN7qxeCr1M/s1600/IMGP3957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqwzCwyIFbHCLD-R_nrpdsWF0vuFhCiH1fSvlWYgEQyTaEzI37kI7_3FNteIyuJS6_sdSXlX9cYKSbKwCZ8cKnnGZQ4EZIVB6wNevh1oyIQ3XVdEjWqX7WOAdzeFchm0T8RN7qxeCr1M/s320/IMGP3957.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> I dumped out my button jar and selected just the right buttons:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj205PYyZTE1DBWBmcNT13PqIyuJWCifmPcK5Tt5kJIOzucYfZesQF6qdaqLbfCqYqDy8hHtovOuxZjyE1qHHjM1ftjOtO8r0KkBqTXDKiUTaOSNlnd3ww9aFXN5RptlJ2_xoFDoW_zyDw/s1600/IMGP3955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj205PYyZTE1DBWBmcNT13PqIyuJWCifmPcK5Tt5kJIOzucYfZesQF6qdaqLbfCqYqDy8hHtovOuxZjyE1qHHjM1ftjOtO8r0KkBqTXDKiUTaOSNlnd3ww9aFXN5RptlJ2_xoFDoW_zyDw/s320/IMGP3955.JPG" width="180" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"> I used some zippers to make hearts and added some little heart buttons. :o)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUTOTH1FRxQAQNrn_fxispRvSvFlb9_12EZhV-nQjI2aaW3Cy0qcHFHdshjOCRZsmZHawxza8ph1f3nzL55ofvuZK7R-e42O5IYII1lGFtcWOpBDkA_rAUHUi1BHJC5X0Zee3JVOkLtU/s1600/IMGP3956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUTOTH1FRxQAQNrn_fxispRvSvFlb9_12EZhV-nQjI2aaW3Cy0qcHFHdshjOCRZsmZHawxza8ph1f3nzL55ofvuZK7R-e42O5IYII1lGFtcWOpBDkA_rAUHUi1BHJC5X0Zee3JVOkLtU/s320/IMGP3956.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I then took some more buttons (see a theme here?) and strung them on crochet thread so they would dangle in the middle of the wreath.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhMKJ1HVtz2tWyPEUqACNKG4oKU67VnYWf3mUbmM_Y7V9-1CJBpqMNM0vu1-FTD0Prjalagj25b4YpnIjrEz4NGBBitG1Da2N2WpfCmQ20R2cuFfs1Mq_Jnx3zfvdSSIVS60opRru0oY/s1600/IMGP3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhMKJ1HVtz2tWyPEUqACNKG4oKU67VnYWf3mUbmM_Y7V9-1CJBpqMNM0vu1-FTD0Prjalagj25b4YpnIjrEz4NGBBitG1Da2N2WpfCmQ20R2cuFfs1Mq_Jnx3zfvdSSIVS60opRru0oY/s320/IMGP3958.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I used some random rope trim I had (NO idea where it came from!) to hang the whole business. The whole project took me about 30 minutes. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAR_WFNHvUrj3Xv_XCUu80THIWhQohyqoFrzaqpY4XNfLINXaBpjoMo9e0MRqinlzsxZdZkP2Fxw_foeTShZCQMGdWZfbGyvKGy-ckIipNM4VlCCmuUAV0Nhz96klhYJia5SQiDuqDt8/s1600/IMGP3960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAR_WFNHvUrj3Xv_XCUu80THIWhQohyqoFrzaqpY4XNfLINXaBpjoMo9e0MRqinlzsxZdZkP2Fxw_foeTShZCQMGdWZfbGyvKGy-ckIipNM4VlCCmuUAV0Nhz96klhYJia5SQiDuqDt8/s320/IMGP3960.JPG" width="180" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a side note, I must tell you that the dangly buttons needed a little support on the back to keep them straight. I hot glued a toothpick to the back. :o) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And now</span>, the moment we've all been waiting for: <span style="font-size: x-large;">The winner of the giveaway!!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I used Random.org to choose the winning comment. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1qLEiQAyNNEvscI_UAE03b4Sef_O80LyduImP96_Ic7Geox74B1MJQA065az5XbHRaF1WURysw4zXTxph5LZTd0qVkC_tETQ9vLq1XPOljrfY2I_UxDjNxfxWWhZHduQUFgrAhI1LaA/s1600/IMGP3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1qLEiQAyNNEvscI_UAE03b4Sef_O80LyduImP96_Ic7Geox74B1MJQA065az5XbHRaF1WURysw4zXTxph5LZTd0qVkC_tETQ9vLq1XPOljrfY2I_UxDjNxfxWWhZHduQUFgrAhI1LaA/s320/IMGP3961.JPG" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">WHOO HOO!! Congratulations to Ashley, who said, "and I follow your blog now :) I thought I already was but I guess not..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shoot me an email at FiddleNBowBiz@gmail.com and you'll get you</span>r <span style="font-size: large;">beautiful new necklace! :o) </span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-82147230710503578162012-01-09T10:05:00.000-08:002012-01-09T10:05:56.430-08:00A "Green" Tea Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">Zoe and I just had a tea party. :o) We drank from fancy glasses and ate freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. She is my little sidekick. Zoe doesn't really care what we do or where we go, as long as she gets to be with her Mommy and help out. She is such a sweet, loving, smart, silly little thing. She constantly makes up songs, especially when someone around her is feeling down. She sang to Luke the other day when he was feeling scared. Sweet girl!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So back to our "tea" party. We didn't actually have tea. We had some super yummy and amazingly healthy juice that I made with my new juicer! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was a SUPER picky eater as a kid. I'm still kinda picky now, but I've definitely gotten a LOT better. I literally went years without eating a single green food, and really didn't eat fruit too often. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd say Zoe is my least picky eater. She's the most willing to try something new, even if it looks different. I've found that I actually have to make sure I juice enough for both of us, as she always wants some of whatever I've made. Her favorite is apple pear. One large Honeycrisp apple and two pears. Delish!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For our "tea," we had a lovely concoction of apple, lemon, and baby spinach. You totally just read that right. Spinach. Juice. Indeed. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdDREaFiqoqU3P0X0dnhM4S6Cvz1u5PcpXHSZL5qkL6n42i7Jku2kTQujF0W2uAuWmsTzz15g3Jzpm7lh_sbd7lAlhFS8hm2tJe8TKmiLCH_uJUCxh-KqyJrElCqjtOa76DVFJMKg71A/s1600/IMGP3952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdDREaFiqoqU3P0X0dnhM4S6Cvz1u5PcpXHSZL5qkL6n42i7Jku2kTQujF0W2uAuWmsTzz15g3Jzpm7lh_sbd7lAlhFS8hm2tJe8TKmiLCH_uJUCxh-KqyJrElCqjtOa76DVFJMKg71A/s320/IMGP3952.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> I know, I know. I'm weird. Who drinks spinach? THIS GIRL! I do like to eat spinach in salads, but I've found that you can cram a lot more in when you're juicing than if you tried to sit down with a fork and eat it. We used half of a brand new container of spinach in our juice, 1 whole lemon, and two and a half apples. There's no way I could sit down and chew all of that, so I drink it instead. A super boost of nutrition in 5 minutes! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60ADw7ObPDOzHdNfkzaAmsCnNG_mH6nsI1v0lzwD_Ks4vWKFR_JjAfxEV4rEdnDAHKITNv3lnQR6G5B-MSjRNPNZzQP4l7XdIm25bNntX2ESLIf7XLhs6UjPdTkC0VgBVJAqHMv01U-0/s1600/IMGP3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60ADw7ObPDOzHdNfkzaAmsCnNG_mH6nsI1v0lzwD_Ks4vWKFR_JjAfxEV4rEdnDAHKITNv3lnQR6G5B-MSjRNPNZzQP4l7XdIm25bNntX2ESLIf7XLhs6UjPdTkC0VgBVJAqHMv01U-0/s320/IMGP3954.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovMcIunVuYzq4IwPHrsyXgm97xxdDWHgrg8WUoh-SFdsM_KMhs5nxoujUOsyqflK2r4KP1GpGSloJyepMP_T5Bc3ZvXDwSMGLQRK5T7X5U2rVhTelDMiukHKGfOsnXvPrXxsWnX604RI/s1600/IMGP3953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovMcIunVuYzq4IwPHrsyXgm97xxdDWHgrg8WUoh-SFdsM_KMhs5nxoujUOsyqflK2r4KP1GpGSloJyepMP_T5Bc3ZvXDwSMGLQRK5T7X5U2rVhTelDMiukHKGfOsnXvPrXxsWnX604RI/s320/IMGP3953.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The lighting is all funky in here, so the picture doesn't really show how bright green this stuff is. Did we eat cookies with our healthy juice? Yah. Do I feel bad about that? Nope. Know why? Because my kid just guzzled a glass of what works out to be almost 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of veggies. How many veggies has your kid had today? :oP </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the way, don't forget to enter the <a href="http://www.fiddlenbow.blogspot.com/2012/01/give-it-away-give-it-away-give-it-away.html">Rosettes are Red giveaway</a>!! A winner will be chosen next Sunday night!</span><br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-60075501285088520002012-01-08T19:42:00.000-08:002012-01-08T19:42:17.486-08:00Give it away, give it away, give it away, now!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry...I was having a Red Hot Chili Peppers moment with the title of this post...hooray for 90s music! Happy Sunday to all! Yeah, I know, Sunday's almost over. Mike had drill this weekend, so I've been flying solo and the monkeys have me way outnumbered. At least I got this posted before Monday, right? Right? Right.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So...I have a brand spankin' new item for 2012 that I recently posted on my <a href="mailto:www.facebook.com/fiddlenbow">facebook page</a>. A sweet little pom pom necklace for all the mamas, 'cause we need a little somethin'-somethin', too. In honor of the upcoming mushy love holiday, and in keeping with the theme of the most recent <a href="http://fiddlenbow.blogspot.com/2012/01/rosettes-are-red-violets-arenot-in-this.html">tutorial</a>, I am doing my first ever giveaway on this blog! Sa-weet!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I give you: Rosettes are Red!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AQRhK13kiZrfOZe3paIIQ6I921IAs-I6sw51s_7O1zqyd1hKgR6clINyxQRTMtdMroJEB5LulgxpV91zXqioF49ocyfjyfpTBmu04gez7YiuTqKYOS6qJllfJHV4J_sOMyaDmfWGoUY/s1600/IMG_20120108_200633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AQRhK13kiZrfOZe3paIIQ6I921IAs-I6sw51s_7O1zqyd1hKgR6clINyxQRTMtdMroJEB5LulgxpV91zXqioF49ocyfjyfpTBmu04gez7YiuTqKYOS6qJllfJHV4J_sOMyaDmfWGoUY/s320/IMG_20120108_200633.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Isn't she pretty? I'll have these available for purchase as well for the next month, but I love you all so much, I just really want to give one away! YAY! Here's what you need to do:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1st entry: Become a follower of the blog and leave a comment letting me know you did so.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2nd entry: Become a fan on facebook and leave a separate comment HERE to let me know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BONUS entry: Browse the albums on my facebook page and leave a comment HERE telling me you favorite item. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll use the random number generator to choose a winner next Sunday night! GOOD LUCK! </span><br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-73870538161150614622012-01-06T18:53:00.000-08:002012-01-06T18:53:16.876-08:00Rosettes are Red, Violets are....not in this post. :o)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;">Hello, Lovelies! I hope your week was fabulous! I want to share a project I made the other day for Valentine's Day. It can really be used whenever, if you use red in your decor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I never really decorated a whole lot for the holidays or seasons. I have always wanted to, and admired those who did, but never could seem to find the time to do all the projects I have rattling around in my head. I have a hard time managing my time, and SO many things going on (I'll lay it all out for you sometime...it's NUTS) that I usually end up doing absolutely nothing when I am able to grab some down time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As a result, I have spaces in my house (like my own bedroom and bathroom) that have never really been decorated at all. The walls are still the same off-white they were when we moved in 8 years ago. BORING! We did do a remodel in the kitchen, which I love, and the kids' rooms and bathroom are painted. There have been a couple of times when we thought we might sell, and even had the house on the market for about three months. Circumstances changed, so we stayed. We have </span><span style="font-size: small;">decided that we will stay in this house for at least another year, maybe two. So......I have decided to love every space in my home. Why not? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So here's to making it lovely!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rosettes are Red Topiary</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a great project for any occasion, and requires very little in the way of supplies. All you need to get started is a pair of sharp scissors, a ruler, disappearing ink fabric marker, and a couple of sheets of felt. I'm using red, since a certain mushy love holiday is approaching. :o)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGw055JPwF42oi4KGQOGAKmh3D3wabI1WTUGZCuwy2RU3CRsF_6FAjB5tZ1qgnguJVQivQ18tFeB9lz9U5K1k6hAD41qtOtcOPAtwlxL9BYyJ8Z1aLTIwev2KoavAtC8bsptfA7E4Wx8/s1600/IMGP3931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGw055JPwF42oi4KGQOGAKmh3D3wabI1WTUGZCuwy2RU3CRsF_6FAjB5tZ1qgnguJVQivQ18tFeB9lz9U5K1k6hAD41qtOtcOPAtwlxL9BYyJ8Z1aLTIwev2KoavAtC8bsptfA7E4Wx8/s320/IMGP3931.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> You will also need a four inch styrofoam ball, available anywhere you can find craft supplies. I think mine came from Walmart, and a hot glue gun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mark your felt every 1/2" vertically, then cut along the lines to make nice, even strips, like this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBM5vVNmQ1iw7aKk8MfihsQ2_Wm7aWk9kFSnfynweXp5iqqFcarTXqpbQDPp73djxKHz9WbmLtTNnwHxOsiZ2EXGeSwN9p_DM3mtWP78yWLIYIMFEy2k1x6hjOpgVMEX8TljXNUv1Lg90/s1600/IMGP3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBM5vVNmQ1iw7aKk8MfihsQ2_Wm7aWk9kFSnfynweXp5iqqFcarTXqpbQDPp73djxKHz9WbmLtTNnwHxOsiZ2EXGeSwN9p_DM3mtWP78yWLIYIMFEy2k1x6hjOpgVMEX8TljXNUv1Lg90/s320/IMGP3932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Do this to both of your felt sheets. Next, get that glue gun going, and let's make some rosettes! Take a strip and pinch the end:</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe35IUaV-fuWVf2ujQKdg2AVFdUY-UJYCEbTnF4pz0gWO56PD8YvY9Wip2ZB01Y0g2UyZlkIfh1Vsmwrtf0G_aWB0VGHL19weUFqvdHPQMSzwxNjHClg5BCmghq0_PUqdDSUJfNJLOgI/s1600/IMGP3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe35IUaV-fuWVf2ujQKdg2AVFdUY-UJYCEbTnF4pz0gWO56PD8YvY9Wip2ZB01Y0g2UyZlkIfh1Vsmwrtf0G_aWB0VGHL19weUFqvdHPQMSzwxNjHClg5BCmghq0_PUqdDSUJfNJLOgI/s320/IMGP3938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> You will then twist the strip as you wrap it around itself, using a dot of hot glue every so often to keep things together.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ak2vlxSIesKZgCbnNFnJzAtvPcZfOg6J3zlT1gnmEHVa8MI4oCA16O2fZV6c0kWTEjn99XTsg7pSLBD5vhLf4JjWceFAzDz2cUWvGLKoBanS-w5auarrUnTOVGA3Dc05I2j5FexuMyA/s1600/IMGP3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ak2vlxSIesKZgCbnNFnJzAtvPcZfOg6J3zlT1gnmEHVa8MI4oCA16O2fZV6c0kWTEjn99XTsg7pSLBD5vhLf4JjWceFAzDz2cUWvGLKoBanS-w5auarrUnTOVGA3Dc05I2j5FexuMyA/s320/IMGP3939.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I know I need to stop biting my nails. I went YEARS without biting them, and recently started again...attractive, isn't it? Anywhooooo...keep twisting and gluing until you have a cute little rosette, like this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErIaoSiSYqZcYXgFwfUJ5UmoMc0mu0y9A8uzZcodeJzPXFzdXOndPSF7JQbM9ltHF8gGPf7-yOm5kH87BSRuX4qn0UcNNs3weuxAkoVQqvxKZRCDZzf-gyLhfrBKUdqtVXiPZqpCrqEw/s1600/IMGP3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErIaoSiSYqZcYXgFwfUJ5UmoMc0mu0y9A8uzZcodeJzPXFzdXOndPSF7JQbM9ltHF8gGPf7-yOm5kH87BSRuX4qn0UcNNs3weuxAkoVQqvxKZRCDZzf-gyLhfrBKUdqtVXiPZqpCrqEw/s320/IMGP3937.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">CUTE! Do this to all your strips, and pretty soon you will have a nice little pile of rosettes! You can put them in a pretty little bowl and leave it at that, if you like:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bHbtMMOkV7gCADOHAr6H8fMoBMncntA-9UagDaZtxiTQB9Bl91VtlNn91Q6HeJsmXSxpyHDXjLgrsKtT-8g2oOU5BzlEZniCWpDgvbGPtDrcQq6a2iXhgD5uBuYm7HoUOrLyHIsArqA/s1600/IMGP3945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bHbtMMOkV7gCADOHAr6H8fMoBMncntA-9UagDaZtxiTQB9Bl91VtlNn91Q6HeJsmXSxpyHDXjLgrsKtT-8g2oOU5BzlEZniCWpDgvbGPtDrcQq6a2iXhgD5uBuYm7HoUOrLyHIsArqA/s320/IMGP3945.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">But I don't wanna do that, so I'm gonna grab the aforementioned styrofoam ball and glue it up, baby! Snuggle those puppies up to each other so the white doesn't show through:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8thilKaK0ldeWj4Gpsbo8gKIPZkofmoLgQanpmgXZ06cL2todwCKsJddOotNM-ymkL_l-wfiLuzv-H5qcrmfKN21HkvFSHRMPmkqHRdVM7aiQoa_MBAxP9N6AT-unAniddpDAAAGhaU/s1600/IMGP3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8thilKaK0ldeWj4Gpsbo8gKIPZkofmoLgQanpmgXZ06cL2todwCKsJddOotNM-ymkL_l-wfiLuzv-H5qcrmfKN21HkvFSHRMPmkqHRdVM7aiQoa_MBAxP9N6AT-unAniddpDAAAGhaU/s320/IMGP3944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fJ-0z5BZTN106HA6fGaAha2FvTitfuWhNS0ovHNLVtCFnWcRMxmVNj9tAPn2USoWjwuMLEEsQUo2dr8u-qAPSosUrGYZpg9Y16bEJR3Lu4GR510YZ03_v82f25jR74wrFvJMSmUNpBA/s1600/IMGP3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fJ-0z5BZTN106HA6fGaAha2FvTitfuWhNS0ovHNLVtCFnWcRMxmVNj9tAPn2USoWjwuMLEEsQUo2dr8u-qAPSosUrGYZpg9Y16bEJR3Lu4GR510YZ03_v82f25jR74wrFvJMSmUNpBA/s320/IMGP3946.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">There's not really a pattern to it, just fill in all the space until your ball is completely covered. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7siZM0KIoCZz01GTXcCLkGzXPeFiY1DkkHzlozEpFpdMUMaIeV_6e_jogkkBogAKvky2wA9Ksw4ZPjV9NJc8z_rVidSkGdw19Pap1vOcfd0Rx8quuUA3m6lQvwmn-qgyRAiedVcwVfs/s1600/IMGP3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7siZM0KIoCZz01GTXcCLkGzXPeFiY1DkkHzlozEpFpdMUMaIeV_6e_jogkkBogAKvky2wA9Ksw4ZPjV9NJc8z_rVidSkGdw19Pap1vOcfd0Rx8quuUA3m6lQvwmn-qgyRAiedVcwVfs/s320/IMGP3947.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> Now it just needs a home! I used a chunky candlestick for mine.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsyZNQUnUfi1gclur5888_krveM_z6uMKN3mafmKvw0Wtf_MTGKS1jQL-FewGenbPidAXMOw4ZKGJUvpFST8eGv2AWVjGKizVa3ukIEMvCQv0TxMlHw8MT-TOrco_Q2Etqz5n6ncTGHs/s1600/IMGP3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsyZNQUnUfi1gclur5888_krveM_z6uMKN3mafmKvw0Wtf_MTGKS1jQL-FewGenbPidAXMOw4ZKGJUvpFST8eGv2AWVjGKizVa3ukIEMvCQv0TxMlHw8MT-TOrco_Q2Etqz5n6ncTGHs/s320/IMGP3950.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ta-DA! <span style="font-size: small;">Great for part of a centerpiece, on a mantle, windowsill, wherever! If you make one for yourself, send me a pic so I can applaud your craftiness! Email pictures to FiddleNBowBiz@gmail.com</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Crafting!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">P.S. Stay tuned....a giveaway will be posted tomorrow! WOOT!</span> </span> </span></span></span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-59333261651932294902012-01-03T09:59:00.000-08:002012-01-03T10:00:34.912-08:00Nom Nom Nom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are the recipes I promised! Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">13 oz cooked, shredded chicken</span> (I used canned because I didn't have any fresh. Fresh would be better!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">16 oz tub sour cream </span>(I used light)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shredded cheese</span> (enough for a bit in each enchilada, plus enough to sprinkle generously over the whole pan)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">small can diced green chilis</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">can cream of chicken soup </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">tortillas of choice</span> (I used the smaller, flour kind)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Take shredded chicken and put in a bowl. Add some shredded cheese and sour cream until you have the consistency you like. I used maybe four ounces of sour cream...I think...I don't know..just throw some in there till it looks right. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Spoon chicken mixture into tortillas, roll up, and line them up in the dish. I did one row all the way across, then stuck some in sideways in the space left over. You can pack them in tight if you want, but the sauce will cover each one better if you leave a little space in between. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In a small saucepan, heat cream of chicken soup until warm, add 8 oz sour cream and can of chilis. Stir until blended. Pour over enchiladas and spread evenly. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Sprinkle a whole mess of cheese over the whole thing. Really pile it on there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Bake until cheese is bubbly and enchiladas are heated through. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;">SuPeR</span> yu</span><span style="font-size: small;">mmy! I got this recipe from a friend, and it's so simple, yet SO good! I didn't take any pictures, so here's one I borrowed from the web:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.freewebs.com/chicken02/Recipe%20Photos/chicken%20enchiladas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.freewebs.com/chicken02/Recipe%20Photos/chicken%20enchiladas.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> We served this will a green salad, some Wholly Guacamole and chips. Delish! It was a big hit with everyone. Even the kids tried a bite or two. :o) This is a great dish for gatherings or to take to a friend. We Baptists like to feed people. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You know what else we like? <span style="font-size: large;">DESSERT.</span> Oh, my friends. I am about to introduce you to a pan full of sweet goodness! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sopapilla Cheesecake</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 cans of crescent rolls</span> (I used reduced fat)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 8 oz bricks of cream cheese, softened (</span>I used neufchatel)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 c sugar</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Grease (or butter!) a 9 x 13 dish. You can use a smaller dish if you like, your cheesecake will just be taller. ;o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Spread one can of crescents in the dish to make the bottom crust, pinching seams to seal. Whip cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Spread over crust. Use other can of crescents to make the top crust, pinching seams to seal. Then you need the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/3 c sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 c butter, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Drizzle melted butter over the whole thing and sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on top and bake for 20-25 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">AHHHH! It's soooooooo good. Too good. Insanely good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Make some. You won't be sorry.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-gGmii2nSF8hU5rpJiwDyKUIUOoYOG1WC1SEBMPaCCjGRrutjJick0mh7IGT3NWusOBcpymJTwiphIKCm98T77P8EG7yUPPbbQxHUqF2BB0Pkum5TaCrqbUgYK46GCGclsZ3Sdrylh_0/s400/sopapilla_cheesecake3_450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-gGmii2nSF8hU5rpJiwDyKUIUOoYOG1WC1SEBMPaCCjGRrutjJick0mh7IGT3NWusOBcpymJTwiphIKCm98T77P8EG7yUPPbbQxHUqF2BB0Pkum5TaCrqbUgYK46GCGclsZ3Sdrylh_0/s320/sopapilla_cheesecake3_450.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">yum</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-25548167387045883022012-01-03T09:14:00.000-08:002012-01-03T09:14:49.955-08:00New Year and Christmas Re-Cap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Happy New Year, everyone! Our Christmas break is over as of today. Sigh. Now all the hectic schedules and rushing around starts up again. It's been really great to not have a rigid schedule these last couple of weeks. I am kind of ready for the boys to go back to school, though. ;P<br />
Our Christmas was stretched over about four days. We spent Christmas Eve with the Rice side. Mike's mom was in town, and we gathered at Greg and April's (his brother and sister-in-law) house for ice cream sundaes and presents. Seth read the bible, and we talked and laughed until WAY too late.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2Ib6qw2uT-MykvXunb60vkyhoa0L15_-hKjapipGJOxWDKvN8U38KrZLuLxtfVodku6jA7qDdozSw7s_FsSCX3r_0OG4SquMZ8aYNLadGFhxHJsnGeO6vkh8LIGFhdxFAQ1AWSvl2dk/s1600/Bible+reading+dec2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2Ib6qw2uT-MykvXunb60vkyhoa0L15_-hKjapipGJOxWDKvN8U38KrZLuLxtfVodku6jA7qDdozSw7s_FsSCX3r_0OG4SquMZ8aYNLadGFhxHJsnGeO6vkh8LIGFhdxFAQ1AWSvl2dk/s320/Bible+reading+dec2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Christmas day didn't go as originally planned. We were invited to friend's house about 2 hours away to have Christmas dinner and spend the night. When these friends lived here in town, they had no family close, and we spend part of almost every holiday with them. Unfortunately, some illness popped up and we ended up not going. In order to keep from hurting feelings on either side of our family, we quietly stayed home and just had a day with the five of us. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMTSeHVos-Uc6Fg3rUZ8ZmMHBgVFN3IO0gzUoa_bPZpsRbajRDJ17RnKakA2MfjBI1hQK-cJ06qQrrh5bjyVa15xnvyh62X54qRkxwUlnp7ndruuoUS3VHVewQzFcTHrK2OfXvLlwGx0/s1600/Christmas+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMTSeHVos-Uc6Fg3rUZ8ZmMHBgVFN3IO0gzUoa_bPZpsRbajRDJ17RnKakA2MfjBI1hQK-cJ06qQrrh5bjyVa15xnvyh62X54qRkxwUlnp7ndruuoUS3VHVewQzFcTHrK2OfXvLlwGx0/s320/Christmas+2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We decided to scale back on the presents this year and do a few presents for each kid, and one big family gift. We decided to get a Wii (yes, I know we're late in the game) and have had a blast playing it together! Even Zoe has gotten in on the action, and is pretty good at bowling and golf.<br />
The day after Christmas, we went to Ft. Worth to see my brother and his family. My nephew, Justin, turned 9 that day, so we got to have Christmas and a birthday party all at once! My sister-in-law, Megan, made cake pops to look like red Angry Birds and some to look like Lego man heads. Cute! Our kids always play great together and there was much laughter and nerf gun shooting.<br />
We got together with my parents on Wednesday and had a YUMMY dinner of sour cream chicken enchiladas and salad, followed by sopapilla cheescake. Oh, MY! I will post recipes for both in another post. We all got some fabulous presents, including a juicer for me, (I made apple pear juice the next morning!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THE-sC62gTo/TwM0uFkfMdI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Iu4yq-_ixjk/s1600/IMGP3930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THE-sC62gTo/TwM0uFkfMdI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Iu4yq-_ixjk/s320/IMGP3930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>a Kindle for Seth,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYdzzDiSBaCZDymQYJLF2HIYFkx7T8vB3GbeqkIPqAzM6bvMYqZjLPnZOUGB7FC4cXHLSl39p4Kf9oNESgQsEmq6hg_LR6RHESa1pUCsdkYc30KM24_50PwNvFsl8O4tGZneeQO-sRwY/s1600/IMGP3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYdzzDiSBaCZDymQYJLF2HIYFkx7T8vB3GbeqkIPqAzM6bvMYqZjLPnZOUGB7FC4cXHLSl39p4Kf9oNESgQsEmq6hg_LR6RHESa1pUCsdkYc30KM24_50PwNvFsl8O4tGZneeQO-sRwY/s320/IMGP3896.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>and Zoe's favorite gift of the season, her American Girl doll.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmPagJ7bKGbQ_LmJXzHnVY0WzauJIRAR47QNLR6e-QSQtLsCYYIvrZfoJwfc73vKCIIHqrzTHUL07cnriKFnCOOWWo90t7bJG00mGqinDM1QSnY9wDbYEQ62JYC5eYFGmfnMrJ4sqZ5Q/s1600/IMGP3888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmPagJ7bKGbQ_LmJXzHnVY0WzauJIRAR47QNLR6e-QSQtLsCYYIvrZfoJwfc73vKCIIHqrzTHUL07cnriKFnCOOWWo90t7bJG00mGqinDM1QSnY9wDbYEQ62JYC5eYFGmfnMrJ4sqZ5Q/s320/IMGP3888.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>Her face when she realized what she had gotten was priceless. She promptly named her new friend, "Little Zoe," and has carried her EVERYWHERE. She woke up four times that night to come tell me about her. :o)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2DpxZ8TJK5k/TwM2TQ-R3GI/AAAAAAAAAHw/fbBSNAwGMA8/s1600/IMGP3892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2DpxZ8TJK5k/TwM2TQ-R3GI/AAAAAAAAAHw/fbBSNAwGMA8/s320/IMGP3892.JPG" width="180" /></a></div> Luke's favorite gift was his remote control truck Mike's mom got him. I haven't been able to snap a picture of that yet, so here he is with his Angry Birds shirt!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIxgERDqhz0/TwM2uWiQFQI/AAAAAAAAAH8/1DKcYnR3114/s1600/IMGP3891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIxgERDqhz0/TwM2uWiQFQI/AAAAAAAAAH8/1DKcYnR3114/s320/IMGP3891.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As the new year rolls in, I can't help but think of things I'd like to accomplish in the next year. Here's my list so far:<br />
1. Run a 5K (or two) and possibly the White Rock Half Marathon.<br />
2. Grow my little business so that it can replace the work I do outside of the home.<br />
3. By more from the fresh food sections of the grocery store than from the pre-packaged sections.<br />
4. Read my bible EVERY day.<br />
5. Go on a date with Mike no less than once a month, preferrably twice. <br />
6. Spend time alone with each of my kids once a week.<br />
Share your new year's resolutions/goals! I'd love to hear them!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-75132833328209669572011-12-24T09:46:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:46:40.278-08:00Merry Christmas Eve, Ya'll!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! We started the day off with some YUMMY buttermilk pancakes, made from scratch, thankyouverymuch. Seriously, they were delish. I got the recipe from the packaging of these:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DKyUsB7t1GQ/TvYFhilhHtI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/IT7jDBnZI5E/s1600/star+wars+pancake+molds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DKyUsB7t1GQ/TvYFhilhHtI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/IT7jDBnZI5E/s320/star+wars+pancake+molds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They are so cool! I didn't use the molds today, we just did normal pancakes. Super yummy! My crew loves pancakes and each kid will eat their weight in them if I don't stop them! I made enough for tomorrow morning, too! Since we have church services tomorrow, this will save a lot of time in the morning.<br />
I still need to finish a couple of handmade gifts. I know, I know....but procrastination is a fine art, and I am an artist. :o) Two of those gifts are to be given tonight (yikes!) when we open presents with Mr. Fiddle's family. I should probably jump on those, ya think? It'll happen.....no worries.<br />
For the last several years, my oldest has read the story of Jesus' birth on Christmas Eve to the family. I love hearing the word of God come out of my child's mouth. I love that we are actively teaching our kids about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Kids are naturally selfish, and the commercialism and consumerism that surrounds us makes it that much harder to instill a concern for others in children. I won't give up on trying, though! My oldest (12) once told me that his eyes tear up when he does something nice for someone else. I told him it is a powerful feeling when you put someone else first, making them feel special.<br />
The little ones are beginning to grasp the concept, as well. The 4-year-old asked the 6-year-old last night why people put Christmas lights on their houses. Instead of saying something like, "So Santa can find them," he calmly said, "To let everyone know that it's Jesus's birthday." Score one for truth!<br />
There are a few bittersweet aspects to this season, though. My grandfather passed away on Christmas Eve many years ago. I know my mom always misses him even more at this time. <br />
This is our second Christmas without Mike's dad. I'll tell that story in another post, another time. We miss him terribly.<br />
Mike's cousin, Josh, developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and is now in intensive care in Houston. He is sedated and on a ventilator. He is only 24 years old, and I know his wife must be beside herself with worry.<br />
Despite these things, we know that God is in control, and that we are all still very blessed. I pray your Christmas will be full of family, laughter, fun, and remembrance of the amazing, undeserved gift God gave us in His son, Jesus! <br />
Merry Christmas to all!<br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-4150477731561034162011-12-08T18:03:00.000-08:002011-12-08T18:03:14.604-08:00DIY Year-round Wreath tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Hello, lovelies! Bloggy Slacker here! Good gracious, my poor little unloved blog! I reaaaalllly need to be better about posting regularly. For real this time. Really. For realzzzz.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Aaaaanyway, I have a great tutorial for you! I have recently fallen into the abyss that is <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> and have been SO inspired by all the wonderful ideas in one spot! I have been a crafty blog follower for a long time now, but Pinterest lets me collect all my favorite things from those blogs in one place! If you don't pin, you should pin. Just try it once. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">All the cool kids are doing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have never really decorated my porch with the seasons. I always have a plant (or empty flower pots waiting to be filled with plants) and some other junk randomly placed out there, but I have never really put in much effort. I decided this is the year of the porch!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I want to have a few pieces that can transition from season to season with just a few tweaks. I've never put a wreath on my door before, and have seen SO many delightful handmade wreaths on blogs and (of course) Pinterest. Like <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/144326363028007218/">this one</a>, and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/144326363028000368/">this</a> one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There are TONS of yarn-wrapped wreath ideas out there. It's a great idea because you have an infinite color palette, variety of textures, etc. You can really customize this to fit your style! I know Thanksgiving is sooooo two weeks ago, but I'm going to share my fall wreath, since that's the one I have pictures of. :oP</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">First thing, gather your materials. For my wreath, I used a bare foam wreath purchased from JoAnn's, but you can also make your own (monster cheap) with plumber's foam tubing and some duct tape. No lie. You also need some fabric scraps, trims, anything you want to throw on there, and straight pins. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The coolest thing about this wreath is that everything is simply pinned on...therefore, REMOVABLE! No need to make a bunch of different wreaths! I chose a neutral grayish-brown yarn for mine, so it would match pretty much anything I decided to put on there. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr5-5rPz4qX6vBQOlBZoaNV58EFgHBI9lrqxwXbWmhR4saY1f8DR1-RZNARqAvHm06_toSVT3QgzcRHZAmPh2uByal8ZhxDuR60CwKJGnWO4EJyaOyp9PBR536Eb1adPxVa33A8VUUPc/s1600/IMG_20111128_103007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr5-5rPz4qX6vBQOlBZoaNV58EFgHBI9lrqxwXbWmhR4saY1f8DR1-RZNARqAvHm06_toSVT3QgzcRHZAmPh2uByal8ZhxDuR60CwKJGnWO4EJyaOyp9PBR536Eb1adPxVa33A8VUUPc/s320/IMG_20111128_103007.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Pick a spot and start wrapping your yarn tightly around your wreath form. I wound my yarn ends a couple of times around a straight pin and pinned it to the wreath, so even the yarn isn't permanent!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw8TBkTWoBRCpt_J1uePnevu5GnX7V1CQY1Tw2vBqcLIbbD80V-4WdjqLhigNaqnxeTgHZCVvm3N1JXgTI6Tf3yDkDrviEEyfWh-naNSsHIz4MDZL6HMyM3JcinNkeR6ZTsPFigiJWDk/s1600/IMG_20111128_103049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw8TBkTWoBRCpt_J1uePnevu5GnX7V1CQY1Tw2vBqcLIbbD80V-4WdjqLhigNaqnxeTgHZCVvm3N1JXgTI6Tf3yDkDrviEEyfWh-naNSsHIz4MDZL6HMyM3JcinNkeR6ZTsPFigiJWDk/s320/IMG_20111128_103049.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">The pins are on the back of the wreath, so no one will ever know! Warning: This part is time-consuming! You need your strands to be close together. I wrapped a few, then pushed them as close together as I could. When you're done, you can start embellishing according to the season! I chose to use rolled fabric rosettes, some ready-made trim, and ribbon.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUFNKNVHq4MrQj5-35X0roSfAu0m4Z5MA9sMpjoN-v6AQS1H62aG7ji9jBowHsU948CH4bDJkyHR9zXS9lT7F2RLtxeVftrqC9YOSxyQqBYSl-Xf7QN8VUSAS2edjuY1cZXW2VPEMQ4/s1600/IMG_20111128_102549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUFNKNVHq4MrQj5-35X0roSfAu0m4Z5MA9sMpjoN-v6AQS1H62aG7ji9jBowHsU948CH4bDJkyHR9zXS9lT7F2RLtxeVftrqC9YOSxyQqBYSl-Xf7QN8VUSAS2edjuY1cZXW2VPEMQ4/s320/IMG_20111128_102549.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9U6nIirlczKEjlgGF9lAnQAadtQmtSaE-pT_hJu70UJd5MxPBbo9vt9zfS1UmGiq2W3t4ExeJt5gOFbG6qrM2br0FN1j9S07T35huYM0WXcq-Y7_-7y31I8quqOkVKUUZyCkpnGvPkc/s1600/IMG_20111128_102531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9U6nIirlczKEjlgGF9lAnQAadtQmtSaE-pT_hJu70UJd5MxPBbo9vt9zfS1UmGiq2W3t4ExeJt5gOFbG6qrM2br0FN1j9S07T35huYM0WXcq-Y7_-7y31I8quqOkVKUUZyCkpnGvPkc/s320/IMG_20111128_102531.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HEmab_M8HolaUhaakKScqHJ5a9TRHvqhWf2k3lvOpN0dH9vb9ixoRPHKkG6Oyhh7DpFjtHptDSLeKlHjxCSR4zZJHlt03aIIb_Q_UEW8o21EDd7GHz8IIqA-t-dV72m5wF6bm6Y0whk/s1600/IMG_20111128_102703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HEmab_M8HolaUhaakKScqHJ5a9TRHvqhWf2k3lvOpN0dH9vb9ixoRPHKkG6Oyhh7DpFjtHptDSLeKlHjxCSR4zZJHlt03aIIb_Q_UEW8o21EDd7GHz8IIqA-t-dV72m5wF6bm6Y0whk/s320/IMG_20111128_102703.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQj0rwzlDRPNdj05oQTmEkfO_bb6fFvJKXFmVScO7TeugWrCq-BtJ2vLJ3ksWhzjxT7R2RhwMLV-mttcPqrXZZxsznedSYSc7r7nUyMAgItDrAbq5sTnovaTHo8JUOXNWQylKoxHuRyg/s1600/IMG_20111128_102727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQj0rwzlDRPNdj05oQTmEkfO_bb6fFvJKXFmVScO7TeugWrCq-BtJ2vLJ3ksWhzjxT7R2RhwMLV-mttcPqrXZZxsznedSYSc7r7nUyMAgItDrAbq5sTnovaTHo8JUOXNWQylKoxHuRyg/s320/IMG_20111128_102727.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMxmzc4YGThiThDtILiz_adpVWR8mmEQVVREfVAsI6sZ9_gepSDR7Ivjb2FKM9p5our1f46SUf-I_srOkWwfqCjztiN6meFHGM5Fc_9Qf4aAshFvAB1tNDxDjlatJSGdde9iDlBjSn9s/s1600/IMG_20111128_102749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMxmzc4YGThiThDtILiz_adpVWR8mmEQVVREfVAsI6sZ9_gepSDR7Ivjb2FKM9p5our1f46SUf-I_srOkWwfqCjztiN6meFHGM5Fc_9Qf4aAshFvAB1tNDxDjlatJSGdde9iDlBjSn9s/s320/IMG_20111128_102749.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxelV83fDEzpu_9CN3OSdRyU0odAWd7A1sGFyEge_etoXFliS9SXAoSH9YRQrvOrq9dIi1QV_vO98o4bo2M3dNP_5NMeiAPLwdYv2ibfKeKd9pwmRhpA3z1uCwudrolUaAs82htl6q1s/s1600/IMG_20111128_102508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxelV83fDEzpu_9CN3OSdRyU0odAWd7A1sGFyEge_etoXFliS9SXAoSH9YRQrvOrq9dIi1QV_vO98o4bo2M3dNP_5NMeiAPLwdYv2ibfKeKd9pwmRhpA3z1uCwudrolUaAs82htl6q1s/s320/IMG_20111128_102508.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoM6HNmUsaYBW0wvw9J6wWHv6v6cXIawpOn2TcWjycTcRUZmoqvdvzayoe0GOP7t4FA1GWZqEXZ_wAyKW-J40R68fSyiAfLAqE5fh0iLDJB9uu5O3zricBmBvV-WQYYDmCvcgR-Z28UE/s1600/IMG_20111128_102448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoM6HNmUsaYBW0wvw9J6wWHv6v6cXIawpOn2TcWjycTcRUZmoqvdvzayoe0GOP7t4FA1GWZqEXZ_wAyKW-J40R68fSyiAfLAqE5fh0iLDJB9uu5O3zricBmBvV-WQYYDmCvcgR-Z28UE/s320/IMG_20111128_102448.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">You might need a few pins around the sides of the rosette to make sure it stays close to the wreath. Just tuck the fabric over the top of the pin so it can't be seen. Once you have all of your embellishments the way you want them, cut a strip of ribbon and pin it on either side of the top of your wreath, on the back side. Like this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83UnrY3A8MPq_htFuBVf0Fpe4q1w1VBWYPLns6Jrepu1801WGthYJp4vATQVCFXYqhGpbJvt7N5wwmmcAtJAYKSwnqRGE1vnk0ZfwnpmTD3u239TExor7ZyWfra1UsGSqiqB6n1fXDNo/s1600/IMG_20111128_102411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83UnrY3A8MPq_htFuBVf0Fpe4q1w1VBWYPLns6Jrepu1801WGthYJp4vATQVCFXYqhGpbJvt7N5wwmmcAtJAYKSwnqRGE1vnk0ZfwnpmTD3u239TExor7ZyWfra1UsGSqiqB6n1fXDNo/s320/IMG_20111128_102411.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">You are ready to hang it up! Here's my finished product hanging on my front door, with a "Happy Thanksgiving" magnet in the middle.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OrylJCRm0yjrE5zhrCFjMnxfBoiA0YNUgIglKItSF0OSxTuIgwbvdYdyN1IbMdwg7CwgqaaXmtBHyoaJyH5UG5-u3HmX6LZJeE123P03EbTSgVzoH-PGtESfk5IlRewCYKTjQVzvzq0/s1600/IMG_20111122_120319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OrylJCRm0yjrE5zhrCFjMnxfBoiA0YNUgIglKItSF0OSxTuIgwbvdYdyN1IbMdwg7CwgqaaXmtBHyoaJyH5UG5-u3HmX6LZJeE123P03EbTSgVzoH-PGtESfk5IlRewCYKTjQVzvzq0/s320/IMG_20111122_120319.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Yay! As of this post, I have already taken everything off of it (except the yarn, DUH!) to re-dress it for Christmas! Here's a peek at what it looks like so far:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQl92876VmzWygq1l6O2arnHkpcr3WMRmARToe4c_FSvjtCKmcz2qkfvQGDN6Q_fKUJZOkqj4lfkOzyQDh4rm1orxLxN2_0ep8WjypcpSIsxLTcS_mJxDtNhfuJGH8YEccZkv_O2BB7o/s1600/IMG_20111128_111105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQl92876VmzWygq1l6O2arnHkpcr3WMRmARToe4c_FSvjtCKmcz2qkfvQGDN6Q_fKUJZOkqj4lfkOzyQDh4rm1orxLxN2_0ep8WjypcpSIsxLTcS_mJxDtNhfuJGH8YEccZkv_O2BB7o/s320/IMG_20111128_111105.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">I'll post a picture of the finished masterpiece soon! If you try this yourself, I'd LOVE to see what you come up with! :o)</span><br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-73570198217035882742011-03-03T19:33:00.000-08:002011-03-03T19:50:55.408-08:00Nursery Valance Makeover!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today I am a gimpy typist. While cleaning Z's room, I unearthed an outlet cover...ya know, those little plastic thingies you stick in the outlet to keep little ones from zapping themselves? Well, our chocolate lab found it and was chewing it up, so I tried to get it out of her mouth. She chewed one last chew while my fingers were in her mouth and</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHOA MAMA</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">she caught my right index finger in between her teeth. ow,</span> <span style="font-size: small;">OW, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">OW</span>!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> I jumped up and ran around and jumped up and down and tried really hard not to say the dirty words I wanted to say. She broke the skin in one spot and my finger is throbbing and swollen now. OUCH....and eeeewwww! I slapped some antibiotic stuff on there, so hopefully my finger won't turn green and fall off. Yuck. Also frustrating, because I have mountains of sewing to do! UGH! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Anywho....let's move on, shall we? I have a great project to share with you! The Nusery Valance Makeover!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Z had the CUTEST bedding set in her nursery. It was green gingham, trimmed with red gingham and scalloped eyelet lace with little ladybugs embroidered on it. When we changed her room to Little Girl instead of Sweet Little Precious Baby, I couldn't bear to get rid of the bedding..the fabric was just too cute! Soooo, I decided to do a little refashioning, using this:</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiSlqGk9axhZX7yUcXEy8eJkBdCHKvquf839GdZdPMalaicGifuj07JQAldGxHj8xaD5m9Dni322E_4TwJb_vNdGeIprFjcSCR-xtj6FuvtCAskDKCZ32okQmToe5p88Z1qZ__Li9MEg/s1600/valance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiSlqGk9axhZX7yUcXEy8eJkBdCHKvquf839GdZdPMalaicGifuj07JQAldGxHj8xaD5m9Dni322E_4TwJb_vNdGeIprFjcSCR-xtj6FuvtCAskDKCZ32okQmToe5p88Z1qZ__Li9MEg/s320/valance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">This was the window valance. So cute! I opened the side seam from the top down about an inch, and inserted some elastic cut to fit Z's chest. I removed two of the ties and put them an inch down from the top of each side seam...and <span style="font-size: large;">VOILA!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nKYVTks1FLiPl_iRjmv-7BmigSpZ41uHVpADrP6cR2cRgprw9SBhKWbW40PY0XVVozD9wQqzKns9rmNfxFyRYZP7K8vi2lVRjGhF3tEWe9mLhXfDdbOs3plA6WLEFXTZTVhYVyF9MOY/s1600/after+valance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nKYVTks1FLiPl_iRjmv-7BmigSpZ41uHVpADrP6cR2cRgprw9SBhKWbW40PY0XVVozD9wQqzKns9rmNfxFyRYZP7K8vi2lVRjGhF3tEWe9mLhXfDdbOs3plA6WLEFXTZTVhYVyF9MOY/s320/after+valance.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">A seriously cute little apron style top! YAY! Here's the back view:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD7VSwcV9_UkpSHPiDhj9j_TN-Ex5K5HGEn77vXUOISRY2M7BDWzOiIbNqixxKyXlJ0i833XMjm_4U7wNXRfTVd7F_VJ8INr_d-QuUksvGtG9fFLCmnTAf6dHMTxqcZ7e98vcBo9AYGY/s1600/back+valance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD7VSwcV9_UkpSHPiDhj9j_TN-Ex5K5HGEn77vXUOISRY2M7BDWzOiIbNqixxKyXlJ0i833XMjm_4U7wNXRfTVd7F_VJ8INr_d-QuUksvGtG9fFLCmnTAf6dHMTxqcZ7e98vcBo9AYGY/s320/back+valance.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">It's also majorly twirly. She loves twirly. She covets twirly. She DEMANDS twirly! Mama delivers! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am linking up with the party over at <a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/">Somewhat Simple</a>! Go check out all the great links!</span><br />
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</div><a http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/1SYS125.jpghref="http://somewhatsimple.blogspot.com"><img alt="giveaways" width="125" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/1SYS125.jpg" height="125"/></a><br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-19640362582019348602011-02-22T14:27:00.000-08:002011-02-22T14:29:27.732-08:00Patchwork Dress Giveaway at Simply Annie Kate!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Who doesn't love one-of-a-kind pretties, made just for your sweet girl? Go check this out <a href="http://simplyanniekate.blogspot.com/2011/02/ooak-patchwork-dress-giveaway.html">here</a> <br />
and enter to win!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca2Jt6Ag-337RCnCElqduOrqtcHQsydBU5T1-oNSWuINXCcHW26qWNy-y3XFuTxFwx2FLyZJD6g9Ztcvjmp51oN5yOnMQTCGFii_m6NyGslGhYFggmiM-Sx8mgQcPRNJCk7U4DcPo009b/s400/15+patch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca2Jt6Ag-337RCnCElqduOrqtcHQsydBU5T1-oNSWuINXCcHW26qWNy-y3XFuTxFwx2FLyZJD6g9Ztcvjmp51oN5yOnMQTCGFii_m6NyGslGhYFggmiM-Sx8mgQcPRNJCk7U4DcPo009b/s320/15+patch1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-82415046077719984232011-02-10T15:47:00.000-08:002011-02-10T15:47:41.201-08:00Linky Party with Somewhat Simple!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One of my favorite blogs for crafty inspiration is <a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/">Somewhat Simple</a>. Stephanie has some great tutorials for all kinds of things! I decided to link up to her Valentine's linky party to share my Love Candles. Hop over there by clicking the button below and check out the other amazing ideas for Valentine's Day!<br />
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</div><a href="http://somewhatsimple.blogspot.com"><img alt="giveaways" width="125" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/1SYS125.jpg" height="125"/></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-31237643812450070092011-02-05T10:18:00.000-08:002011-02-05T10:18:05.146-08:00Giveaway at Evy's Tree!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you love hoodies? I love hoodies..so comfy, so versatile. Wanna win one? Go check out <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_459894693"><span>http://evystree.blogspot.com/2011/02/pol</span></a></div><wbr></wbr><a href="http://ka-dot-brillas.html/"><span class="word_break"></span>ka-dot-brillas.html</a> to learn how to win a sweet handmade hoodie! I like this one:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kbEOtUeny1gkIbMPEQYRBThAiOrQXIIofuvICMYDyoJNdMiqG6nXd7lZAnbaLPo7mus-628EgLFXDN_o9bqkJKoSrXkpA0kyaQTI3PKu5SGB9vzWN7JgnOSYwqV76YEqB6xgyNbVISc/s320/grey+polka+2.jpg" width="257" /></div> And this one!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPZgoCcl7MOAttAM1TLuzfs5mdKuOIGeuqDqEl9RxZZCMrQDvdAUxaPmuGqUFjUrWpux1E70DzEiKnNZcet4BjQeazA-dDebZVHMndbdkhE7180jY4Try-wECpTTmHXT3gXRseY2jklg/s1600/watermelon+long+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPZgoCcl7MOAttAM1TLuzfs5mdKuOIGeuqDqEl9RxZZCMrQDvdAUxaPmuGqUFjUrWpux1E70DzEiKnNZcet4BjQeazA-dDebZVHMndbdkhE7180jY4Try-wECpTTmHXT3gXRseY2jklg/s320/watermelon+long+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Go check it out! You can also become a fan of Evy's Tree on Facebook! <br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-18949876885415482782011-02-03T09:00:00.000-08:002011-02-03T09:00:16.295-08:00PaPeR HeArTs & LoVe CaNdLeS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We survived day 2 of being iced in! Our afternoon craft project turned out great, though my kids' tendency to jump ahead of things tried my patience a bit. ;) Check out these fun paper hearts we made!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAYvBdzOjKX1omuMZhkoxPXnO7uO-IuYdxSHJj3JIkR6HRhqEOhyphenhyphen_O5GFOJVKWT3pGHkCVyZKdonmtXB5mFVGJnWa4HQRwW9dOjRzDpkFbNluoPZwBYcgGySnPgMkR67k85Pp5bOQ6aU/s1600/IMGP1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAYvBdzOjKX1omuMZhkoxPXnO7uO-IuYdxSHJj3JIkR6HRhqEOhyphenhyphen_O5GFOJVKWT3pGHkCVyZKdonmtXB5mFVGJnWa4HQRwW9dOjRzDpkFbNluoPZwBYcgGySnPgMkR67k85Pp5bOQ6aU/s320/IMGP1324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip7ixN521RJlZiaeuG7zQX2CwZ3Kb4MjOkJtoKkmyycNztXY6qA4_h8H-ItkZ288pCKHv0AfNuw6-ikSW2HXsYAI9DZctgPekWPNecvwEIySJuYa5BIJzRYNNxz0wAJ_QUXGnwL8UJcE/s1600/IMGP1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip7ixN521RJlZiaeuG7zQX2CwZ3Kb4MjOkJtoKkmyycNztXY6qA4_h8H-ItkZ288pCKHv0AfNuw6-ikSW2HXsYAI9DZctgPekWPNecvwEIySJuYa5BIJzRYNNxz0wAJ_QUXGnwL8UJcE/s320/IMGP1325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsc4pEQfQ8V9RHZFHi9Ih9l80pq0x4Ba_bYJJMltFj52lpfKDNeU2y7_udGji-cs_PZnV0zFEi1fmfgJo4wdFYXZtkvOt3dKxN6ER1FRr0cXW9Uhdu3l7ndUffIsHePoOTdKkMa5REwU/s1600/IMGP1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsc4pEQfQ8V9RHZFHi9Ih9l80pq0x4Ba_bYJJMltFj52lpfKDNeU2y7_udGji-cs_PZnV0zFEi1fmfgJo4wdFYXZtkvOt3dKxN6ER1FRr0cXW9Uhdu3l7ndUffIsHePoOTdKkMa5REwU/s320/IMGP1326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Z's turned out a little different, since I let her cut the pieces herself, but I think that's part of the fun. These are SUPER easy to make, and a great way to upcycle a few magazine pages! These would also look great with double-sided scrapbook paper...hmmm. Perhaps we need to make more today! I found instructions for these <a href="http://themagiconions.blogspot.com/2010/07/recycled-mag-hearts.html">here</a>, at this charming little blog.<br />
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We also have these on display: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LqVy0oRP8GEbFYwA3aB1TUlZ53aSUHkPcAatMXGUFhyphenhyphenY_-1Dak-D0EvTsJY4lKe-y_EfDl6QBHslqP8G7usLEP-LwZeDH21SbxowjsDwI3QwUC0Vu1xnQ6uoBbDuhRW5YZeoXqBY-DM/s1600/IMGP1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LqVy0oRP8GEbFYwA3aB1TUlZ53aSUHkPcAatMXGUFhyphenhyphenY_-1Dak-D0EvTsJY4lKe-y_EfDl6QBHslqP8G7usLEP-LwZeDH21SbxowjsDwI3QwUC0Vu1xnQ6uoBbDuhRW5YZeoXqBY-DM/s320/IMGP1317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
Aren't they cute? This is another great project to do with your kids, and they hold up great! I made these two years ago and they still look perfect!<br />
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Supplies:<br />
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Stage 2 baby food jars, washed and labels removed<br />
Pony beads in desired colors<br />
Letter Stickers<br />
Tea light candles<br />
Ribbon or trim<br />
Glue<br />
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If you are doing this project with kids, it helps to pre-cut the ribbon to fit around the jar. I did this project with a class of 3-4 year olds and it went very well.<br />
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Fill each jar with beads, allowing enough room for the tealight to fit into the top. Pop the tealight in, which will seal the beads in the jar. Add one sticker per jar to spell out "love," then glue ribbon and trim around the threads of the jar. DONE! We also have one that says "winter" with blue and clear beads, snowflake stickers, and adhesive crystals. These are great teachers gifts, as well, and can be made for any season or holiday! I'd love to see any pictures of candles you and your kids make! Email pics to FiddleNBowBiz@gmail.com!<br />
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*NOTE: do not use fuzzy trims if you are planning to actually light the candles! <br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-45248533654626260362011-02-02T12:40:00.000-08:002011-02-02T12:40:29.650-08:00Ice Daze<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is icy and ridiculously cold here. RIDICULOUSLY cold. While parts of Texas get snow every year, North Central Texas is not one of those parts. We are now <strike>suffering</strike> enjoying our second blast of arctic fun within the last few weeks. The first one was kinda fun, we got a few inches of snow on a Sunday, lots of fun to play in and make snowpeople out of. My kids had a great time:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvySlGhWq1UUt-vOf4EH-RJfD-GIgRiByvi6I0L5GLXs-yRsDOLX758uPJ5xqfFMTpFaKQaZNXbP_jYrrxmHibucqbk6qUZ9ZauZehyphenhyphen23dtCNLErdlpTRPJnoyW4QNHPlG9fgTS1b4QA/s320/IMGP1285.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfSZS2pF7jUNozNexa3ASQdRtzzgdFf1uLCZqLqkCSHXWbuUA_wKrM9blNVtYR0JRyuWH_aaJ9iL1M17yROYQAhSfIkyKpC6reSUwvKHVVOLoui7uSdD_fPuIUSgQX98KQ4DpLDslAa8/s1600/IMGP1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfSZS2pF7jUNozNexa3ASQdRtzzgdFf1uLCZqLqkCSHXWbuUA_wKrM9blNVtYR0JRyuWH_aaJ9iL1M17yROYQAhSfIkyKpC6reSUwvKHVVOLoui7uSdD_fPuIUSgQX98KQ4DpLDslAa8/s320/IMGP1291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> No idea why I can't get this picture to turn upright..grrrrrrrrr!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnE2G9mKgByspQRJ1wCVLzxUXLxTez3LjfW6nSy-JlX1JGvOZbah7pg_mAX3rU8DwCglU2Ym9_lFOA8eojkKL6r0gEB6lqv6pRvQt23eHTaWd0S606E16VFaXV3bR0Qw9kRFs6BW5rV4/s1600/IMGP1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnE2G9mKgByspQRJ1wCVLzxUXLxTez3LjfW6nSy-JlX1JGvOZbah7pg_mAX3rU8DwCglU2Ym9_lFOA8eojkKL6r0gEB6lqv6pRvQt23eHTaWd0S606E16VFaXV3bR0Qw9kRFs6BW5rV4/s320/IMGP1296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiodBHVCkAhbkJL7_PhctMq6yBjjKdOTDRCZESLcUbxKK0XCTS_TWr3f-o40JQNGzwQhA53XZoueih4atXm6e2MqKNM3lRttnCvAvJJ973ZSP85LbiBvHdP_jaam3LnzznHtze74PNrQ8/s1600/IMGP1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiodBHVCkAhbkJL7_PhctMq6yBjjKdOTDRCZESLcUbxKK0XCTS_TWr3f-o40JQNGzwQhA53XZoueih4atXm6e2MqKNM3lRttnCvAvJJ973ZSP85LbiBvHdP_jaam3LnzznHtze74PNrQ8/s320/IMGP1290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This time around, they haven't gone outside ONCE..and I'm ok with that. It is roughly 20 degrees outside, with a wind chill of 2! TWO! No fluffy fun snow this time, either. Just ice. It arrived in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, sounding like Sonic ice (yum!) raining from the sky and pelting my windows. <br />
Our schools are closed for the second day in a row (also an extremely rare occurance) and most likely will be closed again tomorrow! This is what outside looks like right now:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCku0RxhznkkdkyTP3-Trrk-Y4A4GU4ZQQgV_ZeqlobWbPfQzxcvnh9dotm2t_fWoGWMEYZw_DblbZ0LzWKoOxutVCR3uGpAJrBmJ_1LYJPLzBXvdkURuAb8pQW-zZI0DN4VNzc-UkXbA/s1600/IMGP1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCku0RxhznkkdkyTP3-Trrk-Y4A4GU4ZQQgV_ZeqlobWbPfQzxcvnh9dotm2t_fWoGWMEYZw_DblbZ0LzWKoOxutVCR3uGpAJrBmJ_1LYJPLzBXvdkURuAb8pQW-zZI0DN4VNzc-UkXbA/s320/IMGP1311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifswUPwsum8RFBVh5Ey89g_TZNTZjSB-WwxUcrI54DSe49mx4WvwJ4uvfXBL9u-WDo7KWHxzrTH7aYQfohVB9LGfj-EaRXbG3Z7fEuAoZydOTXNsKpIp0p1hprHeu6OYNpn67ruIRHuB8/s1600/IMGP1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifswUPwsum8RFBVh5Ey89g_TZNTZjSB-WwxUcrI54DSe49mx4WvwJ4uvfXBL9u-WDo7KWHxzrTH7aYQfohVB9LGfj-EaRXbG3Z7fEuAoZydOTXNsKpIp0p1hprHeu6OYNpn67ruIRHuB8/s320/IMGP1316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Solid ice. Idgie won't even get off the patio! I think since we are trapped in the house, my three <strike>monsters </strike>angels need something crafty to do. After their quiet time (ah, sweet quiet time!) is over, we will make some Valentine's Day decorations for the house. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out! <br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-25218646432083932642011-01-01T13:10:00.000-08:002011-01-01T13:10:31.100-08:00bLoGgY sLaCkErOh, my...I SO did not intend to let such a long time pass between posts!! Ah, such is the life of a wife, mom of three, teacher, and crafter/sewist. By the way, those are all me. :) <br />
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The last several months have brought many changes to our band of five. Hubby got a new job, right here in town (YAY!) which will lead to a higher position next year. In September, we very suddenly lost my sweet father-in-law after he suffered an aneurysm in his brain. He was 54 years old. <br />
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The holidays were a bit different this year, and myself and all three kids had a wicked flu during Christmas! Things have been very low-key during break, as we rest and recover. <br />
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On an exciting note, on December 20th, my new nephew was born! He is round and sweet and I just adore him! His bedroom theme is sock monkeys, which has inspired me to try and make one...I think every house needs a sock monkey. The Kia commercials make me think that our sock monkey will need a tattoo sewn on his arm. :) I love that commercial!<br />
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I have nothing particularly crafty to post right now, but I have lots of new projects I am trying and will be posting about those soon!<br />
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Happy New Year, everyone! Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-58525627322662702392010-05-09T15:44:00.000-07:002010-05-10T07:17:38.296-07:00Moms ROCK!!Moms are a force of nature. God has given mothers amazing capacities for patience, sleep deprivation, messes, whining, tantrums, and all the other things about children that fray our nerves. The most staggering gift God blesses mothers with is the fierce, all-encompassing, mama bear LOVE that hits them like a ton of bricks when they hold their child for the first time.<br />
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I remember every detail of my three children's births. I remember how they looked the first time I saw them...the first time I touched them. The first time they looked into my eyes as if they knew immediately who I was...and I believe they did. I am proud to be a mom, and though not every aspect is enjoyable, even the trials are worth it. They are fun, loud, creative, crazy, smart, loving, and they definitely keep me on my toes! <br />
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Of course, celebrating anything always makes me want to make stuff, so in honor of Mother's Day, I decided it was time to try out a pattern I bought a few months ago but had been too chicken to try until now. I bought the Sienna Dress pattern from <a href="http://www.lilblueboo.etsy.com/">Lil Blue Boo</a> after following Ashley's amazing blog and seeing the super cool dresses she makes! I love fun, funky, unique clothing for my kids, though due to the shortage of boy patterns, Miss Z gets most of the coolest stuff.<br />
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I started with a white 3T short-sleeved boys' tee from Wal-Mart. I think it was five bucks. We are big on guitars in our house, so I knew Z would dig it. My computer and my printer are not on speaking terms, so I couldn't print out my pattern pieces...I had to just look at the pictures and wing it. I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid27I-qKl5h6OcBHHVUZ0Ve09vISxXKREWwHSlDW2sBPS9Tp-UAomC79zOE53NtYleYJH1cWY-zWaTrUV2RaSwLLnYWcB7vpVZ-QkBKdyAp0K7_opF0_MK1EOx4gGjfX-O6JRLwjz2Siw/s1600/100_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid27I-qKl5h6OcBHHVUZ0Ve09vISxXKREWwHSlDW2sBPS9Tp-UAomC79zOE53NtYleYJH1cWY-zWaTrUV2RaSwLLnYWcB7vpVZ-QkBKdyAp0K7_opF0_MK1EOx4gGjfX-O6JRLwjz2Siw/s320/100_3640.JPG" /></a></div>I used some navy blue knit from one of my hubby's old work tees for the armholes, and the bottom 8 inches or so from another. The great thing about using the bottom of the shirt for the skirt part is that the hem is already done!<br />
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Rock on!!! Z loves her new dress and has already worn it twice in a row! I can't wait to make some more! What do you think? :o)<br />
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Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there! YOU ROCK!!!!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-73762709719863157542010-04-20T13:29:00.000-07:002010-04-20T13:29:56.790-07:00Lil Blue Boo: Win A Custom Lil Blue Boo Dress!If you have never checked out Ashley's blog, you better scoot on over there RIGHT NOW! She has amazing handmade dresses using upcycled shirts and her own silk-screened designs. Her blog is one of the reasons I am interested in sewing and refashioning! Check it out.....seriously..like RIGHT NOW!<br /><br /><a href="http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2010/04/win-custom-lil-blue-boo-dress.html">Lil Blue Boo: Win A Custom Lil Blue Boo Dress!</a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-67424699382389673302010-04-16T19:01:00.000-07:002010-04-16T19:01:10.397-07:00Refashion-ableAllrighty then....it's about time for a crafty post on this crafty blog. I have always been into reusing things. I save ribbon and fabric scraps, just positive I'll use them in something one day...usually, I do use them....eventually.<br />
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There are so many awesome craft blogs out there in bloggyville...I LOVE reading them, being inspired by them, and learning new things from them! In light of my husband's recent unemployment, I decided to try to refashion some of my kids' clothes in order to lengthen their shelf life. The clothing, not the kids. :o)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FCApW60BLIs/S8kQjS5bGlI/AAAAAAAAAA0/QwLdC9GvYoc/s1600/100_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FCApW60BLIs/S8kQjS5bGlI/AAAAAAAAAA0/QwLdC9GvYoc/s320/100_3515.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7czD6XgE2bI1NlIQUkp9tnhg8iVpgdVxw54ik9Bq2d4600yGaZHosN_fZwLWkvVw6L0phcGKHUT21dyCgul9dfJzK6WGPr_U9pRuUnJm2jQIZ3k332ueoOVUC7jfkZ2vg9puyvC0tBU/s1600/Onesie+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Z had this perfectly good 24-month black turtleneck onesie in her dresser. It had become a bit short through the body, and Z (having just turned 3) has decided that "big girls don't wear shirts that snap." I had seen a tutorial on <a href="http://rufflesandstuff.com/">Ruffles and Stuff</a> and decided to try it out with this onesie. I cut straight across just above the leg holes, then added two "skirts" made from some pink fabric I had left over from another project. I love upcycling! I ended up with this:<span id="goog_2097378921"></span><span id="goog_2097378922"></span><br />
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Cute, but it just needed a little somethin' somethin'. So I added a fabric flower to one side at the waist.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAe4a0GK8efdGOm6Z5b42rf6U_4w_E9XUdQlYPLHv-zIKQElZaTHExLDocJGMVMz_rypVaIxvEkKTvpEgad2hHfVPLuYwvbZWRQGykqwWTxaJDm3GAh_w884VY-BoYsCOk6mTF9QrLjU/s1600/Onesie+dress2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAe4a0GK8efdGOm6Z5b42rf6U_4w_E9XUdQlYPLHv-zIKQElZaTHExLDocJGMVMz_rypVaIxvEkKTvpEgad2hHfVPLuYwvbZWRQGykqwWTxaJDm3GAh_w884VY-BoYsCOk6mTF9QrLjU/s320/Onesie+dress2.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Ta-daaaaa! Z wore it the next day, but has now decided that it needs short sleeves...so I guess I'm not done with it yet. Not bad for a beginning sew-er, huh? ;)Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-35178702413033119052010-04-03T20:16:00.000-07:002010-04-03T20:33:10.376-07:00Resurrection rolls<span style="font-family: verdana;">Ever heard of a Resurrection roll? Oh, oh, OH, they are YUMMY! We first tried these last year and I have made an executive decision that they are now part of our Easter traditions. All you need are some canned crescent rolls, about 1/2 cup butter or margarine (we use Country Crock light), large marshmallows, and some cinnamon.<br /><br />Preheat your oven to 375.<br />Melt the butter over low heat, stirring in the cinnamon (as much as you want, I just threw some in.)<br />Unroll the crescents into triangles, press down to spread them out a little.<br />Cut 4 marshmallow in half so you have 8 smaller ones.<br /><br />The marshmallow represents Jesus' body, which He gave for us. <br />Dip them into the melted butter mixture, which represents the oils and spices used to embalm him.<br />The crescent is the "tomb." Place the coated marshmallow near the flat end of the triangle and roll it up, pinching the edges. If you don't seal it well, the marshmallow will ooze out and go everywhere...no bueno.<br />Bake as directed.<br />Once baked, the "body" will be GONE, representing the empty tomb our precious Savior left behind! Cool, huh?<br />Drizzle any leftover butter mixture over the top and enjoy! If I were a spiffy cool blogger (instead of a newbie without foresight) I would have a delectable-looking picture for you to drool over...but, alas, we ate them all before it occurred to me to capture the moment. <br /><br />If you make some of these, write a comment and let me know your kids' reactions to the tomb being "empty"!<br /></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810258808479783958.post-41344116641189538302010-03-29T08:26:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:14:32.021-07:00A Girl Changes Everything<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBIOqEUHXs9leUnnwRXGtv6m92jAVH3JYxsL7fBXgtq7OMzduocc1nbR5piMOtVCZJEgwQQ28UqZLrZLG8SZ1dV9Op7r5q4Mrsp-dg76ed2qKR33Lo8Z81VRctG6Qt2MXHhH21XByo0U/s1600/Three+walking.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBIOqEUHXs9leUnnwRXGtv6m92jAVH3JYxsL7fBXgtq7OMzduocc1nbR5piMOtVCZJEgwQQ28UqZLrZLG8SZ1dV9Op7r5q4Mrsp-dg76ed2qKR33Lo8Z81VRctG6Qt2MXHhH21XByo0U/s320/Three+walking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454086924905503826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >My first child is a boy. He is </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >all boy</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >, always has been. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Legos, army men, light sabors, video games. He is not particularly sporty, which is fine with me, as that will hopefully result in fewer broken bones. He is artistic and LOVES to draw, writing and illustrating his own comic books. He is fun, imaginative, and easily distracted...I adore him. He'll be 11 </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >this summer...sigh.<br /><br />My second child is also a boy. He is a little sportier than his big bro, loves cars, helping his Daddy, and copying everything his older brother does. His birth story is pretty special, but that's a story for another time. He has the best laugh ever, and I couldn't imagine life without him.<br /><br />I was perfectly comfortable with my boy-mom status. When we found out we were pregnant for the third time, I lived in a state of shock for about three months. S was in 2nd grade, and L had turned a year old a mere month or so prior to this discovery. Yikes! I had never wanted three of <span style="font-style: italic;">anything.</span>..THREE kids? How was I going to do that???<br /><br />Of course, I got over all that mess....I started to think I could handle it..especially if it turned out to be another boy. I was never particularly girly growing up. I have an older brother, and I was perfectly content with running, jumping, climbing trees, playing with Hot Wheels, toy guns, legos, all of it. I had slid into the role of boy mom with ease.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >UNTIL...<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />We went to our sonogram at 16 weeks with eagerness. I always enjoyed getting to see my babies, to know that they were healthy and safe. I fully expected to see a little somethin-somethin on the screen...but there was no somethin- somethin. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >A GIRL. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >What?? A girl? For me? What the heck was I going to do with a </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >girl?</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >?? I already have all the boy stuff! I'm a BOY MOM, for crying out loud???<br /><br />As you can see, I was quite unsure. My husband was ECSTATIC! We had already made the choice NOT to tell anyone what we were having..not even our parents. That was hilarious. Everyone kept trying to trick me into telling them. A few people were successful, I admit, but for the most part, nobody knew until the weekend before Z was born...</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >10 days late.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />She is amazing. She is all girl, always has been. She just turned 3 two weeks ago, and she gets more girly by the second. I did not cultivate that, it's just in her. I adore her, she fills my heart. She has also brought out the girly-ness in me that I didn't even know was there. I now like pink...I even wear it from time to time. Thanks to my little Z, I now have a small business making beautiful bows and clothing for children. She is my inspiration for so many of my projects. Thank you, Little Z, for helping me discover my inner girl.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07611419837857438338noreply@blogger.com3