tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140668170360253812024-03-14T14:29:28.170-04:00Lee & Lorensnuggly, soft, safe toys for childrenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-683137532915769792011-05-17T09:46:00.000-04:002011-05-17T09:46:18.212-04:00Homemade Playdough!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally found a homemade playdough recipe that I love! I've tried several, and you're probably thinking, she's never posted anything about homemade playdough. And you're right, I haven't. Because I didn't like any of them. Some come out gooey, no matter what, some are grainy, some smell gross, some go bad in a few days, but this one meets all my requirements. I love the feel of it, the scent, and it's super easy. When I showed it to the Hubby, his response was, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Hey, that actually looks like Play-Doh." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I heard about it from <a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2011/01/play-dough-sculpting.html">Meg</a>, she got it from <a href="http://asmalltribe.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">Marina</a>, and she got it from <a href="http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/">Tiny Bird Organics</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you don't want to follow the links, the ingredients and instructions are at the bottom of this post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z2JR9mGeAUzyYafKARjP_c00_J4wReoKUB65AJI2PhvHuFK6W4y7djPd-aIoDKjj1R7jvmvwLVnTCAFuMCH3dWYbONr7z6CPSnqqHMl4z_Yllcxhlrn6nJdVaBT4W-EiHOpIenxv9Yji/s1600/GEDC3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z2JR9mGeAUzyYafKARjP_c00_J4wReoKUB65AJI2PhvHuFK6W4y7djPd-aIoDKjj1R7jvmvwLVnTCAFuMCH3dWYbONr7z6CPSnqqHMl4z_Yllcxhlrn6nJdVaBT4W-EiHOpIenxv9Yji/s320/GEDC3967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Whenever a recipe calls for oil, I generally use Olive Oil. Unless it very expressly states to use a specific type. I had bought Walnut Oil for a food recipe, and this big bottle is all they had. So I used it for this, thinking that perhaps it would add a pleasing nutty aroma. Honestly, I can't tell.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMVgiQCKt9xu0_7XCpKbagzSwwm6y10E9hfBRFtMirk16ReIrhT12t8mlxIia_-ahLqjMgOaEzJ3WCxjlTozBSjAXRjDxQyLWOi2iHTmLOgKM-QsDQWJ99CHLczYIa31ZWb2z4YCY4ULD/s1600/GEDC3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMVgiQCKt9xu0_7XCpKbagzSwwm6y10E9hfBRFtMirk16ReIrhT12t8mlxIia_-ahLqjMgOaEzJ3WCxjlTozBSjAXRjDxQyLWOi2iHTmLOgKM-QsDQWJ99CHLczYIa31ZWb2z4YCY4ULD/s320/GEDC3966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It has to sit after you cook it on stove. I didn't think to take a picture of the concotion while it was on the stovetop-the instructions say stir constantly, so I was too busy for it anyway.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb1Lc_Q9gK-MZ2_PQ5qNWwJbEGC7n_3Jof5b-EgoIOuN1q7YBMurBWvVbmLGLMvzPb_smg8QHEEgWLg_t0TGO8_4Gfd-z1iaiCfZjXo7AaCIQ9-_NHzk-giwKn1xt1m2O9e5aRUXD7kK1/s1600/GEDC3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb1Lc_Q9gK-MZ2_PQ5qNWwJbEGC7n_3Jof5b-EgoIOuN1q7YBMurBWvVbmLGLMvzPb_smg8QHEEgWLg_t0TGO8_4Gfd-z1iaiCfZjXo7AaCIQ9-_NHzk-giwKn1xt1m2O9e5aRUXD7kK1/s320/GEDC3965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once there was enough for everyone, I lost my helpers. Ahh, well, that's okay, I understand. I really enjoy this stuff-very nice to mold and smash.<br />
<br />
The orginal recipe made a pound, but I halved it, since I didn't know if I would like it or not. I'll save you the trouble and give you both sets of measurements.<br />
<br />
To make one pound-<br />
1.5 cups of flour<br />
1/3 cup of salt<br />
2 teaspoons cream of tarter<br />
1.5 cups water<br />
1.5 tablespoons oil<br />
Food Coloring<br />
<br />
<br />
To make 1/2 a pound<br />
3/4 cup flour<br />
2 tablespoons & 1.5 teaspoons salt<br />
1 teaspoon cream of tarter<br />
3/4 cup water<br />
4 teaspoons oil<br />
Food Coloring<br />
<br />
Mix dry ingredients in stove-top pan. Add wet ingredients, including food coloring, if you want. Cook over medium heat, sitrring constantly until thick. It takes about 5 minutes for it to turn into a single mass, the longer you cook it, the more solid and less sticky it will be when you take it out of the pan.<br />
Set dough on plate/countertop/whatever and let it cool for 3 minutes. Knead it into a ball. If it's to sticky, add flour and cook a little longer next time.<br />
You can get really organic with this if you use natural food dyes, which I didn't b/c I didn't want to take the time and effort. Remeber that it takes 3-4 times as much red dye to make anything truely red and not pink.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts Everyone!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-90049293154416393362011-02-04T07:17:00.003-05:002011-02-04T07:27:53.758-05:00Rearrangeing difficulties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mentioned <a href="http://leeandloren.blogspot.com/2011/01/last-year-this-year.html">before</a> that I was going to be cleaning out and organizing the sewing room. And I have been, it's mostly consisted of taking things out of the room, putting them into some sort of storage, and then putting that into the attic for future use. I'm down to the last bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqmlWbVgFsFUlvnyAN_X3DgoFeqees2wieLDyAyHNl8uFNnOIXv6JvnsfDoVbE9xq9SQcitndewhuX0Oz9FwhF2xN22yBmueSmIbH_PAg9Zg09O6SIF-Iq-F4QCNkMYEz8eM4S2IFjSxx/s1600/GEDC3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqmlWbVgFsFUlvnyAN_X3DgoFeqees2wieLDyAyHNl8uFNnOIXv6JvnsfDoVbE9xq9SQcitndewhuX0Oz9FwhF2xN22yBmueSmIbH_PAg9Zg09O6SIF-Iq-F4QCNkMYEz8eM4S2IFjSxx/s320/GEDC3820.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> I've discovered that I have an obnoxious amount of stuff. The really sad part is that much of it gets used, at the very least weekly. However, I don't have room for all of the things I use to be out all the time. As I've been sorting, it's occured to me that I might work more effieciently and finish things faster if I get rid of some of the distractions. Flylady says never get out more than you can do in an hour, and she also says you should set a timer. She suggests working in 15 minutes increments, which I've found works really well with little children-stop what you're doing, spend a few mintues playing, go back to work for 15 minutes. Lather, rinse, repeat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW5RX6lz0CxtavaCseFiiwyvt1yJqzA9VDp1I1cuMoreDDU5OkjjULlIVehNmqHRnvXwU1X1zB8KhwhbqTvMmwb4Nthtj6VetmqP-paZ0a5-6E9ma_hyd8zNxpSvk67u71l2GRNarOmYa/s1600/GEDC3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW5RX6lz0CxtavaCseFiiwyvt1yJqzA9VDp1I1cuMoreDDU5OkjjULlIVehNmqHRnvXwU1X1zB8KhwhbqTvMmwb4Nthtj6VetmqP-paZ0a5-6E9ma_hyd8zNxpSvk67u71l2GRNarOmYa/s320/GEDC3822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I'm also hoping that if I have less available, I'll use moreof what's out. Which is where the difficult decisions are. What to keep out? How to decide which idea to work on next? How much of this or that should I have handy? Once I've gone through everything, I have to decide where to put it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRbOsQ2rhVGK9E8_W7hMC7SY0XfUWaOIBNbs8Lx6Z5FgwPTsqtmxb6i7wXCoWcZGP5-4EVbepnrbgedySqOdwm0DQ9NknCPZbRYsXGLfi9Fi27IUgwtHNmCspqsO31SslLY5SX9BnCPmK/s1600/GEDC3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRbOsQ2rhVGK9E8_W7hMC7SY0XfUWaOIBNbs8Lx6Z5FgwPTsqtmxb6i7wXCoWcZGP5-4EVbepnrbgedySqOdwm0DQ9NknCPZbRYsXGLfi9Fi27IUgwtHNmCspqsO31SslLY5SX9BnCPmK/s320/GEDC3823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to consider a few things when I get to that point-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't work well in clutter, and I have to keep somethings out of the reach of little hands. I also want my space to be inspiring, a space I want to work in-no point in setting aside a 9' X 6' space if you never want to do anything there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suggestions are welcome!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts, Everyone!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-67725837006962489192011-01-20T22:47:00.001-05:002011-01-20T22:56:18.477-05:00Demoliton Day!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Hubby & I moved into this house in the fall of 2003. And I have wanted to take out the island from the first year we moved in. However, it took until now to convince Hubby that this was a good idea. As soon as he sort of agreed, I set a date and called in the troops. Sorry the pictures are blurry, we were laughing quite a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Troops-The Quilter(right side) & S'up Girrl(left)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Quilter immediately declared herself project manager due to carpel tunnel issues that prevented her of being any use otherwise. She did bring the necessary tools, but I guess she didn't want to be called the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">go-fer-girl. Her hubby, The Deputy, loaded the vehicle and made sure she had safety glasses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfpMjM5RWJ0RQxfPDgu8_76wTne_YbRKNFgQaJIPVrn4sLiVLY1hbukmaHnNxiUGiQmcY8fSghUGrkVmNKp8FLQ88BOTXEuUz81h7bzOoFjI0Hgy5BNoKqKEXbfNF69gS0J4_yjPJCQnW/s1600/GEDC3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfpMjM5RWJ0RQxfPDgu8_76wTne_YbRKNFgQaJIPVrn4sLiVLY1hbukmaHnNxiUGiQmcY8fSghUGrkVmNKp8FLQ88BOTXEuUz81h7bzOoFjI0Hgy5BNoKqKEXbfNF69gS0J4_yjPJCQnW/s320/GEDC3783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> First thing, I popped the counter top off-a few strong hits with the sledge hammer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpECaqLHL2HO5Uii0Itm-Sb1t9LvkUHYfTvyprZL9Nkv4w0mByTd3ZGr0SlBhvrqHY40VnEZm_3DTYFQSQ1HgupW0UR67RecMC6ka_J1sKnCMVoVbGpsgn_gkqCXcAOCzKzxTKr6k3Rft/s1600/GEDC3785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpECaqLHL2HO5Uii0Itm-Sb1t9LvkUHYfTvyprZL9Nkv4w0mByTd3ZGr0SlBhvrqHY40VnEZm_3DTYFQSQ1HgupW0UR67RecMC6ka_J1sKnCMVoVbGpsgn_gkqCXcAOCzKzxTKr6k3Rft/s320/GEDC3785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then the project manager tried to use her cordless drill. Thankfully, the union rep stepped in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyd8KvxWwfx8qFIY34BRQGCKQWdypC7g_X6uapWjnanqJorIvEeGH4unGQRDbxRRxWCW6C0nD54dh12Gc1XX41HllI9ckF6TiMRGFpzNPLJ-gyGZJriAjIoJibN5DjhoQOHfrXfjdmhhN/s1600/GEDC3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyd8KvxWwfx8qFIY34BRQGCKQWdypC7g_X6uapWjnanqJorIvEeGH4unGQRDbxRRxWCW6C0nD54dh12Gc1XX41HllI9ckF6TiMRGFpzNPLJ-gyGZJriAjIoJibN5DjhoQOHfrXfjdmhhN/s320/GEDC3786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This was sort of a (belated) birthday present for me, so they decorated the wall before knocking it down. Or maybe no matter how old you get, coloring on the walls is always fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQjGLSbZM-hbyOdNuiXioJVUzOBa-H5qgRfC7hJP-lBaV_n-8GejP8HrATzac4Ys-MFncsotKntRuIM173OsFwAUnQ3enycjCvAddAx1Jrb7tAnX3ni7JMuzYDzSMoeJQBe3Rbpi9Lqne/s1600/GEDC3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQjGLSbZM-hbyOdNuiXioJVUzOBa-H5qgRfC7hJP-lBaV_n-8GejP8HrATzac4Ys-MFncsotKntRuIM173OsFwAUnQ3enycjCvAddAx1Jrb7tAnX3ni7JMuzYDzSMoeJQBe3Rbpi9Lqne/s320/GEDC3788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> My cake is bursting into flames, but she did put butterflies on it. I also got a present, and I'm not sure if that says snort or short.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QDjods4rzUXblKm_R8L4fK4_A0oCS2Mtc0a9gFANndquNwVne5r-1jH5FZavc929Mvl50RvCmXNcPPriM-XmtQpP4fIpBdjOWPW_wWUrKp5yzF0uSf_bzNn-2qFB6H64hM0MnD5fTtpf/s1600/GEDC3790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QDjods4rzUXblKm_R8L4fK4_A0oCS2Mtc0a9gFANndquNwVne5r-1jH5FZavc929Mvl50RvCmXNcPPriM-XmtQpP4fIpBdjOWPW_wWUrKp5yzF0uSf_bzNn-2qFB6H64hM0MnD5fTtpf/s320/GEDC3790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> SA-WING! Must say, that was fun! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNcbGGrDu7BWLJ5L6seBhfnA_PRBjPSCacCQc_Kz75O2EhTB0iH1ECI_nvItAGRVhhUpsH89HJ9Em4bo_xyIyjOlManJ5Nq82KKiipR-b7ACN0gJHPIR7BzhTDWFGncupe9SaFQal_98s/s1600/GEDC3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNcbGGrDu7BWLJ5L6seBhfnA_PRBjPSCacCQc_Kz75O2EhTB0iH1ECI_nvItAGRVhhUpsH89HJ9Em4bo_xyIyjOlManJ5Nq82KKiipR-b7ACN0gJHPIR7BzhTDWFGncupe9SaFQal_98s/s320/GEDC3796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> She's all ready and dressed appropriately with her jammies, boots and safety glasses-I mean, she is the union rep, after all. Look closely, I tried to open my present, but no luck- union rep jokes that there must be to much tape on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4fxRb9h8BdFRjl0AOvFc2Uiv8suhqAnnsALbfhj4QVMFcELM5BYtzi2HGQyJ33YAJ_xK__nLBKtwpwkQzw29GY0V_SBqjng0Ca9N6cosMfyCJk922bZ8gbrX4-ZVqK6RAurhU-1xWMiw/s1600/GEDC3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4fxRb9h8BdFRjl0AOvFc2Uiv8suhqAnnsALbfhj4QVMFcELM5BYtzi2HGQyJ33YAJ_xK__nLBKtwpwkQzw29GY0V_SBqjng0Ca9N6cosMfyCJk922bZ8gbrX4-ZVqK6RAurhU-1xWMiw/s320/GEDC3800.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Project manager did a couple one arm swings, if you look, you can see that she did manage to dent the island.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjq0IZmrlULj5cy1Hn4AdplHVS0yaoYxRlDujQXWinBuOaoHx5FrXIwpFGX34qYzWPHs88WziGa-WYuK4DNISHFF3AHPFT8FoA7dfBFsxc8F3ds-xJ16KDNdN4w7hMaX_ehwZRqAyHN10/s1600/GEDC3804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjq0IZmrlULj5cy1Hn4AdplHVS0yaoYxRlDujQXWinBuOaoHx5FrXIwpFGX34qYzWPHs88WziGa-WYuK4DNISHFF3AHPFT8FoA7dfBFsxc8F3ds-xJ16KDNdN4w7hMaX_ehwZRqAyHN10/s320/GEDC3804.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then we loosened it from the floor<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JiTZkDZeH7StZVwGsCLLyViIUeAt0iK9JdQtnrsJLfwXdoMLtOXMwMKnH4AlkpzGC9xMR-bPzxsEBqCFUGyFVXMi4L3_yTk-faaJqHpVUT6HwxhY1YybwU7h41pyYqAh_qpHYB2Tx3cJ/s1600/GEDC3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JiTZkDZeH7StZVwGsCLLyViIUeAt0iK9JdQtnrsJLfwXdoMLtOXMwMKnH4AlkpzGC9xMR-bPzxsEBqCFUGyFVXMi4L3_yTk-faaJqHpVUT6HwxhY1YybwU7h41pyYqAh_qpHYB2Tx3cJ/s320/GEDC3802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Hubby wasn't really aware that this was going on, so they wrote him a note.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyB0FTe8MUiqLr-xJg_xiEf_u-laETGwTiUDwI8SvQpi6xlhHKiPNkFNGpGlmZhYD5QBzIhjfx8uV6-BTEFYnu1CmuQj6WuAyiEhUnRwEo1JVH5QeknKLT7jySMIqSvU1lTjsnsHMLSQu/s1600/GEDC3805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyB0FTe8MUiqLr-xJg_xiEf_u-laETGwTiUDwI8SvQpi6xlhHKiPNkFNGpGlmZhYD5QBzIhjfx8uV6-BTEFYnu1CmuQj6WuAyiEhUnRwEo1JVH5QeknKLT7jySMIqSvU1lTjsnsHMLSQu/s320/GEDC3805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> And the best part of the demolition came when the project manager put her foot at the top of the island and pushed it over! Yes, we were ridiculously happy about it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbF0V6QVWmxBSl54N0irYpiycKfUqkGUCN3Eys4u8Zwlw61pQTLB768juzV3Piu9CYjdWKp6r-YiUmcUNGLk-85rBm9hDmL1JLGK2ny_Zcmsc54VQAyXOrospcCXK0dfFVoz715KAyqwJ/s1600/GEDC3806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbF0V6QVWmxBSl54N0irYpiycKfUqkGUCN3Eys4u8Zwlw61pQTLB768juzV3Piu9CYjdWKp6r-YiUmcUNGLk-85rBm9hDmL1JLGK2ny_Zcmsc54VQAyXOrospcCXK0dfFVoz715KAyqwJ/s320/GEDC3806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It was a quick and relatively easy job, even with clean up. The union rep and I came up with possible responses from The Hubby when he came home to find that part of the house was missing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrvtcfxQUoJZSgs32-GcIfKFXnHPylKiZL9p8_pmwSbJd7_MJZ12D6k4_W_aio_AKgB9X4hJ-u-Q9xSHEYQX2D5lmuYAdhSNADiMeZQsKPrGwwuQ9x2d_B7PaggWNMfafrItCkbyPv8t_/s1600/GEDC3809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrvtcfxQUoJZSgs32-GcIfKFXnHPylKiZL9p8_pmwSbJd7_MJZ12D6k4_W_aio_AKgB9X4hJ-u-Q9xSHEYQX2D5lmuYAdhSNADiMeZQsKPrGwwuQ9x2d_B7PaggWNMfafrItCkbyPv8t_/s320/GEDC3809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Going to have to play around with where to put the furniture. We still have remodeling to do-new lighting, a functional island in the kitchen, lastly new floors. However, this change gives me a great deal of satisfaction.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrBGLn8qzeNMTBad6OA6UTNz8Flc2FvKTZxI76yZBiIdREnlygPOi-JzpE6-LFrUjOhAntVe_bmVOUpQzSM7anVYgTPglm-sAIh_lg3nwBAw44H7P5SJl4mxuuLGUVIGige_mpuzEPWBR/s1600/GEDC3810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrBGLn8qzeNMTBad6OA6UTNz8Flc2FvKTZxI76yZBiIdREnlygPOi-JzpE6-LFrUjOhAntVe_bmVOUpQzSM7anVYgTPglm-sAIh_lg3nwBAw44H7P5SJl4mxuuLGUVIGige_mpuzEPWBR/s320/GEDC3810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts, Everyone!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-69599234398841986632011-01-14T15:40:00.000-05:002011-01-14T15:40:38.187-05:00Why did I decide to do this?I had this great idea. A recycling combined with using my stash o' stuff idea. But well, it's turning out to be more difficult than I thought, and I have some actual, real work to do. Can you see where this is going? I'm trying hard not to shelf this, not to set it aside into the big heap of unfinished great ideas that pile to the ceiling around me.<br />
<br />
Here's the idea. A couple of years ago there was a wonderful white wool sweater in the hand-me-down bag for Eliz. Unfortunately, it had been felted, and was very scratchy. I set it aside, knowing that I could come up with a use for it. I've used the sleeves to make cozies for the Thermic Bottles, and it got put back in the pile. I few weeks ago I went to a party @ a friend's house and one of the other guests had this wonderful felted tree bottle cover/cozy that she had gotten, of course, from Etsy. I wanted one. Badly. As I began cleaning out the sewing room, I found the sweater, and saw a butterfly needlepoint pattern from years ago that I knew I wanted to put on the sweater, and turn the sweater into a waterbottle cozy. Problem is, felted wool is really not ideal for satin stitch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBz4BRJy-AGWBeeiE7r7Y9gkgDRh84Fg77OVSm8QvYr1KqThdqfYDG-38SZGyg3I1wCC3SQYt2UU0dtz-MVvXtvg_vvxBQ2QYyR22YkCF_dUw9oOOnoCm39CQ3cRoA0QRyZeeqlR-Jc8j/s1600/GEDC3753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBz4BRJy-AGWBeeiE7r7Y9gkgDRh84Fg77OVSm8QvYr1KqThdqfYDG-38SZGyg3I1wCC3SQYt2UU0dtz-MVvXtvg_vvxBQ2QYyR22YkCF_dUw9oOOnoCm39CQ3cRoA0QRyZeeqlR-Jc8j/s320/GEDC3753.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> See, from far away, it doesn't look bad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnlqvZT-Z_tGHUjEszjt3lDVcXGRpFlKIQ7uOLKUHs9QH0zdFWgPp3K_1ZKxp21j7_SwJTbjGP0kENipiHBKlZZp3qYGj4iqkADk0DXh4INYfLf0pMMcKOEhHfrL-y0Ty4A-xna-wgnQI/s1600/GEDC3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnlqvZT-Z_tGHUjEszjt3lDVcXGRpFlKIQ7uOLKUHs9QH0zdFWgPp3K_1ZKxp21j7_SwJTbjGP0kENipiHBKlZZp3qYGj4iqkADk0DXh4INYfLf0pMMcKOEhHfrL-y0Ty4A-xna-wgnQI/s320/GEDC3756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Really, even in this picture, it looks pretty good. But it is not a good example of satin stitch. I still love the idea, but as it's going to take longer than usual to get this done. I've never used anything this thick to embroider on, but I'm convinced that the textural contrast of the wool and the (sort of) smoothness of the satin stitched butterflies will look beautiful. Maybe it's just my love of butterflies that makes me think that. I'm going to give this project a good deal of time for the next few days, maybe I can get to the point of no return, then I'll have to finish it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the way, that whole cleaning out the sewing room thing? Got it cleaned out, but getting it put back together has me stumped-now that I have room for things, where should they go? I'll sit in my chair and work on my bottlewarmer while I figure that out. </div><br />
Happy Thoughts Everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-5680146641319266952011-01-07T16:24:00.000-05:002011-01-07T16:24:56.066-05:00Last year, this yearMy goals for this year are the same as my goals for last year. That's because I gave up my goals for my business and personal life to gain some order in my home. I really did spend the past year decluttering and reorganizing my house. And now, it's done, except for my favorite room. The sewing room. I had sort of resigned myself that until I got some big project done, it was just going to be a cluttered mess. But I've had an epiphany. I have a fabric closet as well as a supply closet, I could take all the fabric I'm not going to use in the next few weeks and store them in the attic! Yes, that was something i had never thought of! Move stuff I'm not using to make room for stuff I am using! It's so basic, I must be insane not to have thought it before! I plan to start this tonight after the kids are in bed, and in a few days show you pictures of my beautiful, organised sewing room! Be looking for it! Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-79810044075319062212010-12-17T10:55:00.000-05:002010-12-17T10:55:03.513-05:00Ice Wreath & Ornaments!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I aged last week. By a whole year. Hubby bought me a bouqet; green roses, white daisies and pink carnations. E went with him and got rainbow carnations. I wasn't deligent about changeing the water, so they were fading fast. I wanted to find a way to make them last, but I didn't want to dry them or press them. Then I visited <a href="http://artfulparent.typepad.com/artfulparent/2010/12/an-ice-wreath-with-flowers.html">The Artful Parent</a> and found the way to combine a winter activity and saving my birthday flowers! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwNy5u1zKTdfC3mdCYotZ2gXhauQEr3Ci_c1jXp-_mmNbwxv61UqA90mAWKYcC1G8d1czZDT1ADzMJZy0TgwAl-1ATR3Ol_t5JUoIl46OUrvIUXwZYEQpWHoDY-ce358t6ieVH4oTgpJz/s1600/GEDC3600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwNy5u1zKTdfC3mdCYotZ2gXhauQEr3Ci_c1jXp-_mmNbwxv61UqA90mAWKYcC1G8d1czZDT1ADzMJZy0TgwAl-1ATR3Ol_t5JUoIl46OUrvIUXwZYEQpWHoDY-ce358t6ieVH4oTgpJz/s320/GEDC3600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The roses were to far gone to use, but most of the others were just right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqexUwpiHukvbDkfCnBUD3cNrtw42EMoCvizjraRvPl9xW9bdbfpeOebaL0rkEk60QWeKFhgQRg_pQDwtCz-7AcWrVYJY3CaVWcYwb1W2z52Pa1RknhHQMNiSfZRF62TBopdrwFsrJwHc/s1600/GEDC3605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqexUwpiHukvbDkfCnBUD3cNrtw42EMoCvizjraRvPl9xW9bdbfpeOebaL0rkEk60QWeKFhgQRg_pQDwtCz-7AcWrVYJY3CaVWcYwb1W2z52Pa1RknhHQMNiSfZRF62TBopdrwFsrJwHc/s320/GEDC3605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We used a bundt and jumbo cupcake pans, start with just a little bit of water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMAkRHtMDYIxS7gIQNwIyDemWOQcNcfFbxmRylOpT37AS6cVynLmtyIVOJgntMIxI4Lc_ocwg7xr7WV-w7JCAEITfMq0EQRENC1iU5jFt3JIS4kW2WM9PEKqR6A9EEgtzfoOU05Xtzixn/s1600/GEDC3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMAkRHtMDYIxS7gIQNwIyDemWOQcNcfFbxmRylOpT37AS6cVynLmtyIVOJgntMIxI4Lc_ocwg7xr7WV-w7JCAEITfMq0EQRENC1iU5jFt3JIS4kW2WM9PEKqR6A9EEgtzfoOU05Xtzixn/s320/GEDC3607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Put in the freezer for an hour or two<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgQeOfUcB5jMjbEbcb7lfGhU8JqoOHBTzPcOXd51CnNUZnXHTLYN-NYlWB1A998nvOge_YbvXHfFqtpYAgPmDgnmkvvD0rxgo3G2aS_GfKa8xDSX5eomjXmgrP2kSgeuKTfZP_7pa1pKi/s1600/GEDC3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgQeOfUcB5jMjbEbcb7lfGhU8JqoOHBTzPcOXd51CnNUZnXHTLYN-NYlWB1A998nvOge_YbvXHfFqtpYAgPmDgnmkvvD0rxgo3G2aS_GfKa8xDSX5eomjXmgrP2kSgeuKTfZP_7pa1pKi/s320/GEDC3609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add more water and a piece of ribbon or string to hang them with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwB6tfr1AHLF9oNLnhV3pd9TX110NPi2tBWoQ72s_Q9SBH4DQCMzypFvwIh2Qt8Gg4fhChdkF3vfz9WWUWNRoWXNPk3w8CS7KN7nzG6VqZh3QYa196GVipNDD6OK6j2Zh7DGwynR2CBl2/s1600/GEDC3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwB6tfr1AHLF9oNLnhV3pd9TX110NPi2tBWoQ72s_Q9SBH4DQCMzypFvwIh2Qt8Gg4fhChdkF3vfz9WWUWNRoWXNPk3w8CS7KN7nzG6VqZh3QYa196GVipNDD6OK6j2Zh7DGwynR2CBl2/s320/GEDC3637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthqjH5A1ljg84gTA83VWMneLt9lw__5GcQMzPkETs9Z3y1jwGW6B2lofv73Y3sCC89ZIqF7jjbMLOchsLly95j0n6jc1SDkBCHltc9gWSWMk_PzhWl48RCkGvLUVGWw2sBCcU4eAsMNFI/s1600/GEDC3638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthqjH5A1ljg84gTA83VWMneLt9lw__5GcQMzPkETs9Z3y1jwGW6B2lofv73Y3sCC89ZIqF7jjbMLOchsLly95j0n6jc1SDkBCHltc9gWSWMk_PzhWl48RCkGvLUVGWw2sBCcU4eAsMNFI/s320/GEDC3638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Put back into the freezer for a few more hours, then take them outside and hang them up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMtfGtFA0ucE68wzY_BnLudUqrhJpbwyGmG4oZPulAsmuqXC35IuQPuW2vmpXki69MnibRJytW-ff_6BdD77J3Y3ZjNQeNUSSvF253q9OyUVf0q7UD6Ogq7cxRIrkYz-uBJo-MlmzvXvR/s1600/GEDC3645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMtfGtFA0ucE68wzY_BnLudUqrhJpbwyGmG4oZPulAsmuqXC35IuQPuW2vmpXki69MnibRJytW-ff_6BdD77J3Y3ZjNQeNUSSvF253q9OyUVf0q7UD6Ogq7cxRIrkYz-uBJo-MlmzvXvR/s320/GEDC3645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-8434835075399559332010-11-24T08:39:00.001-05:002010-12-08T20:43:51.241-05:00Less than I wanted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was really hoping to have $500 in products by now, but since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and the Bazaar is Saturday, I'm going to have to settle for what <a href="http://leeandloren.blogspot.com/2010/11/stuff-for-sale.html">I've got</a>. These are some miscellanous things I've finished, and I have close to $350, which isn't bad, just not as much as I'd like. Ah, well, we'll see what happens, won't we?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wlUTYfmB50m3roVJayFypIT4vPcHzbn9gAZvGr2MOaFY75_bM2rz6KHXNGDM7lqmGIc6TEA1ujbaJ3119An29Z6WgDv3YVM3_Jz_DSIRCfRroQfvlfhoqSix-tzJXAdvJATNvw7_rSn0/s1600/GEDC3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wlUTYfmB50m3roVJayFypIT4vPcHzbn9gAZvGr2MOaFY75_bM2rz6KHXNGDM7lqmGIc6TEA1ujbaJ3119An29Z6WgDv3YVM3_Jz_DSIRCfRroQfvlfhoqSix-tzJXAdvJATNvw7_rSn0/s320/GEDC3536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-40077827957561050062010-11-16T16:19:00.000-05:002010-11-16T16:19:57.106-05:00My new friends, The Mouse Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm feel like I'm doing okay getting ready for this craft bazaar. It's the day after Black Friday, so time is short. For those of you that are local, it's at Southport High School. My Mom and I will be in the cafeteria, Booth 1. Oh, yes, it's called "That Something Special" Arts & Crafts Fair. 8am to 3pm. On to what I've just finished, The Mouse Family. I made them because they remind of a mouse family my mom made for me when I was a little girl. I let E hep me with them, mostly holding them while I stitched or braided something, but she felt very important. Here they are with their portable Swiss cheese house</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpI-iFPaqe7I23M3pVxo1bnKhOlGXZg7bjSAQqYA1W7aNFlQJTZIoNfSpjIYY3hprDertVao5i2k2lukngYVrXViV5SH8iiDMNICXxDmn0KjdHoIgHh71g17Zf9DD7JCwvqNb3PivUyzm/s1600/GEDC3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpI-iFPaqe7I23M3pVxo1bnKhOlGXZg7bjSAQqYA1W7aNFlQJTZIoNfSpjIYY3hprDertVao5i2k2lukngYVrXViV5SH8iiDMNICXxDmn0KjdHoIgHh71g17Zf9DD7JCwvqNb3PivUyzm/s320/GEDC3500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Daddy, Mama & the kids.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtaaHAzt6tyo-xcVCjn1CrszstS8W7CVLFMdEzPuNpm6iJxmRniIUejGgkjByVtAsdk2ZDAjn6Istao4QeWtgG3XHueX26MZDXglx1Tg5ZLnevMmXgQSWODasBGOzfBT4X2K_vV770Cy_/s1600/GEDC3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtaaHAzt6tyo-xcVCjn1CrszstS8W7CVLFMdEzPuNpm6iJxmRniIUejGgkjByVtAsdk2ZDAjn6Istao4QeWtgG3XHueX26MZDXglx1Tg5ZLnevMmXgQSWODasBGOzfBT4X2K_vV770Cy_/s320/GEDC3502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Found out you have to be careful, the babies are small enough to tumble out of the front window!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe5lRqSs4KrXj7rhY5bm8KeReOnqm1waO93UC8en5KXh48I3cDs3ilOPCPUMoP2v55KAD1txxYrgeq8Ow1ThsOm9Znm1asj_5zc5wdC2geeLe1GQpGvqzmuB34AsGS4p_uI9aDuS-_d7M/s1600/GEDC3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe5lRqSs4KrXj7rhY5bm8KeReOnqm1waO93UC8en5KXh48I3cDs3ilOPCPUMoP2v55KAD1txxYrgeq8Ow1ThsOm9Znm1asj_5zc5wdC2geeLe1GQpGvqzmuB34AsGS4p_uI9aDuS-_d7M/s320/GEDC3503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-34699835575030617162010-11-14T08:40:00.001-05:002010-11-14T08:41:23.673-05:00Lord Of The Rings Costumes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are your own worst critic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So true. My mom has always been very critical of her work. It used to get on my nerves, b/c her work is so amazing, why can't she see it? And now, I understand. When you start a project, you have a vision in your mind of what it will look like when it's finished. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCMi-PtaQuJQmND8M2R-M34LIJQtd-sJ-KbOXyPyw2YomnWjHeg8nGM7ms3dYID5e4qq4p_UQyKoA_5R4LrX3RgwXXD9wfcxsdPCMGaK4d0SXnLP6IylPb6NIaM2xEj0Ew1mxnpHo4oB5/s1600/LOTR1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCMi-PtaQuJQmND8M2R-M34LIJQtd-sJ-KbOXyPyw2YomnWjHeg8nGM7ms3dYID5e4qq4p_UQyKoA_5R4LrX3RgwXXD9wfcxsdPCMGaK4d0SXnLP6IylPb6NIaM2xEj0Ew1mxnpHo4oB5/s320/LOTR1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> And usually it's a vision of the perfect finished project. Really, how often do we start out saying, "I'm going for mediocre here"? So, once finished, we inspect our work, and no matter how wonderful it is, it rarely exactly matches up with the vision we started out with. Which is why my mom would respond with a "Thank you, it's just not quite the way I wanted it." She can see all the things that aren't the way she wanted it-whether or not anyone else can. And now I'm the same way. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWfeFfVzjAAo6b606hIQbXRSth9ibPJvEzVELBCpMmBDSVgy84UW_S3lJt19K86SbOlkaA5ek7P2516dmTNXOYyXoFv042wYN77DGF1ry0q9UXE9BjntR3yUr2bLqYkkDR8c6acEZnMAZ/s1600/LOTR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWfeFfVzjAAo6b606hIQbXRSth9ibPJvEzVELBCpMmBDSVgy84UW_S3lJt19K86SbOlkaA5ek7P2516dmTNXOYyXoFv042wYN77DGF1ry0q9UXE9BjntR3yUr2bLqYkkDR8c6acEZnMAZ/s320/LOTR2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If I had two or three months to work on these dresses I would maybe have ended up with exactly what I had envisioned. However, I had a couple of weeks to make them. They did turn out very nicely, however, I still wish I had had more time to tweak them. It helps that the girls wearing them are beautiful. And tall. Obnoxiously so. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-72374528473763304272010-11-11T18:09:00.000-05:002010-11-11T18:09:33.304-05:00Stuff for sale<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I mentioned before that I've been working on sewing things for a Craft Bazaar, it's coming up soon, wait, shouldn't I be sitting at my desk, working? Nevermind. Well, so you know I'm not just saying that, here's some finished product. My favorite is, well, all of it. Call me biased, but I like them all. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7f0Pvirkw-RD06aunfuahWZnXA6Zu3WCO0xH1wYeGvSTZHLXmLyJkvHYVxP2R3Qt-HEoeMLKGAezLVOJqFpJPsQj0ZQPNRgo9gcAB3awGFpmWpHY6KgpI32ZS0WRM_LucdiSuXdMIpki/s1600/GEDC3475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7f0Pvirkw-RD06aunfuahWZnXA6Zu3WCO0xH1wYeGvSTZHLXmLyJkvHYVxP2R3Qt-HEoeMLKGAezLVOJqFpJPsQj0ZQPNRgo9gcAB3awGFpmWpHY6KgpI32ZS0WRM_LucdiSuXdMIpki/s320/GEDC3475.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6663P2bIgm_RKzibppES00tuPfuk2U3MoYMyJtnJUzSKn7mtzVrbpKMjRIukDUj9hB1-sHjFpZ9i7CY4hfYVQ6E-zX85KVHsudAer_ef7EI6zdC68l_KqZDo7rb-_VZJDIUFn3EG6zUhq/s1600/GEDC3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6663P2bIgm_RKzibppES00tuPfuk2U3MoYMyJtnJUzSKn7mtzVrbpKMjRIukDUj9hB1-sHjFpZ9i7CY4hfYVQ6E-zX85KVHsudAer_ef7EI6zdC68l_KqZDo7rb-_VZJDIUFn3EG6zUhq/s320/GEDC3476.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN0VzEJrIxNkAi1gVGaa-XhyphenhyphenE4Pp5ozbOwyQV1fOtAWm28qj3EPsFMBkUlYkMBJRtEnjBWMLtv4t5SP_wz9MoUhlSop9hEeNaBaxcV6Dy4F8Q6t6J7rQMzj4tfO0x4bTYikI3mJqiUKXs/s1600/GEDC3459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN0VzEJrIxNkAi1gVGaa-XhyphenhyphenE4Pp5ozbOwyQV1fOtAWm28qj3EPsFMBkUlYkMBJRtEnjBWMLtv4t5SP_wz9MoUhlSop9hEeNaBaxcV6Dy4F8Q6t6J7rQMzj4tfO0x4bTYikI3mJqiUKXs/s320/GEDC3459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNz3QOrUIpqw6jRo0tVinza12ns-fzXPjBNUXXue6qAwzyZHQVJ5-vULG0lPkw81d6m7k9Sn7LHu8yGaoyfyfaGDHDBT-Va-3_bRcbU6JbDYFTGj2QdWuM-Pnue-AEbp78eZnWqHBTQXi/s1600/GEDC3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNz3QOrUIpqw6jRo0tVinza12ns-fzXPjBNUXXue6qAwzyZHQVJ5-vULG0lPkw81d6m7k9Sn7LHu8yGaoyfyfaGDHDBT-Va-3_bRcbU6JbDYFTGj2QdWuM-Pnue-AEbp78eZnWqHBTQXi/s320/GEDC3478.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC2ESer78pULd8v-WozwI9HqdwOP16NKbz9rwFQ800KjEEXIaeHWsK5V8WuRLimWfYDzl6USXiAVfEBEG8W5l3rFeRg7LAHVNhwweCPWLuTBPV-3Qh0qHmQsxzJTYx3-cXXrIWc8hScfM/s1600/GEDC3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC2ESer78pULd8v-WozwI9HqdwOP16NKbz9rwFQ800KjEEXIaeHWsK5V8WuRLimWfYDzl6USXiAVfEBEG8W5l3rFeRg7LAHVNhwweCPWLuTBPV-3Qh0qHmQsxzJTYx3-cXXrIWc8hScfM/s320/GEDC3477.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-69855898889953599392010-11-09T08:35:00.000-05:002010-11-09T08:35:10.715-05:00Here's what I've been doing in my absence<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Of course, as usual, I had every intention of updating, b/c there are plenty of people who would like to know what I'm doing. However, I took on way to much and had to give up all sorts of time consuming(but unnecessary) things, like grocery shopping, cleaning, showering, blogging, etc. It started out making stuff for school and a Bazaar happening the day after Black Friday. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneU1Kctjk9elCM5MCTkFDjRp3rD-6kmNeaYr2JUl4TBb_ZJipS9hB5w9N-HDISPOQW8-6TnbB-HBa58EpQu33hIzSUV3Q80uuZptYKYqSSFhsRgETkfdddHHvQJJplW6KQXlmry8dKi2m/s1600/GEDC3458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneU1Kctjk9elCM5MCTkFDjRp3rD-6kmNeaYr2JUl4TBb_ZJipS9hB5w9N-HDISPOQW8-6TnbB-HBa58EpQu33hIzSUV3Q80uuZptYKYqSSFhsRgETkfdddHHvQJJplW6KQXlmry8dKi2m/s320/GEDC3458.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDZAEXC-XRUDgthP6ny8lCj9GlNmp6dWIUDm01VHmdnArHLqjNdC1TM1WVFibmqQgIVKt5wgI-dgELNH-XfNlgbO5dRdHj1GLcJQ_VIPxXtrnPi4yhd5eOJXqZltxYXF8L2b0MH2duXkA/s1600/GEDC3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDZAEXC-XRUDgthP6ny8lCj9GlNmp6dWIUDm01VHmdnArHLqjNdC1TM1WVFibmqQgIVKt5wgI-dgELNH-XfNlgbO5dRdHj1GLcJQ_VIPxXtrnPi4yhd5eOJXqZltxYXF8L2b0MH2duXkA/s320/GEDC3460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then I added a Dorothy costume for one of E's friends, as well as E & A's Halloween costumes. After that my little sister, The Nurse, set her wedding date for Oct 30, this year. The Quilter took on making the 3 Bridesmaid dresses, and since I have a gathering foot, I took on making the 6(later changed to 4) Flowergirl tutus. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNiC4hFDgP-10AHYjoZb_EUHaOYB2wPSgOXCJAPYYzQnb8NOafYCQfoaV9MeBHFRzSjS2huUY5VyELm8hyphenhyphenceztTJ32EhKQrhHajoGf8zYdqwIPxMRx8buoWAFDRhYbYBblzAFJ8WRhjR6/s1600/GEDC3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNiC4hFDgP-10AHYjoZb_EUHaOYB2wPSgOXCJAPYYzQnb8NOafYCQfoaV9MeBHFRzSjS2huUY5VyELm8hyphenhyphenceztTJ32EhKQrhHajoGf8zYdqwIPxMRx8buoWAFDRhYbYBblzAFJ8WRhjR6/s320/GEDC3427.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC1Gma5oCUUpbufuw0j7DjisMW2FPw-t69Q5xjePbLDmCle6aSsDGI8nDccDzA2H3sEAornqYQ7d0eX7IhC4XP_MHC7LpSN78uv4OFkSy6ZFIUE8b2VVuAkd0PXEx6mV8MivORC_6xNVd/s1600/GEDC3396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC1Gma5oCUUpbufuw0j7DjisMW2FPw-t69Q5xjePbLDmCle6aSsDGI8nDccDzA2H3sEAornqYQ7d0eX7IhC4XP_MHC7LpSN78uv4OFkSy6ZFIUE8b2VVuAkd0PXEx6mV8MivORC_6xNVd/s320/GEDC3396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That's alot to do, right? Well then two girls that babysit for me asked me to make them Lord of the Rings dresses for Halloween. In the midst of all this I added a serger to my arsenal, as well as a new/used sewing machine. I did get the costumes(except for A's) and flower girl outfits finished on time, but it was a challenge. A challenge I hope I never forget when accepting projects. Have lots to get done for the Bazaar, and I still haven't given up my goal of a totally handmade Christmas, so we'll see how I do. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-35076160496171149092010-07-24T19:20:00.001-04:002010-07-29T19:38:22.289-04:00I hemmed a shark!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My neighbor, Jeff, is an entertainer. He puts on educational shows for pre-school aged children. His newest show is about Great White Sharks. He bought some black fabric and with a little help from me turned it into an actual size shadow/outline of a Great White. He had come to me at first about how to keep it from fraying. I offered to hem it for him, however he had enough shows that it took awhile to get it to me. I'll get a picture of it all rolled out and post it for you. This was by far the most indepth hem job I've ever had. Not even Gramma could top it. There was lots of fold, iron in place, fold, iron in place, sew in place, Pick really big piece of fabric up and turn. Find sewing machine, figure out where the heck the I left off. If I forgot to gather the excess fabric up it pulled, and when I turned it, it didn't always end up where I thought it would. If he asks me about an elephant I'm going to move.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> WOW. They are BIG. Like, really big. My sewing room is 15X10, and it's not big enough to open the whole thing up! 22 feet long is very long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48FR-ms0sIllRJebJwERrnFpmrQIAlE6LoZj4y8OYth-12roKJKVNC8ru2aQ3oVTqJidg1V5N2jxr3PmuDsQsSmuLvE-J3pBT3_xRksSw4_NVrM1zhV7Fs7ho7EK-WEXGfQnbIO67pqGi/s1600/GEDC3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48FR-ms0sIllRJebJwERrnFpmrQIAlE6LoZj4y8OYth-12roKJKVNC8ru2aQ3oVTqJidg1V5N2jxr3PmuDsQsSmuLvE-J3pBT3_xRksSw4_NVrM1zhV7Fs7ho7EK-WEXGfQnbIO67pqGi/s400/GEDC3020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry I didn't take more pictures, it was a big black wad of fabric most of the time to make it easier to move </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">around. The tail fin is the width of my sewing desk! As I was sewing, I kept looking at the size of this thing and finally came to the conculsion, I'm no longer comfortable with the idea of swimming the ocean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETrPgv7cpIylIGdMPFCjBheoZtJaMwGza19LsUxj4jBM9OuBR_jolc9T_fhN5bMdr2mboEFFBcZxGQrhbnlZc-qGZpeH5H6V9q20ccJsfX8xUjYNnYATUKRkJxZ36gZfnCPMTdCunqGee/s1600/GEDC3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETrPgv7cpIylIGdMPFCjBheoZtJaMwGza19LsUxj4jBM9OuBR_jolc9T_fhN5bMdr2mboEFFBcZxGQrhbnlZc-qGZpeH5H6V9q20ccJsfX8xUjYNnYATUKRkJxZ36gZfnCPMTdCunqGee/s400/GEDC3023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-74945859991683516222010-07-12T17:48:00.001-04:002010-07-12T17:52:07.362-04:00My Thread stashSew Mama Sew is doing a "survey" about thread, and since I have way more thread than any woman should, I 'm going to fill out the survey and hope it justifies my thread collection.<br />
<br />
<br />
* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?<br />
<br />
I inherited most of my thread, but what I choose for myself I did by project.<br />
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<br />
*Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?<br />
<br />
Depends on the project. Sometimes seeing the thread won't look good, and sometimes the stitches won't be visable.<br />
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*Do you ever use contrasting thread?<br />
<br />
Yes! That can really step up a project!<br />
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*Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?<br />
<br />
Usually, but that's another thing that depends on the project. Some projects have contrasting fabrics, and matching thread to those looks nicer. Sometimes it doesn't matter.<br />
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*What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?<br />
<br />
Either try to match the background color or one of the colors in the fabric.<br />
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*Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?<br />
<br />
Know your fabric type, and what kind of thread to use with it-this makes or breaks alot of projects. <br />
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*Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The wooden rack is all my thread, most of the wooden spools were my Great-grandmother's, but I think some of it was also my Grandmother's. This is what happens when you have a grandmother seamstress that grew up during the Depression, and therefore, cannot throw anything out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIVEVnwGG451NZrsTsUdECl-RaB7KY8IKaOEiWNj_EepIEN0e1a0atsp8Q3RY6XQipIe3G7hdYFD4Tu3fet4vNGTS8oxP4UvGVOiWpbJQcbt1nOl6vIZQoaPktq_eDPa_kdm8DwVXgZxe/s1600/GEDC2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIVEVnwGG451NZrsTsUdECl-RaB7KY8IKaOEiWNj_EepIEN0e1a0atsp8Q3RY6XQipIe3G7hdYFD4Tu3fet4vNGTS8oxP4UvGVOiWpbJQcbt1nOl6vIZQoaPktq_eDPa_kdm8DwVXgZxe/s400/GEDC2899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember the good ol' days when thread was 15 cents? Yeah, me niether. The variety of spools my Gramma had. There's the tatting spool, a metallic spool, styrofoam spool, and of course, the beloved wooden spools.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjUB7q9LlxN7pWPi8tlubhsKEHbA3yOOWl7nIaHewsF_bI7sQMW_Gc1JZLSAYrKBDcLHkk7iHDDaMkXDv-GFj5CAbMDPuU1g6MNFK2Le6iGmNk_CyBNXEElvtV8ZJ-Kx_YdkkW8xE3ZFm/s1600/GEDC2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjUB7q9LlxN7pWPi8tlubhsKEHbA3yOOWl7nIaHewsF_bI7sQMW_Gc1JZLSAYrKBDcLHkk7iHDDaMkXDv-GFj5CAbMDPuU1g6MNFK2Le6iGmNk_CyBNXEElvtV8ZJ-Kx_YdkkW8xE3ZFm/s400/GEDC2913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
*Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?<br />
<br />
Who have you been talking to?! Don't tell anyone!<br />
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*Do you “invest” in thread?<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Yes, I spend way to much for thread for some projects, mostly special occasion.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">*What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) </div><br />
Yes, to the above, plus metallic, and the mystery thread.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-4450449283089076582010-06-29T15:33:00.000-04:002010-06-29T15:33:28.364-04:00Sewing room issues<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I focus obsessively on other things, the sewing/playroom just gets worse and worse. I'm posting these pictures in the hopes that things will get better, now that people know about it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7L5C7O5sdI-r58JLWvVJxGYFxHJsRKANLGWHkmTsagpPUZyJqg0iw1VI0Ft-yLwiq1HTw8qUk1UtRcGYRJMi0YBl1OFC3RwCf7XeGo5cbTJ8hhxT1w-Yd-rnhSSSmxQoK4CnI54JUPNU/s1600/GEDC2847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7L5C7O5sdI-r58JLWvVJxGYFxHJsRKANLGWHkmTsagpPUZyJqg0iw1VI0Ft-yLwiq1HTw8qUk1UtRcGYRJMi0YBl1OFC3RwCf7XeGo5cbTJ8hhxT1w-Yd-rnhSSSmxQoK4CnI54JUPNU/s320/GEDC2847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sewing side</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqonj9vAme9tW_9lerxiM_qBBfbMsjGwgBUVK-z2zsq3uG87pfkt7kqzDVlj7Y-DAq_AjTK1q33kmK1v-xj8jLQnfSeynyeO-z9JVnCbXChpq1I3WhIiDEGIo_Ohdi9WMbwWxhWWC0JNr/s1600/GEDC2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqonj9vAme9tW_9lerxiM_qBBfbMsjGwgBUVK-z2zsq3uG87pfkt7kqzDVlj7Y-DAq_AjTK1q33kmK1v-xj8jLQnfSeynyeO-z9JVnCbXChpq1I3WhIiDEGIo_Ohdi9WMbwWxhWWC0JNr/s320/GEDC2848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing side.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I honestly can't believe that there is a room in my house that looks like this...Ick.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-83260204974209471422010-06-25T16:32:00.001-04:002010-06-25T16:34:39.118-04:00'Tis Done(finally)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUID9xSJWVtLDD0wqISMXFnefUk9rcWsTPw-iE4DMij4R5YKfQNYMY5_IQHnd3AFxx2jqG3_vZkO7o0Fzr3CIEgoDMzEBoXizth9DFnozstuTp3sosnChLr6BhJ1RX7YCIIEMGe9DFesWv/s1600/GEDC2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUID9xSJWVtLDD0wqISMXFnefUk9rcWsTPw-iE4DMij4R5YKfQNYMY5_IQHnd3AFxx2jqG3_vZkO7o0Fzr3CIEgoDMzEBoXizth9DFnozstuTp3sosnChLr6BhJ1RX7YCIIEMGe9DFesWv/s320/GEDC2850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Though not a difficult or intricate pattern, this was time consuming simply b/c of it's size. This has been my On-The-Go project for a couple of months, which is probably another reason why it took so long; I rarely worked on it at home. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGbXbQ8U-Zv8WLWPS2U0tCii5jOhD4D1rXXpHtDhQqnyxd9rPge8HkvyEc8z5PkdptaJM0nr9BRp4VNJP2xFcgnGx-WxrJgVxRf135-mO4rkqO6kSjgBPwTRm9OoO_XrEjEOmDIvAxQUF/s1600/GEDC2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGbXbQ8U-Zv8WLWPS2U0tCii5jOhD4D1rXXpHtDhQqnyxd9rPge8HkvyEc8z5PkdptaJM0nr9BRp4VNJP2xFcgnGx-WxrJgVxRf135-mO4rkqO6kSjgBPwTRm9OoO_XrEjEOmDIvAxQUF/s320/GEDC2854.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The pattern was originally vertical, but I needed it horizontal, so I switched it. Also the color of the threads were very 70's orange, brown, yellow and green. I changed the colors to match the new colors coming into the house, next up to sew the fabric to it and make it into a backpillow for the bench in the foyer. I also need to find a new On-The-Go project, any suggestions?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-26063712565868779392010-06-24T16:05:00.000-04:002010-06-24T16:05:10.661-04:00Turning my house into a Casa dei Bambini...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That's what I've been doing for the last month or so. I've done very little else, other than sew a very simple and quick dress. Since we don't have a room available for school, I've had to get creative with my storage.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The pantry has sensorial-on the floor-A box with towels for folding(will be adding clothes and hangers next week), Geometric Cabinet, well, I plan on making a cabinet for the drawers, which are made from 1/8" plywood and the inserts and frames are painted foamboard, pink tower(bought), Red Rods-square dowel rods cut and painted. On the shelf, knobless cylinders-round dowel rods cut and painted, color tablets-cut foamboard with paint chips glued on them, and top pieces for the pink tower. The shipping price for the knobbed cylinders and the brown stair are killer, but since Lex will be ready to use them soon, I'll have to break down and buy them.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSw2nVJNqALlPE6bKKop4PpY4PZTnqcacTJiJwaeQ3N2jUakj0x3wVjMS98gEH9U4C4aHJpPR4MMaJ4JvkaPd_TUQoQPwZszDLr4tLBuWgwiilWAxE_M8VJLxWht2buBilTlQAmN0FnXx/s1600/GEDC2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSw2nVJNqALlPE6bKKop4PpY4PZTnqcacTJiJwaeQ3N2jUakj0x3wVjMS98gEH9U4C4aHJpPR4MMaJ4JvkaPd_TUQoQPwZszDLr4tLBuWgwiilWAxE_M8VJLxWht2buBilTlQAmN0FnXx/s200/GEDC2811.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">More sensorial in an upper kitchen cabinet-Open and close box, pouring, polishing, touch boards, tactile tablets, tasting, smelling, and sound boxes, all homemade. The lower left shelf has Childsized Masterpieces, origami, lacing, and music stuff. I'm sure I'll have to move things around to get the best use of the space.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFSs-t0op1_wauZSK4mwLbIU0FKyxLXKIh3xnSQ_W3H88fs_0Mq5YXBaZYMiFjq4mm8kgDakS5cgQ_j9l_K_jE0V6oKiw04y3vV0RVexE00SMX4vbRiZHgxlR2NEHnCScIQy0cOVq8ncB/s1600/GEDC2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFSs-t0op1_wauZSK4mwLbIU0FKyxLXKIh3xnSQ_W3H88fs_0Mq5YXBaZYMiFjq4mm8kgDakS5cgQ_j9l_K_jE0V6oKiw04y3vV0RVexE00SMX4vbRiZHgxlR2NEHnCScIQy0cOVq8ncB/s200/GEDC2812.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Even more sensorial in a lower kitchen cabinet-Constructive Triangles and Geometric solids.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhRqWi_KDdavVN2IXWv7ZtBMyer_fOhL4cMzAkQpgnIzxp8KScIa5dx5do_7EaM0AxcXF-az_nQG6ktjsZTLpld-jr2vgElS0yxNj73Do8EzfiLyAEVhe0uUO7uep9i4Khm-huhKALKqQ/s1600/GEDC2814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhRqWi_KDdavVN2IXWv7ZtBMyer_fOhL4cMzAkQpgnIzxp8KScIa5dx5do_7EaM0AxcXF-az_nQG6ktjsZTLpld-jr2vgElS0yxNj73Do8EzfiLyAEVhe0uUO7uep9i4Khm-huhKALKqQ/s200/GEDC2814.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My buffet has two largte lower cabinets, and two drawers for school storage. One of the lower cabinet has cultural, seems I have more books for this than for anything else!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyURPRxqc3ihOCpC3sKo34c7mtQPxar9mcdI9_HOQ3qpSWS6M1EzUt2m7w6qSFIX-Hz465rvRcuNx9NY6ygWf9CJYlc2EgJCICqoqbLmgSMKMQB3mEETTD8s5nlZeOvVQ2HOJGtJsLQ2N5/s1600/GEDC2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyURPRxqc3ihOCpC3sKo34c7mtQPxar9mcdI9_HOQ3qpSWS6M1EzUt2m7w6qSFIX-Hz465rvRcuNx9NY6ygWf9CJYlc2EgJCICqoqbLmgSMKMQB3mEETTD8s5nlZeOvVQ2HOJGtJsLQ2N5/s200/GEDC2815.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Math drawer, once I get the Bead Material we'll be using a section of the cabinet below for math. Again, most of this was homemade.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyr0eB_29bI1kWxF1mZFKork4qUV6V5ozQXUPWFYWWKZUVqlNmxr00g3xX2k53fxwg64rjs8jMt_0_4matDkWfR41iRlb2_0QH1I2pQSVhLIagBeUHYFmXnycJT1RIkkzmh0rYxCKVpMN/s1600/GEDC2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyr0eB_29bI1kWxF1mZFKork4qUV6V5ozQXUPWFYWWKZUVqlNmxr00g3xX2k53fxwg64rjs8jMt_0_4matDkWfR41iRlb2_0QH1I2pQSVhLIagBeUHYFmXnycJT1RIkkzmh0rYxCKVpMN/s200/GEDC2816.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Language, most of this was homemade, and I think all of the language will fit in this drawer.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGdic_OxnDNAaJvfXjc4hVHY7oNf0RoRsxdUT_6uudQE9Fn3MtqyKjxJuVItSkTx1sITUnVy5iGzqligcxwK11kS2Z1lUyNmkeeaX7z5QRC1w8CilY0IZcEhPS638fWidNlaOFmRwmw3C/s1600/GEDC2817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGdic_OxnDNAaJvfXjc4hVHY7oNf0RoRsxdUT_6uudQE9Fn3MtqyKjxJuVItSkTx1sITUnVy5iGzqligcxwK11kS2Z1lUyNmkeeaX7z5QRC1w8CilY0IZcEhPS638fWidNlaOFmRwmw3C/s200/GEDC2817.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I've been making and preparing school materials with a single minded focus, because that's the only way I know how to do things, work on one thing until it's done. Even tho I have so much done, there is still so much left to do. As well as the knoweldge that E is going to be moving on from 3-6 to 6-9 in the next year, so I may as well just keep moving with the material prep. It's comforting to know that A will be able to use these things as well. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and the sewing room has been demolished, as you can see.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgfsIbr5aZ58zsUA3uBaLAAAKElzT_RrramqF6ryQVKDCZntsam4DV13yMD-cTwtYhUaK1Niu9rrRLGtFcCc10rQmcHrX5wW0t-E2is5ouFSSMNq66RmzIkbHEfwh6reK-JPEGlR4MbrF/s200/GEDC2847.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This happened b/c as I was cleaning the rest of the house, I broke the cardinal rule-instead of putting things away, in the proper place, I just tossed them into the room and kept moving. So now I have avery big clean up job in front of me, if I ever want to sew again.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePV1QOdw6jr3N8rvsugyaA6NTtuG4LP62pt9eSP7e_fc91vXgoW5ycKZEk4tchyiI9SfprpXQs_S_AQkyAlYIoD-u3ONAFg9SPvVOknE4yUdg-sIWugDXt_CxA5SGBmaSVF1SyDFMM0ob/s1600/GEDC2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePV1QOdw6jr3N8rvsugyaA6NTtuG4LP62pt9eSP7e_fc91vXgoW5ycKZEk4tchyiI9SfprpXQs_S_AQkyAlYIoD-u3ONAFg9SPvVOknE4yUdg-sIWugDXt_CxA5SGBmaSVF1SyDFMM0ob/s200/GEDC2848.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Seriously, never thought I'd have a room this chaotic.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-73424360140972616342010-04-27T19:38:00.000-04:002010-04-27T19:38:32.281-04:00While the children sleep,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vR4sJmjbGYM/S9dzNBSSGBI/AAAAAAAAB6M/M60_j4hChrA/s1600/GEDC2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vR4sJmjbGYM/S9dzNBSSGBI/AAAAAAAAB6M/M60_j4hChrA/s320/GEDC2576.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">The dogs will get comfortable on the reading pillows!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-587801469918495012010-04-26T13:04:00.002-04:002010-04-26T13:05:22.037-04:00E's ongoing DIY project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As a child I loved the Calico Critters. I had a friend that had a bunch of them, and I remember playing with them inside, outside, and in the car. Everytime we've been to Imagination Station, she plays with the demo house and critters. I have a rule, however, that I never offer to buy her a toy, she has to ask for it(she doesn't know this). The last time we were at the store, she asked for the Fisher cat family. Of course I got them for her. At first they lived in a drawer, then we got a cardboard box to keep them in, which has since become a house. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Nvlf6lhxg3FhIFuijcAHGo6q5oC8wH1oSsEgSjl_QsmNkyXbt0ufA-ReZODR0deUQY7xtZ83BR6KMIOxGhamztS0aCbjOqZ07J8yy4nY1FGoO9FRE4XR3uyco_PTESJYr5hJkZR0Q4v/s1600/GEDC2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Nvlf6lhxg3FhIFuijcAHGo6q5oC8wH1oSsEgSjl_QsmNkyXbt0ufA-ReZODR0deUQY7xtZ83BR6KMIOxGhamztS0aCbjOqZ07J8yy4nY1FGoO9FRE4XR3uyco_PTESJYr5hJkZR0Q4v/s320/GEDC2410.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div>E works on the house nearly everyday, decorating, playing and there are some things that she has me help her with. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsOVEgCiqvJrOucL6JuC3m-FFdREqjGkSbyp6qMRY2_PFLMqkQ0F0xVCtsx-SsObUwG_izJuYlxhtk3c-ghRNUcD5QSL6edzqdhSD90b6LVj7QMxUSkaj-jrIi5qI2fzOjPuiSF1Q1e-t/s1600/GEDC2409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsOVEgCiqvJrOucL6JuC3m-FFdREqjGkSbyp6qMRY2_PFLMqkQ0F0xVCtsx-SsObUwG_izJuYlxhtk3c-ghRNUcD5QSL6edzqdhSD90b6LVj7QMxUSkaj-jrIi5qI2fzOjPuiSF1Q1e-t/s320/GEDC2409.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NM__9e-gCWUJv1OHEAw2SPrLxt_FQtXPh6oiEUsSNMkSQp78ZuXfFjEj-USAau9gVto_ImLe6w5XJlRIkTnFHUVEIS2unpM68EUU9lGcnRkFJQc6lGjWTPsDIBf-uXmfMgPHTXVwAtz3/s1600/GEDC2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NM__9e-gCWUJv1OHEAw2SPrLxt_FQtXPh6oiEUsSNMkSQp78ZuXfFjEj-USAau9gVto_ImLe6w5XJlRIkTnFHUVEIS2unpM68EUU9lGcnRkFJQc6lGjWTPsDIBf-uXmfMgPHTXVwAtz3/s320/GEDC2577.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Currently I'm in charge of covering the family beds-they have to be sewn on, tape won't hold the fabric. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DwXpxwThEAYRWtiK-wMzzMeN-IkPFvpXODOBmTg5wX_gZtpZ2XYoCC_JOJ3R7L6Plq8NpETXSBNuoYsEELX8TvcsSHQ5eu9XfQEAc3-Xoe8PMnvJQhJ-M0GX61klbT3o8gxD4LamEQ0j/s1600/GEDC2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DwXpxwThEAYRWtiK-wMzzMeN-IkPFvpXODOBmTg5wX_gZtpZ2XYoCC_JOJ3R7L6Plq8NpETXSBNuoYsEELX8TvcsSHQ5eu9XfQEAc3-Xoe8PMnvJQhJ-M0GX61klbT3o8gxD4LamEQ0j/s320/GEDC2625.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div>I'm impressed with how much she does on her own, from cutting the foam to glueing down the carpet. The sequins are the rug, so she told me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNrf3_nluLuG1cS2dk1X-ch4bhr9dcHNc_zpiNVZ3hKOhEiekWUodGgPznLw83q0q5-kTn-KAUL4yYw58qiWhpf5aebK8xhcGDrg-TbqO-aPI9cDiIF1KBXIpJjYFYkxBnInTmrkzDlWG/s1600/GEDC2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNrf3_nluLuG1cS2dk1X-ch4bhr9dcHNc_zpiNVZ3hKOhEiekWUodGgPznLw83q0q5-kTn-KAUL4yYw58qiWhpf5aebK8xhcGDrg-TbqO-aPI9cDiIF1KBXIpJjYFYkxBnInTmrkzDlWG/s320/GEDC2624.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div>I've been giving her various empty boxes, and so far my favorite thing she's done is tear the top off an animal cracker box and use it as the family car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSQpQGDVWSVbtCnW_amHyEzuFwC_pGit-umTWOyecj22rF4m1khfR0o8uN6i2gr-wfyIlIyF44MoipK2b7cWCOZSC92-4TyhyTmpofnVOlYCkbSPi8Kffmon5lq5cVP-5Wb8Q7FcRGHJn/s1600/GEDC2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSQpQGDVWSVbtCnW_amHyEzuFwC_pGit-umTWOyecj22rF4m1khfR0o8uN6i2gr-wfyIlIyF44MoipK2b7cWCOZSC92-4TyhyTmpofnVOlYCkbSPi8Kffmon5lq5cVP-5Wb8Q7FcRGHJn/s320/GEDC2626.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div> I find it interesting that they have a TV, which we don't. I kind of expected her to give them a computer or a small DVD player, but no, they have a very big TV. Her Dad might get jealous. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUKXVGgnS8p_kPSgzRS72OAx9v-mgWi44rr_0tOH-3fAeStrFAroDfwv7DxEyPsHUjBySgUPubO9iJLV7sU1-P2KKLir1ylG52WsnOooPb0wffUHfqm_UYu74BeV07q7mTo4CAJc_qU8W/s1600/GEDC2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUKXVGgnS8p_kPSgzRS72OAx9v-mgWi44rr_0tOH-3fAeStrFAroDfwv7DxEyPsHUjBySgUPubO9iJLV7sU1-P2KKLir1ylG52WsnOooPb0wffUHfqm_UYu74BeV07q7mTo4CAJc_qU8W/s320/GEDC2622.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7JcibJ89e_u7jgTJv1Q6VggdPwFEYar2A3raKudijmynRBCcPkB5piVxyvCDUKIayc4vFdOxJ7vBWKAVT78sGd4-2i0LzE13kC_3Si6ga1s_Zbs76co1-rI4yEZc1U0C3Ww9LSC6EAci/s1600/GEDC2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7JcibJ89e_u7jgTJv1Q6VggdPwFEYar2A3raKudijmynRBCcPkB5piVxyvCDUKIayc4vFdOxJ7vBWKAVT78sGd4-2i0LzE13kC_3Si6ga1s_Zbs76co1-rI4yEZc1U0C3Ww9LSC6EAci/s320/GEDC2623.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The little details also amaze me, the yellow pom pom is the light, and there's a family portrait that she drew and glued to the wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HWjqxqmRWJne2Kb5ggBJC1pLg3eoLf4Q7w1OvBXbi6qJREhNSrFX85rDisjcqxE1hdr7P-jERz6qvSkfAwYsJCokp50JamOZpNrtIvFfqjq06PnIoXqno7HHgRMmo4JpjuQXQcIzyd78/s1600/GEDC2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HWjqxqmRWJne2Kb5ggBJC1pLg3eoLf4Q7w1OvBXbi6qJREhNSrFX85rDisjcqxE1hdr7P-jERz6qvSkfAwYsJCokp50JamOZpNrtIvFfqjq06PnIoXqno7HHgRMmo4JpjuQXQcIzyd78/s320/GEDC2578.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div>She also insisted the couch needed a cover so it would be comfortable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvWEY0eXrbWlTkhKNDQwChJGjRVwhCMJwj0ACyzdl8-0Uy_PrAfdkTvLFL3SNQKI8B7oA9qFjzY9wDjU2uThGBk8Lz0AxMhah3VmybM6U1-N2JcoAeJEvrgePiRSg4CazSZH1j3BMwEFe/s1600/GEDC2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvWEY0eXrbWlTkhKNDQwChJGjRVwhCMJwj0ACyzdl8-0Uy_PrAfdkTvLFL3SNQKI8B7oA9qFjzY9wDjU2uThGBk8Lz0AxMhah3VmybM6U1-N2JcoAeJEvrgePiRSg4CazSZH1j3BMwEFe/s320/GEDC2415.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm looking forward to seeing what else she decides to do with this. And if we go back adn get more animals, well, then that's probably going to mean another house to decorate!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-78830161251370106382010-04-22T20:42:00.001-04:002010-04-22T20:43:40.753-04:00An Eco-friendly sewing day with The QuilterI'm such a visual person I almost didn't post this because I don't have very many pictures. The Quilter lives in a beautiful neighborhood, and with the weather supposedly getting wet and yucky, I packed up my little ones and we went to her house. While the kiddos played in the backyard, the Quilter and I set up our sewing machines on the screened in porch and made a few things.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBmqgFKrwXsKfjH_SHXhbR06lBtAOaI0i1EgFvAZWfRApZi63UnNgpa0yguYuEHijd0V03YXVha387RdiMAk-V_-nEx-9YPy0FLL82EOXdzPYBJ88emjGXeEG0S_SaYmJIp6q4zM8lO8u/s1600/sandwichwrapJG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBmqgFKrwXsKfjH_SHXhbR06lBtAOaI0i1EgFvAZWfRApZi63UnNgpa0yguYuEHijd0V03YXVha387RdiMAk-V_-nEx-9YPy0FLL82EOXdzPYBJ88emjGXeEG0S_SaYmJIp6q4zM8lO8u/s320/sandwichwrapJG.jpg" tt="true" width="280" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She called me last week and asked if I had seen any good tutorials for reusable lunch bags. What a co-inky-dink, I had a long list of lunch bag, sandwich, and snack bag tutorials to pick from. I got my most of my list from <a href="http://whipup.net/2009/12/31/whipup-best-of-2009-lunch/">Whipup.net</a>. I printed out my favorites, packed up some of my sewing room and lots of fabric scraps to take with me. We decided to do Betz White's <a href="http://blog.betzwhite.com/2009/03/reusable-sandwich-wrap-tutorial.html">reusable sandwich wrap</a>, and purlbee's <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/back-to-school-lunchbag">fabric lunch bag</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUCpiM2ZjpZQcvhyphenhyphenvQCRPaLYmXiD_-gGhcLij7ySlGxHaRZ0eJ7CMfX8I1GJNkRdXh1U58jrqCQOzMv9hLFiZsea9Xw311ifhkTWL9RXus0zCgeChk89pTCZyxbYB5qzL-7sHEhE4_u1o/s1600/lunchbag--alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUCpiM2ZjpZQcvhyphenhyphenvQCRPaLYmXiD_-gGhcLij7ySlGxHaRZ0eJ7CMfX8I1GJNkRdXh1U58jrqCQOzMv9hLFiZsea9Xw311ifhkTWL9RXus0zCgeChk89pTCZyxbYB5qzL-7sHEhE4_u1o/s320/lunchbag--alone.jpg" tt="true" width="307" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I said, there aren't many pictures, I forgot my camera and The Quilter's camera was in the same room as a sleeping baby, so we went without.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1eM8dZR1pKuyDBp2Ut9NwrtGamZtXyTUgBPsfx_BM2g5A_FXbeIB3mqqWwtxz5-UzKv_uqdq4D2kT1yMBMqCnpMdshWt1aA1VfyGxClMIEC6xM8UI5oUj_XiYFdDBW_mYOlKJQfqrsDd/s1600/GEDC2557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1eM8dZR1pKuyDBp2Ut9NwrtGamZtXyTUgBPsfx_BM2g5A_FXbeIB3mqqWwtxz5-UzKv_uqdq4D2kT1yMBMqCnpMdshWt1aA1VfyGxClMIEC6xM8UI5oUj_XiYFdDBW_mYOlKJQfqrsDd/s320/GEDC2557.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We started with the lunch bag, which we thought would be more difficult. Honestly, it's a project a beginning sewer can do. It was fun, and probably the hardest part was choosing the button. I will say that my bag turned out better, simple because I used canvas fabric(per the instructions) and The Quilter used a lightweight cotton(ignoring the instructions, as usual) And yes, that's some sisterly one-up manship. She has since decided to take hers apart and line it with some iron-on vinyl. We also accidentally changed the pattern, which happens with us. Instead of using two 9 ½ by 13 inch pieces of fabric, ours were cut to 9 by 13 inches. It was my fault, I was the one umm, more perusing than reading the instructions. It didn’t really make a difference, and we decided we would try a few variations, longer, wider, bias tape lining, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0EwJzCNUzKCZTBsQFXkl1v59lFDnA_ykRv0qtdQhtQQdGRY5J0FrXZ8hYz4Ze6OmukYanze2ut6wIWCBExV5uipc78bdD99uyrDFIxu3SwO2l2YSTmmsv0sgdgYxH1_hpjB84KUHKTq3/s1600/GEDC2558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0EwJzCNUzKCZTBsQFXkl1v59lFDnA_ykRv0qtdQhtQQdGRY5J0FrXZ8hYz4Ze6OmukYanze2ut6wIWCBExV5uipc78bdD99uyrDFIxu3SwO2l2YSTmmsv0sgdgYxH1_hpjB84KUHKTq3/s320/GEDC2558.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div>The sandwich wraps were also a lot of fun and very easy to make. It took us a little longer since we ironed vinyl onto the wrong side of some fabric, rather than buying PUL, as it recommends. We had another pattern alteration, again kind of my fault. I printed the template, but didn’t enlarge it as I was supposed to; we did it by hand, so our template was about a ½ inch bigger. Again, it really didn’t make a difference. This was a fun project, mostly because the vinyl made ironing the small seam allowances very easy. I thought the directions took the securing of the Velcro a little far until I unhooked my wrap and the Velcro came right off. In that respect, go ahead and follow the directions exactly. Even with all the interruptions from children and life in general, we had a great time and I’m, definitely going to make a lot more of both of these. The Quilter is thinking of using the lunch bag as party favor bags for G-Man’s upcoming birthday. They are a great way to use scrap pieces of fabric, and they are quick aand easy to do.<br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-52263133052555423722010-04-22T03:05:00.002-04:002010-04-22T03:05:34.417-04:00Living an organized life-part 4What more can there be to say about having a routine, you ask? Haven’t I drilled it into your head enough already? For the most part yes, I have said all there is to say. This will be mostly tips and tricks to help get things running smoothly. In material organization, there are two rules you should follow that also apply to a routine.<br />
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Rule #1- Put things where you will use them<br />
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Rule #2-Put like items with like items<br />
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This applies to routine in this way; when you finish your shower, wipe down the shower stall. When you’ve finished at the bathroom sink, wipe the counter and sink. I do mean every day. I know many people have a “cleaning day” where they do everything, and this drives me crazy. Don’t shower for a week and then time how long it takes you to get clean when you do shower, and how much harder you have to scrub as well. It’s the same thing with your home, if you only wash it once a week, it will take longer, and you will work harder when you do it. There are some housecleaning asks that should be done daily, that won’t take hardly any time, especially if you do them daily. Dusting, cleaning floors, and wiping countertops. I don’t mean you do all of these things together; wipe the kitchen countertops when you’re finished with the dishes. In the beginning, if there is clutter on the counter, wipe around it, and put 1 thing away, in its place-don’t just make a big pile, or spend extra time putting it up, just commit to putting one thing away every day. I can hear some whining voice saying, “But that takes so long!” It took time for it to get the way it is, it will take time to get it cleaned up. Dusting and cleaning the floors-well, when you have five minutes to run around and dust, do it. Once a week, take things and wipe them off appropriately-Martha Stewart has the answer for how to wipe/clean anything. As for cleaning floors, if you have carpet, just vacuum the main walkways, where it’s worn down the most. Floors that must be swept and mopped I’ve found the best time for me is before bed. With two dogs and two children, I find myself cleaning the floors after lunch most days as well. Vacuum main walkways daily, edges and corners weekly-ish, and once to twice a month move furniture and get behind and under. Honestly, I have yet to meet someone that does this daily, no matter what size the house, and reports that it takes them more than 15 minutes for any individual task. <br />
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Now is the time to bring up the rest of your household occupants. They should help. If you have kids, they need to learn to do this so that when they move out, they know how. Anyone remember Jessica Simpson’s attempt at cleaning? I’m sure her mother had her reasons for never teaching the girl to do laundry, but unless you know for certain that your children will have maid when they are grown, give them the opportunity to learn these essential life skills. If you’ve never had the family help, start small, and work into a full blown chore list that’s based on age and ability. I don’t recommend a reward system because they aren’t going to get a reward when they do the dishes in their first apartment, or put up their laundry when they live in a dorm. <br />
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The other two household chores are revolving; dishes and laundry. Do whatever you can to have an empty sink and dishwasher when you go to bed. Same thing for washer and dryer, don’t have clothes waiting to be folded or put up. This gives you the sense that things are done, when, in reality, these are two areas of life that are never truly done. To stay on top of laundry, take the number of people in your house and divide by two. So, 2 adults, 2 children, equals 4 people. Divide by 2, and you have 2. Do 2 loads of laundry in what I call dirty to the drawer daily, and you will never have a mountain of clothes waiting to be cleaned. These are also areas where the family should be helping. <br />
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Tips for making shopping easier:<br />
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Have one day that you run errands, and not Saturday. We do a lot of unnecessary running around, and after exhausting yourself by trying to do it in a very short amount of time, you’ll see what is and isn’t important. You can also get a lot of things done faster if you use the internet for research. Check for product availability and best price in advance; you may have to make a few phone calls as well, but these are things that save time and effort in the long run.<br />
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Organizedhome.com has pantry, larder and freezer lists you can printout for free. Where ever you store food, or things you buy from the store, put one of these lists, and when it’s time to shop, check the lists to make sure you have everything down that you need.<br />
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Keep a list of family shoe and clothing sizes and measurements with you. If you’re a thrift shopper, carry a tape measure with you, and use this to measure clothing to see if it’s the right size-some people donate/yard sell things because they’ve shrunk, so a tag that says large may not measure as a large. <br />
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If you know that you want a piece of furniture or accessory in a certain size, carry the measurement with you. Looking for something in the just right color, carry a swatch or paint chip with you so you can match it. <br />
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To finish, apply the rules I listed at the beginning when you are planning your routine, think about how things will flow the best. What order do you need to do things in? Sometimes, that is what’s stopping you from getting things done, perhaps you’re trying to vacuum before you leave for work, and it never seems to get done-pick a different time. Routines can and often need to be tweaked and changed, either because circumstances change, or because it’s just not working. A routine is supposed to make your life easier, not stress you out more. Take it slow, and remember, something is better than nothing, always aim for more.<br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-12188823825123641832010-04-20T17:38:00.000-04:002010-04-20T17:38:20.609-04:00Sweet little DVD case<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs8C-KO1tmkom71c1edev-mvma0ejT3hgWiWKToZHPDcg5v8D2287PoZR9TgTj7LtjTOlzMq39MJeK-N_uqEEG8OSlaQK64qR7F29JcK_Z7DP0ng6adJtIlZhq59S3D_bH-nrD0ozO0DM/s1600/GEDC2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs8C-KO1tmkom71c1edev-mvma0ejT3hgWiWKToZHPDcg5v8D2287PoZR9TgTj7LtjTOlzMq39MJeK-N_uqEEG8OSlaQK64qR7F29JcK_Z7DP0ng6adJtIlZhq59S3D_bH-nrD0ozO0DM/s400/GEDC2535.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a long trip, we take the portable DVD Player, but not the case it comes with, so I made a cute little DVD case. Want one? Here's how to make it-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Materials-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 colors of cotton fabric-1/2 to 3/4 a yard is plenty-I don't recomend using a patterned fabric until you've done this a few times</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Embriodery floss-can be contrasting or matching one of the fabrics</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 5/8 button, 1 1/2 button</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cover decor- whatever you want, applique, embriodery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Template-download and print <a href="http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B5MultozCS1qN2JiN2Q1ZGItNGUwYS00MjQ2LWE5Y2UtNTgxNmE4OGI1Njky&hl=en">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DVD holder:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After you've downloaded the template, print and cut it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk21XrhISd6D2Y1M4YTrt-wsrbuK9RDxOhw-NxM61l8AAgsm56riAn5cuN3AHrxNVEpUXo13mogcidn1iPRtS5LmuPwSQr3VSPbzcGFWfi3f0kbZ8UX5gtyY4wxZVPCvu3cLnIbR6HcQ-/s1600/GEDC2497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk21XrhISd6D2Y1M4YTrt-wsrbuK9RDxOhw-NxM61l8AAgsm56riAn5cuN3AHrxNVEpUXo13mogcidn1iPRtS5LmuPwSQr3VSPbzcGFWfi3f0kbZ8UX5gtyY4wxZVPCvu3cLnIbR6HcQ-/s200/GEDC2497.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cut out template in both fabrics</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo06YtfU8xGNtBxVxKcWjydMkdblsmJQYqPtUnAW40V5k-0fYDH4yWJuIaZ5-_gDD9PH71nyXwEQbQvOxX4z-NPnPVRaA5j7v8-d8A-db8L4-NU5kfi9z8NHJKdrCMs7_eZGTjeTPuoKu/s1600/GEDC2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo06YtfU8xGNtBxVxKcWjydMkdblsmJQYqPtUnAW40V5k-0fYDH4yWJuIaZ5-_gDD9PH71nyXwEQbQvOxX4z-NPnPVRaA5j7v8-d8A-db8L4-NU5kfi9z8NHJKdrCMs7_eZGTjeTPuoKu/s200/GEDC2499.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting at bottom below curve, sew fabric pieces together with a 1/4" seam. Leave opening to turn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQll3Z1VMAam9k7HgOA8bnEEAd5yCBwQgZS3gRT4-dU8wtja2Wx2eW9kLSjhZU8SmVSNUr1rsDd5r8xzHMq20Wrkz_qt7JvN5ZLMecPgJFeZO22mApYshW1nNh2kcSWo12APFa0kcFcT0/s1600/GEDC2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQll3Z1VMAam9k7HgOA8bnEEAd5yCBwQgZS3gRT4-dU8wtja2Wx2eW9kLSjhZU8SmVSNUr1rsDd5r8xzHMq20Wrkz_qt7JvN5ZLMecPgJFeZO22mApYshW1nNh2kcSWo12APFa0kcFcT0/s200/GEDC2504.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clip corners and curve, turn rightside out and use pen or chopstick on corners. You can slipstich the opening closed, or iron it(my shortcut for something that may not get washed)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNQn92L2ac-0P1uSO3zaz_suO8StEGpIg_CiFB_CvVU2zauPl_Xoy67bsvt9XY2cuXDQwgl8k9GbUJBE6ffI429p1hzNeHiKi8mMnt6WpH-xpXBgQsA0qhRKwrrGTiUn8kWlb80fnWcKg/s1600/GEDC2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNQn92L2ac-0P1uSO3zaz_suO8StEGpIg_CiFB_CvVU2zauPl_Xoy67bsvt9XY2cuXDQwgl8k9GbUJBE6ffI429p1hzNeHiKi8mMnt6WpH-xpXBgQsA0qhRKwrrGTiUn8kWlb80fnWcKg/s200/GEDC2541.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Line up edges and sew along open side, again with a 1/4" seam. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe5SdEl2v01pUTHLos6qebnFplZkGRRNxqHn-r_Iqga8R_bhHn5vy91IHoaibUsyDeLTD7FZ_ZMcCn0HjsUNwzT2cNYKT3UYULJMk4cj8xmL6IIV9QFxGzCFYUzKer2MVrMzL0dnNk8Qi/s1600/GEDC2542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe5SdEl2v01pUTHLos6qebnFplZkGRRNxqHn-r_Iqga8R_bhHn5vy91IHoaibUsyDeLTD7FZ_ZMcCn0HjsUNwzT2cNYKT3UYULJMk4cj8xmL6IIV9QFxGzCFYUzKer2MVrMzL0dnNk8Qi/s200/GEDC2542.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sew across bottom open edge with a 3/4" seam. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Repeat until you have as many as you want!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You can, of course, make one and use it as a gift case for a homemade DVD.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">DVD Case:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Disclaimer- This was my first ever venture into applique. I have never read or had any instructions on applique, I've only seen The Quilter doing it and the end result. But now I know, you apply it before you sew things together, and you put some sort of backing onto the fabric before sewing it down. That said, decorate your case cover before you sew it together, probably even before you cut the fabric into strips. That's just my advice, though.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cut two pieces of fabric strips, 6 1/2 inches by 14 1/4 inches-these can be contrasting or the same-let your creativity run free!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sew these together with a 1/4 inch seam, leave an opening to turn. Clip corners and turn, use chopstick on corners. Again, you can slipstitch the opening closed or just iron it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdCPo4xzOQfzMGzU6FzfrvfWOAqR9UvhcDNQl-13vm9au5PkX5J_s4DtqwDAFgCpkhR9JSozlmGqTQDufbogVYzaVdBx5U4egLycMkjIFL75JK5HVsQV6dwa7wdi8eY86BGYu4rU5q1KJ/s1600/GEDC2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdCPo4xzOQfzMGzU6FzfrvfWOAqR9UvhcDNQl-13vm9au5PkX5J_s4DtqwDAFgCpkhR9JSozlmGqTQDufbogVYzaVdBx5U4egLycMkjIFL75JK5HVsQV6dwa7wdi8eY86BGYu4rU5q1KJ/s200/GEDC2515.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Place your DVD holders inside case, with a 1/2 inch space from short edge. Fold case together, and stitch across bottom edge machine stitches, back stitching for a continuous line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD6yIDvbpn0RvnCUGzq6KVOk47l9uDj0OYgzRkpYhudCTCeYWxXsCBOY5ZPmrRUSvtOw_jQpPmig3hK5xeVMgqoJbfNTvudixlKVzGyi3zwLlgm0o7vszhfAlIIkcn0OTcjFlyfn7qgEt/s1600/GEDC2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD6yIDvbpn0RvnCUGzq6KVOk47l9uDj0OYgzRkpYhudCTCeYWxXsCBOY5ZPmrRUSvtOw_jQpPmig3hK5xeVMgqoJbfNTvudixlKVzGyi3zwLlgm0o7vszhfAlIIkcn0OTcjFlyfn7qgEt/s200/GEDC2519.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sew 5/8" button on cover, I used 3 strands of floss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWjvOsSH2R9QdH17gG8P6iVbkg_ObCC5y25I3sD0Rif8h0Xh2Ta_ueMLFXHjdaiuQKeGcGO3iBS8XRBN_KAs2OXFTcPAc0Lmi5UBtB7wbA1GhltUcsUAPeVpXjWxV7VIc_diH5pvaWsb8/s1600/GEDC2522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWjvOsSH2R9QdH17gG8P6iVbkg_ObCC5y25I3sD0Rif8h0Xh2Ta_ueMLFXHjdaiuQKeGcGO3iBS8XRBN_KAs2OXFTcPAc0Lmi5UBtB7wbA1GhltUcsUAPeVpXjWxV7VIc_diH5pvaWsb8/s200/GEDC2522.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To make button closure, knot end of floss, sew down from inside of case, then up again, and knot floss, but do not cut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7O9UawtHMMh1PhyphenhyphenweKbabqVxt98kCM-HUJ82-HdY0SG-AEAWl63BnGaUmdPsA0TBrfA_9Cwa8CsUhFU7gDUbcpSr0AGoziFKbroObkApIOPMgWF9C6mVSdJOecyYPEFesAB7FqTT5-oF/s1600/GEDC2525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7O9UawtHMMh1PhyphenhyphenweKbabqVxt98kCM-HUJ82-HdY0SG-AEAWl63BnGaUmdPsA0TBrfA_9Cwa8CsUhFU7gDUbcpSr0AGoziFKbroObkApIOPMgWF9C6mVSdJOecyYPEFesAB7FqTT5-oF/s200/GEDC2525.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thread 1/2" button onto floss, and place next to cover button to check length.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rhOfaO1zFeJ4GF2byvirL-HhA-tCWdKeEO631BD0ZUV5mwJBjdJWVtt4SNtyJ-I1gT_KHeVjGxW69JbE4xTAHm1MiEG6iyhlxhhrRaMLKP6A9Oy6VoPy9nZ7p3x9usreKkvCS76uGuYr/s1600/GEDC2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rhOfaO1zFeJ4GF2byvirL-HhA-tCWdKeEO631BD0ZUV5mwJBjdJWVtt4SNtyJ-I1gT_KHeVjGxW69JbE4xTAHm1MiEG6iyhlxhhrRaMLKP6A9Oy6VoPy9nZ7p3x9usreKkvCS76uGuYr/s200/GEDC2527.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sew back through holes of button to secure, being careful not to let floss get any longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyOdvQw36MaWAUCbMDBSeibUoGSQ-UjM-Fp3Oe3kKPiXKRTn8S7uCJuDMKzHCzQNn8Su4sfqTLoC-vCs7lSt8R5U-iBNtj6f65XM7OwIhGiPDlpj5Tssnxc2uHLLvO3jeSz_aHDgPT2I5/s1600/GEDC2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyOdvQw36MaWAUCbMDBSeibUoGSQ-UjM-Fp3Oe3kKPiXKRTn8S7uCJuDMKzHCzQNn8Su4sfqTLoC-vCs7lSt8R5U-iBNtj6f65XM7OwIhGiPDlpj5Tssnxc2uHLLvO3jeSz_aHDgPT2I5/s200/GEDC2531.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sew down from the inside to back of case, again, careful with the length </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8aFHPG92TPPoTAb7gvPmMnEfNQX-zjTp-gxIbc1rAdNN3DZWQWQulOivWCTjj-yUnR5FLonLQ73p6gkfz3p_dgP3meB6_GXiMmyYukkTAbPsJ0qK2rzjBtbolz6Bg_Ys4mOupWYrAms2/s1600/GEDC2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8aFHPG92TPPoTAb7gvPmMnEfNQX-zjTp-gxIbc1rAdNN3DZWQWQulOivWCTjj-yUnR5FLonLQ73p6gkfz3p_dgP3meB6_GXiMmyYukkTAbPsJ0qK2rzjBtbolz6Bg_Ys4mOupWYrAms2/s200/GEDC2532.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Knot on back side, cut floss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrcCAcfYsy0S19m92q9Fnp33f4imXakhJM2s43AIPLwtlfhJh2v2RcY9797SMPsOXQzTN977ZgYb8_d4RDAb9sdqxkuxn9qRyzXEp5WdjVnFmUtnkILuRV7dQAmMSK0PAgXPBDyQBqcEh/s1600/GEDC2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrcCAcfYsy0S19m92q9Fnp33f4imXakhJM2s43AIPLwtlfhJh2v2RcY9797SMPsOXQzTN977ZgYb8_d4RDAb9sdqxkuxn9qRyzXEp5WdjVnFmUtnkILuRV7dQAmMSK0PAgXPBDyQBqcEh/s200/GEDC2535.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yay, you did it! Now fill it with DVDs and carry it with pride!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thoughts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-4745295004385841312010-04-15T16:29:00.000-04:002010-04-15T16:29:04.839-04:00Living an organized life, part 3Recap- We covered how important a routine is, what your priorities should be and why, and the first steps of establishing a routine. And, yes, I know its Thursday when I said I would post this on Wednesday-let that be a lesson to you all to check your calendars before you commit yourself to something! Moving on! Rule #3 deals specifically with setting up a routine-<br />
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Rule #3- Work on no more than 3 habits, for at least 30 days. Set yourself up for success by having realistic expectations. Your life didn’t get where it is in a day, a week or a month-it’s taken a lifetime. Changing anything in it is going to take more than a day, a week, or a month. Unfortunately, some things may even take a lifetime to change, just don’t get discouraged and quit! Pick three things to change, not three areas, three things, such as-getting to bed at a set time, brushing teeth before bed, and getting up at a set time. After 30 days, it will be a habit-even if you sometimes didn’t do what you said you would do. You don’t necessarily have to choose three things that go together, you can choose fixing lunch instead of buying lunch, charging your phone and putting your shoes in the closet-it doesn’t matter, as long as you only work on three things at a time. <br />
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The most efficient way to change your routine is to work in sections of time, starting with your evening, then your morning, next your afternoon. Once these areas have a basic structure, you will have seen a change in not just the flow of your day but the material organization in your home. I’m not someone who tells you a general idea then leaves it at that, I’m a detail person, so I’m going to give you lots of applications. <br />
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To begin, get a daily calendar that is by the hour. Outlook is a great option, but plenty of day planners come with these pages. You can make this yourself, writing the time (6 am, 7 am) down one side of the paper, leaving space to write next to the time what your activities are. This is going to sound like I’m having you make a schedule, but I’m not, this is to keep you from putting too much pressure on yourself. You must plan a full week at a time, because most days are different, and sometimes, each week is different. When you write something on the calendar, consider how long it should take and how long it does take. At this point you will be figuring out what is possible for you to do in a single day, so block out the time for each activity-showering and dressing, eating, driving somewhere, etc.<br />
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Begin with the time that you will get out of bed. End with the time you will go to sleep-not get in bed and read for a while, what time will you go to sleep? You have now established your sleeping schedule, next put in meals. You cannot live for very long without sleeping or eating, so they go in first. After that, put in showering and dressing, if you do those things(those around you will appreciate it). Now it’s time to check the things you have to work around-if you’re a SAHM, or a WAHM and you have a child that naps on a schedule, put that in. If you work outside the house, put that on there. Do you or anyone else in your household have weekly/monthly lessons? Do you drive your children to school during the week? As I said, these are the things you have to work around; they aren’t flexible to what will work for you. Once those things are on the calendar, it’s time to look at your priorities. I’ll remind you that you are your first priority, so have you put on there taking care of yourself? Not just showering and dressing, but giving to yourself; time to pray, meditate, journal. Separate from that is being selfish in a good way. These are two separate endeavors, one gives you focus and purpose, the other revitalizes and refreshes you. They can be similar activities, but I would recommend branching out and trying new things in the selfish in a good way category. I’m not suggesting you go online and shop ‘til you drop, but trying a new activity that you’ve always been interested in, reading a good book if you don’t usually take time for that, those are what you can consider selfish in a good way. <br />
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Priority #2 and #3 are spouse and children, and if you don’t have either of those, it’s the family and friends you choose to be your #2 and #3 priorities. Put them on the calendar. Yes, I mean it, pick a time and put these beautiful people in there. <br />
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I must interject something here. We all have biological clocks, which make us “morning” or “night” or “afternoon” people. What that means is that we all have a time that is our “best” time. It’s a time of day where we are just predisposed to getting it right, handling crisis better, frustrations and life in general. When is that time for you, and the individuals in your house? Once you know what your best time is, there are some things that you should do during that time. Do things that you don’t like to do-you will have better attitude in general if you do them during your best time. Give to other people in your best time-especially your family and anyone you may be upset with. Giving to someone you are upset with leads to reconciliation, and you will be more sincere if you’re in a good mood. If you and your spouse and children are all at your best at the same time of day, that’s when you should be spending time together, if not, work it out so that someone is at their best when you have quality time with your family.<br />
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Now you have what can be called a basic routine. Look at the gaps you have in there. If after going this far you have no gaps, some things must go, and not necessarily from your routine, but maybe people in your house need to contribute or give up things that may not be necessary. Here’s why-you haven’t put in there time for taking care of your house-not just cleaning, but regular maintenance. Nor have you put in there buying food, and the other miscellaneous errands that are a must in everyday life. A busy life does not equal a satisfying life. The people I know that are truly satisfied usually have very little on their calendars outside of the basic schedule. Cut back and give yourself room to live. <br />
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There are a few more things I’d like to share with you, so in the next couple of days I’ll finish.<br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-58127051530485629722010-04-12T16:17:00.001-04:002010-04-13T15:04:40.730-04:00Living an organized life, Part 2Priorities are central to establishing a routine. For those of you that may not know what your priorities are, don’t worry, I’m bossy enough to tell you. The first priority is you. Yes, you are to be your first concern, not anyone or anything else. You might be thinking, that can’t be right, that is so selfish! Hear me out before you decide I’m way off. You are your first priority for these reasons- <br />
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1. You are an example to those around you. Everyone you encounter is watching, and you have the power to influence those people-will you influence them for the better, or the worse? I once stood in line at the bank behind a woman who was so full of negativity that by the time I was leaving, I had nothing positive to say to anyone-and before entering the building I had been my normal happy and upbeat self. Also, you have probably heard “Do as I say, not as I do”-has that ever worked well for anyone? If you want your spouse, and children to eat healthy and you never eat veggies, do you really think they will listen to you? This of course, has a very wide spectrum. At work, if you do personal things during company time-check personal emails for example, you have no grounds to tell someone else, don’t text your sister when you should be finishing that report! Take care of yourself first, and set the right example.<br />
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2. No one else is going to take care of you. As children, someone else was always doing for us, and as adults, we all long for that treatment still. We all want someone to do the laundry, pay the bills and get spending money for us. But the truth is, no one is going to do that because we’re not their priority. As adults, we’re the ones that must take care of ourselves, and in many cases, other people. Often we get upset and resentful because there isn’t someone telling us, “I’ll do that for you” or “Here take a rest, you’ve been working hard”. Sometimes we wait for our spouse or friend to take care of us, and become angry when they don’t-they don’t have to! We must accept that if we don’t do for ourselves, no one else will. And that doesn’t make the people around us cruel, mean or bad. Remember, they have to take care of themselves as well. This is where being selfish in a good way comes in. I know I’m just full of contradictions, aren’t I! I learned this term years ago from a wonderful life coach. She explained selfish in a good way as this-something you do for yourself, and only yourself, that makes you a better person to the people around you, without harming them either. A woman I know has 5 kids and homeschools them; she takes a nap every day. When people balk at this, she states, “They know I’m better with it”. You must find something you can do daily, just for yourself that revitalizes you, and gives you energy for the rest of your day. For me it’s 15 minutes of reading some of my favorite craft blogs. I turn off the computer after that and I’m excited to go through the rest of the day. <br />
3. You cannot give what you do not have. This is a more emotional and spiritual rule. Taking the time to focus and connect yourself, to meditate and bring yourself to the center gives you the kindness it takes to deal with the irritating aspects of life. You have the focus to help other people without feeling drained, and you have an easier time setting the example when you’ve taken the time for yourself daily to connect with God. <br />
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Your second priority is your spouse, if you have one, followed by your children, if you have them. Relationships are vital, and therefore take precedence over all other endeavors- I have heard several successful people state at their retirement that they would give all the success up for better relationships. Set aside time daily for these special people in your life. When you are with your other half, don’t talk about kids, work or finances. If you can’t think of anything outside of those subjects, get some ice breaker questions (online or buy a box at the store), and remember why you stayed with them in the beginning. With children, give them set aside time daily-15 minutes is great-and do what they want to do. Even if you don’t like it, or are not interested, this is a time where it’s not about you, it’s about them. A beautiful saying to train yourself to say is, “Something is better than nothing, always aim for more.” I read it in a book by my favorite author, Elizabeth George. When you think the small amount of time you have maybe isn’t enough to matter, imagine saying to someone you love, “We have 5 minutes, would you like to spend some time together?” And their response is, “It’s only five minutes, it’s not really worth it.” How heart breaking. Something is better than nothing, always aim for more. This is another rule that has many far reaching applications.<br />
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Priorities dictate when and how we do things. There are some things that we cannot avoid doing, which you might not think of-eating, sleeping, showering. Also, appointments (doctor, hairstylist), lessons, classes, and homecare are all things we must do. When you are ready to plan a routine, you must take into account these types of priorities as well. <br />
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Now that we’ve covered priorities, let’s begin with the actual establishing of a routine. Paramount to a successful routine is taking small steps. Begin with one part, or section of your day, and spend a month establishing that part of the routine before adding anything else. This takes us to rule #2-<br />
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Rule #2-Your day starts the night before. I originally read this in a book about direct sales success. I loaned the book to someone and have never gotten it back. If I find it, I’ll give the correct reference and all the other wonderful life advice in it. Flylady is also an advocate of starting the night before. Much of our morning craziness comes from a lack of an evening routine. To begin, your evening routine should consist of these things, and only these things-<br />
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1. Check the weather and check your calendar. What are you doing tomorrow, what do you need for tomorrow, and how will the weather affect that? If you had planned on working outside the next day and now the weather forecast is for all day rain, you should make new plans. If you have children, what do they need for the next day? How is the weather going to affect them?<br />
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2. This is an extension of #1-Get everything ready. Whatever is going out of the house with you tomorrow put it in your car the night before. Have everything that should stay inside the house by the door you leave from. This goes for children as well. <br />
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3. Pick out your clothes for the next day. This saves you time, and if you had planned on wearing something specific, it will save you the trouble of realizing to late that the shirt you wanted to wear didn’t get washed(or dried). Also, you don’t have to start the morning with an argument over appropriate outfits; you can get it out of the way the night before. Once you wake up, you can be over it, and get on with the day. On that subject, it’s best to have kids pick out outfits a week in advance, that way they are ready and you don’t have to think too much about it-they can grab a pre-chosen outfit and put it on. Any day of the week that you have time to go through clothes and put together outfits is great. Have place to put them, a hanging cubbies, or even a small set of seven drawers will do the trick. <br />
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Remember that it is generally agreed that establishing a new habit takes 30 days, so allow for 35, because sometimes life hits us in the face and we get off track. More on the next step on Wednesday!<br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-31914953206695862562010-04-08T17:04:00.004-04:002010-04-09T07:40:39.561-04:00How to live an organized life-part 1I spoke at my MOPs group about organization, and due to the response, I thought I’d put it all on here. I’m surprised I haven’t posted anything about organization, since it’s one of my top five favorite things. I wish I could say that everything I tell you I came up with on my own, but the truth is, I’ve spent years researching organization; I learned most of what I know from my mother, at the end of this I’ll list people I’ve found that support what she taught me. My mother ingrained in me what I consider to be the rules of organization. <br />
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Rule #1-Organization is a lifestyle, not a product. Most of the ways to become organized are daily habits, not shelves, hooks and storage. I like to explain it this way-there are two types of organization; material and task. Material organization is of course, where and how our possessions are placed. Task organization is erroneously called time management, a term I despise with a passion. Time management is impossible-how many of us can make a minute longer? An hour shorter? Time management is like gravity management (think Superman)-not humanly possible. Off my soapbox and back to the point. Task management is what we do all day long; eating, filing, gardening, driving. Task management is more important than material, though most people don’t realize this. Material organization is what we can see, so we focus on that, believing that if we have the right filing system, coat rack, and shelving, we will be able to achieve the elusive “organization” we hear about on TV, radio, and read about everywhere. This is just not true. Your habits decide whether that filing system, coat rack or shelves will do what you bought them for. If you set up the latest and greatest filing system, but your habit is to leave all your papers in a pile on top of the kitchen counter, that filing system is worthless. If your children’s habit is to come in and leave their coats hanging on the back of the dining room chairs, their backpacks in their room and their shoes in the living room, that coatrack/shoe cubby/hook system isn’t going to make your foyer look like the catalog picture. <br />
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So what will make your house look like your dream home? A routine, not a schedule, is what you need to flow through your hectic days. Why not a schedule? A schedule will only set you up for disappointment and feelings of failure. If you decide that your schedule will be to get up at 6:00 and be showered and dressed by 6:45, but the power goes out because of a storm or something else beyond your control, when you wake up after 6:00, you are starting your day behind schedule. In your mind, you feel bad, because to your mind, you have failed-you didn’t hold up your end of the deal-you said you would be up and showered and dressed, yet you are not. The better way is to decide that you will get up, shower, dress, eat breakfast, feed the pets, and then walk out the door for work. I’m not saying that deciding to leave your house at a specific time is bad, but you should know what you can do in a set amount of time. Thus, when you wake up after your alarm should have gone off, you can cut out things in your routine if needed to still get where you need to be on time. The flexibility of a routine allows for the interruptions of life without feeling rushed, behind or as though we’ve failed at something. <br />
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As an example I’d like to offer up a woman most everyone has heard of-Martha Stewart. As many things as she does, she must have a routine you can set your watch by. Each month in the front of Martha Stewart Living is Martha’s monthly calendar. If you were to look in her day planner, you will find a basic routine to each of her days. The people working with her don’t need to check their watches to see what time it is, as she flows from one task to another. She’s had this routine long enough that she probably innately knows how long each task will take and can plan for the other things she would like to do. The people we meet that get so much done, without neglecting any major area of life-family, sleep, business, fun, are examples of people that have a routine. Find someone that seems to get it all done, and ask them about their life; you’ll hear things like, ‘In the evening…’ and ‘Each morning…’, all phrases that indicate a set routine. <br />
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How do you do this in your life? I guarantee you have a routine, whether it’s intentional or not. Set a timer for 10:30 each day, I’m sure you will be beginning, in the middle of, or finishing the same thing each day when the timer goes off. To set a routine, you have to know what your priorities are, as well as what do you want to accomplish in a day, a week, a month. I’ll explain setting up a routine on Monday. For now, begin to think about what your priorities are-do you know? Do you know what you’d like to get done in day? Do you know what you do in day now? If you’re not sure, find out-check the clock every so often and write down what you’re doing, so that you get a good idea of what you do, and how long it takes you to do it.<br />
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***Forgot to tell you who else believes this-flylady.net is a great site, and she is another advocate of a routine is the be all end all of organization.***<br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-814066817036025381.post-89284437711499910812010-04-06T09:47:00.000-04:002010-04-06T09:47:21.343-04:00An Easter DressThis year, E got to pick out her fabric and the pattern for her Easter dress. I was impressed with her choice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7Z3sF9I76aQ1WFzSORfjhAl4FtnRXmdSwyxXnOznRnuVEDlVYG6keziwnSzxJvEGKfmPrn3sPzCLRdCQtbP4btNKckSbxLDtgLe7y_ahC4bMSr-OMoFYgfkzTGaUpM8X2tVGZMIeWMRI/s1600/04-06-2010+09%3B21%3B11AM.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7Z3sF9I76aQ1WFzSORfjhAl4FtnRXmdSwyxXnOznRnuVEDlVYG6keziwnSzxJvEGKfmPrn3sPzCLRdCQtbP4btNKckSbxLDtgLe7y_ahC4bMSr-OMoFYgfkzTGaUpM8X2tVGZMIeWMRI/s320/04-06-2010+09%3B21%3B11AM.bmp" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She wanted the pink dress, probably b/c the picture was pink. I have yet to make her understand that I can make it in any color. Unfortunately, the only pattern piece I had was the skirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oCYZP8SLumMMQiRb9Jrl5AMLN3PORaSOZCEa2JLOxxp9vrSozAC4UjKLSJnpQyPiIBhAOlcD2-Rao8l7_w4EySlWNaxv5Rjl99Zihhso7kDzi6N8qjBGf115PS_pCmmuMXgGVW8aACkz/s1600/simp5901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oCYZP8SLumMMQiRb9Jrl5AMLN3PORaSOZCEa2JLOxxp9vrSozAC4UjKLSJnpQyPiIBhAOlcD2-Rao8l7_w4EySlWNaxv5Rjl99Zihhso7kDzi6N8qjBGf115PS_pCmmuMXgGVW8aACkz/s320/simp5901.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did, however, have all the pieces for this dress, which is about the same dress. She kept saying she wanted the bunny in the picture. I'm all for accessorizing, but not with live animals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIuddfdQfn660YQZIqygg8iC_RWoQhAS8f3p3_hb17NpXJWVWwNt4-csZgDvoYpgLJtgG8KxuOrSpF194QIRz_5lm2hrZhpOJYs8eD07fqlwo0T5yo25xrITEk8D-KzcFWHD8AzNBdSZM/s1600/GEDC2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIuddfdQfn660YQZIqygg8iC_RWoQhAS8f3p3_hb17NpXJWVWwNt4-csZgDvoYpgLJtgG8KxuOrSpF194QIRz_5lm2hrZhpOJYs8eD07fqlwo0T5yo25xrITEk8D-KzcFWHD8AzNBdSZM/s320/GEDC2406.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was super easy to do, and thanks to my wonderful gathering foot, the skirt took maybe ten minutes to do. The hardest part is figuring out what setting to have the foot on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXWz-avlhr3g6-YG-AKaJfCqBQELEZM70dDJJuuem7G8vsB_epXRjEkAUqneEOxD9RAaJAQJjphph3-ChBSu_NFZ4qnZtwKxdFIj4oI7apNjrJ626cTNNkGmrYOJhtYDjWJLi2AgwEPdt/s1600/GEDC2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXWz-avlhr3g6-YG-AKaJfCqBQELEZM70dDJJuuem7G8vsB_epXRjEkAUqneEOxD9RAaJAQJjphph3-ChBSu_NFZ4qnZtwKxdFIj4oI7apNjrJ626cTNNkGmrYOJhtYDjWJLi2AgwEPdt/s320/GEDC2408.JPG" width="178" /></a></div>I asked her to smile, and that's what she did for each picture. Little booger.<br />
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Happy Thoughts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2