tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52047911512031288162024-03-13T20:18:49.864-07:00Liddy B. and meCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.comBlogger657125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-54999640015313369532013-10-02T02:40:00.000-07:002013-10-02T02:41:21.830-07:00Sibling Photo Shoot <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I have been meaning to get pictures taken of the kids since their birthdays over the summer. I can't believe how long it took to get then into the portrait studio! I am SO glad that I finally got to it. I think the pictures turned out GREAT! </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cOGPf8V3ihM/UkvqPTuP0LI/AAAAAAAAMzQ/u9E6txzWD0k/8E278F31-0CD0-454C-9885-3EA44A2FFAF5.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Joshua and Lydia are wearing outfits that were sewn and smocked by my mom.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EM5vjmbhWg0/UkvqGtFx5KI/AAAAAAAAMyo/K44C0oCposg/78EFC52A-D1CD-41FA-BAB1-20FAAA34CCE0.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wPLzLzInCow/UkvqNdIz61I/AAAAAAAAMzI/XhU8KTbnxXs/CF96460B-54CC-467F-A10B-CD7D7C1D7DA0.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I knew this might be a challenging appointment as Joshua is now able to move around, but not able to follow directions. I am amazed that the photographer was able to get this many good shots!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BIjZ6YLEMXc/UkvqKN4_wwI/AAAAAAAAMy4/o4MJdMgwY88/43E4BD47-5BA7-479F-8729-2725254C1359.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rCEq3vNpugY/UkvqICqV71I/AAAAAAAAMyw/BZXQqgepNLI/FB25B057-51C6-46F8-AF42-9CB19931007A.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>This is my FAVORITE! Joshua was ready to leave and we were trying anything to get him to stay. Lydia was going to show him the book, but he grabbed it and started pointing to pictures. The photographer captured the moment beautifully!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Uin6_njwdY/UkvqL-u8VfI/AAAAAAAAMzA/dvjmQvldAgg/1B7B39FB-8B0F-4370-979A-18E6FA3FF80C.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-34762227766451356032013-07-17T04:33:00.001-07:002013-07-17T04:33:33.179-07:00Come On Over and See What I'm Making Now! <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PhF1AVLANAE/UeaBCkj1LlI/AAAAAAAAMnQ/mFMuNt65Veo/D111CDD0-0910-4DD8-900E-0C470DF10F88.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Don't forget to move with me to the new blog. Today I'm sharing my latest crafting obsession! Click <a href='http://www.repurposedpumpkin.com/2013/07/my-nails-are-my-newest-crafting.html' target='_blank'>HERE</a> or go to www.repurposedpumpkin.com</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-8877871623084133612013-07-09T12:27:00.001-07:002013-07-09T12:27:37.363-07:00Don't Miss Out: Popcorn Container turned Patriotic Centerpiece <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Don't miss out! I've posted a SUPER easy trash to treasure transformation over on <a href='http://www.repurposedpumpkin.com/2013/07/from-popcorn-to-patriotic.html' target='_self'>The Repurposed Pumpkin</a> (<a href='www.repurposedpumpkin.com' target='_self'>www.repurposedpumpkin.com</a>)</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VGsQxdvvIWw/UdxkJ14P5sI/AAAAAAAAMjI/jJuoAUpr5QE/D45BC012-D2A4-40A2-BF50-3F90A3F650F1.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Don't forget that I am now posting all my new crafty content over on <a href='http://www.repurposedpumpkin.com' target='_self'>The Repurposed Pumpkin</a>. So pop on over, bookmark the new address, and check out how I repurposed an old popcorn container and turned it into a patriotic container.</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-389723360170527922013-07-06T12:18:00.003-07:002013-07-06T12:18:54.867-07:00We're MOVING!OK, We (PJ, the kids, and myself) are not moving, but a big part of how we document our lives is. This blog is getting a spiffy new update and a new web address. This blog has morphed and changed, from something originally conceived to update family on our daughter to the place where I post all my crafty ideas and experiments. Our family is no longer just Liddy B and Me and this blog isn't either. Changing the blog name, address, and mostly concept, has been an idea for a long time. I have been agonizing over who I am, what I do, what I want to do and trying to find a name that fits. Here's what I have figured out.<br />
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I like to make magic happen, by taking something old and giving it a new life. I like to make things that make people happy. I like to make lots of different things based on what is needed or what is available. I will never make the same thing over and over. I am inspired by a challenge. I have been given a gift and I want to share that gift. <br />
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With all that in mind, and while planning the Cinderella party for Lydia, I kept thinking about the pumpkin. That plain, ordinary, overlooked pumpkin that the quirky godmother saw as pure potential. The pumpkin that literally became the vehicle for magic. The Re-purposed Pumpkin!<br />
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Suddenly, I had found one phrase to sum up all that I am and do and want to be; magical transformations, taking something from ordinary to extraordinary, and creating childlike joy! I am really excited to move this blog, Liddy B and Me (<a href="http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/">lydiaburchett.blogspot.com</a>) my new blog, <a href="http://www.repurposedpumpkin.com/">The Repurposed Pumpkin</a> (<a href="http://repurposedpumpkin.com/">repurposedpumpkin.com</a>). I hope that you will join in on the magic and follow me over to <a href="http://www.repurposedpumpkin.com/">the new website</a>. You can also get frequent updates on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheRepurposedPumpkin">Repurposed Pumpkin Facebook Page</a> and very soon you will be able to purchase some of my creations on the Repurposed Pumpkin Etsy site.<br />
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While we all transition to the new site, I'll post reminders here to come join the fun over at <a href="http://www.repurposedpumpkin.com/" target="_blank">The Repurposed Pumpkin</a>. I do hope to see you there!<br />
<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-1411445461983927912013-07-05T07:05:00.000-07:002013-07-05T07:06:14.579-07:004th of July Dessert Table <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Can I brag about this cake? My FIRST fondant cake! My first 4th of July cake for Joshua's FIRST birthday? It makes me so happy!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NLaJPVHs81o/UdbSqgCbQhI/AAAAAAAAMgQ/J0S2L9d64jM/F8B57A8C-0F7E-45E1-854E-71C91722E632.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I started with <a href='http://www.ehow.com/how_5621567_make-cakes-like-bakery.html#page=5' target='_self'>this recipe</a> for doctoring a cake mix and <a href='http://www.thatreallyfrostsme.com/2010/04/my-favorite-frostingicing.html?m=1' target='_self'>this recipe</a> for butter cream frosting. The frosting was REALLY thick! It was touted as a good frosting to use with the paper towel frosting smoothing trick that I keep hearing about. Not familiar with the paper towel trick? Here's <a href='http://www.monkeysee.com/play/988-cake-decorating-a-secret-to-smoothing-icing' target='_self'>the video</a> I watched to learn it.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pmi1g4_qZZk/UdbSnGxAmMI/AAAAAAAAMgA/2q9e87md090/2985AF79-3151-42AB-9E20-603E58E4CF35.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Because I was doing fondant decorations, I decided to save the smooth buttercream for another day and opted for all fondant using <a href='http://sugarsweetcakesandtreats.blogspot.com/2010/11/recipe-red-marshmallow-fondant-mmf.html?m=1' target='_self'>this recipe</a> for a fondant made with marshmallows and colored chocolate melts.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4kbIr1TGeBs/UdbS07VyRdI/AAAAAAAAMhA/hbLxqmQWS7Y/45801A83-E4E8-4253-B6D4-8FD0BD250579.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>First I made white fondant and covered a 6 inch cake.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GQIBzvFbCao/UdbSsFqaOtI/AAAAAAAAMgY/7q42ouS_pF4/0BFE7C4C-BEEB-4343-8243-D663E96CC863.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Next I added red fondant stripes and frosted a 4 inch cake on top.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_1TbrAoqo34/UdbSxaQcohI/AAAAAAAAMgw/xWqtHRHk9-Y/76B5BF4A-9C74-4CAF-B4C8-8BCD21438AE0.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Finally I added a layer of blue fondant and fifty stars. I just wet the back of the fondant to make the stars and the stripes stick.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q6l7zMD-Yww/UdbSzbyG3iI/AAAAAAAAMg4/1iexZziZQl8/561B1E46-24D6-4AD9-B14B-A17567B7CBEE.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I made cupcakes with the extra batter and frosting. I added more fondant stars and little flags.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qfS8yUXMlWY/UdbSo-Y8MTI/AAAAAAAAMgI/UaJ9z1Ka-mw/5D2B6A73-4918-4B5A-8093-0018924C1E85.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I also made mini versions of strawberry pie, based on this <a href='http://www.copykat.com/2009/02/04/shoneys-strawberry-pie-ii/' target='_self'>Shoney's copycat recipe</a>. i just poured it into pre made mini graham cracker pie crusts. This type of pie is PJ's favorite but they all disappeared before he got to eat one, so it looks like I'll be making more soon!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JDBHAR_Z55Q/UdbSvxD-opI/AAAAAAAAMgo/2sMCpavRWFo/1E4DCD4A-18FA-495C-A2AC-CCE6E651A167.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>While the rest of us enjoyed cupcakes and pie, Joshua was a little confused about what to do with his fondant covered cake. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KvIWll92lk4/UdbStnwaBrI/AAAAAAAAMgg/rXs0paR1KBo/3F3BC4A9-4BE7-44B5-A588-19BAF3582086.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Once we broke through the fondant coating, Joshua was able to have his cake and eat it too! </p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-84892901312294278892013-07-03T14:58:00.000-07:002013-07-03T15:05:55.285-07:00Princess Party Post <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Oops! Sorry! I edited and organized all these pictures from the princess party, and then went out of town and lost all momentum. Don't forget, I was recovering from surgery (and from throwing a big party immediately after surgery!) Tomorrow we celebrate the 4th if July.... and baby Joshua's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!! While I frantically tie up loose ends.... and bake his cake.... enjoy the details of Lydia's special day!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h0XI_1GKOcQ/UdSgKtExGEI/AAAAAAAAMfY/VkQ_RjkZ3hE/B852079C-78D6-4F97-97E2-553F38259189.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>First, the food. Usually I obsess over making themed food, but with surgery looming I let PJ handle dinner and my mom graciously bought (gasp!) a store bought cake. I have to say it was PERFECT! Lydia's friends don't care if the food fits the theme! They care if they recognize the food. PJ made hot dogs and they LOVED it. He also carved one of his famous watermelons, in the shape if Cinderella's carriage.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z36Sk49rEfA/UdSf7c8DfUI/AAAAAAAAMeg/vLNx-QNOEv4/E42D7412-A110-4543-9091-1691FFE9B614.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>He even made mice out if pears to pull the carriage and a driver from an assortment of fruits.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LDWPfCdpFYU/UdSgGR3cl9I/AAAAAAAAMfI/UxjamOu464U/EB23FCD1-4541-4FF9-BA37-A399C5FE45A6.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>By Saturday I felt well enough to even skewer some fruit kabob wands.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YT4bQy85jgE/UdSf5t4E4AI/AAAAAAAAMeY/odOigslydV0/E23D7401-F768-46B0-8371-A07E45522A05.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>My sister agreed to make a beverage for the grown ups and I purchased some juice bottles for the kids. I added princess stickers to match the colors of the juice. These were super simple but a lot of fun.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wK-HB39alUI/UdSgESJRNxI/AAAAAAAAMfA/tBXOY4ZrA2Y/AD085A39-3507-49C0-BA1E-AB9E0CBA34EA.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Most of the party was spent outside with the kids enjoying the playhouse and barn.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hlf4tBxzYaM/UdSgNO6-X0I/AAAAAAAAMfg/FuMN9VUz6SI/15497CC8-17A4-4E19-B492-D9F06F80CF23.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The only activity I planned was crown (or pirate hat) decorating and stringing beads to make jewelry. I had a few of our older kid friends help supervise the crafts.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HUhvvwX3FRk/UdSgPXCWEuI/AAAAAAAAMfo/tV3GKO5Lelk/67B3FC95-7323-4CA8-A16F-68A485EFD3E6.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Even Joshua had fun with the crowns and wands.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mWF2YnewHbc/UdSf_qaycYI/AAAAAAAAMew/5wBPjNS8xoU/F52E10DA-8347-4E2B-8F3B-4559A1376325.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>After a while, it was time to head inside for snacks, cake, and gifts.... But first we had a surprise visit from CINDERELLA!!!!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GIH9tUNF030/UdSemi-2MtI/AAAAAAAAMd4/-7E5lDCGE4M/3944E063-3734-47BF-AC29-38D96E4C8702.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>After saying hello, Cinderella shared that she was looking for her lost shoe.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y9APMTRptDk/UdSeqKzGjZI/AAAAAAAAMeI/jDu6puh8DQ8/13F745F1-A9C6-4855-919A-7D47D8325127.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>We just happened to have an extra shoe, so all the girls got to try it on!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eM95MD0Ta8M/UdSgCXLKfFI/AAAAAAAAMe4/-Ij7U3E-DLU/4F5ACDD3-0B7D-472B-8E62-56CA5642BE47.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Then Cinderella posed for pictures and said her goodbyes.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uPD7byHtXVg/UdSeoR2yyCI/AAAAAAAAMeA/8zL4CzCKCtw/BC2A7237-F60B-4BCE-97EF-BD9D98773621.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The birthday girl blew out her candles ....</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G5DpgF1wBqY/UdSf9TccFzI/AAAAAAAAMeo/ku4pO87QqIQ/FF9D8D77-AA01-40C3-8269-17BDE5E5782E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>...and opened her gifts. It was a wonderful day and I am SO thankful for everyone who stepped in while I quietly recovered!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s8WkTQN_yQ4/UdSgIu97miI/AAAAAAAAMfQ/w7axliuC-X8/C78414A9-4853-4BCF-8C54-9D208C799FA8.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-36001960876496812662013-06-23T06:26:00.001-07:002013-06-23T06:26:28.586-07:00The Hostess with No Voice <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>So, I had a vocal chord polyp removed on Thursday and am on voice rest for the next week. I had a similar surgery 15 years ago on both vocal chords with voice rest for THREE weeks after, so this time should be easier. Unfortunately, my voice rest coincides withLydia's big princess birthday party!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SfjcIWuKmHM/Ucb3cij9RCI/AAAAAAAAMb0/q-7QHYqQHhM/33650291-5E3D-45F8-8732-2EB89A7BB15E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I LOVE planning and hosting parties, so the idea of being the host and not being able to talk SUCKS! Technology will be on my side this time and I can text messages to anyone, including a person I am standing next to. However, sometimes that's inconvenient too. I decided to type up a few messages that would be especially helpful at the party.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LWd8dlYf044/Ucb3bqp3wwI/AAAAAAAAMbs/G3eFg8GEnBQ/F0A199C9-65BB-4412-A885-097874BEC18E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I used a circle punch to cut them out.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-37XdWwYgOIQ/Ucb3gVzvLrI/AAAAAAAAMcM/qqki2bj4mJU/D223EC3D-139A-41AF-BAA7-0857CB9A9BDD.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Then I glued them to a larger thicker background piece of punched out paper. These pieces were then strung on a necklace and could be selected and shown as needed.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q9a3Zo9SY0o/Ucb3exzp5MI/AAAAAAAAMcE/g0P17NicyRU/E2329D5F-39B8-459C-AE67-77D7BE81DF23.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I realize its silly, but its not like I can tell a joke or anything right now! </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_lXUOaPmKtU/Ucb3dRC3-kI/AAAAAAAAMb8/MXBxFa6KHYA/925577B0-4B2A-41CA-8CC2-64DDDAF64B16.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-78399504814579414912013-06-23T01:02:00.000-07:002013-06-24T06:18:22.598-07:00Finally, A Finished Playhouse! <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Last summer, after winning our episode of TLC's Craft Wars by building a schoolhouse themed playhouse, PJ and I wanted to build one for our kids. (No we did NOT get to keep the playhouse that we built on the show!)</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RkLJFDyUyCs/UchG4wUkX3I/AAAAAAAAMcs/EEUOXPjWT7o/42F90A02-EBA5-4AEE-A22F-D906F30136AB.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>We ended up building one playhouse for EACH of our kids, as divergent ideas resulted in both a traditional house and one shaped like a barn.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-glfDb_3XwzY/UchG6mp1kiI/AAAAAAAAMc0/bFjWJ7kP_SA/FE9D876A-04C7-43F6-BBE2-EF53743963C4.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>In preparation for Lydia's birthday party, and about a year after it was started, we are ready to call the play area FINISHED! I am SO proud of all that PJ did for our kids. Here's a little tour. First the outside and inside of Lydia's playhouse.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mzh9orPfcKY/UchG9s0wU-I/AAAAAAAAMdE/10JKiv9JsAo/4057999F-AE07-4157-A461-0A986534A6EF.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It looks small from the front, but extends off the back,</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nwgU1wtTxv4/UchHE4W-dEI/AAAAAAAAMdc/GPd4ICh6PpE/B102CBCD-09E3-43DF-8895-4CE674D0168F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0LsJ2rnHxH0/UchG_d6qr1I/AAAAAAAAMdM/ms31Kfs8piA/3F671BC9-4745-48C3-ACB8-22A38143DE7B.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g7UK60rwN4E/UchG8XAdpiI/AAAAAAAAMc8/e4awJDuaVts/DF8F938C-F969-4B74-B767-FD9206F0D462.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I love that PJ turned an old stump into a teeter totter!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AhoBgfRm630/UchG2dpuP8I/AAAAAAAAMck/NE9GQxDg9ZU/25A0E748-CB6C-4ED1-BF42-30E7C35DC0A1.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>There is a sandbox and room for 4 to swing.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A8JYJjVmjiQ/UchGzwepTHI/AAAAAAAAMcc/5Z3sPhV-tXg/E9BD9C61-F4DC-45EE-B41B-C77C9FA93860.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>There is a kiddy pool and then the barn, which has a drive in ramp for Lydia's electric toy car. The barn also has a little loft space with a ladder in the silo.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ERhm23lEUSs/UchHGuFXUrI/AAAAAAAAMdk/KZ7SHzBQqoI/6B870E4B-85C0-43EE-9BDF-4F60D9B49FAC.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>And finally, there is a kiddy version of a trapeze bar hanging from a tree limb. It is all SO super cute and such an amazing gift that PJ has created for this family. Happy birthdays Lydia and Joshua!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-azDhw77dB4A/UchHDvPYNNI/AAAAAAAAMdU/FQ3K4sn7dBo/397059E8-AFAE-4030-98DB-6A326ED738C6.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-89078579050149045842013-06-21T19:20:00.000-07:002013-06-21T19:21:53.745-07:00Thrifted Romper turned into Frog Prince Perfection! <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ek1lPm6NbqU/UcUKCwr7zDI/AAAAAAAAMa8/viioprUjZbA/032E9D02-CF00-42AE-87DD-02D55C0BF8A7.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Lydia has a special birthday outfit to wear to her princess themed party, but what about baby brother? I had this romper with a frog on it, so I decided to embellish it a little to fit the party theme.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SF8V5npgdqM/UcUKPi2zVeI/AAAAAAAAMbc/jcMIMhxq_wg/B8797ECE-3292-47D3-BB39-A5C824DFB88D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The first thing I did was trace the existing design onto a piece of paper. I held it up to a light so I could see the design through the paper. The biggest challenge were the small flies embroidered around the frog. I strategically positioned my embellishments to hide these details.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gaWGGRXckQc/UcUKNAR6hDI/AAAAAAAAMbU/A3nOdctAku8/FCA5E223-AE00-4761-98E6-9D2A4E314EAB.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I double checked that my pattern fit before investing too much time or effort.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OhFUMMzbFvw/UcUKAadd9VI/AAAAAAAAMa0/nolFkDSMaio/BF0B4460-C2E1-453E-9223-90B805F39C7F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Next I ironed some Heat-n-bond to some scrap t-shirt fabric and cut it to shape.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BK2i37KOCE4/UcUKHR1X3nI/AAAAAAAAMbE/gwzuqPQcyxg/4332F52B-7DC5-4938-8C8D-6C1B120A20AA.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I added a few more princely details, sewed down the edges and added some paint pen outlines and jewels. I predict that Joshua will be smothered in kisses in this outfit!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gD6OUPZNUTk/UcUKKU-jCjI/AAAAAAAAMbM/TKNMOVhtD84/8A8B8F78-D6C7-4193-829E-0CB5398ABDA3.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-14264519071111699852013-06-20T16:15:00.000-07:002013-06-20T16:16:24.048-07:00No Talking Until Next Thursday! <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I had surgery today. Nothing serious, just a quick trip to laser off a polyp on a vocal chord. Not sure how it got there, but now its gone. The good news is I feel WAY better than I thought I might feel. (I tend to get REALLY nauseated after anesthesia, which is REALLY awful after throat surgery) So far so good! So, why I work on DIYing some new vocal chord tissue, here are a couple of projects from this week.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XbOPHfgHuWc/UcONQywM6oI/AAAAAAAAMag/iup-91jEKUg/AB75FF2F-BBC0-4ED9-B3EF-D2E9816CBCCC.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>In addition to completing ALL the major "to do" items on my list (did I mention surgery was TWO DAYS before the big princess party), I found time to make a Cinderella dress for Lydia's American Girl doll! </p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The fun part, for me at least, was that I made it all from up-cycled clothing! The blue shiny fabric came from a night shirt I found at a thrift store for $2. The main reason I bought it, besides the price, was that patch of lace. It was a pocket on the nightshirt.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fhPXBvPA4Pw/UcONKe81IqI/AAAAAAAAMaI/_Fq1Hm98vXw/C359D5EE-55AE-452C-B4A4-F15BAB2A7D49.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The hem of the nightshirt curved up at the side seams, so I used that feature as a design detail on the front center of the skirt.</p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I needed an underskirt, so I used one of Lydia's petti-coats. I just gathered it even tighter, which made the whole dress even more full.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-reecRk_h64U/UcONOTbotDI/AAAAAAAAMaY/kUVo_MTAx80/C2735F63-0D0B-4495-828C-7B7543139008.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>In other news, the party provided a great reason to finish a few projects around the house, like FINALLY arranging some pictures in our dining room.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vq6YxjBrbtk/UcONJotPn8I/AAAAAAAAMaA/Ts_Q3VzYiaE/8B2BB193-83F9-4BA2-8709-F427544D61E0.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I saw a grouping of pictures that I liked on Pinterest and followed that pattern. The best thing was I made paper templates for each frame so I could move them around easily until I found a pattern I liked. Then it was SO EASY to mark the position for the picture hanger on the template and put the nail right through the template and into the correct spot on the wall. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WibsRqDmGZg/UcONMExoFpI/AAAAAAAAMaQ/SeeaP_LnSKM/9AC2CC3C-6A23-40D2-8FD4-B208DE7876B4.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Finally, I got this old window for $3 and the BEST PART was the openings are each 8x10! I turned 6 pictures into black and whites and sent them to Walgreens for one hour developing. The pictures cost way more than the frame, but it is so awesome, I don't care! Besides, I can't talk for a week so my husband won't hear the total cost from me!</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-87826788423255362322013-06-18T19:06:00.000-07:002013-06-18T19:07:10.234-07:00Sewing a Birthday Skirt <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>So far, I have made a special outfit for each of Lydia's birthdays. I mentioned in an <a href='http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2013/05/ready-for-summer-and-princess-skirt.html' target='_self'>earlier post</a> the fabric that I ordered to make a skirt.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rRtBX6vuNjo/UcESNffnDwI/AAAAAAAAMZE/l7bOdkTup9U/88B8AECC-C273-4AD7-9B5D-3C36F6A12124.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I was trying to decide what colors of fabric to coordinate with the border print when I saw this skirt at a flea market.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8NE-a9hVsVU/UcESKjMXVxI/AAAAAAAAMY0/EhapCwZ0_B8/6ED35DF9-DEB6-41EA-A89B-CDBDA424434B.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I liked the pink polka dots a lot, but there was one problem....,</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aqS9DFjKxFc/UcESSvGMhfI/AAAAAAAAMZc/YPW7TTC7D8c/F8E63480-9A9D-469B-87DF-7C648CEA1201.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Can you see the big horizontal run in the fabric?</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pwI2_CBgXJU/UcESMUReDII/AAAAAAAAMY8/iswYEbQTHHU/8842AF2C-7DB2-4DBC-ABD4-E53F0A068A44.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Luckily, the inside of the skirt is also pink polka dots, just in a reverse pattern.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4Uliq0lV3Wk/UcESRT6DAuI/AAAAAAAAMZU/GVl3EWGeIdw/336C9339-AC88-40DA-A7EF-69819E7C3629.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The only problem was the seam, but I just cut it out and sewed it again so that the seam was on the new inside. I added the border at the bottom edge... Oh and I whipped up a little appliqué shirt design to match the skirt, and the birthday outfit is ready for the birthday princess!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rzZndX8g2d4/UcESPunJHuI/AAAAAAAAMZM/F-H3TupOMDQ/85CA7FDB-0569-410B-B2EF-02CFCFCC69F8.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-29969286894735168562013-06-16T09:18:00.000-07:002013-06-16T09:19:30.597-07:00No Sew Stitched Sign <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLDyjnoo8bM/Ub3liI45WuI/AAAAAAAAMYA/ruKmFjZ8iKs/686B1EC3-F7AE-445B-A36D-0C80C2F97338.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>This was SO EASY and it turned out SO CUTE! I decided late last night that Lydia's playhouse NEEDED a cross stitched sign. I, of course, do not have the time or patience for cross stitch! Here's what I did instead.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-opcBG4OoQAU/Ub3lbV4vieI/AAAAAAAAMXo/PsvMH2UazWw/9A199E51-C5BF-4F92-80AE-48588AF8FC18.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I found an old framed artwork that I didn't need and I piped the art out of the frame. I glued some gingham fabric to the back of the artwork panel so the designs wouldn't show through.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XOkxJxZ6iiY/Ub3leTqKohI/AAAAAAAAMXw/0t60bw0IKXQ/CAC29F9C-BA0E-4521-A32F-21A5218DA639.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Using a fabric pen, I made diagonal marks on the gingham fabric. This, literally, took 5 minutes!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oQxa17iYTYw/Ub3lf6fIBKI/AAAAAAAAMX4/jBMVPQdvHPA/E357E89B-BD49-4C9E-90BA-96E4C1375952.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>A few minutes later, I had an adorable accent to my daughter's adorable playhouse!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SW8MDbgw2jE/Ub3lj6m6U_I/AAAAAAAAMYI/rg9cuo8bsRU/408B2034-413C-4048-9692-CDFA8376E3E3.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-82976153808321206042013-06-12T02:04:00.000-07:002013-06-12T02:05:42.346-07:00Thrift Store Skirt Make Over <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I bought this skirt a LONG time ago with intentions of making it into a little top or dress for Lydia. (Like I said, long ago) I realized today that it actually is her size and she could just wear it as is, but what's the fun in that!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dW8m5Q_ijgg/Ubg5vpqLcwI/AAAAAAAAMWs/bQYyfm1VNrk/3178CEF0-0117-47C1-BA15-7DCF3E8FB2F2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I decided to cut off the ruffle and see what happened. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oARZH-BYcXo/Ubg53pRNTBI/AAAAAAAAMXM/sz9yceM4ypI/13C6FA42-34EC-420D-9EEC-3FE4ACD19FAB.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I kind of liked that the lining now hangs past the skirt and gives a double layer look.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LFgakSh6N8c/Ubg5uFDfWDI/AAAAAAAAMWk/3Wu4yvRPzoM/791DFDA3-5E6F-405E-8790-D769997624F8.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I had some turquoise bias tape left over from the <a href='http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2012/07/blanket-bindings.html' target='_self'>gauze baby blankets I made last summer</a>, so I added that to the edge of the skirt. It still needed something......</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ied_mlBccmA/Ubg51-XyH3I/AAAAAAAAMXE/pGZnd0JzUAY/CD968B5E-2B64-4DC7-89A8-4E6C39484C83.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I have a new stash of gingham in a few pastel colors so I made a small apron from the orange. I had this idea that an apron should have a pocket to be really functional, so I added one of those, too!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SUAFBP-XNok/Ubg541z6EOI/AAAAAAAAMXU/58xdbBjg7Nw/62C1E5DC-EED2-4CEF-BB74-8460C2AF556D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Finally, why not add some crazy pom-pom fringe? I got a spool of it at a flea market and it has a ton wrapped around it. What else am I going to do with it?</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YnX38Xd46GM/Ubg5z3W13vI/AAAAAAAAMW8/JymbEEzXmhw/24DF4A7A-D7E4-4381-8C28-2FD8CC54874B.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Lydia has already figured out that her princess doll fit in the pocket perfectly!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4Ckn2loJxps/Ubg5yMhQW6I/AAAAAAAAMW0/-MR3FXy-fCM/8B7EDF01-4F60-459B-9BA3-B2503C22B83C.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Speaking of princesses, the apron reminds Lydia of Cinderella, BEFORE the ball. Here she is, princess dolls in pocket, apron attached, pretending to clean the playhouse before someone locks her in the tower! Play cloths as inspiration for play! Not a bad way to spend a day.</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-72527626679502555122013-06-11T09:31:00.000-07:002013-06-11T09:32:05.117-07:00Projected Paintings <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>On my last day of school before summer break I was finished with my teacher duties by 11am. I could have left, but there was a party planned around 5 and with my hour long commute, I didn't want to go home in between. So, I used the time, and the projector in my room, to get some painting done.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cvh7d8COQ7o/UbdRAM_a6kI/AAAAAAAAMWU/Bub9ofok8Dw/752B2652-A542-482C-A8FD-5E2AFD3D4DA8.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Remember this image that I digitally colored in photoshop? I wanted something painted on the wall behind the food table for the princess party soI used this image. I projected it onto the paper and in a few minutes I had this painting.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gQoFBBBauCc/UbdQ-z3kRUI/AAAAAAAAMWM/qIudHjXudOU/3222E265-2DF1-4026-9031-3A7317572E13.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Next I wanted a long painting decoration that could serve as a photo backdrop. I didn't want a picture of Cinderella because I am hoping we will have a teenage friend dress up and make an appearance. Instead, I painted the castle and the carriage.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rMuWpZU8jKo/UbdQ9b0BTPI/AAAAAAAAMWE/h72G5kHm4X4/7DB2AA5B-FC66-4000-ABBA-0043BDBC7AFF.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>At that point I was getting tired, but I still had a few hours until the party. I owed a friend a pet portrait similar to the one I made of my dog last year. I had a really good digital image to work from, so I started this project with the projector as well.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loBH4rPMj8k/UbdQ4wfA4vI/AAAAAAAAMV0/n1jBiVkpHws/A0EEC6CA-C3EB-4FD4-A4C3-E2B59C6589FB.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>At some point, when I needed to see all the details the projector wasn't helping anymore so I finished the painting on my own. Three paintings in one day, not a bad start to my summer break!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xI0MgBuC8E/UbdQ7k_5ImI/AAAAAAAAMV8/yLklnHx6PcQ/BB66999B-A626-40F9-B7A0-84FEEEB49B31.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-24300302100526358772013-06-06T04:28:00.000-07:002013-06-06T04:29:55.188-07:00Crafting a Fairy Tale Timepiece <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IvR6_PQ6wRE/UbByeccyq4I/AAAAAAAAMU8/HpPNBQuRhaQ/A709F382-876A-4479-9706-1CADB54E4EDA.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I found this black plastic clock at our church flea market for close to nothing! I got so excited about turning it into Cinderella's clock (hands pointed almost to midnight) that I forgot to take a "before" picture.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NhCsHjWJoiI/UbByrvPUkfI/AAAAAAAAMVc/7o0CQp6Y0eU/545DA344-07FB-48E3-BC0B-53BFF826A839.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>At this point I had already started painting the black plastic swirls gold. I was planning on just painting the trim around the clock and leaving the face alone. There was a brand name written on the clock face and I was hoping to cover it up with some black permanent marker. You can still see it, and the overall look of the dark background still seemed too modern to me.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qWJeghNMM3g/UbByof5WvYI/AAAAAAAAMVU/ZcIBm1hog3w/4DDF237D-7C86-4E08-9DFB-876D046530D5.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>A quick search of Google images found a lot of vintage clock faces that I could easily size as an image in Word and print on white paper. Here I have removed the clock hands and glued the new paper clock face to the clock. It's such a big improvement, I could have stopped here. But I wanted the feeling of an old fairy tale and this clock looked too new and clean!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ncHUA6UbQ80/UbByh7-MBfI/AAAAAAAAMVE/DFyAN1KCVYU/6F356ACF-D3E9-4D1F-9E7A-4BBB4B1FF1F3.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I used my favorite antiquing trick, quickly brushing on a watery layer of brown paint and wiping it off from the high places, to instantly add age. The hands have been added and they will stay, frozen in time, making it eternally a few moments before Cinderella's magical evening has to end.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yx2DGRfFDUE/UbBylMzT5NI/AAAAAAAAMVM/_t1-RTyP4u4/BCA06118-3AAE-4D65-ABC5-8D9873A3299C.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-1884589178919626052013-06-04T08:10:00.000-07:002013-06-04T19:26:20.669-07:00Changing a Problem Pair into Cinderella's Lost Shoe <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Can you believe that I almost DONATED these shoes to Goodwill?!? To be fair, they didn't look like this when I tried to give them away, but the potential was there and thankfully the universe conspired to help me see it!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-utb5ZLG4w3o/Ua6hs4wAV_I/AAAAAAAAMUc/hvpg0FhidLo/2EBC8EE6-4DB1-4113-B168-3DC86FE28E73.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I hadn't worn these black satin shoes in a long time so I put them with a bunch of other items and took them to the local Goodwill donation center. Weeks later I found this ONE shoe rolling around my trunk. Ugh! Too late to do anything about it and too useless to donate! So I put it in my craft supplies and forgot about it.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kwIUA1GZ9T4/Ua6hpdqJ_fI/AAAAAAAAMUU/OtV0hlmlv5E/0FB6F665-0DF3-4CCA-97FF-FCCCBB1B490D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>And then it hit me! I am planning a Cinderella princess party for my daughter's birthday. I don't have a lost shoe, I have CINDERELLA's lost SHOE! (Or at least I have the materials and the inspiration to transform this shoe into a Cinderella shoe)</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hOYFpo97jiI/Ua6hn3xqHeI/AAAAAAAAMUM/Q-dZfo37R1s/E9657895-4672-4F5E-939F-6889FEE2ABD7.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>First, I painted the black shoe a light purple color.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rVgOh7MfDSw/Ua6hycQs5pI/AAAAAAAAMUs/ObZ3MF3OVXg/7655D76A-2D4F-442D-A65E-94B333638021.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Next came the glitter glue!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mB0EkUutKDs/Ua6hl6Qj7pI/AAAAAAAAMUE/Pm23IMVtEJ0/8DFC9FA7-58B3-4359-8528-0677F4E84075.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It was looking better, but not quite magical so I added some lace trim.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Xv_W9l_BXxE/Ua4DpsdNZYI/AAAAAAAAMTk/Bm2I-i6Gqyc/F3C824ED-B1F5-475D-9049-D1837E3F3D6D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Now this abandoned shoe is looking like something a fairy godmother might create.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2xb8SBSaz1E/Ua6hvjkvJkI/AAAAAAAAMUk/9_eWhYaBE1g/388A0D82-76EA-4E16-A66C-DB80A5BCAF9F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I plan on setting the shoe on a fancy pillow at the party and think it will be a lot of fun to let the little girls try on the shoe. It won't fit any of them, of course, but they will enjoy trying. Besides it should fit the beautiful blond teenager from our church who has agreed to appear at the party in her light blue prom dress! Shhh. Don't tell Lydia about it! Every princess deserves some magic on her special day!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FCkJQE_3Alg/Ua6hjtrbqYI/AAAAAAAAMT8/vqIlKnebqFU/E6E9BA90-4730-4420-BCA3-46AE76418800.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The more I look at this shoe, the more I feel like every girl deserves a pair of magic shoes. Even if you aren't making party props, you should totally glitter up a pair if shoes and declare yourself a princess for the day!</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-43884794375947707462013-05-31T12:25:00.001-07:002013-05-31T12:25:19.243-07:00Photoshop Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the first day of exams at work. Because of the way my schedule is this year, I only had one class today and it only had 3 students in it (senior have graduated already). I finished grading the small number of exams for today's class and cleaned and organized all that I could stand. And then I started playing around with this image......<br />
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and with this one.</div>
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I had so much fun refreshing my Photoshop skills and I ended my day with this image, which I LOVE and have BIG plans for..... I just can't tell you about them yet! I'd love to hear what you think.<br />
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Wishing you a great weekend full of magic and wonder!Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-16434092819912244752013-05-30T09:32:00.000-07:002013-05-31T01:28:44.108-07:00Princess Party Invitations <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I found these invitations that open in the center a few years ago on a close out sale at a stationary store. I decided to finally use them to make Lydia's princess party invitations. I had pre-folded invitation paper, but there is no reason that you couldn't make something similar using cardstock.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BEtbYinzLYM/UahfOpZG9eI/AAAAAAAAMQc/oGabYN_c0Go/BADD7B49-EC70-4DB9-A1D6-AC7C1D02D4F2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I thought the center opening would lend itself well to a castle design. I found a graphic that I liked and then spent some time formatting and getting everything to print correctly. I started by creating a word document the size of my invitation paper BEFORE folding the paper.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eEV43Wse6MI/UahfH6hMBaI/AAAAAAAAMQM/EYYtHYD19cA/356C60E5-2FD3-4F8C-ACFE-0FBB77121143.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Insert your castle into the document and size it to the size the card will be after folding. The basic idea is to take the one image, split it in two (I made a copy then I cropped both in half) then move the half pictures to the paper edges so that the cut hall of the castle is on each edge. The biggest issue was that my printer didn't want to print all the way to the edge of the paper. I tricked it by sizing the document a little longer than my paper really was. The beginning edge still had a small border (margins as narrow as possible) but the last edge to print had the image going off the edge. The paper overlaps a little when the invitation is folded, so the blank border is hidden behind the printed edge. That created its own problem in that the picture now overlapped so my perfect half castles didn't line up perfectly anymore. I just went back to the crop tool and moved the cropped edge over a little more. It wasn't exact, but it seemed faster than doing all the measuring involved to figure out how far to move the edge to compensate for the overlap. I just printed and folded and checked my work and made adjustments a couple of times to get it right.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fGG0YRFN_IM/UahfLBwghgI/AAAAAAAAMQU/wQ8h7mSP6H0/0FBEBE28-4C41-4749-87F7-DCBCC628321D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>That's it. Simply print your details in the center of the other side of the invitation or print them on a separate card and insert it into the center. Either way, you open the castle to see the information about the party.</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-41065833121506649582013-05-29T08:18:00.002-07:002013-05-29T08:18:55.420-07:00Ready For Summer and a Princess Skirt PreviewThe end of the school year is SO close I can almost taste it and this year I am SALAVATING at the idea of a break! Lydia (and the big school system) have been out since last week, so it feels like we are a little stuck but summer is coming and I am getting really excited about having a little time to focus on making stuff (and cleaning stuff, and organizing stuff, and planning school stuff). <br />
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Of course I will also be devoting lots of time chasing to the kiddos, especially now that Joshua can WALK! Yep! He took his first solo steps this weekend after NEVER learning to crawl! Aside from some baby-proofing, my most pressing project is making stuff for Lydia's birthday party. I have scaled things WAY back and am mostly inviting school friends. We are having the party at our house and planning on the kids mostly playing on Lydia's new playhouse complex (blog post coming soon) so I'm not doing party games. I'll have some fun with food and decorations, but for now I'm obsessing over what Lydia will wear.<br />
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So far, I have made something for Lydia to wear that matched the theme for each of her parties. There was the <a href="http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2009/07/birthday-dress-and-swing-set.html">dress shown above</a> for her Butterfly 1st Birthday party, a<a href="http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2010/05/todays-tea-party-pictures.html"> fun dress</a> for her Alice in Wonderland Tea for Two party, there was an<a href="http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2011/07/birthday-dress.html"> up-cycled dress </a>for the Three Under the Sea party, and then<a href="http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2012/05/fabulous-shirt.html"> a custom tee shirt </a>and <a href="http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2012/06/birthday-outfit-done-and-re-done.html">Paris themed skirt </a>for last year's Four and Fabulous party. This year is all about PRINCESSES!<br />
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Lydia LOVES Cinderella and she actually already has a Cinderella costume that I made for her. I have a feeling she will want to go full dress up for her party, but I want her to have something new and something that is more of a normal outfit. I started searching for "princess fabric" online and fell in love with a few options. I ran them by Lydia and she picked her favorite. it's from a Riley Blake line called "Happy Ever After."<br />
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She loved the print of houses and castles because it reminded her of Cinderella's story. There is even a clock and a pumpkin shaped carriage! It even comes in a version with a blue background, the color of the sky..... AND of Cinderella's dress!<br />
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Perfect..... except that I failed to notice that this fabric is from 2012 and sold out on most sites! Ooops! How do I not check this stuff BEFORE showing it to Lydia?!? After some frantic searching, I found a place in Austrialia that wouldn't ship to the US and a place in England that would. The fabric has been ordered and has been listed as shipped. Here's hoping it makes it in time!<br />
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While I wait for the fabric to arrive, I have been playing around with photoshop to look at a few possibilities. Mostly, I realized that if I wanted any of the coordinating fabric, I might need to search it out as well and couldn't afford to wait. I definitely want to use the landscape print as the border of the skirt. </div>
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There are some other cute prints with princesses and one with princess dresses that are designed to coordinate. Honestly, I was more excited about the idea BEFORE I made these digital mock ups. I think I have decided that I can find lots of prints that are a little less busy, maybe a dot or a stripe, and find them here locally after the border print arrives. I am pretty sure that I am making a skirt, so that still leaves a shirt to find or create, so stay tuned.... and wish my fabric happy travels across the ocean!</div>
Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-20494925427881039052013-05-24T07:49:00.000-07:002013-05-24T07:56:24.424-07:00This Plastic is Fantastic! (Up-cycled painted trash bag masquerade masks) <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>A friend's daughter was going to a "masquerade themed" prom. Another friend had provided her with some masks. She asked me about adding sticks instead of the elastic strap that might mess up her hair. Easy enough, except this kid is SO nice to my family and always watches my kids when needed. I wanted to do something special, so I decided to embellish the masks a little more.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CpItpBVjyBY/UZ9_Pw-lvsI/AAAAAAAAMNE/P7PwFmMdeOw/948CC333-FC0D-4A1B-9CD7-2EBEA1BE0C2E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I wasn't opposed to spending a little cash on this kid, but I was at a spot where I couldn't get to the store for a while and I really wanted to play around with the masks. I had some feathers and flowers all of which would work on a girl's mask, but the red one was for the boyfriend. I thought of manly things like a devil or fire...... And then I got really creative with the trash that was laying around.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7kTFVIjfovI/UZ9-sOC9o4I/AAAAAAAAMMk/-RCIrrGe9IQ/3FBFC61C-0CDC-4B58-A446-67A0483378AA.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I started spray painting plastic to see what effects I could achieve. I was surprised at how well the plastic held the color, even the dark plastic garbage bags were starting to coordinate with the blue and red masks.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R2uqa0wCITk/UZ9_cht-svI/AAAAAAAAMNU/b98JvsP6UC0/825A1052-9B43-412F-A9A7-A5C873D1AE56.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Next I played around with stretching and tearing the plastic to get interesting textures. This was SO much fun and so easy to do.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YToR2TCxmPg/UZ99_J7XVrI/AAAAAAAAML0/jq0UMipsXz0/54D8480F-3090-409E-B6EC-72F0C154D9BA.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>After gluing on only one layer of plastic to the edge of the mask, I am already getting the fiery look I was going for. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Fhad2Qgy-0/UZ9_WbyGPWI/AAAAAAAAMNM/3Jy6vVLWJ9Y/CC84BFE4-922B-4A0F-BF93-7D22932B5BE6.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I ended up doing three ripple rows of plastic " fire" but it still needed a little something extra so I finger painted metallic paints in random patterns.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gtIdTh2TMwA/UZ9-e0StgXI/AAAAAAAAMMU/tgwUQ4khCoA/7C7F491D-2104-4C20-9765-2625B08E306D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The finishing touches really look great up close.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1d7gttJSyns/UZ9-5f8G3AI/AAAAAAAAMM0/L-hQQR-hOgk/CC9424CC-283F-4C96-A6B8-C72AA1D60347.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>For the "girl" mask, everything needed to be blue to match the prom dress. I sprayed some of the black trash bag, but also experimented with lighter colored grocery store plastic bags.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZtSWwTM-Ycw/UZ9-aMcwMmI/AAAAAAAAMMM/z1Z1UoFxxSU/F443D439-4149-4727-8A32-8522F39AAEB9.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I glued the painted plastic to the back of the mask and it started to look like waves, which I thought was a good compliment to the fire on the boy's mask.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ElMBwxZWvwI/UZ9_k6Ik75I/AAAAAAAAMNc/0-2fpkD-OhM/228218B3-77C9-41B2-999C-5D4FDDE7405F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The thick row of sequins over the eyes inspired some smaller dot details under the eyes. I'm using liquid metallic acrylic paints and the end if the paintbrush on the dots.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uxEw2sp8iXI/UZ9-0Z4dqaI/AAAAAAAAMMs/kxpG-PEeL4g/9563B70E-83A2-46FA-9617-B9AA27253934.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I also added some blue metallic paint to the "waves" around the edges of the mask.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UcpV05rw50o/UZ9-Dbpcf_I/AAAAAAAAML8/UOhJBtLGI5Q/EB4C4B4E-D321-417C-A38F-90D8A57A57A9.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>As a finishing touch, I added some feathers to the side of the mask. A little paint, some old masks, and TRASH bags create fantastic plastic prom accessories!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y11CShpf7Vk/UZ9_CWxBilI/AAAAAAAAMM8/TXUdl29t-0c/16A9A3B7-97FE-41C2-A024-6EF045B4C839.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JgiG7VlUu0/UZ9-Vk46EbI/AAAAAAAAMME/aQ1yqoKlw2w/079E5F03-9221-40E0-B519-D1CAE799AA97.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-acq4RI6k91Q/UZ9-h-VVC6I/AAAAAAAAMMc/_CIQpaR2CQ8/C69E7A6C-11E5-4563-B5BB-405506B3CFC9.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-33230768133734342232013-05-22T02:29:00.000-07:002013-05-22T02:31:37.633-07:00Up-Cycled Apron from a Thrift Store Dress <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>One of the three categories for the <a href='http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-miss-and-mr-biscuit-competition.html' target='_self'>Miss Biscuit Competition that I entered</a> was "sportswear", which at Biscuitfest meant an apron. I had a cute apron covered in tea and coffe cups, but I wanted something new and cute and it needed to match <a href='http://lydiaburchett.blogspot.com/2013/05/yep-there-biscuit-on-my-head.html' target='_self'>my biscuit plate hat!</a></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TBsYCX2gRDs/UZyQIhxl-1I/AAAAAAAAMKc/XI958K3OPwI/78EAE1B7-D575-4934-9B53-8C9612B2E82D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The picture above shows my outfit, next to my competition. I don't want to brag (OK maybe just a little) but I think I look GOOD! Consider that I have yet to stop eating like a pregnant gal so NOTHING fits, and I am very proud that I made an apron that was figure flattering. It was so pretty, easy, and inexpensive to make. Here's what I did!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tgLSqfdmK4A/UZyQXLEn2FI/AAAAAAAAMLM/_UNThYr70WA/2EF2EE69-9EE6-463E-9CDD-8BF0E29BAE50.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I went to Goodwill during lunch. I wanted a dress that could become an apron. I had no idea what I wanted my apron to look like so there were LOTS of possibilities. It was fun just to look at colors and patterns and not worry about the size. Basically, you want a skirt that has some fullness and a top that can cover your top in an appropriate way for an apron. The picture above shows my dress after I cut up the back seam. It was simple white cotton with large woven dots and a built in lining.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovWANrlSxVk/UZyQZalJUwI/AAAAAAAAMLU/D040q3RGjh4/193633E2-65F1-4CC3-A37A-B2978874BD80.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Once I had my dress, I went to the Internet for ideas and drew a simple sketch to guide my sewing. Below is the apron after I cut the dress into 2 parts at the waistline. If the dress had been any longer in the waist, I would have just left that part connected and sewn a waist band with straps right on top of the dress. This dress was small and the top was fitted, so I needed to move the top part up some.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JzRaPbW5-zo/UZyQd5EcZSI/AAAAAAAAMLk/9bB0XLLUmtk/7322939E-3CA8-4EA0-BDE4-5BFBD24EA947.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I also wanted a scalloped hem. The first attempt had too few scallops, so I changed that later. I also added a yellow trim. At $3 a yard x 3 yards, the trim cost TWICE what my thrift store dress did, but it was SO worth it. I loved the detail AND the trim folded in on top and on bottom so I just inserted the raw edge of the apron and top stitched the trim, saving a lot of time and trouble.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AXhIKgbkpeU/UZyQTsIlNqI/AAAAAAAAMK8/gzZnDAD65ro/D0A30EA6-A51C-45CE-906C-2DDEF3E72517.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Here is the new, improved scalloped hem with the yellow trim. Below is the apron top getting attached to the waist band sash.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6uNnwc1sn_c/UZyQVrl4qJI/AAAAAAAAMLE/tu7I8cu87M4/796613CD-3D7C-4165-AA54-130B408464F5.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BNMBED2gWa4/UZyQDX714II/AAAAAAAAMKE/fLO391yZiE8/61AF9E7C-0FAA-4520-8BE3-5D280CFC2FA3.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>You also can see the black piping detail that I added. This was in my original sketch. I didn't have any trim when I first dove into this project, but I did have a black t-shirt! </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NibLWezLmTQ/UZyQG6Ba_CI/AAAAAAAAMKU/dDuzBQmbjI8/4909735B-1321-49BD-9544-EE4FAA64C316.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I cut strips of the shirt lengthwise. Then pulled on them until the ends curled in a bit.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s8RCSO7rsuw/UZyQLiuRBCI/AAAAAAAAMKk/W2wMt68AG2c/1F3FA010-76D2-4BAA-95A8-6A3F697232C2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Then I stitched them in place. Below are some different views of the finished apron. Not bad for a thrift store dress and a few hours during lunch!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gcXPinEMbC0/UZyQQiBEJvI/AAAAAAAAMK0/N7rHInZnDCQ/8EFA76B6-89C5-4045-B95D-7D341A0EE263.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SpYIokN3nPA/UZyQFQBWRJI/AAAAAAAAMKM/YWlYkrpGeP8/EBCDFDFC-811A-4546-B2B7-688B0F16DE09.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JUhadMP9R6E/UZyQbC9Iy_I/AAAAAAAAMLc/FC9OjFLtWvI/5D6C5429-4A2D-4BF6-AE84-17930D52AFDD.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nlMvbbpyyZg/UZyQOTxGfXI/AAAAAAAAMKs/weCY7HbXYq4/574BD8A8-9776-439A-AE3A-B569B6EBA22F.jpg'></div></p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-43481616566357987342013-05-19T17:08:00.000-07:002013-05-19T17:09:10.680-07:00The Miss and Mr Biscuit Competition <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vr648b-W9jo/UZlpk-DjY7I/AAAAAAAAMJk/dDBVizBvMV8/6C32345C-B520-45EB-B07B-B00319E41296.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Saturday was a rainy day, but that didn't dampen the excitement at the International Biscuit Festival. The kids and I took advantage of the rainy weather and got our biscuit tasting in early, before the skies cleared (a little) and the larger crowds arrived. Then we rushed off to the Children's Festival of Reading and then home for naps (hair and make-up for mommy) before returning to Biscuit boulevard for the Miss or Mr. Biscuit Competition.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vHpEJbd-jsE/UZlpo6sFIvI/AAAAAAAAMJ0/UI0gTyD_dqg/75BEA93D-F72A-4D91-B629-1E7818BFEB84.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Here I am, mid competition, with the other contenders. I seem to be having a good time! We showed off our aprons (mine was up-cycled from a Goodwill dress, blog post coming soon). We demonstrated our poise by walking with biscuits on our heads. (<a href='http://youtu.be/nxCxjIA9z64' target='_self'>Here it is on YouTube if you MUST see it</a>!) Then it was time for our biscuit themed talents.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5FeGAP4mMPo/UZlpfhYPjDI/AAAAAAAAMJc/Nh1lyOyC1GU/5518DE18-D7BC-4FBF-B06B-3689DB4F0B46.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I carved the Knoxville Sunsphere, out of butter, in about 5 minutes. Above is my practice carving, made at home the night before. Below is my rushed job during the competition.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nWwkzKkzVpY/UZlpc_JgWXI/AAAAAAAAMJU/hdhhrOcp4DM/8B9627DC-2EE1-4AA2-9F36-36BBB6D5E293.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>And there I am in the middle of butter sculpture madness (photo by Tanner Latham via Instagram)! There's a video of the entire butter carving ordeal, if you really want to see me rub my hands all over a greasy shaft of butter. Yep, it's THAT dignified! <a href='http://youtu.be/YFy3I0AFQZY' target='_self'>Here's the link to the YouTube video.</a> I love the look of concern on Erin Donovan's face!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4r3AuabOeY4/UZlpayEHkGI/AAAAAAAAMJM/thsQeRq9UCk/4E662EA7-F40F-43D0-A9C9-F4178DECD199.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>In the end Biscuit glory was not to be mine. My apron was super cute and we all did equally well walking with biscuits on our heads, so it must have been a question of talent. The winners all had songs and dances about biscuits. Oh well, I had a really fun time, as evidenced by my post loss portrait on Erin's Instagram feed. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hX1xgRcvxiI/UZlpm3KW26I/AAAAAAAAMJs/tt4SZHIPNZ0/837136D1-576C-4E66-B9BB-555FCA4EB68D.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It would have been nice to have earned a little "dough" for all my efforts, but I think the winners just got biscuit themed swag. I suppose there's always next year! Perhaps a bacon flavored Power T, or portrait of Pat Summit?!? </p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-38621102792185271612013-05-17T12:01:00.000-07:002013-05-17T15:32:24.464-07:00Yep, There's a Biscuit on My Head! <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0Z106Omvrpg/UZavrniR3LI/AAAAAAAAMIU/5Od7i4z4siQ/FD3CC05F-AF81-4A4C-823E-039359E340A2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It's time for the International Biscuit Festival in downtown Knoxville! I've actually never been to the festival, but I heard about this beauty pageant spoof they do to crown Miss or Mr Biscuit and I decided I wanted in on the action!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pfiSIsSnl9k/UZavYO_MjPI/AAAAAAAAMHk/64LYsTj7tsI/65C50485-4181-4FE2-B19B-09209D7FA4E9.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Contestants are judged on sportswear (an apron), biscuit knowledge, poise (walking with biscuits on your head), and a biscuit related talent. My biscuit fascinator is overkill, but might prove beneficial in balancing biscuits on my head. Should you find yourself in need of similar food themed head covering, here is what I did.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GZiQqqGuzuY/UZavTc3ogYI/AAAAAAAAMHU/rKZsA5E1cW4/454A5813-F912-49A4-8DF1-B9E83E244C7E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I started with 2 circles cut from foam. I glued them together and covered them in glue and white paper towels.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4Cf9ndaeUng/UZavcX9ZexI/AAAAAAAAMHs/bz6JTR78otY/2D2A2473-960B-4034-8D75-1FE9B1FB4E1F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Next I painted on some buttery brown texture. Speaking of butter, I wanted a big pat of gooey melting butter on top if my biscuit. So, I mixed a little yellow paint with glue and dripped it into a puddle. I cut a square from foam and also painted it yellow. Then I got some help from gravity.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qJ39aZBYnD0/UZav5l0ygNI/AAAAAAAAMI0/RzT2zC_jJFQ/CB8FF5BB-1CE7-407A-984B-AAFDAD17505F.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7d-eGFYrPVY/UZavhg2W5BI/AAAAAAAAMH8/wcOiK3ceyUw/57A3970C-EC3F-4046-AAAC-D05DB3EFC3AD.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rENZ_tBkKew/UZav9fl_grI/AAAAAAAAMI8/I5Rk8Z7DVRI/C837A6D6-BB1A-4443-9BBB-F51AD996EC1E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I wanted a biscuit on a plate for the hat and decided to add some food accessories where a real hat might have feathers or flowers. Bacon apparently is the feather in my cap! To make my fake bacon I just tore some brown paper and glued on red and white tissue paper. Then I wrinkled the strips and let them dry that way.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bHonj6PvLqU/UZavyCYBEZI/AAAAAAAAMIk/RlCb4M2GvIQ/46F564E1-E68D-4736-9A58-BDB749FCEE22.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eAF8rwLkz1w/UZavk5dmDkI/AAAAAAAAMIE/pn4n_skhfXs/25CF469B-FCA0-438C-A80E-1A0C02552975.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I wanted a third item, so I made a small orange slice. I cut a half circle out of foam and added some texture with a hot glue gun. Then I added some paint.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HsEkTPYBwFQ/UZavoREY78I/AAAAAAAAMIM/xLwfwD4XWcw/30BD3A84-8931-4072-B7DC-3154D9001926.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fa_jCbZvwmI/UZavXBoo0II/AAAAAAAAMHc/QkMCgRlhkRg/F04FF901-40E1-4303-88AF-C18675D11E6B.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nzfd8gfFF9c/UZavvVnmLVI/AAAAAAAAMIc/9lVKZQn0Xho/E4745AD5-1E18-431D-B5FC-5C9E97E8F544.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I painted a cheap white styrofoam plate and assembled my hat.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XX2A42tUNgk/UZav19yp2GI/AAAAAAAAMIs/YAxSRX3mGa8/D3CBF171-C368-4628-9DDC-9090B02C3452.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It was missing some little finishing touch, so I added a ruffle to match my apron (more on that later) and attached a headband to hold it all in place. </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FADnNAC32aQ/UZaveS4sHzI/AAAAAAAAMH0/gKXF5Tb5BeE/526FFBA6-DAB8-4A18-BC93-8648F5B5E450.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Wish me luck, or better yet, if you can make it to Krutch Park around 3pm tomorrow come out and cheer me on!</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-82341177366544147182013-05-11T10:25:00.000-07:002013-05-11T10:26:11.602-07:00Upcycled Shirt Sleeve Button Bag <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vkuZWrE3KOI/UY5_KzSYoOI/AAAAAAAAMEs/ntv-9oir9DU/2D30E65E-08DA-4E3E-B4F2-5504DEFC7192.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I saw a list on Pinterest of baby games that were appropriate for each month of baby's first year. Joshua is already 10 months old, so I'm a little late, but I skipped to his part of the list and read about a "button bag" game. The idea is simple enough. Put REALLY big buttons (note: small buttons are a chocking hazard) into a bag. A younger baby will enjoy putting items in the bag and pulling them out. Eventually, an older toddler will enjoy sorting and counting the buttons.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FsDGXzx4LCE/UY5_AsIlSeI/AAAAAAAAMEE/ExBticpBYQQ/67EDDD1E-DDE1-4ABC-866F-6C9AA35E770E.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Neat idea, but i wasn't planning on making one today. But then we ended up in the studio this morning because Lydia wanted to craft something. And I was wearing Joshua in the Moby wrap because he still has an ear infection and feels crummy. I was just hoping to clean up a little while Lydia played around when an old t-shirt caught my eye. The shape of sleeve made me think of the button bag game idea.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5F4wXxXgYQ/UY5_IhCCiOI/AAAAAAAAMEk/ataTMAwoxmM/287E2B95-47C2-4E94-8D45-F0F3F4031A9C.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>All I had to do was sew the sleeve shut at the cut edge where it used to join with the shirt. I now had a sleeve sized bag!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KIZmZOxMbHw/UY5_Mecl-VI/AAAAAAAAME0/-DdtpA7CPQw/95CA559B-866D-4887-AFDA-F7395391C483.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Adding a drawstring was as simple as cutting a little hole in the seam at the top of the bag, the part of the sleeve that was once the edge. I needed to be careful not to cut all the way through, but other than that it was easy! </p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KcjZibtJDjk/UY5_D0A0nvI/AAAAAAAAMEU/yf2Y0Sj5iT0/423E84F5-C676-423B-9149-81216B784AA2.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Then I ran a ribbon through the sleeve hem casing and I had my draw string bag!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xPv7ezlCXiU/UY5_CCLtA8I/AAAAAAAAMEM/RyLKOprMIJY/2C1BD1E2-C429-462E-BB24-7E0EA2F3DCEB.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>Three simple steps, a few buttons from my stash, a project so easy that I could finish it even with a cranky baby strapped to my chest!</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zzua6pxFB7c/UY5_GqIwvHI/AAAAAAAAMEc/5zFnXDA2ve8/B7AC8151-3E00-467A-88A8-F7DA8FF2D2DA.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I think the cranky baby approves!</p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5204791151203128816.post-35027595053982001382013-05-07T18:12:00.001-07:002013-05-07T18:12:13.128-07:00Enough Already! <p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_bOL-CJkkm8/UYmmalAFq6I/AAAAAAAAMDU/k3bH6s1o8pQ/072998A8-E0AD-4423-810C-38D0218DBEE9.jpg'></div></p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>It wasn't bad enough that Joshua got his first ear infection a few weeks ago. Or that it took a while to diagnose because it coincided with his vaccination and I thought the fever was a bad reaction to his shot. No, and it wasn't enough for the first antibiotic to not work. The single ear infection turned to a double, and Lydia's face swelled up and her eye turned pink and we got a double prescription for the same antibiotic. And it still didn't fix the ear infection. It wasn't enough for me to get this cold virus from the kids, PJ had to get it too. And between his own illness and all the kids stuff, and the fact that i have no more sick leave, he missed a full week of work. And then, because that wasn't enough, he got the stomach flu, and then I did, and then Lydia did. And because that all wasn't enough, back when Joshua first got the ear infection that seems to have kicked all this illness in motion, we got a notice from Lydia's school that a kid had been found with lice. And I am do grateful that they notify everyone and check heads, and so I had been checking her and of course this week at the height of colds and ear infections and stomach virus, she got "it". And we have been very diligent and I am so glad that i can be so highly detail oriented and have really good eyesight that I can spend an hour or so a night going over and over her head searching for any problems, but now I feel like we've had enough! That and I better get treated like a freakin' queen on Mothers Day! </p>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12463640170253121807noreply@blogger.com0