tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70485703653580132912024-03-13T06:02:38.529-07:00On DogwoodLanedogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-51427767332482186252011-05-11T13:47:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:39:51.767-07:00A Stash-bustin' Recycled Craft for Bike Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvwFG5-PtrS-Reene6dKWlZSA3_dEwMN17jSbV-Oy57v5TMEVVkYroXCnNXCcMc-9-WKoKA9gh83aK9Cq7E5tIr3dwlvWhgla_s8FYskHpZg4GQFhC-LDjuSncwNsRmXPQJNTc7iIS64n/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvwFG5-PtrS-Reene6dKWlZSA3_dEwMN17jSbV-Oy57v5TMEVVkYroXCnNXCcMc-9-WKoKA9gh83aK9Cq7E5tIr3dwlvWhgla_s8FYskHpZg4GQFhC-LDjuSncwNsRmXPQJNTc7iIS64n/s320/IMG_3672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The bicycle coalition I run recently set-up a booth at our daughter's school for their spring fair. Her school's theme is health, wellness, and environmental studies so we thought it would be appropriate to have something fun and environmentally friendly for the kids to do - that would hold their attention while we talked to them about bicycle safety. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had our local bike shop save old inner tubes for us for a few days (didn't take long to have a TON of tubes). We got about 200 bracelets out of about 2 days worth of inner tubes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">We cut them down into roughly 2.5 inch pieces and used a small hole punch to make a hole in each end like so:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOugfEiwtN8MFt-5NQUVOMLoQmhsW1SxtP69q8OM2uzzJCXmHdt8K_S1vqmIyyb0yoi-3eKo4stqJdzFUlAPIW5KNwF-ij5LnxtkxKGeYxWE9gQy5IruJLFbDFzz948mIOtN0OtFpP6uG/s1600/IMG_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOugfEiwtN8MFt-5NQUVOMLoQmhsW1SxtP69q8OM2uzzJCXmHdt8K_S1vqmIyyb0yoi-3eKo4stqJdzFUlAPIW5KNwF-ij5LnxtkxKGeYxWE9gQy5IruJLFbDFzz948mIOtN0OtFpP6uG/s320/IMG_3678.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then thread a scrap of fabric through that's roughly 1.5 inches wide and long enough to wrap around your wrist and tie (15-16 inches at least). Like so:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs5J0iXdaZIH9RJj5PZH0yCNtfGwt4nB2YOMT2lWbo2MjIDMZ5zNpPsO51cV19g9zAAJhXcTBRgdtKBr79VT9wZA1BeoIixUvlAv2BvmBgxEDzTTI-_rldG-FrKvoPRajFBHy9SO6sNGQ/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs5J0iXdaZIH9RJj5PZH0yCNtfGwt4nB2YOMT2lWbo2MjIDMZ5zNpPsO51cV19g9zAAJhXcTBRgdtKBr79VT9wZA1BeoIixUvlAv2BvmBgxEDzTTI-_rldG-FrKvoPRajFBHy9SO6sNGQ/s320/IMG_3680.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rubber stretches enough to feed the fabric through pretty easily, though if you do a whole bunch of them, your fingers get really worn out! It was a great way to keep the kids hanging around the booth and get them talking about riding bikes and wearing helmets and whatnot. </div><div style="text-align: center;">...and now we're totally trend setters ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span><span style="background-color: #134f5c;"></span></span>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-68651816819489145872011-03-04T06:59:00.000-08:002011-03-05T15:18:44.631-08:00Grrrr Email Troubles<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">My email server is down today (3/4). FYI</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">....and still not properly functioning on 3/5. I think.</span><br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-13549517002344287062011-02-22T06:27:00.001-08:002011-02-22T06:35:39.111-08:00A mention worth mentioning<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">If you don't follow the super crafty <a href="http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2011/02/bucket-of-spools-and-gratitude.html">mayamade</a>, well, you're missing out.<br /><br />The other day she was looking for ideas about what to do with a bucket full of wooden spoons. So, I shared with her how my grandmother used to let us kids use them to blow bubbles in the tub... while secretly getting us clean, and she shared it with her readers.<br />If you get really soapy and then rub the end of a wooden spool on your soapy self, you get great bubbles. I loved it, my daughter loves it, and I'm glad I could share so that other kids can love it!<br /><br />Anyway, go check out her sight... she's gonna be a big time author soon.<br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-64736397532229579632011-02-22T06:14:00.001-08:002011-02-22T06:21:17.673-08:00If you give a kid a camera...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQo0erA8n9zZHmTtzZTO0ywPe9fqN88R09jByU6clYFyewNmIMIXq9xvRbtQsgGPKoRztIcRKinOhrJ0eLwGCz10-2mJnoUaHy4cCcndgO31xpI9gywz4fKKq1WCwJcB2Y7EWAUlLXYb9/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQo0erA8n9zZHmTtzZTO0ywPe9fqN88R09jByU6clYFyewNmIMIXq9xvRbtQsgGPKoRztIcRKinOhrJ0eLwGCz10-2mJnoUaHy4cCcndgO31xpI9gywz4fKKq1WCwJcB2Y7EWAUlLXYb9/s320/IMG_0446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576518435028127906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qUkgfBETFvcQgCdua1QFpEwMZko434VPdedw3YewY9PAoKFFvra5kdHdXcHs53g4ESqkWsKkcXlCM48YOwM2k6mHj7Uk2qn9mJ-Zb_GIsGuBB2LXU465zDys_1h6oPsexEPA328CkLvM/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qUkgfBETFvcQgCdua1QFpEwMZko434VPdedw3YewY9PAoKFFvra5kdHdXcHs53g4ESqkWsKkcXlCM48YOwM2k6mHj7Uk2qn9mJ-Zb_GIsGuBB2LXU465zDys_1h6oPsexEPA328CkLvM/s320/IMG_0349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576518433391806114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjYjxIwrpXa_idGumwlYVTHJAS9rT12b1CxIGGQg-vze6iBiyOjPvKZsOPHGnGqRQh4Ap2G8AmVvzwNaNtiMb0N3LNPQuHb6tavC5o98fMHPzA1HagAIEPdDox7wjJhl58oeX3BeldAId/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjYjxIwrpXa_idGumwlYVTHJAS9rT12b1CxIGGQg-vze6iBiyOjPvKZsOPHGnGqRQh4Ap2G8AmVvzwNaNtiMb0N3LNPQuHb6tavC5o98fMHPzA1HagAIEPdDox7wjJhl58oeX3BeldAId/s320/IMG_0228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576518432592938354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKOb1yfeYMkzxGjuZ44N__-Xjrjs6N0Caz0oDpkCSuQ3AS_7HVDqKyK85JVBujwfcvb34h33kj76htz3FyTuLSxLncaq8BKhY2Oq32DJ9TM2xXPfEIExxiFnVy38EuT9z0dwXq5JEoqje/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKOb1yfeYMkzxGjuZ44N__-Xjrjs6N0Caz0oDpkCSuQ3AS_7HVDqKyK85JVBujwfcvb34h33kj76htz3FyTuLSxLncaq8BKhY2Oq32DJ9TM2xXPfEIExxiFnVy38EuT9z0dwXq5JEoqje/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576518432050392754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">You will get hundreds of great photos that you will want to look at all the time.</span><br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-33507225045139316032011-01-06T08:40:00.000-08:002011-01-06T09:06:35.227-08:00Creativity Overflows<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I'm sure that I am not the only parent who struggles with what to do with the abundance of art produced by their fantastically creative child(ren). I'm also probably not the only person out there with an odd corner of their home that poses a decorating conundrum.<br />After 4 years of living in our house, I finally solved both problems with one project.<br /><br />Total cost:<br />About $20<br /><br />Materials:<br />A variety of frames from the thrift store: $9<br />Valspar flat black spray paint: $4<br />Picture framing hardware, tiny eye screws, wire, and tiny paper clips: $7<br /><br />How to:<br />I striped the frames of all the cheesy artwork, glass, and any backings, then wiped them down with a paper towel. I probably should have primed these, but I didn't. I just sprayed them all flat black with a few coats. Once they were dry, I laid them out on the floor to arrange them. (I think I need one or two more, really for the top right.) Once I had them the way I wanted them, I added hangers to the frames. Then, I attached the eye screws to the back of the frames near the top and strung the wire between them. I only did one wire, but the thought has occurred to me that you could add more wires to one of them to create a grid for little teeny bits of art. Anyway, once I got them all assembled, they went on the wall. I let T pick the art she wanted to display and voila - an ever changing display of her favorite art.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kXKxZpB4naCgHuOHiibmU0PXkW72InlHGlax7bCyDyQcq7KDSG3DIShP27lPbapgd2Q5KdITKNIVbXym4S2H3TCK4MRJj9kB3OPrKHKjKvemADWMdjYjdnnZyzXk_m-0DHU8dYJVYiut/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kXKxZpB4naCgHuOHiibmU0PXkW72InlHGlax7bCyDyQcq7KDSG3DIShP27lPbapgd2Q5KdITKNIVbXym4S2H3TCK4MRJj9kB3OPrKHKjKvemADWMdjYjdnnZyzXk_m-0DHU8dYJVYiut/s320/IMG_3536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559115060969455170" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a><br />This is the "architectural detail" in my living room. I've learned that at one time it was a planter and the now bench part extended all the way to the window. Someone down the line covered the planter to make the bench and cut into it to create a nook - which now makes a lovely corner for our piano. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kXKxZpB4naCgHuOHiibmU0PXkW72InlHGlax7bCyDyQcq7KDSG3DIShP27lPbapgd2Q5KdITKNIVbXym4S2H3TCK4MRJj9kB3OPrKHKjKvemADWMdjYjdnnZyzXk_m-0DHU8dYJVYiut/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaUcXeeib7fnCxoLuZTw-JfK4mr6vcl2iEDuCZTg8INfouQ9-q5ca2TvDNBCuLzYtN0VHL_DGKJ1hmdqqG5FkDNY3uqpuIt2dtj1t-Zn3bdfF8XehJsjnWZKO2rEtWqQ27r45pvz3rFvE/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaUcXeeib7fnCxoLuZTw-JfK4mr6vcl2iEDuCZTg8INfouQ9-q5ca2TvDNBCuLzYtN0VHL_DGKJ1hmdqqG5FkDNY3uqpuIt2dtj1t-Zn3bdfF8XehJsjnWZKO2rEtWqQ27r45pvz3rFvE/s320/IMG_3537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559115063620692802" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-20108149631898988262010-12-22T12:36:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:41:20.023-08:00Fun with PhotoBooth<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGAhlyiEJBBO_Uo3WjWxSW91skmIhVP9M5uIkBdS33Z1dVQ7V4AQp8Ha1FW4ZqYteWWb6q2mH5OOQnvUY7xUUv9xpiMAZY6830inlaLMn6kLk6DY7TJVskQvERbFRiwoNjbUM66vOVuoS/s1600/Photo+71.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGAhlyiEJBBO_Uo3WjWxSW91skmIhVP9M5uIkBdS33Z1dVQ7V4AQp8Ha1FW4ZqYteWWb6q2mH5OOQnvUY7xUUv9xpiMAZY6830inlaLMn6kLk6DY7TJVskQvERbFRiwoNjbUM66vOVuoS/s320/Photo+71.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553609028714383890" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">....Or how we spent a cold morning during Christmas vacation.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_lXNXu-yzqDk5mr_h04RLnxxPb5zkoh6bRo8pJwctrLqo1MK9njKOW9G7gFEtULU6I_7vnU3npCHvjfoznBoov8EAEvYnYxhMtet49MrALGFBQN0LIQpo8HIyrGx6A89_S6rEr7R0c7d/s1600/Photo+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_lXNXu-yzqDk5mr_h04RLnxxPb5zkoh6bRo8pJwctrLqo1MK9njKOW9G7gFEtULU6I_7vnU3npCHvjfoznBoov8EAEvYnYxhMtet49MrALGFBQN0LIQpo8HIyrGx6A89_S6rEr7R0c7d/s320/Photo+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553609029242397026" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"></span></span><br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-7501069712589154422010-09-19T15:25:00.001-07:002010-09-19T15:27:52.454-07:00More before and after<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP3B35J5rmwjhxSrWxmb97ycBD-lTn6K5qrtKKu44n4Yi2Au5erEx2Efbd-U2Lg_iOsAXMNmf17ve-ZU35kf41fiOeuAjUtCI2ww3MCEHwOj89L0tqqIx1F2LW2Lh2tOhnxVSVirD6Vyq/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP3B35J5rmwjhxSrWxmb97ycBD-lTn6K5qrtKKu44n4Yi2Au5erEx2Efbd-U2Lg_iOsAXMNmf17ve-ZU35kf41fiOeuAjUtCI2ww3MCEHwOj89L0tqqIx1F2LW2Lh2tOhnxVSVirD6Vyq/s400/IMG_3273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518754538294186962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_F0cwbL7FudKxD1jlIxiq0-DKkIsoTENUG2_KA-0S4X5I1t5kSSKKOYVYKFmC9RsvS4WxxoFLtycHqESgjW8Bu-ofbr0U-jRNbbTM_7fZusNibqxHhn8Es5W1l27OBBELXBew-txx7AR/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_F0cwbL7FudKxD1jlIxiq0-DKkIsoTENUG2_KA-0S4X5I1t5kSSKKOYVYKFmC9RsvS4WxxoFLtycHqESgjW8Bu-ofbr0U-jRNbbTM_7fZusNibqxHhn8Es5W1l27OBBELXBew-txx7AR/s400/IMG_3274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518754547453404082" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP3B35J5rmwjhxSrWxmb97ycBD-lTn6K5qrtKKu44n4Yi2Au5erEx2Efbd-U2Lg_iOsAXMNmf17ve-ZU35kf41fiOeuAjUtCI2ww3MCEHwOj89L0tqqIx1F2LW2Lh2tOhnxVSVirD6Vyq/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI16G0THcPIP3BYcczWrkMdrCrAmfM8uhEqqLqsbH7uR5MjPeRaAsmVYa0xAvJ9L82fWZZo7MuY0UCNC9IB1nzHcU4HIrSOA5vzQOym5BkuAau_ULxFCNHkojvj1qxslqMt3dTXEE22JmJ/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI16G0THcPIP3BYcczWrkMdrCrAmfM8uhEqqLqsbH7uR5MjPeRaAsmVYa0xAvJ9L82fWZZo7MuY0UCNC9IB1nzHcU4HIrSOA5vzQOym5BkuAau_ULxFCNHkojvj1qxslqMt3dTXEE22JmJ/s400/IMG_3280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518754529191662930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Spiffy.<br /></span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-25792524824818714972010-09-18T07:22:00.001-07:002010-09-18T07:35:09.279-07:00Before... and After<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AHQzVpLcGJheqzspr2dJ93c9ZFoabICQ_axd8Z9lUJ0cz7zSYzB4j6fK_gxUmr23i-6ErmhhZmbn6EAKMbl0djjSNkHtuCe6hjHNhyc_o_Ouoko-xnHgM1OEL2BnmMc1_U2VJtbe-Zaf/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AHQzVpLcGJheqzspr2dJ93c9ZFoabICQ_axd8Z9lUJ0cz7zSYzB4j6fK_gxUmr23i-6ErmhhZmbn6EAKMbl0djjSNkHtuCe6hjHNhyc_o_Ouoko-xnHgM1OEL2BnmMc1_U2VJtbe-Zaf/s400/IMG_3186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518259222600249586" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Before<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Notice the two different paint colors and the really dirty chimney... lovely.</span><br /></span></span></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AHQzVpLcGJheqzspr2dJ93c9ZFoabICQ_axd8Z9lUJ0cz7zSYzB4j6fK_gxUmr23i-6ErmhhZmbn6EAKMbl0djjSNkHtuCe6hjHNhyc_o_Ouoko-xnHgM1OEL2BnmMc1_U2VJtbe-Zaf/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8odla3sEhaYnSVj_e-VMRGHb7UABjX9QCsITpaeQf2e4ZS7V6M-HTcuzXLbl6NvM6rIt_KtqDEkhi53M_xg3HS_GHyyMtj5TdTLKeJ4Qk675MDwtAIh8qJ90PGFVxjDSv_P7mx00TT5NW/s1600/IMG_3267.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8odla3sEhaYnSVj_e-VMRGHb7UABjX9QCsITpaeQf2e4ZS7V6M-HTcuzXLbl6NvM6rIt_KtqDEkhi53M_xg3HS_GHyyMtj5TdTLKeJ4Qk675MDwtAIh8qJ90PGFVxjDSv_P7mx00TT5NW/s400/IMG_3267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518259203581861538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;">After<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ahhhh. The house is all one color. We went out on a limb with the awning color. I figure the neighbors will either love it like we do... or hate it (but guess how much I care). If you are curios, the colors are suitable brown and grandiose by Sherwin Williams. I think I'm gonna paint the furniture today... maybe an orange-y red? </span><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzL9K3j1R6wBnDbfF2S2cgOiM4YlGcP1ETCt1ncB0oo5AjwQMrQvGz2pP7UnKRqJD6SZ4E-kmpmnbdBGbfBhorfNCsCrayV_TRvwniwQGxSlh2lMDc7GCkwo2p9x6TQgRkdHKK16voT5j/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzL9K3j1R6wBnDbfF2S2cgOiM4YlGcP1ETCt1ncB0oo5AjwQMrQvGz2pP7UnKRqJD6SZ4E-kmpmnbdBGbfBhorfNCsCrayV_TRvwniwQGxSlh2lMDc7GCkwo2p9x6TQgRkdHKK16voT5j/s400/IMG_3271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518259215030208450" border="0" /></a>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-67182409968486287752010-09-10T15:53:00.001-07:002010-09-10T16:11:44.793-07:00It's Done.. or Is it?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbyjItG9qz9BDezCjAEz70Kj5aB5hLsxOJHjcUx20_V3CQCkHF0lV-wdR_FPD7ePzddPMWPqu8NSPUhQWJamXf0emEWvq_NWMgJiAepX2jqM7eSdGoV3vWT2haEaTjpzHIWskdHcFGo_z/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbyjItG9qz9BDezCjAEz70Kj5aB5hLsxOJHjcUx20_V3CQCkHF0lV-wdR_FPD7ePzddPMWPqu8NSPUhQWJamXf0emEWvq_NWMgJiAepX2jqM7eSdGoV3vWT2haEaTjpzHIWskdHcFGo_z/s400/IMG_3261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515422104025511058" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qjo7bcaKJdlT-8fKuTE7wTLxSgoi4XBNNG1ZU0uQZnC4yCVeodMX4yDtEwy7s78VSsaDLlBDoaphPW-DaYXN14bEH3KoroXB0ktEk9lNT4OMBjyk4OXRd02W9vLcZdTP20MtzCc2zzbs/s1600/IMG_3264.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qjo7bcaKJdlT-8fKuTE7wTLxSgoi4XBNNG1ZU0uQZnC4yCVeodMX4yDtEwy7s78VSsaDLlBDoaphPW-DaYXN14bEH3KoroXB0ktEk9lNT4OMBjyk4OXRd02W9vLcZdTP20MtzCc2zzbs/s400/IMG_3264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515422098029206562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I finished the construction of <a href="http://ondogwoodlane.blogspot.com/2010/08/sooo-ready-for-fall.html">this</a> jacket today... I think. I ended up making it sort of a double breasted/wrap kinda thing because the pattern was way to generous to use buttons. Since I'm not great with patterns, I didn't realize just how huge it was going to be. I suppose if I wasn't too lazy, I could open the sides of the lining and the jacket and take it in. But, that would be a heck of a lot of work, and unpicking is a sure fire way for me to screw something up. I like the new closure, though something about the second picture looks off. It just kind of looks funky in the chest area. Maybe it's too plain.. or it's just a bad picture. I don't know. If someone has a suggestion about something I need to do here, I would love to hear it.<br />I'm not totally in love with the collar. In fact, I'm not even going to bother putting a button on it because it looks really odd when brought together in front.<br />The lining, however, is a silky polyester that I am totally in love with.<br />Would I recommend this pattern or make it again? Nah, probably not, but I feel better about sewing a major garment like this now. I also learned how helpful having a dress form would have been. It's really hard to take on and off and pin things on yourself while looking in the mirror.<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUgOqQJ035j9jnNp8P4sMb9p570LOUofNSrw4frolhosyKscNkfF9bYv2EFmtjFS57LWRvU0aVYI2ndFMrE-bvlvp05ceISMj1sLXBO9ygPw1JZIX4MSflXa_KOYpLXYG21rVkdnP_RWL/s1600/IMG_3266.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUgOqQJ035j9jnNp8P4sMb9p570LOUofNSrw4frolhosyKscNkfF9bYv2EFmtjFS57LWRvU0aVYI2ndFMrE-bvlvp05ceISMj1sLXBO9ygPw1JZIX4MSflXa_KOYpLXYG21rVkdnP_RWL/s400/IMG_3266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515422093617647922" border="0" /></a>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-55510925772265991382010-08-21T12:13:00.001-07:002010-08-21T12:24:21.381-07:00Super Proud Mama<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o1NL5oru4NGBufkYV4oRcycr1Bt649A2n45SRNvUPCsVQP9EZRV1T7SbL-KfpXSnB8S-nLeTUGAAvqEuJ8E_4ipa2kmh9X0SmjsaPA3fzKn_772yegcpIxT7XSYA8tvuXsighkdHcPT3/s1600/IMG_3223.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o1NL5oru4NGBufkYV4oRcycr1Bt649A2n45SRNvUPCsVQP9EZRV1T7SbL-KfpXSnB8S-nLeTUGAAvqEuJ8E_4ipa2kmh9X0SmjsaPA3fzKn_772yegcpIxT7XSYA8tvuXsighkdHcPT3/s400/IMG_3223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507943670927440306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">My little T won 1st prize in the 1st grade category in a city-wide art contest today! Her painting was titled The Three Ballerinas. (I wish I could have gotten a better photo of it, but it was hung way over my head.)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">She won a bicycle and helmet (Ironic, right? And, no, it's not one that her daddy sells.). Her painting will hang in the local hospital for a while, and then we hear that there's some kind of artist's reception in a couple of weeks.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I'm just so proud of her! She started going to the Jonesboro School of Art this summer and has absolutely loved every minute of it. We can't wait til the fall semester starts on Monday!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpp15P7unSiZrt709BvgQA7efiooNqRjP3fKij-fguuibtvgOwrT5oDbG2GApyGLp_08fkcl_5KmHT3eHsnH_ZpD0chvwVVqZurlfVAu3h_PgLL8rkSwJfT5kh-hlpH5as6pKAovebvns/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpp15P7unSiZrt709BvgQA7efiooNqRjP3fKij-fguuibtvgOwrT5oDbG2GApyGLp_08fkcl_5KmHT3eHsnH_ZpD0chvwVVqZurlfVAu3h_PgLL8rkSwJfT5kh-hlpH5as6pKAovebvns/s400/IMG_3237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507943678914684546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o1NL5oru4NGBufkYV4oRcycr1Bt649A2n45SRNvUPCsVQP9EZRV1T7SbL-KfpXSnB8S-nLeTUGAAvqEuJ8E_4ipa2kmh9X0SmjsaPA3fzKn_772yegcpIxT7XSYA8tvuXsighkdHcPT3/s1600/IMG_3223.JPG"><br /></a>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-74258192957734512392010-08-18T14:24:00.000-07:002010-08-18T14:44:11.852-07:00Sooo ready for fall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNhhikUwo5VIXYPbr4r0eNOG6PtJ9sP_2jbqUYh8WiUTvT0GHh6oixhF8bj9nb_zlw6ZyeP4PAeeRTi1QdT8kq5iT4zIWsyv5ubdfNFY2gUx5pkbM3BAAxZ_V9tbRrdYvcVYeUES2SHGq/s1600/008.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNhhikUwo5VIXYPbr4r0eNOG6PtJ9sP_2jbqUYh8WiUTvT0GHh6oixhF8bj9nb_zlw6ZyeP4PAeeRTi1QdT8kq5iT4zIWsyv5ubdfNFY2gUx5pkbM3BAAxZ_V9tbRrdYvcVYeUES2SHGq/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNhhikUwo5VIXYPbr4r0eNOG6PtJ9sP_2jbqUYh8WiUTvT0GHh6oixhF8bj9nb_zlw6ZyeP4PAeeRTi1QdT8kq5iT4zIWsyv5ubdfNFY2gUx5pkbM3BAAxZ_V9tbRrdYvcVYeUES2SHGq/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506864550995506354" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR4aNoKB1NA02ErvL50q8yhafXAPM_MEc2wHz3NYE1h27hYYCY7ieqaMl2EZImRmq8isPJhqCKRS7PezEGp-SbmOqtGBclsuYjutUZc2OMzPGE6cMrp9xG9iDoanqW0jKMoQHif0kvul6/s1600/009.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, it for the past two months or so, it's felt like a sauna here in Arkansas. But, I saw this pattern for a whole $1 at a flea market last month and decided to try my hand at making a jacket. The reason I picked this pattern is because: a) it was cheap, b) I like the details, c) it has raglan sleeves instead of set-in sleeves, which should make it easier to sew. I'm working on the short version with the collar and the tabs on the cuffs. </span><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR4aNoKB1NA02ErvL50q8yhafXAPM_MEc2wHz3NYE1h27hYYCY7ieqaMl2EZImRmq8isPJhqCKRS7PezEGp-SbmOqtGBclsuYjutUZc2OMzPGE6cMrp9xG9iDoanqW0jKMoQHif0kvul6/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506864584907378962" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I bought some wool fabric from ebay. It's not as nice and soft as the high-end stuff, but it looks nice and it was cheap (relatively). I'm certain that when I'm done with this I probably will have spent about as much as it would cost to go to Target or TJ Maxx and buy a perfectly lovely jacket.... but what's the fun in that?</span></a><a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWeZUwAuE00AALETazJg7qAk2cFQ4d_8ziTu9ebabKR9e1WCWmrIFo2hhQpMWi3UBZ6Vga7Bv8lZZGa2-3kpQ_xVj8DSn3UzG1Pkqm4iiTzes6WZSzUJHOdATNiCfwxIEIIbRoU9EjVVp/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWeZUwAuE00AALETazJg7qAk2cFQ4d_8ziTu9ebabKR9e1WCWmrIFo2hhQpMWi3UBZ6Vga7Bv8lZZGa2-3kpQ_xVj8DSn3UzG1Pkqm4iiTzes6WZSzUJHOdATNiCfwxIEIIbRoU9EjVVp/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506864596654316850" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Here's where I am so far. The sleeves sewn to the body, the collar made and basted to the neck. I'm happy so far. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I'm a little nervous about parts of this (like getting the lining in and making the cuffs look nice and neat). I'll post more pictures as I go. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">T's school starts tomorrow and mine starts Monday, so that will throw a wrinkle in things - no pun intended. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ps. I have no idea why the font on here is all wacky. I can't fix it for the life of me. </span></span><br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-84812229032469604312010-08-06T17:23:00.001-07:002010-08-06T17:47:03.655-07:00A Sprinkle of Sparkle<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheNwU5S-LalT37pvvETrO5nIeR_lvHPaBVDFS1F5Ww_pFAQmBNJ83loUfIkAwVRvqvW5UvfAPJJN8rYNnm-S-UeQ5flSfK1noCDRQzUxtPU2Zj_XxfTQTV2tBTGmXfldlveNECHcufpLV/s1600/IMG_3197.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheNwU5S-LalT37pvvETrO5nIeR_lvHPaBVDFS1F5Ww_pFAQmBNJ83loUfIkAwVRvqvW5UvfAPJJN8rYNnm-S-UeQ5flSfK1noCDRQzUxtPU2Zj_XxfTQTV2tBTGmXfldlveNECHcufpLV/s400/IMG_3197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502457266382846130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Inspired by all the great man's shirt to skirt/dress projects out there on the interwebs, I wanted to give one a try myself. I really had in mind to make a skirt for me, but the little one made a pretty good case for a new skirt... so, you know how that goes.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I took one of her daddy's old shirts, cut it just under the arms, added a contrast waistband w/elastic, sprinkled in some sparkly buttons, and bob's your uncle she has a new skirt. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I wanted to make it a little shorter, but the girl likes 'em long on account of her fear of anyone seeing her underpants. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZuGmT07MBVCMEyHrZ1wZx9Q7ZPdp4KMBsoCAfO7KAwqmRo1CefMYUaDzPD6fGsHiAyb30dixspGu5x0nZSC30EkjesuLpDnPpSEl1dJZWQRQ9XPhDcqEW55eoqPI1eeAGipr8Gic0oIl/s1600/IMG_3188.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZuGmT07MBVCMEyHrZ1wZx9Q7ZPdp4KMBsoCAfO7KAwqmRo1CefMYUaDzPD6fGsHiAyb30dixspGu5x0nZSC30EkjesuLpDnPpSEl1dJZWQRQ9XPhDcqEW55eoqPI1eeAGipr8Gic0oIl/s400/IMG_3188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502457286351728242" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheNwU5S-LalT37pvvETrO5nIeR_lvHPaBVDFS1F5Ww_pFAQmBNJ83loUfIkAwVRvqvW5UvfAPJJN8rYNnm-S-UeQ5flSfK1noCDRQzUxtPU2Zj_XxfTQTV2tBTGmXfldlveNECHcufpLV/s1600/IMG_3197.JPG"><br /></a>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-18974089496821682002010-07-31T09:51:00.001-07:002010-07-31T09:58:34.734-07:00Time to Clean House<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoIGxhYtofzL27Si3lfQNRHDW1KrVBiS5pk_JiGiTh1pwC1vFY1gVm_nOJIrU7OWSLxRXAopx3Muevk1y-q_g1SJ1IJnyv57WzVC_jGpGhyN73ny2wpFQLBlCv4zFPwbeEFkLPn4YYdE1/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoIGxhYtofzL27Si3lfQNRHDW1KrVBiS5pk_JiGiTh1pwC1vFY1gVm_nOJIrU7OWSLxRXAopx3Muevk1y-q_g1SJ1IJnyv57WzVC_jGpGhyN73ny2wpFQLBlCv4zFPwbeEFkLPn4YYdE1/s400/IMG_3147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500114041981548354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">The amount of fabric just sitting in my sewing room in boxes is just a little overwhelming, so I'm cleaning out! Today is list all this fabric on ebay day. You won't find carefully crafted listings with detailed descriptions of all the fabric, just bulk "hope you like surprises cause I'm just gonna fill up a box and send it your way" type of listings. I have made some effort to divide the fabric up into type, at least... satin, heavy, solids, prints... you get the idea. I really don't care to make money on the stuff, I just feel the need to GET IT OUT!<br />Of course, I'm probably going to fill the void with some lovely new knit fabric soon. ;)<br />If your curious.... <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/sallybway/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686">EBAY</a><br /></span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-23913748707874022252010-07-07T10:12:00.000-07:002010-07-07T10:30:28.036-07:00Undaunted Sewing<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkAfLoxISEtMjhqU6CsZKiVx5tMXsRovJPVtF5c27hc0FIiD_0bJE0xuJcP9dbzzql8JD8FiW6vPUGhx2PgU9cw77iiQCEr7EWWznLWs4gRo3xtoqClOme60cDaxzfDYpttu-dKyswbNI/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkAfLoxISEtMjhqU6CsZKiVx5tMXsRovJPVtF5c27hc0FIiD_0bJE0xuJcP9dbzzql8JD8FiW6vPUGhx2PgU9cw77iiQCEr7EWWznLWs4gRo3xtoqClOme60cDaxzfDYpttu-dKyswbNI/s400/IMG_3035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491213631006813538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I decided to get fearless and sew something for me. I've been following the Make It, Wear It series on <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/">Sew Mama Sew</a> and decided to give a project a go. <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=8666">The Undaunted Top</a> by JCasa looked just perfect! </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Here are my thoughts on the whole thing:</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">First, this top makes me want to work on my arms. I try not to be hard on myself, but I've let some things go unchecked lately and I gotta quit that! I should have also made sure that I chose fabric that matches a camisole I already have. It really could use one underneath since the armholes are breezy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">About the pattern. It was super easy to follow and very forgiving. The original said it would fit a medium/large so I reduced the measurements on the pattern by 1 inch all the way around. After it was sewn, I curved in the sides about an inch or so more on either side (just eyeballed it). I also sewed the shoulder seams 3 inches instead of 4. That made the neck hang better I guess since I took in the measurements. I think if I were to make another, I would sew it all together and do the shirring last, or at least be more diligent about marking the shirring lines. You really can't tell when it's on, but the lines don't match up on the sides.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">This was my first go at shirring. After a whole heck of a lot of trial and error, I found that the best way for me to get nice shirring was to wind the bobbin by machine and then set the tension pretty high. This is a knit fabric, so I also had to make sure I stretched it as it went through the machine. Once I figured it out it was easy peasey. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Anyway, thanks JCasa and SMS for the free pattern! I conquered my first top!<br /></span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-75098808112339389612010-06-26T10:38:00.000-07:002010-06-26T10:54:10.017-07:00Sewing at last... and it is good<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHUVpnWQp9wnQCNrFDyfvkgRqjRnK0McmpUMC3vN3nxbnLU_mYdbLTI2spbJlzaMabpIgetBrJBoVHb-H8E1xo-7WZ_uY_cQKunuV63n7tda13dQjb6czmLnf8zvtgyQKhD1U8mJC1fB8/s1600/IMG_3016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHUVpnWQp9wnQCNrFDyfvkgRqjRnK0McmpUMC3vN3nxbnLU_mYdbLTI2spbJlzaMabpIgetBrJBoVHb-H8E1xo-7WZ_uY_cQKunuV63n7tda13dQjb6czmLnf8zvtgyQKhD1U8mJC1fB8/s320/IMG_3016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487138624469810370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">After months and months of not even touching my sewing machine, I sat down to do some creating. The cute one has been asking for a swimsuit cover-up ever since she started swim lessons last week and some of the girls showed up with their boutique-y embroidered ones. I am sooo not the type of mom to go spend a fortune on a cutesy monogrammed number. I will however do my darndest to make something way better. </span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_ZpIblhVKk7GBix5hKcQX_LfSVd5sootGBIZScLF8Jr-LPtTudf3Tw3t-u__yhghkbgAPIAG45ewqC3h_srVuMa-hJHvule73nMrMiVEOml3RqSM13pOMwU4jh79HNtHPolEqh0uG6p9/s1600/IMG_3018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_ZpIblhVKk7GBix5hKcQX_LfSVd5sootGBIZScLF8Jr-LPtTudf3Tw3t-u__yhghkbgAPIAG45ewqC3h_srVuMa-hJHvule73nMrMiVEOml3RqSM13pOMwU4jh79HNtHPolEqh0uG6p9/s320/IMG_3018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487138640719934578" border="0" /></a><br />The fabric was leftover from a bathrobe I made her a couple of years ago. There's elastic around the top and I sewed it all crazy.... my clever way of making up for the fact that this fabric is a bugger to work with and I have a hard time sewing it in a straight line. We'll just keep that between us. We'll also keep secret that this started out as a skirt for me, but I screwed up the measurements making it a teeny bit too snug to pull off without taking my swimsuit bottoms with it. (Yikes!) The bottom hem is rolled up so that the fuzzy side shows there, too- much like the top, just narrower.<br />Man, I love it when a plan comes together!<br /><br /></div><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmHBK_cipu4bVd4IcF3t9CYtAH7iGeRqxZtkQhZuE97HKrzWbuMbyDtXC-LDAo1GSV9aXovot845Hk_pefweisqiG3ieqwEVruSp76-hP50Iop7EFvj7GPYLxnvI1JY3bK95I3fcgI_Gg/s1600/IMG_3020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmHBK_cipu4bVd4IcF3t9CYtAH7iGeRqxZtkQhZuE97HKrzWbuMbyDtXC-LDAo1GSV9aXovot845Hk_pefweisqiG3ieqwEVruSp76-hP50Iop7EFvj7GPYLxnvI1JY3bK95I3fcgI_Gg/s320/IMG_3020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487138636049489074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHUVpnWQp9wnQCNrFDyfvkgRqjRnK0McmpUMC3vN3nxbnLU_mYdbLTI2spbJlzaMabpIgetBrJBoVHb-H8E1xo-7WZ_uY_cQKunuV63n7tda13dQjb6czmLnf8zvtgyQKhD1U8mJC1fB8/s1600/IMG_3016.JPG"><br /></a>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-7333685578961360202010-05-16T13:19:00.000-07:002010-05-16T13:29:32.994-07:00Bike Month is Busy<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">So May is National Bike Month and the end of the semester at school... holey moley that makes for one busy month! I finally finished up all my classes last week - YEEHAW! The rest of the month is all bike stuff all the time. First up....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4zQKloJg6lpbAu6CXtFyjMxPqdVnEEMukVE8e90cdO49Ha_RBMzhyphenhyphenuYaHyQHB-WuN3lHKrlgbfZd8O11NHJGIALLaSuG72z1mFC7DtTJc88Rca1_3sH4PPGIs5_8xTzLZa7YLWb9UVrO/s1600/IMG_2800.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4zQKloJg6lpbAu6CXtFyjMxPqdVnEEMukVE8e90cdO49Ha_RBMzhyphenhyphenuYaHyQHB-WuN3lHKrlgbfZd8O11NHJGIALLaSuG72z1mFC7DtTJc88Rca1_3sH4PPGIs5_8xTzLZa7YLWb9UVrO/s320/IMG_2800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471965657672800674" border="0" /></a>That there is the beginning of our brand spanking new pump track. The coalition got a grant from New Belgium Brewery and we're spending it building a pump track and mt. bike skills park. Think bmx, but smaller and smoother riding - the idea is that you can pump your way through it (well, the skillful people can) without pedaling. So, it's fun for adults cause they can challenge themselves that way, and it's fun for kids because the "jumps" are small enough that anyone can ride them. We're also putting in a set of obstacles nearby that mimic what you find on the trail so you can practice in a controlled environment. Should be awesome for kids (or grownups) who want to learn to mt. bike, but are nervous about getting out on the trail. <br />Next weekend we're hosting CycleFest 2010 - Bike to Work Day, classes and clinics, a bike rodeo, casual group rides, youth cycling instructor certification.... gonna be big fun!<br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-3220635318561500052010-04-07T06:30:00.000-07:002010-04-07T06:34:01.090-07:00Sing it with me....<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">It's our anniversary..</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">The Mr. and I have been married 9 years today!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRyfzrbFhyphenhyphen8Rdh-yuUZgX091NzfRl1FRXu0IlxnMlZ84tVbk1EB9EBkonI-9cl_kNmNUyRnlvWogpEab_x9lO1_5IOiD1GUg9_ZCkv1IAc4ev5XbOjnDzu1rZnKQzLvPj1NhBeEsPiMkG/s1600/3318_65877208038_511463038_1434723_598303_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRyfzrbFhyphenhyphen8Rdh-yuUZgX091NzfRl1FRXu0IlxnMlZ84tVbk1EB9EBkonI-9cl_kNmNUyRnlvWogpEab_x9lO1_5IOiD1GUg9_ZCkv1IAc4ev5XbOjnDzu1rZnKQzLvPj1NhBeEsPiMkG/s320/3318_65877208038_511463038_1434723_598303_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457387985549495618" border="0" /></a></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-66155535290117954052010-03-17T15:31:00.000-07:002010-03-17T15:40:30.216-07:00mmmm Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBnO8qpRKrOrisBlPFJFvjA02CHa_9_GnIIZ2ED9zKkHVyqsJ9I_4GBhI2rw5rWOKqE_jkR48OUIaj3yyMAk4IEZpe9-J7CQ9hJHiMVPNywePjvpKrpkzr6Gw8P88llHeGeapTgR2JikO/s1600-h/IMG_2686.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBnO8qpRKrOrisBlPFJFvjA02CHa_9_GnIIZ2ED9zKkHVyqsJ9I_4GBhI2rw5rWOKqE_jkR48OUIaj3yyMAk4IEZpe9-J7CQ9hJHiMVPNywePjvpKrpkzr6Gw8P88llHeGeapTgR2JikO/s320/IMG_2686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449734516161927442" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN45blLEC-M5heUFxUu-bEUyarNZbPiADxzrMa60WEnWKKdHnLGwGVmb9lZ47s1v0C8rZBRa9sSlohKRF2nf4juzJwhzOuFrVb21CKWNFMiwoharanXBJ8zPLtlNM8T8-D6D8_AEGvr1ZS/s1600-h/IMG_2683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN45blLEC-M5heUFxUu-bEUyarNZbPiADxzrMa60WEnWKKdHnLGwGVmb9lZ47s1v0C8rZBRa9sSlohKRF2nf4juzJwhzOuFrVb21CKWNFMiwoharanXBJ8zPLtlNM8T8-D6D8_AEGvr1ZS/s320/IMG_2683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449734515146756514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhi0uywrNzyf8yuG4R15-wkxdm-nc8sujtZwu5Lt-slM6f5oyvoQPuo6ARr8JotcqHh1j-XxCR5HD1E8GhbmnE7zVX7NX5T6CXpA-CbwFoTkmB1IbQJLP_3g-6VIQ8rknNDX3u-VMtBne/s1600-h/IMG_2692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhi0uywrNzyf8yuG4R15-wkxdm-nc8sujtZwu5Lt-slM6f5oyvoQPuo6ARr8JotcqHh1j-XxCR5HD1E8GhbmnE7zVX7NX5T6CXpA-CbwFoTkmB1IbQJLP_3g-6VIQ8rknNDX3u-VMtBne/s320/IMG_2692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449734308113410546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Taylor and I made rainbow cupcakes today. Tedious? Yes. Messy? Yes?<br />Fun and worth the trouble? Oh, yes!<br />The cupcake recipe is <a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/taste-a-rainbow-cupcakes-842128/">here</a>.<br />The frosting recipe is <a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/thats-the-best-frosting-ive-ever-had/">here</a>.<br />Let's talk about the frosting, shall we? It is one of the best frostings I have ever had. ever. really. The recipe is weird, but the result tastes like what would happen if butter cream married whipped cream and made sweet, sweet love. <br /></span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-79903553293676073562010-03-11T08:54:00.000-08:002010-03-11T09:04:44.453-08:00Coming Up for Air<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Grad school is amazing!!! Time consuming - way more so than I had imagined- but amazing nevertheless. Spring break is next week, but I turned in my last pre-break assignment yesterday so I am taking a super self-indulgent day to celebrate. Maybe I'll take two. Maybe I'll go for a ride on my new </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://www.globebikes.com/us/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10HAUL2">Specialized Haul</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">... I so love this bike!</span><br /><br /></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-63904919918419828202010-03-11T08:53:00.000-08:002010-03-11T08:53:22.298-08:00Shabby Apple San Gabriel GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!I love this dress! I'm not usually the ruffle - y type, but I really like this!<br /><br /><a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/03/shabby-apple-san-gabriel-guest-giveaway.html">Shabby Apple San Gabriel GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-28978646313768387282009-12-12T05:48:00.000-08:002009-12-12T05:48:45.721-08:00The 8 O Clock Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/12/8-oclock-frock-grosgrain-giveaway.html">The 8 O Clock Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I have recently discovered Grosgrain.... and I am in total awe of her sewing abilities. She makes me want to learn to sew clothes, like really really sew clothes. You know what else it great? She often gives away her beautiful creations.... you should check her out!</span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-52371326213372051402009-12-09T09:24:00.000-08:002009-12-09T09:31:18.986-08:00Re-Post for the Holidays<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">I'm re-posting this from last year because, well, I've already used this trick this season and I think it bears repeating in case you missed it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Since the holidays are approaching, I thought I'd share one of my favorite grift-wrapping tricks. I learned this when I worked retail... a real budget saver when you offer free gift wrap because you can use half as many boxes! I am much better at showing than explaining so you can find lots of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">pictures with instructions </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102); "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogwoodlane/sets/72157609272227574/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">here</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. You'll see how I can turn one half of a shirt box (because I'm always losing or ruining half) into a usable gift box with a little bit of folding and a couple of snips. This is my first go at a sort of tutorial, so if the instructions aren't clear just let me know.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Go from this:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67uUp-bt6IO71Lfe3P1Lvmizsl6xHQX6Vzj_KnU3RUKfcLiidJYXwbpImoz2T0HDUgtUCXUQVdnXqDn8zaQYovanumSIDahClO-4BvoBa0KMBxbszugJjyOLzvEv_9uGPntPlCWBib80E/s320/IMG_1453.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413289297447336290" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to this:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_of6IjMlukcXh7e2OsiwdhTNwb547eht0gbw93isIyBX_pFEAkk9bjN5335I2vQNDC9j7md6XSk2kJl7Ij9X2RAPSiAptHsSI_dk1OjMOy-LXo-kItSiPI7mjjzYH4vt5THqfJuIZhIM/s320/IMG_1461.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413289289394139330" /></span></div></span></span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-49269081719420265852009-12-07T14:34:00.001-08:002009-12-07T14:42:31.789-08:00Tree Pickin'<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUFPpd55ziEfURvmbSMt8t3Nfv6Bu5hcPQOyEyhto5ytkXWR3wb1FGDzCgu7_1cIJJEAJJcdacqZR91CnC7x8-zXEnxqVj1iyNlc0lYhs_on4uvi8xaAYMBhZs0BHunE8gaGUmtGgHu6F/s320/IMG_2554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412627530438674274" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">One of my favorite family traditions is picking out a live Christmas tree. As a kid, some years we went to a local tree farm and other years we picked one from our own farm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Since the latter isn't an option for us up here, we go to a great little tree farm in Goobertown, AR (Yep, that's really the town's name.) There's hot chocolate, lots of trees, and fresh roasted peanuts. And here is Taylor with our tree. She named it Mrs. Clause.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PMTUvRbYdUAAgmXyn-0x01PALBvA4pDacQf3KpAqoNqnehx7mXpFEP11G-pUeaX6FufW-D7b9RHJj6O-41T6X02ibkQnG7NtAneatMzKmLvsBoXvlN9hecR_ewXDO26Ns5uyLjje-qEQ/s320/IMG_2556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412627542905774098" />dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-29394435281466253682009-12-03T11:56:00.001-08:002009-12-04T05:06:04.887-08:00Sweet Dreams Butterfly<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj619yZnvAXVDrNt3WnhLEMApHzOCux_qlbWEvk0j9k5YHh3DdUFSs5Bw1kTaL05F7k713VCybtekAs9LN84gSevNiH7h5prAlVpC4AsmIWrfHmoVA08YoAbdRcFsnJoxdDLCntOdb86h/s400/IMG_2550.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411101737979986418" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">"Sweet Dreams Butterfly" has always been a part of our bedtime ritual.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I hope she'll cherish this pillow forever... I will.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8K9aApiAY1su7vweEoKd3H7mM1puZtfh0obpr_vYkHzZfFhgefW3fZg4fME-9bzJ7LwDA8kxc56dw62yKENzs1hJDOgHVljMrKOrfmS1RIIRMW-L6eMFOKvuhWTGJUCPPc2NL2igbp4f/s400/IMG_2549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411102754117095842" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">The embroidery pattern is by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/vol25?section_id=5667113">Vol.25</a> stitched with variegated thread.</span></i></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048570365358013291.post-39352558869482109442009-12-03T06:35:00.001-08:002009-12-03T07:08:42.740-08:00Holiday Baking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOBJit2EYVm4ZqJBWRmmFHPHfo7r_1R9zP-4XqUkVToXlUammkczmszClgqty0FG6a0fsg5c7r2RtpmliU4AJmE-ADwlcv8VL79gDyUov3FFmO_DWg51gmxoTt55H_G6TGqTzrstkzaT-/s1600-h/IMG_2168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOBJit2EYVm4ZqJBWRmmFHPHfo7r_1R9zP-4XqUkVToXlUammkczmszClgqty0FG6a0fsg5c7r2RtpmliU4AJmE-ADwlcv8VL79gDyUov3FFmO_DWg51gmxoTt55H_G6TGqTzrstkzaT-/s400/IMG_2168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411018742368167890" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I am oh so happy that the holiday baking season is here... like I need an excuse to bake. It's just that now I do so without guilt because we all know that calories consumed during the holidays don't count, right? Besides, with two weeks off from school Taylor and I have to fill the chilly days somehow. I've been bookmarking recipes all week so that we have plenty of new ones to try. And the warmth from the oven keeps the house's heater from working so hard. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">See? It's the just right thing to do. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I don't really have any cherished family recipes or baking traditions from my childhood really, so Taylor and I are making our own. It just so happens that Santa and I share a favorite cookie... crispy oatmeal chocolate chip. We make these fresh on Christmas Eve because Santa also loves them warm from the oven. (I coulda sworn I had a picture of us baking them together, but I guess not. You get this cute picture from baking 4th of July sugar cookies instead :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Anyway, I thought I'd share the recipe with you all. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">First Mixture:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1 c butter</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">2 eggs</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1 tsp vanilla</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1 c granulated sugar</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1c brown sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Second Mixture:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">2 c flour</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1tsp baking soda</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Sift together and add to the first mixture.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Add 1c quick cooking oats and 1c chocolate chips (or anything else you'd like in there, like nuts).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Mix together and drop by spoonfuls on a greased baking sheet (important because these are thin and can stick really easily). Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">There you have it... easy peasy!</span></div>dogwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013544846760278131noreply@blogger.com0