tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070307516768209012024-03-08T02:26:41.705-06:00joie de vivre.A blog about all things lovely.Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-87664518974095294882014-01-11T13:56:00.000-06:002014-01-22T17:33:38.229-06:00Sewing for Dummies: Best tutorials for the sewing newbie<div style="text-align: left;">
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This summer I was cruising Craiglist for things I want but don't need, and I across a Singer embroidery/sewing machine. It was in awesome condition and a great price... I decided on the spot that I was going to teach myself to sew. </div>
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Fast-forward to now and I have a lot of hours of sewing practice under my belt. One thing I quickly learned after trying and failing many times to successfully complete a pattern I purchased at a fabric store (from McCalls, Simplicity, etc.) was that <b>it didn't matter if the words "SEW EASY" were on the front; I wasn't going to finish it.</b> Or if I did, the final product looked like a middle school Home Ec version of the awesome garment on the front. </div>
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I told my sad story to a girlfriend who owns her own store of children's clothes she makes (she's amazing, <a href="http://www.sweet-dreams-designs.net/">visit her store here</a>) and she said something that totally changed the ballgame for me.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Your first problem is that you're using patterns made by those huge companies. Try looking online for tutorials and PDFs."</i></span></div>
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The one drawback is that a pattern downloaded online comes as a PDF to your printer; thus, you have to cut and tape together the pattern. But to me, this is almost as tedious as cutting the patterns from a company pattern anyway.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the ones I find myself going to a LOT. They are either free, or ones I've purchased that I found to be worth it. Keep in mind I mainly sew things for my 16 month old, so there's a lot of baby and boy clothes on this list. I'll try and categorize so you can skip over anything you're not interested in. Click on the pictures to go to the link or a Pinterest pin that will take you there.</span></div>
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Baby Items: </h3>
1. FREE Baby burp cloths (The author of this website, <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/" target="_blank">Dana Made It</a>, has almost
singlehandedly taught me to sew and you will see a few more of hers on
this list. Her tutorials are AWESOME, full of pictures, and are written
so clearly. A must for anyone new to sewing.) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Click for link" border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/81/dd/c3/81ddc3d499741c80592d6d60b4721b79.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/04/celebrate-baby-tutorial-burp-cloth-gift-sets.html" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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Turn all those swaddle blankets into PJ's for the kiddo:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/84/99/ff/8499ff69fab78f2e394a9a3bd08e16af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/84/99/ff/8499ff69fab78f2e394a9a3bd08e16af.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mingoandgrace.com/2013/07/upcycle-swaddle-blankets-into-toddler.html">Via</a></td></tr>
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FREE Baby bib tutorial and pattern (makes a great baby gift)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835129"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835130"></span></a></td></tr>
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FREE Baby Boy Romper tutorial and pattern. This one I didn't use as much as the following, but it is free and has good pictures. Melly Sews is also a great and informative website for newbies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/be/0f/d9/be0fd9e0fff099b791202068a0ae142c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/be/0f/d9/be0fd9e0fff099b791202068a0ae142c.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835139"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835140"></span></a></td></tr>
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Simple Leggings... I made the heck out of these. They are great for hipster baby boys or of course, for little girls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMG_04726-670x507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMG_04726-670x507.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835143"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835144"></span></a></td></tr>
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This pattern was only $6.95 on Etsy and is super-easy to follow. I had a hard time at first with the lining/outer layer aspect of rompers, and this pattern lead me to the first successful, complete outfit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/038/0/6588643/il_570xN.512652826_gvq1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/038/0/6588643/il_570xN.512652826_gvq1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835147"></span>Fuddie Duddies on Etsy</a><span id="goog_2142835148"></span></td></tr>
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Kid Items:</h3>
1. Another one from Dana Made It. Kid pants! So easy once you get the hang of it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835151"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835152"></span></a></td></tr>
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2. A modification of the above-- the kid tuxedo stripe pant. Too cute. <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/" target="_blank">Made by Rae</a> is another website I loved as just a generally great resource.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/d5/68/f7d56800ba47c22157c6f45a280493ce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/d5/68/f7d56800ba47c22157c6f45a280493ce.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835156"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835157"></span></a></td></tr>
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3. Another by Rae I use all the time is this <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2012/02/flashback-skinny-tee-sewing-pattern-is-here/" target="_blank">skinny t pattern</a> that I purchased for around $7. Another one well worth the money, in my opinion. And there are lots of other tutorials on modifications of this pattern, like a button-down cardi (too cute).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7015/6842511753_ffe9b979f2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7015/6842511753_ffe9b979f2_b.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2012/02/flashback-skinny-tee-sewing-pattern-is-here/" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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Around the Home Items:</h3>
PILLOWS are something I love to make now... changing out a pillow can really change up a room, and a lot of times you can make one from a great remnant on sale at the fabric store. Here are some of my favorite pillow tutorials:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/pillow-680x446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.danamadeit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/pillow-680x446.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2014/01/made-everday-episode-2-how-to-sew-a-pillow-2-ways.html" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a4/05/7d/a4057dedb473adbd58ec8b1b43593da8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a4/05/7d/a4057dedb473adbd58ec8b1b43593da8.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thehappyhousie.com/?p=2027" target="_blank">Via</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835120"></span>Via</a></td></tr>
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Sewing projects for the home, courtesy of Martha Stewart: <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835161"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835162"></span></a></td></tr>
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Coffee cozies make cute little gifts, don't take long to make, and make you feel accomplished for finishing so quickly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/77/39/4d/77394de11878be833840f52b892a8d83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/77/39/4d/77394de11878be833840f52b892a8d83.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835165"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835166"></span></a></td></tr>
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For all those scraps you have after making aforementioned projects:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/d8/33/b8d8334b7810ff72e49ebb7f0e775043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/d8/33/b8d8334b7810ff72e49ebb7f0e775043.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835169"></span>Via<span id="goog_2142835170"></span></a></td></tr>
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A great email list to subscribe to is <a href="http://www.allfreesewing.com/" target="_blank">AllFreeSewing</a>. They send projects every day that really are worth taking a look at, and are done by theme. Most of them are in the "easy" category, which means I like it that much more.<br />
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Need your sewing to look professional? Check out this pin:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2142835125"></span>Via</a></td></tr>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-19778294468232619732013-12-17T13:40:00.000-06:002013-12-17T13:40:32.882-06:00Possibly the best and easiest Christmas cookie ever: YiaYia's Greek Koulourakia Recipe With Printable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a late bloomer when it comes to cooking. It wasn't until getting married that I really got my hands dirty in the kitchen (pun intended). I love to cook now, and love to experiment with desserts in particular. </div>
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But in our family, there is one thing you don't mess with: YiaYia's Koulourakia cookies. They're pronounced "Kew-doo-la-kia," but we call them Koodles for short. They are easy to make and have a universal appeal because of their plain, shortbread-like flavor.</div>
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I feel it's my duty to add this koulourakia recipe to the Interwebz, because it's straight from my grandmother's mouth. Not an exaggeration-- I got this recipe from my YiaYia over the phone in 2006 when the 2nd grade class I was teaching purchased a page in a cookbook for me and I had nothing but "how to make a bowl of cereal" in my cooking arsenal. </div>
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What you see below is pretty much what YiaYia told me, verbatim, on how to make these cookies, and what ended up in the cookbook. </div>
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These cookies are legendary to my family. We fight over them in our house; we devour them for breakfast, and dunk them in coffee as a midday snack. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Feel free to share this with anyone you please, as it's not top-secret... but it is much-loved. Printable 5x7 recipe card at the bottom of the post.</div>
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<h3>
Ingredients: </h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bRZqiaSwfl1yUTIYa4OwDie1QbMv4y_NRRd-PNlHOC_BTQCarVP2ToKqKsqp0dncce_oN3QJvefFbZ2wdj77JALNvRO14s9SljYddOoa8HClINscnjXU-wMtM5ZF74BaKFNoxFvj4kRd/s1600/IMG_2150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bRZqiaSwfl1yUTIYa4OwDie1QbMv4y_NRRd-PNlHOC_BTQCarVP2ToKqKsqp0dncce_oN3QJvefFbZ2wdj77JALNvRO14s9SljYddOoa8HClINscnjXU-wMtM5ZF74BaKFNoxFvj4kRd/s320/IMG_2150.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
<ul>
<li>2 sticks of butter at room temperature</li>
<li>3 eggs</li>
<li>4 cups flour</li>
<li>1 cup sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>3 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>sesame seeds (optional)</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Directions:</h3>
Preheat oven to 350. Beat together butter (make sure it's room temperature, this is very important for consistency!) and flour in a bowl until completely mixed. <br />
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Knead in baking powder. Form a donut shape with the dough in the bowl (leaving a concave hole in the middle).<br />
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In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, and vanilla to make an egg mixture.<br />
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Pour egg mixture into the hold in the dough. (Leave a little to use as a wash at the end). Knead together until well-blended.<br />
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<b>The dough shouldn't be sticking to your hands</b> once all this is blended. If it does, simply add more flour until you get a consistency that is pliable but not sticky.<br />
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Take heaping tablespoons of dough and shape in "S," "O," and "X" to form cookies. You could also roll them up and give them a little twist. Get creative! <br />
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Place on a prepared greased sheet. Wash with egg mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds or sugar, as desired.<br />
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Bake at 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Turn off heat, transfer cookies to baking pan, and cool inside oven on wire rack.<br />
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Enjoy! This batch passed the ultimate taste test in our house:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuthIYPS-0uhZr4UPnloxvHXphc-GyixATH28NQ48KcxJPRXvkI6jwIHj-34Y3cBil5yWjK7N42laa9GfBHSoJPz7Pd_L1ZzmyK4Vs6f7RHtgv0uSC37j_0ps6YWnj-njcW9HyDfBlnr9/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuthIYPS-0uhZr4UPnloxvHXphc-GyixATH28NQ48KcxJPRXvkI6jwIHj-34Y3cBil5yWjK7N42laa9GfBHSoJPz7Pd_L1ZzmyK4Vs6f7RHtgv0uSC37j_0ps6YWnj-njcW9HyDfBlnr9/s640/IMG_2176.jpg" width="505" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cookbook page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6jpRBFwFVDhcnd5Qm9oT0dxX00/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here for recipe card</a><br />
<h3>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-17976584626326493862013-10-23T16:26:00.000-05:002013-11-02T16:27:39.275-05:00DIY Baby Door Hanger (Not Your Traditional Wreath)Here's a fun little DIY that evolved from yet another <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/greencl/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest-inspired </a>project. One of my dear friends recently had a little boy, and for her shower I was in charge of the decor-- including the door hanger. Originally, I had thought we'd do a wreath. But that quickly changed after I started playing around.<br />
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I was at Hobby Lobby looking for ideas and came across a pretty white shadowbox (it was also 50% off at the time) which came with beautiful pearl pushpins. I loved the idea of mama being able to customize it, change it out, and display whatever she wanted... because we all know that babies grow fast and there's a lot we want to showcase about them!<br />
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Since baby boy wasn't born yet, I asked my friend for his sonogram picture. That would be the top portion of the box until he was born, then she could switch it out to his newborn picture. The bottom portion would be for "info," in this case his full name.*<br />
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*There are several places you'll see what looks like blanks under baby Maddox's name; I blurred it out for the sake of this post. <br />
<h3>
What you need:</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. 8.5" x 11" (approximately) shadowbox with pretty pushpins included</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. 5" x 7" picture </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. Fabric to customize backing</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. Hot glue </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. Any embellishments you want to include-- for me, it was a "frame" made out of cardstock, and cardstock cut 6" x 8"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6. Scrapbook paper </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
7. Modge Podge (optional) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
8. Home printer (optional)</div>
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<h3>
Making the door hanger: </h3>
1. The first step was to customize the blank background. I chose a gender-neutral green chevron on printed duck. This is a permanent feature of the shadowbox, so make sure whatever fabric you choose doesn't overpower the items you'll be pinning onto the Styrofoam backing. Hot glue this to the backing.<br />
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2. You can make this as simple or as fancy as you want. For example, I added a "frame" to serve as a border for the cardstock. To make the cardstock more durable, I used Modge Podge on it. <br />
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3. Now it's time to create what you'll be pinning onto the background. For the purposes of the shower, I did a "welcome" sign. I gave my friend a few other things for her to use once the baby arrived: a "baby stats" page, a baby sleeping sign, and a welcome to baby's room sign (the last two interchangeable in the frame. This is a little hard to describe... check the pictures, they should explain it better than I'm doing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzA0UhxGz0wxXaR2gPpMKVoWCmUr1EHfZB1ELzTVGwrtVvHeEZd3uzYn2AuCZ9tyEnjrnELaGaDehb6ypoI9TMuM3pKUZrWNqVxJ4lH_1WlPb3iBi-wiUO-DYkx9F3js4KLcfNCKez1hQ/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzA0UhxGz0wxXaR2gPpMKVoWCmUr1EHfZB1ELzTVGwrtVvHeEZd3uzYn2AuCZ9tyEnjrnELaGaDehb6ypoI9TMuM3pKUZrWNqVxJ4lH_1WlPb3iBi-wiUO-DYkx9F3js4KLcfNCKez1hQ/s320/IMG_0739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I liked the idea of mom being able to change out the signs with ease, depending on what was going on at the moment.<br />
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Here's the final result. I put it next to a lamp for size reference.<br />
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I hope it gives you some inspiration on getting creative with door hangings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvAOH_S-HsI7YyWTBGah_tHqCqjNvHFUvSV8UjkoQFsFIWIrsAltOJYI41YtGjQ_nYwjHkqG0ZqB87fH8PDhqdN_m9r8g135xSTCnhy5DCJYzge9jc5zadawUMq4SCO1fNLXxIvFLdrq4/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvAOH_S-HsI7YyWTBGah_tHqCqjNvHFUvSV8UjkoQFsFIWIrsAltOJYI41YtGjQ_nYwjHkqG0ZqB87fH8PDhqdN_m9r8g135xSTCnhy5DCJYzge9jc5zadawUMq4SCO1fNLXxIvFLdrq4/s400/IMG_0749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-5052820609151545712013-10-17T20:16:00.000-05:002013-10-17T20:16:23.935-05:00Ring the Bells. "Anthem" by Leonard Cohen <br />
Just one of my favorites I wanted to share. <br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/_e39UmEnqY8/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_e39UmEnqY8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_e39UmEnqY8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-47730002135179433042013-10-14T08:12:00.001-05:002013-11-02T12:21:12.335-05:00How-To: Super Simple Painted Polka Dot Pumpkins I debated whether or not to even make a "how to" post for this, it was so easy. But I liked the end result and thought I would share. I wanted something other than the traditional orange pumpkin on the porch, but didn't want to pay the $30+ the local garden shop was charging for blue and sage Cinderella pumpkins. This is what I did.<br />
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<u><b>What you'll need:</b></u></h3>
1. Spray paint in whatever colors/finish you choose<br />
2. Pumpkin carving utensils <br />
3. A drill (with various bit sizes if you want variety in your design)<br />
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Our Wal-Mart has massive orange pumkpins for $3 (and white pumpkins for $5... I snagged some of those two and am leaving them white). I bought two regular old orange pumpkins, and a bag of cutie little pumpkins for $3.59. Then came home and raided my paint aresnal.<br />
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I used Krylon spray paint in Ocean Breeze (which is more a Tiffany blue than aqua) left over from painting our outside furniture. I also had some metallic gold, which I ended up <i>loving</i> on the pumpkins. You can of course paint whatever color you like... I think a glossy red would be gorgeous, or metallic black.<br />
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<a href="http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/catalog/Sprayon-Krylon/Metallics_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/catalog/Sprayon-Krylon/Metallics_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTc69p3J2blEcEnW8xXDljbObgAPVjmzXWAlSzzsMKCkUSvZ4cLAgV4Trox_x81XO5SZTixCYt3PlZqHx02ena6-5s-1VSg4h6JnpulBLjeLpZhiNej11ljBjqi5_rVNdsaLaE_UMyBWw/s1600/krylon+ocean+breeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTc69p3J2blEcEnW8xXDljbObgAPVjmzXWAlSzzsMKCkUSvZ4cLAgV4Trox_x81XO5SZTixCYt3PlZqHx02ena6-5s-1VSg4h6JnpulBLjeLpZhiNej11ljBjqi5_rVNdsaLaE_UMyBWw/s1600/krylon+ocean+breeze.jpg" /></a></div>
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Full disclosure, I did this project on a whim without any planning and it's not the neatest job in the world. I also didn't prime my pumpkins with anything; just covered the stems with painter's tape and went to town. I'll make sure and amend this post if paint starts flaking or anything else tells me I should have primed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH3X-2IgE2OWM7l_Jjbb9LntVcrZI7xGFaQQsa3zCKGJFYOgvEVT0fLu77Yssb-rze_7tK9hUwx5ikOMqYvZjgkDeVR_4zpVRcFbvC9iTM3ANmVYRUfdxtcAQWyo6ZnY1CvEih6MsjLCS/s1600/IMG_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH3X-2IgE2OWM7l_Jjbb9LntVcrZI7xGFaQQsa3zCKGJFYOgvEVT0fLu77Yssb-rze_7tK9hUwx5ikOMqYvZjgkDeVR_4zpVRcFbvC9iTM3ANmVYRUfdxtcAQWyo6ZnY1CvEih6MsjLCS/s400/IMG_0497.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>1. Paint your pumpkins:</b> The dry time for this is about an hour. I let them dry overnight since I would be handling them a lot. It's important not to spray too much, so the paint won't drip down the sides (unless that's the look you're going for, which could be pretty!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vla_ilqELL-G8ECnyzHxFFHBylLUS49qskxWA2V-XUS8i-a3dJYEW05vZpazwZd-u9hnMLZSzhtCfSa83tDD8QYqjkeRIAGXv0OBViqhreo_Hsas2Rb5xcFqU0OItBJsMPtwVdbYrwOK/s1600/IMG_1695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vla_ilqELL-G8ECnyzHxFFHBylLUS49qskxWA2V-XUS8i-a3dJYEW05vZpazwZd-u9hnMLZSzhtCfSa83tDD8QYqjkeRIAGXv0OBViqhreo_Hsas2Rb5xcFqU0OItBJsMPtwVdbYrwOK/s400/IMG_1695.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry paint... and baby legs</td></tr>
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I thought the itty bitty pumkpins turned out particularly cute in the gold.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI739CLJCrMRvsDVEtsn0ygDI7_5xeP_OTtdKubsd7i6os0GHN24olZwvS9rcXD-STHhF55J6Oc8lvpOmZRLl01fd1OwQJ-suhjgKwY5IGjXFW9lK9xNdjkDvQc3bHfiYgr7LBQ8xO3kH/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI739CLJCrMRvsDVEtsn0ygDI7_5xeP_OTtdKubsd7i6os0GHN24olZwvS9rcXD-STHhF55J6Oc8lvpOmZRLl01fd1OwQJ-suhjgKwY5IGjXFW9lK9xNdjkDvQc3bHfiYgr7LBQ8xO3kH/s400/IMG_0500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pups liked them too.</td></tr>
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2. Clean out the pumpkins</h3>
The next part is just traditional pumpkin carving; slice open the top, pull out all the seeds and strings, and hollow out your pumpkin. It's really important to get all the strings, since you're going to want your polka-dots to be nice and round, without any obstruction from the inside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homemakerschallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-24_16-06-02_264-230x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://homemakerschallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-24_16-06-02_264-230x300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homemakerschallenge.com/roasted-and-stuffed-pumpkin-recipe-a-great-fall-dinner/" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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3. Plan your design</h3>
I had an idea of what I wanted in my head after seeing this picture on Pinterest: <br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUE0r6eCJV5X3DEbkIxCj5pITfoQlTyxVxywTxgZXPRM_Oqxcz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUE0r6eCJV5X3DEbkIxCj5pITfoQlTyxVxywTxgZXPRM_Oqxcz" /></a></div>
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There's lots of great ideas online for design inspiration, some of which I'll add at the end of this post.<br />
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4. Get your drill on</h3>
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Try to go straight in, don't let your hand wobble or you will have texture on the edges of your polka dots. I learned this the hard way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJZl33lFybQtL7dAoBR3LEpj6l_GpS4iwD6fBeyIOwHr53csdjTBl9ghO6cjC6g7hX5zVBT-GP0XB13NNXQLKmrCaid41giafAawn8U8RySTYqTVu8dgO1ftDpSV9d8WQkM7Oo9FG3lai/s1600/IMG_1721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJZl33lFybQtL7dAoBR3LEpj6l_GpS4iwD6fBeyIOwHr53csdjTBl9ghO6cjC6g7hX5zVBT-GP0XB13NNXQLKmrCaid41giafAawn8U8RySTYqTVu8dgO1ftDpSV9d8WQkM7Oo9FG3lai/s320/IMG_1721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once you've completed your design, you are done! I wish the dots on the pumpkin on the right were a little more uniform, but that's what I get for drilling with out drafting.<br />
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Easy peasy! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SpOafzRbIvd5RjPi5dLHeJgjDYMLc8Dlj6bWFB6_LYA41tgWo1Gyr4HtPsQXfpYG-f_24QYW6Rw61lCoA_sWrJKgiZrqqlGR1ZPqjOpGieC9gso64QjdIswFUcO-85xKpRkLDoU5LW35/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SpOafzRbIvd5RjPi5dLHeJgjDYMLc8Dlj6bWFB6_LYA41tgWo1Gyr4HtPsQXfpYG-f_24QYW6Rw61lCoA_sWrJKgiZrqqlGR1ZPqjOpGieC9gso64QjdIswFUcO-85xKpRkLDoU5LW35/s400/IMG_0522.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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More drilled pumpkin inspiration:<br />
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<a href="http://img2-3.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/holidays/pumpkin-ideas/lighted-pumpkin-x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://img2-3.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/holidays/pumpkin-ideas/lighted-pumpkin-x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hanttula.com/media/uploads/drilled-pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hanttula.com/media/uploads/drilled-pumpkins.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1LLWsWg4u81kxCoil_-h6HPVj4Sl9FoSOdDUKt8xjmUCaR-RThpGxCrf7ALrfaDzPtuVn5cHDmYqAmknY2LINQx0ZqLblYVfGlADxN1fMpM1_Fb2__MzXbeWlhKnCVmY1kYYSGTDKvk/s1600/IMG_7339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1LLWsWg4u81kxCoil_-h6HPVj4Sl9FoSOdDUKt8xjmUCaR-RThpGxCrf7ALrfaDzPtuVn5cHDmYqAmknY2LINQx0ZqLblYVfGlADxN1fMpM1_Fb2__MzXbeWlhKnCVmY1kYYSGTDKvk/s320/IMG_7339.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://paisleyfarmhouse.com/files/completed_two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://paisleyfarmhouse.com/files/completed_two.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://designeditor.typepad.com/.a/6a00e552a57e1f8833010535c64609970b-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://designeditor.typepad.com/.a/6a00e552a57e1f8833010535c64609970b-800wi" width="276" /></a></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-66463819020926019452013-10-12T09:31:00.000-05:002013-10-12T09:31:49.016-05:00Beyond the Jack-O-Lantern: 13 Unique Ways to Make Halloween Chic<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/97/ad/1e/97ad1e150773371b54546794146c0637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/97/ad/1e/97ad1e150773371b54546794146c0637.jpg" width="296" /></a> </div>
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It's Halloween Time! </div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/greencl" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> never disappoints. Halloween is something I've had a hard time decorating for in the past; what I see in stores seem to be less "autumnal lovely" and more <a href="http://thechive.com/2011/10/17/admit-it-great-halloween-yard-displays-make-you-feel-all-warm-inside-24-photos/" target="_blank">"Death Comes to Honey Boo Boo's Front Yard."</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Incredible Hulk has a brother?</td></tr>
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But that's all changed now, thanks to the ideas I've seen on Pinterest. Most of these I've modified (read: simplified) to make them a reality in our house. And some are not Halloween-specific, so they will last through Thanksgiving. Be warned, most do involve a pumpkin (or five). Here are a few of my favorites:<br />
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1. <b>Pretty fall tablescapes</b><br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/46/bb/30/46bb3096c6c7bbaf44b2bcef6d375521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/46/bb/30/46bb3096c6c7bbaf44b2bcef6d375521.jpg" /></a>A lovely tablescape from <a href="http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/autumn-home-makeover-cozy-your-house-for-fall-decor-design-allison-norton-october-2013" target="_blank">LaurenConrad.com. </a>Gather some fall foliage from outside (magnolia leaves, pinecones, willowy sticks), and add some interesting pumpkins, candles, even berries and apples. This is the first year I've heard of blue pumpkins, and I'm on a mission to find at least one for our table.<br />
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<b>2. </b><b>Old photos with captions</b><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/ed/55/d1ed551409f82f079e249cb555dfcdbc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/ed/55/d1ed551409f82f079e249cb555dfcdbc.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Find some <a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/784966/list/Halloween-Glam--Dress-Your-Home-in-Bewitching-Style" target="_blank">vintage photos</a> from an antique store, caption them with Halloween-theme scrapbooking stickers, and you've got some spooky wall art!<br />
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<b>3. Candelabras</b><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/92/45/b6/9245b6d9bd113af3c0b7ea7f894ab615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/92/45/b6/9245b6d9bd113af3c0b7ea7f894ab615.jpg" width="266" /></a>I've had candelabras on the brain since seeing a pair of sterling silver ones at an estate sale a few weeks ago. I love how this table has <a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/92/45/b6/9245b6d9bd113af3c0b7ea7f894ab615.jpg" target="_blank">minimal decoration,</a> yet the dripping wax gives it a spooky vibe.</div>
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<b> 4. Washi tape pumpkins</b><br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e5/26/66/e52666b2aac5d7370318711e6aedf329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e5/26/66/e52666b2aac5d7370318711e6aedf329.jpg" width="285" /></a>This has <a href="http://lilluna.com/pretty-pumpkin-decor/" target="_blank">been pinned</a> all over Pinterest and I can see why. Easy-peasy to do, and super-cute! Sometimes Target has washi tape in their "1 Spot" (one dollar items), by the way.<br />
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<b>5. Twinkle light-wrapped pumpkins</b><br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/69/fa/c0/69fac05f74126b59911191bb59761944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/69/fa/c0/69fac05f74126b59911191bb59761944.jpg" width="320" /></a>Light 'em up! What a great alternative to having a candle burning in your pumpkin for weeks. And, you've already untangled those pesky light strings for Christmas.<br />
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<b>6. Or stack 'em up</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeTgjSMmqNej_3jBcZe_SmBhnkNXYs0Mq0KnYBpEK0_AQuRfvGjeIBzELPA6dQMT7Y7AgHSOOj92eBI4tVbr6bFsO-zM4IbQrIKJfiYZQWCGWmv40Gf_dbrWDFwVtTcL-SZXQaIwxMdVA/s640/167618417350819671_gLqrVZp6_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeTgjSMmqNej_3jBcZe_SmBhnkNXYs0Mq0KnYBpEK0_AQuRfvGjeIBzELPA6dQMT7Y7AgHSOOj92eBI4tVbr6bFsO-zM4IbQrIKJfiYZQWCGWmv40Gf_dbrWDFwVtTcL-SZXQaIwxMdVA/s400/167618417350819671_gLqrVZp6_c.jpg" width="266" /></a> </div>
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White, blue, and sage green pumpkins <a href="http://ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com/2012/10/whats-on-your-halloween-porch.html" target="_blank">grouped together on the front porch, </a>in front of an boxwood urn. Simple perfection.</div>
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<b>7. Fancy lacy pumpkin towers</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/07/101552024.jpg.rendition.p.jpg" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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This is a great twist to the typical pumpkin tower. Wrap them in lace for extra drama. (I've always wondered <i>how </i>to do this; apparently all you need is some hot glue! Or you can get more involved and <a href="http://www.bhg.com/halloween/pumpkin-decorating/make-a-pumpkin-tower/" target="_blank">use a garden stake</a>.) There are all kinds of varieties of this, with gourds or Cinderella pumpkins. <br />
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<b>8. The "Easy Yet Charming" Effect </b><br />
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<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/784966/list/Halloween-Glam--Dress-Your-Home-in-Bewitching-Style" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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Line the stairs with the same color and size pumpkin... the white ones on black stairs makes a particularly pretty statement.</div>
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<b>9. Pumpkin centerpieces</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lefrufru.com/2011/09/buongiorno-sono-tornata-lo-so-magari.html" target="_blank">Via (site is in French, by the way)</a></td></tr>
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I absolutely love white pumpkins, and use them all over the place in our house. In fact, all our pumpkins are white, save for the two that we spray painted... and they weren't orange for long! Make a centerpiece from hollowing out a white pumpkin and letting it serve as your vase.<br />
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<b>10. Vinyl letters are your friend</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyNI8ZOcr3XN-xpL-GCZiEmBsfClJkgv1N3AAA2_tUdUHjJsmhXkR6m7Ke345WtfPyLj0mYFmzNSSGPie__jgRmNVNeQqh-Lw4FJK8YKjbPq0UAG-4BR6UifWUUr6dgR5uIgxZCijK5VM/s640/264656915571729940_YsncQgND_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyNI8ZOcr3XN-xpL-GCZiEmBsfClJkgv1N3AAA2_tUdUHjJsmhXkR6m7Ke345WtfPyLj0mYFmzNSSGPie__jgRmNVNeQqh-Lw4FJK8YKjbPq0UAG-4BR6UifWUUr6dgR5uIgxZCijK5VM/s400/264656915571729940_YsncQgND_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Vinyl letters are everywhere. They're great because they stay put once they are stuck on, but can be peeled off without much of a mess. What a cute way to add some <a href="http://ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com/2012/10/whats-on-your-halloween-porch.html" target="_blank">Halloween to your front porch, </a>by flanking the front door with "Trick or Treat."<br /><br />
<b>11. Easy way to spruce up a pumpkin... </b><br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a0/f5/f1/a0f5f1fa93321371ad4891474d008121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a0/f5/f1/a0f5f1fa93321371ad4891474d008121.jpg" width="267" /></a>Use thumbtacks! Done.<br />
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<b>12. Spray paint is your pumpkin's friend.</b><br />
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<a href="http://thegoldjellybean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Gold-Studded-Pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://thegoldjellybean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Gold-Studded-Pumpkins.jpg" width="266" /></a>I used some gold "foil" Kryolon spray paint I had for another project on a $4 bag of mini-pumpkins I bought from Publix... too cute! And they are so happy and</div>
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shiny now. <a href="http://thegoldjellybean.com/2012/10/gold-studded-pumpkins.html" target="_blank">Stud them</a> for some extra sass.</div>
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<b> 13. Mums, mums, and more mums!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBys48XquebER-7xhW3rKjoSNwMZdIZWcU102XaND_0asC4citIRZuWD7xtRjvhmvvKIJG8z4q5KLcTdK1eAdYpWaEqIHuzU_V7oGKMI5cDzbud7121xJbxKmbnwoRV6NUdOPgNktGMC9a/s640/29414203785763080_eoaddWOk_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBys48XquebER-7xhW3rKjoSNwMZdIZWcU102XaND_0asC4citIRZuWD7xtRjvhmvvKIJG8z4q5KLcTdK1eAdYpWaEqIHuzU_V7oGKMI5cDzbud7121xJbxKmbnwoRV6NUdOPgNktGMC9a/s400/29414203785763080_eoaddWOk_c.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
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Because really, can you ever have too many flowers?</div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-43601947576943022352013-09-19T08:46:00.000-05:002013-11-03T12:28:49.525-06:00DIY transformation: The Lazy Girl's Gold Leafing How-To in 4 Steps (and under $100)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboGCtfK6JlZPsGImc4FMmZqEe6aUMemDCXHjKF4W71nxupECQ5meKTIfPxMY1Oda-3CibroD3tk5rXdtGhlsMSw_u_B-1sDY180ZZ9XfAAKJ3NKAqRRyWEUGUri8q7y9f-vg2dX6driTR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-19+at+8.39.04+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboGCtfK6JlZPsGImc4FMmZqEe6aUMemDCXHjKF4W71nxupECQ5meKTIfPxMY1Oda-3CibroD3tk5rXdtGhlsMSw_u_B-1sDY180ZZ9XfAAKJ3NKAqRRyWEUGUri8q7y9f-vg2dX6driTR/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-19+at+8.39.04+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been on the hunt for a pair of mirrors for our bedroom, inspired by gorgeous pictures like these: </div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/90/06/de/9006def34da294d06961f70f0e2394cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/90/06/de/9006def34da294d06961f70f0e2394cd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had two things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect pair of mirrors: unique shape, and budget. After scouring Etsy, Craigslist, and even eBay for about a month, I found these dark Spanish-style mirrors on Craigslist for $35. The shape is what attracted me to them first. They actually came off an antique dresser, so weren't made as "wall mirrors" per se; but I was about to change that :)</div>
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Before:</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjHK7MZaA1vN75CvwIDdCMzC_9FuUD4RG_rT2AinM06sgCCtvIeD2MYLaLrUwARQg78YH-gQv0Q-JPqBQV_fQWFODgtL1v6uFh6CUU6XzMj-pjUpKWrEgdQ7t1CXlK0EvdL2MrUC07kE5/s1600/IMG_9618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjHK7MZaA1vN75CvwIDdCMzC_9FuUD4RG_rT2AinM06sgCCtvIeD2MYLaLrUwARQg78YH-gQv0Q-JPqBQV_fQWFODgtL1v6uFh6CUU6XzMj-pjUpKWrEgdQ7t1CXlK0EvdL2MrUC07kE5/s400/IMG_9618.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkWPnf6C7BOqW2Ac1_tPJzoXQmlLTBS8ovS-SF8b7Up-aYSEEP6udDNELUande12HxesE0Egw8Md1mJSy_syyCU379AbuZw90ULbMx_7vsy9TwH_Md7UhGEsDymyDmWWmMECkv_WRtpl2/s1600/IMG_1038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkWPnf6C7BOqW2Ac1_tPJzoXQmlLTBS8ovS-SF8b7Up-aYSEEP6udDNELUande12HxesE0Egw8Md1mJSy_syyCU379AbuZw90ULbMx_7vsy9TwH_Md7UhGEsDymyDmWWmMECkv_WRtpl2/s400/IMG_1038.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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After:</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfOBl1ln_W_4ZMxw7I8N8fYOIOeTlyaEyI7vIp9YFhbZ5jUmIe2ChjIkT72rSlewX9Ss-Ph6j-laa305xCIMan7bQdgF-QGMQIWG7CWe42xI6ZNYS9IQxCV9rkzhlgueoh1YoWhy-o1b/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfOBl1ln_W_4ZMxw7I8N8fYOIOeTlyaEyI7vIp9YFhbZ5jUmIe2ChjIkT72rSlewX9Ss-Ph6j-laa305xCIMan7bQdgF-QGMQIWG7CWe42xI6ZNYS9IQxCV9rkzhlgueoh1YoWhy-o1b/s640/photo+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All hail the power of gold leaf!</h3>
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My mother is an artist and <i>loves</i> to gold leaf (we say if it isn't nailed down in her house, she'll gold leaf it). There's a reason for this... gold leaf can really turn a drab or dated piece into something fresh and expensive-looking. </div>
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I'm sharing what I did on these mirrors, but please remember there are <i>lots</i>
of ways to do this and you can add beautiful glazes, finishes, and
layers for different looks. My way is minimalistic and only uses
adhesive, gold leaf, and sealant. So here we go! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>My easy-peasy, gold leafing how-to in 4 steps:</u></b> </span></h3>
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Materials: </div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/4371433768154197880?q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&oq=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&sa=X&ei=xvE6UuWTD4_E9gSRxICIBA&ved=0CFoQ8wIwAA" target="_blank">1. Gold leaf sheets</a>*</div>
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2. Gold leaf adhesive</div>
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3. Acrylic sealant</div>
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4. A small paintbrush</div>
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5. A workspace that can get messy (the gold will flake)</div>
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...and patience! </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> *Type and brand of gold leaf: My mom recommends<a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/4371433768154197880?q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&oq=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&sa=X&ei=xvE6UuWTD4_E9gSRxICIBA&ved=0CFoQ8wIwAA" target="_blank"> </a><b><a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/4371433768154197880?q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&oq=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&sa=X&ei=xvE6UuWTD4_E9gSRxICIBA&ved=0CFoQ8wIwAA" target="_blank">Mona Lisa gold leaf sheets in GOLD</a>.</b> These can be purchased at Michael's (Hobby Lobby used to carry Mona Lisa but mine carries another brand now). <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=shop" target="_blank">Mona Lisa has a ton of kits,</a> some with all the items mentioned above in one package. </span></div>
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1. Prepare your workspace as if you're about to paint. I used painter's tape to protect the mirror edges, and copy paper to cover the mirror itself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJDIrJQM4e_8Id-C6Tg3nMobs0yzKb1jVi_tZAm35hqhZWkfJ2t9b-5O3tgFwXHFCeE8LAehhbv_qTo_UWGQLwKw9Bl1yuflBDBodhldozJcpwl3PSA6OLrD_7otQQreXXkVW55ookUSW/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJDIrJQM4e_8Id-C6Tg3nMobs0yzKb1jVi_tZAm35hqhZWkfJ2t9b-5O3tgFwXHFCeE8LAehhbv_qTo_UWGQLwKw9Bl1yuflBDBodhldozJcpwl3PSA6OLrD_7otQQreXXkVW55ookUSW/s320/IMG_0956.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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2. <b>Put adhesive <i>all over</i> item you're gold leafing</b>. Any spot you miss will not be sticky and the gold won't adhere, so be meticulous. Using a paintbrush worked best for me, the sponge brush I tried soaked up the glue. <b>Let the adhesive sit</b>, as it gets stronger and stickier as it dries.</div>
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You can either paint on the adhesive, which is what I did ($3): </div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNU0ibeq67qDp3Bb3E0mXiINa7ETlUzbH-TvuviUdOLgbxEl7VPncIHS5p4UzA0cX3j_vwrn2m&usqp=CAY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNU0ibeq67qDp3Bb3E0mXiINa7ETlUzbH-TvuviUdOLgbxEl7VPncIHS5p4UzA0cX3j_vwrn2m&usqp=CAY" /></a></div>
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or get the type in the <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12048452163186093926?q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+spray+adhesive&oq=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+spray+adhesive&sa=X&ei=NvE6UrL9BIOm9ATMvYGYDA&ved=0CFMQ8wIwAQ" target="_blank">spray can </a>($10) or <a href="https://www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sealant&oq=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sealant&gs_l=products-cc.3...96337.96550.0.97055.6.3.0.0.0.0.426.637.1j1j4-1.3.0....0...1ac.1.26.products-cc..6.0.0.umTv4jdiZpI#q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+pen&tbm=shop" target="_blank">pen</a> ($11) for small projects.</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9_FIjImcUGLBkE7TVCiYzVcC8M3DpXAuQ6zUb63m0XHV_2dj3RxKkcM1fgQoGW8InSDqcEbVc&usqp=CAY" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9_FIjImcUGLBkE7TVCiYzVcC8M3DpXAuQ6zUb63m0XHV_2dj3RxKkcM1fgQoGW8InSDqcEbVc&usqp=CAY" /></a></div>
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3. Time to pull out your book of gold leaf sheets. I found the sheets much less messy than the flakes, since I had a larger surface to cover. They are <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/4371433768154197880?q=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&oq=mona+lisa+gold+leaf+sheet&sa=X&ei=xvE6UuWTD4_E9gSRxICIBA&ved=0CFgQ8gIwAA" target="_blank">$6 for 25 sheets;</a> I used 3 books (my rec is to buy more than you think you'll need, then just return the unopened ones. It's never fun to run out mid-project!)</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0DaXj7ftxBPDy0QWFFF6fKrNbrGrh25XW7xhDxTJXPcYqJj4vwa50U4s3InfgHGVnz9ldOR_Y&usqp=CAY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0DaXj7ftxBPDy0QWFFF6fKrNbrGrh25XW7xhDxTJXPcYqJj4vwa50U4s3InfgHGVnz9ldOR_Y&usqp=CAY" /></a></div>
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Carefully pull off a sheet, doing your best not to wrinkle it in the process. For me, the best application was letting the sheet "float" onto the surface, then smoothing it down with my finger. For tiny crevices my finger couldn't get to, I used the tiny paintbrush.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjjjqzLIDgZmt6zabNwkaHcDyZaIg5bJWzqFI_MgQiqXFrsY554AenTIYmTOYUrcf0PTXg9z2tu6bR0RNhenlfLldI4Vn903YdY0tZrIGz2n10i66cpWkpjjQ_SoQz-p5mIBfrRTgDZAD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-19+at+7.19.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjjjqzLIDgZmt6zabNwkaHcDyZaIg5bJWzqFI_MgQiqXFrsY554AenTIYmTOYUrcf0PTXg9z2tu6bR0RNhenlfLldI4Vn903YdY0tZrIGz2n10i66cpWkpjjQ_SoQz-p5mIBfrRTgDZAD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-19+at+7.19.57+AM.png" /></a></div>
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After you have your piece covered, go back and look for any gaping holes where the gold leaf didn't adhere. Take your paintbrush and add adhesive to any "holes" in your gold leaf... wait to dry... and repeat process.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRJd4bCARiN8jJgjpwOLUhBU6V9o_r8mcbrGOfrZtnZRf-RSpD8Dsu4OoX8NUk1aMtrQT1VFLlNzUAX5rvlvUij0p1MORRn3HeKBmsDsbHGJTq_wqFVnACAxQApOTJ2DK7RM8ffipEnWw/s1600/IMG_9618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRJd4bCARiN8jJgjpwOLUhBU6V9o_r8mcbrGOfrZtnZRf-RSpD8Dsu4OoX8NUk1aMtrQT1VFLlNzUAX5rvlvUij0p1MORRn3HeKBmsDsbHGJTq_wqFVnACAxQApOTJ2DK7RM8ffipEnWw/s320/IMG_9618.jpg" width="169" /></a></div>
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You don't want it to be patchy, but remember: to get a naturally distressed look, you <i>don't</i> want the gold leaf to cover every single inch of the piece. If you wanted that look, you could just use spray paint. With gold leaf, the richness and gild of the finish really comes from the unique way the gold is applied.</div>
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4. Congrats, the hardest part is over! It's tempting to finish the project here, but the <b>sealant is <i>very</i> important. </b>You don't want flakes all over the floor instead of on your lovely piece. Let the gold leaf cure overnight, then <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-51301-Acrylic-Interior-Exterior/dp/B0009X8LZ4" target="_blank">finish with an acrylic topcoat </a>(about $6).</div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Q96iX67vL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Q96iX67vL._SL1500_.jpg" width="66" /></a> </div>
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Let dry, and enjoy your beautiful work!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1alSa_gKnIfrKk7U3WeFnYPlvqj7MP0uGIzfPgPaeK5kXXsH0bBXoOH7RzQEvPd1XSYXaLWZbOTQibbJiWfmpD1lfiLTtaiRnfOykEDWENr91TBlF5Q7RXFOMJ3UXdWaU2dYnNwkSQXc/s1600/photo+1+copy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1alSa_gKnIfrKk7U3WeFnYPlvqj7MP0uGIzfPgPaeK5kXXsH0bBXoOH7RzQEvPd1XSYXaLWZbOTQibbJiWfmpD1lfiLTtaiRnfOykEDWENr91TBlF5Q7RXFOMJ3UXdWaU2dYnNwkSQXc/s400/photo+1+copy+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Project cost:</b></div>
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Mirrors- $35 </div>
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3 Books of Gold Leaf- $18</div>
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1 jar of adhesive- $3</div>
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Pack of paintbrushes- $4</div>
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2 cans of acylic topcoat- $12</div>
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Total: $72</div>
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More links:</div>
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<a href="http://www.gildedplanet.com/howtogoldleaf.asp#sealer" target="_blank">Gilding 101</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5804979_seal-gold-leaf.html" target="_blank">How to Gold Leaf from eHow</a></div>
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Video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHTFw2gt5Io" target="_blank">How to gold leaf anything the easy way</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCDhyphenhyphenNB_r1dcCC4sDgSoW8vnuYTbdVYgPAydXIn6kUFGBMy81J7L65AsNQTH-iORHoGhw9bQnECgJf7b-ZvoMkCndWq_eeBNbMFbm1aYV5Smjd9TZL9qZO183JbmpFaeBekIl7kD-i_Iz/s1600/IMG_9618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-49174852338406540322013-09-14T15:59:00.001-05:002015-06-07T19:28:39.005-05:00DIY Jewelry stand holder from vintage china<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuJCN5upmAUA_VK4kDxzDngTS2ouB_IHjnRsHxttsSCxRS1VwoWX8kUW4fZphGvrMYqDsCI9K2pkqXcQY9HdTAtzhPBaOk8eNN-pxEQaFjwgPq4EfeSlXx7P0c6_wmv42P6w5QXCKLt6F/s1600/Image-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuJCN5upmAUA_VK4kDxzDngTS2ouB_IHjnRsHxttsSCxRS1VwoWX8kUW4fZphGvrMYqDsCI9K2pkqXcQY9HdTAtzhPBaOk8eNN-pxEQaFjwgPq4EfeSlXx7P0c6_wmv42P6w5QXCKLt6F/s400/Image-1.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm always on the lookout for interesting and unique gift ideas (it's how <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheTurquoiseCardinal" target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a> and <a href="http://www.theturquoisecardinal.com/" target="_blank">small business</a> started, after all.)</div>
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In efforts to find "THE gift," I love hitting local estate sales... so much fun for the inner American Picker in me! One thing I've seen a lot of are pieces of china (without a match) for as little as $1 a plate.</div>
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I've been wanting to make a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/85568461643561243/" target="_blank">jewelry holder like this</a> for some time, so after a few <strike>storage wars</strike> estate sales, I had what I needed to make one. I didn't want to use a drill; and I wanted to use what I had instead of getting specialty hardware. Here's what I learned.</div>
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For my no-fuss/no-drill jewelry holder, you'll need:</h3>
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1. Plates in varying sizes (I chose to do three, so I'd have three tiers on my jewlery holder). Make sure the patterns compliment each other, my preference is that they aren't matchy-matchy. </div>
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2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Darts-crafts&field-keywords=e6000" target="_blank">E6000 Industrial Strength "Goop"</a> (craft glue, I got mine at Hobby Lobby) </div>
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3. Two egg cups, short candlesticks, or cream and sugars*</div>
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4. A small teacup** for the top (optional, I just wanted one to hold my rings)</div>
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<i>*I saw a really great idea with a candlestick (pic below), but this limited the holder to two tiers. </i></div>
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<i>** I found a particularly small teacup to hold my rings, but you could also use a wider-mouth saucer. </i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HkmA-Q1WfPDkyQEZfvNbHQkXqqj7f1JTGzi-24nmF0SAa5O8LHvz48LA37UUi6Y6k70yP4guavqdGUdC0_YUMyF50ENFJ9MGhP-QgSkwbGO9-JCnr2xBubpcNcEO8UfTSkHMGTOF5mGM/s400/Vintage+Jewelry+dishes+14+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HkmA-Q1WfPDkyQEZfvNbHQkXqqj7f1JTGzi-24nmF0SAa5O8LHvz48LA37UUi6Y6k70yP4guavqdGUdC0_YUMyF50ENFJ9MGhP-QgSkwbGO9-JCnr2xBubpcNcEO8UfTSkHMGTOF5mGM/s200/Vintage+Jewelry+dishes+14+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blackbirdsandbumblebees.blogspot.com/2010/11/vintage-china-jewelry-display-tutorial.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The easiest how-to I've done making a jewelry holder:</h3>
1. Hit garage sales, estate sales, or even the Salvation Army to get your pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcnqLfDptqThXVZVjthEIeYwQ40SSFT196TamWUqhS7j0WLSaclQXPk94WK9NFCKIDoIvfzWjDf-iWYOHvpgKHYUFlUo8FhBykwtpjnXTUdprvyJ-9__teBQfpHVTRYaYhuvpw_unVHfM/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcnqLfDptqThXVZVjthEIeYwQ40SSFT196TamWUqhS7j0WLSaclQXPk94WK9NFCKIDoIvfzWjDf-iWYOHvpgKHYUFlUo8FhBykwtpjnXTUdprvyJ-9__teBQfpHVTRYaYhuvpw_unVHfM/s320/IMG_0034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
2. Put glue around the edge of the first "divider" (either egg cup, creamer, etc.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oB_Ykr-iJ5dQKPrz8W8zqzvkxfC48jIa4EOFmjHKIosOzU1015lmiBpSSuDBCP-jg6nXOjfR2e8uD5oYyiPHjnfbvmTH8IWcqBPnn94Z7itjprLNsyJq0E-m3EK1y03oVvwXu277m1F4/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oB_Ykr-iJ5dQKPrz8W8zqzvkxfC48jIa4EOFmjHKIosOzU1015lmiBpSSuDBCP-jg6nXOjfR2e8uD5oYyiPHjnfbvmTH8IWcqBPnn94Z7itjprLNsyJq0E-m3EK1y03oVvwXu277m1F4/s320/IMG_0035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
3. Stack upside down and LET DRY (you may want to put something heavy on top of the divider, for added pressure).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-An7pbinuDFKbaKkMatl_C3mRbFlkf7h3eh7rg8TtmjN3o3S1UgO2iL_GsyEwj40ivzynWTBYbnFtnutenlbGPx9P2WBrTSaFxiCMYF6HnSZWZlpejVdQIw6f4_Ui8Jt5t6YKEqytHLjw/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-An7pbinuDFKbaKkMatl_C3mRbFlkf7h3eh7rg8TtmjN3o3S1UgO2iL_GsyEwj40ivzynWTBYbnFtnutenlbGPx9P2WBrTSaFxiCMYF6HnSZWZlpejVdQIw6f4_Ui8Jt5t6YKEqytHLjw/s320/IMG_0037.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
4. Repeat for next tier. You're going to want to glue the bottom of the egg cup to the already-glued plate before you go for the one on top. Also make sure you look at the tiers from the side, to make sure the egg cups are aligned from all angles.<br />
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5. Repeat again, and glue the bottom of the teacup to the saucer... and again, LET DRY.<br />
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You are done, you little DIYer, you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d3CT-E92sA_GisD1kd4iU3QWq9Bm2nRGzmfJU-McntBeGQyjC_S-tnphByJKy-R6u9Oascnb6xlGMt1zV0CYbhjD-wPltlIvcIBqsSs_yhBhcH8PAxKY5gQAyFZgZriJO8ChE8WOh2cV/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d3CT-E92sA_GisD1kd4iU3QWq9Bm2nRGzmfJU-McntBeGQyjC_S-tnphByJKy-R6u9Oascnb6xlGMt1zV0CYbhjD-wPltlIvcIBqsSs_yhBhcH8PAxKY5gQAyFZgZriJO8ChE8WOh2cV/s320/final.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" /></a>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-11594101545672194512013-09-08T08:21:00.000-05:002013-09-08T08:21:19.823-05:00Baby's first year: Monthly photo collageI can't take credit for this idea... I saw it on Pinterest somewhere. I loved the idea of documenting the Bean's growth from the beginning, but needed something time and user-friendly. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW5lxUNC7ziu22auDKDYzz57Kx7TPwYqll9E2OSnSifWUEUVr2UMobt8DImjpMsEyrGHsbmke9e1iR8iPwTEa1OLzP0sawmP0a7CV5OVJ1NINd6cl3YB7J3-_a5rzjoCjGlauj1sEwP1I/s1600/Baby's+monthly+photo+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW5lxUNC7ziu22auDKDYzz57Kx7TPwYqll9E2OSnSifWUEUVr2UMobt8DImjpMsEyrGHsbmke9e1iR8iPwTEa1OLzP0sawmP0a7CV5OVJ1NINd6cl3YB7J3-_a5rzjoCjGlauj1sEwP1I/s640/Baby's+monthly+photo+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
It was so easy to do! Just buy a set of alphabet letters (I got mine at the Dollar Store), put baby on a white sheet, and click click click away! I pulled the letters for "month" out and had them in a separate Ziplock baggie, so all I needed to do at the first of the month was grab that and the number I needed. It was easy to remember to do, as every month they grow is a milestone that you're very aware of. <br />
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Don't worry about getting the "perfect" shot-- just take a lot of them every time so you can have plenty to choose from. As you can see with my little one, sometimes he was fussy, sometimes he needed a snack (on his foot, apparently, or on the letter "S"), sometimes he was just <i>over it. </i>But put those "imperfect" shots together with the good ones, and you encapsulate baby's personality in 12 shots!<br />
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<b>A few notes:</b><br />
1. I used Collage Maker, an Apple app, to put all the pictures together. Another good free photo collage software for download is <a href="http://carlcheo.com/recommend/collage-it" target="_blank">CollageIt</a>.<br />
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For online collage makers, try <a href="http://www.photovisi.com/" target="_blank">Photovisi</a>, <a href="http://www.getloupe.com/" target="_blank">Loupe</a>, <a href="http://www.collage.com/">Collage.com</a>, or <a href="http://www.fotor.com/features/collage.html">Fotor. </a><br />
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2. It's fun to see baby's body grow which is why I had him in only a diaper. I always tried to get a full-body shot and have that in a version too (but for the purpose of posting it on the Internet, chose to just show his face).<br />
3. Keeping baby with the same "scenery" every time helps show growth, a perspective which can be hard to capture on camera otherwise. I've seen people put them next to the same stuffed animal, in the same chair, etc.<br />
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4. I am anything but a professional photographer, and I know the lighting
varies by picture. If you do it in the same place at the same time of day every time, you would get more uniform lighting (and my applause).<br />
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5. I reiterate: take a LOT of shots each time. You know babies go through a range of moods in a quick time span, and you want to have lots to choose from. Plus, it's fun to have all the pictures from each month to look back on.<br />
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6. As baby gets older, they will want to grab at the letters... let them! You may want to distract them or get a smile by having their favorite toy nearby.<br />
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7. There are TONS of great ideas on the Web with variations of this idea so look around. For example, one I loved (and actually tried the first month) was baby next to the number of balloons of their month. I just didn't want to buy helium balloons every month for the purpose of a picture.<br />
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This really is a fun project and the end result is a treasure. Get creative and have fun!<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-74444134474595874732013-09-07T07:11:00.001-05:002013-09-08T07:22:40.277-05:00DIY "Goodnight Moon" party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We did it! Our little guy turned one last weekend and we had family and friends over for what turned out to be a really fun party. The last of the "Goodnight Moon" posts, I promise!<br />
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Here are some really easy things I did to stay in theme:<br />
First- RED BALLOONS. Anywhere you like-- the mailbox, next to the cake, next to the favors, on the chairs... since the red balloon is a "character" in the story, you can get by putting them just about anywhere.<br />
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1uYs5RZe0JfUqgKMjIXGk0EhuorlQAUXmblzLZA4UQtPmKJEUE1g5PUtwrJfwJZ8bgXKeLZ47h8y5NXKqBERqJpvuzDQ49E7lFIGrKcCu4mDUh-Lze5qLxqpp_brxogEE8gpyZSUT_Lw/s400/IMG_1225.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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When I ordered the cupcakes, I just told the bakery "icing in primary
colors-- red, green, yellow, blue." Easy, right? Then I printed out the
book cover and cow painting from the story as passport-sized pictures,
and on one sheet got about 12 prints. Hot glue + toothpicks = cupcake
toppers! To mix it up a bit, I wrote "hush" (thanks, little old lady) on
some premade yellow flag toppers with a Sharpie.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd4PQShXTm5vSuhxodcANJP_ukontsFRJpSVxNLfU27vfK1mAVcaiC4aEZ0oVhbDdsHD9qoWquGzyTrov2UsCrPJ6SP6fhuAIxjPJa6dKzouUcKZFVs5VJbKNiU1J6eKds1zKVBtdD_04/s1600/IMG_1204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd4PQShXTm5vSuhxodcANJP_ukontsFRJpSVxNLfU27vfK1mAVcaiC4aEZ0oVhbDdsHD9qoWquGzyTrov2UsCrPJ6SP6fhuAIxjPJa6dKzouUcKZFVs5VJbKNiU1J6eKds1zKVBtdD_04/s400/IMG_1204.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
And because I am apparently becoming a mother straight out of
"Toddlers and Tiaras," I also painted the cow jumping over the moon in
acrylic. It was a good space-filler.<br />
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The birthday boy had THREE wardrobe changes (again, "Toddlers and Tiaras"). Dressy pre-cake:<br />
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Something to get messy in for the smash cake (shameless plug, but I'm actually about to start selling these in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheTurquoiseCardinal" target="_blank">my Etsy store.</a>)<br />
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And a t-shirt to wear after all the madness.<br />
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This was a random find, but at our local Tuesday Morning I found the "Goodnight Moon Game." Yes! A board game made after the book... and for $9.99! I turned it into the centerpiece for the table, and the kiddos got to play the game after we were done eating.<br />
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Same rule for the banner as with the cupcakes: primary colors. I separated each word with a picture of the rabbit from the story (this was actually a picture of a paper plate I printed out several times... i.e., there's a set of "Goodnight Moon" paper products out there somewhere on the interwebz. Google it!) <br />
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This rabbit was actually something we already had, I thought he worked for the theme because he was wearing a night cap. The three balls next to him were Dollar Store finds... I'm not even sure what they really are (stress squeeze balls maybe?) but their colors worked-- and they were a buck!<br />
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This pales in comparison to the swanky parties I saw online, but for what we were doing it was great and just enough. Time to start planning the next one!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-73750140743896350732013-08-29T07:49:00.001-05:002013-08-29T08:08:01.416-05:00"Goodnight Moon" Birthday party ideas... the best on the 'Net<br />
Since I've been doing so much combing of the Web for inspiration for the Bean's first birthday, I thought I'd compile what I've found in one place to hopefully save someone else the time looking. Here are some of the cutest ideas I've seen so far (I will add to this as I find things). T-minus 5 days until our big <i>Goodnight Moon </i>bash!<br />
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1.<b> Bright candy, snacks, and labels.</b> I love the idea of just using anything with primary colors in it for food. And the picture frame photo booth idea? So cute!<br />
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2. <b>Spotlight on yarn. </b>I kept seeing these balls of yarn and sadly it took me a minute to "get" it-- Oh! The little lady whispering "hush" is knitting! Cute space filler.<br />
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3. <b>Cows jumping over moons everywhere.</b> They don't have to be the <i>Goodnight Moon</i> cow; your guests will get the point.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/fe/b8/fffeb8ccabcaf2610166a2ad7824e312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/fe/b8/fffeb8ccabcaf2610166a2ad7824e312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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4. <b>More primary colors, and a sleeping rabbit. </b>Here's an example of finding something not specific to the theme, but in keeping with it because the colors/ideas work. The Bean has a stuffed rabbit I'll be using with a pillow, too.<br />
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Notice this person has also included a "framed" picture like in the book... I did this too, with the picture that has the cow jumping over the moon and red farmhouses. It was really easy, I just needed a canvas, paintbrushes, and acrylics in red, midnight blue, yellow, and white.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/65/f9/3f/65f93fabcc68e47b1bf8009d80d4c028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/65/f9/3f/65f93fabcc68e47b1bf8009d80d4c028.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<b>5. Keep your birthday boy or girl in theme. </b>I found this adorable shirt <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/157718454/goodnight-moon-inspired-birthday-shirt?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=goodnight+moon+shirt&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">on Etsy</a> but needed to stay in budget so I made a similar one with my embroidery machine (not as cute but makes the point). You could also use Avery heat press vinyl to do this. If you're not crafty... just order it! <br />
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/022/0/5348575/il_570xN.483387162_f01z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/022/0/5348575/il_570xN.483387162_f01z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b> 6. But when baby smashes that cake... </b>Granted this isn't about <i>Goodnight Moon, </i>but it's important to note: you're going to want them to be in something they can get completely messy. <b> </b>I bought some cheapie baby "undershirts" by Gerber and made an open bowtie onesie, adding the words "Let's Party" on it because... well, it's going to be time to party when we bust this out.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ac/42/86/ac4286abd201835fff0a432c255acb56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ac/42/86/ac4286abd201835fff0a432c255acb56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-71524581535968244602013-08-08T14:55:00.001-05:002013-08-10T08:38:26.416-05:00Goodnight Moon! Baby's First Birthday<br />
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<a href="http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensImages/isbn/large/7/9780694003617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensImages/isbn/large/7/9780694003617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, I have finally decided on a theme for my little guy's first birthday... it's going to be a teeny-tiny family party but I just had to have an inspiration. Colors will be all primary (like the ones on the cover of the book), and I'll probably make a moon... and a cow to jump over it. Wish me luck! The invitations have gone out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81lQ-N-_PHOfjtnnrXjmL1diEquuoXc1wymIjFFwAYErkscpGHtfMQyw8mo2ZBIhU3KtLBHA6MtI5cQ0EIh0CuxwFDlv2qnukFgmDi7p1zMycfJQzQxM7vjBMTmCwM5hmHUzX4x5kSVks/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-07+at+5.47.05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81lQ-N-_PHOfjtnnrXjmL1diEquuoXc1wymIjFFwAYErkscpGHtfMQyw8mo2ZBIhU3KtLBHA6MtI5cQ0EIh0CuxwFDlv2qnukFgmDi7p1zMycfJQzQxM7vjBMTmCwM5hmHUzX4x5kSVks/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-08-07+at+5.47.05+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These invitations were really easy to make-- I chose printable invitations (to a bridal shower, actually) from Party City with a color I liked, and cut teeny-tiny books out of photo paper that I put on the photos instead of the little ribbons they had included. A few cute fonts from <a href="http://www.dafont.com/" target="_blank">dafont.com</a> (my favorite site for downloading free fonts) and they were ready!<br />
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I know the party won't be anything as fancy as some of the ones I've seen online, but I'm excited about getting ideas from lovely <i>Goodnight Moon</i> soirees like this one!<br />
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<a href="http://media3.onsugar.com/files/2011/11/45/0/192/1922664/goodnight-moon/i/Goodnight-Moon-Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media3.onsugar.com/files/2011/11/45/0/192/1922664/goodnight-moon/i/Goodnight-Moon-Party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-70552865810087208772013-08-01T17:10:00.001-05:002013-08-02T11:51:35.554-05:00My Favorite Summer Salad: Kale and Chickpeas with honey and lemon<br />
I have made this salad SO often this summer I figured I should share! There's so many ways this can be done and you'll notice all the measurements are "to taste"; that's because I found that I needed to tweak it myself to make it <i>just right</i> for me. I love how the honey and lemon counteract each other, and the richness of the garlic.<br />
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Also, this originally it had <b>avocado</b> and <b>olive oil</b> in it too, but I'm trying to cut calories where I can so I made this lower-fat version. Grilled chicken is also delish in this salad.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtAcGPQvWztGQ3wrNKxCQ46sHzTzjlFkf3WDIJRdNuM6oxyyBx661IexWTpAgjiznYrt8mLmyRs8w914ExQoV0fdmQqbsp-to0E12kryujUOsDuDc3W_kgm533IfJ1McUzsz-8Qz43gle/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-01+at+4.59.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtAcGPQvWztGQ3wrNKxCQ46sHzTzjlFkf3WDIJRdNuM6oxyyBx661IexWTpAgjiznYrt8mLmyRs8w914ExQoV0fdmQqbsp-to0E12kryujUOsDuDc3W_kgm533IfJ1McUzsz-8Qz43gle/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-08-01+at+4.59.02+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Kale and Chickpea Salad</h4>
<h4>
Ingredients:</h4>
- Kale<br />
- 1 oz. can of chick peas (fresh is always better, but I went with easy) <br />
- 1/2 chopped red onion<br />
- Tablespoon (or more to taste) minced garlic<br />
- drizzle of honey<br />
- drizzle of lemon juice<br />
- drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette <br />
- Kosher salt to taste<br />
- Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
(optional additions: avacado, grilled chicken, pine nuts.. get creative!)<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-5530865796612693312013-07-28T08:58:00.001-05:002013-07-28T09:00:49.324-05:00Affordable Abstract Art<br />
My mom is an Impressionist artist who has painted for over 30 years. Recently, she started adding abstract art to her portfolio, a great example of which can be seen in this painting she gave me to go over our mantle:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNrDQ53m2bEjJ_MOgKy5eIXhaPZjZ9XuHFW_bpQv5D5DRMcLvvp0qkVAwr-nUQ-KgrBdAIEwiSl6F0FD6_q38tsKBxOyx7NXYEHyQwGe0L62Rbcr0OUJqv-7l4fffizf9tIYBXaYAtcHA/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNrDQ53m2bEjJ_MOgKy5eIXhaPZjZ9XuHFW_bpQv5D5DRMcLvvp0qkVAwr-nUQ-KgrBdAIEwiSl6F0FD6_q38tsKBxOyx7NXYEHyQwGe0L62Rbcr0OUJqv-7l4fffizf9tIYBXaYAtcHA/s320/IMG_0678.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6MNgRxK_rVVspHQnw9Le-B5DRFRjzbeFBi_wEN1CWbHaXR-qT0ggD-LUtAaxTUDP3FUWmpoWemnXitsONQHn8LLSSBT8UuHp5R8CldD1MFZVGM2AzJNyd3i_LiloDVtz598n3ypMErPb/s400/mom+abstract+red+mantle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="312" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's art in our house</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Original artwork can add so much to a room, but it's not always affordable. Here are some pieces I found under $500 I thought were gorgeous!<br />
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<h4>
<b>The first site I discovered was <a href="http://www.ugallery.com/" target="_blank">ugallery</a>.</b></h4>
<b></b> It's a playground of original art, I LOVE it! You can sort by genre, color, and price to find just the piece you want. Some of my favorites:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/oil-painting-maintaining-balance" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/20370/Images/Large_Maintaining_Balance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/oil-painting-maintaining-balance" target="_blank">
</a><a class="author_head" href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_hrefArtistName">
<span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblArtistName">Sharon Barfoot</span></a><br />
<span class="sub_artist_head2"><i>
<span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblProductName">Maintaining Balance</span>,</i><span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblYear"> $375</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="sub_artist_head2"><span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblYear"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="sub_artist_head2"><span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblYear"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="sub_artist_head2"><span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblYear"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/oil-painting-maintaining-balance" target="_blank"><span class="sub_artist_head2"><span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblYear"></span></span></a><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/oil-painting-maintaining-balance" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/oil-painting-maintaining-balance" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/26815/Images/Large_PYRITE-14X11-375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/26815/Images/Large_PYRITE-14X11-375.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Faith Taylor,<i> Pyrite </i>$425</u></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/24944/Images/Large_The_Well_To_Do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/24944/Images/Large_The_Well_To_Do.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="author_head" href="http://www.ugallery.com/scott-bergey" id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_hrefArtistName">
<span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblArtistName">Scott Bergey</span></a><br />
<span class="sub_artist_head2"><i>
<span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblProductName">The Well To Do, $225</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/14142/Images/large_Untitled%20%28red%20squares%29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://static.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/14142/Images/large_Untitled%20%28red%20squares%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="author_head" href="http://www.ugallery.com/robert-darabos" id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_hrefArtistName">
<span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblArtistName">Robert Darabos</span></a><br />
<span class="sub_artist_head2"><i>
<span id="ctlContent_ctlProductDetail_lblProductName">Untitled (Red with Squares): printmaking on paper, silkscreen/serigraph, $325</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1981700899"></span><span id="goog_1981700903"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1981700902" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.ugallery.com/webdata/Product/27045/Images/Large_3.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1981700894"></span>Cheryl Paolini, <i>Rhythm, </i>mixed media $375<span id="goog_1981700895"></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.ugallery.com/mixed-media-artwork-rhythm">http://www.ugallery.com/mixed-media-artwork-rhythm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1981700904"></span><span id="goog_1981700900"></span><br />
<h4>
<b>Next, of course, are a few Etsy finds:</b></h4>
(so sorry for the ugly links, Blogger won't let me link correctly for some reason)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/007/0/6934376/il_570xN.373114636_dnf8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/007/0/6934376/il_570xN.373114636_dnf8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-abstract floral, StudioSabine, $250<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/108882202/semi-abstract-floral-original-encaustic?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=abstract+art&ga_order=price_asc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=250&ga_max=500&ga_search_type=handmade">http://www.etsy.com/listi<span id="goog_1981700810"></span><span id="goog_1981700811"></span>ng/108882202/semi-abstract-floral-original-encaustic?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=abstract+art&ga_order=price_asc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=250&ga_max=500&ga_search_type=handmade</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="214" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/009/0/6548147/il_570xN.451548865_kk9b.jpg" width="320" /><br />
1960 vintage oil on board, chris smith on Etsy, $150<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/130094763/1960s-abstract-oil-on-board-by-jeffrey?ref=sr_gallery_16&ga_search_query=abstract+oil&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+abstract+oil&ga_orig_facet=vintage%2Fhome_decor%2Fwall_hanging&ga_original_query=2&ga_search_type=vintage">http://www.etsy.com/listing/130094763/1960s-abstract-oil-on-board-by-jeffrey?ref=sr_gallery_16&ga_search_query=abstract+oil&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+abstract+oil&ga_orig_facet=vintage%2Fhome_decor%2Fwall_hanging&ga_original_query=2&ga_search_type=vintage</a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1981700692"></span><span id="goog_1981700706"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1981700699"></span><img border="0" height="239" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/020/0/7625066/il_570xN.477110631_jb43.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large abstract painting, ac<span id="goog_1981700736"></span>rylic, <span id="goog_1981700739"></span>Itisfine on Etsy, $473.86<span id="goog_1981700740"></span><span id="goog_1981700737"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/156031752/large-48-by-36-abstract-painting-acrylic?ref=br_feed_23&br_feed_tlp=art">http://www.etsy.com/listing/156031752/large-48-by-36-abstract-painting-acrylic?ref=br_feed_23&br_feed_tlp=art</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="255" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/017/0/8314972/il_570xN.476314177_rum2.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">abstract acrylic, wreynoldsorr on Etsy, $350</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1981700869"></span>http://www.etsy.com/listing/155823608/original-abstract-acrylic-painting-on?ref=shop_home_active</a></span><span id="goog_1981700870"></span></div>
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" /><span id="goog_1981700648"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1981700649"><span id="goog_1981700675"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1981700676"></span></span>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-84564159681315916012013-07-20T16:09:00.003-05:002013-07-26T07:27:02.761-05:00Happy Saturday Pretties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/db/26/f0/db26f011a84c25345aa58348b998fd98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
It's a beautiful Saturday here in the deep south, so this post is just
going to be... pretty. No theme really, just a little eye candy and fanciness from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/greencl/" target="_blank">Pinterest boards.</a><br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/6d/a6/77/6da677587e6f61b54d0a4b25b8aae174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/6d/a6/77/6da677587e6f61b54d0a4b25b8aae174.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Peony, Barcelona, Spain</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/fc/ca/fd/fccafddaec931d770c00562547f1231d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/fc/ca/fd/fccafddaec931d770c00562547f1231d.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Zinaida Yusupova by Francois Flameng, 1894</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/4f/71/85/4f71850addba6b9d30d044f45e815558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/4f/71/85/4f71850addba6b9d30d044f45e815558.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au/search/label/lazy%20sunday" target="_blank">Dustjacket Attic</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/fd/07/4d/fd074d2b30bcc05da567979595b4ba84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/fd/07/4d/fd074d2b30bcc05da567979595b4ba84.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lujpv8ZHCP1qcu5f6o1_400.jpg" target="_blank">Valentino</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/18/48/4b/18484b7333114940fce30437b73bd210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/18/48/4b/18484b7333114940fce30437b73bd210.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portugal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/c6/6c/a4/c66ca4d9fb036c25a0820256cb19e0ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/c6/6c/a4/c66ca4d9fb036c25a0820256cb19e0ad.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ballarinas and tutus. <a href="http://pastelsandwhites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">(pastels and whites)</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak3.pinimg.com/736x/2a/18/b6/2a18b65e6b5c56c80cece4101129e282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak3.pinimg.com/736x/2a/18/b6/2a18b65e6b5c56c80cece4101129e282.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ru-ka.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Giambattista Valli FW 2012</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/15/6d/84/156d84244105b0a372afe572e154a27f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/15/6d/84/156d84244105b0a372afe572e154a27f.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Pearls</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/bb/3a/c5/bb3ac5a72c4074a30045db669008b9cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/bb/3a/c5/bb3ac5a72c4074a30045db669008b9cb.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au/search/label/lazy%20sunday" target="_blank">Tile</a></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/64/40/ae/6440ae193a9854310c85f9a23b1069df.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/64/40/ae/6440ae193a9854310c85f9a23b1069df.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drapes...<a href="http://citified.blogspot.com/2011/12/take-me-away-10-holiday-etiquette-part.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ThisIsGlamorous+%28%7Bthis+is+glamorous%7D%29" target="_blank"> citified</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/db/26/f0/db26f011a84c25345aa58348b998fd98.jpg" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/tiffany-co-diamond-ring/id-j_84984/" target="_blank">Tiffany, via 1stdibs</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/10/55/cd/1055cd5af661ac0a89ce311c77b280bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/10/55/cd/1055cd5af661ac0a89ce311c77b280bb.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exquisite... <a href="http://voyagerrr.tumblr.com/post/27369731137/giambattista-valli-fall-2012-couture" target="_blank">handpainted fabric</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/db/26/f0/db26f011a84c25345aa58348b998fd98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-10562631139054149202013-07-20T07:24:00.003-05:002013-07-20T07:25:22.748-05:00We Love MORE FREE STUFF! 10 free printables, fonts, deals and steals<br />
More FREE THINGS!<br />
<br />
I am not too blog-savvy, but I can see from my analytics page what lands people to my blog. My "free" posts are the most popular, so I thought I'd do another one.<br />
<br />
I'm always looking at and pinning free resources <a href="http://pinterest.com/greencl" target="_blank">on this Pinterest board,</a> so be sure and check back often!<br />
<br />
First up: IF YOU HAVE PHOTOSHOP, YOU MUSTMUSTMUST GET THESE FREE FILTERS.<b> </b>Sorry to shout, but seriously, these are amazing and free from the Pioneer Woman.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/photography/files/2010/03/actions2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/photography/files/2010/03/actions2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2010/03/actions-update-2/" target="_blank">Pioneer Woman Photoshop Action Filters</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za2FTvAGi2A" target="_blank">tutorial on how to use them.</a><br />
<br />
What about a free and oh-so-pretty invitation kit?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b5/8e/83/b58e83a47f801765a314da503e2e9f24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b5/8e/83/b58e83a47f801765a314da503e2e9f24.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b5/8e/83/b58e83a47f801765a314da503e2e9f24.jpg" target="_blank">Free party invitations, Love vs. Design</a></td></tr>
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This entire website is great (I mean, it's called "Fab and Free")! Here are some fonts.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fabnfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/matilde_pres_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fabnfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/matilde_pres_1.jpeg" width="68" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_2027340374"></span><span id="goog_2027340380"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2027340386"></span>Fab and Free Fonts<span id="goog_2027340375"></span><span id="goog_2027340381"></span></a><span id="goog_2027340387"></span></td></tr>
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Free chalk backgrounds...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/73/b4/a8/73b4a8c9ae1574baf9230026da953d38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/73/b4/a8/73b4a8c9ae1574baf9230026da953d38.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2027340399"></span>Foolish Fire</a><span id="goog_2027340400"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
... and fonts to use on them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/fe/dd/dc/fedddcf291eb69dfd748267ce830e926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/fe/dd/dc/fedddcf291eb69dfd748267ce830e926.jpg" width="69" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2027340405"></span>Free chalkboard fonts</a><span id="goog_2027340406"></span></td></tr>
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Free Redbox codes (I've used these, they work! But most are only one-time use. <span style="font-size: x-small;">You can use a different credit card though and use them again...)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/46/5b/2a/465b2a5a0d40a502ef09573768c1d225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.prettyprovidence.com/search?updated-max=2012-04-06T09:36:00-06:00&max-results=7" target="_blank">Found here</a></td></tr>
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Pretty free printable botanical collage:<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/f9/c1/e8/f9c1e801c4255b35b370731a0ba66f21.jpg" width="245" /><a href="http://maybemej.blogspot.com/2011/03/free-collage-sheets.html" target="_blank">From Maybe Me blog</a></div>
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Free vintage prints:<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/69/9d/91/699d911d7eb1a96f4da01c34e97de98c.jpg" width="237" /><a href="http://www.freevintageposters.com/" target="_blank">FreeVintagePosters</a></div>
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Someone to congratulate? Free "congratulations" printable pack!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/8c/15/5f/8c155fa717bb791a4a3025180c4c7b04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/8c/15/5f/8c155fa717bb791a4a3025180c4c7b04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lovevsdesign.com/blog/printable_template_tuesday_no_12" target="_blank">Lovendesign</a></td></tr>
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Things you can get FREE on your birthday!!! Of course I found this in July. <span style="font-size: x-small;">My birthday is in June.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/8c/a2/31/8ca231174febfc8999fd7c19d11a14f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/8c/a2/31/8ca231174febfc8999fd7c19d11a14f9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2027340392"></span>BdayFreeDay</a><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2027340393"></span></a></td></tr>
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All of these sites are awesome, I highly recommend taking some time to look around them because there's lots more FREE to be had!<br />
<span id="goog_2027340364"></span><span id="goog_2027340365"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"> </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at82845AM_zps5dd536d5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at82845AM_zps5dd536d5.png" /></a><br />
<span id="goog_2027340376"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2027340377"><span id="goog_2027340448"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2027340449"></span></span>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-63119793063071125342013-07-19T08:12:00.001-05:002013-07-20T06:57:39.224-05:00Getting creative with kid's birthday party decorContinuing on <a href="http://itsjoiedevivre.blogspot.com/2013/07/babys-first-birthday-1st-party-ideas.html" target="_blank">from here</a> as I plan the Green Bean's first birthday, I wanted to share a sort of weird-but-makes-sense-to-me idea I had for unique or hard-to-find themes. <br />
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What about dollhouse items or scrapbooking embellishments on the tops of cupcakes or table decor? If you think outside the box, you could do all kinds of great themes.<br />
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They are about half the price of designated "this is for a birthday" items I've found, usually come in packs of multiples, and give you a broader spectrum to choose party themes.<br />
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For example, if I go with the "children's literature" theme... how perfect would these be on top of frosting?<br />
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<a href="http://www.miniatures.com/Assets/ProductImages/78540_md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.miniatures.com/Assets/ProductImages/78540_md.jpg" /></a></div>
Or these for an "On the Farm" or <i>Charlotte's Web</i> party?<br />
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<a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/assets/1/14/DimRegular/829473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/assets/1/14/DimRegular/829473.jpg" /></a></div>
A <i>Fancy Nancy</i> party:<br />
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<a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/assets/1/14/DimThumbnail/609446_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/assets/1/14/DimThumbnail/609446_1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
A "Garden Party":<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$4 on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82566684/new-dollhouse-mulberry-flowers-tuesday?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=supplies_low&gclid=CNDmgPXLu7gCFSFk7AodaE8ADg" target="_blank">Etsy</a></td></tr>
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A "Mardi Gras" or <i>Madeline</i> party:<br />
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"Snow White" party:<br />
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Crayon/primary colors party:</div>
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Anything that comes in a "set" for a dollhouse or scrapbook could work! </div>
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An "I Love Ikea" party:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just kidding. </td></tr>
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I should probably stop blogging and start deciding on a theme for my little buddy!<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="left" src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r758/clgreen1/ScreenShot2013-07-16at83304AM_zps33475831.png" />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-38973544848011685702013-07-18T22:44:00.001-05:002013-08-07T17:55:03.485-05:00DIY How To Make Hanging Letters for Wall Decor<br />
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I'm doing a lot of DIY these days and so much of it is trial and error, I thought I'd share some of what I've done. Almost every project of mine has a first attempt that goes bust; I count the first time around as a trial-run because inevitably something isn't quite what I expected/as easy as Pinterest made it look.<br />
After seeing cute ideas <a href="http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/597-love-bird-pastel-wall-letters.html" target="_blank">like this</a> on nursery blogs, I decided I wanted to put my son's name on his nursery wall, too. Here's what I learned.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>To make your own decoupage letters, you'll need:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Cardboard letters (since I hot-glued the ribbon to the back, wooden letters would have been too heavy.)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Spray Adhesive </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Modge Podge- whatever finish you want- I used glossy. (I also got an applicator kit with a roller and squeegie, this made getting the paper flat easier but is optional)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* SHARP Exato-Knife </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Paint Brushes- I recommend flat-headed ones and spent a dollar more to get the ones that don't shed </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Glue gun or other super-strong glue to glue hanging ribbon to letter </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Some type of button/embellishment to cover the pin or nail heads </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Ribbon (as you'll see in a minute, I ultimately ended up with wide brown ribbon, after the first go-round was too thin for my liking)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Paper with whatever print you want. </b></span><br />
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Scrapbooking paper is great if you need a certain color scheme or design. Get creative with this: sheet music, an old work of literature from the Salvation Army, picture books, anything you don't mind cutting up would be pretty! I even thought about printing something with my LaserJet, if you do this you would just have to be careful and pat on the Modge Podge rather than brushing as not to smear the ink.</div>
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I got the letters at Hobby Lobby for $2.47 AND 50% off. <br />
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The first question was what to do with the letters: paint a design on them<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/85568461643223232/" target="_blank"> like this</a>? Decoupage the letters?<br />
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I decided that to cut back on materials I would use something I already had, which is a <i>very</i> old "Mother Goose" book that was marked for library DISPOSAL... in 1980! Indeed.<br />
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<b>{ Backstory Alert!}</b> The binding is coming off and many of the pages are marked with crayons, but my dad picked it up at a book sale at the local public library right before I was born.<br />
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It ended up being my favorite book, and my Dad and I would sit for hours in his big leather chair and "read it" to each other before I could really read (I just memorized the nursery rhymes).<br />
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When I was decorating the Green Bean's nursery, I was looking for prints to put on the wall and came across some gorgeous nursery rhyme prints that looked awfully familiar-- because they were the same illustrations as the ones in my old Mother Goose book! Since the binding was coming off that antique anyway, I thought I'd pull out my favorite ones and mount them on the baby's wall. The frames came from Home Goods, $9.99 apiece.<br />
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The result was sentimental, simple, and pretty. <b>{Backstory Complete.}</b><br />
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So when it came time to decide what to put on the letters, I pulled out that old Mother Goose book. I took out the most politically incorrect and/or depressing nursery rhymes and started chopping away. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Really, did the farmer <i>have</i> to kill that pig just to have a word rhyme with "fork"? </span><br />
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<b>Now you are ready to get started.</b><br />
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1. I lined up what part of the page I wanted to glue onto the letter, and used the Exacto-Knife to cut around the outside edge of the letter. If it was a letter with curved lines, like "B," I did the inside curves after I had the outside cut. I found it was easier to do all the cutting PRIOR to gluing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE8cgrRq8DGEtrOZ0QJx4aTDlrJ5YH9G1XGNPaqCAWWsXRDcOb-xAroYLvb_X3UzIwTWm4F0XPKoraIuwCxTI2P34rxJp1QTOiIg3KfiiAMfpCHRREv1bt7IErYcrCqJAJLwVJRqsheEd/s1600/IMG_0446+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE8cgrRq8DGEtrOZ0QJx4aTDlrJ5YH9G1XGNPaqCAWWsXRDcOb-xAroYLvb_X3UzIwTWm4F0XPKoraIuwCxTI2P34rxJp1QTOiIg3KfiiAMfpCHRREv1bt7IErYcrCqJAJLwVJRqsheEd/s320/IMG_0446+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. I sprayed the <u>front</u> of the letter with spray adhesive. (I use<a href="http://www.quill.com/3m-adhesives/cbs/004852.html?cm_mmc=SEM_PLA_OS_004852" target="_blank"> this kind from Scotch</a> and it works great. They have a "super" version as well.)<br />
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3. I put the letter face-down onto the back of the page I wanted to show. I held it there for about 2 minutes, just to ensure the glue had grabbed the paper and it wouldn't move.<br />
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4. After I had cut and glued all the letters, I got the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Podge-CS11202-Original-16-Ounce-Finish/dp/B00178QQJ8/ref=pd_bxgy_ac_img_y" target="_blank">Modge Podge</a> and ultimately did two coats (more would be fine). The first layer is important for edges, I did a lot of "pushing" of paper around the curves of the cardboard to make all the lines clean while it was still wet. The second layer was more of a sealant.<br />
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5. After the letters dry, it's time to get the glue gun and ruler. I used thumbtacks to hang mine, so I put seven thumbtacks in the back of the box they came in so they were handle-side facing me. I chose fleur-de-lis embellishments from the scrapbooking aisle to be my pinhead covers, and glued them onto the flat part of the thumbtacks then let dry.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Ribbon Time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh Lord, how much ribbon I wasted doing this! I suggest finding the width you like and buying <i>several</i> rolls-- don't be like me and scrimp while at the store, only to come home and realize you don't have enough. And don't be like me and go with one ribbon on a whim, only to decide you want something different, then have to go back and unglue everything you've already done. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!</td></tr>
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You will want to make sure the ribbon appears the same length so measuring the "give" is important. <b>For letters with angles, such as "N," you should make the ribbon techincally longer because of the placement; when it's hung, it will look like the ribbon is the same length for all letters.</b><span style="font-size: x-small;">* </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*That is in bold because I messed that up too, several times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. The easiest way I found to get the right placement for the bows was to actually tie the bow around the top of the strip, so technically they are two separate pieces. You want the bows to be pretty and full... more for looks than function.</span></span></span> </span><br />
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Then all that's left to do is hang. You can do it in one straight line a la Scarlett:<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/5b/be/ed/5bbeed8c78d93b6a8b1d86e8a23bc96d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/5b/be/ed/5bbeed8c78d93b6a8b1d86e8a23bc96d.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Or slightly alternating up and down, like Madison's (this picture was actually the inspiration for my whole project): <br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/236x/74/de/b5/74deb516333bf1ec6029ba5448e14af5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/236x/74/de/b5/74deb516333bf1ec6029ba5448e14af5.jpg" /></a></div>
My husband came home to a LOT of holes in the wall, and that's because I've tuned out my math teachers since 1987 and eyeballed the whole thing. I wouldn't recommend this. Take the time to make sure where you're nailing the letter is properly aligned with the ones around it... or invest in some nail-hole filler.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqh_GpJaVl9ikaDq95OIfqf3gNKS4e7hxRTuCL1Phe2kOn0cnqKwFxw5toCXFCe2CljIg_h9-SIoPkc9cvDZYKcQkUez4E7r80r5wW2DQezQCWXZgXU2hcj3EzNzQluxjpcKKE_jniElu/s1600/end+result.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqh_GpJaVl9ikaDq95OIfqf3gNKS4e7hxRTuCL1Phe2kOn0cnqKwFxw5toCXFCe2CljIg_h9-SIoPkc9cvDZYKcQkUez4E7r80r5wW2DQezQCWXZgXU2hcj3EzNzQluxjpcKKE_jniElu/s320/end+result.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End.</td></tr>
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Hopefully this will help someone else wanting a cute, inexpensive decoration for a child's room or wherever you may want your house to have a little personalization. This is really a project you can get creative with, and I would love to see anyone else's end result!Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-56949642531170179982013-07-16T07:11:00.000-05:002013-07-16T12:54:19.244-05:00Baby's First Birthday... 1st Party Ideas!<div style="text-align: left;">
One. Year.</div>
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That's how long it's been since I've posted! <span style="font-size: x-small;">God bless you NG and AL for asking about the status of the blog. My Mom noticed it had been abandoned, too.</span></div>
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It's been a busy year: I've had a baby, relocated to a new city, and become a full-time mom and wife. This in turn has lead to a vast<a href="http://pinterest.com/greencl/boards/" target="_blank"> Pinterest arsenal</a>. I feel really blessed and am very happy.</div>
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What inspired this great return? <a href="http://pinterest.com/greencl/green-beans-first-birthday/" target="_blank">My search now to throw "That Party."</a></div>
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My sweet little bebe's first birthday is coming up, and I have become the mom I swore I'd never be, that throws a theme-party for a little person who will not remember it ("But he WILL have the pictures" is my most common defense for all this research and likely expense... TBD).</div>
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So here are some of my favorite ideas for a 1st birthday so far:</div>
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<a href="http://jesdani9112.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/let-the-wild-rumpus-begin/" target="_blank"> <u>"Where the Wild Things Are"</u> Party</a></div>
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With this one, you can call it a "wild rumpus" and no one can judge!</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak3.pinimg.com/736x/79/7d/ce/797dcee0d253112b32cb6d8db819e68a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak3.pinimg.com/736x/79/7d/ce/797dcee0d253112b32cb6d8db819e68a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This of course has lead me down the avenue of other <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/party-ideas/birthday-parties/book-birthday/" target="_blank">literature-themed parties... </a>some cute ones also include "Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Goodnight, Moon," <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/party-ideas/birthday-parties/book-birthday/" target="_blank">among others.</a> How cute are these caterpillar cake pops? </div>
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Or, a "Charlotte's Web" theme?! Cuteness overload! This is a slippery slope, my friends... I've actually just been diverted another 30 minutes checking out themes in composing this blog post.</div>
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<a href="http://www.piggybankparties.com/oink/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TheCharsWebCollection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.piggybankparties.com/oink/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TheCharsWebCollection.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or you could always go the broad "all children's literature" theme, like <a href="http://www.aestheticnest.com/2011/01/party-golden-books-baby-shower.html" target="_blank">this Golden Books party </a>(technically, it's a baby shower but could easily be tweaked to be a birthday party):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu4MGHClHFkrmJOEXldW78JgOpdj0xqMMu7qYQOksEaFco9EAvCJn_jkm3JJRv-5uQYsbdCip-RNgnFInfygL6yFVL_ffEWttM8D9j22kOyubPLrM-g4qKeavfn3eVCV7xC6C3TfxVmQ/s800/Party_Golden+Books+Baby+Shower_DSC_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu4MGHClHFkrmJOEXldW78JgOpdj0xqMMu7qYQOksEaFco9EAvCJn_jkm3JJRv-5uQYsbdCip-RNgnFInfygL6yFVL_ffEWttM8D9j22kOyubPLrM-g4qKeavfn3eVCV7xC6C3TfxVmQ/s320/Party_Golden+Books+Baby+Shower_DSC_0236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Moving away from the literature theme (for now), there's a<a href="http://www.100layercakelet.com/2013/04/18/olives-sea-themed-1st-birthday/" target="_blank"> pretty nautical theme:</a></div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/94/9b/67/949b6734045e65890b393cf9eb2d2363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/94/9b/67/949b6734045e65890b393cf9eb2d2363.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.100layercakelet.com/2013/01/28/a-colorful-2nd-birthday-party-lollacup-giveaway/" target="_blank">Crayon-Color Theme party:</a></div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/61/94/ba61940e19864f1b962b3877ef637892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/61/94/ba61940e19864f1b962b3877ef637892.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.imgspark.com/image/view/4f86edf31f9221dd04000ffb" target="_blank"> Farm Theme:</a></div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/49/5b/3c/495b3c0b78f267633c1bd3fabb5ab8ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/49/5b/3c/495b3c0b78f267633c1bd3fabb5ab8ea.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can even buy ready-made theme packages for parties from <a href="http://www.minted.com/kids-birthday-party-decorations" target="_blank">Minted.com for as little as $65, like this one, "Fanfare":</a></div>
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<a href="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/BD3/DS0/MIN-DS0-BD3-001_A_PZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cdn3.minted.com/files/mintedProductsImages/MIN/BD3/DS0/MIN-DS0-BD3-001_A_PZ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two of my favorite children's party inspiration and idea sites:</div>
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<a href="http://www.100layercakelet.com/">http://www.100layercakelet.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com/">Lily's http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Or the most <a href="http://www.fireandcremekids.com/" target="_blank">CHIC rental company for parties I've ever seen- Fire and Creme Kids:</a></div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak3.pinimg.com/736x/8b/ec/f2/8becf26505557561d5a9e3a78d717144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak3.pinimg.com/736x/8b/ec/f2/8becf26505557561d5a9e3a78d717144.jpg" width="313" /></a> </div>
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Regardless... he's gonna have a crown.</div>
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Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-16474363070929843292012-06-07T05:36:00.000-05:002012-06-07T14:16:03.705-05:00It's Dad's Turn! Father's Day Gift IdeasMother's Day has come and gone, so now it's on to Father's Day. <br />
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Isn't it just the best to see the man you love being fatherly in any capacity? There's a pillow at my grandparent's house that says,<i> "Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a DAD."</i> Our baby's not here yet, but my husband earned a Father's Day gift this year by spending last Saturday bathing my three (three!!) sheepdogs (sheepdogs!!) in a tub he fashioned out of Tupperware storage.<br />
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Join me <a href="http://itsjoiedevivre.blogspot.com/2011/03/present-ideas-for-dad-or-man-who-has.html" target="_blank">as I once again scour the Internet for ideas</a> on what to get the men I love oh-so-much!<br />
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Start out with cute free Father's Day printables... because we know it's all about presentation. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriRI6HSBdseOz9XUPwf9KQjPsZ1buFjG9C87BXiLNvV0lIiLkJ3AHVFSg6ne0ELjUQW6i_KNf7ZTAWD6FE6dI5GBuHmX1Yl77pW7eGtTWRMpZ0Lt7GTA93wJW3HUrxedBQJzK7W3Crvd-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-06-07+at+12.53.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriRI6HSBdseOz9XUPwf9KQjPsZ1buFjG9C87BXiLNvV0lIiLkJ3AHVFSg6ne0ELjUQW6i_KNf7ZTAWD6FE6dI5GBuHmX1Yl77pW7eGtTWRMpZ0Lt7GTA93wJW3HUrxedBQJzK7W3Crvd-/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-07+at+12.53.48+PM.png" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/freebie-fathers-day-printables-are-tie.html" target="_blank">free father's day printables from amanda's parties to go blog</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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And a few more Father's Day printables <a href="http://www.giverslog.com/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=4" target="_blank">here from giverslog blog</a> and <a href="http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2011/06/last-minute-fathers-day-printables.html" target="_blank">here from celebrations at home blog.</a><br />
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And for some of my personal top picks:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSbj8-qx4xIZAQ6b3CO5w4p7ToFVzyXZvOcVN2T9OHAFh844r85GNOoDCO6_RhJeTRRXTz_nFTsV7jCoalGyPEMCHgqFc1-NkgsxkeTmREKEjol7sQPhYQ3b6cTPgnqRgKmECeqJQ0_BT/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSbj8-qx4xIZAQ6b3CO5w4p7ToFVzyXZvOcVN2T9OHAFh844r85GNOoDCO6_RhJeTRRXTz_nFTsV7jCoalGyPEMCHgqFc1-NkgsxkeTmREKEjol7sQPhYQ3b6cTPgnqRgKmECeqJQ0_BT/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
{ Where can I find...}<br />
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1. Stanley 3-in-1 Tripod LED Flashlight, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-95-155-Tripod-LED-Flashlight/dp/B001DV7PBW" target="_blank">$23.95 on Amazon.com</a><br />
2. Cobalt blue BBQ grill,<a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/bbq-grill-c863/?pkey=cfathers-day-gifts" target="_blank"> $19.00 on West Elm</a><br />
3. Rag and Bone boater belt, <a href="http://www.barneys.com/Rag-Bone-Boater-Belt/501742925,default,pd.html?cgid=mens-accessories&index=1" target="_blank">$115 on Barney's.com</a><br />
4. Age Your Own Whiskey Kit, <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/fathers-day-gift-ideas-10000001737948/page15.html" target="_blank">$150 on Binny's.com (via RealSimple magazine)</a><br />
5. "Forever Family" map with heart, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93701772/fathers-day-gift-personalized-fathers?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=father%27s+day&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade" target="_blank">$22.00 on Etsy.com</a><br />
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For more, check out Rachel Zoe's always fashionable ideas:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1305051178"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShxLBZXPQdOc5wJ38cPK21wdK7T3gONVu-BtuEnjOYHfHWXfOWJAqAK7_mQd2ZxvTyQw8rNt0zJBO10_GAR1ZMPWPuFfyiKHZsSElkJftslPj7W_zUlB4kViyQnbAuMio62H_zFu-hUEe/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-07+at+12.56.32+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thezoereport.com/fashionable-fathers-day-gifts/" target="_blank">the zoe report</a></td></tr>
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<br />Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-64928722136295341892012-06-04T07:56:00.001-05:002012-06-04T07:57:31.200-05:00Summer Salad and Sandwiches Recipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEha-V1aF-iT5zdyNgrEWJXiYgyYqcZHtGJaFHTSwgj6J53cYm6_E_sBAmA5QN1uJI66ZwqM-knoTOy3ww8WzttseGSeu5DIxxYsQE5jjd6lIaBCI6BFzLZTUIzfgcAGSqAqoEfF2f7RL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-06-04+at+7.47.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Thanks to an addiction to Pinterest and a husband who says my cooking is tasty (bless his heart), I have been on a roll lately making summer salads and gathering recipes to try as the thermostat continues to climb. The following recipes I've either tried, want to try, or am sharing because they look gorgeous in pictures. </div>
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Recipes and sources linked below each picture.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeI9KO59xJrfrArTCqgIVQUiIyqtme0auQPEKCmu_PD4PKmHJ4vsbDD34gYjzSvuRsdQEdEcIbQKA6xGWudEo9C2G-QVBB7Sjpq3zfyGujDZiAzXYpBaPG8cTISBvbv1Ao5eBeh0PaQD0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-06-01+at+2.47.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeI9KO59xJrfrArTCqgIVQUiIyqtme0auQPEKCmu_PD4PKmHJ4vsbDD34gYjzSvuRsdQEdEcIbQKA6xGWudEo9C2G-QVBB7Sjpq3zfyGujDZiAzXYpBaPG8cTISBvbv1Ao5eBeh0PaQD0/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-01+at+2.47.06+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/food/entertaining/cool-summer-salads-00400000046866/page11.html" target="_blank">chilled vegetable salad from southern living magazine</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkBOJic7hmNKSUrrAPiRZjO5Iw2LVkQ_wKxUfWZdad4aPv-3c1C2jJIqmZl4Y2mZdFtCkqQi7xX2bKH7-cPMXkyBFUQU4FbuNAiqRXM3pEvVdGNy9uN82t2q9xvtoDQ1E1EhqjyG3p2wT/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-01+at+2.56.27+PM.png" width="233" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everythingfab.com/2012/01/food-hummus-and-avocado-toasts-with.html" target="_blank">hummus and avocado toasts with roasted tomato</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG-bClO5Ccf_EMaQW9PPyAKj69vW_XZO1tlQkrrvfL-BtDQiPCNwcCqEUPYA7moNCQIfHdzhPhEPH_qdB-dJD1vsYh_6HDAYVpiEvKuIXKAPMuewuXMwGg9bBgVOWtNJV0PJFAtpSWb0L/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-01+at+2.51.09+PM.png" width="320" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-sandwich-recipes.html" target="_blank">watermelon sandwich on swanky::chic::fete blog</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOimeg9KSD_YA3knY92HQV9rKWMKUwHuSMsOjCkml_AzXz3vU1kdCNCSZcjbNyColzELxxAJiSlX1JOE8J1Yz4TCbJu6gFCVMcjJFVud2eGaOJky3p1u5UgKIrWA0RHVwDeeqGpgHDyafh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-06-01+at+2.40.45+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOimeg9KSD_YA3knY92HQV9rKWMKUwHuSMsOjCkml_AzXz3vU1kdCNCSZcjbNyColzELxxAJiSlX1JOE8J1Yz4TCbJu6gFCVMcjJFVud2eGaOJky3p1u5UgKIrWA0RHVwDeeqGpgHDyafh/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-06-01+at+2.40.45+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://valsocal.blogspot.com/2011/03/mozzarella-tomato-and-avocado-salad.html" target="_blank">mozzarella, tomato, and avacado salad.</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_116054290"> If you want more, check out this great New York Times article, "101 Salads for the Season."</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_116054290"><br /></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_116054290" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEha-V1aF-iT5zdyNgrEWJXiYgyYqcZHtGJaFHTSwgj6J53cYm6_E_sBAmA5QN1uJI66ZwqM-knoTOy3ww8WzttseGSeu5DIxxYsQE5jjd6lIaBCI6BFzLZTUIzfgcAGSqAqoEfF2f7RL/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-04+at+7.47.44+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-10981074631174803142012-05-09T14:10:00.001-05:002012-05-09T14:10:34.830-05:00Give Mama Some LoveShopping for my own mother inspired this post... gift ideas for Mother's Day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxddOKJ7JA2vlUvLA_joyV7JP4flK4184y8uqpHPHUGWwN8Tkkgxlepgd8M8ib2jz_FdnQui_BtRT38bQgo4o8ylDKOKl92UJoAFzN25gjjQsONUrPnqCyCBznwOdnhqcHwvjKW_TOnHi/s1600/mother's+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxddOKJ7JA2vlUvLA_joyV7JP4flK4184y8uqpHPHUGWwN8Tkkgxlepgd8M8ib2jz_FdnQui_BtRT38bQgo4o8ylDKOKl92UJoAFzN25gjjQsONUrPnqCyCBznwOdnhqcHwvjKW_TOnHi/s640/mother's+day.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
{Where can I find... } <br />
<ul>
<li>personalized pet silhouette throw pillow, $49.95: <a href="http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/personalized-pet-silhouette-throw-pillow-cover-30060425?ref=REDorganicgglgeneric_&prid=rbseogg&viewpos=55&trackingpgroup=rmfav" target="_blank">redenvelope</a></li>
<li>robin's bird eggs nest necklace, amazonite silver, $20: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73610198/robins-bird-eggs-nest-necklace-amazonite?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=sr_a853cd41b294e93f61b7ac64c4b4400d44824b8230739108b611b02b2314cab8_1336588097_14249596_necklace&ga_search_query=robin%27s+egg+necklace&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=handmade" target="_blank">etsy </a></li>
<li>fuschia "boyfriend pillow" with orange trim, $149: <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/14017/682674" target="_blank">onekingslane</a></li>
<li>cupcake of the month subscription, $150 for 3 months: <a href="http://www.amazingclubs.com/cupcake.html?__utma=1.1004084046.1336588534.1336588534.1336588534.1&__utmb=1.6.10.1336588534&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1336588534.1.1.utmcsr=google%7Cutmccn=%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd=organic%7Cutmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=24121530" target="_blank">purchase here</a></li>
<li>tory burch thora patent leather flip flops, $115: <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446446524&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0885427922254" target="_blank">saks fifth avenue</a></li>
<li>vintage limoge china with 22K gold, $15: <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446446524&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0885427922254" target="_blank">twocardinalday on etsy</a></li>
<li>jo malone london limited edition plum blossom cologne, $110: <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/product.jsp;jsessionid=A98D02FB8FF5AFEE623F6D218AD5F21A?index=0&masterId=cat000339&itemId=prod145900132&cmCat=cat000000cat000285cat4830738cat000339cat1090734&parentId=cat1090734" target="_blank">neiman marcus</a></li>
</ul>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-71151614691130174492012-03-25T20:59:00.001-05:002012-03-26T07:48:16.360-05:00Pretty Little Nurseries.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlecrowninteriors.com/images/extravagant-baby-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Ah, so I am thrilled to announce that there is going to be a huge new <i>joie</i> in my life! The husband and I are expecting our first child in September and we are over the moon. And since this blog is a reflection of whatever my obsession-of-the-moment may be, it only makes sense to dedicate this post to<b><span style="font-size: large;"> baby boudoirs!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In my current role of <strike>incubator</strike> second trimester mom-to-be, I have little knowledge of what it's like to have a child<i></i>. I do know enough to realize that most of the nurseries in this post are:<br />
<br />
1. Look-don't-touch,<br />
2. Completely superfluous,<br />
3. Gorgeous for glossy pages, but<i> </i><br />
4. <i>NOT realistic.</i><br />
<br />
Still, I've enjoyed them and I'm hoping anyone that comes across this blog may as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ygKLrW0zcAWN3V4sw5EnPP43QtvLchHIECxpWSnwLUa2pKoAkMkIkRUXzJaTqXUT2ptMSRckTlvRnZTFFcB2GsXVN8QeCDM6INvjG21VMQPyQoUIowy5f3l1c15fmdBprlBW0iV5kVA/s400/-74.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ygKLrW0zcAWN3V4sw5EnPP43QtvLchHIECxpWSnwLUa2pKoAkMkIkRUXzJaTqXUT2ptMSRckTlvRnZTFFcB2GsXVN8QeCDM6INvjG21VMQPyQoUIowy5f3l1c15fmdBprlBW0iV5kVA/s320/-74.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nurserynotations.com/2011/08/texan-elegance.html" target="_blank">It's French, it's aqua... ergo, I love.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2010/06/11/3319a2d59fa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2010/06/11/3319a2d59fa7.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So simple yet pretty, and just switch the pink bedding with blue and you're ready for a little fella!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDRJza1ro2IWEr_o2lCpX4CoG4ZEntrW8XkZiTxdWW5XSuYbUvBo1pIeYGW8kpATC6mJwgdj85QZ82F-QLkrYria5O5gTcuChzFUGa1xzekBA5WpZheFMVYkCaUhyphenhyphenQBBbr5motkJCM3w/s400/Lulu+DK1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDRJza1ro2IWEr_o2lCpX4CoG4ZEntrW8XkZiTxdWW5XSuYbUvBo1pIeYGW8kpATC6mJwgdj85QZ82F-QLkrYria5O5gTcuChzFUGa1xzekBA5WpZheFMVYkCaUhyphenhyphenQBBbr5motkJCM3w/s320/Lulu+DK1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth, clean lines</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brattdecor.com/images/gallery/GL77-l.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.brattdecor.com/images/gallery/GL77-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "my kid can already read" Nursery</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brattdecor.com/images/gallery/GL45-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.brattdecor.com/images/gallery/GL45-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love, love, love iron cribs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6rjGwYTjnrZUf5sf0kB1O53Bv49SO-wr9o9_INW9SqjNAla_AwbP_i1cV1r5TXDHJJ_jEZpiG2nHAVdFF9KWTIdptV0KIrJdIoAgWfBUuHZMiW7PSXxigWAaAjWxbqwlxDO3pwnmp00/s400/Screen+shot+2011-10-14+at+5.02.00+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6rjGwYTjnrZUf5sf0kB1O53Bv49SO-wr9o9_INW9SqjNAla_AwbP_i1cV1r5TXDHJJ_jEZpiG2nHAVdFF9KWTIdptV0KIrJdIoAgWfBUuHZMiW7PSXxigWAaAjWxbqwlxDO3pwnmp00/s320/Screen+shot+2011-10-14+at+5.02.00+PM.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobblestone bedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/162622236514180701_ZQviNfbE_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/162622236514180701_ZQviNfbE_f.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framed Shel Silverstien poems... love this concept!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/cbb/blog/100301/oilo-1-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/cbb/blog/100301/oilo-1-500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean lines, graphic prints</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV766XHoUFIAOQ8InSmvQsVdxkqjRMf-4Lh6fPefhZ3BnGfjaX2IQmoGw60vyWtF5zCgefi4K7BoJyD7E9nK_9SGQjUzVxOPfqEOXTMOvAkhYzCD25tZU0DFQrEnh2PvjmfJjeVrYbXfQV/s640/hawken+nursery+cash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV766XHoUFIAOQ8InSmvQsVdxkqjRMf-4Lh6fPefhZ3BnGfjaX2IQmoGw60vyWtF5zCgefi4K7BoJyD7E9nK_9SGQjUzVxOPfqEOXTMOvAkhYzCD25tZU0DFQrEnh2PvjmfJjeVrYbXfQV/s320/hawken+nursery+cash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admittedly, the smiley pup drew me to this one first.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And it's always fun to take a peek at celebrity nurseries... </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brattdecor.com/images/gallery/GL68-l.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.brattdecor.com/images/gallery/GL68-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewel, rustic nursery</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cadenlane.com/media/catalog/category/brooke_2_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://cadenlane.com/media/catalog/category/brooke_2_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke Burke, harlequin boy/girl</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBLXhI00twefMb6Mz5CPbhQ6PJuga8ercGvNCJ5e99SChUqWx4YpzCpIsc6-Ml6MgoDf-SCPIPOYjydUP1-08FLuw4l4R1-YWHikbxyJoLAe_BBw-1sGizPnR5tSottLMiT5EGrqFUDar/s400/0lopez_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBLXhI00twefMb6Mz5CPbhQ6PJuga8ercGvNCJ5e99SChUqWx4YpzCpIsc6-Ml6MgoDf-SCPIPOYjydUP1-08FLuw4l4R1-YWHikbxyJoLAe_BBw-1sGizPnR5tSottLMiT5EGrqFUDar/s320/0lopez_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer Lopez</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ9DQL1hp-uB01Z2lf-_hyphenhyphendN_tvep1m7OY8K6IhCT9k_SXeBKGHS8oYQRHG660tCART55F42sPF2iFKUl0c9AG1uGOYBEfA3c0pUnCKJFAazR-izlXp8fXXt2Qn3Bfbs4heiNPURe1s6g/s320/Charlotte's+Room%283%29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer Lopez... Part II. (Is it wrong to envy a two-year-old?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cutebabypictures.org/d/25066-1/Rick+Martin_s+celebrity+twins+nursery_001.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://cutebabypictures.org/d/25066-1/Rick+Martin_s+celebrity+twins+nursery_001.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky Martin nursery, ah-ma-zing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://uppereastsidebaby.squarespace.com/storage/Jessica%20Alba%27s%20Nursery%20Crib%20for%20Honor.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1298575742098" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://uppereastsidebaby.squarespace.com/storage/Jessica%20Alba%27s%20Nursery%20Crib%20for%20Honor.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1298575742098" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Alba pink with sconces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMboCYjRZMMMwKNtlDRH-2mQeFTiBA07mqSITUo7Sea6AaKPZ48bGAe55bdwm54hNlYSXL8LErCCCG22SFTeye2JczPM8Qvz_-0qsWPlxoSHUt7RPWXDBKVqNB1fk6QSpORckVUfTzctw/s400/AliLandryBabyNursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMboCYjRZMMMwKNtlDRH-2mQeFTiBA07mqSITUo7Sea6AaKPZ48bGAe55bdwm54hNlYSXL8LErCCCG22SFTeye2JczPM8Qvz_-0qsWPlxoSHUt7RPWXDBKVqNB1fk6QSpORckVUfTzctw/s320/AliLandryBabyNursery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ali Landry, vintage fashion prints on the wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlecrowninteriors.com/images/extravagant-baby-room.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.littlecrowninteriors.com/images/extravagant-baby-room.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unnamed- and very blessed- child from Orange County, CA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-1469987022477880072012-01-24T21:57:00.001-06:002012-01-24T21:58:29.678-06:00The Free Fun ContinuesMore freebies to share! These are some of my personal tried-and-true favorites.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Free fonts:</span><br />
My absolute favorite site for free fonts is <a href="http://www.dafont.com/" target="_blank">dafont</a>. These fonts are amazing and add so much to a document or a project. I've found they work better on in Apple iWork's Pages rather than Microsoft Word, but most of them translate just fine. Here's a few of I use a lot:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJHHDQ-8026vmZEkwgbnx37KVMW5nLs4fUpWYnzuq7UMlUNCHmA-rJRSIMerMYOcbhyY_sYOgW0uEwx2ybCTZd4V7GPNBXlwWlYnZ4Mfg05LU_hNTKYln62Okdop1u3U6qwvIaqdoyetE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-01-24+at+9.30.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJHHDQ-8026vmZEkwgbnx37KVMW5nLs4fUpWYnzuq7UMlUNCHmA-rJRSIMerMYOcbhyY_sYOgW0uEwx2ybCTZd4V7GPNBXlwWlYnZ4Mfg05LU_hNTKYln62Okdop1u3U6qwvIaqdoyetE/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-01-24+at+9.30.19+PM.png" width="258" /></a></div>Another great site for free fonts is<a href="http://www.goinghometoroost.com/2011/free-downloads/a-font-affair-2/" target="_blank"> on this blog</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goinghometoroost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Picture-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.goinghometoroost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Picture-6.png" width="158" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Free Graphics:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Free flourishes can be <a href="http://www.sherykdesigns-blog.com/2011/07/free-digi-stamps-flourish.html" target="_blank">found here.</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCCWzALFSaI/ThkMxrJ5UQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dX2MEvyPqjU/s320/folder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCCWzALFSaI/ThkMxrJ5UQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/dX2MEvyPqjU/s200/folder.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> Free<a href="http://bestgfx.com/stock-image/stock-textures-patterns/15274-textures-old-vintage-backgrounds-44.html" target="_blank"> paper patterns:</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bestgfx.com/uploads/posts/2011-07/1311234007_97281553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bestgfx.com/uploads/posts/2011-07/1311234007_97281553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Free <a href="http://www.designfinch.com/2011/07/31/sunday-planning/" target="_blank">weekly planner templates:</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/85568461639824488_beTqk3eO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/85568461639824488_beTqk3eO_c.jpg" width="115" /></a></div><a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/freebies/custom-monograms/mini-antique-monogram/" target="_blank">Free monogram</a> (love it because you can customize the colors and letter):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DcrlI5eVXBNoyfJu1NsVWGheOljvD17KlrwmEwIwmzGO7Q2eOKCVoekx2oTLTExBTDejsHUtC3vEXHi2nIREJ5C4YNMG0RTolzSZEZkA0cbSOCOihGs4Z-Do4JTyjaYQ47YkkL-7boeC/s1600/Cmonogram.php.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DcrlI5eVXBNoyfJu1NsVWGheOljvD17KlrwmEwIwmzGO7Q2eOKCVoekx2oTLTExBTDejsHUtC3vEXHi2nIREJ5C4YNMG0RTolzSZEZkA0cbSOCOihGs4Z-Do4JTyjaYQ47YkkL-7boeC/s200/Cmonogram.php.png" width="154" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzd3tlBaKSrUXM7Km0RIPJQuI66iNQbZ4yZ-wgx0XwuXU_-_QXlICthGa-R5In-tWfogJ_nGoyPbhiBs_CR75BuPiUii0LW-nRKepKHmKHrGrOSqYPt5RQAuOUOEmU2CPn5t852pa9LUX/s1600/monogram.php.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzd3tlBaKSrUXM7Km0RIPJQuI66iNQbZ4yZ-wgx0XwuXU_-_QXlICthGa-R5In-tWfogJ_nGoyPbhiBs_CR75BuPiUii0LW-nRKepKHmKHrGrOSqYPt5RQAuOUOEmU2CPn5t852pa9LUX/s200/monogram.php.png" width="154" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1tOaLOQyEDcV8ftoTP2bg5solvUZ6v1SwfpO0qNj4JkIWphAUVbDC000DZnDM9nJ2GjISTlpnMUe0GBBe4P8Dr6QHnAEgPPwHxAwIvHXoKugHm5q9WrKrn7M3Rl9PY5K5BGukbcEarMD/s1600/monogram.+Bphp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1tOaLOQyEDcV8ftoTP2bg5solvUZ6v1SwfpO0qNj4JkIWphAUVbDC000DZnDM9nJ2GjISTlpnMUe0GBBe4P8Dr6QHnAEgPPwHxAwIvHXoKugHm5q9WrKrn7M3Rl9PY5K5BGukbcEarMD/s200/monogram.+Bphp.png" width="154" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107030751676820901.post-53222632084615879032012-01-10T08:53:00.000-06:002012-01-10T08:53:59.711-06:00Oh You Fancy, Huh: LIFE Magazine's Best Fashion PhotosMaybe because this day has started off rainy and dreary... but <a href="http://www.life.com/gallery/23612/lifes-best-fashion-photography?iid=celebrity%7Crelatedgalleries#index/0" target="_blank">this list from LIFE Magazine</a> just did something great to my psyche this morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZaUBIZo8XH3Bm4Agjw4lvdNo8pPLgFF9UL5-tiwak4gtawi6e0vodxWrNCg29RmrMiP3VZfcy7ZpVcBS_uAJJNwVBvsBJMed-8x8BfUNK-L8UrYPMNEdTsvTKUKuHbW8NCm6Q-PAyt3o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-01-10+at+8.47.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZaUBIZo8XH3Bm4Agjw4lvdNo8pPLgFF9UL5-tiwak4gtawi6e0vodxWrNCg29RmrMiP3VZfcy7ZpVcBS_uAJJNwVBvsBJMed-8x8BfUNK-L8UrYPMNEdTsvTKUKuHbW8NCm6Q-PAyt3o/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-01-10+at+8.47.41+AM.png" width="239" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLtBRyKXGrt8MdOKyc2xwTB7uEUzSL5OWn4kx3bi17TESohIpQEkyg_jltab3ByCr_fP6S0XGIYkUYUXTZr5MVm_qrq-oMKMdpp3vq-xDcELunnir_-5mFYh238BoS1QtiR812F8USPnQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-01-10+at+8.46.43+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLtBRyKXGrt8MdOKyc2xwTB7uEUzSL5OWn4kx3bi17TESohIpQEkyg_jltab3ByCr_fP6S0XGIYkUYUXTZr5MVm_qrq-oMKMdpp3vq-xDcELunnir_-5mFYh238BoS1QtiR812F8USPnQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-01-10+at+8.46.43+AM.png" width="284" /></a> </div><br />
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See <a href="http://www.life.com/gallery/23612/lifes-best-fashion-photography?iid=celebrity%7Crelatedgalleries#index/0" target="_blank">the entire list here.</a><br />
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Have a beautiful day!<br />
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</a></div>Christina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115858926955574368noreply@blogger.com0