tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722323362857587702024-03-17T21:03:11.946-06:00creatively christyChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.comBlogger454125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-1867759233013522462020-02-29T22:17:00.000-07:002020-02-29T22:17:04.682-07:00Camper Remodel FinishedI guess I never posted the final results! We finished our camper remodel and have already sold it, but here are the final pictures! Don't you love Before and Afters?! They are my favorite.<br />
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Before</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fa5N6rctq7r3XNXES58NxbHbX6H2gPVeGq24-v9GbuGqYebawz2ZeQcGTzkmFt5-oklubf0JNi7eSRXrxJP8IexWXSKl8BM_hrO5rxnsIqh_mzM1dqre1WWeURJHThjF4q9eJONFg-8/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fa5N6rctq7r3XNXES58NxbHbX6H2gPVeGq24-v9GbuGqYebawz2ZeQcGTzkmFt5-oklubf0JNi7eSRXrxJP8IexWXSKl8BM_hrO5rxnsIqh_mzM1dqre1WWeURJHThjF4q9eJONFg-8/s320/IMG_2467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw9LyrVGlST_I6HrdtLimVblW5tqm-W2Mpzm9PoKb53HUXC96XKnVHZiTWc-U_jrqq7fNFQDqf-zJNnffBU20Sn0W7cCjlrG4jVpWLE8h3nOHUuNVC23Lh9URSUM_bnGKdlBTtPXaC1s/s1600/finished-bedroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw9LyrVGlST_I6HrdtLimVblW5tqm-W2Mpzm9PoKb53HUXC96XKnVHZiTWc-U_jrqq7fNFQDqf-zJNnffBU20Sn0W7cCjlrG4jVpWLE8h3nOHUuNVC23Lh9URSUM_bnGKdlBTtPXaC1s/s320/finished-bedroom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIEAeJc1zqE2BdEeQsJcL-6S9nWjnoYLEwcVIMgc5kIUTJvfeqxX3Li6G6GGiCXP9lfMNEPfxPN7s1Y43JoZOu7gG0s0yMvDSnt_vieUlEu2ZpUdVKsC5vagpLuvLZfMe3hDswX3FXL4/s1600/finished-bedroom+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIEAeJc1zqE2BdEeQsJcL-6S9nWjnoYLEwcVIMgc5kIUTJvfeqxX3Li6G6GGiCXP9lfMNEPfxPN7s1Y43JoZOu7gG0s0yMvDSnt_vieUlEu2ZpUdVKsC5vagpLuvLZfMe3hDswX3FXL4/s320/finished-bedroom+3.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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Bathroom before</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLyEfQOuF6Pmom-DZjOilppn6xZk6aLI9mkoylJA_3Cedl3NXK99SB1WV8hIgSAPOAIKGz-e2-mtTgQw79cYKjpsmb8YivthDmf9S86PKCITzXuOm5p8Lxcu_mLUpPTOM90i_3Aun9dg/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLyEfQOuF6Pmom-DZjOilppn6xZk6aLI9mkoylJA_3Cedl3NXK99SB1WV8hIgSAPOAIKGz-e2-mtTgQw79cYKjpsmb8YivthDmf9S86PKCITzXuOm5p8Lxcu_mLUpPTOM90i_3Aun9dg/s320/IMG_2476.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Bathroom After</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECAUcyp9MX1hgM_DiHFqFQe0DFu85rRIAhj0rnKUn6bvyBXb7_-G7CH2umBAF14wEfi4jJUKhyGf4NB6jo-P_sKQNup5w6jLF2IqJjrvRGCNvIfqehXOKcvmtrBuXVSNX593lTFYPPlw/s1600/finished-bathroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1082" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECAUcyp9MX1hgM_DiHFqFQe0DFu85rRIAhj0rnKUn6bvyBXb7_-G7CH2umBAF14wEfi4jJUKhyGf4NB6jo-P_sKQNup5w6jLF2IqJjrvRGCNvIfqehXOKcvmtrBuXVSNX593lTFYPPlw/s320/finished-bathroom+2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Before</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiXGuBeR8dtqhbfz3ZiizMc9gLlioxy5KO4XbGJjEjs4WV5l-m-LutUxIZALrJJrT8B5mceSb0LRvE_7oOn2TxTAs0D-lYWgLhykIU6uhx9014xFYxl5216pbLe5C4amFKuHouEXZgSA/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiXGuBeR8dtqhbfz3ZiizMc9gLlioxy5KO4XbGJjEjs4WV5l-m-LutUxIZALrJJrT8B5mceSb0LRvE_7oOn2TxTAs0D-lYWgLhykIU6uhx9014xFYxl5216pbLe5C4amFKuHouEXZgSA/s320/IMG_2471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After</div>
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Before</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YCvNrF0EP_-oezvlWSJrTzArOPZvYi5ANK6xE_1s1HmQswcm_RQzz9kgur2FiZE3s9dkF9hDEZ8AxPH2S-JaKGF1aYKR3x-xKcDsyue6QJBc6Kl_n7qUMUGXIX5L538NnITip3jrHss/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YCvNrF0EP_-oezvlWSJrTzArOPZvYi5ANK6xE_1s1HmQswcm_RQzz9kgur2FiZE3s9dkF9hDEZ8AxPH2S-JaKGF1aYKR3x-xKcDsyue6QJBc6Kl_n7qUMUGXIX5L538NnITip3jrHss/s320/IMG_2478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSWdgrTSLsJLfsh3lhyh3oV75Hm8y41ma_7h1X8jpuNncOktdxp_spATK6NC7QZIIxzBbnksXwy4pqt7POSv-RoDSU53U_mMTa6BhLFGQkbJDE-SkT_bWOre7mTCJiodb41ndSzTxVgg/s1600/finished-kitchen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSWdgrTSLsJLfsh3lhyh3oV75Hm8y41ma_7h1X8jpuNncOktdxp_spATK6NC7QZIIxzBbnksXwy4pqt7POSv-RoDSU53U_mMTa6BhLFGQkbJDE-SkT_bWOre7mTCJiodb41ndSzTxVgg/s320/finished-kitchen+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stick-on tile for the win. It's lightweight (important for a camper) and easy to install.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlCs27IFSq_K2y27EJKn5B8BhGgRjxUzFeNFPj7DH4MtOV7yD0tR5ICm_w2fD9r61orOUqDw_z7XZPBncnKpzw-tCHTraYDih9_zKh-8CG-gaO5A8JZ6W9HmI-alhfL_smfSJbEjcAUg/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlCs27IFSq_K2y27EJKn5B8BhGgRjxUzFeNFPj7DH4MtOV7yD0tR5ICm_w2fD9r61orOUqDw_z7XZPBncnKpzw-tCHTraYDih9_zKh-8CG-gaO5A8JZ6W9HmI-alhfL_smfSJbEjcAUg/s320/IMG_5490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2M6bzEYX8ZUPpLTx1xkWTf4-TG72ZcWSYmya_jdilzMmX6nWN8EA9vO9c_CTC6xmh-_BIA1_l6gmPVto-KtrfW4pQE9_YkbsCYUwAs2Yuviktbp8OIRiak_s3q2Q6kN2UyQalx6XtIw/s1600/finished-kitchen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2M6bzEYX8ZUPpLTx1xkWTf4-TG72ZcWSYmya_jdilzMmX6nWN8EA9vO9c_CTC6xmh-_BIA1_l6gmPVto-KtrfW4pQE9_YkbsCYUwAs2Yuviktbp8OIRiak_s3q2Q6kN2UyQalx6XtIw/s320/finished-kitchen+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's all folks!<br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-72861853220111101082017-07-22T09:05:00.000-06:002017-07-22T09:05:21.832-06:00Camper Remodel: Part 2 First step for our Camper remodel was to remove all the musty, ugly valences and draperies. Aaaaaah. Better already! We have also discovered that several of the blinds will need to be replaced.<br />
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Also, new mattress. No way I'm gonna sleep on an old nasty mattress with an old nasty bedspread. This camper had a SHORT queen mattress (did you know there was such a thing?), so that's the size we bought for the replacement. And, I happened to have an unreturnable teal bedspread from IKEA that fit perfectly. Done and done.<br />
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Next step: Remove that odd trim under the cabinets. It was another instant improvement. Fortunately it was easy to just pull it down and rip it off without much damage left behind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag63phurIg5CdyrLq6qdNYcnTA_LgTtBGFlORT3mWFirWuesesMkWdFoIqMd-RQ2u3lTS_WCegbig6SeigPZg8HzfkcGiuGNwRlmc6bTBaBAqqyW0vlZZUEgR74-Q_s8LFOeliaaoI7U/s1600/IMG_2486+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag63phurIg5CdyrLq6qdNYcnTA_LgTtBGFlORT3mWFirWuesesMkWdFoIqMd-RQ2u3lTS_WCegbig6SeigPZg8HzfkcGiuGNwRlmc6bTBaBAqqyW0vlZZUEgR74-Q_s8LFOeliaaoI7U/s400/IMG_2486+%25282%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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But now to really dig in. I decided to start in the smallest area first. The bathroom. I went to Sherwin Williams to seek expert advice about the best primer and paint for our situation. They recommended their <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/extreme-bond-primer" target="_blank">Extreme Bond Primer</a> (they nearly scoffed at Kilz) saying it could paint over wood, plastic, metals, etc., and it does have good reviews, so I went for it. Costs more, but I really want to do this right. I don't want to sell a camper to someone that is going to scratch off and look cheap after a couple of years. I like to do things right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXduM-Nd1dmbNJLsXDT6R6aGsRY9CVwJF2X7DQpcAPCYG3EJMRIhfCmnf9spl7cybctEd5tclA0fT5dlVPHNKExGyw08GYKyT6dN2q-lyoJYuxNlqpUBRXETmgFnbs6C09_KvlbjyHSw/s1600/paint_template-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXduM-Nd1dmbNJLsXDT6R6aGsRY9CVwJF2X7DQpcAPCYG3EJMRIhfCmnf9spl7cybctEd5tclA0fT5dlVPHNKExGyw08GYKyT6dN2q-lyoJYuxNlqpUBRXETmgFnbs6C09_KvlbjyHSw/s320/paint_template-1.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div>
Here's the bathroom after some priming (taping off always takes the longest and is the least gratifying:<br />
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I wasn't sure what to do about the rubbery trim on the counter and cabinet edges. I tried to find replacement options at an RV shop with no luck. So then I figured I'd try painting it, because if it didn't work I wouldn't be out anything anyway. To my surprise, it worked! I actually sprayed it with a spray paint primer (that stuff seems pretty hardy, doesn't it?) and then painted on top, and so far so good. We'll see if it lasts. If it doesn't, then I have other ideas.<br />
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Now for paint! I've seen a lot of camper remodels with white cabinets. It just seems too impractical (and frankly stupid) to me. Our camper goes on dirt roads, to campgrounds, with dusty people coming and going. All of that would show up on the white cabinets in about 2 minutes. I wanted style plus practicality. So I went with a medium gray. Sherwin Williams recommended a Pro Industrial paint with a velour roller for doing cabinets. It's the most expensive paint I've ever bought (I'm usually a Home Depot kinda girl), but also it's the best I've ever used. It filled in so well, smoothed out so nicely. Where I used a high quality brush, there are no brush strokes (my pet peeve of DIY projects). Where it pooled a little in cracks, it smoothed out beautifully. I'm kind of meticulous about paint, so this makes me happy.<br />
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Progress shots:<br />
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I didn't paint the shelves where it could be avoided, because I think it's too likely to get scratched off with use. Most of the shelves are in fine condition anyway. I did paint the shelves inside the mirror cabinet because they seemed to need it. </div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-27715237660618572462017-07-21T13:31:00.000-06:002017-07-22T09:05:56.947-06:00Camper Remodel: Part 1What's this? A post that isn't Halloween costumes? Miracle.<br />
Since we got married 12 years ago, Ryan has dreamed of owning an RV or camper trailer. And I have adamantly refused to entertain the idea. I figured that for as much as we would use it, we could rent one for cheaper. And then it wouldn't be sitting hideously on our driveway the rest of the year, wasting our money.<br />
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But if Ryan is anything, he is persistent. He is also clever. And he know's me too well. He knows that I dream of remodeling an old home and making it fresh and stylish. I have always loved make-overs and remodels. I love HGTV. I love taking something plain, or old, or outdated, or ugly, and turning it into something beautiful. I love the idea of saving something that others saw little value in, finding the core beauty, seeing the potential that other's don't see. And that's how he got me.<br />
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He told me about a friend of his that bought a camper trailer, added solar panels and flipped the axels, then sold it a year later for a profit. He suggested that an old ugly camper would be much less overwhelming for a remodel than a whole entire house. So I could get my remodeling fix (he has construction skills for anything more intensive), and we could even make money off it instead of wasting money. And he could get his dream of owning a camper without having a bitter wife.<br />
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So there it was. Once he got the go-ahead he jumped right into action before I could change my mind. He found a good deal on a used one and now it is ours.<br />
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Blah blah blah, now for the pictures, which is all anyone really cares about, am I right? The BEFORE'S:<br />
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The "Master Bedroom":</div>
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The fold-out sofa-bed:</div>
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The kitchen:</div>
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Oak, brass, valences, border wallpaper... what a dream:</div>
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The bathroom:</div>
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The shower:</div>
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Kitchen again. Appliances all work, yay!</div>
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The dining table, which converts to a bed:</div>
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The thing about RV's and Campers is that they are a goldmine of remodeling potential. For some reason even the newer ones look like they came straight outta 1984. So throw on some new fabric and new paint, and it's like the only available option for sale that is actually decent looking. I'm excited about this!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-13013935805544642522016-11-07T22:47:00.001-07:002016-11-07T22:50:50.850-07:00Halloween 2016I promise that Halloween isn't the only thing I do all year. I need to start photographing and posting a lot more again! But let's just get that rolling with Halloween.<br />
You know I loooove making costumes. So when A said she wanted to be a snow leopard, I explained that this would probably mean just getting some snow leopard pajamas and wearing the shoes and matching hat that she already owns. She didn't like that idea (thank goodness). So after jumping around a bit, we settled on a Waffle Love Food Truck! Now, if you aren't local, let me just tell you that Waffle Love has my heart. I love good food. Really good food. It makes me happy. And they make the best waffles you've ever had. Plus, they have really great designs on their trucks! So it was a fun project. Looooong. But fun.<br />
Blah blah blah, on with the photos!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P8rYBsICxUNGvWz3gq42LaCvTNKOwr_a46UZ7CX2RKIm36TFu3SP7dqMhfUKI3Ym8KneWwurMhiGJYwRKz6Kv77Ybg_z6rLMq3FxcBqTy3dH8ECrc4ch3O1j9mCtaHbQvq7aoPBzIms/s1600/Ava+Waffle+Truck+front+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P8rYBsICxUNGvWz3gq42LaCvTNKOwr_a46UZ7CX2RKIm36TFu3SP7dqMhfUKI3Ym8KneWwurMhiGJYwRKz6Kv77Ybg_z6rLMq3FxcBqTy3dH8ECrc4ch3O1j9mCtaHbQvq7aoPBzIms/s640/Ava+Waffle+Truck+front+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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If this had been it, it would have been a super quick costume. But wait, there's more. Their trucks are hand painted by the owner. And they are a work of art. A work of art that I got to copy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMDHRQaiSxQ5EMqbIg42dbRkp8dYJbJDt0uqwZZhMEh1_HcHf-UXPd1xEQjDZjKmBQ7gCB8lZvM3MKbSReqzdeO6sTfx8wglX61BmZsQ425xJUxxPHqGUVwamEBtgAaRpT3agyQPE8lY/s1600/Ava+Waffle+Truck+back+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMDHRQaiSxQ5EMqbIg42dbRkp8dYJbJDt0uqwZZhMEh1_HcHf-UXPd1xEQjDZjKmBQ7gCB8lZvM3MKbSReqzdeO6sTfx8wglX61BmZsQ425xJUxxPHqGUVwamEBtgAaRpT3agyQPE8lY/s640/Ava+Waffle+Truck+back+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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See what I mean?<br />
And of course we had to go see the real Waffle Love truck and get some waffles. They were so sweet. They took her picture, gave her a free waffle and a shirt and hat, made her feel like a celebrity. When we left she said, "This is turning into the best day of my life!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9p0BHOpuWfiVfMGwvgtrloFOh84lzbC-zk4JpikQCeoAfCicS53rJSAv8ZytA4cBNuYMYONWZUKYepghUsq7ALWTtti0FHGdNFB6Iabej5ed7e3d774tmaVnE1ZX-Gn3mvRduMPDCieM/s1600/Big+Little+Waffle+Truck+front+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9p0BHOpuWfiVfMGwvgtrloFOh84lzbC-zk4JpikQCeoAfCicS53rJSAv8ZytA4cBNuYMYONWZUKYepghUsq7ALWTtti0FHGdNFB6Iabej5ed7e3d774tmaVnE1ZX-Gn3mvRduMPDCieM/s640/Big+Little+Waffle+Truck+front+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I even copied their menu onto her costume, colors and all.<br />
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And the other side:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRQ4s109CsXYZEdEQ22lFMe2N2HSYCmWfZHm0TfcSUKnFKsAM1SIshyNjXZlOunPgcs6xQ-KW-3jgVj0WF7fyNO6XGWncLd-HrFWPb2nCP20vG6gn-N1QvChNwpQamZnVp-aw1TkDbxA/s1600/Big+Waffle+Truck+Little+Truck+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRQ4s109CsXYZEdEQ22lFMe2N2HSYCmWfZHm0TfcSUKnFKsAM1SIshyNjXZlOunPgcs6xQ-KW-3jgVj0WF7fyNO6XGWncLd-HrFWPb2nCP20vG6gn-N1QvChNwpQamZnVp-aw1TkDbxA/s640/Big+Waffle+Truck+Little+Truck+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Now for the process:<br />
The real beauty of this costume is how little it cost (in dollars, that is. It cost a whole lot in time!) The box was a bike box (we own a bike store so that was as easy as could be). I cut out the front corner and taped the pieces back in to make the hood and windshield, nothing too complicated. I also cut the box down a bit so it would be TOO big and heavy for her. Then it was just a single coat of household primer paint and onto the sketching. (We had gone for waffles and taken our own photos, so that's what I worked off of). I did have to buy about $7 worth of paint (it's all hand painted), but the rest I already had, left over from years past, and mostly college. The wheels are cardboard as well, I just spray painted them (had that on hand already too). So if you calculate in the materials plus the free waffles and shirt and hat she got, we actually came out ahead! Ha ha!<br />
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It was a lot of work, but it was worth it to see how much she loved it, and how much it made her day! And theirs too!<br />
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Next up: Dori.<br />
R is a princess girl, through and through. But since she dresses up as a princess almost every single day, I wanted something else for her. When she saw the movie Finding Dori with her Nana, she couldn't stop talking about Dori. I can't walk through the grocery store without her asking for Dori fruit snack, and Dori noodle soup, and Dori stuffies, etc.<br />
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So I turned to my other favorite costume making material. Felt. It's not expensive, it's easy to work with, holds it's shape, no hemming edges required, and you can even glue it if you don't want to sew.<br />
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The eyeballs are fleece covered styrofoam (leftover from some picture frame packaging I had recently bought). The iris and pupil are felt, just glued on. I built a bit of internal structure framing for it using a bicycle helmet and some strips of left-over foam core I had on hand.<br />
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Oh, you're wondering how she see's? Details, details. Sometimes I almost forget to plan for those sort of things. But here it is.<br />
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Not the best picture, but you get the idea. Probably could have been better, but whatever. It worked. Sometimes you just have to say "good enough" (like when it's time to walk out the door for trick-or-treating!).<br />
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Happy Halloween once again!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-67413866227277896412016-11-07T08:35:00.002-07:002016-11-07T08:40:55.777-07:00Halloween 2015Did I just totally forget to post these? Apparently I did. Well, 2015 was a rough year. The worst. But that's not what this post is about. So let's get to Halloween costumes and get caught up. For 2015 I had my girls in matching costumes. They were seahorses, and they were actually pretty easy to make (and inexpensive).<br />
R is on the left (age 1) and was so stinkin' cute waddling around with that seahorse tail all night!<br />
A is on the right and had fun at school and trick or treating!<br />
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The structure for the heads is their bike helmets and some simple cardboard taped into a snout.<br />
Pink tights and leotards are the base.<br />
I plan to make a pattern for this one in the near future.<br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-22811348427017902082014-10-31T22:42:00.003-06:002014-10-31T22:49:36.800-06:00Halloween 2014: Four CostumesI have 3 kids but made 4 costumes this year. One was for my niece because my sister just had a baby and I wanted to help her out.<br />
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1. Cardboard Butterfly<br />
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So first is her morpho butterfly costume. This was one of the easiest costumes I've ever made, and it was completely FREE. Free cardboard box, leftover spray paint and acrylic paint, and some black marker. I made the lines on the front side lighter, and I think I prefer that, actually. Ribbon and elastic to strap it on, and voila! What I love it that it's free, light weight, and disposable. And FAST! P.S. my favorite way to cut cardboard boxes is not with a box-cutter (my blade is ALWAYS dull) but with a cheap serrated kitchen knife. It's so much easier, seriously.<br />
2. The Witch<br />
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Next was the witch. For someone who loves making costumes, this was a little boring. But she really had her heart set on being a witch, and her best friend was a witch too, and they looked very cute together. I bought the plain hat for $3, the tights for $4 the tutu was free (traded for the butterfly costume), she already had the shirt, and then rounded up a bunch of scraps of ribbon and tulle and plastic spiders and leftovers of stuff to put on the hat. And by the way, if you like tutus, this one was incredibly fluffy and huge! The pictures really don't do it justice. It's from <a href="http://www.500babies.com/" target="_blank">500 Babies</a>.</div>
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3. The Swing Set<br />
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Ezra was next. When I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween he threw out several ideas before I heard one that seemed feasible to me. A bit strange, yes, but do-able. So I ran with it. It's a swing set. Wrapping paper tubes painted silver, upcycled rope, some vinyl fabric for the seat, and the most expensive part were the grommets on the swing (I had to buy the whole kit for $10. And actually my dad bought it for me and wouldn't let me pay him back, so technically the whole cost was just a can of spray paint and $3 of vinyl). After trick-or-treating I promised him an easy-to-walk-in costume next year. It wasn't awful, it just didn't stay on very well because the hat was a little too small. (The hat was sewn to the silver frame). Had the frame been longer it might have been hard to walk up and down stairs, so this was just right.</div>
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4. Magic Rabbit in a Hat (on a table)</div>
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It's a shame the lighting was bad by the time I got her pictures, because she ended up being the star of the night. (And why is Blogger turning this picture yellow??) I got lucky with this costume too. I borrowed a red wagon, just happened to get a cardboard box the perfect size for the "table" a few weeks ago (cut a hole in the middle), and the black hat and bunny hat and bow tie were all made from leftover scraps. The only thing I bought was the red fabric for the table cloth ($3). That will probably turn into a cape or something next year. For the black hat I created a "frame" using cardboard and covered it with felt. Oh and the wand is just made from a dry cleaner hanger (you know that white tube for pants to hang on) wrapped with electrical tape. </div>
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The key to this one is that there is a Bumbo seat inside the black hat, so she was able to ride comfortably the whole evening. Perfect for an 8-month old! And the fleece hat and long sleeve onesie kept her warm. What you don't see is her white tights and socks with pink pom-poms on them. She was pretty darn cute. Not that I'm biased or anything.</div>
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Happy Halloween!</div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-61493405160291004432014-09-21T21:17:00.001-06:002014-09-21T21:17:23.506-06:00Girls DIY High-Low SkirtLast summer when I went to Europe a saw a lot of these high-low skirts around. I remember the first time (at least in my lifetime) when they were in style and I didn't like them back then. But maybe having 20 years to get used to the idea has changed my heart and I really quite like the look now.<br />
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Since my daughter is so tall and skinny, it's hard to find dresses and skirts are narrow enough and long enough. So I decided to make one for her using some leftover fabric from a shirt I had made for myself. (I may post that later. Can't decide quite how I feel about it.)<br />
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Usually when I try to photograph her, she will only be silly and crazy, but this time she turned on her modeling charm!<br />
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I did a google search for how to make a high-low skirt and got a general idea of how to cut the fabric. That was the scariest part. The rest was easy. Just a serged the top, did a basting stitch around the top to gather it, and sewed it onto an elastic waistband using a zig zag stitch. Seriously so easy.<br />
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The best part? This fabric cost me $4 on clearance, and I got a shirt and a skirt out of it!<br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-49843335131320546202014-07-13T10:56:00.002-06:002014-07-13T10:56:25.634-06:00DIY Baby Drool ScarfBaby R is now 5 months old and drooling up a storm. Her two front top teeth are just breaking through. I can't see them yet but I can sure feel them. And so can she, apparently, because she is soaking everything below the neckline in about 5 minutes.<br />
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See, by the time I snapped a shot, the scarf was half drenched in drool. So I'm going to be making a lot more of these. Here's the action shot. Nice big drool....<br />
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I have been using old shirts to make these. Great way to upcycle. They are super easy to make, great beginner project. It's just a triangle of fabric with snaps in the back. I'm already in the process of making 3 more, so I'll try to get a pattern and instructions made to share as well!<br />
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As a side note, I'm going to share some personal info for the sake of other mothers out there. You may or may not be able to see that she has a red rash on her forehead and around her eyes. That, my friends, is called neonatal lupus. It is rare, so your pediatrician or even your dermatologist may not recognize it for what it is. A pediatric dermatologist might, if they've seen it before. Two of my kids have had this. Babies will outgrow it around 6 months old, but you should have their heart and liver checked if your baby has this. Fortunately my 2 kids that have had it have been fine and just had to wait out the rash. And it doesn't seem to bother them, so that's also good news. Hopefully none of you will need this information, but since it's hard to get a good diagnosis from medical professionals, I wanted to share.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-81497970002830236272014-06-16T21:47:00.000-06:002014-06-16T21:47:10.083-06:00Ruby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Where does the time go? I can't believe this little lady is already 4 months old! I love her to pieces. Hopefully I will soon be able to start making stuff again (I have made a couple of things but haven't made the time to photograph or photo-edit them!), but for now I'm devoted to this one and my other two little ones. Three kids under the age of 5 has a way of keeping one very busy!<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-10948026417302726422014-06-10T14:23:00.001-06:002014-06-10T14:23:10.701-06:00Summer Smoothie Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So my husband is a crazy cyclist. Road biker, mountain biker, snow biker, bike shop owner. He rides crazy canyon climbs (like 4 in one day) and has done Lotoja (210 miles through mountain passes) numerous times, and is hoping to get into Leadville this year. Anyway, that's kind of a side note that leads me to my point. He gets to be part of the Blendtec cycling team and because of this and that and the other, we got a super schnazzy Blendtec blender!!! This is like the Ferrari of blenders.</div>
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Let's just say that since we got it I've been making a whole lot of smoothies. And I'm going to share with you one of my favorites. This is a peach strawberry smoothie, and the fancy blender actually has a "smoothie" button. Just push the button, it does the rest and turns itself off when it's done.<br />
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Peach Strawberry Mango Smoothie<br />
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16 oz Dole Orange Peach Mango juice (from a can, in the freezer section of your store)<br />
1 1/2 heaping cups of frozen strawberries<br />
1 1/2 heaping cups of frozen peaches<br />
1 handful of fresh spinach leaves (optional)<br />
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Dump it all in, hit the smoothie button, and you're done.<br />
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One of my favorite things about this blender is that it completely pulverizes the spinach. With my old blender, which was a good one, it left the spinach just big enough that my daughter could see something green in there and wouldn't drink it (despite being a pretty good vegetable eater otherwise). This Blendtec gets everything so finely blended that you can't tell there's any greens, so it's a great way to sneak in some extra veggies.<br />
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One of the other things I love is that I can use this to grind fresh wheat flour (freshly ground = more nutrients) and flax seeds (which I previously never used because I didn't have a grinder). You could also throw a spoonful of that in any of your smoothies!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-79872793483408772712013-12-06T19:19:00.001-07:002013-12-06T19:19:57.851-07:00DIY Pine Cone Door DecorThis is a little overdue, but I blame JoAnns for running out of ribbon. I had to wait until they got more of this wired dusty teal burlap/linen ribbon back in stock to finish the project. It was <i>mostly</i> done before Thanksgiving anyway....<br />
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This is a simple Thanksgiving or Christmas DIY door decoration. It cost me about $5. The ribbon I got at JoAnns with coupons, and I bought some circle screw-in hooks, that's it. The fabulous giant pine cones came from Ryan's grandparent's yard. They have a sugar pine tree (or two) that drop these giant pine cones and they are kind enough to share.<br />
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I considered dipping the pine cones in white paint for a more modern look, but they are pretty sappy and earthy, and for this I think I prefer them au natural.<br />
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If you want to try this yourself, its super easy.<br />
1. Just use a small drill bit to drill a hole in the top of your pine cones.<br />
2. Screw in your little circle hooks.<br />
3. Tie on the ribbon.<br />
4. Make some bows and glue them on with a hot glue gun, and away you go.<br />
<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-24413528383411789232013-11-05T21:49:00.001-07:002013-11-05T21:49:38.228-07:00Halloween Costumes 2013 (part 2)Now for Ezra's costume. I love me a good paper maché costume. It's cheap, it's easy, but it certainly does not store well. This, in fact, did not really survive the night. A 2-yr old and paper maché aren't exactly a great match. But I do have suggestions for making it work, below. Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc.<br />
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I did add the little horns after this photo shoot, because I realized I forgot them, but the new photos didn't turn out great. Ez liked to hold onto them as handles. The arms and legs are just footless tights from WeLoveColors.com, my go-to source for tights in any color. And I paper-machéd a 36" balloon (Amazon.com or local party supply stores), doing 3 or 4 or 5 layers, so it would be strong enough. Plus some green spray paint. What I should have done though is layered the inside with duct tape to toddler-proof it. I did that around the neck as we were heading out the door to trick-or-treat, but it could have used a little more, especially since he fell once. I also had bought a blue baseball cap and had good intentions of putting an MU logo on it, but got busy and lazy and wasn't sure he'd wear it anyway, so I skipped that. The eye and mouth I painted on with acrylic paint, and that's what really saved it.<br />
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My kids both loved the costume, and Ezra loved wearing it, despite his lack of maneuverability. And that' all that really matters, isn't it?Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-52700839698292883982013-11-01T23:02:00.002-06:002013-11-01T23:02:49.944-06:00Halloween Costumes 2013For some reason I always come up with these costumes that are difficult to live in. Like barely fitting though door-ways and no room to store them kind of costumes. I'm going to try to do better in that aspect in the future!<br />
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Back in July, when I started brainstorming for Halloween, I asked Ava for suggestions, and she said she wanted to be a cake. I was totally on board. So a little cardboard, poster board, duct tape, and felt, and voilá! Here's the finished product!</div>
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I wanted it to be kind of girly, not like a wedding cake. But fun, not like a 9x13 pan cake or something, and recognizable. I almost put candles on every layer, but decided that would be too much. What do you think? Should I have? The candles are just paper straws with some felt flames glued in.<br />
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The nice thing is that I only had to buy the pink felt and white fleece. The sprinkle colors of felt I already had in my stash (it's just the 45 cent sheets of felt).<br />
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And this is the support structure. Real fancy, eh? cardboard boxes, posterboard, and duct tape. With a slit in the back to help get it on her. Really though, the back could have been all closed up except for the top circle which needed to bend open to allow her head through. I did put buttons on the back of the fabric so it wasn't gaping open or anything.<br />
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That cardboard part will be tossed now so I can easily store the fabric part. When I want to use it again, it will only cost me about $2 to remake the cardboard support structure.</div>
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The best part though, is how happy she was when she put it on. She absolutely love it! That is the best reward of all!</div>
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I'll post Ezra's costume next.</div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-39247518849569710902013-10-22T16:20:00.001-06:002013-10-22T16:20:11.705-06:00Making Costumes!I have 4 days until our first Halloween party, and the last 2 of those days are scheduled for other things, meaning I have 2 days to turn this into something Trick-or-Treat worthy! Let the race begin!<br />
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Anyone want to guess <i>what</i> these 2 costumes will be in 2 days? (Anyone who doesn't know already, that is).Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-72445879160094577482013-10-18T23:12:00.000-06:002013-10-18T23:12:49.444-06:00DIY Reclaimed Wood HeadboardIt only took me about a year to get this project done. I acquired some reclaimed wood from my kind brother when he tore down the 30-something year old shed in his backyard. It sat in my backyard for a while, then my husband moved it into the garage and gave me a time limit to finish it. I guess that's what I needed, and I was glad for it.<br />
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But I finally tackled it. I loved reclaimed wood for it's color and texture variations, and this wood is good and worn, let me tell you. Some of it was a little warped too. I read up on doing this and brushed it to death, sanded lightly, started to spray it with a clear coat (but didn't like the result so I quit), and so on. I finally decided, this wood is so old and worn, I can't imagine there are any chemicals left in it at all. And the spraying didn't seem to reduce the likelihood of splinters at all, but it's not too bad that way. It's full of old nail holes and cracks and character and I just love it.<br />
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I couldn't find quite the right screws I wanted, so I bought black ones and lightly coated them with some bronze/gold spray paint and they turned out the perfect color. On the lighter wood they show a little more, on the darker wood they almost disappear. It's nice. And look at those old rusty nail holes.<br />
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Below you can see some of the weathered variations. As for the ends, I haven't treated them yet, but let me tell you what worked fabulously on my mirror frame. I read all about soaking steel wool in vinegar, etc. but that didn't give me as much as I wanted. So I grabbed a gold Sharpie marker that was on my desk and threw that into the mix. It was perfect! a little of the vinegar solution, a little marker, a little more vinegar, and the result matched perfectly the ends that were naturally weathered. So that's what I will do here as well.<br />
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Now to get some nightstands...<br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-46528511884677247042013-09-06T13:45:00.001-06:002013-09-06T13:45:53.209-06:00DIY Reclaimed Wood Framed Mirror<br />
Years and years ago, probably when I was in college, I bought a $10 standing mirror at Target. Tacky cheap frame and all. A few years ago, that tacky cheap frame broke off and got tossed. And the mirror never got replaced! It just sat there, naked and bare, against my bedroom wall. Talk about tacky.<br />
But it is tacky no more!<br />
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Thanks to my brother and his torn down shed, I obtained a good pile of old, weathered, reclaimed wood. I brought it home for another project (sneak peak at the end of this post), and used some of the extra scraps to make a frame for this sad and lonely mirror.<br />
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The pieces weren't quite long enough for me to do angled corner cuts, but I think the straight cuts work due to the rustic-ness of the wood.</div>
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I did have to deal with a little bit of warping, but it wasn't too bad. I love the cracks and knots and holes and coloring in the wood.<br />
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Now I have no training in this type of construction, but I did a little research, a little brainstorming, and just kind of figured it out. It's not rocket science. So if you're interested, here's how I did it.<br />
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1. I first glued all the pieces together with liquid nails (carefully measuring the inside space to make sure it was all squared, given the warping). No wait. I first measured and cut, and scrubbed with a brush to remove loose particles. A very light sanding too, but you can't do much or it takes that weathered finish right off.<br />
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2. I then screwed in the corner braces you see below. Most of them are crooked because of trying to avoid cracks, or reinforce cracks in the wood. It doesn't need to be pretty on the back (though I would prefer it).<br />
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3. In the above picture you can see I filled in a crack or two with liquid nails. Unnecessary, but I figured why not. A little reinforcement can't hurt. And see that duct-taped corner below? I know, I know, why am I still holding on to this old mirror? Because I can't stand to just toss it when it will work fine. I chipped that mirror corner in the process, but just a little, so I taped it for safety and it's hidden anyway.<br />
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4. After the frame was secured together, I used a little liquid nails (ignorance on my part--shoulda' used Mirror Mastic--if I had known what it was) to glue the mirror to the frame.<br />
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5. Then I added mirror clips (more visible in the above photo) to really hold the mirror on there. And that's it! I started to spray it with a sealant but had a hard time getting an even coat, plus I figured it's been so weathered that any old chemicals that were on there are pretty much washed and worn away by the years of weather.<br />
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And here's a little peak at a few other things. Me at 16 weeks (I'm pregnant!) And also these are some old work pants I cut off and turned into Bermuda shorts. They were a bit flared at the bottom so I hadn't worn them in years, but they fit nicely in the waist and behind so I hated to toss them. Perfect solution and super easy to do, a great way to upcycle your clothes. Of course with my growing belly, this will probably be the last time I wear them for a while.</div>
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And one last thing. The purpose of my collecting the reclaimed wood in the first place was to make a headboard for my bed. I'll show you the whole thing once I get a duvet cover and some night stands (can you tell my bedroom is in sorry shape?). But this will have to do for now:<br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-12573484318896971142013-08-26T22:08:00.002-06:002013-08-26T22:08:33.715-06:00Ava's Pirate Princess PartyMy daughter, Ava, has been lately loving the Disney show, <i>Jake and the Neverland Pirates</i>. And she loves princesses (much to my surprise... I grew up in a family of 5 girls and one boy, and none of us were princess girls). There is an episode of <i>Jake</i> that is about a Pirate Princess, so I thought that would be the perfect theme for her birthday party.<br />
I started with the idea of some mini treasure chest cakes (I thought this was going to be so brilliant). I used mini bread loaf pans to make the basic shape. Only I over-filled the first batch so they looked like they had tumors. That was the beginning of a downhill slide. For possibly the first time ever, I bought a tub of frosting instead of making my own (figuring 4 yr olds wouldn't care). That was mistake #2. I bought chunky gold sugar and rainbow confetti sprinkles to fill the "treasure chest" cakes, which was one thing done right. I liked that part. I had planned to also put a ring pop inside each one but I neglected to buy enough, so I opted for plastic rings of which I had plenty.<br />
Mistake #3 was trusting in my cake making skills. Apparently frosting (at least with store-bought stuff) is <i>not </i>my forté! I'd call these a big <span style="color: red;">CRAFT FAIL</span>. But the 4yr olds didn't seem to notice. They're nice like that.<br />
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Almost everyone dressed up (mostly as princesses). Including me. (I didn't include pics of the other kids because I don't have their permission.) Ezra is giving his best Aaaarrr. This was a last minute throw-together costume. Can you tell?<br />
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Ava is showing off her tattoo. Sorry for the overexposure.<br />
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I traced a picture of the pirate princess for the kids to color. And they each got a little necklace pouch with pixie sticks (their pixie dust, like the girl in the show has).<br />
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Then they decorated home made felt pirate hats with sticky-backed gems (I bought a big pack on Amazon for cheap). They had a lot of fun with that.<br />
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To take home they got a pink treasure chest with a ring pop (every kid's favorite, I swear). A plastic necklace and another ring, a pirate tattoo, some chocolate gold coins, and Rolos. If I was a bigger fan of sugar I would have given them candy necklaces instead of plastic dress up ones.<br />
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Not the most put-together party I've ever done, but it was fun for the kids and that's what really matters.<br />
<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-44132526159425400522013-07-18T21:28:00.000-06:002013-07-18T21:28:19.923-06:00Sleepy Eye MaskIt's been a while since I've made one of these, and it was time for a new one.<br />
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This time instead of batting I just used some leftover thick gray fleece on the inside, so it provides more light blockage and is just as soft and cushy. The back side is a dark gray silky satin. Now I can sleep in until 7:00 if my kids don't wake me up first.<br />
Oh, and Ava just went to a pajama party birthday and they decorated their own little eye masks with glitter and pom poms, and now she loves to put hers on at night, even if it's already dark. Cute.<br />
<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-16763264169586164822013-07-12T16:11:00.001-06:002013-07-12T16:13:14.881-06:00A Little BirthdayMy son just turned 2, and although he isn't of age yet to have any birthday expectations, I wanted to at least have a little family party for him. I went with a summer theme but I hardly have any photos, like hardly any at all. And my daughter deleted the photos of my handmade piñata, so I don't even have that to share! But all of these ideas were taken from other people, none of them are mine, so I'm okay with that. I just didn't feel like I had enough time to be uniquely creative.<br />
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What I do have is watermelon on a stick, which I must say I loved. Made it easier for the kids to eat it too. (These are easy, just make a little slit with a knife in the rind and shove a stick up in it).<br />
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And caterpillar grapes, which I snapped a quick photo of before they disappeared (they are already half gone).<br />
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And to go along with the popsicle piñata we had popsicle cupcakes with orange dreamsicle frosting, yum!<br />
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We also had kebabs for dinner, and of course corn on the cob. The weather was lovely in our shady back yard. It was a fun little family party and now I think he knows what "birthday" means in the celebratory sense of the word, anyway.<br />
<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-30626287181148422472013-06-25T21:09:00.000-06:002013-06-25T21:09:26.470-06:00DIY Chalkboard DecorYou would think that being a designer and creative Do-It-Yourselfer, I would have a nicely decorated house. You would think. But you see, I'm an overly practical person. I can't bring myself to buy or make any decor that doesn't also serve a useful purpose. Lame, I know. I'm working on it. Doesn't help that I'm "frugal" either, and have commitment issues with furnishings.<br />
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Enter the kitchen framed chalkboard. Attractive but useful. I can use it to write notes, messages, recipes, grocery lists, reminders, or just leave it as decoration. I had this frame from a previous project and was needing to do an experiment with making your own chalkboard paint anyway, so it was a perfect opportunity.<br />
Here's how to do your own.<br />
1. Spray paint a frame.<br />
2. Take a piece of foam core or other stiff smooth surface and cut it to size.<br />
3. Roll it with either chalkboard paint or a homemade version (mix 1/2 c latex paint and 1 Tablespoon non-sanded grout).*<br />
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*My experience with the homemade stuff: Its pretty good actually. You should probably sift your grout with a flour sifter or something, because the only issue I had was a few small clumps that had to be smoothed out and covered again.<br />
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I got the paint for free and the grout for free and the frame was like $3, so not a bad deal overall! (see, I told you I'm frugal)Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-54579821961321561322013-06-13T22:21:00.003-06:002013-06-14T08:16:39.246-06:00Father's Day Free Printable<br />
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Here's a little banner I thought I'd share, to add a little pizazz to your Father's Day treats. You can download it and print it onto colored cardstock, or have your kids color it with pencils or markers or whatever. Glue some toothpicks on the back and then add it to his pancakes, french toast, ice cream cake, brownies, pizza, or whatever to make it extra special!<br />
Like so.<br />
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Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there who probably do more for their kids than they realize.<br />
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Oh yeah, and here's how I made this ice cream cake, in case you are interested:<br />
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5 ice cream sandwiches<br />
1/4 gallon oreo ice cream, softened<br />
1/2 recipe of chocolate mousse from <a href="http://creativelychristy.blogspot.com/2012/04/pf-changs-style-chocolate-mousse.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks<br />
5 crushed oreos<br />
caramel sauce<br />
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Line a bread pan with wax paper. Line bottom of pan with ice cream sandwiches (trim if necessary). Spread ice cream over sandwiches. Freeze while you prepare the mousse, as directed in the link post. Spread mousse over ice cream. Spread whipped cream over mousse and top with crushed oreos. Freeze. Before serving, thaw for a few minutes and drizzle with caramel sauce.<br />
<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-69721080407497401252013-06-04T06:00:00.000-06:002013-06-24T12:03:56.236-06:00Shabby Apple Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Giveaway Closed</span></div>
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Since the first winner was unreachable and never contacted me.<br />
using Random.org the new winner that was selected is</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Linnea</span></div>
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who said: <span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">There are so many dresses and skirts I have my eye on, but I think I'd have to go with the Conductor Dress - I just got a new job and it would be such a great office staple piece!</span></div>
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Congratulations Linnea! I will contact you to get the appropriate information.</div>
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And thanks to everyone who entered, I hope you win next time!</div>
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I'm excited to share with you another fabulous giveaway! This one is for a $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple! They have a great selection of <a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/c-458-vintage-style.aspx" target="_blank">vintage clothing</a>, dresses, skirts, tops, swimwear and more. I've had my eye on the <a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-955-gondola.aspx" target="_blank">Gondola dress</a> for a while now. I love simple graphic looks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAa5JFPwk4MFub7hDlx_KpjsXaKg1Zu86EozAJNassLyz64e5ZZfBKnZf8FFVMeygWCRe7RuKqvwHq-tJFqXtUYytENTWy_d6-hcl-cSwNfFoBpBEJBbUh-YBsHO0a5Gg1CU4wskP0UM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-02+at+7.20.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAa5JFPwk4MFub7hDlx_KpjsXaKg1Zu86EozAJNassLyz64e5ZZfBKnZf8FFVMeygWCRe7RuKqvwHq-tJFqXtUYytENTWy_d6-hcl-cSwNfFoBpBEJBbUh-YBsHO0a5Gg1CU4wskP0UM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-02+at+7.20.01+PM.png" /></a></div>
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I'm also loving their selection of tulle skirts. They look so fun to wear!</div>
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This top would be so great for summer (and I love her hair!)</div>
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So go check out <a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/" target="_blank">Shabby Apple</a> and leave a comment telling me what you'd love to buy with your $50 gift certificate, and you'll be entered in the drawing! The giveaway ends Friday June 14th, so hurry!</div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-12569253512652555622013-05-30T11:07:00.001-06:002013-05-30T11:07:41.804-06:00DIY Anthropologie Cardigan (& Tutorial!)A month or two ago I saw this darling <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-cardigans/27295781.jsp" target="_blank">Clipped Etymology Cardigan</a> at Anthropologie. I wanted it. And I happen to be in need of a new black cardigan. So I had to make it happen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyx-PkDrxqAFwS7E9M7sdKGvfgUbuBuHumOgiqigCk_qJ3EsHUIK30dYeuzwmcVS80fETrNDfd64ka3c37vHxhadgShbL2LMZSbpJnmPVjJzGKw5hGkI7uqaZkwjpY9teyLCfxRHXIw8/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-29+at+2.14.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyx-PkDrxqAFwS7E9M7sdKGvfgUbuBuHumOgiqigCk_qJ3EsHUIK30dYeuzwmcVS80fETrNDfd64ka3c37vHxhadgShbL2LMZSbpJnmPVjJzGKw5hGkI7uqaZkwjpY9teyLCfxRHXIw8/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-29+at+2.14.45+PM.png" /></a></div>
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See the lovely rose buttons? And the meticulously yet imperfectly hand-tied french knots?</div>
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I wanted the blouse they paired it with in the store too. But I don't have a bottomless budget, so it was time to get crafty. I found a simple (and surprisingly good quality) black cardigan at Old Navy for $20. And I already had some embroidery floss at home, and some buttons I could cover, and some fabric with small vintage-style roses! I was set! Or so I thought.<br />
I watched a few tutorials on how to tie french knots, to refresh my memory. My first 5 attempts failed for some reason, but then I got it and never had trouble again.<br />
Half way through my french knot scallops I ran out of floss. I thought I had gotten it a year ago at Jo-Anns so it should be no problem to get more. Wrong. I eventually remembered I had bought it 5 years ago for a project and they no longer carry that color. So with much disappointment, and drooping shoulders, I carefully snipped out 150 french knots and started over. I must be crazy.<br />
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But here is my (finally) finished sweater:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPXOweY2bqgpeqFAllzGj5qZ1_UAqwiUy3n3rruRCgBcAU06qsEoz1189cjn19u4wehGxPvqEMxnfwdIHpsBEA-r3zCKJw5eAbGIcWdGKu3ftALGjmEaQwwEnji6PdJsgtelMAGEgWIs/s1600/anthro+cardi+w+shirt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPXOweY2bqgpeqFAllzGj5qZ1_UAqwiUy3n3rruRCgBcAU06qsEoz1189cjn19u4wehGxPvqEMxnfwdIHpsBEA-r3zCKJw5eAbGIcWdGKu3ftALGjmEaQwwEnji6PdJsgtelMAGEgWIs/s640/anthro+cardi+w+shirt+1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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I tested my fabric covered buttons before they were covered, and they fit through the button holes. Once covered, however, they no longer fit! So that is the one flaw. I can't button it. I think if I greased them up a bit they might squeeze through, but obviously that is out of the question.<br />
Does anyone know if you can expand button holes somehow? I'd love to know some trick.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDknf3zlACDQnt8RnBbOgqeYkQsTn924lEMz70fga0RYPLpKB6MFj4mmhDKgh7oqQgico6Q8BBUoh_3ccwkU7Q6PbG3riki74IWuDxWMPoSMaXCoLqBQg1e016zbgwq2pjlkKapdCjTgs/s1600/anthro+cardi+w+shirt+crop+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDknf3zlACDQnt8RnBbOgqeYkQsTn924lEMz70fga0RYPLpKB6MFj4mmhDKgh7oqQgico6Q8BBUoh_3ccwkU7Q6PbG3riki74IWuDxWMPoSMaXCoLqBQg1e016zbgwq2pjlkKapdCjTgs/s640/anthro+cardi+w+shirt+crop+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnZHXVqqA7gIOzswLXZiRnJcbL0tycKutDS1L3EDdIyzWhLsstc3pn5p0itbZ_M9ZK2bP__18jhZF0fLTjzEHCyjezDtrW0aIycgvYP370tB74oLZjQBdE0kOBsR8aDB62ao3iVRk8V8/s1600/anthro+cardi+w+shirt+crop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnZHXVqqA7gIOzswLXZiRnJcbL0tycKutDS1L3EDdIyzWhLsstc3pn5p0itbZ_M9ZK2bP__18jhZF0fLTjzEHCyjezDtrW0aIycgvYP370tB74oLZjQBdE0kOBsR8aDB62ao3iVRk8V8/s640/anthro+cardi+w+shirt+crop+2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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And the final comparison:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fwi3-JlvWhqvd4t7s_MsTH5gFXtagZWROM19DA8qysv9WRsV8spz74jsfLaGlKUi9Z6jWTYRAJ_vpi6upkSh9aN12tV0kK6bdsGc0wx9Ab9N7JD41urbDHnQ3OkkU-G-a6Bh3ltjid8/s1600/anthro+cardi+DIY+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fwi3-JlvWhqvd4t7s_MsTH5gFXtagZWROM19DA8qysv9WRsV8spz74jsfLaGlKUi9Z6jWTYRAJ_vpi6upkSh9aN12tV0kK6bdsGc0wx9Ab9N7JD41urbDHnQ3OkkU-G-a6Bh3ltjid8/s640/anthro+cardi+DIY+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Cost: $20 Cardigan, $3 ivory floss/string, $4 for a second packet of buttons<br />
I must say, I am extremely pleased with this project. I'll probably wear it this week even though it's 80 degrees out.<br />
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If you want to try it, here's what you'll need:<br />
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1 cardigan (you could do any color)<br />
fabric covered button kit (make sure they fit the button holes!) -how many you need will depend on your cardigan<br />
fabric with small floral/rose print (1/4 yd should be plenty, or a fat quarter)<br />
embroidery floss or something similar<br />
a milliner needle (I used a regular needle and it was a real pain)<br />
a piece of cardboard or cardstock<br />
a white pencil<br />
a good long movie or audiobook<br />
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1. Measure the length of your cardigan from top to bottom where you want the scallops to go. Divide by 5.5 (or however many scallops you want). Use that number to determine how wide your scallops should be, and create a template as follows.<br />
2. Find a bowl, roll of masking tape, large cup, whatever and trace around it on the cardstock/cardboard to create your scallop template. You want it to be a little less than a half circle, and make the widest points the size of measurement from step 1.<br />
3. Using your white pencil, trace over your template onto the cardigan repeatedly until you have evenly spaced scallops. (The sleeves will require a smaller template, but same idea).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUMoLzjgZqWsDv3zOHlUXyJOTYAxRDAM1Wh8b0ch0vu7RMGy2WR8my8HFY1CeFdCGnGKcylXqgW3Z6SSAciMcmFzvfRT3VHg7_WSq8KJ5mQUs_v0-y51pPL10myFNAPGGg3ImBfYRILA/s1600/DIY+Anthro+Cardigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUMoLzjgZqWsDv3zOHlUXyJOTYAxRDAM1Wh8b0ch0vu7RMGy2WR8my8HFY1CeFdCGnGKcylXqgW3Z6SSAciMcmFzvfRT3VHg7_WSq8KJ5mQUs_v0-y51pPL10myFNAPGGg3ImBfYRILA/s320/DIY+Anthro+Cardigan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. Turn on your movie and begin the french knotting! (Watch a tutorial on YouTube if you need to.) I spaced mine about a millimeter or two apart. As your floss runs short you will need to tie on a new piece (on the inside of the cardigan) to continue.<br />
5. Follow the instructions on the package to cover your buttons. I recommend using the template they give you rather than free-handing it, because they turn out nicer if you do.<br />
6. Carefully remove the buttons that cam with the cardigan and sew your new ones on in the same place. And you are done!<br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-9304773017388566932013-05-19T22:43:00.000-06:002013-05-19T22:43:08.905-06:005K Foam Fest<br />
This post is a departure from my normal craftiness, but it's too good not to share (plus I'm giving you a discount code). First, check out this video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/A7Ryh8CmcTw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The 5K Foam Fest is a 5K fun run with obstacles and bubbles and mud and the world's largest inflatable slide. This slide is called the Death Drop, 40 ft high, and I'm dying to do it! (Do you see the ant-sized people around it?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRBAYnpHHg4mnev38yGA9qSZmZAkIgrDZcA2JqfcFjBZ-lD6G9s_JuWXz5QHWda2_dz0R65jRrWHAzUwMpLS_sBzcL5ZYmO60-52a0a9zJZallvFxZc_I9QfYxkfcgPXSPVidussSbIs/s1600/DeathDrop-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRBAYnpHHg4mnev38yGA9qSZmZAkIgrDZcA2JqfcFjBZ-lD6G9s_JuWXz5QHWda2_dz0R65jRrWHAzUwMpLS_sBzcL5ZYmO60-52a0a9zJZallvFxZc_I9QfYxkfcgPXSPVidussSbIs/s640/DeathDrop-logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The great thing about this kind of a run is that it is for everyone! Even if you aren't a runner, you can do this because you can take it at your own pace. Doesn't it look like a blast?! These events are held all over the country (USA).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldE8eMcVnYzZRb5dRbQIoFjBADE9-mDTin_nb_kA0chTtZ2uy8sr4I3MoYSAgqCbYhbWpGeNKXGVj88-D1tzLDBpoVWG0YH9eIGzwK-J69NrjrssEIY0gogedp-GQxRFiikBzbmtm300/s1600/2012+5K+Flyer+Photo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldE8eMcVnYzZRb5dRbQIoFjBADE9-mDTin_nb_kA0chTtZ2uy8sr4I3MoYSAgqCbYhbWpGeNKXGVj88-D1tzLDBpoVWG0YH9eIGzwK-J69NrjrssEIY0gogedp-GQxRFiikBzbmtm300/s640/2012+5K+Flyer+Photo6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And for my Utah readers I have a special discount for you! So get all your friends together and sign up at <a href="http://5kfoamfest.com/">5KFoamFest.com</a>. Use the discount code<br />
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RHRFRIEND </div>
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and combined with early bird pricing that will only cost you $40 instead of $75 (day of the race registration). Children must be at least 10 yrs old to participate, but they do have bouncy houses and some fun stuff for younger kids to be entertained as well. I can hardly wait!<br />
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572232336285758770.post-65375038535132559692013-05-14T14:55:00.001-06:002013-05-14T14:55:48.227-06:00The Truth About DIY Gold Sharpie Mugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm7XsCL8W-p7XA9_pAyQYfW7-WilBe_wbrz17PHxMmCURFU-b0aVxmhCn7RRDEpIhjtjPVbo_YlVCnNYmwcEJ2g5fsaiD636h4bN2oXR2NKP_4R5nPCywq7noYFUi8holSzF4l66howU/s1600/gold+mug+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm7XsCL8W-p7XA9_pAyQYfW7-WilBe_wbrz17PHxMmCURFU-b0aVxmhCn7RRDEpIhjtjPVbo_YlVCnNYmwcEJ2g5fsaiD636h4bN2oXR2NKP_4R5nPCywq7noYFUi8holSzF4l66howU/s640/gold+mug+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You may have seen the gold Sharpie mug tutorials floating around the webosphere. Seems like such a fun idea, right? Easy way to cuten up some plain mugs. Since I have some plain white mugs I thought I'd give it a try. Let me just state that I get discouraged by DIY tutorials that don't yield professional looking results. Sure, anyone can fake a photo or make something look good on screen, but I want things that are actually going to look good and be worth my time and money.<br />
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So I followed the instructions carefully. I colored my mugs (round one showed streaky marker lines so I had to bake and then do a second layer). And baking them took away the shiny gold sheen and left them a dull brassy gold. But I could live with that.<br />
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As the mugs sat on my counter top for a while awaiting their photography session, one got a smudge of butter on it. And whadya know! The gold wiped clean off! (So why did I bother baking it? I assumed that would create some sort of permanence). But on the up side, you could do these for a party and then just wipe them clean when you are done, using a little grease or butter! But I'm not sure it's worth baking them. And it's definitely not permanent.<br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647555903709842666noreply@blogger.com6