tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71508007281189242332024-03-06T19:34:56.636-08:00Pattern ShmatternJulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-10399177356037084402017-04-07T07:03:00.001-07:002017-04-07T07:10:59.693-07:00Make your own VIPKID Teacher Shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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If you're a VIPKID teacher like me, you might have been coveting the logo shirts you see on incentive winners and in VIPKID promo videos. Well covet no more. Here's an easy way to make your own! (Please don't make and sell these. I don't own the trademark logo and you don't either.)</div>
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<u>Materials: </u></div>
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Freezer paper</div>
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Orange shirt (or any solid color shirt if you're new and prefer not to wear orange)</div>
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scissors</div>
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X-Acto knife (it needs to be sharp)</div>
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white fabric paint</div>
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iron</div>
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cardboard</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wZyKyRXY3l58Jh_u9sZmkCf97izpto_71H7EVJWpqssmiNsj1VshTJWacL1QsupCba6Y3Mx7kN5bHmPBBI27LP15Wdqt75XIiMl6ki5rRakG-GgX2hacxBOTN1PoJtbqVfqdOw-wu4My/s1600/step+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wZyKyRXY3l58Jh_u9sZmkCf97izpto_71H7EVJWpqssmiNsj1VshTJWacL1QsupCba6Y3Mx7kN5bHmPBBI27LP15Wdqt75XIiMl6ki5rRakG-GgX2hacxBOTN1PoJtbqVfqdOw-wu4My/s320/step+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I find it easiest to just cut a piece of the freezer paper to the size of a regular 8 1/2" x 11" paper and print directly on it, but you could just print on regular paper and then trace onto the freezer paper. It's up to you. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexkJir1XPK-5GTS_Kkfw1foPrG7Jt0-FAUbDct1d1J7uMvTphxfC_xp99rLnnA1C2505PqMDTUiAfdxmdxT4BaWYVmZMaIdgn7Y8GINLfjfz1RB_-grbWT9Uk3PsBfBYneFsI9_G0_2Fb/s1600/step+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexkJir1XPK-5GTS_Kkfw1foPrG7Jt0-FAUbDct1d1J7uMvTphxfC_xp99rLnnA1C2505PqMDTUiAfdxmdxT4BaWYVmZMaIdgn7Y8GINLfjfz1RB_-grbWT9Uk3PsBfBYneFsI9_G0_2Fb/s320/step+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Find an image of the logo (google image search) that you like. Set it to the size you want on your shirt and print it right onto the freezer paper on the non-shiny side. You do not need to reverse the image. Just print it how you want it to look on your shirt right on the dull side of the freezer paper. If you can't, then print it out on regular paper and trace it onto the dull side of your freezer paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3fFZTjuqntIVaZr1vBi88VwDbyMzzlEeJRQRhTFGS2ETVeuuHCHJ9GsX5dvwcMvnhtC_8ifNYJwO4IxoPMeJLusZ7lfWaLKnxH2Oov-cqDPMTyCqiEO0w9iIR6hTl9FZoVEiHF3XvRYZ/s1600/step+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3fFZTjuqntIVaZr1vBi88VwDbyMzzlEeJRQRhTFGS2ETVeuuHCHJ9GsX5dvwcMvnhtC_8ifNYJwO4IxoPMeJLusZ7lfWaLKnxH2Oov-cqDPMTyCqiEO0w9iIR6hTl9FZoVEiHF3XvRYZ/s320/step+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then carefully cut out the parts you want to be white and discard them. EVERYTHING that you want to be orange, you need to keep, so don't throw out those tiny VIP letters and keep the center of the D and the A and the R! *** Just a note here, DO NOT cut this right on your grandma's antique table. Use a cutting mat or an old phone book or something that's ok to cut under your paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWucPYkhFPK5_e1TjilXGS4hUtRBi7uWPRl8JAEWjUx6rgOK5HLCqVlA9gy2oUYIDuRvXUdHk-mlvPNBDLm_wrGOYFPUS-XPxhNvOXo-FRpjIn8CXgXF5-XyZLmbgGXDvY9PpBDnPVkTc6/s1600/step+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWucPYkhFPK5_e1TjilXGS4hUtRBi7uWPRl8JAEWjUx6rgOK5HLCqVlA9gy2oUYIDuRvXUdHk-mlvPNBDLm_wrGOYFPUS-XPxhNvOXo-FRpjIn8CXgXF5-XyZLmbgGXDvY9PpBDnPVkTc6/s320/step+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Set your iron to med heat (wool setting on mine). Place it onto your shirt where you like, and iron it for just a few seconds. You'll see the freezer paper stick immediately right onto the fabric. If you misplace it, you can carefully pull it up and do it again. Make sure all of the tiny letter pieces are in place. Check that all edges are sealed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k5N6f-xnRkkrgGqiUJXoLNGm0kwG0kGVYdDoDf0ad6YK5aOl86_7JFosgp6wc0uwv7TlUDqvZomsgOxGrRwM0vZgMs940YCZI4x6PSuF3xcGY9yTNMpUKmcGAMq9SknQxiXjHa8FCJg5/s1600/step+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k5N6f-xnRkkrgGqiUJXoLNGm0kwG0kGVYdDoDf0ad6YK5aOl86_7JFosgp6wc0uwv7TlUDqvZomsgOxGrRwM0vZgMs940YCZI4x6PSuF3xcGY9yTNMpUKmcGAMq9SknQxiXjHa8FCJg5/s320/step+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Place a sheet of cardboard or cut up cereal box inside the shirt, under the letters. Then apply your white paint according to the bottle directions for application and drying time. I needed 4 coats to cover the orange.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhighlyPJWtuy1Y444onBErHYBZBBdRLYoE2_tcRAnnUH9_lFyqPr6Tf10fGR52vYoJPge7rzMFwPBDguSJlmQEAyrICY4XHuZCeXu6xLZEI_W9CSUW6cXq_MH3-jox76mt0BVF98PT8XJQ/s1600/step+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhighlyPJWtuy1Y444onBErHYBZBBdRLYoE2_tcRAnnUH9_lFyqPr6Tf10fGR52vYoJPge7rzMFwPBDguSJlmQEAyrICY4XHuZCeXu6xLZEI_W9CSUW6cXq_MH3-jox76mt0BVF98PT8XJQ/s320/step+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After your last coat has slightly dried (about half an hour on this paint), gently peel off your freezer paper. Grab some tweezers to get off all the small bits that may stick. <br />
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And the most exciting part... wait for it....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipunK4t1x9JawJf97Eaa1Y4FtTRHNwmhdG81PJuNR2sxptEX0hQA7UAsHAoZA3qT0K4AAn_apgPoH1D-ddwPuN8UAWT4CDJLsgJqiEdXkTN45WJKbdslIYehpvZw9QfNwkmTiCgujqdDEO/s1600/step+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipunK4t1x9JawJf97Eaa1Y4FtTRHNwmhdG81PJuNR2sxptEX0hQA7UAsHAoZA3qT0K4AAn_apgPoH1D-ddwPuN8UAWT4CDJLsgJqiEdXkTN45WJKbdslIYehpvZw9QfNwkmTiCgujqdDEO/s320/step+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
wait for it....<br />
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TA DA! Your very own VIPKID TEACHER shirt!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuLdcvR9gTqf4EnSkm7l2EwTLhG84JprReiCYjlR8BxEFH4KykbVhCIhGITdvXSecgTzzp1WI1HWPDuJUyHCzGglwgXeuKs-OlPlboWsxov-P2BejgrO-8W1A67WJd5s_xG3021X0Ydmr/s1600/step+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuLdcvR9gTqf4EnSkm7l2EwTLhG84JprReiCYjlR8BxEFH4KykbVhCIhGITdvXSecgTzzp1WI1HWPDuJUyHCzGglwgXeuKs-OlPlboWsxov-P2BejgrO-8W1A67WJd5s_xG3021X0Ydmr/s320/step+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wear it proudly in your classes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqzbhWWSL7IGMoNbfsIFt9gyu4U6C-Ni0WouEelIy-zG2AaH2UrXoh02cxAGLTApwpeA1jb4BBxRReohi1y2kwJ1hqnE9WcZOB20_K3a-JrXrxqRxTbYPDfRnAZOW3TzGBkRO3TBRSt2B/s1600/step+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqzbhWWSL7IGMoNbfsIFt9gyu4U6C-Ni0WouEelIy-zG2AaH2UrXoh02cxAGLTApwpeA1jb4BBxRReohi1y2kwJ1hqnE9WcZOB20_K3a-JrXrxqRxTbYPDfRnAZOW3TzGBkRO3TBRSt2B/s1600/step+9.jpg" /></a></div>
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Are you wondering what the heck is VIPKID? Well it's the best job I've ever had. You teach English to kids in China from your own home on your own computer. Do you love getting up before the sun? Do you love kids? Do you have a bachelor's degree and any informal or formal teaching experience? Do you want some part-time extra income (which you can even make full-time if you're ambitious)? Then VIPKID may just be your dream job too. Here's the link to apply. <br />
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<a href="https://t.vipkid.com.cn/?refereeId=3039699" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A VIPKID JOB</a><br />
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I'd be happy to help anyone walk through the interview process. Just send me a note.JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-89381892875220500172016-11-29T10:09:00.002-08:002016-11-29T10:14:14.621-08:00Red Burlap Christmas Wreath<a data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" data-pin-save="true" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"></a>
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I thought it was about time to make a new Christmas wreath, and since I'd never tried a burlap wreath before, </div>
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well, here we are. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8f1OT1KBXJkGTt6KDJFzhA6id0rmBzgpnPSpuj_cMQ8A5INm0qDaIA1fFSaTSPczMHBJfRUBrsNKzUCc_UnxnsPE-IF-WBe2cUbO3cQePWDiU3YADJJYLvIeRCv3DaOckqTgxvAKV7pl/s1600/IMG_1599+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8f1OT1KBXJkGTt6KDJFzhA6id0rmBzgpnPSpuj_cMQ8A5INm0qDaIA1fFSaTSPczMHBJfRUBrsNKzUCc_UnxnsPE-IF-WBe2cUbO3cQePWDiU3YADJJYLvIeRCv3DaOckqTgxvAKV7pl/s400/IMG_1599+%25282%2529.JPG" width="327" /></a></div>
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Materials:</div>
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60 feet of rolled red (or whatever color you like) burlap roughly 5 inches wide</div>
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18 inch wire wreath frame</div>
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1/4 yard coordinating light colored burlap</div>
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1/4 yard Christmas plaid flannel</div>
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6 big buttons</div>
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thread</div>
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red pipe cleaners</div>
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red or brown felt scraps for flower backing </div>
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Watch this youtube video to make your red burlap wreath. I could make my own tutorial, but this one is already great: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3HkoWaqa5U&t=573s" target="_blank">How to Make a Burlap Wreath Youtube LINK</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi186xubw8uHnZgPesnz-Lq5Xwm3AMy-i6Trt7mfBPZbuReV2uZmcZ_hFy0stStChZO6fdepEfwOr9I1pWMzyTEqXnvc33MTwFoSWYyPjYnhr1QzOtLA4nv8FQZhLYxwM0Dpsz79aZAYyzj/s1600/IMG_1600+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi186xubw8uHnZgPesnz-Lq5Xwm3AMy-i6Trt7mfBPZbuReV2uZmcZ_hFy0stStChZO6fdepEfwOr9I1pWMzyTEqXnvc33MTwFoSWYyPjYnhr1QzOtLA4nv8FQZhLYxwM0Dpsz79aZAYyzj/s400/IMG_1600+%25282%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-3815615542218391142015-02-06T14:52:00.000-08:002015-02-06T14:58:18.616-08:00Crocodile (or Alligator) Valentines and Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4C0BBX-E2UG7M5UtMBqwxKa2_ctYNqfqcD3L6UYJE2tDh6nCclktbKfV8Lp_wVcqFqr6v8NxnVW6YFaDddjSumav-CKDRa2VeN11P8qo3A2dFfIJjH18OTfX2M4SjuU3ENwA3jZ9zmYC/s1600/DSCN3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4C0BBX-E2UG7M5UtMBqwxKa2_ctYNqfqcD3L6UYJE2tDh6nCclktbKfV8Lp_wVcqFqr6v8NxnVW6YFaDddjSumav-CKDRa2VeN11P8qo3A2dFfIJjH18OTfX2M4SjuU3ENwA3jZ9zmYC/s1600/DSCN3484.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
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My daughter loves animals, especially green ones. This year she wanted to make a<strike>n alligator</strike> Crocodile Valentine's Day mailbox, which I kept accidentally calling an alligator. She thought it was hilarious. Obviously this is a crocodile, not an alligator, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf1PMvXjGc5NNtXrSke9lcvG8Zb-QaqrRZXl2G5cm6dF5FXXS3bSFs_DbUicYGNb1gdcANBRnLVqAmMrxCD5fls3wHFvy0-gefOVSsoNlmn8ig1_M84dtC4oDNp6eIBaeR69nOpoxJiAB/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf1PMvXjGc5NNtXrSke9lcvG8Zb-QaqrRZXl2G5cm6dF5FXXS3bSFs_DbUicYGNb1gdcANBRnLVqAmMrxCD5fls3wHFvy0-gefOVSsoNlmn8ig1_M84dtC4oDNp6eIBaeR69nOpoxJiAB/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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Basically it's just a shoe box. We cut out the mouth, eyes, and tail from another box and taped them on before spray painting the whole thing light green. Then I gave my daughter a piece of bubble wrap and three colors of green craft paint and she stamped the scales on the alligator. She just brushed the paint onto the bubble wrap with a foam brush and pressed it onto the box. She added some wiggle line "spikies" with the foam brush after it was all stamped.</div>
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We forgot to put feet on before spraying it, and she didn't buy my explanation that it's because it's swimming and you can't see the feet, so she put on little green foam feet afterward. </div>
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The tongue (you can't really see it in the pics) is shaped like a heart and cut out of pink craft foam. The teeth are also craft foam hot glued on. She cut out her name from the same pink craft foam.</div>
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The valentine "card" she is passing out in class are these little clothespin baby <strike>alligators</strike> crocodiles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTc-3ianPTVco00CZL4p7AzGoAgVgNggmBGdzl37lowkQAMFC5gu8tIUYe6DXiH81caG-GwvXlf7qZJiiFSsLpTCzYJCerA2Xi8WE8k_TWCyOR5DKhyUSCpme7vAYUzSos0rfOEi-kvvJ/s1600/DSCN3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTc-3ianPTVco00CZL4p7AzGoAgVgNggmBGdzl37lowkQAMFC5gu8tIUYe6DXiH81caG-GwvXlf7qZJiiFSsLpTCzYJCerA2Xi8WE8k_TWCyOR5DKhyUSCpme7vAYUzSos0rfOEi-kvvJ/s1600/DSCN3583.JPG" height="333" width="400" /></a></div>
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I gave her the same green paints and a foam brush and she painted all 20 clothespins various shades of green. I cut out the spikes with pinking shears and craft foam. I hotglued those and the eyes on.</div>
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Each crocodile is biting a<a href="http://www.smarties.com/"> Smarties®</a> candy wrapped with a piece of paper that says, </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"Have a Snappy Valentine's Day!" </span></div>
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Alternatively you could do, </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"I'd snap at the chance to be your Valentine!"</span></div>
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<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-41080724214463962412014-09-27T15:00:00.001-07:002014-09-27T15:00:43.487-07:00Himrod Grapes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I picked our grapes today! I planted a himrod grape plant two years ago in the corner of the yard and let it grow up our wooden fence. We're in SW Nebraska, zone 5b. Last year we got two bunches, and this spring I hard pruned the whole thing back to just one tall vertical stick. This year we got a whole big strainer full plus a couple of other bunches we already ate.<br />
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I know people say growing organic grapes is really hard, but honestly if the plant died today we would have still saved money because the plant was around $4.00 but we've gotten way more than that in fruit. In general the plant seems healthy without any fungicide spray, but I did notice that mid-season the new leaves were shriveled and curled, which Dr. google says is some kind of leaf fungus. My plan is to just cut off all the smaller branches this winter to help train it up the fence and hope for the best!JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-74295380896464093832014-07-09T10:45:00.000-07:002014-07-14T18:41:55.941-07:00Easy Cherry Lime Syrup Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recipe:<br />
4-5 cups of sand cherries (or other wild or non-sweet cherries) (leave the pits in)<br />
1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar<br />
1/4 cup honey<br />
pinch of salt <br />
3 limes (juiced)<br />
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In a saucepan on med-high heat, add the whole cherries and add just enough water to cover the cherries. Cook on a low boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place a mesh strainer over a large bowl pour the whole saucepan full through the strainer to get cherry juice. You can squish the cherries a bit with a spatula in the strainer to get more juice out. Put the juice back into the saucepan and discard the cherry pits and solids. Add sugar, honey, salt, and lime juice, and cook on med-low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let it cool and you're done.<br />
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Do you ever click on a recipe on Pinterest and then get annoyed when you have to scroll through the whole page of pretty pictures and lots of words to find the actual recipe? Me too. That's why I put the recipe at the top. In case you want to know more though... here's the rest of my blog post.<br />
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Last year we planted some Sand Cherry bushes in the yard. We ripped out the burning bushes previous owners had planted because we wanted to have more edible landscaping. My thinking is if I have to water them, I should at least be able to eat something in return. Sand cherries (Prunus besseyi) are native to the northern plains, so bonus for planting natives!<br />
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Here they are, growing happily in their second summer in our yard. They've survived two very severe drought years. We're in SW Nebraska. They are on the west-facing side of our garage. I got exactly 3 cherries in the very first year, but this year we got at least two quarts.</div>
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In the beginning of July the cherries look like this. I'd say even these are not quite ripe. They're quite black when they're totally ripe.</div>
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If you eat them raw they're quite bitter and sour. These are great for jams and sauces where you're adding sugar anyway.</div>
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I picked about 1 1/4 quarts (4 or 5 cups) off of the ripest bush.</div>
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To make the syrup, put the cherries in a saucepan on med-high heat with just enough water to cover them all.</div>
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Cook them down on a low boil for 15 minutes.</div>
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Strain them through a mesh strainer and keep all the rich purple juice. Discard the pits and fruit.</div>
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Cook the juice with the sugar, lime juice, salt, and honey for 10 minutes on med-low heat to create the syrup. </div>
JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-72089163028854646512014-06-30T07:05:00.003-07:002015-04-18T07:02:22.853-07:00Pokemon Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A long time ago we got a McDonalds kids meal with a Pokemon toy inside. My soon-to-be 7-year-old daughter had no idea what it was, and at home it was thrown into a box of small random toys and forgotten. Forgotten until the day when she found Pokemon TV shows on Netflix that is. Then she suddenly remembered her little Tepig toy, and fell in love. She carries little Tepig everywhere! When her birthday party was coming, and I asked her what kind of party she wanted, she of course said </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"I want a Pokemon party, Mom!"</span></div>
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And inwardly I sighed. Because you can't just go to WalMart and buy pokemon party stuff anymore. They have the cards, but that's about it. So off to google I went, and found </div>
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this awesome Pokemon Party at <a href="http://craft-interrupted.blogspot.com/">Craft, Interrupted</a>. </div>
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Awesome. Really. If you're looking for inspiration start there. We used their hat and gift bag idea.</div>
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After lots of googling, this is what I came up with for my daughter's 7th birthday.</div>
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We had a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pin the Tail on Tepig</b></span></div>
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(printed off an online Tepig coloring page and stuck on 33 cent poster board)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gotta Catch 'Em All Balloon Game</b></span></div>
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The game involves little pokemon pictures I found with a google image search. I laminated them because I know my daughter will want to play with them later, and I stuffed them into balloons that they had to pop by sitting on. They thought it was fun, but loud. Maybe this would be better outside.</div>
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We had an <b><span style="font-size: large;">Easter-egg-style Pokeball Hunt</span> </b>in the yard. Inexpensive fishing bobbers look a lot like Pokeballs if you just take a thin strip of electrical tape and stick it around the middle. I didn't pull them apart and put things inside, but I bet you could if you wanted to. We just hunted for them as-is and put them into their gift bags (sling bags from Craft, Interrupted).</div>
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Once a few months ago my daughter woke up in the middle of the night crying and when I went in to check on her, she said all she wanted in the world was a pinata for her birthday. That must have been an interesting dream. So I made her a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pokeball Pinata</b></span>. Why pokeball? Because it's the easiest pokemon shape to make. There was no way I could pull off a tepig pinata. I used <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iie0JkvARJk">this youtube video</a> to get the basic idea. I dipped the strips instead of using a paintbrush. I just used a 12 inch balloon and made it with flour and water and newspaper strips. There are three coats of strips on the pinata, each took 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of flour. Three layers seemed to be just sturdy enough for the kids to each have a couple of turns.</div>
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We couldn't find our bat anywhere, so a broom handle worked in a pinch. </div>
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And of course we had<b> <span style="font-size: large;">Pokeball Cake</span> </b>and ice cream. </div>
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I'm not a cake decorator, obviously. I kept debating about just buying one at the store and having them make it look like a pokeball, but I forgot the picture every time I went to the store, so I ended up making it myself with a Rainbow Duff Cake mix. The inside was kinda cool.</div>
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And to fill up time at the end, the kids played the <b><span style="font-size: large;">Pokemon Card Game</span></b>.</div>
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JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-71196595042532639632014-06-12T09:37:00.001-07:002014-06-12T12:56:46.494-07:00Camping Foods- Smoreos, Orange Cinnamon Rolls, and Tortilla Pizzas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We took our three kids on a camping vacation this summer that involved 4 days and three nights camping. It was time to try some of the camping foods that looked fun on Pinterest.<br />
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Switching up the S'mores:<br />
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We tried two different takes on the S'more this year- S'mOreos and using chocolate covered graham crackers.<br />
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S'mOreos: You just roast a marshmallow and instead of graham crackers you open up an Oreo cookie and put the marshmallow inside. They're still messy, but you don't have the melted chocolate factor. I personally wasn't a huge fan. They're just ok. They were a hit with my daughter. Man, camping is messy...<br />
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The chocolate covered graham crackers on the other hand are genius. I don't know about you, but it seems like whenever I make a traditional S'more the chocolate bar never fully melts. Maybe it's because I'm too impatient to get a really fully roasted marshmallow. The chocolate covered graham crackers (bought at Walmart) were perfect. They're still a mess, and I'd keep them in your camping cooler so they don't melt in the heat, but they really eliminate the hassle of putting a s'more together. <br />
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The next night we tried something from<a href="http://www.recipebyphoto.com/campfire-cinnamon-rolls/"> this pin, Orange Cinnamon Rolls:</a></div>
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I think I burned them a tiny bit, but overall they turned out pretty well. They were easy to make. I didn't really love the cooked orange flavor on the outside of the roll. They were easier than making a cake in an orange for sure. </div>
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And on the last day for dinner we didn't want to deal with a fire, so we cooked Tortilla Pizzas on our camp stove. My kids devoured these, and they're easy to eat with their hands. Just bring the toppings you like on a pizza, spray a frying pan, and make a little pizza pocket with a tortilla instead of pizza crust.<br />
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Other camping foods I've tried before:<br />
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Red Hot Apples:<br />
Core an apple. Put a marshmallow plug in one end. Fill with red hot candies and plug the other end with another marshmallow. Wrap in foil and cook in the fire until tender.<br />
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Banana Boats:<br />
Peel just one side of a banana and cut a slit into the fruit all the way down. Stuff with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. Replace the peel side, wrap in foil and cook in the fire.<br />
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Tin foil dinners:<br />
This is really a camping staple for our family. I've seen a lot of variations, but this is what we do.<br />
On a long piece of aluminum foil, layer 1/4 lb ground beef, peeled carrots, peeled and cubed potatoes, sliced onions and 1/2-3/4 of a can of cream of mushroom soup. Really just mix it all in there. Optionally, sprinkle a packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix on top and salt and pepper. Wrap in a double layer of aluminum foil and cook on campfire coals about 40 minutes, or until carrots are done and meat is cooked through. Serve with ketchup.<br />
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Orange cakes:<br />
Cut an orange in half and eat the flesh inside so you're left with two little orange bowls. Fill one with prepared cake mix from a box (any flavor is fine, but I have only tried a yellow cake). Place the top of the orange back on, wrap in foil, and cook in the camp fire. We did this for my birthday one year.JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-134578400764891112014-04-15T12:38:00.001-07:002014-07-24T17:08:36.286-07:00My Potato Growing Experiment, Purple Majesty (Part 1)I have a small garden but I've never ventured into growing my own potatoes, until now. They're already so cheap at the store that it doesn't seem to be worth all the trouble. BUT, I saw the Purple Majesty potatoes in the <a href="http://www.gurneys.com/product/purple_majesty_potato/potato-plants-and-sets">Gurney's catalog</a> and thought they looked so interesting! I know I won't find those in the store.<br />
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So after doing a little research I decided to give them a try.<br />
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I bought a 20 gallon Smart Pot online. The 2 lb bag of seed potatoes came in the mail. I set them on my counter top on a plate with paper towel underneath to let them sprout for about a week.<br />
The little sprouts are a pretty purple color. I wonder if the plants will be purple too.<br />
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I've heard around here (USDA zone 5b) that people plant anywhere between St. Patrick's day and Easter, so April 15th seemed good to me. It did just snow again this week after all. First I filled the bottom 1/3 of smart pot with a mixture of Miracle Grow garden soil (I would have preferred an organic one, but oh well. It's what Walmart had. This one seemed a bit wood chippey.) and about 1/3 compost. I folded down the sides of the container so they wouldn't flop around. <br />
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The <a href="http://www.smartpots.com/growing-potatoes-in-containers">Smart Pot website</a> suggests one potato per 3 gallons of container, so 6-7 potatoes. I went with 6 since I don't want to make it too crowded. I arranged them like this, and then buried them 3-5 inches under the soil as suggested by Gurney's. I've read you can cut big ones in half and get two but I didn't want to deal with that.</div>
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I gave them a good watering. I'm hopping for a yummy crop this year. I might make some purple french fries!<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Late July Update</span>: They are almost all dead. They grew a few inches tall but turned a sickly yellowish color and stopped growing. I transplanted one into my regular garden bed and it's dying too. I'm pretty sad and I wish I knew the cause. I might try again next year. JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-61238408606944740052014-02-17T17:43:00.002-08:002014-02-19T13:18:18.501-08:00How to Make Your Own Coconut Milk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's something interesting to do at home. Make your own coconut milk! My son is lactose intolerant. He usually drinks almond milk so we're no strangers to non-dairy milks in our house. I could say that I tried this because it's better than the pre-made stuff you can buy, but really we did this because we bought a coconut on a whim at the store one day and had to figure out what to do with it. After some youtube watching and googling, here's what we did.</div>
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First, take a screwdriver and hammer it into two of the dots on your coconut to make holes. Then let the coconut water drain out of the holes into a cup (this is not coconut milk!). You can drink it if you want. I've heard it's kind of good as a sports drink. I think I might freeze it into ice cubes to use later in smoothies.</div>
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Then comes the fun part. Put the coconut in a ziploc bag and let your kids throw it on the ground outside until it cracks. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZk8QdTcO2QtvO-4uGOvQmX9WUI2fFhyFghyphenhyphenZJB3OdvunL6E0PN5X8K6SdYQdSl5zL748a0P226AxV9vUSXc5LAxsHrDrxi1mRiSywRpPu4zcLo2Mxxk1_SikA0CpY3QZgnrzIsRc8-bl/s1600/DSCN2595.JPG" height="400" width="231" /> </div>
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My son was so proud of cracking it into 3 pieces!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQmSXw5vVkOuBKKjgngRG8fcs2OPITjQLtQL5X6Jn8Ty2uAotwCbOqDetPLhyphenhyphen29iBt6lj1r2qMsZIqLkLgU95_xmJWErgLLfSx9yvAlw9GWnSlc_X_nst57HJRV_Y6lfyGaxzhMTVv3Pn/s1600/DSCN2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQmSXw5vVkOuBKKjgngRG8fcs2OPITjQLtQL5X6Jn8Ty2uAotwCbOqDetPLhyphenhyphen29iBt6lj1r2qMsZIqLkLgU95_xmJWErgLLfSx9yvAlw9GWnSlc_X_nst57HJRV_Y6lfyGaxzhMTVv3Pn/s1600/DSCN2596.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_78361189">Now you need to get the white meat off of the shell. There are probably some easy cool ways to do this that I don't know about. I just use a knife to cut little sections and pry off pieces like this. Make sure your knife is sturdy.</span><br />
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One coconut gave me about three cups of meat.</div>
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Now all you do is either grate up the white part of the coconut, if you have the time and inclination, or just put it through your food processor and chop it up really small. </div>
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Then add 2 parts hot water to 1 part coconut, so for this one I added 6 cups of hot water.</div>
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My food processor doesn't fit that much (oops learned that the hard way and kinda made a mess), so I added 3 cups hot water to all the coconut, processed it, strained it, and then put the coconut meat back into the food processor, added the next 3 cups of water, and strained again.</div>
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If you have cheese cloth around you could use that instead and probably get more milk out.<br />
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And you're done! You can put it in a jar or pitcher and let it sit until the cream separate if you want to. There should be a small amount coconut oil (maybe a couple of tablespoons) in there that will form a solid at the top. I've been using it as a lotion. Keep the milk in the refrigerator and use it up because it will only keep for a few days.<br />
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JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-16366850138128218752014-02-09T12:41:00.002-08:002014-02-09T15:57:35.541-08:00Storm Cloud Costume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Craftiness runs in my family apparently. My dad recently participated in a polar bear plunge and the theme of his team was"rainbow" (like pot of gold, leprechaun, cloud, the whole thing). My dad was the cloud, so this is what he and my mom came up with.<br />
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It's pretty awesome. He didn't want it to be too fluffy because stuff like batting gets heavy and is hard to swim in. He created this out of tulle, some cardboard, tape, and 1/16 inch dowels bent into a circle.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16795647040028897314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-22150837602046943972014-02-01T17:25:00.001-08:002014-02-01T17:28:19.705-08:00Ruffle Purse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally (finally!) finally finished this purse that I started two years ago. I pinned on all of those ruffles, sewed about two of them on, and threw it in a box on my shelf and forgot about it. I had been wondering where all of those pins went...</div>
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I tried some new things including a zippered pocket (<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2007/07/tutorial-zippered-and-slip-pocket-tutorial/">via this tutorial</a>). The bag is loosely based on this simple pattern from <a href="http://www.crapivemade.com/2011/07/reversible-sling-bag-tutorial.html">Crap I've Made</a>. The ruffles are inspired by this very cute <a href="http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2011/04/bustle-backpack-from-chloes-spring.html">Bustle Backpack</a>, although I used jersey knit so they won't fray.<br />
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<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-28969030672066973412014-01-06T09:11:00.002-08:002014-01-22T10:00:21.239-08:00Owl Tree Valentines Box from an Oatmeal Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's my daughter's Valentine's Day mailbox creation! She used it in Kindergarten. We had a lot of fun making it together. I love that with an oatmeal can you can pop off the top when your child gets home so you have easy access to the cards and goodies inside.</div>
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To make your own Owl Tree Valentine's Box, you need:</div>
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<li>an empty oatmeal can</li>
<li>branches (either a cardboard tube of glowsticks, or a paper towel tube or toilet paper tubes)</li>
<li>brown craft paint (we used both brown and tan paint)</li>
<li>craft foam sheets, or construction paper (green, red, pink, orange, black)</li>
<li>hot glue</li>
</ul>
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Since my daughter gave out glowstick bracelets with her valentines' cards, we already had a tube to use for the branches. We found the bracelets in the dollar section at Target and they look like this:<br />
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If you don't have that, then use a paper towel roll or some toilet paper rolls instead. All you have to do is cut the tube in half on a diagonal (so your branches will be angled up). The black wrapper on the tube peels off easily.<br />
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Hot glue those onto the oatmeal can. (Actually in hindsight I might try something stronger that hot glue, like E-6000 maybe. One branch fell off at school).<br />
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Cut a hole in the oatmeal can. I recommend making it big because with Pinterest you never know what kinds of big crazy valentine's creations your kid is going to get. <br />
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Then paint the whole thing brown. I just dipped the brush in both tan and brown to give it a streaky brown wood look.<br />
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Then I had my daughter write her name and draw leaves and hearts on the foam craft sheets. I helped her cut them out. She liked making "heart fruits" to go on the tree. I just free-handed the owl. Use a hole punch to make the eyes really round.<br />
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Then glue it all on. My daughter liked finding places to stick everything.<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-29675021856521314622014-01-02T16:50:00.000-08:002014-01-02T16:51:47.773-08:002014 LDS Primary Scripture ThemeI've been working on getting the primary room ready for the new year, and while printing up this year's scripture, I happened to notice that I could make this year's scripture (Malachi 4:6) into a heart shape. I thought it was cute, so I'm sharing it with you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3O8qK5S6lRWgFLVgn4Qz7sG0DZInu4vugiVIGWcAOEfZBtWAknoN7kNMUGFJ44t79V9auEtPd__JG2HxnyfbYW_UPbytQuEilN9TQhbiPFoV80iaenFqdMO34R0YUgMssoEgJ4ReWGtwm/s1600/malachi+4+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3O8qK5S6lRWgFLVgn4Qz7sG0DZInu4vugiVIGWcAOEfZBtWAknoN7kNMUGFJ44t79V9auEtPd__JG2HxnyfbYW_UPbytQuEilN9TQhbiPFoV80iaenFqdMO34R0YUgMssoEgJ4ReWGtwm/s320/malachi+4+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4qlhTX4cJOGSzRjUmJ6bzBYWUE/edit?usp=sharing"> link to the file in Word</a><br />
(it'll be one page when downloaded, although google drive thinks it's two)</div>
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And here's a <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4qlhTX4cJOGTVFtTjB5WkE1M00/edit?usp=sharing">link to the file pdf </a></div>
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Happy New Year!</div>
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<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-41457280280573604752013-11-21T08:16:00.000-08:002014-03-03T09:39:54.865-08:00Sugarplum Drops Recipe<span style="color: #38761d;">When I was a kid my grandma used to mail us a tin of homemade Christmas cookies every year. We'd keep them in the refrigerator and mom would let us each have one every day until they were gone. One of my favorites was Sugarplum Drops. They combine the flavor of dried fruits and nuts and sugar - so tasty! When I saw a recipe in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, it brought back all of those Christmas memories. Here's my version.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sugarplum Drops</span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens magazine Jan 2008 </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup raisins</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup dried apricots</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup chopped dates</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">3/4 cup dried cranberries</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">3/4 cup pecans</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">1 cup whole natural almonds</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">1/4 cup orange juice</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup granulated sugar (or use colored sugar for a festive look)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">In a food processor, combine the fruits and nuts and pulse until you get a course mixture, about one minute. Add orange juice and continue to pulse until the mixture sticks together (like the photo), about 15 seconds. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcQNX_BOxiApRAslm1HhtwzRK2tyXlP064F82_hBsMx90okkhdoppgDPeAigyw9sgq-aFEJsMEWA-srbnrrqJrGel5IWsGIfHFPuaBHKP0EcoNlQgD7QC7pflHKjy8IdTezup3BWGbP52/s1600/DSCN2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcQNX_BOxiApRAslm1HhtwzRK2tyXlP064F82_hBsMx90okkhdoppgDPeAigyw9sgq-aFEJsMEWA-srbnrrqJrGel5IWsGIfHFPuaBHKP0EcoNlQgD7QC7pflHKjy8IdTezup3BWGbP52/s320/DSCN2429.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000;">Shape the mixture into one inch balls and roll in sugar. Refrigerate.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Makes 40 sugarplum drops.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">caloriecount.about.com tells me that each one is 52 calories, 7.2 g carbs, and 0.9 g fiber.</span><br />
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<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-61193913327932636102013-11-09T14:14:00.001-08:002013-11-09T14:17:26.623-08:00Baby Proofing a Book Shelf Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With my first baby, we didn't have any book shelves where she played, but we protected one of our shelves with our DVD player on it using velcro and a piece of sheer fabric. Then with my son, we just dealt with the book destruction that comes with kids and books. You know all those people who say baby proofing is just for lazy parents who can't teach their kids no? Well whatever. I tried that. We lost some books with my son. No matter how many times you say no, they still want to try to rip paper because it's just so much fun, apparently. Eventually he grew out of it. Even today every once in a while I'll look and see my husband, standing in front of the book shelves, frowning and sighing about all the ripped covers. Sad.<br />
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With baby number three, we have two bookshelves in our main living space, and I was considering moving them into my craft room just to keep them out of her reach, but there's really not a great space in there for them. As she's crawling and on the verge of walking, the shelves seem to be a favorite area, and I can see that she's starting to notice the joys of paper-ripping. The other day I found my youngest baby with a choking-sized piece of Robert Jordan's <i>Crown of Swords</i> cover in her mouth, so something had to be done.<br />
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There probably isn't such a thing as a baby proof bookshelf, but this is what I did to make my bookshelves baby-resistant. <br />
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What you need:<br />
-Enough<b> fabric</b> to cover your shelves. You should probably measure before going to the store, if you're a planner like that. I picked up 3 1/4 yards of chevron printed burlap at Walmart
(didn't measure first, so I hoped it was enough and it is more than
enough). I guess burlap in the fall is a trendy thing, or something? I would not use any stretchy fabric.<br />
-Coordinating <b>thread</b>. I used tan.<br />
-<b>Grommets</b> (buy the pack of whichever size you like that has the grommet installing kit if you don't already have one)<br />
-<b>Hammer</b><br />
-7/8 inch cup or mug <b>hooks</b> (4 or more for each shelf) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bulldog-Cup-Hook-Brass-AM-235734/dp/B003ZWN6GA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1384034308&sr=8-4&keywords=cup+hooks+bulldog">these</a> are the ones I used, but in silver color.<br />
-<b>Felt </b>scraps <br />
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First, measure the open area of your book shelf that you want to cover. Then cut your fabric with 1 1/2 inches extra on each side. If you are not using something that unravels like burlap, you may want to make a smaller seam allowance.<br />
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When you are cutting burlap, I would not use your nicest scissors as I've heard it can dull them quickly. My really old dull scissors still cut it just fine.<br />
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Using a very hot iron (cotton setting), press the seams in twice on two opposite sides (turn under 3/4 of an inch each time), then sew them with a top stitch. I had my machine set with a sturdy needle to stitch length 2 and a narrow zig zag. Then press the other two sides in twice and sew them.<br />
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Next, set the grommets in each corner, following the directions on your packaging. I stitched on a small piece of felt in each corner to give the material more strength before setting the grommets. Make sure they are close enough to the edge that your cup hooks will fit over your seam edge and into the hole. Hold a cup hook up to the edge to make sure before you put the grommet in. I avoided putting it right on the seam as much as I could since it would be uneven.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5aiJLGRQHs">Here's a good video</a> for setting grommets that you can refer to. <br />
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Then hold your panel up to the shelf and hold up a hook and figure out where you'd like to screw the hook in. Mine look like this:<br />
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You should probably pre-drill your holes, but I got lazy and didn't so I kinda split one a tiny bit. Oops! The others went in with no problems.<br />
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Place all four hooks and put up your panel. If you want a book, just slide the grommet out of the hook and then replace it. If you don't want hooks, consider sticky velcro, or even tension rods as an alternative.<br />
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No more book eating in my house.<br />
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Credit goes to my friend Abby for the idea. I think she has something similar at her house!JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-77017628423849982162013-10-31T06:22:00.001-07:002013-11-04T10:55:44.845-08:00Halloween Class TreatsI volunteered to help in my daughter's 1st grade classroom this year (not sure what I was thinking with a 4 year old and an 8 month old at home), so they called me up for the Halloween party.<br />
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I was in charge of treats this year, so I scoured pinterest and here's what they're having!<br />
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VAMPIRE DONUTS<br />
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donuts+ vampire teeth + M&Ms + royal icing (to keep the eyes on)<br />
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MUMMY DRINKS<br />
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Little Hug Fruit Barrels + crepe paper streamers + hot glue + googly eyesJulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-33583892341327796452013-10-25T08:03:00.001-07:002014-02-27T09:31:12.437-08:00Link and Zelda Kids Costumes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've loved the Zelda games since I was a little kid, and my daughter has started playing the newest one, so we chose a Zelda theme for Halloween this year. It took a lot of convincing for my son to be link. I've been working on psyching him up for it since August. What finally convinced him was the shield (which he calls a fire shield? I think he thinks the Hylian Crest is fire) and the potion bottle. Spiderman doesn't have those!! haha</div>
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I made these without a pattern, and I thought about making one and posting it here, but it's just way too much work with a baby in the house, so just pictures will have to do. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZkuwbPWII4Kjlc1VYQ_TZbWkTq-Zv71oTkPTngcuGpPdaNbgVYLeY3Hh-uRv0kan2YFEcy2fQaQwfRnclV78yMvN423NOsPbnLGo2ink0XZHd-mPqPySrtwxudMQmr0LDp-hDrwmYTvW/s640/DSCN2348_small.jpg" height="640" width="315" /></div>
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The Link shield comes from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7G8iAaDY7U">this youtube video</a>. I used corrugated cardboard, acrylic paint, flat marbles, and craft foam instead of the things they recommend.<br />
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The best part is that our baby is a Zelda Cucco!<br />
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<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-77416937718858222402013-08-16T13:46:00.004-07:002013-11-04T10:56:24.312-08:00Ear Bud PouchMy kid needed earbuds this year for school, and I didn't want to just throw them in her backpack with everything else and have them get tangled or broken. I went searching and found an adorable tutorial for a circle earbud pouch at Dog Under My Desk<a href="http://erinerickson.com/2011/11/circle-zip-earbud-pouch-tutorial/"> (link here)</a>.<br />
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I used fusible fleece inside, which I don't actually recommend because it was too thick to topstitch, but it's what I had around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5bnWsFQG5MINwNPFRu7MDfAAMXo2KenpN7OTLTrm2ZJPozzTMUyXj9CLrhyphenhyphenNQ_GIAhAIhY-y5VJK2OnoM_P0-Eh1Kzf3j4bMRE2RdCob8OQp_CHLY9d_Qda4DsKzwThyeY4tBOt5H-Sm/s1600/ear+bud+pouch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5bnWsFQG5MINwNPFRu7MDfAAMXo2KenpN7OTLTrm2ZJPozzTMUyXj9CLrhyphenhyphenNQ_GIAhAIhY-y5VJK2OnoM_P0-Eh1Kzf3j4bMRE2RdCob8OQp_CHLY9d_Qda4DsKzwThyeY4tBOt5H-Sm/s640/ear+bud+pouch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-91461800690990886522013-08-16T13:41:00.002-07:002013-11-04T10:56:56.192-08:0024 Crayon Roll My daughter's school required boxes of 24 crayons, so I searched all over for a 24 crayon holding crayon roll. I couldn't find a tutorial for one I liked, so pattern shmattern, right? I made my own.<br />
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I did not make a tutorial, but I will tell you that the pockets are 1 3/4 inch wide, if that helps you make your own. <br />
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<br />JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-11565874365068389212013-08-16T13:35:00.001-07:002013-11-04T10:57:09.855-08:00I made a Bapron!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've made a few of them now, but I just loved these colors so I took a picture. The bapron tutorial and pattern is available at<a href="http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2011/05/bapron-tutorial.html"> here </a>from Craftiness is Not Optional.</div>
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<img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICDZWF-hYkuX3PT8XPPKNJ95SnF4_9k2SxdTVDOa85-Pt2T9bkbhuFEDRwWGVTSG67VYOz8hSUdYotY7H8UTwOKNJZ_pLwtr37EikMuOtTovM2RZqXeW5Ca_iXzRtjiIkJeKbgUWSfuPz/s640/bib.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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I just added a pocket (I like having them to catch crumbs) and I backed it with rip-stop nylon instead of flannel to give it some water resistance. It fits well on my chubby 6 month old. I bet it will fit for a while now as she starts to grow up more than out during the crawling age.</div>
JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-88881945092123701962013-06-29T07:53:00.001-07:002013-06-29T09:43:10.965-07:00I Love You in Dinosaur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rawr Means I Love You In Dinosaur!</div>
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I have always loved this saying, so I finally spent the time to make a shirt for my son with a freezer paper stencil. He has been begging me for a "sharp tooth" t-shirt.<br />
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If you'd like to make one, I've saved my template. The dinosaur picture was just from a google image search of "dinosaur silhouette." You can do the same and switch it out for a different dinosaur easily. Click on the image to download the stencil pdf.<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4qlhTX4cJOGc1lNNFdYOUNRejA/edit?usp=sharing"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1SJYDI3rNbj-KTxYJBopfIkxXXtwe3gQSvgg0rLMBse8JVKgWN0O_5T-9_KyiZwBYa3exjx46McAd17TcOoJnFMqEsQa23ufKxlz_I-o0nQkv2v43PamnBZzJxGtiIf4x4hb_EhHeC4I/s320/small+dinosaur.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
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The easiest thing to do is to cut a piece of freezer paper to the size of your printer's paper and then print the image directly on the non-shiny side of freezer paper. Then use an Xacto knife to carefully cut out the image (make sure to save all the tiny pieces like the insides of the "e" "a" "o" "r" and "d'", iron it onto your shirt, and paint away with fabric paint. There are lots of freezer paper stencil tutorials online if you need better instructions.
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-23016864691850708992013-04-30T12:32:00.000-07:002013-04-30T12:35:15.164-07:00Baby Blessing Gown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My oldest daughter wore the gown I was blessed in for her baby blessing, and I plan to hand it down to her for her own children. For my younger daughter I made her a gown so she'll have something to hand down to her own children if she would like to. </div>
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Here's my baby girl wearing the blessing gown I made her. Unfortunately at the time of the photo she wasn't exactly happy...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0-ONOU_eHjVAiT3Jl5fS5ZUiCtvfuftBoZUXS9lp4M_PWRSOTR9IeX8uyr6-zygtJWdl4Cm06LuO-XW7kX8YZ0U8HbxTaHSZ9h5gR0Jg5TJz7Fh8-JNYycBWnSoj5Rb5JpGlf-3618C3/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0-ONOU_eHjVAiT3Jl5fS5ZUiCtvfuftBoZUXS9lp4M_PWRSOTR9IeX8uyr6-zygtJWdl4Cm06LuO-XW7kX8YZ0U8HbxTaHSZ9h5gR0Jg5TJz7Fh8-JNYycBWnSoj5Rb5JpGlf-3618C3/s640/photo(10).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The body fabric is cotton knit, and the ruffles are white and off-white satin and polyester lace.</div>
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I used <a href="http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/01/infant-peasant-dress-free-pattern-and.html">this pattern</a> from <a href="http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/01/infant-peasant-dress-free-pattern-and.html">Sew Much Ado</a> (I purchased the full pattern because I like it so much) and <a href="http://kojo-designs.com/2011/01/kojotutorial-winter-wonderland-baby-couture/">this tutorial</a> for a ruffle dress from <a href="http://kojo-designs.com/2011/01/kojotutorial-winter-wonderland-baby-couture/">Kojo Designs</a> and meshed the two together to make my daughter's blessing gown. I don't like unfinished edges, so I used my serger to make rolled hems on the edges of the satin ruffles, and I used this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=KgfxEvRJNW0">tutorial for gathering on a Brother serger</a> to make the ruffling go so much faster. I also used <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/08/full-and-textured-fabric-flowers.html">this tutorial</a> on <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/08/full-and-textured-fabric-flowers.html">Make It & Love It</a> to make the flower on her headband out of left over lace.
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<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-77954057063308876562013-02-27T07:38:00.003-08:002013-02-27T07:47:16.088-08:00Look What I Made!<div style="text-align: center;">
If you've been wondering what I've been up to lately, I've been suffering from pregnancy ADD (or so I call it). In the end of my pregnancies I just can't focus on anything. I can't read books. I can't do a project that takes more than an hour. But it was worth it. Here's our latest little one!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_smaaTdZt8g0fJFIFz8U8YxyysYK5nTs4628WHBLRuE_jGaQIqggrgyQWF93OuNIT3izY9U8B7hpfLUgnQKe2SPZMcL8YvVjdMcyI7lX1V6Vom2oGfD44EoXyvZvesLBFStPc_7Os4SY0/s1600/Bogardus-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_smaaTdZt8g0fJFIFz8U8YxyysYK5nTs4628WHBLRuE_jGaQIqggrgyQWF93OuNIT3izY9U8B7hpfLUgnQKe2SPZMcL8YvVjdMcyI7lX1V6Vom2oGfD44EoXyvZvesLBFStPc_7Os4SY0/s640/Bogardus-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks so much to my friend Staci who took some beautiful newborn pics for us. </div>
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Here's her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Staci-B-Photography/343356899076544?ref=ts&fref=ts">facebook page</a> if you'd like to see more of her work.</div>
JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-39375727737461456922012-11-15T08:36:00.003-08:002012-11-15T08:36:40.767-08:00T-Shirt into Baby Gown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been saving my husband's worn out Soylent Green t-shirt for a long long time, just waiting to find some way to reuse it. I found a <a href="http://thismamamakesstuff.com/tutorial-rockin-baby-gown-t-shirt-refashion/">baby gown tutorial</a> from</div>
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<a href="http://thismamamakesstuff.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb288/joliebebes/thismamamakesstuff-button3-125.png" width="125" /></a></div>
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because every baby needs a Soylent Green shirt, right?</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpN38Izvdz9B0hoqoQzClFCTjsUUuDIPuI8O5GnmB6Inqkv4KtzdQpiKkSSm4ph1hR4vMvpgRsCXYyzC9FuhKl3Q1YyGsN2zk2EyD2et6ADO7_-hYTNG4807pueNV7vhv2fzeLNzqbaQT/s640/photo(1).JPG" width="442" /></div>
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Ha ha ha I'm so excited to try this on a baby! The tutorial was simple and easy, and except for the whole "sewing knit fabric is hard" issues, I didn't have any problems.</div>
JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150800728118924233.post-74794547808563889892012-10-16T07:28:00.001-07:002012-10-16T07:28:52.607-07:00Featured Fish CostumeMy son's halloween fish costume was featured over at Lasso the Moon today.<br />
Head on over to check it out!<br />
<br />
<a
href="http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/lasso_the_moon/dress-up-days/"
_mce_href="http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/lasso_the_moon/dress-up-days/"><img
src="http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/lasso_the_moon/dress%20up%20days%20share%20button%20175.jpg"
_mce_src="http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/lasso_the_moon/dress%20up%20days%20share%20button%20175.jpg"
title="Dress-Up Days at Lasso the Moon" /></a>
JulieAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756340355927624991noreply@blogger.com0