tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36833815168272132502024-03-04T20:59:50.636-08:00cope & hope{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-29390273173227759202012-03-18T21:27:00.001-07:002012-03-18T21:27:20.096-07:00owl bucket bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well. That was quite a hiatus. It was unexpected, but on the plus side, I've gotten a <i>ton</i> of stuff done on my time off from blogging. I'm glad to say that my car is back and running perfectly (and not to mention, it looks amazing since they actually washed it and stuff. Something I hardly do. :P), and things seem to be getting back to normal (as in... pre-stress mode). Oh, and also, I managed to make this cutie!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFqIrkdb0-M/T2azUntHtWI/AAAAAAAAATY/2lxZYde4h-s/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFqIrkdb0-M/T2azUntHtWI/AAAAAAAAATY/2lxZYde4h-s/s320/header.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had this bag pinned a while ago after seeing it on <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew</a>, and I finally decided to give it a try. I'm super glad with the results. :) I tend to choose a bunch of mismatching colors (this time, it was bright green, orange, and blue), but I'm glad to say it worked!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XiriS1RqTRNkoy_PH5dpmhdgVNEJJxAR8kGSxLPvhU029kozTRFNi39dec29ltuJJm9uvEFxkN7Scj__JxOcJWWSfFnjmPhmUmSu54PST27i-yvMmpDMxZKKZXIyiDu-NqXXHjgAeKRd/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XiriS1RqTRNkoy_PH5dpmhdgVNEJJxAR8kGSxLPvhU029kozTRFNi39dec29ltuJJm9uvEFxkN7Scj__JxOcJWWSfFnjmPhmUmSu54PST27i-yvMmpDMxZKKZXIyiDu-NqXXHjgAeKRd/s1600/photo1.jpg" /></a></div>
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For anyone interested in the pattern, you can go <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/01/free-pdf-pattern-from-the-bag-making-bible-bag-giveaway/" target="_blank">to the website</a>. It's actually an excerpt from The Bag Making Bible by Lisa Lam, but they offer it on the site as a pdf file for free. I did make some adjustments: I didn't need to have it reversible, so I made the lining slightly smaller for a better fit. Also, I added fusible interfacing to the straps, since just having binding as straps made me feel a bit uneasy. I also used lightweight fabrics (and not medium as suggested), so I used lightweight interfacing for my exterior fabric.</div>
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Here's the bag a little close-up so you can see the swirly green fabric I used for the lining:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpWkssVReYA/T2a1JmjUHoI/AAAAAAAAATo/jyzduO67YMk/s1600/close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpWkssVReYA/T2a1JmjUHoI/AAAAAAAAATo/jyzduO67YMk/s1600/close+up.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm already cutting fabric for a second one. It's the perfect size, and so adorable! This time I'm adding pockets to the inside so I don't have to fish around for my cell phone. :)</div>
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</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-69861068623660606602012-03-02T16:28:00.001-08:002012-03-02T16:28:30.383-08:00be you project {printable}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy weekend. :)<br />
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So lately I've been really worried about how young women tend to view themselves. I think my concern spawned from the overwhelming amount of self esteem issues I see on reality TV (my sister is a bit of a reality TV junkie), but I also see the same issues reflected on my Facebook news feed everyday. I'm not sure why, but it seems like everyone (women especially) goes through this phase of believing like they're just not good enough or smart enough or pretty enough, and we tend to forget that we're perfect just the way we are.<br />
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I've been in that position many times, where I will compare myself to everyone who I see as "better" than me, and convince myself that I'm just not <i>enough</i>. I'm happy to say that I'm usually able to pull myself out of that rather quickly, but it's hard to not go there every now and then, you know? So I decided to make myself a little something to remind myself how amazing I really am.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1CkaCkoWlY/T1Fgy9fu0GI/AAAAAAAAATE/dVV4S0Z8600/s1600/be+you+header2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1CkaCkoWlY/T1Fgy9fu0GI/AAAAAAAAATE/dVV4S0Z8600/s320/be+you+header2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I made a short list of the qualities in myself I really like (and maybe want to portray more), and I made this to inspire myself to stay "me". It serves two purposes: to remind myself why I'm awesome, and to motivate myself to stay true to me.</div>
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It's only been a few days since I've drawn this up, but I have to say... it does do a lovely job of perking me up when I'm feeling a little down about myself. You should definitely try it. It might be a little hard thinking up qualities that describe you (especially if you tend to be modest ;) ), but after a while your list gets longer, and you start feeling pretty good about yourself!</div>
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And in case anyone was interested, I've included what I made as a printable. It's quite a large drawing (I wasn't sure how big I'd want it in the beginning), so make sure you resize it if you wanted a smaller print. I also made two versions, one with a butterfly and polka dots (like in my photo), and a plain version without the butterfly and dots.</div>
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/83575159" target="_blank">Be You Printable {With Butterfly}</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/83575120" target="_blank">Be You Printable {Plain}</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGN2eZ2t8xgLNDlVT6x_L0RC2NmxuDCbz-6gWqjOPwdRfJyVAPphfLAoGR5OAuIQDp_6Y5VqnUlbyx5FIHzNL221eDswWyfcFWNYXeRnRaVbJfJGaSmUAXYX_LiOCPztY_enbPD71jKkt/s1600/be+you+icon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGN2eZ2t8xgLNDlVT6x_L0RC2NmxuDCbz-6gWqjOPwdRfJyVAPphfLAoGR5OAuIQDp_6Y5VqnUlbyx5FIHzNL221eDswWyfcFWNYXeRnRaVbJfJGaSmUAXYX_LiOCPztY_enbPD71jKkt/s200/be+you+icon+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-34015378537381570182012-02-29T00:25:00.000-08:002012-03-12T13:15:08.245-07:00burlap owl wreath {mini tutorial}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I know everyone's gearing up for spring, but it rained yesterday... and it was cold as heck today, so I'm not quite ready to bust out my bright and colorful projects out quiiiite yet. I've decided to hold on to my browns and oranges just a bit longer. :)<br />
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A few days ago I shared my tutorial for <a href="http://copehope.blogspot.com/2012/02/gathered-fabric-flowers-tutorial.html" target="_blank">gathered fabric flowers</a>, and I thought I'd show what I ended up using them for. It's nothing too awesomely special, so I didn't want to do a full tutorial on it, but in case you were curious, I thought I'd do a little mini-tutorial.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcctM-A24uQ/T03dqbx-oyI/AAAAAAAAARE/HyOPJcQ1cT8/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcctM-A24uQ/T03dqbx-oyI/AAAAAAAAARE/HyOPJcQ1cT8/s320/header.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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::Supplies I used ::<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QK-wgKTjERs/T03d59-EBNI/AAAAAAAAARU/yLsWz88PEU4/s1600/materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QK-wgKTjERs/T03d59-EBNI/AAAAAAAAARU/yLsWz88PEU4/s200/materials.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<li>Styrofoam wreath</li>
<li>Burlap fabric</li>
<li>Hot Glue Gun</li>
<li>Gathered Fabric Flowers</li>
<li>Felt (to make the owl)</li>
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:: Steps ::</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESfrr9wQe0o/T03eO_eJD7I/AAAAAAAAARk/hPh10JSea2c/s1600/owl+1.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESfrr9wQe0o/T03eO_eJD7I/AAAAAAAAARk/hPh10JSea2c/s1600/owl+1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsGHKhj6cNI/T03ePWaoKYI/AAAAAAAAARs/nT_Ahrx6-zc/s1600/owl+2.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsGHKhj6cNI/T03ePWaoKYI/AAAAAAAAARs/nT_Ahrx6-zc/s1600/owl+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHcOKqa6DUjTOD2R3xqPNdmDPwA9ZuIa3gjRiH5jKOQ4R7XSZTrCZadphtVpu0X4lJDi04Z4wCOn0pCeNBkLyRjmYu31liqr7E2Hlmu_A1FLVjs5PIij52SwUpzNxEtpu6dab3EMlip1k/s1600/owl+3.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHcOKqa6DUjTOD2R3xqPNdmDPwA9ZuIa3gjRiH5jKOQ4R7XSZTrCZadphtVpu0X4lJDi04Z4wCOn0pCeNBkLyRjmYu31liqr7E2Hlmu_A1FLVjs5PIij52SwUpzNxEtpu6dab3EMlip1k/s1600/owl+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is how I created my owl. You can obviously make yours however you want it, but in case you needed an idea, I started with the body, then added the belly and wings, and then the face. I left out the feet, mostly because my owl feet always suck... but maybe you can make yours not suck? :P</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y1kowJlFn_c/T03ePyxnPlI/AAAAAAAAAR0/80hygkdUYIk/s1600/step+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y1kowJlFn_c/T03ePyxnPlI/AAAAAAAAAR0/80hygkdUYIk/s200/step+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut strips of burlap and wrap around the wreath , hot gluing along the way.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yxr9ES6kjTM/T03eQeMwAuI/AAAAAAAAAR8/kyl37cyweNY/s1600/step+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yxr9ES6kjTM/T03eQeMwAuI/AAAAAAAAAR8/kyl37cyweNY/s200/step+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover the entire wreath with burlap. There were stray strands, but I liked the rustic look, so I didn't trim.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWUwiGQLJKk/T03eQzF8uHI/AAAAAAAAASE/jJ73SucI160/s1600/step+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWUwiGQLJKk/T03eQzF8uHI/AAAAAAAAASE/jJ73SucI160/s200/step+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut a long, wide strip of burlap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL1jMhmCtkzmDHUKMfE6PqflupH_85_zkj0hw6c3QQh240h6wHhAABazrhFsLPJkYu54yVVDuos4QOWO3mUQ2K66YOQ8jl7rRCkqJqqyXs0c6MlvT1tPB6Ia0lN2d7VF1u4Ub2KkMQnO0/s1600/step+4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL1jMhmCtkzmDHUKMfE6PqflupH_85_zkj0hw6c3QQh240h6wHhAABazrhFsLPJkYu54yVVDuos4QOWO3mUQ2K66YOQ8jl7rRCkqJqqyXs0c6MlvT1tPB6Ia0lN2d7VF1u4Ub2KkMQnO0/s200/step+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot glue one end of the strip to the wreath. Start bunching and gluing down that side of the strip around the wreath.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0abF1KbNtqA/T03eR4OAs9I/AAAAAAAAASU/bZrKn-hQFC4/s1600/step+5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0abF1KbNtqA/T03eR4OAs9I/AAAAAAAAASU/bZrKn-hQFC4/s200/step+5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you're done, it should look like a strange, bunchy donut. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdqKg1bsHbk/T03eSd7odSI/AAAAAAAAASc/tcd_uzRobb8/s1600/step+6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdqKg1bsHbk/T03eSd7odSI/AAAAAAAAASc/tcd_uzRobb8/s200/step+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then take the other side of the strip (that isn't glued down), and fold it over where you just glued down the other side (it should be further inside the wreath hole). Glue this side down, bunching as you go. This is what it will look like on the inside.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSP5hCCZx85YwIoWPfFSPVNrGBolddQam1Xd0PUSfBt-IYCciU0e7MH-UrX5DzIPlwmwzRGgNSrtOqe6tfhLmTfeZ3NVxKetAI7JCbILleDdmZsI65B_lVB6N4EOaTqf58gYnggIJCu6c/s1600/step+7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSP5hCCZx85YwIoWPfFSPVNrGBolddQam1Xd0PUSfBt-IYCciU0e7MH-UrX5DzIPlwmwzRGgNSrtOqe6tfhLmTfeZ3NVxKetAI7JCbILleDdmZsI65B_lVB6N4EOaTqf58gYnggIJCu6c/s200/step+7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you have should look something like this. Except, you know, the full wreath. :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsAJmEySXVWWQtJ83P4rUpePsdwzdYv6aMpqXBSJJZm4Sd6jseFCQIcZ6tdTMoHqQAu7Un2mEucydm9NYDOPna-py02u6suDP_rSneCmRE4YmqlBnBVbDd9AE-LGR2fC6NnLr5iVv9Lje/s1600/final.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsAJmEySXVWWQtJ83P4rUpePsdwzdYv6aMpqXBSJJZm4Sd6jseFCQIcZ6tdTMoHqQAu7Un2mEucydm9NYDOPna-py02u6suDP_rSneCmRE4YmqlBnBVbDd9AE-LGR2fC6NnLr5iVv9Lje/s200/final.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add owl, flowers... whatever you'd like with your glue. And you're done!</td></tr>
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Ta da!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWe7sCOLG6wmrGTYkLoMA9hluSdW6ymfK4FdK_RiSks2MJ4gO_FjAuuNg2eoUKYcG4cgWCpz8uztTIMkIA0HX7HeODALNEttCbzkKXn42FquS6n3EviGplhDSujcunGsGzOjW1s5jwlGt/s1600/wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWe7sCOLG6wmrGTYkLoMA9hluSdW6ymfK4FdK_RiSks2MJ4gO_FjAuuNg2eoUKYcG4cgWCpz8uztTIMkIA0HX7HeODALNEttCbzkKXn42FquS6n3EviGplhDSujcunGsGzOjW1s5jwlGt/s1600/wreath.jpg" /></a></div>
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<center><a href="http://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/Blissful_and_Domestic/big123-1-1.jpg" width="100" /></a></center></div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-33762154013855187442012-02-26T15:54:00.004-08:002012-03-05T13:09:49.161-08:00gathered fabric flowers {tutorial}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy weekend! I've been spending a lot of time these days trying to come up with crafts that perk me up (because of all the <a href="http://copehope.blogspot.com/2012/02/polka-dotted-flower-pillow.html">stress</a>), and what better way than to make a bunch of flowers?!<br />
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I know, I know.... there are a billion ways to make fabric flowers nowadays (and trust me, I love every method. I'm pretty sure I've <i>tried </i>every method.), but when I need to make something quick and have it look halfway decent, this is my favorite method. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsurdX6FIKxxpF75E2QejV5Kt98vODkI5phN6omTyvvqFZT6mlbFelEp8GhAvJ27GiuETqvHXHwnPOGmCh-d92Wp8a5ZP21QmaRt3oHeJ71WxVfe-GKLC9wv2k8vrBwgc8Vgdey14grIH/s1600/heading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsurdX6FIKxxpF75E2QejV5Kt98vODkI5phN6omTyvvqFZT6mlbFelEp8GhAvJ27GiuETqvHXHwnPOGmCh-d92Wp8a5ZP21QmaRt3oHeJ71WxVfe-GKLC9wv2k8vrBwgc8Vgdey14grIH/s1600/heading.jpg" /></a></div>
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:: Supplies I used ::</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GI_K7yNBCSPaPcuPew50ikZWyHM6NJG_wnbp9A1xfBu6-WTWq1ohC8GwVoBbc8YN3ay82vNmrnUgyJ0Hyt35HNgWQe7JbS__3-B76nuFQHOC37lNPxA0bXbKW5H8EkGTgQt9MdHJRTS8/s1600/materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GI_K7yNBCSPaPcuPew50ikZWyHM6NJG_wnbp9A1xfBu6-WTWq1ohC8GwVoBbc8YN3ay82vNmrnUgyJ0Hyt35HNgWQe7JbS__3-B76nuFQHOC37lNPxA0bXbKW5H8EkGTgQt9MdHJRTS8/s1600/materials.jpg" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Fabric</li>
<li>Hot Glue Gun</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Needle & Thread</li>
<li>Felt</li>
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Cut a strip of fabric. You'll be folding this in half, and that will determine how "long" your "petal" is, so keep that in mind when deciding how wide to cut the fabric. The wider your fabric, the bigger your petals, and the longer your fabric the bigger your overall flower will be.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH_tuJpdbmhRmYdm8KU0GOsUj6O8XGLPuhESqp9SanSKxAXys8lRDehHnm8VlJF0XKpLX2edoGWD2zdm2QWOROGGcSNPjLTdHJcmMhgOWmo7UlFA93BXjSPACj4JoNiNrvBh_VGWlYkvK/s1600/step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH_tuJpdbmhRmYdm8KU0GOsUj6O8XGLPuhESqp9SanSKxAXys8lRDehHnm8VlJF0XKpLX2edoGWD2zdm2QWOROGGcSNPjLTdHJcmMhgOWmo7UlFA93BXjSPACj4JoNiNrvBh_VGWlYkvK/s1600/step+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thread your needle, and create a knot at the end. Fold the strip in half and start your sewing near the raw edge (<i>not</i> at the fold). You'll notice my knotted thread, and I actually sewed around the side a couple of times to secure my knot in place (you really don't want that sucker to get out).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasorXGf0VKUFHJE35MuGhz6di1sKHLydv2hb_EL8u0GHvQzyW8SMSVRXywiECc3_XPjWt5qZeYTFzigni97vwTQNviZxhzbB2I843cm_DBdsngWQip2QSP8u06n2s6ibNN0vV1o5PHth9/s1600/step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasorXGf0VKUFHJE35MuGhz6di1sKHLydv2hb_EL8u0GHvQzyW8SMSVRXywiECc3_XPjWt5qZeYTFzigni97vwTQNviZxhzbB2I843cm_DBdsngWQip2QSP8u06n2s6ibNN0vV1o5PHth9/s1600/step+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sew along the raw edge in long stitches. I kept my stitches at about half an inch.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BgsOr4MHBg/T0rEnYxqI5I/AAAAAAAAAPU/lkN_UmZC1Ag/s1600/step+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BgsOr4MHBg/T0rEnYxqI5I/AAAAAAAAAPU/lkN_UmZC1Ag/s1600/step+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpPmN1ZpFsM/T0rEntFyhUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/5gIVsss19Ek/s1600/step+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpPmN1ZpFsM/T0rEntFyhUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/5gIVsss19Ek/s1600/step+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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When you've stitched the entire length of fabric, hold the thread at the end without the knot and gently start pulling your fabric towards the end with the knot. You are 'gathering' your fabric. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwPWky0tw8k061jMWvYl5fSYy9tNd0ZPhM-qHgTLGJpyaJuz96ZhOW5S2WqHOWmAfkwfysr2FQG5Jvwy5_8FSn-8bpMuYmlZ4eJKm4ukPzRdFlxQBWchsXYgDegqt0JmOh_Mih-031nmj/s1600/step+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwPWky0tw8k061jMWvYl5fSYy9tNd0ZPhM-qHgTLGJpyaJuz96ZhOW5S2WqHOWmAfkwfysr2FQG5Jvwy5_8FSn-8bpMuYmlZ4eJKm4ukPzRdFlxQBWchsXYgDegqt0JmOh_Mih-031nmj/s1600/step+5.jpg" /></a></div>
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You should end up with a scrunched up pile like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPHrfUmC5y-tePY7yDcbrqsm2BlAzNbkUrm5fKjFQ7vpB4px3EGae4pEPWJ4Rz3SqDvS9bn40JOo0oO31mOyBiLuUb2yZTl87GW7l00lhhJztGNEmMV0rJsihjEc5dZy5mKtqCXVgQuI2/s1600/step+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPHrfUmC5y-tePY7yDcbrqsm2BlAzNbkUrm5fKjFQ7vpB4px3EGae4pEPWJ4Rz3SqDvS9bn40JOo0oO31mOyBiLuUb2yZTl87GW7l00lhhJztGNEmMV0rJsihjEc5dZy5mKtqCXVgQuI2/s1600/step+6.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are two kinds of flowers you can make from here. You can space it out evenly and create a flat flower with space in the middle for a button or an accent:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ek40anXTaSE/T0rFW6YnFhI/AAAAAAAAAP8/PwoABuFgdyY/s1600/step+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ek40anXTaSE/T0rFW6YnFhI/AAAAAAAAAP8/PwoABuFgdyY/s1600/step+7.jpg" /></a></div>
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Or you can wrap it around to create a more 3D flower:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xG94NwPyHtkuXybYMslhxo_RSjnPkuSstLs_8FQkpr4Ngqm2T76GnGruoR5jtqy48qGjU2ut2-IGisnhTlnAYFwxPE3ICMJlgqUmgZdGU24QKbTW0AOgWvjK67Uu5wPgae1DrKacomBu/s1600/step+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xG94NwPyHtkuXybYMslhxo_RSjnPkuSstLs_8FQkpr4Ngqm2T76GnGruoR5jtqy48qGjU2ut2-IGisnhTlnAYFwxPE3ICMJlgqUmgZdGU24QKbTW0AOgWvjK67Uu5wPgae1DrKacomBu/s1600/step+8.jpg" /></a></div>
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Either way, glue it down to a piece of felt to secure the flower, and cut the remaining thread once the flower is secure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNWqu4NXis0PKwHSgWgKQD1qUqCU5i-0-ERKrABRmTvViGb22p_EMEGwufupsS5THt_RQ4OkeXzgiCbZUK15IlNlfbYf74jaKtDOFaZV2W0w_07gJgq4jwFu3OETptp8ue-VXy5-GOWO-/s1600/step+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNWqu4NXis0PKwHSgWgKQD1qUqCU5i-0-ERKrABRmTvViGb22p_EMEGwufupsS5THt_RQ4OkeXzgiCbZUK15IlNlfbYf74jaKtDOFaZV2W0w_07gJgq4jwFu3OETptp8ue-VXy5-GOWO-/s1600/step+11.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can try different lengths and widths of fabric to see what different variations of the flower you can make. The dark orange and yellow fabrics were cut thinner than my light orange one, and it gave me more of a funky, zig zag petal pattern (which I liked). :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_A9Kv5mVims/T0rGIrTiAuI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Bbl9zOrO63I/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_A9Kv5mVims/T0rGIrTiAuI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Bbl9zOrO63I/s1600/final.jpg" /></a></div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<a border="0" href="http://anoriginalbelle.blogspot.com/search/label/Make-It-Yourself%20Monday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l554/hatsworth1/makeityourselfmondayfeaturedbutton.png" /></a></div>
</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-19197055595783996892012-02-23T14:19:00.002-08:002012-02-23T14:19:46.594-08:00polka-dotted flower {pillow}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What a week!<br />
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How is it that when things break down, <i>everything</i> breaks down at once? The cell phone was a bummer. The internet was a bother. But my car really put me over my stress limit.<br />
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Murphy's law, am I right?<br />
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Anyways, to cheer myself up I've been doing more crafting that usual, but as you know, I tend to do everything at once, so everything's anywhere from "just started" to "one more stitch and I'll be done". Except this... I managed to somehow finish this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_H4iLebl3vinXQ_x6yZLOvACtFosoWMLOnNv6lhYZfjLzJk_m0e6N5ujgTd2x3iSPo-E4BYXh1E3gjGFmW0B0qroRPsME56JwvaDiXeBPEDqSxBAM5kPbLBJ34B2EkSlfwpdTkxKp6No/s1600/IMG016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_H4iLebl3vinXQ_x6yZLOvACtFosoWMLOnNv6lhYZfjLzJk_m0e6N5ujgTd2x3iSPo-E4BYXh1E3gjGFmW0B0qroRPsME56JwvaDiXeBPEDqSxBAM5kPbLBJ34B2EkSlfwpdTkxKp6No/s1600/IMG016.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hello, happy green polka-dotted flowery pillow!</div>
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I'm kind of a little obsessed with yellow, green, and orange, and I go a little nuts over polka dots, so this definitely brought all of my happy things together. It's almost like I don't even care that I currently don't have a working car! <i>Almost</i>.</div>
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The pillow has a yellow binding around it, and I chose different shades of yellow and orange for the different flowers:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7YMd_mbmJAw/T0a6jKtdTRI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mTZ19VgGSXg/s1600/IMG015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7YMd_mbmJAw/T0a6jKtdTRI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mTZ19VgGSXg/s1600/IMG015.jpg" /></a></div>
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So yes, life is a bit stressful right now (I forgot a jacket on the way to work yesterday and almost burst out crying, that's how stressed I am!), but at least I feel a little bit accomplished in something.<br />
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On a related note... if I come home and something has happened to this pillow, I think I'll completely lose it. :P</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-59528942686917417162012-02-18T14:56:00.000-08:002012-02-23T14:19:57.537-08:00magnetic canvas board {tutorial}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy weekend!<br />
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I hope your week was just as fun as mine. My cousin from Australia is in town with her hubby and three young boys (ages 3-6), so on Thursday I got to join them for a little Disneyland time. :) All the pictures I've been taking got me thinking on how I wanted a board in my room to display them... but I knew I didn't want to use pins because that would destroy the pictures. I liked the fabric/photo frame magnetic boards that are popular nowadays, but I wanted it to be a little more personal. So I came up with...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7TM-scyYB-sxqTpQcHb3LuR1tA0cEc9-HWGTcpnlEumiOWLV-kIwXNi7PTnAJePQw61zC9ecdBN_Yr9GIZI4PMCZh-lTJ-Z9jI1DoQemw-0jafROJA7we-4cbWUqwyC_bbW7h5_Pgtws/s1600/header2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7TM-scyYB-sxqTpQcHb3LuR1tA0cEc9-HWGTcpnlEumiOWLV-kIwXNi7PTnAJePQw61zC9ecdBN_Yr9GIZI4PMCZh-lTJ-Z9jI1DoQemw-0jafROJA7we-4cbWUqwyC_bbW7h5_Pgtws/s1600/header2.jpg" /></a></div>
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The magnetic canvas board! It's quick (took me about 2 hours, including drying time), cheap, and pretty fun to do. :)</div>
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{the magnets on the board were made by me using the same method as my <a href="http://copehope.blogspot.com/2012/02/photo-magnets.html">photo magnets</a>, except I used fabric instead of photos.}</div>
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{ Supplies I used... }</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1uahYHlDck/T0An3O-mfnI/AAAAAAAAAM0/4W9_lv_fDCo/s1600/materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1uahYHlDck/T0An3O-mfnI/AAAAAAAAAM0/4W9_lv_fDCo/s200/materials.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Canvas (mine is 11 x 14 inches. On sale for $4 at Michaels)</li>
<li>Metal sheet (mins is 8 x 12 inches. Pre-cut in the ventilation section at Lowe's. $1.)</li>
<li>Paint (I used acrylic. About $1 a bottle at Michaels. I ended up only needing one yellow and a bit of white.)</li>
<li>Paintbrushes (Foam brush is 7 cents at Michaels. Other brushes I already had)</li>
<li>Strong clear glue (already in stock for me!)</li>
<li>Pencil (for those of us who aren't too confident in our skills at painting letters.)</li>
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...so that totals to about $6.07 plus tax. Not bad!</div>
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My sheet of metal is just a bit smaller than my canvas, which was perfect because I could just slide it in between the canvas and the frame in the back like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Su5H8BV5QVKwAnZ8jDLPBuh7h-1ye8BheTlt6rO8S3sD6g7Ve5qZ5Emv8kB-SUhD5uZtSk9w7o5J3Ddme2Wk7kBrDZfTilWX3Nv2LDFTmuQd2yBKJrtyOvT88k_QUi7EA9zyneVHohTG/s1600/step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Su5H8BV5QVKwAnZ8jDLPBuh7h-1ye8BheTlt6rO8S3sD6g7Ve5qZ5Emv8kB-SUhD5uZtSk9w7o5J3Ddme2Wk7kBrDZfTilWX3Nv2LDFTmuQd2yBKJrtyOvT88k_QUi7EA9zyneVHohTG/s200/step+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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There's some space at the bottom, but I didn't mind because that's where my lettering went, and I didn't need that part to be magnetic.</div>
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I decided to glue the sheet in <i>before</i> I painted the canvas, just in case the glue leaked out (I didn't want it to ruin my painting). So put some glue around the edges of the metal sheet and slid it right back in between the canvas and the frame.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVPsyVKgEz4/T0ApNF7l4LI/AAAAAAAAANU/SN-OuERQFNo/s1600/step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVPsyVKgEz4/T0ApNF7l4LI/AAAAAAAAANU/SN-OuERQFNo/s200/step+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Let the glue dry for a little bit. Go have a snack. Watch some TV. Pet the dog. That sort of stuff. :)</div>
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Next step is to paint the canvas however you'd like. I looove the color yellow, so I opted to paint my entire canvas that gorgeous color. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvnQTNGG7Pbhx9SpP258KslyBhWri_BfFuogUhQXYE00LGeyASGf4WnT7rJ6mxLZjJeZ0oTmkWKsvGciUk2xueiXeQYiKXdTumPv-REiE5Uycnz-zPFgtwVip77BRArWkWpNEfhM6JsNW/s1600/step+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvnQTNGG7Pbhx9SpP258KslyBhWri_BfFuogUhQXYE00LGeyASGf4WnT7rJ6mxLZjJeZ0oTmkWKsvGciUk2xueiXeQYiKXdTumPv-REiE5Uycnz-zPFgtwVip77BRArWkWpNEfhM6JsNW/s200/step+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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You could still see the gray of the metal sheet after the first coat, so I let the first coat dry a bit and did a second coat on top of it.
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Let the pain dry completely.</div>
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When the canvas is dry, you can start your lettering. I don't like to chance anything, so I used a pencil first. My printer is down at the moment, so I had to freehand my lettering. You can use a template and trace a pretty font on if you'd like (and are able).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4DKFOUBP1mUW5xEIvrTS4QvDFdATCKW9fz5YgdfoN80UfF7jdtIef5u2Ld6T7jKBNdyrNEdo84JvJ0P0XYQ8ImBesDoH6UGAx6h_PSZWuk0S0HPNjn4BluFh4hPzWM5cul2C4rmWc9uW/s1600/step+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4DKFOUBP1mUW5xEIvrTS4QvDFdATCKW9fz5YgdfoN80UfF7jdtIef5u2Ld6T7jKBNdyrNEdo84JvJ0P0XYQ8ImBesDoH6UGAx6h_PSZWuk0S0HPNjn4BluFh4hPzWM5cul2C4rmWc9uW/s200/step+6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Go over the lettering in your paint color of choice with a small brush. Since I used white, I needed to do three coats for the pencil marks to really go away. I also opted to draw flowers in the corner because it looked a bit empty. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kquD7g8vZOM/T0Aq3IPVI1I/AAAAAAAAAN0/HN5Av6UVKYA/s1600/step+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kquD7g8vZOM/T0Aq3IPVI1I/AAAAAAAAAN0/HN5Av6UVKYA/s200/step+8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I chose "life is good" because it seemed like a great way for me to wake up and remember to be grateful for everything that I have. I could put cards, notes, pictures, whatever on the board, and it would all reflect on the fact that life is <i>good</i>.</div>
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You can letter different things on your board, like your family name, "to-do list"... possibilities are endless. :)</div>
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When the board's dry, you can start putting magnets on it and hang it up!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55EKrTgVr_8/T0AsVIHgvUI/AAAAAAAAAOE/50gZvwnRlz4/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55EKrTgVr_8/T0AsVIHgvUI/AAAAAAAAAOE/50gZvwnRlz4/s200/final.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Enjoy! :)</div>
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</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-81612147117684854422012-02-15T00:54:00.000-08:002012-02-15T00:54:36.058-08:00post-valentine's day postHope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!<br />
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I spent 11 hours of my lovely day in the office... which sounds just awful at first, but when you share an office with your valentine, it's not <i>so</i> bad. :)<br />
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He actually goes into the office before me, but I snuck in before he got there to set up his loot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c6s9m0PDryQo8sa8btmdkOojwuiYCHXalBkHkPK3of7eZlhLAOlR77424Sfgk6pDhwejXmoTGAJBRIgY73peofv51EHQIRoupsRJavgm65H_Bai3RI2oi9BH1VNbgYEZXcJYJQLZeH19/s1600/2012-02-14+12.52.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c6s9m0PDryQo8sa8btmdkOojwuiYCHXalBkHkPK3of7eZlhLAOlR77424Sfgk6pDhwejXmoTGAJBRIgY73peofv51EHQIRoupsRJavgm65H_Bai3RI2oi9BH1VNbgYEZXcJYJQLZeH19/s320/2012-02-14+12.52.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cookies, card, and Star Wars placemat were made by me, and the little takeout box actually contains the <a href="http://copehope.blogspot.com/2012/02/photo-magnets.html">photo magnets</a> I made a few days ago. They were actually a hit. Apparently physicists love magnets. Go figure.</div>
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The chocolates were obviously not made by me, but Ghirardelli does a much better job at making them anyways. ;)</div>
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I also came in later with a homemade meal (which was the original reason for making the placemat). Nothing fancy... just monte cristo sandwiches and some mac and cheese, but he loves those foods, so that's what I made. [Star Wars, sandwiches, cookies... yes, I am aware that it sounds like I'm dating a 10 year old, but I'm a firm believer in keeping some of the child in us alive, so I encourage it. :) ]</div>
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I also erased whatever important things we had on our giant whiteboard to write this:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsNz1spC_JM/TztySVV8QSI/AAAAAAAAAMY/lAl4PX5WLvo/s1600/2012-02-14+15.15.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsNz1spC_JM/TztySVV8QSI/AAAAAAAAAMY/lAl4PX5WLvo/s320/2012-02-14+15.15.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...because I thought that was also very important (<i>and</i> we got to see the magnets in use! sort of. :P).</div>
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Hope your day was full of love and joy... and chocolate! :)</div>
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<br /></div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-11131921387817827542012-02-12T16:52:00.000-08:002012-02-23T14:20:13.249-08:00photo magnets {tutorial}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of my favorite things about Valentine's Day is that it's a perfect excuse to make personalized, handmade, lovey-dovey gifts. And what could possibly be more personalized than a gift with your face on it? :P I'd seen some tutorials for making marble magnets using cardstock, but I found that the same rules do <b>not</b> apply for photographs. I tried three different sealers and glues before I could find one that stuck <i>and</i> didn't ruin the photo. So here it is.. a quick how to on photo magnets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVXdubk3EW4UEbp83x4Sf8C6bINcUPEEKqI-6fRtU0X9mJ0X5_9CaxQjCu18nPw3QYCuKyHQwI5WMYmoB8H_29R4vImKngIt_gJe011JnwlEAD-N8qfiBq3ieA53EBoHvHqsC_A2sy16q/s1600/Photo+Magnets+Title+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVXdubk3EW4UEbp83x4Sf8C6bINcUPEEKqI-6fRtU0X9mJ0X5_9CaxQjCu18nPw3QYCuKyHQwI5WMYmoB8H_29R4vImKngIt_gJe011JnwlEAD-N8qfiBq3ieA53EBoHvHqsC_A2sy16q/s1600/Photo+Magnets+Title+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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{ Supplies I used... }</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jejJ8Q6fAEw/Tzhahq5jW3I/AAAAAAAAAJY/kTwEBG0yCOE/s1600/supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jejJ8Q6fAEw/Tzhahq5jW3I/AAAAAAAAAJY/kTwEBG0yCOE/s1600/supplies.jpg" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Photos (shrunk them on the computer and printed 4 per a 4x6 page so they'd fit in the marbles)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Magnets (bought at Michael's)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Scissors</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Pencil</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Silicone Sealer (found at the home improvement section at Target, makes sure it's <b>clear</b>)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><i>Clear</i> Jumbo Marbles (you can also use the little ones if you wish, just make sure they are truly clear. Hold it up to the light, if you see any pink, blue, or green tinge, they're not clear. Both kinds were at Joanne's.)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">E600 (but any strong glue will work <i>except</i> a hot glue gun)</li>
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I tried using mod podge instead of the silicone sealer, but the glue refused to dry in the middle, no matter how think I spread it on the photo. I also tried using just E600, but that damaged the photos I had and made them blurry. It did work very well to glue down the magnets, however. :)</div>
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Start by choosing one of the marbles to work with (make sure it's not scratched, as a lot of mine were. I also carefully washed all of mine before starting.) and tracing it around your photo.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPj3P1zML9w/TzhcG0SLGPI/AAAAAAAAAJg/wu11TgKFddY/s1600/step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPj3P1zML9w/TzhcG0SLGPI/AAAAAAAAAJg/wu11TgKFddY/s1600/step+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Cut on the inside of the line, so that your photo is slightly smaller than how you traced it. Put your marble over it and make sure the photo edge doesn't stick out anywhere. You might have to trim parts of it to make it fit properly. When finished, they should look like this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLFjWW43-To/Tzhck-5O9tI/AAAAAAAAAJo/Wge1vNWYWWE/s1600/step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLFjWW43-To/Tzhck-5O9tI/AAAAAAAAAJo/Wge1vNWYWWE/s1600/step+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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...You'll notice two of those aren't photos of anyone. :) I chose to print some logos and pictures of stuff he likes, so he wouldn't be bombarded with our faces everywhere. I also used photoshop to create a quick "happy valentines day 2012" one:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7cCvg4Rf34/Tzhc5vDmRtI/AAAAAAAAAJw/c_c0OBo1DnU/s1600/step+2(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7cCvg4Rf34/Tzhc5vDmRtI/AAAAAAAAAJw/c_c0OBo1DnU/s1600/step+2(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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...I think it's cute. :)</div>
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Put a dab of the silicone sealer onto your marble. I put on a lot more than was needed, because I wanted some spillover to ensure a good bond all the way around. You don't have to put as much as I have on here. Also, the silicone sealant looks white, but since it said "clear" on the tube, I knew it would dry clear, so don't freak out if it looks like that. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oTz5NxfvMo/TzhdM9K6mDI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/6EvMOTdkU-c/s1600/step+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oTz5NxfvMo/TzhdM9K6mDI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/6EvMOTdkU-c/s1600/step+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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And then press the photo onto the glue until there's a good coat all around. You can move around the photo if it's not centered (my sealer said it dried in 3 hours... so that gave me plenty of time!), and wipe off any excess around the edges.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aobVt8y-SRA/TzhdsH-U0uI/AAAAAAAAAKA/WY7vCDy8IGE/s1600/step+3(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aobVt8y-SRA/TzhdsH-U0uI/AAAAAAAAAKA/WY7vCDy8IGE/s1600/step+3(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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Put them face down to dry.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MD-3MsZjZxo/Tzhd1P3OaaI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Jh1mhMFxbqI/s1600/step+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MD-3MsZjZxo/Tzhd1P3OaaI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Jh1mhMFxbqI/s1600/step+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Once dry, put a dab of glue onto the magnet, and glue them to the backs of your photo marble.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfZVwYeuotEfGb9Lpumbmjz_zfmnH4F809Stq_5UdnG7QYG0cbx32q21plR8pQl_H81iOqRUOE_7z2gPhgCOgfx3SWioL8-HAnk4lGfflACWQSb3C1JADY7MWNaHHz0yAYJKpOmiSC6rD/s1600/step+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfZVwYeuotEfGb9Lpumbmjz_zfmnH4F809Stq_5UdnG7QYG0cbx32q21plR8pQl_H81iOqRUOE_7z2gPhgCOgfx3SWioL8-HAnk4lGfflACWQSb3C1JADY7MWNaHHz0yAYJKpOmiSC6rD/s1600/step+5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AIJEZpuBrk/Tzhd_o6MxEI/AAAAAAAAAKY/RQz2GOMK4rM/s1600/step+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AIJEZpuBrk/Tzhd_o6MxEI/AAAAAAAAAKY/RQz2GOMK4rM/s1600/step+6.jpg" /></a></div>
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And... you're done! :) Here is my finished batch:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70CjO5SEGPTp1EBqtznyFQCzZKvhKRRxgZUHQnxA84S0qZAAfTznE-Vu5Yd5AGfBkKHMOMIDZr8fDkhrW49Id4kO3KqThuMWbPhEzpQqweRTvHP6nPjkJLSJISJWL7PPSG34MRR2Yjv6I/s1600/Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70CjO5SEGPTp1EBqtznyFQCzZKvhKRRxgZUHQnxA84S0qZAAfTznE-Vu5Yd5AGfBkKHMOMIDZr8fDkhrW49Id4kO3KqThuMWbPhEzpQqweRTvHP6nPjkJLSJISJWL7PPSG34MRR2Yjv6I/s1600/Final.jpg" /></a></div>
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They stay on the fridge quite well even though I didn't buy the "heavy duty" ones (couldn't find them anywhere), and even though I used jumbo marbles instead of the usual small ones.</div>
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Enjoy! :)</div>
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<a href="http://toastiestudio.blogspot.com/" title="toastie studio"><img alt="toastie studio" height="125" src="http://www.toastiestudio.nl/blog/toastie_feature.jpg" width="125" /></a><a border="0" href="http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLwY49bD8jzqOTiVe92mr_LONN_D4IphrWq4LtfgjgSnXPct8QujYWZ0p5UF59f5DK1lL8NNH8ilarZPu_9-wos2cPMF8sPqpPJC7sO4wn0kNKUfj6X9_cvux6CygVlAgI8FJ7EoGBPHB/s800/PH_125x125_featured.jpg" /></a><a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEt0Wulh31JST9rA1aeJGLDbHXyMYKU2oT1iUk4rRWgqTMO_x89j22TydfoBYN-gKabL_UNA3ier0BS7M-_T_EPEX5iYbKcCyLukB_TtYYUwIqPZWE3SttDlOGLdhs30hSRSIK8wJHugP/s1600/Ginger_Snaps_Feature.p" /></a>
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</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-22180194913427542302012-02-11T02:15:00.000-08:002012-02-23T14:20:33.232-08:00heart paper chains {tutorial}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What do you do when all the decoration supplies you have are paper, scissors, and stapler? Why... make heart paper chains, of course! :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-SmQnUcEs/TzY8W6vjGVI/AAAAAAAAAHc/vsATtumVavc/s1600/heartpaperchains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-SmQnUcEs/TzY8W6vjGVI/AAAAAAAAAHc/vsATtumVavc/s1600/heartpaperchains.jpg" /></a></div>
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We were looking for a fun way to use our office cardstock supply to whip up some quick heart decorations, but the thought of just cutting out a bunch of little hearts seemed daunting to me (I had a long day :P), so instead I opted to make these heart paper chains. I like them because they're quick and cute... and also because we have a paper slicer that did all the cutting for me. ;)<br />
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[again, I apologize for the terrible photos... I had to use a cellphone to snap the pictures.]<br />
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First step is to cut your paper into strips. Mine are 6 inches x 1 inch wide. I wanted to make my chains two-toned, so I used different colors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKtugAtO-CsD0JTTnv4Xmj3j8mmBUrtscLFQGaaj4uFkDp0wNMshgfNrf-zsUBHsjiHnc1rnP3hxKDyC-flVY-jMkz8HB895r5C5jLDAS3YWllz3cvosXGVw1AMJGhER6YaoiKK2VrDw3/s1600/2012-02-10+20.13.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKtugAtO-CsD0JTTnv4Xmj3j8mmBUrtscLFQGaaj4uFkDp0wNMshgfNrf-zsUBHsjiHnc1rnP3hxKDyC-flVY-jMkz8HB895r5C5jLDAS3YWllz3cvosXGVw1AMJGhER6YaoiKK2VrDw3/s320/2012-02-10+20.13.03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then start with 4 strips. Sandwich them so that one of the colors is sandwiched between the other color (for example, mine is white, red, red, white).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5SEwISJKIIFZwfN_cM_bAmMsNWbd2FQgw2Uiwg5dVD3yG9_0a0JJHZQRAje5NO2rJjiQvirL2AViFfjoZugrY_CC2ElGeGHgeVGam_wQseGz7GMF6rHT7RDotocDtnFfP4l7ngpEfE-C/s1600/2012-02-10+20.13.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5SEwISJKIIFZwfN_cM_bAmMsNWbd2FQgw2Uiwg5dVD3yG9_0a0JJHZQRAje5NO2rJjiQvirL2AViFfjoZugrY_CC2ElGeGHgeVGam_wQseGz7GMF6rHT7RDotocDtnFfP4l7ngpEfE-C/s320/2012-02-10+20.13.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Line them up, and staple. I stapled mine pretty close to the edge, but if you move it further away, it creates 'fatter' hearts. :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJNh3CebSSY/TzY8szwbWZI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Eky6s2VO8n4/s1600/2012-02-10+20.13.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJNh3CebSSY/TzY8szwbWZI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Eky6s2VO8n4/s320/2012-02-10+20.13.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bring down the two outside strips to make the heart shape. Before you staple it down, add two more strips of the next color for the next heart. This creates the "chain".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv7qUKCdSRbxakxuhaCE-d-eAiIG2DULPR7Y0cnT2wTptdw_Yn7IqTeKVbHm7nJ0SOcn02R5X_6iEPIFGJdk6JF8Y4chqPwfCwp_0XQvjcUdOsZxjKjfZIFTxHPkJY6a5febBj9rlQRMo/s1600/2012-02-10+20.14.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv7qUKCdSRbxakxuhaCE-d-eAiIG2DULPR7Y0cnT2wTptdw_Yn7IqTeKVbHm7nJ0SOcn02R5X_6iEPIFGJdk6JF8Y4chqPwfCwp_0XQvjcUdOsZxjKjfZIFTxHPkJY6a5febBj9rlQRMo/s320/2012-02-10+20.14.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then staple together. :)</td></tr>
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Repeat the process, and make it as long as you'd like!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yYGkNDG05-w/TzY8u_-t31I/AAAAAAAAAIU/iApCJj6ylOM/s1600/2012-02-10+20.15.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yYGkNDG05-w/TzY8u_-t31I/AAAAAAAAAIU/iApCJj6ylOM/s320/2012-02-10+20.15.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you notice, I left a strip at the top that wasn't "heart-ed". This was so I could join it with the last heart in my chain, and make a paper heart wreath, which ends up looking like this:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qLYa9qjj2qI/TzY-bpNH13I/AAAAAAAAAIo/NF_i-4SYy3E/s1600/2012-02-10+21.09.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qLYa9qjj2qI/TzY-bpNH13I/AAAAAAAAAIo/NF_i-4SYy3E/s320/2012-02-10+21.09.51.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you don't like the wreath look, you can start with just two strips of paper, and add on as you go. :)</div>
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I had a ton of fun making these in all different colors. They look pretty nice hung up:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-kQoIUX25Y/TzZCZKolkYI/AAAAAAAAAJA/9-t1DfUE6Aw/s1600/paperchain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-kQoIUX25Y/TzZCZKolkYI/AAAAAAAAAJA/9-t1DfUE6Aw/s200/paperchain.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOkRZa6VzDQPVuRD6G25IkpqIIvGmW0Bn_Wy3lFfKYy-rKPH6JLAKK7PDK3IILNaNnw0KPU7Q0r26QnrhDB0c2ZklcvEFtR9IakJArcv7AYZwPrEbeDh3o3ThaPw2WqYN82BOxDLA3V0E/s1600/paperchain2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOkRZa6VzDQPVuRD6G25IkpqIIvGmW0Bn_Wy3lFfKYy-rKPH6JLAKK7PDK3IILNaNnw0KPU7Q0r26QnrhDB0c2ZklcvEFtR9IakJArcv7AYZwPrEbeDh3o3ThaPw2WqYN82BOxDLA3V0E/s200/paperchain2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Enjoy! :)</div>
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</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-47141617493990085282012-02-07T11:44:00.000-08:002012-02-07T11:44:42.889-08:00at lastWhy is it that when you're redecorating or upgrading something, it always has to look worse before it looks better? My room currently looks like a tornado blew through it (or at least, I'm guessing it would look like this. Not too many tornadoes in California. :P), and making my room <i>better </i>seems like a lost cause. But fear not, I will keep fighting... because what else am I going to do? Leave it looking like this? :P<br />
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It feels like I have been working on this "doggie quilt" for<i>ever</i> {meaning over a week. I'm impatient. :)}... but I finally managed to finish it this past weekend. Success! I only had the binding to do, but I was dreading actually doing it (not sure why now, since it seems like it took the least amount of time. Oh Mindy... you are such a silly thing.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvTqkFJIf4M/TzF8R83vaWI/AAAAAAAAAHE/UXv70T555e4/s1600/Crafty+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvTqkFJIf4M/TzF8R83vaWI/AAAAAAAAAHE/UXv70T555e4/s320/Crafty+017.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yay!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a strip quilt, so it was honestly the easiest thing I could do. I love the light blue fabric with the dog prints on it, and the white polka dot fabric was a last-minute purchase when I thought the quilt was lacking something. :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TqZQOpOPr4/TzF8PNfBpZI/AAAAAAAAAG8/hiDy0PEVjeE/s1600/Crafty+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TqZQOpOPr4/TzF8PNfBpZI/AAAAAAAAAG8/hiDy0PEVjeE/s320/Crafty+016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But wait... that's not the only thing I finished this week! I also made myself some lovely <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/flowers/rolled-paper-flowers-tutorial/">rolled paper flowers</a> using the tutorial from jones design company (they are different shades of yellow/orange/peach, and will make a lovely addition to my new shelves... once I install the shelves that are currently lying on my bed).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M39GMtX51Ds/TzF8Ktj4pQI/AAAAAAAAAGs/rdxDDFetg1Q/s1600/Crafty+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M39GMtX51Ds/TzF8Ktj4pQI/AAAAAAAAAGs/rdxDDFetg1Q/s320/Crafty+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">terrible photo... hopefully I can snap a better one once it's on the shelf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><i>And </i>I even sewed myself a cute little <a href="http://feelinglovesome.blogspot.com/2012/01/envelope-pillow-tutorial.html">envelope pillow</a> following the tutorial from feeling lovesome. I appliqued a little tree and owl on it, and although it's not the <i>best </i>(I'm still quite a novice at the art of applique), I love how it turned out. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1HEgs2NkSk/TzF8EVcCP5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/oTBucm4OWJE/s1600/Crafty+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1HEgs2NkSk/TzF8EVcCP5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/oTBucm4OWJE/s320/Crafty+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jV7Pzg34ty_OmAKssEVdlYws0QkZArii5teFu_g_dS8QTWn6qpsKcWbExnKEdyu2YxIiLPb6ZNowuWJfHnvz7PZtUasLQVSAumWg3JpRcwXyeh6LFJScNijeceRgNNN2hnspmPphPaQV/s1600/Crafty+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jV7Pzg34ty_OmAKssEVdlYws0QkZArii5teFu_g_dS8QTWn6qpsKcWbExnKEdyu2YxIiLPb6ZNowuWJfHnvz7PZtUasLQVSAumWg3JpRcwXyeh6LFJScNijeceRgNNN2hnspmPphPaQV/s320/Crafty+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little closeup of the owl so you can see he's smiling! :)</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will be making many more pillows in the following weeks, but for now I'm putting all of my energy into Valentines Day crafts. Only a week left! Why is it that I always come up with these wonderful Valentines plans, and they always take triple the time I had planned to finish them? :P</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-68574412808340589482012-01-31T18:48:00.000-08:002012-01-31T18:48:25.026-08:00office dazeAbout a year ago while I was cleaning out some of the desks in our office, I discovered a package of construction paper. It's almost sad how excited I got over this discovery. Since then, I've been using it for various "projects" and decorations for different occasions. It's always kind of a fun challenge to see what things I can make with just the supplies we have here. <div><br />
</div><div>Every now and then, I'll whip up something quick while I'm waiting for documents to load or when I'm on hold during a call. It's never anything spectacular, but it keeps me busy, and keeps me happy. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Today I got a small jump start on valentine's day decorations by making a small banner. Unfortunately, one of the tools we don't have (but always need) is a ruler, so I always have to cut things by freehand.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3yNgy4t4hM/TyimXP9npFI/AAAAAAAAAF0/HoBY7XjPlUc/s1600/2012-01-31+18.27.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3yNgy4t4hM/TyimXP9npFI/AAAAAAAAAF0/HoBY7XjPlUc/s320/2012-01-31+18.27.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And since you can't tell what the heck that is from far away, here it is a bit closer:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5X_tYNNWX8/TyimfZv-ttI/AAAAAAAAAGE/cJgyxEAJb2w/s1600/2012-01-31+18.26.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5X_tYNNWX8/TyimfZv-ttI/AAAAAAAAAGE/cJgyxEAJb2w/s320/2012-01-31+18.26.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a quick "happy valentines day" banner using red and white paper and some string we had left over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But my favorite part is what I did with the scraps of red and white paper I had:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMxT8LGIdC8/TyimvIPRXWI/AAAAAAAAAGM/GiBWnLj70CU/s1600/2012-01-30+19.08.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMxT8LGIdC8/TyimvIPRXWI/AAAAAAAAAGM/GiBWnLj70CU/s320/2012-01-30+19.08.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div>One of the perks of having your girlfriend working at the same office is that she makes you pretty things :). I love that you can see his reflection in the framed photo of us. And I love how the flowers came out. Better than I thought they would, especially considering I only had a glue stick to work with (note to self... keep hot glue gun in purse at all times!)</div><div><br />
</div><div>[sorry for the terrible photos. I don't bring my camera to work, so I improvised with my phone.... it goes along with the whole use-what-you-can-find-in-the-office theme, I guess. ;) ]</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-88088000607764369512012-01-25T21:09:00.000-08:002012-01-25T21:11:44.747-08:00works in progress..Well... I can safely say that <i>nothing</i> is getting done around here.<br />
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I'm beginning to think I need a project board to keep all of my projects in line. I keep coming across random knick knacks and saying to myself "ohhh yeah... I bought that to make (insert one of 30 craft ideas here)". The only thing I've been working on consistently is my "doggy quilt", and well... let's just say I've come across a few obstacles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTocDowWgbQQug2wAaQC4MI4hXn3137SXBqOQ3hqBSSDYJgQO_GqFTtZLdEPpAMwdSNOzo0fT6HL9eOs4eXrzw_-nTyVErid29vWd6c1j5e5d29j-90ihIDDPzj4OKDBYogJu8UoYsGnb/s1600/tug+of+war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTocDowWgbQQug2wAaQC4MI4hXn3137SXBqOQ3hqBSSDYJgQO_GqFTtZLdEPpAMwdSNOzo0fT6HL9eOs4eXrzw_-nTyVErid29vWd6c1j5e5d29j-90ihIDDPzj4OKDBYogJu8UoYsGnb/s1600/tug+of+war.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...one furry white obstacle particularly comes to mind.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lrzmPPAAMY/TyDefYMbRQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/6SybACHArS8/s1600/mochatugofwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lrzmPPAAMY/TyDefYMbRQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/6SybACHArS8/s1600/mochatugofwar.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure when Mocha started claiming everything as hers, but apparently I'm no longer entitled to the material I'm planning to use as the quilt binding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In other news, I've decided to redecorate my room, because it's seriously starting to depress me how incredibly pathetic it looks. The problem is that I agreed to take the smallest room in the house, and I have the biggest bed... so you can just imagine all the clutter I have to navigate through. It's time I did something about it. I'm in dire need of:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Shelves (LOTS of shelves)</li>
<li>A small desk lamp <i>or </i>a wall hanging lamp to replace the gigantic floor one I currently have (why do I have so much big furniture in such a small room?!)</li>
<li>Cheerful decorative pillows (even my bed looks sad)</li>
<li>Decorations that will make me want to <i>be </i>in my room</li>
</ul><div>I'm gathering a bunch of ideas from various blogs, and I'm actually very excited about it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>....I'm guessing I won't get much done until after Valentine's Day, though... because Valentine's crafts are just simply too tempting. :)</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-68156245929705378182012-01-20T01:44:00.000-08:002012-01-20T01:44:55.414-08:00birthday wishesFirst of all... happy birthday to me. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipHGT4cWesc/Txk07HAo9RI/AAAAAAAAAEg/AJcWVo1gezs/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipHGT4cWesc/Txk07HAo9RI/AAAAAAAAAEg/AJcWVo1gezs/s1600/cake.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've discovered that birthdays are getting less and less enjoyable as the years go by (I can't even begin to think about the day I turn 30...), so I decided to spend a part of this year's birthday doing something productive and fun. You know, to get my mind off of the fact that I'm aging every minute and there is nothing I can do to stop it. :P</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had been trying to finish a <a href="http://piecenquilt.blogspot.com/2009/06/self-binding-receiving-blanket-tutorial.html">self binding blanket </a> like the one I saw at Piece N Quilt a little while ago, but I found that finishing projects can get really, really difficult when the little ones are out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DJyW3vKyR2NZqcklTKYyuLemMPHB2UZollk6N72gJYtKrE6xZTvYs6PgKqskANvprAQvrGT7-ojHc4iWWkUP4w6dIeiBY7UGDRKJyXmqzoMXEBGw1gKuJGre_328dXwN88IRqgpFooWv/s1600/mocha+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DJyW3vKyR2NZqcklTKYyuLemMPHB2UZollk6N72gJYtKrE6xZTvYs6PgKqskANvprAQvrGT7-ojHc4iWWkUP4w6dIeiBY7UGDRKJyXmqzoMXEBGw1gKuJGre_328dXwN88IRqgpFooWv/s1600/mocha+blanket.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She loves soft things, and unfortunately, she believes everything belongs to her, so I had a little bit of trouble trying to cut and pin this thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shooed her away, but I turned my back for one minute, and...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9lsUlqIU8I/Txk2Io46ZnI/AAAAAAAAAEw/6QC2wiXguqU/s1600/mocha+lemon+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9lsUlqIU8I/Txk2Io46ZnI/AAAAAAAAAEw/6QC2wiXguqU/s1600/mocha+lemon+blanket.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...she brings toys! Sigh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well anyways, I finally managed to finish it, and I think it turned out fantastic. :) It was super easy, and took very little time. I chose two fabrics I'd been kind of eyeing at Joann's for a while, so it felt nice to be able to make something out of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c6YteFiHIVBFt_VPPXX8lbTY9V45VF6aHxR8Z7-dmjwawCbwoyUI2LYQF_LSBT2alCwYxSh7mYMljJiK2JqVPV6id_1Bs4fG1MhNqk4KCjx4Ai9p0aiAXUMqu-IMkeHjZ5YyYkKkX_nS/s1600/finished+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c6YteFiHIVBFt_VPPXX8lbTY9V45VF6aHxR8Z7-dmjwawCbwoyUI2LYQF_LSBT2alCwYxSh7mYMljJiK2JqVPV6id_1Bs4fG1MhNqk4KCjx4Ai9p0aiAXUMqu-IMkeHjZ5YyYkKkX_nS/s1600/finished+blanket.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My blanket isn't square like the tutorial tells you to do (what can I say, I'm a rebel). Instead, I made it a bit longer, since I knew it wouldn't be used as a baby blanket. I don't know any babies, so my solution to baby blankets is to make them juuust a bit larger, and use them myself. :P</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The inside fabric is just a pale pink with white whales. Whales! I almost forgot how much I loved whales. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwUwm_HQO2cfcqp4peDUgS58-ybKNVuTFy4HZLOE1PcOOpOhbsO5qLzNu8dZBtbO8eUCpgVA57a46nma0iJkIF3KAl-ngSQINElj4o3L06pz0f7UFcPjRgIw9ejuUqiRuScfUNTNZWusE/s1600/blanket+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwUwm_HQO2cfcqp4peDUgS58-ybKNVuTFy4HZLOE1PcOOpOhbsO5qLzNu8dZBtbO8eUCpgVA57a46nma0iJkIF3KAl-ngSQINElj4o3L06pz0f7UFcPjRgIw9ejuUqiRuScfUNTNZWusE/s1600/blanket+corner.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, since I don't know any babies (as previously stated), and the dog seemed to love it anyways...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig91QG8C99z3EDZp5Paoh0q81kXUpi-iCPpZgkqBQujeTaSycuSJXGtDSO1qpplt0u2qg4zZF5M7hIc-Vf3KLCYa1Lt9Szza56_bknGVjU2ptDitptdoYkXHA8SfYlQbAudaXsGcp3-QC2/s1600/mochablanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig91QG8C99z3EDZp5Paoh0q81kXUpi-iCPpZgkqBQujeTaSycuSJXGtDSO1qpplt0u2qg4zZF5M7hIc-Vf3KLCYa1Lt9Szza56_bknGVjU2ptDitptdoYkXHA8SfYlQbAudaXsGcp3-QC2/s1600/mochablanket.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...I'm such a pushover.</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683381516827213250.post-6461260832432498612012-01-15T21:19:00.000-08:002012-01-15T21:24:55.381-08:00winter flings and crafted thingsHappy 2012. :)<br />
<br />
Usually every year gets me very sentimental and reminiscent, but it looks like things are starting to change. 2011 was one heck of a ride, and if I've learned anything from last year, it's that you have to quit freaking out about the past and get excited for the future. It's pretty healthy of me, if I do say so myself. :P<br />
<br />
So some of the many, many things I'm excited for this year are all the lovely crafty things I'm planning to make. :) I already have a pretty hefty list in my head (again, thank you family for the lovely sewing machine, and thank you me for the awesome new knitting supplies and paper craft kits. :D), and I thought it'd be a great idea to keep a record of the things I've made. It's a bit for motivation, a bit for record keeping, and a lot of trying to record my progress. It should be fun. :)<br />
<br />
Anyhow, here's a few of my favorite things I've made this winter...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM17-2MMv53cS548gyQH1VlNaT9o7WRa7iNzNqUI346aqwJIbyIeuwYwUiEFH1AfJyfAsHcXsVinNcoISXxrbWdE28-upJSlBsrBR6RWgxqiSf6QH1qCWDhRLuBKczcUc0fCxjPBRmEDcX/s1600/peacock+scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM17-2MMv53cS548gyQH1VlNaT9o7WRa7iNzNqUI346aqwJIbyIeuwYwUiEFH1AfJyfAsHcXsVinNcoISXxrbWdE28-upJSlBsrBR6RWgxqiSf6QH1qCWDhRLuBKczcUc0fCxjPBRmEDcX/s320/peacock+scarf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>{ peacock scarf } </b>I was walking through Michael's one day and came across this beautiful yarn I couldn't walk away from. It's greenish-blue with a bit of purple, and parts of it reflects the sunlight. It's <i>gorgeous</i>! And since I'd just bought myself some new size 13 bamboo knitting needles, it seemed like the perfect quick project. It's so soft and comfy (and long... I love long scarves), it's quickly become my go-to scarf. I'm actually wearing it right now!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUfISnIQwuI/TxOvgkLehtI/AAAAAAAAAD8/xo6wVsT9GcE/s1600/critters+pillowcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUfISnIQwuI/TxOvgkLehtI/AAAAAAAAAD8/xo6wVsT9GcE/s320/critters+pillowcase.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <b>{ forest critters pillowcase } </b>Pillowcases are my new favorite project. So simple, so fun, and I think it does a fantastic job of transforming a bedroom. My sister picked out and bought the fabric because she was in need of a new pillowcase, but after I made it I begged her to let me keep it. I eventually had to give it up, but I always use her pillow when I want to take a nap in the house.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkMiWrXyxwyHrHCl1y52rRwm6OPPpvqi5-18Kl3fbjV8WrXfEm9OYhFcTgcxdAONqQ4uvoIBTeYZXHNuqE34YPVeLJjJlQoeDEfUEJoXZ0G5TqoLYKjcQzIz3C0ZM9o0UWVOOaviiCatv/s1600/giraffe+tote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkMiWrXyxwyHrHCl1y52rRwm6OPPpvqi5-18Kl3fbjV8WrXfEm9OYhFcTgcxdAONqQ4uvoIBTeYZXHNuqE34YPVeLJjJlQoeDEfUEJoXZ0G5TqoLYKjcQzIz3C0ZM9o0UWVOOaviiCatv/s320/giraffe+tote.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>{ giraffe bag } </b>I love giraffes. I love fabric on clearance. What can I say? My worlds collided. Another quick project, nothing too fancy, but the giraffes make me love this bag. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPJMNO3JdLA/TxOxNk6srLI/AAAAAAAAAEM/XVnToFVS78k/s1600/dog+sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPJMNO3JdLA/TxOxNk6srLI/AAAAAAAAAEM/XVnToFVS78k/s320/dog+sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>{ dog sweater } </b>I came across <a href="http://www.talkingtails.com/sweater.html">this tutorial</a> on knitting easy dog sweaters and I had to give it a go. The yarn is a mix of dark and light browns with some tan and orange. It's very Thanksgiving-y... but Mocha was born on Thanksgiving, so it fits quite nicely. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkmsmsUWZwQ/TxOx6J15BoI/AAAAAAAAAEU/f09MImIq6jM/s1600/organza+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkmsmsUWZwQ/TxOx6J15BoI/AAAAAAAAAEU/f09MImIq6jM/s320/organza+flowers.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>{ organza flowers } </b>Ever since seeing these on <a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-pretty-organza-flowers.html">Little Birdie Secrets</a>, I've been obsessed with making these organza flowers. They're on clips, they're on headbands, on scarves... they're on everything I own. Super easy, and super pretty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Currently I'm working on knitting a very pretty salmon pink/peach-ish scarf, and I have fabric being pre-washed right now so I can get started on even more things. :D Not to mention Valentine's Day is coming up, which means my hands are going to be busy making stuff for that fun day. And then I'll have spring things to make. Like spring quilts! And maybe some sundresses. Oooh, perhaps some fun bags....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2012 is going to be great. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>{ mindy }http://www.blogger.com/profile/10958538101986133129noreply@blogger.com0