tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53866917960134676722024-02-02T03:58:42.091-05:00The Little Moments...Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.comBlogger769125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-82763156640847358802013-03-30T16:25:00.000-04:002013-03-30T16:25:03.253-04:00Just moved!In case you were wondering, I just moved to a new address which this site should have automatically redirect you in a few seconds. If you are still here, then please click on this <a href="http://the-little-moments.com/" target="_blank">link</a> to see the new site. See you at the new site!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/130/7FA7E88D0099F67173A190F85317B3A5.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>
<a href="javascript:void((function()%7Bvar%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r'+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)%7D)());"><img alt="Pin It" onclick="doPinIt();" src="http://chykalophia.com/images/pinit-compact.png" style="margin: 0px 0px -5px;" /></a>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-90583977703049432542013-03-20T21:23:00.000-04:002013-03-29T20:14:39.971-04:00pajamas into ruffled tote<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXb1UIWnr6gKNCUg4BKZ_gLbZvrm8acR1j4VGA4nAY844MNDyGkE7onxzJYdiRcuHMXAbAtS-elik5KTsKnGKZcb8Qqbc7VA09oDk5lcU91b26RSwgk_-Zj37X44gH5HwD4VvmOmjtNU/s1600-h/WP_20130228_002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20130228_002" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1FqqJCg4BS97W7tacx9PGJ54DrNVHnS9U1hdSClCL5cOUSlvfmwy4wE6SlI9bJS7cS2nAMtZvi-EBpFuoLU3eE4ezWHrevl_rp68zAtvhSzJqejjufnv6EAS-doujU9ZQEVAcD4T8oI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130228_002" width="274" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O7S14eivFF4/UUphSkEHcmI/AAAAAAAAGv4/VuqASWsxOBA/s1600-h/WP_20130302_006%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20130302_006" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNLCIi6VrLiyLGZHtnZy4SU-SJURDp31guyzcGlE6e5iYz-GfUTvFndGbjanb1qZ-6BpCTbBCvIgq024qn21hX0EsL5OLCUGFpAT0R2ymOBAEfuung-4fYEA_AxZybJmda4KdNmERgxc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130302_006" width="274" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">These cozy pants were given to me (thanks Cindy!) and I liked them as pants. They were soft, they were snazzy with the black and white print. They were nice pants….except they were high waisted. Now, I’m not one to really “dress to impress” when I’m headed to bed, but I just COULD NOT DEAL with them up so high on my tummy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I altered the crotch area so they fit low on my hips. Better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Except now they were a bit too tight around my hips. I snipped the elastic and tried to wear them but it was basically just terrible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I tried, but some alterations are just not meant to be. I decided to do what I do best and started slicing the pants into strips with my rotary cutter. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ruffles….gorgeous soft ruffles….I can’t go wrong with ruffles glued onto something, right?</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckKDQgvo-UYFXT5lATa0nuE-8OIplmDy1-mGiZxQHuTjSABi2YDdLTye24cvL115LtiFNwhcZiWjgl_TwXpc8Ci355C2aU6Eji818rWiyByTFE5amU26H78FJUkjwvNo-XGWSxp10IPI/s1600-h/WP_20130228_006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20130228_006" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZ3iJREXB7g/UUphOgwkFBI/AAAAAAAAGvQ/KrV0kIRkwb0/WP_20130228_006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130228_006" width="504" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Another freebie canvas bag from some conference. I’m sorry Apress spent so much money on this method of advertising because this bag is clearly not going to give them any business leads unless some crazy Goggle search lands people onto this page where they will be so confused with all the ruffle references. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">(This may be the last conference bag I have left, so I hope Brian gets sent somewhere soon!)</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XWSawwQFNck/UUphPiF8e9I/AAAAAAAAGvY/M_VK0zxJFV4/s1600-h/WP_20130228_004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20130228_004" border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPDa0wiAYC2gkXUrQalbReeYbTOYMuptJL7qr8rXvRT2Qm_ZYJTCoF_nz01hwuDVTvJ2YYA-b37hR9kqyPCZKTU3Fj7qAS6yUwDqM7aApXnru_lG3qDNfqPaYrocczYt5ibQanqFDy_8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130228_004" width="504" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNorr5zt4o6KOvcgWxD1znLggS4cPhHqzGS8VKSiNSA57scfq0DUbvcuD4MtswSL2U20WISTUAYHcbfHUiHgSZC9d8mymuaa98UXn_H900kitjqsYmIKaixe6NssMhTVy18tXoak2gTdc/s1600-h/WP_20130301_001%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20130301_001" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hkVhyE9t31s/UUphSHsegNI/AAAAAAAAGvw/omXYHbZXKiE/WP_20130301_001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130301_001" width="504" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I layered a gazillion rows of ruffles, gluing them down with hot glue as I went until I ran out of ugly canvas to cover. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O7S14eivFF4/UUphSkEHcmI/AAAAAAAAGv4/VuqASWsxOBA/s1600-h/WP_20130302_006%25255B2%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WP_20130302_006" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNLCIi6VrLiyLGZHtnZy4SU-SJURDp31guyzcGlE6e5iYz-GfUTvFndGbjanb1qZ-6BpCTbBCvIgq024qn21hX0EsL5OLCUGFpAT0R2ymOBAEfuung-4fYEA_AxZybJmda4KdNmERgxc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130302_006" width="274" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">I sent this bag to my sister hoping that she can use it for library books or something. (and think of me and ruffles each time, knowing that I love her and them, well…her more than them of course.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The. End.</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-63502053635768277852013-03-18T16:23:00.001-04:002013-03-18T16:23:49.380-04:00Large purple shirt<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--aTqZ2Mdxk0/UUd3xX-8G8I/AAAAAAAAGts/dwniowI3tWw/s1600-h/WP_20130208_0052.jpg"><img title="WP_20130208_005" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="WP_20130208_005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S80Jj5SiFoo/UUd3xxG_kXI/AAAAAAAAGt0/hVJ6NW5qSnE/WP_20130208_005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="484" /></a> <p><font size="4">I found this purple shirt at a thrift store near my mom’s house for $1.99.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love the color.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love the price.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love the bling along the neckline.</font></p> <p><font size="4">It was a size 2X, so I grabbed it, because I can *usually* alter things to fit me.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eIeMPd3zeH4/UUd3ykqexvI/AAAAAAAAGt8/ZAOnDNwla30/s1600-h/WP_20130208_0072.jpg"><img title="WP_20130208_007" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="WP_20130208_007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O81mlz7Dw-Y/UUd3y4khTOI/AAAAAAAAGuE/lAwVjixwOHw/WP_20130208_007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="286" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">I cut about 4 inches off the bottom and didn’t bother to hem it because it rolled up and looks just fine!  Sweet….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T8kXmHX2rN4/UUd3zsFGpII/AAAAAAAAGuM/JVnI9vS0s88/s1600-h/2013-02-11-001-2013-02-11-0022.jpg"><img title="2013-02-11 001 2013-02-11 002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-11 001 2013-02-11 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w_Kn_TtX8Hc/UUd30FapHnI/AAAAAAAAGuU/AwECrjA0Nww/2013-02-11-001-2013-02-11-002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Then I pulled out the elastic thread and decided to try it on the scrap piece I cut off the length.  To my great surprise, it worked and gathered up the fabric just right.   I’ve tried elastic thread about 4 other times over the past year with zero success.  I’m not sure why it worked this time around…but makes me think, “If at first you don’t succeed, try  try again.”  There’s a reason that quote took off….huh?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UMWat1ZnY18/UUd30ReouxI/AAAAAAAAGuc/4EweyUHEaGE/s1600-h/2013-02-11-001-2013-02-11-001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-11 001 2013-02-11 001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-11 001 2013-02-11 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/---5v5ovmmE0/UUd302CbOSI/AAAAAAAAGuk/i2W8ww_sW38/2013-02-11-001-2013-02-11-001_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="577" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I love the rouching (is that the right word?  Spell checker has never heard of it…) on the sleeves, which turn them into the  right length so I don’t have to push them up all day long.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-25136736585858925852013-03-13T21:44:00.000-04:002013-03-13T21:44:00.430-04:00waste management<p><font size="4"> Why, oh why don’t cars come with a built in trash can?   I don’t need anything fancy like the car from “Back to the Future 3” that runs on trash.  I just want someplace to collect it all in a neat and tidy fashion, you know?   My fancy SUV is loaded, I mean LOADED with all kinds of crazy things like air conditioned seats.  Really.   Keyless ignition, hands free parallel parking which I’m waaaay to scared to try….but a space to throw my trash?  Nah.   Just toss it all on the floor.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2IE7Zys79FI/UT6IhN3Ph9I/AAAAAAAAGsY/--5ZwKVQw7o/s1600-h/IMG_69052.jpg"><img title="IMG_6905" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6905" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ykFXXD2Bev4/UT6Ihbg52iI/AAAAAAAAGsg/JwQQVJbyAGA/IMG_6905_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I saw this idea in the vast and never ending land of Pinterest and thought it was worth a shot to corral trash in my car.  It’s a plastic cereal container (that I previously used to hold my home made laundry detergent when I went through that little phase).  yah…I don’t miss that phase at all…..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qReieplcoYg/UT6Ih0kgFXI/AAAAAAAAGso/3cPZ1qEwNLQ/s1600-h/IMG_69042.jpg"><img title="IMG_6904" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6904" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qy49F2KdNDw/UT6IiUTkgzI/AAAAAAAAGsw/jLo0EWph_4g/IMG_6904_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I rolled up some extra plastic bags to keep in the bottom of the container.  Now this thing rolls around on the floor , but all least it’s contained I guess.   I was excited to show my mom this little contraption when she took a ride in my car.   “How’s that working for you?”  she asked.   “uh…not that great, I guess” I had to admit.  But at least I had a good reason to pull out my fancy little vinyl cutting machine to make a label, using the positive AND the negative cut out so that both sides are labeled.   </font></p> <p><font size="4">What do you do about trash in the car?  Any waste management tips for on the go?</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-9999112224549644352013-03-11T21:22:00.001-04:002013-03-11T21:22:41.697-04:00walking in a winter wonderland<p><font size="4">There’s nothing quite like a stunning winter day, bright warm coats and a really good camera.   These are just a few of my favorite pictures from our cold family photo shoot….</font></p> <p><font size="4">(February 2013)</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HXRMLBzZsUBkYkMzQOGNbp0S7OIFAw3sb9Sx1Rkw9O2sj3ifTM5gkcj054mQmst_EZjLh4tO4Px-4cab23kyqnMHDIZ_rzcfBXnGpUS5uOfu31HFBH8Zzyeox9hOF0luLYhXy7Mah4k/s1600-h/IMG_6715-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6715-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6715-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0JxkKBfnEFcIGulsas_iovsnHTd1WURfx5WC_5z4vHaCEYCl3eG7yn0MOEvP6_v02gtIbvH80_Lc03xwxvLvTjVtK6a-GSIaWSX0hJiAjNlNHKGJ2_qJwccGTw6B_g8VeQWUZldK9MI/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdUQTuOnjRtt20slE9p2SXnHyX8ZAoxl9oIZW2S3e5DnM9IHVgAmZsTIk7udEfZmz1COdrvlthRclUIZoXNkZZVGh8Le4R_nsmEhPgIL5vkAEMqPisQhLL4QKfNt4hYbUTvSUiNS58K0/s1600-h/IMG_6870-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6870-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6870-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kvQQhQbHCSIJf7ftD2LIDoQ5CAE6AqVDw3FKeHgRXWIhYxu9m_bZWn1B9mqHi0a1qHk_RZDMMMafoXm8KHsY9kMyePqk-Pin4oh8M0TRoHUp8tX_3RKq3jchNzJa-xfPlc0Io69yn7c/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsRo1ejUyGU-tZ78wliQwtbN-xzT-xlvct4alMVdFnyIry1BAZYVo9zHoc8N1qIP__13NuYljZNb2YAkQTV6TLXt7k6QNE6RygAEqEhcMVHjn7kiixd9F0Y-Cqk3QONyQ1xoAp6C1Sj0/s1600-h/IMG_68132.jpg"><img title="IMG_6813" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLCPJEUId4JLEUjbzgMF58A-0XCQuqQHawo_e8cs2X_GNX9nrG-tz3K_vMgOR5ueaxWSDVa4ml5FCn530IAYg6CX_ODNvr012GX_EOKB5iF9IXGrdlRcGMVwCwu2iz59fXOnEN78k7W4/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqtpYym0sHe5csNlMhnq8nptqlzTbo6FQp46zl5OYJyWB6ymPKZcVs9zGizm5KHeGZbpq-3Rx9VqduE6DDM7by5GhUwGqMBnZOWQR4Lq7kMs1BrQ9OopIxPmCf6E1IWwM49T4gEFlWM4/s1600-h/IMG_6863-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6863-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6863-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDg6BV3J3zBtXTbn-n5s-BT7daDyR13648pSL8hQH48HNPxhao_JOQEhieTvWE96u_TLXk8CJ0TaBu5-59P89ZualYgfJ77XycK-FY5IfGuYBzn8kIIrWHpAUXFpPQvD6hOMxUDvf9EY/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxSDN1Dbmbl0aQR4MluYtWo3xBH8cPf8xp9KbCziEITp0sY9DRzZi07__WCRmXpd6oUJj9Uqk4t6ySXXwVzHpI8ipE2V9ODewC2h8artc3NhCWNTOfmDG7_jKS3oJzUZc89EJgtWJiss/s1600-h/IMG_6779-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6779-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6779-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnlaKLnqFP_-iTQaSQkK5fD1T5gZIlWATEhjKcbVUNktorQjmKpxWzRm4KpsIGZTWthPsA-27BW_Ai6jza38TQIUcXZdJJlaxfxYYF2gRcSVl_tNgopDP1rbQkP0Iu70AgITX1LHFdtY/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQX4tKCDoEQ1ApUFnO0oB23BnQcMOBefq8YNijMxuqgDU6Fzs86Qjpmda4jmANRt70VWU-QKiByuXyxd5IG0vZ9DLoym07KFPcIaYO2Zp9PYc3LUj-ug5HiqD4ZCsgBxuEXn0k9Wv-IY/s1600-h/IMG_6759-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6759-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6759-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzvcUCgfyxc6WKlZrEF1i8xLdtfe9uf5H5EzBcOoOWpULwXMX0913PTG3A7m_x529_EeUYoVJnUo1NIAiuI9Z-2SoVhpbgoYwd-tJ-2RsjoLyugvM8ZPsK5wUGmuCv7G1jKVEpIRDe1U/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SNyuPGeVFyE/UT6DWcawqSI/AAAAAAAAGr4/XC4VIqX6Wpo/s1600-h/IMG_6755-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6755-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6755-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kq-DL8aZ0dg/UT6DWzrOTSI/AAAAAAAAGsA/HW0DhmGLVEQ/IMG_6755-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jkte97YC-Vs/UT6DXjSNZjI/AAAAAAAAGsI/-YwkFDSRLMI/s1600-h/IMG_6712-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6712-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6712-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MdDDFivnn14/UT6DYKuBeRI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/tZd2czF3U90/IMG_6712-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-27683442046301056622013-03-11T20:50:00.000-04:002013-03-11T21:09:27.619-04:00“daddy will you carry me?”<p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">   </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47Y21wm2-KcXyKOZtCn2DEZCAuRgkvG78ILMW1605IzInQBHNS6vmGNRinG5qXEJjZvFa1VnLK4FVmuHLCYtnu7KshyphenhyphenUfwN4WQ6oQoZnRGrCNj392FLXdRrAbHY4_WP41Ud62ouzrbeE/s1600-h/IMG_6709-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6709-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6709-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7nQnAfb4pArqh3Qln0lJNqpr4jTuoW2SCnAXl_z4bvj3zTacSnw_yv84cF9hERtnhRQDqw2HzDccJLOqH98BiB9iyPCHNzamcjHfFZt4DoA_grtC9ji5YplC-nv7tudIIIZo4dNdg-w/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpOuFCFEmMXX12rqbXaFApM-pALiwaYXa2MotFra2ddeXcmTLa2uG1PS8eo_vDW_aqgPzGHPrP9T2K3n93fVnVUrIyRG-_SHG3yyxia75XGdUPMUs5MiHL6GClKQCXE5wRFkjVRkv4wo/s1600-h/IMG_6705-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6705-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6705-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8dur6rOgTGWqTuMRjRX_rPnL3JGUs6vjd1kp5iU3UMJjxP6DFR6GpgUgo3tLdiXsu3BP13sXalSlt-8KcTVrydM_wX0ITnNVi3J77f2ICde00JT8whr7GtnUkFN_SmJAvHqnC3xoqJg/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">“Daddy carry me?” she signed.   </font></p> <p><font size="4">Our family was trekking into a winter wonderland on campus for some photos.  We hadn’t gotten very far from our car when this request came.</font></p> <p><font size="4">His arms were full of camera equipment, and he shook his head no.   She wailed….."I want daddy to carry me!”  I ran to take the camera and the new fancy pants lenses so his arms could hold something even more precious.  As they walked ahead, I was able to snap some quick photos capturing this sweet little moment.  </font></p> <p><font size="4">She’s 5 and a half now…. How much longer she will want her daddy to carry her?   How many more times will she be able to close her eyes, throw her arms around his neck and enjoy a trek through the snow without getting her boots wet?  I don’t know….it’s one of those things that will stop happening at some point.  But on this day, on this snow covered trail, daddy picked her up and everything was right in her world.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVAx5qZDB71jlWT7bztELhe8MQJdyekxj5y4-sM3h01_idtbF3b-W9ZiP1Wi1X47jcWGLg14dCPJnLJkFFT6UFl74YGdj-LoedE3JtBCYTBaQMCZwJ-3Dp1siWs3vBel-mHjvlFUK7vk/s1600-h/IMG_6702-22.jpg"><img title="IMG_6702-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6702-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw8K8jhr_IMMNhh39EaGTZqiJDd31qgeupUg02A-Y6H5DvreBmcSDEbYZD5-IsqAeJRORT-mlaptHcpx8KCG0AAdmm_PzLPXN30X50pjlIOMn7iqTGlpm3CIrh88VLPXUbQAEt2f5ZAI/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48656777/its-the-little-moments-that-make-life" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Little moments." src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/192x/a7/53/a2/a753a2027e5098be96059beb8fa26ecb.jpg" width="225" height="225" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p align="center">                  <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48656777/its-the-little-moments-that-make-life" target="_blank">Source of picture</a></p></blockquote> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-55712684618655699092013-03-02T07:40:00.000-05:002013-03-02T07:40:00.075-05:00Thrifted wool coat<p> </p> <p><font size="4">Do you notice anything wrong in this picture of me and the girls?</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWumeW369NqShmVwg8vox6tjHD8uPimn1p6Da15RVjZoSXH4y-nYExndpekkAmxwfU3q6x415nM3DWDEo2REGfdTDgYYknUiUt_KCj4vxVPWEkEgL8ZCMIKN6UWugoLl3nnDK_nIxHsg/s1600-h/IMG_6722-2%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6722-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6722-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih15VXHnbavGKWIzL3Rkz16usK0EGLdv9_9pTOX4reOSPnpDwDLcvDdJCfR9aEku3vISAiLtFPCzHnUKzfc6pOF8l_RZEF48ILCH-DVC6zX2RQzahjBY7Y2MfDz8RBaH0uz40cqd2uXYs/?imgmax=800" width="463" height="420" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I’m not talking about how wrong it is that my pants were hastily shoved into my cowboy boots.  Or how wrong it is to wear cowboy boots in the first place with this outfit, in this location, in that snowy terrain.  </font></p> <p><font size="4">There’s something missing.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Shhhhhhh, (It’s the button.)</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_Y8RKk5RU_TfkJovDkCyKS_CXIzPfx_eQoHfegEDCQ8NVVpXZ_DTYBK9xsOvH2I2p2tfQgU2HOtd68H6R3pFEopOYFpzGPbg2-DmtYkor-8PfBYiviJk7DGWjXpB4GJBrooCR0PmguE/s1600-h/IMG_6885-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6885-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6885-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKnIxnA3Jxp1f5cbBk6BOiYF07PaaA1GdOOPFt_dxv8eCyhLBZpH4_hGPKtJyvJZz__RjcoWyBYLgLKGmW8uJ4Wh7ybXEU6Tci3X-7mZpJeYASMHL45duu_B5j-J74JOhE765CfFR4Y8/?imgmax=800" width="465" height="699" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Winter is a slow season for estate sales, and the market is absolutely FROZEN for garage sales yard sales and general junk thrown out at the side of the road.   However a true treasure finder  (or “thing finder” as Pippi Longstocking would say) is not slowed down by the weather.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">My estate sale buddy and I had some downtime in between our actual paying job of sign language interpreting so we headed straight to the best of the local thrift stores, <a href="http://www.savers.com/" target="_blank">Savers</a>.</font></p> <p><font size="4">I always head for the linens first; she usually wanders through the coats.  Two minutes later, she ran over to me and said, “Look what I found!”  showing me a beautiful grey wool coat.   </font></p> <p><font size="4">“Oh, that’s nice!”  I said, keeping my tone neutral (although I was flipping out over the ruffle detail in my head).  We have very similar tastes in second hand junk, always eyeballing what the other has picked up.   LOL.   </font></p> <p><font size="4">“It’s for you!   It has ruffles!   Try it on!”  she encouraged me.  </font><font size="4">Now, I need another wool coat like I need to eat another Boston crème donut, but ruffles are hard to resist.   I tried it on, noting the 3/4 length, which I don’t own and apparently is the most flattering length for a “pear” shaped body like mine.   (Says some Kindle book I read recently)  </font></p> <p><font size="4">And I don’t own a gray coat.   </font></p> <p><font size="4">And it was $12.99.</font></p> <p><font size="4">And it looked brand spankin new.</font></p> <p><font size="4">As soon as I tried it on, I realized why it had been donated.  It was missing a button.   “Maybe I can take the top button off and move it to the missing spot.” I contemplated. I’m always willing to make adjustments to thrifted items.  Then,  reaching my hand into the pocket, I squealed and pulled out the missing button.    Could it be that someone donated a perfectly ruffled wool coat because the button fell off and they didn’t know how to sew it back on?   Oh my…it was my lucky day… and my lucky winter with a ruffled coat.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Best thrifted find of the winter, for sure!</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-72535952177940505922013-02-28T13:26:00.000-05:002013-03-01T07:44:35.782-05:00things heard around my house: February 2013<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG39GI3mHEMwxXbRK8_dWfhBzExzMmH9Z48W9Vs9tEnR230ci4EuRPeywOWZ5UIoyRkg8Hvm6MjZ0MT-DBZq7yWKqu0ui9nqWXK12CugSULjNQrgJLED7ZH8imE6-7n0H_fP7AtfDnBY/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520002%2525202013-01-31%252520004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 002 2013-01-31 004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 002 2013-01-31 004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-s6dsJs2cTURH2SdPKC7aSywl-IOIFq9NailT2ETThxs6tHIAZ2mWNhdASvaboOw99bdqCd8snxOSjbwZjMPOLPkw7iwqzc2UzB9jeC-n65qIXB5woc-oNEbTcSpg9s0HLARtWw3DGA/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Joshua:  Have you ever heard of this thing, like where you can make up your own holiday and then celebrate it?</font></p> <p><font size="4">Me:  No, I haven’t. </font></p> <p><font size="4">Joshua:  Well, I was thinking that I would choose a “Caring for your Siblings Day” and celebrate it on February 18th ALLLL day long.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee:  NO! NO!  I have a better idea!!!!   Let’s have a “Sister’s Day.”  Like Mother’s Day, but for sisters.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Joshua:  I think “Caring for your Siblings” is a better holiday.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee: NO!  Sisters!!!!!</font></p> <p><font size="4">….and I guess that’s why there is no national “Sibling Day”.  Because siblings just can’t agree.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07Q2jlVh4q2fLnQjIEUWe_VPKIAPMMCRp9L9s5cT4xR9nZ7f0WtARcXB-OFzFk3Z-AfOs0bcSVkEwcu2RuY2umn0HGrHQTTxDr0fhQGZy9D4diRGgicl5eTQCfAicGoPEuyXUIs83RnE/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520001%2525202013-01-31%252520021%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 001 2013-01-31 021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 001 2013-01-31 021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQFXR9W4cgbGJmCjUsEa27z9OJJNoClvyR6jMeTqqPCVU2Wa0EZcWSqxdCP00Z1_CD2eC9z4uKzzH5-TUZ3lm89zwg3_6E2q-CT_BVuyA2cfoiVuQzBntUCmTVy8-NtnHC7Wv2w59AmQ/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee:  When I grow up, I want to have a pet parrot.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Grace:  Me too!</font></p> <p><font size="4">Me:  What tricks would you teach your parrot?</font></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee:  To play dead!</font></p> <p><font size="4">Joshua:  (in disgust)  Parrots can’t play dead.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee:  Yes they can.  They put their feet up in the air.  I’ve seen one before!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgpu_c8D_N-ZHXCwoky1N0I9zLqyvdhThbygEAhEIx-zjV1Gr2UExsgIEGTENZUulkEdE2ZRyUAtcFYN6VFxMINDIMmJ31vcRJSTyQqYBBPE1fxaAoGF6WzWErQvP4JAH4E-mIcdJlqA/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520001%2525202013-01-31%252520019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 001 2013-01-31 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 001 2013-01-31 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dIwNU1bF4pzqCuMQ4-ysMh-t9EnOuHnB0aqFDq4FjMBSpZ2gmgZj0wAZobEqPeeYysCTqjIGBTFozEPVlRQrz_J3O71gsWUHEjOKzfHFX50zSXLBLrnJI0n9zfKYfRH9Tql0LoInehg/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee:  Boys think that babies come out of a magic portal.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Joshua:  No I don’t!  I think they come out of your hinder.   (maybe he’s been spending time with Jen Mura, as “hinder” is her favorite word.)</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY6YkTHAc2FW2BL1DaLZ6HqPu2xuK8z8jFBFDoRxY5Q9XigYv6Em_BXRiLTWuSZ4-jacuwGVS_s5lJBVvOWNDh9b9VBo6ROcYMevEKFKUE1HTohLTZ7qlK8mBARj20jwXcMJr0H5v_iE/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520001%2525202013-01-31%252520005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 001 2013-01-31 005" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 001 2013-01-31 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIGFgg21meDhVHeVv3w14uiulNuwn0yKr4maev3ZtoQBYwJa27wAE-XXWOPHSNpd8eFA71xzHtjoLOrgiSIqiWJtnEVSLb4P4shD2ukVf_5ObONQsj1UOLjBFa1NEpfFDRPzpJS0ieD0/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Grace, looking at my engagement ring:  I like your wring, mommy.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Me:  Thanks!  Daddy gave it to me.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Grace, in awe:  In real life?</font></p> <p><font size="4">Me:  Yup!  In real life.</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-24811717326445702892013-02-27T21:05:00.001-05:002013-02-28T18:57:38.686-05:00Life and pizza<span style="font-size: medium;">I walked up to the counter and waited for her to look at me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">“I just wanted to tell you something.” I said in a soft voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">“You are smart. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">You are beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">You can work anywhere.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">She looked at me with tears in her eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">“You can do anything.” I told her with conviction. She wiped a tear from her cheek.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Then in a louder voice I said, “The pizza was really great.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I directed the compliment to the older man who walked past. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdrja-ivmiZn5xdySbUJMQGQJsVhxIdCEPlCo0WTQVoA-l3RwH" /><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This is what happened twenty minutes earlier:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I was eating pizza with my mom and kids in a lovely little town up north. I had found a groupon for the pizza joint on my phone and inquired about using it. She told me they didn’t accept those. Some big old guy with a foreign accent heard my question and got all worked up. “Where paper? Coupon must have paper! No! No accept.” he told me, obviously flustered. Then he turned to her and spoke rapidly, angrily. When he walked away, I touched her hand and apologized - I didn’t mean for my question to get her in trouble. That’s when I first noticed the tears. “It’s ok.” she whispered and motioned towards him as if she didn’t care.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I couldn’t stop thinking about her as I ate my food. Why was she treated like that? What if that was my teenage daughter working minimum wage and an older adult yelled at her for no reason? Would she have the confidence to leave and believe something better was out there? Did she know she deserves to be treated with respect, even as a cashier at a pizza shop?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I had to tell her. Just one more chance to speak to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You are smart.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You are beautiful.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You can work anywhere.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You can do anything</strong>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Then I packed up the kids and walked away. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t know her name. I will never see her again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe she needed to hear those words. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Or maybe she thinks I’m some crazy lady with loud kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">It doesn’t matter. It was said. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Have you ever felt a strong need to tell a stranger something?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Did it feel good? Awkward? I’d love to hear any of your experiences….</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-1204763691955749662013-02-25T15:44:00.003-05:002013-02-27T17:41:23.093-05:00Grace's Smoothie Adventure<span style="font-size: large;">Grace loves to make smoothies to share with the family.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyday.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seriously, EVERY.DAY she makes a smoothie.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe this is just a phase....maybe she's on her way to spending more time in the kitchen than I do. I'd love to have a mini chef.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One day while I went to work, Brian took the time to video this everyday occurance and make this movie. I love how it captures her current smoothie obsession. We are not sure why she is screaming her lines, but she says: "It's time to make a smoothie", "Now it's time for Orange Juice", "Now it's time for ICE" (you can see she's signing that too) and "That's how you make a smoothie!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love, Love, LOVE this video! My husband rocks.</span><br />
<br />
<object height="281" width="500"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=60046992&force_embed=1&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=60046992&force_embed=1&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="281"></embed></object> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/60046992">Grace's Smoothie Adventure</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user11447780">Brian Trager</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/130/7FA7E88D0099F67173A190F85317B3A5.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><a href="javascript:void((function()%7Bvar%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r'+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)%7D)());"><img alt="Pin It" onclick="doPinIt();" src="http://chykalophia.com/images/pinit-compact.png" style="margin: 0px 0px -5px;" /></a>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-80824689809357347772013-02-25T13:42:00.001-05:002013-02-25T13:42:11.975-05:00100 days of school<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqV_QkoW4mR06ZnDOlPcLJnONSkAkMOu-eMvDfULy9MmLireblZUhhq0U2I_tXBqfNnkD9IgOUEkbvn_DDhG_jQ1hhvrEnVXK3qSAnUFv9neH7GIMSsof9D2HpsuYKH7txB6KgtoJwr5g/s1600-h/2013-02-10-002-2013-02-10-0302.jpg"><img title="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 030" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUxoRgYrWBSPPUOurL9ejiJdv4OB3dKJMs-jMppQGSkeQAWynti4qm1UWvuDXK5tck7RBO6N8dEvg_t_CoB-v89eoN906YY_IpAmJTq4byUkYovupGqYTWve4GukoXsCkGJBCFPb3j_g/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">100 days of school.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><font size="5">  100 plastic buttons.</font>  </font></p> <p><font size="4">Awesome buttons, scored at a garage sale for $2. </font></p> <p><font size="4">I probably have 200 of them, which is A.LOT.  </font></p> <p><font size="4">I just *knew* they’d come in handy one of these days!</font>  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaWKD6ryCb0_td0M007jOj6sS_erHbB0CJvnvezQ1ZUNLjHZw3r7PqATNEmJQom9vvv79QcofyY86vFDATIAQfj3CcKgtnR5axKEByyv-KZYUQVbnAEL_pyu89AyGIrtdPLtxnvSWNRY/s1600-h/2013-02-10-002-2013-02-10-0282.jpg"><img title="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 028" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmJ3Zqlfi8sDlYCBTROwreSLi3jBlD7GnDUizaXet3Wb01kUPnqFyHro48YO2IGSJNWfNVjbPDlTmvrtiErHTvClaIxMdUrk1eeNuyj_eOdymrPMYB2qrH0PZp4IeoqL3X-PgN5ccaxE/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Brian got a new camera lens and can take really awesome pictures.   </font></p> <p><font size="4">Who knew that pictures of buttons could look so cool……</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1W6TGxknH16zgAJ8DCz7dg_XjhITEukswcR-RvAZfL00hdTtnVgAdU0xsnH5GANEKifHLczxS1FVKbD9HNOz9DeqWCzokPSA_W-0F7lM0W2EHyl_JBMsYcivA7JPkEsYVSS2g6BfGUY/s1600-h/2013-02-10-002-2013-02-10-0202.jpg"><img title="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 020" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxC2UN4LeajvJt2zwerVpC2kRDMjFVcyBJMfb5dmKab-joRf9S6jVMZLmKHKjpsZH6H6qmcJkzS6CH1RU1rIOwMdA9vVDRkrb1qvUG7NpwaDTd8dYaQZHX1xqVn_UXvYffGBXW7RnQp-s/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Kaylee is wearing an eye patch 3 hours per day to try to remedy her Amblyopia.   She doesn’t mind it at all, and it seems to be working.</font>  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyhNS3VEH65NDUUnmP-lrln7CU6lT1JXVukNWIo0oEmA2rSEc6kxHRfftz4QHO6juvjvtBOWJeNGDEjC_7f33IS9UrT9XW_ws5-hqT_jOUPK-KU7T4WPwg3t2GQSAqBtqfB3DJ_TGV_s/s1600-h/2013-02-10-002-2013-02-10-0192.jpg"><img title="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-10 002 2013-02-10 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyw2_eVcm4rah5o77OyKYVS_QiYQt4fZZwVCC0YhoSyXd0eiuiaG1_3QupNp2PtEzFC8KskdxQDE2CI45tJ1obdex6SeJGeC802vZdYLqHZUKKJNqg9MG0lNFMk5YG8uEMNgNcdRRd2U/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Happy Buttons…Happy 100th day of school.</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-60292472478941012842013-02-22T16:10:00.000-05:002013-02-22T16:10:00.447-05:00Painted bracelets<p><font size="4">When my mom comes to visit, the kids swarm her looking for the “bag of tricks” that she always packs full of projects, stickers, books or other things for the kids.  There’s often something in there for me too, which is awesome!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9HpxYhx9sQdxcEwz3c32R-xk2u9yaAOzDDaFaL8lkYDbTpydpdHnd65sx7T6ur8kShzIh_3PBsHtik3APgdvZr4x-tt5C8YUIagOiBR6-REv6bqb_OBj0JvLAMKn0X_tImY5-sBuqtw/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0402.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 040" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1n6AY1TwlEgK8mp30JOUhRKrqT2bD6snIalOK-Bg7Kz3OlaTbNU-trbK-_sFrndnlvKmnY-e9r9qUP7-DaLg5fbYrYGoU2ja1InRDeaaWR6OruYdTTkSRQz7JHeyQ43X8e5faiUPVFM/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">On her last visit, she brought an empty wrapping paper roll, paints and a zillion gems and assorted bling to create bracelets.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsocxJa5f_tOg7QlrdTTXNGnxLBhQoHZwJaCSNcrBZXb1JA40HVmyuz-Hlv5k6k3PsYACa0CtcJXp1tDD-5V-UliMvCTMRnR0Hra7Txx5Rg_vQYDkktC8JgnJ7P9TJP3XVvIqhut7ipGQ/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0462.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 046" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ctW5k6V3AXLKT69e7xsOqxWhkRkPNTvPj-7t_Ms-l83uVkvkImwW4XnCWfEr9XMs2hGFkpfeznqII_PjGV1GEHuwLodyLK99bHIDmQQ7nJ52OK45MNW56K3aoNphWmQvtJBFekNJv5E/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">The cardboard tube was cut into sections, and then slit open to become a “one size fits most” type of bracelet.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rzs23uWk9XOpJ96ilFH5gXTyU33yFO_83uimzZIzJIQBpHxHJhfT_EPeQC51pKVvKS5frnAB02YF42uFW9B82cSU2wFAFzGZT_Ww21QiuUQaYe3yyv3RHruNBFm4V8vzdxwF1Pv9QUA/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0512.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 051" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzJORYAIHx7deESppqKoSUGUCyNC5rCVR4lxALyCf42myPfKyY_4GQfKzxapMpXAcfr0yrT96S2g3CmXVgKkCcvRY6X8nIQn4goTnQlsJ0UzfpnIFdNQx5xwZ1mzzEhxGk3VqmVOuv3Q/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Paint, paint, everywhere!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0oYwrBashlc8oD1QClztOb6tdnWfFn8xiDO2F9mbuxNitESbu43nZ_oi1larfsMf0j2FWxakrcZWNUP4GH7Jo0ECgW7E0wMwT_yAK4CVNzQbg77NYkJaCDPxtexToufHaNRU4V9A2R4/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0452.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 045" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyknu60jEjQBb0Up_-9nH-YVNPh0FAu1APw0UbMxRdkJyWJRmkggdp3bRkszunsHL8cacD5R0IpBQ1wtWrKkE8wZW5dPeWF-xL8kEkOgNhdlguyk0TROPKVKEoLfpl9PwGdi2K5uH6NCo/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Itty bitty hands….little tiny fingers…..</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKAk7x8SbuCvFRWvCo3R3PePvALiPjDWJfCfoe7wD0i17qElOLH6pI0sbYpPiQmEIpwg2BPeM6UqqB14AEP-AMYpIkA2z9ClbfawtJBanAsjcY94aREibkwZKOx73pIlFjIe-9MrlDxg/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0302.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 030" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwG9Ql63Wf1nOO822ENt22JIM79qJx2KqDciLvtwT7EE7rcqrXgKkjcQpFMuZzKJOc7c_8mpY3rz6zZxkWftgvOB5oaxRLHoSo7QgWdogDuHNmupjYBOnEHPzp5TfGhj1Y4p6pPb-R54/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Complete concentration…painting first, then gluing on some bling.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9js6-zN-9EMv1GDcanB3j0atepJKJ4VYiiPyfzQMfqq6wGPH6fFO73D3Bien54Km2OMyPFV9v1rLkdr8TiEMUT__7G3zD5uKrfKuDLoRWY1frUuzcu7bnDfdASz8UZSmHGesuFFYg7m4/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0282.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 028" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQS2eybMSg0H1S9buiPEJOcpfQql5CX8QvV_1YuEnlaaBmFfV7sN4vL1-V78m_j9X70mGOjGjMxWomSyYlG7WwKimsLE4jmq7oFCIMQD838_34KQ1XF7SgznYctNa-TzfiGzR3awNeJY/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAW9FPfdbiGKB1Yt43EHl_t_TPN7wBIDm1h5mkuygMOcneAa6wCalxjvoErmouPEUzM8kGATlhUubGRDgjmhWRt6rnK62a8bTAIGXRiikxE1hmzPOLYydw85-cgQZbrzOvAqdn_O0Aps/s1600-h/2013-01-20-003-2013-01-20-0252.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 025" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 003 2013-01-20 025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mXHKOfIosdv52oJ2aTrfr61FeY5mSeiQ1Wqyzn_fwpLoIg6KLvYMTju-D255bU_TzaSYoBGmjevY6N5vbTiEDbl5DgUEjS_XOeb12v2ffIXhCyhPh5jixNEEgPuO3C3Lz1EOy0wP6lU/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">And here is the finished product!   I was gifted several of these beauties and I sure hope a couple made it back home with my mom!</font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim16GjavcAl0KjNn4tswizmn52so-InGeu2NwDBN-PttZry26xbYsdNbMX5LlTDp9Ic2rjarQIRAI2KCBf8-Q-F3yWGSTZ3doA_9GpkTDyALgUQa38ctMh-Jt3NQtcwVEIFD9Pv5xu-EI/s1600-h/2013-01-20-002-2013-01-20-0022.jpg"><img title="2013-01-20 002 2013-01-20 002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-20 002 2013-01-20 002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WISCNHP0hNrV9ip28vC8skC11oUelI_tVRVntrb4ciK5iJq5Iq8zjBiogbh26VvsQULpB9bUZ8w3XRtsyLiHlJpvNaSkCW-dZ-ROwV7WFzg877ItLxzHl0nx9XkqlSrjY1jHoWILNvc/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a> <p><font size="4"></font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-36459494502485662142013-02-20T11:33:00.000-05:002013-02-20T11:33:00.095-05:00vintage suitcases<p><font size="3">“Are you shipping your kids off somewhere?”  my friend asked, looking at the little suitcases lined up in my living room.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNospgRiBwCQXwZiHtY3njW7TZo_dduQnfiIGKx0sQ4L4ALwpnTtIohz3gB74mcn_3Rc6dsfvgNNrCS-ZsRuG-VRIV2fgzhuY_CESTFHzBqk8YbjRSFp0JqOFPAysIJHaRTGnatBukJ4o/s1600-h/2013-02-02-002-2013-02-02-0192.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvvxnbDF4Xk84wn0lh6KDBhBA_zJOzXypJexzvHhYLeu9OYf8PtfU3a65nhasK1m86yvAoesWU2AYoxW-FOTu3x-pnmIfvehCl-kHhPGg2cStQZK5mM1OfAdhBUPilNSKYThmrwYYz9Y/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I actually use them to store games that have lots of pieces.</font></p> <p><font size="3">The big green baby is full of wooden blocks.</font></p> <p><font size="3">The medium brown holds Mr. Potato Head and his family.</font></p> <p><font size="3">The cute little blue one has magnetic dolls and accessories.   </font></p> <p><font size="3">Everything else gets tossed in the huge toy chest, the sea of lost and random toys, but I’ll take even limited organization.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV_n-ko4Rbrwf4NlWzoR7XuhJKs4zqFLDe9XmeeiLLb-83Gf76JQnFk58BtUlLv-7OfC0CM7bE33hmncTEVoMvEGZMfLHPa6-zB1bgvRyw7C_JdgxD9n8XHQv9zm6G_NFNgaYsgC8H5U/s1600-h/2013-02-02-002-2013-02-02-0172.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 017" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQSrOHEjFV_v30PnXaN5vGtaz9PqQBsuVaV7sAdrK8pch3sd1kxPR4snv6AEQ4X0ACvJqUIjQlme6StpsD_-3rb9im0w7JmEzXGiJnvoKoGnNB6a5eoiy99dG9AcarO6anLqOFJKrjmw/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I cut out some vinyl with my Silhouette machine to add a bit of interest to these yard sale suitcases.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWluzP8vFh0KotrRUivKZOV4gJ2l3f5bGavL7c_lVqmiSeRi2lsKQ8La2thNKzSEdKHty2Cvoik1PhAsv1DIwhemiVuoXfeeZtsXvnwPQDF3QpmX5pmp0wTCMxMUxqPxo1IktbRGcrjY/s1600-h/2013-02-02-002-2013-02-02-0162.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QlTukS7mSYHcXppupnxoc2bRj-aCC6QelIaMH8bDVTTERsg3Jl36RqIYBHJb9O9Lw2R44J1yW4vIyV3njSzxCijLIgg8C_EqLZ5HoUz6ED4OUR-8z7rO6tQ5YyrgHOfyYoS9By5DDnU/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I picked these up at three different sales for $2 each.  I guess that’s the going price for old suitcases?   Before I buy, I do a sniff test to made sure they don’t smell like mold or nasty stank. The little blue one smells a little bit like old lady perfume, but it’s not too bad.   Then I check the interior for any suspicious yucky spots.  Then I check that the latches work well.  </font></p> <p><font size="4">The kids use the suitcases EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. but mostly as step stools, or building blocks or “walls” for a fort in the living room.  </font></p> <p><font size="4">These suitcases are CLASSIC!  I love the the hard outside cases and the way they snap open and closed.  They just don’t make them like that anymore, right?</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-75129072819018712932013-02-18T15:18:00.001-05:002013-02-18T15:18:57.707-05:00Doily and lace shirt<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzC7LqjHnoPavWohRhq_8hovvxQlUcUnFhi8IblNC2hClDfg16OhUWnVycs4LwC3QIBZ4F7zAUm_eaxZoO_uTB5dRKbx_9zS1aaNMGS3DLIeDHRQLa2e7INDoyK6UwmifBG-QLfeoSl8/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520006%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUY8ZpOLTebh3iSY6fDjCpX35EYJE3hPEoBhNu_t_0x3yzyokSVGztN5n5V5cofUu_DEsWG5Y_rph6ivrTHzSR65oSUEKqz_qfUqPjffIKBa8cxtLF7eQjo4pgX54i4B_eurrBNdgALs/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I made this funky shirt by layering pieces of doilies and lace onto a plain shirt.   It’s not quite my style, but it was fun to play around with pretty little scraps.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVrQXzRM9vNDP1Q3aNaPPJPYmfFep5hvJFO8wsoNNOP9h2g2CLD6nz9ZnvQQ6-w7yk5NKnRUBQ_V-t34P2wwjbHe-CcbUi9x9RyU-wzaxxx_uuuO2KtyjbuyUNFzITZna3msMG6j4ZQY/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520006%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1xiUpro1NOe9CrTr-w4CKF5_pD9OJyQQEM7slEI-7OLc3f2iZwjuQ66BinNYjtppi6FlacEVMheg7YZnmXTNFoZ9mmt6EaTbHiC0inVAUoyds5APKkwzAew_ZUAEjnGAjdaRrLLxLIg/?imgmax=800" width="275" height="484" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">I tried something new on this project; spraying adhesive onto the doily before placing it on my shirt. That gave me a tacky hold and  I was able to move the piece around a few times.   When I was happy with the placement, I sewed it into place without worrying about pinning it down or it slipping out of place.   The spray was a little bit stinky, but it washes out just fine. </font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-68620064159874807682013-02-14T09:59:00.001-05:002013-02-14T10:06:12.540-05:00DIY valentine’s decor<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJZsmi9_P3AVh9fA-E1K0O1BW9l1cSiHp6AsPUXw9B0CKBjW_lFX-vQ7g3Iv3c3HlqpB6XPh6Zlg6EIz5XkxT25vUiOKlcZSQDH3eA1tsNIbWEB3TOk-kbJLBevPmbRFFDOVOWzh-H3k/s1600-h/LOVE%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="LOVE" border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75aiF0EkStrXdOd5zJxtXzRxFm0k88GpMvLRidZ2qheedKf3IueT4D3KFSEacfd_Iw473tffYz0DK8RgiYwwZ5EYgLDs_Sgrh2myoqNnzAIA3nuCbOZaaRVyyJQX1uC5CufiqKPUh1ac/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="LOVE" width="504" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Valentine’s Day! May this cold wintery day be filled with people and places that you love. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I love making new decorations for holidays, and this is what I came up with for V Day this year. Scraps of wood, scraps of paper, L-O-V-E cut out with my Silhouette machine and then a little bit of inking and painting to get that imperfect look that I love. There’s no room for perfection around here! I used wood glue to attach the letters onto another scrap piece of wood so they stay together as one piece. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I know my day will be filled with kisses, hugs, chocolate treats and <a href="http://www.cheesyeddies.com/carrotcake.php" target="_blank">Cheesy Eddy’s carrot cake</a> for dessert tonight! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>In this house, carrot cake counts as a vegetable!</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/" title="The 36th AVENUE"><img alt="The 36th AVENUE" src="http://www.the36thavenue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/250button150.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div>
Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-28677606503691663552013-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-12T08:00:14.388-05:00White Farmhouse table<p><font size="4">Can you believe Brian made this table from raw lumber?   Impressive, right?</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyno39UUw7EfaH21gEMuIsL78ee1zwZ6GMyWHkejbtKF2d0w3BZRkXUw_2_Y-Uk1C5jImWEuaIOtY8a-WicG7qu5oW_RA0GQmSxY5oMxXaWwCeBJNua42GdO38DJ9tVWFOMySrcGHh_Q/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5tvG0Hj0qapC01HFe1BeJ4KdXQcfJNi2Jm8m6hvpCH3rqdMruuh9kk08obr01M095KLR9JCq_6eNYntY_hAf-E_5x0gZZoWuFAsrHaCer0rsRdJb5g5aKj2IZNgFV05YDgrFoXcF0ao/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="398" /></a></p> <p><font size="4"> There’s something about a man, MY MAN, making something useful and functional that is downright attractive.  The hat?  Not really sexy, but building me a freakin kitchen table?   I love it.  Of course he builds computers all the time, but building a table?   I had no idea he could do that.  He still finds ways to impress me, after all these years! </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK8TinZHbdK8DNLy5-uuXZRRU0DAuUNoi9oQNGOKxSrSNMrKpyidEucDaYafqqHlyjkgXg8cZGweNhyphenhyphenUen2-BAyWjv7HoH8MoK52Q_1L0XpG22gtGOLwzGwgv23T8On8H8CzWbhic38U/s1600-h/2012-12-24%252520002%2525202012-12-24%252520005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2012-12-24 002 2012-12-24 005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-12-24 002 2012-12-24 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4XGTxnycJ7JZiIHAKDW3_YpO8rQAVvnJ_dUEjvoZXweCqMIHcHc8c90hgTgttp3JCHwxnI9r3LDUf62gHBwoGGsQgGxuTzBbnj2u-6rya6-GdbqQn2__3BtUcToA2_-SJQVZzaiTe6w/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">Look at that grin on his face!   I think he enjoyed the process this time ….it was way easier than the playhouse (I twisted his arm) built last year.  </font><font size="4">This table though, was built during the month of December when the weather was decent enough to work in the garage. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc58a-0VUUeMpoOsNIhwsQDdu_0bDmLpQwlmE5eXrpPbTIip3pMCBixWM7rOIVMhvPVdtwZXBmDFLdVBr8YQnPe_rBOBJzoihyphenhyphencqVzEGnzX-GY5wNXIqmP_XQt0u1EhT1oNpdOvhAWwY/s1600-h/2012-12-24%252520002%2525202012-12-24%252520002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2012-12-24 002 2012-12-24 002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-12-24 002 2012-12-24 002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yQhRYY4F-zSPyVfUJmZvWVxx-Y14ovq1QybGx_NyD7uL_Tce7KwhQduHWYKPKZwqIQ0M6n7js9qB2N8r1-NHCVq_r3NGFsdlMof2irTF0knnlvxGJdJRUAkJXkM_LvpZ6bhDrdoBQE8/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a> </font></p> <p><font size="4">He followed Ana White’s free plans for the <a href="http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plans-farmhouse-table-knock-off-of.html" target="_blank">Farmhouse Table</a>, adjusting the length and width to fit perfectly with our built in window seats.  There are 18 steps, but Ana explains it so well it makes anyone feel like they could tackle it too!   Our previous table was a $40 find on Craig's List  that I spend a lot of time painting and distressing.   I loved it, but it had a crack in the pedestal base, so no matter what I did, it was wobbly.  So annoying.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CXN-bfG1C6wDK2Tp7cY399NC07OmNIqtWkwg4IDQG2ZcAdTiLHN3Gf5KECRe76wkY0NitYghi2TC-jNJk0n9u6givxYsvBgbuVeooa9PQdfhSwd5S9W54KNAoe9xFikJdx0c0_0hzw0/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520023%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 023" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_XtlP15bWOlxdv-ybgdhEfpGjhK8Duv2xUzPmxMtW0ag0ABzkmxz2ihRN4zico4vnrB04eejKjkv83Z2eQqgn2Ni261vVRC5dVT9RHIEl0_3u34TV_B-Jkul6fVKIvV-WWTrrQaQNzQ/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">This baby weighs a TON and is the sturdiest table I’ve ever seen in my life.  After he completed the build, we moved the table into the living room for the month of January so I could work on the finish.    I wanted to take my time doing a nice job, just as he did in building it.    He gave me full permission to do anything I wanted to it, so I considered a blue stain, green stain, light walnut stain or white paint.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXypS43zJOu7GpMYI9Es7iEAT_O31HmLfUkPrYO-HlCtubPFnLFkiEo8rB0Nyt25iMmPjOaZmQ95T0bVx2-BbP6dQOOh0vyim4Yupi0AuSvMclfq-hmhcBTEtJACVijlsFQSm0XjK6AeQ/s1600-h/2013-01-12%252520001%2525202013-01-12%252520004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-12 001 2013-01-12 004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-12 001 2013-01-12 004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-cIiHyu_KYe9wZBh-UHPaYydzLqYKhUE988vyyQpkfGoCw15arTvrLKSKM6s2MAJbBA-cwje3TjVixAdq8h0NUA0Y8LPwPUQXHxr8AfPtvg5YCes7JYA0IHRSQ2HGFfX-IXRAb6Azuc/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">First I tried a light wood stain, but it didn’t take to the wood filler well.  </font></p> <p><font size="4">Then I painted it all white.   I hated it and sanded most of it off.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Then I put a dark stain over the paint and it looked good, but too dark for what I wanted in the kitchen.</font></p> <p><font size="4">So, I sanded that mostly off too then painted it a solid white.</font></p> <p><font size="4">It was too white…I knew that I couldn’t keep up a perfect white finish.</font></p> <p><font size="4">At this point I wanted to give up and just live with a wobbly table.   Brian sweetly offered to take it to the road for garbage pick up if I really hated it that much.  And he would never build me anything ever again.</font></p> <p><font size="4">My mom came to visit and helped me distress parts of the table, like the edges and grooves.  We looked on line for examples of distressed farm tables and saw some that looked great and were insanely priced.  ($1,300-1,800)   That made me feel better about my technique, especially since he bought all the lumber and screws for $105.  What a deal.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJJY_1AQ7UgkVP_qHhD7qhQdSVoH_4HJfrZpnimK_RV6AueIJpa-Cb1wDH_o6l7k6UMYDRZgzi8RB4Jr7kB50_IHCzwN9_CIGv0el2CNl6GyAzwiyLA0rDAdRW9YEp3TVl89PTqHvQ3M/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520022%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 022" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdQadKBSMjWy6AgSpKjHTt4yrgT95Sw9ZYSZJ9tsbhmCmCVqpcFxj-neQ1aSyfhoop9MwiipWzawQQGpnMuexJ1XOV2oVpl6uhxl3d05g81gcEXoGnP7gsUrPmuP-OuhbG6DhoqsRwk8/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">After a month of layering, sanding, staining and painting, I had a “new” table that looks “old”.   I sealed it with 8 coats of Polyurethane, sanding in between coats so it is super smooth.   There is so much texture and variation.  Anything the kids do to this table will only give it more character- genuine character!  LOL.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">And the best part, for me anyway, is that it hides crumbs really well.  I clean it thoroughly once or twice a day, and that’s it.  If I can’t see it, it doesn’t bother me!  Now all I need is a new kitchen floor that disguises dirt and I’ll never have to clean again….</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-64733765094118509502013-02-10T12:24:00.000-05:002013-02-11T11:27:10.753-05:00Mixed media bird canvas<p> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4CPCcvjslI4H2DawyjqsvpfpyKOedrWZGBgdWBxm6-TWWy6uYTvw_NEKi3nZO8_C73FOLukqQlTB6KwRdnk0mQU-N1N5kgUHeiObtEANhUa8ccsfgyEKaVQVoMaWINEJmVWzfeCyekI/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="mixed media bird canvas" style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="mixed media bird and sheet music canvas" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkq2vXG5U5ujN96BvDkXHP0v-SbBLtfhNqs-VNSLHYtFH1KPWsnZ_1ealR1db-dYCvfnd2L4m_ZE5YsTz3i2FU-HhWVaVH_9SkTbCwB8zT2cz29Q7okbXj1QgjXF9CYWr5tVhwGleqZs/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="662" /></a> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">My mom and I rub off on each other in different ways, but especially in the creative projects that we try.  She is really into mixed media right now, and I decided to give it a try too.  Basically, I layered on different things a little at a time over the space of a week or two.   Perfect for a busy mom.</span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium"></span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">I started out with a blank canvas from Hobby Lobby.</span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">I glued some old sheet music paper to it.   I have a ton from when I played the flute.  </span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">Then I smudged some brown paint all over and drew the tree branch.</span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">Another day, I lightly painted some blue streaks up near the “sky” and some green streaks near the “ground”.</span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">The birds are made from fabric scraps;  I ironed wonder-under to the fabric before I cut the shapes out, then ironed the birds right onto the canvas.  Hot glued some buttons on for eyes.</span> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7wKBwOw0cJRyOOoHuafWvWkcvCdfxCCKR9AcDiN-EyZ3MlIbKyDveK4hUEZiEwuRYCB89-qQMfSM7TCPdj9Q0OuSNr_FmEIDm3meBvMXBAMseBwoToVNwK8jvtpnP8NYcZLoNwvcyhk/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520013%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="mixed media bird canvas" style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="mixed media bird and sheet music canvas" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqSE_09zeJ2ABDDhfy1Tezc58QcVF_WCd6VAro48-EICtmCG0ZcIBd-X2xCe_gZfGJGx4RYwF0AWkJ8-yD_KOIBTHWXILDAApSjCjqaNJqRN8lIQTT-Jw4XG5LHk-tBz787hwjsIsQ6g/?imgmax=800" width="492" height="590" /></a> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">Then Grace peeled the birds off my canvas when I wasn’t looking.  </span><span style="font-size: medium"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiNESIwqiYcPFJWCuePqyIG86-Qj5CJcitIp7-cGoXPXQ84-f0neKsPqXPSZi0QiZo9KJ7ChDrPsLOSVWR-fgP7D3T3CLnJPVLr6HVv-F8qd1HtQ-wXW6rDLA4ZuoDQ8IUGahf6hlbbo/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520003%2525202013-01-31%252520019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 003 2013-01-31 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 003 2013-01-31 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9FlkE7Ff5tgwTQZ2O-tvmHKWw1CZXZD3q-EioaFt8K2FSGwA1LEBBXWwse3wU733wV_aXy7WFO5uMmzvVmgiG7uzeHE62Xj1W9h9naOhJBOT6LPzJseaB-hbTK6kDNvFkedZlBX1SQ8/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">She left all the pieces in a pile under a table.  When I found the pile of birdie pieces, I started to wail and moan…. “Why, why, why?”  Brian came running in from the other room to check on me and comfort me in my distress.   “I’m fine. Really, I’m fine.”  I signed to him, embarrassed that my wailing was so loud that my DEAF husband could hear me from across the house and came running.   “It’s just that my project is ruined and I should have stayed in bed today!”   (Some days I’m more dramatic that others…..)</span> <br /><span style="font-size: medium"></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium">Well, turns out I was able to iron those birdies back on in about two minutes and hot glue the buttons back on in about 20 seconds.  Back on track.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium"></span>  <br /><span style="font-size: medium">The next day I used a celery heart to make some “flowers” in the corners.  I saw it on <a href="http://pinterest.com/amyjotrager/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, and this was the perfect opportunity to try it out!  </span> <br /><a href="http://homemadeserenity.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-dont-you-make-celery-stamped.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Celery + paint = flower! - Re-pinned by #PediaStaff. Visit http://ht.ly/63sNt for all our pediatric therapy pins" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/192/8e/ed/63/8eed63f2518d0f48391e87a1c7819e9a.jpg" width="287" height="420" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://homemadeserenity.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-dont-you-make-celery-stamped.html" target="_blank">(Source of celery picture)</a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDReZoPbLa_vrpznh6OEg-saEPhLERY-ZtaKPZHOG6eHWpubS7dd4jTnokZUoEvY09l_azDPFadHfGUiAiK0ixU91N2EdAFk2WhW_eSXZGl7PkKMz2ad2VLoqMYNrHpyZafm5rt5nk_xQ/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520003%2525202013-01-31%252520016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 003 2013-01-31 016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 003 2013-01-31 016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdTrVSjIkZulHq8xqGwxAKTb-FiMDGxRJj8NM8UcF-oGWg8woZNZAipzj4ZhpBmq5Ox3S5V9xxrQjSoqcbnsrp-u3kI8rJzlrw7wgNNYIbtF9IwzMvyWeKXE5ryek4SBmb30Re2vgjZ4/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a> <br /><span style="font-size: medium">I chose the quote “Life does not have to be perfect to be beautiful”, considering the imperfect route this canvas took while being created.  The words were printed it out on vinyl with my Silhouette machine.  I let Grace help me place the letters…. hoping that involving her NOW would deter her from peeling them off LATER.  </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4uE56zdjFaaQPP0b2GdcVPasJe9UJGJIrTtU84bfbsK7sPfg4EdLhdyIIMjVxtQsKkpYg4D5KzaXDbU6rtwXPCc36wuS39OjdSPnfXgwABTup37-45RDeOz8j4KUDTubBFk0bx5tLq0/s1600-h/2013-01-31%252520003%2525202013-01-31%252520005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-01-31 003 2013-01-31 005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-01-31 003 2013-01-31 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbO24E9k4PSWEjKUFWZ5JU6FCbUsPVxLYGBd4q6VlSln2ygHkn47QJF2qqal4Z4Hn7WvARvx4FA_9mtGDnuPPpzRihysbXC2G2ucIa7nS5ebaLyGuxuvLo7D7nSUiYbQFBHke4ZnpvtY/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium">I love how it turned out (even though I wish the entire quote was printed in blue).   BUT it doesn’t have to be perfect.   There is beauty in imperfection. </span> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d9kW8XYibCsLGBhYIf6YPrNuiwPdZ-rHGsVfdhb56yH7qQOWNvvrHH3qxnrXBcv8bmLV_78l8wgmsXzX5GrOlJ6QfgyLo9-gjTAlt0B1TR4_FfNVJ2Bhv8dUXG7-Tx7rXhWZtN_Igjo/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520013%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="mixed media bird canvas" style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="mixed media bird and sheet music canvas" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrK2hijKXPd6TcU0u-pDuU1E1dwnfRyJv6rpJefTg9Qz6rplQ3e2UeDpSaFXPSp6bGr9ARCTcY_prdbVqELjj0DkF3elefhyAksWANS8j676ZXI1ViNJGJda5LotHRYQESsQ83I5FjYI/?imgmax=800" width="363" height="489" /></a></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-54584012639060522782013-01-31T08:16:00.000-05:002013-01-31T21:39:00.547-05:00Things heard around my house: January 2013<span style="font-size: medium;">Snuggling in the early morning…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kaylee: I love you mom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Me: I’m pretty sure I love you more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kaylee: I love you most</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Me: I love you infinity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kaylee: I love you eternity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Me: That’s the great thing about mothers and daughters. Their love keeps growing and growing, just like me and my mom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kaylee: EVEN THOUGH GRAMMMY IS OLD??????</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Me: (smiling) Because she is old we have grown together and our love is big.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1SsroFekLYp4Vdr3WY6UkYf_xutHPAhRIeuh7aSoa8vA0mM6Q41ejOvcp-7rO8F_JneO5N6ZIowXBIyIUpKIzr_6PFntnv-pBEveWKf88QWyMuVS9RBAAo5fvDvqAW5GvqqeWQUohco/s1600-h/2013-01-29%252520001%2525202013-01-29%252520004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2013-01-29 001 2013-01-29 004" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF6_tpijt4hItbYKloqFr3WGfXPOwtwMTqcUNc3Kv3ZUrbcL3gNethaca_T04FKSMNgm3PX7aMrqPh_nBowCWOjfc9MhJtzSNhZL6-ZurhlV1vzIzrfXDHhp0NgxAA907nk1qFKp5ekQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013-01-29 001 2013-01-29 004" width="504" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><em>I asked Kaylee to tell me a little bit about her pets:</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Moona is a green bear and she has lots of friends. She has an orange bunny friend and she has a pink kitty friend and they all flew off together when they were free.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">A blue cat with a green pokla dot bow named Lily and her friend Bodacia .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I had an orange cat, I mean a pink cat that was named Wasperi.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v3GyW3nxkNqg1uRKhUQxa-jnD1RG4GCB6C6fZBoc0aWa-0BwsD0xPw6bZG3y7YSV_K6IPdRfjDvls-jWHPU-eF-Tpvq79j2nizQF-bztg8zDIQykDEmcWbdcG4SMsEc6tnMJzAH9fNI/s1600-h/2013-01-29%252520001%2525202013-01-29%252520018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2013-01-29 001 2013-01-29 018" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjWgfXoaBzgzye2tV2A1Vb-HH0xEp0M1DZiflGi-gEZLoxGiwMFDO-Vs1uMMu88dl9lTdwnGz2wsJRLORO-U1u9czrFIu6mu8Pt-o8XKTiurilX1trFYu2p5goVu02m-aR8i9ZeUwQRI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013-01-29 001 2013-01-29 018" width="504" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">“THIS IS HORRIBLE!” Gracie moaned, after getting the stomach bug for the first time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqV75IwQIHDUYjoMU8GIVxNPC1ozz-vhsS2_b8gabonkmVXoO_dQYvo59OuHN_JsOp7sAIzeOs9lCZloqFxKcIrHE3Y94tSr11Eho-T4_M7vMywaL3Ecz0F9p8HfVE5bGKNhOUrUWlnw/s1600-h/2013-01-20%252520001%2525202013-01-20%252520003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2013-01-20 001 2013-01-20 003" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTF7s4ZVUrAIEsPc3bXPJGWJM8UbJOJBViRT35vfJ163YQYiJzAH1UY1CkBxnoP-2ruAGOwGC7edA3wsKqApl-pSkIb0L7vAu5HJXles4z-VRdrzmgmOI-lCzoMePfMsZUAm4OnCN4Fo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013-01-20 001 2013-01-20 003" width="504" /></a></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Brian with his “lover” cat, Tigger. Apparently, the cat doesn't mind the beard as much as I do.)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m so lucky that you came to visit me. “ Grace told my mom as she left.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQ9ycWsgcGd5L3NrPyhE7RFKcmNOFjhd5ZIjzLxrDEbW6XJR43qmqyB1Q_IHZ0zMdkrTkRV3kMveHXskk6G2OEu_r25mk-heVfkYUx5QcWKwvbcwN_9EknhcWiylKjXyoYbCNn8fj-L4/s1600-h/2013-01-13%252520001%2525202013-01-13%252520002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2013-01-13 001 2013-01-13 002" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz88CK1EKpa6zu2f3OdONu6zSKyxj58jZXI_Q8glNQSXt7Wqk6xFOum3XNhlnakSdjiLUMjH3bLZnpYzekKoGGUseDOoMdcxUMk-0zS0aW2IB3w_WhXGTc8pyy8gKoUFwJa5YCpPOL_A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013-01-13 001 2013-01-13 002" width="504" /></a></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Kaylee and Daddy spent hours putting together Lego Friend sets that were Christmas presents.)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><em>Laying in bed because we both felt sick….</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Me: Will you take care of me when I’m old?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, touching my face and looking deep into my eyes: Yes. I will hold you and snuggle you always. Even when you are little like me. And when I’m a mommy, I will paint your toe nails. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMUu6PNNgtgSPcqXto-uutJ0uHP9BOPRoFV1a3G_-Ir5KKi5Dt_9XZw_fLhUgln_5ZlDDYwzq_sxnqOAi4LnxhncoOWoqaEpQOmiBY6vc7dHta1nLMA01jxmwDHvfaUdecjCLMhboYfE/s1600-h/2013-01-19%252520002%2525202013-01-19%252520003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2013-01-19 002 2013-01-19 003" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ1OuWV8sq8G-bja6qHVGvicshbzinTYcNYF8tOHQoO6Eavv92-1i457xT3Pzl-ukIqpmXj2rQpQXTPq_bWbljgxI_D2NsmxxpCxKF3KH4cll9e1irwetgwbtEfgOD0VHS_yUWXfnF7c/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013-01-19 002 2013-01-19 003" width="504" /></a><br />
(Gracie with a blueberry face from making smoothies. Almost everyday, I set ingredients out and she puts them in the mini blender to make us fruit smoothies. They taste amazing, and I love her independence.)Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-52452743315001108532013-01-29T15:50:00.001-05:002013-02-10T12:29:15.635-05:00Lom wooden chairs<p> </p> <p><font size="6">BEFORE:</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsNsLZIxJb8ExNFZE40GMZS1ss4uEof6OrP5wWG25GKPPFp1jME8mhUNYim9bfCB8r2Ybu5pe6ViLvuK_LMoh2GmNcO6-b3vOXC-TQGRHxpl1j661pN2BOJwf64WxkZliNpRHFA6bngU/s1600-h/IMG_2786%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2786" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16BXcto_m4VhBvid4ooeVnQtN2c43Me27DTaJGPT2FoOQCYTqeSjQhGkxSpW8mPTE3cq9sZGalf360rdNBQFy8_ngsLZ1XUPWkJVt010JlFRKf4Kf_-7hJZxzdmcU8f-59bL3CQpVysQ/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="6">AFTER:</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcORVlewWXh9aq3lYoWUbitctrj4_BsOPz0tLmkk03dETLxbxtXmyxISYRHTLk-5RULvHdBM5LJ1jIOSGXnw-ziYTnyLDLNeDx2t2HnPpH3XLgvEsJDTjAjsVbmTm6g3vg7T2AE1nzx0/s1600-h/2013-02-02%252520002%2525202013-02-02%252520018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013-02-02 002 2013-02-02 018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEXahaMqVbm3IlN1ixFEECxjsagizkQ6uoKK8qHHxcGyV2uVKhk38IMjlx3_780rm2yNazuSgB3bVvCxJCvXb_HLc268yTACjbJiIomPRXKn7SAQRK1BVq4AUxhFRJzqsSUHB0PtS2aU/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">One magical day last summer, I drove around the corner and saw an estate sale in progress.   My car was already filled to the brim with the kids, so I drove past.  Amazingly, I was taking them to a play date.  I passed it again on the way back home, and decided to stop.   Kid-less makes a HUGE difference in this line of work.  (digging around in strangers basements for good finds)</font></p> <p><font size="4">Apparently, an old lady had moved into a nursing home and her son came up from New Jersey to empty out the house.   I found a few lace runners, and struck gold down in the nasty basement with these two wooden chairs.   They were back in a corner with no price on them.  I plopped my butt down into the dusty little things, and sighed…ahhhh.  So comfortable.  Really!   Ergonomically designed or something. </font></p> <p><font size="4">Upstairs I inquired “Are those two wooden chairs for sale?”</font></p> <p><font size="4">He had no idea what I was talking about.   When we both reached the basement, he began to reminisce…. “I remember my brother and I would sit on these and do homework.  We had our own chair  Do you like them?   They are kinda Mid-Century modern, don’t you think?”</font></p> <p><font size="4">Well, I don’t know what’s what, but that kind of talk made me nervous.  I like my junk cheap.  And Mid-Century furniture isn’t cheap.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Dragging them up the stairs, I tried to calculate how much I was willing to pay for 2 chairs that I don’t really need.  $5 each?  $10 each?   Turns out, he gave them to me for FREE after I mentioned that I wanted to fix them up and put them in my living room. Can you believe it? Thank you, nice man from New Jersey.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I pulled them out of my gorgeous new Explorer and into the garage before Brian got home.  He doesn’t really care that I tote junk home all the time, but he does get nervous about the transportation methods that I use.  I prefer him to think that the stuff just magically appears in the garage than to actually see me dragging dirty, rusty, mangled items out of the car.   </font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><font size="4">My first job was to clean the surface.  Then I filled in a million holes with wood putty.  It looked like a dog had chewed up one side, or maybe someone attacked it with a stapler.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LVNQyweg_g4Zy_CxKM334HaFXzFKGFMlC7cJewarv5thgDRruKf3oWvS8-xgBJyzyT87E_GVbO-M1fuaFqcfodhqwLUh-SLRnaB6LD2Xp9waTWPNyUjb2uN647_hiCPkCL88fgd6jP0/s1600-h/IMG_2787%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2787" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2787" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguGwQFiwmCtsc9XyvbgrZ5emy1Rdc9PbtUHGtvMBtfW4AioGRkb0ib6bFFTbv4dVtYJDW7x64SbQ-uPWtOWzQRvmLnoRGSUmxN6oxrE2xEaSUiAM5Kb8jzRTW2sYqorE6SPGFsrA31kM/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">My second job was to scour the internet looking for these chairs.   The only identification I could find was the letters LOM underneath the chair seat.   The whole Mid-Modern thing was eating at me.  I didn’t want to go all crazy spray painting, stenciling, distressing these freebies if they really belonged in a museum or in some fancy pancy place away from small children.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Finding nothing, I mean NOTHING on LOM wooden chairs, I went ahead and disassembled the chair.  It’s a very simple design, with just six screws holding the two pieces onto the metal frame.   I freshened up the frame with some metal spray paint, and then hit the wood with some spray primer, followed by white paint.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXTrs2OwUR1Vjh4n0Pw1h0T8B1w01qpR8fy97_RatmlBRMaCC00MsNoQEPj2G_0VHGFTIqth_jNSitl3W8qpiwhyphenhyphenTODkvhmrhFovmvQJFhqg__pSneaf7HnUjmJ_2lbGz-IBbqhG-Px8/s1600-h/IMG_3137%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3137" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72y0NoKvgAcuBt3bo7e9ZDiMd23GSGz0EE9bGyB859Cm0PtHl8eV66CDTVx-npnlwI6eQNxqdj2899CreQlsDzhJ371GuRiiubHgzBvOkrkzi6CbuRzb22ybRSSPK-CVoK98h-zsmff0/?imgmax=800" width="283" height="192" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Next, I painted a section of the seat blue, then put down some green vinyl sticker and painted the whole chair white.  When I peeled off the vinyl, I was left with a blue version of the green sticker. If this sounds confusing, sorry.  I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN.   It didn’t peel off cleanly so I had to touch up the design quite a bit.    (Next time, I’ll just print out the vinyl in the color that I want and leave it.)</font></p> <p><font size="4">I spent a little time distressing the chairs with sandpaper and adding some black glaze in some places.   These are old chairs with lots of flaws, so I didn’t want a perfect paint job on them.  It’s freeing to be “aiming” for a distressed look!</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81t4rppwADKt8JTRQzCgSn7TDQzR5ud6PkSAVKEXZEOFSGc58jyTmD4OeVQfopmhzcVjJXvQHssqLtoDN2XZZR7c9yjbMFIz5Qes56QvdrCraXOQnW9vOlYpuklGSWGYNM5h5UCDTJPg/s1600-h/2012-09-27%252520001%2525202012-09-12%252520019%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="2012-09-27 001 2012-09-12 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-09-27 001 2012-09-12 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3Eda24NkYnzTfG4lsHBetE0vQ-PobOB_40opXxeetOoFdfq5Uj8mTe2MMKHR-Xg59IDVTzMEdu4wF8zb0Zxln2YVlB-_gfhOhEzwuVJq4tEq1-Or0b8FHBipFwooRkfTDfve0XUNNso/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="364" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I have a perfect spot for these chairs in my living room on either side of the sliding glass doors.  They don’t take up much space, but are perfect to pull out when we have company.   They are comfortable, and everyone who has spent time in them has been surprised.  Most people don’t think about getting nice and cozy in a wooden chair…..But hey.  It’s a LOM. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNnwSwTpckX4tq-KEkHWBf2-KTfMV3oTfYitBCq-jGXqGOdBgWyiQTkG66jKGjNtacqKaFnaUsfMI1ebXYiEWfUMk3iHMVbrf4LhkMM-KbX_R-bRxxIVsugc6ncTxIx1f9VLsRAqdz-8/s1600-h/2012-09-27%252520001%2525202012-09-12%252520021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2012-09-27 001 2012-09-12 021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-09-27 001 2012-09-12 021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hpn2VDeHLWeghfC8oVGsW8n1Gi30mWXi5AsL2O1ZCQP4b2eHkWaYmRsjz3D0eElSi7Pdk51ZNH6xplv1r589vIuRVfq0GCG5Nmn1S4-N2OWr806-JZcNxZA6kCnrEz55RGa4KlHsM7k/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="261" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4">And they are kid friendly!</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-85208139643820029132013-01-18T13:25:00.001-05:002013-02-06T20:44:25.956-05:00Summer ruffle tote<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6kN4mY5adlg4dkpfxDlQRuXpkjK1juWuzw3Z91HMr53ofDZhmb4o9J2k1B6vcVtPkrpkn91jJ4pow_LIB0SlFgerRHTi6KkLcD075J-MAuPxHJGfyGnU79mjWWnQGqZspBKjJjtrsQc/s1600-h/WP_20130111_0092.jpg"><img alt="refashion tee shirt to bag" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnPYyE1Ez6u5u-bJwM9Es1QKomxSjooH_T4WyyymntYG2WnwEix0zzcTuNMrjGXmNaRJTtv4SulFDJ_30F4wsKVJyyyamfU2luj_rhF7sroaY2oANIUImEwcS_xiL2QAbxPyE_A0yOeE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DIY ruffle bag" width="274" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Snazzy little tote, right? It wasn’t always this rufflelicious…. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">A friend gave me this happy striped bag and immediately I knew I wanted to ruffle it up a little bit. There is a teeny tiny spot of dirt that I wanted to cover up too.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L1ZmBkuPERXwrB8iiyKHRceGJ7HQQ-_B2ojhAXxzrKejIQnqNcwhgkELF7EFuy6wbQKe3udFia9IJYgFVGkNzFOhWcMS5r1N6m6K3dnJH8l7AH3cNzd7NNLejIsb77hyphenhyphen8AfGK91_2DI/s1600-h/WP_20130108_0033.jpg"><img alt="refashion a tote bag" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlLX_ppM0v5PLNRL96tgq9g5pSn7_TPRtm85K_AChHh9x40O3P3ytMgVIM8EYhumXqZapQ4PaVg0f_Zc-mjtUn-YZJr-1uZyIx1HF0cW4fb7WdYzbGlTc5E0zSUaweVsRglM-yGwMXAI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Upcycled tote bag" width="504" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I found a white camisole in my refashion pile. Someone cut off the shoulder straps. I guess that would be me, but I can’t remember why. Whatever- I don’t need them anyway! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6urJXQBLx-VT1PoM8GAnf92QaF3c9Cnk8uLN83ul_AkKtLX-p3uvwZgNFkrxRBoR_YHXir2cdJ0djm-FVuUGIHFHlGJvLe7At6zkVZCya01UmlDJpQVIAf8LFUN4MKooBQ7Fo5VVrIU/s1600-h/WP_20130108_0022.jpg"><img alt="upcycle tee shirt" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciyN1gyEjfoElnRH06qevfiV7i4XjjndEzyz8Jw9A1rrZV3eHlsv79hLaSgeTQUXESkOe7R7gxkVRqn8X3PqtSv7EDYtCveMp-31c691PmLNs3l-t7mftny_ylXzemyNxEwhjzWhguBU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="refashion tee shirt" width="274" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I started an episode of </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Downton Abbey</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;">, grabbed the shirt and some scissors. Starting at the bottom and cutting in a spiral, I cut one long strip of fabric about one inch wide. That took one episode. Because I could barely take my eyes off the show. Wow. I’m hooked.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The next night, I ran that super long strip of shirt fabric through my machine using a long stitch and high tension setting to get a pile of ruffles.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Then I plugged in my hot glue gun and started up the next episode of Downton Abbbey. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The clothes. That HOUSE. 60 maids???? oh my. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17szkWQTwrhyzmeA2uDmVph-WHKrc0KLAPh3l-RqzZbmtd8dMEsT3G25x-2pT9TXShWdRNG8mXQj4JG7EDsbEq6JHGecss4aTNC71CtBn4XPO1H7ZhDYWheLr1GOFU5JsjxyIxIAtFpQ/s1600-h/WP_20130111_009%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="upcycle tote bag" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDmLlcHOotGqgq060EYtS5LJTdTv73bpQETGWPsVx0_DZpvl5EWZYZewIfxSP0WDxV8n_IGoiAyfTGCkQ8QzUnx1l9Npy3L217nur9wiJh9-ZwNm2Bs5FQTdZCbWlaodOVqMGU_f4sc8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DIY refashion tote from shirt" width="360" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Starting in the center of the bag, I glued the ruffle strip around and around. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">It probably took me an hour…a Downton Abbey hour. Sigh. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">If you like ruffles, check out these other projects!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2013/01/conference-bag-plus-shirt.html" target="_blank">Conference bag tote</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2012/12/free-hoodie-gets-update.html" target="_blank">Ruffled hoodie refashion</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2012/11/ruffles-and-pillowcases.html" target="_blank">Pillowcase and Ruffles Dress</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/08/kaylees-ruffled-curtains.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Curtains</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/01/ruffled-pillows.html" target="_blank">Waterfall Ruffles Pillow</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/11/ruffled-sweatshirt.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Sweatshirt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2010/06/little-girl-ruffles.html" target="_blank">Orange Shirt, Pink Ruffles</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2010/12/5-ruffle-shirt.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Grey Tee Shirt</a></span><br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/10/ruffle-scarf-out-of-pants.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Pants</a><br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/11/free-ruffles-on-my-shirt.html" target="_blank">DIY Ruffled Layering Shirt</a><br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/11/ruffled-crepe-paper.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Crepe Paper Decorations</a><br />
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<br />Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-2119780968725025792013-01-16T15:33:00.002-05:002013-01-16T22:04:57.124-05:00jazz hands<br />
<img height="386" src="http://i.imgur.com/J2BRj.jpg" width="408" /><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I have studied the diagrams and determined that we are dealing with a “jazz hands” situation in our bed. She likes to touch both of us at the same time to make sure that we don’t go anywhere, I guess. No matter how many times we put her in her own bed, she quietly slips back to our room and sleeps between me and Brian. I don’t blame her. I’m 34 and I don’t like to sleep alone. Why should a 3 year old? I don’t mind….most of the time. I love her soft, sweet little body close to mine. Her little fingers stroking my hair, caressing my cheek and my neck all night long? Not quite as much, but I’m in love. Madly, deeply in love with this girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">And “jazz hands” is a small price to pay. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YjauV33gaRUNTbRuMTOWJVCnj_TPT1955_CoX2dI7CXJS1SetzZHbB8qe3T4-3XMxnscp7kAKtaEdg_4vzIVvFUsCmDmmhxyp0Pps17sSrTbTqfkiy1-OdxvMIqF9eUThoaG4B9pnVg/s1600-h/2012-10-01-001-2012-09-29-0017.jpg"><img alt="2012-10-01 001 2012-09-29 001" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0zAD8Bz9AdySxJlBQfrFHn_E08f1nPX8L0WG2jCxmfX51zn9P3ryVn33zcbz1r40SpyUmTCO_LjOeUvzaj3vAX2LDG_0DVTlJ4eze4Ao9RkIgHXnQUm5g88sxvY-g-wXW2QFGQl7Hgs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-10-01 001 2012-09-29 001" width="504" /></a><br />
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<img alt="" height="454" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/13814_554146241279881_600959479_n.jpg" width="388" /><br />
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Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-75736802442789234652013-01-11T15:01:00.001-05:002013-02-06T20:46:11.320-05:00maternity shirt into skirt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWuwGO87Vd-T3bXPK5w_winpPP-grxUv3OGx-FrnsUlaHD6wLYhxPPoibZXwP_fFH-WtPgFxk-KcKVFdK_f-woBOJR113VGewS_UhIz8kyY4D-sA95pg-YtJRjWHVjn2pxHSl0teYs5E/s1600-h/WP_20130107_13_56_08_SmartShoot%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="shirt transformed to skirt" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc85p2AZlpHTjyh_uS9TOPbrOsCuMqiKrTSoKbn9LvWZ5vtn1ADuHZkaMEQ1CnLCJ9p9pzkZbTkf6PXGqBNsegi7R-Sx8u98mNZynX6ZZ5r2LNEHOnikTpHqbPIP3m7eMzS2S7Uqb_KoA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Refashioned maternity shirt" width="274" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkbBwphc1l3v-lwH_uSnfybJ4SaN9ebrBNoTMao_pGxhTGRByC0fV5nRT_90iY1ovUrrLv1xdGPpwi387uRXoXAH5mV3TGZ9cYguWA7-OumDr3_jlRQJqwShT7BpZjDDPFSgcysyNN04/s1600-h/WP_20130105_011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="upcycled shirt" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ftly1XijELs_4wTcZHz3FDUJ74o-YxsBBmDO32Dy566psLM9RI_D7UAnwiZkdlahEeYBlhcy1E2-7F8xWhzgKXc6VF1UD0If3C6hQgkrpJBykLcz9hDsnSJSl6BDkBTsohlcch4z2KI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Refashioned maternity shirt" width="274" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I wore this maternity shirt to a friends wedding 7 years ago. Every once in a while I would try to wear it as is, but it’s way too flowery and crazy to wear near my face. I cut right above the armpits, folded over twice and sewed a hem for the top of the skirt. It fits just right over my hips, which is not something to brag about, but it made this an easy refashion!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPcRoWAMwkHpS5S0rDWNeJ-xUZ6qGqOJgmUUn0fxlyEJhzm2fLkUAizzm8JKBohbkjmVBQsCQ_zX3xVj01PKe1DHuYT8LNq28naJuKNZzdlVMF6B62rlTTQwziEI82RVUCwCuzxV_8aU/?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="ruffled cardigan with boots" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPcRoWAMwkHpS5S0rDWNeJ-xUZ6qGqOJgmUUn0fxlyEJhzm2fLkUAizzm8JKBohbkjmVBQsCQ_zX3xVj01PKe1DHuYT8LNq28naJuKNZzdlVMF6B62rlTTQwziEI82RVUCwCuzxV_8aU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="leggings and cowboy boots" width="274" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve been wearing fleece lined leggings almost everyday. They are so cozy and warm, even when I’m walking across campus in the dead of winter. I have them in black, navy and hot pink, and buy them through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Medal-Womens-winter-fleece-leggings-black-Lg/dp/B009DNWH2O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357934255&sr=8-3&keywords=fleece+lined+leggings" target="_blank">Amazon.<img alt="WP_20130103_003" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH3CNMuPGVwekVDu2XG9Iday9cbpJWL2_uecXMcxcUBmhPAWSWrv9tgtUPdH1H63PuCszHmSOb6NZxgU4mrP4IpplnmVbEOJvwU0-d6Y79jlhvDhVvniZwp3XTtK-lyaWFKm6HT8Wr8A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20130103_003" width="274" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Leggings, skirts and boots= my style at age 34.</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-34895258285430577752013-01-06T20:32:00.000-05:002013-01-06T20:32:00.417-05:00Softy pillow face<p><font size="4">Grace just started drawing people with faces.  (3 yr old)  </font></p> <p><font size="4">I love this picture she gave me!  The top is me, the middle is her big sister and she drew her first self portrait at the bottom.    </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ28WwBR998eD-_4sTyH5lbKocdt_HSuXMktYWuK-930kFmqvpCSWXRSolQFzLTtot_r21v86dJrcIRj64e44kFdLh5SYy5sWCwRF_WF2rvCr_rnJRvWqrS2ujZQ79L6NM8nKHWyd6b8/s1600-h/2012-11-14-001-2012-11-14-0192.jpg"><img title="2012-11-14 001 2012-11-14 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-11-14 001 2012-11-14 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssaWANd6QganEkt1GLFWlLtjdbPb6hGsWSmybw3b60DrSLwLidVsRqP6waMcbpCrp_ryrC0H_5BLHCPLghsd6RCrfGOPjqtM1pfKURHYGwK3j-fVszTgJVS8LUdC0re5dUfSonNUX5Zg/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">I played around with some fleece and felt and came up with this little pillow face. It was fun to make something totally silly and completely useless!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cwBj0WuuvobAFhyiacnF1JrwGIzvueEEj2JmRFOKAfc7F71jwWoYI7rQNTMbpN1GvPhFXZgP3vsdpxh0M0iIQMPbPutw3KcgORybe8EZHprTkKwtg7lBIBeDbJDoE14kk7MQgy3_97I/s1600-h/2012-11-14-001-2012-11-14-0222.jpg"><img title="2012-11-14 001 2012-11-14 022" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2012-11-14 001 2012-11-14 022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0F69Et_mOzoh0TeVUoMqIuqNjNesNydcDeIjGf_7ilR-vbwEHyByuDGYGMEz7hZ3-ECkxe5chMDdln08v7STC0Sunb4T3X8sV7xx_7uyxMymtacr4-YoRIaCLWoE1wQMHrD7ZTyeBm0/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><font size="4">(Inspired by this book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plush-O-Rama-Curious-Creatures-Immature-Adults/dp/1579908780/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357092998&sr=1-1&keywords=plush-o-rama" target="_blank">Plush-o-rama: Curious Creatures for Immature Adults</a> )</font></p> Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-79755168310464750502013-01-05T08:30:00.000-05:002013-01-05T11:08:52.257-05:00my supergirl<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDfKPajfPqbDqQcWN4eORe5oDZ5aN_VYkzhadAqidl_9XjadWoNxPV3PrP3l7p8XyTNrQUlg62CVsgS3s4u_Cujy-H3fFguqftYIeKb2v0o0hlOctwOdRiwVpidIaHajoQtnsApfOdks/s1600-h/2012-12-12-001-2012-12-12-0022.jpg"><img alt="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 002" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQHk2H1wbwsJ-tTVr-HmiSHT7oZCmfu1QuZuWGJcFrgxODSSDHrwI_QYG1dBbkfzU6ghQecTCyaafvD8n_fiSYxLW7wWK3mvgiztFBMtoay8d1aPX9d5Vo1yQHBWCLChzumxe8S8t2ug/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 002" width="504" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJvEPBBovY7oPSPUggt-Ab1rvMtdZDkrhm-RL7NF325rpVQZsGigjNEIcqs4sFBQeRYzs1h39AdCTeayDewwpb0YuV6cQi7d8LkqAyVXAPorQ1cx2guyD_LIurxmaIYshRkyEU3nvrfA/s1600-h/2012-12-12-001-2012-12-12-0152.jpg"><img alt="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 015" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eH55PrD6CmD-h0RF46pnm8rGa6tK5gJsz58QP2LtNZjwcFcD40GHh8AFnKCs-aQQDn7u5I-LtawhgGW0XY4uHGlh8OIMrkRlCgtt5Z9-2aAqmvwW5eBUpijwREBrbr8g77hSaUcg6MY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 015" width="504" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp8_JGkGXYhY4FqRXSQSalI9TwWp_Doa49F0GGkHsGpZxS6GAgkmgXIgj4tFiTBPcQOMYQFtJRrkoHWwkLhe77infDWJuuUNDqXHEdG-avIG4PKMTSz1SrH7gXCYedKSM2t9ZWnjZtAM/s1600-h/2012-12-12-001-2012-12-12-0162.jpg"><img alt="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 016" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqiSzt5vQ6eUwO9SKZ_rZ5HAk1KRDifuB83uZfMypX9POFRCeyer6D2aJqZgBHUCRLrGUgh6BBBjPFEjCY9F1PCmsJ0EWVqGC9TFZwD9lwNWjPH84R-Ynx-RTHOaCoA5NzuSwn0dHFeM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 016" width="504" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-iJdOTla7QVKaRO-DyRqjtcbeRWI9ctnUltPRzeLrEgT5UO3GbPlVlIqtIWR6DGmWzx_B7uFy49pvzOslPAMIJSNpLr3_hyphenhyphen3mU3S7_T-6CncZp59iat4hGopcEtMpp2jf8p-iHNfTBg/s1600-h/2012-12-12-001-2012-12-12-0192.jpg"><img alt="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 019" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUlCoW3qfH9GB6cEK8MV0hZQ-UAOEPV_hKPKqhaZIqE6SGi6McJ9gZBhJw3v7h6aN8Pm-X3q3CFwtFf0LeBHmf7r9t8UeP_IjyoRhR5uI2NxqQ2XeeJ_8J4nHOZ90JrUDIDne6Jn2ndA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-12-12 001 2012-12-12 019" width="504" /></a>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084271044740867356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386691796013467672.post-83193287560248233082013-01-02T20:46:00.000-05:002013-02-06T20:49:14.033-05:00Conference bag plus shirt<span style="font-size: medium;">I made myself a new tote bag out of some stuff headed to the garbage: An old conference bag from 5 years ago and a shirt that Brian discarded due to red ink stains and snags.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSSstpVlHTKiaLABmxj_OAb6PxwYCmj2DPzQZjHRDfDb1HxGvh4cUnwScqln-NivFj7jZG5US2CuCk0LhRmf9QXA8fdrKZTDV_qfASQuAUBpWATKcUAKpG_F1PQgmq2M0RGliXbc818w/s1600-h/2012-11-14-001-2012-11-14-0032.jpg"><img alt="refashioned bag" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UIa4GrJSMgkccmmVvAEMCtdrhW4WZTRlcNsRxrv7YAqP3WIC9AFBomhgttQ1BCWDWJHf8HhjfA3ctvjFWAl0mE92sKX-MnkT1Xh-W4MH5wSdBMBmsW0wAQa_H_jHn3zUk0Vmz60zZiQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ruffled DIY tote bag" width="324" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This is a pretty decent bag, as far as conference bags go. It’s sturdy canvas with a zipper. It’s Just. So. Ugly.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9wG_sErKZsA_to26sjaNwb3YhbCu5wcFrBnUGzJ9oz7rn6KqeVUFc4tf9lX5SKGY_O4xf4CkWPdpHdmQJJV_7qtM-YppPz4ohiT54QszDT9m6cW9sLvACe9EdZg5AEBOpNrG5zdTjsM/s1600-h/2012-10-24-001-2012-10-23-0103.jpg"><img alt="upcycle conference bag tote" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x2si-evKXcsO-VnZY78tboob3wcBCIF8K7acgMhtF2fL5Mia-ecHpXp5KJX-ceuK2S7TBX_ML_HRxNH0pNw04Ux74zrzaPPMgqGIvpZBIsmggMMlRMmB-4y0iQzPShvg1Jp6d1fmw9A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ruffled DIY tote bag" width="504" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I bought this golf shirt for Brian, possibly even at full price (GASP!) because I loved the color. I was trying to be supportive of his hobby, I guess. It’s one of those breathable shirts that the golf people sell. Unfortunately, it did not withstand the laundering conditions at my house and landed in the throw away pile.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4prT1veB1YcpXfsI5Lgwufl2pCIMX2_DilVnh35jrlyWDfphEg8MJYHebgtGE35Sght1t60MqznecMpvD1MA8WhmrvOeok4L2LsVObu917GHU_bHGubXYJKd-zd-Vqnjl97S6qB4_1uA/s1600-h/2012-10-24-001-2012-10-22-0073.jpg"><img alt="refashion upcycled shirt" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_pkvvxfpAv2VQM8SIw5hnbhM2aM1RDa85nzwcYQCdy5XrX5XeZ9zeCytbj_njKYvMWYCzV9msBeOgacOqtqBxBTe_JQ1MaHLvjwyzaFuEyHmjEpV5IJMfj-vEd9IUWO6NbW4T520VJs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ruffled DIY tote bag" width="324" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I cut the shirt into one inch strips and then ruffled them until I had yards and yards of ruffles. Those crazy conference people had printed stuff on the back AND the front of the bag, so I used every possible part of the shirt to get enough ruffles.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y3dApVVztQl_VrOVkWhkGmJ_98pLoxeah8C__cXWcoBB8iZwi6LBWrC7K7Zax0dIoAxqLEwzr4n_gmUXraHY6nxRE5u_65oKGAA3sg8JGa-CpMZBvpZsEISfsTkdtzSWOwBapBWuExU/s1600-h/2012-10-24-001-2012-10-23-0093.jpg"><img alt="strips of ruffles from shirt" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpvr2XjCEahyphenhyphenLCgd_CRuTvn8lsxe9T6z1halQea7AsND_W8V7fxJg1YV4DIxF-7pFv9qXQ27y1ci0v79Mg71Dq46pOIBaaiAfT6buWLUkB2btWBVSoe5ohgu46oBFM_kQPvMT14lR-0o/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ruffled DIY tote bag" width="504" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This is all that was left of the shirt! Wow, right?</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JzqYSCHol98XjWvhTiQje58DTSTvAi9WBhcukwvd1kxdxOICKjEPBXQJSj2Vdnjey0rgtbVf6M7uGuQME6nYwGsB9rhaqfmuijvhTjIv3t7HEgDp5biQyMnxCGJVe_lQ2YAp_wg-saQ/s1600-h/2012-11-14-001-2012-11-14-0062.jpg"><img alt="refashion" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa6O5aTFTyOieZFqsmF_pLv1rYhKsTxtlrrYHmen-4jeRq00SJh0b43jzC08dbE2rdFB1YsT6edMsjoG9EF6WpnEph0hZOHUJprpE0ZHWyBw8m6Oc6PPlIcRZAVjiCbqNLVSn44l23FE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ruffled DIY tote bag" width="324" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I used my hot glue gun to attach the rows of ruffles on the bag. And I glued on some rolled flowers made from some old lady scarves. I love how it turned out, transforming two ugly things into something pretty and useful. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESrgPNRwGab8iv2eOdSqOsf1oklcFOQH62duel5TOGIs8CYrDwB3sh7ZQKMCUrhQXXoPKhw9l_hnEr6NPwuD5g2oM13yl7Z3eeqzuIrHiJymapqVR8Y85PqJapssL4H_-QPThpcgL6gE/s1600-h/2012-11-14%252520001%2525202012-11-14%252520003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="refashioned bag DIY" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBMvjeJWhgQJgcOikRGWcML2oRLlwA6VlGm5TwBKZfZfONjMBWlKXkWohplhEgC2CpNVjaqIk_m2QtbFPucyBPiE28XEWe-GFAeJPX5DM72yPQsBlCkBjFwnCT94GIYsgoLu7W8bn57s/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ruffled DIY tote bag" width="324" /></a><br />
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If you like ruffles, check out these other projects!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2013/01/summer-ruffle-tote.html" target="_blank">Summer Tote with Ruffles</a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2012/12/free-hoodie-gets-update.html" target="_blank">Ruffled hoodie refashion</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2012/11/ruffles-and-pillowcases.html" target="_blank">Pillowcase and Ruffles Dress</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/08/kaylees-ruffled-curtains.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Curtains</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/01/ruffled-pillows.html" target="_blank">Waterfall Ruffles Pillow</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/11/ruffled-sweatshirt.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Sweatshirt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2010/06/little-girl-ruffles.html" target="_blank">Orange Shirt, Pink Ruffles</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2010/12/5-ruffle-shirt.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Grey Tee Shirt</a></span><br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/10/ruffle-scarf-out-of-pants.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Pants</a><br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/11/free-ruffles-on-my-shirt.html" target="_blank">DIY Ruffled Layering Shirt</a><br />
<a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/2011/11/ruffled-crepe-paper.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Crepe Paper Decorations</a><br />
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