tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52540002667494245102024-03-05T06:04:19.940-06:00Queen of my NestBless our Nest... Numbers 6:24Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-65689593629382499832014-03-02T22:47:00.002-06:002014-03-02T22:47:35.131-06:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just a quick post about a fun Co-Hop starting tomorrow at </span><a href="http://misskatecuttables.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Miss Kate Cuttables</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfpRi5UJ4PSNnMGAFC9xAogf287Dryn1T8JAnZ1YrSGGof2_wIuLcr2Rqo2jHkGnIprS6q0IznxukXznlhzd_Mz_V_EOFCBHgEXiNnUvgEfO1ZooQN9HBVNcGoDQgXGnQCEqbQ4IyiBI/s1600/Xyron+MKC+Banner+Co-hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfpRi5UJ4PSNnMGAFC9xAogf287Dryn1T8JAnZ1YrSGGof2_wIuLcr2Rqo2jHkGnIprS6q0IznxukXznlhzd_Mz_V_EOFCBHgEXiNnUvgEfO1ZooQN9HBVNcGoDQgXGnQCEqbQ4IyiBI/s1600/Xyron+MKC+Banner+Co-hop.jpg" height="125" width="320" /></a></div>
Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-11792065106718952962012-12-31T23:55:00.001-06:002012-12-31T23:55:38.075-06:00Happy New Year!!! <p dir="ltr">Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I have missed all my friends and fellow bloggers and plan to be back crafting and blogging very very soon. This crazy thing called "LIFE" has kept me away for far too long!! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Simply AJ </p>
Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-75059890532809531872012-07-14T08:32:00.000-05:002012-07-14T08:32:12.686-05:00Stars and Stripes Banner / Patriotic Mantel<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"><strong>Hello Friends… </strong></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Word of the day... </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Belated </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Occurring</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"> after the appropriate or expected time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">especially too late to be effective or useful </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">I know the 4th of July holiday is long gone and we have all moved on to fun summer projects, but I’ve decided to go ahead and share this post anyway. I wasn’t able to publish my Patriotic Mantel on-time or share a few of the projects I made, due to some overwhelming family obligations and a bit of </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">technical difficulties (I’m still <strike>always </strike> having a run of hard luck).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">I was so disappointed and </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"> wasn't even going to re-write the darn post but I got to thinking… “What the heck, it’s never too late to share a project!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">So, i</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">f you can tolerate just one more patriotic post, then I would love it if you would just keep on reading (Big smile). As you know, it’s impossible for me to keep things short and sweet, but I will try… K! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"><strong>I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th! </strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_IK36o7SQoM/UAEEdJInoEI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/1VyJJb_wYfY/s1600-h/Stars%252520and%252520Stripes%252520Banner%252520Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520Main%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Stars and Stripes Banner Mantel Full View Main" border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zdBzkYA8nTmIZda_CD0MhrOKUW0LQOg3BTsigRGaDVqtM6Y6dwqfbXmygSK-3_au9S_Q5ZIo3X1MoQFBTlrmCpnS8uzwXs3KUASjF9XyXBsl_5qJqn26SiRjQQv7E7WvLTCdvUoBnlw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Stars and Stripes Banner Mantel Full View Main" width="475" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">While looking for a little inspiration for my Patriotic Mantel, I came across a great banner at <a href="http://www.supermommoments.com/2011/06/stars-stripes-banner/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c44125; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Super Mom Moments</span></a>. It had the simplicity and patriotic feel I was looking for and was a snap to make. The best part was the “free” PDF printable of the banner she (Aimee) was sharing <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">(</span><a href="http://www.supermommoments.com/2011/06/stars-stripes-banner/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Here</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">).</span> When you finish up here, you should pop over and check out her banner and “Pin” it for next year! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Now, I only needed to print the U-S-A part of the banner because I had the perfect scrapbooking cardstock for the stars and stripes pendants. With my squeaky wheels turning, I adapted part of her banner into something that fit my colors and patriotic theme. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CJ6HSj8p08Q/UAEEd-to5DI/AAAAAAAAA-o/4drEnLha1bM/s1600-h/Banner%252520Closeup%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Banner Closeup" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K8zc7z6aCA0/UAEEeKDTK8I/AAAAAAAAA-w/sQ_YN9osro4/Banner%252520Closeup_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner Closeup" width="423" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">From start to finish this banner took less than an hour to put together. Here how I made my banner…</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-92cRQsrOy0s/UAEEegiyjyI/AAAAAAAAA-4/-DBZv3xln8k/s1600-h/Paper%252520Supplies%252520Outline%252520w%252520text%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Paper Supplies Outline w text" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sf5ZZgx6rn4/UAEEe1Y97sI/AAAAAAAAA_A/6HXvlYWujoM/Paper%252520Supplies%252520Outline%252520w%252520text_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Paper Supplies Outline w text" width="456" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: medium;"><strong>Next…</strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0ov-ulTCjb1pOvG0eJ5cINinBKob1mX22i9bBsnaWxTMOG0x9Z2y9MWfk5RTb-PsgACiqYso67N4ikTs1n6AehdHZoWHy90xn3a_TLizK_iCILc57yYDgaTpOXH6C4MBNDhDXjCzSlk/s1600-h/Washi%252520Clothespins%252520Collage%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Washi Clothespins Collage" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NtSUsgTJ6oU/UAEEflFIyRI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/VkL9se1U5To/Washi%252520Clothespins%252520Collage_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Washi Clothespins Collage" width="429" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: medium;">Ready to hang… </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--c-O_hpdnhk/UAEEf-cV3NI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/9cFqTQ7yuxA/s1600-h/Banner%252520pieces%252520%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Banner pieces " border="0" height="272" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k76y4aAtBmE/UAEEgcJMrVI/AAAAAAAAA_g/D6xaHlIqA9U/Banner%252520pieces%252520_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner pieces " width="376" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: medium;">Full View… </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G39Jc5KzQeY/UAEEgtSxdtI/AAAAAAAAA_o/Ytw0uxaqWbI/s1600-h/Banner%252520Full%252520View%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Banner Full View" border="0" height="315" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PlugWP0bRvU/UAEEhAUtY9I/AAAAAAAAA_w/8vl1JNdTNIM/Banner%252520Full%252520View_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner Full View" width="466" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">I wanted a simple clean look that still made a statement and I think it came together perfectly. My little 2 yr. old Grandson actually cheered when I hung the banner. That sweet little boy made my day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me give you a tour of the various projects that make up our Patriotic Mantel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: medium;">First up…</span></em></strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">My D-in-L bought me these little tin buckets and pinwheels that she found in the $1 bins at Target. I knew right away, I could build my mantel around these cute little pieces. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OP-J3RBSM2c/UAEEhrNob5I/AAAAAAAAA_4/x6uQSdv-jyU/s1600-h/Patriotic%252520Pinwheel%252520Collage%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Patriotic Pinwheel Collage" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VNzoxhFDf8w/UAEEiNscT5I/AAAAAAAABAA/dI1yY4rtvE4/Patriotic%252520Pinwheel%252520Collage_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Patriotic Pinwheel Collage" width="469" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Don’t they look so fun and patriotic? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: medium;"><strong><em>Next up…</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">I saw this <a href="http://tatteredandinked.blogspot.com/2011/06/free-fourth-of-july-printable.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">4th of July Printable</span></a> at <a href="http://tatteredandinked.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Tattered and Inked</span></a> and knew I wanted to use it for my holiday artwork. BTW… <a href="http://tatteredandinked.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tattered and Inked</a> is one of my favorite blogs and Kelsey is a mad talented DIY crafter. Totally recommend visiting!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AJqBokpORFU/UAEEiXyCj_I/AAAAAAAABAI/ZDwFx3G_rHM/s1600-h/Frame%252520Page1%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Frame Page1" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HpVJXvRTrJY/UAEEi2-cFVI/AAAAAAAABAQ/WMGhMHlfO0U/Frame%252520Page1_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Frame Page1" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">1. Painted old frame with bright White Acrylic Paint (matte finish). Let dry overnight then l</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">ightly distress frame with sanding block. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">2. Artwork is printed on 8x10 Photo Paper then trimmed to size. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">3. Painted Star with Metallic Blue Craft Paint then add </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">light layer of fine glitter while paint was still damp. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">4. Attached Star to Frame with glue dot to allow for easy removal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Wooden Firecrackers…</span> </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"><img align="right" alt="firecrackercollage2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY1Zfd7PbjVC8YTtUNflu08b9xBnoChT-lnnx7VwQTJ0KQkpmPv3w8QHR9kkcpEevH7JaVy0-THh5mLTcvYlObZb6TJYtaF8XJ0_SSeZ0-YZkafEbNAU_V2e232rWgkmi3vP7EYmY9AU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">You migh</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">t remember these Wooden Firecrackers that I bought last year from <a href="http://pickyourplum.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Pick Your Plum</span></a> (my favorite daily deal site). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">My original post from last year is <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-last-patriotic-project.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Here</span></a> if you would like to take a peek! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Here’s how I dressed mine up: </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eIItRE-J3Nc/UAEEjNf8SbI/AAAAAAAABAY/sidwzR_96kw/s1600-h/Firecracker%252520Collage%252520final%252520w%252520frame%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Firecracker Collage final w frame" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9tzr-wDEXTk/UAEEkjP4-pI/AAAAAAAABAg/2kTTcoGcDx0/Firecracker%252520Collage%252520final%252520w%252520frame_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Firecracker Collage final w frame" width="442" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gqSWLwrIKiw/UAEEk-84C7I/AAAAAAAABAo/AypbulRgrxI/s1600-h/Firecracker%252520Supplies%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Firecracker Supplies" border="0" height="170" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v8-_HHVfkVA/UAEElGW7_mI/AAAAAAAABAw/bVGXxgeHFoM/Firecracker%252520Supplies_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Firecracker Supplies" width="402" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: medium;"><strong>All – American Birdhouse</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">This sweet little Birdhouse is perched up on our mantel and is looking mighty fine! I had fun creating this project and it felt good to pull out my brushes for a change. In case you missed my post last week - <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2012/07/allamerican-birdhouse.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">All - American Birdhouse</span></a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2qZRHE6rEJQ/UAEEloYDlYI/AAAAAAAABA4/dYThRg0_wQ0/s1600-h/All%252520American%252520Birdhouse%252520Collage%2525204%252520frame%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="All American Birdhouse Collage 4 frame" border="0" height="469" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4uC7upGnmEk/UAEEnPoC6YI/AAAAAAAABBA/k1ukhrkcwx4/All%252520American%252520Birdhouse%252520Collage%2525204%252520frame_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All American Birdhouse Collage 4 frame" width="477" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">My sweet little 2 yr. old Grandson saw this picture and told me… “ I lub the wittle tweet tweet houwse”. He’s so adorable! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">BTW... A summer themed Birdhouse is on the drawing board!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JdH7qbP4fcI/UAEEncjm14I/AAAAAAAABBI/GIa88SY8nHU/s1600-h/Red%252520Dash%252520Line%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Red Dash Line" border="0" height="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CNEbtZ7GAo8Ks5kNHNyLZpU4JADEqFEVK1l-5gSW7MtoBWJwvWJ46TRFkHN8rRUVqDITxetTbTgfaELVG6hEi0d1QPOjXrjUn1pIXPm9Hgf0gDcoEF7X1a_grZILjDod1qvSczgPTTw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Red Dash Line" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Thanks for being a trooper and hanging in there till the bitter end! </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">You’re the best! <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">(X</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">OXO)</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">Seriously, I wished I could have published this Patriotic tribute before the holiday but, as I am learning, family and obligations must come first and blogging second. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;">I have several great projects to share this month so I hope you will stop back by again soon. If you want to stay in the loop when something new is published then sign up for email updates or RSS updates over on my sidebar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: small;"> Until next time… </span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oHlLEerD1a8/UAEEoFvJnOI/AAAAAAAABBY/i6EdpDrOn6s/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="50" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_l_MCCi45XA/UAEEoloiEuI/AAAAAAAABBg/q9Q9OQZ-WfI/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="149" /></a>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-39037365834359408512012-07-04T19:12:00.000-05:002012-07-05T06:08:07.630-05:00All–American Birdhouse<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iLBTjbAD40o/T_TQfiJ7v7I/AAAAAAAAA8c/_z1rFTiMMxc/s1600-h/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520Front%252520View%252520Distressed%252520w%252520text%25255B69%25255D.jpg"><img alt="All-American Birdhouse Front View Distressed w text" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V9V3SsIyYaM/T_TQgNn2KyI/AAAAAAAAA8k/OJksYBxb-sQ/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520Front%252520View%252520Distressed%252520w%252520text_thumb%25255B63%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All-American Birdhouse Front View Distressed w text" width="382" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;">Say “</span><em style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;">Hello</em><span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;">” to the newest addition to my Patriotic Mantel. This patriotic paint scheme is so fitting for this sweet little birdhouse. Don't you agree? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">You see, I have a soft spot for little wooden birdhouses so when I came across this fantastic Pin on Pinterest, I had to find out more! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://houseofjoyfulnoise.com/painted-american-birdhouse-tutorial/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Screen Shot Pinterest Birdhouse" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfrPRbfixnkF03LvtjXVEHU5ooAbBH5Q6Fvs3hE0xpEjJ0uIGbb5_YxBokGGfD3xjnxpAYQWOgllfj5B3t8nokDLMLwCFYg2FcASuUmHXPlS_31ISh7lLB8r8JeWKGaONT5FYdFArGGw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Screen Shot Pinterest Birdhouse" width="199" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://houseofjoyfulnoise.com/painted-american-birdhouse-tutorial/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Laura at House of Joyful Noise</span></a> created this beautiful little Birdhouse. She captured the patriotic spirit of the holiday so perfectly and inspired me to pick up my paintbrush and create one of my own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;">I also took some time to look around her </span><a href="http://houseofjoyfulnoise.com/" style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c44125;">site</span></a><span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;"> and Oh My Goodness did I find a new place for inspiration! You must stop over and see where her </span><a href="http://houseofjoyfulnoise.com/4th-of-july/" style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c44125;">American Birdhouse</span></a><span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;"> found its home and check out some of her DIY projects, Furniture Refinishing projects and Recipes. Make sure to tell Laura "Hi" while your there and tell her I sent ya (wink)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I have quite a collection of unfinished wooden Birdhouses (I actually have the same one Laura used for her project) and always end up picking up a few new ones (usually at Michael’s in the $1 bin) even though I probably don’t need anymore! I usually Mod Podge my Birdhouses with either fabric or paper and haven’t painted one in a long time. I guess that’s why this project was so much fun.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S037awJI-I0/T_TQgzid4zI/AAAAAAAAA80/jhQa_RTHl-w/s1600-h/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520w%252520instant%252520frame%252520color%252520text%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="All-American Birdhouse w instant frame color text" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BQ7yCO9kaYs/T_TQhI26U6I/AAAAAAAAA88/KQTSXsg-CeY/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520w%252520instant%252520frame%252520color%252520text_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All-American Birdhouse w instant frame color text" width="409" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;"><b>Doesn't</b></span><strong style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;"> she just make you want to sing a Patriotic Song!!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_j6eiSceYPA/T_TQhazNBqI/AAAAAAAAA9E/5CbWN9cdZ5s/s1600-h/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520Back%252520View%252520Final%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img alt="All-American Birdhouse Back View Final" border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY6ey6z2BejEFBgVCKeiyHn0g2dWKWJqbweVVaLzD-JejUJFURThKRpakAhnENq0f86opl6_RZQvkZm8CyLEcN-O2dEzVjb5mE_l4kkVblnTSctJ7V_uyi3wRpSR2Z1_8gtZeUDLylTY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All-American Birdhouse Back View Final" width="356" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Here’s a quick tutorial on how I made my Birdhouse… </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--fPgo1RMIdk/T_TQiJ-ex7I/AAAAAAAAA9U/LQE7cfC7bZc/s1600-h/All-American%252520Supply%252520Collage2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="All-American Supply Collage2" border="0" height="398" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Goqt7_-d9Ng/T_TQi65nVOI/AAAAAAAAA9c/KvkIaj9O86w/All-American%252520Supply%252520Collage2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All-American Supply Collage2" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">1.) I painted the wooden birdhouse with White Acrylic Craft Paint. It took a couple of coats to cover completely. Let paint dry overnight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">2.) The next day, I used my Cricut and some scrap vinyl to cut out the stars and stripes (only had white scrap pieces handy so it’s hard to see them in the pictures against white paint). If you don’t have a cutting machine you can use a stencil and cut out by hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">3.) I placed the vinyl where I wanted it and painted each side (Acrylic Red and Blue Paint was leftover from my <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/06/uncle-sam.html" target="_blank">Uncle Sam</a> project and the White Acrylic Craft Paint I had in my stash). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">4. ) Once paint has dried completely (let mine dry overnight), I removed vinyl and touched up a few spots. Then lightly sanded edges for a distressed look (optional). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><strong>Note:</strong> Since my Birdhouse will stay inside I didn’t seal with any type of wax or sealant. If placed outside I would recommend sealing to protect against the weather. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: medium;">What do you think?? Isn’t this a fun and patriotic project??</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V05Lm89wm5k/T_TQjhtG6GI/AAAAAAAAA9k/2o6J7BCkyaA/s1600-h/All-American%252520Birdhouse%2525203%252520View%252520Collage%25255B11%25255D.png"><img alt="All-American Birdhouse 3 View Collage" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F_QJ-PVoiUo/T_TQkDRHWZI/AAAAAAAAA9s/kw2L9hbYg7U/All-American%252520Birdhouse%2525203%252520View%252520Collage_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All-American Birdhouse 3 View Collage" width="413" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Okay, humor me with just one more picture… </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yNYGEweWKU8/T_TQkeihkdI/AAAAAAAAA90/mcZ5mbhcBOg/s1600-h/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520Front%252520ViewTransparent%252520Frame%252520w%252520Color%252520Text%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="All-American Birdhouse " border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t6lyOUiMDvQ/T_TQk4aTYpI/AAAAAAAAA98/aTBjfdZ586g/All-American%252520Birdhouse%252520Front%252520ViewTransparent%252520Frame%252520w%252520Color%252520Text_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="All-American Birdhouse" width="455" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">This sweet little Birdhouse is perch up on our Patriotic Mantle and she is looking good! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Pictures of our Patriotic Mantel should be posted tomorrow so make sure to come back by and take a look. I can’t wait to show you the super simple Stars and Stripes Banner I made. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Thanks for stopping by my Nest…. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7e9mT86CBTs/T_TQlEX683I/AAAAAAAAA-E/2QZhRWj0Xjc/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="50" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5Dm9VSPM_I/T_TQlqxJ-pI/AAAAAAAAA-M/ovfzqka9VrI/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="149" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I’m linking up to several parties listed on my sidebar…. Stop by and check out the fun! </span>
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<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" target="_blank">Made-by-you-Monday @ Skip to my Lou</a><br />
<a href="http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/"> Made with Love Monday @Sew Chatty</a><br />
<a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.com/">Make the Scene Monday @Alderberry Hill</a><br />
<a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank">Get Your Craft On @Today’s Creative Blog </a><br />
<a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Tuesday Confessional @Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy</a><br />
<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/">Trick or Treat Tuesday @Inside BruCrew Life</a><br />
<a href="http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/" target="_blank">Uncommonly Yours Link Party @Uncommonly Yours...</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lilluna.com/" target="_blank">Linkin' with Lil' Luna @Lil Luna</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Whimsy Wednesdays @The NY Melrose Family</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/" target="_blank" title="Home Stories A2Z"><img "="" alt="Home Stories A2Z" height="75" src="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/tutorialsandtips.jpg" style="border: none;" width="75" /></a>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-88319776906999450342012-07-03T23:40:00.000-05:002012-07-05T05:58:58.450-05:00Patriotic Porch Re-Run<br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Today, I wanted to share with you our Patriotic Front Porch. The porch is being labeled “re-run” because it’s the same Rag Wreath and Uncle Sam that I made last year. </span><span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I just loved both projects and since I was unable to make anything new for the porch I figured why not! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x4Vf_v45yQ4/T_PA5W4uMAI/AAAAAAAAA64/U_nei6xJ4nU/s1600-h/Patriotic%252520Projects%2525202011%252520Collage%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Patriotic Projects 2011 Collage" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DLjLut3DiLQ/T_PA6O_cjmI/AAAAAAAAA7A/v8a6mVn8kas/Patriotic%252520Projects%2525202011%252520Collage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Patriotic Projects 2011 Collage" width="480" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I really wasn’t planning on sharing my front porch this year (because it <em>was</em> a re-run), but this morning while working on my new Patriotic Mantle post, I realized that my blog friends have quadrupled since last July (thank you to each and everyone of you - I love my readers!) which means many of you probably haven’t seen these projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I think they are two of my all-time favorites and were the projects that jump started my confidence to blog about my crafting adventures. It is a hoot to look back at these old post and see how awful my pictures are and read my silly posts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xE6BRByaSfs/T_PA7Og8-bI/AAAAAAAAA7I/sfoDVE-QoYU/s1600-h/Uncle%252520Sam%252520Collage%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Uncle Sam Collage" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ztqq3h6bUwg/T_PA75Ptn8I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/Qc8rWSEYQZk/Uncle%252520Sam%252520Collage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Uncle Sam Collage" width="480" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/06/uncle-sam.html" target="_blank">Uncle Sam</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">You can find my original post, instructions and inspiration <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/06/uncle-sam.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FnDR_kf6N4Q/T_PA8QfkkWI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Yts5FosigFc/s1600-h/Patriotic%252520Rag%252520Wreath%252520w%252520text%252520header%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Patriotic Rag Wreath w text header" border="0" height="574" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hPFYGp3tO30/T_PA886kFrI/AAAAAAAAA7g/DxsOFbQW_9A/Patriotic%252520Rag%252520Wreath%252520w%252520text%252520header_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Patriotic Rag Wreath w text header" width="457" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/07/patriotic-rag-wreath.html" target="_blank">Patriotic Rag Wreath</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">You can find my original post, instructions and inspiration <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/07/patriotic-rag-wreath.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_zCEJD9yZeM/T_PA9zJ4_2I/AAAAAAAAA7o/Z-MECNlAuqs/s1600-h/Patriotic%252520Porch%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Patriotic Porch" border="0" height="419" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yC_TrL7dmzM/T_PA-nQMDiI/AAAAAAAAA7w/QZAoQ_HVjxI/Patriotic%252520Porch_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Patriotic Porch" width="488" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: LuzSans-Book;">Unfortunately, I was unable to take any new pictures of the porch so I ‘m just using last years picture. What’s new from last year?? Well, my front door has since been refinished in a gorgeous dark espresso and I have beautiful red geraniums hanging in the flower bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Don’t you just love Uncle Sam?? I have a vision to make Pilgrims and a Mr.and Mrs.Claus using this same technique, I just have to find the time to play around with my templates. Who knows, maybe I will get my act together and make me some more holiday statues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Tell me about your favorite 4th of July project…. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Stay tuned tomorrow for my Patriotic Mantel Reveal and the cutest little Birdhouse!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: medium;"><strong>Until Next Time… </strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f_D5GBmQEPg/T_PA-6Ury0I/AAAAAAAAA74/60g8OEuVayI/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="50" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R9CrBOBTodQ/T_PA_TQBW8I/AAAAAAAAA8A/zZr2DG_ZaaI/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="149" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xZ1m6MopK2s/T_PA_hThVXI/AAAAAAAAA8I/Wi-0BTXlQ20/s1600-h/Yellow%252520Line%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Yellow Line" border="0" height="78" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iwczWbqk3Og/T_PA_7WFtCI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/ZnxNQA5mShc/Yellow%252520Line_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Yellow Line" width="482" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book;">I’m linking both Uncle Sam and Patriotic Wreath to several parties listed on my sidebar…</span>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-21080438283801266542012-06-18T17:13:00.000-05:002012-06-19T08:56:56.353-05:00Green Bean Bacon Bundles<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nl1k-CwWUik/T9-VOdOQBnI/AAAAAAAAA50/d9b5M53UhZM/s1600-h/Green%252520Bean%252520Bacon%252520Bundles%252520closeup_text%25255B18%25255D.png"><img alt="Green Bean Bacon Bundles closeup_text" border="0" height="308" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-adpKbdMAwIk/T9-VPCesWrI/AAAAAAAAA58/BTPyS91itpc/Green%252520Bean%252520Bacon%252520Bundles%252520closeup_text_thumb%25255B16%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Green Bean Bacon Bundles closeup_text" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Talking to the Moon'; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><strong>Green Beans + Bacon = Bundle of Deliciousness</strong></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">My gang has grown tired of having the same ole’ meals night after night and I've grown tired of hearing them grumble about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Enter… our PLAN</strong></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">So, my Daughter-in-Law and I came up with a plan to liven up suppertime. We decided to find/make at least 2-3 new recipes each week and to step out of the “Normal Boring” dishes (as our men call them) and into some “Fun and Creative” meals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">We are compiling a list of new menu ideas and using a star rating of 1-5 (5 being highest). </span><span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">As we go along, I plan to share with you some of the new recipes we try and highlight a few of the sites/blogs. Our guys are even getting in on the action, they are critiquing each masterpiece and providing feedback for any changes the next time we make it. You should hear them talk about the dish - It is soooo hilarious! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: medium;"><strong>First on our List… </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/green-bean-bacon-bundles" target="_blank">Green Bean Bacon Bundles</a> is the first new veggie side dish we made. I found this recipe a while back on Pinterest, and I knew it would be a winner with our guys. </span><span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Guess What… I was right (imagine that)! The grown ups loved it and even our 2 yr. old grandson cleaned his plate! We pared it with some delicious Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops and I used some of the glaze as garnish in my picture (above). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Not only did we give this recipe a collective 5 Stars… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">we also gave Jessica at <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/" target="_blank">How Sweet It Is</a> a 5 Star rating!! </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/green-bean-bacon-bundles/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://www.howsweeteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/greenbb-51.jpg" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="298" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/green-bean-bacon-bundles/" target="_blank">source</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">When I originally checked out the recipe link (before I pinned it), I found myself glued to her <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/" target="_blank"><strong><u>site</u></strong></a> exploring everything. She has a beautiful website and some fantastic recipes. We have already made three other recipes from her site and so far so good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I now <strike>stalk</strike> follow her daily post via email subscription and hope to feature a couple more of her dishes that we’ve recently made. I encourage you to stop over and check out <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/" target="_blank">How Sweet It Is</a>. Who knows, you might find something new you want to try! <span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: medium;"><strong>Our Version… </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: medium;">Green Bean Bacon Bundles <span style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/green-bean-bacon-bundles/" target="_blank">How Sweet It Is</a>) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">The best part about this veggie dish is you can easily adjust the servings to meet your needs. To feed the four of us (4 + toddler) we only made seven (7) bundles and adjusted the brown sugar bath accordingly. The original recipe makes 10 –12 bundles so you may want to refer to her recipe for exact ingredient measurements. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Fresh Green Beans – (1/2 pound’ish) washed and trimmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Bacon Slices – One slice for each bundle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">1 generous Tablespoon Butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">1/2 Tablespoon Brown Sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">1 clove of Garlic – minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Salt & Pepper – to taste </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and spray 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a saucepan over low heat melt butter then add brown sugar and garlic. Stir until combined – keep warm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Take prepared green beans and bundle together 6-8 green beans (depends on the size on how many you get in a 1/2 lb.). Wrap a piece of bacon around each bundle and place seam side down in prepared baking dish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Brush butter mixture over top of each bundle and Salt / Pepper to taste. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;"></span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aAaIbJvWmxI/T9-VPbleE5I/AAAAAAAAA6E/T8s5CA3lGCI/s1600-h/Green%252520Bean%252520Bacon%252520Bundles%252520Collage%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Green Bean Bacon Bundles Collage" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S1W-_BdCynQ/T9-VPyeD4iI/AAAAAAAAA6M/01XlEydDtSk/Green%252520Bean%252520Bacon%252520Bundles%252520Collage_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Green Bean Bacon Bundles Collage" width="448" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes , just until bacon gets crispy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">** The bacon did not get as crispy as I would have liked, so next time I will place under broiler for a few minutes to crisp bacon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Serve immediately (best if served hot).</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v1gr5qKfyeE/T9-VQJG2-5I/AAAAAAAAA6U/4Py6EaAKvzI/s1600-h/Green%252520Bean%252520Bacon%252520Bundle%252520edit%252520w_%252520matte_text%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Green Bean Bacon Bundle edit w_ matte_text" border="0" height="258" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mfy4j7mBADQ/T9-VQgA8zuI/AAAAAAAAA6c/lpeyebct7WE/Green%252520Bean%252520Bacon%252520Bundle%252520edit%252520w_%252520matte_text_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Green Bean Bacon Bundle edit w_ matte_text" width="426" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Doesn’t this look scrumptious?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">This really was a snap to make and was so good. I promise you the flavors were perfect together and it looks so handsome on the plate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">What about you? Have you been looking for new recipe ideas to liven up your nightly dinners? Let’s hear about them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did and stay tuned for another new recipe tasting next week. Thanks for stopping by! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: LuzSans-Book; font-size: small;">Until next time…</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g3yfqks0vs8/T9-VREf5_0I/AAAAAAAAA6k/88qBbqvyzYg/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKs-tA_gFk-ptL6yuckL3Auk5wowx0KAq1hafPSZ-H3AwLez70auMY1-3Env0SoEN0qZ_OP8oacq3LIX2uXJxGEOKavFdhSx63e45rtl0JPXnDxIFfu6rbM-0RU4YYCSLHwflMqaSX_5U/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="169" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Talking to the Moon'; font-size: small;"><strong>I’m linking this post to several parties listed on my sidebar… Stop by and join in the fun! </strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Scrumptous Sunday Link Party @Addicted to Recipes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank">Think Pink Sundays @Flamingo Toes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/" target="_blank">I Heart Naptime</a><br />
<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" target="_blank">Made-by-you-Monday @ Skip to my Lou</a><br />
<a href="http://www.howtonestforless.com/" target="_blank">Party with my Peeps @How To Nest For Less</a><br />
<a href="http://www.askannamoseley.com/">Weekend Warrior @Ask Anna</a><br />
<a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.com/">Make the Scene Monday @Alderberry Hill</a><br />
<a href="http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tuesday Talent Show @Chef In Training </a><br />
<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Time to Shine @A Diamond in the Stuff</a><br />
<a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/">Trick or Treat Tuesday @Inside BruCrew Life</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.midwesterngirldiy.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="75" src="http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p590/MidwesternGirl5/Miscellaneous/summerpartybuttonlinkup.png" width="75" /></a>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-80721480647298944082012-06-09T09:51:00.000-05:002012-06-16T00:18:45.626-05:00Birthday Bash… Fun Birthday Banner!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type'; font-size: large;"><strong>Part 2… Tractor Theme Birthday Banner</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi Italic'; font-size: small;">(if you missed Part One of the Birthday Bash / Balloon Wreath click <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2012/05/birthday-bash-birthday-balloon-wreath.html" target="_blank"><strong><u>HERE</u></strong></a></span>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><strong>What party is complete without a Birthday Banner?? </strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YFCsQNo9TZQ/T8w6TiX50-I/AAAAAAAAAwo/G6fxBlbZ6Uc/s1600-h/Tractor%252520Theme%252520Birthday%252520Banner%252520w%252520title%2525201%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tractor Theme Birthday Banner w title 1" border="0" height="278" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nNUrHDXxREY/T8w6UOVwJRI/AAAAAAAAAww/0GnAnBMYOoA/Tractor%252520Theme%252520Birthday%252520Banner%252520w%252520title%2525201_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tractor Theme Birthday Banner w title 1" width="452" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;">Doesn't</span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"> this banner scream</span><em style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: x-large;"> “Let’s P-a-r-t-y“?</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">I had a blast making this Birthday Banner for my Grandson’s party. It made such an impact in the room and tied the theme together perfectly. I was able to incorporate not only the tractor theme and party colors; but I personalized it to give the banner that extra special touch. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">Despite the camera mishap, I’ve managed to round up enough photos to share with you this fun Birthday Banner. I won’t fudge or sugar coat how hard it was to edit these babies. I’ve discovered the colors green and yellow are not easy colors to photograph. Jeez!! </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0JilzmHYr1U/T9KRyoOlxYI/AAAAAAAAAzs/LbCdCLyYbl4/s1600-h/Tractor%252520Theme%252520Birthday%252520Banner%252520Collage%25255B14%25255D.png" style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Tractor Theme Birthday Banner Collage" border="0" height="271" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V5ZwLkN5DdU/T9KRzOBX_BI/AAAAAAAAAz0/yElnE7-_MpI/Tractor%252520Theme%252520Birthday%252520Banner%252520Collage_thumb%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tractor Theme Birthday Banner Collage" width="479" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cicle;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">My Daughter-in-Law only had a few simple request where the banner was concerned, so I really had free reign to just play. I starting planning this project weeks in advance and made several detailed sketches of each element, so I could have a handle on everything I would need to make the banner. Pre-planning a project like this is key… I could hit all the sales and have plenty of time to work on this bad boy!</span></span><span style="font-family: Cicle;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RiL9k8CaAe8/T9KRzjr-KsI/AAAAAAAAAz8/0QCkmWu36Mk/s1600-h/mustard_banner-crop%25255B10%25255D.png"><img alt="mustard_banner-crop" border="0" height="21" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WyPPGMMBJ1U/T9KRz6g-6kI/AAAAAAAAA0E/waAD0kjYTl0/mustard_banner-crop_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mustard_banner-crop" width="462" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">I hadn’t really planned on providing a step-by-step tutorial for the banner but I’ve received several request asking for more details, so I thought I would go ahead and put something together. I’m thrilled so many of you wanted to know more about it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type'; font-size: medium;"><strong>Here<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black';">’</span>s how I made it…</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U_BxxZfHT6U/T9KR0TEfj4I/AAAAAAAAA0M/-3zH1vE_c5w/s1600-h/Banner-Supplies-Framed-with-Labels6.jpg"><img alt="Banner Supplies Framed with Labels" border="0" height="296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YH7UkN1pMYU/T9KR0gqpL4I/AAAAAAAAA0U/PJvRF0LR-z0/Banner-Supplies-Framed-with-Labels_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner Supplies Framed with Labels" width="420" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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I got lucky and scored all the single sheet cardstock 50% off at Hobby Lobby saving me big bucks. Just for the banner, I needed over 60 sheets so getting them for less than 22¢ a sheet … well, you can do the math ($$Cha-Ching$$).<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">My </span><a href="http://main.cricut.com/shopping/detail-Cricut-Create-Cricut-Createreg;-Machine-297-1976.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">Cricut Create®</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"> is as <strike>ancient</strike> old as I am (okay, maybe not that old but dang close) and it’s the smaller version with a 12x6 mat so I’m limited on cutting size. Oh goodness how I dream of a new machine (I want a Silhouette) but honestly, my little lady still gets the job done</span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"> and because she is older, I can use my </span><a href="http://www.craftedge.com/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">Sure Cuts A Lot (v2)</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"> design software (I heart this program). All is well in my little world<span style="font-family: Arial;">! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: medium;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><strong>The Pendants:</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nfUzN06Ctfk/T9KR1GmmS7I/AAAAAAAAA0c/cMmNCpTJEJM/s1600-h/Tractor%252520Theme%252520Pendant%252520w%252520text%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Tractor Theme Pendant w text" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tEJtDvmQwrM/T9KR1amEsII/AAAAAAAAA0k/0P95THz55dw/Tractor%252520Theme%252520Pendant%252520w%252520text_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tractor Theme Pendant w text" width="354" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><strong>Step 1:</strong> </span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">Each triangle piece is 8 1/2 by 11 (basically, a whole sheet of green cardstock paper). I made a template from a piece of thin cardboard (a cereal box works great for this) and used it to trace my pattern on each piece of green cardstock then cut out by hand. I made 20 triangle pendant pieces. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><strong>Step 2:</strong> Y</span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">ellow Top Band - Using my template I traced out<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hv0veyXRCk0/T9KR19mCupI/AAAAAAAAA0s/HkCB80XxxCQ/s1600-h/Triangle%252520w%252520Polka%252520Dots%252520Closeup%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Triangle w Polka Dots Closeup" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yt7gqa51HTk/T9KR2EZPA1I/AAAAAAAAA00/M1h0-mVs-2U/Triangle%252520w%252520Polka%252520Dots%252520Closeup_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Triangle w Polka Dots Closeup" width="182" /></a> the top band and with my paper trimmer quickly cut out each piece then glued in place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><strong>Step 3</strong><strong>:</strong> Bottom Yellow Triangle – Again, using my cardboard template I traced out the bottom triangle piece, cut out and glued in place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><strong>Step 4:</strong> Polka Dots – Using my SCAL program I created several dozen little circles (2 sizes) and cut out using my Cricut. Added them to each bottom triangle piece (cut a few in half to get the look I wanted). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><strong>The Tractor:</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y9UVa6ET8y4/T9KR2kZpjII/AAAAAAAAA08/uIuZEcuafjc/s1600-h/Tractor%252520SVG%252520Cut%252520Closeup%252520with%252520Tape%252520Frame%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Tractor SVG Cut Closeup with Tape Frame" border="0" height="392" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xMQkX5B9mCw/T9KR3NmvqYI/AAAAAAAAA1E/hMIM6H51UL4/Tractor%252520SVG%252520Cut%252520Closeup%252520with%252520Tape%252520Frame_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tractor SVG Cut Closeup with Tape Frame" width="471" /></a>
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;">I searched through all my SVG files and Cricut Cartridges for a cute little tractor but I just didn’t find what I was looking for. So, I hopped online and I headed to one of my favorite sources for (reasonably priced) SVG files called <a href="http://svgcuts.com/" target="_blank"><strong><u>SVG.com</u></strong></a>. I found this set called <a href="http://svgcuts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=92" target="_blank">"Grandpa's Organic Farm"</a><strong><u></u></strong> which had the perfect tractor.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3ETTQPpoewA7o3sL8GVLMZYq_NffA2zY1vx9xiXZst34lXqlKgFuo4TlWw1rrUZMFKwKFb_AVIK28cDKKaoKv92wVMJ-RAgZx97CCxBHHVNZVMqyhSIX8R61KVSrgozIAknurzppxv4/s1600/SVG.comlogwithGrandpaOrganicFarmCollection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3ETTQPpoewA7o3sL8GVLMZYq_NffA2zY1vx9xiXZst34lXqlKgFuo4TlWw1rrUZMFKwKFb_AVIK28cDKKaoKv92wVMJ-RAgZx97CCxBHHVNZVMqyhSIX8R61KVSrgozIAknurzppxv4/s320/SVG.comlogwithGrandpaOrganicFarmCollection.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: x-small;">Just a quick shout out… SVG.com makes it so easy (and safe) to purchase and download SVG files. Their prices are affordable and they also have <strong><em>free</em></strong> SVG files ready for quick download. They offer good clean cut files that work great with SCAL and they have a fun blog too! **<strong>This is my opinion based solely on my personal experience using their files</strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: x-small;"> (No Compensation or endorsement).</span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kW90H00Ked0/T9KR4D28CdI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ohpSEH3j6nk/s1600-h/Tractor%252520Center%252520w%252520Arrows%25255B12%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Tractor Center w Arrows" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JXvyMSpvF7A/T9KR4RiIcZI/AAAAAAAAA1k/cUp8SayBpfk/Tractor%252520Center%252520w%252520Arrows_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tractor Center w Arrows" width="426" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">The tractor size is approx. 3.266 wide and 3.992 high. I used SCAL to layout each part of the tractor, c</span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">ut six (6) sets with my Cricut and then assembled all six (6) tractors. Each completed tractor was centered on the pendant in between the top band and bottom triangle and glued in place. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><strong>The Letters:</strong> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfGLc7YwFzqXCZ-KbqbPsq9BafFftzvpvWVR_fazcB0WEfdDWuqP9tpokIHihsrf35v_w1pvJtT_n-2tF_EsUdmrcklxL_LEN53TZ20OoWpW9dl9mraLOwdt_byGRS3dI9T5oKpYc4z0/s1600-h/Letter%252520layered%252520w%252520dimensions%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Letter layered w dimensions" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MI0Qv6Ylo_8/T8w6ZiNq67I/AAAAAAAAA1w/nrFu6R1Aa9A/Letter%252520layered%252520w%252520dimensions_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Letter layered w dimensions" width="396" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;">I used a font called <strong>LD Enquirer</strong> that I previously purchased from another one of my favorite websites called <a href="http://www.letteringdelights.com/" target="_blank"><u>Lettering Delights</u></a><strong></strong>. LD has tons of great stuff other than fonts like graphics, printables and cut files. Anyway, this font has the perfect rounded style that works well when using the layering technique. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">In SCAL, I laid out each letter sized to 2.8 x 2.8. Using my Cricut, I c</span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">ut out and assembled all 20 letters. Then, I centered the letter on the pendant in between the top band and bottom triangle (same as tractor) and glued in place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><strong>Display Banner: </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">Punch holes in the top band and run twine through each letter. I added clear tape the back of each pendant to hold the twine in place and to help it hang properly. (sorry, no close up picture)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: medium;"><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3L8-PAb3op4/T9KR5p1gHyI/AAAAAAAAA10/kZAHyC-sKTk/s1600-h/mustard_banner-crop%25255B11%25255D.png"><img alt="mustard_banner-crop" border="0" height="29" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IMaGJ85rQEg/T9KR6GV71sI/AAAAAAAAA18/tgulSUc-jn8/mustard_banner-crop_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mustard_banner-crop" width="459" /></a></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;"><strong>Who’s still </strong><strike>awake</strike> <strong>with me?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">I hope I didn’t lose anyone or confuse those of you who wanted the scope on how I made the banner. If you do have any questions, just leave me a comment or shoot me an email and I will try my best answer them (please make sure to include your email). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VCR5L8SLazM/T9KR6mUBC2I/AAAAAAAAA2E/rIBgNaXFJUs/s1600-h/Birthday%252520%252520Banner%252520Framed%252520revised%25255B6%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Birthday Banner Framed revised" border="0" height="261" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lwZWCHKNkCg/T9KR6_N7uQI/AAAAAAAAA2M/7Yx6gOfUFg8/Birthday%252520%252520Banner%252520Framed%252520revised_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Birthday Banner Framed revised" width="475" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">So, what do you think… do you like it? Have you ever made a paper Birthday Banner? Leave me a comment sharing your thoughts and stories… I would love to hear from you! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">I will finish up the Birthday Bash Series with a third and final post where I will show you the cutest table centerpieces we made with just a few great finds from The Dollar Tree and a simple way to make customized goodie bags. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Oh and of course, I’ll share a few </span><span style="font-size: large;">festive pictures of the Birthday Boy</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with me. Your the best! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';">Until next time… </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rAw7YpA-G1w/T8w6bhBVdqI/AAAAAAAAAy4/92W0mxeHiMI/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B6%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="60" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xs42qIKHn6Y/T8w6b5ElPLI/AAAAAAAAAzA/Uog3tX3VR4E/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="173" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Linking this project to a few great parties... Check out my sidebar for the list!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi';"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Come Join in the Fun!! </span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="A Diamond in the Stuff" border="0" height="75" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/4MyDesigns/Buttons/adits_125_1.png" width="75" /></a><a href="http://howtonestforless.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="How to Nest for Less"><img alt="How to Nest for Less" height="75" src="http://howtonestforless.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/btn-Nest-for-Less-125p.jpg" style="border: none;" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n575/beuncommon/UncommonlyYoursLinkParty.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Reasons To Skip The Housework"><img alt="Reasons To Skip The Housework" height="75" src="http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/azparis3/TTO-3.jpg" style="border: none;" width="75" /></a><a href="http://tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Tip Junkie handmade projects" border="0" height="75" src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/images/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" width="75" /></a><a href="http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/" title="The DIY Dreamer"><img alt="The DIY Dreamer" height="75" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/lexieex/The%20DIY%20Dreamer/DIYLinkPartyButton.png" style="border: none;" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/">
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</a><a href="http://www.happyhourprojects.com/search/label/Freestyle%20Friday"><img height="75" src="http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc372/AdrianneSurian/FridayButton.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://52mantels.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="52 Mantels" height="75" src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h369/Emily_Morgenstern/weeklyparty.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Home Stories A2Z"><img alt="Home Stories A2Z" height="75" src="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/tutorialsandtips.jpg" style="border: none;" width="75" /></a><a href="http://lilluna.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lil\'Luna"><img alt="Lil\'Luna" height="75" src="http://lilluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lilluna_linking_up.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Lil\'Luna" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="HookingupwithHoH" height="75" src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HookinupwithHoHnew2.png" width="100" /></a><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shabby Nest" height="75" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/theshabbynest/Shabby%20Nest%20Blog%205-2011/ShabbyNest-GrabButton.png" width="75" /></a><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank">
<img alt="" height="75" src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" width="75" /></a><a href="http://tidymom.net" title="I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom"><img src="http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k190/tidymom/TidyMom%20Buttons/ImLovinIt125.png" alt="I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom" title="I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom" style="border:none;" height="75" width="75" /></a></div>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-79071670249785827142012-06-05T13:08:00.000-05:002012-06-05T13:08:44.422-05:00Hit a snag on my Birthday Banner post!<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: large;">Post has been delayed not Once but Twice… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;">I’ve run into a few issues while working on Part 2 of the Birthday Bash series. This B’day Banner post is trying to whip me but I ‘m not gonna let it get the best of me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;"><strong>WHY</strong>, is this post being so difficult you ask? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;">For starters, the pictures from the party (pre-party decorations and during party fun shots) are G-O-N-E! Yep, you heard me right… they are all GONE! Apparently, <strong>all</strong> the pictures stored on my “new” digital camera decided to erase themselves (tears are rolling down my face). So, I had to call out to family and friends for copies of their pic’s and wait for them to email. Meanwhile, I re-created some still shots to replace those lost. I received pictures + edited + wrote post and </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">THEN</span></strong>… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;">Yesterday, I upload my post to Blogger and made <strike>a bunch </strike>some corrections and changes but I kept having a problem saving my work. I finally got frustrated and quit for the day. I logged in this am to finish the post and all the changes/corrections I did were… you guessed it… GONE! </span><span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;">It appears that I wasn’t the only poor soul who had problems with Blogger yesterday. Several dear blogging friends had similar issues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;">I seem to have a common pattern developing here called “GONE”. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: medium;"><strong>TODAY IS A NEW DAY </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Cicle Semi'; font-size: small;">I’m trying again today to get this post up on my blog. So, wish me luck and stay tuned… </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qmT09nHspAA/T85GrGRYJZI/AAAAAAAAAzY/-WOBMOZ7IZQ/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="50" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JV6c8eyzus0/T85GrqqeiHI/AAAAAAAAAzg/O72dwQZ40bE/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="149" /></a>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-41515241629453069602012-05-27T11:25:00.000-05:002012-06-11T22:09:31.318-05:00Birthday Bash… Birthday Balloon Wreath<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type';"><strong></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type';"><strong>Birthday Bash <span style="font-family: 'TXT Abrasive';">-</span> Part One</strong></span><span style="color: #00a600;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NXm1k3Nyep4/T8Gj08dbF6I/AAAAAAAAAsE/M7sHWGhsf6c/s1600-h/Ballon-Wreath3.jpg"><img alt="Ballon Wreath" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OvzV4LDenww/T8Gj1lWG40I/AAAAAAAAAsM/6PunGjDMTgY/Ballon-Wreath_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ballon Wreath" width="480" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">My Grandson recently celebrated his 2nd Birthday and I had the pleasure of making the party decorations. Our little man loves anything and everything tractors so you guessed it… Johnny Tractor was the honorary tractor theme for the party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">I really had a blast creating the party decorations and I’m excited to share with you the collection of goodies I made. I'm breaking it down into a three (3) part series so it will be easier to share all the fun details. Plus, I'm long winded and tend to write novels when I post a project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Here’s a peek at a few of the other projects… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi';"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jXgOBoFY83M/T8Gj2Bv7wlI/AAAAAAAAAsU/hC6TiIGPe18/s1600-h/Sneak%252520Peek%252520Collage%2525202%252520Pic.jpg"><img alt="Sneak Peek Collage 2 Pic" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xS8UEX9lhDg/T8Gj2kvSRCI/AAAAAAAAAsc/rgChoSvNYk0/Sneak%252520Peek%252520Collage%2525202%252520Pic_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sneak Peek Collage 2 Pic" width="337" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi';"><span style="font-size: medium;">The decorations included an awesome Party Banner, Table Centerpieces, Goodie Bags and a fun Welcome Wreath. I love graphics/designing, playing with paper/glue, working with my Cricut and creating crafty items. Since I never know from one day to the next if I will feel up to crafting, I started working on these decorations weeks in advance. I'm glad I did because I wasn't rushed and had lots of time to rest and to play. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi';"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now for the best part, we were working with a tight budget so I managed to make everything for under <strong>$50 bucks!!</strong> More details on the bargains we (yours truly and my Daughter-in-Law) found will follow in Part 2 of this series. Lets just say that with a little bit of frugal planning you can find the best deals and can stretch your budget without compromising your ideas and party plans.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Before I get started, I want to add a special shout out of “Thanks” to my silent partner in crime. As many of you know, I struggle with a debilitating disability and sometimes, I need extra help just to do simple tasks. Many of the projects you see here at QomN are made possible because of my precious Daughter-in-Law’s help. She’s my right hand and works quietly behind the scenes making sure I can create and play without too much of a struggle. My sweet D-I-L drives me wherever I need to go to search for my bargains and lugs my wheelchair in/out without a single complaint, all while chasing around my <strike>all boy</strike> active 2 yrs. old Grandson. So, when I talk about “We”, now you will know (it’s not my imaginary friend – LOL!) it’s my awesome Daughter-in-Law. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful supportive family! Okay, Okay... enough mushy babbling. Let's Play!</span><br />
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<strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0uYK-vd1WKc/T8Gj3H4q9SI/AAAAAAAAAsk/vB17W-WYB_g/s1600-h/Yellow%252520Line%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Yellow Line" border="0" height="32" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oG5xR1S4oUk/T8Gj3gdKLcI/AAAAAAAAAss/hfKABkpJSRs/Yellow%252520Line_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Yellow Line" width="394" /></a></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type'; font-size: large;"><strong>First up… Balloon Wreath</strong></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SaRM5vcLgyo/T8Gj4O4h3ZI/AAAAAAAAAs0/GOyA5GqDDig/s1600-h/Birthday-Balloon-Wreath-with-Title6.jpg"><img alt="Birthday Balloon Wreath with Title" border="0" height="470" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y6x2lcKQHTU/T8Gj4jhpw5I/AAAAAAAAAs8/U1qPvhDnbMI/Birthday-Balloon-Wreath-with-Title_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Birthday Balloon Wreath with Title" width="468" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">This is what greeted our guest as they arrived… </span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">H</span><span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">ow crazy cute is this wreath!!</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">The wreath was a big hit and admired by everyone. Several guests wanted to know where we got it. Oh yeah, it was a good ego boost to see/hear their reactions when we told them... we made it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">It was super simple to make and came together fairly fast; (this could vary depending on the size of your wreath, balloon sizes and the pattern/design you choose). I will warn you, these wreaths use a lot of balloons… like hundreds of balloons. Yes, you heard me right! This one used a little over 225 balloons (we lost count)! Sorry for the crappy pictures but the lighting and colors were hard to work with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Okay, here’s the How-To for making a Balloon Wreath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;"><strong><u>Supplies</u></strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HyLtYZRhD5g/T8Gj5Wu5VwI/AAAAAAAAAtE/XcI5Roy-4fQ/s1600-h/Ballon%252520Wreath%252520Supplies%252520Frame%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ballon Wreath Supplies Frame" border="0" height="313" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tc2A5F_iekU/T8Gj5_mV5oI/AAAAAAAAAtM/UR7b0ZKLJ0Q/Ballon%252520Wreath%252520Supplies%252520Frame_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ballon Wreath Supplies Frame" width="356" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;"><strong>Instructions:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">1. Starting on the front side (top) of the wreath take a floral pin and one/two balloons, place them in-between the prongs of the pin and using the pin, secure the balloons onto foam wreath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">2. Continue adding balloons until the front is completely covered. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">3.Next, add balloons to the inside rim of wreath and finally, completely cover outside rim. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">4. Add your embellishments such as a sign or ribbons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">For my sign, I just printed off my picture, added text and mounted on heavy colored card stock. Then, glued a craft stick to back and add to wreath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Make sure the wreath is really full and if needed, gently fluff the balloons to make sure none of the foam is showing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rC5ZRHKoKfU/T8Gj6XpaLUI/AAAAAAAAAtU/t-806hEMTVY/s1600-h/Balloon-Wreath-Supplies-Collage-Fina.jpg"><img alt="Balloon Wreath Supplies Collage Final Copy" border="0" height="403" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lCRMm6ddIwI/T8Gj69gdomI/AAAAAAAAAtc/8hf5XwsjOf8/Balloon-Wreath-Supplies-Collage-Fina%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Balloon Wreath Supplies Collage Final Copy" width="401" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type'; font-size: large;"><strong>That<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black';">’</span>s it… your done!</strong></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">There are so many different versions of the Balloon Wreath on Pinterest and all across the web; in every color, shape and pattern. The possibilities are endless and these Wreaths really do add a fun element to your party decorations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Visual Inspiration came from <a href="http://www.odiade.com/2010/08/guilanda-de-bexiga.html#" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>: (Site is in Spanish but I only needed to see the picture of this perfect Wreath for an idea to spring to life!) </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.odiade.com/2010/08/guilanda-de-bexiga.html#" target="_blank"><img alt="Wreath inspiration source" border="0" height="221" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9rOgh5ImWNw/T8Gj7aPvDbI/AAAAAAAAAtk/PufFYvR-IP8/Wreath%252520inspiration%252520source%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath inspiration source" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.odiade.com/2010/08/guilanda-de-bexiga.html#" target="_blank">Source</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">I used the tutorial from: </span><span style="color: #c44125; font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/birthday-wreath" target="_blank">How Does She / Birthday Wreath</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'LDJ Knuckle Type'; font-size: medium;"><strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F1qCyKXvf-0/T8Gj74__ADI/AAAAAAAAAts/0V0pBtCiZ4A/s1600-h/Yellow%252520Line%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Yellow Line" border="0" height="35" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ebhScCemGI0/T8Gj8OfTR1I/AAAAAAAAAt0/JzDVRvuIZkE/Yellow%252520Line_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Yellow Line" width="404" /></a></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Part 2 of the Birthday Bash Series... Happy Birthday Banner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;"> This banner turned out better than I could have ever imagined. It was a true labor of love and worth every minute!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SDeufSldEBM/T8Gj8hxm9iI/AAAAAAAAAt8/u7hSbdxnlmE/s1600-h/Banner-Sneak-Peek-8.jpg"><span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;"><img alt="Banner Sneak Peek " border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP30pbL29_i39CGMwpVLSJzzS4mSXrEHcUhs5VQExK1-4visy2zMRvee4G7yFfWqpqw-2gDIxlePAqkiMOIaz6q9r-4CjmaJgQKr5VfMBMhLc90omhrcwBs9l6QUaHa9ixNSg4hgiPN54/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner Sneak Peek " width="475" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Can’t wait to show you… (insert happy dance)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: small;">Until Next time… </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z2EbeMM5MP4/T8Gj9vQKCRI/AAAAAAAAAuM/q37GQkwxJow/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" border="0" height="54" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D3qVpknX4GI/T8Gj-BHdNdI/AAAAAAAAAuU/WtyW9hLcmyc/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520w%252520flower_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature w flower" width="155" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">I'm Linking up to the awesome parties list on my sidebar... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Come join in the fun!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">YAY... This project was a Favorite Feature here:</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><img alt="IhookedupwithHoHlamespice" src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HoHnewfeatured1.png" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-left;">:</span><a href="http://thegrantlife.com/" target="_blank" title="the Grant Life"><img alt="the Grant Life" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb379/TheGrantLife/featured-2.png" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trendex SSi'; font-size: medium;">Here's a few of the awesome parties:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/" target="_blank" title="Home Stories A2Z"><img alt="Home Stories A2Z" src="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/tutorialsandtips.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><a href="http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n575/beuncommon/UncommonAvatar.jpg" /></a><a href="http://lilluna.com/" title="Lil\'Luna"><img alt="Lil\'Luna" src="http://lilluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lilluna_linking_up.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Lil\'Luna" /></a><a border="0" href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m481/EisyMorgan/sharebutton.jpg" /></a><a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q37/schoenfelds/showandshare.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/linkpartythursday.png" /></a><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9nVQbFsQ1x3FrlcZEviwauuevc6xKQLQZ3Kmx9jIyZq9JLZQZjccigu4XQPgMs7RXqI7_ne3aiqZ5KNMjV9s1H78I0RKmZMTZ2UtEZ7QoxamctPxLKyOgxM0HdMu2o3dA0_dop2kgmU/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a>
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<a href="http://sewwoodsy.com/" target="_blank">Weekly Link Party @ Sew Woodys</a>
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</div>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-38176914817553653832012-05-15T15:55:00.000-05:002012-05-26T21:49:18.787-05:00Individual Oreo Turtle Cheesecake<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>ello friends! I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day and were treated like a Queen for the day. My family sure made me feel loved!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Today, I am going to tempt you with a super simple, yummy dessert that’s sure to please any sweet tooth (it sure made me very happy)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">First, I must confess… I have an insane obsession with Cheesecake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: x-large;">S</span><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">eriously, I love all things Cheesecake. Whether it’s New York style, Fruit filled or topped with Fruit, White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate, with or without Nuts, Peanut butter and even smothered in sweet sticky caramel… <i><b>I love it all</b></i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">See what I mean, I honestly think my family is planning a secret “Cheesecake Intervention” to save me from my overindulgent self! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><b>Doesn't</b></span><strong><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"> this look lip-smacking delicious!! </span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L_2BkGRfQDw/T7KaY76oCJI/AAAAAAAAAqM/cuDRr_Ys_Ts/s1600-h/Main-Cheesecake-ipiccy22.jpg"><img alt="Main Cheesecake ipiccy" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimasgZf2YJPURjkRLIfG2j1iMxBXL8gNxwgY7gzV-9jRZN2iRpjfyoUIPwuScMI3unbpdMBOckyBJFvHiBN6JLXZ37IVzAGQg1ri60JXTgE9tWcF5M5dw3XoU9m8hAlmcIWPEUVkipa3M/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Main Cheesecake ipiccy" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span> few weeks ago, while <strike>wasting</strike> spending time on Pinterest (another obsession of mine – Jeez, I might need therapy!), I came across a pin for </span><a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/individual-oreo-turtle-cheesecakes/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Individual Oreo Turtle Cheesecake</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Now honestly, what’s a girl to do when she spots Oreos - Chocolate Chips - Nuts – Caramel and Cheesecake all rolled into this scrumptious looking little dessert? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Well, after I wiped off the drool running down my chin, I headed over to check it out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">J</span>ackpot!! I found another awesome food blog called … </span><a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/" style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lauren's Latest</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not only did I find the recipe for her </span><a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/individual-oreo-turtle-cheesecakes/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Individual Oreo Turtle Cheesecakes</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;">, I also found several other amazing Cheesecake recipes too (Score!). I was so jazzed as I surfed around her site to find so many yummy recipes that use what my family would call “<em>normal</em>” ingredients. The recipes are easy to follow and have beautiful pictures. <span style="color: #cc0000;"> (FYI… all of the so-so pictures shown in this post are of the little Cheesecakes I made.)</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">I've</span><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"> never met Lauren and this post is totally my opinion, but I recommend checking out her site </span><a href="http://http//www.laurenslatest.com/" style="font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">(here)</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">… Good Stuff People!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';">N</span><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';">ow, lets talk Cheesecake!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="font-size: small;">This is where I need to put a disclaimer… You CAN’T eat just one! </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3jRPKsrIrF8W7pIaYEFFNKXBfkyLXf9J_G4M0G-CCsG4f1sNPkSeF_YChUTIRS5v_-hz9ehkcJaNTsfyj_BSEwGvDpZhegaOWY9rM0S43R8ZnvhuhskJ0Ffro1Y4_brXkk4QsQQyHYc/s1600-h/Mini-Cheesecake-ipiccy-edit8.png"><img alt="Mini Cheesecake ipiccy edit" border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpTTkoxw3UfXMwc5uYaZKVePM9VSYYNe6v8-f2Rfm0ZPkhytmUjG-xf45FaNcBitceOE5JtI4WPU_R-mTGVdDVQmt0FU7ZFV5vrvhSlnuof86m7TcPb33Riot7QslCEWh8Kf6ZMSsqh0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mini Cheesecake ipiccy edit" width="405" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>his delightful Mini Cheesecakes recipe uses basic ingredients, only takes a few minutes to bake and cools in no time at all. Seriously, you can have them ready for tonight's dessert in no time flat and your gang will think you slaved all day (Shhh… it will be our little secret)!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rpvLoKCn5EU/T7KacgMHwzI/AAAAAAAAAqs/nk-1uklJjfQ/s1600-h/Ingredients-Picasa-edit9.jpg"><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="163" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NtEgrn-BcL4/T7Kad1ceHQI/AAAAAAAAAq0/NChol5OiLY0/Ingredients-Picasa-edit_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="274" /></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"> <img alt="cup of sugar ipiccy" border="0" height="96" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3I_OF2iRijQ/T7KaecLkKhI/AAAAAAAAAq8/-yFUGWqCeAk/cup-of-sugar-ipiccy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cup of sugar ipiccy" width="150" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>S</strong></span>ince the original recipe at </span><a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/individual-oreo-turtle-cheesecakes/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Lauren's Latest</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"> is laid out so perfectly and includes pictures with each step there really is no need for me to reinvent the recipe but I would like to share a few of my thoughts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Talk about simple, look at what the crust is made from… Oreo Cookies! You simple drop an Oreo into each paper lined tin and your done. No mixing or pre-baking required. How easy is that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--gOXRDmPHtk/T7KaemPnegI/AAAAAAAAArE/E1dmfaPY5cI/s1600-h/Oreo-Crust.jpg"><img alt="Oreo Crust" border="0" height="211" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F1recQuMr5A/T7KafEiqDFI/AAAAAAAAArM/gyM_g-bhvqo/Oreo-Crust_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Oreo Crust" width="208" /></a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> couple of other quick thoughts…</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">I found that the filling will easily make a dozen Individual Cheesecakes but the layer of Cheesecake filling is a little too thin for my liking. Next time, I think I will try either doubling the filling recipe (will probably make about 20) or only make maybe eight (8) Individual Cheesecakes so the filling is thicker.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">The only Caramel I had on-hand was the squeeze type used for Ice Cream toppings which is not as thick as melting Caramel squares. It worked out fine but again, for my taste, I will use melted caramel squares next time. I did use (Nestle) Toll House Mini Chocolate Chips (a staple around this house) and I always have Pecans handy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="303" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-16LeNovn7EQ/T7KagVf4gLI/AAAAAAAAArc/BvDfH908EdE/Mini-Cheesecakes-Full-Picasa-edit_th.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>T</strong></span>his recipe has a perfect Cheesecake base that can be used with so many types of cookie crust / topping combination. My wheels are already turning with ideas for my next batch of Individual Cheesecakes. Stay tuned - more goodness to come… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: large;">Just click on the link to go to <a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/individual-oreo-turtle-cheesecakes/" target="_blank">Lauren's Latest - Individual Oreo Turtle Cheesecakes</a> for the complete recipe and tutorial.</span><br />
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<i style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I don’t post pictures or content from other blogs unless I get prior approval – In this case I wasn’t able to get the okay before the post was ready to go so I didn't feel comfortable copy/posting recipe.)</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: x-large;"><b>Enjoy!! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Until next time…</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4OJzvglC-sw/T7Kag1a19yI/AAAAAAAAArk/Ylpq-6Ie9ak/s1600-h/Simpy-AJ-Signature4.png"><img alt="Simpy AJ Signature" border="0" height="57" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qBYSMaBA2DQ/T7KahjlI9hI/AAAAAAAAArs/LSXzlN4z-ME/Simpy-AJ-Signature_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature" width="162" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>This recipe was featured here... </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="A Diamond in the Stuff" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/4MyDesigns/Buttons/adits_featured_125_01.png" /></a><a href="http://chef-in-training.com/" title="Chef In Training"><img alt="Chef In Training" src="http://chef-in-training.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/chef_button_feature_125.jpg?9d7bd4" style="border: currentColor;" title="Chef In Training" /></a><a border="0" href="http://my-crowded-kitchen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n120/dragonfly101201/album3/button-19.jpg" /></a><right><a href="http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh517/CamilleBeckstrand/sistersfeatured.png"/></a></right><div align="center"><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/" title="I Heart Nap Time"><img src="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/logo_featured2-1.png" alt="I Heart Nap Time" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #804000; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">** I am linking up to several great parties shown in my sidebar** </span></div>
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<span style="color: #804000; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Go check out all the fun! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #804000; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;">Linking this post to <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank">Get your Craft on! Tuesday</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #804000; font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lilluna.com/lil-luna-link-party-77/" target="_blank">Lil Luna Link Party</a></span></div>
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</div>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-92107381664397030482012-01-02T22:52:00.001-06:002012-01-06T18:04:33.320-06:00My Favorites from 2011<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Whew… another year in the books!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">This past year has been so much fun at Queen of my Nest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I have officially made it through my first full year of blogging and I must say, it was better than I could have ever expected! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Here’s a quick look at some of the fun projects from 2011. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">** Revised to include direct links to each project post. </span></div>
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<strong style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: x-large;">Most viewed: <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/11/fall-burlap-wreath.html" target="_blank">Fall Burlap Wreath</a></strong><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ycZBeesMOQM/TwKJWitS5WI/AAAAAAAAAmw/3kSz0Y2LdUI/s1600-h/Burlap%252520Front%252520Closeup%252520Edit%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="Burlap Front Closeup Edit" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RbjMmEUcntA/TwKJXG4YPrI/AAAAAAAAAm4/DbMcIvQHN40/Burlap%252520Front%252520Closeup%252520Edit_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Burlap Front Closeup Edit" width="345" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Celebrate the 4th of July - </span></strong></span><strong style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/07/patriotic-rag-wreath.html" target="_blank">Rag Wreath</a> / <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/06/uncle-sam.html" target="_blank">Uncle Sam</a> / <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-last-patriotic-project.html" target="_blank">Wooden Firecrackers</a></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0O20GvjHgMA/TwKJXohgDoI/AAAAAAAAAnA/XANCJGt-NBI/s1600-h/Patriotic%252520final%252520trio%252520collage%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Patriotic final trio collage" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ei7PU07Q78A/TwKJaFzvNbI/AAAAAAAAAnI/iZPKAs81hOY/Patriotic%252520final%252520trio%252520collage_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Patriotic final trio collage" width="406" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Haunted Halloween -</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><strong> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/10/spooky-boo-frame.html" target="_blank">Spooky Frame</a> / <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/10/haunted-mantel-reveal.html" target="_blank">Haunted Mantel</a> / <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/10/spiderville-wreath.html" target="_blank">Spiderville Wreath</a> / <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-boo-time.html" target="_blank">"Boo" Pillows</a></span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rs-j-M0sFZE/TwKJae60paI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/-gZnGqfbMPo/s1600-h/Halloween%252520Final%252520collage%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Halloween Final collage" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hiK4Li8NnVs/TwKJamyX1UI/AAAAAAAAAnY/m46mS4nj3S8/Halloween%252520Final%252520collage_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Halloween Final collage" width="371" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: medium;"><strong>Christmas Spirit - <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/12/glitter-and-glam-christmas-trees.html" target="_blank">Glitter-and-Glam Christmas Trees</a></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><b><br /></b></span><strong><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HNU9a0xLDQg/TwKJa2U8E6I/AAAAAAAAAng/xoYwJiEwWwU/s1600-h/Christmas%252520collage%252520trio%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas collage trio" border="0" height="288" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7txO3oloE38/TwKJbQP1BAI/AAAAAAAAAno/X9d4fbBqfY4/Christmas%252520collage%252520trio_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Christmas collage trio" width="470" /></a></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: medium;"><strong>Sewing a few housewarming gifts - <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/11/pretty-apple-kitchen-towel-set.html" target="_blank">Pretty Apple Kitchen Set</a></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zDIW57oNeVk/TwKJbto4D6I/AAAAAAAAAnw/WR8O2l7d-F4/s1600-h/Set%252520edit%252520collage%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Set edit collage" border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkbwvuxPk3d-eC5ulbsHhOnpO5oE2LNmnlcFvRv-XV-hWd2dCVrrVhXacrbUeiaeqRudG9ibXoNPZ88IchG_wnzs25gQBDBbOG5vxawEEhmeu0F6vJIjtUWwr1mYTxSkVl5q8aKtN5iU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Set edit collage" width="387" /></a><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: medium;"><strong>Valentines Fortune Cookie - <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-project-lots-of-love.html" target="_blank">Paper Fortune Cookies</a></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><b><br /></b><strong style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-project-lots-of-love.html" target="_blank"></a></strong></span><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LQg13Y_iLAo/TwKJcDImEaI/AAAAAAAAAoA/N-Jt9r2Jgm0/s1600-h/FortuneCookies3_thumb%25255B13%25255D%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="FortuneCookies3_thumb[13]" border="0" height="357" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RixtFBkdwiw/TwKJcf0QJLI/AAAAAAAAAoI/4dxn8FoJdKI/FortuneCookies3_thumb%25255B13%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="FortuneCookies3_thumb[13]" width="313" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: medium;">I told ya I had a whole lot of fun in 2011…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: medium;">What do you say we make 2012 even better!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lvrQJVeWvGw/TwKJcvIlQyI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/uv51Usvd2iw/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520edit%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Simpy AJ Signature edit" border="0" height="42" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-twIuGvROSzo/TwKJdK6-a0I/AAAAAAAAAoY/pF-D208Zy9k/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520edit_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature edit" width="125" /></a></span></div>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-43315028749431699502011-12-22T08:57:00.001-06:002011-12-24T07:31:12.502-06:00Glitter and Glam Christmas Trees<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aRWyRTmvtwg/TvNFSMbj0FI/AAAAAAAAAj4/0ZMjBLnDpok/s1600-h/Tree-Mantel-Glitter-and-Glam.jpg"><img alt="Tree Mantel Glitter and Glam" border="0" height="239" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9ojEBEOnbiA/TvNFSz9cPsI/AAAAAAAAAkA/OWeEjxuBBVM/Tree-Mantel-Glitter-and-Glam_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tree Mantel Glitter and Glam" width="483" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">I made these pretty little trees as part of my Holiday Mantel décor and I’m so jazzed at how cute they turned out. They are just the perfect touch to add some extra glam to our mantel and holiday decorations. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-itVXUu9KuIM/TvNFTepBLrI/AAAAAAAAAkI/1DC-efksgzQ/s1600-h/Tree%252520closeup%252520collage%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tree closeup collage" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiiKR7MDgaAk8E4AzGswwq1RKRYWKrUMK7o_xBKv7VLomVOyj6f9CkJJUqbseOdlczqfwQYx97DaicUsKSivC1k0SWWYhH-NdI1LF0OLJMY3cG7-bCLLiZQYXnAbeY435NG6EFZEq3cA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tree closeup collage" width="300" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">My inspiration came from a great blog - </span><a href="http://www.madiganmade.com/2011/12/easy-diy-topiary-trees-from-pretty.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">Madigan Made</span></a><span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">. Shannon posted a beautiful trio of black and red topiary trees several weeks ago and I immediately knew I wanted to make them for my Mantel. She has a the perfect tutorial on how to cut a pattern and fold the paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Kalinga;">(If you’ve never visited </span><a href="http://www.madiganmade.com/2011/12/easy-diy-topiary-trees-from-pretty.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c44125; font-family: Kalinga;">Shannon @ Madigan Made</span></a><span style="font-family: Kalinga;"> you really should stop over and check out her blog. I always enjoy her post and projects!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_lez_guQyno/TvNFUpw_M6I/AAAAAAAAAkY/GPevdIgbLgw/s1600-h/Mantel%2525201%252520edit%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mantel 1 edit" border="0" height="207" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--4VOO584CDs/TvNFVKxK-5I/AAAAAAAAAkg/m57tkcCHAnU/Mantel%2525201%252520edit_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mantel 1 edit" width="315" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">Now, if you are a Pinterest junkie like me, I’m sure you have seen (and probably pinned) several different versions of these great little trees. It’s amazing what you can create from a few simple supplies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q6U337jABgQ/TvNFV81EVII/AAAAAAAAAko/vRE9qEO8l34/s1600-h/Purple%252520edit%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Purple edit" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rfBkCWeHHhE/TvNFWGTaJFI/AAAAAAAAAkw/gqpB7KfIaBY/Purple%252520edit_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Purple edit" width="180" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">I made my trees using three simple items…</span></div>
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<li> <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">Glittery Cardstock (Hobby Lobby)</span></div>
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<li> <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">3 Wine Glasses – (Dollar Tree)</span></div>
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<li> <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">Tinsel Ribbon (Wal-Mart) </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NrXxErUMfIs/TvNFWkhOTKI/AAAAAAAAAk4/J7vMp0hbZac/s1600-h/Supplies%252520collage%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Supplies collage" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rDSN32eBFj0/TvNFXPymF6I/AAAAAAAAAlA/xKb1XB3eV5c/Supplies%252520collage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Supplies collage" width="211" /></a></div>
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<strong style="font-family: Kalinga;">Note:</strong><span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. The size/height will depend on the type/style of wine glass used. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Thick/heavyweight cardstock is hard to shape and easily creases. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Cut a template of your paper cone and use it as your guide to cut cardstock (you will be glad you did). </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8V5VJLwPulM/TvNFX62pohI/AAAAAAAAAlI/OQY07HoZedk/s1600-h/Green%2525201%252520edit%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><img alt="Green 1 edit" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5QlkUY6FssM/TvNFYESuuzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/RQjfkO2VKFk/Green%2525201%252520edit_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Green 1 edit" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2-H8WyrCc9w/TvNFYh2nilI/AAAAAAAAAlY/WB5XRvOImrw/s1600-h/Tree%252520close%252520up%252520edit%2525202%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><img alt="Tree close up edit 2" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w07C-DwFIVY/TvNFY59ZglI/AAAAAAAAAlg/nupwg2HhnSk/Tree%252520close%252520up%252520edit%2525202_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tree close up edit 2" width="141" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">I just love them… What do you think??? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynxZyUXLjNch4-LcxSnHcKepHuuBvHWU7fTmJhOI6Oisnqf4_uFGe9jVnvqzXaMOyVmgxtwNWoGzmjgM66cmAGhmA_j_vScKfB-rGTFrUVomiOXwk3fdU8ZJsr92A0PCRICuB1Wrvgdo/s1600-h/Tree%252520Trio%252520Edit%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tree Trio Edit" border="0" height="235" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T9_Yqbq9YNs/TvNFZxOBTpI/AAAAAAAAAlw/iwaekpQCBWY/Tree%252520Trio%252520Edit_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tree Trio Edit" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><em>Okay – Okay, last picture…</em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JvAICuTixRo/TvNFaKNXDAI/AAAAAAAAAl4/964OvreJ550/s1600-h/Mantel%2525202%252520440edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mantel 2 440edit" border="0" height="222" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8uZZgnEveJI/TvNFatr4frI/AAAAAAAAAmA/FKpL7Q4u-KY/Mantel%2525202%252520440edit_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mantel 2 440edit" width="293" /></a><span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">I will try and post pictures of our Christmas Tree and Mantel along with the story behind this years Christmas blessings! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed this project. I hope you come come back and visit again real soon! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-size: small;">Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nvivqBRB4lQ/TvNFa3c7HhI/AAAAAAAAAmI/_zHOeT5dEW4/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520edit%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature edit" border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcI1Y6bU-45DmNcVgNMNWfHVCQ42NHQ83qr1mE1J33h3nah7IZpf4mWUQLwePhbUw4CYqNb1FW51yhE480JJhyZT2DVHDaEb8xULKyYFlsmqSU9qb3fvGAwZhEugWJxEIXumP7qwsGxA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature edit" width="167" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #804040; font-family: Kalinga; font-size: medium;">** </span><span style="color: #804040; font-family: Kalinga; font-size: x-small;">I will be linking to several great parties… check out my sidebar for details!! </span>
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<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fqueenofmynest.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fglitter-and-glam-christmas-trees.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fqueenofmynest.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fglitter-and-glam-christmas-trees.html&description=Glitter-Glam%20Paper%20Christmas%20Trees%20">Pin It</a>
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</script>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-52059378920408490972011-11-19T18:50:00.001-06:002011-12-02T08:19:03.240-06:00Fall Burlap Bubble Wreath<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Have I ever mentioned that I <span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>L-O-V-E</strong></span> Burlap? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Yep, it’s true… Here is my latest Burlap obsession!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dzjIQutcpIo/TshOxNyEEaI/AAAAAAAAAgs/UKQa-KJg1-M/s1600-h/Burlap%252520Front%252520Closeup%252520Edit%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Burlap Front Closeup Edit" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XYxOoXgj5nQ/TshOxTryjyI/AAAAAAAAAg0/atbaKEll4kE/Burlap%252520Front%252520Closeup%252520Edit_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Burlap Front Closeup Edit" width="376" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">My inspiration came from <a href="http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Janet @ Today's Fabulous Finds</a>. A few months ago, she gave her readers such a treat when she revealed her beautiful <a href="http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2011/07/burlap-bubble-wreath-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Burlap Bubble Wreath</a>. From the moment I saw her beautiful wreath, I knew I wanted to make one. Oh yes, this will be one of my go to wreath patterns!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I will warn you now… this post is heavy on pictures (most of you know photography is not my specialty) but I am just so pleased with how it turned out {insert happy dance} I must share!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C9k9gAhq6go/TshOx6FTvbI/AAAAAAAAAg8/M8Xo8M46P3Y/s1600-h/Burlap%252520Front%252520Door%2525201edit%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Burlap Front Door 1edit" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-chaww1z-Ecs/TshOyOrM_zI/AAAAAAAAAhE/3Dv7ZuqRyoU/Burlap%252520Front%252520Door%2525201edit_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Burlap Front Door 1edit" width="349" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I had plenty of Burlap on hand for this project; try a stash of 18-yards of Burlap. Yes, you read it correctly - I had almost two bolts of this stuff. Now, before you say, “she’s gone loco”, the Burlap was used at my Son’s outdoor wedding reception last year and even after giving the church some Burlap – I still have about 18 yards left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Nevertheless, look what you can make with all that burlap!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YAX3ca-h3PM/TshOyWD0WHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oG9Gd6gpWkw/s1600-h/Bubble%252520Wreath%2525201edit%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bubble Wreath 1edit" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEA5bQX_91eudKNoh2jgxlc3rXFUx8TnvlkSSlZhDeeQyOrqMPPCR7LznrJUOVf5JVB0q9inJsIDjaoV7erjhVJAbBlahsovbn6wjDJ7emYT_rvYTIBJM8c4rdGOl4yo_42xBVicXNWk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bubble Wreath 1edit" width="370" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Today is your lucky day because I am going to spare you from my version of a tutorial. Why you ask… because Janet @ Today’s Fabulous Finds has a wonderful tutorial {<a href="http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2011/07/burlap-bubble-wreath-tutorial.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>} and honestly I would not change a thing about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I can however, share a few Do’s & Don’ts because you know we always try our own short cuts, substitutions and creative spins {you know who you are}. Who me???? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEbieFhXPjw/TshOyzWllSI/AAAAAAAAAhc/duFhUZM85Hk/s1600-h/Burlap%252520Material%252520Collage%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Burlap Material Collage" border="0" height="151" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_TQSQbmeUc8/TshOzOxw0FI/AAAAAAAAAhk/yIEvVVpSuJQ/Burlap%252520Material%252520Collage_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Burlap Material Collage" width="240" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">My wreath was bigger than the one she used – it was a 14 inch so I had to cut more squares (over 150) but I still used her dimensions of 4x4 square. I did try a little bigger square NOT good, so I recommend sticking with her dimensions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">1. Use Burlap or a heavier fabric – it will form and hold the bubble shape better. I played around with some Burlap that I had washed to make my table runner and the soft washed Burlap didn’t’ work well at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">2. Use large head straight pins – I ran out and tried to use my quilting straight pins with smaller heads and believe me when I say you will use 3 pins to the 1 large head pin. I also had to glue a few areas down because the small pins did not feel secure enough around the edges. Save yourself some time and money… Use large head straight pins</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">3. The only wreath I could find locally was one of the squared circle (green foam) wreaths and I really think that the rounded circle (covered) foam that Janet used would work so much better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">4. I should have covered the backside of the wreath with Burlap because my front door has glass panes and you can see the naked unfinished side from the inside of the house. It really isn’t a big deal I’m just a perfectionist! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tx7KNEX3YNU/TshOzpyGywI/AAAAAAAAAhs/eq4WwdF6oiQ/s1600-h/Burlap%252520details%2525203edit%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Burlap details 3edit" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GS3omcigjQE/TshOz-lxqVI/AAAAAAAAAh0/ptfWU4AH6M8/Burlap%252520details%2525203edit_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Burlap details 3edit" width="171" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">If you haven’t ever visited Janet over at her blog Today’s Fabulous Finds, I encourage you to go check it out. Seriously, you will find it full of crafty inspiration. The Thanksgiving Mantel she created is beautiful and just wait until you see the Thanksgiving subway art she made and is sharing with her readers. I think it will quickly become one of your favorite blogs! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VGGlb6NbpB0/TshO0B2b3LI/AAAAAAAAAh8/bCms-mRndoo/s1600-h/Bubble%252520Wreath%2525201edit%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bubble Wreath 1edit" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Im_mdv6FV_I/TshO0ZdXjbI/AAAAAAAAAiE/l7iRKLCKCag/Bubble%252520Wreath%2525201edit_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bubble Wreath 1edit" width="185" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">This is by far my favorite wreath that I have made. It was very easy and super fun to put together and I think it has such a classy look. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><em>How about one more picture…</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hhgjbTE5NSQ/TshO0woTOaI/AAAAAAAAAiM/YLGZR437W-o/s1600-h/Burlap%252520Front%252520Closeup%2525201edit%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Burlap Front Closeup 1edit" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c5_Mx4WfjgU/TshO1E3ObZI/AAAAAAAAAiU/mvyicitQ4Ok/Burlap%252520Front%252520Closeup%2525201edit_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Burlap Front Closeup 1edit" width="344" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I hope you are inspired to make one of your own and if you do, make sure to let me know because I would love to see it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Thanks for hanging in there and letting me share my latest obsession! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Until next time… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qvnlExkmdqM/TshO1VdjFbI/AAAAAAAAAic/m-f9_yqpg3A/s1600-h/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520edit%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Simpy AJ Signature edit" border="0" height="62" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7uGyURiwdeg/TshO1vWGkrI/AAAAAAAAAik/wgYfvHrgFPk/Simpy%252520AJ%252520Signature%252520edit_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Simpy AJ Signature edit" width="180" /></a> </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dwuFIRqjqts/TshO18-Xd5I/AAAAAAAAAio/dNHRAFC128Y/s1600-h/ricrac%252520yellow%252520blog%252520size%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ricrac yellow blog size" border="0" height="32" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iffLJc-coTc/TshO2OzjkYI/AAAAAAAAAi0/2sUMYSbWqs4/ricrac%252520yellow%252520blog%252520size_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ricrac yellow blog size" width="452" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';">I’m linking this project to my favorite parties listed over on my sidebar </span></div>
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This project was featured at these Awesome Blogs... Thank You!</div>
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<a href="http://answerischocolate.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff511/AnswerIsChoco/TAICBFFButton-1.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN1ALSjr1laRKXNb_I7tQovGhyOxZtSdSVIoqn3JF4Hj48V7Jd5_Lri9u8DqGZfGfI-N9p1jRr3SpLooIPiU88EHyt-8zcdVhhPT3j1ViRSQZuP7Hj72P0UJ4Hre398AB6lOGdygU84I/s1600/Sewwoodsyfeatured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN1ALSjr1laRKXNb_I7tQovGhyOxZtSdSVIoqn3JF4Hj48V7Jd5_Lri9u8DqGZfGfI-N9p1jRr3SpLooIPiU88EHyt-8zcdVhhPT3j1ViRSQZuP7Hj72P0UJ4Hre398AB6lOGdygU84I/s1600/Sewwoodsyfeatured.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Premades/Custom%20Designs/Carrie%20Higgins/button2copy.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQwJ2gkwI-bgWjT8ggWUik9a4L1Zc7juRUKyO03SO19UbGI88g2BVyNMFnONo_sBEQmWQBgMaomDWjQWz626u3k_DggRSJDNOpqsTMWLO2a5nIF5xhXnq0Um9ceIuTrpu8cA3-PxRIoY/s1600/LilLunaButtonLinkinWith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQwJ2gkwI-bgWjT8ggWUik9a4L1Zc7juRUKyO03SO19UbGI88g2BVyNMFnONo_sBEQmWQBgMaomDWjQWz626u3k_DggRSJDNOpqsTMWLO2a5nIF5xhXnq0Um9ceIuTrpu8cA3-PxRIoY/s1600/LilLunaButtonLinkinWith.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-45004455887723763972011-11-08T08:24:00.000-06:002011-11-13T18:27:33.699-06:00Pretty Apple Kitchen Towel Set<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Today, I wanted to share a little kitchen set I made as a small “happy” for a friend of the family. She is a sweet young lady who has just moved into her very own <em>first</em> place. It’s my Dau</span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">ghter-in-Laws sister and she told me that her sister was decorating the kitchen in Apples. Now, here’s the ironic part… <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyRfmDDUnOvtCgo9BoDBB6QC8-NbVkK9-07TR46zAcD4bDTMirrufpmPOqJW2ROHqsYUTwbPcKVTIoRnHKZm1wytDyyf8I6cKuob6lpe40102VLXDGstiV76i61F-86lVDjqlyh30t5g/s1600-h/View5edit%25255B22%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View5edit" border="0" height="370" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XkHM61HvM0s/TrkyRGqgVkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/EZsIq-63C2o/View5edit_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View5edit" width="282" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">This Apple print fabric was a lucky find at Joann’s when we were in Florida this past September (It’s sad, but I don’t have a Joann’s close by in my small AL town). We have a set in stone routine, no matter what, we will make time for me to visit Joann’s when we are in Tallahassee so I can stock up on items that I normally can’t get unless I order online. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">So anyway, the sales clerk told me that this fabric was new and they had just put it out that morning. How lucky is that?? I loved the print and without any project in mind, bought a few yards for my stash. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Well, when I heard about my DIL’s sister using Apples to decorate her kitchen I knew exactly what I was going to do… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kohtF-e3Lmg/TrkyR7bLmhI/AAAAAAAAAfY/G-ysWRbMIwo/s1600-h/view3edit%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="view3edit" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kHdkzWFritg/TrkySORYMrI/AAAAAAAAAfg/jpj6AKZ_EWg/view3edit_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="view3edit" width="251" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"> This was my first attempt at making a potholder but <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5OEii-yHgtc/TrkySeJcgrI/AAAAAAAAAfo/4RLwAb5WfRM/s1600-h/Potholder2edit%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Potholder2edit" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSbQaIwrkH-ajpPunOZOFdExYnp-EYEOrfzoBtIncgBS3yMLjXixulZgnC96Q0ApYeznNsuDmLx6KClgKlaKfffpgCoIDqCvx4FGjzVhP70pegpUxZokKjV0M3s474wgOjrHfTkdsm7Y/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Potholder2edit" width="177" /></a>after searching around Pinterest and getting a few pointers, I made my own pattern and started sewing. I took the measurements from one of my favorite potholders and added a little extra for the seam. I decided to add solid red binding. <span style="font-size: small;">I think it turned out great! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Side note:</em> The padding should be fire resistant if you can find it other wise regular padding will work. I just made sure to tell her that the potholder was not fire resistant. </span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xRS4Xn1DwJE/TrkyTJMOsAI/AAAAAAAAAf4/pakQWWDEDqM/s1600-h/Towels1edit%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Towels1edit" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ok_a6Cs30Tw/TrkyTQ35hTI/AAAAAAAAAgA/SS2K0L_bi4M/Towels1edit_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Towels1edit" width="240" /></a>The dishtowels are just basic kitchen towels from Wal-Mart. All I did was add a band to the bottom to jazz them up a bit. This is such a super easy way to customize any towel to match a theme. </span><br />
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<em style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';">Note:</em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"> I always pre-wash my fabric and towels so the colors won’t bleed and the fabric can shrink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"> </span> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lO5vJBER5nI/TrkyTyxqaWI/AAAAAAAAAgI/dZUBOsYvaGs/s1600-h/toolsedit%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="toolsedit" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RfW9zNp3dRU/TrkyUKvEGOI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/yZVciGcMWwU/toolsedit_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="toolsedit" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">This makes such a simple but personalized gift whether given alone or dressed up in a basket surrounded with various kitchen utensils. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1KtZcgFpCk6LN8_N9q2ZH_eH1gqrhPOh1kUjNlXuVg0pWdXzvsHcFxw1SdwUKEZZtUcgau3HDw7MSGyWwQ_FFTy4b2qR8ifVJM2uOdy8NfoKbJWwDj-Yhw0Z6L5XXA0mWLnvzd39ylY/s1600-h/view1edit%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img alt="view1edit" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhy1_TQKfe1ukl_uIR9PRMPFvq6k3PuvlAmqzw3VOEsBFx9GUvXDpFI58SmQtQUXJ0hVHMIGWBClr4PlPfefaBKq3u-hc5T-7H8LonaL0ohQA_sb6iEkiV1RN_ZA662LfynGF4GhaIDw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="view1edit" width="164" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I am very pleased with how it turned out and my little friend just loved them! What do you think… pretty cute, huh?? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I am finishing up my Fall wreath and a few other decorations that I hope to have posted by the end of the week. I can’t wait to share them with you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Until next time…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script'; font-size: medium;">Simply AJ</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm linking up with all of the fun parties listed below... stop by and check out all of the great projects and grab some inspiration! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/11/07/made-by-you-monday-74/" target="_blank">Made-by-you-Monday @ Skip to my Lou</a><br />
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<a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank">Get Your Craft On @Today’s Creative Blog </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/11/tutorials-and-tips-link-party-35.html" target="_blank">Tutorial and Tips Link Party @Home Stories A 2 Z</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/" target="_blank">Tuesday Time Out @Reason to Skip the Housework</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/" target="_blank">Tuesday Confessional @Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy</a><br />
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<a href="http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tuesday Talent Show @Chef In Training </a><br />
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<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Time to Shine @A Diamond in the Stuff</a><br />
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<a href="http://sewwoodsy.com/2011/11/whats-up-wednesday-link-partygiveawa.html" target="_blank">What’s Up Wednesday @Sew Woodsy</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/" target="_blank">Wow Me Wednesday @Ginger Snap </a><br />
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<a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Whatever goes Wednesday @Someday Crafts </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.lilluna.com/" target="_blank">Linkin' with Lil' Luna @Lil Luna </a><br />
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<a href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Show & Share with Southern Lovely @Vintage Gwen</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.jaqsstudio.com/" target="_blank">Made by ME @JAQS Studio</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/" target="_blank">Hookin up with HoH @House of Hepworths</a><br />
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<a href="http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kissed by a Frog </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.alittleknickknack.com/" target="_blank">A Little Knick Knack</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" target="_blank">Somewhat Simple</a><br />
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<a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Scrappy and Happy Me Thursday @Crafty Scrappy and Happy</a><br />
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<a href="http://whipperberry.com/" target="_blank">Friday-Flair @Whipperberry </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.answerischocolate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BFF Open House Link Party @The Answer is Chocolate </a><br />
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<a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Friday Link Party @Creative Corner </a><br />
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<a href="http://makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Refresh your Nest Friday’s @Making Lemonade </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.happyhourprojects.com/" target="_blank">Freestyle Friday @Happy Hour Projects </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Frugal Friday @The Shabby Nest</a><br />
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<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank">Weekend Wrap Up @Tater Tots and Jello </a><br />
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<a href="http://lollyjane.com/" target="_blank"> Whatcha got weekend @Lolly Jane</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thesaturdaymorningsblog.com/" target="_blank">Strut your Stuff @The Saturday Morning Blog</a><br />
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<a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Saturday Nite Special @Funky Junk Interiors </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/" target="_blank">I Heart Naptime</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank">Think Pink Sundays @Flamingo Toes</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html" target="_blank">Passionately Artistic</a><br />
<br />Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-51294020445101374842011-10-31T10:56:00.000-05:002011-10-31T11:00:15.073-05:00Haunted Mantel Reveal<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XAU9NjiwUqo/Tq670txqaDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/A7xor6jjzgY/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B1%25255D.png"><img alt="clip_image002" border="0" height="116" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nR9x7lRKoXk/Tq670y8VpPI/AAAAAAAAAaE/TuFIXf9w3Co/clip_image002_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image002" width="321" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Today is the very first Mantel reveal at Queen of my Nest {Insert - Happy Dance}. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3kIeJDGXNPA/Tq671L5q0ZI/AAAAAAAAAaM/dFctrsbBhUg/s1600-h/Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520New%2525202%252520edit%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mantel Full View New 2 edit" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pOFjWqVvRr8/Tq671ZZDGvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/ND2tmJGCAns/Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520New%2525202%252520edit_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mantel Full View New 2 edit" width="442" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I am so excited to share this reveal with you for a couple of reasons. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">#1 - I get to cross Mantel project off my blog “Bucket List”</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">#2 - I’m so pleased at how it turned out and lastly,</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">#3 - I am so over Halloween decorating and ready to move on to my Fall and Christmas projects. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kmonOhTrU2c/Tq671vbRznI/AAAAAAAAAac/81Xvg_nzYwQ/s1600-h/Mantel%252520Full%2525201%252520edit%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mantel Full 1 edit" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1de4zSuz7wZmtSfA6qrv1n_jWRYziUlwh4M0LbwiE0TdEDXyZSi6Pu1Ebz_EtnXYoHa_YoV1cirG9TGc8v7xhsLu3qH_JNrQIOQQANwvFo94sYGAFnC2w8HeMRSPKfvkZuYIg_TuytAM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mantel Full 1 edit" width="280" /></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">First, I must make a disclaimer! Photographer… I am NOT!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I knew taking pictures of my Mantel was going to be hard enough but when you throw in a huge mirror hanging above it – well – it was downright challenging! I just don’t know how so many of you get such great Mantel shots because it just didn’t work out for me. Maybe one of you talented ladies would want to do a How-To for us camera illiterate gals. I’m just putting it out there. Anyway, the pictures don’t do it justice!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B2N1VbNuHgM/Tq67282xlmI/AAAAAAAAAas/Px1mexC31Bo/s1600-h/Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520New%2525202%252520edit%25255B24%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mantel Full View New 2 edit" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yT1bHEFPTKY/Tq673RQ-98I/AAAAAAAAAa0/_h-LcuHyj6k/Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520New%2525202%252520edit_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mantel Full View New 2 edit" width="366" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I rolled a couple of projects into one big post and just thought I would do an overview because all of the projects are basic and very easy to put together. If you have any questions on what materials I used or any details, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me an email. I would love to hear from you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Okay, let’s get started… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UcyoJvvorwEAVUurZ94YnrfF2excqSmlUbstufCbCGTSJiaJRfReHi9Vv8fL8oT60Nv2cQWy-Tismv3zwtag1JoBWPM1DWY_ucY_e1YnO9ApUoPocOhnph-_w0cHdlVOQhxROF3dX4s/s1600-h/Ghost%252520Tree%2525205%252520edit%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ghost Tree 5 edit" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GZKIthGsMjk/Tq674BsLc_I/AAAAAAAAAbA/t78feymdSP0/Ghost%252520Tree%2525205%252520edit_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ghost Tree 5 edit" width="288" /></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><strong><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><strong>Haunted “Boo” Tree</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I saw several versions of Halloween trees around the web, some with ghost and others with spiders. Wanting to keep things simple and not too scary, I decided to make cute little ghost with googley eyes. This entire project cost $0 because I already had everything on-hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KyMKm_G7wuk/Tq674WkCZvI/AAAAAAAAAbM/3En-Vc1IW14/s1600-h/Ghost%252520Tree%2525203%252520edit%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Ghost Tree 3 edit" border="0" height="241" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0yiTFETc41U/Tq674vutQEI/AAAAAAAAAbU/4O-Y-0j1Rw4/Ghost%252520Tree%2525203%252520edit_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ghost Tree 3 edit" width="199" /></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">The ghost were made from thin interfacing which I cut out using my Cricut (make sure you have a good sharp blade and use high pressure/med speed). I made several different sizes by using SCAL program and a SVG Ghost file from <a href="http://www.letteringdelights.com/" target="_blank">Lettering Delights</a>. I used fishing line to hang the ghost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">The base was one of my clay square pots with a block of floral foam placed inside. I recommend using floral foam because it really grips the stick whereas Styrofoam tends to wallow out to easy. The Hubby went on a search for the perfect stick (took a few tries) but he found it. The black crows and cobwebs were my husband’s idea and he wanted to make sure he got credit for it… Ha - Men! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MLsdro9u6MA/Tq675FkW32I/AAAAAAAAAbc/qrGyenCDh0M/s1600-h/Ghost%252520Tree%2525202%252520edit%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ghost Tree 2 edit" border="0" height="405" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-muNtYXpd-_A/Tq675bhOImI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Oh_rKKKJq2Y/Ghost%252520Tree%2525202%252520edit_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ghost Tree 2 edit" width="257" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Next up… Polka Dot Pumpkins</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-25JWHqjf8mg/Tq675j4s-KI/AAAAAAAAAbs/zQFpfQREnio/s1600-h/Basket%2525201%252520closeup%252520edit%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Basket 1 closeup edit" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SJ9FKeUX7pg/Tq675xlmFwI/AAAAAAAAAb0/8iqk_JmslWE/Basket%2525201%252520closeup%252520edit_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Basket 1 closeup edit" width="366" /></a></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';">Aren't</span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"> they adorable? </span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I just love the way they look nestled in the orange raffia. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Picked up a bag of cheap <s>crappy</s> small foam pumpkins for $1.00 (I think at Dollar General) and used acrylic paint to dress them up. Tied some twine on the stem and tucked them into a bed of orange raffia. The wire basket was a score from Target - found in dollar bin with the Halloween stuff. I had the raffia left over from my son’s wedding last year so the total cost for this project was around $2.00.</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FAuiPfQQ5Nc/Tq676M-JTxI/AAAAAAAAAb8/c58xHcEdMGE/s1600-h/Basket%2525202%252520edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Basket 2 edit" border="0" height="299" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MoHUyLRVuJs/Tq676kBaqCI/AAAAAAAAAcE/RNmSQ_BXG-I/Basket%2525202%252520edit_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Basket 2 edit" width="397" /></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Now onto to the “Boo” Banner</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBfHVlblf1Y/Tq676wTxW2I/AAAAAAAAAcM/LVdbIbKjPCg/s1600-h/Banner%252520Side%252520view%252520edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Banner Side view edit" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jcOw5dalWHk/Tq677NVo0YI/AAAAAAAAAcU/xLZsuPpbjO8/Banner%252520Side%252520view%252520edit_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner Side view edit" width="442" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">This was my first time making a fabric banner and I think it turned out pretty good. The fabric came from Hobby Lobby, I fringed the ends and cut the letters out of black vinyl. I used twine to string it across the Mantel. </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/---rt3AGdYdA/Tq677ahMt6I/AAAAAAAAAcc/qdl6F2fpD8k/s1600-h/Banner%252520Fringe%252520edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Banner Fringe edit" border="0" height="251" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XCn1vFNCtS0/Tq677mTV1JI/AAAAAAAAAck/QUjIGbknNgY/Banner%252520Fringe%252520edit_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner Fringe edit" width="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YBF6CvptzuM/Tq677yQMuHI/AAAAAAAAAcs/E9O238Z1_pg/s1600-h/Banner%252520twine%252520edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Banner twine edit" border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ko6kRyn5LIIZtS_MkZfCUP7RS-Vrk10LU9G49CpjO1ffbCDECqG-DDTz8ewuBmYug9sGf1nLZTQzJh5P_lFJ1LLDRVupPVUnEFwHnX08X4uDSyJ-6pMkTzqGoA7cHwvuY39B3S4Ln8A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Banner twine edit" width="189" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Many of you will recognize the Subway Art - I did a post on the distressed picture frame a few weeks ago, you can find it <a href="http://queenofmynest.blogspot.com/2011/10/spooky-boo-frame.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M9bySCize9A/Tq678Y8BWrI/AAAAAAAAAc8/SqML4HFneRM/s1600-h/Boo%252520Frame%252520Closeup1%252520Edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Boo Frame Closeup1 Edit" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WRRcINIvbBc/Tq679GUpEpI/AAAAAAAAAdE/rAMviZ9Xs_s/Boo%252520Frame%252520Closeup1%252520Edit_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Boo Frame Closeup1 Edit" width="401" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Finally the candles – All I did was cut a witch out using my Cricut, glue it in place and tied the orange raffia around the candle base. Super easy way to dress up any candle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CJi2ZeZPkGE/Tq67-P5uKbI/AAAAAAAAAdM/z02ZIPux9fQ/s1600-h/Candle%2525202%252520Closeup%252520edit%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Candle 2 Closeup edit" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ovjObZLwmIA/Tq67-IqkgrI/AAAAAAAAAdU/XxYLdDRyLMI/Candle%2525202%252520Closeup%252520edit_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Candle 2 Closeup edit" width="133" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--CeG01cQQlY/Tq67-QfWVNI/AAAAAAAAAdc/z_kEQbvbD6g/s1600-h/Basket%2525204%252520edit%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Basket 4 edit" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ylYYKbtvIwg/Tq67-h1JxtI/AAAAAAAAAdk/_zjM7OEh0Mo/Basket%2525204%252520edit_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Basket 4 edit" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">And one more picture… I just love the clean simple look! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eXqH0DUVh_0/Tq67_M2BxDI/AAAAAAAAAds/31iTdXWOmD0/s1600-h/Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520New%2525202%252520edit%25255B39%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mantel Full View New 2 edit" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aO__XSr47gE/Tq67_k4nd8I/AAAAAAAAAd0/mNDHARE8UNw/Mantel%252520Full%252520View%252520New%2525202%252520edit_thumb%25255B30%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mantel Full View New 2 edit" width="448" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">I hope you enjoyed the tour and you found some ideas and inspiration. I know it sounds silly to be excited over a Mantle and a few simple decorations but for me, it’s another step towards getting my groove back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Now I have to get a move on with my Fall decorating. I have some great projects on the drawing board! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Drop me a comment letting me know whatcha think! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Thanks so much for stopping by my Nest! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Until next time… </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: JasmineUPC; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus; font-size: large;"><em><br /></em></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: JasmineUPC; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Andalus; font-size: large;"><em>Simply AJ</em></span></span></b>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FHQgd8SQ1Ds/Tq68ANgiFmI/AAAAAAAAAd8/xx_Oi_ToDX4/s1600-h/clip_image0047.png"><img alt="clip_image004" border="0" height="22" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O64lENmuRyg/Tq68AR7AtzI/AAAAAAAAAeA/vYu5nMVL_LU/clip_image004_thumb4.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image004" width="468" /></a></div>
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Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-77685524311264703512011-10-26T06:52:00.001-05:002011-10-29T09:12:46.527-05:00Spiderville Wreath<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'TXT Jubulation'; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Creepy… Crawly… EEK!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Have you ever had a vision for a project that’s suppose to be a simple run of the mill, no bells or whistles, plain Jane kind of project and it turns out to be the most difficult <strike>possessed</strike> thing you E-V-E-R created (okay, maybe not Ever but darn close). I can see heads bobbing in agreement!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Seriously, this project was a problem from jump street and I was ready to throw in the towel <strike>out the window</strike> but being as stubborn as I am, it only made me more determined to conquer this wreath… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Well, let me introduce you to the thorn in my side…. I am soooo glad to be finished with this wreath and mark it off my project list!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--74Bi3GBzXU/TqfvBLFK4-I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/fDx-AsnsAuc/s1600-h/Wreath%252520B%252520edit%252520rounded%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Wreath B edit rounded" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wDXcZXwLCYA/TqeU6LR34AI/AAAAAAAAAYY/8RbG-RJu724/Wreath%252520B%252520edit%252520rounded_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath B edit rounded" width="435" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">It turned out okay – Not quite what I had in mind but considering of the glitches - I say… <em>slap a door hanger on this baby and let it go</em>! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-emvFO8KP0b4/TqeU6zQiFnI/AAAAAAAAAV8/bj4Wv5YSwhQ/s1600-h/Wreath%252520C%252520edit%252520rounded%25255B27%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wreath C edit rounded" border="0" height="532" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7AoCx7RyyQ8/TqeU7MQiDmI/AAAAAAAAAWE/jOzPpjIEZKY/Wreath%252520C%252520edit%252520rounded_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath C edit rounded" width="488" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Here it is hanging out with the pumpkins on the front porch…</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1nltCb-guNc/TqeU7bk9vYI/AAAAAAAAAYc/PADmo6GVit4/s1600-h/Wreath%252520Outside%252520A%252520final%252520full%252520view.jpg"><img alt="Wreath Outside A final full view" border="0" height="383" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BeFO1nd_tNg/TqeU7kAOEdI/AAAAAAAAAYg/nEdvGDJlLSc/Wreath%252520Outside%252520A%252520final%252520full%252520view_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath Outside A final full view" width="289" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';">orry for the terrible picture/angle but my wheelchair can’t make it up the front porch stairs so I can never get a decent shot of the front door! </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jB5ka4woYnc/TqeU8EFfw2I/AAAAAAAAAYk/TuWGOrJ9hbU/s1600-h/Wreath%252520Outside%252520G%252520edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wreath Outside G edit" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NoOMFvwOjdE/TqeU8ce6JwI/AAAAAAAAAYo/NlgHDIvAntg/Wreath%252520Outside%252520G%252520edit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath Outside G edit" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">I only had to purchase a few things and what I bought was either on sale or I had a 40% off coupon. The rest of the supplies I already had in my stash so it ended up being super cheap to make. I think I have a whole $6 bucks invested in this masterpiece <strike>disaster</strike>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Here is a quick run down of supplies:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Foam wreath – 14 inch (Hobby Lobby – 40% off coupon) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Ribbon – 1.5 inch wide / 30 feet roll – (HL sale 50% off) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Spiders – plastic / 5 in (Wally World) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">EEK – glittery sign (Hobby Lobby – sale 40% off) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Scrapbook paper – (The Paper Studio Halloween theme) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Black vinyl or black card stock (Oh My Craft Vinyl) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Floral picks </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Craft glue and Hot Glue Gun </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Straight pens (optional) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Corsage Pins (optional) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Card board (cereal box work great- Honey Nut Cheerios) </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Check out the spiders - aren't they awesome… I know it’s hard to tell in the pictures (yes, I know I take crappy pictures) but they are covered in black glitter, made of a hard plastic and are almost as big as my hand. The ribbon was also a perfect match – it has a faux leather look with a glittery fuzzy border (I tried to lighten up the photo of the ribbon so you could see the faux look). </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2NxSeYZ2Whc/TqeU8nUfSxI/AAAAAAAAAWs/oHPnRlc6xEo/s1600-h/Wreath%252520Spider%252520final%252520collage%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK6ThNhv7Uw0LO4QWYqlAPKFJMXIFBvG1ANpLhfWLIv_y4Rw8dZsuR5Re_vGhVOnSpndT7HPuzToAKjO2esQqbBkUaxPJcgwNOYedQF15lZlNpNDySjPSdK5WRe_DMYAzeazAMMVx4uA/s1600-h/Wreath%252520Spider%252520final%252520collage.jpg"><img alt="Wreath Spider final collage" border="0" height="215" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JAtOD8w9rHc/TqeU8-4jZkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/TzzhsnTCg5U/Wreath%252520Spider%252520final%252520collage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath Spider final collage" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">I wrapped the ribbon around the wreath overlapping as I went along using Corsage Pins to secure the ribbon and to hold the loop in place (you could use glue but the pins work best with foam and it allows for the wreath to be reused).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">For the spiders, I took floral sticks and wrapped the wire around the spider and secured the wire to the pick on the underside of spider. Made a small hole in the ribbon and then stuck the pick into the foam wreath.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DXxc2zp43mw/TqeU9BrjY_I/AAAAAAAAAY0/XExmkAP_9ZM/s1600-h/EEK%252520edit%252520final.jpg"><img alt="EEK edit final" border="0" height="143" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Jn02VKiQrE/TqeU9wB8lSI/AAAAAAAAAY4/Ld1A108Ykhc/EEK%252520edit%252520final_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="EEK edit final" width="192" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VF2jMqMKdW0/TqeU-GMNewI/AAAAAAAAAY8/CmBBKZ8zNS8/s1600-h/Spider%252520Lane%252520edit%252520final.jpg"><img alt="Spider Lane edit final" border="0" height="144" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7VVZIQ1f7g/TqeU-eyzXuI/AAAAAAAAAZA/ejIjKvllKy8/Spider%252520Lane%252520edit%252520final_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spider Lane edit final" width="220" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">The EEK is just a little sign from Hobby Lobby. It was so cheap I couldn’t resist (just being lazy instead of making one) and the address plaque I made using my SCAL program and my Cricut. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">The plaque was simple to make it was just a little time consuming but I love playing with paper so no biggie! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">First, I figured out all of the measurements and then I started by cutting a front and back out of thin card board (cereal box). Then, glued the striped paper to the front piece and a solid dark purple to the back piece. I cut the numbers, letters and border out of black vinyl and the scrolls out of heavy black cardstock. Next, I placed the black vinyl border, numbers and letters onto orange cardstock then glued it to the back piece of the frame. Glued the front of frame in place and then added the scrolls to each side. Now for the fun part – add a coat of Mod Podge over entire front of the plaque. Mod Podge (matte finish) adds a nice seal. Glued to the wreath after I had the spiders in place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">For the background – Cut the spider web scrapbook paper about 1 inch larger than the center hole of wreath. Took glue pen and traced a few of the spider webs then added some fine glitter. Secured the background to wreath with straight pins (again, pins work really good with foam and you can remove easily to recycle) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>So what do think???</strong></span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ltZT19frmnk/TqeU-4c32oI/AAAAAAAAAZE/p3M624Twvdo/s1600-h/Wreath%252520B%252520edit%252520rounded%25255B2%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wreath B edit rounded" border="0" height="443" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eD3erWH9euQ/TqeU_F5m5xI/AAAAAAAAAZI/4QE5poAjg80/Wreath%252520B%252520edit%252520rounded_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wreath B edit rounded" width="439" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'TXT Jubulation'; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Creepy… Crawly… EEK!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><span style="font-size: small;">Take a peek at our foyer it’s gone Batty… </span><span style="font-size: small;">Do you remember those Halloween pillows I made out of Tea Towels?? I told you I had a perfect place to display them! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aVC1WbiOpgE/TqeU_ViOFsI/AAAAAAAAAZM/oKrgRaipzpU/s1600-h/Foyer%252520C%252520final%252520edit.jpg"><img alt="Foyer C final edit" border="0" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTV4ZB4RjHn52Vld1UdzP_qhAl02uWH1yxMbtBz3fDGvz_Vcr1mEry_cad-w5bn1jmLqCLuN1CiZEObqbeBNOh2VTSJjQWLgFbfDEVkemR0WjXEQbDXQgtU4GK092fEv4vfO5FYXCkTg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Foyer C final edit" width="280" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">FUN… FUN… Now, if I can just keep my Grandson from climbing on the bench trying to eat the candles! Oh the joys of being a toddler!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Thanks so much for stopping by to see the Spooky fun going on here at our Nest. I hope this project inspires you to make something Creepy… Crawly! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;">Until next time… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script'; font-size: large;">Simply AJ</span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-llxuCNQRl0Y/TqeU_zIw0cI/AAAAAAAAAX4/zI1AfMm_UFY/s1600-h/RicRac%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="RicRac" border="0" height="47" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uz7RXoLDaBc/TqeVAGSjqUI/AAAAAAAAAYA/3U4Au2nvOuc/RicRac_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RicRac" width="477" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">I’m linking up to these weekly parties… you should stop by and check out all of the awesome projects!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><u>Monday</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/">Made by you Monday @Skip to my Lou</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><u>Tuesday</u></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Tuesday Confessional @ Confession s of a Stay at Home Mommy</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/10/tutorials-tips-link-party-33.html" target="_blank">Tutorials and Tips Link Party @ Home Stories A 2 Z</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://littlebirdiebaby.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Tut Tuesday at LBB @ Little Birdie Baby</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Tuesdays Time Out @ Reason to Skip the Housework</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Get your Craft On Tuesday @ Today's Creative Blog</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><u>Wednesday</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Whatever goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lilluna.com/" target="_blank">Linking with Luna Wednesday @ Lil Luna</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2011/10/link-party-no72.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TeaRoseHome+%28Tea+Rose+Home%29">Tea Rose Home Link-Party</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://sewwoodsy.com/">What's Up Wednesday @ Sew Woodsy</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Show and Share @ Vintage Gwen</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD';"><u>Thursday</u></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/">Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Me Thursday </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Show off your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hookin up with HoH @ House of Hepworths</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" target="_blank">Somewhat Simple</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.alittleknickknack.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">A Little Knick Knack</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kissed by a Frog</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com/">Things I've done Thursday @ Bear Rabbit Bear</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Falling for Crafts Challenge @ One Artsy Mama</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><u>Friday</u> </span><br />
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<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Refresh your Nest Fridays @ Making Lemonade</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.answerischocolate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Answer is Chocolate</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Creative Corner</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://tidymom.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">I’m-lovin-it Fridays @ Tidy Mom</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Frugal Fridays @ Shabby Nest</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.happyhourprojects.com/">Freestyle Fridays @ Happy Hour Projects</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://whipperberry.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Friday Flair @ Whipperberry</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><u>Saturday</u></span><br />
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<a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Funky Junks Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thesaturdaymorningsblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Strut your Stuff @ The Saturday Morning Blog</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://lollyjane.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Whatcha got weekend @ Lolly Jane</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: small;"><u>Sunday</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/" target="_blank">Sunday Scoop @ I Heart Naptime</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD'; font-size: x-small;">Think Pink Sundays @ Flamingo Toes</span></a><br />
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<br />Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-44299153134156065062011-10-07T13:56:00.011-05:002011-10-18T07:06:41.022-05:00Spooky “Boo” Frame<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: large;">Happy “TGIF” my crafty friends… Are you ready for the weekend! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I’m still working on my Halloween projects and today I have another fun one to share with you. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">First, I should say this Spooky Frame was an “Epic fail” that turned into a “Not so bad” frame. Originally, I envisioned an old antique look with a black background and a crackled cream topcoat. NOT!! This started out as a big flop but determination and frustration won and I ended up with a pretty sweet frame. Check it out… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mwEbmyOXyq0hjhwwqqlYWca7265tuFYnOxykbdzW8uQC3NkcS3EGE9-m3ldQml1Zhq1EgbY2MmG7HrbShfCQl2u2wrkvLhAsovU7S9JcLeE_3-sYt2c2mw5qpwYkfaff1n9gVsCyb9s/s1600-h/Boo%252520Frame1Edit%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Boo Frame1Edit" border="0" height="480px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WBAZfULP_NA/To9C1rd3HtI/AAAAAAAAAUg/e6nBOY3_roY/Boo%252520Frame1Edit_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Boo Frame1Edit" width="354px" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I did my research, bought my materials and went to work. Now, I have crackled thing before (it has been a while) but seriously… How hard could it be? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">No matter what I did it would not crackle! I sanded the paint off and tried again and nothing! I was getting ready to scrap the whole darn thing but as I am sanding (for the 3rd time), I sort of liked the look that was taking shape. After playing around a bit and adding a little black using the dry brush technique, the frame finally came around. Not even close to what I had envisioned but it works! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pXa9VziUkqk/To9C2PQ6uHI/AAAAAAAAAUk/6K89WSwWrcA/s1600-h/Material%252520collage%252520final%252520edits%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Material collage final edits" border="0" height="284" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IRBGOL7sb5U/To9C3PWAkdI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ezqin06Rbso/Material%252520collage%252520final%252520edits_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Material collage final edits" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">The subway art turned out so good. I found this particular piece at </span><a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/09/subway-art-halloween.html"><span style="color: #f04e00; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Eighteen25</span></a> <span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">(such a great blog!). It was so easy to download and print and she has several color versions and sizes. I printed it on 4x6 photo paper and then mounted on black card-stock. The chipboard letters were painted matte black and glue in place on the frame.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I guess I should thank my little mouse sander (I named her “little lady” years ago) for the handy work cause she really made it come to life!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gfwxHyIhnRY/To9C3dqLjbI/AAAAAAAAAUs/G6tPMomwtBg/s1600-h/Boo%252520Frame%252520Closeup1Matte%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Boo Frame Closeup1Matte" border="0" height="372px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-smbig2YHi3g/To9C31C6z0I/AAAAAAAAAUw/IQT2jkAOhv8/Boo%252520Frame%252520Closeup1Matte_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Boo Frame Closeup1Matte" width="494px" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I really think I like it…</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWmVRwwpaMgTVKibtz_WniWy-ZWrR0QSoVeXsLv2uFsFhVaWDmxCpePq838uB8qWjKrP3pqWM0G7Qu42gNpMPi_gFYcDwfSvjw8N768pnWokEz0SGkRhymy1fvl8LBVaGlRQkgsWjVvU/s1600-h/Boo%252520Frame%252520Closeup2%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Boo Frame Closeup2" border="0" height="480px" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O7GoJiNNGPQ/To9C4j06cxI/AAAAAAAAAU4/2dznTtjSne0/Boo%252520Frame%252520Closeup2_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Boo Frame Closeup2" width="360px" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">What do you think… Did it turn out okay or was it a flop??? </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T6ULBtxMbPg/To9C5AvwjSI/AAAAAAAAAU8/jbAPpiaXOdI/s1600-h/Boo%252520Frame%252520Tilt1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Boo Frame Tilt1" border="0" height="480px" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gIt83eRwe_s/To9C5pYuD3I/AAAAAAAAAVA/0QLnHwSiZ-o/Boo%252520Frame%252520Tilt1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Boo Frame Tilt1" width="360px" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">One more project completed for the Haunted Mantle… YAY!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Here is another simple project that I put together for the mantle - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I picked up these candles at Hobby Lobby's 40% off Fall sale and I dressed them up with some <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/cosmo-cricket/104613-circa-1934-6-mini-decks/?filters=222-6x6-paper-pad-sale%2Fpaper-kits-and-pads%2Fcosmo-cricket">Cosmo Cricket "Circa 1934"</a> paper (this collection is fantastic!) and added a spider web for fun. So Simple!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-31YsRA-pzxs/To9C56AGoAI/AAAAAAAAAVE/JqbH2GeBr-Q/s1600-h/2011-10-06_12.00.50%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2011-10-06_12.00.50" border="0" height="184px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFvlxsfsbdZFM8dIPcZUWtaVLTNLk1AjWZKDuOMNu6DnhwwhFWm-Z5ZgeX9SsA_pWrZeLkmrZjnZvrjxgta7c9waMrDaT8mm_jFYuO6ZKVlJdd-4cru2jWhe0MYVYIfoJgTxSJuq14iE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011-10-06_12.00.50" width="244px" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s_9JwK-lvz0/To9C61ZF9pI/AAAAAAAAAVM/07cOobPjiyo/s1600-h/2011-10-06_12.00.22%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2011-10-06_12.00.22" border="0" height="206px" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b7HRqB8t67c/To9C7T6jVUI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/dLObKTNj0IU/2011-10-06_12.00.22_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011-10-06_12.00.22" width="153px" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I am really happy with the way the Haunted Mantle is coming together and the Spooky Foyer is finished just waiting on me to snap a few pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">You should check back over the next few days to see the reveal of our “Boo Time” Halloween fun! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Hope you have a great weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Until next time… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Simply AJ </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">I’m linking to these parties</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;">Don’t forget to join in the Halloween fun over at Midwestern Sewing Girl - I am headed to the party and linking up there!</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com/"><strong>Everything Halloween at Midwestern Sewing Girl</strong></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com/"><img alt="MidwesternSewingGirl" border="0" src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/midwesternsewinggirl/button-3.gif" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/"><img alt="monogram" height="100" src="http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss230/raegirl25/CreationCornerButton7FLP.jpg" width="100" /></a>
<a href="http://answerischocolate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff511/AnswerIsChoco/TAICOpenHouseButton.jpg" /></a>
<left><a href="http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/"><img ?action="view&current=profilepic-1.jpg"" albums="" border="0" http:="" i387="" jenni_reeve="" s1091.photobucket.com="" src=" <a href=" target="_blank" /><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/Jenni_Reeve/profilepic-1.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shabby Nest" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/theshabbynest/Shabby%20Nest%20Blog%205-2011/ShabbyNest-GrabButton.png" /></a>
<a href="http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="A Little Knick Knack" src="http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae253/mgunyan/Blog%20Buttons/linkparty_button_png.png" /></a>
<left><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special" border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/smallsns.jpg" /></a></left>
<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" /></a>
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/linkpartythursday.png" /></a>
<a border="0" href="http://lollyjane.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc35/lollyjaneboutique/linkybutton.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="150" src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ThinkPink_Button150.gif" width="150" /></a>
<a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img alt="Making Monday Marvelous Linky Party" height="125" src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" width="150" /></a>
<a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/" title="Confessions of a Stay At Home Mommy"><img alt="Confessions of a Stay At Home Mommy" src="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd474/Macy_Moon/NewTuesdayConfessionalButton.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7h8fXy0-ZrJfjFKF60IUsR2uOgYVx-jC11n0MBqIVsnnK2YldvCCYRQr63y4Ywi2lGptrElBJ6LhpWo9eCl9h3_6V4Ze0NY2RZJTn0S5XJYd7mFPRDUAGM41FungKJzCZhTr50LKhTI/s1600/features3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7h8fXy0-ZrJfjFKF60IUsR2uOgYVx-jC11n0MBqIVsnnK2YldvCCYRQr63y4Ywi2lGptrElBJ6LhpWo9eCl9h3_6V4Ze0NY2RZJTn0S5XJYd7mFPRDUAGM41FungKJzCZhTr50LKhTI/s200/features3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<left><a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/search/label/sew%20darn%20crafty" target="_blank"><img alt="sew many ways" src="http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/sewmanyways/polkadotsewdarncrafty.jpg" /></a></left>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-3111472808712973702011-10-04T21:57:00.019-05:002011-10-11T12:35:17.230-05:00It’s “BOO” time!<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Fall is here and I love it!! This is my most favorite time of the year. I just love cool crisp mornings, watching the leaves change, and knowing that the holidays are just around the corner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Fall also means that I have to get moving on all my holiday projects. Decorating the house and finishing up some Christmas gifts are tops on the list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Right now I am working on my Haunted Mantle, Spookin’ up my foyer, finishing my front door wreath, carving a few pumpkins, and oh and let’s not forget… trying out a few new chocolate and pumpkin recipes (Yes, I'm pulling a full late nights but totally enjoy it!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I can’t wait to show you all of the fun projects…. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">So on our way to Hobby Lobby last week, we popped into Tuesday Morning (love this store!!) and I came across these dish towels. The minute I saw them I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. Check these babies out…</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wfT1EJI1s1A/Toursp9D0kI/AAAAAAAAATw/d0xKHmbSqJ0/s1600-h/Dish%252520Towels%252520Edit1%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Dish Towels Edit1" border="0" height="191px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sHPYC0Qfcec/Tours5tQ5pI/AAAAAAAAAT0/wbY_rlW84Wc/Dish%252520Towels%252520Edit1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: move; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dish Towels Edit1" unselectable="on" width="206px" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VvqgJnJAiRA/Tot-vayvv4I/AAAAAAAAAT4/0d1vxwdEj-M/s1600-h/Halloween%252520Dishtowel%252520Picnik%252520collage%25255B14%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween Dishtowel Picnik collage" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o-ucZay-itI/Tot-vushcXI/AAAAAAAAAT8/PIWFIGjj9Es/Halloween%252520Dishtowel%252520Picnik%252520collage_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Halloween Dishtowel Picnik collage" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: xx-small;">(Sorry for the crappy pictures but I have not mastered photography yet!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">These towels are so pretty… the fabric is a beautiful woven cotton with such perfect applique pictures. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Look what I made with these lovely dish towels… Halloween Pillows!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNlpt4NsBPA2KSY1baJKICy7NEfqkOwzjBhxwd1LfNR27f5V5f7BKFz1kxrSlJYPd9qGRhezDwiEbMItpxPmC4-ItWwN8gOK0gTA4gfs_x0Cy4qYtxm5MuW1fD7EL5jYZ2Kc1uQVwYVI/s1600-h/Halloween%252520Pillows2%252520Rounded%252520Edges%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Halloween Pillows2 Rounded Edges" border="0" height="424px" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tbftp0w7sPw/Tot-wK1ma1I/AAAAAAAAATQ/wKNHwjnkywU/Halloween%252520Pillows2%252520Rounded%252520Edges_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Halloween Pillows2 Rounded Edges" width="462px" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"><strong>Didn't they turn out great… I love them! </strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdY30VFLk3EEZtDuZAXXfn52obFIkt3ABfvmsxTH0y8G1NySUL1e4pryE5SdaMbN8v4Ue1xRS7GWbVMrTrwXE0JdZxREJ-FZj5aht6bu8hS2R9qKHPzkK-PDJklxVsP7Usc8RQUabXZ4/s1600-h/Pillow%252520collage%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pillow collage" border="0" height="327px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SNT-31M6Xqg/Tot-wwhOT7I/AAAAAAAAAUE/PRUsbrVIBZg/Pillow%252520collage_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pillow collage" width="478px" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">These were a snap to make - All I did was measure the towels and then create my own pillow pattern. I took the black towel and pieced it together with the coordinating towel to create the Treat or Treat pillow. For the orange black cat pillow, I just used the solid orange towel. I re-purposed the fiber filling from some old pillows that I had stashed away. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Can you say... super easy!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5j2dR1ADECo/Tot-xEKbV-I/AAAAAAAAAUI/pUo1WYPnQl8/s1600-h/Orange%252520Pillow%252520Matte1%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Orange Pillow Matte1" border="0" height="204px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LcNQmwsbvGo/Tot-xSgax_I/AAAAAAAAAUM/fJ7C8iZ83Cg/Orange%252520Pillow%252520Matte1_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Orange Pillow Matte1" width="201px" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bG8xN35_HLg/Tot-xoGYJoI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/2lJ5wDcuSo4/s1600-h/Black%252520Pillow%252520Matte%252520%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Black Pillow Matte " border="0" height="210px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k2XGjGe3ojk/Tot-x7E2KHI/AAAAAAAAAUU/RlmcxpiCjvU/Black%252520Pillow%252520Matte%252520_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Black Pillow Matte " width="212px" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">These beauties cost a whopping $10. 88!!! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">I just love how they turned out and I have the perfect spot to show them off but you will have to wait to see where it is… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;">Check back soon cause this is just the beginning of the Halloween fun going on around our nest! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"><em><strong>Simply AJ</strong></em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;">Don’t forget to join in the Halloween fun over at Midwestern Sewing Girl - I am headed to the party and linking up there!</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com/"><strong>Everything Halloween at Midwestern Sewing Girl</strong></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com/"><img alt="MidwesternSewingGirl" border="0" src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/midwesternsewinggirl/button-3.gif" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-size: x-small;">Also linking to the following: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<a border="0" href="http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/azparis3/link-party.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Someday Crafts - <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/">http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8SUCzD09obI5iiVrHW8gXjw4KmXuk7b0pEIKCn-AWGRFQdfVtc9j4Rlc3h8XIAaXg3qrSxP6vL7XY7KWLoceJX7-e4SEz2G3-neQt1dyvjBPO6xppvM0M3nfkJtz_AFR0ZPYM1CIfEs/s1600/wgw+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8SUCzD09obI5iiVrHW8gXjw4KmXuk7b0pEIKCn-AWGRFQdfVtc9j4Rlc3h8XIAaXg3qrSxP6vL7XY7KWLoceJX7-e4SEz2G3-neQt1dyvjBPO6xppvM0M3nfkJtz_AFR0ZPYM1CIfEs/s1600/wgw+button.jpg" /></a></div>
Someday Crafts Fall Linky - <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-linky.html">http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-linky.html</a><br />
<a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA_6K7ea4aE/S7P2ck_BACI/AAAAAAAABy0/B-VCpUbLYmE/s320/Categorically_Crafting.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a>
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<a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/09/pumpkin-addicts-anonymous-link-party.html" title="Confessions of a SAHM"><img alt="Confessions of a SAHM" src="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd474/Macy_Moon/pumpkinbutton2.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
<a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/" title="Confessions of a Stay At Home Mommy"><img alt="Confessions of a Stay At Home Mommy" src="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd474/Macy_Moon/NewTuesdayConfessionalButton.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>
<a href="http://lilluna.com/"><img alt="lil luna link party button" height="175px" src="http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac129/kristynmerkley/LilLunaButtonLinkinWith.jpg" width="175px" /></a>
<left><a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j449/jaimelyn11/partybutton.jpg" /></a></left>
<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9nVQbFsQ1x3FrlcZEviwauuevc6xKQLQZ3Kmx9jIyZq9JLZQZjccigu4XQPgMs7RXqI7_ne3aiqZ5KNMjV9s1H78I0RKmZMTZ2UtEZ7QoxamctPxLKyOgxM0HdMu2o3dA0_dop2kgmU/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a>
<a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/"><img alt="monogram" height="150" src="http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss230/raegirl25/CreationCornerButton7FLP.jpg" width="150" /></a>
<a href="http://answerischocolate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff511/AnswerIsChoco/TAICOpenHouseButton.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="A Little Knick Knack" src="http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae253/mgunyan/Blog%20Buttons/linkparty_button_png.png" /></a>
<left><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special" border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/smallsns.jpg" /></a></left>
<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" /></a>
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/linkpartythursday.png" /></a>
<a border="0" href="http://lollyjane.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc35/lollyjaneboutique/linkybutton.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="100" src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ThinkPink_Button150.gif" width="100" /></a>
<a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img alt="Making Monday Marvelous Linky Party" height="125" src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" width="150" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JuvTbqTLmBzKKk5VpTzm6LWICR4wHn4X5arSrGS3PI0JvkFR7Bg6aYY4OSpzwqkmX7M-o39mDwh39wVUqQ55wyLtNL3GUbHY84rbBWhPWtEe8YsWGD8GpmPLHYqvWMlGp4n-ni_WGM4/s1600/features3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JuvTbqTLmBzKKk5VpTzm6LWICR4wHn4X5arSrGS3PI0JvkFR7Bg6aYY4OSpzwqkmX7M-o39mDwh39wVUqQ55wyLtNL3GUbHY84rbBWhPWtEe8YsWGD8GpmPLHYqvWMlGp4n-ni_WGM4/s320/features3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-13720486162961846622011-09-14T08:46:00.048-05:002011-09-22T08:30:57.224-05:00Monogram Frame<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Finally… I’m back in my craft room and it feels so good!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">After a crazy summer, things are finally settling down around here and we are getting back to normal (Yippee). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I'm so glad you have stopped by... </span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Today, I want to share with you one of my “Go To” projects - Monogram Frame. It makes a great gift for a baby shower and/or a wedding present. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I came across the idea (<a href="http://carothrift.blogspot.com/2011/04/stashbuster-project-1-monogram-frame.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and adapted my own twist to this super simple project. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TvPo6NJ-kfI/TnAI-a4cpuI/AAAAAAAAAP0/8ynYWh5jvFg/s1600-h/DSCN9513%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN9513" border="0" height="358px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Stnp9SaNv1Q/TnAI-q9WS-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/EZtPsEPqqeA/DSCN9513_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN9513" width="472px" /></a></span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This pretty little framed picture is one of several goodies that I'm making for a girlfriend who recently had a precious baby girl. She did Alexa’s nursery in bubblegum pink and green apple so this Monogram Frame will go perfect with her décor. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Honestly, there are endless possibilities for decorating this Monogram picture. I love the fun 3-D look you get by using different sizes and thickness of the alpha letter. I've made one with white background and glitter mixed in the paint, added a few tiny buttons and some twine (It was so cute - Sorry no pictures this was before I felt comfortable posting my projects). </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">You can use almost any type of small embellishment (found in the scrapbook section of Craft Store) like a cow or monkey or even create one highlighting a favorite sports team. This is also a great project for all the re-purposed picture frames that you might have laying around the house (who me??). </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Best of all, it’s a breeze to make and it’s easy on the wallet!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YmJyOzQyzOs/TnAI-66AOxI/AAAAAAAAAP8/8I4ZdC_qXNA/s1600-h/Side%252520View%252520%25255B14%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Side View " border="0" height="202px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NSSiJ2xTM3M/TnAI_KgIqkI/AAAAAAAAAQA/wEI4du7rixE/Side%252520View%252520_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Side View " width="204px" /></a></div><br />
<hr color="#783f04" /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Here’s a list of supplies: </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ol><li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Picture frame</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Thin Canvas or a heavy piece of cardboard measured to fit frame </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">1 Large Alphabet letter (chipboard)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Various sizes and styles of Alphabet Letter - (I used medium size chipboard letters, then cut some letters (with my Cricut) out of cardboard and vinyl) You can buy stickers and pre-cut cardboard/chipboard letters if you don’t want/can't cut your own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">1 sheet of thin decorative paper or fabric to cover large letter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">1 sheet of heavy card stock in background color (*only if using cardboard as canvas backing) <strong><em>Note:</em></strong> Non-textured card stock works best.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Embellishment (I used a flower from my scrapbooking stash). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Mod Podge – matte finish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Acrylic Paint – foam brush & paintbrush</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Craft Glue - clear </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Clear Acrylic Sealer – (optional) Only a light coat if you want to seal canvas</span></li>
</ol><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>Instructions:</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pItCrYu--ds/TnAI_X7-P8I/AAAAAAAAAQE/0QET1y-umBk/s1600-h/Different%252520Size%252520Letter%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Different Size Letter" border="0" height="167px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Rt2loo37pI/TnAI_hEsAII/AAAAAAAAAQI/jfnakI08ZZg/Different%252520Size%252520Letter_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Different Size Letter" width="189px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XFG_KQb5bT4/TnAJAFOErcI/AAAAAAAAAQM/5PqkcozuwZU/s1600-h/Arrange%252520Glue%252520Paint%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arrange Glue Paint" border="0" height="170px" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-poeh3YwuDp0/TnAJAjkvm5I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/Ku3dGIxHnvw/Arrange%252520Glue%252520Paint_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arrange Glue Paint" width="212px" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rQM9TFfNqxs/TnAJBi1beYI/AAAAAAAAAQc/-XSUerCQPu0/s1600-h/Mod%252520Podge%252520Letter%25255B11%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mod Podge Letter" border="0" height="185px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a2t5fiAQG50/TnAJBzuF6nI/AAAAAAAAAQg/kHBSTTPUvyU/Mod%252520Podge%252520Letter_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mod Podge Letter" width="195px" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wLNDyW7Jznc/TnAJA4ZUuRI/AAAAAAAAAQU/DdGwpW3jHMs/s1600-h/Paint%252520Canvas%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Paint Canvas" border="0" height="176px" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--fdiiOJ6Pys/TnAJBR0uOCI/AAAAAAAAAQY/CpZSbLIKkUQ/Paint%252520Canvas_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Paint Canvas" width="200px" /></a> </div></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Note: If you are repurposing your picture frame go ahead and paint it first so it can have proper time to dry.</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Cut paper to size of letter allowing at least 1/2 in overlay to have enough paper to completely cover front and sides of letter. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Mod Podge your paper or fabric to your large letter. Spread generous amount onto the letter making sure to get the sides and center covered well. Gently smooth paper to get any wrinkles out. Set aside - Let dry. Once dry, spread a very light coat of Mod Podge to seal paper - Let dry.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Glue various size letters onto the canvas (be very careful not to get excess glue on canvas because the paint will not cover the glue areas very well). <strong><em>Note:</em></strong> Make sure to leave enough room in center of canvas for covered letter and sides of canvas to allow for frame. Let dry for about 30 minutes before painting. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Paint entire canvas and letters. It usually take 2 coats of paint. Let paint dry completely. <em><strong>Note:</strong></em> I have used spray paint however it is hard to get into the tiny areas of letters. If using letters that have a plastic covering you might want to prime letter first. </span></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Glue large covered letter to center of canvas. <strong><em>Tip:</em></strong> I put a heavy object on top of letter to make sure letter sticks. About 30 minutes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Add desired embellishment to large covered letter. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Place canvas in frame. </span></li>
</ol> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iUtwc16hmAI/TnAJCeZvwlI/AAAAAAAAAQk/-WwUVwxTA-k/s1600-h/K%252520Monogram%252520Frame%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="K Monogram Frame" border="0" height="169px" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q0TleYKxH64/TnAJCsTrfPI/AAAAAAAAAQo/edcp6tGhw2o/K%252520Monogram%252520Frame_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 24px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="K Monogram Frame" width="200px" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Here is another one I made for a friend of mine – The picture is not very good (hard to see the flat letters) but you get the idea of how versatile this project can be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>There you have it… super easy and super cute! </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sorry it was such a long post but I wanted to make sure I got the instructions listed for anyone who might want to make one of these cute little Monogram Frame. Now, i</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">f you have any questions about this craft or need clarification on the instructions, please just shoot me an email and I will be happy to try and help. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Now, I have to get to work and finish up the burp cloths, diaper clutch and the cutest little tote bag. I will be posting the rest of the goodies soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Until next time…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><em>Simply AJ</em> </span><br />
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<hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be linking this project up at the following sites </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Stop by and check out all the awesome craftiness</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/09/link-to-party-sundae-scoop-2.html"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Sunday Scoop</span></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: red;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-link-party/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Get Your Craft On </span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: red;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/09/12/made-by-you-monday-66/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Made-by-you-Monday</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/09/tutorials-tips-tuesday-link-party-28.html"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Home Stories A 2 Z</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/whatever-goes-wednesday-83.html"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Someday Crafts</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/2011/09/crafty-scrappy-happy-me-thursday-4-with.html?showComment=1316094041558#c1931722192899875241"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Crafty-Scrappy-Happy (Me) - Thursday</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://whipperberry.com/2011/09/who-i-am-friday-flair-summer-from-sumos-sweet-stuff.html"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Whipperberry - Friday Flair</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://thejunkhouse.blogspot.com/v"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">The Junkhouse (SCH me Link Party)</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.answerischocolate.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Answer is Chocolate</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-link-party_15.html"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Creation Corner</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/09/think-pink-sundays-no-28/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bflamingotoes%7D+%28%24%7BFlamingo+Toes%7D%29"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Flamingo Toes - Think-Pink-Sundays</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0gSL935LK0_0gyCBHZXbUIGr0idzj17x3okAtQywZJBT7u4hhmbnvemmVbqiChTp_S8B8nCyHWBSGydCjx9cUHbcZl1_aEHSngHR6yVdlGsSgOYUANVRwVa9sj3um3SBx8gTrtV9xyY/s1600/TAICOpenHouseButton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0gSL935LK0_0gyCBHZXbUIGr0idzj17x3okAtQywZJBT7u4hhmbnvemmVbqiChTp_S8B8nCyHWBSGydCjx9cUHbcZl1_aEHSngHR6yVdlGsSgOYUANVRwVa9sj3um3SBx8gTrtV9xyY/s200/TAICOpenHouseButton.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://whipperberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/share_the_love_box.jpg" /></a><a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="monogram" height="150px" src="http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss230/raegirl25/CreationCornerButton7FLP.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="150px" src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ThinkPink_Button150.gif" width="150px" /></a></div>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-72301634941975513082011-09-11T21:56:00.004-05:002011-09-11T22:08:28.457-05:00We Will Never Forget<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn’t realize how hard it would be to write this post. I started and stopped several times and struggled with my emotions today. As I watched the Memorial Services on television this morning, I realized that it could be 10 years or 20 years and I will still have a heavy aching heart. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all remember where we were and what we were doing that exact moment when we heard the news. We will always remember the day our lives changed forever. How can we ever forget!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart weeps for the people we lost that day… perfect strangers but yet fellow Americans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart aches for the loved ones that suffered such loss… who’s lives were forever changed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart is humbled for the first responders and others who now suffer from life threatening illness all because they stayed at Ground Zero until the bitter end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart is proud for the Military Men and Women who fight for our freedom and who fearlessly die protecting us so that we will feel safe again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, we will never forget… We can’t!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We must keep the memories alive and honor the spirits of all those lost. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We must support the survivors and take care of those diagnosed with illness all related to this unforgettable day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We must educate our children so they can continue to keep the memories alive for decades to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God Bless…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply AJ </span>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-15354799059390800182011-09-10T20:01:00.011-05:002011-09-10T22:54:09.190-05:00The Twinery - Treat Bags & Giveaway<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must confess… I have a slight obsession (okay, it’s a <em>BIG</em> obsession) with colorful twine! I just love adding fun colorful twine to my scrapbook projects, greeting cards, present wrapping and lately I’ve used it to make pendants for my rag wreaths. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Look at all the happy colors!!</span> </span><br />
<img border="0" height="160px" src="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/40872173/ultimatepack2.jpg" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="240px" /><br />
<a href="http://www.thetwinery.com/product/the-ultimate-color-sampler-pack-all-14-colors" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Colorful Bunch</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.thetwinery.com/" target="_blank">The Twinery</a></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana;">is my favorite source for Baker’s Twine and yesterday, they posted the cutest project for Halloween Treat Bags that I just had to share. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So… How adorable are these little </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.thetwineryblog.com/2011/09/halloween-treat-bags-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Halloween Treat Bags</a>!!! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ-Rdq-7H6EfyNI-MzFLMPyBGhyWvPX45ound78E6vy9y4FdK8tDZTNTk_RKo-__TtcHKoldHZe4qmiePSl5N60iXBVjRArAzT-jmV0vQL4XsymrfPfXi8Y5Lt25sBySmP7pcDeW643E/s400/IMG_1474.JPG" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="400px" /></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <em></em></span><a href="http://www.thetwineryblog.com/2011/09/halloween-treat-bags-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></em></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What a super cute idea to make for classmates, special friends or little relatives. Since my kiddo’s are all grown up, I will be making a few of these cute little bags for my Grandson's. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You can find a full tutorial at <a href="http://www.thetwineryblog.com/2011/09/halloween-treat-bags-giveaway.html" target="_blank">The Twinery Blog</a>.</span> </div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.thetwineryblog.com/2011/09/halloween-treat-bags-giveaway.html" target="_blank">The Twinery</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> has also put together an awesome giveaway for one lucky follower. You have a chance to win everything needed to make your own Treat Bags…</span><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">ONE WINNER will receive:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">12 Muslin Bags</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 Martha Stewart Crafts Holiday Icon Stencil Kit</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Martha Stewart Paints - in the 5 colors mentioned above</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Martha Stewart Craft Tintable Fabric Medium</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Foam Top Paintbrushes</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 spools of our baker's twine - Mandarin, Charcoal, Lemondrop & Honeydew</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Total Value of prize: approximately $100.00!!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Pretty Cool...huh !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"> I want to try the new Martha Stewart paints!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now, if you interested in entering the giveaway you need to hurry and pop over their </span></em><a href="http://www.thetwineryblog.com/2011/09/halloween-treat-bags-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blog</span></em></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em> because it only runs through this weekend. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 12th.</em> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FYI... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am adding some great Halloween ideas to my Pinterest board called <a href="http://pinterest.com/queenofmynest/spooky-finds/" target="_blank">"Spooky Finds"</a>, so feel free to take a look and get pinning! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Until next time… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>Simply AJ </em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* This is just my opinion about this product - I just like it and have had only good experiences with this product and company. I am not endorsing nor receiving any product from this company.</span> </span></em>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-46571176572665518552011-09-05T09:57:00.000-05:002011-09-05T09:57:03.732-05:00Favorite Free Computer Desktop Calendar<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Is it really September already??? It seems like this year is just a blur and flying by so quickly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Anyhoo, I wanted to share one of my favorite links for monthly computer desktop calendar. <a href="http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/">Leelou Blogs</a> is one of my favorite sites for free stuff for my blog. Every month she creates the cutest desktop calendars and this month did not disappoint… </span><br />
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<img height="151px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGpZQvlfcLg/Tl8u9sY6gsI/AAAAAAAAAls/_VJU4brUBPk/s1600/sample.png" width="240px" /><br />
<a href="http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Link to calendar</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Is this not adorable???? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">There are different sizes and one that you can even insert a picture. Go check it out… fun stuff!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">There is tons of <strong><em>free </em></strong>stuff on her <a href="http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">site</a> from blog templates, twitter backgrounds, printables and tutorials. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Be sweet and leave a comment to let them know how much we enjoy the calendars! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Enjoy… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Simply AJ </span>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-58939964588498099672011-09-05T08:54:00.008-05:002011-09-05T11:17:51.205-05:00Labor Day<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Happy Labor Day…. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Hubby and I are spending it in Florida enjoying our newest addition to the family. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We just can’t get enough of this little man! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rBNxZ0_tgN4/TmTUjNsuhvI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Dcvl8OEcV9o/s1600-h/Little%252520Photo95p20110830-110403%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Little Photo95p20110830-110403" border="0" height="238px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YzNjH9d0U7Y/TmTUjotcTwI/AAAAAAAAAPg/t9dhZFUeAkU/Little%252520Photo95p20110830-110403_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Little Photo95p20110830-110403" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grandson #3 - River Allen</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RlMXdkAbEFnY3K5me-idEzyyg4lnJ12ttwBaJjXZgGwsB5CNWBvxCdRRLW2333y2gjwwLC4Mv9dxSbD9nw5NFoJ-r9ln9wF9JRkGebWFvdDsifUKg2mMEPGxNHZDjirGWIpCMfKy62o/s1600/River+2+weeks+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RlMXdkAbEFnY3K5me-idEzyyg4lnJ12ttwBaJjXZgGwsB5CNWBvxCdRRLW2333y2gjwwLC4Mv9dxSbD9nw5NFoJ-r9ln9wF9JRkGebWFvdDsifUKg2mMEPGxNHZDjirGWIpCMfKy62o/s320/River+2+weeks+old.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River at 2 weeks old </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_kVXgkX6MGHb9gXLobpG_Szu09xM6x224gjGXB-9lNztEphQiNFQ2q-nIVSqtZI_FrwWV7m23dRx-MdZdaqqIzA6RanPAUIjfeOpK7OQCPcRHJBsRNjG_mla910_ND6g0ZmHDCsdwIw/s1600/Roloff+Boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_kVXgkX6MGHb9gXLobpG_Szu09xM6x224gjGXB-9lNztEphQiNFQ2q-nIVSqtZI_FrwWV7m23dRx-MdZdaqqIzA6RanPAUIjfeOpK7OQCPcRHJBsRNjG_mla910_ND6g0ZmHDCsdwIw/s320/Roloff+Boys.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My precious Grandson's </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What a joy and blessing… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I LOVE being a Grandmother!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Simply AJ </span>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-73154192932194325902011-08-25T08:11:00.010-05:002011-08-25T09:33:39.336-05:00Newest Grandson<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just wanted to share our happy news.... Grandson #3 is here!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter gave birth to her second child yesterday morning. Both Mommy and Baby are doing wonderful. River Allen weighs 6 lb 10 oz and has a head full of beautiful dark hair (just like his Mommy). His big brother who is 4yrs old said "Mommy... he's so soft" and is just amazed by his little brother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This cute little peanut arrived a few weeks earlier than expected, so we missed all the hospital fun but my sweet son-in-law kept us updated with texts messages through the whole birth. Thank goodness for technology!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't wait until next week when we make the trip down to Florida to see them!! Grandma needs to get her hands on this sweet little baby!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiguEpy0p59Rh-jfO5tM_BzHwBZM3CSGdqXrAZrYBud_dVV3s_xHX3XwsYrS8zLAxcO15ewBO5kEuijixBc-pWM8vWVZgqNfankbTOSdDJexC6R_migFQjWehk_4cdyvjO9NTglqjhiJM/s1600/Little+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiguEpy0p59Rh-jfO5tM_BzHwBZM3CSGdqXrAZrYBud_dVV3s_xHX3XwsYrS8zLAxcO15ewBO5kEuijixBc-pWM8vWVZgqNfankbTOSdDJexC6R_migFQjWehk_4cdyvjO9NTglqjhiJM/s320/Little+man.jpg" width="191px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">River Allen</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MqVTLGSibms5Jl_NIRAk_CJN9YYLbfKnUJ1tOhWEEyiOljpmhlP-9jV_QxGL4Fvp7PcsnHRtUKNvONCzM-3NR9RWpMfvuFbO1moD2UMwIi3_IOQquWlgHPU68_wEg4NKFm1ZR1aLF6o/s1600/Brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MqVTLGSibms5Jl_NIRAk_CJN9YYLbfKnUJ1tOhWEEyiOljpmhlP-9jV_QxGL4Fvp7PcsnHRtUKNvONCzM-3NR9RWpMfvuFbO1moD2UMwIi3_IOQquWlgHPU68_wEg4NKFm1ZR1aLF6o/s320/Brothers.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brothers!</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my youngest Son's little man... Braylen is 18 mths and is exactly like his Daddy!</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsSkBKjeIiWMbg8s1GLJSf6U31MMt9kze8Ss6GqzUn0m77TYYZ3Vr01_YvkKHPmq1TN8u4h5mFOoeUuUMrDvRPvrFpLUdGh4cMUpC0Y0U0ai_CTr6D7J7udp7qhJcDdAXo3qmHleR5gk/s1600/Tyler+%2526+Braylen+at+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsSkBKjeIiWMbg8s1GLJSf6U31MMt9kze8Ss6GqzUn0m77TYYZ3Vr01_YvkKHPmq1TN8u4h5mFOoeUuUMrDvRPvrFpLUdGh4cMUpC0Y0U0ai_CTr6D7J7udp7qhJcDdAXo3qmHleR5gk/s320/Tyler+%2526+Braylen+at+church.jpg" width="236px" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband and I were not prepared for the incredible feelings that we share for our Grandchildren. It's such a blessing to be given the opportunity to have these precious little boys in our life. Can you say "S-P-O-I-L-E-D"!!! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I give praise and thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful family! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you hugged your children today and told them how much you love them?? </span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Simply AJ </em> </strong></span></div><br />
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Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254000266749424510.post-24044143976044829432011-07-21T13:24:00.004-05:002011-07-21T13:27:14.548-05:00Cool Summer Sweet Treat<b><span style="font-size: large;">I know some of you are thinking… </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">“Hello Stranger… Where the heck have you been?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I have been MIA for over a week now because of a raging migraine that took hold of me and refused to let go! This uninvited guest stayed around way too long!! The good news is, after spending days and days in total agony, I am back among the land of the living. Left only with a dull throbbing headache and a very sore head and neck... thank goodness it's gone!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't able to keep up with emails or my favorite blogs, work on any projects or even Pin (Yikes... major withdrawal from Pinterest!!). So, if I owe you a email response, I promise you will hear from me shortly! With our beach vacation looming next week, I have some serious catching up to do and that will probably give me another headache!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having nothing crafty to post about, I thought I would share this new recipe that we can’t seem to get enough of around here. Seriously, we have made this sweet treat 3 times in the past few weeks… it’s that good and easy!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QwteyoJB7MM/TifIwkJBo6I/AAAAAAAAAOk/udCPP5flFHI/s1600-h/Key%252520Lime%252520Pie%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Key Lime Pie" border="0" height="135px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0SXXc0NJyDw/TifIwyX2csI/AAAAAAAAAOo/p7uhLa3Gw4I/Key%252520Lime%252520Pie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Key Lime Pie" width="400px" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">IN OUR KITCHEN</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Around here, we always have some kind of homemade dessert made <span style="font-size: small;">{which might explain my expanding waistline... hmm}</span> and you can bet we have taken a new recipe and changed it up a bit to satisfy whatever we are craving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In our kitchen, we haphazardly measure <span style="font-size: small;">{in the South we eyeball a lot!!}</span> and we don’t think twice about throwing in a little of this or that <span style="font-size: small;">{which usually involves Chocolate – lol}</span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Growing tired of our longtime family <em>go-to</em> recipe, Pop’s Lemon Icebox Pie, my Daughter-in-Law set out to find something sweet and tart that would make our hearts and bellies happy! After trying a couple of so-so recipes, she came across this one </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/key-lime-pie-vii/detail.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Key Lime Pie IV</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> at </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">allrecipes.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">.</span> Finally a Winner!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, we didn’t change much because the original recipe really is perfect just like it is. While searching around we saw a couple of recipes that called for individual pie crusts and we thought they were cute <span style="font-size: small;">(cuteness is a very important factor)</span>. If you are interested in the original recipe you can find it<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/key-lime-pie-vii/detail.aspx"><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our version of this awesome pie…</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of making one 9” pie or trying to make individual little pies, We decided to buy theses <a href="http://www.readycrust.com/product_detail.aspx?prodid=867"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Keebler Ready Graham Cracker Crust</span></a> and they work beautifully. We also rough grated the 1/2 tablespoon of lime zest that you sprinkel on top because we like the slight bitter bite of the zest<span style="font-size: small;"> (I know we are kinda weird).</span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dRw470DLYpA/TifIxRF55YI/AAAAAAAAAOs/sE3SpcG_P-o/s1600-h/Pie%252520crust%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img align="left" alt="Pie crust" border="0" height="101px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0LNvmHquS_A/TifIxgglIBI/AAAAAAAAAOw/xbVF9ZwyUvk/Pie%252520crust_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pie crust" width="204px" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.readycrust.com/product_detail.aspx?prodid=867"><span style="color: #cc0000;">via</span></a><br />
<h5><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </h5><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Ingredients</strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">2 pkgs Individual graham cracker crust <span style="font-size: small;">(total of 12 prepared crust)</span> or One 9” Graham Cracker Pie Crust </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">3 cups sweetened condensed milk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup sour cream</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup key lime juice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">1 ½ tablespoon grated lime zest </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Lime slices for garnish</span></li>
</ul><b><span style="font-size: large;">Directions</span></b><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">In a medium bowl, combine condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and 1 tablespoon lime zest; Mix well. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Pour filling into prepared graham cracker pie crust(s). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Sprinkle remaining lime zest on top of each pie.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Bake in preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes, until tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of pie. DO NOT BROWN! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Chill pie thoroughly before serving. </span><span style="font-size: small;">(Best if served super cold!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a slice of lime, if desired. </span></li>
</ol><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Whipped Cream</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, we don’t measure when we make our Whipped Cream so I looked up a basic recipe just in case someone might need it.</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup heavy whipping cream</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">2 TBS confectioners' sugar (add TBS more depending on preferred sweetness) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">¼ tsp vanilla extract </span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tip of the day</span></em> - Use a chilled mixing bowl and make sure whipping cream is very cold.</div><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Directions</span></b><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: large;">In a chilled small mixing bowl beat whipping cream until it begins to thicken. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. (Careful not to over beat)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.</span></li>
</ol><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well folks, there you have it - our newest obsession!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. </span><span style="font-size: large;">If you make these sweet little pies, please come back let me know what you think and if you would add or change anything. Would love to hear from you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>JUST SHARING…</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few of our main <i>go-to</i> sites for recipes. I have linked each site incase you want to take a look. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/">allrecipes.com </a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/category/all-pw-recipes/">The Pioneer Woman</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://tastykitchen.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Tasty Kitchen</span></a></li>
</ul><br />
**PS** I love Ree @ PW. We have tried so many of her recipes and they all get A++ from us! Can’t wait for her new cooking show on Food Network on Aug 27th. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>ONE LAST THOUGHT…</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will try and post Pop’s Lemon Icebox Pie sometime this week. It’s another super easy and super good "pucker up" summer treat! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for stopping by my Nest!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Simply AJ </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">* Special thanks to my sweet Daughter-in-law who is always there for me (she is my arms and legs due to my physical limitations) and because of her help I can keep doing the things I love to do!</span> </span>Simply AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05227954550984959075noreply@blogger.com1