tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67549322828794557212024-03-13T12:38:33.003-05:00..non*sense..candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-76875638011574851832015-02-19T00:00:00.000-06:002015-02-19T00:00:04.937-06:00Emmett Savage<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bP9pYSxMz-k/VIUSSUd4l5I/AAAAAAAAD4A/ZJRqLmkF2Yc/s1600/WP_20141205_11_32_31_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bP9pYSxMz-k/VIUSSUd4l5I/AAAAAAAAD4A/ZJRqLmkF2Yc/s1600/WP_20141205_11_32_31_Pro__highres.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">we have FINALLY decided on a name. not having a name from the get-go was a little nerve racking this time around, along with everything else we had going on. Matt and I couldn't agree on what we liked, and we didn't love any of our list of names we could agree on.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">we have to upgrade our vehicle since 3 car seats won't fit in our Outback, which made me sad :( I love my car and will be sad to give it up. Matt really wanted to get a minivan, but I <i>really </i>didn't want a minivan. I think he was having a hard time finding an SUV that would work for us, so he came up with a compromise: if I agreed to a minivan we could use my name choice... so I agreed. I can always ditch it after we don't have car seats anymore! ;)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7szXM1C-VYo/VOPnYZt_pBI/AAAAAAAAD70/JYn9y3cphr0/s1600/emmett.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7szXM1C-VYo/VOPnYZt_pBI/AAAAAAAAD70/JYn9y3cphr0/s1600/emmett.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYGm91un4ys/VOPnYUKQ7AI/AAAAAAAAD7w/eaLuC4KiWGE/s1600/savage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYGm91un4ys/VOPnYUKQ7AI/AAAAAAAAD7w/eaLuC4KiWGE/s1600/savage.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm looking forward to meeting our newest little guy, and the boys talk about the new baby a lot so I think they're excited, too :)</div>
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</span>candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-18924028436803394212014-12-18T00:00:00.002-06:002014-12-18T00:00:05.896-06:00paint prints for Christmas<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hU9grwtIyoQ/VImycWtn0qI/AAAAAAAAD5c/Og_HLyBk_7A/s1600/paint%2Bprints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hU9grwtIyoQ/VImycWtn0qI/AAAAAAAAD5c/Og_HLyBk_7A/s1600/paint%2Bprints.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
the boys and I found some time after Thanksgiving to do a little Christmas crafting for their grandmothers. this holiday season wasn't feeling much like Christmas for me for various reasons, but I really wanted to make these <a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/footprint-penguins.html">cute penguin prints</a> and I think this project helped get me more in the mood for festivities :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3qkWewEX2Y/VImyd2eNg2I/AAAAAAAAD5o/J5YG1mx7Tz0/s1600/WP_20141203_10_18_03_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3qkWewEX2Y/VImyd2eNg2I/AAAAAAAAD5o/J5YG1mx7Tz0/s1600/WP_20141203_10_18_03_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I picked up a couple of white aprons from Hobby Lobby to decorate. all the boys had to do was sit still for a black footprint, and I painted the details on after those were dry. the simple footprints ended up being a lot messier than I remember on past paint projects. maybe it was the black paint on the white surface... I don't know. they still came out cute.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgfBy2iLJcY/VImzbrDyDBI/AAAAAAAAD5w/IOWBersunsA/s1600/WP_20141203_10_17_45_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgfBy2iLJcY/VImzbrDyDBI/AAAAAAAAD5w/IOWBersunsA/s1600/WP_20141203_10_17_45_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">we added some <a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/thumbprint-christmas-lights.html">fingerprint string lights</a> for a border, which I think really helped finish it off. this was time consuming, but easier to control than the footprints since we went one finger at a time instead of a whole foot. I added their names and year as well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ilxqiHHXWv8/VImyctTslfI/AAAAAAAAD5U/rxOvBhbNcag/s1600/WP_20141203_10_17_20_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ilxqiHHXWv8/VImyctTslfI/AAAAAAAAD5U/rxOvBhbNcag/s1600/WP_20141203_10_17_20_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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there's still room at the bottoms to add more, so maybe next year we can add some <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3245/3115476755_eb560e1dfe.jpg">reindeer</a>.</div>
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-77344580656848380932014-12-15T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-15T00:00:03.017-06:00Jack's Christmas stocking<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJu8QdPurd4/VInHBKKB-RI/AAAAAAAAD6E/io1-tdIJSuY/s1600/stocking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJu8QdPurd4/VInHBKKB-RI/AAAAAAAAD6E/io1-tdIJSuY/s1600/stocking.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
I forgot to post about Jack's Christmas stocking last year. poor guy has just slipped through the cracks ;) but I did make it in time for his first Christmas.<br />
I decided I didn't like the fabric I chose <i>after </i>I finished it, but I'm used to it now. I think it makes the colored felt pop a little more.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz9QQjOwYms/VInHEoZ_A0I/AAAAAAAAD6Q/c9qrz6rk8yM/s1600/WP_20141211_09_44_16_Pro.jpg" height="200" width="149" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4fyuVL6J7c/VInHEhr12GI/AAAAAAAAD6M/qbluA9bPXNo/s1600/WP_20141211_09_44_52_Pro.jpg" height="200" width="149" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3eomDqNTeGk/VInHEXIlDhI/AAAAAAAAD6I/4O1XUx7ObMw/s1600/WP_20141211_09_44_32_Pro.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></div>
he of course got a Jackalope, I put a xylophone on it to remember one of the first Christmas gifts we gave him, and his snowman is a cowboy.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpNr6BwnGmI/VInHGAzOS7I/AAAAAAAAD6g/h1hR7SYx8B8/s1600/WP_20141211_09_45_04_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpNr6BwnGmI/VInHGAzOS7I/AAAAAAAAD6g/h1hR7SYx8B8/s1600/WP_20141211_09_45_04_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was on the fence about putting "Jackers" on it, but since that silly name has followed him beyond the family (and it'll probably stick until he's old enough to tell us to stop calling him that) I went ahead and did it. he might not even notice. I didn't notice mine said Candi until I was in highschool!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uV5zcUJiZyM/VInIYsuWRMI/AAAAAAAAD6w/QEsFXCwRkBo/s1600/WP_20141211_09_49_18_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uV5zcUJiZyM/VInIYsuWRMI/AAAAAAAAD6w/QEsFXCwRkBo/s1600/WP_20141211_09_49_18_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I loved seeing all our matching stockings out growing up, and hearing the jingle bells when they moved - such a simple but fond memory of Christmas as a kid. it's something that I'm glad I carried over to our family :) I'm already gathering ideas for the stocking I will be making next year!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_iPZc20XgWc/VInHGf-BcVI/AAAAAAAAD6k/77EM3KgnsLg/s1600/WP_20141211_09_45_30_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_iPZc20XgWc/VInHGf-BcVI/AAAAAAAAD6k/77EM3KgnsLg/s1600/WP_20141211_09_45_30_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-70561367612729971582014-12-11T00:00:00.002-06:002014-12-11T00:00:02.784-06:00handmade for Christmas<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uI5lwu6vvkg/VIh9jd3J8vI/AAAAAAAAD4g/XeBVxqeF7cw/s1600/handmade%2Bfor%2Bchristmas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uI5lwu6vvkg/VIh9jd3J8vI/AAAAAAAAD4g/XeBVxqeF7cw/s1600/handmade%2Bfor%2Bchristmas.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
we're mostly packed up here waiting to move into our new house, so my crochet stuff is really the only craft stuff I have access to anymore... not that I've been doing much else in the way of crafts for a while now! I'm looking forward to having a room again that I can keep my sewing machine set up in, and maybe a table to work on my jewelry. until then I'm just crocheting when I get a chance. here are some gifts I made and sent to my brother in Shreveport for Christmas.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1IFmB6kDMc/VIh9wI8sRiI/AAAAAAAAD4o/40jlqMgsfzk/s1600/WP_20141210_07_49_07_Pro.jpg" height="320" width="239" /><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SOw3FcoXA/VIh9wBqTdwI/AAAAAAAAD4s/YB4nu4-3Puc/s1600/WP_20141210_07_53_11_Pro.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></div>
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I made a square hat for Abbie with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFceklY4LF0">zig-zag puff stitch</a>. I had to make the construction of this hat up as I went, but it's pretty forgiving since it doesn't have any shaping to it. joining the puff stitches in each round was the hard part, but I made it work. this could totally be done as a flat piece and then seamed together, though. I put tassels on the top corners to look like pig tails, and I made some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBPPbVo_Z8s">boots</a> with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erkhTTjtcMM">puff stitch flowers</a> on them to match the hat.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE9ZmdUYXtQ/VIh9_MK3s3I/AAAAAAAAD44/p8DZGJqNRRE/s1600/WP_20141210_07_48_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE9ZmdUYXtQ/VIh9_MK3s3I/AAAAAAAAD44/p8DZGJqNRRE/s1600/WP_20141210_07_48_12_Pro.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Ava got a striped slouchy hat (another pattern I made up as I went) and I added a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erkhTTjtcMM">puff stitch flower</a> to the bottom band. I used Red Heart Soft for all of these hats, which gets even softer when you steam or wash it. I steamed the slouchy part of this hat which made it lay really nice, but I made sure to leave the band at the bottom alone in case it relaxed too much.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DuIUhuZDsuM/VIh-FrHdHaI/AAAAAAAAD5A/-Z7BISHQ2lg/s1600/WP_20141210_07_47_07_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DuIUhuZDsuM/VIh-FrHdHaI/AAAAAAAAD5A/-Z7BISHQ2lg/s1600/WP_20141210_07_47_07_Pro.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Ashton's hat is an earflap beanie that I decided to find an actual pattern for. I used <a href="http://www.micahmakes.com/dl/versatile_earflap_hat_pattern.pdf">Micah Makes free pattern</a>, but I added an extra row of single crochet to the edge and put a line of fringe on top for a mohawk.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-66034678415002607632014-12-08T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-08T00:00:00.129-06:00advent calendar garland: finished!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79ocCfGs9bU/VH3PpTKwtEI/AAAAAAAAD3U/RatHwwA72dY/s1600/garland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79ocCfGs9bU/VH3PpTKwtEI/AAAAAAAAD3U/RatHwwA72dY/s1600/garland.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
this was a fun project to work on, and I finished it just in time! the garland is hung with some clear command hooks in our entryway, but I'm hoping next Christmas, in our new house, we'll have a better place to hang it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJt3EK3ItWY/VH3RaLRjTGI/AAAAAAAAD3o/9J__Bu9MCp8/s1600/WP_20141201_08_23_14_Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJt3EK3ItWY/VH3RaLRjTGI/AAAAAAAAD3o/9J__Bu9MCp8/s1600/WP_20141201_08_23_14_Panorama.jpg" height="166" width="640" /></a></div>
I wasn't sure how to hang these up to begin with, but after I finished them all off I decided to just make a long chain and attach them at each loop. I might do something different with them later on, but I'd just have to undo to chain and they'll all be detached again. maybe when the kids are older they can be hung on the tree after each day.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyAW1_Lmk8E/VH3RJmLYnJI/AAAAAAAAD3g/R5NvxG7qHr8/s1600/number.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyAW1_Lmk8E/VH3RJmLYnJI/AAAAAAAAD3g/R5NvxG7qHr8/s1600/number.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
I used some <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/white-and-black-acrylic-number-beads-217331/">number beads</a> and buttons on each one, which are also easily removable in case I brainstorm a different way of hanging and numbering them in the future. Leo has been good at keeping track of what day it is, so if nothing else I'm really glad to have this to help him understand dates!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0pAv8_OoYQ/VIUXbqAeI9I/AAAAAAAAD4Q/8xVIDdIFVKI/s1600/WP_20141204_08_32_31_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0pAv8_OoYQ/VIUXbqAeI9I/AAAAAAAAD4Q/8xVIDdIFVKI/s1600/WP_20141204_08_32_31_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I stuffed each one with a small goody for the boys to have everyday until Christmas, and the boys were already excited about it after the first day. they wake me up early each morning to see what is in the next one.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-86267304642885374652014-11-11T12:00:00.000-06:002014-11-11T12:00:04.768-06:00advent calendar garland: crochet hats<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqpVk7xn258/VF_8n1Ct05I/AAAAAAAAD3A/6FnBpQxfILA/s1600/hats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqpVk7xn258/VF_8n1Ct05I/AAAAAAAAD3A/6FnBpQxfILA/s1600/hats.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
I winged this pattern the first time and it came out exactly as I hoped, so I wrote it down. I did it bottom up, which I normally don't like to do, but this one made sense to do that way since it was pointy, and the ribbing would match the look of the mittens and stockings (patterns available <a href="http://candicecharlson.blogspot.com/2014/11/advent-calendar-garland-crochet-mittens.html">here </a>and <a href="http://candicecharlson.blogspot.com/2014/11/advent-calendar-garland-crochet.html">here</a>). you'll need 12 hats for the garland.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gBZWYZPBrw/VF_8nzxa41I/AAAAAAAAD28/GgpUHUAxJik/s1600/WP_20141109_16_14_16_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gBZWYZPBrw/VF_8nzxa41I/AAAAAAAAD28/GgpUHUAxJik/s1600/WP_20141109_16_14_16_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>hat pattern</i></div>
<i><br /></i><i>ribbing:</i><br />
<i>ch 7, 1 sc into back <u>bump</u> of 2nd ch from hook and following 5 sts, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>1 sc into back <b>loop </b>of each st across, ch 1 turn. repeat for 26 more rows.</i><br />
<i>fold ribbing in half and sl st closed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>body of hat:</i><br />
<i>ch 1, make 30 sc sts, equally spaced, around the top edge of ribbing, sl st to join round.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, sc into each stitch around, sl st to join. repeat for 4 more rounds.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>decreasing:</i><br />
<i>ch 1, *1 sc into next 4 sts, 1 sc2tog, repeat from * 4 more times, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, *1 sc into next 3 sts, 1 sc2tog, repeat from * 4 more times, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, *1 sc into next 2 sts, 1 sc2tog, repeat from * 4 more times, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, *1 sc into next sts, 1 sc2tog, repeat from * 4 more times, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, 5 sc2tog, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">fasten off with a 10" tail, using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">weave in ends.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><br /></i>
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">attach pom pom to top of hat.</i><br />
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<i>optional loop:</i><br />
<i>fold hat in half, attach yarn to the top left corner of ribbing, ch 10, sl st to first ch, tie knot with starting tail and weave in ends.</i></div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-76050054161174590712014-11-10T12:00:00.000-06:002014-11-10T12:00:01.375-06:00advent calendar garland: crochet stockings<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMnASPkFXc0/VF_7jX83N5I/AAAAAAAAD2s/XOvTTwfDQ2o/s1600/stockings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMnASPkFXc0/VF_7jX83N5I/AAAAAAAAD2s/XOvTTwfDQ2o/s1600/stockings.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
I sorta mixed-n-matched some patterns to make a stocking. I used the basic starting point of the mittens (<a href="http://candicecharlson.blogspot.com/2014/11/advent-calendar-garland-crochet-mittens.html">check out the previous post here for the pattern</a>), but didn't increase for the thumb part of the hand. when it was long enough to my liking, I did the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBbCl6SovrE">heel</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNVZZTJ-TIQ">toe </a>like Yolanda demonstrates in her Christmas stocking video tutorials. you'll need 7 stockings for the garland.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upS_YD4to2k/VF_7jlQv3xI/AAAAAAAAD2w/6w9-tTNGc_s/s1600/WP_20141109_16_14_54_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upS_YD4to2k/VF_7jlQv3xI/AAAAAAAAD2w/6w9-tTNGc_s/s1600/WP_20141109_16_14_54_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>stocking pattern</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>ribbing:</i><br />
<i>ch 7, 1 sc into back <u>bump</u> of 2nd ch from hook and following 5 sts, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>1 sc into back <b>loop </b>of each st across, ch 1 turn. repeat for 20 more rows.</i><br />
<i>fold ribbing in half and sl st closed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>body of stocking:</i><br />
<i>use the same color yarn or attach new color.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, make 24 sc sts, equally spaced, around the top edge of ribbing, sl st to join round.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, sc into each stitch around, sl st to join. repeat for 8 more rounds.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>heel:</i><br />
<i>use the same color yarn or attach new color.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, sc into 12 sts, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>sc2tog into first 2 sts, 1 sc into each st across, sc2tog into last 2 sts, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>repeat decreasing row until you have 4 sts left.</i><br />
<i>2 sc into first st, 1 sc into each st across, 2 sc into last st, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>repeat increasing row until you have 12 sts again, ch 1 turn.</i><br />
<i>1 sc into all 12 sts across.</i><br />
<i>fold heel in half, right sides facing, and sl st or whip stitch seams together. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>foot:</i><br />
<i>use the same color yarn or pick up yarn from before the start of the heel.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, sc around ankle and heel (24 sts), sl st to join, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>1 sc into each st around, sl st to join, ch 1 and turn. repeat for 6 more rounds.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>toe:</i><br />
<i>use the same color yarn or attach new color.</i><br />
<i>ch 1, *1 sc into first 4 sts, sc2tog. repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>*1 sc into 3 sts, sc2tog. repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>*1 sc into 2 sts, sc2tog. repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>*1 sc into 1 st, sc2tog. repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1 and turn.</i><br />
<i>sc2tog 4 times, sl st to join.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">fasten off with a 10" tail, using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 4 sts and pull tight.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">weave in ends.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>optional loop:</i><br />
<i>fold stocking in half with heel on the left side, attach yarn to the top left corner of ribbing, ch 10, sl st to first ch, tie knot with starting tail and weave in ends.</i></div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-46097317321701367102014-11-09T17:39:00.001-06:002014-11-09T17:39:03.915-06:00advent calendar garland: crochet mittens<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Exgi_Iwx90Q/VF_5FMiYqQI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/czoG2Dl_OE4/s1600/mittens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Exgi_Iwx90Q/VF_5FMiYqQI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/czoG2Dl_OE4/s1600/mittens.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
I saw a mini mitten garland in one of the shops on the Strand in Galveston and thought along with some stockings and hats, it would make a cute little advent calendar.</div>
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I started crocheting November 1st, my goal to make one a day so by December 1st it would be ready to go. I always cram too much into my holiday seasons, why would being pregnant, having an ill household, and house hunting make the slightest difference in the workload I put on myself? :\ so far it's going okay, though. one a day is definitely a doable goal.</div>
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I'm using up leftover scraps from my yarn stash, other stuff I had on hand, and the patterns are free. this project mostly cost me my time in the evenings while I watch TV, so besides it coming along to be <i>adorable</i>, it is practically free and I love that! :)</div>
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so this first pattern is mittens. you'll only need 6 of these. I would say this is the more difficult of the patterns, so once you learn this one the rest will come easier.<br />
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the preschool size mittens pattern from <a href="http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/109505.aspx">CrochetMe</a> is what I'm using. I usually prefer videos, but this written pattern is easy enough to follow. I think hers is worked in a continuous circle from the way it's written, but the copy I have below is written so that each round is joined. it's still basically the same, I just typed it out so it was easier for me to work from.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1whcjEpdKA/VF_5FfVLO8I/AAAAAAAAD2c/XNGv4PxQRP8/s1600/WP_20141109_16_13_43_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1whcjEpdKA/VF_5FfVLO8I/AAAAAAAAD2c/XNGv4PxQRP8/s1600/WP_20141109_16_13_43_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>mitten pattern</i></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ribbing:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 7, 1 sc into back <u>bump</u> of 2nd ch from hook and following 5 sts, ch 1 and turn.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1 sc into back loop of each st across, ch 1 turn. repeat for 19 more rows.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>fold ribbing in half and sl st closed.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>body of mitten:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, make 23 sc sts, equally spaced, around the top edge of ribbing, sl st to join.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each of the next 10 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 9 sts, sl st to join.</i></span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each of the next 11 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 10 sts, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each of the next 12 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 11 sts, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1,1 sc into each of the next 13 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 12 sts, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each of the next 14 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 13 sts, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each of the next 12 sts, skip the next 10 sts (for thumb), 1 sc into each of the next 11 sts, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>repeat previous round for 9 more rounds.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, [1 sc into each of the next 6 sts, sctog] 2 times, 1 sc into each of the next 5 sts, sc2tog, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, [1 sc into each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 4 times, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, sc2tog 8 times, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>fasten off with a 10" tail, using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>weave in ends.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>thumb:</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>join yarn to any thumb stitch and make 10 sc stitches around, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, 1 sc into each st around, sl st to join. repeat for 5 more rows.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ch 1, sc2tog 5 times, sl st to join.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>fasten off with a 10" tail, and using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 5 sts and pull tight.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>weave in ends.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>optional loop:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>fold mitten in half with thumb on the right side, attach yarn to the top left corner of ribbing, ch 10, sl st to first ch, tie knot with starting tail and weave in ends.</i></span></div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-27964196229869166532014-11-06T00:00:00.002-06:002014-11-06T00:00:04.197-06:00April 20th, 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-580BYH1Ka4k/VBjDivthcHI/AAAAAAAADzw/Wh7HgUfrHsg/s1600/WP_20140916_17_48_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-580BYH1Ka4k/VBjDivthcHI/AAAAAAAADzw/Wh7HgUfrHsg/s1600/WP_20140916_17_48_17_Pro.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">so this is what #3 looks like at 9 weeks :) I've been so sick and haven't felt like doing <i>anything</i>, so this is coming really, super-de-duper late. I'm 16 weeks now and am finally feeling better. it's felt like ages, but I almost feel normal now.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollar Tree pregnancy test - got my money's worth.</td></tr>
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I started feeling pregnant a couple of weeks before I got a positive on a home pregnancy test, so I wasn't surprised, but it was still exciting to see the line show up. I left it out where I knew Matt would find it, and he was thrilled - it's all he can do to not tell everyone he comes in contact with as soon as he knows we're expecting, which I know was very difficult for him while a lot of his family were in town recently.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last, big, disgusting thing I ate before morning sickness moved in and kept anything good from entering my stomach.</td></tr>
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food became tricky by week 4. nothing sounded good and anything I did manage to choke down didn't sit right. salad was alright, but not filling or satisfying at all. I tried to eat small amounts of different things, which worked okay for a few days, then I would start craving one thing and burn myself out on it. I never felt like I craved much with my first two pregnancies, but this time I actually, <i>really </i>wanted those giant pickles, and ate pickle after pickle. I just kept shoveling them away to the point that at the end of the jar I wanted to drink the juice - this has never been appealing to me. ever. I did stop myself because I could only think how dehydrated I would be after! I also tried some pickle flavored Lays... I do not recommend these. apples seem to be my only friend right now.<br />
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I think Jack senses his role as the baby coming to an end because I've been getting more cuddles and random kisses from him. he also wants to lay on my stomach - I didn't like that one so much when I was feeling like I was about to toss my cookies (which was all the time), but I tried to stand it as long as I could because there won't be room for him there much longer, and by the time there is room again, he might not be interested in sitting in my lap :(<br />
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I was trying not to say too much to Leo about it early on since he has such a good memory and repeats <i>everything </i>he hears, but now I try to talk more with him about the new baby because he understands more of what's going on than Jack does, and I'd like him to be prepared for another sibling.<br />
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stuff-wise, we are set if this is a boy, but we are totally at odds on boy name choices so I'm really hoping it's a girl this time! we just have to wait a few more weeks to see. luckily we're at the end of the year when the weeks just fly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UycSQeEGa1c/VFfMg0tDWmI/AAAAAAAAD1s/_TQl36zxifc/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UycSQeEGa1c/VFfMg0tDWmI/AAAAAAAAD1s/_TQl36zxifc/s1600/16.jpg" height="320" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 weeks</td></tr>
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-12019992708245800902014-09-11T00:00:00.001-05:002014-09-11T00:00:01.697-05:00there's no crying is baseball<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Leo is in his first Pee Wee Tee-Ball league. he was so excited about it when we signed him up - he told me about it almost everyday. he had two practices before the game and did so much better than I thought he would... for the first one. then when it was time to go to practice again he was not on board. he cried the whole time :( then the next day at the game he screamed "I don't want to play!" for about 30 minutes straight. we decided to leave early and spare everyone else there from listening to him cry for the next hour.</div>
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he told us all weekend after the game that he didn't want to play in the next game and that he just wanted to watch. we said okay, but that he had to go. there was no fit throwing, so that was a start. Matt was able to get him to sit in the dugout and be quiet, then he agreed to toss the ball a little before the game, and before we knew it he was on the field and ready to play.<br />
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he got a little upset at the end when he was in the field and didn't get to catch the ball every time, but the snack in the car on the way home fixed that. he told me he wasn't going to play again, so I guess we'll have to work on him before every practice and game!</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-9342431243913629252014-08-28T00:00:00.000-05:002014-08-28T00:00:06.161-05:00little fingerprints<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RVazuIvCq4/U_5EAq8qrKI/AAAAAAAADy8/oISwdoSqroU/s1600/fingerprints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RVazuIvCq4/U_5EAq8qrKI/AAAAAAAADy8/oISwdoSqroU/s1600/fingerprints.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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we made fingerprint gifts for Nana's birthday. the boys just love painting, so I didn't need to twist their arms or bribe them to help me make these. they do have their limit on how long they'll let me paint their fingers and press them onto things before they try to take over, though!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5oImNM1StA/U_5D-eJ-dpI/AAAAAAAADyk/wgvflE20Hs8/s1600/WP_20140827_15_19_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5oImNM1StA/U_5D-eJ-dpI/AAAAAAAADyk/wgvflE20Hs8/s1600/WP_20140827_15_19_56_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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we painted a cute ceramic mug I found at Target with Martha Stewart opaque glass paint and then baked it in the oven. I bought extra mugs just in case, and I'm glad I did! I thought a grey mug with mostly white prints and some color here and there would be cute, but for some reason the white did not work well at all :\ so I went with just the color paints on the white mug and they worked great.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYXg9pzjS2E/U_5D-hwk9FI/AAAAAAAADyc/Dk9Q3TymdgE/s1600/WP_20140827_15_22_34_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYXg9pzjS2E/U_5D-hwk9FI/AAAAAAAADyc/Dk9Q3TymdgE/s1600/WP_20140827_15_22_34_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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while we had momentum going we did a picture frame with regular acrylic paints. I'm hoping to get a good picture of the boys at my sister-in-law's wedding this weekend to put in the frame!</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xnfwVpCpMM/U_5D-u9UmRI/AAAAAAAADyg/Dnq-TmKPTVA/s1600/WP_20140827_15_23_56_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brVtFevSyuc/U_5D_zigQPI/AAAAAAAADy0/ZdEcWJ2r3DA/s1600/WP_20140827_15_24_32_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
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I was going to have the boys make a card, but decided to decorate a plain white bag that doubles as a birthday card instead. this was a two day project...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdChf8SEU6E/U_5E89UqasI/AAAAAAAADzE/CzgX2TBx1-0/s1600/WP_20140827_15_23_56_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdChf8SEU6E/U_5E89UqasI/AAAAAAAADzE/CzgX2TBx1-0/s1600/WP_20140827_15_23_56_Pro__highres.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
but I really love the balloons :)</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-51943021647939739762014-08-21T00:00:00.000-05:002015-12-12T19:21:33.631-06:00corner to corner triangle shawl<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0vWflVYIpY/U_J3iIRENRI/AAAAAAAADxw/PI2DQddgmvw/s1600/corner%2Bto%2Bcorner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0vWflVYIpY/U_J3iIRENRI/AAAAAAAADxw/PI2DQddgmvw/s1600/corner%2Bto%2Bcorner.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I crocheted this shawl for a friend of mine using the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNrS4s5C8vc">corner to corner afghan tutorial</a> from The Crochet Crowd, with 4 skeins of Caron Simply Soft yarn, and a 6mm hook.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxjH3iY29kY/U_Jwp4ZQlCI/AAAAAAAADxY/rBHBXTPLyaw/s1600/shawl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxjH3iY29kY/U_Jwp4ZQlCI/AAAAAAAADxY/rBHBXTPLyaw/s1600/shawl1.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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I've made scarves with this pattern in the past, but this is the first time I've used a solid color yarn. with variegated yarn the focus is the patchwork of color, so I never noticed before the cool texture it makes!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tb7ufY5m2-8/U_Jw0-HyDiI/AAAAAAAADxg/bfu76uKumQc/s1600/texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tb7ufY5m2-8/U_Jw0-HyDiI/AAAAAAAADxg/bfu76uKumQc/s1600/texture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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instead of a rectangle or a square, I did a triangle. I just increased like the pattern says to, and when I thought it was long enough I simply didn't decrease back down to the other corner. I did a scallop around the two straight edges to match the "unfinished" long edge, but this is totally optional and I think I'd skip it if I did this one again.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fa30Qriq1vM?rel=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
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if watching a video isn't your thing, here's a link to a written pattern provided by Artiamus Imura: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5VpWoPJzIyxQnh4eWJzbjY3bDQ/view">Corner to Corner Triangle Shawl</a></div>
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-80002829851406117472014-08-14T00:00:00.001-05:002014-08-14T00:00:00.640-05:00crochet slippers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDWLguiOrL8/U9k33FV0zRI/AAAAAAAADwo/Od5mwxLH6Zw/s1600/crochet+slippers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDWLguiOrL8/U9k33FV0zRI/AAAAAAAADwo/Od5mwxLH6Zw/s1600/crochet+slippers.JPG" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
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yeah... it's WAY too hot for slippers right now, but I've been thinking about fall to take myself to a cooler place this summer, so I made these slippers for my mom (surprise, mom!). I think they came out pretty cute for just kinda winging it :) I took inspiration from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151154265/womens-crochet-flats-slippers-heather?ref=listing-0">these slippers on Etsy from daisychain</a> - I love the big buttons and contrasting colors she uses.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7gx-1kw-8/U9k4HGxakdI/AAAAAAAADww/j9nZSsPP6Q8/s1600/WP_20140728_17_50_20_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7gx-1kw-8/U9k4HGxakdI/AAAAAAAADww/j9nZSsPP6Q8/s1600/WP_20140728_17_50_20_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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here is a <a href="http://www.2createincolor.com/2013/04/22/basic-crochet-slipper-pattern/">basic slipper pattern</a> from 2 create in color. I did mine in single crochet and I did rounds instead of a going in a spiral around the toe, but the shape and construction is the same as all other basic crochet slippers. I used <a href="http://www.michaels.com/red-heart-soft-yarn/M10111162.html?dwvar_M10111162_color=seafoam#q=red+heart+soft&start=2">Red Heart Soft</a> in Sea Foam, with a 4.25 mm hook which gives it a more dense feeling.</div>
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toe:</div>
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make a magic ring</div>
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round 1: ch 2, 9 dc into magic ring, sl st to join, pull ring tight - 10 sts</div>
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round 2: ch 1, 2 sc into each st around, sl st to join - 20 sts</div>
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round 3: ch 1, sc increase into every other st around, sl st. to join - 30 sts</div>
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(make more increase rounds to accommodate the width of your foot.)</div>
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round 4: ch 1, sc into each st around, sl st to join - 30 sts (or maintain the amount of sts you have after you finish the increase rounds)</div>
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repeat round 4 until you have the toe of your slipper as long as you want minus 1/2" for the edging.</div>
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sides and sole:</div>
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row 1: ch 1, sc into each st across, leaving the last sts un-worked for the opening across the top of the foot (I left about 2"), ch 1 and turn.</div>
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row 2: sc into each st across, ch 1 and turn.</div>
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repeat row 2 until you reach your heel - you will want this to be a little snug so it doesn't slip off your heel, but not pulled so tight it cramps your toes.</div>
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sl st the heel closed and turn right side out.</div>
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edging:</div>
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round 1: attach yarn at the center of the top of the foot, ch 1, sc around the edge, sl st to join.</div>
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round 2: ch 1, sc until you reach the side of the slipper, then sc2tog every other st until you reach the toe again, then sc to the end and sl st to join.</div>
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toe strap:</div>
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while standing, measure from the ground at the ball of your foot to where you want your button to go on the top and make a chain that length.</div>
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row 1: ch 2, hdc into each st across, hdc 4 more times into the last ch, and hdc down the other side of the ch, ch 2 and turn.</div>
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row 2: hdc into each st, and 2 hdc into each of the 5 sts on the center of the curve, then hdc into each st back down the other side, ch 1 and turn.</div>
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row 3: sc into each st, and 2 sc into each of the 6 sts on the center of the curve, then sc unto each st back down the other side.</div>
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row 4: change colors (optional), ch 1, sc into each st around.</div>
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attach strap to the slipper and sew on button. this is easiest to measure while the slipper is on.</div>
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I felt like the large button was a very important element, so I had to give the illusion of a bigger button by making a crochet circle to frame the smaller buttons I had. this was done the same as the very beginning of the slipper, but I squeezed 13 double crochets into the ring instead of only 10 to make a little crochet disc that I could nest the buttons into.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rrhr-HqzNwA/U9k5cwFDB_I/AAAAAAAADw8/j55K1kABGP4/s1600/WP_20140728_17_56_36_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rrhr-HqzNwA/U9k5cwFDB_I/AAAAAAAADw8/j55K1kABGP4/s1600/WP_20140728_17_56_36_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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only 3 hot months left before it's time to cover up chilly feet.... yes, you have plenty of time to make yourself a pair ;)</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-76834173624832391192014-08-07T00:00:00.000-05:002014-08-07T00:00:04.742-05:00cotton candy fails<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4_kfL6p4-k/U9knI9UAHAI/AAAAAAAADuo/sGDN4srJUqo/s1600/cotton+candy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4_kfL6p4-k/U9knI9UAHAI/AAAAAAAADuo/sGDN4srJUqo/s1600/cotton+candy.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
I saw some videos on youtube of people making cotton candy (which I love) and thought it looked fun and easy. Groupon sent me a $10 off of $20 coupon, and they just happen to have a cotton candy machine, so I gave it a go.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hi5OvWpf0DQ/U9knYPYyYyI/AAAAAAAADuw/-o1zE9YO9gs/s1600/sugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hi5OvWpf0DQ/U9knYPYyYyI/AAAAAAAADuw/-o1zE9YO9gs/s1600/sugar.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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regular sugar worked up to be fluffy, but it wasn't as soft and fluffy as regular cotton candy - sort of had a stiff glassy texture. it also has a flavor that tasted like it was starting to burn. but the boys liked it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTh7LasAYAw/U9kndaKOD2I/AAAAAAAADu4/akoYAbtNiMw/s1600/kool+aid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTh7LasAYAw/U9kndaKOD2I/AAAAAAAADu4/akoYAbtNiMw/s1600/kool+aid.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I added some watermelon Kool-aid to regular sugar and that was kinda hit and miss - mostly miss. it was a crunchy tube most of the time. but the boys still liked that, too.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tx2qCJHjEPU/U9knre_JdmI/AAAAAAAADvM/Cy09EDUJ1bk/s1600/mint.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xper_pgIO88/U9knqcz8qPI/AAAAAAAADvA/82tSP2OVoo0/s1600/coffee+grinder.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-de6Zmyzu4QE/U9knrGJb2pI/AAAAAAAADvE/jQJfiN_nY8g/s1600/crushed.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
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I tried grinding up some candy canes and peppermints in the coffee grinder, which gave mixed results.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XlNPWKfJIs/U9kn7Gz80CI/AAAAAAAADvY/frVXUlvj958/s1600/choc+peppermint+candy+cane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XlNPWKfJIs/U9kn7Gz80CI/AAAAAAAADvY/frVXUlvj958/s1600/choc+peppermint+candy+cane.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I had chocolate peppermint candy canes which probably worked the best texture-wise. this one was the most like regular cotton candy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2rOBrmliJg/U9koHCS3a-I/AAAAAAAADvg/z0w-E9X-WKs/s1600/peppermint+candy+cane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2rOBrmliJg/U9koHCS3a-I/AAAAAAAADvg/z0w-E9X-WKs/s1600/peppermint+candy+cane.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
the regular peppermint candy cane had that glassy texture, and wouldn't stick to the stick after it got to a certain size - probably the biggest fail.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUOIvXwSCs/U9koVaGOBCI/AAAAAAAADvo/omgkRu6oBHI/s1600/starlight+mint+-+crushed.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUOIvXwSCs/U9koVaGOBCI/AAAAAAAADvo/omgkRu6oBHI/s1600/starlight+mint+-+crushed.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOuEMOaCUcA/U9ko4NUTTQI/AAAAAAAADv0/OEZpmHSppmo/s1600/whole+mints.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jS5o5m53_M/U9ko33-sfOI/AAAAAAAADvw/YH3usxOdg68/s1600/starlight+mint+-+whole.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">crushed mints whole mints</span></div>
I tried peppermints ground up and just by themselves, and I think I like keeping the candy whole rather than grinding it up, but it still got to a point that it let loose of the stick and I couldn't turn it around to gather the floss anymore.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SQ24-N2EAs/U9kqBE18CyI/AAAAAAAADwI/QIgWbkg--jk/s1600/WP_20140722_09_36_55_Pro.jpg" height="148" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vh9HEWAEycY/U9kp4Jo9YmI/AAAAAAAADwA/m2O6R5qUUGQ/s1600/WP_20140722_09_50_02_Pro.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></div>
I don't like peppermints, but this was a more enjoyable way to eat them because it was light and the flavor wasn't as strong. the boys liked these mint ones at first, but when I offered them more they declined, and Jack actually handed it back to me. maybe this is more of a peppermint-lover or adult kinda cotton candy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5mPuY4-Cbo/U9kqMQe42kI/AAAAAAAADwQ/AIGYUFGlpQI/s1600/candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5mPuY4-Cbo/U9kqMQe42kI/AAAAAAAADwQ/AIGYUFGlpQI/s1600/candy.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I got some Jolly Ranchers and used two whole candies at a time like with the peppermints. I wanted to try them because I'd seen other people have success with them in their machines, but my machine temp must be different because it just never really worked right :( I tried crushing the candy to see if that helped and it wasn't any better. tasted great, but it was more like batten insulation than cotton candy - it clung to the stick and became dense the more that was wound on the stick, so the center was crispy by the time it was finished.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQnAb99JyP4/U9kqYAgEz7I/AAAAAAAADwY/7R16BTSs0Is/s1600/jolly+ranchers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQnAb99JyP4/U9kqYAgEz7I/AAAAAAAADwY/7R16BTSs0Is/s1600/jolly+ranchers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I think I'll try finding some other hard candies and see what happens with those. I'm also wondering if a larger bowl would help... or maybe this machine just isn't so great. I dunno - we'll see if I come back to it! I might be more inspired as the weather gets cooler to try and mess with it again.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-29113858371406934902014-07-31T00:00:00.001-05:002014-07-31T00:00:04.647-05:00car cookies<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyXO3cBuxFE/U9k7XkYbwHI/AAAAAAAADxI/-FMn4JeIcAo/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyXO3cBuxFE/U9k7XkYbwHI/AAAAAAAADxI/-FMn4JeIcAo/s1600/cookies.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
I saw <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Dashboard-baking/?utm_content=buffer4a6c6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">this instructable</a> for dashboard baking and thought it was a great idea! it's an idea that's been around for a while, but somehow I've never seen it. anyway, it's WAY too hot to bake anything in the house from May-October, but I could go for some baking in the car. it's an oven that's already always going, and your car smells like fresh baked cookies, so I just had to try it and see.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htSlnDW4F20/U9kdMUtWG0I/AAAAAAAADs8/LBwDCt8r2-E/s1600/WP_20140724_13_04_36_Pro.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I grabbed some chocolate chip cookie dough and set up my car for baking.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wbtsoJUakA/U9kdcr1p2EI/AAAAAAAADtM/1XQ66vxKoBU/s1600/WP_20140724_13_11_33_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJw81KwMpCE/U9kdc3ZpZbI/AAAAAAAADtI/QL5baKBY_LU/s1600/WP_20140724_13_11_42_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
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I did a pan by itself, and one with the reflective sun screen thing around it just to see if it made a difference.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpOEa2bUSqY/U9keKyhwfJI/AAAAAAAADtc/NI9nj0-7Q9Q/s1600/WP_20140724_14_07_05_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itIcJpJEA9Q/U9keLLEicoI/AAAAAAAADtg/a6hHDC-jLHQ/s1600/WP_20140724_14_07_13_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
after 1 hour this is how they looked and the 150°F was holding steady - couldn't really tell a difference between the two pans.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQn7hN8QVCY/U9kfU7_Br2I/AAAAAAAADtw/4LQo9ewlrkE/s1600/WP_20140724_15_09_57_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-600H9-Vwjsk/U9kfVU_OSaI/AAAAAAAADt0/FAbANdFJ7G8/s1600/WP_20140724_15_10_12_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
after 2 hours they looked a little more cooked, but not quite done yet. I think the pan with the reflector looked slightly more done at this point.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k923kuxTpZw/U9kfitthfTI/AAAAAAAADuA/tcnV3d98l7w/s1600/WP_20140724_16_17_31_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v23Qk-cpoO4/U9kfi7o8LqI/AAAAAAAADuE/IQ29CKdHpWg/s1600/WP_20140724_16_17_44_Pro.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></div>
after 3 hours - no real difference between pans - temp still holding.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuRopTlLJxU/U9kftE47V6I/AAAAAAAADuQ/G3O_mZmuMq0/s1600/WP_20140725_16_36_55_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuRopTlLJxU/U9kftE47V6I/AAAAAAAADuQ/G3O_mZmuMq0/s1600/WP_20140725_16_36_55_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I pulled them out at 4 hours because they didn't look like they were changing anymore, and I needed to use the car. I was hoping to see the brown bottoms like in the Instructables picture, but they just looked more dried and had these air pockets underneath... which kinda puzzled me. they had a caramelized texture/flavor on the outside but were chewy on the inside, and they didn't feel or taste under-cooked.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jItDn4Nz8g/U9kfy0CUjHI/AAAAAAAADuY/sdRSKAw0Gc4/s1600/WP_20140725_16_37_19_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jItDn4Nz8g/U9kfy0CUjHI/AAAAAAAADuY/sdRSKAw0Gc4/s1600/WP_20140725_16_37_19_Pro.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I think if I wanted a more traditional cooked cookie I'd just put my toaster oven out on the patio and bake them that way if I didn't want to heat up the house in the future, but it was a cool experiment and they still tasted just fine - we ate them all that afternoon!</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-41299394128057287192014-07-24T00:00:00.001-05:002014-07-24T00:00:04.828-05:00quilt-as-you-go<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUbZP1nYav0/U8xg3ctkqoI/AAAAAAAADrs/ZmN8e117An0/s1600/quilt-as-you-go.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUbZP1nYav0/U8xg3ctkqoI/AAAAAAAADrs/ZmN8e117An0/s1600/quilt-as-you-go.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I made a toddler size quilt out of some fabric that already had a pieced look to it. the fabric I was given wasn't big enough to be the top by itself, so I added more squares to it and tried <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKD3aI6slff-7QIng3U3Nn8Ikmr7dQvWU">quilt as you go</a> with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji8BLS2rNHA">this joining method from the Gourmet Quilter</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYKg91VrZPg/U8xSSB5nRCI/AAAAAAAADrc/LwMIaXMIwAc/s1600/WP_20140717_10_13_14_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYKg91VrZPg/U8xSSB5nRCI/AAAAAAAADrc/LwMIaXMIwAc/s1600/WP_20140717_10_13_14_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not a rainbow and bright colors kinda person, but I really like making bold colored quilts like this, especially paired with black to make everything pop.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9xAEp-rUQY/U8xhfH_ClxI/AAAAAAAADr0/F9W4XlGRJqI/s1600/WP_20140720_18_47_25_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9xAEp-rUQY/U8xhfH_ClxI/AAAAAAAADr0/F9W4XlGRJqI/s1600/WP_20140720_18_47_25_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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compared to traditional quilting like I did on my <a href="http://candicecharlson.blogspot.com/2014/05/crazy-quilt.html">crazy quilt</a>, it's definitely easier to work on smaller squares to join them up later. it's also a great way to use up smaller pieces of fabric because you don't have to have a large solid backing, and you have the option for a reversible quilt. this would make a great group project as well. so many wins for this one! I will keep this in mind for future quilts.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIZOlLu8k1g/U8xii7cOdSI/AAAAAAAADsA/PPCovFRIo8U/s1600/WP_20140720_18_49_14_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIZOlLu8k1g/U8xii7cOdSI/AAAAAAAADsA/PPCovFRIo8U/s1600/WP_20140720_18_49_14_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-8493636471926988622014-07-17T00:00:00.000-05:002014-07-17T00:00:04.959-05:00pillowcase dresses<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILTO4atkCKk/U77PiStPtzI/AAAAAAAADpQ/3l-P3gykoM4/s1600/pillowcase+dresses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILTO4atkCKk/U77PiStPtzI/AAAAAAAADpQ/3l-P3gykoM4/s1600/pillowcase+dresses.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I helped make pillowcase dresses that went to Colombia earlier this week. we completed 84 - yay us! these are very simple to make and super cute. Hobby Lobby has an <a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/Projects/Featured/548/Learn-to-Sew-Pillowcase-Dress">easy to follow video</a> on making these, and a <a href="http://projects.hobbylobby.com/media/Learn-To-Sew-Pillowcase-Dress.pdf">size chart </a>for size 2T up to 8.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaaAwIlyTes/U8QVS3XiIHI/AAAAAAAADqQ/URRuYlYkOLs/s1600/group+7.12.14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaaAwIlyTes/U8QVS3XiIHI/AAAAAAAADqQ/URRuYlYkOLs/s1600/group+7.12.14.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I surged the raw edges and turned them under instead of using bias tape under the arms because I wanted to crank out as many as possible. don't panic if it looks bunched up and funny after sewing the fabric under the arms - once it's ironed it lays flat and it's fine.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvg284hSEs/U8QVMk3HZxI/AAAAAAAADpw/-6L5H51LkOU/s1600/step+(1).jpg" height="150" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whzqyU3-35U/U8QVOrXbdaI/AAAAAAAADp8/FQ3DjmHzphY/s1600/step+(2).jpg" height="150" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGiUnT2jTLA/U8QVQTHGiWI/AAAAAAAADqE/Va8FJA7hXf8/s1600/step+(3).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></div>
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something else I do different than the pattern is making the ties come out the center back of the casing instead of tying at the shoulder. I thought it'd be harder for the younger ones to try to pull at the bow if they couldn't easily reach it, but the strap can be shifted to tie at the shoulder for the older ones that dress themselves.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hltpEzk5RQI/U8Qel-iTwRI/AAAAAAAADrM/C23uYtN1Ex4/s1600/WP_20140710_13_52_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hltpEzk5RQI/U8Qel-iTwRI/AAAAAAAADrM/C23uYtN1Ex4/s1600/WP_20140710_13_52_56_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the deal was cookies for a picture, and to not tell daddy what we did that afternoon!</td></tr>
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I iron down the top edge 1", open it up and mark two lines within the casing, and sew a rectangle in the back seam making sure to reinforce at the top and bottom so the seam doesn't come undone.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpLEnB-BbgU/U8QVTXGjifI/AAAAAAAADqY/WQZFUHZqICY/s1600/step+(5).jpg" height="150" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Uq3CSKH4oI/U8QVUjz_hOI/AAAAAAAADqk/ErqkCsbo01c/s1600/step+(6).jpg" height="150" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIZdWW1aA04/U8QVWEkLdeI/AAAAAAAADqs/UO9dx9LTPiI/s1600/step+(7).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></div>
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I separate the seam and clip the stitches within the rectangle I just sewed to make the opening for the strap ends to come out of, then stitch the casing down.</div>
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ9e0igkpqg/U8QVWdrOf9I/AAAAAAAADqw/KeFmWVN4A2s/s1600/step+(8).jpg" height="150" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68iV_csIgI4/U8QVXBlnmXI/AAAAAAAADq4/avZX0x-mo-g/s1600/step+(9).jpg" height="150" width="200" /> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mU5j0LdB9S8/U77TpINGX_I/AAAAAAAADpc/3dBAaJBmmPE/s1600/WP_20140710_12_51_54_Pro.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></div>
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these are the cute projects I miss out on when only having boys, so hopefully there are some girls in our future so I don't scar my sons with memories of trying on girlie things...even if it is for a good cause ;)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--MDjpmgpgp0/U8QVLvTneaI/AAAAAAAADps/0w2wxuXeulA/s1600/WP_20140711_18_26_45_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--MDjpmgpgp0/U8QVLvTneaI/AAAAAAAADps/0w2wxuXeulA/s1600/WP_20140711_18_26_45_Pro.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-80862374689316743912014-07-10T00:00:00.000-05:002014-07-10T00:00:01.965-05:00seed beads and jump rings bracelet<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ncr7NYk1YaY/U7rR4mvqQJI/AAAAAAAADoc/G1oWGYjjazA/s1600/seed+beads+and+jump+rings+bracelet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ncr7NYk1YaY/U7rR4mvqQJI/AAAAAAAADoc/G1oWGYjjazA/s1600/seed+beads+and+jump+rings+bracelet.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I got a bracelet from a wool shop in Ireland that I just love. I did a search and found out Lesley from <a href="http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.ca/p/tutorials.html">The Gossiping Goddess</a> came up with this one (it's at the bottom of her tutorial page).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdgkjpcLaLM/U7rTD4kN1AI/AAAAAAAADpA/jup0EvDRYcM/s1600/ireland+hi-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdgkjpcLaLM/U7rTD4kN1AI/AAAAAAAADpA/jup0EvDRYcM/s1600/ireland+hi-res.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I love how it feels, so I thought I'd try to make another like it... but I ended up making quite a few!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS_9vzCBlOE/U7rSKNxh-cI/AAAAAAAADos/XzmxVglDHO8/s1600/all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS_9vzCBlOE/U7rSKNxh-cI/AAAAAAAADos/XzmxVglDHO8/s1600/all.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used 6/0 seed beads and 4mm jump rings, which were the closest to the suggested sizes I could find. because the jump rings were so small the cording needed to be thin. I tried embroidery floss and hemp cord - I like the feel of the embroidery floss, but the hemp cord might hold up better.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOHJug1wrqs/U7rSKFhE28I/AAAAAAAADoo/ep2IoG9lgwA/s1600/stretch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOHJug1wrqs/U7rSKFhE28I/AAAAAAAADoo/ep2IoG9lgwA/s1600/stretch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also did a few with stretch cord, but they were a little trickier - I like the seamless look and how easy they are to put on, though.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-87351821254350980742014-06-26T00:00:00.000-05:002014-06-26T00:00:01.830-05:00hats and booties for Nigeria<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9IcNZTYWjOo/U6CQc41uIkI/AAAAAAAADng/v1WRZFw-iEI/s1600/Hat+and+booties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9IcNZTYWjOo/U6CQc41uIkI/AAAAAAAADng/v1WRZFw-iEI/s1600/Hat+and+booties.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
the sewing group I'm in sends newborn hats and booties to <a href="http://www.acalltoafrica.com/">The Eku Hospital in Nigeria</a>. these are the patterns that I like to use:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlxjpd0kpow/U6CQdgkFdTI/AAAAAAAADnk/JX0Vnrz8s88/s1600/booties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlxjpd0kpow/U6CQdgkFdTI/AAAAAAAADnk/JX0Vnrz8s88/s1600/booties.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdqBe9mz3X0&feature=youtu.be">Booties pattern by Paula Daniele from Crochet Hooks You</a>. these are pretty simple to do, and they look great. she does her double crochet 2 together different, but I'm sure any way will do fine.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-266dr7aRkOQ/U6CQfVE36aI/AAAAAAAADnw/nqnLibq_g38/s1600/hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-266dr7aRkOQ/U6CQfVE36aI/AAAAAAAADnw/nqnLibq_g38/s1600/hat.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't seem to find the exact hat pattern I use from memory, but it could be that the pattern in my head is a mixture of a bunch of different hats I've made!</div>
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round 1: make a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9x0hWfP69s">magic circle</a>, ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), dc 9 times into loop, sl st into top of ch 2 to join, pull tail tight to close hole (10 sts)</div>
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round 2: ch 2, dc into same st, 2dc into each st around, sl st into top of ch 2 to join (20 sts)</div>
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round 3: ch 2, dc into same st, *dc into next st, 2 dc into next st, repeat from * to end, sl st into top of ch 2 to join (30 sts)</div>
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round 4: ch 2, dc into same st, *dc into next two sts, 2 dc into next st, repeat from * to end, sl st into top of ch 2 to join (40 sts)</div>
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round 5: ch 2, dc into each st around, sl st into top of ch 2 to join (40 sts)</div>
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repeat round 5 until desired length is reached (I did 7" to have enough for a cuff), fasten off, and weave in ends.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YN2SZhO6llM/U6CTv206z5I/AAAAAAAADn8/00QuYsEygvY/s1600/WP_20140612_08_26_07_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YN2SZhO6llM/U6CTv206z5I/AAAAAAAADn8/00QuYsEygvY/s1600/WP_20140612_08_26_07_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've attached buttons, flowers, and bows to the hats I've made, but they can definitely stay plain and still be cute. I also use different yarns and hook sizes, so depending on what I use I check <a href="http://anniespictureperfect.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-properly-size-crochet-hats-chart.html">this chart</a> to see if the sizing is good.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-9538751874540180452014-06-19T00:00:00.000-05:002014-06-19T00:00:01.000-05:00Father's Day gifts<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkxWRDbqrUQ/U6B7-3cq41I/AAAAAAAADms/ElH9J5aNGtM/s1600/Father's+Day+Gifts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkxWRDbqrUQ/U6B7-3cq41I/AAAAAAAADms/ElH9J5aNGtM/s1600/Father's+Day+Gifts.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I saw <a href="http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Gun-Mug/product/13062610311953/">these gun mugs</a> online a while ago, and just happened to remember them while I was thinking of gift ideas for Father's Day this year.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pw6-J4V4M_Q/U6B8BfG2yqI/AAAAAAAADnE/gJDLBAS6Sm0/s1600/WP_20140612_11_11_52_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pw6-J4V4M_Q/U6B8BfG2yqI/AAAAAAAADnE/gJDLBAS6Sm0/s1600/WP_20140612_11_11_52_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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luckily, <a href="http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&appID=94&tab=3&storeID=39">Bass Pro</a> had them in-store, conveniently at the entrance. since we didn't have to search the store for them, the boys and I took a ride in the elevator to check out the fish and turtles, and stand by the big dead bear.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOHpmVYHxzY/U6B-NVybk-I/AAAAAAAADnQ/QjKSuVsHr6g/s1600/WP_20140610_09_54_38_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOHpmVYHxzY/U6B-NVybk-I/AAAAAAAADnQ/QjKSuVsHr6g/s1600/WP_20140610_09_54_38_Pro.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used the boxes the mugs came in as a basket, filled the mugs with jelly beans, and added beef jerky and ammo.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bEO5qu9Oeg/U6B7_bQ5mlI/AAAAAAAADmw/S0VGZy64sF8/s1600/WP_20140612_11_02_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bEO5qu9Oeg/U6B7_bQ5mlI/AAAAAAAADmw/S0VGZy64sF8/s1600/WP_20140612_11_02_15_Pro.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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this is the kind of gift <strike>basket </strike>box that I wouldn't mind getting myself!</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-42186836264590608602014-06-12T00:00:00.000-05:002014-06-12T00:00:02.601-05:0010 years<div style="text-align: justify;">
Matt and I went to Ireland for our 10th wedding anniversary. it's hard to believe it's been 10 years, but it also feels about right. what's more difficult to wrap my head around is I'm no longer a 20-something. I think that's more of a "what?!" for me than how long we've been married.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MiKLGaWRAII/U3uHqJ5d5TI/AAAAAAAADcM/IWgtnvKAXx0/s1600/IMG_4699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MiKLGaWRAII/U3uHqJ5d5TI/AAAAAAAADcM/IWgtnvKAXx0/s1600/IMG_4699.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2004</td></tr>
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when I look at our wedding photos I always think we look so young. I think that's because we were ;) I was about a week shy of 20.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UIM08Uko2Xs/U3uIDq2N5WI/AAAAAAAADcU/Hr76ZsEOw5k/s1600/DSCF0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UIM08Uko2Xs/U3uIDq2N5WI/AAAAAAAADcU/Hr76ZsEOw5k/s1600/DSCF0070.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009</td></tr>
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I think the first 5 years were the hardest - definitely seemed like the longest - but we got over ourselves and got serious about having kids (I was the foot-dragger) and it's just sorta zipped by since then.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh4Pg3XG1A0/U5ZwjeC9syI/AAAAAAAADhU/JL3t7NbsqPA/s1600/WP_20140528_20_59_49_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh4Pg3XG1A0/U5ZwjeC9syI/AAAAAAAADhU/JL3t7NbsqPA/s1600/WP_20140528_20_59_49_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way!</td></tr>
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anyway, back to our trip. we flew to Boston, grabbed some seafood (I don't remember the name of the place but I got a lobster roll that was very fresh), and dessert from <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mike's+Pastry/@42.364173,-71.054206,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x4b68ac0e50f53d16">Mike's Pastry</a> (Boston Cream pie... Matt liked it, but I thought it could use more chocolate), then flew to Dublin - longest. freakin'. day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftOPhuMCAco/U5ZxAfca1eI/AAAAAAAADhc/sJhhIPzbi3g/s1600/WP_20140529_19_25_41_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftOPhuMCAco/U5ZxAfca1eI/AAAAAAAADhc/sJhhIPzbi3g/s1600/WP_20140529_19_25_41_Pro__highres.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunboyne Castle</td></tr>
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our first castle was <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dunboyne+Castle+Hotel+and+Spa/@53.41741,-6.477427,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xffc8ae32e0797004">Dunboyne Castle</a>. the castle was mostly a big room (that we weren't allowed to go into), and the rest of the hotel was added on around it, so it was more like a swanky hotel than a castle-castle, but the garden area with walking paths were really pretty. we grabbed dinner at a really good place in town called <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Mint+Leaf/@53.4189262,-6.4774808,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48676db9fab06d2d:0x79a902da873eac9a">The Mint Leaf</a> and then crashed in our room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ch7shaFIqU0/U5ZxiRJ4WmI/AAAAAAAADho/D_-3W5tUCQY/s1600/WP_20140531_10_53_47_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ch7shaFIqU0/U5ZxiRJ4WmI/AAAAAAAADho/D_-3W5tUCQY/s1600/WP_20140531_10_53_47_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glenlo Abbey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vj0B_fvTHAg/U5Z9TLoOkEI/AAAAAAAADk4/KdxfnXT77Ow/s1600/WP_20140531_11_05_45_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vj0B_fvTHAg/U5Z9TLoOkEI/AAAAAAAADk4/KdxfnXT77Ow/s1600/WP_20140531_11_05_45_Pro__highres.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View out from our window</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glenlo+Abbey+Hotel/@53.301001,-9.095705,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x151d760f108f8405">Glenlo Abbey</a> was our 2nd stop. this one looked more like what I was expecting, but still felt like a modern hotel because of the add on, but the view from our back window was pretty cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abkgJZ6qgSo/U5Zx88ev70I/AAAAAAAADhw/9XDUWhupa34/s1600/WP_20140530_15_46_32_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abkgJZ6qgSo/U5Zx88ev70I/AAAAAAAADhw/9XDUWhupa34/s1600/WP_20140530_15_46_32_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt at the Guinness gates</td></tr>
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we went to the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Guinness+Storehouse/@53.341874,-6.286709,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xb31933927505e7a2">Guinness Storehouse</a>, then rode a horse drawn carriage around the block. I think the kids driving weren't much older than 10-12 tops! they maneuvered the tiny crowded roads very well, though.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxx5W6wwMR8/U5ZyjGdJhZI/AAAAAAAADh4/G4-3Ntj-39c/s1600/WP_20140530_20_05_42_Pro.jpg" height="200" width="150" /> <img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAHzMmrm2Kw/U5ZyjTyYi2I/AAAAAAAADh8/49y8Aab_cjw/s1600/WP_20140530_20_05_57_Pro.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oak Cellar Bar</span></div>
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I think something I liked most about the trip was going down to the castle's pubs and eating dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwEIsu5yos4/U5ZzDn3IYmI/AAAAAAAADiI/Bx0yGfyKf6k/s1600/WP_20140531_16_06_47_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwEIsu5yos4/U5ZzDn3IYmI/AAAAAAAADiI/Bx0yGfyKf6k/s1600/WP_20140531_16_06_47_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayak Polo</td></tr>
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we went to <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Galway+City+Museum/@53.269723,-9.053721,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x3aae7c7716a45a9f">Galway City Museum</a> and then walked around the shops for a little while. we stopped to watch some Kayak Polo that was going on in <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Eglington+Canal/@53.2689734,-9.057799,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x485b96fa76ec447f:0x111f66aff11e593b">Eglington Canal</a>. locals and tourists were stopping in and sitting in the grass to watch the playoffs - it was pretty cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6EypJQ6Kck/U5ZzfhFwslI/AAAAAAAADiQ/xRxN1IVMvhA/s1600/WP_20140531_18_02_33_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6EypJQ6Kck/U5ZzfhFwslI/AAAAAAAADiQ/xRxN1IVMvhA/s1600/WP_20140531_18_02_33_Pro__highres.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craigboy "beach"</td></tr>
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Matt wanted to find a beach to walk on, so we drove on some tiny, winding roads and found some water, a bunch of rocks and a small patch of grey sand. Matt waded in the freezing water and I climbed the rocks looking for shells and small rocks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cdy_brhNsgY/U5Zz48KS_zI/AAAAAAAADiY/_j1LgK5o438/s1600/WP_20140601_15_57_54_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cdy_brhNsgY/U5Zz48KS_zI/AAAAAAAADiY/_j1LgK5o438/s1600/WP_20140601_15_57_54_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lough Eske</td></tr>
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I think our 3rd castle, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lough+Eske+Castle,+a+Sol%C3%ADs+Hotel+%26+Spa/@54.690001,-8.067357,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xa6bfcbb16ae4a09b">Lough Eske</a>, was my favorite. I liked their room best and the garden outside our door was lovely.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyNyD62kvyw/U5Z0Q3EQycI/AAAAAAAADig/ULDqEz1ZjnM/s1600/WP_20140602_17_41_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyNyD62kvyw/U5Z0Q3EQycI/AAAAAAAADig/ULDqEz1ZjnM/s1600/WP_20140602_17_41_12_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
lots of pretty flowers, some varieties I've never seen. Matt picked a pom-pom looking flower for me that was pretty much growing everywhere there. it was in peoples yards and just growing wild along the roads.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yWcNuHIymI/U5Z1hUFfhpI/AAAAAAAADi0/q8JUNpwbwOs/s1600/WP_20140602_12_52_48_Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yWcNuHIymI/U5Z1hUFfhpI/AAAAAAAADi0/q8JUNpwbwOs/s1600/WP_20140602_12_52_48_Panorama.jpg" height="51" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAHNL0HbmoI/U5Z1ijleO6I/AAAAAAAADi8/CP_t0n_37L4/s1600/WP_20140602_13_19_41_Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAHNL0HbmoI/U5Z1ijleO6I/AAAAAAAADi8/CP_t0n_37L4/s1600/WP_20140602_13_19_41_Panorama.jpg" height="48" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNkk_JAx_EI/U5Z00DLpc-I/AAAAAAAADio/loHMmd0HwKI/s1600/WP_20140602_12_40_30_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNkk_JAx_EI/U5Z00DLpc-I/AAAAAAAADio/loHMmd0HwKI/s1600/WP_20140602_12_40_30_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slieve League Cliffs</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM0XKJIg3X0/U5Z1jDc_qiI/AAAAAAAADjA/Dji1ftS2PA8/s1600/WP_20140602_13_24_13_Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM0XKJIg3X0/U5Z1jDc_qiI/AAAAAAAADjA/Dji1ftS2PA8/s1600/WP_20140602_13_24_13_Panorama.jpg" height="56" width="320" /></a></div>
we went to <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Slieve+League/@54.6367842,-8.6814817,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x485f22efa6f2c15b:0x7b8255838d972820">Slieve League</a> and climbed up the mountain. I wasn't really expecting to like that, but in spite of the biting wind, I had a good time. it was very beautiful.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLbDU0O6Rtg/U5Z3OFQPpiI/AAAAAAAADjQ/2dhphRypjww/s1600/WP_20140602_14_19_17_Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLbDU0O6Rtg/U5Z3OFQPpiI/AAAAAAAADjQ/2dhphRypjww/s1600/WP_20140602_14_19_17_Panorama.jpg" height="64" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4i_jQfaQB7Y/U5Z3WZ2po8I/AAAAAAAADjY/xNID-NB9bVU/s1600/WP_20140602_14_26_23_Pro__highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4i_jQfaQB7Y/U5Z3WZ2po8I/AAAAAAAADjY/xNID-NB9bVU/s1600/WP_20140602_14_26_23_Pro__highres.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fintra Bay</td></tr>
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on our way back from the cliffs, we stopped at an actual beach, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fintra+Bay/@54.6374357,-8.480438,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x485f1a190b3262a7:0xc2ced3e518b6f126">Fintra Bay</a>. Matt said the water was pretty cold there, too - crazy weirdo! they had these huge jagged rocks in the middle of the beach that were encrusted with clams and other stuff. it was very interesting to look at.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6sFTpdCprA/U5Z31HtLj_I/AAAAAAAADjo/nAHvRJOTzO0/s1600/WP_20140603_11_30_07_Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6sFTpdCprA/U5Z31HtLj_I/AAAAAAAADjo/nAHvRJOTzO0/s1600/WP_20140603_11_30_07_Panorama.jpg" height="64" width="320" /></a></div>
when we left Lough Eske we found a lake hidden in the trees within walking distance of the castle that we could have gone to see earlier, oh well. we got some quick pictures on our way out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabra Castle</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cabra+Castle+Hotel/@53.913796,-6.774373,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xeaeb5c3d0a184d8b">Cabra Castle</a> was very cool. it had a Victorian feel to it - I felt like we were staying in one of the historical homes we tour in Galveston. we were on the 3rd floor overlooking the West Wing, and it was all stairs to our room.<br />
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they have two giant horse-dogs that roam around downstairs and on the golf course. one of them is very friendly and will stop and let you pet him. I almost got him to follow us around the golf course, but it was like he knew where he was supposed to stay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ames Boston Hotel</td></tr>
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we flew to Boston on my birthday and stayed overnight at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ames+Boston+Hotel/@42.359069,-71.058008,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x79321b1c910c81e3">Ames</a>, got some dinner (we'd been craving pizza, but it was <b>so</b> hard to find for some reason) and dessert (Mike's Pastry again - German Chocolate Cake - so good!). the next morning we walked around in the rain and did a little shopping for the boys, and then flew home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014</td></tr>
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I'm so glad God blessed me with the perfect man for me - I'm looking forward to our next big anniversary, and the days when the time before we were together seems so short compared to how long we've been in love.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-62804113753756001932014-06-05T00:00:00.000-05:002014-06-05T00:00:04.026-05:00painted tote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_zlG6E4_Ts/U3gCi9zBFfI/AAAAAAAADbs/rQe-5HP9ocA/s1600/painted+tote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_zlG6E4_Ts/U3gCi9zBFfI/AAAAAAAADbs/rQe-5HP9ocA/s1600/painted+tote.JPG" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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the boys helped me paint a canvas tote to give to Nana for Mother's Day. they loved making it, and it was fun to do with them. Leo was so cute while we were making the flowers, too. after each fingerprint he'd say "it's so pretty!"</div>
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we did fingerprint flowers and footprint butterflies on one side, and I wrote their names and ages underneath their heels. I used two paint colors together on each fingerprint to give the flowers more interest, which is easiest to see on the orange/red one in this pic, but it really made the bluebonnets pop.</div>
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I wanted to duplicate the same scene on the other side, but the boys ran out of steam so we just did some handprints on the two front pockets surrounded by a few flowers, and I doodled the rest to fill in some. I really want to make myself one, so maybe I can get around to that before they get too big!</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-24071378307011648312014-05-29T00:00:00.000-05:002014-05-29T00:00:05.257-05:00micro macrame<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTooRndBnL0/U3ARAilQTwI/AAAAAAAADXc/ao1qczIs3nU/s1600/micro+macrame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTooRndBnL0/U3ARAilQTwI/AAAAAAAADXc/ao1qczIs3nU/s1600/micro+macrame.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I saw some really cool micro macrame on <a href="http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/">Knot Just Macrame</a> that was beautiful! I could only ever wish to make stuff that nice. I had recently seen a video on a <a href="http://youtu.be/nzRR1wwuYo8">leaf friendship bracelet</a> and thought I'd try to add beads to it and see how it went.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgOKhHuk3mU/U3ASHEfQqZI/AAAAAAAADX4/u_2uovLWGa0/s1600/Judy+-+vert.jpg" height="241" width="191" /><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXFMXfj8aPg/U3ASDj_VGrI/AAAAAAAADXo/F6UMOCA_dJU/s1600/Judy+-+hires.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></div>
I had to mess around with it, but I finally worked out a color and bead pattern that looked like what I was going for, and once I figured out the first one the second one was easier to put together.</div>
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these were fun to make, and I like how they turned out. I wish I had more time for more of all the things I've been doing lately! I'd really like to make some more of these... maybe I'll move this to the top of my when-I-have-nothing-to-do list ;)</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-45855441793623265472014-05-22T00:00:00.001-05:002014-05-22T00:00:01.876-05:00foot frints stool<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVYiipd82dM/U3FFm-v46zI/AAAAAAAADYk/FhylM_0WCyU/s1600/foot+frints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVYiipd82dM/U3FFm-v46zI/AAAAAAAADYk/FhylM_0WCyU/s1600/foot+frints.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Leo and Jack helped paint a step stool for my mom for Mother's Day. they really liked painting, and it wasn't as messy as I thought it might be.</div>
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it rained the day I needed to get this done, so I spread out a disposable table cloth left over from a party onto the kitchen floor. I let Leo do most of the painting because he had more patience for it than Jack did. they held the brush and I helped dip it into the paint so I could control the amount they were putting on.</div>
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we did each color as a layer, so Leo started with a green base coat, switched to a smaller brush and did blue, then Jack did a little purple, and Leo finished it off with some gold. I did their foot frints (this is how Leo says it right now) and edges in black.</div>
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they both loved the foot painting part and they were very cooperative, which I was not expecting, so I think I'll try some other painting projects with them this summer.</div>
candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754932282879455721.post-27510592724000425882014-05-15T00:00:00.001-05:002014-05-15T00:00:00.917-05:00Mother's Day 2014we went to Matt's mom's house this Mother's Day for a cookout.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">the boys ate too many Cheetos, pulled out every toy their Grandma has, and played in the sandbox until they were thoroughly gritty.</span></div>
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Leo played badminton for the first time, and he did pretty well!</div>
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the boys weren't too agreeable to sit long enough to take pictures, but I think these that I happened to catch at just the right moment are my favorites - they remind me of pictures I have with my dad and Grandpa Gene.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_IAOdeHMWQ/U3Iioo2nxlI/AAAAAAAADa8/LdoATvj1mts/s1600/WP_20140511_15_51_34_Pro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHLxDXgPaNA/U3IkWdaa3EI/AAAAAAAADbU/AkLCEpuKBW8/s1600/family+1054.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHLxDXgPaNA/U3IkWdaa3EI/AAAAAAAADbU/AkLCEpuKBW8/s1600/family+1054.JPEG" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a great Mother's Day :)<br />
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candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03894810605647666255noreply@blogger.com0