tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30412424978177002922024-02-14T12:53:21.152-08:00SunnypondKristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.comBlogger643125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-70626543339753016162010-01-22T20:34:00.001-08:002010-01-22T20:34:50.505-08:00Crickets Chirping<p>Lately, the majority of my comments on this blog have been from spammers, one even in an Asian alphabet!  Don’t try to look, I’ve deleted most of them.</p> <p>It sounds to me like crickets chirping.  Life is different this year.  More than ever the family needs more of my focus.  The sewing has slowed down.  The crafting is happening only when I have an excuse.</p> <p>So this blog will be taking a break.  I don’t know if it will be permanent.</p> <p>Many thanks to you non-spammers for visiting and especially those who commented.  I will be “living” elsewhere.  If you are interested, just ask.  Or do a little detective work.</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-73059988453290448282010-01-15T13:32:00.001-08:002010-01-15T13:32:27.417-08:00Twins<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S1De6M95FQI/AAAAAAAAEjw/JtbD0k8sI0k/s1600-h/20100106%5B17%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20100106" border="0" alt="20100106" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S1De6sY7MfI/AAAAAAAAEj0/P3cgoGSm3hs/20100106_thumb%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="272" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-47122970449724142822010-01-13T06:02:00.001-08:002010-01-13T06:02:46.044-08:00Loose Ends<p>I have a couple of projects that I started or didn’t quite start from many months ago.  Today I finished this one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S03SfDcrJsI/AAAAAAAAEjg/YWUo6ljFV6w/s1600-h/20100112-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20100112-3" border="0" alt="20100112-3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S03Sf8YOkRI/AAAAAAAAEjk/Adb3EsGLwpU/20100112-3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="575" /></a> </p> <p>It will be perfect for a trip we will be taking soon…</p> <p>And just thought I’d share another photo I took at the same time for another reason (Dad helping out with sales at the office).  Here is our little Daisy Scout with her cookie order form.  Wouldn’t you buy from her? </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S03SgTtv9VI/AAAAAAAAEjo/7f_5upIDKFs/s1600-h/20100112-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20100112-4" border="0" alt="20100112-4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S03ShTWHDVI/AAAAAAAAEjs/Rn4UTVkE9gA/20100112-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="550" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-5148810239826634822010-01-12T09:51:00.001-08:002010-01-12T09:51:39.885-08:00DIY Mat<p>Thanks to much encouragement from <a href="http://mamanjackjack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, I built up the confidence to try making my own custom mat to hold two 5x7 photos.  I’m happy to report that I was able to do it and it doesn’t look too bad.  It certainly isn’t perfect, but from a distance it is not too bad at all.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0y2pFOPvKI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/6XUW7DDfA9k/s1600-h/20100112%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20100112" border="0" alt="20100112" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0y2ptgR1nI/AAAAAAAAEjU/oOahwPF_qgg/20100112_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="259" /></a></p> <p>I found this 11x14 frame at Target, instead of having to wait for them to go on sale at Kohls.  I think the price would probably be similar if I had.  It matches the other frames perfectly.  I thought I had bought a small piece of mat board at Hobby Lobby, but had actually picked up a piece of illustration board.  No matter, it still looks ok.</p> <p>I just measured the openings out on the back of the board using my clear plastic quilting ruler.  Remember, measure twice, cut once.  Then used an exactoknife along the straight edge of the ruler to make the cuts.  I spent as much time as needed to make each cut, not rushing things and making sure to get the best corners possible.</p> <p>And her is the final arrangement.  At least until I decide it needs some more tweaking.  Such as, maybe it could use some layering…</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0y2qdvCF1I/AAAAAAAAEjY/29spRynmxzQ/s1600-h/20100112-2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20100112-2" border="0" alt="20100112-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0y2qwXoL4I/AAAAAAAAEjc/AGkPG1M0UYw/20100112-2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="419" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-70832492683093395612010-01-07T20:29:00.001-08:002010-01-12T06:48:31.307-08:00Girly Valance Reveal<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0csevEDI/AAAAAAAAEik/iaXPoQ_isT8/s1600-h/20100105-4.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20100105-4" border="0" alt="20100105-4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0dPTfmVI/AAAAAAAAEio/YZs4V-KRrvs/20100105-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="276" /></a></p><p>Well, I really don’t know when I’ll have the time to right out the full tutorial anytime soon, so I’ll just show you what I made and save the tutorial for a later post (maybe!). </p><p>I had originally made these sheer lavender panels for Ella’s window. It’s not that I don’t like them, though the way they blended in with the wall paint was starting to bug me. The main problem was that right tie back. When Ella was younger, she’d keep tugging on it until it would pull the hardware out of the wall. Several holes are now in the wall (not noticeable in this picture though). And I gave up. So that panel has been hanging there like that for a while now.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0dx9GrqI/AAAAAAAAEis/5MWCCapvxlE/s1600-h/20091230%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20091230" border="0" alt="20091230" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0ekGN-xI/AAAAAAAAEiw/sCkdx9Iu3sA/20091230_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="589" /></a></p><p>I decided to avoid panels all together when thinking of a new window treatment. And went with a valance. I saw this basic style on the internet and thought that the Church Flowers in Pink fabric from <a href="http://www.heatherbaileystore.com/category-s/58.htm" target="_blank">Heather Bailey’s new Nicey Jane</a> line would be a perfect contrast to the walls. It also kinda of compliments the spread, though I’m curious if she really needs a new quilt made out of fabric from this line. ;-)</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0fbsVZ2I/AAAAAAAAEi0/bY9CMlQ3cJY/s1600-h/20100105-6%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20100105-6" border="0" alt="20100105-6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0gbkjPQI/AAAAAAAAEi4/KAagGo8aOQw/20100105-6_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="521" /></a></p><p>One more closer shot. I never would have ever thought to use a non-decorator weight fabric for any form of window treatment, but by using a sturdy drapery lining fabric as an interlining (50% off this week at Hob Lob), I feel ok about it. By the way, I have learned that I will always use the lining fabric for all of my window treatments in the future, unless they are sheers of course. It just adds so much structure and weight to the finished piece.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0g7l5k7I/AAAAAAAAEi8/lYHJjn7QctU/s1600-h/20100105-5%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20100105-5" border="0" alt="20100105-5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTOmBSgK6yZfnBzh0s2_sZQ3N9NEcaoPmQRC4GBzrmCdyGxRXYTwrezzkrR_-Sr2n0x_2XBP9x7ORFCOmKL3QC65ug2BtOj7QJIBl1lG_ODI4kN5ir38hQCJJPZtAxW7ZjDCcMRloVuCF/?imgmax=800" width="412" height="174" /></a></p><p>Next up on the home dec. front involves making this 16 yard role of upholstery fabric into something… Lucky for us, the fabric was 70% off at our local <strike>candy store</strike> <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/loomcraft-vernon-hills" target="_blank">Loomcraft</a>.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0iRAEoiI/AAAAAAAAEjE/IfpH49gnKH0/s1600-h/20100105-2.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20100105-2" border="0" alt="20100105-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0a0jBWoc6I/AAAAAAAAEjM/d04nlCeZw4Q/20100105-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="282" /></a></p>This project was linked at:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ScrapToMyLu/getYourCraftOnResized.gif" /></a><br /></center>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-29789360027103318342010-01-07T14:27:00.001-08:002010-01-07T14:27:39.137-08:00Hoop It UP<p>I’m so excited to brag about my friend <a href="http://swingchickie.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a> of <a href="http://www.tailspinhoops.com/home.html" target="_blank"><strong>tailspinhoops</strong></a>!  You may have seen me post about buying a hoop from her and her generous offer to <a href="http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com/search?q=hula+hoop" target="_blank">gift one</a> to me as a thank-you for letting them use the design I had custom made for my daughter as a regular item in their store. She and her boyfriend Jack are the creators and business partners behind the scenes at tailspin.  Well to get to the good part, <strong>tailspinhoops</strong> has been featured on <a href="http://offbeatbride.com/2010/01/wedding-hula-hoops" target="_blank"><strong>Offbeat Brides</strong></a>!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA_dLHU1c0Bs1mjYXCSUkGAz2HSayuK_NnFFZ9ZK_Gn0EjZkDor62N0SQfwcOdQQwGw4Z7dnLf41zkJErP77lJWYH8JTpOw5exNbP_DFp_sSFQ28e2YyR7C7BAMAt8cQkVGkR3pYWThUu/s1600-h/jen%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="jen" border="0" alt="jen" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0Zf1143UqI/AAAAAAAAEig/Soce8TgF4hA/jen_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="381" height="488" /></a> </p> <p><em>Isn’t she so darn cute?</em></p> <p>If you’ve been looking for a fun exercise or just something fun and new to do, consider hoop dance and order your hoop today!  Jen can help you pick out a hoop dance instruction video that is right for you.  She might even be able to help you find a local class.</p> <p>Jen is super sweet and very accommodating.  She works full time and runs the hoop business with Jack.  She’s also a very loving and devoted mommy to 2 sweet cats and soon to be to 2 more (if not already).  I met Jen through the swing dance community, which is really a global community.  I’ve only met her briefly, very briefly once.  But have really enjoyed keeping up with her life and getting to know her over the years online.  She currently lives in Philadelphia, which explains why we don’t get together more regularly.  Ha!</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-26785127567361038162010-01-06T13:02:00.001-08:002010-01-06T13:02:10.225-08:00New Little Nook<p>Yesterday I finished a sewing project, for the house.  I took photos all along the way hoping to write it up into a tutorial.  That’s not going to happen today.  I’ve been having trouble breathing and have developed a cough.  Not much sleep for the past 3 nights.  Turns out I have bronchitis.  So I’m hoping to lay low for a bit until I feel better.  For now, here’s a peak at my new sewing corner.  I’ve had the machine in the basement right across from the computer.  Two bad things.  I don’t like not being in view of the sunlight and being so near the computer while sewing is distracting sometimes.  So I moved the machine and cabinet and a few other sewing items up to a corner in the guest room.  Because the guest room, it rarely gets used for guests anyway.  It’s pretty much a pretty laundry folding room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0T6RDKExsI/AAAAAAAAEiU/av2ujx1VnRY/s1600-h/20100105-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20100105-3" border="0" alt="20100105-3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0T6UJ46poI/AAAAAAAAEiY/9F6bYY7JCfI/20100105-3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="572" /></a> </p> <p>I think I’m going to like this new arrangement.</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-27239218194537455032010-01-05T20:23:00.001-08:002010-01-05T20:39:53.646-08:00A New Arrangement<p>We have a couple of ledges in our family room that we got a long time ago for displaying older, significant family photos. I’ve enjoyed having them up, but I’ve wanted to tweak them a bit. For the longest time. </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQEveFXjI/AAAAAAAAEhk/4IWvQWKj3L4/s1600-h/200802113.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20080211" border="0" alt="20080211" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQGdfsM1I/AAAAAAAAEho/ZSQJaqpDZjY/20080211_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="375" /></a></p><p>I think what really prompted me to finally do something about it was this FAMILY “plaque” my dad made and gave us for Christmas:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQH9f2VeI/AAAAAAAAEhs/4W-_K6LtR3c/s1600-h/2010010423.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20100104-2" border="0" alt="20100104-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQJzJgRCI/AAAAAAAAEhw/SPYAAITQukk/201001042_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="262" /></a></p><p>I was searching for a place for it and finally could see it working with these photos. But in order to still see the photos, I would have to go forward with my long overdue plan. To mat them. (Therefore the plaque would not cover as much of the photos and you could see FAMILY better with the white mat background.) And with that, I wanted all coordinating frames.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQLOXBdzI/AAAAAAAAEh0/83sDx3_7rQI/s1600-h/2010010433.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20100104-3" border="0" alt="20100104-3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQNBa1ILI/AAAAAAAAEh4/D4or109GkfI/201001043_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="373" /></a> </p><p>Plus, I had also recently scanned a wedding photo of Jason’s parents finally to match a little better with the theme (older photos – we had a more recent pic of them up). I also photoshopped out the original background and put in a dark tan one (along with some clearing and brightening up), again to add a little more consistency amongst the photos. Took some time to figure out, but not too bad, huh?</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQPIEPFfI/AAAAAAAAEh8/AkR-7NehTfI/s1600-h/scan0003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="scan0003" border="0" alt="scan0003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQQ5BfigI/AAAAAAAAEiA/EwLjfOLPIrM/scan0003_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQSQ80F2I/AAAAAAAAEiE/XhnxsQhIv28/s1600-h/PS132.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="PS1-3" border="0" alt="PS1-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQT0d98qI/AAAAAAAAEiI/uKrYpXnZQRw/PS13_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244" /></a></p><p>For Jason’s grandparents and aunt (who was like a grandma to him), I wanted to convert them all to black and white, like my grandparents’ photos. So I scanned those as well, resized them and made them grayscale. A little photoshop again in some places to take out noise.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQV84zSLI/AAAAAAAAEiM/gFB0kyT0n1k/s1600-h/201001043%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20100104" border="0" alt="20100104" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0QQXvNk4FI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/_MUWa_lvoaI/20100104_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="366" /></a> </p><p>I did quite a bit of searching to find the two larger frames (Kohl’s). We had the 3 opening 4x6 frames already. Now I’d like to get a 2 opening mat for the 2 5x7 photos. I can find one at Pottery Barn with a similar frame style. In fact we already own one. The problem is that the mat is cream and would not match the others. I have looked around for just a WHITE mat with 2 5x7 openings and cannot find one, so I’m going to find out if a craft store can custom cut one for me for not too much moola. And it would then fit into an 11x14 frame. For now, this is how it is. I found the little ceramic birdie on clearance at Joann’s. I thought I wanted to put it in our dining room hutch, but she looks really great here, I think!</p>I've linked this post over at Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After party!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/TDCbutton.gif" /></a><br /></center>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-84063376467619859752010-01-04T07:27:00.001-08:002010-01-04T07:27:34.722-08:00One Word Resolution?<p>Have you read <a href="http://christinekane.com/blog/resolution-revolution-a-better-way-to-start-your-year/" target="_blank"><strong>this</strong></a> yet?  I had heard about it, but did not purposely set out to think about what my one word resolution should be.  But, as usual, my subconscious brain decided to go to work at it anyway.  The word that it came up with was <font color="#8080ff"><strong>INITIATE</strong></font>.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub9RAUbxlW1Hjq8pcd-EleEB0GqF9IvNuwmFOvqp9uxaZt4RpnucWihyphenhyphen-w46SAZ_QL6nP4xhQgnPkNygrC4w4lg1FTE7S25mfdhR1gAa-G1oGmpFRR329eBLAVthuERotLCiyIHHeysLX/s1600-h/hoopella%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Surprise Package (191/365)" border="0" alt="Surprise Package (191/365)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/S0II5VsC_UI/AAAAAAAAEhg/0ATCVaPJ-Jg/hoopella_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="351" /></a></p> <p>In my mind is the guitar I got for a birthday present that I’d like to do something with (relearn and practice for instance).  The new hula hoop sweet Jen (from <a href="http://www.tailspinhoops.com/home.html" target="_blank">TailspinHoops</a>) sent me at Christmas along with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hoopnotica-Hoopdance-Basics-Beginner-Level/dp/B00180IPRG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1262618356&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Hoopdance</a> video I bought are beckoning to me.  A decision about something sorta big wants to be researched and made this year.  A vacation needs to be planned.  Home projects are waiting for me.  I can go on and on.</p> <p>If you had to choose, what would be your one word resolution?  And why? </p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-13559339740496178792010-01-02T13:18:00.001-08:002010-01-02T13:18:25.392-08:00So We Thought Christmas Was Over<p>But… we forgot we didn’t exchange gifts with Jason’s brother Scott!</p> <p>We went down to the city (Chicago – Lincoln Park) last Wed.  It was our first time visiting his new apartment which is located right across the street from the Lincoln Park Zoo.  We all went over to enjoy “Zoo Lights”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-36gm8gmI/AAAAAAAAEZw/sT3dJRb3yHc/s1600-h/20091230-12%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-12" border="0" alt="20091230-12" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-37ac9XiI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/VpAMmArztik/20091230-12_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="567" /></a></p> <p>The front lobby of Scott’s apartment building (it used to be a hotel).  Isn’t it pretty!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-38uj2lqI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/okwJwC0qUwk/s1600-h/20091230-9%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-9" border="0" alt="20091230-9" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-39d5fCjI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/_zB6Bv2QsRI/20091230-9_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="262" /></a></p> <p>Miles in Scott’s apartment.  He just looked so cute in his new hat made by his Grandma.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-3-SOhkdI/AAAAAAAAEaA/q3XyxJFilaw/s1600-h/20091230-6%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-6" border="0" alt="20091230-6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-3_H_fYGI/AAAAAAAAEaE/KiX5YsgiDaA/20091230-6_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="331" /></a> </p> <p>Scott’s Christmas tree.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-3_j-7SwI/AAAAAAAAEaI/oPBBpVvVZGY/s1600-h/20091230-7%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-7" border="0" alt="20091230-7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4ARPihII/AAAAAAAAEaM/laJrotufYkw/20091230-7_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="443" /></a> </p> <p>A preview of something we’ll be doing in 2010?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4A8rm6xI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/QWVudwxPWn4/s1600-h/20091230-8%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-8" border="0" alt="20091230-8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4BjVAkKI/AAAAAAAAEaU/7lRFhzw7zRg/20091230-8_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="553" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4ChPmPuI/AAAAAAAAEaY/S17aCqgzaTI/s1600-h/20091230-15%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-15" border="0" alt="20091230-15" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4DBleP-I/AAAAAAAAEac/rXxfXssBbss/20091230-15_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="253" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4DwPAwaI/AAAAAAAAEag/1tvEK_PnGZ0/s1600-h/20091230-10%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-10" border="0" alt="20091230-10" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_FrYSuyyQBn9DDBe1bW_AfT2a7pMc7yWukdAfw0kX9dsloadWbiTKl1y3n6l2Y_Eg8O6p3maAKIGzrtXB4r1PlLeOT9eSRrv1RqJj1S0FnvF7Wd_bI2S04HbLXANphGq8wFQTpJzhg9Y/?imgmax=800" width="371" height="253" /></a> </p> <p>Ice Sculptures</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4FEX2tsI/AAAAAAAAEao/RZQ05Sv8CLA/s1600-h/20091230-11%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-11" border="0" alt="20091230-11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4FiWZFII/AAAAAAAAEas/TM5UcHq7pgs/20091230-11_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="255" /></a>   </p> <p>Cold, but fun!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4GbNmgyI/AAAAAAAAEaw/5n-aWGikaLw/s1600-h/20091230-14%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091230-14" border="0" alt="20091230-14" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4GzTGIVI/AAAAAAAAEa0/7rSXCW9-tN4/20091230-14_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="497" /></a>  </p> <p>Then, though we did not go to Jason’s family friends party, some folks sent along some gifts for us and the kids.  Boy did they like these, hot chocolate mug sets.  And of course, Miles got the Cars set!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4HgIcmeI/AAAAAAAAEa4/b5OP18O1Rik/s1600-h/20091231%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091231" border="0" alt="20091231" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sz-4IPu84wI/AAAAAAAAEa8/V5iCxg9kwF0/20091231_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="460" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Anyone else taking advantage of after Christmas sales?</p> <p>Here are a few nice ones…</p> <p><a href="http://www.hannaandersson.com/" target="_blank">Hanna Anderson</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Boden</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home_10001_10001_-1" target="_blank">Childrens Place</a> (got some Christmas presents for next year already!)</p> <p>I’m sure there are more out there, but I’m going to stop looking in case I find more things we “need”.</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-4528152246771449992009-12-29T21:57:00.001-08:002009-12-29T21:57:04.959-08:00Old Friend<p>Monday I got to see a good friend that I’ve known since high school.  Even though we went to different colleges, they were about 30 minutes away and we took frequent trips to visit each other.  When she moved to Arizona, we still kept in touch and visited each other.  Then she lived in a few other states and there was a time we were not in touch as well as we once had been.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7Jx8fMTjx5rjGSb7XW0K31CQKZoym1ZjXiHjWu-qHr93jos2B1Tk18-gQRKbBBqxEmjX7HBRrJZH2zWtHuUDIcnCxsE0Bvqk5VkmVOyU3WAQ2TGy0c8CmfDl5-w0jfhjZtQWSrqi7KRV/s1600-h/20091228%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091228" border="0" alt="20091228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSijGZz4Udeq0HT0W99dppMi6jptegtZXTlSMhFSTvNSsc34tJVMGt8pEtPIteX01W7cGtyDVFjTM7tK6vQ-qqyLkgCXtNbBpbohFMjK8lshLuLwK-5T4xa-NJJqOkLejB_yJsn3ZUXOwe/?imgmax=800" width="396" height="282" /></a> </p> <p>But recently she has gone through a rough life event and I’ve tried to be the best friend I’ve known how to be for her.  Even though she now lives in Colorado.  It was so great to see her and watch our kids having fun together.  I’ll miss her, but at least I know we will continue to keep in touch!</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-61918938417447816122009-12-29T10:58:00.001-08:002009-12-29T11:03:29.384-08:00Tea Bag Thank You Notes<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRO1JdKRI/AAAAAAAAEYc/E4DL_mzEXJg/s1600-h/200912273%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091227" border="0" alt="20091227" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRPfFDJhI/AAAAAAAAEYg/pXc8eHzG-xY/20091227_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="267" /></a></p><p>Because I can’t seem to make things easy on myself and buy pre-made Thank You note cards… I went ahead with an idea I had to make “Tea Bag Thank You Note Cards” for the attendees of Ella’s birthday tea party. </p><p>They are really quite easy, all you need are:</p><ul><li>12x6 piece of decorative paper (per packet)</li><li>Pre-made template for tea bag packet</li><li>String (I used size 5 white DMC Cotton Perle)</li><li>Decorative Paper (size of your choice) for note</li><li>Small printed tags for tea bag tag</li><li>Stapler</li><li>Rubber cement, or other glue of choice</li></ul><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRQeLPLcI/AAAAAAAAEYk/eRFjgD4pUDo/s1600-h/20091229%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20091229" border="0" alt="20091229" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRRPmaNXI/AAAAAAAAEYo/GHzSMUZXlL4/20091229_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="299" /></a> </p><p>It’s really quite easy to make your own template for the packet. The measurements are as shown below. And of course you can scale the dimensions to your liking. </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRRnqRFCI/AAAAAAAAEYs/qBpJ64xtP_c/s1600-h/20091229-2%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20091229-2" border="0" alt="20091229-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRSSsqhiI/AAAAAAAAEYw/5mjhm9Bo860/20091229-2_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="665" /></a> </p><p>Once I drew out the template with a ruler and straight edge, I cut it out to use to trace on the back of the decorative paper.</p><p>Here I’m using the template just to show how to fold the packets. First fold the bottom rectangular flap up with decorative side of paper on the outside.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRSwCYvaI/AAAAAAAAEY0/TrSwGEbDnWs/s1600-h/20091229-3%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20091229-3" border="0" alt="20091229-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRTbY5DkI/AAAAAAAAEY4/0qN8fxp-IuQ/20091229-3_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="393" /></a> </p><p>Next fold in side flaps. Fold them back out and apply glue to their insides. Fold back down and set under a heavy book until glue sets.</p><p>When dry, you can fold down the top flap. I did not glue this after inserting the note, but that is up to you.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRUfYhs2I/AAAAAAAAEZA/7X9bFKUj-bY/s1600-h/20091229-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20091229-4" border="0" alt="20091229-4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRVB4yXhI/AAAAAAAAEZE/eCbpHU3uK_s/20091229-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="449" /></a> </p><p>Ella filled out a piece of paper with her thank-you to each child. Then I stapled a string to it. The other side of the string was then stapled to the tag which I printed up with a tea pot and “Thank-you” on it. Then I slipped her note into tea bag packets with the tag hanging out, for the cuteness factor.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRWZldw_I/AAAAAAAAEZI/b3fjZPxFmvw/s1600-h/2009122743.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091227-4" border="0" alt="20091227-4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRW05ezLI/AAAAAAAAEZM/v9TlqVRJ5yQ/200912274_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="284" /></a></p><p>Some other examples…</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRXUTrfMI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/VLzfMSSv6XM/s1600-h/2009122733.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091227-3" border="0" alt="20091227-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRYDYaDzI/AAAAAAAAEZU/bI8LqeERTkw/200912273_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="272" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRYiOcOnI/AAAAAAAAEZY/CatYv4QCFA0/s1600-h/2009122725.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091227-2" border="0" alt="20091227-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRZMZpt-I/AAAAAAAAEZc/S9OVpCFkxyo/200912272_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="270" /></a> </p><p>If this is your first time to my blog, you may want to take a look at the <strong><a href="http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com/2009/11/special-invite.html" target="_blank">Tea Cup Invitations</a></strong> that I made for my <a href="http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/birthday-girl.html" target="_blank">daughter’s tea party</a>.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRZzPOAUI/AAAAAAAAEZg/7gCuukHmcTw/s1600-h/20091119%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="20091119" border="0" alt="20091119" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzpRafAh4VI/AAAAAAAAEZk/oyG04WxiaXg/20091119_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="302" /></a><br /></p><center><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ScrapToMyLu/getYourCraftOnResized.gif" /></a> </center><center><br /><center><a href="http://asoftplace.net/"><img style="WIDTH: 140px; HEIGHT: 130px" title="DIY Day @ ASPTL" border="0" alt="DIY Day @ ASPTL" src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/Kimba/kimbaDIY125.png" width="163" height="168" /></a></center><br /><br /></center><center></center><center>I'm linking this post with <a href="http://asoftplace.net/">Kimba's DIY Day</a> and <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/">Today's Creative Blog</a> - thanks for <p>visiting!</p></center>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-55357687037941592852009-12-28T07:04:00.001-08:002009-12-28T07:04:34.222-08:00Our Final Christmas Celebration for 2009<p>At my parents on the 26th.  We met up there with my brother John and his girlfriend Kris.  As we arrived, we naturally gathered in my parents’ kitchen.  My mom did a LOT of work on dinner!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIiVRm1tI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Q-qtsbvG-CU/s1600-h/20091226-9.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-9" border="0" alt="20091226-9" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIktV-RCI/AAAAAAAAEXY/nCqNz8y91X0/20091226-9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="260" /></a></p> <p>The kids posing in front of my parents’ tree.  The beautiful dress is courtesy of <a href="http://www.littlebitfunky.com/" target="_blank">Crystal</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIl0Irk1I/AAAAAAAAEXc/v88CL4TdjXo/s1600-h/20091226%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226" border="0" alt="20091226" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIoInWJbI/AAAAAAAAEXg/bzYJhPh5qbw/20091226_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="566" /></a> </p> <p>The kids love their uncle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIqGsqdvI/AAAAAAAAEXk/QxrE7yHQ7NQ/s1600-h/20091226-2.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-2" border="0" alt="20091226-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIrrNOm_I/AAAAAAAAEXo/L7GZW4XlJBU/20091226-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="258" /></a> </p> <p>And Kris.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIs0C2OxI/AAAAAAAAEXs/CeSKaQCqSTk/s1600-h/20091226-3.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-3" border="0" alt="20091226-3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgckw5PU0aO16iXyKeu_sJfzYS0lrjgx1U9Vwn3njnqkuevq-JbU-ciOKEmitwK20b1QwR6kgqPkLtpKkHgDkjma09G2O3bUOjrPY0X5DqllRNsHISSZ4S99ztthYKq1-xeJgZKDUuen8n/?imgmax=800" width="370" height="511" /></a> </p> <p>The cookie spread.  Contributions by everyone, including Kris’ mom!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjIxXr4fHI/AAAAAAAAEX0/4OzvV0o7uGs/s1600-h/20091226-4.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-4" border="0" alt="20091226-4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhiMZb__JyyRTGqLY5G3BNLhRYtCcgWj27eaOrLG0p1CCM6mb0gxGVTYRh_egC7gbdGBykkR9O1fCtl2p_x8B-Z14PLKrRwklflBeXf6he3qfiBDxBXkjbHqn086BVgy_vP5y9CBzVk4e/?imgmax=800" width="386" height="283" /></a> </p> <p>Family gets ready to eat a delicious meal.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI0lJ7UHI/AAAAAAAAEX8/1JmO5o8E9FE/s1600-h/20091226-5.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-5" border="0" alt="20091226-5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI2GoHYsI/AAAAAAAAEYA/ujaTXGYitoc/20091226-5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="469" /></a> </p> <p>Another sweet moment.  (The camera you see Ella holding in most every picture was her favorite gift from Santa!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI37IyuKI/AAAAAAAAEYE/M9bd72F0tf8/s1600-h/20091226-6.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-6" border="0" alt="20091226-6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d-sKy652PlgAfOF0AnBDPqbjQDSG6BZZPQTDGhAw7NSOzbfNYTP4ZXHqFRHf9SJeqrf2rDKeBM8Zqjc5OJv57JrmcEQlvHckAWq7WyWCJyMADOoGTSGWFdGadEJ76KNlYdOVg6cotAwg/?imgmax=800" width="388" height="555" /></a> </p> <p>Let the unwrapping begin…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI7RgC_eI/AAAAAAAAEYM/8Oovbg7pQjQ/s1600-h/20091226-7.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-7" border="0" alt="20091226-7" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI9G5fWMI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/1RVLpGSoHfM/20091226-7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="264" /></a> </p> <p>The best gift of the evening.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI-XzH_6I/AAAAAAAAEYU/MRKqXCGoljU/s1600-h/20091226-8.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091226-8" border="0" alt="20091226-8" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzjI_lgCbFI/AAAAAAAAEYY/dZH7wXLGHKc/20091226-8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="555" /></a> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-13757568936702331862009-12-25T20:45:00.001-08:002009-12-25T20:45:57.163-08:00Home for Christmas<p>This year we stayed home together all day Christmas.  It was a really nice experience!!</p> <p>Before the big day, the kids really enjoyed wrapping!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWUxyMBRZI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/0GvJcGqUI18/s1600-h/20091221%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091221" border="0" alt="20091221" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWUy1FGO0I/AAAAAAAAEWU/zYOaXc_BZxU/20091221_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="336" /></a> </p> <p>On Christmas Eve everyone got new PJs.  I did too, but you do NOT want to see me in pajamas!  The kids not only went to sleep in them on Christmas Eve, they never changed into their clothes on Christmas Day!  Mr. Grinch did shower and change into clothes, for the record.  And he’s not really a Grinch.  They were just cute PJs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWUz8_NZUI/AAAAAAAAEWY/JtdcHFCBOK4/s1600-h/20091224%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091224" border="0" alt="20091224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_pMKw8fYWf72W6ZWG7wcrCNxI9j7vsVoqKdau5PRLqL-Wz2lrVO9S_KZdCwha_k79zHtrw0fJz60bAzRXJ_XDMmvg4JOO7d5OTOzAMNx6_tUK6kdZ58y4-lbivPJAsgJFccm4tRP99mZ/?imgmax=800" width="366" height="503" /></a>  </p> <p>The kids were more than ready to get the unwrapping started!  We didn’t go too crazy this year with gifts.  We tried to stick to this rule for each kid.  4 gift rule – something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.  And you know what?  It was nice and I think the kids enjoyed it more than getting a ton of gifts.  Their gifts were VERY well thought out by us and they weren’t overwhelmed.  The big hit for Ella was a play digital camera.  Something she didn’t even ask for, but is really having a blast with and I think is a very creative tool.  It has video too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU2DTBRwI/AAAAAAAAEWg/nbAPlbCWYQk/s1600-h/20091225-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091225-3" border="0" alt="20091225-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU2yXwFSI/AAAAAAAAEWk/yC_qE28UTjY/20091225-3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="291" /></a></p> <p>I bought this beautiful handmade dress from <a href="http://www.littlebitfunky.com/" target="_blank">Crystal</a> of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlebitfunky" target="_blank">Little Bit Funky</a>.  Ella loved it and talked about it later.  She’ll be wearing it tomorrow for Christmas at my parents’.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU30h8kNI/AAAAAAAAEWo/aE5sF_YbJak/s1600-h/20091225-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091225-2" border="0" alt="20091225-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU4zKdPiI/AAAAAAAAEWs/DQNKmeJKqSE/20091225-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="571" /></a>  </p> <p>Miles had a Very “Cars” Christmas.  For the most part.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU6NUfT7I/AAAAAAAAEWw/Wnkh-ufmIyw/s1600-h/20091225-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091225-4" border="0" alt="20091225-4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU7VB0fhI/AAAAAAAAEW0/Lbs02pFcbQs/20091225-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="565" /></a> </p> <p>I made a couple of these for the hubby.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn9hSdBQIxUjqCkjabYQagmcXolauNESx7nWnID6iotjfcvz0b9Y6YcZRh6uclEW1DxZ7NRNEe0zTDjnv8bng3QqxL9ETdrMiMVERlRunhtgGce8cIgZV6BTSy7Qh0IArHIwHcCSZNBn5/s1600-h/20091225-5%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091225-5" border="0" alt="20091225-5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU80e6wyI/AAAAAAAAEW8/sIG7Wp08Dzk/20091225-5_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="307" /></a></p> <p>And a Czech dinner for the family.  Pork roast, sour potatoes, dumplings (Knedlicky) and sauerkraut.  (Jason is 1/2 Czech).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU98j-ZYI/AAAAAAAAEXA/4aFIA-dNsDA/s1600-h/20091225-7%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091225-7" border="0" alt="20091225-7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgasVUDqEgRnLX5BioBT4zkYOTo24dPDkV-Sy_-TBMjGYalr5U_QXVIogxRbiZZhZMKqwN9kqKZ2vSGK6nzPCjOGqNwTzZLsemsUgYn_sJU-HqoCDb7nFg_3G4NL5kjQV3tJiVO9hnlkv/?imgmax=800" width="335" height="487" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWU_ci0U8I/AAAAAAAAEXI/WQunNUjmumM/s1600-h/20091225%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091225" border="0" alt="20091225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWVAgI9Q-I/AAAAAAAAEXM/qrIrJE7Vx0o/20091225_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="488" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ae4f5a08-2a34-41b7-bc72-ec6268e75ce7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="e168b987-d41f-4ef2-8f05-1b72d798d41c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX12N4xjCp4" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzWVBCXg_qI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/Ak8nL4VOELg/video828e1a16cf1d%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('e168b987-d41f-4ef2-8f05-1b72d798d41c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/EX12N4xjCp4&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/EX12N4xjCp4&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-8454804510238293132009-12-25T11:27:00.001-08:002009-12-25T11:27:16.451-08:00Wonderland Express<p>Merry Christmas Everyone!  I hope that you are having a wonderful day!!</p> <p>More of our Christmas adventures…</p> <p>As members of the Chicago Botanic Garden, we enjoyed our second trip to see the indoor winter train exhibit.  This time in the company of my brother John, his girlfriend Kris and Kris’ dad Dick (who volunteers as a train “engineer” at the garden year round).  The main room of this exhibit houses several trains running through a landscape made of all natural elements.  Even the houses and buildings.  The structures are all replicas of the types of houses and many landmarks in Chicago.  The first room houses the gingerbread house landscape and the last room has a Northshore section (the Botanic Garden is located in the Northshore area).</p> <p>(All of the following photos were taken by my husband Jason).</p> <p><em>Miles was very into his Bingo game card.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUR7lTLm6I/AAAAAAAAEVg/5QW62oSHfSE/s1600-h/200912223%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091222" border="0" alt="20091222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T5gXmg9ju5roRQWSK1rmb4MU631mt29G8WSGfg0tpYDfMR_AQy3u62saNAToaF6ensmJRJHBMfDeDLObFb7qV1elsRPp2LW6bhSDHsvEHhv12Xv3lvk5eJXNIUMPbWoK9ekJo-IkJmCK/?imgmax=800" width="372" height="253" /></a> </p> <p><em>Detail on a gingerbread house.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUR85dEmoI/AAAAAAAAEVo/dRcbR3bCtbw/s1600-h/2009122263.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091222-6" border="0" alt="20091222-6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUR9WkccLI/AAAAAAAAEVs/u7qnOLH3ENY/200912226_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="255" /></a></p> <p><em>Ella enjoying some bungalow replicas.  I believe there included a replica of Michelle Obama’s childhood home.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUR-n-btdI/AAAAAAAAEVw/K9IHuhfJYR8/s1600-h/2009122225.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091222-2" border="0" alt="20091222-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUR_ZXjfEI/AAAAAAAAEV0/MFQmeH9avyU/200912222_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="262" /></a> </p> <p><em>Look at that detail!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUSAqMot7I/AAAAAAAAEV4/Z-h7scrKeoc/s1600-h/2009122243.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091222-4" border="0" alt="20091222-4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUSBPmgXBI/AAAAAAAAEV8/GprpWo7R3xc/200912224_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="258" /></a></p> <p><em>Brownstones of the Gold Coast. (Oprah?)</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUSCWqajqI/AAAAAAAAEWA/jcRRbQrCi1Q/s1600-h/2009122234.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091222-3" border="0" alt="20091222-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUSDOoTtLI/AAAAAAAAEWE/U27-cdgaiPs/200912223_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="261" /></a>  </p> <p><em>Replica of President Obama’s Hyde Park home.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUSEKqYJfI/AAAAAAAAEWI/x69cbq9ibEw/s1600-h/2009122254.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091222-5" border="0" alt="20091222-5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzUSEzjV1VI/AAAAAAAAEWM/-pLdta3o1XI/200912225_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="376" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-83774092941837698082009-12-24T21:26:00.001-08:002009-12-24T21:26:49.162-08:00Gingerbread Houses<p>At Ella’s Kindergarten, the teacher hosted a Gingerbread House Making Party.  She provided milk containers and we brought the rest.  What a great idea.  I always get the kits to do at home and really there is very little the kids are able to do.  Here is Ella with her masterpiece.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzRND7NVn8I/AAAAAAAAEVQ/3MHlV93mHeE/s1600-h/2009121123.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091211-2" border="0" alt="20091211-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzRNERlSwRI/AAAAAAAAEVU/Fnzhlxyobbw/200912112_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="265" /></a></p> <p>With the half and half and cream cartons provided, we smeared prepared frosting on and then stuck on graham crackers on.  The rest was all creativity with lots of candy.  I didn’t get photos of the other houses, but there was certainly a LOT of creativity in that Kindergarten classroom that day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzRNFYMaWyI/AAAAAAAAEVY/F3ep1P0GzbA/s1600-h/200912115.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091211" border="0" alt="20091211" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzRNF0DMeTI/AAAAAAAAEVc/DjQ7MgbVwjc/20091211_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="474" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-45494218465239192682009-12-23T17:39:00.001-08:002009-12-23T17:39:10.136-08:00Cookies<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGKWt5NPI/AAAAAAAAEUw/0hjpQCxz7HI/s1600-h/20091214-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091214-2" border="0" alt="20091214-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGLBXoMdI/AAAAAAAAEU0/OQzu0CGqc_M/20091214-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="322" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGMN3N6HI/AAAAAAAAEU4/xsdBZlpNMO0/s1600-h/20091214-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091214-4" border="0" alt="20091214-4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGM_WA9_I/AAAAAAAAEU8/-UKfpiUhi6g/20091214-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="270" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGNiIOa9I/AAAAAAAAEVA/DEUkx-goIS0/s1600-h/20091217%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091217" border="0" alt="20091217" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGOOIvaFI/AAAAAAAAEVE/7PDqENnoCCM/20091217_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="399" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGO5LGdxI/AAAAAAAAEVI/vxNU7VV6law/s1600-h/20091217-2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091217-2" border="0" alt="20091217-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzLGPWLN7aI/AAAAAAAAEVM/zlo4pX4mrC4/20091217-2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="273" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-48249501538606202532009-12-23T14:17:00.001-08:002009-12-23T14:17:58.431-08:00Christmas 2009, Part 1<p>Our first Christmas celebration took place this past Saturday the 19th, in conjunction with Ella’s 3rd birthday celebration.</p> <p>We prepared a meal, cake and cookies and set our table up in the dining room in an attempt to create a nice atmosphere.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW7FUCUAI/AAAAAAAAETo/QTb4A5f__00/s1600-h/20091219-6%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-6" border="0" alt="20091219-6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW73wITsI/AAAAAAAAETs/WgKQIYZZtXE/20091219-6_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="259" /></a></p> <p>The cookies I made this year from left front going clockwise: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Kolachky/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">Kolachky with honey/almond filling</a>, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Mixed-Nut-Bars" target="_blank">Mixed Nut Bars</a>, Buckeyes and <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1610,157183-252198,00.html" target="_blank">Gooey Butter Cookies</a>.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW8l8HLFI/AAAAAAAAETw/gARZxV-HOJw/s1600-h/20091219%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219" border="0" alt="20091219" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW9Gned8I/AAAAAAAAET0/SSP7SouU9qw/20091219_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="221" /></a> </p> <p>If you click on any of the above cookie names, you will be directed to their recipe.  Except the Buckeyes.  You can find recipes for those all over the internet, but I didn’t find one like what I use.  Which I love, because I’m used to it.  Let me know if you really want it and I’ll post it or look harder for it on the internet.  Also, a tip for the Gooey Butter Cookies… I found that Duncan Hines has a Butter Recipe Golden Mix that really makes these cookies even better than using the Classic Yellow Mix.  Don’t worry, if you can’t find it, they still taste amazing!</p> <p>Next up was exchanging presents and spending some time together.</p> <p><em>Ella with her Grandpa and Babi.</em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW9-ahqYI/AAAAAAAAET4/Mn8Ah9CJxrQ/s1600-h/20091219-2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-2" border="0" alt="20091219-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW-rgDPMI/AAAAAAAAEUA/OX9PXjj8VCs/20091219-2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="280" /></a> </p> <p><em>Jen (Scott’s girlfriend) and Uncle Scott.</em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW_Q5jHkI/AAAAAAAAEUE/WyskCFdbyqY/s1600-h/20091219-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-3" border="0" alt="20091219-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKW_3JDFGI/AAAAAAAAEUI/9cRupiQADlg/20091219-3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="319" /></a> </p> <p><em>Ella carefully eating her Buckeye on the couch.</em><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXAe0QnaI/AAAAAAAAEUM/-cPLeSP57Q8/s1600-h/20091219-4%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-4" border="0" alt="20091219-4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXBYgeGBI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/NtBjnPlNAIk/20091219-4_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="579" /></a> </p> <p><em>Miles with Babi.</em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXB-sPo1I/AAAAAAAAEUU/NbNECWHtrYg/s1600-h/20091219-5%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-5" border="0" alt="20091219-5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXCvbnk8I/AAAAAAAAEUY/EaPfR1wpZVY/20091219-5_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="285" /></a></p> <p><em>Jason spoiling Velvet (the cat).</em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXDMFU57I/AAAAAAAAEUc/bic1QOVwiw0/s1600-h/20091219-9%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-9" border="0" alt="20091219-9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzY64YY2PDRlO8b3kMsUuI5HIxE5vso17c7tSwnHjpWFB5Sigwr0lX6GRDvCVBBmg7tqg3nq48gq1IhFY4mipGCXvYbj86dtkqO_TWs77QDcOpg7BMl07ZZGbsw9-CveI2Cy_IKQ0c2gr/?imgmax=800" width="339" height="493" /></a> </p> <p><em>A family moment… </em><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXEmK3Y4I/AAAAAAAAEUk/nDt8lU0zojo/s1600-h/20091219-7%5B36%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091219-7" border="0" alt="20091219-7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SzKXFb75daI/AAAAAAAAEUo/N0JzY6NuDS0/20091219-7_thumb%5B37%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="384" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-40336481893416196162009-12-15T17:47:00.001-08:002009-12-15T17:47:46.463-08:00Sweet Siblings<p>Sometimes siblings can have their not-so-good moments.  Ours have plenty.</p> <p>But they can be sweet too.  And we saw a lot of it this weekend.</p> <p>Goofing and playing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Syg8HMkmNZI/AAAAAAAAETQ/snbf4q6B2S4/s1600-h/200912123.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212" border="0" alt="20091212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Syg8IqWdCXI/AAAAAAAAETU/WAfqy0fCyqc/20091212_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="263" /></a> </p> <p>Helping with buttons.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Syg8KWtrKfI/AAAAAAAAETY/q070xFKngZs/s1600-h/2009121223.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-2" border="0" alt="20091212-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Syg8MEbhmZI/AAAAAAAAETc/leuQELR4-_U/200912122_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="490" /></a> </p> <p>Fixing a boo boo.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Syg8OgYtYCI/AAAAAAAAETg/gbyjCZh5DxA/s1600-h/200912133.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091213" border="0" alt="20091213" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Syg8QDUOFFI/AAAAAAAAETk/wibV904aOiE/20091213_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="261" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I’m so glad they have each other and that they can treat each other so well.</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-325645648274046022009-12-14T16:53:00.001-08:002009-12-14T16:53:34.828-08:00The Inner Girl<p>As my tastes have changed through the years, I will still love pink and soft pastels that I always was fond of as a little girl.  I could not pass up this beautiful new fabric from the <a href="http://freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=253" target="_blank">Leanika</a> Line by <a href="http://www.denadesigns.com/" target="_blank">Dena Designs</a>.</p> <p>Here is the main fabric I fell in love with:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sybd5qMgyDI/AAAAAAAAESY/aNcPjHRI3nY/s1600-h/birdsandbutterflies%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="birdsandbutterflies" border="0" alt="birdsandbutterflies" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sybd7kr44wI/AAAAAAAAESc/E0BjjEpgrb4/birdsandbutterflies_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="407" /></a></p> <p>Here is an accent fabric I love for the above:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sybd9_gUJ2I/AAAAAAAAESg/PRDUGgPdvC4/s1600-h/gemstone-sapphire%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="gemstone-sapphire" border="0" alt="gemstone-sapphire" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNkRsbtX-Ro3KxXQfOt2AGNc9HQEVq4_59HllkyNL3g7yEqdNwFu_pRrSysDXqZDeEyUsaFdF2zvawvcEokYoJD8lahmUOFY3c7IfN7rGmAJuhl3h2eKwHOOP4MOgQxFZGqDZENGLOdxz/?imgmax=800" width="396" height="407" /></a></p> <p>And a funky lining for the bag I might make for myself, or the back of a pillow for Ella.  Or both…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SybeA3_CjOI/AAAAAAAAESo/PAWxGOxlGDs/s1600-h/jardin%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="jardin" border="0" alt="jardin" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SybeDLLZZbI/AAAAAAAAESs/CKx_ygf59xo/jardin_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="409" /></a></p> <p>So I ordered myself a 1/2 yard of each to tuck away until I am ready to get back into the sewing groove again after all of my customs and Christmas presents are done.</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-43627382890031634462009-12-13T17:40:00.001-08:002010-01-02T20:21:13.480-08:00Birthday Girl<p>My sweet Ella, born just 6 years ago, celebrated her birthday this weekend.</p> <p>With her friends, she had a Tea Party.  Cheers!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXWHoXrQI/AAAAAAAAERE/VyxF1uue0Ls/s1600-h/20091212-15%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-15" border="0" alt="20091212-15" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXWvIF74I/AAAAAAAAERI/mCfNebySK6U/20091212-15_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="305" /></a></p> <p>Gift cake boxes courtesy of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisysanddots" target="_blank">Daisys and Dots</a>.  I am so upset we didn’t get a photo of them all together before the kids tore into them.  They were SO cute.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXXTamkVI/AAAAAAAAERM/s2mr6Ta6K7o/s1600-h/20091212-5%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-5" border="0" alt="20091212-5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXX3RDp-I/AAAAAAAAERQ/csSPImD0bjA/20091212-5_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="272" /></a> </p> <p>Nico was on time, but most of the guests were fashionably late.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXYqab7BI/AAAAAAAAERU/Fg5RNu7pe60/s1600-h/20091212-14%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-14" border="0" alt="20091212-14" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXZDOMztI/AAAAAAAAERY/7CGgbtOSGUA/20091212-14_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Yum!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXZ_C19fI/AAAAAAAAERc/8Qqzr6ZWwSA/s1600-h/20091212-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-4" border="0" alt="20091212-4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkzBYEyaz_QUIiwapq8vfWOsYjdeQkqn-j0AnaR81GKLHwYafPPbuGBqaa7DRqUTT8AegEOx_dvJ68Wy_S78KOrJSGbEqZxu-97LmdQrxXVA8sntfW8HpQ-xxqe-zfALKt9a3dWrQYfcb/?imgmax=800" width="396" height="573" /></a> </p> <p>The kids had fun and were very well behaved!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXbZU6ZLI/AAAAAAAAERk/17eyrmedcgM/s1600-h/20091212-12%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-12" border="0" alt="20091212-12" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXb-GEiCI/AAAAAAAAERo/5hd5mVybjw4/20091212-12_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXc1pw_sI/AAAAAAAAERs/0YDi78vw__Y/s1600-h/20091212-13%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-13" border="0" alt="20091212-13" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXdQ4oV-I/AAAAAAAAERw/ELYPg0unPBQ/20091212-13_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="317" /></a></p> <p>Ella had another party with family.  Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle John and Kris (John’s Girlfriend).</p> <p>(Not sure why we don’t have photos of actual people besides Ella for this occasion).</p> <p>Table set for stew.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXeEk-qDI/AAAAAAAAER0/q3lsJgLU3F0/s1600-h/20091212-6%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-6" border="0" alt="20091212-6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXe5tF1EI/AAAAAAAAER8/opZ1sKBV5fc/20091212-6_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="270" /></a></p> <p>A lucky girl with family, presents and a roaring fire!  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXfrqJgEI/AAAAAAAAESA/2Jfaav1maQc/s1600-h/20091212-9%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-9" border="0" alt="20091212-9" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXgXh9zUI/AAAAAAAAESE/RlXbYgjdOPs/20091212-9_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="272" /></a></p> <p>I think she likes it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXhElO-1I/AAAAAAAAESI/g8bLvLshN4w/s1600-h/20091212-7%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-7" border="0" alt="20091212-7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXhu0ZxqI/AAAAAAAAESM/5WBNXJLehqY/20091212-7_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="270" /></a></p> <p>Our pretty, sweet, smart, wonderful SIX year old!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXijL_A2I/AAAAAAAAESQ/qxUGWWo8Wuw/s1600-h/20091212-8%5B16%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="20091212-8" border="0" alt="20091212-8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyWXjLzs2mI/AAAAAAAAESU/QVM90BvzxwU/20091212-8_thumb%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="268" /></a> </p> <p><em>Ella got lots of presents from her friend party too.  LOTS.  She was so excited about all of them.  In the evening, with family over she decided to dress her new Barbie in the new Barbie clothes.  She said she was getting ready for a date with a boy.  Her dad just about fell over.  I told him she’s already a teenager, talking about dates!  Neither of us were at all thrilled with the little bitty teeny weeny clothes Barbie wears these day either… </em></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-15833431625966852912009-12-09T15:58:00.001-08:002009-12-09T15:58:14.592-08:00Get Your Dot On!<p>Wow, this evening I am EXHAUSTED.  On top of being a crazy busy day including shoveling wet heavy snow on top of my partially finished to do list, I am ready for some me time.  Jason has been sick since Monday and while it is my pleasure to take care of him, I am so ready to have someone take care of me at this point.</p> <p>Anyway, to take a break from creating (since I’ve had no time to create today), I am featuring a fellow small business owner/crafter.</p> <p>I recently met a local (to me) team and their business <a href="http://www.godottygo.com/" target="_blank"><strong>godottygo!</strong></a> .  One of the owners invited me to a craft boutique they had in October and it was just amazing to see all of their creations!  They make mainly scarves as well as fingerless gloves and purses out of recycled sweaters that are donated or that they pick up at thrift stores.  A lot of work goes into their designs with a signature “dot” motif.  Each item is truly one of a kind!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5cjOrDxI/AAAAAAAAEQk/5HIgLuT87Co/s1600-h/shapeimage_8%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="shapeimage_8" border="0" alt="shapeimage_8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5d9UCOVI/AAAAAAAAEQo/OTPFznlrWDM/shapeimage_8_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="226" /></a> </p> <p>Though the scarves are a bit pricey, they are worth it.  They are so totally cute and I get comments on mine just about EVERYWHERE I go!  Hopefully I bring in some business for them because I always tell people where I got my cute scarf and they almost always grab a pen or their iphone to record the store’s web url.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5e7RLjlI/AAAAAAAAEQs/4t8KRLpUd_M/s1600-h/original_1%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="original_1" border="0" alt="original_1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5f0EwjPI/AAAAAAAAEQw/LZF6VC3uAas/original_1_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="262" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5gp10D1I/AAAAAAAAEQ0/O3C3cymX1R0/s1600-h/original_2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="original_2" border="0" alt="original_2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5hlAorvI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/NpvUISXa7yg/original_2_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="258" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5ixVDWjI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/Vn_HgiOBynE/s1600-h/il_430xN_35605107%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="il_430xN_35605107" border="0" alt="il_430xN_35605107" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/SyA5lKp5vWI/AAAAAAAAERA/q_yRYMy1Npc/il_430xN_35605107_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="264" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>So if you are looking for a unique and beautiful Christmas gift, or something for yourself, make sure to check out <a href="http://www.godottygo.com/" target="_blank"><strong>godottygo!</strong></a> .</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-74651243521235354502009-12-08T14:29:00.001-08:002009-12-08T14:32:10.604-08:00Another Day, Another Apron<p>Here is my FIRST custom order apron!  This is cut from my very own tweaked pattern.  (I HEART this fabric BTW – it is also HTF unfortunately). <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7T5rvsjFI/AAAAAAAAEQc/gAQGMq1DndY/s1600-h/20091208-3%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091208-3" border="0" alt="20091208-3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7T6Wi_otI/AAAAAAAAEQg/QZWpM0zGZJA/20091208-3_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="646" /></a> </p> <p>It was tweaked (from the <a href="http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/teachers-gifts.html" target="_blank">red snowflake apron pattern</a>) for a few reasons.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sF8RO3GrDXtT2dwnIsSwmeWaBejmGkSanwLKjOaLpAx9mTv5j92ybIj8oNe9Lu4WrL60n63WX7plojEXpZb9m3nGfS21f_6QMKl_zzc-0w889bY3AaQt4bvMZ3k7ACSsQrJzX7sCwGKI/s1600-h/20091208-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091208-2" border="0" alt="20091208-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TSO4d8-I/AAAAAAAAEPQ/vZOp_3t3_9g/20091208-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="536" /></a></p> <p>In order of importance:</p> <ol> <li>The skirt was not flouncy enough.  So I went from a half circle to a full circle to cut the ruffle.  Boy am I glad I am good at geometry and math, specifically spatial reasoning.</li> <li>The neck and waist ties were shorter than I would have preferred.  I made the waist ties longer and the neck ties into one continuous neckband that can be slipped on over the head.  Much easier to manage.</li> <li>The apron was entirely too long, especially for the petite woman this one was made for.</li> <li>It was too much bulk to sew the edges of the neck ties/band right at the edge of the top of the bib, so I moved those in just after the side hem.</li> </ol> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TSyr0r8I/AAAAAAAAEPU/keP9QPU0oak/s1600-h/20091208%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091208" border="0" alt="20091208" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TTWp2iYI/AAAAAAAAEPY/HdvEXJkznZQ/20091208_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="488" /></a></p> <p>All and all I’d have to say, this pattern making thing is really fun and I recommend it to my fellow blog sewing friends.  There are definitely some challenges, but like with everything, it just takes practice and some trial and error.</p> <p>P.S.  Here is the Jessie Steele apron I was trying to mimic (next to mine):</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TT8DOv6I/AAAAAAAAEPc/_0T4tCP_hag/s1600-h/surlatableapron%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="surlatableapron" border="0" alt="surlatableapron" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TUDQc9XI/AAAAAAAAEPg/uUZ4WkHqFWM/surlatableapron_thumb%5B18%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="141" height="292" /></a>   <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TP_YCmSI/AAAAAAAAEQI/M2IVA-ePzq8/s1600-h/20091208-3%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091208-3" border="0" alt="20091208-3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TQwE2VZI/AAAAAAAAEQU/IvCT4Ligxp8/20091208-3_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="301" /></a> </p> <p>I am going to squeeze in one more apron project before Christmas… Meanwhile I have yet another custom order, for 11 hand towels.</p> <p>And I’d like to finally mention the great buy I found at a “garage sale”/estate sale/guy has several houses and is getting rid of this one and everything in it sale.  I have always wanted a Kitchen Aid stand mixer.  I have never wanted to pay the $200 or so for one.  I jumped at the opportunity to pick this one up for a fraction of the price!  I don’t think it was every used, or if so, very little.  I am really looking forward to making something with this new find!</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TVQ5zBiI/AAAAAAAAEPw/4yGGEmL45zM/s1600-h/20091208-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091208-4" border="0" alt="20091208-4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx7TWOr33WI/AAAAAAAAEP4/AAFpuF79NrE/20091208-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="515" /></a></p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-42472753055543297002009-12-07T17:46:00.001-08:002009-12-07T20:28:50.285-08:00Weekend Away<p>My husband Jason and I decided we really needed some more quality/quantity time together, so this weekend while my parents graciously watched the kids, we got away to a favorite B&B in Cambridge, Wisconsin, the <a href="http://www.ohhanson.com/" target="_blank">Oscar H. Hanson House</a>.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uGscMcII/AAAAAAAAEO0/NjDQGylqFZM/s1600-h/s-front1%5B21%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="s-front1" border="0" alt="s-front1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uHw6O6DI/AAAAAAAAEO8/-3RbwlibMcU/s-front1_thumb%5B19%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="228" /></a> </p><p>We had gone there once before and stayed in the same room as the first time.</p><p>The owners, Mary Jane and Duke have done a beautiful job remodeling and decorating the interior of the house.</p><p>The dining room</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uIyrjO2I/AAAAAAAAENE/r3DaSEJZTe4/s1600-h/20091204-7%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091204-7" border="0" alt="20091204-7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uKdD8ldI/AAAAAAAAENI/F813I8Yay0c/20091204-7_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="492" /></a></p><p>Bathroom details</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5cldi2yn-_WvTGh37ZHXCblVlnPSNC7zzoEOmsfhie16fDJlZ8ELvyByTdRjBmDmMVPXEIxK1W4RkUy8PzW1X7nbSwY-5tj_IzSBjWp5tHsaZeee4ZXmpOEGTIV_NTU1cMpERvywBUgX/s1600-h/20091204-2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091204-2" border="0" alt="20091204-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uNMQfFtI/AAAAAAAAENQ/Zx35_xc5DNU/20091204-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uOCsJp3I/AAAAAAAAENU/sba0NMtvk1Q/s1600-h/20091204-3%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091204-3" border="0" alt="20091204-3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uPhDAEII/AAAAAAAAENY/XUoHR_UFR08/20091204-3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uRGie9OI/AAAAAAAAENc/UfdWPYPRQrQ/s1600-h/20091204-4%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091204-4" border="0" alt="20091204-4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uS8_3xlI/AAAAAAAAENg/m1irmQybV9M/20091204-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uU4sg8iI/AAAAAAAAENk/LaOIXLcLkww/s1600-h/20091204-5%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091204-5" border="0" alt="20091204-5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj2He3VodIxlKWUqhW04ivNUTTLteJcmoxYR5EQbtZ3pV0_ctvk96LVC7aosi1z-iMwFhgO9ofoyon0PVa4uUKxE6E7h4_uNd1crfgLC6uBmlVPtl9bWD88Mq416C49zl3OQB-ezeKDmb/?imgmax=800" width="142" height="244" /></a> </p><p>The room we stayed in</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uW9rxZKI/AAAAAAAAENs/BpaH6buSRTE/s1600-h/20091204-6%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091204-6" border="0" alt="20091204-6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uYRDqqUI/AAAAAAAAENw/Wtra-j6xyIw/20091204-6_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="252" /></a> </p><p>Cambridge is out in the middle of farm country and we enjoyed taking pictures…</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uZdQhQlI/AAAAAAAAEN0/rPFjU8eOaSg/s1600-h/20091205%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205" border="0" alt="20091205" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uak3PaBI/AAAAAAAAEN4/iWVT4VOd8BM/20091205_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="249" /></a> </p><p>Like this…</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2ucvlBpaI/AAAAAAAAEN8/unFvgz7NFWc/s1600-h/20091205-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205-2" border="0" alt="20091205-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2udb0b-xI/AAAAAAAAEOA/3QtIyp3yGM0/20091205-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="248" /></a> </p><p>There were a few shops in town. We bought some black coffee mugs at <a href="http://www.cambridgestoneware.com/" target="_blank">Cambridge Stoneware Pottery</a>.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2ue4IX8aI/AAAAAAAAEOE/m8waWnk8Ptc/s1600-h/20091205-7%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205-7" border="0" alt="20091205-7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dnn6wiIqvg4m3g4C5qFZAK-NR8k3_xP6K-VRXMGjDPRKsVo9ssTivBznpnKO3CIMSrPfSYdyEjzQVkdanEXqvxQBrq16qRp1vtTRHtiizCYPyZY6Vt7Eq9UGOYAa9XO5taA-_TEj6yNZ/?imgmax=800" width="345" height="507" /></a></p><p>The store had some nice displays…</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uhwbgZyI/AAAAAAAAEOM/bs0vozSvD88/s1600-h/20091205-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205-3" border="0" alt="20091205-3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2ujLOe0jI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/Yk2F_bJM_Is/20091205-3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="241" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2ukj0AzBI/AAAAAAAAEOU/cMIieN557b0/s1600-h/20091205-5%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205-5" border="0" alt="20091205-5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2umhm-_xI/AAAAAAAAEOY/W7YEgr0YvvI/20091205-5_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="515" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uoYfp7kI/AAAAAAAAEOc/Puyedm0sXwU/s1600-h/20091205-6%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205-6" border="0" alt="20091205-6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2up9r4BlI/AAAAAAAAEOg/qbTRqB9s-80/20091205-6_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="239" /></a> </p><p>Saturday night we went for our fourth visit to the <a href="http://www.firesidetheatre.com/" target="_blank">Fireside Dinner Theater</a> in Fort Atkinson. The food was ok. The production was very enjoyable.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2urVrwd4I/AAAAAAAAEOk/nNvb2tiV_A8/s1600-h/20091205-8%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091205-8" border="0" alt="20091205-8" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2usxyLUAI/AAAAAAAAEOo/0q5DNvTPBf8/20091205-8_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="269" /></a> </p><p>Sunday late morning we headed back to pick up the kids, and use some of the new features we discovered in our new Highlander. (The backseat kid watching mirror.) The weekend was a very nice break and good times together as husband and wife.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uuXdz29I/AAAAAAAAEOs/a7aYN-HY1T4/s1600-h/20091206%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="20091206" border="0" alt="20091206" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sx2uvHnLSDI/AAAAAAAAEOw/amhxBUp1FEE/20091206_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="288" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Until next time…</p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3041242497817700292.post-74349027705202815802009-12-03T14:02:00.001-08:002009-12-03T14:02:35.881-08:00Teacher’s Gifts<p>This year, my children’s teachers are each getting an apron.</p> <p>First, my daughter’s Kindergarten teacher is getting this red snowflake number…</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1FPzd1eI/AAAAAAAAELs/1Cv5TUvAGDs/s1600-h/20091203%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091203" border="0" alt="20091203" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1IDppf1I/AAAAAAAAELw/ixhI9C3CS_4/20091203_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="651" /></a> </p> <p>(I actually used a pattern that I drew myself using a ruler and a some free hand onto craft paper!  Not too shabby, eh?)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1JsyuIFI/AAAAAAAAEL0/Sju90ZV-HQ0/s1600-h/20091203-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091203-2" border="0" alt="20091203-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1MHEKMCI/AAAAAAAAEL4/IGuzuGmE6XI/20091203-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="751" /></a> </p> <p>And my son’s preschool teacher who LOVES brown, is getting this one…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnA8e7hnJPYX3JtZ2yd66rEf_bW7kfeaG1qP1PlxkJoAhRxWXOWRIJRX1vmAW452U03hsN2s60Cl807bbiQxsKVl9PV3t9gBeJHPwILw20USvn7gJOA9yVvKKlSUuZsTlW-KobeeihvMT/s1600-h/20091203-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091203-3" border="0" alt="20091203-3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3I4-kMW3_vjeXpJhCEFeDWRhpiJPftTuuFHL5N0VJUEQlGqX9MRxi2Bqt33ePRCefaD3yZwEwLsToMdk8vC-kuumdphRIjpMgiIQ-dgwTF4tXaWTADCBpjGFOhDj1TRkcmgDa1cHLT_h/?imgmax=800" width="340" height="575" /></a> </p> <p>I will be making at least one other apron before Christmas, but probably two.  One is a custom order from a real life friend, the other is hopefully a half apron from the fabric I had left over from the snowflake fabric.  Business has been really good both in the store and also custom orders from friends and real life clients.  So I have been keeping really busy.</p> <p>I also embellished some frames for each of the three teachers at the Montessori school where my kids go.  I LOVE this craft and have made about 11 of these frames so far.  This idea is from Jessica of <a href="http://brixtonlife.blogspot.com/2009/10/31-days-of-fall-day-11.html" target="_blank">Brixton Lane</a>.  She has a wonderful tutorial so you could try it yourself!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1SKVtFNI/AAAAAAAAEME/GTYNzSoAzf4/s1600-h/20091203-4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091203-4" border="0" alt="20091203-4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1UgCpeeI/AAAAAAAAEMI/KBhBggu10-I/20091203-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="304" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1WvlzzYI/AAAAAAAAEMM/KlARiSfpgBo/s1600-h/20091203-5%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091203-5" border="0" alt="20091203-5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1Y_tKvFI/AAAAAAAAEMU/Kw9boDv--HA/20091203-5_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="274" /></a> </p> <p>A little gift to myself arrived this week.  A custom design camera bag from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wickedstitchdesigns2" target="_blank">Wicked Stitch Designs</a>.  It’s so cute I could almost eat it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1aUNW0II/AAAAAAAAEMY/BqkbYaC8n8k/s1600-h/20091130-7%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="20091130-7" border="0" alt="20091130-7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YFoqKyf4RLk/Sxg1eSdU3jI/AAAAAAAAEMc/EnwBDsTpvf4/20091130-7_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="591" /></a></p> <p>And… yesterday our first Christmas card arrived while today our first snowflakes arrived.  My has 2009 flown by!</p> Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107468169173368297noreply@blogger.com1