tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16404954874195615112024-03-13T06:40:32.731-05:00Fun With NancyWelcome to my blog where I share a little of my cooking, furniture refinishing, crafting, and sometimes a wee little bit of my opinion. Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-24875200145670286832015-06-02T19:40:00.000-05:002015-06-02T19:40:10.408-05:00That's Entertainment!Hi All, I bet you thought I was a blog deserter! Well, I'm not! I'm just a bad blogger! I have been busy with tons of projects and I'm the worst at taking pictures and downloading them. I am, however, very excited to show off this project. I finally finished my entertainment unit! This post has a ton of pics so I'm going to keep the narration down to a minimum. Please feel free to leave comments any questions. Enjoy!<br />
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To the far left you will see my TV against a plain wall. I wanted a custom built entertainment center, but not the custom built expense!<br />
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At work a really nice bookshelf wall unit was for sale, but it was way too tall for this basement space. The price was $300.00, so tempting! I called my brother Sam, asked if we could cut it down, and as always he jumps in, and helps (OK! as always I drag him kicking and screaming!!!)<br />
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Work dropped the price to $150.00 and I had to have it! This is my amazing brother Sam! Love you Bubba! He is so patient with me. We removed the center dividers, and built a shelf to support the TV.<br />
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We staggered the top heights, pushed the two side shelves to the walls, removed the backs, added beadboard, built headers, and footers. <br />
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The TV fits perfectly, and so far, I am loving the unit. Sam's job is all done now, and the rest is all on me!<br />
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If you have ever read my blog, then you know how much I love adding trim and crap to my projects! I love rope trim and lions!<br />
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Matching up holes for the shelves was NOT fun! I made myself a template, but I'm not sure it really saved me any time.<br />
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Primed and ready for paint<br />
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<span style="color: black;">adding trim, shells, and scrolls. I make my own design using smaller pieces and combining them because buying these in the lengths that I need (want) is very expensive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I used two different paints, a creamy white for the beadboard and shelves, and a dark gray by Martha Stewart. I think its called slate or steal (I know I suck! but I can always look on the can if someone really wants to know). The next few frames show some detail.</span></td></tr>
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I used my all time favorite black walnut stain for depth. I love this stuff!<br />
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Always looks amazing!<br />
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And then the part that really is a time suck! Plastic, tape, plastic, tape, plastic tape! Spray on poly-acrylic top coat.<br />
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TaDa!!!!! The finished unit!<br />
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I think it's awesome! I spent less than $1000.00 on materials and paint for the entire unit, not counting the endless hours of work and the fact that my Brother worked for free!<br />
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We found strip lighting at IKEA for about $25.00 and anytime we feel "Disco-ish" we can turn up the funk!<br />
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Not bad!<br />
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I love all of the detail this piece has. <br />
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So, I promise not to let another year go by. I have a few more projects to load up. Let me know what you think!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-70263666486985783042014-03-02T10:45:00.000-06:002014-03-02T11:28:31.335-06:00Baby Shower cake pops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been a little too long since my last post. I am a slacker to say the least! I am snowed in today and had a revelation that I would blog. I can not believe how long it has been since my last entry. So, If anyone is still following me, Hi......Here is a cute little tutorial on sprucing up some cupcakes for a baby shower. </div>
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Make cake balls (the right way, see my tutorial <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2010/08/cake-balls-right-way.html" target="_blank">here</a>, If your a comedian and want to see how NOT to make them then read<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1640495487419561511#editor/target=post;postID=5154951478101101261;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=55;src=postname" target="_blank"> this</a>)</div>
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I like to dip my stick in melted chocolate to act as "glue" </div>
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If you don't have a candy melter, use a double boiler (I usually put a glass bowl over a saucepan with enough water to boil, but doesn't touch the glass bowl bottom). This is my niece's candy melter, I didn't think it was any easier to use than a double boiler.</div>
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get some miniature cupcake liners and cut a slit down one side</div>
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Dip all of the cake pops in melted chocolate. I tinted these with a very small dot of orange to make a flesh color. Place in refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes to harden</div>
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After the chocolate has hardened, place each one into the liner and tape the bottom around the stick. This makes the top flare out like a little bonnet.</div>
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Hot glue a bow, and with brown colored chocolate, or melted chocolate chips, pipe a face onto each one. I put them back into the refrigerator for 15-30 min and your done!</div>
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I carried them in Tupperware with wax paper between each layer and placed them in the cupcakes at the event. I also make some chocolate letters of the babies name and used them as cupcake toppers.</div>
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I need one of those great cameras so my pics actually look as cute as the finished product!</div>
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Here is Diana, the Mommy. She had a boy by the way.......</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-736816291923472252012-07-09T22:45:00.000-05:002012-07-09T22:45:04.048-05:00Beach Inspired TableI saw this table in an art flyer a few years ago and I fell madly in love with it. I have searched high and low for a similar table but just couldn't find it. Of course it had to be super cheep because I really had no idea how I was going to execute the process.<br />
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When I purchased the coffee and end tables (see that tutorial <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1640495487419561511#editor/target=post;postID=2048269467691992330">here)</a> it came with this little sofa table. I decided to go for it! I only paid $100.00 for all 4 pieces so $25 bucks + materials felt like a good price for the experiment.<br />
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Mr. belt sander did the hard work on the top. I lightly hand sanded the legs.<br />
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2 coats of primer<br />
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I purchased all of the shells for around $12 bucks<br />
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Next step glue on the shells. Big snafu! None of these worked, except the super glue. It nicely glued my forefinger to my thumb (yes, I had on gloves! Darn small hole somewhere....)<br />
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I had a brilliant brain moment and came up with this idea! Tile mastic stuff. You know the stuff you lay down before you stick the tile to the floor.<br />
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It spread beautifully! Like frosting. Very easy to clean up with a damp rag.<br />
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I arranged the shells, and this stuff stays wet for a few hours so it's easy to rearrange shells. I let them dry for about 3 days.<br />
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I painted the bottom part blue (I mixed two sample jars I had to get this shade). When dry, I glazed it with 3:1 ratio of faux glaze and water soluble Black Walnut.<br />
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I painted the top with 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of white, and strategically painted on some accent color. This is a sample color called wicker from Lowe's. <br />
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After it dried, I used a sample color called Dove from Lowe's and a wood graining tool.<br />
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After it all dried, steal wool, then 3 coats of polyurethane. Don't use polyurethane if you want it crystal clear. Use polyacrylic. I didn't want to spend the money to buy polyacrylic and I really regret it! I had 2 cans of the polyurethane and used that to save $. It turned yellowish. I knew it would.....<br />
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Now comes the messy part. Mix up sanded grout with water to make a semi-runny paste<br />
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Put it into a plastic baggie, snipped off one corner (once a cake decorator, always a cake decorator)<br />
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squeeze it into all the nooks and crannies between the shells and fill in all the holes. I used a combination of my fingers, and this small cheep art brush. <br />
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Why did I do this? Because the mastic looks like dried glue and that's not the look I was inspired by. I wanted a washed up, beachy, look. Here is what the shells look like on dried mastic.<br />
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And this is what they look like once the grout is shoved into all the groves and wiped clean with a wet cloth. It has a nice cohesive, sandy beach look.<br />
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Cover the legs up because the next step was to spray all the dried grouted shells with polyacrylic. Yes. polyacrylic. I actually found one partially used can in the basement and was excited to use it. <br />
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This picture was straight when I down loaded it. So bear with me.... I mixed a 4:1 ratio of Faux Glaze and a taupe acrylic paint.<br />
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The shells were just too white. I wanted an aged look. See the difference between the left and right sides.<br />
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Next, time to dirty up the shells. Straight up water based Black Walnut (my all time favorite color and product). By the way I do not monetize, so no biased information here. Just the stuff I use, and like.<br />
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I used a clean lint free cloth and an old art brush to dab it on and then rub it in. If the color was too dark I simply diluted it with water. <br />
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Here it is before the stain<br />
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And after. Me loves it!!!!<br />
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Here it is all done. I love it! I slightly distressed the table before the staining and sealing stages. My hope for the top was to make it looked like drift wood. I'm not sure I accomplished that, but I like it. I don't love the top, but I don't hate it enough to strip it.<br />
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My beachy end table. It lives at the lake in one of my bathrooms. I do not believe it will live there forever. I'm thinking maybe my bedroom, or the hallway. So, What do you think (besides I need a good camera). <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-54607101185020860312012-04-03T07:00:00.001-05:002012-04-03T07:00:07.944-05:00Zebra Baby Shower Finishing TouchesI promise this is the last of the zebra baby shower posts. I must admit it makes me sad. I had a lot of fun with this baby shower. I titled this finishing touches because it's that attention to all the small details that in the end gets you the "WOW" factor.<br />
Water tub. I had this one from a friends baby shower, but as you see its not zebra.<br />
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But what's this? Zebra tape! <br />
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Like magic! it's a zebra tub now!<br />
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What would look cuter than this tub you ask? This tub full of zebra and pink personalized water bottles!<br />
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These are so adorable! I order my water bottle labels on-line, but you can make your own with computer programs and labels. I personally don't think it's worth the time or ink to make them myself.<br />
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If you're going to play games or need pens then this tutorial on <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/02/fancy-pens-fit-for-hot-pink-zebra.html">fancy pens</a> is a must! So easy and very inexpensive. Everyone loved them and asked if they could keep the pens!<br />
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Candy tables are all the rage, and I for one love them! We used a combination of home made and store bought goodies with adorable hand written labels. If your interested in the recipe for the <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/03/chocolate-pretzel-sticks.html">chocolate pretzels</a> or cream cheese <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/03/cream-cheese-mints.html">mints</a> here's the links.<br />
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we covered the table in hot pink plastic and pink tulle<br />
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We actually served a food buffet of fried chicken, pasta, etc, but somehow I didn't get any pictures! I was too busy <strike>talking</strike> working. I know (I suck!). However, I did manage to take a picture of the <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/02/styling-utensils.html">utensils</a>. I have a short tutorial on how to wrap them. <br />
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This really cute <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/03/zebra-banner.html">banner</a> was easily made by a real amateur (me). If you would like to make one see the tutorial.<br />
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One of the games we played was pass the tray. I love this game because its so fun to see how many items guest can remember when they only have 2 minutes to look at the tray. I made this from a previously used food tray. I hot glued the lid upside down onto the bottom tray and them used the zebra tape on the rim coordinate with our zebra theme.<br />
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I never know which sweeteners to serve. Sugar is a given, but the sugar substitutes can be tricky. Equal, Truvia, Splenda, etc. So, for a few extra dollars I just threw caution to the wind and served all of them. These unit of use packages are great because there is no waste. I found this hot pink & zebra heart container at the craft store and it worked perfectly!<br />
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I loved how it turned out.<br />
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I made 2 balloon poles. Here is the tutorial on this <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/02/hot-pink-zebra-baby-shower-week.html">balloon pole</a>. My only regret is the top balloon (the header) was much smaller than the size I thought it was. I was disappointed, but it is what it is.<br />
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The entry table was adorable. The signature book, pens, baby wish cards, etc. We played a game where the Mommy-to-be drew names from the self-addressed Thank You cards. We gave every guest an envelope and asked them to self-address it. Now that makes the tasks of thank you cards much easier.<br />
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Hot drink station had coffee, decaf coffee, hot water, tea bags, & hot chocolate packets. I placed the cups and creamers on top of zebra scrap booking paper as a mat, stir sticks in a plastic zebra cup.<br />
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hand made labels added a nice touch. <br />
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I want a cup of coffee...<br />
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In the background you can see a zebra tray with zebra gifts. These were the guest gifts for the games we played. The tray is a simple tray wrapped in ribbon.<br />
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The tables were covered in hot pink with balloon bouquets. On the back wall you can see the gift table and next to it the cold drink station. One of my nieces friends made her a diaper cake. Such a cute idea for the gift table.<br />
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The knife and server were adorned with zebra ribbons<br />
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The chocolate fountain table had marshmallows, wafer cookies, honey pretzel twists, strawberries, & Rice Krispie treats. We pre-speared them before hand to reduce wait time as guest dipped away. All the plates and napkins were of course hot pink & zebra print. <br />
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The Mommy-to-be by the <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2012/03/zebra-pink-cake-and-cupcakes.html">cake table</a>. You can check out the belly cake tutorial.<br />
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Zebra striped fondant toppers were adorable and super easy to make. See the above cake tutorial.<br />
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The cold drink station had this really cute pink lemonade fountain. Pop was placed in a big plastic tub covered in a black trash bag and taped with zebra tape and pink bow.</div>
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All in all it was a very fun shower and I think the guest had a great time. It is these little details that add up to one really great shower. I hope you can use some of these ideas for your next party!</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-73017908342349889882012-03-30T08:49:00.001-05:002012-04-02T16:27:38.327-05:00Zebra & Pink Cake and Cupcakes<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
My niece found an adorable cake on Pinterest and wanted it for her shower. The only problem is that the cake on Pinterest had a foot imprint on the belly and we thought that looked kind of creepy (no disrespect meant to the original baker), it just wasn't our style. So here is the cake I made. No foot on the belly.</div>
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This cake is realitivly easy to make. You need a baseball pan and a scocer pan. Put one little dab of icing under each ball to secure it to the board. Make sure you level your cakes first so they sit flat. See my tutorial on <a href="http://funwithnancy.blogspot.com/2010/06/wedding-cake.html">Maria's Wedding Cake</a>.</div>
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Then place a thin layer of buttercream icing to catch any crumbs (also known as a crumb coat), finish icing and add a layer of fondant. I usually make marshallow fondant but I used Wiltons ready made fondant for this cake. No reason, I was just lazy.</div>
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This cake will not serve many people, maybe about 15-20 at the most, so I made cupcakes too.</div>
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each cupckae was topped with a fondant cut out in the shape of a princess crown, a teddy bear, or a little chick</div>
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These are super easy to make but require a few days to dry. </div>
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using a small cookie cutter I cut out all the shapes. I then painted directly on them with black food paste (Wilton) in a zebra print.</div>
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They will never dry! So I dip them into sanding sugar. This was a beautiful irridesent sugar I got from Hobby Lobby (I don't monitize so free advertizing for them!)</div>
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Then place on a cookie rack and leave them out to dry for a few days. Make your life easy and put these on after you've loaded all your cupcakes into the final display stand. I pack mine in a plastic container with wax paper between each layer.</div>
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If you know me then you know I couldn't leave well enough alone so I made the actual cake and cupcake batter zebra too!</div>
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I'll spare you the tutorial since I got it off of Pinterest. Here is the link to that tutorial <a href="http://sugarturntable.com/?p=1280">"Zebra cake"</a></div>
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Here is my Beautiful Niece Maria ready to pop that baby girl out!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-19881397607889712002012-03-30T08:19:00.001-05:002012-03-30T08:22:39.195-05:00Chocolate Pretzel SticksToday's blog is about chocolate covered pretzel sticks. They are supper easy to make. It almost seems silly to give you a tutorial, but I had to google the process since it was my first time. If your reading this, then maybe you've thought about making them too. <br />
The shopping list is simple. I used candy melts, large pretzel sticks, and food coloring if needed.<br />
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I melted my candy in a glass jar so the dipping process would be easier than the tutorials I had seen on google.<br />
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Microwave the candy melts on high at 30 second intervals, stir, and repeat until all the candy is melted. I used a kabob skewer<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> to mix. </span><br />
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line a cookie sheet with wax paper and start dipping the pretzels.<br />
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Here (this is a view using pink chocolate) you see how I tilted the jar to get a nice even coat of chocolate. Twirl your pretzel stick as your take it out to keep the chocolate coating even. <br />
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I placed the coated sticks into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. You will get some chocolate puddles but that's no problem.<br />
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Just use a knife and carve it off. I made white sticks with pink drizzles and visa versa. I put my contrasting colored chocolate into a plastic baggie, snipped off a very small section of one corner and used it as a pastry bag as I used a random drizzle pattern.<br />
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you don't need a knife to clean the excess drizzle, they just snap off with your fingers once they've dried. I bought Wilton pretzel bags, wrapped each one individually, and added curling ribbon. Unfortunately I don't have that picture but you can see the final presentation in the far left corner of the candy table below. I know I took those pictures! Sorry guys! Next time I'm going to stand them up in a vase instead of laying them down in a tray. Live and learn.<br />
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The taste of salty pretzel mixed with the sweet chocolate was just delicious! Give them a try!</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-61916269233834285322012-03-29T16:31:00.000-05:002012-03-29T16:31:31.663-05:00Cream Cheese Mints<div style="text-align: center;">
You can't have a baby shower and not serve cream cheese mints, they're tradition!</div>
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I remember as a child they were served at every baby shower and how much I loved them. I still think they're yummy! </div>
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There are only 3 ingredients + food coloring:</div>
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2 lbs (one large bag) of powdered sugar (any brand will do)</div>
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8 oz of room temperature cream cheese</div>
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2 to 3 drops of spearmint oil. I buy mine in the candy isle of Hobby Lobby or Micheal's. If you are tempted to put more than 2 to 3 drops of this oil in DON'T! it gets stronger as the flavors cure overnight. I let 2 drops drip into a spoon to prevent it from falling into the mixture.</div>
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Food coloring of your choice.</div>
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I mix the food coloring into the cream cheese until I get the desired color I want then I mix in the flavoring and powder sugar. You will end up using your hand to finish mixing it. I usually dump it out onto my counter and knead it until it looks like this.</div>
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Then I cut it into fourths, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. When your ready to make the mints, take one-fourth out of the refrigerator at a time. It rolls better if its cold.</div>
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Knead a piece for a minute to slightly warm it up and pinch off small little balls and roll into sugar. If this is your first time making the mints roll one ball to assure it is the correct size for your mold.</div>
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press the ball into a rubber or silicone mold (I ordered mine on-line from a candy company for about $3.50)</div>
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then just pop the mint out onto wax paper. That's it! I put my mints on cookie trays and refrigerate them for a few hours before I pack them into a plastic container or a box. Put wax paper between each layer. Keep them refrigerated until your ready to plate them. They freeze beautifully too! </div>
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They look as good as they taste.</div>
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and they are adorable in blue too (yeah, I know my picture is sideways. oops)</div>
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Try them at your next event. They are great for weddings, birthdays, what ever the event!</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-4317474916479106622012-03-25T08:51:00.000-05:002012-03-25T08:51:32.868-05:00Zebra BannerLook who's finally back! Somewhere in the middle of presenting baby shower week I fell and tore my right hip <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hip-labral-tear/DS00920/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all">labrum</a>. I had surgery to correct it. I am now able to sit up (for about one hour) and get this blog thing on the road again. Sorry for the interruption.<br />
Today I am going to give you a very remedial tutorial on how to make a banner. It's for people like me who don't own <strike>too cheep to purchase</strike> a Cricket machine. <br />
Hobby Lobby (remember I don't monetize so no promoting going on here) was having a 50% off sale on crafting paper and cutters. I was smack in the middle of my niece Maria's baby shower, so I was sucked into the whirlwind world of paper punchers. Before this banner I had made Zero banners!<br />
I purchased zebra and pink scrapbook paper because it was on sale (too cheep to buy the already cut stuff)<br />
and cut them to an arbitrary size that looked good to me. I basically cut each sheet into 4 pieces.<br />
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Armed with my IPad, a black sharpie, self-adhesive rhinestones, a corner punch, and straight punch I lunged into a paper crafting frenzy!</div>
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Corners where the easy part. Just insert paper and press. I googled fonts and just free handed my letters.<br />
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added some bling, cause that's how I roll.</div>
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Cut my zebra paper about one inch larger than the pink paper, and punched the corners.</div>
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the straight punch has line up holes that took some practice figuring out how to actually line it up. I practiced on a few scraps before starting the project.</div>
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Now, if you buy precut paper (it's really expensive compared to 50% off scrap booking paper) these corner punch and straight punch holes line up perfectly. I cut my own paper so I had gaps. My saving grace is that this banner is going up about 6 ft over a kitchen pass through window and the paper is very busy visually.<br />
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I used a singe hole punch and just punched a few holes (this is where the real crafters are laughing at me)<br />
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I had small areas like this, but I didn't care because I knew no one would be able to see them.</div>
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Do you see them? Now imagine this 6 feet up in the air.</div>
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On the sides I lined up these gaps where the ribbon would be placed. An easy way to let an error look like it was planned.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0iRet6DdRg/T28RQx0FXUI/AAAAAAAABMA/yEJeQ5_5tIw/s1600/DSCN2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0iRet6DdRg/T28RQx0FXUI/AAAAAAAABMA/yEJeQ5_5tIw/s320/DSCN2049.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
At this point I wasn't sure how I was going to hang this banner, so I punched one hole in each gap for ribbon.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DNTF1iZ-mE/T28Rd813A6I/AAAAAAAABMI/cCMeDBE7QmI/s1600/DSCN2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DNTF1iZ-mE/T28Rd813A6I/AAAAAAAABMI/cCMeDBE7QmI/s320/DSCN2033.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Here are my Martha Stewart hole punches. I use them all the time for other projects like doilies, place cards, tags, etc. I would not have purchased them at the regular price of $28.00 so I'm really glad they were on sale.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5yaK0LmUPc/T28Rj76s0cI/AAAAAAAABMQ/ULudjaFY-Gk/s1600/DSCN2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5yaK0LmUPc/T28Rj76s0cI/AAAAAAAABMQ/ULudjaFY-Gk/s320/DSCN2034.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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I used stick glue to attach the top pink portion to the back zebra paper</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUhMvjCKXRY/T28RqpQclSI/AAAAAAAABMY/rJqs5XvZQTs/s1600/DSCN2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUhMvjCKXRY/T28RqpQclSI/AAAAAAAABMY/rJqs5XvZQTs/s320/DSCN2035.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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And that's it! How cute is this?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97TLQZszcwE/T28RxdZoCHI/AAAAAAAABMg/WklUrQiY1HM/s1600/DSCN2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97TLQZszcwE/T28RxdZoCHI/AAAAAAAABMg/WklUrQiY1HM/s320/DSCN2053.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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I wanted the banner to read "Baby Cook" but it needed something between the lettering. I googled "pregnant silhouettes" and free handed this onto the pink paper, used my black sharpie to fill it in, cut it out, and glued it to the pink paper. To finish it, I added some blingage.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzdYo6PdJDQ/T28R4HzUjGI/AAAAAAAABMo/BgEgY-6zT4U/s1600/DSCN2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzdYo6PdJDQ/T28R4HzUjGI/AAAAAAAABMo/BgEgY-6zT4U/s320/DSCN2050.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Lined up the project on the table and took a good look at it. My letters need a little something more so I added squiggly loops to the font. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOYmqpgWSBM/T28R-h1OZdI/AAAAAAAABMw/MIaswuu8lSI/s1600/DSCN2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOYmqpgWSBM/T28R-h1OZdI/AAAAAAAABMw/MIaswuu8lSI/s320/DSCN2081.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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You need to know the length of the intended hang area. I added about 10 to 12 inches of additional ribbon to each side so we could extend it, or tie a ribbon if needed once it was hung. I used a rough guesstimate of where each letter should be.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dvijEvMheuw/T28SFbiISgI/AAAAAAAABM4/Vx-FzsNC6Lg/s1600/DSCN2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dvijEvMheuw/T28SFbiISgI/AAAAAAAABM4/Vx-FzsNC6Lg/s320/DSCN2082.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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I decided to go with wide ribbon and hot glued it to the back. I also embellished with pink plastic diaper pins.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGKtVP8JJ84/T28SMWFGuxI/AAAAAAAABNA/REw3ysCUdk0/s1600/DSCN2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGKtVP8JJ84/T28SMWFGuxI/AAAAAAAABNA/REw3ysCUdk0/s320/DSCN2159.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Not a great picture, but it was really cute at the shower. This entire banner cost me less than $5.00 because all the items were 50% off. I didn't include the cost of the punches. It was a big hit and the Mama-to-be loved it!</div>
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What do you think?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-37629337415365259142012-02-08T06:37:00.000-06:002012-02-08T06:37:38.213-06:00Styling utensils!<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking for a fun way to display utensils at your next party? Well, look no further! This little project is fun, easy, and makes going through a buffet line a few steps quicker. I made over 60 of them in less than 1 hour! </div>
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Keeping with the hot pink & zebra theme for the baby shower I picked up this really cute craft box at Hobby Lobby (I don't monetize, so free plug here) for $2.99 and the stickers were 50% off so I think they were only a buck or two.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFnouNZBYFQ/TzHueU10CzI/AAAAAAAABJY/zdjiKt370Sc/s1600/DSCN1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFnouNZBYFQ/TzHueU10CzI/AAAAAAAABJY/zdjiKt370Sc/s320/DSCN1925.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Place the napkin on a diagonal and place your fork so that it sticks out about 1 inch.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2QZzrr4xYk/TzHulA2Gn0I/AAAAAAAABJg/SQ-VpJYZmMI/s1600/DSCN1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2QZzrr4xYk/TzHulA2Gn0I/AAAAAAAABJg/SQ-VpJYZmMI/s320/DSCN1914.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Fork goes on top of the knife (I don't know if this is <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">etiquette, but it allows the utensils to stack correctly)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5x-ZebC1rFs/TzHusL4J-KI/AAAAAAAABJo/kP4pFYU7hM8/s1600/DSCN1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5x-ZebC1rFs/TzHusL4J-KI/AAAAAAAABJo/kP4pFYU7hM8/s320/DSCN1915.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Spoon is next</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7TQE61bVDhU/TzHuzhS1xAI/AAAAAAAABJw/3TGsIM86f08/s1600/DSCN1916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7TQE61bVDhU/TzHuzhS1xAI/AAAAAAAABJw/3TGsIM86f08/s320/DSCN1916.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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fold the bottom up and hold it over the utensils</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEhCrFn6HNI/TzHu5DJzQYI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Ywl2LerpShM/s1600/DSCN1917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEhCrFn6HNI/TzHu5DJzQYI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Ywl2LerpShM/s320/DSCN1917.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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I'm right handed so I'll be working left to right. It makes no difference which way it gets rolled.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnjioimCgyg/TzHu_aEOzKI/AAAAAAAABKA/rAdG9XXUpBM/s1600/DSCN1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnjioimCgyg/TzHu_aEOzKI/AAAAAAAABKA/rAdG9XXUpBM/s320/DSCN1918.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Fold over the left side of the napkin to the center, and then roll the utensils to the right.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZL2lbeHgFM/TzHvE6aXHJI/AAAAAAAABKI/CVyLtq79dmg/s1600/DSCN1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZL2lbeHgFM/TzHvE6aXHJI/AAAAAAAABKI/CVyLtq79dmg/s320/DSCN1919.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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and the little bundle is done.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--94edpiFNT8/TzHvKEcwu5I/AAAAAAAABKQ/FW5QwouoI_k/s1600/DSCN1920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--94edpiFNT8/TzHvKEcwu5I/AAAAAAAABKQ/FW5QwouoI_k/s320/DSCN1920.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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To hold the napkin in place simply place a sticker on it. These stickers can be personalized any way you want with on-line ETSY stores, etc. If you own a cricket machine....go nuts! I was lucky to find these pre-printed round stickers on sale (can you hear my cheep bird chirping?)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcCo3f2DIGY/TzHvQJJ9rKI/AAAAAAAABKY/P7TXxQyElU4/s1600/DSCN1921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcCo3f2DIGY/TzHvQJJ9rKI/AAAAAAAABKY/P7TXxQyElU4/s320/DSCN1921.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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I also made up bundles using zebra napkins and mixed up the box.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NBPAG9x6uC8/TzHvWcrol4I/AAAAAAAABKg/lCDNxfA3eO0/s1600/DSCN1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NBPAG9x6uC8/TzHvWcrol4I/AAAAAAAABKg/lCDNxfA3eO0/s320/DSCN1922.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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This project was a lot of fun and makes your party look like you really went that extra mile to make it special. So worth the time!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5rLVWvTZug/TzHvcs2h2dI/AAAAAAAABKo/EvZfqU6mabc/s1600/DSCN1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5rLVWvTZug/TzHvcs2h2dI/AAAAAAAABKo/EvZfqU6mabc/s320/DSCN1924.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Cute! Cute! Cute!</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-61576049651519314902012-02-07T21:17:00.000-06:002012-02-07T21:17:56.599-06:00Fancy Pens fit for a Hot Pink & Zebra affair!<div style="text-align: center;">
I needed pens for the baby shower games and wanted a fun way to incorporate the hot pink zebra theme. I wanted it to be cute, but I also wanted it to be <strike>cheep </strike>thrifty. I decided to recycle a few cans for the project. I think these were from stewed tomatoes.</div>
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Step one: cut off the top, wash, dry, cover in duct tape. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OhLYGXm3qc/TzEZUsMICYI/AAAAAAAABHw/g4I_-W1ImPU/s1600/DSCN1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OhLYGXm3qc/TzEZUsMICYI/AAAAAAAABHw/g4I_-W1ImPU/s320/DSCN1985.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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I placed the tape inside the can and overlapped the top to protect from any sharp edges.<br />
It's not cute if it cuts!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgJfo0Ox4LA/TzEZZtGHWpI/AAAAAAAABH4/LGEUolkfBog/s1600/DSCN1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgJfo0Ox4LA/TzEZZtGHWpI/AAAAAAAABH4/LGEUolkfBog/s320/DSCN1986.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Covered the entire can with layer #1. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MWCPVDbXcI/TzEZfiIDWhI/AAAAAAAABIA/t1I_gOViwJY/s1600/DSCN1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MWCPVDbXcI/TzEZfiIDWhI/AAAAAAAABIA/t1I_gOViwJY/s320/DSCN1987.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Then repeated the process using zebra duct tape for layer #2. I used 2 layers of tape because it made it look like a container and not so much like a tapped up can.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMydHXTMrGw/TzEZx4Hv11I/AAAAAAAABII/l3919yNqPuU/s1600/DSCN1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMydHXTMrGw/TzEZx4Hv11I/AAAAAAAABII/l3919yNqPuU/s320/DSCN1988.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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starting to look cute!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxQE7qDD_ug/TzEZ3tz_rmI/AAAAAAAABIQ/YRzqFGFOOmc/s1600/DSCN1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxQE7qDD_ug/TzEZ3tz_rmI/AAAAAAAABIQ/YRzqFGFOOmc/s320/DSCN1992.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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neat and clean!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ85bbX9xFw/TzEZ-cVX32I/AAAAAAAABIY/AKGUhUOY4yQ/s1600/DSCN1990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ85bbX9xFw/TzEZ-cVX32I/AAAAAAAABIY/AKGUhUOY4yQ/s320/DSCN1990.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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even the bottom got a layer.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHccUgrMj-4/TzEaEqaRbZI/AAAAAAAABIg/7hSjmHvKcFI/s1600/DSCN1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHccUgrMj-4/TzEaEqaRbZI/AAAAAAAABIg/7hSjmHvKcFI/s320/DSCN1993.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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That step is all done</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCGPnK6QU5w/TzEaKoNZPlI/AAAAAAAABIo/NHEkVzlZ4FE/s1600/DSCN1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCGPnK6QU5w/TzEaKoNZPlI/AAAAAAAABIo/NHEkVzlZ4FE/s320/DSCN1994.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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now just add a bow! How cute is that!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8flVepWgOE/TzEaRDdo7SI/AAAAAAAABIw/1x_na4mKPz0/s1600/DSCN1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8flVepWgOE/TzEaRDdo7SI/AAAAAAAABIw/1x_na4mKPz0/s320/DSCN1996.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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The pens were super easy too. I took black pens and taped 2 to 3 pink feathers on the lid with the same zebra tape.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ox9QjSHJiVY/TzEaXncqJKI/AAAAAAAABI4/bgDNBAr8SCQ/s1600/DSCN2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ox9QjSHJiVY/TzEaXncqJKI/AAAAAAAABI4/bgDNBAr8SCQ/s320/DSCN2025.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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nothing fancy to make but the look is!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AYpCPugKPLw/TzEadeCAejI/AAAAAAAABJA/STbrRrbvAxk/s1600/DSCN2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AYpCPugKPLw/TzEadeCAejI/AAAAAAAABJA/STbrRrbvAxk/s320/DSCN2028.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>
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Now I have 3 pen holders full of fun and wacky zebra pens</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2kZ1-TpLsA/TzEaj9E4AkI/AAAAAAAABJI/HudCFrO_VaQ/s1600/DSCN2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2kZ1-TpLsA/TzEaj9E4AkI/AAAAAAAABJI/HudCFrO_VaQ/s320/DSCN2026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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They looked really cute on the stationary table. </div>
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I think this is a great little project for the home, office, school, whatever! What do you think?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-89300947329707609582012-02-06T10:35:00.000-06:002012-02-06T10:35:52.650-06:00Hot Pink & Zebra Baby Shower Week!It's been a busy few months around my home to say the least! Holidays, baby shower, I fell at work and fractured a few bones (Boo Hoo!). With all that going on I hope you will excuse me for being a little behind in blogsville. <br />
This week I'm going to be posting several projects from my niece Maria's Baby shower. I hope you will be inspired to try some of them and let me know what you think! <br />
Today I'm going to share how to make a balloon stand. This was my first one ever! My niece Sarina (who use to own a floral & balloon shop) showed me how to make it and I loved it! Easy Peasy!<br />
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First you'll need a stand. I didn't design this one. It was used for my great niece Rose Marie's 16th Birthday. Her Daddy an electrician made it from parts he had laying around. You can use any parts you have laying around. It doesn't need to be this heavy duty, but it has to be strong enough to stand.<br />
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It was about 5'8' tall</div>
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You don't need to tape the pole, but you can see parts of it peeking through the balloons. At my niece Rose Marie's Birthday her Mom filled the spaces up with tulle and ribbons. It looked great but I'm too lazy and I knew I wouldn't have that much time the day of the shower. So I opted to tape the pole.</div>
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The theme was Hot Pink & Zebra so I used cool duct tape. Sooooo easy!</div>
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To cover the bottom and protect the balloons from any sharp edges on the base I just repurposed some material I had left over from another project.</div>
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I didn't finish off any edges. Just cut a slit in the center and drop it down the pole</div>
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Then I blew up the balloons using a small air compressor. I made 2 poles. Each pole held 7 layers of 4 balloons. Each layer had 1 silver, 1 hot pink, & 2 black balloons. I blew up 24 black, 12 hot pink, 12 silver total.<br />
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Each layer gets 1 silver, 1 hot pink, 2 black</div>
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Tie 2 black balloons together</div>
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Then tie one silver & one pink together</div>
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Now twist them together and rotate them so 2 black are together.</div>
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All that's left to do is simply slip this layer onto the pole. Slightly separate the 2 black balloons and slip them on.<br />
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Now each layer gets put on in the exact same sequence. Pay attention to the silver & pink balloons. If you invert them your layers wont twist correctly. For this sequence I always made sure it was silver, pink, black, black. Then just rotate the layers by one balloon to the right.<br />
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Then place your special balloon on top. Tie a ribbon to the top balloon & intertwine it among the other balloons to keep it in place. I wish I had used a bigger top balloon.</div>
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Tip: blow up all your balloons at home and twist each layer. Place 2 layers into a trash bag and carry them to the venue. Then just untie your trash bags (use them for the trash you'll make that day) and simply slip the balloons onto your poll.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-12599167947023255672011-12-17T08:02:00.000-06:002011-12-17T08:02:54.259-06:00Entry table redoI've been <strike>stalking</strike> perusing Craigslist for several months looking for that perfectly priced little table for my hallway entry. I came across this little number for $35.00. I found the half-round shape & legs interesting. Since it's forever home is under a round window I thought this would look fun!<br />
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Step one when buying something used is a good steaming. You never know what lives in someone elses house. Did someone order 200 degree steam?<br />
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Don't ask me how, but I found a way to break it! Uggggg! So glue and a time delay!<br />
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After 2 days of glue drying and then wood filling and sanding (and of course repeat, repeat, repeat) until it looked good. I could finally get back to sanding the table.<br />
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I stained it and noticed I had done a really bad job with the sanding process because I had blotches. So I stripped off the new stain and resanded.<br />
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The one thing I know I will get whenever I buy dark cherry lacquered furniture is this rubber crap-like edging. You can't stain it and I wanted the top to be stained. So...I painted it to look like wood & then stained it (I have a criminal mind...)<br />
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Here it is with 2 coats of Folk Art Coffee Latte.<br />
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I was feeling a little sassy and decided to stress it up with little nail holes and squiggly lines.<br />
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The bottom portion gets primed & stressed out in the same fashion as the top<br />
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After much debate and color sampling<br />
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I chose a very light sage green<br />
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The top sanded out beautifully and I love this wood detail<br />
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2 coats of minwax Provincial stain<br />
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After some slight distressing, I antiqued it using the same stain (check out that edging!)<br />
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I love these legs!<br />
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Hubby did a little bit of drawer adjusting and Chichilina got in on the act too!<br />
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How cute is this knob! I found it at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. Only cost me $2.99 and it matches perfectly.<br />
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And here it is all Polyurethaned and in it's forever home<br />
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Someday I'll get floors and this will look fabulous! Tell me what you think!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-20482694676919923302011-10-29T10:05:00.001-05:002011-10-29T10:10:28.070-05:00Black end tablesHello Peepers! I have been gone for far too long! Sorry about that. Sometimes you have to participate in soul sucking activities that consume all of your time (i.e. litigation with previous home contractor) but we wont go there! I am finally free to use my time as I please! Yippee!! "And what is it that?" you might ask.... Food & Furniture refinishing!!! <br />
Here are my new black end tables and coffee table for the lake house basement living room. Craigslist find for $25.00 each! SCORE! <br />
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This is one of the end tables covered in mahogany lacquer (yuck!) <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMYHq6Zqi04/TqtroOJDVhI/AAAAAAAABBQ/0epb7rHYRtY/s1600/DSCN1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMYHq6Zqi04/TqtroOJDVhI/AAAAAAAABBQ/0epb7rHYRtY/s320/DSCN1749.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
I stripped the legs reveling beautiful Mahogany wood (I love it!) and this is what the top looked like before stripping.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le_3Hh3SqO8/TqtrzXRpVmI/AAAAAAAABBY/5Rb2Yai3aWU/s1600/DSCN1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le_3Hh3SqO8/TqtrzXRpVmI/AAAAAAAABBY/5Rb2Yai3aWU/s320/DSCN1751.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
Look at how thick that lacquered layer is! Look at the wood inlay that is starting to reveal itself.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GucBJV0X3Fs/Tqtr7YGHozI/AAAAAAAABBg/quXGuxK6b2I/s1600/DSCN1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GucBJV0X3Fs/Tqtr7YGHozI/AAAAAAAABBg/quXGuxK6b2I/s320/DSCN1755.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
and there it is....ugly rubber edging crap! Why do they do this? <br />
I have come to know that when ever I see Mahogany thick lacquered furniture it has 3 things. <br />
1) real Mahogany beautiful legs 2) some other type of wood used for the top and sides 3) crap rubber edging that can only be painted.<br />
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For the first time ever I used Minwax Ebony WATERBASED stain. Oh Lord! I thought I was going nuts! Unlike oil based stains that you effortlessly apply, wait, then wipe off, this stuff dries in like 2 minutes. This stuff you have to apply and buff off immediately. I almost started crying (cussing commenced immediately!)<br />
I figured if I had to strip it off again I was going to reapply more stain first to see what it would look like. To my surprise it looked great! This is what 2 coats looks like. On the second coat I rubbed it in and then immediately buffed it off to remove any leftover stain.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrkEf0-o8aI/TqtsOz00ffI/AAAAAAAABB4/7R1RZU13Muw/s1600/DSCN1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrkEf0-o8aI/TqtsOz00ffI/AAAAAAAABB4/7R1RZU13Muw/s320/DSCN1831.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
Here's a side by side to show you one coat vs. two coats. I love the streaks. I slightly distressed the edges and re-stained them with Minwax Provincial oil based stain.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4atILLPfLqI/TqtsU7kWROI/AAAAAAAABCA/H0Jli-8agVs/s1600/DSCN1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4atILLPfLqI/TqtsU7kWROI/AAAAAAAABCA/H0Jli-8agVs/s320/DSCN1827.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
This is the coffee table. I love the wood inlay.<br />
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Here it is with two coats of black on the bottom half.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3adxtgX9X5Q/Tqtsg1U97BI/AAAAAAAABCQ/ozPsQzdUVHc/s1600/DSCN1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3adxtgX9X5Q/Tqtsg1U97BI/AAAAAAAABCQ/ozPsQzdUVHc/s320/DSCN1830.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
lightly distressed with Provincial stain<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0z7RSDF9iw/TqtsntyGZQI/AAAAAAAABCY/VPNVutnOpOw/s1600/DSCN1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0z7RSDF9iw/TqtsntyGZQI/AAAAAAAABCY/VPNVutnOpOw/s320/DSCN1829.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
The water based Ebony stain totally covered the inlay pattern (and Hubby loved the inlay), so I stripped off the water based Ebony, re-sanded, applied Minwax Oil based Ebony (which never stains black. At best dark brown).<br />
The end table to the left has one application of the oil based Ebony stain, the one to the right has 3.<br />
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I used 2 coats of black acrylic craft paint on the rubber edging.<br />
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After 4 coats of minwax Polyurethane they're done! <br />
Here is one of the end tables in it's forever home.<br />
Someday.....the forever home will get finished!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Se85Qg9Oqjw/Tqts7djagaI/AAAAAAAABCw/iK6jWffFwAM/s1600/DSCN1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Se85Qg9Oqjw/Tqts7djagaI/AAAAAAAABCw/iK6jWffFwAM/s320/DSCN1838.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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What do you think?</div>
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-32246840751184175482011-08-08T22:02:00.003-05:002011-08-08T22:10:46.544-05:00Slick End Table!My Hubby has a knack for bringing home some really ugly stuff! Now, I know in the world of "Man" (grunt) this stuff is supra-cool, but not so much in my world. When I got the call (imagine a little boy all excited) that he bought an autographed slick by John Force, well what else could I say but great! Wait.....what's a slick? A worn out tire! You bought a worn out tire! Yes...He bought a worn out tire (sigh) and this is what it looks like. This thing has sat in storage for about 5 years and we had some really different ideas on how it could be Incorporated into the house. I wont even begin to tell you some of the things he wanted to do with it (imagine it hanging from the ceiling, screwed into the walls....). I came up with the idea of making it into a table for the game room. That made him happy, so table it is!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HMn-V6OmsA/TkCY-2GZNaI/AAAAAAAAA_k/vOfm2LT0ClM/s1600/DSCN1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HMn-V6OmsA/TkCY-2GZNaI/AAAAAAAAA_k/vOfm2LT0ClM/s400/DSCN1397.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found a 38 inch round wood base at Home Depot. I painted it red and stained the p<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">erimeter</span></span></div>
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I enlisted the help of my wonderful Nephew and his tools (he has all the cool stuff!) and of course Hubby.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSyLfCbM5AM/TkCZ_6xQKTI/AAAAAAAAA_0/EJq-iS2Gvaw/s1600/DSCN1341.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSyLfCbM5AM/TkCZ_6xQKTI/AAAAAAAAA_0/EJq-iS2Gvaw/s400/DSCN1341.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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I found a small wooden spool at a local electrical shop that they gave me for free (score!)</div>
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After we cut it to the center hole diameter, I painted it black. I really didn't need too but I wasn't sure if there would be any gaps and I didn't want any wood to show.</div>
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Oh, yeah...I forgot to mention all the other cool man stuff he bought at the Funny Car Races with autographs over the past 5 years.</div>
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I came up with this idea that all these "cool" parts should be Incorporated into this table so here's what I designed. If we drill holes on the top of the spool we can drop all these "things" into the holes! Hey I'm a genius, what can I say!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OURO-i2MG1c/TkCbEUaTxkI/AAAAAAAABAU/O-yKi9adpqM/s1600/DSCN1407.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OURO-i2MG1c/TkCbEUaTxkI/AAAAAAAABAU/O-yKi9adpqM/s400/DSCN1407.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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We screwed the tire onto the base</div>
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I covered the wooden spool with 1/2 inch foam, covered it with racing material, and dropped all of the piston-thingy's into the holes. Cleaned the tire. Placed 36 inch round glass on top (Craig's list find)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju6gCbPcJFg/TkCbFhIzTII/AAAAAAAABAk/VALZqmdyecw/s1600/DSCN1419.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju6gCbPcJFg/TkCbFhIzTII/AAAAAAAABAk/VALZqmdyecw/s400/DSCN1419.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Made sure that Autograph was the main focus</div>
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I have no idea who these signatures belong to.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWkacMULp_0/TkCbGYe07hI/AAAAAAAABA0/J1nMCXPSn5I/s1600/DSCN1423.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWkacMULp_0/TkCbGYe07hI/AAAAAAAABA0/J1nMCXPSn5I/s400/DSCN1423.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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But hubby does!</div>
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And Viola! Super cool man table in the corner of the game room. </div>
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add beer and a few friends and man cave is complete (sort-of)</div>
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I love the way it came out! Imagine how cool this will look when I get tile installed!!</div>
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So what do you think?</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-20012574311753676372011-07-27T23:23:00.000-05:002011-07-27T23:23:37.275-05:00Did you miss me?OMG! I have been MIA for too long! I have missed blogging more than I can express. I have so much on my plate right now that I just can't spare the time. I promise to post some really cool projects soon! Here's a sneak peak at some projects I've been trying to work on. <br />
Hubby came home from the Funny Car races with an UGLY used up tire!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aw6dSfMTM9A/TjDih3DTKnI/AAAAAAAAA-k/7zaRJYjMCPw/s1600/DSCN0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aw6dSfMTM9A/TjDih3DTKnI/AAAAAAAAA-k/7zaRJYjMCPw/s400/DSCN0200.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Bedroom Lamp Redo and a Bedroom update!</div>
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2 More Bench Re-do's</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BeoH9QMzAkw/TjDiiWw4AQI/AAAAAAAAA-0/JY023pffNbw/s1600/DSCN1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BeoH9QMzAkw/TjDiiWw4AQI/AAAAAAAAA-0/JY023pffNbw/s400/DSCN1443.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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New little End-Tables (I'm really liking the French Country thing!)</div>
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And A Yummy! Yummy! Secret family recipe! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTrU4EwKMIo/TjDii0dZ07I/AAAAAAAAA_E/hhr6FIiEy0o/s1600/DSCN1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTrU4EwKMIo/TjDii0dZ07I/AAAAAAAAA_E/hhr6FIiEy0o/s400/DSCN1039.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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I hope you'll stick around and wait for me! </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-63499278386913637742011-05-20T17:50:00.000-05:002011-05-20T17:50:21.141-05:00The End of Amber week All good things must come to an end, but before it's gone I will pay one last homage to Amber's baby shower. <br />
I decided to tackle my very first diaper cake. I think they are adorable and wanted to make one for Amber.<br />
Since I had zero skills on how to do this I googled diaper cakes, and spent an hour or so on You Tube. I love You Tube! I didn't make this a tutorial because you too can You Tube "diaper cakes" and see the many ways to accomplish it. I must admit it was really easy to do.<br />
Step one: roll the diapers so that the top colored band is inward and all you see is a white rolled diaper. <br />
Step two: rubber band it, repeat like 100 more times!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjG935RPYPI/Tdbi8IkI97I/AAAAAAAAA9g/tW4y1P5-9CA/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjG935RPYPI/Tdbi8IkI97I/AAAAAAAAA9g/tW4y1P5-9CA/s320/DSCN1203.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
This is what it looked like when it was all done! I love it! Keeping with the elephant theme, Jana (one of the ladies giving the shower and one of my dearest friends) contributed a sack full of elephant items.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF_Si9AqXc8/TdbjDaxY7vI/AAAAAAAAA9k/aHB-jzNkX6k/s1600/DSCN1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF_Si9AqXc8/TdbjDaxY7vI/AAAAAAAAA9k/aHB-jzNkX6k/s320/DSCN1204.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
The center support was 2 baby bottles. The cake had baby shampoo, lotions, powder, teething gel, Butt Paste, pacifiers,toys, you name it! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ8TMacIN3w/TdbjJ8He9VI/AAAAAAAAA9o/4cGNF0jS3BY/s1600/DSCN1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ8TMacIN3w/TdbjJ8He9VI/AAAAAAAAA9o/4cGNF0jS3BY/s320/DSCN1206.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
Everything was tucked either beneath ribbons or hot glued to the front of it. You want to make sure the diapers are not damaged since they are part of the gift. All topped off with a stuffed elephant name Peanuts!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQGtL6x_k-A/TdbjRPccQjI/AAAAAAAAA9s/Y5K7EZcRy8g/s1600/DSCN1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQGtL6x_k-A/TdbjRPccQjI/AAAAAAAAA9s/Y5K7EZcRy8g/s320/DSCN1299.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>
These are the water bottles. Seriously cute! We ordered the labels on-line and had these adorable elephants made with the inscription Amber's Baby Shower.<br />
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They are adorned with blue & brown and green & brown ribbons. The top of the bottles had round little stickers with elephants too! Some had little birds.<br />
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The nutrition facts were cute too. They said things like " sleepless nights 100%", A little bit of Amber, a little bit of Steve...Just a bunch of cute sayings.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6DTP9tmQTA/TdbjnYw_M-I/AAAAAAAAA94/A5OEbDxZAeY/s1600/DSCN1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6DTP9tmQTA/TdbjnYw_M-I/AAAAAAAAA94/A5OEbDxZAeY/s320/DSCN1263.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
And of course when you place them all in a tub of ice they look too cute for words!<br />
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Kisses with little elephant and bird stickers served as center pieces.<br />
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The little bird was actually part of the invitations and water bottle labels too.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mldzxNdFU2k/TdbkC9w8ySI/AAAAAAAAA-I/iyoAxk3miMs/s1600/DSCN1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mldzxNdFU2k/TdbkC9w8ySI/AAAAAAAAA-I/iyoAxk3miMs/s320/DSCN1303.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
Engraved blue pencils (if you haven't noticed by now, it's a boy!) that say "Amber's little peanut". We put peanuts ( in shell) as a filler to hold up the pencils.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4syXi8ZtmMA/TdbkJqZDtEI/AAAAAAAAA-M/4ZX7qCX-VoQ/s1600/DSCN1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4syXi8ZtmMA/TdbkJqZDtEI/AAAAAAAAA-M/4ZX7qCX-VoQ/s320/DSCN1304.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
This is Mimi. Amber's Mom who made the most delicious chocolate covered strawberries, two beautiful fruit trays with fruit dip. She also maded Amber about a million baby blankets and burp towels! Good Mama!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qI9kUIvZ-4w/TdbkQ25rE3I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/cXFvyHEK90w/s1600/DSCN1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qI9kUIvZ-4w/TdbkQ25rE3I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/cXFvyHEK90w/s320/DSCN1307.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
That incredibly beautiful punch bowl belongs to Jana. Her Grandmother passed it down to her and it is heavy glass.It has the most beautiful design I have ever seen. It is breath-taking to say the least. Jana also makes the yummiest punch!<br />
Jana also made egg casseroles & a hash brown casserole that I wanted to stick my face into! So good! Amber's sister Loree (who is about to have her fourth baby) brought bagels, cream cheeses, OJ, and other yummy stuff. It was a great day full of family, friends, food, balloons, and laughter!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxFdUAxzs58/TdbkXkl7LKI/AAAAAAAAA-U/P9dyn_MXxtI/s1600/DSCN1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxFdUAxzs58/TdbkXkl7LKI/AAAAAAAAA-U/P9dyn_MXxtI/s320/DSCN1310.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
Jana must have said something really funny to Amber!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZsWYFTamzo/Tdbko2jTaiI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/BIBpa9l_eA4/s1600/DSCN1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZsWYFTamzo/Tdbko2jTaiI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/BIBpa9l_eA4/s320/DSCN1319.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>
I think this sums it up! Lets eat!!!! Congratulations Amber! We can't wait to meet Maxwell!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Go6Y58Kg058/TdbkxVXPJZI/AAAAAAAAA-c/YDjZdXo6JxY/s1600/DSCN1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Go6Y58Kg058/TdbkxVXPJZI/AAAAAAAAA-c/YDjZdXo6JxY/s320/DSCN1331.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-84768768807542631582011-05-17T13:49:00.000-05:002011-05-17T13:49:24.136-05:00Amber's Cake<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzLaOaRaOnI/TdK0PZBxFUI/AAAAAAAAA7g/bTCHNcmwLjI/s1600/30817_1428440640733_1524353653_1626058_4450131_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>This beautiful lady is one of my dearest friends Amber. Amber is not only beautiful on the outside, but she is beautiful on the inside and has the heart of an angel. When we (Jana another wonderful lady that I am blessed to have in my life) found out Amber was pregnant we immediately started planning her baby shower. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzLaOaRaOnI/TdK0PZBxFUI/AAAAAAAAA7g/bTCHNcmwLjI/s1600/30817_1428440640733_1524353653_1626058_4450131_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: undefined;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzLaOaRaOnI/TdK0PZBxFUI/AAAAAAAAA7g/bTCHNcmwLjI/s320/30817_1428440640733_1524353653_1626058_4450131_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="243px" /></a></div>
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This is the cake I made for her. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kR8hVrSrZr8/TdK0Pp2QrgI/AAAAAAAAA7o/2yHska9-PH8/s1600/DSCN1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kR8hVrSrZr8/TdK0Pp2QrgI/AAAAAAAAA7o/2yHska9-PH8/s400/DSCN1297.JPG" width="300px" /></a> <br />
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It's an animated version of her nursery. The bedding has stripes & circles with this color combination. Except I'm pretty sure I made the green a little too "Kelly green". I was working off a web page, give me a break sista!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK2-UyEepnk/TdK1Tl9yNtI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/ByjzHK5HDEg/s1600/DSCN1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK2-UyEepnk/TdK1Tl9yNtI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/ByjzHK5HDEg/s400/DSCN1257.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Little elephants graced the cake. Here is a small tutorial on how to make this lil guy. You can see some spare parts in the back ground.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_gb9yhObt4/TdK1UtTqavI/AAAAAAAAA8g/2XAs_MwlIRg/s1600/DSCN1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_gb9yhObt4/TdK1UtTqavI/AAAAAAAAA8g/2XAs_MwlIRg/s400/DSCN1239.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Make a ball (size depends on how big you need your elephant to be), then elongate one end of the ball by rolling your finger over it until your ball now looks like this.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFCR7rtcCVo/TdK1UypKzrI/AAAAAAAAA8o/KSJgSazJ28U/s1600/DSCN1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFCR7rtcCVo/TdK1UypKzrI/AAAAAAAAA8o/KSJgSazJ28U/s400/DSCN1240.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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make some linear creases on this piece. As you can tell this is now the elephants head and trunk.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HBdhboJxxpE/TdK2O6CMZ1I/AAAAAAAAA8w/QU83cvteeCM/s1600/DSCN1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HBdhboJxxpE/TdK2O6CMZ1I/AAAAAAAAA8w/QU83cvteeCM/s400/DSCN1241.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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turn the head on its end and poke 2 holes in the end of the trunk. Now this lil guy can breath!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_EWbXDcXJaw/TdK2PMaPaPI/AAAAAAAAA84/8nvNUe_EyOY/s1600/DSCN1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_EWbXDcXJaw/TdK2PMaPaPI/AAAAAAAAA84/8nvNUe_EyOY/s400/DSCN1243.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Make another ball slightly larger than the one you made for the head and poke a broken tooth pick into it. This is now his body, and the tooth pick will support his head. Make sure your tooth pick is not long enough to poke all the way through the head.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFDfVaNnO60/TdK2PWqP05I/AAAAAAAAA9A/hymvXuaB9Mk/s1600/DSCN1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFDfVaNnO60/TdK2PWqP05I/AAAAAAAAA9A/hymvXuaB9Mk/s400/DSCN1244.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Place the head on top of the tooth pick. I like to brush every body part that is being attached with a little water. It helps glue the pieces together.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJsOTg_DnYk/TdK2P4i3WMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/XNNZoCfMLks/s1600/DSCN1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJsOTg_DnYk/TdK2P4i3WMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/XNNZoCfMLks/s400/DSCN1246.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Now roll out 4 pieces of fondant for arms and legs. Make the legs just a tad bit longer. Using a butter knife crimp the ends to make feet and hands then use the back of a tooth pick and indent little toes & fingers.</div>
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I like to make a hole where each arm and leg will attach to the body. Slightly roll the appendage end so that it fits into the hole. Brush the inside of the hole with a little water, and attach the appendage.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qouFN_au5o4/TdK2QGD_DSI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/gZvHu0LiP0E/s1600/DSCN1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qouFN_au5o4/TdK2QGD_DSI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/gZvHu0LiP0E/s400/DSCN1251.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Now poke a hole on each side of his head in preparation for his ears</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_r4kiHv0Ha4/TdK4Y2uDv1I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/Pv8ibXtdzIs/s1600/DSCN1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_r4kiHv0Ha4/TdK4Y2uDv1I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/Pv8ibXtdzIs/s320/DSCN1249.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
I use the end of a decorating tube but any small circle will do. If you want the inside of the ears to have a different color, repeat this step with the desired color and place it on top of the grey part. Just off set it slightly. Pinch the end of the circle to make an ear.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Wie3_MNatE/TdK4mNXOTfI/AAAAAAAAA9c/81pWPD-bu_I/s1600/DSCN1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Wie3_MNatE/TdK4mNXOTfI/AAAAAAAAA9c/81pWPD-bu_I/s320/DSCN1252.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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Attach to the hole in the head with a small amount of water. Attach his tail, cut 2 very small white dots for his eyes. Using a tooth pick dip it into black food coloring (I use Wilton paste found easily at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's) and dot him some eyes.</div>
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He's done!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK2-UyEepnk/TdK1Tl9yNtI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/ByjzHK5HDEg/s1600/DSCN1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK2-UyEepnk/TdK1Tl9yNtI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/ByjzHK5HDEg/s400/DSCN1257.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Next I made a little baby boy who feel asleep in his elephant PJ's</div>
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(that I am sure someone like his Aunt Nancy bought for him!)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8Ldd2IaG-Q/TdK1TRjQMcI/AAAAAAAAA8I/niZt-trIjw4/s1600/DSCN1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8Ldd2IaG-Q/TdK1TRjQMcI/AAAAAAAAA8I/niZt-trIjw4/s400/DSCN1226.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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I love his butt! So cute!</div>
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This was the first time I made one of these babies and I didn't take pictures of the whole process because I really expected it would take me several tries, but It came out my first time! So I didn't tempt fate by trying to remake him.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoEhdzFwF78/TdK0QjpqoRI/AAAAAAAAA8A/akpnb89MYYo/s1600/DSCN1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoEhdzFwF78/TdK0QjpqoRI/AAAAAAAAA8A/akpnb89MYYo/s400/DSCN1224.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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If enough people twist my arms, I will make a tutorial on it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaqVQszZxXk/TdK0QA9ERJI/AAAAAAAAA7w/84n07dWM4BQ/s1600/DSCN1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaqVQszZxXk/TdK0QA9ERJI/AAAAAAAAA7w/84n07dWM4BQ/s400/DSCN1265.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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Here he is sleeping with his pacifier in his mouth on his blanket with toy elephant and his slippers on the side.</div>
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Don't you just want to eat him up? Literally !</div>
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The cake was white but I tinted it blue with chocolate chips so it looked like brown polka dots.</div>
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I didn't get a picture of that! Sorry :(</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-29838546741631665992011-05-16T10:49:00.000-05:002011-05-16T10:49:32.012-05:00This week is going to be all about My friend Amber's Baby Shower. <br />
I have been a very busy little bee and I promised I would share all of my projects. I couldn't post any of them until after the shower because Amber follows my blog (love you Amber :) )<br />
Today I'm going to share the cream cheese mint recipe and a few photo's. <br />
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This is the worlds easiest recipe to make, but if you've never made these before you will appreciate a few tips. <br />
All you need is 3 ingredients, plus color if you want. <br />
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One 8 oz cream cheese (I use the full fat one and have never tried this with light or fat free) at room temperature<br />
2 lbs sifted powder sugar <br />
1/16th teaspoonful of spearmint oil (you can use any flavor you want). I get this at Hobby Lobby in the candy section and it can be any brand but make sure it's oil and not extract.<br />
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How do you get 1/16th of a teaspoonful? Just fill the 1/8th teaspoonful measuring spoon half full.<br />
This stuff is super strong and the flavor develops even stronger during the next 24 to 48 hours.<br />
Mix in your food coloring of choice (and it can be any kind, gel, drops, paste, etc) into the cream cheese. Don't try to guess the color because you are anticipating that the powder sugar will dilute out the color. It doesn't. The color you see in the cream cheese is the color you'll end up with.<br />
Mix in the flavored oil, and start adding the powder sugar.<br />
At the beginning you can use a mixing spoon but after about 1 lb of powder sugar you will need to start using your hands. Turn the mixture out onto a surface dusted with powder sugar and kneed until it is a nice smooth mixture. <br />
I cut mine into 4 sections, wrap in plastic wrap and pop into the refrigerator for a few hours. I like to make it the night before (or even several days before). The mixture needs to be cold or you won't be able to roll it out.<br />
Pinch a piece and roll it into a ball. I like to roll mine into little logs first, then pinch off a piece to roll. It seems to go faster this way.<br />
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Roll into uniform balls (you will have to decide the size based on your rubber mold) toss into granulated sugar to coat</div>
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Press into rubber molds. I purchased a baby shower set on-line ( just google rubber or silicone candy molds) press, and pop out onto waxed paper. I like to use a cookie rack.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Eeghrneq2g/TdE-CIlslmI/AAAAAAAAA7I/fIZMh7gUcQY/s1600/DSCN1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Eeghrneq2g/TdE-CIlslmI/AAAAAAAAA7I/fIZMh7gUcQY/s400/DSCN1218.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
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This recipe will make approximately 140 mints</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq1905a01WI/TdE-CUlL6NI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/hnGWqvub2zM/s1600/DSCN1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq1905a01WI/TdE-CUlL6NI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/hnGWqvub2zM/s400/DSCN1219.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>
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I placed them on a silver tray lined with a doilie.</div>
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They look so pretty on the cake table and taste so yummy!</div>
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The best thing about these mints is that you can make them ahead of time. I have made them as much as 1 month in advance and frozen them. If you refrigerate or freeze place wax paper between each layer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then keep refrigerated until ready to use. </div>
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Enjoy! We'll chat about the cake tomorrow!</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-89994898992058830562011-05-04T10:40:00.003-05:002011-09-02T14:35:44.057-05:00Make your own cookie cutterIf being busy were a sport I would be an Olympian! I love being busy but when it interferes with my blogging...well need I say more? One of my many projects (which I swear I will post them all) was making my own cookie cutter. Why would I do this? Well, one of my family traditions during Easter is an Italian (Sicilian, European??) cookie called Pubaquolovo which means "doll with an egg". Every family that I know who makes this cookie has a different name for it, but this is about my family so Pubaqulovo it is! My wonderfully talented sister made ours shaped like bunnies, baskets, birds, and eggs. She lives in Heaven now. I wont begin to express my sorrow regarding her loss, but God wanted her back and I am more than grateful that she was in my life for the time we were given.<br />
Making these wonderful Easter cookies is really time consuming because you have to cut each one out by hand. I tried to have the cookie shapes made into a cookie cutter but $125.00 each was a little out of my budget. I found this really cool cookie cutter place called <strong><a href="http://www.cookiecutter.com/">Off the Beaten Path</a></strong> ( I do not monetize so no money or products were exchanged for advertisement) they can be found on-line but even better for me they are located not too far from my house. I visited them and they had this really cool kit. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTkSBx_8xfU/TcFlnwjOw_I/AAAAAAAAA5o/fNNgk8cE0kU/s1600/DSCN1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTkSBx_8xfU/TcFlnwjOw_I/AAAAAAAAA5o/fNNgk8cE0kU/s320/DSCN1157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was apprehensive about making my own cookie cutter but the really nice people there showed me how easy it really was. So for $9.99 I bought my kit.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrt8gWCa8Cw/TcFmAtS4feI/AAAAAAAAA5s/bOjX1Kd13Ms/s320/DSCN1159.JPG" width="320" /></div>
You get this plus some special tape and a long metal strip<br />
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First step is to measure your desired shape. They recommended using a string but I used a tape measure.<br />
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Next you simply measure and cut the metal. No special scissors needed.<br />
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Then you just follow your pattern and use the cool tools to make your shapes turn or crimp.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zno66xFvVZk/TcFnc7AwK4I/AAAAAAAAA58/p0FwSEIeQVU/s1600/DSCN1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zno66xFvVZk/TcFnc7AwK4I/AAAAAAAAA58/p0FwSEIeQVU/s320/DSCN1162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I was amazed at just how easy it was<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSHvKDjqwhM/TcFn1tW7trI/AAAAAAAAA6A/e46-MPB9qy0/s1600/DSCN1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSHvKDjqwhM/TcFn1tW7trI/AAAAAAAAA6A/e46-MPB9qy0/s320/DSCN1161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I took me about 30 minutes to get it done.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dv9ChdOYyag/TcFoUNk57HI/AAAAAAAAA6E/OuklOLzDQ5o/s1600/DSCN1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dv9ChdOYyag/TcFoUNk57HI/AAAAAAAAA6E/OuklOLzDQ5o/s320/DSCN1165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I had enough metal to make two different shapes.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUswLhyU6NQ/TcFopr4qxdI/AAAAAAAAA6I/I7MOmwOWEcQ/s1600/DSCN1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUswLhyU6NQ/TcFopr4qxdI/AAAAAAAAA6I/I7MOmwOWEcQ/s320/DSCN1168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
when you're done, you just place this sticky two-way stretchy kind of tape onto the metal and overlap the two ends.<br />
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clamp it and wait 72 hours or place it in a 200 degree oven for one hour.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15w9bYQlWLg/TcFpetrFK5I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/SQCytB_DimA/s1600/DSCN1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15w9bYQlWLg/TcFpetrFK5I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/SQCytB_DimA/s320/DSCN1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Since my bunny was large and the metal is thin I braced my bunny with a cross-bar. This was not part of the instructions but I felt it was needed to make it more stable. <br />
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Into the oven for one hour and done!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NGOkhitKHM0/TcFqCuyXKQI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/87wgTtenIQs/s1600/may2006+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NGOkhitKHM0/TcFqCuyXKQI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/87wgTtenIQs/s320/may2006+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And this is the finished Pubaquolovo! I love these cookies so much. You can use any cookie recipe you want. I use a special Easter cookie Italian recipe that really requires a video to explain. It uses 5 lbs of flour, over a dozen eggs, and I wouldn't want you to ruin your ingredients. Maybe someday I can learn how to edit video and post one.<br />
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This is the other shape I made. I also made egg-shaped cookies but I didn't photograph that one. Silly me!</div>
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I hope your Easter was fun and full of family traditions! When I meet up with my Sister on the other side I'm sure she is going to ask me why I didn't come up with this idea sooner!</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-6985996516080041892011-03-30T06:35:00.001-05:002011-04-10T04:08:17.446-05:00Old is New againI have a few pieces of furniture and accent pieces from my childhood. I love them because they are an instant to link to my memories of a simpler time in my life. My family came over from Sicily back in 1959. My father came to America in advance to work, purchase a home, and get affairs in order to bring over my Mom and 5 siblings. I was born here in the USA (exactly 9 months and 20 seconds later). This "getting things ready" stage took my Dad 8 years. Can you imagine my poor Mom in Sicily trying to raise 5 very small children alone? If you are the child of immigrant parents then you understand the great sacrifices our parents suffered to get us to this great land! I appreciate their struggles, and am blessed to call this wonderful place home. We were poor folks, but we never knew it! Any fancy decorations in our home were purchased by my sister when she was of age, and working. This piece is one of the many Home Interior pieces she purchased back in the 70's. It is the only one I have. Originally there were two.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRpKrr0JtBs/TZMH6_lZznI/AAAAAAAAA30/B1OVI_8WMwI/s400/DSCN0908.JPG" width="300" /></div>
I love it, but it's just to brassy for my taste or my home. The years have left it a little dull and tired looking.<br />
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So, what to do.....well of course I'm going to take it apart and freshen it up a little. <br />
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I bought several metallic colors to try</div>
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and presto just like that I'm updating this piece and loving it already. Don't worry, I know my sister and she would have done the same thing too!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-p4T3kj4RQ/TZMH7_mpjTI/AAAAAAAAA4U/FU-iRUyHcL8/s1600/DSCN0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-p4T3kj4RQ/TZMH7_mpjTI/AAAAAAAAA4U/FU-iRUyHcL8/s400/DSCN0912.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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wipe off the excess paint and voila! Beautiful. Funny thing is that all the colors I chose looked the same. I ended up using the metallic silver.</div>
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It's very hard to find a votive holder shaped like the original one, so I bought this one at Hobby Lobby.</div>
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And here we have it! All freshened up and ready to live in my home.</div>
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Exactly where, I don't know yet.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bw81Hb74B9I/TZMIjO_mm5I/AAAAAAAAA40/j5WATyz2kgM/s1600/DSCN0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bw81Hb74B9I/TZMIjO_mm5I/AAAAAAAAA40/j5WATyz2kgM/s400/DSCN0924.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wish I had the other one. I have no idea what happened to it.</div>
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Oh well, I am very pleased to have this one. What do you think?</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-87423990851281667882011-03-05T12:50:00.000-06:002011-03-05T12:50:29.592-06:00I'm Back!!!!I am finally up and running! My blog page was seeded with a repeating box which stated that "This image is no longer available on photobucket". The problem is that I had no idea which image it was referring to! I basically deleted every part of my blog and reloaded it until I found the culprit. Shabby Blogs a great place to get free backgrounds updated their codes and even posted a blog referring to this. I did upload the new code but still could not get rid of that blasted photobucked message. Finally, it was my little swimming fish gadget at the end of my post that was the problem. So, I can now get back to blogging. I will miss my previous daisy background which is no longer available (hey that's the price of "free" backgrounds). Look forward to some projects! I'm in the middle of a few now and will post some real soon!
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-87241599519769201772011-02-08T10:55:00.000-06:002011-02-08T10:55:50.434-06:00$345.10 Thank you ma'amI live in the Midwest and I love to watch the seasons change. Fall is my favorite, followed closely by Spring. I'm not a fan of Winter, and I'm no snow bunny. I can't remember the last time it has snowed so much. We are definitely using the snow blower this year. Ah, the snow blower. That brings us to this blog posting. A few weeks ago I was off work and it snowed over 8 inches that day. My husband is a total freak when it comes to getting the drive way cleared. He'll go out and snow blow every hour to keep it from accumulating. He had to go to work that day. I thought it would be a nice gesture to have him come home to a nice clean driveway. I snow blowed the driveway several times that day. I was so impressed with myself. Getting the snow blower to start was a small feat in itself. Look at me go! What a great wife! Until......somehow, a little bitty landscaping rock got propelled at about 100 miles per hour onto our porch. I looked all around and felt relieved that nothing was broke! <br />
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Then I came into the house, changed my clothes, made myself a nice cup of hot coffee, walked into the living room and saw this! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! I broke the tandem glass above our front door. Then I had to get a ladder out and duct tape it to prevent it from shattering.</div>
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I called my husband and told him what I had done. He was so nice and understanding about the whole situation, but I was just so upset! It's like getting a ticket when you're on your way to donate food to a soup kitchen (that's another story!)</div>
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Anyway, The very nice people from Binswanger Glass came out and measured the glass and had a new one up later that week.</div>
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All is over and done but it still makes me mad. It snowed again a few days later and my husband asked me not to snow blow, he started laughing and said "we don't have another $300 bucks to spare". Thank God we can laugh about it now! Thank God it wasn't the picture window to the left. That would have cost us over $1000.00 to replace! Lord help me! </div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-90345313889259894812011-01-30T11:22:00.000-06:002011-01-30T11:22:30.693-06:00Bacon-cheese pull apartsMy husband and I were invited to my niece Maria and her new husband Sheldon's home for Christmas brunch. Don't you just love newlyweds? I decided to bring a Bacon-Cheese pull apart recipe from the Pillsbury web page (note: I do not monetize, so there is no intended advertisements here). I knew right off the bat that I would have to tweak the recipe to fit my taste. Here is what I did, and if I do say so myself...Delicious!!!! My tweaked recipe is at the end of this blog. If you want the Pillsbury version it's on their website Pillsbury.com then search Bacon cheese pull apart.<br />
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I used 2 cans of Grands biscuits and cut each one into fourths<br />
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Mixed 2 eggs, 4 Tbsp milk, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 Tbsp granulated garlic, 1 tsp cayenne pepper</div>
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Tossed in the biscuits</div>
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Added chopped green onions, sliced (precooked) bacon, & cheddar cheese</div>
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Then toss it all up</div>
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pour into greased (I used Bakers Joy) foil pan because I never seem to get my glassware back! It doesn't have to be single layered. Just distribute the mixture evenly.</div>
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Baked to perfection!</div>
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It was scrumptious! Serve with eggs or even as your bread for dinner. </div>
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I'm thinking soup & salad! </div>
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Now I'm hungry!</div>
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<strong>Recipe</strong></div>
<br />
2 eggs ( slightly beaten)<br />
4 tablespoons milk<br />
2 (16.3 oz) Pillsbury Grands biscuits<br />
1 (2.1 oz) precooked bacon <br />
6 oz shredded cheddar cheese (I used two big handfuls)<br />
4 medium chopped green onions<br />
1 tablespoonful granulated garlic<br />
1 tsp cayenne pepper<br />
1 tsp black pepper<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
<br />
Mix, pour into a buttered or greased (Bakers Joy) 9X13 pan (I used slightly larger foil pan)<br />
Bake uncovered in preheated 350 F degree oven for aprox 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into squares or pull apart.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-43116194492378954662011-01-16T20:00:00.000-06:002011-01-16T20:00:11.271-06:00This A Fun Award!My fiend Tina over at <a href="http://parkavenuechihuahua.blogspot.com/">http://parkavenuechihuahua.blogspot.com/</a> awarded me this cool Stylish blogger Award! I love it! Not because it's an award (well, maybe just a little because it's an award!) but because it comes from a fellow blogger. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Thank you Tina! <br />
Now I get to pass it along to 15 blog sites that I like (love) to visit. It's a fun way to say thank you to someones blog that you really enjoy visiting and to acknowledge them for their cool and stylish site.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_km9ztnsvwVI/TTOZbmAoA9I/AAAAAAAAA10/PxluKY6UWQ4/s1600/Stylish_Blogger_Award%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_km9ztnsvwVI/TTOZbmAoA9I/AAAAAAAAA10/PxluKY6UWQ4/s1600/Stylish_Blogger_Award%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
To fulfill my award duties I'm suppose to share 7 things about myself and then pass this cool award on to others. So, 7 things about me......<br />
1) I love coffee! The aroma, the taste. In my cup, in my desserts, I just love it! I only drink 2-3 cups a day, but I love it! <br />
2) I am deathly afraid of getting bed bugs! I drive everyone around me absolutely nuts! I'm on the brink of paranoia. OK, I am paranoid! <br />
3) I'm a germ-a-phobe too! If someone sneezes around me I pull out the hand sanitizer (is this fun for anyone yet?) <br />
4) I can't pass up a kitchen or bathroom remodel magazine. I am truly in love with cabinet design, tile, granite, fixtures, lights, blah....<br />
5) I would rather spend a weekend at the lake with family & friends than go on a vacation.<br />
6) The sound of children laughing is like music to my soul. <br />
7) I wish just once I could invent something that would yield me a kings ransom! So I could stay at the lake, drink coffee, and listen to children laughing! <br />
<br />
Here are some of my favorite sites. It's by far not a complete list! I have so many. If you happen to visit my site and don't see your name on here please don't be offended. I love you all!<br />
<br />
Give these people an eye if you have some time. You'll love them!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://projectsplenty.blogspot.com/">http://projectsplenty.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/">http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://katiescucina.blogspot.com/">http://katiescucina.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/">http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.popcornserveddaily.com/">http://www.popcornserveddaily.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkdandychatter.com/">http://www.pinkdandychatter.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/">http://www.remodelaholic.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://thecsiproject.com/">http://thecsiproject.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.anoregoncottage.com/">http://www.anoregoncottage.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://betterafter.blogspot.com/">http://betterafter.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://designitchic.blogspot.com/">http://designitchic.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://alisa-thesweetlife.blogspot.com/">http://alisa-thesweetlife.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thiscrazylife-michelle.blogspot.com/">http://thiscrazylife-michelle.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Have a great day!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640495487419561511.post-71720570322517581302011-01-08T11:18:00.001-06:002011-01-08T11:19:01.834-06:00I'm a glass Ho!OK! I admit it! I have a problem with glasses. I love them. I don't need them, I want them. I once met a very wise woman in the shoe isle of Steinmart's.We were both looking at shoes. I looked over at her and said "I just bought 2 pair of new shoes last week, I have no business looking at shoes". She looked me straight in the eyes and said "Sugar, that was what you needed last week"! And that has been my new motto ever since! So now when I buy more glasses I just say "it's OK! This is what I need this week". I know....it's sad. Who needs glasses when you already own boxes full! Maybe I can join GA (glasses anonymous). Oh well, let me show you what I couldn't pass up! <br />
Pier 1 Imports.....you make my pocketbook so sad!!!!<br />
I love getting a bargain and I have shopped the local Goodwill's and dollar stores and they're OK. What I can't pass up is a 75% off sale at Pier 1 Imports!!!<br />
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I came home with 4 bags of glasses!</div>
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Look at this BEAUTIFUL flute with etched polka dots. Originally $7.00 each on sale for $1.98</div>
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This matching water glass (which I will use for wine of course) was also $1.98</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_km9ztnsvwVI/TSiYzAQTu9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/bEGiS5nlbCg/s1600/DSCN0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_km9ztnsvwVI/TSiYzAQTu9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/bEGiS5nlbCg/s400/DSCN0881.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and finally this adorable green swirled martini glass. I LOVE it! Yep...$1.98</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_km9ztnsvwVI/TSiYzllV7zI/AAAAAAAAA1s/OGqaumndaZ8/s1600/P1100064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_km9ztnsvwVI/TSiYzllV7zI/AAAAAAAAA1s/OGqaumndaZ8/s400/P1100064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is our bar at the Lake. Thank Goodness I have a storage area just around the corner! Martini anyone?</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/313/CF6811E3811A9EC403221728432F6A0C.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07318201655296390776noreply@blogger.com20