tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28311532271107119652024-03-06T01:28:37.754-08:00Piece by PieceCreativity taking shape piece by piece.Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-78591320542371705992011-10-26T10:13:00.000-07:002011-10-26T10:13:00.319-07:00Photography Tips : It's all about the angle<div style="text-align: center;">I run my own photography business</div><div align="center"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://elizabeth-ashley-photography.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMGmUYxaeCsbpBpXldBCwp_uLUPGezNJ_e82TNoqgKf4JF9deuDoFstf4Y13cX4rBZ3KOeYsLBxogHqOqT7IuzqB1XflMfS1c6VjMEJPV_l59Px3ZYfiHE7mi5Pit7vG02lufLxf-n4v3/s200/button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so I am on the constant look out for ways to make my work more fresh and interesting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is one of the greatest photography tip for those of you who may be looking for a little change. It's all in the way you look at framing your shots. Always, always, always frame up a shot before actually tripping the shutter. The rule of thirds is a great general guide line to follow: where you want to keep the main subject in a third of the picture either vertically or horizontally and not in the dead center. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{I'll share a tutorial on the rule of thirds soon}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But today my tip is on rethinking the angle from which you photograph your subject whether it is a person, place or an object. You don't have to take pictures straight on or even capture the whole person, place or object in the frame of your picture. Sometimes it is a lot more interesting and visually pleasing to play with the angle you take the picture from. Get down on the ground and take a picture looking up at your subject. Stand above your subject. Be off to one side and don't capture all of your subject in the picture. Don't square up your subject, angle the camera. Etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some examples</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNHSivw3mgaz_fQRu0RBhLWzB8wJmFeLhhf7P8mE6Bmk-xrRpT61ey576OzK9a3jTsi-um2xQZqU0qyIK97Fb17TBDpxYSbzzX5fq1JsHmR1r_mtm6dLziBGtGxtnBi9MkudZz34AJ7ve/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNHSivw3mgaz_fQRu0RBhLWzB8wJmFeLhhf7P8mE6Bmk-xrRpT61ey576OzK9a3jTsi-um2xQZqU0qyIK97Fb17TBDpxYSbzzX5fq1JsHmR1r_mtm6dLziBGtGxtnBi9MkudZz34AJ7ve/s320/DSC_0668.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take from above and off center.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcwV5rUOl1-zDap-jo2dqyvdib1PZ_mCa61p9rCS6qoYEBiJO7E31s7Ul9c6JrH1JEeskRQ7CGPkcS-FUTA-wdzp6jLo9czWtTiILSLEUCBUDpLvvLz8lf6IFVfi8OyPKI0x3RCp6mxdr/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcwV5rUOl1-zDap-jo2dqyvdib1PZ_mCa61p9rCS6qoYEBiJO7E31s7Ul9c6JrH1JEeskRQ7CGPkcS-FUTA-wdzp6jLo9czWtTiILSLEUCBUDpLvvLz8lf6IFVfi8OyPKI0x3RCp6mxdr/s320/DSC_0184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taken from closer to the ground than eye level.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vQinuJlTjRQNabrn0WAEWgqCTSVFYK3gu_4eAUoR7ZD2AyszO1iGgxQlWLT8kQqGd7J7RdzdP4wDQpkUm8VxXkeWGHSFz_TQWI6YRfYB_xYU9ECkc2EeLfWEOqSzIK1idI1InfMN1eqi/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vQinuJlTjRQNabrn0WAEWgqCTSVFYK3gu_4eAUoR7ZD2AyszO1iGgxQlWLT8kQqGd7J7RdzdP4wDQpkUm8VxXkeWGHSFz_TQWI6YRfYB_xYU9ECkc2EeLfWEOqSzIK1idI1InfMN1eqi/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taken by my Friend Sarah over at Sarah Dawn Designs of the Mesa, AZ LDS temple. Taken to highlight the sunlight behind part of the building not the whole building.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-56805479318286800052011-10-24T07:29:00.000-07:002011-10-24T07:29:00.524-07:00Cleaning a tough spot : Great Value Miracle Cleaning Eraser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUaSb8uK8YW0ghsJQP21Of4e-NIhGOOe0b8ffks-CBNXosFmSyU49ZL5AabXzBs7qewg4IrDbmm4-vmqZZwGlGglrw-LQdvOJq9a_JzA1ureJCFpJs9eRCAjmKeYde6SkSt6V4FU2Odpx/s1600/eraser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUaSb8uK8YW0ghsJQP21Of4e-NIhGOOe0b8ffks-CBNXosFmSyU49ZL5AabXzBs7qewg4IrDbmm4-vmqZZwGlGglrw-LQdvOJq9a_JzA1ureJCFpJs9eRCAjmKeYde6SkSt6V4FU2Odpx/s320/eraser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">As you know we have recently moved and as a result I have had to do a whole lot of cleaning in the past couple weeks. And as I was cleaning our old condo I found that these little babies Great Value Miracle Cleaning Erasers were a life saver for cleaning those impossible to get off the floor scuff marks. I have tried these miracle erasers before and didn't think much of them. But let me tell you they really were miracle erasers for my floor. I had these impossible scuff marks on the entry way floor to our condo that magically appeared the cold, wet, snowy day we moved in. In the the 5 years we lived in that condo I had tried everything to get those scuff marks off my floor ... or so I thought. So yes it took me 5 years get those black marks off my floor but I finally did the day before we moved and it never would have happened with out my new go to cleaning tool the Great Value Miracle Cleaning Eraser.</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-36800897548125783682011-10-19T09:36:00.000-07:002011-10-19T09:36:00.209-07:00Super Easy Hairstyle : From My Yellow Sandbox : Braided Bun<div style="text-align: center;">Do you ever get tired of the same old hairstyles? Well I sure do! So I decided to do something about it. I went searching the web and found the most fantastic website where Abby from <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/p/30-hairstyles.html"><span style="font-size: large;">My Yellow Sandbox</span></a> did 30 different easy and super cute hairstyles in 30 days. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a ?="" border="0" href="http://www.myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/theyellowsandbox/Abby005-2-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
As I was visiting her the 30 Hairstyles in 30 Days part of her blog I noticed that she has an <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/p/ultimate-hairstyle-handbook.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Ultimate Hairstyle Handbook ebook</span></a> available for sale. I decided to check it out and it looked amazing. She has two sample pages on the purchase page and I decided to try one out to see if I could follow the directions and get good results. I tried the Braided Bun:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMatF3J_F3sdBvHDZyeCkSzcmD3lEqZn8CmR2W1PTbVPf6ilXMpcnH4axjNiBUVPxSv_HO1EZcTUolLws23TTctDFag9O_HIU_sem14s6JjKLs0SBu9Wm7MK-EfOO3gk-dqClYSBS8DqWx/s1600/DSC_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMatF3J_F3sdBvHDZyeCkSzcmD3lEqZn8CmR2W1PTbVPf6ilXMpcnH4axjNiBUVPxSv_HO1EZcTUolLws23TTctDFag9O_HIU_sem14s6JjKLs0SBu9Wm7MK-EfOO3gk-dqClYSBS8DqWx/s400/DSC_1069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I love it. I think it was a success. So of course I had to buy the ebook, and at $4.99 for 40 hairstyles I can't wait to try with easy to follow step by step directions I think it's a steal. Check back as I continue to try out Abby from<a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/p/ultimate-hairstyle-handbook.html"> My Yellow Sandbox</a>'s hairstyles from her <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/p/ultimate-hairstyle-handbook.html">Ultimate Hairstyle Handbook.</a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-90029806965406951912011-10-17T09:28:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:28:00.366-07:00Mommy Thoughts Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9vFgQpRfLkYB05bsIDBqpTS8-IEaIFhmhn8mQ73P-kxRHZrWSBPZQtSgQ9pMJ5xmLDN6WD3SoDEZPclsNqKKQLKLDdC8-V_TDJDOdUEY8LSUqqElefKDHO-J0PnmsQGVIIkjhzcoJa78/s1600/mommy+thoughts+monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9vFgQpRfLkYB05bsIDBqpTS8-IEaIFhmhn8mQ73P-kxRHZrWSBPZQtSgQ9pMJ5xmLDN6WD3SoDEZPclsNqKKQLKLDdC8-V_TDJDOdUEY8LSUqqElefKDHO-J0PnmsQGVIIkjhzcoJa78/s200/mommy+thoughts+monday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Do you feel like your little ones are just sprouting up before your very eyes? Well I certainly do! My little munchkin in 5 1/2 months old and I just can't believe it. She seems to change so much from day to day. I often find myself wondering how am I ever going to remember those little day to day moments? So I decided to do something about it. I've heard of other Moms taking at least one picture of their babies everyday to create of visual record of each child's first year of life. Well I thought about this and thought that's sounds like a good idea but how will I ever keep all those pictures straight. Not to mention the fact that my little one has already been here for 5 months and while I do take a ton of pictures of her I'm pretty sure I missed some days in there. So I thought some more and figured there's no time like the present to start making sure to snap at least one picture of my munchkin every day starting now. First obstacle tackled. Now how to keep all these pictures straight. Ahhhhh this is where the beauty of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"> Blogger</a> comes in. That's right my munchkin has her own blog where I post one picture of her a day. I love it! It's not a popular blog nor should it be. I built it for me and plan to use <a href="http://www.blurb.com/">Blurb</a> to do something with it around her first birthday. <br />
<br />
Guess what?<br />
You too can make sure you're preserving those precious memories of your little ones it's easy just follow a few simple steps.<br />
<ol><li>Make the decision to do it!</li>
<li>Start snapping away with your camera. Now these pictures don't have to be anything special. I just take a few pictures of my munchkin throughout the day and I don't edit them in any way before I post them at the end of the day. Remember we are trying to preservie those precious every day moments!</li>
<li>Make your little one thier very own blog.</li>
<ol><li>pick a fun name for their blog</li>
<li>pick a fun template that you think reflects their personality</li>
<li>Edit the settings of your little one's blog to be just the way you want it. I used the simple template for mine and changed the fonts, colors and background to be super girly for my little munchkin.</li>
</ol><li>Start blogging</li>
</ol> Simple as that!Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-24993290156335939272011-10-03T10:51:00.000-07:002011-10-03T10:51:15.133-07:00Why I've Been M. I. A.<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey All!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So as you can tell I have been M.I.A for quite awhile.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's just call it Maternity Leave.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have just been having so much fun since the birth of our first little Munchkin on May 3rd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://elizabeth-ashley-photography.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Mxe0FtMqzITfjRsdPbRRYFpjeBkDMWn_Bh-HigKpr5kF3Vccdfuhyphenhyphen9jDHk5griYEp_RnZZOnOrCGnRwNSksMYfHBUAWZR5ip85c8H4NAXo2dkhUpJIlksIvP9w5M_w6INMFwWMr9NFh/s320/DSC_0631bw_wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will soon be returning to the blogging world with new projects, posts and ideas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are moving in the next couples weeks so I'll have that little hurdle to get over before the posts can start flowing again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wish me luck ... can't wait to get back into the wonderful world of blogging.</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-89924328101694034492011-03-14T08:34:00.000-07:002011-03-14T08:34:08.949-07:00Check it out<div style="text-align: center;">Hey everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;">My grand return may be slower than I thought I'm fighting off a major cold</div><div style="text-align: center;">which all you mommies out there know isn't easy when you're 32 weeks pregnant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So to tied you over until I have enough energy to post some new exciting projects I have been</div><div style="text-align: center;">working on check out the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2831153227110711965&postID=8992432810169403449">CREATE IT YOURSELF page</a> of the blog.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This page is a quick and easy reference for all the tutorials that have been featured on this blog.</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-11708911277751308002011-03-01T09:18:00.000-08:002011-03-01T09:19:46.372-08:00Be Back Soon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxn1B7HwxwxSqWS1ySr1cNv4fpUy20uKzdrKMHO0qd4TmKBpHkIX1ivhukrMPNu-8u9V68oMIoXRft6WuUHPUMPPPdo9YrwjSyuIBN4b3GemMy-yrJwibsnRP45HzxbsWwUxMgF-HeKgK/s1600/back-soon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxn1B7HwxwxSqWS1ySr1cNv4fpUy20uKzdrKMHO0qd4TmKBpHkIX1ivhukrMPNu-8u9V68oMIoXRft6WuUHPUMPPPdo9YrwjSyuIBN4b3GemMy-yrJwibsnRP45HzxbsWwUxMgF-HeKgK/s320/back-soon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hello ... some may be wondering why they haven't seen a post from me yet this week. I apologize. I will be back soon. I am going to take a couple weeks off from blogging to stock pile some ideas and posts so that I don't fall behind the closer it gets to delivery day. So have no fear friends I will be back soon, you'll be hearing from me again on or around March 14th!Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-68249883311965051192011-02-25T12:53:00.000-08:002011-02-25T12:53:08.669-08:00My Diaper Cake Tutorial is On Totally Tutorials<a href="http://totallytutorials.blogspot.com/2011/02/tutorial-how-to-make-diaper-cake.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Totally Tutorials Blog" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4935987467_faacdd7071_m.jpg" /></a>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-59196954248713465832011-02-23T08:21:00.000-08:002011-02-23T08:21:51.722-08:00Welcome WednesdayWelcome to the "<b><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">Welcome Wednesday</span></a></b>" blog hop, hosted by<a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/"> <b><span style="color: red;">Take It From Me</span></b></a>! <a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;"><b>Welcome Wednesday</b></span></a> is a great way to meet new people and learn new things as well as<a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/"> increase your blog followers</a>! So let's have some fun!!<br />
<center><a href="http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/search/label/Welcome%20Wednesday"><img src="http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae7/KWynder/WelcomeWednesday.jpg" /></a></center>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-87590328119193029872011-02-21T08:45:00.000-08:002011-02-21T08:45:00.465-08:00Fabric Flower Headband<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a brand new week and what better way to start a brand new week than with a <span style="font-size: large;">brand new headband</span>?!?!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember that exciting sewing project I told you I was working on? </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Well here it is ... an adorable <span style="font-size: x-large;">fabric flower headband</span>. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2szcqcAwJyzcjn8caP0hvRJgN3_KYgwwwGCv3XD9wPrL1CMYIeazl8qdK8DMVdICviiWDOilf-rqIvoq5YbmRaoIS89w9kACobSw54hv00-x0HAIWn2Cp3UFc-NBMmR6xVVGnk4f-gIye/s1600/DSCN1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2szcqcAwJyzcjn8caP0hvRJgN3_KYgwwwGCv3XD9wPrL1CMYIeazl8qdK8DMVdICviiWDOilf-rqIvoq5YbmRaoIS89w9kACobSw54hv00-x0HAIWn2Cp3UFc-NBMmR6xVVGnk4f-gIye/s400/DSCN1180.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What I love about this fabric flower headband is it's <span style="font-size: x-large;">whimsical feel</span> ... from the unfinished edges. However by sewing all the way around the sides of the headband I don't have to worry about fraying. I made this <span style="font-size: x-large;">fabric flower headband</span> from scrap fabric that I had lying around the house so it <span style="font-size: large;">didn't cost me a dime!</span> I just love those types of projects don't you?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a close up of the flower and leaf applique on the headband.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8RBOwFu4QHDOzoiDBw2AUVWPMzzwKvoPkNqPpxNCYMQf89toVl3P6kpVH_MZ9rG6Z6erQhN1oo_gfjtFAwgTpI7QXrOuPjBMe1NsL7hzbVEqribS_LUUTAjYAHELubGzuseSRg3QKoss/s1600/DSCN1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8RBOwFu4QHDOzoiDBw2AUVWPMzzwKvoPkNqPpxNCYMQf89toVl3P6kpVH_MZ9rG6Z6erQhN1oo_gfjtFAwgTpI7QXrOuPjBMe1NsL7hzbVEqribS_LUUTAjYAHELubGzuseSRg3QKoss/s400/DSCN1177.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This <span style="font-size: large;">headband ties</span> at the back your head and is really cute worn with your hair up or down.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There is no tutorial for this project at this point because I am contemplating make more of these headbands in various fabrics and making them available when I get my store up and running.</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-4368755729817830672011-02-18T10:27:00.000-08:002011-02-18T10:27:00.938-08:00Frugal Friday - Provident Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_EQ9U9T0ettprR4h4pZ8OCxGENk0tix88zUqmoOcjuyf5LjA6S09UqmA1P-ARCJqd2SByRHoOfBeuy4D_rTi_4t9N1pin_NJiIBkOu3U9O-8QeRPClYFNS8H_UNLjglQLGdyjhUpba0t/s1600/frugal-millionaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_EQ9U9T0ettprR4h4pZ8OCxGENk0tix88zUqmoOcjuyf5LjA6S09UqmA1P-ARCJqd2SByRHoOfBeuy4D_rTi_4t9N1pin_NJiIBkOu3U9O-8QeRPClYFNS8H_UNLjglQLGdyjhUpba0t/s320/frugal-millionaire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Being a more<span style="font-size: large;"> frugal family</span> and getting better at <span style="font-size: large;">provident living</span> has been a subject that has been greatly on our minds as of late. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Which you may remember from this <a href="http://creativity-piece-by-piece.blogspot.com/2011/02/belated-mommy-thought-monday.html">post</a>.)</span> So in an attempt to be more frugal I have been searching the internet for inspiration. In my searches I came across a great blog <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://frugalityville.blogspot.com/">Frugalityville</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://frugalityville.blogspot.com/"><img alt="FrugalityvilleB" src="http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/techjunkie03/frugalityvillebuttoncopy.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While reading through some of the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://frugalityville.blogspot.com/2009/08/thou-shalt-not.html">quick tips to save you money</a></span> I came across a post inspired by this little gem of a quote from:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Robert D. Hales from the article “<span style="font-size: large;">Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually</span>,” in the May 2009 Ensign</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 85%;">“Being provident providers, we must keep that most basic commandment, ‘Thou shalt not covet’ (Exodus 20:17). Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement. Some of us feel embarrassed, ashamed, less worthwhile if our family does not have everything the neighbors have. As a result, we go into debt to buy things we can’t afford—and things we do not really need. Whenever we do this, we become poor temporally and spiritually. We give away some of our precious, priceless agency and put ourselves in self-imposed servitude. Money we could have used to care for ourselves and others must now be used to pay our debts.” </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 85%;">...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 85%;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 85%;"> </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Stay tuned for a great hair accessory craft straight from my sewing machine to yours.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A fabric headband with flower accent!</span></span></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-27345989782743620062011-02-16T08:35:00.000-08:002011-02-16T08:35:00.289-08:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0yhlnFNpLfdTCI69Qp9J7SoIY897au2FPfeeDfD9j5OfMFF9D6w4gfB8sQIBX8_GVmB95nby25Sx6oKEtAc-2rf5XQ-bjs7OfW1QAbl59r7uJ5bqUpG0CwvqdsL4th7N-TYzQLHERvrh/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0yhlnFNpLfdTCI69Qp9J7SoIY897au2FPfeeDfD9j5OfMFF9D6w4gfB8sQIBX8_GVmB95nby25Sx6oKEtAc-2rf5XQ-bjs7OfW1QAbl59r7uJ5bqUpG0CwvqdsL4th7N-TYzQLHERvrh/s400/DSC_0372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is a Wordless Wednesday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">This week has been a difficult week for me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Either winter has gotten to me, or the third trimester of pregnancy isn't treating me too well, or a combination of the two and others ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I find myself a little blue ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dreaming of warm days were you can find beautiful flowers like this everywhere you look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But have no fear friends I am working on a great sewing project that I'm excited to share with you later in the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-36679070886330785802011-02-14T11:54:00.000-08:002011-02-14T11:54:15.893-08:00Giveaway from Sarah Dawn Designs<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x403/rsarahda/Blogbutton3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love a great <span style="font-size: x-large;">giveaway</span>? Especially one that has a <span style="font-size: x-large;">gift card</span> involved!</div><div style="text-align: center;">My very talented friend Sarah is having a great <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/give-away-25-gift-card.html">giveaway</a></span> over at blog <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/">Sarah Dawn Designs</a></span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now before we get to the details of her giveaway let me tell you more about <a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Sarah Dawn Design</span>s</a>. Sarah is a very talented designer! She designs and sells <span style="font-size: x-large;">Semi -Custom Cards and Announcements</span>, she designs them you print them!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out some of my favorites of her recent creations for sale at <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.com/">Sarah Dawn Designs</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Baby Announcements </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC-rwF2hGYWWRnyCuJZ_XSIDU0oqyKv2LwoBGhwbVdO7299btMSV7-UWrJdC8SWILV_F1stJD7Zj4L9CznEDYbcXLLjyzbzOAj7RbfQc-FGYAkFt7tt_Z7ndK3iSKGuCOgrDj3cecVEMz/s1600/Pink+Argyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC-rwF2hGYWWRnyCuJZ_XSIDU0oqyKv2LwoBGhwbVdO7299btMSV7-UWrJdC8SWILV_F1stJD7Zj4L9CznEDYbcXLLjyzbzOAj7RbfQc-FGYAkFt7tt_Z7ndK3iSKGuCOgrDj3cecVEMz/s400/Pink+Argyle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ddM5XyeojUrG8ualKtYWAgNWj8uFibVw9fhZAhruz6HPqHmp7XAqKfg3w3ARamiEsorbX74Pyl7JP_KkY9mAR68HbI4Zmb9pEJ7QnRbERHKwtqsb5Qsn4LeAak7U_worswA2rbyUxKgu/s1600/Space+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ddM5XyeojUrG8ualKtYWAgNWj8uFibVw9fhZAhruz6HPqHmp7XAqKfg3w3ARamiEsorbX74Pyl7JP_KkY9mAR68HbI4Zmb9pEJ7QnRbERHKwtqsb5Qsn4LeAak7U_worswA2rbyUxKgu/s400/Space+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Graduation Announcements</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikekShrOqQ_v0yL-4TUMohAd6j3prst453jtdtXeMvnsEKfYvuigafDqSyWCPnAZbCbls-4GEif-S1QCBWrtZ_9LGvRrPqwZOCgSTBMu7IENZLcbsxH8sstof7OyNZ_3_c6vyZM5quqat2/s1600/5x7paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikekShrOqQ_v0yL-4TUMohAd6j3prst453jtdtXeMvnsEKfYvuigafDqSyWCPnAZbCbls-4GEif-S1QCBWrtZ_9LGvRrPqwZOCgSTBMu7IENZLcbsxH8sstof7OyNZ_3_c6vyZM5quqat2/s400/5x7paint.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wedding Announcements</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVPSA1unNglBDwKN5kEPxnK7zk9bQEQuGYneGOUgwWIgFuT7aj-BQZwDqWvDtepIQe89sDg2Ez78wh8wso4ZrnpizVxworX5KMhDL9pmqYBXmyB-nj0kqfbJJT3sd_KpBSAFdb18p3FX7/s1600/5+x+7+Hydrangea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVPSA1unNglBDwKN5kEPxnK7zk9bQEQuGYneGOUgwWIgFuT7aj-BQZwDqWvDtepIQe89sDg2Ez78wh8wso4ZrnpizVxworX5KMhDL9pmqYBXmyB-nj0kqfbJJT3sd_KpBSAFdb18p3FX7/s400/5+x+7+Hydrangea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQuUts0h4uBkNcTakLW6xzHBbhtw01rGAPqT5LEEmwLGviHJlrNyASp-R7Fgx4LhrlDiARmNn6ddvG7_X-Yhlcod5nIA40CStuyWMrN-IqaqztyqiPymUam3XwChmBWu460DS7MQVN5g4/s1600/Pearl+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQuUts0h4uBkNcTakLW6xzHBbhtw01rGAPqT5LEEmwLGviHJlrNyASp-R7Fgx4LhrlDiARmNn6ddvG7_X-Yhlcod5nIA40CStuyWMrN-IqaqztyqiPymUam3XwChmBWu460DS7MQVN5g4/s400/Pearl+1.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Holiday Cards</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-jccE1QE2frYpRJs-NluL86zqMf7C2Q9jp7fA4S5hjEkivugTfPUoIPEZrkx1wcv9wdc59s3BKe1sgJCdB5Nhyphenhyphen-YHRDEUpXr6LAYIactMN5HHVhyphenhyphenNqkeHMksgE44G4c2bePVPetx6cFF/s1600/classic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-jccE1QE2frYpRJs-NluL86zqMf7C2Q9jp7fA4S5hjEkivugTfPUoIPEZrkx1wcv9wdc59s3BKe1sgJCdB5Nhyphenhyphen-YHRDEUpXr6LAYIactMN5HHVhyphenhyphenNqkeHMksgE44G4c2bePVPetx6cFF/s400/classic+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY6d2XzELLfIHQh3haYGvH8NK3-hgQtfUcUnOBMe9fa8COBrRahkNq6QwezaDqbprx3-8UOXI9FiOyMWb5CQDGRdKWNtUZm4ayn908yyAZtJyOMTUKk6aBUiwfZc_gH4yICcHjXgFwihm/s1600/Simplelove+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY6d2XzELLfIHQh3haYGvH8NK3-hgQtfUcUnOBMe9fa8COBrRahkNq6QwezaDqbprx3-8UOXI9FiOyMWb5CQDGRdKWNtUZm4ayn908yyAZtJyOMTUKk6aBUiwfZc_gH4yICcHjXgFwihm/s400/Simplelove+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Curious about what Semi-Custom cards and announcements means Sarah does a great job of explaining the ins and outs of her business <a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/semi-custom-holiday-cards-definition.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now on to her <a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/give-away-25-gift-card.html">GIVEAWAY</a>!!!</span><br />
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Go to the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/">Sarah Dawn Designs Blog</a></span> and follow these directions<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! To celebrate I'm going to start a new give-away.<br />
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Drum roll please...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/">Sarah Dawn Designs</a> is giving away a $25 gift card to Target.</span></span><br />
This give-away opens today, February 14th and closes at midnight on February 28th. What a great way to end the month right?<br />
<br />
Entering is simple.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Mandatory Entry:</span> Go to <a href="http://sarahdawndesigns.com/">http://sarahdawndesigns.com/</a> and then go back to her blog, leaving a comment telling her which card or announcement is your favorite.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Optional Entries:</span> (Make sure and leave a separate comment once each task is completed)<br />
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1.) Become a follower of the Sarah Dawn Designs blog. (1 Entry)<br />
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2.)Become a fan of Sarah Dawn Designs on her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#%21/pages/Sarah-Dawn-Designs/173237819354111">Facebook Page</a>. (1 Entry)<br />
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3.) Blog about this giveaway or post it on Facebook. Make sure and leave the link to your post or your first name and last initial for your Facebook page. (Limit one per day)<br />
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This means you have up to 17 chances to win this gift card!<br />
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Good luck.<br />
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*The give-away is open to U.S. residents only and is done for my own behalf. Must be 18 or older to enter*</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-28558046362038588112011-02-14T10:23:00.000-08:002011-02-20T17:57:13.319-08:00Frayed Flower Headband {Tutorial}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdMLtmeP32Jz8VFZq5xYblYEiK0z6Pb7LKyBGqXjclhtqsz14D1d8IJPty4z1h9OzVYrHRWvX6EExOI0sriTpgXCRrciGataojJv79toOalBrS-linu13jC3Ca6YboZUv0o_gpeFXdPtg/s1600/DSCN0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdMLtmeP32Jz8VFZq5xYblYEiK0z6Pb7LKyBGqXjclhtqsz14D1d8IJPty4z1h9OzVYrHRWvX6EExOI0sriTpgXCRrciGataojJv79toOalBrS-linu13jC3Ca6YboZUv0o_gpeFXdPtg/s400/DSCN0895.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking for a <span style="font-size: large;">crafting on a budget</span> super cute <span style="font-size: x-large;">flower headband</span>? Well then look no further!</div><div style="text-align: center;">This project was really <span style="font-size: large;">easy and fun</span> to make. <br />
I had been searching high and low online for an easy fabric flower tutorial to use as the building block for a super cute new headband I could make <span style="font-size: large;">without a sewing machine</span> from supplies I had at home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my searches I came across this great <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/2007/08/frayed-flower.html">Fabric Frayed Flower Tutorial </a></span>from <a href="http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/">Maize Hutton</a>. After taking one look at this <a href="http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/2007/08/frayed-flower.html">tutorial </a>I immediately thought of how cute three of these flowers would be on a headband.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Supplies:</u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fabric scraps that can be cut into long strips <span style="font-size: x-small;">(44inches in length)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Three buttons in coordinating colors</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 - 1 1/2 inch thick ribbon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needle</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thread to match your color scheme for the headband</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Putting it all together:</u></div><ol style="text-align: center;"><li>To make my head band I made three Fabric Frayed Flowers following the <a href="http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/2007/08/frayed-flower.html">Maize Hutton Frayed Flower Tutorial</a> I made two flowers the same size and flower one slightly bigger ...<span style="font-size: x-small;"> to make the middle flower bigger I simply widened my fabric strip by a 1/4 - 1/2 and inch depending on how much bigger you would like your middle flower to be.</span></li>
<li>Sew a button to the center of each flower</li>
<li>Cut your ribbon to the length you want for your headband ... remember to make the ends long enough to tie the ribbon at the base of your head. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't forget to burn the edge of the ribbon if you're worried about fraying.</span></li>
<li>Place your large flower on the ribbon and tack it in place to make sure you are happy with the placement before sewing it done. <span style="font-size: x-small;">I put mine about a 1/3 of the way into one side of the ribbon so the three flowers would be off to the side of my head.</span></li>
<li>Tightly secure the large flower in place by hand stitching it to the ribbon.</li>
<li>Sew on the two side flowers in the same way you secured the larger middle flower.</li>
<li>Put on your wonderfully cute new headband and go show it off to the world.</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Crafting! </span></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-59491816976215139032011-02-11T07:50:00.000-08:002011-02-11T07:50:33.366-08:00Smokey Turkey Chili<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24jYYM-a5JZUIqYka_SQ8pvALHRYOpo4zI4tFHzTm7BYBIWvPM1CD1VQ1yefPlZnaOBLJ2EANrooe48Mnmaf2l7xF-g1C6_LpZVjOx79fnVXgnyYPvNyQpOVq1H4BE027UMhXRAznZVMO/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423099271637833570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24jYYM-a5JZUIqYka_SQ8pvALHRYOpo4zI4tFHzTm7BYBIWvPM1CD1VQ1yefPlZnaOBLJ2EANrooe48Mnmaf2l7xF-g1C6_LpZVjOx79fnVXgnyYPvNyQpOVq1H4BE027UMhXRAznZVMO/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" style="height: 214px; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight for dinner we are having one of our favorites, <span style="font-size: x-large;">Smokey Turkey Chili</span>. Yes that's right I make homemade chili for my husband.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cans Dark Kidney Beans</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 pound browned ground Turkey</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can tomato sauce</div><div style="text-align: center;">Smokey Cumin <span style="font-size: x-small;">( I do it to taste, about a palm full works well)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Paprika <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Again I do it to taste, about a palm full)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp. onion powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp garlic poweder</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Salt and black pepper to taste</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shredded Cheddar cheese</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sour Cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chives</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
To get a <span style="font-size: large;">nice smokey flavor </span>to the chili you have to add a generous amount of cumin and paprika. I must admit that cumin is one of <span style="font-size: large;">my new favorite ingredients</span> these days it is also great in guacamole and is a good complement to taco seasoning, among other things.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423099267214278322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eziyh8zJG1V1WkEi9d6RoeZ3yat94-PPI-6VLvGH758cKOBR2sbIjKWd1YVczpRrWMxZkABEkKMTUf7gPcysFK7nuPgnrMGUjzM_rqm4iKHLsfw9imUn8K0iXZwtW5PYlEAS55mokqsZ/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" style="height: 320px; width: 214px;" width="267" /><br />
After you have added all the ingredients and let it simmer on the stove for a while fill up your favorite bowl and top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(light of course we are watching our waistlines)</span> and chives. And viola the <span style="font-size: large;">perfect winter dinner</span>!<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423099282451897842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuirN7l8L8elkUSwDu6Skb58U41tVb3xqFevJMlehKvSKL_Ug2TAlYE-p1S4ie7XOvJvxRcJTJKWEoq5lIvloQMVPlgi9BJb3kWi9tQwgLtACs0C3OhGh3gAWd12ISnW-AJoocleMOtqx/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" style="height: 320px; width: 214px;" width="214" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuirN7l8L8elkUSwDu6Skb58U41tVb3xqFevJMlehKvSKL_Ug2TAlYE-p1S4ie7XOvJvxRcJTJKWEoq5lIvloQMVPlgi9BJb3kWi9tQwgLtACs0C3OhGh3gAWd12ISnW-AJoocleMOtqx/s1600-h/DSC_0040.JPG"> </a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-47856906544641906262011-02-09T08:16:00.000-08:002011-02-09T08:16:03.444-08:00Vegetable Soup {Wednesday in the Kitchen}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlGxfg6bSypPOF4Ci1F9CjQTVQ0la3SClct2MnB4k-OvcBielKZ0SR6qDDFilad5-3Js2jwNBJtS9jvDTkfyq0nz3ZuW9W7NSuukJWPAjB3WoRXNHtEa4bh9g4L5UVoYHdKwEwfbocHrS/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlGxfg6bSypPOF4Ci1F9CjQTVQ0la3SClct2MnB4k-OvcBielKZ0SR6qDDFilad5-3Js2jwNBJtS9jvDTkfyq0nz3ZuW9W7NSuukJWPAjB3WoRXNHtEa4bh9g4L5UVoYHdKwEwfbocHrS/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Our weather here in our little mountain town has been unpredictable to say the least. One day we have a nice none windy in the 40's ... yes it's the absence of windchill that makes this a nice day. The past couple weeks however we have had extreme windchill! Last Tuesday the windchill was -23 degrees. Now to some of you that may not seem too bad but it is unusual for our neck of the woods. And today it is 18 degrees so far but feels like 1 degree! You do the math.<br />
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To make matters worse The Husband is pursuing a second degree and to save on a parking permit rides to work with me in the morning and then walks home after class ... yes even in the -23 degree wind. So how do you warm up your dedicated Husband after such a chilly walk. You have some <span style="font-size: x-large;">yummy vegetable soup</span> ready for him to heat up when he gets home for a <span style="font-size: large;">nice steamy lunch</span>. And if you aren't working you'd be there in your supper cute apron with it all heated up and ready to eat when he walked in the door ... sadly ... for now I'm not able to do this.<br />
<br />
So how do you make this <span style="font-size: large;">wonderfully warm</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">delicious</span>, <span style="font-size: large;">perfect for a freezing winter day</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Vegetable Soup</span>?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMmKk4hxvjWNg8rqYodnd7Swkwqimis3jyAMi1ZqCdizCsSt1ACP4mOpnZQtrF0v49_2k8uPh5tIeyQUE5TwUvgKdF3R6tR9dURSkdjwVKjnJZxKwfnSUQOtQPdHO2GRzzWXYB-n_ydev/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMmKk4hxvjWNg8rqYodnd7Swkwqimis3jyAMi1ZqCdizCsSt1ACP4mOpnZQtrF0v49_2k8uPh5tIeyQUE5TwUvgKdF3R6tR9dURSkdjwVKjnJZxKwfnSUQOtQPdHO2GRzzWXYB-n_ydev/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><ol><li>You take your <span style="font-size: large;">favorite fresh veggies</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I used red potatoes, carrots and yellow squash) </span>chop them up into small, equal sized pieces. </li>
<li>Put your fresh veggies into a good sized stock pot and cover them with 1 can Campbell's Tomato Soup and 1 can vegetable broth <span style="font-size: x-small;">(this will give you a nice rich flavor)</span> and add a pinch of salt and pepper</li>
<li>Let the soup come to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer.</li>
<li>After reducing the heat to a simmer add in any frozen veggies you want to include in your soup <span style="font-size: x-small;">( we like green beans and bell pepper)</span> and another pinch of salt and pepper</li>
<li>Let the soup come back up to a simmer for a few minutes and then add any dried spices you like to add some additional flavor to the soup. I add a pinch of red pepper flakes <span style="font-size: large;">for some kick</span>, 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons onion power and a pinch of sage. </li>
<li>Let the soup simmer until all the veggies are tender about 30 more minutes <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the longer you let the soup simmer the more the flavors will marry together and become yummy</span> ... <span style="font-size: xx-small;">just be careful not to let your veggies become too mushy)</span></li>
<li>In the last minute before you take the soup off the stove add in some fresh chopped flat leaf Italian parsley about and handful.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy</span>!</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOzIhmQv1jVhtyvkDzO3VagImh1Ba8gBDLzarjm2tVvOnMB0uEk9rZvYarSoSM-sgNBY-RXA3b5P8FFloPoHbdhJLkNn22D1QDCxml05qikU-i7eEEDAVOd88E6E53RxkGqKq9BGJl85M/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOzIhmQv1jVhtyvkDzO3VagImh1Ba8gBDLzarjm2tVvOnMB0uEk9rZvYarSoSM-sgNBY-RXA3b5P8FFloPoHbdhJLkNn22D1QDCxml05qikU-i7eEEDAVOd88E6E53RxkGqKq9BGJl85M/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The trick when making this soup to create lots of flavor is</span> to cook all the vegetables in the broth of the soup, adding the herbs and spices in layers <span style="font-size: x-small;">(multiple additions throughout the cooking process)</span> ... and remembering to add the fresh herbs right as you are taking the soup off the stove <span style="font-size: x-small;">(to keep their fresh taste)</span>.Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-31277208894361591452011-02-08T10:03:00.000-08:002011-02-08T10:03:19.470-08:00Belated Mommy Thought Monday<div style="text-align: center;">Hey all! <span style="font-size: x-small;">Hope you weren't wondering where I was yesterday. I apologize ... I know I know how can I expect you to tune in regularly if I don't hold up on my end of the bargain and post regularly. Well have no fear I haven't dropped off the face of the planet. Let's just say that yesterday the Third trimester of pregnancy decided to hit me with full force ... guess I over did it over the weekend and needed some rest. I really should learn to accept the fact that my precious little munchkin will be here before I know it so I can't be super woman right now. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR_gSBmzQaCZrEtzRiIVlTm6EF7YZDg13vfLg-x9wCJ0goIdbL-cm9nksr-DQEWd66FSTXQuuH-jmzdoUyZxON4kLK_-JZMuts65gyC4IWZTZih8wPBAyAd3w3HL1YOSrpJveVxysGe3Z/s1600/SuperMom-clipart1-192x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR_gSBmzQaCZrEtzRiIVlTm6EF7YZDg13vfLg-x9wCJ0goIdbL-cm9nksr-DQEWd66FSTXQuuH-jmzdoUyZxON4kLK_-JZMuts65gyC4IWZTZih8wPBAyAd3w3HL1YOSrpJveVxysGe3Z/s1600/SuperMom-clipart1-192x300.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But you do get <span style="font-size: large;">supper mommy powers</span> when they are born right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyways on to my Mommy thought for the week:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lately the Husband and I have been talking a lot about our <span style="font-size: large;">family finances</span> ... after all our lives are about to change forever and we can't wait. The whole to be or not to be a Stay at Home Mom (SAHM) debate has been in full swing since we found out we were expecting. I have been searching and searching <span style="font-size: large;">Mommy Blogs</span> for how others make it work. And just this week while reading <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://jmecoombs.tumblr.com/">Jamie Jabberish</a></span> (love her blog) I came across <a href="http://jmecoombs.tumblr.com/post/3083097844/steps-to-a-one-income-family">this</a> great post of hers. She talks all about the steps her family took so she could be a <span style="font-size: large;">SHAM</span>. So if you are in the same shoes as my family you might want to take a look at her post <a href="http://jmecoombs.tumblr.com/post/3083097844/steps-to-a-one-income-family">Steps to a One Income Family</a>. Of course keeping in mind that every family situation is different and there is no right or wrong answer in this debate it is a very <span style="font-size: large;">personal decision</span>.</div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-70520798170832443812011-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:002011-02-05T10:00:03.397-08:00Paper Craft: Baby Shower GIft Idea {Envelope Baby Memory Books}<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the final day of <span style="font-size: large;">Baby Shower week</span> ... I will be sad to see Baby Shower come to a close I have had fun sharing ideas that are all related to the same theme. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_dxZxg_Z2xHwJJl-BuszjZOlNNUhYVbD5XvGYU1VFbkNEyj2ejKGLVtoyGV5noNYyIyjikqsEtK5ZBTSdg3DLXl2beHBQUgQxFRJYks8y1-kCsmLq3ITVySVFVKbgEX4lfQD9otMKIt/s1600/baby+shower+gift+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_dxZxg_Z2xHwJJl-BuszjZOlNNUhYVbD5XvGYU1VFbkNEyj2ejKGLVtoyGV5noNYyIyjikqsEtK5ZBTSdg3DLXl2beHBQUgQxFRJYks8y1-kCsmLq3ITVySVFVKbgEX4lfQD9otMKIt/s400/baby+shower+gift+idea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">To conclude <span style="font-size: large;">Baby Shower Week</span> I have a paper craft project <span style="font-size: x-large;">{Envelope Baby Memory Books}</span> I made a couple years ago when I had several friends and family members having babies around the same time. This project can be made on a tight budget and is easy to reproduce over and over again. You can even change the theme of the craft to fit almost any occasion.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sorry folks no tutorial for this project just plenty of pictures.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">These <span style="font-size: x-large;">{Envelope Baby Memory Books}</span> were really fun to make and are the perfect way for New Mothers to document the early milestones i n Babies life.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG4M-GEJ8IxG3G_TZvQ0EsptEri34xMBaaz7irdpp8mtobX6395wLh6tpWFwmKofsAIvtXdQewq3lJAzzpj8LNgE1VR1klGTRi-NTPXercKQ97mivXv_5O6EwZCezLRdm4Zzm1QCZrlCe/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG4M-GEJ8IxG3G_TZvQ0EsptEri34xMBaaz7irdpp8mtobX6395wLh6tpWFwmKofsAIvtXdQewq3lJAzzpj8LNgE1VR1klGTRi-NTPXercKQ97mivXv_5O6EwZCezLRdm4Zzm1QCZrlCe/s400/IMG_1259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a page for documenting <span style="font-size: large;">bringing Baby Home</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmNyId6sHtv3xneSUe7M9wqhFDnW7utjx9U47Kum6b2L1t1rEGrmDPCIsVF73-xgfxBrd10HTAt1FRj7iG2C-a7EFw01dVJRKwju5H5Z3X8s-hGf5MDtsKvfqJAg2o-XkFdT_X30-HOB6/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmNyId6sHtv3xneSUe7M9wqhFDnW7utjx9U47Kum6b2L1t1rEGrmDPCIsVF73-xgfxBrd10HTAt1FRj7iG2C-a7EFw01dVJRKwju5H5Z3X8s-hGf5MDtsKvfqJAg2o-XkFdT_X30-HOB6/s400/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Record <span style="font-size: large;">Babies stats</span> on this cute page.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGahSWXVLIfh0STHkg27D1jOF6BRKPlVHavSlN1O0NpLk9BoK_3xUHqNHYILGLb2vFq2T0-shJobF1Ped2BKJt4lAx8eLUjxxS6TSYIKqmhnLDEj8tBDy0KrTDEO9LVlQKM2ygkfY5KvJ/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGahSWXVLIfh0STHkg27D1jOF6BRKPlVHavSlN1O0NpLk9BoK_3xUHqNHYILGLb2vFq2T0-shJobF1Ped2BKJt4lAx8eLUjxxS6TSYIKqmhnLDEj8tBDy0KrTDEO9LVlQKM2ygkfY5KvJ/s400/IMG_1260.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The two Mommies I made these books for had at least one child already so I made a page where they could document the first moment the <span style="font-size: large;">new BIG siblings meet Baby</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_dxZxg_Z2xHwJJl-BuszjZOlNNUhYVbD5XvGYU1VFbkNEyj2ejKGLVtoyGV5noNYyIyjikqsEtK5ZBTSdg3DLXl2beHBQUgQxFRJYks8y1-kCsmLq3ITVySVFVKbgEX4lfQD9otMKIt/s320/baby+shower+gift+idea.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 426px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 360px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENh958YXfALFTNUY-TQebC6gRIaGwhP_gbfNr3rbCqLxUqQMXwwD_IJPjMsrL3fVqqQgcHVT0vLnUqk6NdBTzxtzxUuZZNMGxzdmpgAnfDDjzOY7UhkiP60MdRb0vuFcjhZ5IdKWwTc86/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENh958YXfALFTNUY-TQebC6gRIaGwhP_gbfNr3rbCqLxUqQMXwwD_IJPjMsrL3fVqqQgcHVT0vLnUqk6NdBTzxtzxUuZZNMGxzdmpgAnfDDjzOY7UhkiP60MdRb0vuFcjhZ5IdKWwTc86/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YLTLrAta_i5Gy1jVtOwk8otOWc-ClPhUP7WKGcOTH8ENyP24v9iDhQNkf-gz1nVYOh8BjIufB2MeKPJSO4LXaURJ5SrO34cw-HGv5-fcKba7-VQ5tBC2jEeGiGTdvd4XbjK3JjoDOWOD/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YLTLrAta_i5Gy1jVtOwk8otOWc-ClPhUP7WKGcOTH8ENyP24v9iDhQNkf-gz1nVYOh8BjIufB2MeKPJSO4LXaURJ5SrO34cw-HGv5-fcKba7-VQ5tBC2jEeGiGTdvd4XbjK3JjoDOWOD/s400/IMG_1261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally a couple blank lined pages for recording <span style="font-size: large;">Baby milestones</span> Mommy and Daddy don't want to forget.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Each one of these cute pages fit neatly into a standard sized letter evnelop that have been glued together accordian style and all wrapped up with a neat little bow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0lhNsfRI9gtreuss9AygZdHVLyqiGcbzYkGsjf0Mx-Mw4ea-Wpa5vxC4Fy2V6zM-LkkjiWQuGjahRYUdrF-cKv-W8S7x5B0cw9eXVmmUYyKASQwjl9V6pXhptQ62suh96g1bt8LkwBPx/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0lhNsfRI9gtreuss9AygZdHVLyqiGcbzYkGsjf0Mx-Mw4ea-Wpa5vxC4Fy2V6zM-LkkjiWQuGjahRYUdrF-cKv-W8S7x5B0cw9eXVmmUYyKASQwjl9V6pXhptQ62suh96g1bt8LkwBPx/s400/IMG_1264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-82821573444026750252011-02-04T11:43:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:43:15.607-08:00Great Baby Shower GIft Idea from {Tales of the Wife}<center><a href="http://talesofthewife.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i29.tinypic.com/fozx47.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
Here is a great DIY/ re-purposing Baby Shower gift idea that I came across in my many searches today! And I thought it would be a great addition to Baby Shower Week here at Piece by Piece.<br />
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Are you looking for that perfect Baby Shower gift but are on a tight budget? Do you want to give the mommy to be the perfect diaper bag? And do you have a little cash or old (but still nice but you never use it) purse/ tote laying around your house?<br />
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Yes ... great! Check out this easy to follow tutorial from <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.talesofthewife.com/">Tales of the Wife</a></span> for a great <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.talesofthewife.com/2011/01/diy-camera-bag-from-purse-tutorial.html">DIY Camera Bag from a Purse {Tutorial}</a></span>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-43681986423196470632011-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:002011-02-03T08:00:05.042-08:00Tutorial: How to make Cupcake Toppers<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Remember the Diaper Cake I showed you how to make <a href="http://creativity-piece-by-piece.blogspot.com/2011/02/tutorial-how-to-make-diaper-cake.html"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a>? To compliment the Diaper Cake I decided to use cupcakes as the dessert for my friend’s Baby Shower. I didn’t see the point of having two cakes and cupcakes still provided a nice sweet treat. Plus, I could <span style="font-size: large;">save myself some time</span> by using store bought cupcakes. The <span style="font-size: large;">perfect solution</span> when you are short on time and energy … like me 6 months pregnant and working full time!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">To make these adorable <span style="font-size: large;">Baby Shower Cupcake Toppers</span> you just need a few supplies, most of which can be found in your own home!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy_RTX8D1dDygTSdssPECjiqm8LZpoAQvEgH669DGk1BIdUuVWIFUApDBAzisgCBmK2d6wcSi-RMuLL73LC-XAMfP9vZqUW02VZpMuH_qmHpwoN60ENLOD3NiCJ0nbWUGmLfYZxx9VsFC/s1600/supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy_RTX8D1dDygTSdssPECjiqm8LZpoAQvEgH669DGk1BIdUuVWIFUApDBAzisgCBmK2d6wcSi-RMuLL73LC-XAMfP9vZqUW02VZpMuH_qmHpwoN60ENLOD3NiCJ0nbWUGmLfYZxx9VsFC/s400/supplies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u>Supplies:</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Free Clip Art to match the Baby Shower theme (printed at home)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Colored Cardstock</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Large Circle Punch</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Toothpicks</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Glue Stick</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Glue Dots</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Small Scissors</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Store Bought Cupcakes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">... </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u>Putting it all together:</u></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCEvo3VNNwnv2F5xM8oEZ7S-pTct5lywx_EX0-sWeDsPQ11MDWJbm17gRp7QGQL0X3LJlUq4te3amE5tYeV8PzEhqcAvOYbuOv1Vi_g7UTsTNGN-92H2GzCkqaJ7mkk9XV7x8XsGlgumO/s1600/step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCEvo3VNNwnv2F5xM8oEZ7S-pTct5lywx_EX0-sWeDsPQ11MDWJbm17gRp7QGQL0X3LJlUq4te3amE5tYeV8PzEhqcAvOYbuOv1Vi_g7UTsTNGN-92H2GzCkqaJ7mkk9XV7x8XsGlgumO/s400/step+1.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4TlFcnXzHQnJiBWapN6ty141NHPGxUVmmIzAnQJVUOR3CW8hZQZH33BOED1QpQqS9rC3NFTZHPvvmL52pK5NVT5PWbZ4ZYwnfoQNlrOSrV-RpY3ZhouL9MoRGoKoi_1TtYr5xl0dFCBs/s1600/step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4TlFcnXzHQnJiBWapN6ty141NHPGxUVmmIzAnQJVUOR3CW8hZQZH33BOED1QpQqS9rC3NFTZHPvvmL52pK5NVT5PWbZ4ZYwnfoQNlrOSrV-RpY3ZhouL9MoRGoKoi_1TtYr5xl0dFCBs/s400/step+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADQKYl7ZKyoR6oYjXU_dO9IAqBz2S7tojC9OXOhn9_gbXLZDlDzD9JO0GL5T54Ognexwxc52nsKCrKfQRdhC4LIT95TpIJTIKlZUHKU4gSriN6f3nawdHwyI2iBoddAUrl54iP-4-W1hi/s1600/step+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADQKYl7ZKyoR6oYjXU_dO9IAqBz2S7tojC9OXOhn9_gbXLZDlDzD9JO0GL5T54Ognexwxc52nsKCrKfQRdhC4LIT95TpIJTIKlZUHKU4gSriN6f3nawdHwyI2iBoddAUrl54iP-4-W1hi/s400/step+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To finish off the back of your cupcake topper press a blank cardstock circle to the back of your decorated cardstock circle. This will fully cover the glue dot and create a nice finished look <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(sorry I forgot to take a picture of this step)</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And<span style="font-size: large;"> last but not least</span> ... on the day of the Baby Shower stick one cupcake topper into the top of each of the 24 mini cupcakes and enjoy your <span style="font-size: large;">super cute cupcake toppers</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqzBPfImgLIoYRlrkRd3v1ov_Gr0uoO3J1WylexDtKrc74RwWWw09Xa8UcSTvuYi_4dhGnjqZAjAAP8CSNbuA8wTAkbDwlXukvcbVR6SFw9yOPSYxmXEynbzbhHvIqdR-DSHi3AqaiS9L/s1600/cupcake+toppers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqzBPfImgLIoYRlrkRd3v1ov_Gr0uoO3J1WylexDtKrc74RwWWw09Xa8UcSTvuYi_4dhGnjqZAjAAP8CSNbuA8wTAkbDwlXukvcbVR6SFw9yOPSYxmXEynbzbhHvIqdR-DSHi3AqaiS9L/s400/cupcake+toppers+2.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-20745214984978943042011-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:002011-02-02T09:02:18.555-08:00Follow Me Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU5SDCAJvDXkKntpGzykr0rw65g_EC6GAVdbd1tZJbH8WoHl6kLRpWip7sxdofOUr-Cf8_RjgNwRDee10gox9r9Q0gT-E1NpIU16BOZitTYyI7z1lAkxhd9JctIjx5bHVRH0zvXcqV2q9/s1600/FollowMeWednesdayNew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU5SDCAJvDXkKntpGzykr0rw65g_EC6GAVdbd1tZJbH8WoHl6kLRpWip7sxdofOUr-Cf8_RjgNwRDee10gox9r9Q0gT-E1NpIU16BOZitTYyI7z1lAkxhd9JctIjx5bHVRH0zvXcqV2q9/s1600/FollowMeWednesdayNew2.jpg" /></a></div><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=73741" type="text/javascript">
</script>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-11029282656214313132011-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:002011-02-01T09:00:02.684-08:00Tutorial: How to Make a Diaper Cake<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have</span> <span style="font-size: large;">you</span> ever been to a baby shower and seen those <span style="font-size: large;">adorable diaper cakes</span> on display and wondered how to make one<span style="font-size: large;">?</span> Well, wonder no more. I’m about to share how to make a <span style="font-size: large;">diaper cake on a budget</span>. As mentioned I had the opportunity to co-throw a baby shower for a good friend and wanted to make something special to be the center piece for the food table. But as The Husband and I are expecting our own <span style="font-size: large;">little bundle of joy</span> to arrive in early May I knew this masterful center piece I had in mind need to be <span style="font-size: large;">created on a small budget</span>. So here is how I did it!</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> ...</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nmbz2gNvmQazcBsASuBSX0KZY_qJTu-tbU_xVWGebgQlEzZAk5_MjVx7_pLxlDy8oqHtlhG2mv5FXbcJLZsMpDfdfjlvtFGM_rN6WzKa6C45LiZ-TDeDhzrPoLLxjHih7o82v6pVmimB/s400/supplies.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Supplies to make a small 3 Tiered Diaper Cake:</u></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">40 Diapers size 1 or 2 <span style="font-size: x-small;">… I used size 1 Pampers Swaddler’s Diapers</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">(<span style="font-size: xx-small;">keeping the diaper number down is one of the key secrets to creating a diaper cake on a budget)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Curling Ribbon </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(you will use this to tie the rolled diapers individually and together around your base)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">22 oz. Baby Powder bottle </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(this will act as the base for you cake)</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 ½ inch ribbon </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(to be used as decoration around your cake)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Scissors</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Embellishments to match the Baby Shower’s theme</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hot glue gun or glue dots </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(used to secure the decorative 1 ½ inch ribbon)</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Small trash bag to store finished cake in until the it’s time to display on the day of the shower </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">remember diapers are very absorbent)</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">... </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Putting it all together:</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZMqBtwQE9VblI4X7whGxKEhvG9jgVJ88sUmSbsX0jwH2Ls-5avdb4WqVndbA9fFpFrP6I8X7ruWYhcY9_d-gVrg9_kzFAUUEg-ix0iIbiRYs1oObT-iLiAzyN0OV6IXSuo6mgZ0IxmAK/s1600/step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZMqBtwQE9VblI4X7whGxKEhvG9jgVJ88sUmSbsX0jwH2Ls-5avdb4WqVndbA9fFpFrP6I8X7ruWYhcY9_d-gVrg9_kzFAUUEg-ix0iIbiRYs1oObT-iLiAzyN0OV6IXSuo6mgZ0IxmAK/s400/step+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bottom Tier</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoc1xO32LKAU73TU2kp_snMRUAuszWXvQ2wq8NzqIhyphenhyphenwSyi-vDiJRCB3QlRnFQ5tuoGcEhkzq5PLsSUQEKkB09AspvN3shWuffEXwRqSkt6Tjcf35SC-JN5T4FTUjSbtAZV39R8Sv-FKK/s1600/step+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoc1xO32LKAU73TU2kp_snMRUAuszWXvQ2wq8NzqIhyphenhyphenwSyi-vDiJRCB3QlRnFQ5tuoGcEhkzq5PLsSUQEKkB09AspvN3shWuffEXwRqSkt6Tjcf35SC-JN5T4FTUjSbtAZV39R8Sv-FKK/s400/step+2.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXCc7o8DX5cCLs9tX4VRzDBiMiw3XKmyHQtC1viOs6Wa0xOEeWHulvKEcRRjHtVqqnFAFF9070190rEcSElLl4We-4BwsPx9qImjhPzZHBmdE-Qbin0YDSEbD6Na9wlt0WhlPHw6JLpP_/s1600/step+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXCc7o8DX5cCLs9tX4VRzDBiMiw3XKmyHQtC1viOs6Wa0xOEeWHulvKEcRRjHtVqqnFAFF9070190rEcSElLl4We-4BwsPx9qImjhPzZHBmdE-Qbin0YDSEbD6Na9wlt0WhlPHw6JLpP_/s400/step+3.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second Tier</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxfkuHv98D8LnWFC3qAVKwiBRnBBJqyU_4GZOdo9VZ38O1-e4VPbKCOsUg0Owou6PVZXJtWS0VYUlfkjRlvsbyeUf5TcoadYMwijNqxwOS2dG7Awh5Dxz8ZFzyWvBYbRlqyZsh64nnIIX/s1600/step+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxfkuHv98D8LnWFC3qAVKwiBRnBBJqyU_4GZOdo9VZ38O1-e4VPbKCOsUg0Owou6PVZXJtWS0VYUlfkjRlvsbyeUf5TcoadYMwijNqxwOS2dG7Awh5Dxz8ZFzyWvBYbRlqyZsh64nnIIX/s400/step+4.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Top/ Third Tier</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZhb2KzGTrHptdAz8ttRELLuj15tK9SLNze6fsvAx2ZKObBgxUQeV9ockpm_dgC1ahOSC57W5kB2zMrxOsIffRzEwE1RXppOGfnn6LwzG23EDI82T2wFqQ9_r9XhNV_vWtcBRSW5Hblxc/s1600/step+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZhb2KzGTrHptdAz8ttRELLuj15tK9SLNze6fsvAx2ZKObBgxUQeV9ockpm_dgC1ahOSC57W5kB2zMrxOsIffRzEwE1RXppOGfnn6LwzG23EDI82T2wFqQ9_r9XhNV_vWtcBRSW5Hblxc/s400/step+5.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finishing Touches</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SikW1lV82dc6zImgBp0I9m4MjasosYUIMvr2gMiB93e8VjRltDY6_0krtD7AaUqE7Qc_1wBn37RVaCjzp22rZtxiOgDiBpzNYf_Xzy3BHlSuY5Z4LG2-cfku5YswspMjdECQ7cTyVbHi/s1600/step+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SikW1lV82dc6zImgBp0I9m4MjasosYUIMvr2gMiB93e8VjRltDY6_0krtD7AaUqE7Qc_1wBn37RVaCjzp22rZtxiOgDiBpzNYf_Xzy3BHlSuY5Z4LG2-cfku5YswspMjdECQ7cTyVbHi/s400/step+6.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjC_eklU1EqwFu5rag0ZwKHzMXTKfUgmMk57PawiKtjTxS_S9t28Nwu54Ve6O7hP03vKgsmjfqJ0U0XWF_SMWxE4s_8BcP1v8IxiWM9PuFJQKc-deiHO9UPrs297UVe-eV0N7Fl0a3Ru3/s1600/step+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjC_eklU1EqwFu5rag0ZwKHzMXTKfUgmMk57PawiKtjTxS_S9t28Nwu54Ve6O7hP03vKgsmjfqJ0U0XWF_SMWxE4s_8BcP1v8IxiWM9PuFJQKc-deiHO9UPrs297UVe-eV0N7Fl0a3Ru3/s400/step+7.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Now it’s time to sit back and <span style="font-size: large;">admire your creation!</span> The lovely lady you are throwing a diaper shower for will be <span style="font-size: large;">so impressed</span>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Remember if you are making your diaper cake ahead of time to put it in a small trash bag to shield it from absorbing odors … after all diapers were made to be absorbent. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Leave a comment and tell me all about your Baby Shower creations.</span></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-43544633397212326952011-01-31T17:59:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:00:30.099-08:00Stay Tuned for Baby Shower WeekThis posts kicks of a series of posts for what I’m calling <span style="font-size: x-large;">Baby Shower Week</span>! Recently I was able to co-throw a Baby Shower for a good friend of mine who is expecting her first baby in March. So to help welcome this little boy into the world I volunteered to make some <span style="font-size: large;">decorative elements</span> for the Baby Shower that would both <span style="font-size: large;">cute and functional</span>! I wanted to create decorative elements that were both cute and functional because I am all about Crafting on a budget. So during <span style="font-size: x-large;">Baby Shower Week</span> I'm excited to share my tutorials for <span style="font-size: large;">Cupcake Toppers</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">Diaper Cake</span> on a budget. Also this week I will feature a quick, inexpensive <span style="font-size: x-small;">(to make)</span>, easy and cute Baby Shower gift that you can make with supplies you already have at home! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u>Preview of what's to come:</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lO8Laj6-Y68sxSeazlkF7wT17FisZgudovTej0-EBpjOw0WPFerdj-lVnhZhjZKljdXviPO0i1Yyow48m_-mr9x9a9XPeQcjS3IcywoNLANlliAhBGC_ntZP9wR3CIGXSplPNgNwMa-F/s1600/cupcake+toppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lO8Laj6-Y68sxSeazlkF7wT17FisZgudovTej0-EBpjOw0WPFerdj-lVnhZhjZKljdXviPO0i1Yyow48m_-mr9x9a9XPeQcjS3IcywoNLANlliAhBGC_ntZP9wR3CIGXSplPNgNwMa-F/s400/cupcake+toppers.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ob5tcnwPJeS0-cS383Ms35unEOvhL_j6rBiFukwhfPwtj_r0u0K_F0zPKnYJ7tBp81Qq9NPInOaKRODlrmGOUDXMh4fv0jgZCMfE0sUNupeb9yU7X-akG1oL1VrOn8Ptd18PV4nfF0UI/s1600/diaper+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ob5tcnwPJeS0-cS383Ms35unEOvhL_j6rBiFukwhfPwtj_r0u0K_F0zPKnYJ7tBp81Qq9NPInOaKRODlrmGOUDXMh4fv0jgZCMfE0sUNupeb9yU7X-akG1oL1VrOn8Ptd18PV4nfF0UI/s400/diaper+cake.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN2O2yv9jxzPQtlz2Iv1CwKWyPa4EMYyRnPuHM-7g8reqQDcv2d4wOPSKGBuI_pEqCX7rv7AOHWEJhNbLX1ExOZAqBehPACzs9Ns8QfJTJrIRLOb_paEpatb8Zgzim3NPsSrX1zWCGD4_/s1600/baby+shower+gift+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN2O2yv9jxzPQtlz2Iv1CwKWyPa4EMYyRnPuHM-7g8reqQDcv2d4wOPSKGBuI_pEqCX7rv7AOHWEJhNbLX1ExOZAqBehPACzs9Ns8QfJTJrIRLOb_paEpatb8Zgzim3NPsSrX1zWCGD4_/s400/baby+shower+gift+idea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-69831810137083076342011-01-31T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-31T08:00:07.981-08:00Repurposing: Unused Out of Season Store Bought Greeting Cards<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today I did a fun little project where I repurposed unused out of season greeting cards into more useful greeting cards. This is a simple project that anyone can recreate out of supplies that you already have at home making it the perfect crafting on a budget project! </div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EcOWldaeZNi2MFVUa8ssS6DHrXl3bYkTC3qXJHyOS6WOa-JhXdBuGX5MAovNt3cVnc5S1-8N04IoMiVp4ZkDlX3pJscl1B0sAKqgTGcuGSzk-v3mZ5zcJNYs0RKuoBJfKyYdsIZ_ncNJ/s1600/repurposing+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EcOWldaeZNi2MFVUa8ssS6DHrXl3bYkTC3qXJHyOS6WOa-JhXdBuGX5MAovNt3cVnc5S1-8N04IoMiVp4ZkDlX3pJscl1B0sAKqgTGcuGSzk-v3mZ5zcJNYs0RKuoBJfKyYdsIZ_ncNJ/s400/repurposing+cards.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had some unused Christmas cards laying around the house and thought to myself it is such a shame that I will probably loose these before I get the chance to use them next year what a waste. Then I got thought, maybe I didn’t have to wait until next December to use these store bought cards I can repurpose them with some scrap scrapbooking supplies I have sitting in my craft bins. I had been intending to make a couple Valentine’s Day cards to mail to out of state friends, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to stretch my creativity and re-use Christmas cards by transforming them to Valentine’s Day cards. </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">...</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u>Supplies:</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Unused out of season store bought greeting cards</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Paper trimmer</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Small scissors</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Adhesive </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Scrap pieces of scrapbooking paper </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpaMkGLKK_kGTRI0072Z0S8Vux5llWA7cXYXz_HWz987Zyx3KX6-rdcbnHtGLC9FWjzXetm-dnreDjzZs9nXJqQU_BVL22pTYMat_cvPHfxn4Vl0wbKZb9miRUi71zmSIIak8R-_vJcm1/s1600/supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpaMkGLKK_kGTRI0072Z0S8Vux5llWA7cXYXz_HWz987Zyx3KX6-rdcbnHtGLC9FWjzXetm-dnreDjzZs9nXJqQU_BVL22pTYMat_cvPHfxn4Vl0wbKZb9miRUi71zmSIIak8R-_vJcm1/s400/supplies.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> ...</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Putting it all together:</u></div></div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Decide on a theme for your card … I wanted to make a couple Valentine’s Day Cards and a few cards that could be used for any occasion.</div></div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: center;">Using your paper trimmer trim down your scrap pieces of scrapbook paper that is going to be your background for your new card</div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: center;">Adhere your background paper to the front of the out of season store bought greeting card</div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: center;">Use your paper trimmer and small scissors to cut out the rest of the pieces for your new card design from your scrap pieces of scrapbooking paper</div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Adhere the rest of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your card design pieces to the background paper you’ve already attached to the store bough out of season greeting card … to add some dimension I also used mini pop dots to adhere some of my accent pieces</div></div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The final step is to trim a plain white or colored piece of scrap scrapbook paper with your paper trimmer to cover the back of the card to create a more finished look and attach with adhesive. </div></div></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziyfo570TLxpBJZi4Mbj1ctfqbQ2SQKNS1kHTp6AXOzqevv7-elKIVbZg8kvVmVnLB54J8P9Vi6kzmsJgfO88JjYrnU1XRaFjnZMLZnh24SzluVLPOlinEe5TLH8fR8_gm7YCA1IswVpm/s1600/valentines+day+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziyfo570TLxpBJZi4Mbj1ctfqbQ2SQKNS1kHTp6AXOzqevv7-elKIVbZg8kvVmVnLB54J8P9Vi6kzmsJgfO88JjYrnU1XRaFjnZMLZnh24SzluVLPOlinEe5TLH8fR8_gm7YCA1IswVpm/s400/valentines+day+cards.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NAq_3XqzC1333pBx8keMhWLHZdZxOnt8I8qfaYaeMNLGS4ygmeLsodv-SuLJ1K3EfHqfF0I__MuNGmKtv-W9MfrpEky_uYpDha8G-JcZMmG18xD98_UviJh7e0X_xlnVBbPReA1OMqe1/s1600/any+occasion+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NAq_3XqzC1333pBx8keMhWLHZdZxOnt8I8qfaYaeMNLGS4ygmeLsodv-SuLJ1K3EfHqfF0I__MuNGmKtv-W9MfrpEky_uYpDha8G-JcZMmG18xD98_UviJh7e0X_xlnVBbPReA1OMqe1/s400/any+occasion+cards.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831153227110711965.post-89297567674306397592011-01-29T08:08:00.000-08:002011-01-29T08:11:02.927-08:00Adventures in Baking: Stawberry Shortcake Cake<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember how I promised to share my failures along with my successes. Well this post is a the perfect example of that. The ultimate outcome was eventually a success but my adventures in baking to get to the end product of a <span style="font-size: large;">delicious Strawberry Shortcake Cake</span> can only be described as including a failure in baking. </div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love surfing the Internet for new and exciting recipes to try and <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">THE PIONEER WOMAN</span></a> is a favorite blog of mine to frequent. So one day I was on the hunt for new and exciting ways to use strawberries in a yummy dessert for my husband who absolutely loves strawberries. In my searches I came across this <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/05/strawberry-shortcakecake/"><span style="font-size: large;">YUMMY RECIPE</span></a> on The Pioneer Woman Cooks site for a Strawberry Shortcake Cake. </div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG4LOZF3QJjbAn8EuGMaV3zDt2f8hTtoKEgeUKV07BLkSOMy2yfETJOhtIQhVcpEdasTK1ONqgw2zA0VPYKQUIUN4IDDIqdBY_KCf0MX1eKGgcpbUVn6MTVf2Q-FJwJT_wyWLNmUTMMdQ/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG4LOZF3QJjbAn8EuGMaV3zDt2f8hTtoKEgeUKV07BLkSOMy2yfETJOhtIQhVcpEdasTK1ONqgw2zA0VPYKQUIUN4IDDIqdBY_KCf0MX1eKGgcpbUVn6MTVf2Q-FJwJT_wyWLNmUTMMdQ/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">So here is the story of my <span style="font-size: large;">adventures in baking</span> a Strawberry Shortcake Cake. The recipe calls for a scrumptious looking made from scratch cake for me that part of the recipe was an epic fail <span style="font-size: x-small;">(see I told you there was a failure in this story)</span>. Now I did followed the recipe word for word but with no luck which probably was a result of needing more flour because of the high altitude of my little mountain town. And of course I forgot to document my failure in pictures ... <span style="font-size: x-small;">my apologies it would have been good for a laugh I'm sure</span>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">After a failed attempt at making the cake from scratch it was off to the store for a box of white cake mix and this time I had perfect success! I have to give credit where credit is due, Betty Crocker really knows what she's doing. When the cake came out of the oven I didn't even need to shave the top of the cakes down to make them flat they came out of the oven perfectly flat lucky me. From there the rest of the cake was, well, a piece of cake. The strawberry mixture was super easy to make <span style="font-size: x-small;">(for the steps go </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/05/strawberry-shortcakecake/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a>) and this recipe has the yummiest cream cheese icing <span style="font-size: x-small;">(found </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/05/strawberry-shortcakecake/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span> I have ever had. Overall, the cake was met with great success ... the Husband says it's a <span style="font-size: large;">new favorite</span>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPZKIg395HNY4QgAA6K79cgXQGpeYUWPssp5Yf0ObsVzw-RiMufVQMoSgEppZxXuKlsmrYLuRJSFmziX_mT7xFginiuXS_zmxC1aSg_UZ4g0kqjSod8Su5bd5uOipxH0kaf2I2o_94_j4/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPZKIg395HNY4QgAA6K79cgXQGpeYUWPssp5Yf0ObsVzw-RiMufVQMoSgEppZxXuKlsmrYLuRJSFmziX_mT7xFginiuXS_zmxC1aSg_UZ4g0kqjSod8Su5bd5uOipxH0kaf2I2o_94_j4/s320/DSC_0463.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744850046940054601noreply@blogger.com0