tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59644225906168034532024-03-05T01:03:07.207-08:00Hearts & CrabsMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-33386342946454092372014-04-01T10:25:00.001-07:002014-04-01T12:20:55.220-07:00<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">DIY Terrarium</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I was a little girl, my grandma had a terrarium. I remember it because I used to look inside and imagine the tiny little creatures that lived there, but hid from me when I was around. It was big...like in a huge, brandy-type glass and I loved it. I don't know what happened to it, but lately I have been seeing this little glass globe terrariums and my memories of grandma's house came flooding back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On a recent shopping trip, I noticed some little globe terrariums and just about had a coronary when I saw the price for a small one was $35. Are you kidding me? So I printed a few Michaels coupons, took a few trips on my way home from work throughout the week and by Saturday morning, I was ready to put these puppies together. I already had rocks and some faux fern leaves in my stash. I just needed the globes, some tiny rock sand and a few succulents and I was ready to get started...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seriously, about 30 minutes had passed and I had these little puppies. I adore them. I didn't use live plants because I don't need the pressure to water them and keep them alive, but I have other plans for a live version coming soon :) I added a little whimsy with the tiny mushrooms and I think they are the best part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The large one has a permanent home on my bookshelf, and the smaller one was a gift to my niece, Elyse, because she is just generally awesome and was accepted to almost all the colleges she applied to. She will be attending Cal Poly Pomona in the Fall and I could not be more proud</span>.<br />
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Partying it up with...</div>
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<a href="http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2014/03/craft-o-maniac-monday-link-party-13.html">Craft-O-Maniac</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/">Skip to My Lou</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/">Sugar Bee Crafts</a></div>
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<a href="http://ladybug-blessings.com/">Ladybug Blessings</a></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-79297847317046239762014-03-18T09:39:00.002-07:002014-03-18T09:39:26.291-07:00DIY Aisle Runner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hello everyone! So I've been on a slight hiatus but let's waste any time getting specific about what "slight" means in this case. Maybe I'll talk about that in a future post, but for now, the point is....I'm back and I'm crafting and it feels good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's flashback to February, early February, when I receive a text that goes something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Angela: Hey! Do you think we have time to do something like this??? (attached are pictures of wedding aisle runners)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me: Like for your wedding??? (scheduled for Saturday, February 22)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Angela: lol yes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me: Let me do some research and get back to you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once my panic subsided, I kicked it into gear. My fears of not having enough time, my fears of not being able to "pull it off", my fears of not being Martha Stewart-ey enough...they took a back seat to my friend and her wedding. I researched the bejeezus out aisle runners, made a timeline and texted my friend that I would give it a shot. Yes, I made a timeline. I have OCD. Don't judge me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first thing that I did was design a few logos and asked Ang to pick one. She did....like super fast and the first step was done! I appreciated that she picked a simple one because I knew this was going to be hand painted and the less detail, the more likely it would be done in time for the wedding! Don't worry, I eliminated the "shutterstock" watermark. It just didn't compliment the wedding like it should :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the logo decided, it was time to get started. There were a couple of challenges, like trying to figure out how to print the logo in in the size I needed, approximately 32 inches wide. I had to do it 1990's style and print it in sheets, cut the sheets and tape it together...like one of those "Welcome Home" banners we printed on our dot matrix printers while watching Beverly Hills 90210.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I placed the large, taped printout on the floor, laid the runner over it and traced the design with a pencil...just a regular #2 pencil. The runner itself was super transparent so it was easy to see the printed words. I didn't take a picture of this step, but you can see below how easily it is to see through the runner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the traced design finished, I grabbed some black acrylic paint and a paintbrush and started hand painting the names. This was probably the most challenging because painting straight lines on fabric isn't always easy. I knew it wasn't going to look perfect, and it took several coats to look dark enough for my taste, but I think it turned out ok. As long as no one looked too closely :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next step was painting the heart. We decided to go with a champagney, gold glitter because we wanted it to stand out. Painting with the glitter was interesting because it didn't always paint on evenly. I had to make sure that the glitter was even and not blotchy. Note: you can see the pencil outline in the picture below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And then it was done...just like that! I took a close-up so that you can see the glitter. I love it! It was a challenge but it was fun...and it was great to get back and gear and start creating again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was even more beautiful at the wedding...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And more beautiful than the runner, was my friend Angela and her new husband, Josh...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The man who finds a wife, finds a treasure and he receives favor from the Lord</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 18:22</span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-33609702952782818822011-12-31T21:23:00.000-08:002011-12-31T21:50:24.516-08:00In with the new...<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Dear Hearts & Crabs,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">I am so sorry for neglecting you. Forgive me and let me give you a hug.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Love, Michelle</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Seriously, I could spent a lot of time explaining why I have been so emo this last year, but I am so over it, I don't even want to spend a minute explaining it....so moving on!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'm not a "New Years Resolution" kind of gal. I don't make resolution lists very often and when I have, I definitely haven't kept them. I use New Years as a starting point but being a perfectionist, if I mess up by January 2nd, I usually throw the whole thing out the window. Yes, I need to work on this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">At the risk of sounding cliche, here is a list of quotes I hope to embrace in 2012...</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzhtnZMGMX5QIy6BwGem08QXzAakbZe0aQR0_zuZlNChQ0pahf5BLx4WYtTetZ9i5CKE58UQPbpXXS7WpidFwuCBX3tRYy3rp-O5qrXzUlccyWZrR5MPbXiDEVvFpzB5UjbQ_il4nxTM1/s1600/you+dont+have+to+be+great.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzhtnZMGMX5QIy6BwGem08QXzAakbZe0aQR0_zuZlNChQ0pahf5BLx4WYtTetZ9i5CKE58UQPbpXXS7WpidFwuCBX3tRYy3rp-O5qrXzUlccyWZrR5MPbXiDEVvFpzB5UjbQ_il4nxTM1/s200/you+dont+have+to+be+great.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532510688533378" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">First of all, the woman in the picture could be me. I am so out of control with my weight that it has reached the dangerous place where things just aren't working the way they should. I'm starting...and that's good enough.</span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gt3gRCdtWS7aUICb17luRTIdJAxdT-7shnPxFOqpA4ajTAeTuCEIMJ2rGFYnRT048kMaXuIndiZ49ApIRTpjKZJry8S3kV4LFXPGpr5EC1mSo0iQqI7a2TUfD0Mdu-ILTmU5KPtl7u2U/s1600/with+freedom+books+and+flowers....jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gt3gRCdtWS7aUICb17luRTIdJAxdT-7shnPxFOqpA4ajTAeTuCEIMJ2rGFYnRT048kMaXuIndiZ49ApIRTpjKZJry8S3kV4LFXPGpr5EC1mSo0iQqI7a2TUfD0Mdu-ILTmU5KPtl7u2U/s200/with+freedom+books+and+flowers....jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532512595520258" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I get so caught up sometimes with the big picture that I rarely see the trees through the forest. How true is this quote? I need to remember it.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIhP9XbZfGf9tej9pU2fJk8mrPPTYkDcTMMzCt0acD0kTumPM63-qEO4rShRfaC9KmleHkRfpTSz9iJVWSNiQDuHHO3f_Qnbi_mPoFthYpbuWwwIPrHKTfPgXcUR3jEf-5qAptoQabqw3/s1600/the+woman+who+follows+the+crowd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIhP9XbZfGf9tej9pU2fJk8mrPPTYkDcTMMzCt0acD0kTumPM63-qEO4rShRfaC9KmleHkRfpTSz9iJVWSNiQDuHHO3f_Qnbi_mPoFthYpbuWwwIPrHKTfPgXcUR3jEf-5qAptoQabqw3/s200/the+woman+who+follows+the+crowd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532509476938018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have found myself in a kind of solitude this last year as I found myself questioning much of what I thought made me who I am. My foundation has shifted in a good way but it's been uncomfortable and it's been lonely at times...but I know that in the end it will have been worth it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHroEGUxsMYiv9g89uiYEyZj5rD0KCrk3zziqHggQcZ9Cv8cu8cfQ_VpRJ3kMKD9wc9J-vH67cM6am89IyitZKfbxBgxx4NkjZCM8hu3BlPhLcwnTtS9LY8iSzGikw4tW6lVq4P_hKd3/s1600/let+what+you+love+be+what+you+do.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHroEGUxsMYiv9g89uiYEyZj5rD0KCrk3zziqHggQcZ9Cv8cu8cfQ_VpRJ3kMKD9wc9J-vH67cM6am89IyitZKfbxBgxx4NkjZCM8hu3BlPhLcwnTtS9LY8iSzGikw4tW6lVq4P_hKd3/s200/let+what+you+love+be+what+you+do.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532507406747442" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A friend pinned this quote the other day (thanks Rachel) and I love it. I love to create and I want to give it more room in my life.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA_EMfRhGrAE9u0lz6J-TJW7PtLDLtl_V3f7C166DTKj8WpLtRZ5e4CQzpqkYaK32ptdQB6agt9hcjnpigMVkSdhWw_0IusOaPXykAuYEFTQ25zZZoQ5_n8q7gSMJOiZlIpPOGSdzhO-t/s1600/Learn+to+let+thngs+go....jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA_EMfRhGrAE9u0lz6J-TJW7PtLDLtl_V3f7C166DTKj8WpLtRZ5e4CQzpqkYaK32ptdQB6agt9hcjnpigMVkSdhWw_0IusOaPXykAuYEFTQ25zZZoQ5_n8q7gSMJOiZlIpPOGSdzhO-t/s200/Learn+to+let+thngs+go....jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532507650520594" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Man oh man. This is a hard one for me. I can apply it to so many areas of my life but I am really going to be challenged with this in my workplace. I left for Christmas break with some open-ended battles and while I don't know the outcome when I return...I know that I need to embrace this. It will be the thing which helps me maintain my sanity.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JfmOR9gKDijeWQGGkx-X8GG4pOqY7DIKepi0vPChZAONC5MmjZBJxGVBLKhUB5lfuSuumgtMf9sS83zj10hRqoMCfCHYpVd7izUls0sxuvpgCF-NURQsTtEP2X0QCnT0Lbamsjrtg7RB/s1600/if+you+dont+like+where+you+are....jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JfmOR9gKDijeWQGGkx-X8GG4pOqY7DIKepi0vPChZAONC5MmjZBJxGVBLKhUB5lfuSuumgtMf9sS83zj10hRqoMCfCHYpVd7izUls0sxuvpgCF-NURQsTtEP2X0QCnT0Lbamsjrtg7RB/s200/if+you+dont+like+where+you+are....jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532344564138098" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After I stopped laughing at this quote, I was like, "whoa." So true. I learned a huge lesson this year and this pretty much sums it up. I do not want to learn it again. So...if I don't like where I am...I will change it.</span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizej-QfLX3wgw6CqCefSpo_M8BL0N7_-9qOgCQb3QcR2bx1YNQ3ly_x7jyqQ0u5usvMPBq4hJETr50tiyRfWtyVh7bmfItI_WGGjojf_hcKIMaz02ql0JhyK_jIEPyVfYfHOyH_ESvlABM/s1600/Have+nothing+in+your+home....jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizej-QfLX3wgw6CqCefSpo_M8BL0N7_-9qOgCQb3QcR2bx1YNQ3ly_x7jyqQ0u5usvMPBq4hJETr50tiyRfWtyVh7bmfItI_WGGjojf_hcKIMaz02ql0JhyK_jIEPyVfYfHOyH_ESvlABM/s200/Have+nothing+in+your+home....jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532342392632226" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Living in a tiny little guest cottage, this could not be more necessary. It could also not be more difficult. I thought I purged when I moved, but have only found that I could do more. And I need to do more. And this helps guide my decisions. I've heard that Nate guys say the same thing and I like his style...so it must work :)</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrkIc3IS7EEA11kioJY6gnvZJcUPKU_xvoHi-70FpPmzugEy4YVCONbDGaM_haD8ChZrdvLQiKB_if7SwNVGTfAWAk1S8wjVO6XhEh9i5vpSUwA7j-bOpVtOjwyh1Eu3i4pzRhvRYGAPK/s1600/dont+think+too+much.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrkIc3IS7EEA11kioJY6gnvZJcUPKU_xvoHi-70FpPmzugEy4YVCONbDGaM_haD8ChZrdvLQiKB_if7SwNVGTfAWAk1S8wjVO6XhEh9i5vpSUwA7j-bOpVtOjwyh1Eu3i4pzRhvRYGAPK/s200/dont+think+too+much.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532340656825010" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I spend wayyyy to much time in my own head. Seriously. It must stop. Period.</span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijQhU2JiRmowDw4VpfSO0Ms4tOSCj2pzYWc-yrmd8XQhvX3mQRhkiqWsLmkWCS8QUbyxDwUQuQMz4L6mxpQgjoAsnOcJ5xgavacf4aa6CqYcAKXuWBZo7t4xAk6Z3tvFORhjI4-wjA84y/s1600/Be+soft....jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijQhU2JiRmowDw4VpfSO0Ms4tOSCj2pzYWc-yrmd8XQhvX3mQRhkiqWsLmkWCS8QUbyxDwUQuQMz4L6mxpQgjoAsnOcJ5xgavacf4aa6CqYcAKXuWBZo7t4xAk6Z3tvFORhjI4-wjA84y/s200/Be+soft....jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692532337630103090" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I think this is the one that speaks to me the most. I have allowed these things to happen already so it's not a matter of not letting it happen again...it's a matter of undoing what I've allowed. I have some work ahead of me and I embrace it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So that's it....2011 is almost over and 2012 is almost here. My apologies that this may have gotten a tad bit heavy. I promise to get back to the fun stuff involving felt and glue guns and leave the emo Michelle to her journal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Happy New Year!!</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-22711288543756747112011-10-31T23:35:00.000-07:002011-11-01T10:31:47.280-07:00Crafting with Leftovers<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is it just me or did October completely fly by? I barely had a chance to enjoy the Halloween season but I will not let this happen to November!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of the down sides of living in a guest cottage is that I am at the back of the property and there isn't the opportunity to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters...so I spent last night going through my craft stash and finishing a project that I've been wanting to do for a while. One of my goals during this Christmas season is to use the enormous stash of crafty goods to make gifts for friends and family in an effort to keep this Christmas simple and enjoyable.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I decided to start early and make my November wreath with things I already had on hand. Whenever I see foam wreath forms at the Dollar Tree, I snatch them up...they are between $4 and $5 at Michaels so it's a good deal! I alread had a skein of brown yarn and plenty of fall folliage from previous years. I grabbed my glue gun and got to work.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfa3aXy7PodMnjH2F6jx4sGIa5_UMDMFubqUSff4rMsX7C8ok7Fh2RTvNtoKl7YBNgGvLWkuFWd6l-mM8te_o9-rEld_iYxkB03LRaXMRgQe7vZhPaIISP9PlVQZBn3cLm8xrzRQVQNxOb/s1600/Wreath+Supplies.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669913572958431266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfa3aXy7PodMnjH2F6jx4sGIa5_UMDMFubqUSff4rMsX7C8ok7Fh2RTvNtoKl7YBNgGvLWkuFWd6l-mM8te_o9-rEld_iYxkB03LRaXMRgQe7vZhPaIISP9PlVQZBn3cLm8xrzRQVQNxOb/s400/Wreath+Supplies.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Can I just be honest and say what a complete chore it was to wrap the wreath form in yarn? I have seen so many options in Pinterest and I chose to go with the clean, side-by-side wrapping technique and it took FOREVER!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJbA1HW0v5hjepAaGEfeL3KP1jjMQcIMoZ7-TdZQcwwAGRFGj_hDMUsuYfHIG6czu6H_ONcVxanqDvbrpNlNoRn84-ffq0lQHT-351ZqVTJZ_2Y_g2K56vt71883B9Pzbqn0UVngFDrfl/s1600/Wrapping+Series.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669913569951654482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJbA1HW0v5hjepAaGEfeL3KP1jjMQcIMoZ7-TdZQcwwAGRFGj_hDMUsuYfHIG6czu6H_ONcVxanqDvbrpNlNoRn84-ffq0lQHT-351ZqVTJZ_2Y_g2K56vt71883B9Pzbqn0UVngFDrfl/s400/Wrapping+Series.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Finally, about an hour and two whole episodes of Friends later, the wrapping was complete.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUWyA1gRn1ZasbkXgRoxPCrJkVaWgr2lmwDaHtmpsLBC6i9KqX1EApkp_sFAYqCbfL4MN5-kRcd1OzMmOxoMlDhiCbPpMouds2paNCYnbv6EUWbmo35WwabeHINV4j4OG2jxyZg6ZfThg/s1600/Done+Wrapping.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669913565079890850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUWyA1gRn1ZasbkXgRoxPCrJkVaWgr2lmwDaHtmpsLBC6i9KqX1EApkp_sFAYqCbfL4MN5-kRcd1OzMmOxoMlDhiCbPpMouds2paNCYnbv6EUWbmo35WwabeHINV4j4OG2jxyZg6ZfThg/s400/Done+Wrapping.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I added a few leaves, berries and a red/orange sunflowery looking thing and it was done! It now hangs in my entry way and I love it. Simple and it cost me nothing...you can't get any better than that.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eMwOZK0py3zSYHnMYsD8Ik3bcdZznJ8AnjAaHkL2f-SeXziwFpw64wlFPT0Xguz7tDHYPt9ZBTtntlEwuJ-ITGnJo-mHwZ8CeA5P6qpQ90NdeAJ87MwLx6Z7RmJDfS_hVV9F2YZQF6jD/s1600/1031112307.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669913564823037058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eMwOZK0py3zSYHnMYsD8Ik3bcdZznJ8AnjAaHkL2f-SeXziwFpw64wlFPT0Xguz7tDHYPt9ZBTtntlEwuJ-ITGnJo-mHwZ8CeA5P6qpQ90NdeAJ87MwLx6Z7RmJDfS_hVV9F2YZQF6jD/s400/1031112307.jpeg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween and I look forward to a November full of crafts!</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Partying it up in this link parties...</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/10/31/made-by-you-monday-73/">Made By You Monday</a> on 'Skip To My Lou'</span></p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-30103099486661352182011-10-24T07:37:00.000-07:002011-10-24T07:55:12.593-07:00Calling All Crafters!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAhUgsOUtRyn73kwbsoT_SPDNA8uSmKMplOWeDgSF0ZFgtl7u-Ee___8-hJ3kviPcd0ICS4HS_VVQVKJXz49mXdrdlWuAogf8IdXs9TYR5CIs03v_MYW2nA_GWpM3kvsOdOcNyEvNY4E1/s1600/MC_LandingPage_05.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667069131778399794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAhUgsOUtRyn73kwbsoT_SPDNA8uSmKMplOWeDgSF0ZFgtl7u-Ee___8-hJ3kviPcd0ICS4HS_VVQVKJXz49mXdrdlWuAogf8IdXs9TYR5CIs03v_MYW2nA_GWpM3kvsOdOcNyEvNY4E1/s400/MC_LandingPage_05.gif" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The only thing that I love more than crafting (family and friends excluded) is crafting for a cause. There are so many people in need all around us and if giving is a part of your life, then awesome...but if you're like many people and money is scarce, you can use your talents to help.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The <a href="https://www.ottlite.com/mittencommitment/">Mitten Commitment</a> is a call to action to all crafters who knit, crochet or sew. All it takes is some time, your talent and a whole lot of heart to craft a pair of mittens that will be donated to the Salvation Army and distributed to those in need this winter.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have pledged to make 10 pairs of mittens....care to join me?</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-20669349935431294812011-08-07T23:34:00.000-07:002011-08-08T17:59:10.562-07:00Cabinet Transformation<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom, oh how I miss her. Seriously. Every single day I think of her and imagine conversations with her. She was my rock and even though life goes on and I've slowly learned how to live a life without her, I'm not sure there will ever be anything to fill that emptiness.
<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When she passed away, I struggled to let go of her things...I think I thought it would be like forgetting her. But I quickly learned that she was not in these "things" and whatever I kept, I wanted it to honor her. I kept a few pieces of furniture, some of her clothes that I want to turn into a pillow case someday and a few things here and there.
<br /></span>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On any given Saturday morning you would find my mom driving from yard sale to yard sale...it was her thing. One day she came home with a curio cabinet. For years she wanted one but could never afford it. She dreamed of a place to keep her Hummels and knick knacks safely displayed and she was so happy to finally get one. It's one of the pieces that I held onto but wasn't exactly sure how I would ever fit it into my home. As much as I love my mom, I did not love her taste. My mom loved ornate, somewhat gawdy things. She loved rose patterned anything. And she loved, loved, loved heavy oak furniture. The pieces themselves were not bad, but the wood tones are just not my thing.
<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br />I wish I had a before picture, but just imagine the old 80's oak look...because that's what it was.
<br />
<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And now, it looks like this...
<br /></span>
<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXsyit8OCt5Xo3ioPg-jxKuvCgVZdNe53YgExuW3j8xOwmVAaJsWHUZSn9bTaO79jtGWUP_a59Bo-sD0O_agSiaJdtaDWTPc-6LkY2m8WcgWPtu_dsdRVNhmbUbWMjLLy38Xl1l9tCqxI/s400/Finished+Picnik+Cabinet+1.jpg" />
<br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I removed the hardware cleaned the wood. I was going to spray paint it but decided to hand paint it to make sure I could get the details and I think it turned it out to be a good choice. I chose to line the back of the cabinet with a printed canvas that I picked up at Joanns a few weeks ago and I think it works well with the black. Overall, I'm very happy with it.
<br />
<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And I think my mom is looking down from heaven and smiling :)</span> <div>
<br /></div><div>Shared on:</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a>
<br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-62354581523327432622011-05-22T22:31:00.000-07:002011-05-24T13:42:12.101-07:00New Home Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So I'm about a week away from moving to my new place and I'm definitely feeling under the wire. As much as I've tried to be prepared, there is always something that I remember and think to myself, "will I ever get this done?" And of course, I know I will.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am so far from an interior designer, but I've taken this new move as an opportunity to really build a home that will rise up to meet me at the end of a hard day. I have a friend and co-worker who has an awesome blog, <a href="http://suiterevival.blogspot.com/">Suite Revival</a>. She uses pieces that are totally thrifted from her family or thrift stores and turns them into beautifully unique pieces of home. I have been inspired by her creativity and am thankful that it's rubbed off on me. I've come up with some ideas that I think work well in my small space and I look forward to seeing my ideas turn into reality.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I heart Nate Burkus. I've loved him long before he became Oprah's protoge and had his own show. I read an article where he talked about color choices and the writer shared this color palette:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610384208546389122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dDWUu0OGB4DtYtk70m-UNT5WqHACz6cF1uGnHSi5z44AMCwsuELqBQodf0MhH71yNQJRKklS6X_oprJYi6PCWRwsRTN-FKIQCxLf8aaOfPqg9N3pLk_HGVbFL5d2FGVcqxrMD9jgFZCP/s320/Decorating-Color-Palette-Ideas.png" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />And then I saw </span><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=14661540&parentid=A_DECORATE&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=15&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=A_DECORATE&popId=APARTMENT&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=&isSoldOut="><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">these</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> curtains at Urban Outfitters...and everything just started to come together after that. I'm liking grey more than the taupe at this point, but I think it still works. I still need to pull in the green.<br /></span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ix32GA8ekrp7qX9o8HmNXWzLEJR68Bso2SOO4JvaugWB-n0xwbEVpE0crkDs0s20dZ_eerCH8YrCdjhoyOtPCJiel08mH2qXz7NmRS4KAow-a1HUoKeztH35KGTwyyNy8_zl20gwqAxh/s400/New+Home+Design.jpg" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><br />The black cabinet is an example of one that I plan on refinishing. I inherited a cabinet just like this one from my mom and I have always wondered how I was going to use it and this seems like a good opportunity. I have a few more pieces that need to be worked into the space but it's a work in progress. The two fabric samples in the lower right corner are for either pillows or I may use one to add to the background of the cabinet to lighten up the black...not sure yet.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Overall, I like it and I am excited to see what happens. It will happen a little bit at a time, because I am on a tight budget but I think once it's done I will definitely enjoy the fruits of my labor!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-71366065274803830842011-05-03T21:37:00.000-07:002011-05-04T07:00:38.957-07:00Cha...Cha...Cha...Changes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG3NYxcAFOySly0NFQhnXpqRPwGtrnYG8pIS124BE5Nv0yGcHme2vJ8UhhnPlp9DQEqptIV7vY6MbSlJZqWns5qMQPU6ms_2azqDw9o0OALr_q8Kmzu6-Ur0E5_uCftSoBOxzVJAqpFd7/s1600/Changed+Priorities+Sign.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602716187399977794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG3NYxcAFOySly0NFQhnXpqRPwGtrnYG8pIS124BE5Nv0yGcHme2vJ8UhhnPlp9DQEqptIV7vY6MbSlJZqWns5qMQPU6ms_2azqDw9o0OALr_q8Kmzu6-Ur0E5_uCftSoBOxzVJAqpFd7/s400/Changed+Priorities+Sign.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My poor blog. It has suffered for lack of attention lately. I owe it an apology.</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In an attempt to make up for my lack of attention, I have a fresh new look for Hearts & Crabs. I have an amazing and talented colleague at work who insists on remaining anonymous...but she designed my new logo, my business cards and everything blog related. She did it from the goodness of her heart and I am so thankful. I hope y'all likey because I love it!</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My lack of blogging is not for lack of inspiration because I have lists of goodies yet to be made. It is simply for lack of time and the reality that my world has been consumed with finding a new home. I'll be honest, I'm picky. I'm not conscious of it, but I am. It also wasn't easy because I have high expectations and sometimes have caviar dreams on a hot dog budget. I have to admit that a part of me enjoyed the search but that enjoyment wavered as my move date crept closer and closer. </span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">June 1st is my moving day and I am happy to report that I have found a home. I visited the property on Friday, made the decision Saturday morning and informed the owner before the end of the day, knowing that they had other possible tenants viewing the property all weekend. I had chosen my home, but would my home choose me? Well, they did and I am excited for the next steps.</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'll share more as I progress through the moving process, thus the picture above. I cannot wait to get back to crafting, but for now, my life is packing, sorting, organizing and moving and I figure, why not share the process with you. My new place is a blank slate and I look forward to making it my own. A designer...I am not. But the blog world is full of inspiration and tutorials and I look forward to making building my little nest.</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On a side note...can you believe it's May already? geesh.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-13443788259484799802011-03-29T11:03:00.000-07:002011-03-29T11:55:11.054-07:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#663366;"><em>No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow - Proverb </em></span></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is spring in Southern California...you wouldn't know it by the crazy amount of rain that we've had lately but this week we will finally break into the 80's and it's going to be beautiful. With the change of seasons, comes so many things that I love...flowers, gardening, bike rides. It's a very poingnant time of change, because my life seems to be in a season of change as well...but then again, when isn't life such a place. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My home, my little cottage that I have grown to love and cherish, is being sold so I must find a new home. At first I was disappointed, because I am not a fan of the unexpected, but the disappointment quickly faded and turned into an unexplainable excitement. I am really taking the time to sit and evaluate my life, my finances and my choices. I am looking for a place to live for a few years while I put some 'Dave Ramsey' advice into action...and ultimately look forward to being debt-free. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Spiritually, I am in a time of personal renaissance. I had been experiencing what I defined as a "faith crisis" for several years and was at a loss for words to articulate what was going on inwardly. I knew that God and I were good...but for some reason, my heart remained unsettled. I realized through lots of prayer, while reading and studying scripture...that my problem never was with God...but with certain beliefs about God. Separating what I've been taught, from what I know and believe. Finding comfort in the "I don't know"s and erring on the side of grace and love until I do know. Accepting that I may never know "for sure" and leaving that in God's hands. I have grown closer to Him as I've come to know who He is...and who He isn't. Establishing my personal theology has been tough, but the rewards are so liberating. I no longer carry the burden of trying to prove that I'm a Christian to myself or others. I am accepted and loved and want to offer that to others.</span> </p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I look forward to new things and new opportunities, I am so thankful. I can sit and list so many things that I'd like to change or that I think God should change...but truthfully the list of blessings in my life are so much longer. My relationships with family have healed and are growing. My friends continue to be pillars of strength for me and a constant source of laughter and love that truly mends my soul. My son is healthy and growing into the man he is meant to be. Sigh. My face carries a smile today.</span> </p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Moving on...</span> </p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In other news, I spent some time crafting last night and made a cute little Easter pin....the picture is horrible but I think you get the jist...</span> </p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 349px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589564169570497426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnXjCL7SNgGSBqOwRLjHZMfcAfifplCZf00ntBWsJ9LSTnKUyD4RETQOcX8rIXMFUsU9oa8pn5CdO0Ow0vDgeilYkWTHop1vFYAKSsCKchJN8nGEPnX778PCJadXMnl2iSmNrMw0FfZbc/s400/bunny.jpg" /> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yup...it's a bunny butt :)</span> </p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-24364128339309479602011-03-09T12:05:00.000-08:002011-03-09T12:53:00.569-08:00My personal Lent<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This has nothing to do with crafts but it has everything to do with me so please amuse me and allow me to digress from my creativity for a few minutes and share something close to my heart. I'm sure you know that today marks the beginning of Lent and I am humbled to participate. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lent has never really a part of my life, which is odd considering I grew up in church, but because it tends to be more of a tradition in other denominations than the evangelical one I grew up in, it just wasn't really an observance in my family. As I get older and examine my heart and lean into Jesus Christ more and more, I have come to question and define my own personal theology and discover who God is...and who He isn't...and the difference between what I've been taught and what I truly believe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For me Lent isn't a Catholic thing...or a Lutheran thing...it's a Jesus thing. It's about prayer, self-denial, sacrificing and remembering Jesus Christ, His life and His crucifixion. It's not about doing it because of works...or not doing it out of guilt....it's a choice that I've consciously made and encourage you to pray and ask God about what it means to you, if anything.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not unlike most people, my life has been hit hard lately. Finances, family, work...these are all things that have worried me, kept me up at night and divided my attention. My personal prayer time has been intimate and beautiful and spiritually, I am in a good place. But outside of that time, I have been anxious and frazzled. It's not how I've wanted things to be, but it's just the truth of what it is. I have no desire to pretend that all is ok...and I am "giving it to God" and feel this peace. Sometimes I have peace, sometimes I don't. Just the truth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other evening, I was sleeping and woke up around 4 in the morning. I was instantly hit with such a profound sense of gratitude for really simple things. I got up and got a drink of water and was moved to tears that I was blessed enough to do that. I turned on a light and was reminded how that alone is such a gift. I climbed back into my warm, snuggly bed and thanked God that I had a roof, a bed and a home that is mine. It seems simple, but it was profound for me and it outlined my focus in my observance of Lent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There are things that I've chosen to "give up" for Lent. There is a choice that I am making to focus my time and energy on prayer and time with God. I am conscious of the life of Jesus Christ and the time leading up to His crucifixion. And probably, most importantly, I am putting my focus on things, people, situations, issues....and offering this time as a sacrifice to Jesus Christ. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There are two causes that I am supporting with prayer and time during this 40 days:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.bloodwatermission.com/fortydays.php">40 Days of Water</a> and <a href="http://www.40daysforlife.com/index.cfm">40 Days for Life</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Please take a few minutes and visit each, or maybe ask yourself where your heart lies. It doesn't have to be these two...but I know it lies somewhere. What is your testimony? Where did God bring you from? What are you asking for now? Take that issue or concern outside of yourself and find a person or an organization that you can sacrifice for. It can be time, or it can be money, or it can prayer....there's always something to give.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-8177092636283801372011-03-08T21:19:00.000-08:002011-08-12T11:40:27.472-07:00Random Cool Finds<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So every once in a while, I explore the wonderful world wide web and find things that either make me wonder what people are thinking...or they make me wonder why that was never thought of before. These are a few of those finds...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1. Locker Decor
<br />
<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you freaking kidding me? Do you know how much happier this would have made my high school days???? Do you see the mini chandelier? Do you see the shag rug???? I'd be all over that green polka dots! Check it out </span><a href="http://lockerlookz.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5jg_C-HNxhN3pXCShb6xtW-NHi9RPXAMaf0cg9BJb85xQDRWlawnMvAuUEFXevNbt2O7hcZCgR88dSZ1trzzm9JzFqFXcPZdKtvay4dNcJ3KBiQcRVKhxeqE-3DASOVTSr7uu0eBOkgm/s1600/lockers+pic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638369013109555602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5jg_C-HNxhN3pXCShb6xtW-NHi9RPXAMaf0cg9BJb85xQDRWlawnMvAuUEFXevNbt2O7hcZCgR88dSZ1trzzm9JzFqFXcPZdKtvay4dNcJ3KBiQcRVKhxeqE-3DASOVTSr7uu0eBOkgm/s400/lockers+pic.jpg" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2. These are random and weird and I found them while reading Bakerella this week. They are plush dolls of body organs (insert crickets), (awkward pause). While I know a few people who I can give the black heart to for Christmas...I'm not sure who would enjoy the ovary or uterus plush...or God forbid, the Mammary - Gland of Milk & Honey??? I can't stop laughing...and on a side note. I better not see one under the Christmas tree. Not kidding. Browse the wonderful world of organs </span><a href="http://iheartguts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2XMy0mIeUT0W4UtwAWnAXiL_sgt2ayCWOi9p0RkVq7e88Sp64er5TFXSV1U4mU6xyHKsAtB68hU6yqwM_4uewtC4ifqHHcHBSpNUdSMNHmhGxWSiDFaHD8EiGXWCYvbdIvau-SwTp5GV/s1600/plush-organs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 249px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638368790580910034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2XMy0mIeUT0W4UtwAWnAXiL_sgt2ayCWOi9p0RkVq7e88Sp64er5TFXSV1U4mU6xyHKsAtB68hU6yqwM_4uewtC4ifqHHcHBSpNUdSMNHmhGxWSiDFaHD8EiGXWCYvbdIvau-SwTp5GV/s400/plush-organs.jpg" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">3. By far, one of the coolest things EVER! It's a kit of paper, that you put together to create this uber cool park scene. I want it and I must have it. Like now. They have many, many more options...take a gander and make a list of your favorites </span><a href="http://www.teradamokei.jp/product/tenkei/1100/1100-no10.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">!</span></div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTu2tfllB4Lno2Vip9o9Z_yscBf3JP6I4uvhFIMgxkOXomTCgdL1E64-NsBz01pKQxrNMRxIVzgUJsBvcSD5EmhAnorzEtH8ZVr260656Sath5qvlqeaCM1snK6Bt-5fc5dIPEMQXASVB/s1600/Paper+Trees.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581953186707587074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTu2tfllB4Lno2Vip9o9Z_yscBf3JP6I4uvhFIMgxkOXomTCgdL1E64-NsBz01pKQxrNMRxIVzgUJsBvcSD5EmhAnorzEtH8ZVr260656Sath5qvlqeaCM1snK6Bt-5fc5dIPEMQXASVB/s400/Paper+Trees.jpg" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">4. Have you ever visited HolyCool.net? Funny, strange and random cool things. There are several people who need a tall glass of water with a chill pill...just sayin. </span><a href="http://www.holycool.net/2010/07/15-cool-and-creative-ice-cube-trays.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is hilarious.
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vJLAyuo5GAUe_bObOG8Uxa4M3PFWnwg0ejracfGb1TozqI4YuAlVyA4p2RKfGonCAw6k6ZcVLEp-CoKgYEyxVZcSc_ksT9vlcYSz0fAx9a_cRKKkkuTlH63TaCiSzv31licfDAJdsf-b/s1600/%252BChill%252BPill%252BIce%252BCube%252BTray.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 261px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer; " id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581953188195904530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vJLAyuo5GAUe_bObOG8Uxa4M3PFWnwg0ejracfGb1TozqI4YuAlVyA4p2RKfGonCAw6k6ZcVLEp-CoKgYEyxVZcSc_ksT9vlcYSz0fAx9a_cRKKkkuTlH63TaCiSzv31licfDAJdsf-b/s400/%252BChill%252BPill%252BIce%252BCube%252BTray.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div>
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<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">5. Too funny...and very clever. Another website worth a small tour of your own...</span><a href="http://www.giftlab.co.uk/product_details_43_18_hotman---steel-trivet.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M29zQ-TEavbcH4wYYHsui78BTnOdIdHJu4kcF9-30r_RXBgPdXOmzBeUVWCJAosXEQvhNXqdeuf-wMx-TOIYf2cqLgOJwv6DRx2PvQE9yVCLLjk_08k6aOsbm7EAkSn5YThRwI0W51Yq/s1600/2336_hot_man_three_600.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 326px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581953185099219954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M29zQ-TEavbcH4wYYHsui78BTnOdIdHJu4kcF9-30r_RXBgPdXOmzBeUVWCJAosXEQvhNXqdeuf-wMx-TOIYf2cqLgOJwv6DRx2PvQE9yVCLLjk_08k6aOsbm7EAkSn5YThRwI0W51Yq/s400/2336_hot_man_three_600.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">6. Did you see "Up"? Did you bawl like a baby and use a whole box of tissue like me? I seriously love this movie and I seriously want a house with a huge bunch of balloons at my disposal for easy travel options. Disney has </span><a href="http://family.go.com/disney/pkg-disney-printables/article-648972-disney-printable---up-house-with-balloons-t/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">this</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> cool printable on their website...and I heart it!</span>
<br />
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMyx5ELydtgCjt_JgKfYK-gecyyQviG2E8GRIt7B751wVGJvM0Gx-YBzyNQ5BAAmLymK4DpP9xGFGlg60A8iIPJp28Gkab0OiW7bs3kaQeRmRSrf36Iopmh2NzAtsXGggtn5ydpJSoF8L/s1600/house-photo-280-cp-4893576-749x933.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581953178428877138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMyx5ELydtgCjt_JgKfYK-gecyyQviG2E8GRIt7B751wVGJvM0Gx-YBzyNQ5BAAmLymK4DpP9xGFGlg60A8iIPJp28Gkab0OiW7bs3kaQeRmRSrf36Iopmh2NzAtsXGggtn5ydpJSoF8L/s400/house-photo-280-cp-4893576-749x933.jpg" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div></div><div>That's all folks....Happy Friday :)</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-54317006064725420552011-03-08T15:09:00.000-08:002011-03-08T15:12:37.774-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMfFcQW5JNVmYzHt7-n5UiSmLLFwjLH6-UULkeNfh2e9CBvG67uKxESYQQKiKLWdiKCoyUOqpBwBhKlPjQ7Jwjvt3tVCrQL2xPdCYFxn3Xt9HMXgdlz-YqYqpYULKJ2EwQssNsBxlachS/s1600/Creativity+Journal.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581850275119555394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMfFcQW5JNVmYzHt7-n5UiSmLLFwjLH6-UULkeNfh2e9CBvG67uKxESYQQKiKLWdiKCoyUOqpBwBhKlPjQ7Jwjvt3tVCrQL2xPdCYFxn3Xt9HMXgdlz-YqYqpYULKJ2EwQssNsBxlachS/s400/Creativity+Journal.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crafting is my therapy…it’s what quiets my thoughts and eases my mind. So why do I find it so hard sometimes to just sit down and enjoy some time to myself? Life has been so up and down lately. There’s lots going on in my family, lots going on in my head, lots going on with my health. But life isn’t going anywhere so I am learning to make “me time” a priority, despite the circumstances. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A good friend of mine bought me this creativity journal….and I spent lots of time this week just getting things out of my head and onto paper. I am working on some gifts for a Facebook “pay it forward” challenge I took in January and would love to start getting some gifts out…and then moving on to a special project that I’m working on for a couple of friends who have birthdays in April. </span><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of – Geri Weitzman </span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-53702643492616025442011-02-24T11:40:00.000-08:002011-02-24T12:16:06.237-08:00Never too late for love...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I spent some time last weekend, pulling together pictures of Valentine's Day, getting ready to post a blog and then it happened. I reached for a glass of water, took a sip...and felt a slight tingle in the back of my throat. If I had only known what was next....sigh.<br /><br />If you've ever had strep throat, my heart goes out to you. I'm not the dramatic type and I'm usually the kind of girl who has to be forced to see a doctor, but I have to honestly say, short of childbirth, I can't remember having to endure such horrible pain with no end in sight and nothing to take it away. If you've never had it, get on your knees and thank the Good Lord...and then stay on your knees and pray that you never do. Any research and energy that our government puts into biological warfare should be stopped immediately. Strep throat...that's all we need. The strain that I had will stop any enemy in their tracks and they won't even begin to feel a tad bit better for more than 4 days.<br /><br />Ok....enough of that...just wanted to explain my lack of posts when in my heart I really, really wanted to :)<br /><br />Valentine's Day came and went without much fanfare but that does not mean that it was not thoroughly enjoyed by myself. I always hear people talking about how hard Valentine's Day is for single people and I just don't get it. I absolutely love, love, love Valentine's Day. I enjoy lavishing some love on the people in my life. I love watching people love each other. I love spending time with my friends and giving them gifts that make them feel loved. Are you feeling the love?<br /><br />Here's a few highlights from my V-day.....</span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusT2AJ6Xfr5jqUtb-rOui7NmKmPuVKmiGHK_DzJirhKDKURcVqQeIfz3PJoqxmCaygr-22OluN4i_sOGWkBORUdV5dHkgYDZEhCYEYeKKvE3KURbUI_mKHHMv573t_dSwXj7yfH4FUCpg/s400/Love+frame.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I did lots of Valentine's Day crafting, but took few pictures of what I was making. I know, big sad face, but I wanted to make sure they were done on time so I lost track of what I was doing and was bummed when I realized I had no pictures. I did snap one of this little frame I pulled together. I had some glitter scrapbooking letters, some pink paper and a frame from the 99 cent store (actually 3 frames for 99 cents) and thought it was a simple little piece of decor for my living room. I felt it needed something more so I grabbed a few fabric scraps and made a few rosettes and glued them to the bottom corner and was very pleased with the final product. Simple, inexpensive but so cute. I heart it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyTBkG9nnQ4nXbbewVyW4Nb2Nw0wuPkmeP4xSaAQcSS51t6c2-7ovcMFww_lEbNe7RZzh3dEOHjgDeg6lHdCEmi0xytr-JYbxALBvoPGgInprkUALC8PCDZSZzlKCXQl34uX1PLfVbemj/s400/Flowers+Vase.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As a single gal, I'm not one of the girls at the office who gets flowers delivered so I bought myself some roses and a few daisies. They made me smile every time I saw them. Dear Michelle, I love you. Love, Michelle</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNKy9VXXgZIc7U7GNxpnK0Lo8z85QC5tNk7JCY021V5kIxQrQGNsCZukK1ndPWWgd9jXiSYzZ4xQuM8liXenLXVVAodofiaDQOn83oeb0pR1uHDoNcDTGavuGnF2Q1kMUKaqQuDUjcoAG/s400/Salsa.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The absolute love of my life is my son Adam. He's a fairly simple boy to make happy. He loves my homemade salsa so I made him his own batch, wrote him a card, threw in some chocolate and he felt the love. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-0SZueD67F4yJQNhSOO2lsvBzmA_kd50DVFzLdvi-MrLyYIqHg4EV23lxCPYUJM-BDIcmZ79n8JTDEI9SSUr1GKlo_LMFOeiYuQioC5ej0jhlxSmYmAVREaBh5VDmKhWiLe-1gE5rT19/s400/Gifts+collage.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Whether there are boyfriends in the picture or not, my girlfriends and I have a tradition of getting together to celebrate Valentine's Day and lavishing each other with gifts...this year was no exception. From a love monkey and balloon.....to Edward Cullen conversation hearts and sparkling cider...to dietary supplements and giant Reeses Peanut Butter Hearts...the love was not lacking at our table. The lucky patrons of PF Changs heart our laughter, watched us open gifts and witnessed us eat massive amounts of awesome food. It was one of the best years we've ever had and I will never forget it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7g1ENiZastlhkQzSmp-y2HQeCz9vCKu44TDmAu9iD1ZN8eKy8cwnIwF3OQSTF-fHaAbU_SliINjG9Q-dUwoXZNttYaQYsfZzI083cYv7gYFrBsX2dRf4_7BuWHjyZpBXynDv-4x9P0w_/s1600/Men+on+glasses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7g1ENiZastlhkQzSmp-y2HQeCz9vCKu44TDmAu9iD1ZN8eKy8cwnIwF3OQSTF-fHaAbU_SliINjG9Q-dUwoXZNttYaQYsfZzI083cYv7gYFrBsX2dRf4_7BuWHjyZpBXynDv-4x9P0w_/s400/Men+on+glasses.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577346912653798530" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So here's to another year of celebrating who we love and why we love them. And may you always have love, laughter, and tiny, naked, glass men hanging from your water glass. Yes, that was another gift from the girls :) Seriously, what's Valentine's Day without them???</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div>I love you all <3><br /><br /><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-48803325733165989762011-02-08T20:53:00.000-08:002011-02-09T07:19:12.980-08:00I heart Target<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnVbRhTDmNBMFSGLzbSTHSlrHKMRlSP5IGTGy6EyvR4zGFUdDnoE54T_lcN-k-QswPheDps1bTwbJt7gUAWC6Eg-JEQiQkbn-0bmLbCOhyphenhyphenI93LU6ygeivDV9ephTuPjeIea7iACWp8_QB/s1600/Header+Picture.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571549154057894194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnVbRhTDmNBMFSGLzbSTHSlrHKMRlSP5IGTGy6EyvR4zGFUdDnoE54T_lcN-k-QswPheDps1bTwbJt7gUAWC6Eg-JEQiQkbn-0bmLbCOhyphenhyphenI93LU6ygeivDV9ephTuPjeIea7iACWp8_QB/s400/Header+Picture.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who says Valentine's Day decor for your home has to come from Pier One or Pottery Barn...not in my house. Finances are hard on everyone but that doesn't mean you can't bling out your house a little bit to celebrate the loves in your life. Being a single gal, the loves in my life are my family, my friends and my cat...but don't judge...love is love after all. (stop laughing)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhBpXbjDwncfwsfcGRtUGoy7ICLGzKtbBCUxoAOpCuhVKP0vnyGgwht4pYRubdB2rqu1LYr4bjj0kbjkKi8XBPYhGGtPcur8ePnLGEZ73FGAi2yu28-pGkFPXxTOf6KooGfc0vudO4bdV/s1600/Supplies+Collage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571549150339867090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhBpXbjDwncfwsfcGRtUGoy7ICLGzKtbBCUxoAOpCuhVKP0vnyGgwht4pYRubdB2rqu1LYr4bjj0kbjkKi8XBPYhGGtPcur8ePnLGEZ73FGAi2yu28-pGkFPXxTOf6KooGfc0vudO4bdV/s400/Supplies+Collage.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When you first walk into a Target, don't rush past the dollar bins. They are seriously my favorite part of the store. Yes there are the lame dollar gifts, but on every trip, I tend to find at least one treasure that makes me smile. These little "I heart U" milk jugs were $2.50 and they were the last ones in the bin. I snatched them up and knew immediately what I wanted to do with them!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9jD8Q-ZfTJCsnJoPsF9v6SPVQPpMGa0I2mLMiUf6rYre89u3SjUIhG7tSDL_PoBn-JpP0hQcYV7-NyAVs9Xt0rJULfoRDC7E3S_rkkBiz9GCKGWTILMpMNWmEcatB7s1BR9Qh2_utg1L/s1600/Circle+Cut+and+Uncut.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571549144942564610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9jD8Q-ZfTJCsnJoPsF9v6SPVQPpMGa0I2mLMiUf6rYre89u3SjUIhG7tSDL_PoBn-JpP0hQcYV7-NyAVs9Xt0rJULfoRDC7E3S_rkkBiz9GCKGWTILMpMNWmEcatB7s1BR9Qh2_utg1L/s400/Circle+Cut+and+Uncut.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have a ton of felt scraps at home and used some red and pink to cut out a few circles. They don't have to be perfect, just freehand cut in a circle. Once you have a circle, start on the outside and cut a spiral circle toward the center. The arrows show where I started and stopped cutting. Again, it doesn't have to be perfect. It's just you and the felt :)</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After cutting the circle, I apparently lost my mind because I thought to myself..."what about making a video about the rest of this?" Seriously, me on video is a nightmare but I did it. Please excuse the poor lighting. Please excuse the sound of Dr. Phil in the background. Just focus on the craft and enjoy yourself. Life is short.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vERWjUVtWnw" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I made two roses in red and one in pink. I had some cloth covered stem wire and cut 3 six-inch pieces. I pushed the stem into the bottom of the rose, put one in each vase and there you have it. Valentine's Day decor for less than $3. There's nothing I love more than a bargain...so it's kind of appropriate. They will spend their time on my bookshelf...next to "The Shack" which gave me a different perspective on God's love and changed my heart....and "How to Know if Someone is Worth Dating in Two Dates or Less"...the book that probably explains why I'm single. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Go ahead, you can laugh at me on that one </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB20_EHYFDbseEsH7LmfW6qTm5Y08G8-13sqFU_pHd7TImcQECz9g_NeRIejNgJmgkffHD8E5nIFcdVyZ0Cz1YGASDEDQTWq0N99sehJkQB4WXxt1MPJK9s3DWaoJ8yLKPnRcl2HPCEOm/s1600/Finished.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571549139115505474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB20_EHYFDbseEsH7LmfW6qTm5Y08G8-13sqFU_pHd7TImcQECz9g_NeRIejNgJmgkffHD8E5nIFcdVyZ0Cz1YGASDEDQTWq0N99sehJkQB4WXxt1MPJK9s3DWaoJ8yLKPnRcl2HPCEOm/s400/Finished.jpg" /></a> </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-91657596533415795752011-01-29T22:04:00.000-08:002011-02-01T13:35:08.054-08:00Johnny Nash said it best....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What can I say... it has been a while since I've posted anything and that just makes me sad. So sad that I've been gun-shy on how to get started again. Tonight, I figured the best things to do is to just do it. Open my blog and start writing.</span></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't know how to explain in words what the last few months have been, but I can say that it felt like a huge rain cloud, with accompanying fog, settling in around me slowly and I didn't even realize it. I'm not sure when it started but I became aware of it slowly as well. I decorated for Christmas, but not my normal, over-the-top, decor. I celebrated Christmas, but quietly and with family. I turned 40, and if my friends hadn't planned an amazing surprise birthday party, I was ready to let that slip by quietly as well. It was part depression, part reflection and part confusion. I'm not sure why exactly but I'm sure some contributing factors were the anniversary of my mom's death, unhappiness with certain parts of my life and family drama.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Regardless... the fog has lifted, the sun is shining, and I am renewed. Not because my problems have disappeared but because my perspective has shifted. I learned some things about myself, my life and my God. I am a work in progress and ready to start the engine again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I read this quote and loved it... and was immediately hit by how I had been living myself. It struck a cord and I have not forgotten it and live in awareness of the fear that has held me back. But no more. Simply no more. Happy New Year to me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span" ><p align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”</span></span></span></p><p align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">~Marianne Williamson</span></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><br /></span></span></span></p></span></div><br /><iframe class="youtube-player" title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HagzTRmUBIE" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen="" type="text/html"></iframe>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-19141499323224372502010-11-30T09:18:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:08:43.065-08:00Adorable crafty ornaments!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wow, it has been a while since I've posted. Between an unexpected trip to the ER via ambulance, a sick kitty and the craziness of Thanksgiving...I have been a little crazed lately. But do not fret...all is well! I am back and I am ready for Christmas!<br /><br />Last December, I bought my first artificial Christmas tree at the "day after Christmas" sale. It was such a bargain! I knew that one of my goals in 2010 was to set up my craft room in the spare bedroom and once that was completed, I knew that I would be spending most of my time in there. I was right...I rarely leave my craft room because it is my happy place and this time of year, I knew that I was going to want my own Christmas tree to enjoy as I crafted.<br /><br />Kmart had a huge sale of all Martha Stewart craft-themed Christmas decor and I cleaned them out! Everything on this tree will either be craft themed...or handmade and I am so excited to share the process of decorating with y'all!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bWfC71IwQCinmJBr8onJSWznGNtS4AoUiwVM2SlrnRg-bVV7NWMeJOxxUw7X3ikira-POB5c7biPZN90yjOC91h-7j6oUsS77-o1rIQLJ9SIyHupYDZDKmTvzQ-FvXv7WIBAXcCZWCAe/s1600/Tree+Collage.jpg"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398289487119394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bWfC71IwQCinmJBr8onJSWznGNtS4AoUiwVM2SlrnRg-bVV7NWMeJOxxUw7X3ikira-POB5c7biPZN90yjOC91h-7j6oUsS77-o1rIQLJ9SIyHupYDZDKmTvzQ-FvXv7WIBAXcCZWCAe/s400/Tree+Collage.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This weekend, I put up the tree in my craft room...it was much more work than a real tree but it was worth it...I love the tree! As soon as it was up, I wanted to work on a few ornaments that I had been thinking about for a while and decided to get straight to work!<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTECYEZ1V30YA4f4gGR0WtWK06ybFYrR4GsMtBcBizsZauN-u8F5t13BglzCItupKySOVg-0t_eDzZQ12Rg53XF0hjArNxVItIZfPXg8wJUGF7PDZOiZ_86ANBhfWBRXbv_XTGVBt8NXw/s1600/Supplies.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398289204480002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTECYEZ1V30YA4f4gGR0WtWK06ybFYrR4GsMtBcBizsZauN-u8F5t13BglzCItupKySOVg-0t_eDzZQ12Rg53XF0hjArNxVItIZfPXg8wJUGF7PDZOiZ_86ANBhfWBRXbv_XTGVBt8NXw/s400/Supplies.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had some leftover empty glass ornaments, artificial snow and embellishments from last year. I cut a few pieces out from various pieces of leftover felt and plugged in my glue gun.<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkkeGBCylK5oqsH8MUIvY44OmQmoM7IsK24qiE258R5bmuXRLL2SRl5bovPZw5GxyIxe4PGLMpvZYF0wUrE7FWtkHdod6gD45CUoNOIZyMZyN2TKlzd5B0XI5MwEmW6jnFELUKwEmknjP/s1600/Filled+snowball.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398269445139954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkkeGBCylK5oqsH8MUIvY44OmQmoM7IsK24qiE258R5bmuXRLL2SRl5bovPZw5GxyIxe4PGLMpvZYF0wUrE7FWtkHdod6gD45CUoNOIZyMZyN2TKlzd5B0XI5MwEmW6jnFELUKwEmknjP/s400/Filled+snowball.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I filled the glass with artificial snow and put the cap back on.</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuEOckktuHcQrf-s3t8l_JFyla5jjmDuGjLye02tca99tnplW0BlKyJ89HYWzSRNqAOfweGjwiMSMbWAXB1FZ0ciNqiYswj_clJGZ0vAIAWl62jrD0UQonwNwC0X0W4yotNEhPJg_STxy/s1600/Stuff+Collage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398269033637042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuEOckktuHcQrf-s3t8l_JFyla5jjmDuGjLye02tca99tnplW0BlKyJ89HYWzSRNqAOfweGjwiMSMbWAXB1FZ0ciNqiYswj_clJGZ0vAIAWl62jrD0UQonwNwC0X0W4yotNEhPJg_STxy/s400/Stuff+Collage.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I made a set of ear muffs with some pom poms and pipe cleaners...adorable! I used the black felt as the eyes and mouth and the orange for the nose. </span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WBU5y7GE4lKokQUNorwnUw6sEPDjwdyhaTppiweMKEpCGDkKIb-szXELvl4_QTLEwhfW3B-pxuURaj4ExabxZvYVfJbuUe2FiQSZmFDl8UVODAHK6hw_MZ92HQZ_33VBPryZeoHJIDrM/s1600/Snowman+without+scarf.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398100290654770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WBU5y7GE4lKokQUNorwnUw6sEPDjwdyhaTppiweMKEpCGDkKIb-szXELvl4_QTLEwhfW3B-pxuURaj4ExabxZvYVfJbuUe2FiQSZmFDl8UVODAHK6hw_MZ92HQZ_33VBPryZeoHJIDrM/s400/Snowman+without+scarf.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Put it all together and you have an adorable snowman ornament! I thought the snowman lacked a little something so of course, I had to take it a step further....because that's what I do.</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTwjLacFbTprPQF7bobk6mwKXr2aLy8XZAzdErR_IELEq_VcL_E0Tq5C98FCKaOfNOGnomjStb8B7ra-biwSS2kausDPoJ1NdfPcGI0UD5dss_djzBqPvH_3ZqCRjCGNNx1m6jetRcdvZ/s1600/Snowman+with+scarf.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398077922086130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTwjLacFbTprPQF7bobk6mwKXr2aLy8XZAzdErR_IELEq_VcL_E0Tq5C98FCKaOfNOGnomjStb8B7ra-biwSS2kausDPoJ1NdfPcGI0UD5dss_djzBqPvH_3ZqCRjCGNNx1m6jetRcdvZ/s400/Snowman+with+scarf.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And I made a little scarf out of some scrap felt and the snowman was complete! I love him!<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbCwnglTaK5hFOzbyIeRwPa5alRJvYOKzb2Nt44oSo7mmPnZEPHWPWRvWAGPTbt2wOXE7SKeqfxlYuU7fAbFmVtpjel0n0HudT506dCMh9GyHEAwvULzosalCMe89q9P2gMz_r0a_-71/s1600/Owl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398069634453826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbCwnglTaK5hFOzbyIeRwPa5alRJvYOKzb2Nt44oSo7mmPnZEPHWPWRvWAGPTbt2wOXE7SKeqfxlYuU7fAbFmVtpjel0n0HudT506dCMh9GyHEAwvULzosalCMe89q9P2gMz_r0a_-71/s400/Owl.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In a previous post, I mentioned my love affair with the book Falalala Felt and it has not disappointed me in the least! One of my favorite tutorials in the book was this adorable owl! I was able to whip him up in no time and I think I going to make a few more!<br /><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLX_AhzLFg6KbDDSjlveXyBThh1kl4nXEdj2UBPQWX7Hg99Vn70jyPd_rtWRXZXTGa_DCHnCoTkgRXgdMwbXG6Kq5b7vRC-vQiIMl-yzPPiNH7vLSr09xR6ab1c7M1LvqyaGWHdXSseN-/s1600/Owl+side.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398063459233362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLX_AhzLFg6KbDDSjlveXyBThh1kl4nXEdj2UBPQWX7Hg99Vn70jyPd_rtWRXZXTGa_DCHnCoTkgRXgdMwbXG6Kq5b7vRC-vQiIMl-yzPPiNH7vLSr09xR6ab1c7M1LvqyaGWHdXSseN-/s400/Owl+side.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I dig his eyelids...they make him look a little sleepy...cuteness!<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTBbH4Zki9YuC3b0AfoHA9PzOAqiTgXj4FhYsL9vxQ3nnMxpkPaog1Ooa1DUFWUx5gWBtP7p-QlYLNkOIEj-Dl1AijrmrZwAO9RouA5oDCW_7Cr89Sc9tNdEtYkm760wb0p987bowmhgs/s1600/Chankla.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545398054577221170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTBbH4Zki9YuC3b0AfoHA9PzOAqiTgXj4FhYsL9vxQ3nnMxpkPaog1Ooa1DUFWUx5gWBtP7p-QlYLNkOIEj-Dl1AijrmrZwAO9RouA5oDCW_7Cr89Sc9tNdEtYkm760wb0p987bowmhgs/s400/Chankla.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_NckBBdclwocf4jVl7EIWz3yCtfOzDKJjf_SWzuLt_1ONM3uTEH8_byjyA6z1F2zwj-gCHtJHhgyhC5YMnKKCwg7ohXtu8FSBj-KBVMVyUNEF_maa8SMMI4F4RuwzMp-JrNnaLdBUWeb/s1600/Chankla.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On a totally random note, I purchased a winter hat for my cat. I seriously cannot stop laughing at this picture. She hates me, I'm convinced...and I think the look in her eyes says, "I hope someone bigger than you forces you to wear stupid things and take blinding pictures of you when they do". But she's adorable...and I could not resist.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Merry Christmas!<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-66221832268738963462010-11-15T08:29:00.000-08:002010-11-15T08:50:37.217-08:00Giving isn't always about money<div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">And do not forget to do good and to share with others for </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> with such sacrifices God is pleased....</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Hebrews 13:16</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />It has been an eye-opening experience to participate in the 30-Day Giving Challenge. If you consider yourself a giver, like I do, it can be surprising how challenging it is to purposefully give for 30 straight days. I started this challenge with the hope to think outside of the box and to give in ways that I hadn't ever given before. It would be easy to throw money, as little as you may have, at the desire to give and don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving money especially because it so needed by so many worthwhile organizations. But sometimes, that is the easy way out.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />There comes a point where giving should actually cost something....something that possibly hurts to give. Something that we generally don't give away easily....and that's the challenge that I've issued to myself. My hope was that my giving would be a combination of gifts..money, time, things I don't want to give up. It has been difficult but mostly rewarding...even if only because there were things that I finally just gave to God and said "here, take it".</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Have you considered giving in a way that doesn't come natural?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />Is there a person who has hurt you and you haven't yet forgiven them? Or maybe you've forgiven them but you've built a huge wall between the two of you so that they can't hurt you again? Consider extending your hand, even in small steps. Take one brick out of the wall you've built. It's a gift you can give to them...and to God.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />Is there something that you know in your heart God has asked you to do and you've put it off? Did you know that you can give something to God? He is more worthy than anyone of our giving.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />Is there a situation in your life has caused you pain? Did you know that you can be standing in the deepest pain and sing a song of worship to God? It's a sacrifice...and it's an act of giving praise to God even in the midst of a storm. It counts as giving.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />I pray that as we approach the midpoint of this challenge that our hearts would be softened to giving outside of our wallet and that we would continue to understand that the gifts of giving far outweigh the cost :)</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-1921243065119657242010-11-12T09:52:00.001-08:002010-11-15T19:30:51.297-08:00Crafty Christmas is under way!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don't know about y'all but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Southern California! We don't have snow or any significant seasonal changes, except that Fall usually brings crisp clear days with a chill in the air and you can tell that it's almost the happiest time of the year. Around here, the cities start to put up their decorations and the radio stations start a countdown to Christmas music. As I write this blog, Bing Crosby is singing "The Christmas Song" in my craft room....talk about bliss!</span> wait...it's now the Chipmunks :)<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I recently treated myself to "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fa-Felt-Handmade-Holiday-Decorations/dp/1600596150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289585610&sr=8-1">Fa la la la Felt</a>" and am so looking forward to diving into some crafts from that book, but before I did that, I wanted to make some of felt ornaments that have been swimming in my mind lately and have been dying to see them come to life.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKkmluGPRygNB3OiKLDIkGL6J783s35WOKTRsgKleloTLbUZ34mwn0zYzEGN86-7aS1Chd_Rd-D7CoWzfiiZP9RsRLawFKseTf3QXHGFh95XViMZfGbdwUOG-4E7_kj4mEbhWFxj3QcsU/s1600/supplies.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538722796102262098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKkmluGPRygNB3OiKLDIkGL6J783s35WOKTRsgKleloTLbUZ34mwn0zYzEGN86-7aS1Chd_Rd-D7CoWzfiiZP9RsRLawFKseTf3QXHGFh95XViMZfGbdwUOG-4E7_kj4mEbhWFxj3QcsU/s400/supplies.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have so much felt, it's not even funny. A whole drawer is filled to the brim with different colors and it's weird because I use them all the time, but still find myself with more felt than one human should own. I grabbed a couple of sheets, my embroidery floss and some basic supplies. I had only made one of these before so the rest were just ideas that I was excited to see come to life as I worked.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx5zJLfcpruuT70ZE0PpHl7jcauhPc7ASXHGs6CZSSgZK3vSlShqGbOjGHdTOQ4ZUsU6pB0eERAwlj5CxTRnAkxliOuY2MH1DkHkG4lqsCNZYMW7wH4vGUyLVRY74gCeNQFYgCFnvOhoW/s1600/cupcake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538722796871196690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx5zJLfcpruuT70ZE0PpHl7jcauhPc7ASXHGs6CZSSgZK3vSlShqGbOjGHdTOQ4ZUsU6pB0eERAwlj5CxTRnAkxliOuY2MH1DkHkG4lqsCNZYMW7wH4vGUyLVRY74gCeNQFYgCFnvOhoW/s400/cupcake.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The first thing that I wanted to try to make was a cupcake ornament. I have a deep affection for cupcakes and wanted to add a cupcake ornament to my tree this year. I have been collecting bottle caps from my Coca-Cola addiction because I was hoping to turn some of them into tiny pin cushion gifts for fellow crafters so I decided to grab a white one. I used some pink felt for the cupcake itself and a piece of white for the frosting. I sewed a few colorful beads as sprinkles and actually love how it turned out! It exceeded my expectations and I can tell you that I will be making many more in the weeks to come.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXZfS3_nvc6fxxoRnI2cyIvWnW7vAclbQSXtLdc7vj2GWYJSsRddw34cccj545BoZwJaZabNaTPBb6k3KT655jm0q6jtXutTmJ-10ik3Mjqr51rTfMzUQSUpi7u6XMQuzdlicPZ6ac3BE/s1600/skates.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538722790592483122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXZfS3_nvc6fxxoRnI2cyIvWnW7vAclbQSXtLdc7vj2GWYJSsRddw34cccj545BoZwJaZabNaTPBb6k3KT655jm0q6jtXutTmJ-10ik3Mjqr51rTfMzUQSUpi7u6XMQuzdlicPZ6ac3BE/s400/skates.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have long since lost the tutorial I used to make these, but last year, I made these ice-skate ornaments for my girlfriends and of course, forgot to make one for myself. I pretty much remembered the important steps and just improvised for what I didn't remember. They are pretty easy to make and come together quickly. I hand stitched the pieces together, stuffed the skate and added some embroidery thread shoelaces. The skate piece is just a paperclip but I think they are adorable. I think I'll make a few more using some different colors but I love the white. White ice-skates are classic.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpX6xyGSOZo0bw69o3MBVD3rRX-6f7b8kJIOHn-VfKhvwKLPNIApiBFFdk6cjfi-D1UVZbkf6Dhr_lYh_3FA_yrbV6r4JbTzhHEu_xgee0VaFeueSSWphHdeovKCS74tm1jXyPHPcA8tj/s1600/snowflake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538722787065104082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpX6xyGSOZo0bw69o3MBVD3rRX-6f7b8kJIOHn-VfKhvwKLPNIApiBFFdk6cjfi-D1UVZbkf6Dhr_lYh_3FA_yrbV6r4JbTzhHEu_xgee0VaFeueSSWphHdeovKCS74tm1jXyPHPcA8tj/s400/snowflake.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It was about 11:30 pm when I finished the skates and I still had another ornament in mind. I just couldn't go to bed until it was finished so I grabbed some lime green felt and hand embroidered a snowflake, or what I thought a snowflake would look like :) I have a huge button collection and thought that the white buttons would make great ends to the snowflakes and I think I was right. I used a basic blanket stitch to the close the sides and added a little fiberfill. I'm sure this one will not be lonely as I plan on making a few more.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T1ITd8p-n13NGpotRFqX6vZVw6G2WuMWPgVxF-3XE5GDuu40xxNHerKctwmqKM_bGhXGxBXDiCktxSfQQjFv0aAw7OQt0zKSxdmimKuHiHmlCMXLvtNJqTL_VvKkzamCmBLkdl61XhxG/s1600/All3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538722781927588178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T1ITd8p-n13NGpotRFqX6vZVw6G2WuMWPgVxF-3XE5GDuu40xxNHerKctwmqKM_bGhXGxBXDiCktxSfQQjFv0aAw7OQt0zKSxdmimKuHiHmlCMXLvtNJqTL_VvKkzamCmBLkdl61XhxG/s400/All3.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So that was my Thursday night and I am so happy with the results! I have big plans for a new Christmas tree idea this year and these will definitely play starring roles in the outcome! I am so excited to start my Christmas crafting! I have some painting on my mind so I hope to post the results of that soon....until then...'tis the Season friends!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/CraftomaniacMondayButton.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" ><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/Crafty%20Stuff/MondayCuter.png" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://sewcando.blogspot.com"><img src=" http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac133/cerise422/sewcandoPARTYbuttonworking.jpg"/></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-26463208554479319452010-11-09T07:46:00.000-08:002010-11-09T10:36:10.556-08:0030 Day Giving Challenge - Check In<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's Day 9 of the 30-Day Giving Challenge and I have to say that it has been an amazing opportunity to step out of the box and give in ways I had never taken the time to do. I don't want to post specifics because that just seems to lend toward "ringing my own bell" and I have zero desire to do that, but I will say that in my giving...I have been blessed.<br /><br />When I think about my lowest times, they don't even compare to the struggles of people all over the world and even here in the United States. I'm a single mom, always have been since the day my son was born, and it has been a struggle. Educating myself, remaining employed and finding a way to take care of myself and my little human. I am blessed to have had that struggle, and even more blessed to have what I have, despite what I don't have.<br /><br />Roof over our head - check<br />Food in the fridge - check<br />Working fridge - check<br />Car - check<br />Health - check<br />Water - check<br />Insurance - check<br />Family - check<br />Friends - check<br /><br />The list goes on and on and on.....and on. The least that I can do is give...and give purposefully to what I believe in and what my life stands for.<br /><br />Join me....it's not too late...it's never too late. It doesn't have to be money...just give. If you're looking for ways to give, here's just a few organizations that I am giving to this month and that I believe in.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ">Operation Christmas Child</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.ornaments4orphans.org/">Ornaments 4 Orphans</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://angel.jcpenney.com/">Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.lifetoday.org/site/PageServer?pagename=out_shoes">Christmas Shoes Project</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://christmasjars.com/main.php">Christmas Jars<br /></a></span><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hjGWqvg0OZU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hjGWqvg0OZU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-35774893713337127972010-11-07T21:01:00.000-08:002010-11-08T08:30:57.092-08:00Meet Daisy Mae<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTNwDiP-kMhEBNyhvwtA8SBiQ3Kxo5BMpq_oZjTJJw2eRxPrOOekSHLrxmv2a2Omaz2oZGjQKpWRR5-0uI0cssOyK5dDFi_CjvOQc39M0VKDrosSNgvWTpm_e-F8AJywZjzei8nu5zH9P/s1600/Sewing+machine.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTNwDiP-kMhEBNyhvwtA8SBiQ3Kxo5BMpq_oZjTJJw2eRxPrOOekSHLrxmv2a2Omaz2oZGjQKpWRR5-0uI0cssOyK5dDFi_CjvOQc39M0VKDrosSNgvWTpm_e-F8AJywZjzei8nu5zH9P/s400/Sewing+machine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537039950130502002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I'd like to introduce you to my sewing machine....isn't she cute? I named her Daisy Mae and she has been ever so good to me. She was a Christmas gift from a good friend of mine a few years back and I have put her to good use. When I set up my extra bedroom as my craft room and put Daisy Mae in her home on my shelf, I would see her and constantly remind myself that she desperately needs a sewing machine cover. Not a plain cover or a piece of plastic, but a pretty cover that would make other sewing machines jealous.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysK3eaXQA9-MgGt6fXY_NxcurhlSpSFVUlTFeRuyD5yWYPs30_h1qekenHjpK_OhD8KjrSVmW2Hv6vzl1IUvBkPF0R_tkBwys1DlVjujECOIfKTlHQqyKQQLLbbHoLhLBUV2KhrHICDkz/s1600/Napkin+collage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysK3eaXQA9-MgGt6fXY_NxcurhlSpSFVUlTFeRuyD5yWYPs30_h1qekenHjpK_OhD8KjrSVmW2Hv6vzl1IUvBkPF0R_tkBwys1DlVjujECOIfKTlHQqyKQQLLbbHoLhLBUV2KhrHICDkz/s400/Napkin+collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537039946379127986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Several months ago while shopping at Pier One, I spied these cloth napkins on clearance and I believe I spent $1, maybe less, for each of them. This weekend I was looking through my fabric stash and thought that perhaps these would make a great cover for Daisy Mae! I love the different shades of pink in the stripes along with some yellow and white. I trimmed the fringe off of two pieces and leaving an opening for the sewing machine handle, stitched them together.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg5j13Lx_PM40xrZLlqNbFlVqoN-cEbdq3FmcHE3G17kMLDrYK3PvTkN9QSdbSK8kgibc3CGe9Rp0Y98DD_qyJ5v2pQwcvzPjWMhIMaXkXwh2VqOc8LppPSCAnPCRyOC2yWUKGzglw9LJ/s1600/ruffle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg5j13Lx_PM40xrZLlqNbFlVqoN-cEbdq3FmcHE3G17kMLDrYK3PvTkN9QSdbSK8kgibc3CGe9Rp0Y98DD_qyJ5v2pQwcvzPjWMhIMaXkXwh2VqOc8LppPSCAnPCRyOC2yWUKGzglw9LJ/s400/ruffle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537039947743772786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />When I draped the fabric over the machine, I liked the overall look but felt it lacked a little something so I grabbed some leftover fabric from some apple green sheers that I hung in my kitchen and cut two strips from the scraps. Sewing down the middle and then gathering the fabric, I fashioned a couple of ruffles that I then sewed along the bottom front of the cover. </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yZAGTrQ-x6ulmKDBwBye4VxomlKfzgdt3uHsm1Nt1TJLr2cgTz_vzkkIfcmDBCmFcy-lr-O4IEb9r1ARoekG_bRDxPD1T17snO28jLbTx8cTe1auGLqX99SA_JU9REOsxxdJOTugS2RJ/s1600/Finished+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yZAGTrQ-x6ulmKDBwBye4VxomlKfzgdt3uHsm1Nt1TJLr2cgTz_vzkkIfcmDBCmFcy-lr-O4IEb9r1ARoekG_bRDxPD1T17snO28jLbTx8cTe1auGLqX99SA_JU9REOsxxdJOTugS2RJ/s400/Finished+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537039941645005506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I sewed green ribbon on the sides, glued a button on top for some added detail and the cover was complete! This is Daisy Mae in her new pink and green ruffled cover....I adore it! I love the whole pink/green combination!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAX3JEZnnBhWHRi4a_23hg2qlY5TGEc42DffRjnGRsjBZJVynyLRxsF9zfSQERfv-huDmDAUDNbCz2pnHOPyrub6DQ9sivOHYV6oztaPUMR9QZAU3NYwhjfHqEgtlGFsEAZUpRVCtVgsZ/s1600/finished+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAX3JEZnnBhWHRi4a_23hg2qlY5TGEc42DffRjnGRsjBZJVynyLRxsF9zfSQERfv-huDmDAUDNbCz2pnHOPyrub6DQ9sivOHYV6oztaPUMR9QZAU3NYwhjfHqEgtlGFsEAZUpRVCtVgsZ/s400/finished+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537039937895630834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It was fun working without a pattern, trying different things as I worked. I think I'm ready to tackle a few more sewing projects....maybe a few things for Christmas! </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/CraftomaniacMondayButton.png" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/Crafty%20Stuff/MondayCuter.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://sewcando.blogspot.com"><img src=" http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac133/cerise422/sewcandoPARTYbuttonworking.jpg"/></a><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" ><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://simpsonizedcraftsandthensome.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Simpsonized Crafts" src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/audras27/Linkpartygrabbuttonnew.png" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-64721657283737219272010-11-01T08:18:00.000-07:002010-11-01T08:34:19.133-07:00Simple Giving<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Happy November! I cannot believe it's November already but I love it...and for me, the holiday season is in full swing! I love Halloween but I tend to hold back, not wanting to saturate my world with all things Christmas too early for fear of burnout...but November 1st gives me permission to jump in!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last week while reading through a few blogs, I was introduced to the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://30daygivingchallenge.com/blog/">30 Day Giving Challenge</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I read the stories and prayed about it, although I'm not sure why. I didn't really see God saying, "no, don't give" but I still prayed and my heart was touched. God's heart is all about giving and in telling us to give, He wants to bless and give back to us. </span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver </span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2 Corinthians 9: 7</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you feel led, please join me...it doesn't take much and it's completely in your own heart to decide how to give. It can be time, it can be a smile, it can be monetary. There is no such thing as a minimum gift...it can mean the world to a person and cost nothing to you. If you need a few ideas to get started, here's a few just off the top of my head...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Double your tip at the restaurant you visit today.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Give your mailman a thank-you card.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Visit your elderly neighbor.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. Take a co-worker to lunch.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">5. Pay for the lunch of the person behind you in the drive-thru.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6. Sacrifice your lunch hour as a time of prayer for someone in need.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">7. Send an anonymous card to someone at church.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">8. Bake cookies and take them to your neighbor.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">9. Donate a shoebox to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ">Operation Christmas Child</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">10. Donate clothes, books or shoes to a local thrift shop.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://savingthefamilymoney.com/30-day-giving-challenge-lets-get-started/">here</a> for an amazing list of giving ideas!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The possibilities are endless and are only limited to whatever your heart can think of! It's so easy to give...let's do it together!</span></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-20966236400880252442010-10-29T14:10:00.000-07:002010-11-01T08:17:17.719-07:00Anticipation...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sometimes I really do believe that anticipation is half the fun! With Halloween 2 days away, I am already sad that it's almost over but I am more excited than anything preparing for my Pumpkin Carving party tomorrow! I've been in full preparation mode all week, making little things here and there to give to my friends and make the time together both fun and special!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Last year for Christmas, I made my closest girlfriends scrabble tile pendants with something personal for each of them on the front, and I chose the first letter of their name as the scrabble piece. I have so many left over that I decided to use a few for some decorations for the party!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2H0WqTwITkkDYwc8H-kHEWYfZfi4csPcpUOWMxfjhIe-2rwGTywrrm4lSp3cNRHyVtJnwTlknnnk1uKautD8dyE9mRitYXJbq7ajf3yglARfaLv_l6DmTv-S8ukRl7y7k49Ln7wp4QJO/s1600/supplies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2H0WqTwITkkDYwc8H-kHEWYfZfi4csPcpUOWMxfjhIe-2rwGTywrrm4lSp3cNRHyVtJnwTlknnnk1uKautD8dyE9mRitYXJbq7ajf3yglARfaLv_l6DmTv-S8ukRl7y7k49Ln7wp4QJO/s400/supplies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533581004838375842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have you noticed that I love Walmart's cheap little wooden frames. I think I got these for $2 each a while back. I grabbed some Halloween fabric that I bought a few weeks ago at JoAnn's for 50% off and picked out a few phrases from my scrabble tiles. I wasn't sure which I would use but I wanted to be prepared.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYvUc5rf4GMZdcAuMP9ggs-8JwTT5i6N2IYF_pJeHuOLuJgVixrSlQRPoal5rGgdmHLQWtWqQnzpB0MMrI569i7Z8or0n7ENS-zxPFGfmktJjhdp2tuELkgLuJyWOMR2thsduXp_WQWee/s1600/Covered+glass.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYvUc5rf4GMZdcAuMP9ggs-8JwTT5i6N2IYF_pJeHuOLuJgVixrSlQRPoal5rGgdmHLQWtWqQnzpB0MMrI569i7Z8or0n7ENS-zxPFGfmktJjhdp2tuELkgLuJyWOMR2thsduXp_WQWee/s400/Covered+glass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533580867096562386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I took the glass out of the frames and used my hot glue gun to cover the glass with a piece of fabric. My perfectionist side needed to take a backseat because it really isn't rocket science and lining everything up perfectly is not the point. Maybe if I keep reminding myself about that, it will sink in :)</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHtbvqZRQJtxQIrFRLitg47tGFR6l-l5Xe3ViHKnc4cQwevySvtE7f-_LYwWPBXScIJoLBaqieDqSb6kHeU79JZNvzkMkT-4_cN8GZ2Dq3G8T3aGQRZbtwS9ju0ldkUP4Nuo1LnIm6gD_/s1600/Letters+glued.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHtbvqZRQJtxQIrFRLitg47tGFR6l-l5Xe3ViHKnc4cQwevySvtE7f-_LYwWPBXScIJoLBaqieDqSb6kHeU79JZNvzkMkT-4_cN8GZ2Dq3G8T3aGQRZbtwS9ju0ldkUP4Nuo1LnIm6gD_/s400/Letters+glued.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533580017526223858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using card stock, I glued the scrabble tiles down. I put the covered glass in the frames and glued the scrabble card on top. It was that easy! </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaoRW5hji4Esn8emFkfMpU91CwkLM43RkL3Hgh7_WWsL9otrM1H6hUcZ7DWzGpjHxJZe9FQ0wuCdP80toa5jkaHJbHi_nmvhgsED1KpJENIpmjuKHCf1dcCEhhiicZJkHQAjGSvy1df3J/s1600/Shelved+frames.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaoRW5hji4Esn8emFkfMpU91CwkLM43RkL3Hgh7_WWsL9otrM1H6hUcZ7DWzGpjHxJZe9FQ0wuCdP80toa5jkaHJbHi_nmvhgsED1KpJENIpmjuKHCf1dcCEhhiicZJkHQAjGSvy1df3J/s400/Shelved+frames.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533579869047278834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is their permanent home....well, until after the party....on my bookshelf, right below "Boundaries" and Dr. Phil....and just above "He's Just Not That Into You". Yes, I read the book. It changed my life. Don't judge me.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ-Xdk5lWEHzeqNAuzd7bTN8qRydDVqIERLW7kDlOjNEjjaCWWGRhY1EHR48ulWb7r5sZDbIE-6C-xAJaifyHjMeDt22yeY8EmBVtOGhyBtE_GAfTrfsjzOSxa4HAUQdpHMHF5V30s8ya/s1600/Autumn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ-Xdk5lWEHzeqNAuzd7bTN8qRydDVqIERLW7kDlOjNEjjaCWWGRhY1EHR48ulWb7r5sZDbIE-6C-xAJaifyHjMeDt22yeY8EmBVtOGhyBtE_GAfTrfsjzOSxa4HAUQdpHMHF5V30s8ya/s400/Autumn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533579863429194514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Because I love the season more than the holiday, I also whipped up an Autumn frame using scrapbooking stickers and some scrabble tiles. I think it's lovely!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can't wait to post pictures of the party....Happy Halloween peeps!</span><br /><br /><center><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcCAAFb87XZkyFrse7rTBvON7LtOArS6Br1vcdC10hCAy74q5tJsi40BnW-_XTnE_eCwrDWUMAFvp2mWkB__TX7qKa3nqJUAePfWpyljuRUGaqZKi7yinUupAnIs7Y-d4aH7ITfp9Zuw/s1600/button4bmp-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" ><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/Crafty%20Stuff/MondayCuter.png" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-2754621695456463352010-10-27T23:00:00.000-07:002010-10-28T07:37:45.380-07:00Pumpkin-mania<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Man oh man...am I going to miss October. I have thoroughly enjoyed crafting all things Halloween. All I've learned from this October is that I really need to start my Halloween crafting in June. I already have so many projects on my list for next year and plan on starting very early!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last week, I spent a good two hours in Wal-Mart...you know, the kind of trip where you go up and down every single aisle, taking your time....it was a nice afternoon. I picked up a few glass votive holders for $1 each and a pack of tissue paper that had orange and black (score!) for $1. I cut the orange tissue paper in strips and using Mod Podge, layered them across the votive holders. I used the black paper to make one into a jack-o-lantern, and with the other I punched a few oak leaves. With a tealight inside, they make the most adorable luminarias for my front porch. I suppose you can also put them in a window. For less than $2, you can't beat it.</span><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532973095772233538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GRpkFH5cHU8enkGm0dAARDi-rx2_i1RvvXkpCMOQRtykVlhFywLUWIp29Hwi6TBh6JwS_aBrcCZlBhyphenhyphenvxzKXaVZysWlv2ZR8Njw03ZJXo-KDSRI4bY3PmGBF8W_p96D7JTOh3wcI5DC-/s400/Pumpkin+Luminaria.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other big project that took me several days to complete were these dryer-vent pumpkins. Are they adorable or what??? My pastor asked me to make a big batch of these as thank-you gifts for her elementary school staff and it was a fun challenge.<br /><br />I used a glue gun to create the circles, spray painted them with pumpkin orange spray paint and let them dry. Using a sponge brush, I used an orange/brown paint mixture to add some highlighting and texture. I wasn't sure how I was going to create the stems so I played around with a few ideas and ended up using some old magazine pages. I twisted the paper, painted it brown, using some moss green paint for highlights and glued them in the center of the pumpkins.<br /><br />I already have more scrapbook paper than any one person should own, so I chose some patterns, printed out some thank-you tags from a free template, and using rafia, tied a big bow and attached the card. Love them!<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdCQCnbY2fNElJ75lbgYXV3vZW8MjOc0RTzoXjIvusQi2VOmuPEWRO-6gDRrE9SI6VhYPH3FdrEmXXP6N7rsx1fO-86CP-Byev2e0CHXtBs3SbVJOZDyO9mmYfYoyG8lWXvywWUhUcjV3/s1600/Dryer+Vent+Pumpkin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532973090941788242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdCQCnbY2fNElJ75lbgYXV3vZW8MjOc0RTzoXjIvusQi2VOmuPEWRO-6gDRrE9SI6VhYPH3FdrEmXXP6N7rsx1fO-86CP-Byev2e0CHXtBs3SbVJOZDyO9mmYfYoyG8lWXvywWUhUcjV3/s400/Dryer+Vent+Pumpkin.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I know this is a horrible picture...but they covered my dining table. I made 21 total and have an order for 3 more. So much fun...and I have yet to make one for myself :)<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4a83hVNimtS704nUlNGjs3vajjOo8GYq7MvUXhJOgwL6L7BnjswZs1EvYPnM52sh2QqG7KErx-JJKni8ZyS7qdSMeY2JzRJsADKsgHvf2b7l5ZQW1QgMuMhyZVKmqYqeUYAO5Hujxhcf/s1600/Group+of+pumpkins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532973090170068818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4a83hVNimtS704nUlNGjs3vajjOo8GYq7MvUXhJOgwL6L7BnjswZs1EvYPnM52sh2QqG7KErx-JJKni8ZyS7qdSMeY2JzRJsADKsgHvf2b7l5ZQW1QgMuMhyZVKmqYqeUYAO5Hujxhcf/s400/Group+of+pumpkins.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have my 2nd annual "Pumpkin Carving Party" this weekend....cannot wait! I look forward to posting some things I put together for the party.....Happy Halloween all!<br /></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-68327197165999503182010-10-20T21:33:00.000-07:002010-10-21T08:14:43.528-07:00Crochet Hook Cozy<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So I have been immersed in all things Fall...because let's face it...Fall is awesome! But last weekend I took a break to clean and organize my craft room and it feels great. Once I had the overall room done, I realized that there were a few things that needed a bit more help because they were just out of control. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Notice the crochet hooks...and how many of them I have. Sometimes when I go visit my grandparents or go out of town for Christmas, I like to take my crocheting with me but end up just gathering a bunch of needles that I think I may need and often find that I didn't bring the right one. So....I decided to make a crochet hook cozy! I already had pink felt, pink yarn and my many crochet hooks.<br /><br /><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530354444511027842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hu-K3uEUOKPmzY3clq-qc9mw_MnhGvUPP2C7cqQwBCfmyD1R67y16W4gLT5YdKwKOICSxegNShy219njppqdSDqjtzPqVF9XwmtIXXZHp1XQiNUFKe8TGtuPUNtEQ5a2E0tI2dvaOqvO/s400/supplies.jpg" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym_2Tlohz4wqgarWok6SpDalAGgkj1V_oM4KqbvuzD5Di5AOsNwi7kQuBRQc9ydz7utXxt6idSZN9b8TPIbbbel9EZdiyOR6PKJ8opqm_84cCxkPjDvU22cgHH51j9wlcC9tHek0ICvQn/s1600/Crochet+trial.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I wanted to add a decorative edge to the felt so I chose some lime green embroidery floss (don't you just love pink and green together???) and did a simple blanket stitch around the edge of felt.<br /></span><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530353990798197106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2w_8U1DcUZM2j1e6kvWlA9bBL7rBTlTBv5G-bGl6dnEgCCpz8YCM25HPMdwfPH7RRQayNdG4c4vpBBoUyAOFUnYB3Ncxf4PjhgRhCd20ky4d1mZPGESp26FUR0Riizf_d00Si_lvuoE5/s400/bobbin+and+blanket+stitch+collage.jpg" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />First I thought that I would sew individual pockets down the bottom half of the felt but I didn't want to be limited in the amount of needles that I could fit in the cozy. I remembered a picture of a crochet hook cozy that I had seen where they used a crocheted piece to anchor the needles down to the felt so I figured I would wing it and see if it worked.<br /><br /></span></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym_2Tlohz4wqgarWok6SpDalAGgkj1V_oM4KqbvuzD5Di5AOsNwi7kQuBRQc9ydz7utXxt6idSZN9b8TPIbbbel9EZdiyOR6PKJ8opqm_84cCxkPjDvU22cgHH51j9wlcC9tHek0ICvQn/s1600/Crochet+trial.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530354145095801714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym_2Tlohz4wqgarWok6SpDalAGgkj1V_oM4KqbvuzD5Di5AOsNwi7kQuBRQc9ydz7utXxt6idSZN9b8TPIbbbel9EZdiyOR6PKJ8opqm_84cCxkPjDvU22cgHH51j9wlcC9tHek0ICvQn/s400/Crochet+trial.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I used a basic double crochet and checked my length against the felt as I worked. I crocheted five rows and loved how the colors worked together!<br /><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530353781878649826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaQBuCLweWoOcyCLKFpJiw6qq30Ac-FddaRKKfToWBE1vfxsLKQ-fgK5NBMK5afSgNZSSLCk26SxuJzSyzw1PymQqOLIR5BDp3AKRgf2wshYRrEcAUOiueW-cYEfQr78y35YMeVo4fS_D/s400/finished+crochet.jpg" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I centered the crocheted piece on the felt and tacked it down with a few cross stitches on each end and at various points across the whole piece of felt. I used the lime green embroidery floss so that the cross stitches would add a decorative touch to the outside of the cozy.<br /><br /></span></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9PrVoXMHfxgBGdnCSikHs-Z283YSeOynrZQBB32ixEYM5_PipIO-pkRrRXjTK7T5kRnUz5qbFhiXWsmblHJ1N1we8WQNDZ3qsprC2lJEs3SydD8nFwdnSLDzN6Wuwjrea03bbhVbYnn8/s1600/needles+placed.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530357935404027010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9PrVoXMHfxgBGdnCSikHs-Z283YSeOynrZQBB32ixEYM5_PipIO-pkRrRXjTK7T5kRnUz5qbFhiXWsmblHJ1N1we8WQNDZ3qsprC2lJEs3SydD8nFwdnSLDzN6Wuwjrea03bbhVbYnn8/s400/needles+placed.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br />I wove my needles through the top and bottom of the crochet piece to hold them in place and that was it! I hit a few bumps along the way, mostly because I was just eyeballing the whole thing, but I used them to my advantage. The crocheted piece ended up being a bit too long but I just used the overhang as the button-holes for the buttons sewn on the opposite side for closure.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSZaH9KefCidLHD4EGD-67bcyQ2I37-4IfpAA6h3am_Xd5gdEPnHHbWhyphenhyphenIDeBUCDZ2FkTj9-yYyUZ0Y5QSeyqAX4hl0ylSTpKbtkHwkg_bZDmiejDIYr3jR8-Y3PQ5irNla8NSCRlXbdL/s1600/finished.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530353505806531090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSZaH9KefCidLHD4EGD-67bcyQ2I37-4IfpAA6h3am_Xd5gdEPnHHbWhyphenhyphenIDeBUCDZ2FkTj9-yYyUZ0Y5QSeyqAX4hl0ylSTpKbtkHwkg_bZDmiejDIYr3jR8-Y3PQ5irNla8NSCRlXbdL/s400/finished.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">You can see how the blanket stitch adds some color...and the cross stitches add a little something here and there. Overall, I love it! Now I know where all my needles are and can grab them easily for projects, travel, etc.<br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5-X3kkK7edOblzdYTnzLgn61lQoNsuQEllFbl8aFWlbsiemEKnf1wjAO2gcgK0A4wjOsJae9cUdLoUSU5Wn3IidUuJvvm97YMqwa56YLjGVFl9gcz9Yu8C8ooBpmsm87X7_eCYfpambd/s1600/button+holder.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530353278889697826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5-X3kkK7edOblzdYTnzLgn61lQoNsuQEllFbl8aFWlbsiemEKnf1wjAO2gcgK0A4wjOsJae9cUdLoUSU5Wn3IidUuJvvm97YMqwa56YLjGVFl9gcz9Yu8C8ooBpmsm87X7_eCYfpambd/s400/button+holder.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">On a totally random side note...how adorable is this little box???? I don't remember where I bought it but it looks like one of those plastic storage containers that I use in the garage, but it's super tiny and I use it to store my buttons.....little things make me smile :)<br /></span><br />Hearts & Crabs is partying in these linky parties!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </p><br /><a href="http://somewhatsimple.blogspot.com"><img alt="giveaways" width="125" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/1SYS125.jpg" height="125"/></a><br /><center><a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc1zM4Q-HQMj_ZR2PzjNukZ4-s78L2WlrWxy-ijKEdr5SEHAmgir-SHzOzaqwtdWte_DXqt1eN8OLjmSKvk6tJzSJkarnrxsQH3Lq2cXsGCLmJSey4cSCsIFb2GeBbvvLnsuDxY50OB0/s320/WALBMO.jpg"/></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy351/jdsmit21/SMAbuttonWDIWargylecopy-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/"><img border="0" alt="Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/28jck5l.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The Trendy Treehouse" src="http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy216/krissybbe/trendybuttonhome.png"/></a></center>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964422590616803453.post-4607325593505504022010-10-18T08:54:00.000-07:002010-10-18T09:53:59.425-07:00Decluttering and Organizing is a gift!<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony.<br />In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">-- Albert Einstein</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have you ever watched the show 'Hoarders'? It is so disturbing and yet I feel so bad for the people involved...my heart goes out to them because it usually stems from some kind of emotional trauma. I remember when my mom died, I was in a state of shock for a while. I did a great job of pretending to be okay and pretending to be strong but when I closed the door behind me at home, it was the farthest from the truth. I just stopped caring, yet it wasn't a conscious choice. It was just something that happened. It wasn't the kind of depression where you are crying or sleeping all of the time...it was the kind where you just change and go dead a little bit. The caring stopped and once the caring stopped, it was easy to watch it snowball.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />With lots of therapy...lots of time in God's hands...and lots of love from friends and family...I was able to get out of the fog, dust myself off and clean the mess around me. But...I remember what it felt like to be in the fog so now it's like the pendulum has swung so far the other way, and I am somewhat obsessed with cleaning and organizing.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Besides a big project that I have been working on because of a deadline...I spent most of this weekend cleaning and organizing my craft room. It's always been pretty organized but you know sometimes you need to tweak a few things and re-organize.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfJSdsU7SRwJCuYZiHnO0Dhdfm6yK1mwCZNcplZ_FMbQdqVreGenWOTPd9_z5guYHxm9Yeorm58OUGFPRQo2gfPDJBGYmZ510yqiKZp2ez3TrUIMXSgGdSuqo6jSPLBj8kEqlZ0GzyZlV/s1600/Bins.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfJSdsU7SRwJCuYZiHnO0Dhdfm6yK1mwCZNcplZ_FMbQdqVreGenWOTPd9_z5guYHxm9Yeorm58OUGFPRQo2gfPDJBGYmZ510yqiKZp2ez3TrUIMXSgGdSuqo6jSPLBj8kEqlZ0GzyZlV/s400/Bins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529424878215406994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All of my glue and adhesive things are in one drawer. All of my scissors and cutting tools in another. I have a whole drawer of glitter...don't even get me started. My name is Michelle and I'm addicted to glitter. I blame my mother, she glittered everything!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There's a drawer for ribbon, drawer for painting supplies, etc.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUXQuMbgu815-RYYF0kFGVt7Ku3kUL4SuBbyGZ0Eksfh3AfT-Ab4ObUQhgAWvy57SZu3rGiUXVLRpG6OEbmSWRg_jsWdcGeVPf89ffeuzTnzCAHsrtuFK8GLvfG38FO6QKwLx_rXPLIlD/s1600/Jewelry+Organizer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUXQuMbgu815-RYYF0kFGVt7Ku3kUL4SuBbyGZ0Eksfh3AfT-Ab4ObUQhgAWvy57SZu3rGiUXVLRpG6OEbmSWRg_jsWdcGeVPf89ffeuzTnzCAHsrtuFK8GLvfG38FO6QKwLx_rXPLIlD/s400/Jewelry+Organizer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529424870920479026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I let go of some things that I don't really use anymore and re-purposed the left-over organizer to give my jewelry making supplies a new home. I love it and whipped a couple of earrings just because I had it all right in front of me.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF9uMyqgDinXuf2pDNnYn3gjAxrP_2X9Je08EebD5y9v1lw1EkjAGzorCRM6QwIq9CevUfQu77uOccri3voQmExe17psTr2eXpw-3z_t1LGpLSNKks6Mqm6V2na6-qZ_VmhOfhtiJI0DQ/s1600/Finished+Earrings.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF9uMyqgDinXuf2pDNnYn3gjAxrP_2X9Je08EebD5y9v1lw1EkjAGzorCRM6QwIq9CevUfQu77uOccri3voQmExe17psTr2eXpw-3z_t1LGpLSNKks6Mqm6V2na6-qZ_VmhOfhtiJI0DQ/s400/Finished+Earrings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529426342363245122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you get these as a birthday gift...act surprised :)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5Rf0T2g0CWtrqQKF6CAxWiBs_yPlUaegvbPig-5TEWtOD3RP5Oh4W0UHyuNekB_7PmawOExtjsqjtNZG37t2pFYHZSosvYfB3PdprPEXapNFsYdhO5rMwSAu1m_NWM6vR4CBjgZrrgf1/s1600/Project+bins.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5Rf0T2g0CWtrqQKF6CAxWiBs_yPlUaegvbPig-5TEWtOD3RP5Oh4W0UHyuNekB_7PmawOExtjsqjtNZG37t2pFYHZSosvYfB3PdprPEXapNFsYdhO5rMwSAu1m_NWM6vR4CBjgZrrgf1/s400/Project+bins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529424863334471314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The big white bin is everything scrapbooking. I wish I had more time to do it and have been spending some time learning how to digital scrapbook. So much fun! And each of my current projects have their own portable bin...it just keeps things straight in my head that way. Do you spy some dryer-vent pumpkins on their way to adorable?</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NGJ28U7YS9nqnP0DMcggvTPxqWN8SGqVjzIdLRmVoYiI27u4bfSw_6LbDEK5CYlJu2cbY4Em_wTRnnHo9-5VGMkEDMGlClLkT0sPw4NHittcnfgr2ha-goGhYozN2b9rhfHauOLYhyphenhyphenll/s1600/Embroidery+Thread.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NGJ28U7YS9nqnP0DMcggvTPxqWN8SGqVjzIdLRmVoYiI27u4bfSw_6LbDEK5CYlJu2cbY4Em_wTRnnHo9-5VGMkEDMGlClLkT0sPw4NHittcnfgr2ha-goGhYozN2b9rhfHauOLYhyphenhyphenll/s400/Embroidery+Thread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529424853781925970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I even took my embroidery floss and put them on some labeled bobbins so that I always know what I have and what I need. I already have doubles and would like to avoid that in the future.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So yes, I'm obsessed with organizing, but it keeps me sane. When my house is clean and organized, I feel like I can focus on the things that are important and my thought process is much more clear. I'm sure this is a lesson that many learned younger in life, but I'm thankful that I get it now. I love it and I wouldn't have it any other way.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635743473314922333noreply@blogger.com3