tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45058725197448758852024-03-13T23:28:52.955-06:00The Paisley CupcakeThe Paisley Cupcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15214465399689896269noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-91410638351317553762011-11-01T06:45:00.008-06:002011-11-01T06:45:00.364-06:00Baby Girl's Quilt<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every pretty baby girl needs a quilt. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baby Greta's quilt is based on <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/01/tutorial-baby-doll-quilt.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">this</span></a> pattern... with just a few modifications (namely being about 6x bigger) I made the blocks as instructed, then sashed it with 3 1/2" strips all around. My very favorite part is the aqua binding...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYnaULEENJc/TgEXHfWCS4I/AAAAAAAACbs/d5BrH4q93Xs/s1600/DSCN4566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYnaULEENJc/TgEXHfWCS4I/AAAAAAAACbs/d5BrH4q93Xs/s400/DSCN4566.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crib sheets are the simplest thing ever to make. <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2165529_baby-crib-sheet.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Here</span></a> are some very easy to follow instructions - and it makes the quilt seem extra special to have matching sheets! What I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">{L-O-V-E}</span> about homemade sheets is that you can choose a fabric that is high quality and very very soft. Sometimes store bought crib sheets are like sandpaper... and what baby wants that?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-dhML0J_4Q/Tq3hZVv_gYI/AAAAAAAACnU/82RxdasFPSQ/s1600/DSCN5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-dhML0J_4Q/Tq3hZVv_gYI/AAAAAAAACnU/82RxdasFPSQ/s400/DSCN5510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
(10 weeks!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VH0YtYTU8Y/Tq3hfrw4qiI/AAAAAAAACnc/dl74j-CF5wo/s1600/DSCN5516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VH0YtYTU8Y/Tq3hfrw4qiI/AAAAAAAACnc/dl74j-CF5wo/s400/DSCN5516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Greta loves her quilt!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><3 AmberLou</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sharing at a few of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">these</span></a> </span>parties... :)</span></div>AmberLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128643724431390899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-80713260008810675262011-10-31T05:08:00.005-06:002011-11-03T17:06:36.567-06:00The Knights Who Say "Ee!"<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today is my kids' first Halloween ever. Really. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No, I'm not one of those people who hates Halloween, but every year from October 25th until November 5th, our family has gone camping, and so we've never bothered with Halloween. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kindergarten changes everything!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My son came home from Kindergarten in early October, and said "Hey Mom, there is this day, it's called Halloween, and you're supposed to dress up and people give you candy!" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My response: "It must be a brand new holiday!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So Eli told me he wanted to dress up as a knight. (Halloween is a foreign concept, dress up is not)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His tabard is 1 yard of muslin, cut in half and sewn into a long strip, with a hole cut for his head (edged in bias tape) and his personal "coat of arms" appliqued on the front. For his coat of arms, he wanted a dragon, a lion head, and a letter "E". After I made the uppercase "E", I was informed that it should have a lowercase "e" also. That is so Kindergarten!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi7j1uZZM7w/Tq4BDAwwyrI/AAAAAAAACnk/9yxdXcRbXRc/s1600/DSCN5423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi7j1uZZM7w/Tq4BDAwwyrI/AAAAAAAACnk/9yxdXcRbXRc/s400/DSCN5423.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He also has a belt and a "sword holder", sewn from red flannel, interfacing, and a couple of "D" rings. I bought a sword for $2.97 at Wal-Mart. The crowning glory of his Halloween costume is his shield. I drew a template for the shape, my husband cut two pieces of thin oak veneer and glued them together. I painted the coat of arms on the front and we stapled nylon webbing straps on the back. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Easy peasy. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDPN8IfkOtA/Tq4BRGUZYNI/AAAAAAAACns/bxgTWEgNqCs/s1600/DSCN5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDPN8IfkOtA/Tq4BRGUZYNI/AAAAAAAACns/bxgTWEgNqCs/s400/DSCN5428.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is in love. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NDC0-EJHww/Tq4BfhpI6LI/AAAAAAAACn0/5DgaMpVfCJc/s1600/DSCN5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NDC0-EJHww/Tq4BfhpI6LI/AAAAAAAACn0/5DgaMpVfCJc/s400/DSCN5432.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDwGoHzoYpA/Tq4Bncqqo6I/AAAAAAAACn8/hUcTr5nnx10/s1600/DSCN5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDwGoHzoYpA/Tq4Bncqqo6I/AAAAAAAACn8/hUcTr5nnx10/s400/DSCN5427.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(some action shots...)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Iris was going to be a dragon, so Eli would have someone to fight, but when she saw his costume (the sword especially...) she wanted to be a knight as well. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So she's the purple knight. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptbkrJn4vpI/Tq4B4easM0I/AAAAAAAACoE/XZJPn6KvJqE/s1600/DSCN5425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptbkrJn4vpI/Tq4B4easM0I/AAAAAAAACoE/XZJPn6KvJqE/s400/DSCN5425.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Same concept, except that she is shorter, so I got away with using only a half yard of muslin for her tabard. Her coat of arms is a kitty, an iris, and an "Ii". She also wasn't interested in a shield, so we skipped that bit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baby Greta ended up being the <strike>ferocious</strike> cuddly dragon. I had a size 0-3 month fleece sweatsuit from Old Navy. I used a bit of red fleece and green felt to make the tail, ears and spikes, and some shimmery green scaly fabric from JoAnn for the belly. Red socks complete her <strike>scary</strike> adorable dragon costume! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05FfNX-ohr8/TrMeaWDQyjI/AAAAAAAACoU/BKTcb6pE60s/s1600/DSCN5531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05FfNX-ohr8/TrMeaWDQyjI/AAAAAAAACoU/BKTcb6pE60s/s400/DSCN5531.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So having your first Halloween at age 5 is slightly hilarious. We went to a Trunk or Treat, and Eli went to the first car in the line, said "Trick or Treat!" as instructed, and got 3 pieces of candy. He was thrilled, and went to get back in the car. His eyes almost popped out when I told him that he could go get candy from EVERY car. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We'll see what happens when we go Trick or Treating in our neighborhood tonight!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">}</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><3 AmberLou</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>AmberLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128643724431390899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-4581762169325332222011-10-30T12:00:00.003-06:002011-11-07T08:46:54.616-07:00DIY Twix bars using homemade caramel!I've recently started using <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest.com</a>, which is a self-described online pin board. It's used to organize and catalog ideas you find on the internet. I'm pretty behind the times about such things, so you've all probably been using it for ever, but if you haven't you should check it out.<br />
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Anyway, I found a couple of recipes in the last few days that went together well and I decided to combine them. First I found a recipe called <a href="http://thatskinnychickcanbake.blogspot.com/2010/10/better-than-twix-bars.html">better than Twix bars</a>, which called for packaged caramels. I decided to make them Saturday for a pre-Halloween treat. Then, I found a recipe for <a href="http://www.tsgcookin.com/search?updated-max=2010-12-13T19%3A28%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=5">microwave caramels</a> and decided to combine the two into one perfect concoction. They. Are. Amazing!<br />
Here's the recipe I came up with:<br />
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<b>Better Than Twix Bars</b><br />
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1 stick (4 ounces) butter, at room temperature<br />
1/2 cup powdered sugar<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1 cup flour<br />
Homemade caramel (recipe follows)<br />
8 ounces milk chocolate<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable shortening, optional<br />
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Preheat oven to 300º. Line 8 x 8 inch pan with nonstick foil or greased regular foil.<br />
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Beat together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add the flour. Press evenly into pan...you may need to flour your fingers to prevent sticking. Prick crust with fork. Bake 35-45 minutes till crust is golden.<br />
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Immediately after removing crust from oven, run knife around edges to loosen crust. Cool.<br />
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Make caramel according to recipe below and pour over shortbread. Allow to cool for 30 minutes or so.<br />
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Gently melt chocolate in microwave or in double boiler over low heat. Add shortening or oil if too thick to pour. Pour over cooled caramel and spread to edges. Chill till chocolate is well set. Cut into squares to serve. Store covered in refrigerator, but remove a few minutes before serving.<br />
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<b>Microwave Caramels </b>(For an 1100 watt microwave oven)<br />
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1/2 cup butter (real butter, not margarine)<br />
1/2 cup light Karo Syrup (don't use dark)<br />
1/2 cup light brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup white sugar<br />
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)<br />
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<ul><li>Line either an 8 x 8 baking dish or a 9 x 5 loaf pan with foil. Butter the foil.--An 8 x 8-inch pan will give a thinner candy, 9 x 5-inch loaf pan will give a thicker candy.</li>
<li>Melt butter in large microwave bowl. (I used a glass bowl.)</li>
<li>Stir in Karo syrup, both sugars, and sweetened condensed milk.</li>
<li>Mix until most of the sugar is dissolved.</li>
<li>Microwave on high for 3 1/2 minutes (that's 3 minutes and 30 seconds)</li>
<li>Stir down and scrape sides of bowl.</li>
<li>Microwave on high 3 1/2 minutes. (This will be soft ball stage.)</li>
<li>Stir in vanilla and nuts (if you are using nuts).</li>
<li>Pour immediately into buttered dish (or over shortbread for Twix bars) and refrigerate until set.</li>
</ul><i>If making traditional caramels: Remove from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before cutting. The caramels can be left plain or decorated at this point by dipping them in chocolate and then in chopped nuts, sprinkles, etc. Wrap each piece in wax paper.</i><br />
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We really liked these. They were very, very chewy, especially until they warmed up a bit. We cut the first pieces as soon as we could get a knife in them, because we were impatient. Our teeth and jaws were sore and we feared for our fillings. But the next mornin<i>g,</i> they were much more manageable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWOGLGXB8RU/Tq2QeO-YYiI/AAAAAAAAA7A/MydZ-tO55LU/s1600/DSCN1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWOGLGXB8RU/Tq2QeO-YYiI/AAAAAAAAA7A/MydZ-tO55LU/s320/DSCN1369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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These will definitely have a regular spot in my Christmas goodie plates from now on.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">Lorie</span></span><i><br />
</i>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008851356350343206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-91684799644341389382011-09-09T05:00:00.003-06:002011-09-09T07:20:00.239-06:00Baby G's blessing gown<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've told how I learned to knit <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/search/label/Knitting">here</a>. I love to make lovely things for my children and grandchildren. When my first grandson was born 5 years ago, I was only just beginning to knit, but he had a few sweaters and blankets that I'd made for him. Two summers ago, my daughter Amber was pregnant with her second child and she asked me to knit her a christening gown, in the hopes that her baby would be a girl. Then she told me to make 5 more christening gowns so that if I died before her siblings had children, she wouldn't have to share with them. Such a kidder, that Amber! Ha ha. (I'm pretty sure to this day that she wasn't kidding).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I made a lovely little gown and baby girl "I" was born in February of 2010. She was oh so sweet in her little gown, but had a hard time expressing just how much she loved it.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDemvOAe1LA/Tmktq9lIm2I/AAAAAAAAAoY/x5fZI46ROWw/s1600/Iris+blessing+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDemvOAe1LA/Tmktq9lIm2I/AAAAAAAAAoY/x5fZI46ROWw/s320/Iris+blessing+006.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The week that "baby I" was born, my older daughter had an ultrasound and learned that her first baby was a boy. I had 5 months to come up with a blessing suit for baby M who was born in July.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-GPpUV-qAk/TMDm3Jkgg9I/AAAAAAAAAh0/0DjLTrJk4w4/s1600/IMG_7258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-GPpUV-qAk/TMDm3Jkgg9I/AAAAAAAAAh0/0DjLTrJk4w4/s320/IMG_7258.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Amber learned that baby #3 was another girl, she asked me to make another blessing gown for her. I wanted to make something a little more ambitious (because I have a bit more experience now). Amber selected <a href="http://jaslamb.weebly.com/floral-trellis-christening-gown.html">this pattern</a> and I was able to get a wonderful bamboo/silk blend yarn. Since I live in Hawaii, I buy most of my yarns online and I was slightly disappointed when the yarn arrived and it wasn't pure white, but a bit of an ivory. But the dress turned out so pretty, I wasn't disappointed long. I'll be going back to Hawaii before her blessing, so we had a little fashion show a bit early. Here is our newest family member, Baby G, modeling her gown.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A66l71WuzeI/TmkvUBfHWkI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Ben8y72vSWI/s1600/DSCN1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A66l71WuzeI/TmkvUBfHWkI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Ben8y72vSWI/s320/DSCN1323.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, of course, the outfit isn't complete without the shoes.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3zk7z3kwKLs/TmkxAGQjHFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/0U5juA3S9f8/s1600/DSCN1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3zk7z3kwKLs/TmkxAGQjHFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/0U5juA3S9f8/s320/DSCN1331.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I loved making this for my baby granddaughter! I imagined Amber saving the dress for G's daughter to wear in 25 years!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">-Lorie</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008851356350343206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-69995690673354871272011-09-01T11:41:00.003-06:002011-09-01T11:54:26.068-06:00Creamy Pesto Shrimp Linguine13 oz. box of linguine pasta
<br />8 Tbls. butter, seperated
<br />2 teaspoons minced garlic
<br />4 -5 sliced mushrooms
<br />2 chopped green onions, optional
<br />2 cups half and half, I used fat free
<br />1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
<br />1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
<br />1/3 cup pesto - Thanks Amber for the homemade!
<br />1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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<br />~Cook linguine until al dente and drain.
<br />~In a skillet, melt 2Tbls. butter and saute mushrooms. As soon as they are done, pour shrimp on top of mushrooms, remove from heat and cover with a lid. Set aside for now.
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<br />~In another skillet, melt the 6 Tbls. butter and saute minced garlic and green onions, then stir in half and half, season with pepper. Stirring constantly, cook about 6 minutes on medium heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and pesto, cook until thickened.
<br />~Stir in the shrimp and mushrooms,the shrimp will be mostly pink from the steam of the mushrooms, but if not cook, (this will be only a minute or 2) until shrimp are all cooked through and pink. Spoon over the hot linguine. Sprinkle with a little fresh Parmesan and sea salt.
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<br />No picture of this because we are forgetful. But it is so good. I used whole wheat pasta and my teen-ager loved it despite it having additional fiber :)
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<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-53912430279700605562011-08-18T11:49:00.003-06:002011-08-18T11:58:58.535-06:00A New ArrivalYou may have noticed how us posters here at Paisley are a little distracted with life and not too consistent at posting lately. Look and see what a beautiful distraction we have... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt4eiy3e_HY/Tk1RAPZVz-I/AAAAAAAABJg/u7ikBhnHiYE/s1600/Greta%2BMae%2BHeer%2BAug.%2B18%2B2011%2B7%25238oz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt4eiy3e_HY/Tk1RAPZVz-I/AAAAAAAABJg/u7ikBhnHiYE/s400/Greta%2BMae%2BHeer%2BAug.%2B18%2B2011%2B7%25238oz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642254972739768290" /></a> Happy BIRTH-day to Amber's new daughter and Lorie's new granddaughter, Lil' Lady G! She weighed in at 7 lbs and 8oz. She was delivered at home and her and her mama are doing GREAT!
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<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-76264248980167004622011-08-12T05:00:00.007-06:002011-08-12T05:00:17.704-06:00Homemade Sweet & Sour SauceWhen I was a girl, my mother frequently brought home Chinese takeout and my favorite was the sweet & sour pork. As a young wife and mother, I wanted to learn to make my own, and got this recipe from a friend many many years ago. It has become a family favorite of ours.<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li> 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar</li>
<li>3 TBSP corn starch</li>
<li>1 cup chicken broth</li>
<li>1 cup white vinegar</li>
<li>6 TBSP soy sauce</li>
<li>3 clove minced garlic</li>
<li>1 TBSP fresh grated ginger</li>
</ul>Mix brown sugar and corn starch in small sauce pan until well blended. Then add liquids and other ingredients. Heat until thick. Use for dipping egg rolls, won tons or chicken nuggets, or add pork or chicken and vegetables for a main dish.<br />
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Traditionally, sweet & sour pork is made with marinaded pork (Marinade raw pork chunks in garlic and soy sauce) drenched in corn starch and then deep fried. It's delicious if you want to go to all that work and have the extra calories. I've gotten lazy and more calorie conscious over the years, though, so I usually just use grilled chicken or slow cooked unseasoned pork, which is also very tasty. I like to add red and green bell peppers, onion chunks, carrots, celery and pineapple tidbits to my dish. Stir fry the vegetables in a bit of olive oil, add the cooked meat (I used pork here, but boneless grilled chicken works well too).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPsMNl0CS1A/TkGUGIfbWDI/AAAAAAAAAoM/OYvLsQk8jTk/s1600/DSCN1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPsMNl0CS1A/TkGUGIfbWDI/AAAAAAAAAoM/OYvLsQk8jTk/s320/DSCN1209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then pour over the prepared sauce and serve over steamed white (or brown) rice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCv7q7cpWI4/TkGUIolQiHI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Fu8TAUVnUPk/s1600/DSCN1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCv7q7cpWI4/TkGUIolQiHI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Fu8TAUVnUPk/s320/DSCN1210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I love this sauce! I've been using this recipe for over 20 years and have always had good results with it. As a bonus, it's much lower in sodium than bottled sauces and there's no MSG, for folks who are concerned about that.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Lorie</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008851356350343206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-20733160123361716742011-08-09T14:58:00.004-06:002011-08-09T15:08:33.389-06:00Raspberry Coconut CookiesI tried a new cookie recipe from Taste of Home. They are so yummy. A little crunchy on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. I made these with my homemade raspberry jam and they were a BIG hit!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCPZLGb3bDM/TkGgGH-MpZI/AAAAAAAABJY/5CdxrMo9uNE/s1600/raspberry%2Bcoconut%2Bcookies%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCPZLGb3bDM/TkGgGH-MpZI/AAAAAAAABJY/5CdxrMo9uNE/s400/raspberry%2Bcoconut%2Bcookies%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638964235524154770" /></a>
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<br />Ingredients
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<br /> 1/2 cup shortening
<br /> 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
<br /> 6 tablespoons sugar
<br /> 1 egg
<br /> 1/4 cup water
<br /> 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
<br /> 1-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
<br /> 1/2 teaspoon salt
<br /> 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
<br /> 1 cup flaked coconut
<br /> 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
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<br />Directions
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<br /> In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, water and extract. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut (dough will be sticky).
<br /> Set aside 2/3 cup dough; roll remaining dough into 1-in. balls. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a 3/8-in. deep indentation in the center of each ball. Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon jam. Cover jam with a teaspoonful of reserved dough; seal and reshape into a ball. Repeat.
<br /> Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.
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<br />I hope you enjoy these as much as we did.
<br />Happy Baking
<br />~jan
<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-23787578601885538102011-07-21T04:00:00.004-06:002011-07-21T15:21:32.660-06:002 Fat Quarters and an Old Shirt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AhKubfef3I/Tie0ZZRnk_I/AAAAAAAABHU/G4gq5V7-eYs/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AhKubfef3I/Tie0ZZRnk_I/AAAAAAAABHU/G4gq5V7-eYs/s320/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631668207424607218" /></a><br /><br />I made these shorts in the same manner as the ones shown in a tutorial <a href="http://helpinglittlehands.blogspot.com/2010/06/25-minute-upcycled-summer-shorts-capris.html">Here</a>. They are an upcycled t-shirt! So easy when you use the t-shirt hem for the hem of the shorts, makes for a quick project. <br /><br />Then I made a basic pillowcase dress or in this case a shorter version for a shirt like this <a href="http://www.polkadotchair.com/2010/09/pillowcase-shirt-tutorial.html">One</a>. I always make a few adjustments each time I make one, this time being no different, I wanted to share what I did. <br /><br />Instead of the typical binding with bias tape (bought or homemade)to go around the armholes, I used the remaining hem of the t-shirt after making the shorts, it was the perfect length for this approx. size 3-4 shirt. <br /><br />After sewing the front and backs together, I pressed open the seams and pinned the shirt hem along the arm hole, right sides together. Then stitched it up. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pn7g2z51wI/TieqapMobhI/AAAAAAAABGc/PngHbNwL-5Y/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pn7g2z51wI/TieqapMobhI/AAAAAAAABGc/PngHbNwL-5Y/s200/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631657233762250258" /></a><br />Then I pressed it and top stitched so the seam would lay flat and not rub little Misses underarm...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuLGglyM8-g/TierXMD7alI/AAAAAAAABGs/BJs5Ymp8cBg/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuLGglyM8-g/TierXMD7alI/AAAAAAAABGs/BJs5Ymp8cBg/s200/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631658273913137746" /></a><br />Then I folded over the top to make the casings on the front and back...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XnbvjFOIG8/TieqvZPqHVI/AAAAAAAABGk/7mJxaHa4Xpg/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XnbvjFOIG8/TieqvZPqHVI/AAAAAAAABGk/7mJxaHa4Xpg/s200/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631657590257229138" /></a><br />I have misplaced the ribbon I intended for the ties and am quite happy I did so. I really like the 1/4" drawstring I used instead. I knotted the drawstring over the shoulder rather than a bow and it worked great - no retying bows all day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kP_4NqijuA/TiesEL1A2eI/AAAAAAAABG0/Fn86LEDA71M/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kP_4NqijuA/TiesEL1A2eI/AAAAAAAABG0/Fn86LEDA71M/s200/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631659046944692706" /></a><br />I think she is pretty happy to be wearing her new outfit...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ5_7ne0_qA/TietSqvgreI/AAAAAAAABG8/bMaDZOw7b_8/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ5_7ne0_qA/TietSqvgreI/AAAAAAAABG8/bMaDZOw7b_8/s320/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631660395272908258" /></a><br />or maybe the smiles are for the geese and ducks along the Snake River we went to feed. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WL5mS3hp8M/Tiet5iUR8RI/AAAAAAAABHE/5mG-_VYLm1o/s1600/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WL5mS3hp8M/Tiet5iUR8RI/AAAAAAAABHE/5mG-_VYLm1o/s320/July%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Btime%2Band%2Bfeeding%2Bducks%2Bin%2BIF%2B039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631661063026110738" /></a><br /><br />This outfit is 3 fat quarters and an old t-shirt. I used a 3rd fat quarter as the binding, ties and hem. This was actually a dress 2 years ago<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75xmytUlLzE/TieuU3M437I/AAAAAAAABHM/Xhk3BXO6bJE/s1600/Hanna%2Bin%2Byellow-orange%2Bpillowcase%2Bdress%2B080209.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75xmytUlLzE/TieuU3M437I/AAAAAAAABHM/Xhk3BXO6bJE/s320/Hanna%2Bin%2Byellow-orange%2Bpillowcase%2Bdress%2B080209.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631661532488720306" /></a> and is now worn as a shirt with capri's made from an old t-shirt. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaacEY0nmNc/TidmIA2PAeI/AAAAAAAABGU/qrrLFn---y8/s1600/0713012223a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaacEY0nmNc/TidmIA2PAeI/AAAAAAAABGU/qrrLFn---y8/s320/0713012223a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631582146902557154" /></a><br />It's so great these little pillowcases dresses can 'grow' with our little girls. I love the Endless creativity and super cute girls!!<br />Happy sewing!<br />~jan<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-29809200263201735942011-07-14T05:03:00.003-06:002011-07-17T22:33:11.821-06:00Play dressesTwenty years ago my little Amanda began her stage of refusing to wear pants. She only would wear dresses from age 3 until 1st grade. At times it was difficult with our cold Idaho weather, but warm jeans and leggings under dresses became a fashion statement at our house. I often resorted to making simple 'play dresses' for Amanda and now that she is a mother of a 3 year old herself, we have resorted to the apparent tradition of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Play Dresses</span>. <br /><br />I have made these dresses for Miss H for holidays in the past...<br />here is the Halloween dress of 2009...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apF4WOQCh2k/TiO3NAMVq3I/AAAAAAAABGE/7Uf3ASP9MX0/s1600/Hanna%2Bin%2BHalloween%2Bplay%2Bdress%2B102709.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apF4WOQCh2k/TiO3NAMVq3I/AAAAAAAABGE/7Uf3ASP9MX0/s320/Hanna%2Bin%2BHalloween%2Bplay%2Bdress%2B102709.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630545393161186162" /></a><br /><br />here is the autumn dress of 2010...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SE5345yG2Ew/Th56CgLHP2I/AAAAAAAABFc/g7ldUvH4x2Q/s1600/IMG_2178.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SE5345yG2Ew/Th56CgLHP2I/AAAAAAAABFc/g7ldUvH4x2Q/s320/IMG_2178.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629070767674572642" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCmIZO4gGuk/Th5_KAkfkQI/AAAAAAAABF8/PnuVS_Mot0s/s1600/hannas%2Bdandelion%2Bjune%2B2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 111px; height: 166px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCmIZO4gGuk/Th5_KAkfkQI/AAAAAAAABF8/PnuVS_Mot0s/s320/hannas%2Bdandelion%2Bjune%2B2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629076394188181762" /></a><br /><br />and more recently Fourth of July 2011.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpMBRbO4IIk/Th57WPnB6SI/AAAAAAAABFs/oqbklyRoiUE/s1600/Fourth%2Bof%2BJuly%2B2011%2B010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpMBRbO4IIk/Th57WPnB6SI/AAAAAAAABFs/oqbklyRoiUE/s320/Fourth%2Bof%2BJuly%2B2011%2B010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629072206337272098" /></a><br />Knowing Miss H would want to wear it everyday, I thought I had better throw a couple more together. I chose the t-shirt and she chose the fabric for the skirts. See how she is in love with <span style="font-style:italic;">The Princess and the Frog</span> lately? By notice...I mean how dirty it is because she wore it 2 days before the yellow/pink one was finished. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJwFnIEJAqU/Th57tEZ2EFI/AAAAAAAABF0/YzaxerWwF1U/s1600/dresses%2B2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJwFnIEJAqU/Th57tEZ2EFI/AAAAAAAABF0/YzaxerWwF1U/s320/dresses%2B2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629072598466170962" /></a><br /><br />All I do is get a t-shirt and 1/2 yard matching woven cotton (for size 3 - more for older girls - measure length you want and multiply by 2). I sew the 2 short ends together and then fold wrong sides together and so the rough edges are together then making the fold the hem - yay no hemming! I gather the two rough edges and sew to the bottom of the t-shirt. So easy to make a high waist or a drop waist dress. They can be embellished with ribbon, rick rack, buttons or flowers. Endless creativity! Just make it quick so the little Miss can phttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut it on! Apparently they are super comfy, because my girls wear them out! <br /><br />Also, this is a great way to reuse shirts that have stains on the lower half, as I am doing next. <br />Happy stitching! <br />~jan<br /><br />I am sharing at <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html">these linkys</a>. Thank you!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-71887397968241708052011-07-12T15:59:00.000-06:002011-07-12T15:59:29.430-06:00I love this recipe!<div style="text-align: center;">Check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hsLhY9PYoC4/ThzDfHudNFI/AAAAAAAABoo/Sf6_JY1_Foo/s1600/hawaiiian_pie_with_coconut_crust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hsLhY9PYoC4/ThzDfHudNFI/AAAAAAAABoo/Sf6_JY1_Foo/s320/hawaiiian_pie_with_coconut_crust.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hawiian Pie with Coconut Crust!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.easytobeglutenfree.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=7/">http://www.easytobeglutenfree.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=7/</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-Amanda</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-76645395880598784392011-07-09T13:12:00.002-06:002011-07-09T13:16:23.846-06:00Sew-Along Finalists<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hey everybody, Mz. I's outfit is one of the finalists in the Cottage Home Sew-Along Design Contest...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PsH0C1Lhh18/ThWrBYUZDMI/AAAAAAAAFnY/y56cXJPzWpw/s640/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+7.46.11+AM.png" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Voting ends tomorrow night - please go vote for me? Pretty please?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/07/sew-along-design-contest-finalists.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a> to vote...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><3 AmberLou</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>AmberLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128643724431390899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-20200843467769022352011-07-07T08:57:00.006-06:002011-07-07T09:53:57.574-06:00Idaho StaycationsMy youngest son and I have talked about going on a vacation this year. However, with economic set backs in recent months I was leery about spending too much on a vacation. So we decided to have a few short trips in our surrounding Southern Idaho and get to know more about this great state! <br /><br />My ancestry homesteaded in Star Valley, Wyoming area so the first staycation with Amanda and Miss H began there. Then last week, said son and I went to Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, ID. Having had a very wet spring has increased water flow to the highest level in 10 years. These pictures just don't do it justice. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z7g6q4d72E/ThXLN2VNAMI/AAAAAAAABEU/9g-gW_jsU70/s1600/Shoshone%2BFalls%252C%2BTwin%2BFalls%252C%2BIdaho%2B6-27-11%2B008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z7g6q4d72E/ThXLN2VNAMI/AAAAAAAABEU/9g-gW_jsU70/s320/Shoshone%2BFalls%252C%2BTwin%2BFalls%252C%2BIdaho%2B6-27-11%2B008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626626748252487874" /></a><br />Click on the picture to enlarge it...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7J7I8d6U3c/ThXLarRpu9I/AAAAAAAABEc/ZF9OiuBbKZU/s1600/Shoshone%2BFalls%252C%2BTwin%2BFalls%252C%2BIdaho%2B6-27-11%2B013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7J7I8d6U3c/ThXLarRpu9I/AAAAAAAABEc/ZF9OiuBbKZU/s320/Shoshone%2BFalls%252C%2BTwin%2BFalls%252C%2BIdaho%2B6-27-11%2B013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626626968623102930" /></a><br />Also near the falls is the Evel Knievel jump site - if you are old enough to remember his death defying jumps this may interest you. My teen-aged children have always found this intriguing - they are all boys!!<br /> <br />Some other great places to visit when coming to Idaho...<br /><br />-Bear Lake - south of Montpelier<br />-National Oregon/California Trail Center at Montpelier<br />-Minnetonka Caves near St. Charles<br />-Mormon Tabernacle in Paris <br />-Geyser Park in Soda Springs (only captive Geyser in the world)<br />-Chesterfield Historic Town Site a restored town site from 1880. <br />-Mineral Hot Pools in Lava Hot Springs<br />-Fort Hall replica in Pocatello<br />-Bannock County Museum in Pocatello<br />-Idaho Natural History Museum at I.S.U in Pocatello<br />-Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum - Fort Hall<br />-Idaho Potato Expo in Blackfoot<br />-Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls (currently the BODIES exhibit is there)<br />-Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve near Arco<br />-Climb <a href="http://www.idahoaclimbingguide.com/id118.htm">Borah Peak</a><br />-Ski Sun Valley, Targhee, Kelly Canyon, Pomerelle etc. <br />-Minidoka Internment National Monument (relocation site for interned Japanese)located between Twin Falls and Jerome. <br /><br />There is also an abundance of fishing, camping, hiking, white water rafting and mountain biking places to visit. As a non-traditional student in college, I took an geology class that opened my eyes to the place I had lived for 30 years. There is a wealth of geologic treasures to be seen in Idaho. I think I am sounding like a PSA or a Chamber of Commerce ad - so I will leave it there. But...many of these places are just off the freeway and so easy to find. I look forward to a few more stops while going on our own staycations.<br /><br />Leave me a message and tell me your favorite place to staycation near your hometown, I will put it on the list of places to visit!! <br />Happy exploring! <br />~jan<br /><br />PS... A couple websites to visit...<br /><a href="http://www.visitidaho.org/historic-sites/?page=1&size=">http://www.visitidaho.org/historic-sites/?page=1&size=</a><br />Look for historical markers <a href="http://itd.idaho.gov/hmg/">Here</a>!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-10085008592145928012011-07-02T12:00:00.003-06:002011-07-07T14:27:47.609-06:004th of July Duds: Cottage Home Sew-Along Reveal<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love, love, love Mz. I's new outfit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zp9mxGtjCk/Tg5xHzzcQnI/AAAAAAAACew/9o3H-FMTv2I/s1600/DSCN4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zp9mxGtjCk/Tg5xHzzcQnI/AAAAAAAACew/9o3H-FMTv2I/s400/DSCN4761.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was hesitant about making <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carina-Gardner-Playdate-Outfit-Pattern/dp/B004UN5Y6I?ie=UTF8&tag=thepa09-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">this pattern</span></a><img alt="" border="0" class=" ermybjvllxlixbpcrldz cvevgnokwfeogcjvpoii" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thepa09-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004UN5Y6I" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, since the XS size was 2T-3T, and my little girl comfortably fits into 18m, but it was really easy to modify the pattern. When cutting out the top, I measured one of Mz. I's shirts whose length I liked, and adjusted the length of the cut piece. The width I figured would be fine - the design is </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">more blouse-y than fitted. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rs3nlTqVFg/Tg5wHbl3uRI/AAAAAAAACeg/KPRzEBWqEhQ/s1600/DSCN4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rs3nlTqVFg/Tg5wHbl3uRI/AAAAAAAACeg/KPRzEBWqEhQ/s400/DSCN4745.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWVLb4-_8aA/Tg5x1yO80oI/AAAAAAAACe4/1p6qB5UYFxU/s1600/DSCN4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWVLb4-_8aA/Tg5x1yO80oI/AAAAAAAACe4/1p6qB5UYFxU/s400/DSCN4743.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The shorts were basically the same - I measured an existing pair that she had and modified the pattern slightly. I shortened the waist </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and legs, and brought the seams in about 1/2" to accommodate </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her tiny legs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YV7gdzQOe3c/Tg5wUtkQfzI/AAAAAAAACek/rg-Ej_Ls-9A/s1600/DSCN4751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YV7gdzQOe3c/Tg5wUtkQfzI/AAAAAAAACek/rg-Ej_Ls-9A/s400/DSCN4751.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Love, love <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">{L-O-V-E}</span> the shorts! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(and the little bows!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkYCQfWR6aU/Tg5whp1pPfI/AAAAAAAACeo/9u7M5-T8Gl4/s1600/DSCN4763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkYCQfWR6aU/Tg5whp1pPfI/AAAAAAAACeo/9u7M5-T8Gl4/s400/DSCN4763.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(and this little bow, you can only see when she </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shows off her belly button!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When listing the fabric requirements for this pattern, Lindsay promised there would be enough leftover for whatever accessories we wanted to make.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TesODcYxgzw/Tg5w6XDabvI/AAAAAAAACes/qqsM47oPhbM/s1600/DSCN4754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TesODcYxgzw/Tg5w6XDabvI/AAAAAAAACes/qqsM47oPhbM/s400/DSCN4754.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mz. I has a serious love affair with hats. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I made her a news<strike>boy </strike>girl(?) <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/2010/06/suit-yourself-and-giveaway.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">cap</span></a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ig2yRchW9Lc/Tg5xwpOO7PI/AAAAAAAACe0/AdRELou4igM/s1600/DSCN4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ig2yRchW9Lc/Tg5xwpOO7PI/AAAAAAAACe0/AdRELou4igM/s400/DSCN4756.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJJo-4kx3QM/Tg5x7Ego69I/AAAAAAAACe8/dc9Qclj6YG8/s1600/DSCN4748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJJo-4kx3QM/Tg5x7Ego69I/AAAAAAAACe8/dc9Qclj6YG8/s400/DSCN4748.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I. Just. Love it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did I mention that this pattern, while complicated looking, was really quite simple?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Lindsay</span></a>, for hosting this great <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/06/playdate-outfit-sew-along-day-1-getting.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCottageHome+%28The+Cottage+Home%29"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">sew-along</span></a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><3 AmberLou</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hey! I'm one of the five finalists! Please go vote for this outfit <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/07/sew-along-design-contest-finalists.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sharing at some of <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">these</span></a> great parties!</span></div>AmberLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128643724431390899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-48937106120826100192011-07-01T22:50:00.007-06:002011-07-04T09:35:34.908-06:00Firecracker Cake!!I just love this festive holiday cake. Amanda and I made this for a purse party she was hosting with her cousin. It was served with fresh strawberries and was incredibly moist. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNnPn2WWsYk/Tg6kGOiGTWI/AAAAAAAABDs/nQpXROWD2gM/s1600/firecracker%2Bcake%2Bside%2Bview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 324px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNnPn2WWsYk/Tg6kGOiGTWI/AAAAAAAABDs/nQpXROWD2gM/s400/firecracker%2Bcake%2Bside%2Bview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624613411519614306" /></a><br /><br />I got roped into helping only because Amanda's oven has dual personalities and can't decide if its job is to BAKE or BURN food:) We didn't take a picture of the cake after it had been cut, but the inside is as festive as the outside - red, white and blue!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTSFdYZYuhY/Tg6j_CtPdhI/AAAAAAAABDk/wb3CTYebMcw/s1600/firecracker%2Bcake%2Btop%2Bview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 242px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTSFdYZYuhY/Tg6j_CtPdhI/AAAAAAAABDk/wb3CTYebMcw/s400/firecracker%2Bcake%2Btop%2Bview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624613288086042130" /></a><br />A tutorial can be found on <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/firecracker-red-white-and-blue-cake/bbbeeab8-2f8c-4aab-a837-a1a7fd7a7901">Betty Crocker's website</a>. It was a hit at the party and the men in our lives were grateful for a couple small slices left over for them!<br /><br />Have a Great Long Weekend and Happy Baking!<br />~jan<br /><br />Linked to our favorite parties listed on the above button and ...<br />http://www.504main.com/<br />http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/<br />http://litandlaundry.blogspot.com/<br />http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/<br />http://www.homemakerinheels.com/<br />http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2011/07/show-and-tell-saturday-070211.html<br />http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/06/sunday-showcase-party-with-mama-j.html<br />http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/<br />http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-72724739545644365822011-06-30T10:00:00.001-06:002011-06-30T10:00:02.954-06:00Star Make-OverI bought this star at a Home Decor store and then as always saw one later I liked much better. The good thing is that this star was much more inexpensive than the one I really liked - so I felt compelled to do a make-over on a perfectly good - brand new star!<br /> <br />Here is the before...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2-EneS_66U/Tgv7e8o0c3I/AAAAAAAABDc/R2g51iadcsA/s1600/star%2Bbefore.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2-EneS_66U/Tgv7e8o0c3I/AAAAAAAABDc/R2g51iadcsA/s320/star%2Bbefore.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623865068794180466" /></a><br /><br /><br />I wanted something a little more patriotic. I love Americana decor no matter the time of year. <br /><br />Now here is the after...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecd_A1FQ5hk/Tgv7UYWmxxI/AAAAAAAABDU/3L-QZqyZ_P8/s1600/star%2Bafter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecd_A1FQ5hk/Tgv7UYWmxxI/AAAAAAAABDU/3L-QZqyZ_P8/s320/star%2Bafter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623864887255418642" /></a><br /><br />I painted it with acrylic paint in a maroon color and then dry brushed a bit of midnight blue around the edges for a bit of depth and giving an aged look. I used the $20 one that I liked as my example and this $6 one looks the same. I love how it looks on my door! The after picture is not on my door, it is dark outside (habit of night crafting) so the photos aren't coming out too well. I love to revamp things! So simple...and I am into simple these days. <br /><br />Happy Independence Day America!<br /><br />~jan<br /><br />Linked to some of <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html">THESE</a> parties! Thanks for letting us share :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-28775414252418674012011-06-29T17:10:00.001-06:002011-06-29T17:10:00.622-06:00Wordless Wednesday - Making a Bouquet!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1d-7GSqiWC0/TgVuOzSFN-I/AAAAAAAABB8/nj84oR5uW6E/s1600/Hanna%2Bpicking%2Bdandelions%2Bin%2BTurnerville.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1d-7GSqiWC0/TgVuOzSFN-I/AAAAAAAABB8/nj84oR5uW6E/s320/Hanna%2Bpicking%2Bdandelions%2Bin%2BTurnerville.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622020910405203938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-44535930931203802942011-06-28T22:50:00.001-06:002011-06-28T22:51:28.033-06:00Patriotic Wreath<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to decorate for the holiday...indoor and out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ai3QzYFs_iw/TgqtBKxEdUI/AAAAAAAABm4/jETWo-7z1g0/s1600/IMG_20110628_195119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ai3QzYFs_iw/TgqtBKxEdUI/AAAAAAAABm4/jETWo-7z1g0/s320/IMG_20110628_195119.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made a coffee filter wreath for the front door and I am sold!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was super easy to make and FAST!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Plus, I think it turned out cute so, all my front door wreaths are going to be made this way from here on out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To make this wreath you will need:</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 2 pkg.s of coffee filters </div><div style="text-align: center;">- one foam wreath </div><div style="text-align: center;">- hot glue gun/ glue sticks</div><div style="text-align: center;">- paint/ paintbrush</div><div style="text-align: center;">- ribbon to hang </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, I pulled all the coffee filters apart....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7K262L9kS2g/TgqqE-9JoQI/AAAAAAAABmg/ygJRKS6AQVw/s1600/IMG_20110628_151802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7K262L9kS2g/TgqqE-9JoQI/AAAAAAAABmg/ygJRKS6AQVw/s320/IMG_20110628_151802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, I crumpled up the bottom...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH5CeIUxzdA/TgqqHu5GWMI/AAAAAAAABmk/Dzvr59a5-Mo/s1600/IMG_20110628_151819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH5CeIUxzdA/TgqqHu5GWMI/AAAAAAAABmk/Dzvr59a5-Mo/s320/IMG_20110628_151819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And glued to the wreath, relatively close together. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted it to be extra full.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkA1qEWKuwE/TgqqkZdOh8I/AAAAAAAABmo/wXjYqg8hfDI/s1600/IMG_20110628_151836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkA1qEWKuwE/TgqqkZdOh8I/AAAAAAAABmo/wXjYqg8hfDI/s320/IMG_20110628_151836.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did about three "rows" around the wreath, to get the look <em>I</em> wanted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then it was mostly finished!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It took about 20 minutes from start to finish...not bad!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oxxqyXcJYI/Tgqq-P7965I/AAAAAAAABms/YEGBeFVt4rw/s1600/IMG_20110628_154945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oxxqyXcJYI/Tgqq-P7965I/AAAAAAAABms/YEGBeFVt4rw/s320/IMG_20110628_154945.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Using a paintbrush and selected colors, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I dipped the brush and gently brushed it across the top of the filters.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did it uniformly to look like a flag but, next time I want to get a little creative and do some funky tie dye...maybe for a summery wreath or a purple and orange and black one for Halloween.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When it was finished drying I added the ribbon and this was the end result.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGQqpHNMpyM/TgqsLVOFKBI/AAAAAAAABmw/ibuSqbiCz8o/s1600/IMG_20110628_195017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGQqpHNMpyM/TgqsLVOFKBI/AAAAAAAABmw/ibuSqbiCz8o/s320/IMG_20110628_195017.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_FItJII8oA/TgqsTsJJbFI/AAAAAAAABm0/F5H9QJPdcBA/s1600/IMG_20110628_195040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_FItJII8oA/TgqsTsJJbFI/AAAAAAAABm0/F5H9QJPdcBA/s320/IMG_20110628_195040.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{yes, I am aware that my door trim needs painted...it on my list to do!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are endless possibilities with coffee filters.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE using them!</div><div style="text-align: center;">You you have done a project using them please leave a comment with you link.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We would love to feature you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy your Fourth!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>-Amanda</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We link to <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html">these</a> parties</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-13196248066714087202011-06-27T04:58:00.007-06:002011-06-27T04:58:00.289-06:00Cottage Home Sew-Along<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have you seen the little girl's sew-along that Lindsay at <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/06/sew-along-details.html">The Cottage Home</a> is hosting this week?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're making <a href="http://fairytalefrocksandlollipops.com/catalog.htm?item=2957">this</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fS_DviMk4A/TejYdm6l1fI/AAAAAAAAFVM/jeuuiN5kcNo/s640/2-CGPplaydateoutfitfront.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My friend Kim and I are doing this together... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've got my fabric</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--epetbTnK3c/TgEPR-g61EI/AAAAAAAACbk/-iUrhnZubss/s1600/DSCN4560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--epetbTnK3c/TgEPR-g61EI/AAAAAAAACbk/-iUrhnZubss/s320/DSCN4560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and of course, my muse, Mz. I</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dslJmqfols/TgEPMZT0U1I/AAAAAAAACbg/p7m_SpjM2B8/s1600/DSCN4556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dslJmqfols/TgEPMZT0U1I/AAAAAAAACbg/p7m_SpjM2B8/s400/DSCN4556.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll post the finished outfit next week! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">{SO}</span> excited to get started!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><3 AmberLou</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>AmberLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128643724431390899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-4512031732284385982011-06-25T04:00:00.008-06:002011-06-28T13:27:57.848-06:00Patriotic Paint Chip BannerI saw the cutest banner in <span style="font-style:italic;">Better Homes and Garden</span>, July issue and just had to make one. I asked myself, "Self, why make it and then not share it's cuteness with all of our faithful followers." So I am...<br /><br />Here are the paint chips - I didn't end up using them all. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DXCziTpQkw/TgVnyN4IF-I/AAAAAAAABBc/STxk6maJHOw/s1600/paint%2Bchips%2B002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DXCziTpQkw/TgVnyN4IF-I/AAAAAAAABBc/STxk6maJHOw/s320/paint%2Bchips%2B002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622013822258124770" /></a><br /><br />I thought I could improve and make it cuter with things like these...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCYCtqSLlUI/TgVpDf7MUfI/AAAAAAAABBk/IvTW5cJYAys/s1600/banner%2Bpossiblilities%2BNOT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCYCtqSLlUI/TgVpDf7MUfI/AAAAAAAABBk/IvTW5cJYAys/s320/banner%2Bpossiblilities%2BNOT.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622015218672226802" /></a> <br /><br />But in the end...simpler was so much better. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAunkxQr4L4/TgVpZq4dgPI/AAAAAAAABBs/B48cUuREeQc/s1600/banner%2Bagain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAunkxQr4L4/TgVpZq4dgPI/AAAAAAAABBs/B48cUuREeQc/s320/banner%2Bagain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622015599570682098" /></a><br /><br />In the magazine they display this along the edge of a 4th of July decorated table.Mine will be going on Amanda's fireplace mantle, but the shorter version will be above my front door (but it is too dark for a picture now). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2iSVj84dLc/TgVqS0-ko5I/AAAAAAAABB0/Gls0cJCZmng/s1600/banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10phttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifx; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2iSVj84dLc/TgVqS0-ko5I/AAAAAAAABB0/Gls0cJCZmng/s320/banner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622016581533213586" /></a><br />This only cost the price of the yarn, $1. Easy and a great way to add a splash of color to any party. <br />Happy Independence Day America! <br />~jan<br /><br />Linking to some of <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html">these</a> parties. <br />Linked to...http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/06/show-me-what-ya-got-30.html<br /><center><a href="http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/"><img border="o" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af320/oproot/Blog-Party-000-Page-1.jpg" /></a></center> <a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ThinkPink_Button150.gif" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <center><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/creativeblogbuttonjpg.jpg" /></a></center><br /> <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-84445056943836947642011-06-24T05:00:00.010-06:002011-06-24T05:00:01.020-06:00Grandma V's Banana Bread<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My mother made banana nut bread frequently when I was growing up, and it was one of the first "from scratch" baked goods I learned how to make. I've tweaked her recipe over the years, so now I suppose you could call it "Tutu Lorie's" banana bread as well. It's very simple and easy to make.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a large mixing bowl, cream together until light and fluffy: </span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 stick butter (Grandma used 1/2 cup shortening)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup sugar</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp vanilla (I started adding this some years ago)</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Then add:</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2-3 mashed bananas</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">chopped nuts (if you're into that sort of thing... Grandma was, I'm not)</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F for about an hour. Or, you can bake in muffin tins for 20 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29Q2y8a6Wj8/Tfqnf99sjBI/AAAAAAAAAoE/_WGg1XSDRwc/s1600/DSCN1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29Q2y8a6Wj8/Tfqnf99sjBI/AAAAAAAAAoE/_WGg1XSDRwc/s320/DSCN1198.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let cool before keeping in a ziplock bag or other airtight container. It's wonderful hot from the oven, or toasted once it cools. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As an aside, if/when I move back to the mainland, I doubt I'll ever eat another banana. Living here in Hawaii has spoiled me with the fresh apple bananas everyone grows in their yards here. So tasty!</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Lorie!</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008851356350343206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-18264911243264673872011-06-20T04:18:00.034-06:002011-06-20T10:16:07.541-06:00More Dinosaurs...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I came across <a href="http://littleblackteapot.blogspot.com/2011/05/stuffed-dinosaur-with-sewing-pattern.html">this pattern</a> while looking for a fun </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">homemade baby gift idea.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nXeMVFgcp4/Tc--GL8iB0I/AAAAAAAAAYE/0xpAYqOs-o8/s400/Dinosaur+pattern+tutorial+14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">littleblackteapot.blogspot.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So sweet! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I made one of these little guys for a friend's baby shower. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My son stole it and took this picture with his dinosaur toys.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1qNhgQOXUk/TfqUCHR2tdI/AAAAAAAACbE/44FG0iBZXO0/s1600/DSCN4531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1qNhgQOXUk/TfqUCHR2tdI/AAAAAAAACbE/44FG0iBZXO0/s400/DSCN4531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My little girl stole it from him, and wouldn't give it up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I made her a pink one. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q6lXvLBSMc/TfqWho4I9FI/AAAAAAAACbY/wjFGGiemu0o/s1600/DSCN4545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q6lXvLBSMc/TfqWho4I9FI/AAAAAAAACbY/wjFGGiemu0o/s400/DSCN4545.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My 5 year old wanted one. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He wanted it to be really big, and he wanted to stuff it himself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQmtuNB1Ayk/TfqUR3Jm1oI/AAAAAAAACbQ/-koTS9zYv9c/s1600/DSCN4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQmtuNB1Ayk/TfqUR3Jm1oI/AAAAAAAACbQ/-koTS9zYv9c/s400/DSCN4537.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He did. For about two minutes, before he got bored and graciously allowed me to finish it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXav8LQT6w/TfqnRpiXzwI/AAAAAAAACbc/JsbaphGMPuM/s1600/DSCN4553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXav8LQT6w/TfqnRpiXzwI/AAAAAAAACbc/JsbaphGMPuM/s400/DSCN4553.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since then I've made a few more...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WmjahInpcY/TfqWbLEoB-I/AAAAAAAACbU/iFcyCZjJpxo/s1600/DSCN4538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WmjahInpcY/TfqWbLEoB-I/AAAAAAAACbU/iFcyCZjJpxo/s400/DSCN4538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am SET for a few upcoming birthday gifts!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My son informed me that this is a LONG-NECK, not a STEGOSAURUS, so it shouldn't have spikes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He's the dino expert. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then he told me I should make a stegosaurus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I did.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqKM9SgJ6TA/TfqUHtTLA1I/AAAAAAAACbI/eV2HDDgO6CY/s1600/DSCN4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqKM9SgJ6TA/TfqUHtTLA1I/AAAAAAAACbI/eV2HDDgO6CY/s400/DSCN4534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I just tapered the pattern to a kind of point instead of making the neck swoop up)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I made this stegosaurus for another friend-with-baby, and made the spikes ribbon taggies. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIXso4M0v6M/TfqUMoz50bI/AAAAAAAACbM/JbWOH8Y2IP8/s1600/DSCN4533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIXso4M0v6M/TfqUMoz50bI/AAAAAAAACbM/JbWOH8Y2IP8/s400/DSCN4533.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just LOVE this pattern! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://littleblackteapot.blogspot.com/2011/05/stuffed-dinosaur-with-sewing-pattern.html">Go print it!</a> Her directions are super easy to follow, it takes just a scrap of fabric (stash-buster!) and the kids love this guy! If you've been wanting to try out some three dimensional projects, this is a great one to learn on!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><3 AmberLou</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sharing at some of <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html">these</a> parties...</span></div>AmberLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128643724431390899noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-61092497894261559892011-06-18T01:28:00.001-06:002011-06-18T01:28:00.935-06:00Front Door Decor<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently, in our whereabouts, there have been some disturbing events that have taken place in homes that have opened their front doors to...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> door to door salesmen/soliciters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have wanted to make a NO SOLICITING sign for quite some time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They are ruthless in these parts. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Just the other day, I had a man stop by and knock for like 10 minutes before giving up and leaving. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It kind of made me uncomfortable so...I finally did it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made a sign using supplies I had lying around the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-an old picture frame {I painted it.}</div><div style="text-align: center;">-craft paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">-cardboard</div><div style="text-align: center;">-mod podge</div><div style="text-align: center;">-ribbon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In minutes I had the frame painted, the cardboard cut at 8x10 size and cover with craft paper and letters.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I mod podged the top of the craft paper...it kind of weatherizes the paper so that when it rains, it doesnt get ruined.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I placed the cardboard into frame and hot glued ribbon onto the back of the frame so I could hang it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and TA-DA!</div><div style="text-align: center;">An original and personalized 'no soliciting' sign:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLTLM6XWwYc/TfcPxLa8qKI/AAAAAAAABko/WysmZij-LPc/s1600/IMG_20110608_104108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLTLM6XWwYc/TfcPxLa8qKI/AAAAAAAABko/WysmZij-LPc/s320/IMG_20110608_104108.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I like that it also covers the window in my front door.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No peeking in!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make your own no soliciting sign and stop potential crimes from being committed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-Amanda</span></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-5435917900336672722011-06-17T05:00:00.001-06:002011-06-17T05:00:07.388-06:00Pizza on the GrillWe love pizza at our house. We make it often, usually at least once a week. But when the weather is hot (as is mostly is in Leeward Oahu), using the oven can be unbearable. So I decided to try cooking our pizza outside on the grill.<br />
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Use your favorite pizza dough recipe. I like to use whole wheat flour and a generous amount of olive oil in mine for best flavor. Roll out your dough inside, then brush with more olive oil to prevent sticking and place your crust right on the clean grill over hot coals.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-to0tOX2Y7lY/TfqkBjxQ-oI/AAAAAAAAAnw/RPZ2tSBWoJ8/s1600/DSCN1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-to0tOX2Y7lY/TfqkBjxQ-oI/AAAAAAAAAnw/RPZ2tSBWoJ8/s320/DSCN1182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Let cook for a minute or so, then flip over with a couple of spatulas and grill the other side. Once it's cooked a bit, add your sauce,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xd8mSF9IlBk/TfqkRAD02vI/AAAAAAAAAn0/yrPsZLymz44/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xd8mSF9IlBk/TfqkRAD02vI/AAAAAAAAAn0/yrPsZLymz44/s320/DSCN1185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
and your favorite toppings (I used grilled peppers and asparagus. Spinach, mushroom and tomato is great too. Or for purists, just pepperoni.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZalbUgLZKQE/TfqkkO_W0yI/AAAAAAAAAn4/kI7vERp-juk/s1600/DSCN1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZalbUgLZKQE/TfqkkO_W0yI/AAAAAAAAAn4/kI7vERp-juk/s320/DSCN1188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then spread on the cheese<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVamA3iy94I/TfqkuNU8GpI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Q4EBteTppxg/s1600/DSCN1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVamA3iy94I/TfqkuNU8GpI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Q4EBteTppxg/s320/DSCN1190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>and cover the grill for 5- 10 minutes. Check it every minute or two to make sure your crust doesn't burn.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYYUvAtoTDU/Tfqk8LE-eVI/AAAAAAAAAoA/iehlYl2bYHs/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYYUvAtoTDU/Tfqk8LE-eVI/AAAAAAAAAoA/iehlYl2bYHs/s320/DSCN1192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This was a bit more work than making it in the oven, but it was fun and the house definitely stayed cooler this way. When I do it again, I'll probably make individual pizzas (or at least 2 small ones instead of one big one) to ensure that the crust cooks evenly... the edges of mine weren't as crispy as I like them to be.<br />
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Bon appetit!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Lorie</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008851356350343206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4505872519744875885.post-91988108152757925862011-06-16T22:15:00.006-06:002011-06-16T23:25:31.528-06:00Father's Day BannerI am thinking Miss H should be a guest poster here on Paisley. I am always featuring HER work rather than my own. However, please note, the idea is MINE, the creativity of a toddler is what makes it cute!<br /><br />Miss H - with Oma's scissor help (and not so great graphic art help) - made a cute and inexpensive banner for Daddy to celebrate his special day on Sunday. Note...the theme is fishing...just in case it got lost in the translation.<br /><br />We hung it up for pictures and then hid it away until Sunday morning. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hynSWweGkKI/TfrVpBG67nI/AAAAAAAABBE/z0z7ak9yuzE/s1600/dad%2Bbanner%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hynSWweGkKI/TfrVpBG67nI/AAAAAAAABBE/z0z7ak9yuzE/s320/dad%2Bbanner%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619038385746931314" /></a><br /><br />Bags of microwave popcorn are covered, candy-bar wrapper style, in Miss H's favorite color 'RAINBOW' featuring how to say 'daddy' in several languages. The fish are colored to be specific breeds of fish (are they called breeds?).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHZcanJVmBY/TfrVjP_3seI/AAAAAAAABA8/bVNIirrI9eQ/s1600/dad%2Bbanner%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHZcanJVmBY/TfrVjP_3seI/AAAAAAAABA8/bVNIirrI9eQ/s320/dad%2Bbanner%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619038286664675810" /></a><br /><br />Another popcorn with a computer generated wrapper.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4Ff2h9EGIk/TfrVdHgLVqI/AAAAAAAABA0/f73zEQPUHIo/s1600/dad%2Bbanner%2Bpopcorn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4Ff2h9EGIk/TfrVdHgLVqI/AAAAAAAABA0/f73zEQPUHIo/s320/dad%2Bbanner%2Bpopcorn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619038181305046690" /></a><br />A candy bar printed with clip art for Miss H to personalize before wrapping and attaching to the banner. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nP_GcO8vUvQ/TfrVWGfAztI/AAAAAAAABAs/iBnmVvRKJYE/s1600/dad%2Bbanner%2Bcandy%2Bbar%2Bcolored.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nP_GcO8vUvQ/TfrVWGfAztI/AAAAAAAABAs/iBnmVvRKJYE/s320/dad%2Bbanner%2Bcandy%2Bbar%2Bcolored.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619038060772642514" /></a><br />This is a 'Rainbow Catfish' just in case you weren't aware of that species, hehe. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWOVYki1mV4/TfrX9lUufJI/AAAAAAAABBM/adw4agEvIgc/s1600/dad%2Bbanner%2Brainbow%2Bcatfish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWOVYki1mV4/TfrX9lUufJI/AAAAAAAABBM/adw4agEvIgc/s320/dad%2Bbanner%2Brainbow%2Bcatfish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619040938089151634" /></a><br /><br />You may have noticed in the first photo, the center of the banner has a large green Ticket Admitting One to a fishing trip with Dad. <br /><br />I guarantee Dad will love this banner A) because Miss H made it B) He has treats to take on a fishing trip C) He will be EXPECTED to go fishing with his girls who have their own poles - oh poor him, hehe. <br /><br />This only cost the price of the candy bars and popcorn. Inexpensive, but made with priceless LOVE! <br /><br />Happy Father's Day to all and Happy Fishing to Daddy Moser!<br /><br />~jan (and Miss H). <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/200/5800F23D37CF8453FB9E7F502D900185.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a><br /><br />I have linked to a few of <a href="http://thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com/p/link-parties-we-love.html">THESE </a>parties. Thanks all you creative ladies!<br />AND<br /><a href="http://www.alittletipsy.com/search/label/DIY%20under%20%245"><img alt="DIY under $5" src="http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr29/Telsee/diyunder5.jpg" border="0" /></a> <center><a border="0" href="http://danajeanward.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab145/DanaJeanWard/SMNewButton2.jpg" /></a></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1