tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89822133446818433592024-03-14T07:31:11.250-05:00Tiddly Winks and Moon PiesSometimes Crazy but Always FunJanicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-21055926829016521852011-10-04T22:43:00.005-05:002011-10-07T08:34:10.363-05:00Apple Pie Apple Crisp (a canning recipe)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7h0uGT2a2ZbZKLd7dmEnt6A-XoDcbNQEFWvX_uVANB8NxdLVMly1cXyMhODZTYKCsSg9MgZajfdn1klO3gilyLEKyqXDE-kbMnKcqeunn9Mpr26CZTj343nSzERxJRz-KIXM4fhWq38/s1600/Apple+Crisp+with+Ice+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7h0uGT2a2ZbZKLd7dmEnt6A-XoDcbNQEFWvX_uVANB8NxdLVMly1cXyMhODZTYKCsSg9MgZajfdn1klO3gilyLEKyqXDE-kbMnKcqeunn9Mpr26CZTj343nSzERxJRz-KIXM4fhWq38/s320/Apple+Crisp+with+Ice+cream.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know I keep saying it, but I just can't help myself. Fall is finally here...the leaves have even gotten the message and started turning golden. Even though it's going to be short lived (it'll be 85 next week), I'm going to live it up while I can. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And honestly, what screams fall more than crisp apples? Ummmm... how about<strong> Apple Pie Apple Crisp</strong>!?!And since you know you're going to be craving this amazing food, why not spend some time canning this liquid nectar from the gods so you can have it in January? It's really not as hard as you would think... here, I'll even show you it's easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what you need for the Apple Pie Filling:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> <br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHhzkd59ns3NVQzcrT3CLCWxqHTn6EJnZt7KukKzFTJT1QT64BfVagupf26Dre1p0ngs78gD7CF8cTCHjni0ZMib0Fxzo6QxAkSZTDwdxW6ndHAIcNvtk5HXGS7fawuDQoKSbkXCol0k/s1600/Apple+Pie+Ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHhzkd59ns3NVQzcrT3CLCWxqHTn6EJnZt7KukKzFTJT1QT64BfVagupf26Dre1p0ngs78gD7CF8cTCHjni0ZMib0Fxzo6QxAkSZTDwdxW6ndHAIcNvtk5HXGS7fawuDQoKSbkXCol0k/s320/Apple+Pie+Ingredients.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apples, Sugar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Salt, Cornstarch, Lemon Juice, Yellow Food Coloring</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Apple Pie Filling for Canning <br />
<em>(Makes up to 7 quarts of filling)</em><br />
<br />
<strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />
<br />
* 6 lbs Apples, any variety used for baking (about 32 cups of sliced apples depending on how much you pack into a jar)<br />
* 4 1/2 cups White Sugar<br />
* 1 cup Cornstarch<br />
* 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon<br />
* 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg<br />
* 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves<br />
* 2 tsp Salt<br />
* 10 cups of Water (cold)<br />
* 3 Tbl Lemon Juice<br />
* 2 drops of Yellow Food Coloring<br />
<br />
Along with canning supplies {Wide Mouth Jars, Lids, Rings, Water Bath, Jar Lifter}<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Directions:</strong><br />
<br />
Start by sterilizing lids, jars and rings. To do this, place the lids and rings in a small saucepan and simmer on low while you cook the sauce. Also, now is the time to bring your water bath to a boil. Because nothing ruins the canning momentum like waiting for that massive pot to boil. To sterilize the jars, I just place them in the water bath (filled with water) and bring to a boil with the water. Pull them out just before filling with apples and sauce. Keeps the jars hot to fill with hot things. Gotta keep it germ-free.<br />
<br />
Next you peel and slice your apples. If you happen to have a fancy peeler, corer, slicer thingy, use that. If you don't (I didn't), just peel and slice yourself. It doesn't really matter. It all tastes the same anyway. You'll need to end up with around 32 cups of sliced apples. Just get your biggest bowl and fill it up. Put aside. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">{and if you're worried about the apples turning colors, they are going to go brown when you cook them anyway, so don't stress}</span></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdzLTca7xgCp78kIY8OjFSltpPpmUtWAcZ-Ckbw05-sWaWoSBf4WgDk3a6HeuuQJHWGbZ7wrjtevRuspR9PaIQtmRV-Gzuavs-yMNd6p-YxuynGk3r8YthUZ4TqNfjRpBE7SjHPwsQLM/s1600/Apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdzLTca7xgCp78kIY8OjFSltpPpmUtWAcZ-Ckbw05-sWaWoSBf4WgDk3a6HeuuQJHWGbZ7wrjtevRuspR9PaIQtmRV-Gzuavs-yMNd6p-YxuynGk3r8YthUZ4TqNfjRpBE7SjHPwsQLM/s320/Apples.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now onto the sauce. In a large pot, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXrCQNofYUlunXVe4eUAArVUjrHXDf5FZEW62d3swjq3_AHWiHx0dm8KzQ9SqAWG2Oj_YOPKrc7o5ZTPw4Y-NiUoTFiV1wU1dy23foi4_U_4OmCYYDDiPCOGRf9ygN0vzBTp6MOZYM5o/s1600/Mix+dry+ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXrCQNofYUlunXVe4eUAArVUjrHXDf5FZEW62d3swjq3_AHWiHx0dm8KzQ9SqAWG2Oj_YOPKrc7o5ZTPw4Y-NiUoTFiV1wU1dy23foi4_U_4OmCYYDDiPCOGRf9ygN0vzBTp6MOZYM5o/s320/Mix+dry+ingredients.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then add salt and water and mix well. </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc5DD50DIF8iIwmPKbjhgIbBIlJxVGOs5X9b17qs_-Rz1dcAvgg9PEjvaHAGpD5S99zALHlvpGnTlP3tbozMAFVQEeumJoACtniLP6wmd6H1PJdUHTVQMPUHW6xZiK9r4It9qNCc4MX4/s1600/Mix+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc5DD50DIF8iIwmPKbjhgIbBIlJxVGOs5X9b17qs_-Rz1dcAvgg9PEjvaHAGpD5S99zALHlvpGnTlP3tbozMAFVQEeumJoACtniLP6wmd6H1PJdUHTVQMPUHW6xZiK9r4It9qNCc4MX4/s320/Mix+in+water.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be prepared to think this looks really gross... because it does. It's going to look like really watery milk. But it will get better. I promise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Bring to a boil and cook until think and bubbly. <br />
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXvNYQFdLMzC7abYyqV3AD2L4kN6gczQg1RPK9Sff9JVSiVY4RmcfTRwV4z_fhGcw6RZ2QByW_7lyV0kDL3TkqNPoFl7CEMMMrhgFo9jsMMkUXU1cGm3HScxP9Yikeu5Dx0aWQG4ts2M/s1600/Bubbly+Syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXvNYQFdLMzC7abYyqV3AD2L4kN6gczQg1RPK9Sff9JVSiVY4RmcfTRwV4z_fhGcw6RZ2QByW_7lyV0kDL3TkqNPoFl7CEMMMrhgFo9jsMMkUXU1cGm3HScxP9Yikeu5Dx0aWQG4ts2M/s320/Bubbly+Syrup.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better right?! It's going to look a lot like caramel, but not quite as thick</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Remove from heat and <strong>add Lemon Juice</strong> and Food Coloring. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(side note: You CANNOT skip this step for canning. It's where the acid comes from that preserves the food. So please don't be like me and waste an entire batch because you forgot to put in the lemon juice. Because it will break your heart. And I don't want that to happen)</span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now you're going to fill the jars. The best way I've found is to fill the jars half full of apples, ladle in enough syrup to cover them, then using a knife, release the bubbles that are trapped. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-tt5evjBj0gmGv6f1dV8WhB2lv42Rr8sPuJSGl3Tf9l1eACeOLrs_HY9vMRvCOZ96_FcWcRAkb4eJ-WDhVexPiavGepOhCd9Rf3EiNpUrfRvN_xYfNY4NWWhd-kvcEi8FXCdBsrPf34/s1600/Jars+half+full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-tt5evjBj0gmGv6f1dV8WhB2lv42Rr8sPuJSGl3Tf9l1eACeOLrs_HY9vMRvCOZ96_FcWcRAkb4eJ-WDhVexPiavGepOhCd9Rf3EiNpUrfRvN_xYfNY4NWWhd-kvcEi8FXCdBsrPf34/s320/Jars+half+full.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then finish pushing in as many apples as you can into the jar without going up the neck. Fill with more sauce. Release the air bubbles by using the knife to slide around the sides of the jar. Then fill up the neck with apples and sauce, leaving 1/2 inch headroom. <em>{hope that made sense}. </em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now wipe off the rims of the jars and put on lids and rings. Place in the water bath and bring to a boil. Then process for 20 minutes. Longer if you live at a high elevation.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Once they have processed, carefully take the jars out of the water bath and place on towels to cool down. If you are like me, some of your jars may leak out sauce when they start to cool. Don't worry about it. It will still seal just fine. Just wipe it off after it's cooled down. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQggwJBWtuimHhOyDyQJD5-sytyqcWsOE4htxmgK3iBTFNrN-YUCwPDN6F9K5J_5ZqF7bWj3fM46nQcu0vMPn_0LgQDt0f7O9WHIoXQQ8683xiDZWHVS2W6NQgxD9w7BbfKEJ2O6-nSdA/s1600/Finished+Jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQggwJBWtuimHhOyDyQJD5-sytyqcWsOE4htxmgK3iBTFNrN-YUCwPDN6F9K5J_5ZqF7bWj3fM46nQcu0vMPn_0LgQDt0f7O9WHIoXQQ8683xiDZWHVS2W6NQgxD9w7BbfKEJ2O6-nSdA/s320/Finished+Jars.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">See? Not that hard. I'd say it takes about an hour and a half per batch if you do it alone. I had my friend Liz over and we were whipping them out in about 40 minutes per batch. Totally doable!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The canned Apple Pie Filling will last a year in a cool, dry place, but let's be honest here. It's going to be gone long before it goes bad. It's just that GOOD! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for the Apple Crisp:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 2/3 cup Light Brown Sugar</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 1/2 cup Flour</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 1/2 cup Quick Oats</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 1/2 tsp Cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 1/2 tsp Nutmeg</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 1/2 cup Stick Butter, softened</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">* 1 Jar Apple Pie Filling</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Directions:</strong> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray and fill with 1 jar of canned Apple Pie Filling. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Mix dry ingredients together, then cut in butter to form a crumbly mixture. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQRSSWopi7uVUpYIxsv7YF9HldwE15Ab4FXy6tIMxiKe5ovVeUM9n77wiQNlmFczMrPnugRaW9UXNTH-vvQ_QN9-5KG6ax3pkOsGaIoU6rpOJDkRUkEvHMsDUftIpcvu4GfMDWvkGISg/s1600/Apple+Crisp+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQRSSWopi7uVUpYIxsv7YF9HldwE15Ab4FXy6tIMxiKe5ovVeUM9n77wiQNlmFczMrPnugRaW9UXNTH-vvQ_QN9-5KG6ax3pkOsGaIoU6rpOJDkRUkEvHMsDUftIpcvu4GfMDWvkGISg/s320/Apple+Crisp+start.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Spread mixture over apple pie filling and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z0v_JLCqvgjzMos3FDMo-qiZe1z2lBqeuCWzFxkgMIWvkCY2jGrZZ4lnVB6WZHbslccjxx6c7eudJEO7dcNRWYdYBMioTK4SP44cav0UyDgLlNmgaP0-6_oH6LqynO8_lzOwAM1SFYk/s1600/Cooked+Apple+Crisp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z0v_JLCqvgjzMos3FDMo-qiZe1z2lBqeuCWzFxkgMIWvkCY2jGrZZ4lnVB6WZHbslccjxx6c7eudJEO7dcNRWYdYBMioTK4SP44cav0UyDgLlNmgaP0-6_oH6LqynO8_lzOwAM1SFYk/s320/Cooked+Apple+Crisp.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Serve hot with Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and Carmel Sauce. You will be in heaven!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z1aE6oRpMvwXwiYwQvRKXwyWiobYHSMQTvwuoSbay-fHEYgp8y7yEHn-LWNTgTlagfSAXoHjZTmpp8nUgujpLgCQL9fA5C18yi8ZCnUzOZhjuIqom3EFJjsPhs5CIRGJzbcgG-sHc9g/s1600/Apple+Crisp+with+Ice+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z1aE6oRpMvwXwiYwQvRKXwyWiobYHSMQTvwuoSbay-fHEYgp8y7yEHn-LWNTgTlagfSAXoHjZTmpp8nUgujpLgCQL9fA5C18yi8ZCnUzOZhjuIqom3EFJjsPhs5CIRGJzbcgG-sHc9g/s320/Apple+Crisp+with+Ice+cream.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now go find some apples to can. You'll be happy you did!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>I need to thank my best friend Tammy Gibson for the recipe she doctored from allrecipes.com and Betty Crocker for the basis of the recipe I doctored for the crisp. Isn't it great that people are so willing to share?! </em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>~Janice</em></div><br />
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/brockmeb/th_wowuswedparty.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a border="0" href="http://the-not-so-functional-housewife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7UhX1wBSnE/ToaXV2Br_JI/AAAAAAAAEZE/WgZGt3W-KF4/s1600/linky-banner.jpg" /></a>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-66313207710142775592011-10-01T00:44:00.005-05:002011-10-07T08:33:00.273-05:00Fall Mantle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcXTRoxtpOOJ9-gaquknk9nJsFpRc7Y3oBRDY0LFHiJDz92Gt5UEoFFv4xwPcvR0GyAlHv2zDCA9FF4FzRpLmNjiGzMauOv35MdHBUIV0ocOrTlINrqtH9XZION-RbQcqf8s6rhrDISk/s1600/Full+Fall+Mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcXTRoxtpOOJ9-gaquknk9nJsFpRc7Y3oBRDY0LFHiJDz92Gt5UEoFFv4xwPcvR0GyAlHv2zDCA9FF4FzRpLmNjiGzMauOv35MdHBUIV0ocOrTlINrqtH9XZION-RbQcqf8s6rhrDISk/s400/Full+Fall+Mantle.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
My favorite thing about my living room is my fireplace mantle: It's nearly 5 feet long with beautiful trim work. Truly the work of a great craftsman. And since I have such a great mantle, I love to decorate for the holidays with it!<br />
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So let's take a look:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYdRMSE1_scxYlnkESChhD7iUoIOL0nzprsjhffkq_ZEo2r6vNWJ8AhV-fHsClStvhf4LAm5jY251TR8euUOd-vQYqmZJRVVxAcIqCOOGkqdiokfRBTEqq3gZMlT-AaSXjbvmhPoESNI/s1600/Fall+Mantle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYdRMSE1_scxYlnkESChhD7iUoIOL0nzprsjhffkq_ZEo2r6vNWJ8AhV-fHsClStvhf4LAm5jY251TR8euUOd-vQYqmZJRVVxAcIqCOOGkqdiokfRBTEqq3gZMlT-AaSXjbvmhPoESNI/s320/Fall+Mantle+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>The Garland was made by taking a 6 foot long grapevine garland (they sell them all twisted up next to the wreaths at Hob Lob). Using some hot glue, I added in a few leaves from a tattered wreath, some berry picks and ribbon. Lots and lots of ribbon. Once it looked good, I found some Mums on clips and just clipped it to the garland. The construction of the wreath was actually very easy. The hard part was hanging it on the mantle. Since no one in their right mind would nail into such a beautiful mantle, I had to figure something else out. And after much trial and error (think things going BANG/CRASH/BOOM in the night), the best thing I found were 3M Command Velcro Strips. Adhere one side to the mantle and hot glue the other to the middle of a 12" piece of ribbon. Then to hang it, all you have to do it literally tie it on. Sooooo much easier than anything else I've tried. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mUyYUOwoUCf9KyMz6xjPq1l4kur-4zTUT-OqmJVucksvB7qjGrgX6p155wRmQMppDJpvasuWqb0PQ3xrP9oRiQtzX_740SW6PQBPgmnFrjwS-uMiMDdKa4w5XQt6ktjjVSlS4gEq96s/s1600/Mantle+Fall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mUyYUOwoUCf9KyMz6xjPq1l4kur-4zTUT-OqmJVucksvB7qjGrgX6p155wRmQMppDJpvasuWqb0PQ3xrP9oRiQtzX_740SW6PQBPgmnFrjwS-uMiMDdKa4w5XQt6ktjjVSlS4gEq96s/s320/Mantle+Fall+2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>In order to hide my hubby's toy, I needed something tall. So I found some old glass bottles and added some of Martha's Halloween labels. The white candle pillars came from Target along with the grapevine pumpkin (dollar bin!). <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizb5qsIE_HCD0JwR-5tMReCZv8LIF3Oktx4RubSQIcH7CjzzPhqDxMRgTPQ0hTYnH1QvTW_wMXin2rmVqmn1laO-jdaB1pjLnKST3ebmVw2Rmr13-yAfAYaZ7nnBUCOq_ThoWO2HIciIY/s1600/Fall+Mantle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizb5qsIE_HCD0JwR-5tMReCZv8LIF3Oktx4RubSQIcH7CjzzPhqDxMRgTPQ0hTYnH1QvTW_wMXin2rmVqmn1laO-jdaB1pjLnKST3ebmVw2Rmr13-yAfAYaZ7nnBUCOq_ThoWO2HIciIY/s320/Fall+Mantle+3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The fabric pumpkins were made from fat quarters (great tutorial <a href="http://thompsonfamily.typepad.com/thompson_familylife/2009/11/fabric-pumpkin-tutorial.html">here</a>). I made a dozen or so last year and they look awesome around the house. Totally something anyone could make! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZM3GgA4lsMjXe3XKS3K3aoE97D59yC_kQvSb74ylhhX9AP-9COJ7ZlDPlRaVDrETD6KYQeH7zQse4JYgH7q1yQRBsJoB6Z3-7DV9oDZsFNoKF7Gxo4p-gJgq88xmtdGonKVLCbecyA4/s1600/Mantle+with+Countdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZM3GgA4lsMjXe3XKS3K3aoE97D59yC_kQvSb74ylhhX9AP-9COJ7ZlDPlRaVDrETD6KYQeH7zQse4JYgH7q1yQRBsJoB6Z3-7DV9oDZsFNoKF7Gxo4p-gJgq88xmtdGonKVLCbecyA4/s320/Mantle+with+Countdown.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And last but not least, our Countdown to Candy blocks. My kids favorite holiday tradition. These are awesomely easy to make (need a tutorial? look <a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/count-down-to-candy">here</a>) - and perfect for a craft group activity. I need to give a shout out here to my crafting buddies, because everyone needs someone to make them feel creative. Thanks Girls! You're always there when I'm feeling blah to inspire me to create something beautiful to get me out of my funk. Can I just say that they are AWESOME?!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So I hope that helps you get inspired to create something seasonal for fall. Or autumn. Whatever you may call it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Hope you like my mantle as much as I do. What did you like best? Anything you hated? You can tell me... I can handle the truth... maybe.</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>~ Janice</em></div><br />
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<a border="0" href="http://the-not-so-functional-housewife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TPR7wGUDbuc/To4_oKJuWSI/AAAAAAAAEZc/f-VsP7LiNrg/s1600/featured-linky.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/show%20and%20tell"><img border="0" src="http://www.rememberthemoments.com/images/blog/satbutton.gif" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/CalamityAnne/debbiedoosnewbieparty1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<left><a href="http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/VeryMerryVintageStyle/sharethelovebutton.jpg" /></a></left>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-9931127271913274062011-09-30T09:25:00.005-05:002011-10-04T19:07:20.691-05:00Fall Front Porch<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Welcome Fall! I've missed you terribly. I've been itching to have the colors of fall EVERYWHERE, but I couldn't explain to my hubby why I want to decorate when it's been SO HOT you'd think it was the middle of summer. Now that's is finally cooled down, the colors have started to change. So maybe it's not on the trees... but definitely at my house!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And since I've already shown you the inside, how about a look at the outside? </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRn-vS2n4Xy6aMd8ByzV2zOQSqkv5I_NuwuvzsnBsUvXkHU-aT46Fy-xJQvAFaE-dfcrpPpnXYUqdNgGgdOzWHVbsv4AZHqAygnXOxCeK6wubgNlM_H2ucjlQGp0rTR41dxFUSvrptm4/s1600/Fall+B+Wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRn-vS2n4Xy6aMd8ByzV2zOQSqkv5I_NuwuvzsnBsUvXkHU-aT46Fy-xJQvAFaE-dfcrpPpnXYUqdNgGgdOzWHVbsv4AZHqAygnXOxCeK6wubgNlM_H2ucjlQGp0rTR41dxFUSvrptm4/s320/Fall+B+Wreath.jpg" width="289px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berry Wreath with a few fall picks along with a paper mache B that's been Mod Podged. Cheap and Easy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHqTRBA9tjlhlp5vMgqvfvj0-HU3qMYcUOOcgq5iMFgdeiH19OqpL6Pj5MkO8Xl30LFDY8_EATUik_KPMm10mb76K0EmvNOW_rF7lRshfuK3pos8JUxHEVXyz5r-p0dJdvbOh99AeEhU/s1600/Mums+and+Pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHqTRBA9tjlhlp5vMgqvfvj0-HU3qMYcUOOcgq5iMFgdeiH19OqpL6Pj5MkO8Xl30LFDY8_EATUik_KPMm10mb76K0EmvNOW_rF7lRshfuK3pos8JUxHEVXyz5r-p0dJdvbOh99AeEhU/s320/Mums+and+Pumpkins.jpg" width="261px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mums and Pumpkins. Would you believe that I got these for less than half what they charge at the big box stores? Just by local or from a farmer's market. Great quality... did I mention they are HUGE?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvtkn6A0WbzNZj6MQXmToLFTplU8kt8VfRT6eEbCjqUZK2ILM4nn9zo0VYwEQ75yjU3UGq9QzpMjq6b86Sk4VWfsm7fnBOIFLW86lKIxzNxCCvlpG0fAajansSjj2qdkYeXYO_QY1H04/s1600/Black+Pumpkins+and+Mums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvtkn6A0WbzNZj6MQXmToLFTplU8kt8VfRT6eEbCjqUZK2ILM4nn9zo0VYwEQ75yjU3UGq9QzpMjq6b86Sk4VWfsm7fnBOIFLW86lKIxzNxCCvlpG0fAajansSjj2qdkYeXYO_QY1H04/s320/Black+Pumpkins+and+Mums.jpg" width="226px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mums. I didn't realize until recently that Mums were as awesome as they are. Mums: not just for Memorial Day!</td></tr>
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFFyFqjast3gU8nbXdZCoRfL402l3wrPgDWIq1HpXclqcFkEdC-H_tjORrbVBBu4i1JHTVsF65XwwHsjjgLWGyoU4qsrRipghOAYuM9C6Sq921mw5lpzmkF8UekNLtm80gJYgxf3yY5U/s1600/Front+Porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFFyFqjast3gU8nbXdZCoRfL402l3wrPgDWIq1HpXclqcFkEdC-H_tjORrbVBBu4i1JHTVsF65XwwHsjjgLWGyoU4qsrRipghOAYuM9C6Sq921mw5lpzmkF8UekNLtm80gJYgxf3yY5U/s320/Front+Porch.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a Full Porch view</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Even though every tree and bush in my yard are still vividly green, I love the orange, reds, and yellows that fall allows me to decorate with.<br />
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<em>So what's your thoughts? Do you decorate for the season's with a wreath and flowers? Is there anything else you add that I'm missing?</em><br />
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<em>~ Janice</em><br />
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<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/show%20and%20tell"><img border="0" src="http://www.rememberthemoments.com/images/blog/satbutton.gif" /></a><br />
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/"target="_blank"><img src=" http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/brockmeb/th_wowuswedparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-63816412187661471542011-09-29T20:45:00.005-05:002011-10-04T20:22:14.506-05:00It's Fall Ya'll!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. It's finally cooling down enough to let the kids play outside and enjoy our yard. Here in Nashville, we don't have a true fall like I did growing up in Utah. So I like to bring the fall inside.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's what Fall Puked Up in my house this week:</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY0MhH7ykwW6OT7-eyTYWh9qTRgfzXPuO4fjs4jmRAJgHntVwHWUy_nd8Y8sT3aiOdyYk3f0EGdSvI-UdmyI-4XUX7CI7kA3rIiu2hM9G0sYZk9lulYoaiiebArNKnpLKC3AiyuDsStI/s1600/Piano+Top+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY0MhH7ykwW6OT7-eyTYWh9qTRgfzXPuO4fjs4jmRAJgHntVwHWUy_nd8Y8sT3aiOdyYk3f0EGdSvI-UdmyI-4XUX7CI7kA3rIiu2hM9G0sYZk9lulYoaiiebArNKnpLKC3AiyuDsStI/s320/Piano+Top+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of my great-grandmother's upright piano</td></tr>
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8djbOlpwb3MiHEmUk0eKt-oj-mVX_FcFLUZLMTKCSapQ3pMswRLzghJGh-fjMhqtQQ2Mp6gvpLqqOBsn4hsGX6LMMXRuc6G6oJExg2L5KNCMU5lcvMP_lVCMxAuHvIkF5nGARYrGfZA8/s1600/Top+Piano+Fall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8djbOlpwb3MiHEmUk0eKt-oj-mVX_FcFLUZLMTKCSapQ3pMswRLzghJGh-fjMhqtQQ2Mp6gvpLqqOBsn4hsGX6LMMXRuc6G6oJExg2L5KNCMU5lcvMP_lVCMxAuHvIkF5nGARYrGfZA8/s320/Top+Piano+Fall+2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of my piano</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Q_2HvCGiZqLhxtdT2mv7PwNNNI5zWDdxcbZ1jU4K0QDWS9dOPlaZpTv2kUQ2Zv70AZeDr7748lGF_o6sTm2Dq0Kec0hE5XSYTX-mFSz29yFMEPccZnVCGawd8WG96ov3iimVFAkJrk/s1600/Dining+Table+Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Q_2HvCGiZqLhxtdT2mv7PwNNNI5zWDdxcbZ1jU4K0QDWS9dOPlaZpTv2kUQ2Zv70AZeDr7748lGF_o6sTm2Dq0Kec0hE5XSYTX-mFSz29yFMEPccZnVCGawd8WG96ov3iimVFAkJrk/s320/Dining+Table+Fall.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centerpiece of my dining room table (on a mirror a la<a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-dining-room-centerpiece.html"> thrifty decor chick</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVB_TYeRK7VPqd-PZzOWSUVdrNDVNAMHDtkxuDSFWKDPzcTMm3ajkjLURas6XvYWUS8_MvGJ_gar5xMJPbV-AM1pdQhdyYfywxmCMxG_Xzpr8C52JLkjKfKi3f_aGnjJUp0-mM05tY_M/s1600/Spooky+Blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVB_TYeRK7VPqd-PZzOWSUVdrNDVNAMHDtkxuDSFWKDPzcTMm3ajkjLURas6XvYWUS8_MvGJ_gar5xMJPbV-AM1pdQhdyYfywxmCMxG_Xzpr8C52JLkjKfKi3f_aGnjJUp0-mM05tY_M/s320/Spooky+Blocks.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden Pumpkin made from 2x6's and SPOOKY blocks from 2x4's</td></tr>
</tbody></table> And let's not forget about my love affair with pillows:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ747rMTgRVKSRNhxRLIF-c4n8L0Mb_cYvVLQzLwF3O2gCnwSRxX84Ywm2bEe5BUel-mfp1abLq4-sMRunJcosxtwjyQ8ZhOM15lpKBzjLpzJrGiYtEwUoRS6mBoSvDqfykfeUE19-Lg/s1600/Halloween+Pillows+Boo+Eek%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ747rMTgRVKSRNhxRLIF-c4n8L0Mb_cYvVLQzLwF3O2gCnwSRxX84Ywm2bEe5BUel-mfp1abLq4-sMRunJcosxtwjyQ8ZhOM15lpKBzjLpzJrGiYtEwUoRS6mBoSvDqfykfeUE19-Lg/s320/Halloween+Pillows+Boo+Eek%2521.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPDFthDWnUhn6w89iB8J4u1YbP4zQbrTtwb3EN0M77EehPXSF2WFVRKAsjd9rinXEPIBatEaLkTFVKzmKk0nvSnwTHFnuQEO5DM3hb7oXG1xPOcOwmnTWrNKmGowCnRo7eFMdnuepbnA/s1600/Halloween+Pillows+Spooky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPDFthDWnUhn6w89iB8J4u1YbP4zQbrTtwb3EN0M77EehPXSF2WFVRKAsjd9rinXEPIBatEaLkTFVKzmKk0nvSnwTHFnuQEO5DM3hb7oXG1xPOcOwmnTWrNKmGowCnRo7eFMdnuepbnA/s320/Halloween+Pillows+Spooky.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And we can't forget about Elvira, my boys favorite flying witch:<br />
<br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OcuDD7JcvUosWve75ME0anyg4KoMvXzQr6lykuqORGcxaWl0t010pYHoyFTg1UQzyzVBKGOW-4oDtRijuADiAPkgokj3rjxuphIaap7-nzXGFdzOhntCGwM1baYQ3aiSqdGEYPlxaQI/s1600/Witch+on+Pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OcuDD7JcvUosWve75ME0anyg4KoMvXzQr6lykuqORGcxaWl0t010pYHoyFTg1UQzyzVBKGOW-4oDtRijuADiAPkgokj3rjxuphIaap7-nzXGFdzOhntCGwM1baYQ3aiSqdGEYPlxaQI/s320/Witch+on+Pole.jpg" width="214px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have two very large columns leading into our living room....too bad Elvira doesn't know how to steer</td></tr>
</tbody></table> There's my fall decor, with more to come in the next few days. Stay tuned for the Mantle and Front Porch... my favorite things to decorate for Fall.<br />
<br />
<em>So what do you think? Do you go all out, or just keep it low key for Fall?</em><br />
<br />
<em>~Janice</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/show%20and%20tell"><img border="0" src="http://www.rememberthemoments.com/images/blog/satbutton.gif" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/brockmeb/th_wowuswedparty.jpg" /></a><br />
<center><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/CalamityAnne/debbiedoosnewbieparty1.jpg" /></a></center>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-10021445680065103042011-09-26T12:44:00.007-05:002011-10-01T01:27:58.554-05:00Babies, Babies, BabiesI swear they are everywhere! Either everyone has one or is going to have one. I've been to soooo many showers lately that I'm nearly over my baby cravings. Nearly....<br />
<br />
But that's not what this post is about. This post is about being the best gift-giver at said shower. Trust me. If you include a few of these homemade burp-cloths along with your <a href="http://tiddlywinksandmoonpies.blogspot.com/2011/09/taggie-blanket-brief-tutorial.html">appliqued ribbon blanket </a>in a cutely wrapped basket, you will be the talk of the shower. And many more showers to follow. In fact, I can speak from experience... your reputation will preceed you. And it's a good feeling....<br />
<br />
So if you'd like that feeling, go ahead and make a few of these...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4M6dIXWM-unPKdJ4Z2cqXG1Co_rkNo0lU7mreizgHCx3Pdx3ve8hyphenhyphen-AJfkuqlafE-wQhmiBvdHFfepokZWjKRh0p7b6qcVOjqCPkxdq4qqd0c09z2go3rDx_U2JnUxegjEMlpwX-esE/s1600/BurpRags+Sweet+%2526+Sassy2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726241054691266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4M6dIXWM-unPKdJ4Z2cqXG1Co_rkNo0lU7mreizgHCx3Pdx3ve8hyphenhyphen-AJfkuqlafE-wQhmiBvdHFfepokZWjKRh0p7b6qcVOjqCPkxdq4qqd0c09z2go3rDx_U2JnUxegjEMlpwX-esE/s320/BurpRags+Sweet+%2526+Sassy2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 211px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjTCovlqjDm8N0FE-1RbQY1zJfMp1CiI55tVEG5vidgbuSXYDrYxnvSOd82XrBW71cnI91J4NkJw4x8UgvzuIQW7-TOS4CgHIcjjy2N4nKBvAgcnfYUetTdhxkkJ2sVPjXjgYYyt8xJ0/s1600/BurpRags+Sugan+than+Spice2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726231495245474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjTCovlqjDm8N0FE-1RbQY1zJfMp1CiI55tVEG5vidgbuSXYDrYxnvSOd82XrBW71cnI91J4NkJw4x8UgvzuIQW7-TOS4CgHIcjjy2N4nKBvAgcnfYUetTdhxkkJ2sVPjXjgYYyt8xJ0/s320/BurpRags+Sugan+than+Spice2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 232px;" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJE8xqPvmgLPQUvriE9wqf9c4CJnGGfbcOyrOOj0rUUFHkFyoR8CqY60lDdJcAH4Nthunua0mg6RRn0YVNINVpv7NtVc199CwVZopWYpWVpb_MPz0PRClanBoYwvYowqrlqLL_1HgYzk/s1600/BurpRags+Spit+Happens2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726126951565010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJE8xqPvmgLPQUvriE9wqf9c4CJnGGfbcOyrOOj0rUUFHkFyoR8CqY60lDdJcAH4Nthunua0mg6RRn0YVNINVpv7NtVc199CwVZopWYpWVpb_MPz0PRClanBoYwvYowqrlqLL_1HgYzk/s320/BurpRags+Spit+Happens2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 237px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7vDCn_KxGWCLv4Q1o4L-1fTb3aZIzyZQKLvQpKTwypQTWIY4S-nkDhUyZ2W3HM5qrNYn2ABwCgPB8FW56gQQFTykqHMRRcTffAdQxSIWrVLB5sLRmcrW2N6gcxS9TifMvuWHN2vDs2o/s1600/BurpRags+Smell+Daddy2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726126688235922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7vDCn_KxGWCLv4Q1o4L-1fTb3aZIzyZQKLvQpKTwypQTWIY4S-nkDhUyZ2W3HM5qrNYn2ABwCgPB8FW56gQQFTykqHMRRcTffAdQxSIWrVLB5sLRmcrW2N6gcxS9TifMvuWHN2vDs2o/s320/BurpRags+Smell+Daddy2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 227px;" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeqie1PbXz24iOn-ttO6vNkKTvIZbTSLG7RyZzASz70El-sS8i1R-FYT7b3MPnPnBBxtcU5_verahw3CxG2_UD3HLeQCGMvrcXm1TzlnFg63u8tdjEFdiAqRBykBN531AS-JC64TWzLE/s1600/BurpRags+Future+Diva2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726125450409474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeqie1PbXz24iOn-ttO6vNkKTvIZbTSLG7RyZzASz70El-sS8i1R-FYT7b3MPnPnBBxtcU5_verahw3CxG2_UD3HLeQCGMvrcXm1TzlnFg63u8tdjEFdiAqRBykBN531AS-JC64TWzLE/s320/BurpRags+Future+Diva2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 251px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddyigG6K4G4KwbYRA1KaNF_EnCY5Mc_IQgIVx2rEJbyqt06bn14gHI0Q9qh4U4BzuGj_27WDHuSsHKEQdYSocMHhgW2fnMeUTvpwzcezqIvdOFOOgbGEANYvrCHqUh5H4j5mRgtFfQsI/s1600/BurpRag+Change+my+Diaper+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726122027252466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddyigG6K4G4KwbYRA1KaNF_EnCY5Mc_IQgIVx2rEJbyqt06bn14gHI0Q9qh4U4BzuGj_27WDHuSsHKEQdYSocMHhgW2fnMeUTvpwzcezqIvdOFOOgbGEANYvrCHqUh5H4j5mRgtFfQsI/s320/BurpRag+Change+my+Diaper+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 264px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I like using Gerber 6-ply Pre-folded cloth diapers. Very thick and wash extreemly well)</span></em></div><br />
And then wrap them up all cute like this:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpnwt7ue_GTCKeaD6OkMx5wWqjaAtSSFjdpAeXx3xnoLzI3ShkS9TPhmDRkjZS0NLLdjQPMgco_7dWDSC-YMahKAHotv_Ns9WVL1GCnXoxC9v6yo8643U47FcMmg_z88LwKEKgNZZAag/s1600/Baby+Shower+Gift.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656726117046254082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpnwt7ue_GTCKeaD6OkMx5wWqjaAtSSFjdpAeXx3xnoLzI3ShkS9TPhmDRkjZS0NLLdjQPMgco_7dWDSC-YMahKAHotv_Ns9WVL1GCnXoxC9v6yo8643U47FcMmg_z88LwKEKgNZZAag/s320/Baby+Shower+Gift.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 214px;" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">(and I'm sorry about the crappy pic... I'd forgotten about taking a pic until I had to leave and it was black outside... stupid winter is coming...)</span></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;"></span></div><br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: 85%;">*I made these using an embroidery machine, but you could freezer paper stencil them on or just order them from me. Yep. I'm doing a little self-promoting here. Just leave me a message, and I'll get right back to you.</span></div><br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: 85%;"></span></div><br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: 85%;"></span></div><br />
<div align="left">What do you think? Is there anything you always give as a gift that's better? Because if there is, I'd like to add it to my basket of stuff!</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left"><em>~Janice</em></div><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/brockmeb/th_wowuswedparty.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://projectqueen.org/"><br />
<img src="http://projectqueen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dauntingdoablebutton2mini.png" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/show%20and%20tell"><img border="0" src="http://www.rememberthemoments.com/images/blog/satbutton.gif" /></a>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-88346192815426877272011-09-10T19:59:00.003-05:002011-10-01T23:00:04.554-05:00Molding Makes Everything Better..<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BZFAO3AYMOiBrrKfFosv9WsRAd6OI6q4be0eJlBDlp-yVG1gvKdrS27SiqRi81ccY-lAbYpUvlV8p-ovLbgS8kFD-vXiBjD-YN1Ddw1M6UX1VqmIf-npMxKaQVjrOK-AF33eeF8gaCc/s1600/Molding+Makes+Everything+Better.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650918836035121986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BZFAO3AYMOiBrrKfFosv9WsRAd6OI6q4be0eJlBDlp-yVG1gvKdrS27SiqRi81ccY-lAbYpUvlV8p-ovLbgS8kFD-vXiBjD-YN1Ddw1M6UX1VqmIf-npMxKaQVjrOK-AF33eeF8gaCc/s320/Molding+Makes+Everything+Better.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a> <br />
<div>Even Furniture!</div><br />
<div></div><br />
<br />
<div>I know that everyone has seen this little beauty (or something very similar) at their local big-box store. I've passed by it many, many times while looking for storage solutions. It looks practical.... but sometimes practical isn't pretty.</div><br />
<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674741805328274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlaNcD9RlFUt8QdFxoM4SZYvQ6-TOJPNjEvpaPKbFb8i80t61dZeraa9MAhClgSOD_9Yucb6DfhBuN_pkM9ORkmkS9klC3DwqRRaowHDZ8vo-s51WswgPFbEK2ArdBpc15SkSmZZKH9Y/s320/DC+White+cubby+Closetmaid.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />So I've left it alone, looking at other places for something a little nicer. But nicer comes with a price tag. A BIG one. And since I'm just looking to store my family's shoes and backpacks on it, I can't think of a single reason why I'd shell out $200+. But that's just me.</div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>So we continued using a basket for our shoes... until one day, the basket just had a meltdown. It couldn't take it anymore, so it just decided to fall apart. Seriously. In one day. So then we had nothing. And no one could find their shoes.</div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>That's when I decided to take another look at this lovely. And it was on sale! $35. Sweet! But what could I do to it to make it look just a little nicer? I took a page out of The Thrifty Decor Chick's book, and went with the motto that Molding Makes Everything Better. So I decided to chunk it up with a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MDF</span> and trim. And guess what? It looks awesome!</div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>What do you think? </div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>Want to make one yourself? </div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>Well then, you're in luck. Cause I'm feeling happy to have a computer to blog from, you get the lowdown on the construction of this $50 beauty.</div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>Here's what you're going to need:</div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbTOjJiMmo2GRiMbk-Eu8pPcBHPOCc0i81PnwfmIN-4vDbWpsoZxUGw67ms9nktiGJkxnQ53kzCyxR4lp6ggJPD7lIrBmSsU57VQOWVUx3TWm9T8VJ0sbIENIzbObnZ3TnVyR57qFwo/s1600/Doctored+Cubbies+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674736465821234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbTOjJiMmo2GRiMbk-Eu8pPcBHPOCc0i81PnwfmIN-4vDbWpsoZxUGw67ms9nktiGJkxnQ53kzCyxR4lp6ggJPD7lIrBmSsU57VQOWVUx3TWm9T8VJ0sbIENIzbObnZ3TnVyR57qFwo/s320/Doctored+Cubbies+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>One assembled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Closetmaid</span> 6 Unit shelf, One 1/2" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MDF</span> board cut into two pieces (my measurements were the exact same as the top for one and the added an inch to the width for the bottom piece to have a lip), Two pieces of trim cut to the length of the shelf (I used quarter round for the bottom and door trim for the top), a Nail Gun (or hammer & nails), Liquid Glue, Wood Filler, sanding block, paint roller and tray, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kilz</span> primer, and quart of interior paint<br />
<br />
Now that you've gathered your supplies (or, let's be honest, raided you're hubby's stash like me), you get to put everything together. </div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>First thing is to put the Liquid Nails on the top. This is what will actually keep the top <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MDF</span> board on for the long haul. The nails just hold it in place to dry.</div><br />
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<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674732775125090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF85bNppcrD2By25QoNf2C8dF_qZmU54DFocmZa4x1WGqWIfmDO28IJLc4iuk49VKM3mRkJ83Byl7fieOjvZjXkKvch2JzG18Ipv1E5IGU9Fs-9KSRgve5KMX3FR1sY-f1sSLgRLHRWOI/s320/DC+Apply+Liquid+Nails.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 198px;" /></div><br />
<div>Then you'll line up your cut <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MDF</span> board to be flush with all sides. This will be your top piece. Nail on the four corners and on the divider boards to hold in place.</div><br />
<div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674498568610002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMecfPDPYMjKAJAqSQTWB2iQf9JfQ_erw-xUU-n4VNcYwfzx1Dti63AFtq-pacv0YmXcCFO9DNqy-hikfT6XYQkvk-ZnGt_vYSc7bAcPveut04hUdx1tXpmpUhPCexZ9PX6gn0FgaeDEY/s320/DC+Nail+boards.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /> <br />
<div>Turn that puppy over, and repeat on the bottom, only making it flush on three sides, leaving the hangover on the front. Double check it's on the front side. Then check again. Because you'd hate to nail it into place only to realize that you did it wrong. Not that I speak from experience or anything...</div><br />
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<div>Now that it has been beefed up a little on the top and bottom, let's make it look pretty. Give it some curves. Something to look at. To do that, you're going to lay it flat on it's back, with the front facing up. To do the top, put down some Liquid Nails and place the door trim on top. The Liquid nails are very forgiving. You'll be able to move it around to get it perfectly flush.</div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SWkXxNkIgcOkoMQwi88GcTjAroonZsp_fpD0ZT-DDnyDi3mm1drv_g9a0S_xcutODwk9Z_58s-yQ46osLBwtygAtGNDyQJWmlUzFiW-avymc2yz3F2tCqf_qCz3PObnzW6yPFaRqsE8/s1600/DC+Glue+Trim.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674497251888626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SWkXxNkIgcOkoMQwi88GcTjAroonZsp_fpD0ZT-DDnyDi3mm1drv_g9a0S_xcutODwk9Z_58s-yQ46osLBwtygAtGNDyQJWmlUzFiW-avymc2yz3F2tCqf_qCz3PObnzW6yPFaRqsE8/s320/DC+Glue+Trim.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 198px;" /></a> Once it's flush on the top and sides, you'll nail it into place.</div><br />
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<div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4P_yd9orCvAYDIrZ7eVmOH5xxzhF11iOT2lULt-JxAbwzSFnxXF-JWxg41SPoJ8yiRk72hTGjVCno41KfiuNy1Aa7ImynBPlJhxKnEmEDzfD9b3D3mHZPqEEiCOFZZbJwks8_jVXUYM/s1600/DC+Nail+Trim.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674496017951266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4P_yd9orCvAYDIrZ7eVmOH5xxzhF11iOT2lULt-JxAbwzSFnxXF-JWxg41SPoJ8yiRk72hTGjVCno41KfiuNy1Aa7ImynBPlJhxKnEmEDzfD9b3D3mHZPqEEiCOFZZbJwks8_jVXUYM/s320/DC+Nail+Trim.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a>Then you are going to place the quarter round between the overlap and shelving unit. </div><br />
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<div>And once you put the trim on and stand it up, you'll have something that looks similar to this:<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtwyZVH3qc6wc448iwLVZmA5uLEY5FZF_mtqIrg1UHG81IVQ1HaybduKWQ21xNxxFC4k4Ppc2g1M0TdoqPg7aRWINVR23wlS6BXF1cevoc-4fh1qlc01M-Yzmv31luXYAz2CpSHObUqM/s1600/DC+Ready+to+Prime.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674489730819922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtwyZVH3qc6wc448iwLVZmA5uLEY5FZF_mtqIrg1UHG81IVQ1HaybduKWQ21xNxxFC4k4Ppc2g1M0TdoqPg7aRWINVR23wlS6BXF1cevoc-4fh1qlc01M-Yzmv31luXYAz2CpSHObUqM/s320/DC+Ready+to+Prime.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Doesn't it look <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">soooo</span> much better already!?<br />
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Then you'll prime with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">kilz</span>, and paint with your selected color. I'm going to tell you though... this is the hardest part. The priming takes FOREVER. And because of the laminated boards, the paint doesn't stick very well, so it's really, really important you put on a good layer of primer before you paint. Or you'll end up with paint that will peel right off. Once again, not that I tried to cut corners or anything...<br />
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And when you're done with the priming and painting a few coats, it will look like this:<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMG4deQLVPsJteVFlS0H67u0L8aknFuHyIwgNQrakUdQIRGKE5Bch3OIhJybxqfDSPdyA43j41nrErb9FYR71JAOdx5IIusuJoshFL34tqMjMfmfk55QPR3pD_3PBfDYK8lbfc3aqOM8/s1600/DC+Primed+and+Painted.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648674487282670290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMG4deQLVPsJteVFlS0H67u0L8aknFuHyIwgNQrakUdQIRGKE5Bch3OIhJybxqfDSPdyA43j41nrErb9FYR71JAOdx5IIusuJoshFL34tqMjMfmfk55QPR3pD_3PBfDYK8lbfc3aqOM8/s320/DC+Primed+and+Painted.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
And once it's in it's special place, like this:</div><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650918841013452050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VpZ1EY-y-gOVjVSY3D7JZTi3KGv31f3MSKena_rR34JeHfSrm9eB3K2MULDEOuWFWSFa9ZzB3GBcCChsXt3BjzWORMOp8nHviT9u2SCxidwL1FpNYXCkh_OTTWx8rL3sHUn1Eecz0L8/s320/Molding+Better+finished+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 198px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />So for at $35 base, $5 in molding, $7 for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MDF</span> board, and paint and supplies left over from the trim in my bathroom, I got something that I'm not embarrassed to look at every time I come in from the garage.</div><br />
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<div>Hope you like my Doctored <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Cubby</span>! What do you think?</div></div></div></div></div></div><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/brockmeb/th_wowuswedparty.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/" mce_href="http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Organize and Decorate Everything" border="0" height="150px" mce_src="http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/SS852700.jpg" src="http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/SS852700.jpg" width="150px" /></a></center><br />
<a href="http://projectqueen.org/"><br />
<img src="http://projectqueen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dauntingdoablebutton2mini.png" /></a>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-79112597884644733082011-09-06T23:09:00.016-05:002011-10-01T23:00:53.416-05:00Applique Ribbon Blanket- A tutorial<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tiQxy_bm-SRyrlJ6Siyibg2Mu7D9B3BiXL5E8aeayfWEWgih75ylG6lfUj2xOy2BgtRWcYxP3_CIQE7XpKzeBQhGZ0Ol6c_fDoKipeo-ZNRNLL59ddjr0Cm8yw0uurIJf-FASi3XRHs/s1600/Applique+Taggie+Blanket.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466467441206242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tiQxy_bm-SRyrlJ6Siyibg2Mu7D9B3BiXL5E8aeayfWEWgih75ylG6lfUj2xOy2BgtRWcYxP3_CIQE7XpKzeBQhGZ0Ol6c_fDoKipeo-ZNRNLL59ddjr0Cm8yw0uurIJf-FASi3XRHs/s320/Applique+Taggie+Blanket.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Since I seem to be making quite a few of these bad boys lately, I figured that I might as well have a go at making my first sewing tutorial on such a fabulous item! I know this isn't the first taggie blanket tutorial you've seen-nor will it be the last. It's just my spin on a classic, with a few tricks tossed in for good measure.<br />
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If you seem to be attending baby shower after baby shower, maybe you should start being known as "The Awesome Gift Giver" by taking one of these and a few burp rags. Trust me. It's what all hormonal women want. It's just an added bonus that they will become the babies favorite blanket.<br />
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Want to make one? Then here's what you'll need:<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKnrKoahilYILweECmE2fQJIw77unva3t1VhCb8LlPR631DfpewLFMg-GcjysyqkbofsTV7DixpdtdKshxUlxgz-nd7yslkr_Uk8j43KOhCLj4WdoLsZX0AT4CGSTYyS6RHwlpb9Vjiw/s1600/Taggie+Supplies.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466459672066818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKnrKoahilYILweECmE2fQJIw77unva3t1VhCb8LlPR631DfpewLFMg-GcjysyqkbofsTV7DixpdtdKshxUlxgz-nd7yslkr_Uk8j43KOhCLj4WdoLsZX0AT4CGSTYyS6RHwlpb9Vjiw/s320/Taggie+Supplies.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>If you're new to sewing, or just terrified at the thought of applique, it's really not that difficult. In fact, it's probably the easiest sewing there is because it's just glue. Here's a quick run down of the way I applique:</div><div><em><span style="font-size: 85%;">(please note that I <strong>ALWAYS</strong> use Heavy Duty Wonder Under. It washes soooo well. In my many years of using it, I've <strong>never</strong> had a problem. And you know this is going to be washed. And washed. And washed. And you don't want anything to fall off. So just use the Heavy Duty stuff ok?)</span></em></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649471781321649106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu70Ht4HAK2C9pid5VkiccALd7ZATKTOfTBTK1pPmYefJ6cIQ6pdRFuIWEU0zoSZKtjypfwGIZ8zLF2KMAf0p5CMItv_elWk4JnFlOI7m_aRoceyBqZAYBgZE2dokUfduIhzoqwerxSaU/s320/Taggie+Trace+Applique.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Once you've traced your shape or letter (if you'd like to monogram), cut apart the shapes so you can use them on different material. Don't waste your time cutting them out perfectly. Save that for when you have the material attached.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649471779830682114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bF0blttMgj9IdFnAp4V533MfZlmh9VlQwhS1zNt3W_Z-xdzsg21BmgH89MN1KH62ZvCORWH02geIqTNrmFkGYw2QpSED0QBEC9RYbwHl13HieuatzSpzCBmmJnN5Tku56hv9L8oTMOA/s320/Taggie+Applique+Iron.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />You're going to iron the Wonder Under to the wrong side of your material. Let it cool down. Then cut out the shape. Please let it cool. It only takes about a minute. And I don't want anyone to have to stop sewing because you've burnt your finger and thumb. Use my wisdom here, k?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigbsviH8LEZQYZK6lg4vTV-mH7bl5gUiCvPkJgPjsf2fYHcfwj3EpZZmFngizm5Aa7UBAdp5UFxj3H6E1CxdEfvYRdNLHd1csseedeNfVwCbpr0VcrepK8HS9XK05_XjGCCDIO2YgVVU/s1600/Taggie+Applique+tip+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466455988098322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigbsviH8LEZQYZK6lg4vTV-mH7bl5gUiCvPkJgPjsf2fYHcfwj3EpZZmFngizm5Aa7UBAdp5UFxj3H6E1CxdEfvYRdNLHd1csseedeNfVwCbpr0VcrepK8HS9XK05_XjGCCDIO2YgVVU/s320/Taggie+Applique+tip+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Once it's cool and cut out, here's the best trick I've found for peeling off the paper backing: gently slice through the middle of the paper with a pin. Make an X and start peeling. It will peel off like a ripe banana. Promise. And you don't end up with frayed edges from trying to start on the edge.<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CWpPEoE_yT8C07pi0BlCtO1lf7nTrlF9zStfotzG4yavSs5QIKBkJeW1V1lht3pMa7GIpUoQUTb6AymlxI4JxcGxhJZQn-jOlg9gyQ_Fszrbc7bVhZBtBSAfFfbl91ddu1yuGQChclo/s1600/Taggie+Applique+tip+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466454812133106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CWpPEoE_yT8C07pi0BlCtO1lf7nTrlF9zStfotzG4yavSs5QIKBkJeW1V1lht3pMa7GIpUoQUTb6AymlxI4JxcGxhJZQn-jOlg9gyQ_Fszrbc7bVhZBtBSAfFfbl91ddu1yuGQChclo/s320/Taggie+Applique+tip+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Nice and Clean! </div><div><br />
Once they are cut out, attach the circles to the center of the flower by removing the paper and dry ironing for 5-10 sec depending on the thickness of the material. Cottons bond very quickly. Maybe 5 sec. Flannels take about 10. So just watch it. If it's not totally stuck, just go back over it with a very hot iron.</div><br />
Once you've attached the centers to the flowers, you need to attach the flowers to the material. Lay it out how it looks good to you. Trust your gut here. Or your eyes. Whatever.<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAMyUwVy5IVOyCemLj1hQUPPr9hCctLbYGnkiB5COfACOef4I9Uer6x89A6UDmzon4IOR132-MTa3lDgiOX3Uf7wGddY8zU9B8bpf86g_leRezZaRrMAXD48TTerUN7wdWKqbdY_wNlo/s1600/Taggie+Applique+Stitching.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466446363129458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAMyUwVy5IVOyCemLj1hQUPPr9hCctLbYGnkiB5COfACOef4I9Uer6x89A6UDmzon4IOR132-MTa3lDgiOX3Uf7wGddY8zU9B8bpf86g_leRezZaRrMAXD48TTerUN7wdWKqbdY_wNlo/s320/Taggie+Applique+Stitching.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Once you've ironed on the flowers, you're going to need to stitch around the applique. This is mostly for visual appeal. The Heavy Duty Wonder Under won't let go. Stitching around the edges just gives it a more finished look. Use a blanket, satin, or close zig-zag. Whatever you feel comfortable with. </div><div><br />
Now on to the ribbons!</div></div><div><div><br />
Select 8-10 matching ribbons. To make sure they fit, lay out the rolls like so:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466109087776210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z6pp6okT5yoXuot39oF6nG8hgK7GqEzJIc7HPCk0EyJeUW8NMQo8Ms3RylCUUWYB6v23sqev122wDTzNEFIim1BLAUDa_APG14KqadYWCWxFdjkxHFnNl2apzi7avWDbibvaXh_Hlx8/s320/Taggie+Line+up+Ribbon.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" />Sorry the picture won't turn... but you get the idea.</div><div><br />
Once you've determined how many different ribbons you're going to use, cut 16" of each ribbon.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYzXR8hSQhDk7AzadcPJhu3m1_dWAQGSBsuM0oWRzx3Buc1Lg2gGXl9yJINCWY8Nc9bzQ68x3RVW4HtW84oDDvQZwFbWmi1Vc78VBP_inQDFjceUqvLVLhby08Ho5k0rsF1nF6XShoAw/s1600/Taggie+Cut+Ribbon+16.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466121414658978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYzXR8hSQhDk7AzadcPJhu3m1_dWAQGSBsuM0oWRzx3Buc1Lg2gGXl9yJINCWY8Nc9bzQ68x3RVW4HtW84oDDvQZwFbWmi1Vc78VBP_inQDFjceUqvLVLhby08Ho5k0rsF1nF6XShoAw/s320/Taggie+Cut+Ribbon+16.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Then fold over, cut at fold, fold again, and cut again at fold so you're left with four 4"ish pieces. It doesn't have to be exact. </div><div><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsldFS4GFfujQFnzeugslI7-kANocAQqB-U95OY2m3P1v5llVXOQf6OPvG5d038TA_xWLIO3wvBmud7MH-v7cS8PpY8dYfyWFcdb74HOZcTcF8_gwenhBw5_og-Pj7cuSvymeVyIOL158/s1600/Taggie+Burn+Ribbon+Edges.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466115998740818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsldFS4GFfujQFnzeugslI7-kANocAQqB-U95OY2m3P1v5llVXOQf6OPvG5d038TA_xWLIO3wvBmud7MH-v7cS8PpY8dYfyWFcdb74HOZcTcF8_gwenhBw5_og-Pj7cuSvymeVyIOL158/s320/Taggie+Burn+Ribbon+Edges.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Once you've got four 4" ribbons, you need to burn/melt the edges to keep it from fraying.<em> This step is not optional</em>. If you don't, the ribbons will fray after multiple washing and will come unraveled from the seam. So please just find a candle and melt the edges.<br />
<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDa6oHJdoUyUFTo7YVTuLBkB-uYgf7MS-qiWA5ok_oQr4GB-OoHWB0iG1WNWS3-SJX-tZzW-Iqv-TGtnv7kOe1Ah6ToU-QYBYVgpim5Ncpu5W7jVmPhL2huM1e94rJJNVu9zvOowB-OE/s1600/Taggie+4+piles+of+ribbon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649466109089874338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDa6oHJdoUyUFTo7YVTuLBkB-uYgf7MS-qiWA5ok_oQr4GB-OoHWB0iG1WNWS3-SJX-tZzW-Iqv-TGtnv7kOe1Ah6ToU-QYBYVgpim5Ncpu5W7jVmPhL2huM1e94rJJNVu9zvOowB-OE/s320/Taggie+4+piles+of+ribbon.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Divide into 4 equal piles.<br />
<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649467292450467490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekk5vVSOHbfD2l_e9y4LMaZ7b6rMHYy2BrxcMpv2SrKe1H8zt-prZ_lwpwUNRnENPTK0V0Rh4RapBQSpdtFpXcJaLs4sf7cuBlK184XZvweloWjl6b_ZlGXPee23uRByaGxrNqrl6E-Q/s320/Taggie+Layout+Ribbon.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
Select a pile and layout along the side. Make sure you leave 1" on both ends for seam allowance. This is the best way I've found to keep from repeating a pattern around the sides with the ribbon, unless that's what you're going for. Take a second and make your spacing even and spread out the colors. Once you've found a layout you like, fold each ribbon in half, lay on material with the fold facing inward and edges on the edge. You can stagger the length of the tags, but don't lay them more than a 1/4" in. Or they won't get caught in the seam. </div><br />
<div>Do this for all four sides and you'll end up with something like this:<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWC5c8YI4SKVJdTtESW2Aon5bRMnxA2-iicYi6L-W3FB2FEKvfUYokHMy6x4pv2VOcXhVUnL1dmA4VO8bzncBICkEgm3m5EwBTUGoW5WBghLnbbXCCfWCG9I7Mya_qrieRFgPZod1_z8/s1600/Taggie+All+ribbon+pinned.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649465727819783826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWC5c8YI4SKVJdTtESW2Aon5bRMnxA2-iicYi6L-W3FB2FEKvfUYokHMy6x4pv2VOcXhVUnL1dmA4VO8bzncBICkEgm3m5EwBTUGoW5WBghLnbbXCCfWCG9I7Mya_qrieRFgPZod1_z8/s320/Taggie+All+ribbon+pinned.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Now it's time to sew:<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nPfVAyf4Oj_GWkLaNi8ppY4VNc4b-cGl5VHT8Ko5rvgim7Au_W1fu2OsE70LIYldKq2pBlQA2Ii7HOEz-VHQoagWctjjJg-26iyJPgtIpXoTQuVrbKC6R9PdreIy8IW88uDj696YDT4/s1600/Taggie+Sew+on+Ribbon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649465724586373730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nPfVAyf4Oj_GWkLaNi8ppY4VNc4b-cGl5VHT8Ko5rvgim7Au_W1fu2OsE70LIYldKq2pBlQA2Ii7HOEz-VHQoagWctjjJg-26iyJPgtIpXoTQuVrbKC6R9PdreIy8IW88uDj696YDT4/s320/Taggie+Sew+on+Ribbon.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew over one ribbon, back stitch the entire ribbon, then sew over again. Do every ribbon this way to ensure they are sewn on well. Because these are going to be chewed on by little babies. And your heart would break if they were to tug one out.</div><div><br />
Once you've done all the ribbon, lay flat, making sure all ribbon is laying properly. Take a second and pin the two ribbons closest to the corner together. This will keep them from getting caught in the seam. You can thank me later for saving you from having to un-pick and re-sew. You're welcome.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-3iulh0mn_WTOxVQCji66O_a0GBuXH0RsBEoXCV2YjdZOlr_cySWpROoPS28eWq2bx8-F6FjFR7YRDZ89yqTglVEW1LwB8NAGlsrEYViWWoBkImEW3QDyGjfnuXuKCN0rCKpfieUukk/s1600/Taggie+Pin+Right+Sides+together.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649465718401323362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-3iulh0mn_WTOxVQCji66O_a0GBuXH0RsBEoXCV2YjdZOlr_cySWpROoPS28eWq2bx8-F6FjFR7YRDZ89yqTglVEW1LwB8NAGlsrEYViWWoBkImEW3QDyGjfnuXuKCN0rCKpfieUukk/s320/Taggie+Pin+Right+Sides+together.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Take your fuzzy material and place it on top of the flannel, putting right sides together. Make sure all sides are flush.<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbC4f8TvfNbSG1silLjDWizP2B_bUyKFSFcSFWz0luCtzN5SBM2TtkJuw1-_JPiXZpvsAogQsNGnBuTVBF5ugwomAdY7eGvPWjg11qo2ofiObF_-WX8dzXTfMAvfz_qER59PjHDYIApY/s1600/Taggie+Leave+opening+while+pinning.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649465716179584114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbC4f8TvfNbSG1silLjDWizP2B_bUyKFSFcSFWz0luCtzN5SBM2TtkJuw1-_JPiXZpvsAogQsNGnBuTVBF5ugwomAdY7eGvPWjg11qo2ofiObF_-WX8dzXTfMAvfz_qER59PjHDYIApY/s320/Taggie+Leave+opening+while+pinning.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> Then pin around edges, leaving a 3"-4" opening for turning.<br />
<br />
Sew around the edge, this time using a 1/2" seam allowance. Clip Corners and turn inside out. Press edges and pin shut the opening. Then sew twice around the edges using a 1/4" seam allowance. </div><br />
Now step back and admire your work! Isn't it adorable?!<br />
<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NKIL4iXMxnPYLreD1e0Qqp0-NQQkgPWE77Owhtkeasp1wLqRKsAOmj79gVfxxgTdR7jYDC3LYGfcOtW4EIBfTHgrKdgllNwOHkTbEJV3dmvzSheP2ah5mGRO-m4xcKbZlZ8S5vJqREk/s1600/Taggie+Blanket+Complete.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649465709789040226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NKIL4iXMxnPYLreD1e0Qqp0-NQQkgPWE77Owhtkeasp1wLqRKsAOmj79gVfxxgTdR7jYDC3LYGfcOtW4EIBfTHgrKdgllNwOHkTbEJV3dmvzSheP2ah5mGRO-m4xcKbZlZ8S5vJqREk/s320/Taggie+Blanket+Complete.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> </div><br />
<div><em><span style="font-size: 85%;">Whew! That was a lot of reading for you. Sorry about that. I tend to ramble. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments and I'll answer as quickly as I can </span></em><br />
<br />
</div><div><em>~Janice</em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />
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<img src="http://projectqueen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dauntingdoablebutton2mini.png" /></a>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-6977863270486741232011-09-03T19:16:00.001-05:002011-10-01T23:01:13.701-05:00When the Laptop dies....<strong>so does the blog....</strong> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;">I suppose I could have used Don's computer, but I've got to be totally honest, I probably would have killed it too. And that would not have been good. So I decided to just wait. And wait. And WAIT. All spring. And summer. And now that school's started, Best Buy finally decided to run some half decent deals on laptops. So BOO-YA! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;">So here I am. Writing my excuse letter to the teacher/reader:</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 130%;"><em>Dear Reader:</em></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 130%;"><em>Please excuse Janice on her excessive absence. Her laptop died and it took her a long time to get over it's demise and find a suitable replacement. Please forgive her for not posting all summer. But please note- great things are expected this fall. Because October is Janice's favorite month and Halloween is the best holiday ever. So please stick around. For her sake.</em></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 130%;"><em>Thank you</em></span>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-46487239925647053652011-02-28T09:58:00.001-06:002011-10-01T23:02:21.039-05:00Always in Transition<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMskXR5KD7Nyd77xFkyBdlch9FuE91Ls1SQMn6PMLe6Z_WuUuHdZ5Dw-nfu04hhb2Bv_MfDFV5TfbYvLG4_C3woJf4vBCVTk5GzFS1I-I5PhsQrSJ_mXgwabQI7_vLplI8IWwceU12LNY/s1600/Lucky+Mantle.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578770663481789666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMskXR5KD7Nyd77xFkyBdlch9FuE91Ls1SQMn6PMLe6Z_WuUuHdZ5Dw-nfu04hhb2Bv_MfDFV5TfbYvLG4_C3woJf4vBCVTk5GzFS1I-I5PhsQrSJ_mXgwabQI7_vLplI8IWwceU12LNY/s320/Lucky+Mantle.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 200px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div align="left">Doesn't it always seem that life is just one transition after another? I'd have sworn that we just had Halloween because life has just gone by that quickly!</div><div align="left">I just had to put this out there to show you that, at least in my world, things get done when they can and never all at once. So, here is the current state of my mantle. Much better than it has been the last week and a half when the "Lucky" was on one side while everything else was still Valentine's Day. It was so mismatched that Don even noticed and commented! At least I took the Valentine's Day decor down (though they have yet to wander into the attic by themselves.... stupid decorations).</div><div align="left">I'll be back later this week with my banner and pillows. Until then, I hope you enjoy my transition...</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pJxAhEUI859Z-IaVvdYuUJVbxOmM2RYnpLFGHKwI51r0yaafzgoAWZkaJ20u90wE1NLocaz5qS6UiuuaktMHmy7UdH-WWnIFLDqSm-OisLbBVigro8wY9z5L0i2n6hq8gC-gzWoYysc/s1600/Shamrock+Art.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578770665142364530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pJxAhEUI859Z-IaVvdYuUJVbxOmM2RYnpLFGHKwI51r0yaafzgoAWZkaJ20u90wE1NLocaz5qS6UiuuaktMHmy7UdH-WWnIFLDqSm-OisLbBVigro8wY9z5L0i2n6hq8gC-gzWoYysc/s320/Shamrock+Art.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div align="left">~ Janice</div><span style="font-size: 85%;"><em>* In real life my walls are a tea brown, not this crazy pink that keeps showing up. Also, sorry the pics are the greatest. We are under a Tornado Warning and the skies look like they are about to fall, leaving my only source of light the flash. ugh.....</em></span>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-46987038602579635032011-02-27T12:12:00.001-06:002011-10-01T23:02:54.352-05:00Elegant & Easy White Chocolate Fruit Tarts<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUBiEpu0X0TU1bA8NRFHMyzi6YfwjqTRrKBxjk8qYS45kVPl7AJjQIxS4i3Tp-FfP6gVVs5THpD505DHY_SgQBlFX3n5A8QLyug6zIBDH8jDQv088heDpGWPeH1Q9Latw5gs_bVUlV1I/s1600/Finished+Fruit+Tarts+w+Strawberries.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578465997722379666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUBiEpu0X0TU1bA8NRFHMyzi6YfwjqTRrKBxjk8qYS45kVPl7AJjQIxS4i3Tp-FfP6gVVs5THpD505DHY_SgQBlFX3n5A8QLyug6zIBDH8jDQv088heDpGWPeH1Q9Latw5gs_bVUlV1I/s400/Finished+Fruit+Tarts+w+Strawberries.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 268px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>One of my favorite desserts is the fruit tart~ creamy custard with glazed fruit on a sweet dough... <em>Heavenly!</em> The only problem is they are super expensive at the bakery, not much less at the grocery store, and a pain to make at home (that is, if you can get the custard and/or glaze to set and be pretty, which I have never. ever. done. Mine don't even look edible. UGH!) <br />
So I went on with my life, unable to make pretty pastries and unwilling to shell out some major dough for such a little indulgence until one day....<br />
<div><div><div><div><div><div><br />
Enter in a Pampered Chef Party. I won't go into the details, but I left with a killer recipe for quick and easy, not to mention insanely yummy, fruit tarts. The recipe was meant to be for some sort of dessert cups, but I've tweaked it just a little to make fruit tarts instead. Did I mention they are no bake and only take about 20-25 minutes?</div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div>Now are you ready to whip up some tarts? </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Here's what you'll need:</div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div>Small box Instant Jello Pudding- White Chocolate Flavor</div><div>1 Cup Milk</div><div>1 cup chocolate chips (I like minis because they melt better)</div><div>1 cup White Chocolate Chips</div><div>8 oz Cool Whip</div><div>2 boxes Mini Fillo Cups</div><div>Fresh Fruit (my family like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries or pineapple)</div><div>Sliced Almonds</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinibL3EaimBQOJQ23K-YryvgVmmscjUyA5q4VVGdLyXSZG4NxkqgqVyGbRNg0oYI6FBJpQkjvaPI3pEEtHqxdDK3WT7fEMvYeytDA009feeztgHp2hpnXV_4TxQJVvR7IsFk8RDr94dL4/s1600/Mixing+Tart+Filling.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJX2C7kiHCMKSQlFJCKIHzbaFR069-8WIqD4qn1usA2KFpaFcc5dHHyQ3OS7ChThDb6XbrfrkAnFH44U2GsiLFTyMeJXO1VFkfFz2AKTJF2vBZKNQ2l_ea8bOPu_wef4AtO_dBRAJcuY/s1600/Ingredients+for+Fruit+Tarts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462103513607090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJX2C7kiHCMKSQlFJCKIHzbaFR069-8WIqD4qn1usA2KFpaFcc5dHHyQ3OS7ChThDb6XbrfrkAnFH44U2GsiLFTyMeJXO1VFkfFz2AKTJF2vBZKNQ2l_ea8bOPu_wef4AtO_dBRAJcuY/s320/Ingredients+for+Fruit+Tarts.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div>First, you are going to melt the chocolate chips. To do that, you take about a cup of chocolate chips and dump them into a Ziploc bag and place them in the microwave unsealed for 1 min on 50% power. After they are warm, pick up the bag and mash them around to mix up the chocolate. If they are not smooth and melted, continue melting in increments of 20 seconds on 50% power until the chocolate in the baggie is smooth.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Next, take the Fillo Cups out of the box but <strong>leaving them in the tray</strong>, making sure none are broken or have little pieces inside them. Now you are going to pipe the chocolate into the Fillo Cups. It's not as hard as it sounds. Just seal the bag, making sure there is no air in it, then snip off the tiny corner of the baggie and hold tightly. When you squeeze, the chocolate will go out the hole and into the pastry. Easy-peasy. Do all 30 tarts.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7vVYvhkoV2T9rq36VlzYcU785_8YKfUgC_3uxRKYSfZJN9At80lugcYAHIo5dpDpicwQTsBJmOwn0y-yGZZPZ7ooFI2qS6QURz1jhfH-krCJpkaVpuJC0HEJs0wrm7c8PXkCUJr-HYo/s1600/Piping+chocolate+into+tarts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462310996017378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7vVYvhkoV2T9rq36VlzYcU785_8YKfUgC_3uxRKYSfZJN9At80lugcYAHIo5dpDpicwQTsBJmOwn0y-yGZZPZ7ooFI2qS6QURz1jhfH-krCJpkaVpuJC0HEJs0wrm7c8PXkCUJr-HYo/s320/Piping+chocolate+into+tarts.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 214px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bGx8ESqE0mTuZ6mYr41TG1cj3NJ9rdzwE_ZL1fU3wGPzTskHRCKQfiSt1osVSr06s_lHk_ZElP9RxUBGSCA_Hra46vZtuGsXa8AsJRzHQETGLROJ6LLbfrTGoxKZioyCRtYf9-4SMj4/s1600/Chocolate+filled+shells.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462101469023058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bGx8ESqE0mTuZ6mYr41TG1cj3NJ9rdzwE_ZL1fU3wGPzTskHRCKQfiSt1osVSr06s_lHk_ZElP9RxUBGSCA_Hra46vZtuGsXa8AsJRzHQETGLROJ6LLbfrTGoxKZioyCRtYf9-4SMj4/s320/Chocolate+filled+shells.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a> </div><div>Now for the filling. In a small mixing bowl, pour in a cup of white chocolate chips. You are going to melt these the same way as the other chips, but instead of squishing them around, your are going to stir them (probably because you can't squish glass). Get them all smooth and yummy. Put aside for just a second. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup cold milk and the package of instant jello pudding for about a minute until the pudding sets. Then mix in the melted white chocolate chips and try not to eat it (because at this stage, it's really concentrated white chocolate... sooooo yummy). Once they are well mixed, you are going to add the 8 oz tub of Cool Whip. Fold in until well mixed. </div><div><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTRjYaGG5vNgNKu_J-_uDYrIQ__Np27DxPCfRskGD9lHiN3ywEEcJ0RqC4kCJ5eWlxiGvFznDiiRA-EbowJgHcF_mXoY3Mdbz0BuCvuIZD7lykP2j0UX2Ac6DD5oR3OCn-2HAd4hyphenhyphenGhI/s1600/Mixing+Chocolate+and+Pudding.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462111255646722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTRjYaGG5vNgNKu_J-_uDYrIQ__Np27DxPCfRskGD9lHiN3ywEEcJ0RqC4kCJ5eWlxiGvFznDiiRA-EbowJgHcF_mXoY3Mdbz0BuCvuIZD7lykP2j0UX2Ac6DD5oR3OCn-2HAd4hyphenhyphenGhI/s320/Mixing+Chocolate+and+Pudding.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinibL3EaimBQOJQ23K-YryvgVmmscjUyA5q4VVGdLyXSZG4NxkqgqVyGbRNg0oYI6FBJpQkjvaPI3pEEtHqxdDK3WT7fEMvYeytDA009feeztgHp2hpnXV_4TxQJVvR7IsFk8RDr94dL4/s1600/Mixing+Tart+Filling.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462115554686818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinibL3EaimBQOJQ23K-YryvgVmmscjUyA5q4VVGdLyXSZG4NxkqgqVyGbRNg0oYI6FBJpQkjvaPI3pEEtHqxdDK3WT7fEMvYeytDA009feeztgHp2hpnXV_4TxQJVvR7IsFk8RDr94dL4/s320/Mixing+Tart+Filling.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div>Now we have to pipe the filling into the cups. This is where I like to pretend I'm a pastry chef at a 5 star restaurant, making decadent desserts for fancy people. <em><span style="font-size: 85%;">Hey- we all have our dreams!</span></em> Anyway, to pipe the filling, you need to transfer the mixture into a large Ziploc bag, pressing all of the air out and sealing closed. Snip off one corner to make a medium sized hole (I usually start small and test the size of the piping on a plate. If it's too small, cut off a little more until it seems right). Now it's time to pipe! I like the look of swirls, so I make circle around the bottom of the cup and continue in a circular direction until it forms a peak. To make the cute mountain tops, you stop squeezing, and gently push down into the mountain and pull up quickly. It will form the stiffened peak this way. If you're not comfortable doing this, just practice in a mini-muffin cup until you feel comfortable. And remember, if it doesn't look right, just scoop it up with a spoon and put it back in the piping bag and reuse! </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAyJS_6OmvMy62Wo4xZKJ_ROmc7febP2YdTQIhn0dLVFWkw4Q0kGiC10vtArcCh-XVNgMS5sZPPnFZtRH60V61TJq3McUYmBPulnuydAsxpJQm0wu8v72cMykT2yLZaKZzKR5TfoIwMk/s1600/Piping+Tart+Filling.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462310052119746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAyJS_6OmvMy62Wo4xZKJ_ROmc7febP2YdTQIhn0dLVFWkw4Q0kGiC10vtArcCh-XVNgMS5sZPPnFZtRH60V61TJq3McUYmBPulnuydAsxpJQm0wu8v72cMykT2yLZaKZzKR5TfoIwMk/s320/Piping+Tart+Filling.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 214px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB1IBKvzFj06FJy7Trh_8sx4NqALbfuMCBDFTQdw17Wf3AL9uP-xN9NNLQXLvhdnpIeEOjrsXvhBjMIINXaf0y2eu-pHaeEnTwif6-3o0usyp5hMFBnke_FkKoN5T1HnolmiPtDdj29E/s1600/Piped+Fillings+in+Tarts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462305125999618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB1IBKvzFj06FJy7Trh_8sx4NqALbfuMCBDFTQdw17Wf3AL9uP-xN9NNLQXLvhdnpIeEOjrsXvhBjMIINXaf0y2eu-pHaeEnTwif6-3o0usyp5hMFBnke_FkKoN5T1HnolmiPtDdj29E/s320/Piped+Fillings+in+Tarts.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div>Now that all of the tarts are filled, lets decorate! Using strawberries or pineapples, place them the back. Then place the other berries lower in the front so you can see all the prettiness there is. Doesn't it look delicious?!?</div><div><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxGf0vIuWxKcwkWVp8XWYw80rh7rIfpTPR9-EO-WcQPgwpP5ccbk7yY5bXRx78GbJGsrLrsneh8bLQomwkAn3A5aVhrXgyeXxF_OK_QMwJhcpmLQStMQ1Z6qRGWtTqNAkPR_Wi95krk0/s1600/Placing+Pineapple+in+filling.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462316356665954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxGf0vIuWxKcwkWVp8XWYw80rh7rIfpTPR9-EO-WcQPgwpP5ccbk7yY5bXRx78GbJGsrLrsneh8bLQomwkAn3A5aVhrXgyeXxF_OK_QMwJhcpmLQStMQ1Z6qRGWtTqNAkPR_Wi95krk0/s320/Placing+Pineapple+in+filling.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj38qovt9zfndKBbOw89n__r6UH4g_mJRQMX6Xoij1XYS4KCWhxp6ZJmYvvb-l33zcJOhce4mvGtNPsyg9ccwJmRz9wXuOSiX9bYmMrCVuaOngf6TTzqzAji8MwsG1qGBmkhUhMkHsEso/s1600/Side+by+side+in+tray+finished+tarts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462325604576386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj38qovt9zfndKBbOw89n__r6UH4g_mJRQMX6Xoij1XYS4KCWhxp6ZJmYvvb-l33zcJOhce4mvGtNPsyg9ccwJmRz9wXuOSiX9bYmMrCVuaOngf6TTzqzAji8MwsG1qGBmkhUhMkHsEso/s320/Side+by+side+in+tray+finished+tarts.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div align="left">But we're not done yet. Just one more step and you'll have the most desired dessert at the party. All that's left is to toast the sliced almonds. To do this, just heat up a frying pan, dump in about 1/3 cup sliced almonds and continually stir until they start to turn a golden brown, between 2-4 minutes. Once the majority get the golden color, transfer to a small bowl and crush them. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKODiAhlcpE0_hc7egMLODkHQwMJRWSJK8vzN5L15n8ruHO6RvePHCXzGV9HcDj7IAY1QFmRgRl0dP0hnScpWM8Czrb8rNp7UEWL323d1AlgeWN-iVWVbB5lszi8CpKMcdTpcc5kPLQtM/s1600/Toasted+Almonds.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462407367767362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKODiAhlcpE0_hc7egMLODkHQwMJRWSJK8vzN5L15n8ruHO6RvePHCXzGV9HcDj7IAY1QFmRgRl0dP0hnScpWM8Czrb8rNp7UEWL323d1AlgeWN-iVWVbB5lszi8CpKMcdTpcc5kPLQtM/s320/Toasted+Almonds.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div>Then sprinkle on top of the tarts and bask in their glory because you are DONE!</div><div></div><div><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiNj1YHnDb0ioC2D6lONwMZqtYj3pJmUThaRkTkPa3orZc7-85agjAS3w0lt95OlftQ-4eCGDsN-x5ifAdYFGMjeG46puozZqKWh-4a6NzdwFXQtC76qC2Ng3VA82pDUxD8FydXddPbM/s1600/Finished+Fruit+Tarts+w+Strawberries.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578462099011372114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiNj1YHnDb0ioC2D6lONwMZqtYj3pJmUThaRkTkPa3orZc7-85agjAS3w0lt95OlftQ-4eCGDsN-x5ifAdYFGMjeG46puozZqKWh-4a6NzdwFXQtC76qC2Ng3VA82pDUxD8FydXddPbM/s320/Finished+Fruit+Tarts+w+Strawberries.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div>Now go make some!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Hope you enjoy them, because I LOVE them!</div><div>~ Janice</div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div><em>* Just an FYI: It took longer to type this tutorial up then it did to make the tarts, darn it!! </em></div></div></div></div></div></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-50720507201551821502011-02-14T10:39:00.001-06:002011-10-01T23:03:49.800-05:00Just a Little Love for Valentine's Day<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDMJ4eoT3r97dedGmb5MugnTUbCWB9w8j0gTDLgUuGv3WxHdDQJ_VrC7YWE0XHfjzdq9VlNmRx0sMG6Ylr9qAqLU9SeIL3USRiFJwdqtmH_Oy-NjZ3bmyrflxxc8wDof913X9asbIUAQ/s1600/Love+Pillows.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573599654365170866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDMJ4eoT3r97dedGmb5MugnTUbCWB9w8j0gTDLgUuGv3WxHdDQJ_VrC7YWE0XHfjzdq9VlNmRx0sMG6Ylr9qAqLU9SeIL3USRiFJwdqtmH_Oy-NjZ3bmyrflxxc8wDof913X9asbIUAQ/s320/Love+Pillows.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 192px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: 180%;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></span></strong><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know about you, but I have just a little obsession with the day of love.... I think it goes back to when I was in Kindergarten and received my first Valentine from Zack. He was my first crush, and it made me feel like the most special girl in the class because<span style="font-size: 130%;"> <strong>HE gave ME</strong></span> a box of lifesavers that said "Be Mine". <em><strong>~Swoon~</strong></em> Yes, I realized he gave every other kid in my class the exact same thing, but it started my obsession with letting people know exactly how I feel about them.<br />
<br />
Now that I have kids of my own, I try to make Valentine's Day about the love that their father and I have for them. They are my little Valentines <em><span style="font-size: 85%;">(and much, much cuter than Zack might I add).</span></em> So when it comes time to put away the Christmas decorations, I go right for the mushy-lovey decorations. It about kills Don. every. time. <em><span style="font-size: 85%;">(He's kind of a sporty man- and he doesn't think that Ranger's Hockey and pink hearts mix).</span></em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Soooo</span>, I really try to make it cozy, but not go overboard on the romantic look.<br />
<br />
So, without further ramblings, here's what my living room currently looks like:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yyRe8yYD-zXRbC2xS4oO_b71vWQrjT6o7ZCShhHyMA-Yfi0E_D6gFirgwDlZZI6ivuj-EjeJfBuKWt8J1LuFg10kqbDfn2DmuvW0WWSHL0hpBmUx8MncmLSNuBPzQKMx46Eb2crYEHc/s1600/Valentine+Frames.jpg"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573586385053271314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yyRe8yYD-zXRbC2xS4oO_b71vWQrjT6o7ZCShhHyMA-Yfi0E_D6gFirgwDlZZI6ivuj-EjeJfBuKWt8J1LuFg10kqbDfn2DmuvW0WWSHL0hpBmUx8MncmLSNuBPzQKMx46Eb2crYEHc/s320/Valentine+Frames.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A little specimen art <em><span style="font-size: 85%;">(every one's doing it)</span></em> and an embroidered love note <em><span style="font-size: 85%;">(great tutorial from </span></em></span><a href="http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2011/01/embroidered-love-notes.html"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 85%;"><em>Smashed Peas & Carrots</em></span></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 85%;"><em>)</em></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4VaVvKwGQCluUmKsvjRlqEl4wO9bixVfdd8YQYefORgn_CPe2WgLrWLLBxaENXURwYTxWq1quvW6WQSlR1k2Fp5pS-DtWEFdIOBjDsTqVClimQvIcs188fK_dHm9QQCVYFnfgq6cu7k/s1600/Valentine+LOVE.jpg"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573586382780214306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4VaVvKwGQCluUmKsvjRlqEl4wO9bixVfdd8YQYefORgn_CPe2WgLrWLLBxaENXURwYTxWq1quvW6WQSlR1k2Fp5pS-DtWEFdIOBjDsTqVClimQvIcs188fK_dHm9QQCVYFnfgq6cu7k/s320/Valentine+LOVE.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just a little LOVE- made with paper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mache</span> letters and left over Christmas wrapping paper </span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxosYcf7TmalnxhR4O3uuhqOsIbtlCQIjKFa2tLV-b3rZyZz7NDftlSKuq2F43XkO6PUXmvdMopt_eSkckOb1mONoAqw8_dIeBBZ0WbX_QhBgRdY1KvZ14hlq-SajM8FHUXUMXmbtD-g/s1600/Valentine+Mantle+2.jpg"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573586373979253538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxosYcf7TmalnxhR4O3uuhqOsIbtlCQIjKFa2tLV-b3rZyZz7NDftlSKuq2F43XkO6PUXmvdMopt_eSkckOb1mONoAqw8_dIeBBZ0WbX_QhBgRdY1KvZ14hlq-SajM8FHUXUMXmbtD-g/s320/Valentine+Mantle+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 277px; width: 320px;" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My entire mantle: The Be Mine Banner is inspired my so many I've seen linked to nearly every Valentine's Post <span style="font-size: 85%;"><em>(mine is a little incomplete. I've still got the stitching to do around the letters but I needed it up for a party and just haven't gotten around to fixing it yet).</em></span></span></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxdZEEWbvB7uCpBDCf1A-CFGSjkewPIqLz_F-4NOWGl2bS1E1c5MKNCq8z4rTjDanVt4PxTB0b8acFZvV7wFIViX54TwNk_zWgPZ3aZZkDlCIf0SRLIHzj7Vt8wik4eHFHAOnRT8TLVc/s1600/Valentine+Pillows+B%2526W.jpg"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573586368888499954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxdZEEWbvB7uCpBDCf1A-CFGSjkewPIqLz_F-4NOWGl2bS1E1c5MKNCq8z4rTjDanVt4PxTB0b8acFZvV7wFIViX54TwNk_zWgPZ3aZZkDlCIf0SRLIHzj7Vt8wik4eHFHAOnRT8TLVc/s320/Valentine+Pillows+B%2526W.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lastly, my favorite: I LOVE Pillows! All of the pillows were super simple to make, and since they are made with an opening in the back, they are even easier to change out for the next holiday. Watch for a tutorial coming soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;">May your day be filled with the love of family and friends!<br />
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~ Janice </span>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8982213344681843359.post-26299315809462090282011-02-12T17:16:00.002-06:002011-10-01T23:05:03.321-05:00The Beginning of Something Exciting<span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana;">Really?! Did I really just start a blog?!?!</span></strong> </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 85%;">(insert squeals of joy and screams of terror here) </span></em><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Seeing as I'm new to this block of the blogosphere, let me introduce myself:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">The name is Janice. My loveys call me Jan-Michael, Pookie, or Jan-nie. Those loveys consist of my wonderful husband Don, my four crazy boys Bubba (9), Big D (7), N-dog (3), Mr. E (2), and such a large extended family that it would take me an extremely long paragraph and at least a month to come up with cleaver nicknames for them all. In the BC (before children), I was a mad-scientist, a.k.a. middle school science teacher, but left the wonderful world of teaching to stay at home. And where is home you may ask? I'll be blogging from the hills of Tennessee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Now you may be wondering why I started this little blog... it's really a long, drawn out story, but I'll give you the sweetened, condensed version: I love to make things. Lots of things. Crazy things. It's gotten to the point that my friends and family have told me that I need to start a blog to teach them how to do what I'm doing. So even if no one other than my family and friends check out this little blog, I'll still feel success at being able to teach something to someone.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Despite my immense fear of failure and feeling like I'm going to be the laughing stock of blogland, I'm determined to make my way in this little bit of the blogosphere. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So while my first post may not be about my great new idea or that awesome new must do sewing project, I hope you'll stick around to see what I have planned for my fun new endeavor, Tiddly Winks and Moon Pies.</span></div><div></div><div></div><div>~ Janice</div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />
</span></div><div><em><span style="font-family: arial;">Wow! Glad that post is out of the way! Now we can get to the fun stuff!!</span></em></div></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166087243986837253noreply@blogger.com0