tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327327972024-03-03T00:21:01.635-08:00Handmade PrettiesHandmade Pretties is an independent line of toys, pillows, clothing, stockings, and accessories featuring do it yourself projects and other features.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-42742878069831502172015-06-03T20:10:00.000-07:002015-06-03T20:11:41.723-07:00The Finish Line!<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/AVvXsEgf4vVCNOQzneYyVIzTv95D0845ZFYhoDqv71cHDeXpWisdLIpULP3wvcPEv0ZDEZlgaWNC5J13QMPgFQQXHZnBq38kWJwhPcIXu7RT_rJfIo2l8jLWKqzbtJpjmV_BYfrgwAuL/s1600/lucky.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4vVCNOQzneYyVIzTv95D0845ZFYhoDqv71cHDeXpWisdLIpULP3wvcPEv0ZDEZlgaWNC5J13QMPgFQQXHZnBq38kWJwhPcIXu7RT_rJfIo2l8jLWKqzbtJpjmV_BYfrgwAuL/s320/lucky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, I just feel lucky. </td></tr>
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Well, tomorrow is the big day for my final breast reconstruction. For those of you who have stumbled on this blog, I had breast cancer, they managed to suck out every single morsel of cancer in my biopsy, and then when they cut off my boobs, the techs were like "Hey? Why'd this lady have her boobs cut off?" Okay, it was significantly more professional than that. You might ask, "so, do you regret having your boobs cut off when you could have just gone for the lumpectomy?" NOPE. <br />
<br />
Those bitches were ticking time bombs (see my previous post if you want
to argue with me). Not to mention, my nipple was going regardless, so
why leave one rotten tomato when I could just get rid of both. Matching
set right? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsOqTWxQc9AV2rntildgetSOuxCq_g2viwEqqlntMdo1ggZWHPn9On_Z2QMawXAMMM1jYRoiX3uX9_VqUbO8HHHLJXrD5VP_vONhVM6QQs8Q2569eE4nAMvy_TRF-2TobjoYd/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsOqTWxQc9AV2rntildgetSOuxCq_g2viwEqqlntMdo1ggZWHPn9On_Z2QMawXAMMM1jYRoiX3uX9_VqUbO8HHHLJXrD5VP_vONhVM6QQs8Q2569eE4nAMvy_TRF-2TobjoYd/s320/before.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The night before my surgery with my dad and sister. <br />
Kelly just had HER boobs cut off too. All the Newsom girls are doing it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a74zQ58lhb_bLnFchvMQ-nUwCsw2uezC23Mlq2TM54Qdk9kT23-FTeupHfHzS9YUv5DbTNwwwEgPXlAN1IbMSOti9LdLhr3bk3Yh5-dARP8wmAntbS9mdeEl7LKNYXFtU-tJ/s1600/IMG_8146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a74zQ58lhb_bLnFchvMQ-nUwCsw2uezC23Mlq2TM54Qdk9kT23-FTeupHfHzS9YUv5DbTNwwwEgPXlAN1IbMSOti9LdLhr3bk3Yh5-dARP8wmAntbS9mdeEl7LKNYXFtU-tJ/s320/IMG_8146.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting and waiting and waiting at the hospital. To be honest, <br />
I had a good time, except for the crippling hunger and the fact that <br />
they wouldn't let me wear underwear. <br />
P.S. I'm not wearing underwear in this photo.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpQJGtMIBj990zD9jRVZFBXHeuvNVZCQVGgDQku2feAGFBwno5RlIEVJDsnzrXUSrMd5js6kKA5lCclXrxSw1WpzXFKSCwkllEzGl3RIKewxzVtXC_Bjp8-Fatrpm3EvFEd3D/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpQJGtMIBj990zD9jRVZFBXHeuvNVZCQVGgDQku2feAGFBwno5RlIEVJDsnzrXUSrMd5js6kKA5lCclXrxSw1WpzXFKSCwkllEzGl3RIKewxzVtXC_Bjp8-Fatrpm3EvFEd3D/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the hospital. I did two miles around the hallway <br />
before they finally kicked me out. Also, notice my <br />
adorable little ballerina boobies. </td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo-3lNuzmaFZbiVtHdHy8BdAPur7H4sSJVcmW3rC5IwD9BH-jDeKI6SC8SuisZrlW0vU3JkbR8qygR-moHUilY3uHjVZRqVk20goBc96PS-eTmKucXzN_R7jOh9DN6mu_naWe/s1600/tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo-3lNuzmaFZbiVtHdHy8BdAPur7H4sSJVcmW3rC5IwD9BH-jDeKI6SC8SuisZrlW0vU3JkbR8qygR-moHUilY3uHjVZRqVk20goBc96PS-eTmKucXzN_R7jOh9DN6mu_naWe/s320/tubes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God damn drain tubes. </td></tr>
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<br />
Tomorrow around 11-ish, I report to the surgery center to have these ridiculously uncomfortable tissue expanders removed from under my pecs and replaced with heavenly squishy soft silicone boobies. I try not to complain a lot about them, but since they are leaving tomorrow, let me take a second to tell you how I really feel. When they placed the tissue expanders under my pecs, I assume they thought I wanted the worlds biggest boobs, because these stupid things are roomy. And by roomy I mean they are entirely too big for the tiny space they shoved them in, not to mention they can go up to 700cc each! I can feel their edges, their weird plastic-y edges. It's creepy. When I run, they gurgle. It feels like I have phlegm rattling in my lungs when in reality, it's saline sloshing around in my breast mounds - that's what they call them, breast mounds. They currently contain about 350cc of fluid each. When I run, my pecs tighten (because apparently I flex them constantly) and it makes it extremely difficult to push those water bags in and out. I can swim about two laps before I am gasping for air because I can't take a full breath when my arms are extended while swimming; ironically, I can breast stroke fine. After running or swimming or actually even wearing clothes all day, my skin is so tender it feels like it is simultaneously being burned and twisted. There are these one inch metal discs on the front of them into which the doctor would stab a giant needle to inject more saline, which feel like they are slowly pushing their way through the muscle to the surface. All of the running and swimming and lifting I have been doing has woken the muscle and skin over the front of my previously numb breast mound which really just means it whines and hurts all of the time. And to be honest perfectly honest, my boob things sort of look like poofy hamburger buns right now, but those hamburger bun boob things don't have cancer. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GaRlSOvHFLx4j4NujgIQKzMdjaRJVcdBlWZ3Czdzvmw2ftaeR28i9enqXgX1h9BVjb0L7c4dEIRXWN4dZX68Xdei_XhB3RCiFDMjafI2KqzbGHrDxr0_51fhkpcJBwofTo6w/s1600/saline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GaRlSOvHFLx4j4NujgIQKzMdjaRJVcdBlWZ3Czdzvmw2ftaeR28i9enqXgX1h9BVjb0L7c4dEIRXWN4dZX68Xdei_XhB3RCiFDMjafI2KqzbGHrDxr0_51fhkpcJBwofTo6w/s320/saline.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">60CC all around! They fill them 60CC each at a time. </td></tr>
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When I was diagnosed, in addition to feeling terrified and worried, I was really pissed. Not at the world, not at any one specific deity for throwing me this curve ball, but at the fact that this dumb cancer was going to get in my way. My husband can vouch for the fact that I HATE it when people slow me down. My way to deal with that was to do all of the things I had planned to do anyway. One of those things was to run Dam to Dam again this year. Last year I ran it three months after my shoulder surgery. I trained for weeks strapping my gimpy arm tightly into a sling while I ran mile after mile. Last year I ran it in 2:30, just so you aren't too impressed, its a HALF marathon, the fastest guy finished in 1:07, but I felt AWESOME about that time. In October, I ran the Des Moines Half and shaved another 10 minutes off my time (2:20:52). Going into this spring, I had every intention to run Dam to Dam and to set another PR doing it, and then they found the cancer.<br />
<br />
So I decided to run it anyway. My initial surgery was February 12th. I had a bilateral mastectomy with primary rebuild; they cut off both my boobs and shoved some fancy painful baggies under my pecs. I was told not to run for 6 weeks. SIX WEEKS! So I did everything else I could. I "ran" on the elliptical. I "ran" the bleachers daily for a couple of weeks. I did squats and lunges and frankensteins. I couldn't do arm work aside from stretching, and it hurt like hell to work my abs. When I started back in on my abs, I could barely do five crunches. The surgery strained the tendons that connect my upper abs to my rib cage (or where ever they attach), so I had to take that slow too. I got released a week early from my running hiatus, which was amazing, until I started running again and realized exactly how hard it was. Every time my boob things got filled, it made it even harder to breathe. I finally told them to stop just so I wouldn't have to deal with any more expansions. I'll have a decent B cup when we're all done, and I'm fine with that, my previous DD was just too much anyway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyedRgHc8qeoBj_-jTXbLmnbW_VMjmLIMANwdErAi6g9kvj-xeOu4TDUaPkVc1HNr-enY3kYXU9sWzrcGW3p7uFZYNxJwSPeAEUlUhvKEbdzrR1MeE9RF-e0UUoMbb2rqx0vk/s1600/foottape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyedRgHc8qeoBj_-jTXbLmnbW_VMjmLIMANwdErAi6g9kvj-xeOu4TDUaPkVc1HNr-enY3kYXU9sWzrcGW3p7uFZYNxJwSPeAEUlUhvKEbdzrR1MeE9RF-e0UUoMbb2rqx0vk/s320/foottape.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close to perfect tape job. I used less white tape for the final round, <br />
it gets hot having your feet taped for two hours!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Training for the race wasn't easy. Every time I added a mile, it felt like I was dying. The other complicating factor was that since I started my new job in October, I've been sitting more, which my butt doesn't like, so I started having serious hip, glute, hamstring, and heel issues. I saw Shane McClinton at Des Moines University's Running Clinic and he helped me determine the source of my issue, and he gave me some exercises and release points to work out the kinks. I also made my desk a standing desk permanently. After figuring out the best foot taping method and working on a faster cadence, I had a couple of decent training runs. But the bad runs were so bad, I really didn't think I could finish Dam to Dam. But I got on the bus anyway (you know, because the bus took me to the dam to start the race).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdkzuz4OyVtGLCAPgzE8t3z4qxPdDUjYXhMdK_pAxVU252COElUn_jjk0PShQSW7DPr6eUtkA0WZSon-_zxpGJPBBwL-wMKr9PH_VGELd7dheXsXR5pd2HSc6kj493g0hGGY-/s1600/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdkzuz4OyVtGLCAPgzE8t3z4qxPdDUjYXhMdK_pAxVU252COElUn_jjk0PShQSW7DPr6eUtkA0WZSon-_zxpGJPBBwL-wMKr9PH_VGELd7dheXsXR5pd2HSc6kj493g0hGGY-/s320/bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buses. In the dark. Because it was <br />
FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bppkmsVOmsGqXNkItVAoet2X3l0OsbPLhI_1g7CorAH_tkREwGB81qaxQyLEdD7SwWlh-PJ0uL-RwoBbVGexgTYBMNATJR8IOMRuGQ55juoTDr8uVxVM3oqXFpkyALIzmJUC/s1600/dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bppkmsVOmsGqXNkItVAoet2X3l0OsbPLhI_1g7CorAH_tkREwGB81qaxQyLEdD7SwWlh-PJ0uL-RwoBbVGexgTYBMNATJR8IOMRuGQ55juoTDr8uVxVM3oqXFpkyALIzmJUC/s320/dam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends Nicole and Stephanie. We are way colder than we look.</td></tr>
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The race was this Saturday. It was great running weather, cool, tail wind, misty rain. The race started out pretty good. The first mile I ran in 10:43. Meh, not TOO bad considering my last training run included a few 13 minute miles. The second mile 10:18. "HOT DAM!" I thought. Third 10:34 Fourth 10:19, the fifth 10:07, the sixth 9:54! And THAT is when I started thinking that MAYBE I COULD get that PR I had planned back in January. I really only flirted with the idea, because I have a tendency to crash hard. But every mile after that was spot on the pace I needed. Somehow I was doing it. My lungs were feeling okay, the gurgling had finally stopped, my hip was loose, my heel felt great, the weather was pleasant. I hit mile 11 and turned into the "whine out loud giant baby" that I always seem to become at mile 11, but I told myself that I could either slow down or just keep going, so I just kept going. The miles after that are a bit of a blur. I did a lot of math just to be sure I always understood that I COULD still walk and beat my previous course time, but really, would I be happy with that when I was SO CLOSE? I remember feeling so happy to turn the corner into downtown, if my glucose deprived brain was doing the math right, I stood a very good chance of at least matching my PR from October. When I saw my husband and my girls, they waved and I turned the corner into the final 200m. They were running alongside me to try to catch me at the finish line. I gave every little bit I had left to push to the finish line. I truly was the robot who not only couldn't feel pain, but also didn't really need oxygen. As I crossed the finishing mat, I stopped my Garmin and looked at it in total shock. It said 2:18:56. 2:18:56!!! The lady at the finish line thought I needed some medical attention, but I pushed past told her I was ok and tried to comprehend that in spite of EVERYTHING I had dealt with in the last three months, all that stupid shit, I finished my race and I beat my best time. I fucking WON. When I finally found Scott and the girls, I was an emotional wreck until my overwhelming desire to drink copious amounts of chocolate milk took over. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNF3c4LgxahAKOD2kg0HsgGI4CYzpybfJq7Xs3NRG2g31z7v3tesmvXKHaRE1w4tpTZFNK3KUImvAKJMWC5IpKNAyIflny0NHR6uMoXcbsj1QcZGlRxqF1Dqiq1sMqJR5s-sr/s1600/during.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNF3c4LgxahAKOD2kg0HsgGI4CYzpybfJq7Xs3NRG2g31z7v3tesmvXKHaRE1w4tpTZFNK3KUImvAKJMWC5IpKNAyIflny0NHR6uMoXcbsj1QcZGlRxqF1Dqiq1sMqJR5s-sr/s320/during.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm DOING IT!!! This was around mile 8. <br />
I had already eaten FOUR energy gels. </td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjZ0Ouo7u6EJC9hp26G28g94d0Jn7VK3yqGA3_DWrYRjuYYBSkDTU0zOt1HIq8BWWNZUEdZVfculLKSrdOJHr70hLbFSkPHsZIHc3_5C7CMstAplnZhEXJbGGOfgUYM2U6rtX/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjZ0Ouo7u6EJC9hp26G28g94d0Jn7VK3yqGA3_DWrYRjuYYBSkDTU0zOt1HIq8BWWNZUEdZVfculLKSrdOJHr70hLbFSkPHsZIHc3_5C7CMstAplnZhEXJbGGOfgUYM2U6rtX/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my happy crying face. My "You Guys! I DID IT!" face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEiTSHnq2GmIPOBaxI_p0ZNZijnjhDh90lyCSlXtJTY7d7jKLunXhuGXdMHOa0xxr6lk-Y4zYTCO_HzW00yosKVhXp2xol0MCfE57X3PgZfMO4U9wjndNmxc1PTDdC9FIhnyp1sn/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSHnq2GmIPOBaxI_p0ZNZijnjhDh90lyCSlXtJTY7d7jKLunXhuGXdMHOa0xxr6lk-Y4zYTCO_HzW00yosKVhXp2xol0MCfE57X3PgZfMO4U9wjndNmxc1PTDdC9FIhnyp1sn/s320/DSC_0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little people. I run so i can be a better mom. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I drank my weight in chocolate milk, took the girls camping with some friends that night (because why the hell not), and dealt with the traditional post Dam to Dam quad soreness. Today I got out and ran a 5k, and specifically to toot my own horn, I ran it 12 seconds faster than my previous best time.<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/AVvXsEhjfyCbAfFuuk0nfUHjNjioI0TavAsy40kSPl2-iuE3b3qTBkrnrGLAR9Gjkk5QlzOmz8KCr1DH6FZCty1XErTAUFaO51lBmkDOflnuEtWvAZcDMb0jzWNfDs0z8QTsRLIpAKws/s1600/camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfyCbAfFuuk0nfUHjNjioI0TavAsy40kSPl2-iuE3b3qTBkrnrGLAR9Gjkk5QlzOmz8KCr1DH6FZCty1XErTAUFaO51lBmkDOflnuEtWvAZcDMb0jzWNfDs0z8QTsRLIpAKws/s320/camping.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See. Camping. We also did hiking. <br />
I hurt like hell the next day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think I am ready for this surgery. I'm glad this time around I only have to take three weeks off (I'll see if I can sweet talk my surgeon down to two...), because frankly, I've got some big goals for this year, you know, like growing my stash of tube tops in time for the state fair, getting my first tattoos - of nipples - on my boob things, and training hard so I can beat the pants off my next race time, because i don't see any reason why I can't run it faster.<br />
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<br />Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-52481695746871387652015-02-09T18:51:00.000-08:002015-02-09T18:51:25.952-08:00A Farewell to BrasSo some of you may know that my little sister was diagnosed with triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma in late October of 2014. She has been amazing through her chemotherapy and her tumor is shrinking nicely. When she was diagnosed, I was encouraged to go get a mammogram, so early this year, I did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyDMykOfkdebOq7m2xw4cyXeiL-j4SkXS-4jjRXaqX-3IFopww-tTFlt7RieHZgVYTRDik0a_JmKkg2fO9CI2aep7i8ljlPJ11f5HOUEHAAAOjLHhQ_IyegkmbWfOEykgvSqT/s1600/1526525_10206096782884368_5202145859363765774_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyDMykOfkdebOq7m2xw4cyXeiL-j4SkXS-4jjRXaqX-3IFopww-tTFlt7RieHZgVYTRDik0a_JmKkg2fO9CI2aep7i8ljlPJ11f5HOUEHAAAOjLHhQ_IyegkmbWfOEykgvSqT/s1600/1526525_10206096782884368_5202145859363765774_n.jpg" height="320" title="" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My baby sister is totally fancy.</td></tr>
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I had my mammogram on a Tuesday in early January. That Wednesday, they called me back for some magnified scans on my left breast. It seemed that there were just a few micro calcifications present, and they wanted a closer look. So I had that done as well. The radiologist who reviewed my magnified scans decided that since my little sister had breast cancer, that they would go ahead an biopsy the spot, it did not look "highly suspicious" and I got her to admit that if my sister hadn't had breast cancer, they would have taken a "wait and see" approach. <br />
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So I got to show up the next week for a stereotactic needle biopsy. I will not lie to you, it was one of the more horrible medical experiences I have ever had. They had me lie face down on a table with my breast dangling through a hole while they smashed my boob and programmed the computer to stab me in just the right spot. It was done under local anesthesia, so I really felt no pain from the actual procedure, what really made it suck was that the table I was lying on was not well padded, and the hole was way too big, so my lower ribs were being crushed the entire time, and my arms were going numb, but I COULD NOT MOVE OR THE COMPUTER WOULD STAB ME IN THE WRONG PLACE. So I summoned my favorite coping mechanism, the "Robot Who Can Not Feel Pain", and this time I also programmed her to enjoy strange medical procedures. It totally worked until they informed me they needed to go in for just one more sample and would squirt in a little more lidocaine, which my nerve addled brain decided would immediately stop my heart (complete nonsense) so I had a mild panic attack which set off my adrenaline, which sparked an even bigger panic attack ("why am i getting an adrenaline rush?!?!?!?!"). I talked myself down, turned the robot back on, and made it through the rest of the procedure. I'm pretty sure they were just out of lollipops, because i TOTALLY earned one. <br />
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Partial results came back the next day (a Friday), "There were some abnormal cells". So I ask, "what does abnormal cells mean?" To which the radiologist replies "cancer". Well FUCK. Just say cancer if you mean cancer. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVC0DGXQhPaETPOs78P29qNn7QYVQwXlaB02jGJEUEz7ElmZcKRkVz3mm-5AAH_ilj5QtEQJvVe0uHJ70uticiAhzvx6gDlKd52sZKV1cl_q9jeQUnk7aFzpio9uWPBIFhal-/s1600/10933942_10205141389349633_415908814850616923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVC0DGXQhPaETPOs78P29qNn7QYVQwXlaB02jGJEUEz7ElmZcKRkVz3mm-5AAH_ilj5QtEQJvVe0uHJ70uticiAhzvx6gDlKd52sZKV1cl_q9jeQUnk7aFzpio9uWPBIFhal-/s1600/10933942_10205141389349633_415908814850616923_n.jpg" height="305" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See those tiny white specks in the red circle? <br />That's what cancer looks like... <br />Also, that's what an X-ray of my boob looks like. <br />You are welcome.</td></tr>
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The results turned up a triple POSITIVE 2mm "single locus" of intermediate grade ductal carcinoma in situ. This means that the cancer was still in the ducts (not freely roaming around) and it was growing not fast but not slow. It has hormone receptors and the unfortunate HER2 receptors, but I'll take the positive hormone receptors. They also turned up a 1mm low grade lobular neoplasia. The fucking thing was sitting directly behind my nipple which meant I would at very least lose the nipple (boobs without nipples are still boobs right??) Lobular neoplasia means that I am now at a much higher risk of developing cancer in my other breast as well. So guess what? I'm cutting the traitors off.<br />
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We had a good run, my boobs and I. I can never thank them enough for feeding both of my children for 2 years each. They have nicely, if not excessively, filled out my tops since I was a teenager. But seriously ladies, cancer? Fucking cancer? It's time for us to break up. This won't eliminate my risk, but it sure as hell reduces it. <br />
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I am scheduled for a double mastectomy on February 12th. That's in just a few days. My guts have been in turmoil ever since that first call back on my mammogram. The good news is that I can be the trial run of the surgery for my sister, I am just that thoughtful! I am anxious to get this over with, and terrified by what else they will find hiding in my overly abundant breast tissue. I won't get the complete results until after the surgery. They will check my lymph nodes with a sentinel node biopsy at the time of the surgery, and hopefully we will find that my little tiny DCIS has stayed put.<br />
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I'll be having a rebuild at the time of the surgery. They claim they will put my boobs back even better than before and they promise I will never have to wear a bra again, and seriously, they better not be lying, because that is a major silver lining in this whole thing for me... and I get nipple tattoos. Who's jealous? Seriously, google nipple tattoos. <br />
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We are hoping that after the surgery, there will not be much else to do treatment wise, but I won't meet with the oncologist until they've rummaged through my breast tissue. If I do need further treatment, I should be spared chemotherapy, and may instead receive hormone treatments. I just have to wait and see. Wait and see is my favorite...<br />
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I'm nervous, and scared, and super duper pissed off, but mostly I am in awe of how my little sister has been dealing with this since October. This shit is scary. My stomach hurts constantly. It's hard to not see everything I feel in my body as a sure sign of more cancer. It's hard not to worry that I'll miss one of those major events my girls are sure to have in the future. I'm being tested for a genetic factor that could explain our family's recent flurry of cancer, and should i test positive for any of those, I'll get to have a hysterectomy as well. At which point I will cease to be a woman and can therefore use whichever restroom I want, which is actually awesome, because ladies take WAY too long to pee.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiJJWpgTKM9jYzbxxY4hgDaxq1tUbxYKPG6celA4VAKKEfjKdsgFFMkuKOHmXBCa233EzAEJrAxCKIgrM5sdZTYLbO5-M5TtM5tuUE6-aZfd011g1mY1dQYwgvM0AlUlqKAXi/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiJJWpgTKM9jYzbxxY4hgDaxq1tUbxYKPG6celA4VAKKEfjKdsgFFMkuKOHmXBCa233EzAEJrAxCKIgrM5sdZTYLbO5-M5TtM5tuUE6-aZfd011g1mY1dQYwgvM0AlUlqKAXi/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me after finishing Dam to Dam spot on my goal time of 2:30,<br /> not yet three months after my Bankhart Repair on my right shoulder. <br />I'm running the pants off this thing this year, <br />current half marathon PR stands at 2:20...</td></tr>
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All I can do is keep moving forward. I plan to get up out of that hospital bed running (or at least briskly walking) and get back to work as soon as I can. I WILL run Dam to Dam (Half marathon 13.1 miles) again this year, i did promise my surgeon not to run for six weeks, but there is plenty of cross training I can do in the meantime. The race is in late MAY, which will give me about 8 weeks after I get the all clear to get trained up, AND I've asked for faster boobs, so look for a PR people. Before you declare me insane, remember I did it last year after my shoulder surgery, AND hit my goal time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7no-suMiYWQ0Y72PlNKotKPFS9hU7jOlKN2DwGrN_TiOGCOSGE6H_LT3yOqMmHXSYyScRN8517vGWtfQqVjtVj9ndd-099jRgw4BwIopB_4tOdZKkXsURgN2tkvQahVnzYw1J/s1600/hang-in-there.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7no-suMiYWQ0Y72PlNKotKPFS9hU7jOlKN2DwGrN_TiOGCOSGE6H_LT3yOqMmHXSYyScRN8517vGWtfQqVjtVj9ndd-099jRgw4BwIopB_4tOdZKkXsURgN2tkvQahVnzYw1J/s1600/hang-in-there.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent example of vintage motivational cat poster. </td></tr>
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I am not looking forward to my new hobby of hanging out in oncology for the next five years, but I am very hopeful that I will put this stupid bullshit behind me. You can ask me questions about my cancer, I might answer you. My answers lately have been sarcastic and snarky, so try not to get your feelings hurt. If you want to pray for me or any of that, feel free, but promise to add my sister in as well, her treatment is way more intense than mine. And seriously, SERIOUSLY, anyone who tags me in one of those breast cancer memes gets immediately blocked and unfriended and I might tee-pee your house, in a totally mean way, like a "I might also put sugar in your gas tank" kind of way... The only encouraging posts I am accepting are vintage motivational cat posters. <br />
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Also, don't feel bad if I didn't tell you until now. I barely told anyone, and honestly I still wouldn't have told you if I thought you wouldn't notice me running around with smaller perkier boobs, which you will totally notice, because I'm only wearing tube tops from here on out. <br />
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<br />Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-42967743849456282522014-04-24T08:32:00.000-07:002014-04-24T08:36:32.407-07:00Around Our House: The Shoulder Incident Bankart Repair Part 2<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CyHwSYrtjAH2klIYaBMkD1laV4r4uUr0EuuVdf97WoQwNsCqc56zI4WA5p5L_C87X8pxF-ndJZqx_Zug-dS4SSqDLj5Z2rEXWz0J57Dd5VTH9lB9XaWUjeS4_Heg1tkNSpSm/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CyHwSYrtjAH2klIYaBMkD1laV4r4uUr0EuuVdf97WoQwNsCqc56zI4WA5p5L_C87X8pxF-ndJZqx_Zug-dS4SSqDLj5Z2rEXWz0J57Dd5VTH9lB9XaWUjeS4_Heg1tkNSpSm/s1600/after.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few hours after surgery.</td></tr>
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On March 3rd, 2014, I had a Bankart Repair to my right anterior glenoid labrum. For those of you who know me, you may remember me having the same procedure done four years ago on my left arm. Here is the post I wrote about that repair:<br />
<a href="http://handmadepretties.blogspot.com/2010/08/around-our-house-shoulder-incident.html" target="_blank">http://handmadepretties.blogspot.com/2010/08/around-our-house-shoulder-incident.html</a><br />
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I wanted to write about this repair because the recovery was so much different.<br />
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To start, my right shoulder was not as bad as my left. My left shoulder was coming out so easily which was scary and unpredictable. After the surgery and PT, I worked very hard to strengthen both shoulders to keep the muscles strong, therefore reducing the chances that dislocations would happen again, particularly to my unrepaired right shoulder.<br />
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The history on my right shoulder is that it would dislocate when I was in my early 20s. I specifically remember it dislocating while playing air hockey, getting up off the couch, and swimming. I had a capsular shrinkage done on the shoulder in 1999 which stopped the dislocations, and since I was NOT active, the surgery worked fine for me. This type of surgery did nothing to repair the labral tears that were a result of the recurrent dislocations.<br />
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The labrum is a ring of cartilage that sits atop the scapula where the head of the humerus connects to the body. Its function is to add surface area to the joint to stabilize an otherwise very unstable joint. Attached to the labrum at the top is the biceps tendon and off the edge surrounding the entire shoulder joint, the capsule. When shoulders dislocate, the humerus slips past this ring potentially tearing the cartilage away from the scapula. The more often the shoulder dislocates, the worse the tear and the weaker the cartilage become. The head of the humerus can bump up against the scapula and damage the smooth soft surface of the humeral head (known as a Hill-Sachs defect) and wear the cartilage off of the backside of the bone. Labral tears can lead to recurrent dislocations or in my case significant pain.<br />
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Fast forward 15 years, After my last surgery, I started swimming, lifting weights, and running. My left arm was strong and I could tell the different between the two. My right arm couldn't keep up. I was experiencing pain with certain movements (like front crawl, triceps dips, push ups, etc). The more I worked my arm, the weaker it became. Being in my mid 30s, I wasn't ready to stop doing these things. Dr. Honkamp did a contrast dye MRI on the joint and discovered a labral tear. There was also some fraying to my rotator cuff due to the inherent instability caused by the tear. It was a hard decision this time because is was NOT dislocating again, but my activities were being limited, and I decided to go for it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKz6mqufjJyvjF-Ch__j9owOSRGWn-KtSSz5w0nqY7Bz7AMTzb0vzB-olr8358viPAj7r9ZWrcSBvTHYDBju8XYtsnjRuYu1v70ER6AQ6EQSywCalnBOPriGXwKkwLJgsnHz7/s1600/Scan+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKz6mqufjJyvjF-Ch__j9owOSRGWn-KtSSz5w0nqY7Bz7AMTzb0vzB-olr8358viPAj7r9ZWrcSBvTHYDBju8XYtsnjRuYu1v70ER6AQ6EQSywCalnBOPriGXwKkwLJgsnHz7/s1600/Scan+16.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My inner shoulder before. The pen marks on the labral tear photo indicate how tall the cartilage SHOULD be.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RIIB0k1DM3q3ltkrLEUvgScgDMidvPG1M7CfrnBwaldonSEyH1lmW8dFY9h4csaldu6EndHQfn9NmeGic8xdkmLUd_hTZaiCXJrgNKZBrcsBQLdoz1Zh108cGCtQweNatoyT/s1600/Scan+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RIIB0k1DM3q3ltkrLEUvgScgDMidvPG1M7CfrnBwaldonSEyH1lmW8dFY9h4csaldu6EndHQfn9NmeGic8xdkmLUd_hTZaiCXJrgNKZBrcsBQLdoz1Zh108cGCtQweNatoyT/s1600/Scan+17.jpg" height="100" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The After. The penmarks show how the labrum was gathered up and reattached to the bone with anchors and sutures. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbXHwTrOhRJKa75qVmlUsC1COVqVaHsg3zeMwqkMPK1dhH5JRS4GKmGBorNk1VTgjNXPhb_X_iIbS-_3q7jQHlM9Bio93vuYHbYV1Hxvn9Bx9gNOUpRg0naYZpK0puykjvKpD/s1600/stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbXHwTrOhRJKa75qVmlUsC1COVqVaHsg3zeMwqkMPK1dhH5JRS4GKmGBorNk1VTgjNXPhb_X_iIbS-_3q7jQHlM9Bio93vuYHbYV1Hxvn9Bx9gNOUpRg0naYZpK0puykjvKpD/s1600/stitches.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stitches. There is another matching hole on the back.</td></tr>
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Going into the surgery, I was working out 4-6 times a week. Typically running at least 5 miles at a time, swimming for a hour, or taking weight lifting classes like Body Flex at the gym. I was in really good shape and my arm was as strong as it could be.<br />
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I had the surgery. During my surgery, they completely detached the labrum from my scapula and anchored it back with four sutures. It was painful as expected for a few days. Then, I became allergic to the Vicodin (severly itchy skin, hallucinations, and urinary problems) so I stopped taking it. Unfortunately, this was a weekend, so I went the whole weekend only using Advil for pain (I also tried Tramadol which made me CRAZY so I couldn't sleep). I spent a few awful nights, but by early the next week, I was doing ok. The doctor gave me a Percocet prescription which I used sparingly at night. Once I switched off the Vicodin, my head was clearer, which allowed me to get to the gym.<br />
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One week out, I went to the gym. I took it easy, did some walking, rode a recumbent bike, did some more walking. A few days later, I went back. This time, being completely pent up and unable to sleep (keep in mind I had been exercising very regularly, so my body wasn't used to resting so much!), I did a few test laps at a very slow easy jog. I had been grilling my doctor and physical therapist regarding running. The verdict was that running would not damage the repair so long as I was tightly restrained in my sling, but that it would likely hurt so bad that I wouldn't want to do it. The running did not really hurt. I ran about a quarter mile, and then finished up on the elliptical ( this was about a week and a half past surgery).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKFfOI0nBgNA50UejbtLmS7TSHGUwI26SVO6Fu2VRO1nti4zXltC9DD8XG0lJ2f1Aa_hDTCFMTSDhgxrkVqiBExmcju3K72ZfuNk-uwtDnztCovl9-CPdgBoDanakoDS5J_A3/s1600/tieshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKFfOI0nBgNA50UejbtLmS7TSHGUwI26SVO6Fu2VRO1nti4zXltC9DD8XG0lJ2f1Aa_hDTCFMTSDhgxrkVqiBExmcju3K72ZfuNk-uwtDnztCovl9-CPdgBoDanakoDS5J_A3/s1600/tieshoes.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One challenge: how to tie a shoe when you can't reach it... I ended up pulling my foot in to my chest and tying it upside down.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmK1JRdOKIyBlIg5QbmfiTv-uMJfckXeYCg7qhpvdwVEQZSIeJxJIrofyvFPZ1hD2BNEEceOwcdC3XR_Yymb8nD9TIyYD5mBl1mrJOH5kciD-IQSQXeZPfOgI4IMp_BCcjBIo/s1600/pervert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmK1JRdOKIyBlIg5QbmfiTv-uMJfckXeYCg7qhpvdwVEQZSIeJxJIrofyvFPZ1hD2BNEEceOwcdC3XR_Yymb8nD9TIyYD5mBl1mrJOH5kciD-IQSQXeZPfOgI4IMp_BCcjBIo/s1600/pervert.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All strapped in and ready for a run. My hand had an unfortunate resting spot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTK_xCn25sAy76cL66-m8uLAnksjHH9JIDuAznSxK84DHJxwKs2dsDMoh_MD7ukNRvcshhV5m3aGDXI23rJt4crxOVEASwW-GJ_kUUn1OR2AR7tw67B2uDCqIP0AveCFhYyX4/s1600/sling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTK_xCn25sAy76cL66-m8uLAnksjHH9JIDuAznSxK84DHJxwKs2dsDMoh_MD7ukNRvcshhV5m3aGDXI23rJt4crxOVEASwW-GJ_kUUn1OR2AR7tw67B2uDCqIP0AveCFhYyX4/s1600/sling.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The more attractive/comfortable immobilizer I wore at night and during the day, allowing my forearm to move freely while pinning my upper arm to my side to protect the repair. My pain was worse if I kept my forearm bent all day long.</td></tr>
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Each time I went to the gym I did a little more. I found that if I strapped my arm in tight with my immobilizing sling, I could run ok. The body mechanics were off, but it felt good to sweat. At two weeks I ran two miles. At three weeks I ran three. I was running once or twice a weeks with strength training exercises and elliptical in between. I could do lunges, high knees, frankensteins, butt kickers, speed skaters, and squats. I was occasionally taking Advil at night to sleep, but nothing during the day. Since I had started running and exercising, my pain tolerance has significantly improved, so I am not sure how I would have handled this pain four years ago. <br />
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I decided to go ahead an sign up for Dam to Dam on May 31st, 2014. It is a half marathon that was happening exactly three months post surgery. My goal was to be running six miles at the six week post surgery mark. I made it. At six weeks out, I stopped running in my sling. At 6 weeks, we also started working on my range of motion in PT. This made my shoulder sore, but I found that running actually made it feel better. <br />
<br />
I am currently about 7 1/2 weeks post surgery. So far this week I have done two 4 milers, a 2 mile tempo run, an 8 mile long run, and an hour long session on the high school bleachers. I can do a very slow one armed breaststroke in the pool (which I do to keep my hips happy). My pain is manageable. My range of motion is about 75% back, my proprioception is good, and I JUST started using weights in PT. My therapist thinks the running has significantly helped me bounce back from the surgery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxL3jrOeI8jOQ0K8-qWg95rrjiXKJzARRbRLHEltNHvQ7K-4At_iD1PXD-aeMNvE_CKYW71vrUzP2RqzPcGDCzBVePMWAEChcwdF1l6cjUNKDBbfmozI6EvJ5oqBR7qiOXYDm/s1600/overhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxL3jrOeI8jOQ0K8-qWg95rrjiXKJzARRbRLHEltNHvQ7K-4At_iD1PXD-aeMNvE_CKYW71vrUzP2RqzPcGDCzBVePMWAEChcwdF1l6cjUNKDBbfmozI6EvJ5oqBR7qiOXYDm/s1600/overhead.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 weeks post surgery, i can raise my arm!!!</td></tr>
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Most information on the web says NO RUNNING for 8-12 weeks, so if you are facing this type of surgery, definitely talk to your doctor before taking off. If I were going into this again with the goal of running in the first six weeks, I would look into getting a sling from this website:<a href="http://www.ubpn.org/resources/athletic-arm-sling">http://www.ubpn.org/resources/athletic-arm-sling</a><a href="http://www.ubpn.org/resources/athletic-arm-sling" target="_blank">http://www.ubpn.org/resources/athletic-arm-sling</a>. They are designed to hold the arm in tight to avoid jarring the joint. <br />
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In contrast, the last surgery, it took me six weeks just to get back to the gym to WALK! Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-7530419376994456522014-03-27T20:03:00.000-07:002014-03-27T20:03:25.538-07:00DIY Cat Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOATEbWSLXHUKkl1Nt3gV6AO0YJbgazo-b26W7EDFVl_8TiRxHYHIqbEE1Pu16N_SLfeBbyb4S0WUQ80F8RimM1oGTNVDU6jfobaLHRVDoGsMi4IIZMnoGFjEn3tYBRB7Uu9V/s1600/cathotel9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOATEbWSLXHUKkl1Nt3gV6AO0YJbgazo-b26W7EDFVl_8TiRxHYHIqbEE1Pu16N_SLfeBbyb4S0WUQ80F8RimM1oGTNVDU6jfobaLHRVDoGsMi4IIZMnoGFjEn3tYBRB7Uu9V/s1600/cathotel9.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitties giving it a good sniffing!</td></tr>
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So last summer, my girls (6 and 9) and I started to volunteer once a week at the local animal shelter, <a href="http://furryfriendsrefuge.org/" target="_blank">Furry Friends Refuge</a>. Furry Friends is a local non-profit no-kill shelter that deals with all sorts of small animals but we specifically go to see the cats. It's been a wonderful thing for both of my girls, especially my oldest who was having problems dealing with her OCD all last school year (long story short, she was terrified to go to school because she was afraid she would get sick). When she would start to worry, we would change the subject by talking about the cats at the shelter. We are happy for the cats when they get adopted, and we do what we can to help the animals at the shelter to feel happy, safe, and comfortable. The girls brush, pet, hold, play with, and talk to the cats, and occasionally, I can get them to help me clean up their litter boxes. What I never realized is how happy it would make ME to go to the animal shelter. Nothing will wipe away your worries like sitting in a room full of fuzzy purring baby kittens, or to be greeted by a furry friend with a good solid head butt. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq8YPofI4Qd0hK8elOoCFO0fXotorBiXZJvTsdmPVF-kEVEDub4V7wXRkMKxH9E4oz9dwBcXm1Ol_Af6uFgZLky7dS-GmubuLn5qfqAeN9D9nocZDI3YtPIQa_XtZGG2AjlRO/s1600/shelter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq8YPofI4Qd0hK8elOoCFO0fXotorBiXZJvTsdmPVF-kEVEDub4V7wXRkMKxH9E4oz9dwBcXm1Ol_Af6uFgZLky7dS-GmubuLn5qfqAeN9D9nocZDI3YtPIQa_XtZGG2AjlRO/s1600/shelter3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, kitten therapy works EVERY TIME! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXkQ7QS7ImCFhmPctfGL7FRa7wOPec9dfO_w_oaqBRF_axaLFCuUC_f-U3w4ULuawpQPh2OAjdFwoAnYoZAQawOf3A3OWFiBK_GNeso079ZFjMg71O7jKHnJobCgWIjkza703/s1600/shelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXkQ7QS7ImCFhmPctfGL7FRa7wOPec9dfO_w_oaqBRF_axaLFCuUC_f-U3w4ULuawpQPh2OAjdFwoAnYoZAQawOf3A3OWFiBK_GNeso079ZFjMg71O7jKHnJobCgWIjkza703/s1600/shelter.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To be fair, Juniper LOVED this. So did Beatrice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURBj44zK4zi1TXCBpSUy4I6T5LKleJ2_t7MFrPm-sx_EfikIEPBlq9EFxZkItbox8JYD8gxluCzv2GZEFY-fJ9VhcL2X4zIrlvITk-_p8DMGf1ejlfa48VhtbeF58BI4r7Ur0/s1600/shleter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURBj44zK4zi1TXCBpSUy4I6T5LKleJ2_t7MFrPm-sx_EfikIEPBlq9EFxZkItbox8JYD8gxluCzv2GZEFY-fJ9VhcL2X4zIrlvITk-_p8DMGf1ejlfa48VhtbeF58BI4r7Ur0/s1600/shleter2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylvia and Valentine with his stylish lion haircut.</td></tr>
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With Spring Break approaching, we were looking for a fun project that we could do together. Both of my girls are in Girl Scouts so we thought it would be fun to earn one of their badges over the break. They chose to earn their pet badges. Most of the requirements they had already filled with our visits to the shelter and by caring for our two cats. But one requirement remained, make a comfy place for an animal to sleep. So we decided to make a comfy place for a BUNCH of animals to sleep!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsThu2Jsf08sLzZsTTfMRgB3kABEVVMnlTSmjHfIQ_owCusBnyZNltSYJzfWP-mc6sRv0h4CwZj3yM7_teRrKuREGLI724vXdgqjs1HB6Dqp07Ts9nGnHyLbeoxUkrKWzNrQzg/s1600/cathotel10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsThu2Jsf08sLzZsTTfMRgB3kABEVVMnlTSmjHfIQ_owCusBnyZNltSYJzfWP-mc6sRv0h4CwZj3yM7_teRrKuREGLI724vXdgqjs1HB6Dqp07Ts9nGnHyLbeoxUkrKWzNrQzg/s1600/cathotel10.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is as we found it at the thrift store. </td></tr>
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We thought of way we could make a structure that the cats could sleep
and play on. Initially we wanted to find a second hand bookshelf, but
we ended up finding a small TV entertainment center. It was sturdy, it had several cat sized openings, but it had a big center area we needed to think about. We did a little searching online and found the perfect solution, cat hammocks!<br />
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Before we could add the hammocks and paint the shelf, we needed to make a few adaptations to the original shelf. I had just had shoulder surgery on my right (dominant) arm, so we needed to call grandpa Tom for some help.<br />
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He helped us to cut some cat sized holes in the sides, on one of the front doors, and one on the top. We removed the narrow door to open up the small side nooks, and he helped us add two posts to the center of the large opening. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_2ywAsiTNxYfOX2vV0dwpX8C3sgR8E1qt6CrREZTebJaCTRodb3Ww9Odr_Bujeg5rq3CfxmFSOrjhz_NiYYpE8aErC1r2NeVdOPd3NfswkdextNxVNkhTVv4Yj0wR4Qtm5xT/s1600/cathotel7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_2ywAsiTNxYfOX2vV0dwpX8C3sgR8E1qt6CrREZTebJaCTRodb3Ww9Odr_Bujeg5rq3CfxmFSOrjhz_NiYYpE8aErC1r2NeVdOPd3NfswkdextNxVNkhTVv4Yj0wR4Qtm5xT/s1600/cathotel7.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we cut some holes, removed a door, and added two posts.</td></tr>
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He used a hand jigjaw to cut the circles (it's exactly coffee can sized if you notice). He added a few screws to stabilize one of pieces that stops the large doors from pushing in, and he helped us to add the posts to support the hammocks. Luckily, grandma Sandy was there to help us carry the shelf back to our van, since I was out for the count.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tnnYVhAtPAqRnmH4zwWBErDXywRGZQ2vm8bPKIha5-vTsem00JSjRlX9Rk2j8h52xpHdW7n7udCN1a8o_VpWHCu9t6jNIVr7qBiqK3Z8ZVguCT1zWQasAer1zQnn5suTdl3N/s1600/cathotel11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tnnYVhAtPAqRnmH4zwWBErDXywRGZQ2vm8bPKIha5-vTsem00JSjRlX9Rk2j8h52xpHdW7n7udCN1a8o_VpWHCu9t6jNIVr7qBiqK3Z8ZVguCT1zWQasAer1zQnn5suTdl3N/s1600/cathotel11.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Carry-Van, because they carried it to the van...</td></tr>
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Once we got it home it was time to figure out paint colors and the pattern for the hammocks.<br />
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We found an <a href="http://oaklandanimalservices.org/2012/03/cat-hammocks-the-purr-fect-solution/2-cat-hammock/" target="_blank">article</a> online written by Oakland Animal Services that showed the hammocks they use in their shelter, we modeled ours after theirs. I found some small carabiner clips on ebay for 90 pc for $23.00, and had the fabric on hand. The eyehooks we bought at the hardware store when we bought the paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHjdyFTVdvDKnSvUwIE_e7vjKpbAhg3E6-9k3oo2s0HuLJl_IkLvFJZLa78bBVdV9yhk4cxi1Cc4rVcGwC9TG3KRFi33Z6i4wgis0Fa8FfMsjyhH_qx3bO1ZYHnv8sk_ZFCGB/s1600/cathotel6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHjdyFTVdvDKnSvUwIE_e7vjKpbAhg3E6-9k3oo2s0HuLJl_IkLvFJZLa78bBVdV9yhk4cxi1Cc4rVcGwC9TG3KRFi33Z6i4wgis0Fa8FfMsjyhH_qx3bO1ZYHnv8sk_ZFCGB/s1600/cathotel6.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hammock test.</td></tr>
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<br />Once the hammock test was complete, we started to paint. We sanded it lightly since it was a finished wood veneer, and then we applied a spray on primer coat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5NOmFGGDtjau-iX2JxO9F1x4JVIUc5Lyo7ggP3YY8ftxwEaWiUmxgtbn8d77ozqSVfqEpiwJ-N-tGyL5FIZTW_f-qYGit9-hu4uwy2fXEg5bQMmaCn8FgUZOM1hZytEwdAeW/s1600/cathotel5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5NOmFGGDtjau-iX2JxO9F1x4JVIUc5Lyo7ggP3YY8ftxwEaWiUmxgtbn8d77ozqSVfqEpiwJ-N-tGyL5FIZTW_f-qYGit9-hu4uwy2fXEg5bQMmaCn8FgUZOM1hZytEwdAeW/s1600/cathotel5.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I let my kids use spray paint with supervision. They are really quite capable! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />After the white coat dried, we rolled and brushed on the base color. The girls chose light green. We masked off the area we intended to put carpet for climbing so the carpet glue had a better chance of sticking. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf6_fbXQfx8C4OoSb6kfSq8RPcI0BRSQAFFCEN0sA8zx0TouOm5YVE4trVbZTjDi6RQQWFgEqADP6q75-2M-oAn6Km860q3juBMvKPgx4ebsVwk9TuOpdtZOQc4QppLhOos1_/s1600/cathotel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf6_fbXQfx8C4OoSb6kfSq8RPcI0BRSQAFFCEN0sA8zx0TouOm5YVE4trVbZTjDi6RQQWFgEqADP6q75-2M-oAn6Km860q3juBMvKPgx4ebsVwk9TuOpdtZOQc4QppLhOos1_/s1600/cathotel4.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be prepared to say good-bye to whatever clothes your kids paint in...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Once the green coat dried, we penciled in the drawings and started to paint the cute designs. My girls are great little artists so the cat drawings are theirs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8MeWBlgQhktCcfJEuAWlkwabm0YK0-oxDyniOVzbBhrnJYi572fPfkmcj0bBRW6Kb2cCIue2hC4KiLyx8ZPcK36FARxACPfa6J9X7dgN_pzxVYxEmjOMiQio1bt3byMUsnfb/s1600/cathotel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8MeWBlgQhktCcfJEuAWlkwabm0YK0-oxDyniOVzbBhrnJYi572fPfkmcj0bBRW6Kb2cCIue2hC4KiLyx8ZPcK36FARxACPfa6J9X7dgN_pzxVYxEmjOMiQio1bt3byMUsnfb/s1600/cathotel2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the details.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9Xk1YOwY7yPZceOUjswT2lasJniTgK_BYhqJARVPSPFfEDdKGQ81Qq3F53uTTLMq-iv1CKlAtpWpDVOmQQc4oljai6O79OdwhfIExdCI5e5juJonnKlvqzu3MMg_sKjuDt-U/s1600/cathotel3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9Xk1YOwY7yPZceOUjswT2lasJniTgK_BYhqJARVPSPFfEDdKGQ81Qq3F53uTTLMq-iv1CKlAtpWpDVOmQQc4oljai6O79OdwhfIExdCI5e5juJonnKlvqzu3MMg_sKjuDt-U/s1600/cathotel3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished art with the paper mask removed. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Once we removed the paper, and the painting was finished, we applied the eye hooks where we wanted them, then we applied the scratching rope on the posts (we used 3/8" sisal rope attached with carpet glue), and remnant carpet with carpet glue on the sides. To start the rope, we tacked one end at the bottom with two carpet tacks, spread the carpet glue up the posts about four inches and started wrapping our way up. I tacked the rope each time I stopped to apply more glue. It took two packages of rope, one for each post. To adhere the carpet, I first cut the piece to the approximate size we needed and then spread a thick coat of carpet glue on one side, stuck the carpet, and then laid the shelf down on that size to press the carpet into the glue. I did the same on the otherside only I used my folding tables to weigh down the carpet. We waited 24 hours and then trimmed the carpet and cut out the holes with a box cutter.<br />
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We cut small pieces of carpet to go inside each of the animal cubbies, but left these so they could be removed in case they got dirty. We had an old neglected pet bed that fit perfectly inside the large cabinet space at the bottom, so we donated that with the Cat Hotel.<br />
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When we brought our cat hotel to the shelter, it was an instant hit! The cats were so curious (perhaps because the remnant was our old living room rug that smelled like toddlers and cats). They tried every cubby and Mustard immediately got cozy in one of the hammocks. The girls were absolutely thrilled! If you would like to go see our Cat Hotel in action, it currently resides at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/9livesboutiqueandthrift" target="_blank">9 Lives Boutique and Thrift</a> which is a fundraising thrift store for <a href="http://furryfriendsrefuge.org/" target="_blank">Furry Friends Refuge</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd88HkBd_LEaGjwfcKnLZIXQY0hSx7IETEdnXbHhx9a2wyNIqdz7xalx9JVLF6AIqdifQ6pLxPTOEmAGev9YM6RGf4J8YJkgdGh5tvpOYyN2nyliSEewLNB3HoH2w0HD4W3hZ/s1600/cathotel8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd88HkBd_LEaGjwfcKnLZIXQY0hSx7IETEdnXbHhx9a2wyNIqdz7xalx9JVLF6AIqdifQ6pLxPTOEmAGev9YM6RGf4J8YJkgdGh5tvpOYyN2nyliSEewLNB3HoH2w0HD4W3hZ/s1600/cathotel8.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin, Poinsettia, Beatrice, Mustard and Sylvia take a moment to pose with the Cat Hotel. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB45i9JsjHBFQAAjF1Oiq8Ra8HeRmmjTFh-HphHlOgUCDsuFH9fZrYVN0huoNBBkdbfNHVWgGfVw3MSwZcSxP0Agxst7LGBnoPqvDGQdRcfUCtFH-TrGLORT5XjDc9qpn71wyK/s1600/cathotel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB45i9JsjHBFQAAjF1Oiq8Ra8HeRmmjTFh-HphHlOgUCDsuFH9fZrYVN0huoNBBkdbfNHVWgGfVw3MSwZcSxP0Agxst7LGBnoPqvDGQdRcfUCtFH-TrGLORT5XjDc9qpn71wyK/s1600/cathotel1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustard had dibs on this hammock. Just so you know. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOATEbWSLXHUKkl1Nt3gV6AO0YJbgazo-b26W7EDFVl_8TiRxHYHIqbEE1Pu16N_SLfeBbyb4S0WUQ80F8RimM1oGTNVDU6jfobaLHRVDoGsMi4IIZMnoGFjEn3tYBRB7Uu9V/s1600/cathotel9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOATEbWSLXHUKkl1Nt3gV6AO0YJbgazo-b26W7EDFVl_8TiRxHYHIqbEE1Pu16N_SLfeBbyb4S0WUQ80F8RimM1oGTNVDU6jfobaLHRVDoGsMi4IIZMnoGFjEn3tYBRB7Uu9V/s1600/cathotel9.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustard, Butterscotch, and Pumpkin give the Cat Hotel a good sniffing. </td></tr>
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Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-336603217893081462013-02-11T09:04:00.000-08:002013-02-11T09:23:26.212-08:00Recipe: Organic Cocoa Wheats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke8tcMtFRgcQY1btcQFqfoWi8pFsOY9sgL0xXFsICxiQY5fYBwoMs8gfjvk3RYeZ4sF53qVaV1opwztoD3ifqTinXXgj_VxT296WbU3qW8P-xyc8526x7-3mcg4TEVD6SVczI/s1600/DSC_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke8tcMtFRgcQY1btcQFqfoWi8pFsOY9sgL0xXFsICxiQY5fYBwoMs8gfjvk3RYeZ4sF53qVaV1opwztoD3ifqTinXXgj_VxT296WbU3qW8P-xyc8526x7-3mcg4TEVD6SVczI/s1600/DSC_0348.jpg" height="320" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Mornings are hard. I work late nights creating Handmade Pretties, so when the alarm goes off, I have to be ready to spring into action, feed the kids, encourage them to get dressed, and head out the door in less than 40 minutes. To help me with this process, I have a handful of easy yet nutritious breakfasts for which I keep the ingredients on hand. </div>
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My eight year old's favorite is CoCo Wheats. Now chocolate hot cereal may not sound all that nutritious, but a breakdown of the ingredients reveals that the two necessary ingredients are Farina and unsweetened cocoa powder. I control how much and which kind of sweetener is used in the cereal. I serve it to her made with grass-fed local milk and a small dish of frozen berries. </div>
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Once I realized how much she liked CoCo Wheats, I started searching for an organic option, to no avail. Apparently, putting chocolate in hot cereal is a whole food no-no, so I created my own. </div>
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To start, you will need:</div>
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1 box of Farina (we like wheat farina, but rice farina would work for a gluten free option)</div>
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Unsweetened Cocoa Powder</div>
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Our box of Wheat Farina was 24 oz. it needed 3 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder. </div>
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For every 8 ounces of cereal, add 1 Tablespoon of cocoa powder. Mix well and store in a sealed container.</div>
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Hang onto the instructions for preparation from the box, as this is the same method you will use to make your hot cereal. Sylvia likes hers slightly sweetened so we use about 1/2 T of raw sugar or 1/2 T of honey for the single serving size. I prefer to cook hers in milk (it's creamy delicious). Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-40979006029745242302012-10-21T11:37:00.001-07:002012-10-21T11:37:04.553-07:00Do It Yourself: Disco Ball Pinata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipulBakigrk6T02510KjzE08WJdUEqZAjw8iPCu5bkq9NScHLRCPOXu0KAIfdB3EeBFyMv69USJEMydIiKhoLhw5vNRYGQV2WgGo6WhvEuPeYfM6vmjd4Cb2VFgFdtln-nIwwk/s1600/DSC_0134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipulBakigrk6T02510KjzE08WJdUEqZAjw8iPCu5bkq9NScHLRCPOXu0KAIfdB3EeBFyMv69USJEMydIiKhoLhw5vNRYGQV2WgGo6WhvEuPeYfM6vmjd4Cb2VFgFdtln-nIwwk/s320/DSC_0134.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The finished disco ball pinata!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sylvia turned 8 year<span style="font-size: small;">s old this week, and for her <span style="font-size: small;">birthday she asked for a Girl<span style="font-size: small;">s Only Dance Party. Luck<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">i</span>ly enough, my mother <span style="font-size: small;">owns her own DJ and Karaoke business, so we had the lights and the mu<span style="font-size: small;">sic cover<span style="font-size: small;">ed<span style="font-size: small;">. This<span style="font-size: small;"> left me w<span style="font-size: small;">ith a little time to think about the decorations! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We found small and large si<span style="font-size: small;">zed disco ball ornam<span style="font-size: small;">ents which we hu<span style="font-size: small;">ng around the room, but the centerpiece of the decorations was our homemade disco ball pinata!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are some <span style="font-size: small;">directions so you can make you own!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disco Ball Pinata </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Supplies: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Large Paper Lantern (or <span style="font-size: small;">36" balloon or large beach ball)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 batch of whe<span style="font-size: small;">at paste (see belo<span style="font-size: small;">w for a link)</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">newsprint (either newspaper or actual newsprint)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">black paint</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">tacky glue</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">5 <span style="font-size: small;">- 12" x 12" sheets of silver reflective cardstock<span style="font-size: small;"> cut into 1<span style="font-size: small;">" squares</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I made<span style="font-size: small;"> our pinata on a paper la<span style="font-size: small;">ntern<span style="font-size: small;">. Wh<span style="font-size: small;">ile this made it easier to hang and a little faster to make, if I were to do it aga<span style="font-size: small;">in, I would use a 36" balloon or a beach ball for the base sha<span style="font-size: small;">pe be<span style="font-size: small;">cause the paper lantern didn't break we<span style="font-size: small;">ll<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyq0q1cCIpGj4PExnF9suWIITJKepTJ0rbp7MebJ35AnXH71ud99jA7F0xOK-o0YIygAZXl14OafS8gi7tLMgyMdx5Jdxu60x1pEki25Pc-wM66jwI3PqlEVVWpVe8lRD1Ud5/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyq0q1cCIpGj4PExnF9suWIITJKepTJ0rbp7MebJ35AnXH71ud99jA7F0xOK-o0YIygAZXl14OafS8gi7tLMgyMdx5Jdxu60x1pEki25Pc-wM66jwI3PqlEVVWpVe8lRD1Ud5/s320/DSC_0114.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whichever base form you use, start by applying two to three coa<span style="font-size: small;">ts of paper mache. There is a fine line between not enough and too much<span style="font-size: small;">. Too few layers will make a very <span style="font-size: small;">weak pinata<span style="font-size: small;">, while too many layers will require a wrecking ball to break open. I try to <span style="font-size: small;">keep the <span style="font-size: small;">paper mache</span> to two-three layers because this seems about right<span style="font-size: small;">. Leave a hand sized hole at the top of the ball for filling and hanging. If you are using a balloon or beach ball, reinforce the top of the pinata with several extra layers of paper mache as this will be where the weight of the pinata is borne<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span>Allow the paper mache to dry COMPLETELY before proceeding to the next step.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdGf3Bhm0EFRmLL5eq0hx_o2Ygm-K18DBjuXImMwpcQYyMoeHHgdVVcvOl-WsTcf0_1QWAc9obSANPkmIX_l2HgcmX8kp54xZSxLrjNDEfOScLCGOrHzfh7GgfK1e4Uk0MZsa/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdGf3Bhm0EFRmLL5eq0hx_o2Ygm-K18DBjuXImMwpcQYyMoeHHgdVVcvOl-WsTcf0_1QWAc9obSANPkmIX_l2HgcmX8kp54xZSxLrjNDEfOScLCGOrHzfh7GgfK1e4Uk0MZsa/s320/DSC_0112.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> If you are <span style="font-size: small;">using a <span style="font-size: small;">balloon or beach ball, carefully de<span style="font-size: small;">flate and remove it from the center of the pinata. <span style="font-size: small;">I <span style="font-size: small;">usually slip my hand inside and help ease the balloons away from the sides so as to <span style="font-size: small;">prevent the pap<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">r mache from sticking to the ballo<span style="font-size: small;">on and collapsing as the balloon deflates. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> If you have <span style="font-size: small;">used a<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>paper <span style="font-size: small;">lantern, continue to the next step without rem<span style="font-size: small;">oving the lantern. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0Zs-byKO0O-Ea4PXUpTEXmD3s6t99uOAoPyx10ThH7FRkpGVutMrM26Eiu2eL5EhUR8Qibzkj6KcREgSYvL9zJ241b4k2Oe7wsumbr-B0o0eyfHog2ARm0vbXV0XDTLIeqUK/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0Zs-byKO0O-Ea4PXUpTEXmD3s6t99uOAoPyx10ThH7FRkpGVutMrM26Eiu2eL5EhUR8Qibzkj6KcREgSYvL9zJ241b4k2Oe7wsumbr-B0o0eyfHog2ARm0vbXV0XDTLIeqUK/s320/DSC_0116.jpg" width="319" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Paint the entire ball black<span style="font-size: small;"> (or whatever color you would prefer to see sticking out bet<span style="font-size: small;">ween the mirror "tiles"<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP3DQFtGWqzIJ8TSDpRA9iongimFwdy9YIJP3SDUr5-PdSmywJ8xnHy-sQN6g9F8Xy3jmzifUBTQxzH0zXFu7F-MXqNm7J-1bg_rznqDEZ-qBRSaMr2fnZm1CNWaPAIWd7BWu/s1600/IMG_1535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP3DQFtGWqzIJ8TSDpRA9iongimFwdy9YIJP3SDUr5-PdSmywJ8xnHy-sQN6g9F8Xy3jmzifUBTQxzH0zXFu7F-MXqNm7J-1bg_rznqDEZ-qBRSaMr2fnZm1CNWaPAIWd7BWu/s320/IMG_1535.jpg" width="239" /> </a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the paint is completely dry (wet paint will encourage the mirror paper to curl<span style="font-size: small;">)<span style="font-size: small;">, using tacky glue (or hot glue) begin applying the m<span style="font-size: small;">irror tiles in a straight row around the middle of the ball. The tack<span style="font-size: small;">y glue <span style="font-size: small;">was much easier to use but did cause minor curling of the paper<span style="font-size: small;">. Hot glue may work better if you are experienc<span style="font-size: small;">ing a lo<span style="font-size: small;">t of curling. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keep adding rows until you reach the top and bottom<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I found it useful to cut some of the squa<span style="font-size: small;">res in half as I got to the final rows on the bottom of the ball. I also looked at the bottoms of pre-made disco balls to get an idea of how the tiles would best f<span style="font-size: small;">it together. </span></span></span> </div>
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The paper lantern will have two hanging tabs built into the lantern. Otherwise, <span style="font-size: small;">made three holes <span style="font-size: small;">at least an inch into the ball to hang the pinata. </span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMS-_83ftGTrpohbUC33e-4tV4waybTuY_vKseRLZIb4LgmTA6g3vI9kNfQHoCfM2EDu5sWQ7BmK9D85F4oJVMmmJ2J885EPZqMF0Mqs7FDtmQHSejIauw7ey7keoR2BvV_Lh/s1600/DSC_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMS-_83ftGTrpohbUC33e-4tV4waybTuY_vKseRLZIb4LgmTA6g3vI9kNfQHoCfM2EDu5sWQ7BmK9D85F4oJVMmmJ2J885EPZqMF0Mqs7FDtmQHSejIauw7ey7keoR2BvV_Lh/s320/DSC_0137.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Here is our finished pinata as the centerpiece at the dance party! We rigged it up so that it could be lowered down at the end of the party. </div>
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Wheat Paste Link:</div>
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<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Wheatpaste/">http://www.instructables.com/id/Wheatpaste/</a></div>
<br />Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-66742380104922228032012-04-17T11:27:00.003-07:002012-04-17T11:41:46.699-07:00Recipes: Tasty Yogurt Pancakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9T6bUiJjWOmRDkrpzO11PkxdVk7YdaJe0kyPeqjMFDijvm8rEMT2WhBLgBFD_EM3CubndTr_2uTxG3FR8UUYrhtgIhnnFeiIWqchj4x9wUkcFNqeA6zqt0U1nIVsFMNDu3W3/s1600/DSC_0469.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9T6bUiJjWOmRDkrpzO11PkxdVk7YdaJe0kyPeqjMFDijvm8rEMT2WhBLgBFD_EM3CubndTr_2uTxG3FR8UUYrhtgIhnnFeiIWqchj4x9wUkcFNqeA6zqt0U1nIVsFMNDu3W3/s320/DSC_0469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732438271388372306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I grew up eating pancakes for breakfast at least twice a week. I liked them plain (I HATED syrup and my mom refused to buy REAL butter) so the taste was really important to me. As an adult, I searched for YEARS to find the perfect recipe but could stand up to my refusal to use white flour, refined sugars, or tons of oil. A few years ago, I found it.<br /><br />This recipe started out as the Silver Dollar Pancake Recipe from the Joy of Cooking. I have adapted it to use whole grain flour, raw sugar, and greek yogurt (in place of sour cream). What I like about this recipe is that it uses very little flour, and no added fats (except for the oil on the griddle and the fats in the eggs and yogurt). The bulk of the batter is yogurt and eggs, yet the result is a really delicious pancake.<br /><br />Dry Ingredients:<br />1/2 C whole wheat flour<br />1 1/2 T raw sugar<br />1/2 t salt<br />1/2 t baking soda<br /><br />Wet ingredients:<br />1 C greek yogurt<br />2 eggs<br />1 t vanilla<br /><br />Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (for the pan)<br /><br />Combine the dry ingredients and set aside. Combine the wet ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just mixed. This batter is thick.<br /><br />Using a large spoon, drop small sized pancakes onto a hot skillet coated in virgin coconut oil. Cook on one side until you see bubbles forming along the edges of the batter, flip with a spatula. Due to the thick nature of this batter, I use the "wiggle" test to be sure they are cooked through. Using the spatula I press gently on the middle of the pancake. If it moves side to side, it is not yet cooked through.<br /><br />If I am cooking for myself and my two little girls (5 and 7) I make one batch and usually have a few left over. If I am also cooking for my husband, I make two batches and usually have enough leftover to store in the refrigerator for one more breakfast for the girls.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-4486518706744224422012-04-09T09:16:00.001-07:002012-04-09T09:16:07.400-07:00Cut and Ready to SEW!<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.210010784.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>Train Themed Giant Fleece Ball - $50.00
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<br />Each ball is 14" in diameter and features 12 panels. The theme will be carried out as follows.<br>
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<br />1 panel with a NAME<br>
<br />4 panels with theme related words ("All Aboard", Toot, Choo Choo, Chug)<br>
<br />3 panels with Train Cars<br>
<br />2 panels with Railway signs<br>
<br />1 Panel with Train Silhouette<br>
<br />1 panel with railroad tracks<br>
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<br />Unless specified this ball will come in r...<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-87893132600635103762012-04-06T09:17:00.001-07:002012-04-06T09:17:05.507-07:00Custom made to fit You!<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.132101229.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>Adult Skirt Custom Size Bits Recycled Jersey Skirt - $75.00
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<br />I got a little bored making straight panel skirts, so I started getting a little more inventive. This graphically stunning skirt is the latest from my spring/summer line. It is made from little bits of recycled tops and jersey scraps. They are patchworked together to create this colorful an fun skirt that twirls and sways beautifully as you move.<br>
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<br />I have collected beautiful colorful jersey tops for two ...<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-55310320412752930162012-04-02T09:20:00.001-07:002012-04-02T09:20:06.236-07:00Cut and ready to Sew!<a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties' title='My Etsy SHop'><img src='http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.166019311.jpg' style='margin: 0px 20px 20px 20px; float: left; ' /></a>Personalized Giant Fleece Ball - English Horseback Riding Themed - $50.00
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<br />These balls are huge! They are made from soft fleece and stuffed with fiberfill. Babies can flop on them and big kids can too. This ball is about 14" in diameter.<br>
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<br />This order is for ONE custom giant ball made with English Horseback Riding themed appliques. The price includes the following:<br>
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<br />1 -Personalized panel<br>
<br />3 - Theme related words (the ball in the photo says "cross co...<br/><br/><a href='http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties' title='My Etsy SHop'>Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!</a>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-2083410322644199792012-03-27T11:28:00.011-07:002012-04-01T10:36:54.878-07:00FIVE Candy Free Fillers for Plastic Easter EggsFIVE things besides candy to fill plastic Easter eggs:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsR8gEVRRJ9tDBd04gop-pB5B2eBsukqlk7xt8zpo6TjuZsTn340cpraoSOGCRtZpLz1srzxJvBv0TAn09z-hSlyvtloY1kNq7Yb9dvn3WJVgkR5FUwHW1yct2VY6-kUkUMwwq/s1600/IMG_5405.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsR8gEVRRJ9tDBd04gop-pB5B2eBsukqlk7xt8zpo6TjuZsTn340cpraoSOGCRtZpLz1srzxJvBv0TAn09z-hSlyvtloY1kNq7Yb9dvn3WJVgkR5FUwHW1yct2VY6-kUkUMwwq/s320/IMG_5405.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726483008447001890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />1. Pom pom chicks - We made these one year for our girls, and they STILL play with them years later. Here is how to make them:<br /><br />Materials:<br />1 bag large pom poms<br />1 bag googly eyes<br />1 bag of feathers<br />1-2 pieces of orange fun foam<br />hot glue gun with glue sticks<br />scissors<br /><br />Each chick needs a beak and feet cut from the fun foam. Cut small triangles for the beak and larger triangles for the feet. Each chick also needs one pom pom, two eyes, and one feather.<br /><br />Using the hot glue gun, put a dab of glue on the end of the feather and stick it to the top of the pom pom. Glue the feet on the bottom. Finally, glue on the beak and the eyes. Ta dah! You just made a chicken.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmAbHWKLW8fbpIGCkuJjogjjpl3O6QND8VIVnoOXAx-KZJMsgurVLbU6CkCvjSnHGTCOm5-4l9cdJic744VdAS0MM94G1vE8d2nqjycZZHDyoqdQvErZx4zO8lTFPeKObV3Em/s1600/IMG_5411.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmAbHWKLW8fbpIGCkuJjogjjpl3O6QND8VIVnoOXAx-KZJMsgurVLbU6CkCvjSnHGTCOm5-4l9cdJic744VdAS0MM94G1vE8d2nqjycZZHDyoqdQvErZx4zO8lTFPeKObV3Em/s320/IMG_5411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726483111075337026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2. coins - pennies, nickles, dimes, even quarters. My kids enjoy putting the money in their piggy banks more than they'd enjoy the candy. They are old enough that they can count the money too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTBWztbsIgVjfI5-8cBoKRAdnhfDDxWccojZZjNlBzGHp5zFtErs4YHT4U4SUPU4kbhz97hagov5PS-D3vBhAw-1qfiTlQ1htpOlnVCjrmYMcw0v6zzC2_qYzsoFMLVSVOFW9/s1600/IMG_5409.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTBWztbsIgVjfI5-8cBoKRAdnhfDDxWccojZZjNlBzGHp5zFtErs4YHT4U4SUPU4kbhz97hagov5PS-D3vBhAw-1qfiTlQ1htpOlnVCjrmYMcw0v6zzC2_qYzsoFMLVSVOFW9/s320/IMG_5409.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726483059702950418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. stickers - the beauty of stickers is that they get used up. We buy a few sheets of stickers and cut them into individual stickers to stuff the eggs. Tattoos work great too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtYmTb_V-enV6PfahORk2cvOddC6g2_IhXw2z5GrtEaLIvBtEHfYeytUNXyhU4PXb_uXj_d-uPy5RczZhMPA3cZI4co6PozJqE2ooph8C0aVh8pdDDYUoIeQ6Rqac5ydt7ZBu/s1600/IMG_5414.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtYmTb_V-enV6PfahORk2cvOddC6g2_IhXw2z5GrtEaLIvBtEHfYeytUNXyhU4PXb_uXj_d-uPy5RczZhMPA3cZI4co6PozJqE2ooph8C0aVh8pdDDYUoIeQ6Rqac5ydt7ZBu/s320/IMG_5414.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726483156434813106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. Easter jokes or fortunes - Our seven year old is deeply dedicated to the art of joke telling, so this year, we plan to stuff some of the eggs with small slips of paper with Easter themed jokes on them. <a href="http://laranewsomdesign.com/handmadepretties/easterjokes.pdf">Click Here to download a sheet of jokes. </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6hchFwQOX3mEVXXvbn9xK9AK7E_-tqT7zXCtJUcRJG4-aZj1jXfskL1rQqfsmVutw3BpTTwCHBFnTfd5QkwUl_Rg_LHakt6LEOFuT9tWRnkPCO1ZnU-yYHw1HGkE0qXaQSe0/s1600/IMG_5418.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6hchFwQOX3mEVXXvbn9xK9AK7E_-tqT7zXCtJUcRJG4-aZj1jXfskL1rQqfsmVutw3BpTTwCHBFnTfd5QkwUl_Rg_LHakt6LEOFuT9tWRnkPCO1ZnU-yYHw1HGkE0qXaQSe0/s320/IMG_5418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726483202683148978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. Flower seeds - We buy a few packs of flowers and divide them into smaller packets (simply fold little pouches from scratch paper and write the names on each pouch). After the hunt is done, encourage your children to plant their seeds in your garden or flower beds, in pots, or go on a walk and spread the seeds in vacant lots and along fence lines (every kid enjoys a little eco-terrorism)! They can enjoy watching their seeds grow all summer long.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-42426774582918881702012-03-09T10:15:00.004-08:002012-03-09T10:38:24.046-08:00Do It Yourself: Vintage Scarf Wine Bottle Wrap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTutExnf3fol5LyVOR1-ZRKENZJT6dEuPHOgvhVh2spjCWV8B4c7qqtT_dl-qI_LPGGXZV5u6r-xkcN4_BJlk5KEHgV9aAafHj_YyWp2rFuGs43pR3uHeTsomS6XcLFlnpsYr/s1600/DSC_0464.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTutExnf3fol5LyVOR1-ZRKENZJT6dEuPHOgvhVh2spjCWV8B4c7qqtT_dl-qI_LPGGXZV5u6r-xkcN4_BJlk5KEHgV9aAafHj_YyWp2rFuGs43pR3uHeTsomS6XcLFlnpsYr/s320/DSC_0464.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717967464286919298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A beautifully wrapped bottle of wine (or vermouth if you are out of wine...)</span></span><br /><br />How many times have you given or received a bottle of wine wrapped in some sort of wine holder that can only be a wine holder. This is a quick project to use a vintage scarf like wrapping paper for your next bottle of wine. Most large vintage scarves will work great, double check by pulling on opposite corners of the scarf to see if it stretches on the bias. If there is a little bit of stretch, the scarf will work great. The best part, there is no cutting or gluing, simply untie the knot and your recipient will also receive a beautiful new scarf.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/43oAXCuEOZQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-61426616775164951552012-03-01T09:30:00.019-08:002012-03-01T10:09:01.067-08:00Do It Yourself: Paper Easter Eggs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuWjbjHVtPb4Oj9VF4NqHh2K4Kzek8EtuQFNOU63vK5k5HZrziQlo197f9nZ-pRjFzDw6SKu4Nc9yFD58f-9xAPKqguZ5EPOQTbryjHt0J7OVdS4PmXjNh0mn9juqbrh7KniG/s1600/DSC_0483.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuWjbjHVtPb4Oj9VF4NqHh2K4Kzek8EtuQFNOU63vK5k5HZrziQlo197f9nZ-pRjFzDw6SKu4Nc9yFD58f-9xAPKqguZ5EPOQTbryjHt0J7OVdS4PmXjNh0mn9juqbrh7KniG/s320/DSC_0483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984542835246386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The finished goods can be used as a fun greeting card, or stuffed with money, tattoos, or stickers.</span></span><br /><br />A few years ago, our daughter lost her first tooth on Valentine's Day. Our clever tooth fairy folded her dollar like a heart and made her a tiny little valentine. As luck would have it, her second tooth fell out three days before Easter. She wondered aloud "I wonder if the Tooth Fairy will bring me something for Easter this time?" Wouldn't you know it, in the morning, the Tooth Fairy had created a tiny little egg that held her dollar.<br /><br />Coming up on Easter again, these little paper eggs are a fun alternative to the cheap plastic eggs we have all come to stuff with candy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQ5kC2SfCFjbUWHfZiRNIevLNt3-BtVtN2BRRHpC5GdfJsK6uRNU-XETuVi-4pX-OePJHoeByG-ivYmXL1WQfM8sCy-GRBCBxTsAJBhE3pCibaq6SwwVvq-AOBNrkMFD03dT1/s1600/DSC_0464.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQ5kC2SfCFjbUWHfZiRNIevLNt3-BtVtN2BRRHpC5GdfJsK6uRNU-XETuVi-4pX-OePJHoeByG-ivYmXL1WQfM8sCy-GRBCBxTsAJBhE3pCibaq6SwwVvq-AOBNrkMFD03dT1/s320/DSC_0464.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984380041592786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The supplies</span></span><br /><br />What you need:<br />Scissors<br />White Glue<br />Colored Pencils or Markers<br />4 X 6 Pieces of Cardstock (Index Cards work GREAT!)<br />Washi Paper Tape (optional)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi3gcHMPEoelXfvQjrsVxyS2CVgknFM9IAoj4-FINB0SMoKZawYh4cJAU_xSegpNWKbdY781XxiZfnEmhEdjXfmLydcZvY8EdJp3ObpsfDROdvRMZxpS-FHHUIqYsqCf1A7Gj/s1600/DSC_0465.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi3gcHMPEoelXfvQjrsVxyS2CVgknFM9IAoj4-FINB0SMoKZawYh4cJAU_xSegpNWKbdY781XxiZfnEmhEdjXfmLydcZvY8EdJp3ObpsfDROdvRMZxpS-FHHUIqYsqCf1A7Gj/s320/DSC_0465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984426963404866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Decorating the easy way!</span></span><br /><br />If you have Washi Paper Tape, decorating your eggs will be a breeze! Simply lay down layers of tape across your card stock. I am using 4 X 6 index cards, but a similar size piece of cardstock will be fine. If you choose to NOT use the tape, pre-decorate your eggs with markers, colored pencils, or decoupage (let them dry completely before proceeding).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4TRg4eO4o-CjVxVPDX8FbQRu0d-DLK_OOpiHrItM7sSfRB8dtSio6CESr_Y9EYKtZNEb7LZfuR3U0A0dyzpkBvRw7zSS2vDrGDCBHbZQ8iQzZ1XpIfWKVc2VEnPmbpHGtLJW/s1600/DSC_0467.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4TRg4eO4o-CjVxVPDX8FbQRu0d-DLK_OOpiHrItM7sSfRB8dtSio6CESr_Y9EYKtZNEb7LZfuR3U0A0dyzpkBvRw7zSS2vDrGDCBHbZQ8iQzZ1XpIfWKVc2VEnPmbpHGtLJW/s320/DSC_0467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985364532379522" border="0" /></a><br />Fold the paper in half and draw or trace an egg shape onto the back with pencil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAkiREGOxD28EUIfz8hasl18wlxXJ6friaOvWQzqJLCAjhvAwApvzJu_lDJxcnqDFF0SXnLdUB-T73jpNJ-xcZXddTr2rgnSiw7mBoQXp4YSWMB9bO-DMIhugcWm4P170_AaX/s1600/DSC_0468.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAkiREGOxD28EUIfz8hasl18wlxXJ6friaOvWQzqJLCAjhvAwApvzJu_lDJxcnqDFF0SXnLdUB-T73jpNJ-xcZXddTr2rgnSiw7mBoQXp4YSWMB9bO-DMIhugcWm4P170_AaX/s320/DSC_0468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985307118191954" border="0" /></a><br />Cutting through both halves at once, cut out the egg shape.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQJ2HWrV7mdgTBSQeunJOMjsWWEWFBzq68ysoqwwAfxgKgtuCoy7TYqezdP5w5klFPSnCICllDs1Bhl8qFx1eAr_gDV3WVaQ7nAkvlMVz4_cZhq6xK7gdZhFeyd8fEHlFOrdh/s1600/DSC_0470.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQJ2HWrV7mdgTBSQeunJOMjsWWEWFBzq68ysoqwwAfxgKgtuCoy7TYqezdP5w5klFPSnCICllDs1Bhl8qFx1eAr_gDV3WVaQ7nAkvlMVz4_cZhq6xK7gdZhFeyd8fEHlFOrdh/s320/DSC_0470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985240745312754" border="0" /></a><br />On an additional card, trace the egg shape. On the back of one of the decorated eggs, draw a crack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7g103gPPZmsxouEc7dU5SDvY_5DFL_eW_ohMT9DX1rMcIXLpjetnNve71OI2nIPUIXt_MHhHMfx7Us4X6eK2XjmTJn4BmhjBfhPvlw4YAwZC8UeMan1NoYh84zKyti7uJ-bS/s1600/DSC_0471.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7g103gPPZmsxouEc7dU5SDvY_5DFL_eW_ohMT9DX1rMcIXLpjetnNve71OI2nIPUIXt_MHhHMfx7Us4X6eK2XjmTJn4BmhjBfhPvlw4YAwZC8UeMan1NoYh84zKyti7uJ-bS/s320/DSC_0471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985198614843778" border="0" /></a><br />Hold both eggs together and cut the crack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgintkkzNKIbEa7VMfsyCD3HYu032-rhWzW70Fsxru9ASDECmrsFKcl2mqXAawPqaZ_Sx_tGYq9JCdBVRJppAxebKRN048lOuzlBZEOvl0xoeksCSycEjcS8slrHJCTT0rnj2l_/s1600/DSC_0472.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgintkkzNKIbEa7VMfsyCD3HYu032-rhWzW70Fsxru9ASDECmrsFKcl2mqXAawPqaZ_Sx_tGYq9JCdBVRJppAxebKRN048lOuzlBZEOvl0xoeksCSycEjcS8slrHJCTT0rnj2l_/s320/DSC_0472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985149004435330" border="0" /></a><br />Trace the bottom half of the crack on the blank egg shape then carefully draw about 1/4" INSIDE the edge of the outline along the top half of the egg. This is the portion of the card that will be inside the egg, and needs to be smaller along the top edge so it can move freely in and out of the top of the egg.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4C7XjJv_93YmCQxMA5KcwiVvsDzDf66Q292n-iW3VEfBs3Ou4zXWAL7H6UjHuqP4rzp60zhXcQ9-O00P4CKMw_D4t95ucMIKRMyNkDwKqngo6GJ2bnWwau792ct5KAj69uzj/s1600/DSC_0473.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4C7XjJv_93YmCQxMA5KcwiVvsDzDf66Q292n-iW3VEfBs3Ou4zXWAL7H6UjHuqP4rzp60zhXcQ9-O00P4CKMw_D4t95ucMIKRMyNkDwKqngo6GJ2bnWwau792ct5KAj69uzj/s320/DSC_0473.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985089866150930" border="0" /></a><br />Decorate the inside piece. I have drawn a chick with an Easter greeting. A vintage Easter drawing pasted to the inside would also be cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMc_CASf_dLcL803tUwVF5tGZ8TWM8MUNiw7jT1rjHcet9iz1Ouie7UaB9AlfCzW2qmMsn-tz0t0sBiSkuMT7YxzTLZxNr9nhsB1KAf9wi3g4x8iZmo4v7LNvn0R4I4pT-7LW/s1600/DSC_0474.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMc_CASf_dLcL803tUwVF5tGZ8TWM8MUNiw7jT1rjHcet9iz1Ouie7UaB9AlfCzW2qmMsn-tz0t0sBiSkuMT7YxzTLZxNr9nhsB1KAf9wi3g4x8iZmo4v7LNvn0R4I4pT-7LW/s320/DSC_0474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984901238832322" border="0" /></a><br />Cut it out just on the INSIDE of the outlines.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYULa0rIUau1Er5aGppbyfjVmD-waq2rbJI82J7b6uNJWLZdUaaw-YRq5VjgZOSWp-5WhAKwQz_wIS0Mr_MmYNQDklrzqsjhRujf3MrssPdcAOAu_mMaDGOEHfEDdSbhusngDE/s1600/DSC_0475.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYULa0rIUau1Er5aGppbyfjVmD-waq2rbJI82J7b6uNJWLZdUaaw-YRq5VjgZOSWp-5WhAKwQz_wIS0Mr_MmYNQDklrzqsjhRujf3MrssPdcAOAu_mMaDGOEHfEDdSbhusngDE/s320/DSC_0475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984848805122834" border="0" /></a><br />Put a small amount of glue on the back bottom half of the inside piece.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_bkeX7AoWGylpiUuBBN2iaIb-VOEi_z7dFEUzPAZy15e7PeiNyz54nT6o0Pjc-C587tzPXXQiX2MlIb3z8RwRQ7erN-v2JZrBY2d6Tv2CTx4EjoffRF8RjZcDbIatBXgRNHg/s1600/DSC_0476.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_bkeX7AoWGylpiUuBBN2iaIb-VOEi_z7dFEUzPAZy15e7PeiNyz54nT6o0Pjc-C587tzPXXQiX2MlIb3z8RwRQ7erN-v2JZrBY2d6Tv2CTx4EjoffRF8RjZcDbIatBXgRNHg/s320/DSC_0476.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984795338506674" border="0" /></a><br />Press one of the bottom halves into the glue and hold firmly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EOAznoQ09Sauf7HQ9-SV-pOk2iKAPwmCOm4yvxgdJehb33UMu3sbspWiJqg-w1iRQgwk0Qv_UXplnWHEmSpKhydoJ2eY6hLf7SiuytS_ZcTfZSrZ32wxyksgAMyeKgf5NI7y/s1600/DSC_0477.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EOAznoQ09Sauf7HQ9-SV-pOk2iKAPwmCOm4yvxgdJehb33UMu3sbspWiJqg-w1iRQgwk0Qv_UXplnWHEmSpKhydoJ2eY6hLf7SiuytS_ZcTfZSrZ32wxyksgAMyeKgf5NI7y/s320/DSC_0477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984743740394114" border="0" /></a><br />Along the bottom half of the front, place a thin bead of glue just along the edge of the paper. Leaving most of the bottom front half open will allow for the egg to work as a container. Press the remaining bottom piece into the glue and hold firmly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcUVvLCtgG7che8b221aWJrUmHtgCvPGu-bCab2sRlmQjgBY7phm7QQLR3jxvtaFxlwgGFu1Fh5Y_a_2vsFnz9TExRGFFQ9p1VvFD7e4Ueo-YrT5rAMOWN2045Av5zxIlScZM/s1600/DSC_0478.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcUVvLCtgG7che8b221aWJrUmHtgCvPGu-bCab2sRlmQjgBY7phm7QQLR3jxvtaFxlwgGFu1Fh5Y_a_2vsFnz9TExRGFFQ9p1VvFD7e4Ueo-YrT5rAMOWN2045Av5zxIlScZM/s320/DSC_0478.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984691326245170" border="0" /></a><br />On the back of one of the top halves, put a thin bead of glue along the edge. Leaving the center open allows the card to move in and out of the egg.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvHqYeJ9MTediZ8C0tWUc8lxyir8lffswzSRyrPm8QtT_0pXo4kSdhCTZ6uPBr4UsVcQ4zBos3Rm7ihzCHZhGqC14EMjgNaNCkiNcpM5EBQTbk35jGngkvLkgkuIF5Fk4AmXw/s1600/DSC_0479.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvHqYeJ9MTediZ8C0tWUc8lxyir8lffswzSRyrPm8QtT_0pXo4kSdhCTZ6uPBr4UsVcQ4zBos3Rm7ihzCHZhGqC14EMjgNaNCkiNcpM5EBQTbk35jGngkvLkgkuIF5Fk4AmXw/s320/DSC_0479.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984640437148546" border="0" /></a><br />After the glue has dried...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj4knXCzgxL0ckFwqr9HbeQIBI2bUEaN_DnQmgkMqSc5eIP8SY4d2ziyXMfmrAw-a3ZdHDiPbQXuOrtyF0zohQrRSQd9_kq2OOZYeUHI-GCffCw36pmxh8i-UkOrYO6_D4Qf5/s1600/DSC_0481.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj4knXCzgxL0ckFwqr9HbeQIBI2bUEaN_DnQmgkMqSc5eIP8SY4d2ziyXMfmrAw-a3ZdHDiPbQXuOrtyF0zohQrRSQd9_kq2OOZYeUHI-GCffCw36pmxh8i-UkOrYO6_D4Qf5/s320/DSC_0481.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984590950932466" border="0" /></a><br />Assemble your egg! There is probably a right and wrong way to put your egg together, I find holding the top over the bottom to see which way the crack matches up the best makes it easier.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvf7Thph7179q1cZBvQ1NZ1-rLLsIoFtco92KIdfpySDBsloyHxBLfGvswtrHGjyU5ckgxOB5O6i0Ou7LCUpfWuXDc68mhybZFH76oCpKdxP6y0QfF9EUhXplVYc3NfzBv6lK/s1600/DSC_0485.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvf7Thph7179q1cZBvQ1NZ1-rLLsIoFtco92KIdfpySDBsloyHxBLfGvswtrHGjyU5ckgxOB5O6i0Ou7LCUpfWuXDc68mhybZFH76oCpKdxP6y0QfF9EUhXplVYc3NfzBv6lK/s320/DSC_0485.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714984495108926370" border="0" /></a><br />Once the glue has dried, your egg can be used to hold coins, stickers, tattoos, sticks of gum, or in the case of this lucky egg, FIVE DOLLAR BILLS!Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-76850633534571481942012-01-04T09:23:00.000-08:002012-01-04T09:32:20.091-08:00New Gadget: Twist and Sparkle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmLyalF5AXQKfXSn3UgVVZIo1W5NbaQWFRP7e0w6I13gv_aQDIcIe2-8vi1DZYjhQyuaWa3yjw3nRYFSQ-jHbefWBjYTgc7Gt_JnYCxlByte-mRaDnNgW26n5IqXo2Wc-Ei6w/s1600/DSC_0476.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmLyalF5AXQKfXSn3UgVVZIo1W5NbaQWFRP7e0w6I13gv_aQDIcIe2-8vi1DZYjhQyuaWa3yjw3nRYFSQ-jHbefWBjYTgc7Gt_JnYCxlByte-mRaDnNgW26n5IqXo2Wc-Ei6w/s320/DSC_0476.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693829002269551714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sparkle baby! Sparkle! In just a minute, I will be enjoying a glass of sparkling Raspberry Mint</span> water.<br /><br />My husband got me a Isi Twist and Sparkle for Christmas, and it is fantastic. I have a raging La Croix habit, and can easily go through 3-4 cans a day. I like the Twist and Sparkle because I can use it to create fresh fruit infused sparkling water, and I can make a bottle when I want (no more late night trips to the store to buy a warm case of La Croix).<br /><br />To keep a stash on hand, each day I prepare two bottle of fruit water. I have tried fresh pineapple, oranges, clementines, mixed berry, and raspberry. This time of year, oranges and clementines are abundant, so I have been favoring those, but I also like to use frozen raspberries with a little dried mint from last summer's garden. I put in about 1/2 an orange or a small handful of raspberries with water (i use our tap water, but you could go all fancy and use filtered water). I let the bottle chill in the fridge until I am ready to fizz it up. The fizz lasts best for a few hours (I have no problem drinking 4 cups of infused water in just a few hours). It will keep overnight, but it is not as fizzy.<br /><br />I think next I will try infused cucumber water, and some classic lemon lime.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-11049484807275995072011-12-03T11:23:00.000-08:002011-12-03T11:43:31.709-08:00Do It Yourself: Empty Spool Candy/Cracker Ornaments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXxX_L2mBBtjpncqY66UfWzRZ_ZoFpyH1uCKkKNPXTwGC1NZA5hY6DowDROvBtLOFi8q5NmmW25863sgyn0dC2H6aj2RJHr84kXsS6mpg9GIHKHAMgatF4EtwFNz2A65neMHh/s1600/DSC_0485.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXxX_L2mBBtjpncqY66UfWzRZ_ZoFpyH1uCKkKNPXTwGC1NZA5hY6DowDROvBtLOFi8q5NmmW25863sgyn0dC2H6aj2RJHr84kXsS6mpg9GIHKHAMgatF4EtwFNz2A65neMHh/s320/DSC_0485.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681985864936905778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This ornament was made by Sylvia (I helped her with the hot glue). She decided to make hers a piece of sour candy by gluing a paper label to the front.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OOszlgen5uM2Ww5ApuB2Hp-PWSZZdnhtRbN39xoYIwyMQYva2Zifgl_4jetAapoSz1ydMr5J4xyEY74UbwH3ziWbz6ECtUfOqTrOedFI6xDilCCIHDyX1O6rno2kpvGUCQkA/s1600/DSC_0483.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OOszlgen5uM2Ww5ApuB2Hp-PWSZZdnhtRbN39xoYIwyMQYva2Zifgl_4jetAapoSz1ydMr5J4xyEY74UbwH3ziWbz6ECtUfOqTrOedFI6xDilCCIHDyX1O6rno2kpvGUCQkA/s320/DSC_0483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681985822484076194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >This ornament was made by Beatrice (with the hot glue assist)</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">. Beatrice's is Sweet Sour Candy (?).</span></span><br /><br />If you sew as much as I do, you probably have a giant bin full of empty thread spools. They are too good to throw away, but yet hard to use (especially the modern plastic ones). I designed this little project to do on a rainy (yes RAINY) December afternoon with the kiddos. My girls are 4 and 7, this project uses hot glue, so I needed to help them with the gluing and cutting the pieces to the right size. This project would be perfect for kids just a little bit older (8+).<br /><br />Materials:<br />floral wire (medium gage)<br />wide ribbon<br />felt<br />empty spool<br />thin ribbon<br />hot glue<br />scissors<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejrlqIa2hmX9UVPPqm-74Lz_9eZpWuwhdK6QJ4b6iooJE6u6MhtE-mjpl5ElLJgi26jck2yVU_yec1JVroPiOzyAVPnL4u0IfYv3nykUppEyaPZuxIeABKav5VxtSpbig3ywH/s1600/DSC_0490.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejrlqIa2hmX9UVPPqm-74Lz_9eZpWuwhdK6QJ4b6iooJE6u6MhtE-mjpl5ElLJgi26jck2yVU_yec1JVroPiOzyAVPnL4u0IfYv3nykUppEyaPZuxIeABKav5VxtSpbig3ywH/s320/DSC_0490.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681985913026321074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Prepare your pieces by cutting the felt into a rectangle that is large enough to roll entirely around the circumference of the spool with a little bit of an overlap. Leave the ends at least 1 1/2 " longer than the spool on each side.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdqmL1pGiKNHdt0QcB8tmoVnBD2k04Cb6FS6YvYUtvye-6UHLqL8nKnLRu3Kmr5xyTPSjpfU7IEhIyzZwT6_wBk0hZDMWOwpfLBXNnS4r5_YZqitrdA29ze51jLj2b0Exx9Mn/s1600/DSC_0493.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdqmL1pGiKNHdt0QcB8tmoVnBD2k04Cb6FS6YvYUtvye-6UHLqL8nKnLRu3Kmr5xyTPSjpfU7IEhIyzZwT6_wBk0hZDMWOwpfLBXNnS4r5_YZqitrdA29ze51jLj2b0Exx9Mn/s320/DSC_0493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681985951875112578" border="0" /></a><br />Thread the wire through the center of the spool and bend a hook at the end. Secure this into the spokes of the spool with a small dab of hot glue.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBau1H_yS5FDztY50_L0ERQsEWpJAh40mFV8rUclAFxO5Gge_P4uU-iQFVY230C5kKlYR0Q3S_SMDPWQ9QwLOuept03WhRSSK-dVrZmVaWTWLQ1ZEHUjjHmYKmnineTvsT4nvQ/s1600/DSC_0502.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBau1H_yS5FDztY50_L0ERQsEWpJAh40mFV8rUclAFxO5Gge_P4uU-iQFVY230C5kKlYR0Q3S_SMDPWQ9QwLOuept03WhRSSK-dVrZmVaWTWLQ1ZEHUjjHmYKmnineTvsT4nvQ/s320/DSC_0502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681985998341763330" border="0" /></a><br />Next, secure one edge of the felt with hot glue to the spool. lay the ribbon over it and secure the ribbon with hot glue to the spool as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCzbxK8QbO5hxL8FRT3CyYAgcJSC_A3aczBUN2O7dJ4rXpEU-JWUlS16L82TF3wxGmUhxCn2kjaGH6CTNKBA46hApbZvz9Mo6pv8vn2I6L8F8cYa3cBIKFa82iv-duzE8eFWx/s1600/DSC_0503.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCzbxK8QbO5hxL8FRT3CyYAgcJSC_A3aczBUN2O7dJ4rXpEU-JWUlS16L82TF3wxGmUhxCn2kjaGH6CTNKBA46hApbZvz9Mo6pv8vn2I6L8F8cYa3cBIKFa82iv-duzE8eFWx/s320/DSC_0503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681986055976015602" border="0" /></a><br />Roll the felt and the ribbon around the spool. Fold the edge of the ribbon over the edge of the felt and secure with hot glue.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BXd-57Nhze6n0fs5THrTqKpD_TzLa-meNaVSW7ny415Lmjn6nMDjWJiaoUXjCYFz6s4-QRU3QN-J4HT2rLqChiE_fuK7vjU3qNSWzdID_NL62AsQAv-pfH7LtsttH7dvqZJo/s1600/DSC_0504.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BXd-57Nhze6n0fs5THrTqKpD_TzLa-meNaVSW7ny415Lmjn6nMDjWJiaoUXjCYFz6s4-QRU3QN-J4HT2rLqChiE_fuK7vjU3qNSWzdID_NL62AsQAv-pfH7LtsttH7dvqZJo/s320/DSC_0504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681986104492866674" border="0" /></a><br />Finish rolling the felt and ribbon around the spool and secure with hot glue.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANMaS5hMNqYYU71WAFUjrrNLpt7wGT76_ViBmuZQ04xIVMlztoePUZLrYpBJRJ2PAVqjxjV4-NYFW5NKMS0E76fon962x_gyXv-oCebyISA_NK_9lFFk9YBPMVgR6znYj7sme/s1600/DSC_0505.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANMaS5hMNqYYU71WAFUjrrNLpt7wGT76_ViBmuZQ04xIVMlztoePUZLrYpBJRJ2PAVqjxjV4-NYFW5NKMS0E76fon962x_gyXv-oCebyISA_NK_9lFFk9YBPMVgR6znYj7sme/s320/DSC_0505.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681986159112202418" border="0" /></a><br />Using the thin ribbon, gather the ends and tie with a decorative bow.<br /><br />To hang the ornament, either leave the wire long and bend a hook, OR clip the wire short, and bend over to create a loop to which you will tie a hanging ribbon.<br /><br />Add a paper label if desired with glue.<br /><br />To create a dish of candies, omit the center wire and continue with the rest of the steps.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEK2n0eX7kolxhaPidpOAv5Ht5FPWnReQqyC1RogYqmVHLshiPQoGoF6IzE1_iJ70LWvaAdiINhCtdZ4dw32XpQHY9XDdJGAOSSIa1kV4sKu_PXG_81R1P4gdoppL11UxnIuR/s1600/DSC_0509.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEK2n0eX7kolxhaPidpOAv5Ht5FPWnReQqyC1RogYqmVHLshiPQoGoF6IzE1_iJ70LWvaAdiINhCtdZ4dw32XpQHY9XDdJGAOSSIa1kV4sKu_PXG_81R1P4gdoppL11UxnIuR/s320/DSC_0509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681986206535873778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://handmadepretties.blogspot.com/2009/12/few-of-my-favorite-things-over-years-i.html">Santa Cop</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> means to show the new ornament who is the boss...</span></span>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-4767661416364460312011-07-09T12:29:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:42:50.113-07:00Recipes: Bee Balm Sun Tea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4LnXuzAJQ1HnUm_M-XCydYBshg0nBSefHaj0yh0hKFvaPZ8GnuwNaW8ddVKulFOekJk6qBEn2RxxtpiO4Db2J0aUvbeL9E9skEWnn-DWRE41LunG8OXitppRK4fPGysuGi0P/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4LnXuzAJQ1HnUm_M-XCydYBshg0nBSefHaj0yh0hKFvaPZ8GnuwNaW8ddVKulFOekJk6qBEn2RxxtpiO4Db2J0aUvbeL9E9skEWnn-DWRE41LunG8OXitppRK4fPGysuGi0P/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627439032541822610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A fine jar of Bee Balm Tea in front of our Bee Balm patch. Bee Balm is in the mint family and has a sweet minty flavor. Bee Balm blossoms are also a lovely addition to salads.</span></span><br /><br />It's summer, and at our house, we drink sun tea. Lots and lots of sun tea. The problem is that after a few glasses, my caffeine intolerance kicks in and I can have no more. Additionally, the girls love tea, but I am not really all that enthusiastic about hopping them up with chemical energy all day. So we invented Bee Balm Sun Tea. It is very easy to make, and quite delicious.<br /><br />Bee Balm Sun Tea<br />5-7 Bee Balm Blossoms<br />A handful of Fresh Basil<br />A Handful of Fresh Mint<br />2-3T Dried Hibiscus flowers and rosehips (optional to enhance the pink color)<br /><br />In a CLEAN (scrubbed with hot soapy water) clear glass jar, fill about two to three inches from the top with water. Add all ingredients (if using hibiscus and rosehips place these in a tea ball or t-sac). Place the jar in direct sunlight for 3-4 hours. Remove the ingredients and chill.<br /><br />An alternate brewing method which yields a less strong tea is to cold brew the tea in the fridge for 24 hours.<br /><br />The tea is great on ice with or without a touch of honey.<br /><br />Note: for those of you with weak or compromised immune systems, the cold brew method is probably the safest, as sun brewed tea can sometimes promote the growth of bacteria.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-36894473130603409252011-06-21T08:40:00.000-07:002011-06-21T08:47:58.723-07:00Patterns: Better Homes and Gardens Pouf<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAXW89Rq-4fIhwCEwDi6eYBMYxwwGmJ28I5GlfE_5Q5AaVgYaL0w1fXa1eyXq85_71pUmQMGrQiAumeemES-b_2CE9kvj2JOOcUiQCnK-Xr05D5EwdyznEunzkSawA9vFH-t-/s1600/550_101729078.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAXW89Rq-4fIhwCEwDi6eYBMYxwwGmJ28I5GlfE_5Q5AaVgYaL0w1fXa1eyXq85_71pUmQMGrQiAumeemES-b_2CE9kvj2JOOcUiQCnK-Xr05D5EwdyznEunzkSawA9vFH-t-/s320/550_101729078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620699203028521426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two lucky BHG subscribers will WIN the one of the ottomans in the photo above. Both are made by Lara Newsom of Handmade Pretties.</span></span><br /><br />Open the latest copy of Better Homes and Gardens and you will find a stitched yellow burlap ottoman made by Handmade Pretties as a set piece. After creating the ottoman as a mere photo prop, the editors at BHG asked me to create a <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/make-a-pretty-pouf/#page=1">pattern</a> that would be available for free online (all you have to do is register with BHG to download the <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/make-a-pretty-pouf/#page=1">pattern</a>). For $50 or less, you can create one of your own.<br /><br />In addition to generating all of the digital pattern files and written instructions, I spent a day working with Amy Panos of BHG on the set of the photo shoot. Two lucky BHG subscribers will WIN the two ottomans in the photo above.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-62513509500396422992011-06-18T12:02:00.000-07:002011-06-18T12:06:50.899-07:00Favorite Songs: Buoy - The Nightgowns<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dLLwVg0w_MM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />I love the lyrics in this song. It's like coming out of a fog and finding yourself in the bright sunshine. (or like coming out of the basement and finally getting to go to bed...)Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-46223342022527925612011-06-17T12:23:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:34:00.967-07:00Magazine Feature: Do It Yourself Magazine Spring 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tonr9tgAtJhcZy9RTase9ft6k1E66ZdAkdQxDeb1kw10_2JXbEct4oXT_yuX_hzusqGFggDa3cJZ_MvqwjAmeb-PiqYj6zMqYWoUTLB9g05aSgjSt0xJnR-lBF2sYaejr4ac/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tonr9tgAtJhcZy9RTase9ft6k1E66ZdAkdQxDeb1kw10_2JXbEct4oXT_yuX_hzusqGFggDa3cJZ_MvqwjAmeb-PiqYj6zMqYWoUTLB9g05aSgjSt0xJnR-lBF2sYaejr4ac/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619271801971443378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Title Page for the Story. I created the dyed and starched candy dishes. </span></span><br /><br />I worked with Jessica Thomas on Eye Candy for the Spring 2011 issue of Do It Yourself Magazine. I spent a good month collecting doilies and lace, dying doilies and lace, painting doilies and lace, and finally sewing doilies and lace. I created the stiffened doily dishes using watered down white glue and a final coat of shellac. I used a similar technique to adhere the lace to votives and a large mason jar vase. I also created the five lace and doily embellished pillows on page 83. The teal pillow in the front simply used doilies as stencils for spray paint. The others featured doilies and lace sewn to the surface of the pillow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MTf_5Hk2hbQctMpVceijrquTk42367fjIYYlX6jsxJhDrGqaQWE5GOMO4a-J05Slm7F8HhFGfsPAPVOlThIzxynplLGo75_fjjn8G_iylKvCg1P-99EKXMU6flXm_UTJNEkm/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MTf_5Hk2hbQctMpVceijrquTk42367fjIYYlX6jsxJhDrGqaQWE5GOMO4a-J05Slm7F8HhFGfsPAPVOlThIzxynplLGo75_fjjn8G_iylKvCg1P-99EKXMU6flXm_UTJNEkm/s320/DSC_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619271947158726594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A lovely stack of pillows. I designed and produced all five lace and doily pillows.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SJ4p4LJe0qnTPywDUoyUc7RBg6G-7CIUo8Hc0zbqqzhdE1lNLTU_MWOnxm1NzMA7WA7VhMH0kw4FCto9FFMbnzaEmDOiV1ZHSNCM1ssZVrwYTcnu04OiIx_k5XzFBhbpxrzo/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SJ4p4LJe0qnTPywDUoyUc7RBg6G-7CIUo8Hc0zbqqzhdE1lNLTU_MWOnxm1NzMA7WA7VhMH0kw4FCto9FFMbnzaEmDOiV1ZHSNCM1ssZVrwYTcnu04OiIx_k5XzFBhbpxrzo/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619271875223847938" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A shot of the votives and the mason jar vase.</span></span>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-14086045968829308422011-06-08T07:28:00.000-07:002011-06-08T07:42:51.352-07:00Magazine Feature: Giant Monkey Block Pattern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK5GnsZOa7zZeimLOzOWFmTTg7hOpiq9k5Y-tSPsO2nCq3weR9UnKt9KsUD9DiL8UpcZ9X1JZJQEayQiz3b2I6HiDbwgGasU5nvt3jxzU5Gkrcrpxrob7tR5gXLS1et2Nex9c/s1600/IMG_3418.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK5GnsZOa7zZeimLOzOWFmTTg7hOpiq9k5Y-tSPsO2nCq3weR9UnKt9KsUD9DiL8UpcZ9X1JZJQEayQiz3b2I6HiDbwgGasU5nvt3jxzU5Gkrcrpxrob7tR5gXLS1et2Nex9c/s320/IMG_3418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857779419650306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The finished dice right before I dropped it off at Meredith.</span></span><br /><br />The Winter 2010 issue of Quilts and More (published by Meredith), features a pattern that I created for an over-sized monkey block. I generated all of the digital files for the patterns and wrote the instructions. Meredith shot all of the amazing photos with the baby (my babies are big girls now). Eventually, I will offer this pattern for sale on my etsy site.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR71Ob1T0jRr0txdWzDK8dqWsXfzQf8nVSpxtqJHKqsW12fPup06ooL5YQ4TEr9cWe5irwYtvEwKbA7Th8wjN2GZDjh0_u_6gRKVTzI7M3hyphenhypheneFsww8Ju0FwbPqmxpIBFO8ytio/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR71Ob1T0jRr0txdWzDK8dqWsXfzQf8nVSpxtqJHKqsW12fPup06ooL5YQ4TEr9cWe5irwYtvEwKbA7Th8wjN2GZDjh0_u_6gRKVTzI7M3hyphenhypheneFsww8Ju0FwbPqmxpIBFO8ytio/s320/DSC_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615856829925537010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The magazine cover</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOisQcv59fN7P8Wk08w4kAi3Oz3XZn9Gg9v1q-AzHeM7EJ-qOalvUQyVKtsxXih1mvRTwy6ckkicHTmjtwd21dho3jONK8h12kHEXBPKhaeX-Oe_8FVXRH84QjFubnVQvzQ7T/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOisQcv59fN7P8Wk08w4kAi3Oz3XZn9Gg9v1q-AzHeM7EJ-qOalvUQyVKtsxXih1mvRTwy6ckkicHTmjtwd21dho3jONK8h12kHEXBPKhaeX-Oe_8FVXRH84QjFubnVQvzQ7T/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857048806273858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Title Page of the pattern</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjgptJkFWl5U2b_hLu5kxPV_8iekIi4xhj4hdDXA_FdPf4PdtLeyf-HIUW3dhXGoxnai3iFGrU1UIJlFLK3YZqQ43PZiqV0WPskNhVHWkVzWQuGaIk5k-7y466OFD6o9JkXCA/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjgptJkFWl5U2b_hLu5kxPV_8iekIi4xhj4hdDXA_FdPf4PdtLeyf-HIUW3dhXGoxnai3iFGrU1UIJlFLK3YZqQ43PZiqV0WPskNhVHWkVzWQuGaIk5k-7y466OFD6o9JkXCA/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857634553191298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqnfUHlFVQZZPzGOZbcGh9fAr5vU5KIsinpgSBUxJ0cEJOtY8II51d3DZgrNJ3_sd-hoBvixhMn-rTbyRoPpuNTWhag4tGEO2U-SXGH4GEPT7ps2TJy3uwaG6tDVuirM0TDYx/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqnfUHlFVQZZPzGOZbcGh9fAr5vU5KIsinpgSBUxJ0cEJOtY8II51d3DZgrNJ3_sd-hoBvixhMn-rTbyRoPpuNTWhag4tGEO2U-SXGH4GEPT7ps2TJy3uwaG6tDVuirM0TDYx/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857692354638530" border="0" /></a>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-4369388949830775762011-06-07T11:10:00.000-07:002011-06-07T11:19:47.956-07:00Magazine Feature: Do It Yourself Magazine Winter 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hQEOJ0JnsTc6lkpqferR8LpUDCyQ0J8goLPRC0ppERsryRDE2477jwfezWk8qv4LAkl2qo4TH-XljRnoxjksrRg1H1hC_SiZ44ffrv5J3L0oIlPg7e-s-3XqJYCdiKpwj22-/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hQEOJ0JnsTc6lkpqferR8LpUDCyQ0J8goLPRC0ppERsryRDE2477jwfezWk8qv4LAkl2qo4TH-XljRnoxjksrRg1H1hC_SiZ44ffrv5J3L0oIlPg7e-s-3XqJYCdiKpwj22-/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615543348912167858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The title page of the story. I hand cut and stitched the felt artwork for this page.</span></span><br /><br />"We Love Felt" is published in the Winter 2010 issue of Do It Yourself magazine (pg 76). I worked on this piece with Jessica Thomas to create the backdrops and cube props. I created the title page "We Love Felt" piece. Additionally, one of my felted wool brooches is featured on page 79.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjnuHoIT_jhfY-J1AuF3oWuWj_jqqOVHP67qRzMraRShn-5p-BlwB5tQ_SR0GnDIw81CxdkQ1GH_Qmq-XmhbbtNMNI3HD-DwCnCh488o5e6IGC9ulIOiHLQ7FDacH5hj2aNQu/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjnuHoIT_jhfY-J1AuF3oWuWj_jqqOVHP67qRzMraRShn-5p-BlwB5tQ_SR0GnDIw81CxdkQ1GH_Qmq-XmhbbtNMNI3HD-DwCnCh488o5e6IGC9ulIOiHLQ7FDacH5hj2aNQu/s320/DSC_0014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615543526929236194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I created the felt covered block set pieces for this shoot.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHapBtfGddDhFMqy5jepeYPSlubAX7iNIOZzKHMl_BsL8w8yVMEnDME4Gn3SHEibC8HPBHEr-4hF8NMbb03JYm6KtER3O8t1-KE2z4f1F_OnI3laAavDveMm_isSsvrXDPSVl/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHapBtfGddDhFMqy5jepeYPSlubAX7iNIOZzKHMl_BsL8w8yVMEnDME4Gn3SHEibC8HPBHEr-4hF8NMbb03JYm6KtER3O8t1-KE2z4f1F_OnI3laAavDveMm_isSsvrXDPSVl/s320/DSC_0013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615543465519261346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">More of the felt block in action.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT60PdcoKy2ad6LYYx3Nm00nrJ8ZH2rp_Oe_icbiCv3Ft1BwT7iyWNzXstuw-leHjfe5kFNCRhI0k0TK69V8aPj8eX3v-N-WD48b8iCp3KbKHlWynZwexn1O-vTDiIaKky5arx/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT60PdcoKy2ad6LYYx3Nm00nrJ8ZH2rp_Oe_icbiCv3Ft1BwT7iyWNzXstuw-leHjfe5kFNCRhI0k0TK69V8aPj8eX3v-N-WD48b8iCp3KbKHlWynZwexn1O-vTDiIaKky5arx/s320/DSC_0012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615543405134061410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My brooch is the spiky red orange flower in the foreground.</span></span>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-78798933154847749262011-03-29T15:12:00.001-07:002011-03-30T08:19:47.303-07:00Handmade Pretties in Pottery Barn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/wildflower-nursery-bedding/popup/more-views.html?active=1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3-Fs4rUFdv_ghIuP1XNM9CkVsVGdEn_rb8bVZH5dpBLoFEYdNzEDLPNPj3WzmnL5unOhYQ0ZCdCYjj19CkNs3sckK7z_fu8Cu7ijRBzAvDICQ6vuIZq8GdlVLDo3JfOFa7wt/s320/img30l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589628922381875970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This photo belongs to Pottery Barn </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.williams-sonomainc.com/" class="newWindow" rel="{'name' : 'wsWindow'}" title="Link opens in a new window">Copyright 2011, Williams-Sonoma, Inc</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. All Rights Reserved</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">.<br />The ball in this photo is made by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadepretties?ref=seller_info">Handmade Pretties</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></span><br /><br />You might open up the latest Pottery Barn catalog and notice a pink and green <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59167240/personalized-sweater-ball">sweater ball</a> next to the crib in the photo of the <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/wildflower-nursery-bedding/popup/more-views.html?active=1">Wildflowers </a>bedding set. Yes. It is a Handmade Pretties ball. I think I still have bits of those sweaters in the bin ready to be sewn!<br /><br />Good news! I offer <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46211430/rainbow-sweater-ball">sweater balls</a> in a rainbow of colors. You can either choose your color palette to match your decor (doesn't the ball look GREAT in the photo!) or order one of my very popular rainbow sweater balls. These balls can also be <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59167240/personalized-sweater-ball">personalized</a> and make a really great gift.<br /><br />I also offer sweater balls in a fun <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62441300/mini-rainbow-sweater-balls-wool-stuffed">mini size</a>.Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-82952114103352316262011-03-23T09:28:00.000-07:002011-03-23T10:08:12.691-07:00Do It Yourself: Cardboard City!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiemYib46koPajK0_gGMAvtyoZx6ipUcaUJHj9BUpYaFPO0AGTiEf5cCZ0Jc1iZ5wvyG51yUSkTkapdH2yemgRFaQ-PlBPA-RVSwm4Ji11spGlvqxhDssYYzq5pAqX9xTjP018/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiemYib46koPajK0_gGMAvtyoZx6ipUcaUJHj9BUpYaFPO0AGTiEf5cCZ0Jc1iZ5wvyG51yUSkTkapdH2yemgRFaQ-PlBPA-RVSwm4Ji11spGlvqxhDssYYzq5pAqX9xTjP018/s320/DSC_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587322840524559154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beatrice playing with the finished product. They also had fun making a circle to keep out tornadoes (yes, they are true midwestern girls).</span></span><br /><br />How many times have you heard "Mom! When are we going to do something fun?" I hear this about ten times a day (ironically it is often on the way home from the zoo or some other epic adventure.) Over Spring Break, our wallets demanded that we find some fun stuff to do at home. So we created cardboard city scapes.<br /><br />Handmade Pretties uses a lot of 5 pound stuffing boxes, so we chose these as our starting box. Any large box will work.<br /><br />The first step is to open up the box. Open the flaps on the top and the bottom, then carefully break the seam along the side of the box.<br /><br />Next, draw your city scape on the main portion of the box (you will be cutting off the top flaps and using the bottom flaps as the supports to make the city stand). Using scissors or a serrated knife, cut out your city. I prefer the serrated knife, since it can be used like a saw, but I have been known to cut deeply into my finger tips while doing this, so be very careful.<br /><br />Now, draw some doors that sit right along the crease between the main body of the box and the bottom flaps (this way the doors will be at ground level). When you cut out the doors, be sure to leave one side attached if you want the door to open and close.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcHYYpAejSTznyZNQT65gUqEGRxnyFMLQqAAsxTrDVEXz7SQQjdpStIspYLPgRvFvboNjlaQq_Gu3W9qElJjHRBzM0dEic9sxM-yLcjvgApoKcL0X7amrbAH05QIG6Xw10mfC/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcHYYpAejSTznyZNQT65gUqEGRxnyFMLQqAAsxTrDVEXz7SQQjdpStIspYLPgRvFvboNjlaQq_Gu3W9qElJjHRBzM0dEic9sxM-yLcjvgApoKcL0X7amrbAH05QIG6Xw10mfC/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587322780920314242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beatrice carefully choosing her stickers.</span></span><br /><br />The final step is to give the city scape to your children to decorate. My kids used markers and stickers, but crayons, stamps, paint, and/or glitter glue can also be used.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVjTlFXjnhNlv5RPUOI69a95HkceKQuS8bIoOj1Ji7BdoGQStRwV_zTiAMFo444NZp9Ukd4SdWvuJ_fctqHdAN2JLwbwBMdZA1m89YO8O_wRvv3PO_MrpmchqWRn3PoRWUx_z/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVjTlFXjnhNlv5RPUOI69a95HkceKQuS8bIoOj1Ji7BdoGQStRwV_zTiAMFo444NZp9Ukd4SdWvuJ_fctqHdAN2JLwbwBMdZA1m89YO8O_wRvv3PO_MrpmchqWRn3PoRWUx_z/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587322734360102914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sylvia putting on the finishing touches.</span></span><br /><br />Once the kids are done decorating, set up your city and play! The city scapes are a fun addition to blocks and cars, and can be easily folded flat to store. Once the kids are done with them, don't forget to recycle the cardboard!Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-15180605843123983362011-03-07T07:35:00.001-08:002011-03-14T09:25:34.124-07:00Do It Yourself: Little Red Riding Hood Game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTosK6lnh-C1_IYgaDw_GXFE4Jb9rQSCRYIrbxzoJebGDFMKYxXN8pjcy5Z-ttAN_eLsxeaM9TLzEX1LLolOLGZkmt5-DjQjiYJarzWe6tf-QUUcx85YrU5QvzNBqGUcyG10aK/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTosK6lnh-C1_IYgaDw_GXFE4Jb9rQSCRYIrbxzoJebGDFMKYxXN8pjcy5Z-ttAN_eLsxeaM9TLzEX1LLolOLGZkmt5-DjQjiYJarzWe6tf-QUUcx85YrU5QvzNBqGUcyG10aK/s320/DSC_0035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581362904877959810" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >We used little wooden peg dolls that we found at Michaels for the game pieces.</span><br /><br />Several years ago for Christmas, we bought the girls a small collection of blank books and puzzles from <a href="http://www.barebooks.com/">Bare Books</a>. We also bought a blank game board with a spinner and a set of cards. We FINALLY decided it was time to make our first game.<br /><br />First I showed the girls the game board, and we started talking about what kind of game they would like to play. We talked about which games we already have and how those games are played. They really like Candy Land (and candy...) so they wanted something with a path. They kicked around ideas including unicorns, candy, Little Red Riding Hood, and unicorns dressed up like little red riding hood looking for candy. Looking for a theme that had a story line they were both familiar with and that wasn't overly complex, we opted to make a Little Red Riding Hood game.<br /><br />Getting Started:<br />Once we got our theme in mind, we started by deciding how the players would move through the game. They both like spinners more than dice, so we used the blank spinner that we got with the game board. It was divided into six sections four sections strictly for movement (go forward 1,2,3, or 4 spaces), one penalty type section (the wolf), and the bonus section (cookies and muffins). The girls also enjoy Chutes and Ladders (ok they like the ladder part better than the chute part) so they wanted to include "wolf paths" so that little red could cut through the forest and get to Grandma's house faster. To add an extra educational aspect to the game, we made the blank cards into "wolf cards". The wolf cards feature simple math problems, spelling, story completion (What big eyes you have the better to ________ you with"), and a handful of lose a turn cards. When the player spins a wolf, they have to answer a wolf card. If they get the answer correct, they get to move one space if not they lose a turn. Also, if the player lands on the space that leads to the wolf path, they can draw a wolf card. If they answer correctly, they get to cross the path. If the cookie/muffin section of the spinner is spun, the player gets to advance to the next cookie or muffin space on the board.<br /><br />Planning out the game ahead of time will make a big difference in how it ends up.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK1eKED1ZDr92_u3T_0Tzo5ps620_urJF0j6uzX0nmFSO3mjedQffkh-dLBEOyyJ2gT-jQIhFNtACpakQFNJ2o4sP8cd1F_31HGWyuWildsY1KTq-1BWk4FmUo3qndatj-AFK/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK1eKED1ZDr92_u3T_0Tzo5ps620_urJF0j6uzX0nmFSO3mjedQffkh-dLBEOyyJ2gT-jQIhFNtACpakQFNJ2o4sP8cd1F_31HGWyuWildsY1KTq-1BWk4FmUo3qndatj-AFK/s320/DSC_0029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581362673780310770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You can see some of our preliminary plans on the drawings next to the game.</span></span><br /><br />Get to Work:<br /><br />My girls are six and three (almost four), so I needed to give them simple tasks that would make them feel like they were really contributing to the game. Sylvia (my six year old) is very artistic, so after I drew in the basic path, her job was to draw grandma's house and all of the background decorations. (She chose to make it Grandpa's house, apparently grandma was at the grocery store...) Beatrice helped me decorate the wolf cards and drew little red's house at the start. Sylvia also worked on the spinner. We used markers and watercolors to color in the game board. Both girls are pretty good at painting, so all three of us painted in the background of the board using watercolors.<br /><br />The final missing piece were the player pieces. Of course the girls wanted them to look like Little Red Riding Hood, so we took a break and went to Michael's to find some blank peg dolls. I cut little red pieces of fabric for hoods and to distinguish players we used different colors of yarn to tie the hoods. I drew the faces with a sharpie.<br /><br />While at Michael's we also purchased a gift box large enough to hold the game. I taped paper dividers inside the box to hold the parts, and the girls beautified the outside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgS9PQRQofoKFqyBPn1ryrVZqwnabWd9lSaCeTjlArB_Ygu9EI1Fylau-4XN0A1yyR2RexCd9StqiQTxq9CTAuY5ltl2dJ9btxioU9D8g4s0Jv3zNqPDou8aGz1EFMvVHKPYG/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgS9PQRQofoKFqyBPn1ryrVZqwnabWd9lSaCeTjlArB_Ygu9EI1Fylau-4XN0A1yyR2RexCd9StqiQTxq9CTAuY5ltl2dJ9btxioU9D8g4s0Jv3zNqPDou8aGz1EFMvVHKPYG/s320/DSC_0027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581362563331782562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is a 9.5" x 12" gift box that I taped paper dividers into to house our game. We also considered a shallow plastic bin, but I am cheap, and the 69ยข box won. </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW4VuG63j-FRl9017E1jIqD1OTA4Q8x_e6ItnwYivKg-0uoWa6B1Ku96MrSl0ZQoipehR847uY64YSip_BSq5y4l-QROuOI_g5KHEbMdniziyaScUQMQ5_Qb4MzmCZ8lTwGpU/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW4VuG63j-FRl9017E1jIqD1OTA4Q8x_e6ItnwYivKg-0uoWa6B1Ku96MrSl0ZQoipehR847uY64YSip_BSq5y4l-QROuOI_g5KHEbMdniziyaScUQMQ5_Qb4MzmCZ8lTwGpU/s320/DSC_0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581362449985643858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Working on the game board. Sylvia is finishing up Grandpa's House, Bea is finishing up Little Red's House.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-WSMlFj1RkruDJxzCve518Jb1Z0z6wLcqoMcJdrcS84U-S8QfAmVTYzJMHmGlOGnNam0oPihm7EL40OYNtznRC4vNprySORMNdD2FIAJg4gChi7XI0a7-ZoK5rk6MvXQX77l/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-WSMlFj1RkruDJxzCve518Jb1Z0z6wLcqoMcJdrcS84U-S8QfAmVTYzJMHmGlOGnNam0oPihm7EL40OYNtznRC4vNprySORMNdD2FIAJg4gChi7XI0a7-ZoK5rk6MvXQX77l/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581362328342396722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My little game elf hard at work.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHsyYhD_38WfbQ7NqNBfDt85fm4OyTbnKIDH0ocRHWKf0JAf9wn3vEEjC_NxnBXFbP-B8atPmLMpd7CeZR_k7cFcvoxH4wvwpyLPNBT0Zkuk84mAUYfj1A0oPqzVOlMwRsuDH/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHsyYhD_38WfbQ7NqNBfDt85fm4OyTbnKIDH0ocRHWKf0JAf9wn3vEEjC_NxnBXFbP-B8atPmLMpd7CeZR_k7cFcvoxH4wvwpyLPNBT0Zkuk84mAUYfj1A0oPqzVOlMwRsuDH/s320/DSC_0031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581362796884837042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">After TWO HOURS of solid work (I can't believe they stayed with me the WHOLE time!) the game is ready to play!</span></span><br /><br />The whole process took us over two hours to complete. Sylvia was completely on board the entire time, while Beatrice took a snack break and a drawing break. This project (or a similar one) would be a great activity for kids 6-10. There are a few things I would change about the game, for example, there are not enough penalty spots and there is no way for a player to move backwards, so it is pretty easy to play. As a parent, I like that the game can end pretty fast, but the kids would probably get a good lesson from having to move backwards. Overall, I am happy with the game. The girls definitely love it, since we play it at least once a day...Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32732797.post-62552275957547477702011-02-11T10:37:00.000-08:002011-02-11T11:18:57.984-08:00Do It Yourself: Marshmallow and Toothpick Erector Set<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqPD6XwhDYhoFS5BZZCWeY5nsJrQdb25ts1uUSxhKBJQ6vItTk54XRtOhzB8fY_ITRLPRrcexolKEW_Q_ORWcijAMOprcxj78odL3tsVQUBH7uOPnASxFsctr-X0Zy8YPcuL4/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqPD6XwhDYhoFS5BZZCWeY5nsJrQdb25ts1uUSxhKBJQ6vItTk54XRtOhzB8fY_ITRLPRrcexolKEW_Q_ORWcijAMOprcxj78odL3tsVQUBH7uOPnASxFsctr-X0Zy8YPcuL4/s320/DSC_0066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572506032864911682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beatrice with our creation.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">It's cold. It's really cold, and Beatrice is bored. Really bored. While we could play another round of Tea Party the game, today I decided to try something a little different. We built a structure out of marshmallows and toothpicks.<br /><br />Here is what you need to try it too:<br />One bag of mini marshmallows<br />AT LEAST 2 -250 count boxes of toothpicks (we use the round ones because my kids are used to being around pointy things, but flat would work too)<br /><br />Start simply by showing your child how to stick the toothpicks into the marshmallows. Explore basic shapes like barbells, wands, triangles, squares, etc. Move on to more complex shapes like cubes etc. Beatrice and I worked together on our structure. We started by building onto our simple shapes as the structure grew, we talked about what shapes were the strongest (triangles) and how to build support to hold up the structure. As one piece sagged, we built others to hold it up. We played for almost 45 minutes.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Beatrice is 3 and a half years old, and she was able to add to the structure and support her own additions. I helped her if she asked and worked on the "groundwork" to make sure she had a good time building. The structure will continually morph as you build. Parts will sag down as you prop up other parts. Pyramidal supports will hold up sagging sections while emphasizing the importance of supporting structures. See the photos for examples.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Building with blocks, legos, tinker toys or even marshmallows and toothpicks teaches very important spatial and mathematical concepts to your child and is rewarding and fun!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnYaaHQgBJOMgTDtvNyaZHsydKxFMliB83dDks6cnZ-A9h_sK1vmKj8wtZ8TDP06OjzeAbFiZJMWburrfi_cP2nLB0AuNWS5idQTFXzhQYw0LH9AlkQc58_DXtqcmrhS_muVF/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnYaaHQgBJOMgTDtvNyaZHsydKxFMliB83dDks6cnZ-A9h_sK1vmKj8wtZ8TDP06OjzeAbFiZJMWburrfi_cP2nLB0AuNWS5idQTFXzhQYw0LH9AlkQc58_DXtqcmrhS_muVF/s320/DSC_0082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572506154858904386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Close-Up</span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNENEJ0ZXS5I2ITE32zNSAhgQw26pFUuQWslTygrabEdtH7zZssdZbu1K5RmEMkRS7SvnmHQcGYTKOnU_IN3OKabfJwfto2U7EAnhiwgtA7SiLO1JcIO09X9-PsNMO4To_Vxb/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNENEJ0ZXS5I2ITE32zNSAhgQw26pFUuQWslTygrabEdtH7zZssdZbu1K5RmEMkRS7SvnmHQcGYTKOnU_IN3OKabfJwfto2U7EAnhiwgtA7SiLO1JcIO09X9-PsNMO4To_Vxb/s320/DSC_0070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572506093016092050" border="0" /></a><br />The Masterpiece!<br /> <div id="contributorImageContainerB000APACZI" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"> </div> <div style="float: left;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="h3color"><br /></span></span></div></div>Handmade Prettieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08381536929525301629noreply@blogger.com0