tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7077044148461646522024-03-13T01:02:03.094-05:00The Brighter ThingsCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-5272867954679744872011-10-31T12:59:00.000-05:002011-10-31T12:59:56.508-05:00Putting Our Best Foot Forward :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Saturday was UAB Day and Alpha Xi Delta had a table! So I made a new presentation board to show all the incoming freshman and high school students who we are :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt8nA5BiA451n2yRVcTSIUBB9GnheWbt1KXW75IjhFTWJFqZ25ryBj64b1cUJdNGk73bW5KA1kLk4kDNbMB_ToSPuOhpsHcFxbo4qv4UnInuzbCH-AelyXVISq35EDMdXsqu1f_3VEJY/s1600/IMAG0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt8nA5BiA451n2yRVcTSIUBB9GnheWbt1KXW75IjhFTWJFqZ25ryBj64b1cUJdNGk73bW5KA1kLk4kDNbMB_ToSPuOhpsHcFxbo4qv4UnInuzbCH-AelyXVISq35EDMdXsqu1f_3VEJY/s320/IMAG0252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-89219382423044568572011-07-12T08:00:00.000-05:002011-07-11T20:07:31.309-05:00Hi ThereI finally made a new door mat! I told you guys that after making the new <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-wreath.html">wreath</a> for the front door, making new <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/no-sew-envelope-pillow-tutorial.html">no-sew pillows</a>, and getting new <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekend-happenings-success.html">outdoor furniture</a>, it was about time to have a happy, summery front door mat to finish out the cuteness!<br />
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Our old one was functional, but that's about it...Here it is:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vBmF-_0VGBeC7yPgsKDw7vTtTyg1xMNTt13I2n3S-YuHA0721es_55hbPzAubdFVfxNADNEoI7Q6NR9np5-1GNZ9ehkgweyM_gPGqqhokdxyaSuTRXuNBj_qvEDOeDoLwVqgPfbUMj4/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vBmF-_0VGBeC7yPgsKDw7vTtTyg1xMNTt13I2n3S-YuHA0721es_55hbPzAubdFVfxNADNEoI7Q6NR9np5-1GNZ9ehkgweyM_gPGqqhokdxyaSuTRXuNBj_qvEDOeDoLwVqgPfbUMj4/s400/DSC_0007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It's not like it's ugly...it's just not what I wanted :) So I bought a door mat at Ikea for $4.99 and made plans to spray paint something cute on it in a cute color (very detailed, I know). After looking around Pinterest and google for about a week I decided I just wanted words on it in the bottom left corner so it looked modern and relaxed. I decided on "hi there" because Blake and I say that to each other from time to time while joking (it's from Doug in Up!). Once I decided on what I wanted I went to Microsoft Publisher to help me make it real (I would have used Photoshop, but I know Publisher better therefore it was faster).<br />
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I measured the door mat and put the dimensions in publisher so I could get the words the size that I wanted. Once I determined how large I wanted them, I copied and pasted into Word and printed them out! Here's what they looked like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHHjrr8vfQg1CVlac_DHsywfNsbVBPgJW3-agu-NsqYDv1ayx6FRYigOwl1ahsTro6gnXBEzME9XE-i6d_IJieUwsVW785Qt6edF3qKn9EZz5YiFhvX01kA_2AqrhVz-T7hmRNOEyYRw/s1600/DSC_1035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHHjrr8vfQg1CVlac_DHsywfNsbVBPgJW3-agu-NsqYDv1ayx6FRYigOwl1ahsTro6gnXBEzME9XE-i6d_IJieUwsVW785Qt6edF3qKn9EZz5YiFhvX01kA_2AqrhVz-T7hmRNOEyYRw/s400/DSC_1035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Then I took my X-acto knife and cut out the letters so that there was a stencil left behind and I taped it onto the door mat like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicylj2oV0hyphenhyphenjb0SLe2svg1YWUjuh-ajMXXSwlM0AP4Z4q2OAYKTIK0A3jLn6-OiAkUVRJ2SN13x-1gpwEgFj1CG3ovhuUmoCQtqrA4QZEkFxsoh_HOjTI8oanTx6gwO6Zb9r8k5D_V2dQ/s1600/DSC_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicylj2oV0hyphenhyphenjb0SLe2svg1YWUjuh-ajMXXSwlM0AP4Z4q2OAYKTIK0A3jLn6-OiAkUVRJ2SN13x-1gpwEgFj1CG3ovhuUmoCQtqrA4QZEkFxsoh_HOjTI8oanTx6gwO6Zb9r8k5D_V2dQ/s400/DSC_1046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Then I spray painted that with Krylon's indoor/outdoor spray paint in Blue Ocean Breeze. I also added paper around the edge of those pages once I realized spray paint was getting everywhere (unfortunately it was a bit too late for me to not have a little outline...darn) Anyways, here's how it turned out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoGFc9hkUhHXf8D35cOInNmsyfbAJ9LvgArmuCJei9CJQEEH3Z09a8mj-DaBiDGhMSCuHpdzPWqCTiRGNtcJEIdJVHmrrCKTM3psAstOi1VJ8L6iCQ_yyxY2OQjO3anpCd62oOYSOtYk/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoGFc9hkUhHXf8D35cOInNmsyfbAJ9LvgArmuCJei9CJQEEH3Z09a8mj-DaBiDGhMSCuHpdzPWqCTiRGNtcJEIdJVHmrrCKTM3psAstOi1VJ8L6iCQ_yyxY2OQjO3anpCd62oOYSOtYk/s400/DSC_0010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRhbtOnJrrlmwAuoFi8aDIONh4gxp_N6-cLbG5lk7r5uszs7yskEg_pnV5jF166FTPlUscdQM8XKoCmiCTlXrGIS5wHjqkM4rpvmYlnDunS0LQxcapb6TqCh7-Jl5e5MYMO4glnaoFJA/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRhbtOnJrrlmwAuoFi8aDIONh4gxp_N6-cLbG5lk7r5uszs7yskEg_pnV5jF166FTPlUscdQM8XKoCmiCTlXrGIS5wHjqkM4rpvmYlnDunS0LQxcapb6TqCh7-Jl5e5MYMO4glnaoFJA/s400/DSC_0008.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
What do y'all think? Should I paint a pattern on the mat to cover up the extra spray paint outlines I made? I've also considered adding a border around the letters using craft paint to make them a bit sharper (definitely should have used painters tape..darn) Have y'all seen this idea on Pinterest and have tried it out? How did yours turn out?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-85101544384468465442011-07-11T08:00:00.000-05:002011-07-11T01:04:45.263-05:00Anniversary GiftI'll tell you guys what I told Blake, "Don't get too excited, because it's not super legit." But since our anniversary was over two weeks ago now, I figured I should show you what I made Blake! (I know I totally fail at being consistent). As you know we went to Atlanta to celebrate our anniversary and because of that I wanted to make something really inexpensive for Blake. So I made a list of as many of our inside jokes as I could remember. I even went back through facebook and myspace so that I could try to remember the ones that we had both probably forgotten about. Once I made that list, I found images online that coincided with our inside jokes and stuff that we did or liked and made them jpgs using Microsoft Publisher. Then I printed them using Wal-Mart's online photo store thingy and made him a little card full of memories and laughs that we've had in the past four years that we've been together :)<br />
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So here's how it looked! It's really not awesome...it's very homemade, but I think that kind of makes it cute :) And Blake didn't seem to mind :) Anywho, I had a theme for this card and it was what I've Learned, Seen, and Loved over the past four years :) So this was the front :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaYK3_0knhwygqUkvwoDXGMFCr7md1WG-b7r_KP0XQpOhdja1OHFwHoca9b9xNZV_rwqH0qXZlWWgh9Qg3LdRJfSpb-YnBf1G_uKzeVSY_PrAu7y7Ruu6-fY7s1aTk4L-l7Pma_DDaag/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaYK3_0knhwygqUkvwoDXGMFCr7md1WG-b7r_KP0XQpOhdja1OHFwHoca9b9xNZV_rwqH0qXZlWWgh9Qg3LdRJfSpb-YnBf1G_uKzeVSY_PrAu7y7Ruu6-fY7s1aTk4L-l7Pma_DDaag/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And here's the next pages. I started with "learned" because I really have learned so so much while being with Blake. We started dating when I was really young (15! Gasp!!) and so in a way I grew up and learned a lot about myself with him by my side and a lot of who I am today is a biproduct of our relationship and his relationship with the Lord and our church. But this part of the card was more towards the physical things that I've learned over the years. And with him being an IT and web development guy, a lot of what I've learned has been technology related. And that's a pretty recurring theme in this card as you'll see :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhIpj5Y3ipbRyNw0USPh6h2HCKU2PLC3ujVXN3z6VZIo3Q-xUl5MAUPCtAgIl_hk13ifLBObsYPCXV2oNR0iiMZtxz1FBkJl855ovN-Li67qfS-By4NcT95yqyFurAcLYDDZ2zTfiAPM/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhIpj5Y3ipbRyNw0USPh6h2HCKU2PLC3ujVXN3z6VZIo3Q-xUl5MAUPCtAgIl_hk13ifLBObsYPCXV2oNR0iiMZtxz1FBkJl855ovN-Li67qfS-By4NcT95yqyFurAcLYDDZ2zTfiAPM/s400/DSC_0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Right before we got married, Blake got my netbook without me knowing and put a little batch script on it so that at 1:00AM, a text box would pop up and say I love you! It's actually still on there and sometimes when I'm sitting on my computer it'll pop up and I get butterflies just like I did a little over a year ago! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ28SUT1oynVmU4WFmCk_NIyYQTtCaXUVcRJtbdgf7ySXGcrcqaix3OYc2lQVpsPQTUhzyTH5isd1n-WHjKTtvschbpW5X3KiBnh5Y9l-nZ_kMUpITdZlcRCw4cYlbIsFCWynqaJVdIw/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ28SUT1oynVmU4WFmCk_NIyYQTtCaXUVcRJtbdgf7ySXGcrcqaix3OYc2lQVpsPQTUhzyTH5isd1n-WHjKTtvschbpW5X3KiBnh5Y9l-nZ_kMUpITdZlcRCw4cYlbIsFCWynqaJVdIw/s320/DSC_0018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A few weeks ago, our internet had gotten unplugged and I figured I would go fix it, but apparently ours is set up weirdly and I learned something about how bridges worked on linsys routers! Also, as you can see, I put different shortcuts that I learned from Blake about how to copy and paste without having to right click. Also the ctrl+f shortcut is sooo awesome to use on a webpage when you're looking for something in a list of other words!!<br />
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Among the shortcuts on a PC, Windows+R is by far my favorite! There's just so much you can do and you feel so techy when you're doing it! Which is why I made it Windows+R = A whole new world! :)<br />
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Photoshop is how Blake starts most of his website, business card, and media designs before he moves on to other Adobe products, and I feel like I have learned a bunch from just watching all that he does. And now that I have photoshop on my computer, he's teaching me even more now!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9cW5pOxGLl0esIK2HrjLZlP1Bs4YrY75byMkvdmRBcTRjF5psCapZPVEBAqTpnbTaUzjFahYPh5ma7ARIt_ekmb97m1qMhjWh4kFbMSBn1w3c4PSFVsHCkyJziDz3YgT1Y8sy4CKHsY/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9cW5pOxGLl0esIK2HrjLZlP1Bs4YrY75byMkvdmRBcTRjF5psCapZPVEBAqTpnbTaUzjFahYPh5ma7ARIt_ekmb97m1qMhjWh4kFbMSBn1w3c4PSFVsHCkyJziDz3YgT1Y8sy4CKHsY/s320/DSC_0021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Speaking of some of those media oriented designs, here's some vector images he created to use on a recent website he made!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is the second page (all of what I've learned about couldn't just fit on the first page) :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1JkScZwnlfQF7W6OhyphenhyphenTpEC3pP_Id-xYwsb0itMvn3U9e0vNTK9JvJB7dJwbyevfj5DA72OY_8cU7AHzblzELA-lW1lGHBDN7ktzMS9PC79V14DnMPGO9T9YHl2mi75wtM2rhQlbWcGo/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1JkScZwnlfQF7W6OhyphenhyphenTpEC3pP_Id-xYwsb0itMvn3U9e0vNTK9JvJB7dJwbyevfj5DA72OY_8cU7AHzblzELA-lW1lGHBDN7ktzMS9PC79V14DnMPGO9T9YHl2mi75wtM2rhQlbWcGo/s320/DSC_0023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We've been looking at getting new phones for quite some time now and it seems like every couple of months we get a new favorite phone! Hopefully by the time we save up enough money to get new phones, we'll decide!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv_EgiW27ULnM2cEZ5AOvE0EQoOSOcdy7DYLya39o8zPn-cyGfHYrud_20b4vWtJ04llYlNZTTcs5BaYRpnX8yaLPi7ZVPkGL7rY3rsSHfEswuUyNJite1f8ehfLkp08qRnIHhEc0lr4/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv_EgiW27ULnM2cEZ5AOvE0EQoOSOcdy7DYLya39o8zPn-cyGfHYrud_20b4vWtJ04llYlNZTTcs5BaYRpnX8yaLPi7ZVPkGL7rY3rsSHfEswuUyNJite1f8ehfLkp08qRnIHhEc0lr4/s320/DSC_0024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This side of the card is all about Starcraft 2! Starcraft 2 is a computer game made by Blizzard (the same people who make World of Warcraft) and it is a strategy game (so you build an economy, build an army, and go to war). It's pretty fantastic I have to say! Blake played the first Starcraft and when the second one came out a few months after we got married, let's just say he came home with a little surprise! They even have options for players to build custom games and Blake has found those to be pretty fun too! The one featured here is called Marine Arena and it's pretty much the same as the original Starcraft 2, but there's more units and it's waaaay longer! lol<br />
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The third page was the "What I've Seen" section. It's no secret around my friends that I am a definite television and movie fan! Blake isn't one nearly as much as I am, but when he finds something that's cool, he gets on board with me! So over the past few years we've watched some different TV shows, music shows, and youtube videos!<br />
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The little bird at the top right is Einstein! He was featured on Animal Planet and after we saw his act, we quoted it for months (and occasionally I still do it and it was over a year ago I think!). Right now we're into Burn Notice (Season 5 is awesome so far!!!). The guy singing in the middle is the lead singer of Mute Math, which is Blake's favorite band. The first year we were together, I bought him tickets to the Mute Math concert for his birthday and we went and saw their show (which was awesome!). Then last year, I bought him tickets again to see their show, only I forgot the date of the show. So I got an email saying "Now that you've seen Mute Math in concert, tell us what you think!" And...my heart sank. Then I had to call Blake and tell him that we had missed the concert....which was totally terrible! And he definitely joked about how only I could pay that much for tickets and then forget about the event lol! And at the bottom you can see the Lost logo! My freshman year of college we got into that show and watched the series finale with a group of friends from church (we were pretty disappointed with the ending but I've only watched it that one time, so I'm considering going back and watching it again and maybe I'll like it better the second time around) :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLRM8qHu14AM5iAWH-wdWZ8g8vV64d-PiPOpAmB4wXBAlmYH6RGfATEZWCMKkQF_PvS4E-OCnWuDrDW5fqBLvMIL5gnLmWbPEXa5Rs-hm6nQOrYFCPj4VZ7z0BRbJEuje0gBTPmZnjFM/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLRM8qHu14AM5iAWH-wdWZ8g8vV64d-PiPOpAmB4wXBAlmYH6RGfATEZWCMKkQF_PvS4E-OCnWuDrDW5fqBLvMIL5gnLmWbPEXa5Rs-hm6nQOrYFCPj4VZ7z0BRbJEuje0gBTPmZnjFM/s320/DSC_0029.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
Not much commentary needed here, we like Andy Griffith and The Office....like pretty much every other sane human being on the planet... ;)<br />
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The fourth page was the "What I've Loved" section!<br />
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Yes, I was one of <i>those</i> people who farmed on Facebook back in the day...but Blake was too so it's cool right? lol Actually it wasn't that long ago...Blake got me Farmville cash for Christmas...lol! And of course we both looovvve Taco Bell! We eat it at least twice a week :) The rest on this page are little sayings or whatever that we've either made up or just randomly started saying often to each other! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99skhRf2fkEXKylGate6BW1ZANgF2W7kXODy7dsUEyJehrIu41tfUUunRwJA5muMJ4W6LnB4MS46Club4rFEZuDBk__qYYr_L8LQZ7YGN2YtNd8OuHo5U-NajewS_-aXQsQDxYqA0ePU/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99skhRf2fkEXKylGate6BW1ZANgF2W7kXODy7dsUEyJehrIu41tfUUunRwJA5muMJ4W6LnB4MS46Club4rFEZuDBk__qYYr_L8LQZ7YGN2YtNd8OuHo5U-NajewS_-aXQsQDxYqA0ePU/s320/DSC_0032.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
This page looks like it's dedicated to Starcraft 2 again, but it's actually a bit more specific. The guy in the center picture is Sean Plott, otherwise know in the Starcraft community as Day9. He's a professional player and commentator and he hosts a show every Monday through Thursday where he gives game tips and is really just incredibly witty and hilarious and totally awesome. And we <i>love</i> to watch him!! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzrvChz29PIkv_ZSDFjIGHeJuKGu3Jd0sHVZ8Z4E-d3B5afGmaN6eaYhkySKTiBHDRQMKtok8bQVkrJMjqKwfv0sSTlTRmG0xUfo0DdmJEZQ5L4Z3HOJE4_TStpClWu17Li7lbtA3_vc/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzrvChz29PIkv_ZSDFjIGHeJuKGu3Jd0sHVZ8Z4E-d3B5afGmaN6eaYhkySKTiBHDRQMKtok8bQVkrJMjqKwfv0sSTlTRmG0xUfo0DdmJEZQ5L4Z3HOJE4_TStpClWu17Li7lbtA3_vc/s320/DSC_0033.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
The final page was the articulation of what I've really learned, seen, and loved over the past years, Blake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tDMxWHVNcrKp3b0xD1rhVrJv-9jIQ11GFrtNvRdTxatyIsh5fjZExgYJFaCRR_YfWh1tqPFN0fsz72EkjaolLcbNB9AfpgX312Kimf5MJTM675JL_hyphenhyphenncM-eINbOH-Bqb2qHtb3EDSs/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tDMxWHVNcrKp3b0xD1rhVrJv-9jIQ11GFrtNvRdTxatyIsh5fjZExgYJFaCRR_YfWh1tqPFN0fsz72EkjaolLcbNB9AfpgX312Kimf5MJTM675JL_hyphenhyphenncM-eINbOH-Bqb2qHtb3EDSs/s320/DSC_0034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is truly inspiring. His level of perseverance, humility, and logic both challenges and enchants me. I am so blessed to have a man that is actually the spiritual head of my household and I look up to him spiritually as well as in every other aspect. That's definitely not to say that we don't disagree from time to time or get on each other's nerves, but at the end of the day we adore each other. I have no doubt that he loves me and that is such a peaceful feeling. I heard an inspiring woman say this weekend when discussing choosing a mate "never settle" and I can honestly say that I have followed that advice. I'm so excited that I get to spend every day of the rest of our lives with my husband, and that too enchants me.</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-7739678940458530562011-06-29T08:00:00.002-05:002011-06-29T08:00:10.733-05:00I Heart ShoppingThis past weekend was Blake and my first wedding anniversary and so we went to Atlanta, GA to celebrate! I took pictures and made a couple of videos so I'll be sure to share them all once I get them edited and what not. But today I wanted to show you what I got while we were there! I LOVE going to Atlanta because that is where the nearest Ikea is and I'm in love with Ikea. But I'm not in love with the fact that almost none of their stuff is available to purchase online. Blake and I actually had a lovely conversation over an Ikea hotdog about why this is, but we didn't really figure out anything...sigh. Anywho! We went to Ikea on the last day of our trip and so we had already reached our budget for what we wanted to spend while we were in Atlanta so I didn't get to buy everything I wanted to buy, but I did get to buy enough to have some fun with!<br />
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I bought two sets of Merete curtains for $19.99 each (which are the same ones that I bought for the office on our <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-first-time.html">first Ikea trip</a>). Here's a picture of them:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI2qKccm16tHBZX2jIhlkPVCwrpfeX6jlWWYgLsVmiDRc9xjinTrwKH8GzpLKa-lrEmSGyknEht5rwr3gLUtfEmMRej7Gc7ILitKX3o_TWU0yYGgjnxjSDyFYtvNeUd4VCG7D2TCky3o/s1600/Curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI2qKccm16tHBZX2jIhlkPVCwrpfeX6jlWWYgLsVmiDRc9xjinTrwKH8GzpLKa-lrEmSGyknEht5rwr3gLUtfEmMRej7Gc7ILitKX3o_TWU0yYGgjnxjSDyFYtvNeUd4VCG7D2TCky3o/s320/Curtains.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got them in white so that we could dye them whatever color we want! We bought these for our bedroom and I couldn't decide what color I wanted...originally I was going to go with a brown and orange theme for our bedroom, but then I changed my mind and I haven't really made it up yet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right now we have a dark gray comforter that we both aren't really fans of, so we're going to make a change eventually we just haven't decided to what we will be changing. I'm leaning towards a blue and gray room...but that may change soon...so basically all of that to say, we bought white curtains so that we could dye them whatever color we want when the time comes. And I'll give y'all the play-by-play when we do, but if you want to know how to do it now, the guys over at Young House Love have already done it and you can find that tutorial <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/06/a-four-color-process/">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also picked up this door mat for only $4.99:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx8a-VpuymTNknsQGfv3ATDKl-R0NkdPMcTvQdH0R2dPJaYsU19GA21jd_CBhjyTA0PScbOFYb9hddWZ4PdnacsWoty9xmUDLT6w5Q8RjYSsp0S8_UVuFgIiKzLtF-GG_UDCCC0_-fhM/s1600/door+mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx8a-VpuymTNknsQGfv3ATDKl-R0NkdPMcTvQdH0R2dPJaYsU19GA21jd_CBhjyTA0PScbOFYb9hddWZ4PdnacsWoty9xmUDLT6w5Q8RjYSsp0S8_UVuFgIiKzLtF-GG_UDCCC0_-fhM/s320/door+mat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plan for that little guy is to paint it! After we purchased the new <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-first-time.html">patio furniture</a>, made new <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/no-sew-envelope-pillow-tutorial.html">pillows</a>, and made a new <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-wreath.html">wreath</a>, the old gray and very manly door mat just wasn't going to work anymore! So I'm going to paint this with probably some bright happy colors to welcome our guests! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally we bought four 5x7 white frames (found <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70070283">here</a> for $3.99 for two) and two 8.5x11 white frames (found <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80188456">here</a> for $1.99 each) so I can do some fun stuff with scrapbook paper, printables, and anything else I can find on Pinterest :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I'll have bunches of fun with these things (if I can decide what exactly I want to do with all of them! That's my worst enemy! Indecision! Well, that and procrastination) :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what do y'all think about the million questions I posed in this post? What colors do you think would be good for our curtains? Any ideas on what to paint on our new door mat? Or how about ideas for the frames we bought?</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-51420896090312400542011-06-27T08:00:00.003-05:002011-06-28T23:16:39.229-05:00The Tack Attack!A while back I found this image on Pinterest:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaWZne-i7uscOodhZKuxKadeIjeG5_CiYjAcYU9mohR6JdmXkwkMjjHVU89i4wX6q5FgRM1yiGAdfNrMExOWDoj79tRaPejQEUHxqGlzImk4cYdbkvE8oiew1TtQ5EdY0IkB5jQ0D2o4/s1600/thumbtack+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaWZne-i7uscOodhZKuxKadeIjeG5_CiYjAcYU9mohR6JdmXkwkMjjHVU89i4wX6q5FgRM1yiGAdfNrMExOWDoj79tRaPejQEUHxqGlzImk4cYdbkvE8oiew1TtQ5EdY0IkB5jQ0D2o4/s320/thumbtack+balls.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{From <a href="http://landeeseelandeedo.blogspot.com/2011/05/thumbtack-vase-fillers.html">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>It is Styrofoam balls covered in thumb tacks and spray painted. So cheap and so chic! I got everything I needed to do this project at Dollar Tree and spent $4. Now, I haven't painted them yet (because as I mentioned in <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/06/pinterest-paper-portal-of.html">this post</a> I can't decide what color to do in that entry way) but I have them finished and in a vase on the table! Here's what they look like right now:<br />
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The how-to is pretty straight forward....Get some Styrofoam balls...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cWJnZcFIX7gVnuqWoxWdXe2H1Y6EJ6ZbLe_U-fd9VaNIX4n1Yoe2fu6sNyco86Fa4C0sQF-p0GR2_7V-cjdRvum2IPGYKMXuzktyqpNyxhTUEWfmFf4efNbp88s7ipzPRS2nR2f5t44/s1600/DSC04656edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cWJnZcFIX7gVnuqWoxWdXe2H1Y6EJ6ZbLe_U-fd9VaNIX4n1Yoe2fu6sNyco86Fa4C0sQF-p0GR2_7V-cjdRvum2IPGYKMXuzktyqpNyxhTUEWfmFf4efNbp88s7ipzPRS2nR2f5t44/s320/DSC04656edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And some thumbtacks:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6SUqvowyEziXSJNPDL1budscMTk3BCiVdM2TShWX7SuPdlgdQoTm7DK2cFeztdzPiUiwetdmxmGWohgtsM1FHrAc3Kt-_UHY59lup7Si4DhgzXvpwH2sXg7eSccUfykIR7ljlFgBF3U/s1600/DSC04660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6SUqvowyEziXSJNPDL1budscMTk3BCiVdM2TShWX7SuPdlgdQoTm7DK2cFeztdzPiUiwetdmxmGWohgtsM1FHrAc3Kt-_UHY59lup7Si4DhgzXvpwH2sXg7eSccUfykIR7ljlFgBF3U/s320/DSC04660.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And just stick those puppies in a line (preferably with a movie...it gets less boring that way) until you have something like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh_F0Ge2QUj7IzYLWdG1-mNNAquuna6fpOmZ6yQeS0kHZ1W5RzS1OSHnbOR8B7qPKlennKKA3gvoAw7X0Sy2rhHR4Wg6lP4lc6BQVBFjaWRinXhFtGscsQWYKZselKZFAUZs4o9F9HA8/s1600/DSC04664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh_F0Ge2QUj7IzYLWdG1-mNNAquuna6fpOmZ6yQeS0kHZ1W5RzS1OSHnbOR8B7qPKlennKKA3gvoAw7X0Sy2rhHR4Wg6lP4lc6BQVBFjaWRinXhFtGscsQWYKZselKZFAUZs4o9F9HA8/s320/DSC04664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I started at the bottom and moved up, but the girl that thought of this idea has also done it starting in the middle; so try it out and see how you like it! In the mean time, what color do you think I should paint these? I think white would not bring in enough color, so maybe some kind of red? I love the color that the original person used (that blue and green are to kill for!) but that doesn't really match anything in my house sooo....I guess I shouldn't do that! What do you think? What color?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-24891775500549584482011-06-23T08:00:00.002-05:002011-06-23T08:00:03.402-05:00A Pinterest Paper Portal of PhosphorescenceI may or may not have just looked up synonyms of the word lantern to try to find one that started with a P...What can I say? I love alliteration! :) I told you guys <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/06/ah-cameras.html">yesterday</a> that I would give you the deets on this little cutie!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_7q5oLP0khWMY2nqneZlJhbST1g6Ntlml884C2_5UfnA6Pl9fRe6VAGaAfyPeoJVZPHDLU0sBl2lUfUCkeMOTbFFfldhKmfgWNY-QdhyMFgBNu5xXgItqoEaC9HBvA2enLQVFiGWTYw/s1600/Paper+Lantern+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_7q5oLP0khWMY2nqneZlJhbST1g6Ntlml884C2_5UfnA6Pl9fRe6VAGaAfyPeoJVZPHDLU0sBl2lUfUCkeMOTbFFfldhKmfgWNY-QdhyMFgBNu5xXgItqoEaC9HBvA2enLQVFiGWTYw/s320/Paper+Lantern+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's no secret that these are all over the blogosphere not to mention Pinterest but I wanted a little something to go in our <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/oddball.html">entry way</a> that would bring some color in and I needed to do it on like a zero dollar amount budget. So this was the perfect project! And I didn't want to put something cheap, cute, and decor related up in my house without sharing it with the world!!! (okay, so it's a small world whatevs! I'm gonna dream big! Because it's Thursday and that's a good day to dream!) ;)<br />
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I just got a paper lantern from the Dollar Tree (for only a buck!) and I got red tissue paper from Wal-Mart (also for a buck!).<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the original paper lantern (this was pre-new flash and is terribly blurry! Sorry!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-YCDxbxYn-9QbQsmEpElqeu_MVAIHFB7BW7DJys5H1Fs2P-g0ieXx9RLYOxKuGEE7sjZ7Lv5p1Qb8rznRI6TP8gKCk4QoJsFo_4T1K7Jy3C-Yb4tpj8zg-4WGDRuJcHgBuhcQ4EAQM8/s1600/DSC04647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-YCDxbxYn-9QbQsmEpElqeu_MVAIHFB7BW7DJys5H1Fs2P-g0ieXx9RLYOxKuGEE7sjZ7Lv5p1Qb8rznRI6TP8gKCk4QoJsFo_4T1K7Jy3C-Yb4tpj8zg-4WGDRuJcHgBuhcQ4EAQM8/s320/DSC04647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then I just cut the tissue paper into circles/teardrop shapes (because I can't cut a circle to save my life) and then taped them around the little rings of the paper lantern!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZxUlfEKTjogBfsNmipVPeRcepuToj7CljR_A6SrvujI1VwmCPvW68eh2yO4T9qNshCDgB1K8yFWhHQ4t813U7dFL0hIiXdoE3IgQkwE-LaG_94hsVGV0QtnL_aQUbWFFMNhubKHcVPI/s1600/DSC04648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZxUlfEKTjogBfsNmipVPeRcepuToj7CljR_A6SrvujI1VwmCPvW68eh2yO4T9qNshCDgB1K8yFWhHQ4t813U7dFL0hIiXdoE3IgQkwE-LaG_94hsVGV0QtnL_aQUbWFFMNhubKHcVPI/s320/DSC04648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I haven't hung it up yet. Partly because I'm not sure how to do that, and partly because I'm not sold on the red...it just looks a little...blah. It matches our living room and stuff, I'm just not sure it's right for the first thing that I see every time I walk in our house....Idk! But when I decide I'll of course let you guys know!!<br />
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What do y'all think? A little blah? Or do you think it's just right? Maybe if I change the color of the paper I'll like it better....any ideas?<br />
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<i>**Btw, I had some setting on my blog checked that only allowed comments from other blogger users! Sorry about that!! So, if you want to comment do try! And if it doesn't work....text me/facebook me/email me! (Don't call, because I am notorious for not answering the phone...it's a phobia. Not really, I'm just a pansy. lol Love you guys!)**</i>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-66117611211451112152011-06-22T08:00:00.005-05:002011-06-22T22:30:18.746-05:00Flash!Ah cameras. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of difficulty. I'm definitely one to learn new things when I'm on google or bored or have someone to teach me, but for some reason when it came to our Nikon D80 DSLR camera I just did not have the touch. Blake could pick up the camera and flip some switches and turn some knobs and the pictures that I took that looked terrible would magically turn into these gorgeous pictures! Talk about frustrating! But that is about to change! Well at least a little bit. I'm still learning what ISO is and what kind of white balance to use and Lord knows I still haven't figured out how to change the shutter speed on that thing, but we got something that will make automatic mode look way better! YAY! We got this little bundle of joy:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnwiDm1gTXvK8yT7YbBw9RuA3j0YAsnW6QX1tiGQEUQSU3bRmcB9wd74YzBVlygfPy6qrac2APCMYeuFdYP_yfPzSL1nw9Oe7Q3gHvWFYy-Ge_dp0et-OcdMGSYFIH3zs0BQlz82xjMs/s1600/SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnwiDm1gTXvK8yT7YbBw9RuA3j0YAsnW6QX1tiGQEUQSU3bRmcB9wd74YzBVlygfPy6qrac2APCMYeuFdYP_yfPzSL1nw9Oe7Q3gHvWFYy-Ge_dp0et-OcdMGSYFIH3zs0BQlz82xjMs/s320/SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>It's an SB400 flash! It wasn't too expensive (at least in the world of DSLR camera accessories; it was $119.95 at <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/471717-GREY/Nikon_4806_SB_400_Speedlight_i_TTL_Shoe.html">B&H Photo</a>) and man does it make a difference! Blake took a bunch of shots to depict what a difference it makes. The photos labeled D80 flash are the pics with the flash that comes on the camera and the ones labeled SB400 flash are the ones taken with our new flash! :)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Blake's dad's super cool fretless bass!</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP551jcPilEaCfcsK8el28hfbsxKC6QNlvO7gMV6JN09IfTjAaXC5QNOvMdS4iWx3Ah2EM6HHB-hfI2c6-urp9aSGRCGe6tWUyGqNd_4VLNDzaWGQCydc5PHnikVl8MFLEGQGzrcbvXJc/s1600/Bass+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP551jcPilEaCfcsK8el28hfbsxKC6QNlvO7gMV6JN09IfTjAaXC5QNOvMdS4iWx3Ah2EM6HHB-hfI2c6-urp9aSGRCGe6tWUyGqNd_4VLNDzaWGQCydc5PHnikVl8MFLEGQGzrcbvXJc/s320/Bass+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygYt7ZKM3mPj5Z228reN9vc9SZZuicPv8SYOyXKfOPNVJsQeTSRjyUKZt1wTv37X8gLnIczR2nwlinTkQC0opm9_L39jymveXJCHa-0il1C4xy-V2OD1I_rw5zZQHrWd44HDQuETCQlk/s1600/Bass+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygYt7ZKM3mPj5Z228reN9vc9SZZuicPv8SYOyXKfOPNVJsQeTSRjyUKZt1wTv37X8gLnIczR2nwlinTkQC0opm9_L39jymveXJCHa-0il1C4xy-V2OD1I_rw5zZQHrWd44HDQuETCQlk/s320/Bass+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Apparently this is used to wrangle all the cords that go inside a computer that you build..learn something new every day! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSBOE8O_X4XDC5KYWM0cPKZ_eNLYy7CPzajAlXDOoY04RJMUucN4ZHiXE_FfJliAf7DRwywCFu8xh0IQElH5efQC2zpNJ5Gvhl9OpJHYhqV1w_BBfvKhJhvThp3Wt53Luh3bPVjT6MXo/s1600/BioStar+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSBOE8O_X4XDC5KYWM0cPKZ_eNLYy7CPzajAlXDOoY04RJMUucN4ZHiXE_FfJliAf7DRwywCFu8xh0IQElH5efQC2zpNJ5Gvhl9OpJHYhqV1w_BBfvKhJhvThp3Wt53Luh3bPVjT6MXo/s320/BioStar+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk9rxQtxpbJcVxKdlKszRgONG20CHyWZk1Ou4alBBZuDs_Pp6FC_Sjp7xWFkDZUCj4OsazgzPg-hA5li6X_nfsBsak1fHGUKALUyheTf9BC0dMWCz0RuWkIyF6Bq1jQ9g7Pms5CYax9I/s1600/BioStar+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk9rxQtxpbJcVxKdlKszRgONG20CHyWZk1Ou4alBBZuDs_Pp6FC_Sjp7xWFkDZUCj4OsazgzPg-hA5li6X_nfsBsak1fHGUKALUyheTf9BC0dMWCz0RuWkIyF6Bq1jQ9g7Pms5CYax9I/s320/BioStar+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel like this doesn't need an explanation, but it feels weird and nonsymmetrical to not have something here, so this is our lens cap! Fancy huh? ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPWX9lFAIW3i2gaOoJUfgQOYPEWnjLtDsmhw3ltKYdpy2amqIuHAaG2lj8600R7HM8v4VjWb4RPAL7v37ptLJfyisqGjl5on-rsAx7nBDkNyQFcZN9B5aKeGieJ4kQEXs4JC5aGeDxKg/s1600/Lens+Cap+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPWX9lFAIW3i2gaOoJUfgQOYPEWnjLtDsmhw3ltKYdpy2amqIuHAaG2lj8600R7HM8v4VjWb4RPAL7v37ptLJfyisqGjl5on-rsAx7nBDkNyQFcZN9B5aKeGieJ4kQEXs4JC5aGeDxKg/s320/Lens+Cap+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvD2_HH0au59epE1ydEM8nRChd4uvbI1ExjvaTI3Xr2EppzqdBYL9DByVAs0auLmWrhYJhdBurkeDtXsB7YgQwEVPxRCdeqsbYSf5F4I9zCzz6QZtnpitVusN-z9XbmcBZ293KJb800/s1600/Lens+Cap+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvD2_HH0au59epE1ydEM8nRChd4uvbI1ExjvaTI3Xr2EppzqdBYL9DByVAs0auLmWrhYJhdBurkeDtXsB7YgQwEVPxRCdeqsbYSf5F4I9zCzz6QZtnpitVusN-z9XbmcBZ293KJb800/s320/Lens+Cap+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah this is a motherboard, and yes I married someone who is just as much a nerd as I am...scary huh? ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U_LzcV91k4u0FjngqBMDIqKL_7NuAeaO4W_5G2IUegPFPpJ-BL93kAJx5DrFHJrC_4GBvX0p1mEWIMGyXeg_joWyTk_yNmHxV15UbzmIVvpM9fPHYUioJBFTjQ-B-6hCRG-vpGOn_Bo/s1600/Motherboard+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U_LzcV91k4u0FjngqBMDIqKL_7NuAeaO4W_5G2IUegPFPpJ-BL93kAJx5DrFHJrC_4GBvX0p1mEWIMGyXeg_joWyTk_yNmHxV15UbzmIVvpM9fPHYUioJBFTjQ-B-6hCRG-vpGOn_Bo/s320/Motherboard+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT04uo6WSG22UXpGelYncem90YqSTDOFwyETGMExKksC2Du5mHDnEOOI7Q41zBrl_ag5w9IoV0CYaxNvofXbtvLAuM8UQqaoxwikqYf2N5BxZCKrj3ZFXDzI_ebBDY_daw3beZmsnXNI/s1600/Motherboard+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT04uo6WSG22UXpGelYncem90YqSTDOFwyETGMExKksC2Du5mHDnEOOI7Q41zBrl_ag5w9IoV0CYaxNvofXbtvLAuM8UQqaoxwikqYf2N5BxZCKrj3ZFXDzI_ebBDY_daw3beZmsnXNI/s320/Motherboard+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">More deets on this soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd0JpUybf0cqoTWgBwZkzzKrJ4Tm8J5RAlvlnFBTuKFrmK-kEWkMzx7qxA0sb-VnQcooZ8H9uPKnynvrptKSwPoO7QkfBnroqzKJOycI-VJoFX4zkRTRKgVLaaBePrbn8rxv3X4gG3NQ/s1600/Paper+Lantern+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd0JpUybf0cqoTWgBwZkzzKrJ4Tm8J5RAlvlnFBTuKFrmK-kEWkMzx7qxA0sb-VnQcooZ8H9uPKnynvrptKSwPoO7QkfBnroqzKJOycI-VJoFX4zkRTRKgVLaaBePrbn8rxv3X4gG3NQ/s320/Paper+Lantern+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkkyw1vjaLcqtqftgTsVR1cjrCkRxjki1zje1641ir1AMybnezoG7DJAeVX5jlmDdOnBKwoGksymLKb4_vbJzzI8eLWAdcAiaVPqcdZxnre3Tnu4EnPO8Jt3WKFAq4r4yDRgHz2yqdnQ/s1600/Paper+Lantern+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkkyw1vjaLcqtqftgTsVR1cjrCkRxjki1zje1641ir1AMybnezoG7DJAeVX5jlmDdOnBKwoGksymLKb4_vbJzzI8eLWAdcAiaVPqcdZxnre3Tnu4EnPO8Jt3WKFAq4r4yDRgHz2yqdnQ/s320/Paper+Lantern+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Her name is Precious and we pet-sat for Blake's parents and she was sooo cute! I was sad to see her go, but it was nice to be able to sit in peace without having to worry about someone tinkling everywhere :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrl_95Iup3J0jGWWcqK6OZC3TFhder03M0SiPVSR3xNrRLdTCYbDOAsJzV810tiwBwICo8A9XMPUDTkLauSKFSp7iuXTJATOCJKLlS3Jj9E8bAnp8aXkOMAB0kAx3l7f_0zCMKU_9txA/s1600/Precious+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrl_95Iup3J0jGWWcqK6OZC3TFhder03M0SiPVSR3xNrRLdTCYbDOAsJzV810tiwBwICo8A9XMPUDTkLauSKFSp7iuXTJATOCJKLlS3Jj9E8bAnp8aXkOMAB0kAx3l7f_0zCMKU_9txA/s320/Precious+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39iEZq5l8NANK66v2WEzySneC3PvLjHigD1fibSkh4CdB5F2qAH1_VkP3Luld2yOjFui2CQW06oVen4O6WamcQiITDg5exlpvWaTXSY0HNEiXrHyJez516ph9WrhlAthVgZKzW6cezMU/s1600/Precious+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39iEZq5l8NANK66v2WEzySneC3PvLjHigD1fibSkh4CdB5F2qAH1_VkP3Luld2yOjFui2CQW06oVen4O6WamcQiITDg5exlpvWaTXSY0HNEiXrHyJez516ph9WrhlAthVgZKzW6cezMU/s320/Precious+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Our rings! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHagzyG4b-VQCRlPCN8cwLcrgGCqZ5UD65WkI5x8oB4KTsPTY1mO_MWiquLXyQCrE16T-jJzAkcpwIDiUnK65R8EOhYD4qW0Mm1PrFROp-2ZANfHQ2bXxw8oA87DM8fVfEKuTJnNPS6k/s1600/Rings+Front+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHagzyG4b-VQCRlPCN8cwLcrgGCqZ5UD65WkI5x8oB4KTsPTY1mO_MWiquLXyQCrE16T-jJzAkcpwIDiUnK65R8EOhYD4qW0Mm1PrFROp-2ZANfHQ2bXxw8oA87DM8fVfEKuTJnNPS6k/s320/Rings+Front+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF9VRYDSLWlRSBb7YRLVF3uxumo10BMNSFl2Q7yGZbhIrhKDVSFxqB9tlQePA1v5Kndclj-N6v2wqxuUdu5W-c_lNJGlZ_ZfIoE_opc34ePEz2f11NOgcPHioIzi1p2DAEX1BZKpOB7o/s1600/Rings+Front+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF9VRYDSLWlRSBb7YRLVF3uxumo10BMNSFl2Q7yGZbhIrhKDVSFxqB9tlQePA1v5Kndclj-N6v2wqxuUdu5W-c_lNJGlZ_ZfIoE_opc34ePEz2f11NOgcPHioIzi1p2DAEX1BZKpOB7o/s320/Rings+Front+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54pjyvI1lk2bVokLqSobVh8GNvHB3dPRpOHQTYz8_2bKB0jLG9DCfP4PwQAaIuaHx1RjMUxoC5jjRy2UekmQIwruFqSDj_a6zSA3xTH7o9o99IV1H-NHRiw7JceJUZg6o8miOOXeruOc/s1600/Rings+Top+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54pjyvI1lk2bVokLqSobVh8GNvHB3dPRpOHQTYz8_2bKB0jLG9DCfP4PwQAaIuaHx1RjMUxoC5jjRy2UekmQIwruFqSDj_a6zSA3xTH7o9o99IV1H-NHRiw7JceJUZg6o8miOOXeruOc/s320/Rings+Top+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R_zGKvoKSDuA5YV8i3vqLRlvOOxZ9ygPGu2XhpciZqo8QEIhD_g4DRulCKhQLZLRxngNiv4ubj2wJxi4PHEN0_7NKIhc2CE73uDp-CyzV4EuDvDREw5V62fbC5umg-scdKjJDfnKWzk/s1600/Rings+Top+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R_zGKvoKSDuA5YV8i3vqLRlvOOxZ9ygPGu2XhpciZqo8QEIhD_g4DRulCKhQLZLRxngNiv4ubj2wJxi4PHEN0_7NKIhc2CE73uDp-CyzV4EuDvDREw5V62fbC5umg-scdKjJDfnKWzk/s320/Rings+Top+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I did a fun craft with these I'll show you guys soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;">D80 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyvjkqyIu5zbY5wdUhCapNABkU4x8FgwC9W85-cYSJGqewjfQ6KXbjNparNJo9j9p6YEpR9o3wm1HrWUVvqKE1QrHhrksQttNxApZH0T1DgEi__HdFXC_vnOQC0X76yL4l7hku_meMPg/s1600/Tacks+D80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyvjkqyIu5zbY5wdUhCapNABkU4x8FgwC9W85-cYSJGqewjfQ6KXbjNparNJo9j9p6YEpR9o3wm1HrWUVvqKE1QrHhrksQttNxApZH0T1DgEi__HdFXC_vnOQC0X76yL4l7hku_meMPg/s320/Tacks+D80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">SB400 Flash:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD_L0ZAGgeSYzSBGAJNOJfym8IE1e1jTelE2WCfcN_1DqXNSJ2Cv6blmdoecJdrKmHOrqVprzuZpA1F_Vutd2clxAr9J5DQxioAo_Z4vtHLEQpcbcsYGJjw-qqN5l9HIB5E3JpN1OaY8/s1600/Tacks+SB400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD_L0ZAGgeSYzSBGAJNOJfym8IE1e1jTelE2WCfcN_1DqXNSJ2Cv6blmdoecJdrKmHOrqVprzuZpA1F_Vutd2clxAr9J5DQxioAo_Z4vtHLEQpcbcsYGJjw-qqN5l9HIB5E3JpN1OaY8/s320/Tacks+SB400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Amazing what a difference that semi-inexpensive flash makes! It bounces light off of the ceiling and so it takes away that harsh light and shadows from a direct flash like the stock one on the D80. I would venture to say that if you are a blogger that puts pictures up on a regular basis, a good camera and flash is one of the most important investments you can make. But that's just my opinion!! :) So what about you guys? Have you guys gotten any new techy items lately?</div></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-73841753990049774732011-06-21T08:00:00.001-05:002011-06-21T08:00:03.823-05:00Father's Day GiftsWe had a great Father's Day! It was so good to see our families and get to spend time with them! (It's amazing how difficult it gets to see family once you get married/get more responsibility! Or maybe it's because we moved 45 minutes away from our families...have I mentioned I'm ready to sell our house!!??!!) Anywho, we started our father's day with going to church and we had 10 babies dedicated!!! Gah they were so cute!! And our associate pastor Jim McCann IV gave an incredible sermon! (You can hear his stuff on <a href="http://www.getintotheword.net/">getintotheword.net</a>) Then we headed over to my grandmother's house to have father's day and birthday lunch (my dad's birthday was June 9th and my uncle's birthday was Sunday). So we got to eat some delicious home cooking and give my dad his presents! We got him a laptop lap desk so he can do school work (he's going to UAB for nursing) or just surf the internet wherever he wants to and have it be comfy! And we got him this cute cup:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNQkfUgrgL9o5MtBSdSrx0q47-ypV9mzH7x97oxh3axYx3Rm44xlUpRm2WMbo1Hj_txzuox489cUfERVFDfDYkJf9EE0i29TSurAi4gKP765iIAdo9cCbJg2tOQ0Sq5huJpBdi0aPGNQ/s1600/41UW9PIo45L._SL380_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNQkfUgrgL9o5MtBSdSrx0q47-ypV9mzH7x97oxh3axYx3Rm44xlUpRm2WMbo1Hj_txzuox489cUfERVFDfDYkJf9EE0i29TSurAi4gKP765iIAdo9cCbJg2tOQ0Sq5huJpBdi0aPGNQ/s320/41UW9PIo45L._SL380_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Every time I see him he always has a cup with a straw in it! So I figured I'd make it easier to carry! This has a twist-on top and the straw won't fall out! And I heart that saying on it :)<br />
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After we left my grandmother's house, we went to Blake's grandparents' house and spent some time with his family! I'm really blessed to have in-laws that I actually enjoy being around and feel like a legit part of the family when I'm with them! We got Blake's dad a blue otter box for his iPhone! It's so cool looking...well I guess you can decide if it's actually cool looking...it looks like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZC2-hQIVbe8m1Ex4I6NYbpA1s4mF-B5jIfG9pMtW1A7it7ZYVGj9D0zDRuTEMv0wyiTpaqtgTjKUXo9Uk9xxbY4z8OZRnbksu2nw8NJ8eULDlSrh3jwTVxHeKaRdWIpNcC8mwzoGlc0/s1600/Otterbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZC2-hQIVbe8m1Ex4I6NYbpA1s4mF-B5jIfG9pMtW1A7it7ZYVGj9D0zDRuTEMv0wyiTpaqtgTjKUXo9Uk9xxbY4z8OZRnbksu2nw8NJ8eULDlSrh3jwTVxHeKaRdWIpNcC8mwzoGlc0/s1600/Otterbox.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We were a bit surprised when we got to Blake's grandparents' house and he had his iPhone in an otterbox! (We had good intel that he wanted a blue otterbox...) But it turns out that he already had one but he saw the blue one and liked that better. So he can pass his black otterbox to someone else with an iPhone (like the person who gave us the intel) lol It all turned out peachy though! He was happy to have his blue otterbox so we were happy that you know...we got something that he liked :) Then we went to Chili's (YUM!) and then we went home! (Actually, we did a little detour to get my purse that I left at my grandmother's house...oops!) lol<br />
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So we had a great father's day! How were y'all's father's days? Get your father's anything awesome? Do tell!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-22710245823421770722011-06-20T10:00:00.000-05:002011-06-20T10:00:01.097-05:00Let's Play Catch Up!Hi all!<br />
I know I've been away for a while (a whole 2 weeks! What was I thinking?!) But I'm back now! I took a little vacation from blogging to relax a bit and not bore you with the not much of anything I had to talk about! Honestly I haven't really been doing that much here lately. Now that school is out and sorority life has slowed down quite a bit, I've had so much free time that I wasn't really sure what to do with it! I had been crafting and blogging to pass the time, but let's be honest, that stuff takes dinero and if you're trying to be fiscally responsible, you should probably watch how much you spend on crafty stuff because it's so fun that it can get out of hand realllly quickly! So basically I took a break but I did actually do <i>some</i> stuff! Oh you want to know what I did? Thought you'd never ask ;)<br />
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I've been watching copious (read: way to much) amounts of television. Actually, I've been watching my computer screen because Blake and I don't have cable (fiscally responsible, remember?), but I've been rewatching the newest seasons of <u>The Vampire Diaries</u> and <u>The Office</u>. Which are amazing, by the way. If you are a fan of either of those shows, bravo. Good choice. And let's be friends. :) Those I watched on my own (Blake, like most guys, is not a fan of vampire love stories....and he's also not huge on watching tv episodes he's already seen and since we've seen all of The Office, I just rewatched them all by my lonesome). We did watch something amazing together though! <u><b>Burn Notice</b></u>. Best summer show ever! (Blake thinks it's the best show period, but the aforementioned shows take the lead in my book). I'm not sure how long it took us to watch it from Season 1 to Season 4 but we watched like two episodes a night for a few weeks, so the fact that we're all caught up and have to wait for the newest episodes to come out this Thursday (all the best shows air on Thursdays) leaves a baby pang of sadness in my heart (but it's accompanied by super excitement for Thursday so....yeah). Needlesstosay, it's been kinda weird without a two hour television event with the hubby pants every night, but we're dealing :)<br />
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Even though I mentioned that sorority life has slowed down quite a bit, my office in the sorority, Membership Vice President, hits its peak during the summer, so I've still had plenty to do as far as planning for recruitment goes. I've been attempting to coordinate a retreat, figure out cool facts about AXiD that would be cool for sisters to know, choose outfits, dances, songs, lyrics, glitter, find stuff in storage units, try to figure out what we still have and what we've thrown out....it has definitely kept me busy! :) But I know it'll definitely be worth it once we have new sisters to share our bond and secrets with! YaY! :)<br />
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I've also been trying to keep up my housewifely duties! I vacuumed yesterday! And it was epic. Not really. I hate vacuuming, but I did it! And I have to say it looks pretty snazzy :) I also have been trying to keep up the dishes and the laundry and dusting and all that fun stuff! I've actually done some more organizing, which I will probably show you guys later. But I have to say, through all the cleaning sprees I've had, there are some things that I just don't know what to do with! I read on someone's blog that it's good to have a junk drawer as long as your clean it out every once in a while, and I can see how that's helpful! There are just random things that don't really belong anywhere but I can't throw them out because I know as soon as I do, we'll need those things! Ugh! So frustrating!!<br />
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Blake and I are continuing to read through the Old Testament and we're in 2 Chronicles now... :)<br />
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I've been trying out more of Abby at <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/">My Yellow Sandbox</a>'s hairstyles, which you'll see more of in coming days :)<br />
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I've been preparing for Alpha Xi Delta's national convention that's in Atlanta in July (we have to wear business casual attire and pack extra for sisterhood events and stuff and I just don't have that much stuff! So I've been on a mission to buy (cheaply of course) cute stuff for convention!)<br />
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And I've been getting things together for Blake and my one year anniversary that's coming up this Sunday! (crazzzzy that it's already been a year!!! Holy moley!!)<br />
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So what have you guys been up to while I've been away?? Watched any cool shows? Found any random stuff you don't know what to do with in your house?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-72968579150251758462011-06-03T10:05:00.000-05:002011-06-03T10:05:29.218-05:00The Method To My Chocolatey MadnessI did it! I made those super cute graduation caps from Wednesday's <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/06/youth-group-at-my-church-having.html">post</a>! It took a little longer than I expected (an hour and 15 minutes), but I think if I did them today I could do them in about 45 minutes now that I have a method down. As a recap, my youth group had a party celebrating the graduating seniors this past Wednesday and I wanted to make something cute, and I found these on Pinterest:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuUrsmPWMAyOAbWpATdE7S9QJxHlmKjBJ-6X5Ct69UBXwDsVae_5RYM0M9-Ie4rlMVR2wNAXHfM9uAnxyD4B0O1MXqccSMF1_5HytOSE-ymxaxIKF9raJKuDJL-SLF6bNRgKQsom4Cys/s1600/hat+on+a+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuUrsmPWMAyOAbWpATdE7S9QJxHlmKjBJ-6X5Ct69UBXwDsVae_5RYM0M9-Ie4rlMVR2wNAXHfM9uAnxyD4B0O1MXqccSMF1_5HytOSE-ymxaxIKF9raJKuDJL-SLF6bNRgKQsom4Cys/s320/hat+on+a+stick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's how mine turned out:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorM_Z5Gf5yTVCgAJezcM1YBihqNNSdT2YjbVsauw6ofAGG9Vej-UXd222QXRLX8jtzlTYURtMgkfSreF8MuCrLNdzreNA_oHYxdXxC2iTp8OTrr6PtX6C-CPGHHLtrgEcpuyvHIZM9Fo/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorM_Z5Gf5yTVCgAJezcM1YBihqNNSdT2YjbVsauw6ofAGG9Vej-UXd222QXRLX8jtzlTYURtMgkfSreF8MuCrLNdzreNA_oHYxdXxC2iTp8OTrr6PtX6C-CPGHHLtrgEcpuyvHIZM9Fo/s320/DSC_0459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCnhQWYDUWrulzMeaGTOIEoHlQIfTejMaQ3X3Hh7LqBYluVQ-Wi-hJyqwSXCu26teWQHPky-3ARzjobGQfgu3UplIDpEWtmFkFYkoDnU0oJR0SwjGVNxDIp0DMfhEOU76AxRW3NcwsQg/s1600/DSC_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCnhQWYDUWrulzMeaGTOIEoHlQIfTejMaQ3X3Hh7LqBYluVQ-Wi-hJyqwSXCu26teWQHPky-3ARzjobGQfgu3UplIDpEWtmFkFYkoDnU0oJR0SwjGVNxDIp0DMfhEOU76AxRW3NcwsQg/s320/DSC_0456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used the method from <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/candy-cup-caps/">Bakerella</a> but instead of Godiva chocolate squares (which are a bit too expensive for my taste) I used Hershey's snack size bars and barbecue skewers from the Dollar Tree instead of lollipop sticks! Okay, I'll start from the beginning!<br />
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First I stuck my mini-reese's in the refrigerator to try to not have gross sides. But it didn't work...I think it's because they kind of melted on the way home in my car because it is sooo hot these days! See what I'm talking about?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqwK10l_S9B3pND7NmEZ2-CrqgkGpyHbQRzIgbG0oXU6ALL9RwWDn41iAL-RM06zp5-AtoxP7VdtG-gh28oTvVtZzgv0vySB8RzBJxu6FAVw57LdP5RvPNH0B_Ea74z6SnTvryoALfbk/s1600/DSC_0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqwK10l_S9B3pND7NmEZ2-CrqgkGpyHbQRzIgbG0oXU6ALL9RwWDn41iAL-RM06zp5-AtoxP7VdtG-gh28oTvVtZzgv0vySB8RzBJxu6FAVw57LdP5RvPNH0B_Ea74z6SnTvryoALfbk/s320/DSC_0447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Oh well! Didn't bother me! But I emptied the bag of mini-reese's that I got at Wal-Mart for $2.50, wrapperless on some wax paper, like so:<br />
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Then I got my skewers out. They were quite a bit too long, so I "cut" them by making a mark with a pen, making an indention with scissors, and breaking the stick. I got pictures to illustrate! So exciting, right?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, this is the actual length of the skewers...perfect for shishkabobs, but waaay too long for what I'm doing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr1UHeHkrF1dim4zWl1ohi_wgSIeSqiQjbxDH56NinTlAi3gm_HhWIKlKQZHP3tI_vYXLjUSBDORG3IPLvbALCavxh3V7PcQvypddaVe_cjocupMThtSsA6ULyfNJMbLVOKdq_wVsmr8/s1600/DSC_0449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr1UHeHkrF1dim4zWl1ohi_wgSIeSqiQjbxDH56NinTlAi3gm_HhWIKlKQZHP3tI_vYXLjUSBDORG3IPLvbALCavxh3V7PcQvypddaVe_cjocupMThtSsA6ULyfNJMbLVOKdq_wVsmr8/s320/DSC_0449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, I made a mark with a pen (all at one time...I layed the skewers out in a line so that I didn't have to mark each one individually and take foooorever), then I made that indentation with some scissors (they couldn't cut all the way through the stick...pansies).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vPVFnN1IRi5-H48oFiFar8fn-W6EOvadeGxw2ZM7z3j7Pa1pSOzgid5DRhnyPELRtF8rsb3UpniWFVUOhwF4xpaduN0KgP3Py0VAbBrEZ3SeqzZ7pjNQ90xxRGGJwmc2hE3CftLFapA/s1600/DSC04679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vPVFnN1IRi5-H48oFiFar8fn-W6EOvadeGxw2ZM7z3j7Pa1pSOzgid5DRhnyPELRtF8rsb3UpniWFVUOhwF4xpaduN0KgP3Py0VAbBrEZ3SeqzZ7pjNQ90xxRGGJwmc2hE3CftLFapA/s320/DSC04679.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I broke them with my bare hands (I'm such a beast, I know) and put the non-usable side in a pile to go in the trash (I couldn't use them because my reese's were falling apart when I tried to put in the non-pointy side of the skewer...but Bakerella's version uses lollipop sticks that aren't pointy so I must've been doing something wrong)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iXzD8X2Ebn65rr6R2RupX3YU4gp6MGQTGjN0y9peAno0iS1yzNesVnXZF4m0E3CpXdQI46uv1vkEZ-w-XJYdfF74SsqEgfOo-pjlz0_zVDUlsnznEFqsgvHoEo_xj_tOP9xrezIwmow/s1600/DSC_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iXzD8X2Ebn65rr6R2RupX3YU4gp6MGQTGjN0y9peAno0iS1yzNesVnXZF4m0E3CpXdQI46uv1vkEZ-w-XJYdfF74SsqEgfOo-pjlz0_zVDUlsnznEFqsgvHoEo_xj_tOP9xrezIwmow/s320/DSC_0452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And put the super awesome pointy ones in the pile to be used (btw, disregard my disgusting cutting board...kool-aid is such a jerk sometimes! But not to worry, it's all clean now!)<br />
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Then I stuck the pointy side of the skewer into the flat side of the reese's mini. Then I moved onto the top part of the hat!<br />
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I <strike>cut</strike> broke at the middle seam the snack size hershey's bar so that there were two sections to one hat, like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kd_JAsJmaZYvci68DO_a2uldP4fDt_TUNSCs9KELiYwBGXXGfWQN16WLuEbCHjSKZmwgGzodsGdF5k6KT5QUCjkve5j4IjFW-x_c1qgWnpTU7A4rPU7DFd7b2U-_xXPHEv-nHbn2wuE/s1600/DSC04681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kd_JAsJmaZYvci68DO_a2uldP4fDt_TUNSCs9KELiYwBGXXGfWQN16WLuEbCHjSKZmwgGzodsGdF5k6KT5QUCjkve5j4IjFW-x_c1qgWnpTU7A4rPU7DFd7b2U-_xXPHEv-nHbn2wuE/s320/DSC04681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I flipped them over and used some yellow cake icing that I got from WalMart in the ready-to-squeeze bag. Well actually, I started out trying to use it without a tip (because I'm a cheapo and didn't want to buy icing tips for one project!). I tried making a straight line with a toothpick, my fingers, everything and nothing worked! Then I got a bag and cut a <i>tiny</i> hole in the corner and that worked like a charm!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qO7bd3JBMvHd2K06cmGSl-btlY1qkrj6MHCfiFHOXEVOekKR8l4qv-bwKjfiCKqTFXyLB87hV5wMnjny-p9Q7fZu2qk4ISsojaKZKgMpLCU-GjNOjRgOaChPrFK5F3zK9wT-74G-RQ/s1600/DSC_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qO7bd3JBMvHd2K06cmGSl-btlY1qkrj6MHCfiFHOXEVOekKR8l4qv-bwKjfiCKqTFXyLB87hV5wMnjny-p9Q7fZu2qk4ISsojaKZKgMpLCU-GjNOjRgOaChPrFK5F3zK9wT-74G-RQ/s320/DSC_0455.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>See all the cute little graduation hat toppers! Way to go Mr. Plastic Baggy! :) Also, see that chocolate almond bark in the background of that picture above? That was my glue!<br />
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I put one square in a little bowl along with some milk and microwaved it for 30 seconds; stirred, 15 seconds; stirred and scooped some extra into another tiny bowl I had on hand. Then I used the end of that spoon I used to scoop the extra, to scoop the melted almond bark onto the small side of the reese's mini and stuck the little hats on top of the reese's!<br />
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Then I stuck all of them into some packing styrofoam Blake had in the office and let them cool! Which is that picture that you saw above!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCnhQWYDUWrulzMeaGTOIEoHlQIfTejMaQ3X3Hh7LqBYluVQ-Wi-hJyqwSXCu26teWQHPky-3ARzjobGQfgu3UplIDpEWtmFkFYkoDnU0oJR0SwjGVNxDIp0DMfhEOU76AxRW3NcwsQg/s1600/DSC_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCnhQWYDUWrulzMeaGTOIEoHlQIfTejMaQ3X3Hh7LqBYluVQ-Wi-hJyqwSXCu26teWQHPky-3ARzjobGQfgu3UplIDpEWtmFkFYkoDnU0oJR0SwjGVNxDIp0DMfhEOU76AxRW3NcwsQg/s320/DSC_0456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And once they cooled, I put them in those red soho cups to be transported.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorM_Z5Gf5yTVCgAJezcM1YBihqNNSdT2YjbVsauw6ofAGG9Vej-UXd222QXRLX8jtzlTYURtMgkfSreF8MuCrLNdzreNA_oHYxdXxC2iTp8OTrr6PtX6C-CPGHHLtrgEcpuyvHIZM9Fo/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorM_Z5Gf5yTVCgAJezcM1YBihqNNSdT2YjbVsauw6ofAGG9Vej-UXd222QXRLX8jtzlTYURtMgkfSreF8MuCrLNdzreNA_oHYxdXxC2iTp8OTrr6PtX6C-CPGHHLtrgEcpuyvHIZM9Fo/s320/DSC_0459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I thought about the hour long drive we were about to make in the 90 degree weather and thought...these aren't going to make it. So I got a big pot and put some lunch freezer blocks in the bottom and put the soho cups in as well. And they made it all the way there in the backseat of my car! Well, actually there were two that didn't make it, but church members were happy to take those off my hands anyway :)<br />
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And the party was a success! Everyone liked these little thingies, and told me they tasted good (I don't really like chocolate other than reese's cups, so I didn't try one).<br />
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Here's some pics from the par-tay!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm....Pizza!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcclr7vE70iSI1S1ABidLDAI7WdREdZ5qwSfd9xOls9sADxfhsHW21BZ2uz_F_3ZYZuN7eDjl2cdrQepzyC-bTqJD5BdSxxMvgG6nFRASgP30K6-sE3MVCyM1LBAS4Gp-XinHeHFkb-w/s1600/DSC_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcclr7vE70iSI1S1ABidLDAI7WdREdZ5qwSfd9xOls9sADxfhsHW21BZ2uz_F_3ZYZuN7eDjl2cdrQepzyC-bTqJD5BdSxxMvgG6nFRASgP30K6-sE3MVCyM1LBAS4Gp-XinHeHFkb-w/s320/DSC_0462.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Yay! Congrats Grads!! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfONOPH3lp8ohHOoUsDr4K4F7m2VW3YHQBHbbVsEBaRSH96i4uJU27OUccZP__ThkK-iGOi0-XNeJDqR-Q2hvFIeYhsxx3f4Rgfvzs1L63Dv-TeYpQnB-wjuiQuK19lPPAO4saeQzO8Q/s1600/DSC_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfONOPH3lp8ohHOoUsDr4K4F7m2VW3YHQBHbbVsEBaRSH96i4uJU27OUccZP__ThkK-iGOi0-XNeJDqR-Q2hvFIeYhsxx3f4Rgfvzs1L63Dv-TeYpQnB-wjuiQuK19lPPAO4saeQzO8Q/s320/DSC_0463.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Super cute right?? And I didn't even know the red soho cup would match the decor! Yippee!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkquqv7phyz9ctu6B6L8Yg-dJT3TzU-K5YAeTfLD2BIEZ_ELpNqS1JqQgkAFYepnxSWYjaVBpEiqfJ732zyUaTNrQPp9GlqKdJ0EAdbgEcnOGykV6j9_Vk6SIKjYhlA4O8MBRX5EF0L2A/s1600/DSC_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkquqv7phyz9ctu6B6L8Yg-dJT3TzU-K5YAeTfLD2BIEZ_ELpNqS1JqQgkAFYepnxSWYjaVBpEiqfJ732zyUaTNrQPp9GlqKdJ0EAdbgEcnOGykV6j9_Vk6SIKjYhlA4O8MBRX5EF0L2A/s320/DSC_0465.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Action shot! ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stacy and I <strike>manning </strike> womanning the nachos and drinks in the kitchen! (Isn't she stinkin gorgeous?!? LOVE HER!) :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06MzyrwbhrQ0dWaj4o0mAxeqsPz6iTix3F0Zuo5UtGSMGvEL0G-593BLqxBsvZ1V5aJFAsqebOc9EH8kUFNp-3G4yTncUeDsGUNJU-jjluhz-UjEBC-V2Ro_Oztek-BWdDOjW5zBxjuo/s1600/DSC_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06MzyrwbhrQ0dWaj4o0mAxeqsPz6iTix3F0Zuo5UtGSMGvEL0G-593BLqxBsvZ1V5aJFAsqebOc9EH8kUFNp-3G4yTncUeDsGUNJU-jjluhz-UjEBC-V2Ro_Oztek-BWdDOjW5zBxjuo/s320/DSC_0468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And I also made these little guys as presents for the graduates (they're page corner bookmarks!) (tutorial available <a href="http://nheilke.com/blog/?p=2628">here</a>!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEXzAgosOYrvAf0yQGiOFjg7CkGc2aWohfUIli4KcJOE_JhHunVZH1IY-Biutc0wXvplui1a_zzO_7c_1fIVkDdTBCIY-PNOBNC7dXRmmmAMAdAn_Ft1-khJc3gzGaRvFs9qFvT1WBGY/s1600/DSC_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEXzAgosOYrvAf0yQGiOFjg7CkGc2aWohfUIli4KcJOE_JhHunVZH1IY-Biutc0wXvplui1a_zzO_7c_1fIVkDdTBCIY-PNOBNC7dXRmmmAMAdAn_Ft1-khJc3gzGaRvFs9qFvT1WBGY/s320/DSC_0461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Blake made the little beaks made of money on the car ride to the church, aren't they super cute?! Love love them! :)<br />
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So that's the story! It was super fun making all that stuff (although I had a bit of a time constraint which made it more stressful that it should've been, but that's my fault) :)<br />
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How were your May festivities? Have any graduation parties of note? Or was it all quiet on the western front (or whatever front you're in...like I'm in the southeastern front...okay I'll stop now ;) )? Hope y'all's week has been fantastic and your weekend will be even better! :)Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-66268777214995549812011-06-01T11:20:00.000-05:002011-06-01T11:21:45.595-05:00It's Party Time!The youth group at my <a href="http://vcflive.org/">church</a> is having a graduation party tonight, and I found some fun stuff on Pinterest that I'm going to try to do!<br />
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The first is this cute graduation hat on a stick!<br />
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This super cute idea came from <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/candy-cup-caps/">Bakerella</a>! All you need are miniature Reese's cups, lollipop sticks, godiva chocolate squares, yellow icing, and air head Xtremes for her version! I went a bit cheaper and just got the mini Reese's cups, snack size hershey bars (which I'll cut into squares with a knife), lollipop sticks, and yellow icing. So we'll see how it goes!<br />
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I also want to make this cute little crafty thing!<br />
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This is from <a href="http://crissyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/05/congrats-to-all-2011-smarties.html">Crissy's Crafts</a>, and it is made from a paper towel roll, scrapbook paper, and smarties! How cute is that for little favors! Weird thing though, I went to WalMart yesterday to get the smarties to do this, and WalMart didn't have any bags of just smarties! All they had were the massive variety packs that cost like $6 that you can't tell how many smarties are in the bag! I'm going to go to the dollar store to see if they have any smarties, but if not, I'm going to be super sad!! I mean, it's graduation! Who doesn't make some kind of smartie-related joke/craft/snack! C'mon Wal-Mart! lol<br />
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So I'll let you know how all of these turn out and in the mean time, have you ever done crafts for a graduation party? Have you ever been looking for smarties but can't find them? Do you know where I can get some smarties around Birmingham, AL?? lol Hope y'all are having a fabulous day! :)Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-54095430251637815112011-05-31T13:26:00.000-05:002011-05-31T13:26:18.874-05:00The Awesomeness of Dollar Tree!I have discovered the awesomeness of the Dollar Tree! Before being introduced to the DIYers of the blogosphere, I was less than impressed with the Dollar Tree, because I was looking for things that didn't need any work. I was looking for something that looked great and was quality and just generally awesome in a store that sold things for a dollar! What was I thinking! But now that I follow a bunch of blogs that take something that is less than great and make it something awesome (with usually not much more than a can of spray paint) I went into the dollar tree this weekend with fresh eyes! And I found some good stuff! One of those things was the non-slip drawer liners. I had no idea they sold drawer liners at the dollar store! And I had no idea the difference they would make!<br />
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Our master bathroom drawers are full of stuff that we use everyday! I actually organized them a couple of weeks ago to cut down on the clutter and hopefully make the drawers look like civilized people used them, but when we would open or close the drawer, the stuff would move everywhere and mess up the organization that I worked so hard on! Here's what they looked like:<br />
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They don't really look like someone took an hour and a half out of their day to organize them do they? **sigh** But not to worry! Enter these lovely dollar tree finds!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4FQgFNI5zMFVxKp-VbuIb1jdswnS6SO62jhG99bDS0A5CiEW9za4-YByqhnCEWzD_NgKpbD7Z7-FwL6vDnaKVagKUrVG6c0vNTdpN2ZJuqGt6TFBXbwPMJ8O1AVLu4ynFg_VKr2CN0I/s1600/DSC04634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4FQgFNI5zMFVxKp-VbuIb1jdswnS6SO62jhG99bDS0A5CiEW9za4-YByqhnCEWzD_NgKpbD7Z7-FwL6vDnaKVagKUrVG6c0vNTdpN2ZJuqGt6TFBXbwPMJ8O1AVLu4ynFg_VKr2CN0I/s320/DSC04634.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Those little white bowls are so cute and perfect! I thought I was going to have to get some tiny pot holders (six for a dollar at Dollar Tree!) but then I found these! They were a dollar a piece, but I wouldn't have to spray paint them and they have cute little designs around the rim!<br />
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So with about 20 minutes of taking everything out of the drawers, cutting the drawer liner to size, and deciding where to put everything back in the drawers, I had bathroom drawers that don't make me cringe when I open them! YAY! Here's how they look now!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEQBxR5MBPUJPMIcIqoY2wjJ_RS4kx7jP_HwEZ7P_Y_ronWEHcAYe7ph3SKG5FpjKaIWlljGPC2YFlpJyA_jueBrz243E_x2KW60xx87FA68M_8TIkceuuFdi6joMXCFO90BOE8U8VDA/s1600/DSC04643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEQBxR5MBPUJPMIcIqoY2wjJ_RS4kx7jP_HwEZ7P_Y_ronWEHcAYe7ph3SKG5FpjKaIWlljGPC2YFlpJyA_jueBrz243E_x2KW60xx87FA68M_8TIkceuuFdi6joMXCFO90BOE8U8VDA/s320/DSC04643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As you can see, I only had use of two of those cute white bowls, so I have three left over to do some more organizing with! Yay!<br />
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And I had a little bit left over in my drawer liner roll, so I put it to good use! My kitchen drawer, which I organized with a <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/shoe-organizer-kitchen-organizer.html">shoe organizer</a> was also having some problems with stuff moving around when I would open it. I didn't have enough liner left to cover the whole kitchen drawer, but I had enough to do what I needed! Here's the before and after :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK91F_TNLwX7_nH08VxjP2joiOxOZ4lzyVGlEoxsI1MeziJdDlc3Jr-xJmHWRVQVOpGGFnlhAKYYcQUUAbRfYvcTyEIfVCD1_0bbpYkpAsDYsaVq5aQOmTb4g0BqraiE3dfHltwb2DepY/s1600/DSC04644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK91F_TNLwX7_nH08VxjP2joiOxOZ4lzyVGlEoxsI1MeziJdDlc3Jr-xJmHWRVQVOpGGFnlhAKYYcQUUAbRfYvcTyEIfVCD1_0bbpYkpAsDYsaVq5aQOmTb4g0BqraiE3dfHltwb2DepY/s320/DSC04644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7kFPu_iTFyCcb_7OdyS7X3pV80uMvA4S8NCTPTErbz9GFBHKfWE22mFhjNQDXxWzSkMhn1XiB2l5-8rOgU0UMGkefL90yMT7CS_tQg_UbLviCQmQgAsgjy4qhXR8SiRlUjmTCYwKkPg/s1600/DSC04645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7kFPu_iTFyCcb_7OdyS7X3pV80uMvA4S8NCTPTErbz9GFBHKfWE22mFhjNQDXxWzSkMhn1XiB2l5-8rOgU0UMGkefL90yMT7CS_tQg_UbLviCQmQgAsgjy4qhXR8SiRlUjmTCYwKkPg/s320/DSC04645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm now realizing that the drawer liner is not centered on the rolling pin (funny how you notice things in pictures that you don't notice in real life), so I will be fixing that momentarily (yes, I <i>am</i> that OCD lol).<br />
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So how about you guys? Have y'all hit up the dollar store lately and found stuff that you loved? Or have y'all spent hours on organizing drawers only to have them look hideous as soon as you open and close them like twice?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-21098510956532239782011-05-28T15:13:00.000-05:002011-05-28T15:13:33.183-05:00Super Fun Hairstyles!I don't usually do a weekend post, but I also don't usually post about hairstyles so I figured what the heck! :) I found this grrrreat blog called <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/">My Yellow Sandbox</a> (of course I found it through Pinterest lol). But Abby (that's the girl who writes the blog) has been doing a challenge; 30 hairstyles in 30 days! It's amazing. They're so easy and so cute! I've done quite a few of the hairstyles she's done but I haven't taken any pictures until I did the knot ponytail last night! But I'm going to be continuing to try pretty much all the hairstyles she's done so I'll update you with my personal tips! Look at some of these hairstyles she's done!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyWWJqDsPtobZyRIeXbqUziEey7nxGgPxgwLx1tQ8tpH2TGJtQ29NDv_EWKMg2M5eq7ILaw8PKGeeiK7QUHb7J5W76yhnk1F2i_R5TFhFPKAYsFNDg3KLpgW0FjDS-0yYyVtNIOhXSbY/s1600/My+Yellow+Sandbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyWWJqDsPtobZyRIeXbqUziEey7nxGgPxgwLx1tQ8tpH2TGJtQ29NDv_EWKMg2M5eq7ILaw8PKGeeiK7QUHb7J5W76yhnk1F2i_R5TFhFPKAYsFNDg3KLpgW0FjDS-0yYyVtNIOhXSbY/s320/My+Yellow+Sandbox.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />
I've actually done three of the four above (although the hair bow was just for fun so I could show Blake)! And I can't wait to try the fourth one (I just need a fancy occasion to wear it to!) She has video tutorials for almost all of her hairstyles, so if you want to try something fun and different head on over there!<br />
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Here was my take on the <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-17-knot.html">knot ponytail</a>!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, crappy picture I know...but believe it or not it had the best lighting out of all the pictures! (even the five that my husband took!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5b9D0B9czaLL8s88Aoum58U9ZduMv0lxR_WxC8xYLQznksk9NqSAckHV3pOjMwlOBlXZulWQZs0NWrBhq_PzFRI1PP60Qsh8tyJrqP1XAVxOvcOA3j6xMQO5fIFRVSuVzFJ3_SshRrM/s1600/DSC04609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5b9D0B9czaLL8s88Aoum58U9ZduMv0lxR_WxC8xYLQznksk9NqSAckHV3pOjMwlOBlXZulWQZs0NWrBhq_PzFRI1PP60Qsh8tyJrqP1XAVxOvcOA3j6xMQO5fIFRVSuVzFJ3_SshRrM/s320/DSC04609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And here's how it looks from the front:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n55cy_TKFpTKznz2UN7OLL5auik52LaephJjt_gt9VbeNG0i_NRrpqe3-MPOR5XGePms0Xpl6Wfu1-prSwcuiTDrtsbyl_wByLMZDvB0wniL-cDGR0nSkU4deOMuxujTt556eS6Lb94/s1600/DSC04611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n55cy_TKFpTKznz2UN7OLL5auik52LaephJjt_gt9VbeNG0i_NRrpqe3-MPOR5XGePms0Xpl6Wfu1-prSwcuiTDrtsbyl_wByLMZDvB0wniL-cDGR0nSkU4deOMuxujTt556eS6Lb94/s320/DSC04611.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And from the side!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23GLy2AuVl0x2IPWZkkTobH0NdxL0sA_t4_QqYJxdwM2jP2EXBukP-O61CYnVa-04JdEQfU4orrdNmG0rRNsCSif7o701v6bYFH_6ZxburtW3N01Cxm_KoJvhbMrAmRefRwgjU0MxJHo/s1600/DSC04620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23GLy2AuVl0x2IPWZkkTobH0NdxL0sA_t4_QqYJxdwM2jP2EXBukP-O61CYnVa-04JdEQfU4orrdNmG0rRNsCSif7o701v6bYFH_6ZxburtW3N01Cxm_KoJvhbMrAmRefRwgjU0MxJHo/s320/DSC04620.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
In Abby's version, you take part of your hair back and tie it off with an elastic, then you knot your hair around that top part (make sure you do your knot how she says to or it looks reallllly weird....trust me, I know from experience lol) and then you break your elastic holding the top part of your hair together. In my version, I tied off the top part of my hair with an elastic, but I didn't do it really tightly. I didn't even double it over, it was just enough to hold my hair together, and because of that I didn't have to break one of my elastics! Yay! Now I also have suuuuper thick hair so that may not work for everyone, but you should give it a try!<br />
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So head on over to My Yellow Sandbox and get to trying some super fun and easy hairstyles! I think tomorrow I'm going to try the <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-12-becky-wannabe.html">Becky Wannabe</a> or maybe the <a href="http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-14-braided-bun.html">Braided Bun</a>! I'll let you guys know how it goes! And y'all let me know if you try some of these!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-62619337902784559482011-05-27T13:27:00.000-05:002011-05-27T13:27:04.802-05:00I Have Made A List!My mind has been going ninety to nothing here lately with all the DIY ideas that I have rummaging around in my head thanks to the fantastic blogs that I follow and Pinterest! I have made a list and <strike>checked it twice</strike> have put the things in order of what I want to tackle. I love lists, don't you? There is no greater feeling than crossing something you have done off of your list! Anyways, I'm going to share with you some of the things I have been looking at doing and maybe you can tackle some of them and tell me how they go! :)<div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the things that's on my short term list is this little guy! We have WalMart sacks coming out of our ears and falling out of our pantry which makes it look super gross. So I'm on a mission to make this! The only thing is...we don't drink coffee, so I'm either going to buy a coffee can and give all the coffee to my mom or ask around to see if anyone has an extra coffee can laying around!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs2QN2ujrx_UVPxpsTS_LfpD1zCDrbiucumxhYHv9h48biwlmdgCQiwXlzTRFr_X4xnupnrG8z-TLoqeokOQl7xXnqiSLHkmMS9smdYaAFQ6HxIMPS6oWJBO6Za_UOaUPE3DJMBmxxL0/s1600/bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs2QN2ujrx_UVPxpsTS_LfpD1zCDrbiucumxhYHv9h48biwlmdgCQiwXlzTRFr_X4xnupnrG8z-TLoqeokOQl7xXnqiSLHkmMS9smdYaAFQ6HxIMPS6oWJBO6Za_UOaUPE3DJMBmxxL0/s320/bags.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010-blog-party-crafts.html">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is one of those "Why didn't I think of that" things! It's so simple and would save us sooo much time! This is definitely on my list! But again, I have to find these things, because the bread that we buy has the twisty wire kind and not these kind....looks like I'll be hitting up my mom again ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL4FIrdJB0_HeulkUPCQMgs4P7mkxPAotV67J6ctvvEuAz8mJBAMYezXZEwk67lg8p1UR9aMMFT8bvgTGHOrZbst8pIohJEGVts0CubD8fONZ3ykyatDAZxQf0eK47zfoH4pwlrAEZpA/s1600/bread+clip+cord+labels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL4FIrdJB0_HeulkUPCQMgs4P7mkxPAotV67J6ctvvEuAz8mJBAMYezXZEwk67lg8p1UR9aMMFT8bvgTGHOrZbst8pIohJEGVts0CubD8fONZ3ykyatDAZxQf0eK47zfoH4pwlrAEZpA/s320/bread+clip+cord+labels.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/organizing/label-cords-at-both-ends-for-maximum-organization-145848?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+apartmenttherapy%2Funplggd+%28Unplggd%29">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>I haven't quite figured out how to do these...but they are pretty much totally awesome so I'm going to figure it out! I may get some white cardstock and cut into it with my exacto knife and mount it to a canvas frame? Idk but I'll figure it out eventually (probably with the help of google).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iZJmAAO7E-JsAA91cP_u3j6xqoL_n8wtFHxHZHcclE2bLvFmHFnaMJtjm8Na4aIEjHPfEuz6hbAZbye9qhuSAKLY_DZWkLSey6S_SSjGab9VrZVXvChJQZRWS2ZaOCgTGXdECNUat_k/s1600/Cut+outs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iZJmAAO7E-JsAA91cP_u3j6xqoL_n8wtFHxHZHcclE2bLvFmHFnaMJtjm8Na4aIEjHPfEuz6hbAZbye9qhuSAKLY_DZWkLSey6S_SSjGab9VrZVXvChJQZRWS2ZaOCgTGXdECNUat_k/s320/Cut+outs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58475647@N00/5745174278/">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This I just want mainly because it is so cute! I loved the <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/procrastinators-mothers-day.html">Mother's Day gifts</a> we gave our moms and I would like to have something where we could write cute stuff to each other too! Or regular stuff like "don't forget to take out the trash" or something along those lines :) But it's cute scrapbook paper and a frame! Doesn't get much more simple than that! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-psDuikZa2somj5BjjdYsJkAno9ANIj8Z-EmprF-3j4dSVOthLcQ2B78QmkPpR_B3iiXLBXHtr6EIQR4ygOwwL-49XE85AdvkoZqfgVO4N5Fp8jGwltwziixkrF6WCNo-FGtI8CEPaQ/s1600/Dry+Erase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-psDuikZa2somj5BjjdYsJkAno9ANIj8Z-EmprF-3j4dSVOthLcQ2B78QmkPpR_B3iiXLBXHtr6EIQR4ygOwwL-49XE85AdvkoZqfgVO4N5Fp8jGwltwziixkrF6WCNo-FGtI8CEPaQ/s320/Dry+Erase.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/wipe-off-weekly-menu-board?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allaboutthemakeandtakes+%28Make+and+Takes%29#">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>And we definitely need a dry erase calendar! We could buy some from Wal-Mart or Target, but this just looks so much more fancy! We'll see what we actually do when we start comparing prices (how much will it be to print it and buy the frame as opposed to just buying a calendar from somewhere).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnsNpdOMW7D9VMJjf3IIxxgvtqV2WW9G-InTkqmW-G2QvJVHCcT_YkBBObOfz6A7MutBOWRgAmLEgyy6jKqOi_bd9PK2IeY33YegnvT5Z0oDhLKX1A-GWWXMhCASUGJPRCvBU12t3SM0/s1600/Dry+erase+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnsNpdOMW7D9VMJjf3IIxxgvtqV2WW9G-InTkqmW-G2QvJVHCcT_YkBBObOfz6A7MutBOWRgAmLEgyy6jKqOi_bd9PK2IeY33YegnvT5Z0oDhLKX1A-GWWXMhCASUGJPRCvBU12t3SM0/s320/Dry+erase+calendar.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://thecsiproject.com/2010/09/03/next-weeks-challenge-back-to-school/">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>I reallllly want to have some awesome jewelry organization going on in my life! When I moved out of my mom's house, I left my jewelry armoire behind and wow do I miss that thing! Luckily, my mom is willing to bring it halfway! So once I get that back and hopefully get a dresser soon, I'll be able to make cute stuff like this to house all of my jewelry! Right now all my jewelry is either in a plastic bin, a makeup bag, or a walmart sack....so I wear like three different pieces of jewelry...it's so sad!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqbbYsJOGMvwt3zPEy4Pzv4EVa7-uVtLZ9b_4zpi2PyHJxxcPl37f-fH_-lr8zylTlYqTuudxa-YWYNcy_PZsDLp2Ok3csPGdacmupimc6PC80vIqdFChitaOAuodwpe0pBXleozRi4s/s1600/Earring+Holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqbbYsJOGMvwt3zPEy4Pzv4EVa7-uVtLZ9b_4zpi2PyHJxxcPl37f-fH_-lr8zylTlYqTuudxa-YWYNcy_PZsDLp2Ok3csPGdacmupimc6PC80vIqdFChitaOAuodwpe0pBXleozRi4s/s320/Earring+Holder.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/04/framed-burlap-earring-holder-tutorial.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PositivelySplendid+%28Positively+Splendid%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">here</a>}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my head I'm picturing something along these lines on top of the dresser, but a bit more modern and organized :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0NlhM9WTB74wTrEv61Hl3-GuKt2zoaxzk0Cr-e665Jw7VDSh7DfRqK0eV2AINRSpTLwvmGlJsN-0FCDQigqwnXsPpUpdBLsI6zQxxi0u0AAWHEwB-VWoZt6KkEMg74z4xJwz4Xeic0I/s1600/Jewelry+Organization.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0NlhM9WTB74wTrEv61Hl3-GuKt2zoaxzk0Cr-e665Jw7VDSh7DfRqK0eV2AINRSpTLwvmGlJsN-0FCDQigqwnXsPpUpdBLsI6zQxxi0u0AAWHEwB-VWoZt6KkEMg74z4xJwz4Xeic0I/s320/Jewelry+Organization.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/diy-simple-storage-weekend-projects/?page=21">here</a>}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I also really want to frame the mirror in our master bathroom! I think it makes the whole bathroom look more expensive and fancy and I'm pretty sure home buyers like framed mirrors! So I'll probably get some crown molding and glue and talk the hubby into doing this with me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7HMQ66R1rzYq0gX5q6MhQYRP4OXoZZ_CSxNcgbYreCSNuPylVuqOUzFNoPi7xNa_8WPPG3xLVkOn1KfzKXAGl3Dq3m5UdBa7_74b6qOPQ7_txxWUjFVtw6pBcRKMguN1XsAdF34-04k/s1600/frame+out+mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7HMQ66R1rzYq0gX5q6MhQYRP4OXoZZ_CSxNcgbYreCSNuPylVuqOUzFNoPi7xNa_8WPPG3xLVkOn1KfzKXAGl3Dq3m5UdBa7_74b6qOPQ7_txxWUjFVtw6pBcRKMguN1XsAdF34-04k/s320/frame+out+mirror.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/04/framed-mirror.html">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This headboard rocks my socks! It's pallet wood stuck together and then the brilliant people who made this painted that love on there. It's so pretty! I want it!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwQUC30MheLw6KcVbtpBbLJmfMxQDdaTEq6KhYjdqzamACf6nQU6Zp4FDOvpVXff9OpY01ETCuDjBfbpAEfq_Iat5FcchJ9wEFAWCBvJwTiYPzYNM-56ML-XUhRXn3Tdf-0eiWprt8NQ/s1600/Headboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwQUC30MheLw6KcVbtpBbLJmfMxQDdaTEq6KhYjdqzamACf6nQU6Zp4FDOvpVXff9OpY01ETCuDjBfbpAEfq_Iat5FcchJ9wEFAWCBvJwTiYPzYNM-56ML-XUhRXn3Tdf-0eiWprt8NQ/s320/Headboard.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://traditionallymoderndesigns.blogspot.com/">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>I have also inherited a love of maps from the folks over at <a href="http://younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a> and I just love these little heart maps!! We could frame our wedding location or our house address or where we honeymooned! The possibilities are endless and suuuper cute! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOia_9M4IdFAq8oJSTNWtKmnNvKCRZmxE51W6dy2koAiqlXDFCZXgEv2RMQ_pYPZ0HvEh0Vd9a3qqGXWeJWiNPkFwA0DLQOQNHacWzSQNJbsNU0Ku8VJQ_TaTU2uxZQzmfn7GllvUrgI/s1600/heart+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOia_9M4IdFAq8oJSTNWtKmnNvKCRZmxE51W6dy2koAiqlXDFCZXgEv2RMQ_pYPZ0HvEh0Vd9a3qqGXWeJWiNPkFwA0DLQOQNHacWzSQNJbsNU0Ku8VJQ_TaTU2uxZQzmfn7GllvUrgI/s320/heart+map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/bombus/product/bespoke_map_heart">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>More hearts, and I'm pretty sure there's no way that Blake would let me do this because it's so girly, but it could be done so cheaply! Just take an old book from the thrift store or a book that means something to you, cut it up into hearts and tape it to the wall and color one red! Oh it would be sooo cute!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTEHCM-fcjCK6vz6-Ud-Afoqzy58ig05H5qer1CQ2MyNA2VftDQIEf_tyDZyqCV8vpkg3-OLEhUWGVgGg6s1sGNipY-XVnplemUgl_QWIf4Wv9dgcIKFb4kFDull-wrLeMXxFtJDyrVs/s1600/Heart+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTEHCM-fcjCK6vz6-Ud-Afoqzy58ig05H5qer1CQ2MyNA2VftDQIEf_tyDZyqCV8vpkg3-OLEhUWGVgGg6s1sGNipY-XVnplemUgl_QWIf4Wv9dgcIKFb4kFDull-wrLeMXxFtJDyrVs/s320/Heart+Wall.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://secretpieshoppe.blogspot.com/2010/02/craft-valentines-day-wall-art.html">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is just perfect for our office! I love all the cheesy sayings we could put up (like the "you are my type" pictured below). And we basically live on our computers so this would be very fitting to our lifestyles!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2D1aMBZow-U43KxSntbxQ5AL8VUG35fxyG1jDS3MkHGHYUhlt4gBbw_9wtJzOO8T13VXVmwhZiiNSxiuceJDEJPY28Pj4c7_PZRJShDb5LWz5z_f1l_FYVph4SJEkqmFKB7YFWSnF1A/s1600/keyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2D1aMBZow-U43KxSntbxQ5AL8VUG35fxyG1jDS3MkHGHYUhlt4gBbw_9wtJzOO8T13VXVmwhZiiNSxiuceJDEJPY28Pj4c7_PZRJShDb5LWz5z_f1l_FYVph4SJEkqmFKB7YFWSnF1A/s320/keyboard.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://paperplateandplane.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/keys-to-my-heart/">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>Leave it to Martha to do something so simple that is so awesome! She put velcro on a kitchen towel that hangs from the stove so that it wouldn't fall off! I am definitely doing this when I get a new kitchen towel (right now we just have a filler one, but I want one that is really bright and cheery like our <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitchen-art.html">button monograms</a>!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqHYaFr2QmkQ7Rp49KtCeE6VzvJPBY-0vCRXGeUyQtzPbtNHDwf5RNJsDIIy3uskZ_c4lJ74KPQgtMwpRaTLbpwMxvcqMcTsd6TKt0ER21SHe0J_lf4eb-xjDHR0eYdQF4R5Lu5EllVk/s1600/Kitchen+towel+velcr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqHYaFr2QmkQ7Rp49KtCeE6VzvJPBY-0vCRXGeUyQtzPbtNHDwf5RNJsDIIy3uskZ_c4lJ74KPQgtMwpRaTLbpwMxvcqMcTsd6TKt0ER21SHe0J_lf4eb-xjDHR0eYdQF4R5Lu5EllVk/s1600/Kitchen+towel+velcr.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/273383/no-slip-dish-towels?czone=home%2Forganized-home%2Feasy-organizers">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is awesome and would be so great for us! It's laundry baskets that you can fold your clean clothes and separate them by room and then take each laundry basket to whatever room instead of having to haul stuff a little at a time! It does require some actual building though, but it isn't that crazy, so I think I could do it! I also think I could find something that would fit this size at a yard sale or something, but laundry baskets are pretty wide so...Idk! I'm up for a challenge (especially if it means spending time with the hubby pants!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQnahHcxHnqd4Ek_-5yGAPs0B0HfDRiDmejjEH-tMjt0X3MwXjXv3suThOjl-O5Lo3Ar8S51PHbzgYoti0Hy7DxwXMQ4jk1Rln5peQFFsFJ_LQgU9uVTBCG0EUAUN0Smr9Sr1C6ptmdg/s1600/Laundry+Baskets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQnahHcxHnqd4Ek_-5yGAPs0B0HfDRiDmejjEH-tMjt0X3MwXjXv3suThOjl-O5Lo3Ar8S51PHbzgYoti0Hy7DxwXMQ4jk1Rln5peQFFsFJ_LQgU9uVTBCG0EUAUN0Smr9Sr1C6ptmdg/s320/Laundry+Baskets.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://ana-white.com/2010/11/laundry-basket-dresser">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is awesome! It's a piece of sheet metal attached to the back of a cabinet and canisters with magnets glued to them, so you can always find what you need quickly! I don't have anywhere that I could do this, but if I did I would definitely do it! It's just so handy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZRbJbUOFwg1hu41DkwDHihFRYxoHpVAxkzePTa4TL8JhN_RA5Q2DrHX-mYvE5Ua9WfT3hsbdOlTI0IXSbiZru50YYM6fD3xXVixgIsjkXoeove7O4Y3zR3HGEedep4pVnGP74jbzUtE/s1600/makeup+organizer+magnetic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZRbJbUOFwg1hu41DkwDHihFRYxoHpVAxkzePTa4TL8JhN_RA5Q2DrHX-mYvE5Ua9WfT3hsbdOlTI0IXSbiZru50YYM6fD3xXVixgIsjkXoeove7O4Y3zR3HGEedep4pVnGP74jbzUtE/s320/makeup+organizer+magnetic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/bathroom/picture/pink-bathroom-cabinet-with-magnetic-storage?room_style=modern">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>These I love for outside above the patio table. They would cast a really romantic glow I think :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNIu_e1ShmPqi5guv9EUitZEY4xwJEMza0rOOFiPDo3mUXrlv_ltwhhLAdT40IZxFqmEKn69OJYRKXccYpDw9Mq-TUqyyRn_hr5Dp3HoK1Mi6Jp0gfS4rSCrmQeI1yalv4SLwFI0dEoQ/s1600/mason+jar+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNIu_e1ShmPqi5guv9EUitZEY4xwJEMza0rOOFiPDo3mUXrlv_ltwhhLAdT40IZxFqmEKn69OJYRKXccYpDw9Mq-TUqyyRn_hr5Dp3HoK1Mi6Jp0gfS4rSCrmQeI1yalv4SLwFI0dEoQ/s320/mason+jar+chandelier.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{no source}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is what I want for the <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/oddball.html">nook </a>that I can't figure out what to do with. I really want a bench with a shelf underneath so we could sit down and take our shoes off or whatever and it would look custom and awesome. Blake doesn't think it's a good idea because if new home buyers don't like it, it's kinda permanent, so I probably won't do this, but I like it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2itm0RLyKe3xfEB07i8JoXadfBivX71mgAJVstz1TsLPcAGYXsvwnqYeMkWCRq2dStXbLd9Y2GyvH_Q5cbCJMI1uHnnLrY01ajZpXfAVR_9xoEr6CmuVkbO702Py24BfXD98Idrc3i7g/s1600/nook+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2itm0RLyKe3xfEB07i8JoXadfBivX71mgAJVstz1TsLPcAGYXsvwnqYeMkWCRq2dStXbLd9Y2GyvH_Q5cbCJMI1uHnnLrY01ajZpXfAVR_9xoEr6CmuVkbO702Py24BfXD98Idrc3i7g/s320/nook+bench.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/05/closet-turned-book-nook.html">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>Now this puppy I am in love with! The thing I wasn't in love with? The price! If I'm going to DIY something it needs to be worth the money I'm saving! This version calls for these certain orbs that are $18 for the small ones and over $20 for the large ones! That's just not cool in my book. But it looks awesome!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bEgxjtB6YD-CQdcn4pRnPnFgvqpl-SQXBDY1MGrsLPv4BeZRl9YcbeKU0nVyb8pW5l4xiM6xSbJeuQWO3v59c-8bm2Qq8HYYiN9AXghEMIHpouxtuCPi_3Wu6s_81eTsCiZlR-OUQIw/s1600/other+bubble+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bEgxjtB6YD-CQdcn4pRnPnFgvqpl-SQXBDY1MGrsLPv4BeZRl9YcbeKU0nVyb8pW5l4xiM6xSbJeuQWO3v59c-8bm2Qq8HYYiN9AXghEMIHpouxtuCPi_3Wu6s_81eTsCiZlR-OUQIw/s320/other+bubble+chandelier.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://remodelista.com/posts/diy-glass-orb-cluster-light?_from=related">here</a>}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one on the other hand, calls for orbs that are $1.95 for the small ones and $3.95 for the large ones! Now that's more like it! I'll definitely be trying this out soon....well actually I may have to wait because I'm not sure prospective home buyers would like this....and I would want to take it with me not leave it with the house! So I'll just have to decide what to do :) But I know this is in my future sometime! (btw, the cheaper orbs are from <a href="http://www.cb2.com/table-top-decor/accessories/bubble-balls/f4820?fromLocation=search">here</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkbe7hfvkruCSESOaOfduG9vRDyOt0IO-0WezDDa0SBq1k-Odgy07zYgUI8hvPa_bLjdVfq_n88QVRiCXr55mJvrFb5cpETC8k0X-vUPKMScpHjbPKH54KuyZw1na_FtSoRQDUc2XUcU/s1600/Bubble+Chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkbe7hfvkruCSESOaOfduG9vRDyOt0IO-0WezDDa0SBq1k-Odgy07zYgUI8hvPa_bLjdVfq_n88QVRiCXr55mJvrFb5cpETC8k0X-vUPKMScpHjbPKH54KuyZw1na_FtSoRQDUc2XUcU/s320/Bubble+Chandelier.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.mintlovesocialclub.com/2011/03/bubble-chandelier.html">here</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is another DIY lighting project I want to try! We have a small light above our sink in the kitchen and it is just the regular light fixture that comes with a new house, but I really like these made of twine and a ball and glue...I'm considering doing this in this house, but I'm also considering waiting due to the reasons above...this wouldn't be as big of a financial investment and probably not a time investment either so I may do it anyway!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUOHSup0VvY1B-bv7TFZSDziUBEAiqWZ43fx2IoImG4uTkuSZY8g3VlrvKMmlnGg8MRLJJ7YljqMYKiUKWMD5npYIb6v2rpjjw0B-q1xe6rLk8z8u3ItcpGzSK8An7tEFz61BRxw2ZnQ/s1600/pendant+lamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUOHSup0VvY1B-bv7TFZSDziUBEAiqWZ43fx2IoImG4uTkuSZY8g3VlrvKMmlnGg8MRLJJ7YljqMYKiUKWMD5npYIb6v2rpjjw0B-q1xe6rLk8z8u3ItcpGzSK8An7tEFz61BRxw2ZnQ/s1600/pendant+lamps.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.craftynest.com/2009/03/hemp-pendant-lamps/">here</a>}</span></div><br />
These I just love! Sherry over at young house love recently put up a <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/05/second-times-the-charm/">tutorial </a>about how to attach prints to canvas, so I could definitely do this! These photos are so quaint and sweet...usually I'm all about contrast and abstract and cityscapes, but this appeals to me for some reason and I may just put it somewhere in our house!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9qwYkJaoCg6Akqn3MrDPqojyHf-LxoNu0EVO5nRUkCI9VNvrvjDSrxBUNbf0hBwjaZvV3JAMoHW-GZ95j_pytSvqw7WSypWeARFfjHqxfrvmOeFlC_k5ihc358AyB818bvCE-fNlEvE/s1600/Pretty+Pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9qwYkJaoCg6Akqn3MrDPqojyHf-LxoNu0EVO5nRUkCI9VNvrvjDSrxBUNbf0hBwjaZvV3JAMoHW-GZ95j_pytSvqw7WSypWeARFfjHqxfrvmOeFlC_k5ihc358AyB818bvCE-fNlEvE/s320/Pretty+Pictures.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.myevergreenonline.com/product.jhtm?id=31854&cid=">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I'm wanting some roman shades in our laundry room! I was going to do some fake ones like the ones from <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/05/laundry-room-reveal/">centsational girl</a>, but then these don't seem to hard, so I may give these a try!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHClowg4ipJ7B5h9_QKwxORTLGAC7TT3C_3EUkCyjqZLW33a0PwPD2OLGQsYGa39QBRv_RnCLYjRmxiDrpItUqfPHV1I5PBofQFIYMsVFALFHWJK2rFgo_ziHS7f0pAJokDbYGQ1LM9Rk/s1600/roman+shade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHClowg4ipJ7B5h9_QKwxORTLGAC7TT3C_3EUkCyjqZLW33a0PwPD2OLGQsYGa39QBRv_RnCLYjRmxiDrpItUqfPHV1I5PBofQFIYMsVFALFHWJK2rFgo_ziHS7f0pAJokDbYGQ1LM9Rk/s320/roman+shade.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://365days2simplicity.blogspot.com/2011/04/easy-no-sew-roman-shades.html">here</a>}</span></div><br />
This is more lighting ideas...they look kinda girly so I don't know if Blake will go for them, but I think they look awesome!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiGYpLCOBY7qPkhgneYCIe5TkgK4gWWpW2cVNClhFUclzATbMIC-5RnwDMa_Ppxc0oyqu3CHraw-RMaYg45g8eEyV169xb7sdR2K7Yb4trvg9wJ4kiir6kMdePj1nSmGf2DZAOvgMBDk/s1600/Sphere+Chandeliers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiGYpLCOBY7qPkhgneYCIe5TkgK4gWWpW2cVNClhFUclzATbMIC-5RnwDMa_Ppxc0oyqu3CHraw-RMaYg45g8eEyV169xb7sdR2K7Yb4trvg9wJ4kiir6kMdePj1nSmGf2DZAOvgMBDk/s320/Sphere+Chandeliers.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/start=8">here</a>}</span></div><br />
These I want somewhere near our entry way (maybe instead of the bench, I'll put up a shelf and put these on top!). They are so springy! And super cheap! They're just thumbtacks pushed into Styrofoam balls and spray painted! So so cute!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0sRXsCoM9Cr03ALzJDnWhI7wYXKtIqbGHQ5h2p0lVvsZB53_mAF51KPYOKdzNggmpyEw1lwjQ8ZUrrt3U6okEinJ1KyKQfOBhkwxOcizn6QShtWS1tO5IPK6iCUpmW4SXdB8Jp_8KIE/s1600/thumbtack+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0sRXsCoM9Cr03ALzJDnWhI7wYXKtIqbGHQ5h2p0lVvsZB53_mAF51KPYOKdzNggmpyEw1lwjQ8ZUrrt3U6okEinJ1KyKQfOBhkwxOcizn6QShtWS1tO5IPK6iCUpmW4SXdB8Jp_8KIE/s320/thumbtack+balls.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://landeeseelandeedo.blogspot.com/2011/05/thumbtack-vase-fillers.html">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I'm picturing some toilet paper art around the <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/chevron-fail-and-then-some-success.html">chevron paintings</a> in the dining room! Not something this big, but I like the idea that I could make something this epic with toilet paper rolls!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2lBLdI9hH-iMJNImMZKo9FHQmvT7sVits4fb8Zs2wuAkBb4W_pHQrOe03CzOzhgVgYB-aQqvS5Ndxb8VdDLp7J37I6R0iY_m366FU5HWui44sXXoMdkg_kCBI461Q6eawIfzFO6v8Ao/s1600/toilet+paper+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2lBLdI9hH-iMJNImMZKo9FHQmvT7sVits4fb8Zs2wuAkBb4W_pHQrOe03CzOzhgVgYB-aQqvS5Ndxb8VdDLp7J37I6R0iY_m366FU5HWui44sXXoMdkg_kCBI461Q6eawIfzFO6v8Ao/s320/toilet+paper+art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.myrtleandeunice.com/">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I've also considered something like this around those chevron prints...love the tone on tone words!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dXGOdjU_oyvSEUxGKP5qcL-TA837jNB4PE_623f_7VoREYTQgZf0i9G6uY0TCiU5B1iTrO9-sdRoCch_KMvIT0VRZ4mWD1ctsZwLJxVexD5rtv5d5ZnlOb_FevOpnbhiMAYf3caVAHo/s1600/tone+on+tone+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dXGOdjU_oyvSEUxGKP5qcL-TA837jNB4PE_623f_7VoREYTQgZf0i9G6uY0TCiU5B1iTrO9-sdRoCch_KMvIT0VRZ4mWD1ctsZwLJxVexD5rtv5d5ZnlOb_FevOpnbhiMAYf3caVAHo/s320/tone+on+tone+words.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/gorgeousgraffiti/product/personalised_four_letter_word_canvas">here</a>}</span></div><br />
If I had spare boards laying around, I would do this tomorrow! I loooove this!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOZmJstoV8UmW8t0gR_7yeN5cmb91IvlgLdxcb0z6FnUUzioqTZK2V0q_CLHQAiene5V_iNHDdmx-Siht1z5Sw1OXND01c2tU3snKDMwf7pbsIRCCK37xB-J_U4bgw9y72OAhAhaHWho/s1600/vinyl+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOZmJstoV8UmW8t0gR_7yeN5cmb91IvlgLdxcb0z6FnUUzioqTZK2V0q_CLHQAiene5V_iNHDdmx-Siht1z5Sw1OXND01c2tU3snKDMwf7pbsIRCCK37xB-J_U4bgw9y72OAhAhaHWho/s320/vinyl+bird.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/03/vinyl-bird-canvas-quick-tutorial.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FBLeF+%28Craftaholics+Anonymous%29">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I thought this was so cute for a wedding gift!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pgBFMenqZHlXubCqIyeqOXh1cVSQkGbBY69Bo-AVber8FcoDOBI-vNPQFc6v-GkmK1TxH2uOabv4Qms7cIMpaW6kUDT_4ME5GcC8Fu30eMIzyLDyTIMl62WFJ_Xs6QFTMnJtgVdh-xI/s1600/Wedding+Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pgBFMenqZHlXubCqIyeqOXh1cVSQkGbBY69Bo-AVber8FcoDOBI-vNPQFc6v-GkmK1TxH2uOabv4Qms7cIMpaW6kUDT_4ME5GcC8Fu30eMIzyLDyTIMl62WFJ_Xs6QFTMnJtgVdh-xI/s320/Wedding+Gift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/06/glass-etching.html">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I think this would be so cute in the laundry room! I would paint the clothespins a different color, but it's so easy and fitting for a laundry room, I couldn't resist!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdHRK3KlqvEfo3JSiihX2Bp6rwEZpVhmOhT3WB_lg3SAfDfOmmLSCF6_lqiZQ2t6WtezIH2h7dWZBSzYxtnvA04rK7aMP4KryZPLtelPXQR6LSKi4mhtUt80aquknCt-_Sr_JecgxG30/s1600/clothespin+mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdHRK3KlqvEfo3JSiihX2Bp6rwEZpVhmOhT3WB_lg3SAfDfOmmLSCF6_lqiZQ2t6WtezIH2h7dWZBSzYxtnvA04rK7aMP4KryZPLtelPXQR6LSKi4mhtUt80aquknCt-_Sr_JecgxG30/s320/clothespin+mirror.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/05/diy-project-clothespin-mirror.html">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I'm not really sure how exactly I would do this but I'm thinking something with christmas lights....just have to figure out how to get power to them without a gross cord showing!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG9vZBBo0W-Mwd_6LZeJNPLDyN-BsbR-B1TqVqi7-drtyx1hCHNY5JMixuKBqxOA5X6hSIpgYLvPIGBKLAm9pxRWW5n754sTnoBUpd-kQQ2IsgQP-AFyQfzrNYzWRvEUcyuIpO6hEDTE/s1600/christmas+light+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG9vZBBo0W-Mwd_6LZeJNPLDyN-BsbR-B1TqVqi7-drtyx1hCHNY5JMixuKBqxOA5X6hSIpgYLvPIGBKLAm9pxRWW5n754sTnoBUpd-kQQ2IsgQP-AFyQfzrNYzWRvEUcyuIpO6hEDTE/s320/christmas+light+chandelier.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I like this for a table runner for our dining room table! Well...something similar...this requires sewing and since I can't sew, I'll have to make this my own but I like it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNZqzM313YBt2zaOQ_zeFJd0xz2uuiq-rNRJGySIY-o0kCxqNv_BeNx19HY2pES9GeAhRiasa9UmPcoi2gME2PDYrjaZbUu5wTB_kewbCJ2_TE-JkuvgpeGF-q7qLhDc5FKWI3Ylc3vo/s1600/burlap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNZqzM313YBt2zaOQ_zeFJd0xz2uuiq-rNRJGySIY-o0kCxqNv_BeNx19HY2pES9GeAhRiasa9UmPcoi2gME2PDYrjaZbUu5wTB_kewbCJ2_TE-JkuvgpeGF-q7qLhDc5FKWI3Ylc3vo/s320/burlap.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://livingwithlindsay.com/2011/04/the-updated-7-burlap-table-runner.html">here</a>}</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I think I'm going to do this in our bathroom drawers! I recently organized them, but now there's stuff sliding all over the place in the drawers when we go to close them or open them, so it's making everything look unorganized again. I'll probably hit up a thrift store, find some bowls like this and put some felt down to keep everything still!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUmRolt8_3Mqo4lkRi6lNSMTYO0KFb33_xzeIRc21Wgi3FGubMWck7aZ6bysEYdhHxPwhyjdor4YXD2y2oJiQQm5WuVNlXGLh88skuXWIr2AoIUKpATR0RHU3vO5iiAwAfENcU9F05vY/s1600/bowls+and+felt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUmRolt8_3Mqo4lkRi6lNSMTYO0KFb33_xzeIRc21Wgi3FGubMWck7aZ6bysEYdhHxPwhyjdor4YXD2y2oJiQQm5WuVNlXGLh88skuXWIr2AoIUKpATR0RHU3vO5iiAwAfENcU9F05vY/s320/bowls+and+felt.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/25-bedroom-organizers#slide_3">here</a>}</span></div><br />
I'm realizing how much lighting I have in this post....whoa. But they're so cute and simple!! This is book pages cut to be round on the end glued to a paper lantern! How simple is that??<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtKr2v7KiBYlhCQQp3xTn1ymp2DeI6_U3S8THzCSvzBzcybZntSTU7o76o1R8eCPriM1KJzGQ2wy2bgM65O1VUrOBVP5GAedr4hU4CKtAtUyUgZXWIrrEuK9ASQG56WcucSFcQDdzbzA/s1600/book+page+lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtKr2v7KiBYlhCQQp3xTn1ymp2DeI6_U3S8THzCSvzBzcybZntSTU7o76o1R8eCPriM1KJzGQ2wy2bgM65O1VUrOBVP5GAedr4hU4CKtAtUyUgZXWIrrEuK9ASQG56WcucSFcQDdzbzA/s320/book+page+lantern.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72959615/artichoke-mixed-book-page-pendant-light?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F72959615%2Fartichoke-mixed-book-page-pendant-light&utm_content=etsy_finds_051611&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_051611">here</a>}</span></div><br />
And finally, I'm thinking something along these lines for above the TV in our living room! I love the saying, but it also ties into a cinematic feel which I've come to find that we both like!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo8j8Tfy8B04OTe9KpC6KmRdOMrz_d81KIo9DVB90nHf3XgiRlncLqFmnR2fNnWCjlkcxgI3qkhGMCizsusQ2Hk50Qes_39go1uFkl5xjQr1AaEVBl1MvwLKGPyi-h_t4-W3fepo1axU/s1600/Above+the+TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo8j8Tfy8B04OTe9KpC6KmRdOMrz_d81KIo9DVB90nHf3XgiRlncLqFmnR2fNnWCjlkcxgI3qkhGMCizsusQ2Hk50Qes_39go1uFkl5xjQr1AaEVBl1MvwLKGPyi-h_t4-W3fepo1axU/s320/Above+the+TV.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Found <a href="http://quesabroso.tumblr.com/post/5285493679">here</a>}</span></div><div><br />
</div></div><div>So there you have it! A million pictures full of fantastic ideas! Do you see now why my mind is running around like a chicken with its head cut off?? But not to worry because I made a list! Hope you all have a great weekend!!! :)</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-21441549276134284652011-05-26T15:07:00.000-05:002011-05-26T15:07:01.541-05:00Songs of the Week!Hey loves!<br />
<br />
Here are the songs of the week for this week!<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Captives Come Home by Run Kid Run which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDTkkubFEjY">here </a>or below!</li>
<li>Closer by Philmont which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqFIPiN_V3g">here</a> or below!</li>
<li>Through Your Eyes by Worth Dying For featuring Trevor McNevan which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy7PuFR_4zw">here</a> or below!</li>
</ol><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FDTkkubFEjY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/vqFIPiN_V3g/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vqFIPiN_V3g&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vqFIPiN_V3g&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/qpil_EUahps/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qpil_EUahps&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qpil_EUahps&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you guys think?</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-34393280080055481032011-05-25T16:32:00.000-05:002011-05-25T16:32:56.447-05:00Shoe Organizer = Kitchen Organizer!I found the most brilliant idea on Pinterest!!! I was so excited when I saw it (and still kinda am....). It's from Better Homes and Gardens (aka the organization gods) and it looks like this:<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t3j46zXg49jgcbDlM-LNSkl5dRyMk5DfGAnS2TTRpPzaGgOd5atsCiMARr83HtfhBQLiUA3itp9SMadXN7fOr9_qOBJGEvdBJ8TxI3yB_RSG3an_EQJo2n6BLcW-aleVF-ZwwaK5WSs/s1600/24374184_BagwEGmf_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t3j46zXg49jgcbDlM-LNSkl5dRyMk5DfGAnS2TTRpPzaGgOd5atsCiMARr83HtfhBQLiUA3itp9SMadXN7fOr9_qOBJGEvdBJ8TxI3yB_RSG3an_EQJo2n6BLcW-aleVF-ZwwaK5WSs/s320/24374184_BagwEGmf_c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>A shoe organizer made into a kitchen stuff holder! I just about died at this brilliant idea, because I have been trying to figure out a way to organize one of my drawers in the kitchen. We don't have a lot of drawer or cabinet space in our house. We have two drawers to be exact, one we use for utensils, the other we use for the rest of everything. It's pretty annoying to have to almost squish your hand to get the drawer to close! And I thought about giving stuff away that we don't use, but I would love to use the stuff that we don't use if we ever had people over, so I didn't want to give it away and then need it later on when we entertain more often! But this is what I'm talking about with our drawer:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jDkYmaJvlcjjUUCADxb91o-_6VEVOQxlyAG1bUwKlE1mEXugxYXsa_FoJdPhTHo071FHYcDz6DT0unFE6MxGaWSpYDXwR2M62s5JEkHHlTt-flG3Z8oqiqyG8NFxxKF9YeeW6tlkwhk/s1600/DSC04573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jDkYmaJvlcjjUUCADxb91o-_6VEVOQxlyAG1bUwKlE1mEXugxYXsa_FoJdPhTHo071FHYcDz6DT0unFE6MxGaWSpYDXwR2M62s5JEkHHlTt-flG3Z8oqiqyG8NFxxKF9YeeW6tlkwhk/s320/DSC04573.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We even outgrew that and had this ugly thing taking up valuable cabinet space below!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ7whKuJje9znZ1Vb8Bl0ibHtzZGWdkTfaPhDKxrkWEyGFUKtmUsja5IQZMQDncSdqGVJCipuwKyu_HeZmG4-08m6F468Ztl-ld9unnY7DR1Tlfcut4xwSY6AffiMdhjNexSRhPQGAh8/s1600/DSC04575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ7whKuJje9znZ1Vb8Bl0ibHtzZGWdkTfaPhDKxrkWEyGFUKtmUsja5IQZMQDncSdqGVJCipuwKyu_HeZmG4-08m6F468Ztl-ld9unnY7DR1Tlfcut4xwSY6AffiMdhjNexSRhPQGAh8/s320/DSC04575.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>So once I saw this shoe organizer idea, I was like "hey! I need to go to Wal-Mart, wanna come?" Once I got back home with my $5.77 piece of heaven, I put it up on the closet door with the hooks it comes with. Here's how it looked before the stuff was in it:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4_LwZPuze5g-C-X_mcer1zIPPCt76kHoIzOhwJUKtoITMEWLFZCZAEHSC3E-DiGtod2GuAuPjrFSgFUlXPLOgcFDAXjA9fbl8IdL9-KKgfjjiFPsKCK-5iVH9yTTLV86gHtbNWzUSTE/s1600/DSC04571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4_LwZPuze5g-C-X_mcer1zIPPCt76kHoIzOhwJUKtoITMEWLFZCZAEHSC3E-DiGtod2GuAuPjrFSgFUlXPLOgcFDAXjA9fbl8IdL9-KKgfjjiFPsKCK-5iVH9yTTLV86gHtbNWzUSTE/s320/DSC04571.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And here it is once I put everything in there that would fit and that I didn't need to get to quickly:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLIJxTy5G0epr931TfRPRSW6DQsDryiyUuo0gHij6DgWUExpxPnkuS6DpSVSVVxSX7-SmoeFBVxep9AUsUQOOsXdTmFeqZrfyFKmcCwC3S5BxWkBdhOPytaZ2U24mcCXeTQUbb1FWxpU/s1600/DSC04579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLIJxTy5G0epr931TfRPRSW6DQsDryiyUuo0gHij6DgWUExpxPnkuS6DpSVSVVxSX7-SmoeFBVxep9AUsUQOOsXdTmFeqZrfyFKmcCwC3S5BxWkBdhOPytaZ2U24mcCXeTQUbb1FWxpU/s320/DSC04579.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I didn't use all the pockets, so that leaves room for more stuff (and who doesn't love buying new, cute kitchen utensils?? Oh...am I the only one....well this is awkward....) ;) </div><div><br />
</div><div>I also put some velcro dots on the back of the organizer to keep it from swinging all over the place (which it did before I velcroed it) I only put two (one on each side towards the bottom half of the organizer) and it's holding great!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w9tdoKcEbIN7-5MQwOi6MGolGaTAqxFk_ZVAJcjOAKrhBGH3QSenvK1BP809ao0WFwPcg51BLweEj0Z1vwyVVdSCRfs_BX8-fYFZKn2yj7pNOx8s3Ecd3w8W6YlQ4vGLHU7XOUFzjbU/s1600/DSC04581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w9tdoKcEbIN7-5MQwOi6MGolGaTAqxFk_ZVAJcjOAKrhBGH3QSenvK1BP809ao0WFwPcg51BLweEj0Z1vwyVVdSCRfs_BX8-fYFZKn2yj7pNOx8s3Ecd3w8W6YlQ4vGLHU7XOUFzjbU/s320/DSC04581.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>My only issue with it so far is the gross door hooks it uses:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIgl-ZBSXQDd8QvkIcNa3xJ0rJ8dpW1TOPEPQxjHvxesJqBnHKAi9zXMJZZhf95DB2UzQN8Xpu9uujtSUNNa1VrVKkJnSsKYnDnBOby9WPpU9i9vSsgegPxDG5cBWLnru8iFkUjJ6WMY/s1600/DSC04582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIgl-ZBSXQDd8QvkIcNa3xJ0rJ8dpW1TOPEPQxjHvxesJqBnHKAi9zXMJZZhf95DB2UzQN8Xpu9uujtSUNNa1VrVKkJnSsKYnDnBOby9WPpU9i9vSsgegPxDG5cBWLnru8iFkUjJ6WMY/s320/DSC04582.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Okay, they aren't <i>gross</i> but I don't really like them...like at all. Better Homes and Gardens had the idea of putting screws in the top of your door and then tying ribbon around them to hang the shoe organizer, but so far the hubs hasn't gone for that idea....but I'm working on him ;)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anywho, this is what that super cheap idea did to my icky drawer:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBb10jk4qpTUgUK1zArUolYLEO5pUUf9Kj3sZSO2CNzPeoEIhnoJbYT2x-6K5l6k5WAVX_nrrACKHNcGI97KZJHTeP9US9BJqRh63YEDNA3PVx3ojO9RaPRoRU2O8qtFvb0gmQyfTnKw/s1600/DSC04578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBb10jk4qpTUgUK1zArUolYLEO5pUUf9Kj3sZSO2CNzPeoEIhnoJbYT2x-6K5l6k5WAVX_nrrACKHNcGI97KZJHTeP9US9BJqRh63YEDNA3PVx3ojO9RaPRoRU2O8qtFvb0gmQyfTnKw/s320/DSC04578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Made it organized!! YAY! I just kept the trivets and oven mitt in the drawer because I usually need to get to those quickly (as my oven is beeping at me and I'm trying not to burn whatever I'm attempting to cook). The measuring cups I kept in the drawer because I thought it would be difficult to see which sizes I needed in a pocket, even if they are clear. And the rolling pin just didn't fit. As for the random wires, metal key thingies, and garage door opener...I have no idea what to do with those so until I figure that out, they'll stay in the back, out of the way!<br />
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Oh! And I took out everything out of this cutlery holder and put most of it in the shoe/kitchen organizer and I put the knives in our utensil drawer.So now I can give this thing away! Yay! More cabinet room!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC25XmJW1T3HxtvHqdYlqV8XPTbd9TSWYSbERkQ7XVZ6nfQnq7jb7KRBhhBrgkld5iln4g1yBp8qbO_-IaAT7Xmncon2jhrMhFTb5gQZbisOZhHWazTAYPGqDUH-jsoI5BVzToMxoVtqs/s1600/DSC04580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC25XmJW1T3HxtvHqdYlqV8XPTbd9TSWYSbERkQ7XVZ6nfQnq7jb7KRBhhBrgkld5iln4g1yBp8qbO_-IaAT7Xmncon2jhrMhFTb5gQZbisOZhHWazTAYPGqDUH-jsoI5BVzToMxoVtqs/s320/DSC04580.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>The only thing left for me to do is find some cute labels and put a label where everything should go (in case I'm not the one putting up dishes or I don't do dishes for like a month and all the things that are supposed to be in the pockets to tell me where to put their friends aren't there...not that that would ever happen) ;)</div><div><br />
</div><div>So what do you guys think? Have you done any organizing in the name of I-almost-squished-my-hand-trying-to-get-that-drawer-closed? </div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-22288913645891132042011-05-24T01:28:00.000-05:002011-05-24T01:28:12.340-05:00The OddballI was really excited about today. Today was going to be a wonderful blog posting day about an entry way nook that I have had no clue what to do with until I found Pinterest and decided I wanted it to be a drop-your-keys-and-shoes-here-station. Then I got super pumped when we cleaned out the <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/springwell-summer-cleaning.html">garage</a> and I found a table that wasn't being used! And so a plan was born! I would paint the black table white and make it cute with printables and holders for keys and all that cute stuff. Too bad it didn't quite work out that way...Anyway, to the story...Here's the nook that I'm talking about:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wH7Xz3hSIztr1y0nB4BI1gSOKcq0juwpU5svh5LwQ4gdqAosFsfO9pwn0bkI2GK5q7B9kwEuwoDlDk781gD13Mtsj2nHatVRiBZFfzkXyuQbD_4Dv01SS1prx_b82b4AMWWrtQZE7g4/s1600/DSC04589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wH7Xz3hSIztr1y0nB4BI1gSOKcq0juwpU5svh5LwQ4gdqAosFsfO9pwn0bkI2GK5q7B9kwEuwoDlDk781gD13Mtsj2nHatVRiBZFfzkXyuQbD_4Dv01SS1prx_b82b4AMWWrtQZE7g4/s320/DSC04589.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And here is the black table that I found in the garage:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS0sVvTHw3rb95O_I9yNSiy2ruCYesp8SRaP7hVbBXbp20m-mo4gTLbwiX9jJx3iC83ZFIqbYngRmmoc2ejtSHFht3TR5PPT1dFsy21zGAJ0Fys4iIiuueZirahhobBc4XYV36Y1n1XI/s1600/DSC04497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS0sVvTHw3rb95O_I9yNSiy2ruCYesp8SRaP7hVbBXbp20m-mo4gTLbwiX9jJx3iC83ZFIqbYngRmmoc2ejtSHFht3TR5PPT1dFsy21zGAJ0Fys4iIiuueZirahhobBc4XYV36Y1n1XI/s320/DSC04497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went to Wal-Mart and bought one spray can of Krylon primer and three spray cans of the cheap white paint. I started sanding the table with sand paper (as you can see the beginnings of in the picture above on the left side of the table) but after sanding the whole top of the table and some of the legs by hand, let's just say it wasn't super fun. But I was willing to keep going (once my arm stopped being sore from the workout...I know, it's terrible that that's my workout). Then Blake decided we needed a sander! And I was like heck yes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we went down to wally world and got a rotary sander (the one with the circle on the bottom that spins) for $30 and I went to town! It still took me an hour and a half to just do the legs of the table, but I can't imagine how long it would've taken with me doing it by hand! And true to form, I forgot to take a picture of the table all sanded...which is actually really sad because the wood underneath the four layers of black paint they put on it was actually really pretty! I did get a picture of the back of some of the legs that hadn't been painted! So we'll just use our imaginations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHiTTlq-TqS4cnWTzbQ4jiqy2ZbqFQpaaZ4pCMLCFzppDrMvC9YwB9UZHg4WaS_Vq24DaCb3ZH0nk0q0O_D83lH4EI_uiC5VpAw_YP28mant1zt7eRDDUZoFHZEmjP7dpKGA5E6-ykAs/s1600/DSC04515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHiTTlq-TqS4cnWTzbQ4jiqy2ZbqFQpaaZ4pCMLCFzppDrMvC9YwB9UZHg4WaS_Vq24DaCb3ZH0nk0q0O_D83lH4EI_uiC5VpAw_YP28mant1zt7eRDDUZoFHZEmjP7dpKGA5E6-ykAs/s320/DSC04515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't that wood super pretty?? I wanted to do some kind of staining it white thing, but then I got lazy and wanted to do it cheaply and quickly, so I went with the spray painting it route. Here's how that turned out:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExnGt45H4GcNsCdqfXJc0NlnjrMtpM4du5qzArcqi6EJOVnD4jxvCtZrNLmSdfEBf0z7TOuUJT1hgKtAbonGNdG04KS544cLneYRDTnEXa_VCgaWnJRHW6CH6nCdeEX26JFCz4NSMGMQ/s1600/DSC04535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExnGt45H4GcNsCdqfXJc0NlnjrMtpM4du5qzArcqi6EJOVnD4jxvCtZrNLmSdfEBf0z7TOuUJT1hgKtAbonGNdG04KS544cLneYRDTnEXa_VCgaWnJRHW6CH6nCdeEX26JFCz4NSMGMQ/s320/DSC04535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'll admit it was pretty splotchy, but after I saw imperfections like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I3tBu-q2E4dYxSX1HyBcAjZuxbAGxl32IsI9Epai05QYepiCcH9m2HSzYfdx68Id3R07g2k3tTju3lOQ1hKsF7jIZa2Jy2y1fiz_YsBJIsSmoIgcKPRob6qeVmS92T7LSoXQhKos2b0/s1600/DSC04540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I3tBu-q2E4dYxSX1HyBcAjZuxbAGxl32IsI9Epai05QYepiCcH9m2HSzYfdx68Id3R07g2k3tTju3lOQ1hKsF7jIZa2Jy2y1fiz_YsBJIsSmoIgcKPRob6qeVmS92T7LSoXQhKos2b0/s320/DSC04540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGouvSNCvBtNnt8cTMk6C3gHqBZa5ICa2uU-fPgK6zedJiA6dJJ1CRNLePLKEoXfTRU4PY5xhBQ7NLOr5mKE4V5aFi1718azxZ7kplRcxmZ-HG-VzcUMr8x1_S1HZ6mYydSp1UE52aJu4/s1600/DSC04543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGouvSNCvBtNnt8cTMk6C3gHqBZa5ICa2uU-fPgK6zedJiA6dJJ1CRNLePLKEoXfTRU4PY5xhBQ7NLOr5mKE4V5aFi1718azxZ7kplRcxmZ-HG-VzcUMr8x1_S1HZ6mYydSp1UE52aJu4/s320/DSC04543.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And when I put it in the actual nook and it still looked weird and super splotchy (like this):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR3zGa_RMFq03Yzinj0G1e2Ov6qfXzpi8yjnpH0K-F0VVwHqKnOQhKVH11d9A45lkJJLhyvwdel0j-z6V_2fxFtKfEG2UYKfYL9JUfaCzGTTBpgpRqejPDVEoK0ASJEBSJtUvY1qCOQg/s1600/DSC04549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR3zGa_RMFq03Yzinj0G1e2Ov6qfXzpi8yjnpH0K-F0VVwHqKnOQhKVH11d9A45lkJJLhyvwdel0j-z6V_2fxFtKfEG2UYKfYL9JUfaCzGTTBpgpRqejPDVEoK0ASJEBSJtUvY1qCOQg/s320/DSC04549.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And talking to the hubby a bit more, I/we decided we wanted to sand down the table to make it look distressed, but still with white peaking through places.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So another hour and a bit more, and I had this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbnEYan-br9DhMesnd-75_nXcKQXuq0063iCID8NH4d1MUOnauq6v3U4yVXW3-DEgpbgJ0pUGlidlRTP3nvUQ5RoUGT8-ZxoxY-dCIdfmfO-DA2Sc0gumWE7-hc1wK2TJ_P9Gwt3NXkw/s1600/DSC04588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbnEYan-br9DhMesnd-75_nXcKQXuq0063iCID8NH4d1MUOnauq6v3U4yVXW3-DEgpbgJ0pUGlidlRTP3nvUQ5RoUGT8-ZxoxY-dCIdfmfO-DA2Sc0gumWE7-hc1wK2TJ_P9Gwt3NXkw/s320/DSC04588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which looked great by itself in the garage, but in the nook it just didn't....go. It didn't fit. It was the oddball trying to fit in with the cool kids...poor fella...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'm back to the drawing board! I'm thinking about a custom shelf at table-height to make it fill every part of the nook and hopefully not look so dang awkward! This nook is killin' me! And I have another one in the living room! What to do...what to do....Any ideas? Lord knows I've been scouring Pinterest and the other blogs I follow for ideas, but nothing has clicked just yet. Oh well! It's the journey that makes the story interesting, right?</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-39168342908970879912011-05-20T14:28:00.000-05:002011-05-20T14:28:50.426-05:00Songs of the Week!Here are the songs of the week! I heart them! And if you have any suggestions, feel free to send them my way! :)<br />
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<ol><li>Believe by The Letter Black which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVFfbomH_eg">here</a> or below</li>
<li>Come Undone by Jackson Waters which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1iDLEpEa_4">here </a>or below</li>
<li>Divine Intervention by Lecrae ft. JR which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zZNM-uS9Yc">here </a>or below</li>
</ol><div>Here are the videos!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Believe by The Letter Black:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/jVFfbomH_eg/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jVFfbomH_eg&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jVFfbomH_eg&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div><br />
</div><div>Okay, for some reason the Blogger to YouTube widget thingy is not getting Come Undone by Jackson Waters, so you'll have to click the link above...sorry!</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Divine Intervention by Lecrae ft. JR</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7zZNM-uS9Yc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br />
</div><div>Hope you enjoy! :)</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-27218339665800580162011-05-20T13:29:00.000-05:002011-05-20T13:29:33.455-05:00Road Trip and New Stuff!Sorry I didn't get to post yesterday! We were all over the place! Blake got up yesterday and wanted to go get some breakfast but when he went outside, he noticed his back tire was flat and his other three tires needed to be replaced really soon. I had also found a new (to us) washer and dryer set on Craigslist Wednesday and had asked the seller if we could come by Thursday after 5:00.<br />
<br />
So we headed down to a place that could mount and balance Blake's new tires and get an alignment as well. Blake drove his car and I followed and we stopped at a place pretty near our house and he got into my car to head to get tires (because buying tires from the place where we wanted to mount and stuff just wasn't in the budget for two newlyweds who are already having to buy a washer and dryer and have had to buy a lawn mower recently). Once he got in my car he called another mount and balance place and got a quote that was $60 cheaper!! It was also quite a bit more down the road from our house (and now the car that needed fixing) so that just added in some extra driving, but hey! It's 60 bucks! So we drove about 45 minutes to get four pull off tires (at $50 a piece) and stuffed them in the back seat of my convertible (I now realize I should have taken a picture of this...darn). Then we drove back about 30 minutes to get Blake's car, then drove back 10 minutes to take the car and the tires to where they needed to go. Whew. Blake's car was in the shop....but that was only the first task of the day.<br />
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Next, we got some lunch (from the lovely Taco Bell) and called the Washer and Dryer person from Craigslist. And once we finished our delicious number 7's (chicken quesadilla and a soft taco...yum!) we were off to Gardendale (another 30 minute drive) and once we found the guy's house, we realized that we didn't pick up Blake's dad's truck on the way. So we looked at the washer and dryer, decided we wanted them, and headed to go get Blake's dad's truck and cash (because I forgot about the cash-only part..oops!). Once we drove about 10 minutes to his dad's church and 10 minutes back to the guy's house, Blake and his dad loaded up the washer and dryer and off we went! 45 minutes later we were back home! And we were ready to move out the old washer and dryer which looked like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwz3E3eJNaerPyzVlDunPp3XvXjfMpG1zDpcpolU7UOILNuclthK881C2TVjeXp1OT6R6IXJ5zjujlD4nu5X84m7Xdvh4IHxB8lmdvueRRnW_LNKsvHpRw2m1nGcBIjsSIz4hv5YwXp8/s1600/DSC04591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwz3E3eJNaerPyzVlDunPp3XvXjfMpG1zDpcpolU7UOILNuclthK881C2TVjeXp1OT6R6IXJ5zjujlD4nu5X84m7Xdvh4IHxB8lmdvueRRnW_LNKsvHpRw2m1nGcBIjsSIz4hv5YwXp8/s320/DSC04591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These are at least 15 years old, but Blake doesn't remember when his parents got them (and we inherited these from his parents) and so he thinks they are closer to his age (26) but we aren't positive. Once they moved them, this is what was left behind:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltpC1KNjd5pg0KPA68z6rg88bqVfhzNiwi7U_80KtlNlYB9m__r2ZBRKSe4PO5YjSHrdrOMhTfa2eza9GSGcn11ltWcJ29Zq99YsrRMpQGK_BKurR0RO0cMwGOvnJQ_0eSV_-6LEr65U/s1600/DSC04597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltpC1KNjd5pg0KPA68z6rg88bqVfhzNiwi7U_80KtlNlYB9m__r2ZBRKSe4PO5YjSHrdrOMhTfa2eza9GSGcn11ltWcJ29Zq99YsrRMpQGK_BKurR0RO0cMwGOvnJQ_0eSV_-6LEr65U/s320/DSC04597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRX5BI0K5E4XfavkmURXIYRO-PeWXIjbpqy3Ya_-dcP19LttAXpTfFINl0-Yz7szNc9Mtyg5PiKIlk5LpvAKX91C0V8j_UcFuLMPWd7enC_yKSH9j9NWl-ECd4FM9gsXQa_OasKR4CzQ/s1600/DSC04598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRX5BI0K5E4XfavkmURXIYRO-PeWXIjbpqy3Ya_-dcP19LttAXpTfFINl0-Yz7szNc9Mtyg5PiKIlk5LpvAKX91C0V8j_UcFuLMPWd7enC_yKSH9j9NWl-ECd4FM9gsXQa_OasKR4CzQ/s320/DSC04598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apparently our lint hose that connects to the dryer had come undone a few times and left us lots of presents. So I swept and vaccummed and then it was time for them to load the new stuff in! They got the washing machine in, but then we realized we had to get back to the car shop place to get Blake's car by 9:00 and it was 8:36! So we hopped in the car and 20 minutes later we were getting Blake's car and 20 more minutes later we were back home! Then Blake and his dad changed out the plug on the old dryer and put it on the new dryer (did you know you could do that? I had no idea!), and we stuck them in there! Here's what it looks like now:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ2cpbFy63ZJJhZ4jJ6leMMhTuGpqRYo9F0slSSZSVwqZJ_-mH3BtPWf0BF6AqfIjH4j1cNiSgGMzfPga9AhVEmXIFGgDMM6_5k7izUzpkExdZDQHQLbOcpX32KcWy0dWMpy-Erp7sIk/s1600/DSC04603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ2cpbFy63ZJJhZ4jJ6leMMhTuGpqRYo9F0slSSZSVwqZJ_-mH3BtPWf0BF6AqfIjH4j1cNiSgGMzfPga9AhVEmXIFGgDMM6_5k7izUzpkExdZDQHQLbOcpX32KcWy0dWMpy-Erp7sIk/s320/DSC04603.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And since I love some side-by-side comparisons, here's the before and after!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB8PU1K6CmsaMKSC9XiHrF95PQim5prI5xdUZRJVqyDuyREex8CCSt4EMt4Q71W1tlQZmf7S8ExlqX2xFvlrynccH7Y584jACbKIOSrBWjk-pCqVAxCokC1PlWEukDY076gAarfsbquw/s1600/DSC04592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB8PU1K6CmsaMKSC9XiHrF95PQim5prI5xdUZRJVqyDuyREex8CCSt4EMt4Q71W1tlQZmf7S8ExlqX2xFvlrynccH7Y584jACbKIOSrBWjk-pCqVAxCokC1PlWEukDY076gAarfsbquw/s200/DSC04592.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIytu4J3d-jI9p4eapT7K_zN5-YsH5HF5H3qxpyeODfCTAKWX0PjF-hcylpF2asft_qFZspEOu1czODcQbuxY4TQ4VXB2taK0ElvOW3nzNiKiVY_XADgfkYJYqa-iedSjXj4DfBXIa98/s1600/DSC04601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIytu4J3d-jI9p4eapT7K_zN5-YsH5HF5H3qxpyeODfCTAKWX0PjF-hcylpF2asft_qFZspEOu1czODcQbuxY4TQ4VXB2taK0ElvOW3nzNiKiVY_XADgfkYJYqa-iedSjXj4DfBXIa98/s200/DSC04601.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So that means that yesterday we drove 220 minutes (3.67 hours), got four new tires for Blake, and new appliances....whew. Glad that's over! And I've already done two loads of laundry and the new washer and dryer are doing great! :)<br />
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How was your Thursday? Have you ever had a day when you just feel like you have done nothing but drive?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-60291909421526034332011-05-18T13:23:00.000-05:002011-05-18T13:23:27.948-05:00Kitchen Art!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><br />
I have been trying to get some art up in my kitchen for like a million years now! I'm currently making something that will go on a wall (and one day when I complete it, you guys will get to see it), but I needed something to go here, above the stove (where a built-in microwave would be if they weren't so expensive!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1kkrTK6LHIK6LRufNp1pZhV5MQHtjBgrBOa-vlsy4iTa4x_3G4zxW832fYvb2to6OaN7nn9R5cEBRK0cmJOtiIt77iznORWfQyocqibbaW2tdD5TwfZKSfcxCVKy0GqQNgRyR_uzHlI/s1600/Oven+Blank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1kkrTK6LHIK6LRufNp1pZhV5MQHtjBgrBOa-vlsy4iTa4x_3G4zxW832fYvb2to6OaN7nn9R5cEBRK0cmJOtiIt77iznORWfQyocqibbaW2tdD5TwfZKSfcxCVKy0GqQNgRyR_uzHlI/s320/Oven+Blank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've had quite a few plans for this area. At first, I was going to make a cute clock and put it there with some little details around it to fill up the space. Then, I went to Ikea and got two 8x10 Ribba frames, so the clock idea was out because it wouldn't fit and I wanted to use my new frames! lol<br />
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So then I was thinking printables! That took forever to figure out what I wanted (like a solid two weeks to decide and then I had to make it in photoshop!) Here's what I ended up with:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozB3s-f_42LFKmEq3VinCyPqsZ2VCcWkGYquQk59inUSqANlKpotsgJa2v_l6GC4qH_xYJnW1WQir1_gwr4vKwOB5XQq0HkqA8fDg2BogLPgFqbV2VFOd2Qa3vU2N2STE7Csn0oY-e8g/s1600/Hungry+Hippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozB3s-f_42LFKmEq3VinCyPqsZ2VCcWkGYquQk59inUSqANlKpotsgJa2v_l6GC4qH_xYJnW1WQir1_gwr4vKwOB5XQq0HkqA8fDg2BogLPgFqbV2VFOd2Qa3vU2N2STE7Csn0oY-e8g/s320/Hungry+Hippo.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
I didn't finish the other one, but it was going to say something about the perfect pair with a picture of a pear. The reason I didn't finish the other one was because I printed this hippo print out at my school (UAB)'s library (we are out of color ink...sigh) and when I got it home, it just didn't look good. My mat was more yellow than I realized and on white printer paper, the print next to the mat just didn't look good. And I printed out an 8x10 version, but the colors were off (I think it's my monitor...I need to figure out this whole changing my color thing!).<br />
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So, back to the drawing board I went! I found <a href="http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/04/ruletheworldprintable/">these free printables</a> on Thirty Handmade Days which are super cute:<br />
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<img src="http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/givenenoughcoke2-231x300.png" /> <img src="http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/givenenoughchocolate1-231x300.png" /><br />
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She had quite a few including Dr. Pepper, Frosting, Diet Coke, and a couple of others, but they didn't match my color scheme, and weren't actually true for me...I am a Mountain Dew addict. I looooooove Mountain Dew! So I made my own!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaqPHvZmWCTdbSpahTngByJNxc2HyMP6wiGAOaDi2RxJ8q2yuk62AaAYe-asfYHPDZZo8RGm7Iv2meO4MNAqg60EkHbbg9-2QipRHZZLc-hBZayu4NHX0Ugz_bDdWymMzRMaMqxxMbaY/s1600/Given+Enough+Mountain+Dew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaqPHvZmWCTdbSpahTngByJNxc2HyMP6wiGAOaDi2RxJ8q2yuk62AaAYe-asfYHPDZZo8RGm7Iv2meO4MNAqg60EkHbbg9-2QipRHZZLc-hBZayu4NHX0Ugz_bDdWymMzRMaMqxxMbaY/s320/Given+Enough+Mountain+Dew.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
But I couldn't think of what to put in the other frame, so that too was saved for a rainy day (in a safe place of course, because I totally want to use that!) Then I came across this on Pinterest:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7NMDr-UB3BGQFPhqBh2yHz8FLQRDocXC5AaAl8rrm4vQqInEyBN4eMLYZdtTF1ReH0zGR9aciRxdCGkO77qmsrZCxwlvK7dr4I4QA2YTVPVsMgLC34IyKSrH1mIOuIQBriJ-fiQ0Hsw/s1600/Pinterest+Button+Mono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7NMDr-UB3BGQFPhqBh2yHz8FLQRDocXC5AaAl8rrm4vQqInEyBN4eMLYZdtTF1ReH0zGR9aciRxdCGkO77qmsrZCxwlvK7dr4I4QA2YTVPVsMgLC34IyKSrH1mIOuIQBriJ-fiQ0Hsw/s320/Pinterest+Button+Mono.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
And I was like, I have buttons, I have frames, I can do this! And so I did! It was super easy, and only took about an hour and a half! (I was watching a Day9 Daily about Starcraft 2, which is a super cool game that Blake plays, and Day9 is a hilarious and brilliant commentator so it made time fly by!) Anywho! Here's how they turned out:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rqAW4dtVM4O8ynuI8ZUL_hq-xAWR9RvZT5Y9v9emRdneUcMRxnzXLgMP2ixNSsF2-7SWZm4P3-hOMkFWIpn-MDHZLuu4tqWQH0QNHZak4Mi6lAow8jwR9Qm25yhGNiF5q3rg_kQ3SNc/s1600/Button+Monogram+C+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rqAW4dtVM4O8ynuI8ZUL_hq-xAWR9RvZT5Y9v9emRdneUcMRxnzXLgMP2ixNSsF2-7SWZm4P3-hOMkFWIpn-MDHZLuu4tqWQH0QNHZak4Mi6lAow8jwR9Qm25yhGNiF5q3rg_kQ3SNc/s320/Button+Monogram+C+B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgQ-kPuQnqVA5VUomvq7acrFgmBL0EmeBbvVO9pz1NEs48Xe3Wg7cOInP77BMTMoGzyRdpC54lmVIEaHfl6wa1AK6sO7f79_whhSuW1AP4VClzytEqZUHJegoug7Q50qGMFSAQJqKTk4/s1600/Button+Monogram+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgQ-kPuQnqVA5VUomvq7acrFgmBL0EmeBbvVO9pz1NEs48Xe3Wg7cOInP77BMTMoGzyRdpC54lmVIEaHfl6wa1AK6sO7f79_whhSuW1AP4VClzytEqZUHJegoug7Q50qGMFSAQJqKTk4/s320/Button+Monogram+B.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeujeEmwIwSr_21pLJom5xM5Tr3EMoYrkpsD6na0ZQHXeyKS13qi980DJOxDN4NEkwv-2a3uNPeNTmxYzdUnlgNi8AdK-KwKC4hVfBQpLWJsXrmJSccRzi1NfbFjSkBuO6vbZsKMVCmo/s1600/Button+Monogram+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeujeEmwIwSr_21pLJom5xM5Tr3EMoYrkpsD6na0ZQHXeyKS13qi980DJOxDN4NEkwv-2a3uNPeNTmxYzdUnlgNi8AdK-KwKC4hVfBQpLWJsXrmJSccRzi1NfbFjSkBuO6vbZsKMVCmo/s320/Button+Monogram+C.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I have to admit that by the B, I was running out of buttons, which is why there are a lot of transparent buttons on that one, but it will be super easy to change them out with bright, opaque buttons once I pick some up (I'll just peel off the transparent ones (because I glued them on) and replace them with new ones!) I also didn't cut the black cardstock to fit, I just cut it small enough to fit on the mat and taped it to the mat (I'm terrible at cutting a straight line, so I thought this would be safer since I only got one sheet of 12x12 cardstock so not a lot of margin for error). But I heart them!<br />
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What do you guys think? Have y'all tried out the ol' button monogram? Or anything from Pinterest so far?Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-36913035857498807922011-05-17T15:45:00.000-05:002011-05-17T15:45:25.625-05:00Getting Things Done Feels So Good!I've got some updates for my favorite readers!! I got the <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/chevron-fail-and-then-some-success.html">Chevron Paintings</a> up and the <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-wreath.html">Spring Wreath</a> hung! Yippee! Here's how they turned out:<br />
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</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Chevron Paintings:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0sLavV450WEXXtfpoLy3TDeiUlyN8KuaT9w1BPmEk12GYdb5lte7fniETcBNDQTH3wR30qjGmj0fIvv51te0ayFoQGrmULb7urGJEhMrVDcC5aVQGXmO7z1J6ep0muvy-qVwMpkvz6g/s1600/DSC04533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0sLavV450WEXXtfpoLy3TDeiUlyN8KuaT9w1BPmEk12GYdb5lte7fniETcBNDQTH3wR30qjGmj0fIvv51te0ayFoQGrmULb7urGJEhMrVDcC5aVQGXmO7z1J6ep0muvy-qVwMpkvz6g/s320/DSC04533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsD0nmEpWwr-yC1PpZ99vhKJBPuQ8MVwwp53B30utdI8AtP9K_W99d30OrWGZQTElu6vIg8BlSfFkAABQsC-ew11oweYaEpZnnssRul3jszRyNCj5EqheeWjQiVNyryDNwJWCFU9AvXE/s1600/DSC04530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsD0nmEpWwr-yC1PpZ99vhKJBPuQ8MVwwp53B30utdI8AtP9K_W99d30OrWGZQTElu6vIg8BlSfFkAABQsC-ew11oweYaEpZnnssRul3jszRyNCj5EqheeWjQiVNyryDNwJWCFU9AvXE/s320/DSC04530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefeHBkIfLpLaXN6N4WqXzeN4KH7TvsZTcCEn4Mqx8aEx9V3qs8IK2qk9JXMU93IrH4a3Zn80xpaEcudRNBmJq3hFbcqGBxYfZQnEvfsa7TqPCp6WlFhurBihHRvrDGV4RrGrnVsdQ1ho/s1600/DSC04529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefeHBkIfLpLaXN6N4WqXzeN4KH7TvsZTcCEn4Mqx8aEx9V3qs8IK2qk9JXMU93IrH4a3Zn80xpaEcudRNBmJq3hFbcqGBxYfZQnEvfsa7TqPCp6WlFhurBihHRvrDGV4RrGrnVsdQ1ho/s320/DSC04529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I have to say I'm pretty excited to have my dining room back to the way it is supposed to be. In order for me to paint, I covered my dining room table with a hot pink vinyl tablecloth so I could paint without fear of messing up whatever I was painting on or burning up out in the garage. So to see my pretty wood table again is pretty exciting!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's the Spring Wreath! (Which has come to be known as the "yarn frame" since Blake doesn't think it should be called a wreath since it isn't round)</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZL9F0JnKBMNm10XfnTQSxtbcaJEb9skNnwlv2at7VktpyR1aV2_kSU4fq2OO52eM1zfKbHO5jLFEdDPBV_gywILzOXOgNXrplxwsu1e7Bdr5sft3lC92E8_kxy9QmUr1iLFWeOMuAVA/s1600/DSC04519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZL9F0JnKBMNm10XfnTQSxtbcaJEb9skNnwlv2at7VktpyR1aV2_kSU4fq2OO52eM1zfKbHO5jLFEdDPBV_gywILzOXOgNXrplxwsu1e7Bdr5sft3lC92E8_kxy9QmUr1iLFWeOMuAVA/s320/DSC04519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this wreath hanger for $1.50 on Amazon! I got expedited shipping so I could get it sooner and share it with you guys, and it was still only $11! I was super excited :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ewXaUfPiPqhDoHlBeHLPcuu93UJEO8KmdWgpp3JsJ9ngiZliq2I5FxvIgtNozu0Hi9sKrFze9n1XhSeRBbcIHQmEZ1EPN0Raep6rQpZkbPOO_IXYv3ici_aY9RXjLtr1KWmpYxwJAc/s1600/DSC04521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ewXaUfPiPqhDoHlBeHLPcuu93UJEO8KmdWgpp3JsJ9ngiZliq2I5FxvIgtNozu0Hi9sKrFze9n1XhSeRBbcIHQmEZ1EPN0Raep6rQpZkbPOO_IXYv3ici_aY9RXjLtr1KWmpYxwJAc/s320/DSC04521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFF1IRtV8-4n1AlM8Iqx3AhKT81xi2m2jXZUBdAl-782vMjmOXHoHfzMf1f7uWT9cEaHaos2C6s2ZPtDFTfW32l20vYoGLu_pr9IhJ1IGpSgHjAuMCIuJ_sjj65yMLq72-QQBAS9s_uQ/s1600/DSC04520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFF1IRtV8-4n1AlM8Iqx3AhKT81xi2m2jXZUBdAl-782vMjmOXHoHfzMf1f7uWT9cEaHaos2C6s2ZPtDFTfW32l20vYoGLu_pr9IhJ1IGpSgHjAuMCIuJ_sjj65yMLq72-QQBAS9s_uQ/s320/DSC04520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4PHXJrPBtNEj-1FusO0cy5CRCoUGobAFfOnA5JsG1praeRGxX_eYQOvPfzuj5RQwAXwr41tbNNmhYWYuHPR7dFu9VBXWUQNjjT29Wwnnj2PSAYwQsB9eEo0waf4zibKL5BbDozuubwY/s1600/DSC04523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4PHXJrPBtNEj-1FusO0cy5CRCoUGobAFfOnA5JsG1praeRGxX_eYQOvPfzuj5RQwAXwr41tbNNmhYWYuHPR7dFu9VBXWUQNjjT29Wwnnj2PSAYwQsB9eEo0waf4zibKL5BbDozuubwY/s320/DSC04523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I think it helps out with the Look-At-Me-And-Buy-Me factor, don't you? I just heart it :) Now all that's left for the front patio is to get/make a new door mat, get a place mat to go under the candle holders, and maybe put a plant out there!</div><div><br />
</div><div>What do you guys think? I'm thinking that the chevron paintings are a bit small and am considering adding something around them....any ideas/suggestions? Or should I just leave them as they are? </div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-50367085352401120542011-05-13T12:25:00.000-05:002011-05-13T12:25:55.177-05:00Songs of the Week!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Well, I actually posted this yesterday, but Blogger had some major problems yesterday and deleted my post :( These are new bands never before featured on The Brighter Things! Hope you like them!</div><ol><li>Here Waiting by Abandon (which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvkhVyym9g4">here </a>)</li>
<li>An Epiphany by The Send (which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtpjTUZp-BA">here </a>)</li>
<li>Hold Your Breath by Kiros (which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJd6PsvgyJA">here </a>)</li>
</ol><div>I was going to put the videos up here like I did for last week's songs of the week, but now YouTube is having problems! Come on google! I'm your biggest fan! You're making me sad here!! (Google owns both blogger.com and youtube) I hope you enjoy these songs of the week! :)</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-40780006199805842622011-05-11T13:30:00.000-05:002011-05-11T13:30:15.646-05:00Chevron Fail And Then Some Success!I am in love with the chevron print! It's all over the blogosphere and I just love it :) I have a feeling it will be on its way out soon, but for now it's here and it's awesome! And it just so happened that I needed some art on the walls of our dining room! Yaaaaay! Chevron!<br />
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So off to Wally World I went and picked up two 16"x20" canvases! And I started by trying to make the pattern myself with a ruler and a pencil...that was just a waste of time let me tell ya! Then I found <a href="http://img4.sunset.com/static/pdf/chevron-new.pdf">this stencil</a> online! I highly recommend using a stencil!! Anywho, the colors in our dining room are green and brown so I got a tan color and a green (technically they were called "Latte" and "Fresh Cut Grass"). Then I used the stencil, taped where I drew my lines with a pencil, painted, and painted a second coat. I was so excited to be done (because the whole taping thing was not really my idea of a good time...it was soooo tedious!) and when I took it into the dining room and showed Blake, here's what it looked like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bUqQLLRbX_s1MVvrqa1gY7ZuJKwthTIQvbadTes9P-yAubH6YKvl2hqGdc7O3Uc0t2Zm-ekThIBh9mwGtacVKhyUz6Il09_uxbh8IsYWnnXkkkV3rGYjNTeuWne5jwymJNq6j8HPQVM/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bUqQLLRbX_s1MVvrqa1gY7ZuJKwthTIQvbadTes9P-yAubH6YKvl2hqGdc7O3Uc0t2Zm-ekThIBh9mwGtacVKhyUz6Il09_uxbh8IsYWnnXkkkV3rGYjNTeuWne5jwymJNq6j8HPQVM/s400/DSC_0036.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe55jXyzSe5uay3Gv8NJ1sTZ3OVwEJwaO0fB0V2SuenEh0MVa7d_J3rXO3pu2TTeJm3aEQWeIYpoaeCZJATz8m8ty7VYu5MKgHm2ep0fStZmPsUQ7cAMEa-GwklwAOve3djZZYjbjlAM/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe55jXyzSe5uay3Gv8NJ1sTZ3OVwEJwaO0fB0V2SuenEh0MVa7d_J3rXO3pu2TTeJm3aEQWeIYpoaeCZJATz8m8ty7VYu5MKgHm2ep0fStZmPsUQ7cAMEa-GwklwAOve3djZZYjbjlAM/s400/DSC_0038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Sq-WPNMLzuO2aXyiN2tdLjOKwxRBa62YjXhD11T7zZkRt6v1fLCNgqDNQmycimKOlBSGTEqgb2NYo7laPHE0-a3Ia2PyidDfAkROnbKN9g-3qqSj_pJecCMTNWjmC_Qa3htJT_dMvd8/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Sq-WPNMLzuO2aXyiN2tdLjOKwxRBa62YjXhD11T7zZkRt6v1fLCNgqDNQmycimKOlBSGTEqgb2NYo7laPHE0-a3Ia2PyidDfAkROnbKN9g-3qqSj_pJecCMTNWjmC_Qa3htJT_dMvd8/s400/DSC_0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Aside from the paint that bled at random places under the tape, the green was a bit too "green grass" and not enough "mossy green." So defeated me went back to the drawing board. Luckily I only used one of my canvases that I got from WalMart. Although I did paint the background color that dark tan, which we also didn't like. Sad face.<br />
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So off to Hobby Lobby I went in search of the perfect mossy green, and wouldn't you know it! They had a green there called "Forest Moss" how perfect! I also picked up "Vintage White" that was almost white, but had just enough tan in it that it wouldn't look weird against the tan walls. And I did the same thing. Stencil with a pencil (that rhymed!!), tape, paint, and paint the second coat. Here's what it looked like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GMbDjXjIb5oU50hxScERwFzDvSR3Y5Dfu-JhtDyR99Z6SprxNYDriYxi-mcUAomkn_ztKTTKWvafH2u_Y1w9O0t3nWKpMGWVxvZuGgZ87RyYZbyMf3iL6GMDo4Q3RuSgC6naDqQQTPM/s1600/DSC04498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GMbDjXjIb5oU50hxScERwFzDvSR3Y5Dfu-JhtDyR99Z6SprxNYDriYxi-mcUAomkn_ztKTTKWvafH2u_Y1w9O0t3nWKpMGWVxvZuGgZ87RyYZbyMf3iL6GMDo4Q3RuSgC6naDqQQTPM/s400/DSC04498.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Better green, but that dang paint still seeped under the tape again! And it made it look not so sleek and smooth like chevron is supposed to look. But I was determined to not tape this blasted thing again, so I got a small brush and just carefully painted around the edges. And here's how it turned out:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJUrIhJhP17KHitZdHBCvZQKjSgxzIrRVQUNh1Y6fXewdDusQYqsuX3ig3LzP-pvhlk6Pz3alK651O0jQJ_tK-8AJSDn_Tf0-xqqdJkhmW3Dx_KL0mnoLmpK8lK1cuXnJawbxPdi_wR8/s1600/DSC04499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJUrIhJhP17KHitZdHBCvZQKjSgxzIrRVQUNh1Y6fXewdDusQYqsuX3ig3LzP-pvhlk6Pz3alK651O0jQJ_tK-8AJSDn_Tf0-xqqdJkhmW3Dx_KL0mnoLmpK8lK1cuXnJawbxPdi_wR8/s400/DSC04499.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSS7AZkOQc62X6qtcF-bKzzmsjTezHeyAAINK4gIc-pF7q8kESjMtoX3wJSL_HBz1tFFuTrvjxm2v6s4kQ6U_IopUlHgOfxYyDPO-TJBmqKyq2Rf9dyJqsTesg9TkBJlybsSyYMq_TNd4/s1600/DSC04500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSS7AZkOQc62X6qtcF-bKzzmsjTezHeyAAINK4gIc-pF7q8kESjMtoX3wJSL_HBz1tFFuTrvjxm2v6s4kQ6U_IopUlHgOfxYyDPO-TJBmqKyq2Rf9dyJqsTesg9TkBJlybsSyYMq_TNd4/s400/DSC04500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Still a little splotchy in places, but from far away you can't really tell :) And here's the green next to the curtains!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrOQJIBJPI9Yo62Cr3Z_hqBFtI7R8aLz4IIYYMZZCwfIktKaX_xEgba8ROellu_q5zv1QDbgXEJ8MuSCsVolPLVWA57S90jH3SeED_ZOVhuXKV4oRSqkGSJ_crDRNm1i55Mf-kKVvWLo/s1600/DSC04503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrOQJIBJPI9Yo62Cr3Z_hqBFtI7R8aLz4IIYYMZZCwfIktKaX_xEgba8ROellu_q5zv1QDbgXEJ8MuSCsVolPLVWA57S90jH3SeED_ZOVhuXKV4oRSqkGSJ_crDRNm1i55Mf-kKVvWLo/s400/DSC04503.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14SYEfNfB5-y1gHXaY2kBoHH3_hSB9lA6AOcsyaRL-eR9zOAdAG52HJon1n5sw6GZ8CC_OH6Nj-UW8qeEARw05hz1lpHQaxfVeebHJOqE2fENy8tzcc9wjl5K0aw_SZh9-9bHm0r9r0Y/s1600/DSC04501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14SYEfNfB5-y1gHXaY2kBoHH3_hSB9lA6AOcsyaRL-eR9zOAdAG52HJon1n5sw6GZ8CC_OH6Nj-UW8qeEARw05hz1lpHQaxfVeebHJOqE2fENy8tzcc9wjl5K0aw_SZh9-9bHm0r9r0Y/s400/DSC04501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I'm definitely loving this green and vintage white waaaay better! But I'll let you decide! (disregard my failed attempt at holding up a canvas while taking a picture of it...)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh Green Grass</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE-gOSBY1be73TNu6tDHnAxr1JecXQKHubqaCVAcAzQCTrZI8ZU19UOE07Kbsqu12LNFbPDxP9_SmAjKS2HLOLfind3KPQJrnQQndP6xzPWwAGImqjEIh9WTrIC6kkGPeiv6lybbYtU4/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE-gOSBY1be73TNu6tDHnAxr1JecXQKHubqaCVAcAzQCTrZI8ZU19UOE07Kbsqu12LNFbPDxP9_SmAjKS2HLOLfind3KPQJrnQQndP6xzPWwAGImqjEIh9WTrIC6kkGPeiv6lybbYtU4/s400/DSC_0039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Forest Moss</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-zaiywcDB41wJ8Vvoej6eRsgHMuNskcY3l8Xqa3ixSRTsUJ4GgRyU4XzWlMZB8O-5JIhV9GYKyuYHYFS6C4GGWI2PBgWbdR1gxwCc-LEIl8q1oINhn40HxRlzsanusUEz8dl-YmQWdw/s1600/DSC04505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-zaiywcDB41wJ8Vvoej6eRsgHMuNskcY3l8Xqa3ixSRTsUJ4GgRyU4XzWlMZB8O-5JIhV9GYKyuYHYFS6C4GGWI2PBgWbdR1gxwCc-LEIl8q1oINhn40HxRlzsanusUEz8dl-YmQWdw/s400/DSC04505.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I'll be actually hanging the new ones up once I finish the second canvas (I'm telling you guys, this tape is going to be the death of me!! lol)<br />
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Which do you guys like better? Has this ever happened to you? You get through slaving away at a project only to realize your fantastic project isn't so fantastic next to the rest of your fantastic decor!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-58652929384992250502011-05-10T14:13:00.000-05:002011-05-10T14:13:00.914-05:00Spring Wreath!I have finally done it! After oogling over a million Spring wreaths for weeks, I have finally made my own! Yaaaaay! :)<br />
I've been trying to bring in some more color onto our porch so that when potential home buyers drive by they notice our house! I added some <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekend-happenings-success.html">patio furniture</a> and some <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/no-sew-envelope-pillow-tutorial.html">pillows</a> to our front porch and the next thing on my list to do was to add a colorful wreath to the door! Blake and I decided we wanted a rectangular wreath since that looks modern and round wreaths look more girly (thought Blake) ;) So off to Hobby Lobby I went! I thought they had paper mache or chip board frames, but they didn't so I had to go to the frame section. Luckily they were 50% off so I got our frame for $8! More than I wanted to spend, but really good considering what we got! And I got an M to paint and put on our wreath. I had already gotten yarn and glue :) Here's how it turned out:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtn20u6mb_5DbximE8AyG0KCuDhvkfo-x9Ej2LLc5Qxs_CC5ZPOYXLSpXwEaRRIJ33anel4OY8c2j6eZDZQ5292R6NGCTjRxwewejDX6ejh_LqNjXeJdGhPL4cLKOnGvO3kNUHjVb794/s1600/DSC04481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtn20u6mb_5DbximE8AyG0KCuDhvkfo-x9Ej2LLc5Qxs_CC5ZPOYXLSpXwEaRRIJ33anel4OY8c2j6eZDZQ5292R6NGCTjRxwewejDX6ejh_LqNjXeJdGhPL4cLKOnGvO3kNUHjVb794/s320/DSC04481.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Notice that around the corners, it doesn't get all thick and stuff. That was a bit of a challenge, but once I figured out how I was going to do it, it was super easy! Here's what I mean by thick around the corners:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXSMP-t247NXGzsR7MlLgoDq6p4qfOU73hNIJXEpj4qasbOb0N49ly5O_9wc2WqOmfVnKq6obE2hRw3-AvCMnSgSPAajtuJES0nQGDu54SlaWWF-WP6gKJ_QOt2MJPvl1ADWfBcyIfZM/s1600/Crafts-2011-100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXSMP-t247NXGzsR7MlLgoDq6p4qfOU73hNIJXEpj4qasbOb0N49ly5O_9wc2WqOmfVnKq6obE2hRw3-AvCMnSgSPAajtuJES0nQGDu54SlaWWF-WP6gKJ_QOt2MJPvl1ADWfBcyIfZM/s320/Crafts-2011-100.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It's not that it's not cute, it's just not what I wanted with mine :)<br />
So here's how I did mine!<br />
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I wrapped the yarn normally around all the sides of the frame, but I skipped the corners and moved over to the other side of the frame (like the three corners below)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdqHU1mKKQNB-mB0QFkjurRDvRaCXvDHUfmPnG11M4VnL48GI8VXSBeeAxEthOd0K3xkfbdXVPlDLZSSxvjzMaWPrp9m35SxV0mjc3QHyolZJlc0PAHU1ztZExTvSR4_0FWQjCCdBqyw/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdqHU1mKKQNB-mB0QFkjurRDvRaCXvDHUfmPnG11M4VnL48GI8VXSBeeAxEthOd0K3xkfbdXVPlDLZSSxvjzMaWPrp9m35SxV0mjc3QHyolZJlc0PAHU1ztZExTvSR4_0FWQjCCdBqyw/s320/DSC_0065.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I cut some strips of yarn (mine took about 30 per corner):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofrMauKlzefabX5UXbHHCKqSoFd-OGWTr9Ao0dRZQO_gmrF7hvE_1OlkBmtM3v7dMExtIdY-OA7qHr6jCgvnfhCqDUiiXDFFwpZ10gtO_tEoXOkyNSL-Pe8ClLVsTsOKDNs-Rq0CI_Ic/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofrMauKlzefabX5UXbHHCKqSoFd-OGWTr9Ao0dRZQO_gmrF7hvE_1OlkBmtM3v7dMExtIdY-OA7qHr6jCgvnfhCqDUiiXDFFwpZ10gtO_tEoXOkyNSL-Pe8ClLVsTsOKDNs-Rq0CI_Ic/s320/DSC_0069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ran some tacky glue along the edge of the seam where each side meets (it's diagonal) and then put the pieces of yarn on that string so that it looked like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaOnXQCnbER4IAYTBZTDehop7KLtAB8orAKIzSvO6i6HIbhOyhh_oNRM9zfT3UAbA4_dAgbm0rHFcCDF8oP5T1Fa1kouA6FS8Z9wdi_2wyi8mnlnC24kJjC6jBxIUvgMo72dA_ZBLLQ8/s1600/DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaOnXQCnbER4IAYTBZTDehop7KLtAB8orAKIzSvO6i6HIbhOyhh_oNRM9zfT3UAbA4_dAgbm0rHFcCDF8oP5T1Fa1kouA6FS8Z9wdi_2wyi8mnlnC24kJjC6jBxIUvgMo72dA_ZBLLQ8/s320/DSC_0068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I did the other side of the seam:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MeFFMfJ_u1suFFxZodjai-nZ9ACLtEQJ99R660hyrwrWWTMqDtqypvHBcdoS9f5RUP9opFCvgCYFys0wldg4VLpP2YPl1HLBniRD_50IbNRpe5aWYBrdXo3fTrQjr47ceGSZ_1Feehs/s1600/DSC_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MeFFMfJ_u1suFFxZodjai-nZ9ACLtEQJ99R660hyrwrWWTMqDtqypvHBcdoS9f5RUP9opFCvgCYFys0wldg4VLpP2YPl1HLBniRD_50IbNRpe5aWYBrdXo3fTrQjr47ceGSZ_1Feehs/s320/DSC_0064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And I put glue along the outside edge of the frame to glue the pieces of yarn down:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jUmpsdvaLP_2zyMl-GTDtUCV7IuQPEnGq6bBiTECk8KmwjzBawMqJci5Va6c7cp9Y6vriJhrp4SwzDrW5krddRtMMal_qBt4nCSvQ0DKW-6MeQ2qQ1a9WEPeQVbgngT3DNRFxMqtB6M/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jUmpsdvaLP_2zyMl-GTDtUCV7IuQPEnGq6bBiTECk8KmwjzBawMqJci5Va6c7cp9Y6vriJhrp4SwzDrW5krddRtMMal_qBt4nCSvQ0DKW-6MeQ2qQ1a9WEPeQVbgngT3DNRFxMqtB6M/s320/DSC_0072.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then you do that to the remaining three corners and voila! A yarn frame for your wreath that doesn't get all thick around the corners!<br />
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Once I finished that, I made some flowers out of scrap fabric I had left over from my <a href="http://thebrighterthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/no-sew-envelope-pillow-tutorial.html">pillows</a> and some random fabric that I have no clue where I got it from. lol<br />
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For the M, I mixed two paint colors together so that I didn't have to go buy more paint. I mixed some white and a turquoise color to make a more springy, pastel blue :) Then painted the M an off-white and taped off a chevron print and painted it with the pastel blue I made. Oh and I glued the flowers and the M on with hot glue. So far nothing has fallen off and it's been three days so I think we're good, but if it falls off I'll be sure to let you guys know in case you want to try this! :)<br />
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You might be wondering why I haven't put a picture up of it actually on my front door, well the reason is that it's really hard to find a wreath holder in the Spring! I'm having to order one online because all my local stores aren't carrying them right now! Sad face! So when I get the wreath holder in, I'll be sure to let y'all see it! :)<br />
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So, have you guys put up a spring wreath? Or any other kind of spring/summer decorations around your house? Does your craft area look like mine, totally destroyed? Or are you a tidy crafter? :)Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707704414846164652.post-4009402660600490952011-05-09T14:46:00.000-05:002011-05-09T14:46:00.262-05:00Songs of Last WeekOops! I did it again! Amidst all my crafting and studying I forgot to do a Songs of the Week post for last week! So here they are:<br />
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<ol><li>New Fire by Sent By Ravens which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkuluNEBM2U">here</a></li>
<li>The Fight by The Classic Crime which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYi4gF1K9B4">here</a></li>
<li>The Ticking Clock by Submission Red which you can hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIgF8I8QP8A">here</a></li>
</ol><div>And just in case you don't feel like clicking and going to a new page, here are the videos right here!! :)</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">New Fire</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UkuluNEBM2U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Fight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zYi4gF1K9B4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Ticking Clock</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oIgF8I8QP8A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope you are all having a FANtastic Monday! :)</div><br />
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</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507685554066250903noreply@blogger.com0