tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84618825450042060152024-03-18T19:12:48.224-07:00Crafty ButtMelodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-5652193793587785182013-07-17T13:43:00.000-07:002013-07-19T10:57:41.388-07:00Custom Cake Pedestals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I host a lot of get-togethers with themes and color schemes. And I make a lot of desserts. Like, A LOT. So I like to have fancy pantsy dessert pedestals to display them on. It's my favorite thing, but they can get pricey and it isn't always possible to find exactly the color and size I'm looking for. So what do I do?? I make my own! Easy peasy directions after the jump!!</div>
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<a name='more'></a>First things first! Acquire cheap plates and candlesticks. I get most of mine from the dollar store, but thrift stores are a great option because they often have unique vintage patterns and cool candlesticks.<br />
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Wash everything well and dry thoroughly, then flip your plate upside down on a flat surface. Apply <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00178MO58/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00178MO58&linkCode=as2&tag=crabut-20">E-6000 glue</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=crabut-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00178MO58" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
to the rim of the candlestick. Wait about 60 seconds, then stick the candle onto the exact center of the underside of the plate. Let it dry overnight. </div>
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Once it's dry, take it outside and place it, still upside-down, onto old newspapers and begin spraying in light, even strokes with your preferred spray paint color until it's evenly covered. Let it dry overnight again, and boom baby!! You've got a new cake pedestal in the perfect shade! I've made like a million of these and they are the best.</div>
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And you can use silver candlesticks too! It makes them a bit more formal, right?? </div>
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I also make them in different sizes and stack them to hold cupcakes and petit fours. They hold up well (most of these are more than two years old) as long as you hand wash them, and they're inexpensive enough that it isn't a big deal if they get broken or left behind at a potluck.</div>
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Enjoy!!</div>
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<br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-58333881105382043342013-07-11T13:07:00.000-07:002013-07-11T13:07:04.519-07:00Summer Kids' Project: Mugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, we're six weeks into summer vacation, and I don't know about your kids, but mine are ready to eat each other. Swimming, playing at the park, and mindless video games have lost their luster and I've been forced to get creative. And cheap. </div>
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A friend suggested taking them to Color Me Mine to decorate ceramics. But dude, have you been there?? It's totally expensive! So I got creative. And cheap. Ergo, these hand-decorated, one-of-a-kind mugs:</div>
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Details after the jump!!</div>
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<a name='more'></a>It all starts with plain white dollar store mugs and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IFHG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00006IFHG&linkCode=as2&tag=crabut-20">colorful Sharpies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=crabut-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00006IFHG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
. I put the kids to work and voila! Super-cute mugs that cost almost nothing. </div>
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Pretty cute, right? They stand up well to washing and they're safe to use. We'll be doing plates and cereal bowls next. What will your kids draw??</div>
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Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-74582502725452392452012-02-05T23:59:00.000-08:002012-02-05T23:59:00.280-08:00Spring GardenIt's February! Time to get your sun hat on and head out into your gardens!<br />
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Today we're exploring the time-honored tradition of bell jars. <br />
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Okay, sure, it's still freezing outside. But I can dream of warmer spring days and I can definitely get a jumpstart on my gardening! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the same Celosia as above. It became a monster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I don't start all my plants and flowers from seeds, but I do like to get at least a percentage of my total flowerage from seeds. Even though it's still very early in the year, starting seeds is sort of a consolation prize until I can go to the nursery and pick out some lovely annuals.<br />
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And of course, it's always fun to point out a huge, healthy-looking Dahlia and be able to say, "I started that from a seed." Gardening is good for the soul. Kids love it too; it brings with it a healthy sense of anticipation, a bit of responsibility, an exhilarating sense of accomplishment. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX-3tbgTDBuh4PVF6vBMarF3KqpQg-oLSUqZtJ66SaUrsCoFZgWp7YlvO75NQ9W6UDBL0Jq48jF6iGldDPUnwExJ6uZLwa2gvssP5WtsLLXHwy7wUzU42uqg4KJTWDv8bKAJ7ZBIuTl4/s1600/IMG_5630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX-3tbgTDBuh4PVF6vBMarF3KqpQg-oLSUqZtJ66SaUrsCoFZgWp7YlvO75NQ9W6UDBL0Jq48jF6iGldDPUnwExJ6uZLwa2gvssP5WtsLLXHwy7wUzU42uqg4KJTWDv8bKAJ7ZBIuTl4/s320/IMG_5630.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started that from a seed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But seeds can be tricky, especially for gardeners who live in harsher climates. Even here in Southern California frost regularly wipes out crops. What to do, what to do...<br />
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We've all seen bell jars. Our grandmothers used them to protect their collectible porcelain dolls from dust and curious fingers. We use them ourselves for our vignettes and terrariums. But they're also used in gardening, to protect seedlings. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80aqfTK5yDoIefl4z9gV7dhaNK0_O-4p0Cbw76BzE47WoDTLyJjGcmYw-Xf-a6GYAa502J9UayZ3bOSgNADp6EQBame1SRTG77bno4ldmAGu2PIl6VZA7NneIg9cQyc0bdiVUDYB6mBs/s1600/IMG_5625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80aqfTK5yDoIefl4z9gV7dhaNK0_O-4p0Cbw76BzE47WoDTLyJjGcmYw-Xf-a6GYAa502J9UayZ3bOSgNADp6EQBame1SRTG77bno4ldmAGu2PIl6VZA7NneIg9cQyc0bdiVUDYB6mBs/s320/IMG_5625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They love to lean into the sunlight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Think of them as tiny little glasshouses. They allow the sunlight in (however weak and fleeting it may be) and keep wind, frost and harmful insects out. Plus, they're totally cuter than those ugly plastic trays you get from the Home Depot garden department.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSIwBDR6-UQt0TNHb1D6eKjDwSLKw4jFriKgVoZMIRjdQCSG6eLu4Flp1acBWzSlnlgfCIWBoXhmWTjXKD8taI_CrQlVdxWoNUcUs4eeKXJpS26AVo9OnZt-79ajqXH-5xitWpzpRYGE/s1600/IMG_5627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSIwBDR6-UQt0TNHb1D6eKjDwSLKw4jFriKgVoZMIRjdQCSG6eLu4Flp1acBWzSlnlgfCIWBoXhmWTjXKD8taI_CrQlVdxWoNUcUs4eeKXJpS26AVo9OnZt-79ajqXH-5xitWpzpRYGE/s320/IMG_5627.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO MUCH CUTER!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But since they're expensive and I'm cheap, I've cut out the "bell" part of the equation and kept the "jar." My obsession with jars is <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/search/label/jars">well documented</a>, so it's a no-brainer that I have more than enough. The beauty of jars is that they come free with your purchase of mayonnaise and jelly. And they're perfect for this job.<br />
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As an added bonus, if you plant your seeds directly into a pot as opposed to say, a crummy plastic tray, they won't go into transplant shock. Another bonus is that the jars will keep the seedlings warmer, and heat is known to accelerate germination and growth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJX3L3KNfU9K_oE_4Xcyrm7YxM7BiZiocpaA2NKdqM4NAYp-xCtXQvMeNO9CyTgb6BIEB0VW-PxWk0_y-_WFpc3gb-S7asqMFvIhWpZtmBWSZIqEuAU9mOQ6lkw5eETVAPst4XbSQgxw/s1600/IMG_5634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJX3L3KNfU9K_oE_4Xcyrm7YxM7BiZiocpaA2NKdqM4NAYp-xCtXQvMeNO9CyTgb6BIEB0VW-PxWk0_y-_WFpc3gb-S7asqMFvIhWpZtmBWSZIqEuAU9mOQ6lkw5eETVAPst4XbSQgxw/s320/IMG_5634.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, Begonias!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All of these pictures were taken in my patio last year. It was my first time trying out the bell jar method, and I have to say my seeds made a very good showing. I'm doing it again this year with even more seeds, and I'll post an update later in the season!<br />
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Happy gardening!!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-16672031669406446582011-11-10T13:25:00.000-08:002011-11-10T13:25:10.967-08:00Thanksgiving Table ScapeHelloooo!! In my head, that sounded just like Julia Child.<br />
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I trust everyone has had an easy transition into November, what with the Daylight Savings and all. I haven't, but is that really surprising? It was dark at like 4:30 yesterday afternoon. So naturally, I didn't realize what time it really was and OF COURSE we had dinner before 5. <br />
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ANYWAY. On to fun things! Like eating! YAY!! Specifically, I'm referring to eating Thanksgiving dinner, which, is there anything better than that? I declare that there is not. So I've created a really fun, easy, interesting and INEXPENSIVE tablescape for the Annual Thanksgiving Holiday Gut-Stuff, which is how I like to think of it.<br />
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You may have seen last week's post on my <a href="http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/guest-tutorial-thanksgiving-trivia-cornucopia/">Thanksgiving Trivia Cornucopia over at CraftGossip</a>. This post is an addendum to that post, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already. I made a cornucopia filled with cool, fall-type thingies. Feathers, squash (squashes?), holly berries, golden roses, turning leaves, pine cones, corn husks, etcetera. It's all in there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidibmsqQL8CHmhlTrgltOOa-Vl7qtXvIjBpQjlLEOvlYKn2xkdjAo_3te7ln1DCSoEZHgQ0apfaU9AMQIV9GDAG6vzXMVilz_tPAEItMMKpcY3ffj56sGZM-tn7AP6QOJAc5QT_W6N-Es/s1600/finished1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidibmsqQL8CHmhlTrgltOOa-Vl7qtXvIjBpQjlLEOvlYKn2xkdjAo_3te7ln1DCSoEZHgQ0apfaU9AMQIV9GDAG6vzXMVilz_tPAEItMMKpcY3ffj56sGZM-tn7AP6QOJAc5QT_W6N-Es/s320/finished1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of it. It's right in there.</td></tr>
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Because it's the centerpiece, I thought it'd be neat to use elements from the cornucopia to liven up the individual place settings. Soooo, I did. For really funsies, I set each place with clear glass plates, and then placed red and gold fall leaves underneath.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindRGEvTGVJH4iRBUkqIUSoq2Psx_BHSjMv3MwuX7is1atanitHe7F6uBZdieuZ-FWynKvpvx4hB5lacCIaTSui-2WqX4m0Ym2mwThMj7u3A0CAuZ4lM6W1RMShOPkm3V487sht7pMTFY/s1600/IMG_6332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindRGEvTGVJH4iRBUkqIUSoq2Psx_BHSjMv3MwuX7is1atanitHe7F6uBZdieuZ-FWynKvpvx4hB5lacCIaTSui-2WqX4m0Ym2mwThMj7u3A0CAuZ4lM6W1RMShOPkm3V487sht7pMTFY/s320/IMG_6332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw88ChP8OvLmaP3El_t3CQaYq-ts0ILAnoCuP21bMAVtrw_8sZqtlFGFb7viKO71BMKoQJRpQiyATlb8kp1Ptr1n_ih2djLtlOesaJR-VOil9Jrhxs5wUj-o8LsLKzD1uSdTU8KboG_z4/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw88ChP8OvLmaP3El_t3CQaYq-ts0ILAnoCuP21bMAVtrw_8sZqtlFGFb7viKO71BMKoQJRpQiyATlb8kp1Ptr1n_ih2djLtlOesaJR-VOil9Jrhxs5wUj-o8LsLKzD1uSdTU8KboG_z4/s320/IMG_6325.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I also hollowed out a couple mini-pumpkins with an apple corer and used them in place of traditional candle holders.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUPJWGo4rHDCZYgNuC3wA74cGsuJ0FQ7PNiq-sGShFLB3boVGGt0TwpwMfbU5voXplJpDZW8mcCPvIw3M_pGQrPvzP4D7r0vGqlJkQi73WG5bHN4G9TEff1pWl9z6-Q08rL2kgx38CeI/s1600/IMG_6316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUPJWGo4rHDCZYgNuC3wA74cGsuJ0FQ7PNiq-sGShFLB3boVGGt0TwpwMfbU5voXplJpDZW8mcCPvIw3M_pGQrPvzP4D7r0vGqlJkQi73WG5bHN4G9TEff1pWl9z6-Q08rL2kgx38CeI/s320/IMG_6316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5u4lMecG8FZMyFuSEC08rKCHrIObPYULT3FQbedqxnv70D1BwgVFbTW_-9Y_Zv6n6DOlgzBA3kiuPNJFmqI5ZgpZID75ZTslWwLimivbNo5A68UEJJh5OtjDDwKMbfnka452rwaTz8M/s1600/IMG_6333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5u4lMecG8FZMyFuSEC08rKCHrIObPYULT3FQbedqxnv70D1BwgVFbTW_-9Y_Zv6n6DOlgzBA3kiuPNJFmqI5ZgpZID75ZTslWwLimivbNo5A68UEJJh5OtjDDwKMbfnka452rwaTz8M/s320/IMG_6333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Instead of napkin rings, I tied each napkin with a ribbon and tucked a different element from the cornucopia into each bow. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6CyK5FPydBIPRY3dyAWPh55uAfMYEQWnJc6LMpxFV44h047Zr-Oun8D4T1kdkzrRTrCMKNVjtbORbYqrUAt49C_tPR-BP0d7X6WCPz7POQatpSGwLUB5GoIH3unKeLLhbXEDyhNjK98/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6CyK5FPydBIPRY3dyAWPh55uAfMYEQWnJc6LMpxFV44h047Zr-Oun8D4T1kdkzrRTrCMKNVjtbORbYqrUAt49C_tPR-BP0d7X6WCPz7POQatpSGwLUB5GoIH3unKeLLhbXEDyhNjK98/s320/IMG_6341.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0tQ_MKzIqD6YBDoCsVPWMHAuXHh-Jq-D_NvYUKF1gic_GprmMV4ns7HwcZVCHEo6WOTeXjQw0QoxQ6rIMCWBkI110oFd9HKS9yfFKSXgSRAdIAeG7WzVldwm1bRHtbnfPWEdmFyT-Fg/s1600/IMG_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0tQ_MKzIqD6YBDoCsVPWMHAuXHh-Jq-D_NvYUKF1gic_GprmMV4ns7HwcZVCHEo6WOTeXjQw0QoxQ6rIMCWBkI110oFd9HKS9yfFKSXgSRAdIAeG7WzVldwm1bRHtbnfPWEdmFyT-Fg/s320/IMG_6323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLms4mLWFVejWljSuG8_wwQLKp83wHqWJCKp2q1PaSi5SQIdXnnmAUgKRIe9fVqtbyFwhX9TPEnCKR1XNsXq7S4S0aOdgIc74cN-n-LvIYbX01lIaaWYcjzyGSORTb24c-wNdaKsborsk/s1600/IMG_6339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLms4mLWFVejWljSuG8_wwQLKp83wHqWJCKp2q1PaSi5SQIdXnnmAUgKRIe9fVqtbyFwhX9TPEnCKR1XNsXq7S4S0aOdgIc74cN-n-LvIYbX01lIaaWYcjzyGSORTb24c-wNdaKsborsk/s320/IMG_6339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I like how well everything coordinates without being so matchy-matchy. There's a lot of wonderful texture, beautiful fall color and the best part is how easy it is to pull together. It's a lovely departure from a traditional holiday table setting without seeming too casual.<br />
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What are your Thanksgiving plans?Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-65532535461900813392011-11-01T10:52:00.000-07:002011-11-01T10:52:43.509-07:00Happy Anniversary!Hello all you sexy crafters! This is our one year anniversary here at Crafty Butt, and I can't believe the cyber police haven't arrested me yet on charges of craftular incompetence. <br />
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When I started writing this little bloggy-poo I never imagined anyone would read it, and yet every day you people continue to amaze me by coming back (probably to mock me, but I won't dwell on that). I thank you from the bottom of my heart.<br />
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I'm taking the day off to celebrate and raid my kids' Halloween stash before they get home from school, but in the meantime, I've written a guest post for<a href="http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/guest-tutorial-thanksgiving-trivia-cornucopia/"> Craft Gossip</a>. You should totally check it out; it's awesome (relatively speaking, this is me we're talking about here).<br />
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So here's to another year of hot glue and chalk paint!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUCQ2EH0uKXI1CBXe2LSSju8rB-YlGrYA7z7Vwg46mXpRSu-QLdC-DC0ZucCQCAaxviC84v8mDZn6gffG8lWNjam-2ZO9L_HkHJ5_cRKe_LLWhjYk3D855AgT9ISU-FtEkB6ydAtdX8g/s1600/finished1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUCQ2EH0uKXI1CBXe2LSSju8rB-YlGrYA7z7Vwg46mXpRSu-QLdC-DC0ZucCQCAaxviC84v8mDZn6gffG8lWNjam-2ZO9L_HkHJ5_cRKe_LLWhjYk3D855AgT9ISU-FtEkB6ydAtdX8g/s320/finished1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-60644214891309281462011-10-19T18:15:00.000-07:002011-10-19T18:15:01.614-07:00Cozy Sweater Candles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People who know me know that I can't knit. Actually, they probably wouldn't know whether I can or not, since knitting isn't something I talk about with people who know me. Or with anyone, actually. Since I can't knit. Ahem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate lovely cable-knit sweater. And who doesn't, really? I love 'sweater weather' and I defy you to find anyone who doesn't. Sweaters are so rad we use them as weather adjectives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all, we don't say 'Bermuda shorts weather' because Bermuda shorts are horrible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I may have gone a bit off the rails there. Anyway, sweaters are awesome, and I've fashioned some little sweaters for my candle holders because candles are awesome too. </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/AVvXsEha7gMC8EIPJVi_Zr4oP1WzRE0iktc9GRUPbu-LofUofmJz1C-L6lVlnW53qqV4-xJGS0naU42HVoE8-yhs3h3Wuq8SJfP20hwyiWjMgRIWgQ2grIHA8Sq70r8MW0luqLdpAiE8mQzlezE/s1600/IMG_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7gMC8EIPJVi_Zr4oP1WzRE0iktc9GRUPbu-LofUofmJz1C-L6lVlnW53qqV4-xJGS0naU42HVoE8-yhs3h3Wuq8SJfP20hwyiWjMgRIWgQ2grIHA8Sq70r8MW0luqLdpAiE8mQzlezE/s400/IMG_6303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIU-Ng488RvEeMenaqJjtJLPyYjoKmCENFgHiDPQ-2QYeXzsSMkbl-TtaIfzm7TSpPxrYQNWwPQnpfN8pDTtNi2zZmaVzDYZ4NuatydAE6iv17Pg1QoHYAbmMjVJEsXVKXq9bZY8nYoY/s1600/IMG_6288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIU-Ng488RvEeMenaqJjtJLPyYjoKmCENFgHiDPQ-2QYeXzsSMkbl-TtaIfzm7TSpPxrYQNWwPQnpfN8pDTtNi2zZmaVzDYZ4NuatydAE6iv17Pg1QoHYAbmMjVJEsXVKXq9bZY8nYoY/s400/IMG_6288.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The no-knit tutorial is after the jump!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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The first thing you have to do is go through your winter clothes and realize that a lot of your old sweaters don't fit anymore. You'll also need to discover that you can only find one of your cream-colored cable-knit boot socks. <br />
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These realizations will depress you a little bit. But you'll soon turn that frown upside down! Because then you're going to realize you have everything you need to make adorable candle sweaters!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2eg21-bSSgJityFPCQSzqotpzEqfmmVu40k_IfvoASZgGaROFl8UEtSKLJDEY7VWLAApQlp7ykVriL1yEZBPMJliPbLjIkzB9Olu8wU0bls4UlYrdCxv9SYzfddRVPH3upeJ4OohWQk/s1600/IMG_6291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2eg21-bSSgJityFPCQSzqotpzEqfmmVu40k_IfvoASZgGaROFl8UEtSKLJDEY7VWLAApQlp7ykVriL1yEZBPMJliPbLjIkzB9Olu8wU0bls4UlYrdCxv9SYzfddRVPH3upeJ4OohWQk/s320/IMG_6291.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> What I did was cut off the sleeves and pull them up around some glass cylindrical hurricanes from the dollar store. Then, that's all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGblkJNCkVZcmFXTVvPh8YXOzc5S8c2cau93OaKBiMtNtDn5w22u8-KcSU7AE7hdW6CDoGbE7qb7DSRhZzru83LyMZDyHE1E4UgzLDNX3KFeXXIc34ZBZH0x4GoOt16up_oXH9LREaI0Y/s1600/IMG_6293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGblkJNCkVZcmFXTVvPh8YXOzc5S8c2cau93OaKBiMtNtDn5w22u8-KcSU7AE7hdW6CDoGbE7qb7DSRhZzru83LyMZDyHE1E4UgzLDNX3KFeXXIc34ZBZH0x4GoOt16up_oXH9LREaI0Y/s320/IMG_6293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It ain't fancy, but dude. I am nothing if not totally unfancy. My lone boot sock was cut off at the ankle and given the same glass hurricane treatment as the sleeves. At one point I even grabbed some sparkling cider and considered it as a bottle cozy, and I think I may keep it in mind the next time I need a hostess gift.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YIMo8TzWfjG9DYZiuUuQbYP5gQdJal1R_yF8mL44P5rRZHJrIAYTf7AFaBCzSoO0gcKEOm02W29mEDTMac0Imw4yIvZrWGIH1U96w6ZpKfOFOVyWHuvlKv6zKj8DPFbBN904kY2I49s/s1600/IMG_6298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YIMo8TzWfjG9DYZiuUuQbYP5gQdJal1R_yF8mL44P5rRZHJrIAYTf7AFaBCzSoO0gcKEOm02W29mEDTMac0Imw4yIvZrWGIH1U96w6ZpKfOFOVyWHuvlKv6zKj8DPFbBN904kY2I49s/s400/IMG_6298.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>And I've just reread all of this and realized I spent my afternoon putting bottles into socks, and the thing that alarms me most is how typical that is for me.<br />
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Whatever. Sweaters are cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKrt02loM-sJ4VJYnzoXQMR2QtEQnt2dM2cl4ijdfBHDLwjSTPBmNlvjJA6RxSOMo5na2g_TYhXNFyjP3HkJQls06I-CMzJq90h1Mp6PWNCNmDlecZoEzUmBTdHjmQEqTS0NPXGooeI/s1600/IMG_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKrt02loM-sJ4VJYnzoXQMR2QtEQnt2dM2cl4ijdfBHDLwjSTPBmNlvjJA6RxSOMo5na2g_TYhXNFyjP3HkJQls06I-CMzJq90h1Mp6PWNCNmDlecZoEzUmBTdHjmQEqTS0NPXGooeI/s400/IMG_6303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-69361679808383316472011-10-04T10:50:00.000-07:002011-10-04T10:50:44.096-07:00DIY: Chalkboard CheeseboardThis project was inspird by <a href="http://www.stress-relievers.com/promotional_items_2010/a-promotional-Cheese%20Board%20With%20Knives,%20Chalk%20and%20Blackboard-ref-988.htm">this slate and bamboo cheese board</a>. And although it's sort of reasonably priced, it's only available in the UK. In quantities greater than 25. <br />
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But I don't live in the UK. And I don't really need 25 cheese boards. I mean, cheese is delicious and all, but I have to draw a line somewhere. <br />
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So I made this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-9qp_pI_NPgrUJ4C4guoAbMnisU-LeaWxIRmYuQv2-NhZWV8O8e9u_2E5hBvPI7ER3jm9ncNOD8QNoOfHUdxm81wvJXtXcZpgZIz-jLPSQ13GpN1wsE3UUha5NBnOsmTuUr_52cjLEc/s1600/IMG_6196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-9qp_pI_NPgrUJ4C4guoAbMnisU-LeaWxIRmYuQv2-NhZWV8O8e9u_2E5hBvPI7ER3jm9ncNOD8QNoOfHUdxm81wvJXtXcZpgZIz-jLPSQ13GpN1wsE3UUha5NBnOsmTuUr_52cjLEc/s400/IMG_6196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More hot cheese board action after the jump!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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I used an inexpensive bamboo cutting board and some chalkboard paint, and I'm super excited with the result. And the cheese. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHciVk30FwiyHbnmzqpS4gJbtHvvIHDVwoqT4AlUWtvlE7PbIr2rWnm9Il3pBDCcHzC12RsEMkjvMf2AC1yM1sb0HKc7FfZ6VaYo1STKysaebVZ8YnZUUxB0GCiyBHldla1vMMZkwpDwc/s1600/IMG_6195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHciVk30FwiyHbnmzqpS4gJbtHvvIHDVwoqT4AlUWtvlE7PbIr2rWnm9Il3pBDCcHzC12RsEMkjvMf2AC1yM1sb0HKc7FfZ6VaYo1STKysaebVZ8YnZUUxB0GCiyBHldla1vMMZkwpDwc/s320/IMG_6195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's cheese-tastic! Wow, that was lame. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiU7myODxamsA-RUbD3jvQDJMebtONUYCWhbsJiCo8ekynm_DvG4aCX7URr1IKMyK7b2EptWYoOHWUQoJGmx3fdGMuGoQlp8VVHuyhwcJNkKW0hLjKcH_j5WuTDCnd9-LZGWV8o83Iis/s1600/IMG_6198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiU7myODxamsA-RUbD3jvQDJMebtONUYCWhbsJiCo8ekynm_DvG4aCX7URr1IKMyK7b2EptWYoOHWUQoJGmx3fdGMuGoQlp8VVHuyhwcJNkKW0hLjKcH_j5WuTDCnd9-LZGWV8o83Iis/s320/IMG_6198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Cheese-a-rific? No. That's actually lamer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinvzlE05Fmv2VOoNwHpH3QpN6MboxDhAZQcNHU_Q4fvuvs-6QZl2txbEiZo7SdiatBp2ctx4K_xOZmAUb8gfIlRjgjUQy06P7KDmF719uzpslxtYuyDHZXTIltHwi09bJ4yq0UU-LAFY/s1600/IMG_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinvzlE05Fmv2VOoNwHpH3QpN6MboxDhAZQcNHU_Q4fvuvs-6QZl2txbEiZo7SdiatBp2ctx4K_xOZmAUb8gfIlRjgjUQy06P7KDmF719uzpslxtYuyDHZXTIltHwi09bJ4yq0UU-LAFY/s320/IMG_6197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's a Cheese-a-palooza! Eesh, these are not improving. Okay, I'm going to go lay down now. WITH A TRAY OF CHEESE. Yay!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-55066757956139430012011-09-26T09:51:00.000-07:002011-09-26T09:53:30.017-07:00Chalkboard MenusFirst of all, this is officially my <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/search/label/fall">first new post of Autumn</a> and I'm sure you're all <strike>sick of hearing about it</strike> as excited as me! I'm celebrating by gorging myself on homemade cinnamon rolls, although that's pretty much how I like to ring in every Monday morning, regardless of the season.<br />
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And now, back to our regularly scheduled shenanigans!<br />
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This week's project is a DIY menu chalkboard: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56uUxed7hcB8tOm8j73j6OW51LlgUs_9LYDMPpRWxvk6U11gBRHqynD_3qsvE3REGgYIbQvSrgs8T8aptbw4Yj40SJ4pWjTNZnkypjBehggE5FRZ1ZXzgi5pqgJDIAw9w7HhUt5FQIGc/s1600/IMG_6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56uUxed7hcB8tOm8j73j6OW51LlgUs_9LYDMPpRWxvk6U11gBRHqynD_3qsvE3REGgYIbQvSrgs8T8aptbw4Yj40SJ4pWjTNZnkypjBehggE5FRZ1ZXzgi5pqgJDIAw9w7HhUt5FQIGc/s320/IMG_6189.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><br />
As ever, the tutorial is after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
So, at the Dollar Tree 'round Halloween time, they sell these cute shingle signs:<br />
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They have a few different shapes, and they're made of a pretty durable particle board material, so I grabbed three and brought them home.<br />
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I untied the twine and set it aside so that I could paint the boards with chalkboard paint. After a few coats, this is what they looked like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tLeoyRi_Cy2kwd0G4wDTzKfzLoH2AW0lLG_sOflqBEqdFz30uo5J85chpIOWYqvnBRS7UfmXri80iOUBf7IhWoVjsXmGpLV6V_Qaw8r-ytZpD7vAEeyTNYqMHrnrOMqRjwAKAroLbEc/s1600/IMG_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tLeoyRi_Cy2kwd0G4wDTzKfzLoH2AW0lLG_sOflqBEqdFz30uo5J85chpIOWYqvnBRS7UfmXri80iOUBf7IhWoVjsXmGpLV6V_Qaw8r-ytZpD7vAEeyTNYqMHrnrOMqRjwAKAroLbEc/s320/IMG_6127.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><br />
Then I got my stencils out and traced some words and designs in white pencil. Obviously, they can say whatever you want them to or nothing at all. They're cute either way, but I went with MENU, and a few decorative flourishes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPAag3bHRgEBDVDz43LKGvm55R51vSiYkI0TWB_BdfzgoQy6zpdSU1ZkhRs165UjbYMK4tpoxNDEPb_gKl0YYYO91yTXCE9xjbSafCDfYX6ZVsNT2mOWQbc1lMYsXqER7tUzyPMQtuEw/s1600/IMG_6138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPAag3bHRgEBDVDz43LKGvm55R51vSiYkI0TWB_BdfzgoQy6zpdSU1ZkhRs165UjbYMK4tpoxNDEPb_gKl0YYYO91yTXCE9xjbSafCDfYX6ZVsNT2mOWQbc1lMYsXqER7tUzyPMQtuEw/s320/IMG_6138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used a white, fine tipped paint marker to finish them off and voila! All done, and they're pretty cute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa5nIqBGtV1QKAQrQnLpnhXAmW7zCJxdntjeVqi6_untHYKUUQcN3taGhoMg3JDor0YEqSDb_D0rSbHQA_OnTnOoOrYLzxYK4ZwwTT1l_PTO5l-f3jTeZPnQxgbBY2KnMbitMd6DH1EY/s1600/IMG_6193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa5nIqBGtV1QKAQrQnLpnhXAmW7zCJxdntjeVqi6_untHYKUUQcN3taGhoMg3JDor0YEqSDb_D0rSbHQA_OnTnOoOrYLzxYK4ZwwTT1l_PTO5l-f3jTeZPnQxgbBY2KnMbitMd6DH1EY/s320/IMG_6193.JPG" width="282" /></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/AVvXsEh56uUxed7hcB8tOm8j73j6OW51LlgUs_9LYDMPpRWxvk6U11gBRHqynD_3qsvE3REGgYIbQvSrgs8T8aptbw4Yj40SJ4pWjTNZnkypjBehggE5FRZ1ZXzgi5pqgJDIAw9w7HhUt5FQIGc/s1600/IMG_6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56uUxed7hcB8tOm8j73j6OW51LlgUs_9LYDMPpRWxvk6U11gBRHqynD_3qsvE3REGgYIbQvSrgs8T8aptbw4Yj40SJ4pWjTNZnkypjBehggE5FRZ1ZXzgi5pqgJDIAw9w7HhUt5FQIGc/s320/IMG_6189.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><br />
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Cute, cheap and easy!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-60084343971589227842011-09-18T07:59:00.000-07:002011-09-18T07:59:00.095-07:00Dollar Store Autumn GarlandAlright, so it's almost FALL Y'ALL!! Autumn officially begins this week, although that hasn't stopped me from sweating in my cutest Fall cardigans since September 1st. So I thought it'd be fitting to do a fun, cute, easy and CHEAP project in honor of my favorite season:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr2hq3qISb70H0_l3Flg-0iGTcIlCAq1qsCZo9Iyapi8tW2L0zxocl-ab_A9hlaeA_Gja85vPvMq8m_gtJotk5hMIpaxJ6f5S-m-eeFW9mK1S7HsB1lDvJgH4h3PUiITriy5Kg_8Jcug/s1600/IMG_6118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr2hq3qISb70H0_l3Flg-0iGTcIlCAq1qsCZo9Iyapi8tW2L0zxocl-ab_A9hlaeA_Gja85vPvMq8m_gtJotk5hMIpaxJ6f5S-m-eeFW9mK1S7HsB1lDvJgH4h3PUiITriy5Kg_8Jcug/s400/IMG_6118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
More after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I found these cute little paper leaf doilies at the Dollar Tree, along with some sisal twine. The teeny tiny little clothespins came from the craft department at Walmart. <br />
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Put it all together, and you've got some adorable garland for your mantle or window! Come December, I plan to put some Christmas doilies up, and maybe wrap a string of twinkle lights around the whole thing!<br />
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Easily changeable, adorable, thrifty decor! It's my favorite thing!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TuETV97cMeh5F-TaRp74cCfcMcGFt_RgjLiGbebNsqSlaukGQL5rbwwCT8Q3zbOnTX4f7-QGlXIGMD610zBHl8CXhD0_aZCd2kadUA18tTUWvguDE2hZEZuuQA5dYIm8Y_D4E5YcY2Y/s1600/IMG_6123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TuETV97cMeh5F-TaRp74cCfcMcGFt_RgjLiGbebNsqSlaukGQL5rbwwCT8Q3zbOnTX4f7-QGlXIGMD610zBHl8CXhD0_aZCd2kadUA18tTUWvguDE2hZEZuuQA5dYIm8Y_D4E5YcY2Y/s400/IMG_6123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-56592878364857850522011-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:002011-09-12T00:00:13.945-07:00No-Sew Burlap Table RunnerThis week's project was really easy, really quick, and most importantly really CHEAP. <br />
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Burlap table runners (and DIY tutorials to show you how to make one) are pretty easy to come by, but they all require sewing. Which is fine, whatever, I guess. It's not that hard to sew a straight line. But DUDE. Sewing burlap is a pain. <br />
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It's very coarse and difficult to handle and it likes to bunch up and be crooked. So I've come up with a no-sew alternative. Dig it:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALbbje95JaKKChbeNchBCdCJG7ZUwRUrvwCXZyvdctqNdA8CzukHhFbixXFyyyCTp3tj2XvkILthdQXOdI2AliTeZMm8iugGDRAamCW0bBoOHwOd4ose6w210VgolECw4_IeuWGc2IaQ/s1600/IMG_6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALbbje95JaKKChbeNchBCdCJG7ZUwRUrvwCXZyvdctqNdA8CzukHhFbixXFyyyCTp3tj2XvkILthdQXOdI2AliTeZMm8iugGDRAamCW0bBoOHwOd4ose6w210VgolECw4_IeuWGc2IaQ/s320/IMG_6101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There it is, peeking out from <br />
behind the creepy Halloween cloth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tutorial after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
You will need to purchase two items to complete this project, and they will total about $5. This is assuming, of course, you already own scissors and an iron. If you don't, well, you'll need to buy those too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc0Z9E3Bw-CEma4bqjXuW-4PYvQOtyuQgbjKuWJhgPHcH-bO0KPbK8TyjMWSsMYYSj52Jf8ZTxgJXFZgc8fRzTSkFxUkPaClxK8siKMuD_M1EnhcqPpFMpFQHzintnSWVeQX0Jk46kqc/s1600/IMG_6085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc0Z9E3Bw-CEma4bqjXuW-4PYvQOtyuQgbjKuWJhgPHcH-bO0KPbK8TyjMWSsMYYSj52Jf8ZTxgJXFZgc8fRzTSkFxUkPaClxK8siKMuD_M1EnhcqPpFMpFQHzintnSWVeQX0Jk46kqc/s320/IMG_6085.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHY is this picture sideways?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I bought a yard of burlap and a yard of Pellon iron-on fuse from Walmart. Once you have those items, you're all set. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdasQY2UMGWW71gHS-yp5iJWHXAbwXlvq4ftVWDNL1748tXVY5Kw5vg7_nad0O_RF94T7ZI3FAP-aAvEbJDRd9f7LoZP88Xl8sxOns1wPBf3zCJ8_chj2lgQBt3pcKrS3gN4-2Oi-1TA/s1600/IMG_6087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdasQY2UMGWW71gHS-yp5iJWHXAbwXlvq4ftVWDNL1748tXVY5Kw5vg7_nad0O_RF94T7ZI3FAP-aAvEbJDRd9f7LoZP88Xl8sxOns1wPBf3zCJ8_chj2lgQBt3pcKrS3gN4-2Oi-1TA/s320/IMG_6087.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> I cut the Pellon to the size I wanted and then laid it on the burlap. Then I cut the burlap, about two inches wider than the Pellon all the way around. I warmed up my iron on the highest setting and fused the Pellon to the burlap. DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR TABLETOP. <br />
<br />
Even if your ironing board is all the way out in the garage and it's a hassle to get to it because there are like, three bikes in the way, take the time to bring it inside. I can say from experience that it is worth the extra effort.<br />
<br />
Anyway, when it's all ironed on, trim your burlap a little more nicely, leaving about an inch extra all the way around. I unravled the burlap up to the edge of the Pellon so it would have a cute fringe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQBIQHhv1qJEeaX3941Z7sRDpxxiLQHLck4gE7VooDYsGR6pl4bVGBoTGpLwR2VVZjE_neJTLDaSgUUjAP5HjnubM1FYuKeOAOb6otuI_ql5zTjLLrU8RLF3ze67ne7qk2v-An6yCEJ8/s1600/IMG_6102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQBIQHhv1qJEeaX3941Z7sRDpxxiLQHLck4gE7VooDYsGR6pl4bVGBoTGpLwR2VVZjE_neJTLDaSgUUjAP5HjnubM1FYuKeOAOb6otuI_ql5zTjLLrU8RLF3ze67ne7qk2v-An6yCEJ8/s320/IMG_6102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Flip it over, slap it on your table and admire your new burlap table runner! Then begin immediately finding stuff to put on it. <br />
<br />
There's a reason everyone's doing these, I realized. Because they are super dang versatile. Here's a nice, neutral look:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_mB1e5GGIiVqVHQo80AOt57r0O-iqFgilyQ35pN595JlbWfaYtVBczu7buUz2k1TYXleCL0XX71fJwD40OMGz6D-tq05dZ4rAGsS_MqUpcMCQilf6a599ljQV21kcX0d6aEKdL4qSkk/s1600/IMG_6093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_mB1e5GGIiVqVHQo80AOt57r0O-iqFgilyQ35pN595JlbWfaYtVBczu7buUz2k1TYXleCL0XX71fJwD40OMGz6D-tq05dZ4rAGsS_MqUpcMCQilf6a599ljQV21kcX0d6aEKdL4qSkk/s320/IMG_6093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing says "neutral" like doilies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE70QUjSJ_mBjTqi7EvHKBMCX8KmPjusSoW9ZkBm-Vw6J4u1WO6DYqXA7LrQ0zIypJtabAdt4m7OsaSUcStNdbI8CppPPjJOJcfOmC2uFICbluELvmHCWiZlrmso-wkfZKGAwdYNX29s/s1600/IMG_6095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE70QUjSJ_mBjTqi7EvHKBMCX8KmPjusSoW9ZkBm-Vw6J4u1WO6DYqXA7LrQ0zIypJtabAdt4m7OsaSUcStNdbI8CppPPjJOJcfOmC2uFICbluELvmHCWiZlrmso-wkfZKGAwdYNX29s/s320/IMG_6095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Neutral!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Or, for a more Autumn-like, Thanksgivingy feel, how about large felt pumpkins?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeKo3RfrHg-eRoeyjyA-gmM5cHgYa6pXC1muMQG0iV4VlPDDLd-ww5ItQs3CD2FsVgsFs8p2qJMY72RCPQkX15cXeJVestyJx4TzEZogmj_GcscmaY-3jnlHZtgQhgssB2bA_dkedAaM/s1600/IMG_6090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeKo3RfrHg-eRoeyjyA-gmM5cHgYa6pXC1muMQG0iV4VlPDDLd-ww5ItQs3CD2FsVgsFs8p2qJMY72RCPQkX15cXeJVestyJx4TzEZogmj_GcscmaY-3jnlHZtgQhgssB2bA_dkedAaM/s320/IMG_6090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgivingy!<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCz9MwVrkXHH6FgmcGBEYv_OXOLTYB9gz1u72_42cI6-lO-9nkNAevSItsyzpbzpMbHYdGQSBchA0T49pnym30krpnIUXtK99GMfvjKoLYpwD4Z8hlJ2pqCqP5Zqdj5Se60JKNmXUUXc/s1600/IMG_6091.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCz9MwVrkXHH6FgmcGBEYv_OXOLTYB9gz1u72_42cI6-lO-9nkNAevSItsyzpbzpMbHYdGQSBchA0T49pnym30krpnIUXtK99GMfvjKoLYpwD4Z8hlJ2pqCqP5Zqdj5Se60JKNmXUUXc/s320/IMG_6091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Or, OR!! You could drape some scary black cheesecloth over the whole thing and make it Halloweeny!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOksjLE1MBtW8p1fqiqeFwJ5kWQoO79oZaGsQkzXGS_Ho0PxPyO3Zt0Wo4_v8pccOD9-9WK9hIgZTFejfIOxPX2b5xAt5owosVz0cNrdAJsNNmYRoJnAQEVgdkz7OCyuRae4NvsymoXaE/s1600/IMG_6100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOksjLE1MBtW8p1fqiqeFwJ5kWQoO79oZaGsQkzXGS_Ho0PxPyO3Zt0Wo4_v8pccOD9-9WK9hIgZTFejfIOxPX2b5xAt5owosVz0cNrdAJsNNmYRoJnAQEVgdkz7OCyuRae4NvsymoXaE/s320/IMG_6100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloweeny</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALbbje95JaKKChbeNchBCdCJG7ZUwRUrvwCXZyvdctqNdA8CzukHhFbixXFyyyCTp3tj2XvkILthdQXOdI2AliTeZMm8iugGDRAamCW0bBoOHwOd4ose6w210VgolECw4_IeuWGc2IaQ/s1600/IMG_6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALbbje95JaKKChbeNchBCdCJG7ZUwRUrvwCXZyvdctqNdA8CzukHhFbixXFyyyCTp3tj2XvkILthdQXOdI2AliTeZMm8iugGDRAamCW0bBoOHwOd4ose6w210VgolECw4_IeuWGc2IaQ/s320/IMG_6101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haunted cheesecloth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Happy DIYing!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-19801136438566097682011-09-04T19:09:00.000-07:002011-09-04T19:09:46.443-07:00DIY Hurricane LampsOkay, so I know I just did a candle post, but I CAN'T STOP. Seriously, how cute and versatile is this??<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AeB7KM1DyJ9P-ibUfJhAA2jAvTuctZHpA4gJp_Mnuj5KTZMvtKr2n_1NVCn9ZffAttqNc1uU6LX9Ykhp-uxn1THNCGEMJfSlgYt_lXHyCaS6NqkIKu6KYdJhZEyjU3-QAeexpGB9Jp8/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AeB7KM1DyJ9P-ibUfJhAA2jAvTuctZHpA4gJp_Mnuj5KTZMvtKr2n_1NVCn9ZffAttqNc1uU6LX9Ykhp-uxn1THNCGEMJfSlgYt_lXHyCaS6NqkIKu6KYdJhZEyjU3-QAeexpGB9Jp8/s320/1.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br />
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And of course, as ALWAYS, the materials are available at the dollar store. Specifically, Dollar Tree. So each hurricane lamp costs $2. I love this kind of adorable, dirt cheap, easily updated decor.<br />
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Tutorial after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
So here's what you need:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZpsKRv88KogSLbSOlfVNMZH082qpQdMd6ACmlua28H7Cb-4TQUBq6Yb9od8SCzTBWBNqeUJkM0V1W1DTQXDqbt_CD_BefK_gqaKMALwbBCLy8RqSKVI3g1pPbgPelw5VZwXrpOYEE_o/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZpsKRv88KogSLbSOlfVNMZH082qpQdMd6ACmlua28H7Cb-4TQUBq6Yb9od8SCzTBWBNqeUJkM0V1W1DTQXDqbt_CD_BefK_gqaKMALwbBCLy8RqSKVI3g1pPbgPelw5VZwXrpOYEE_o/s320/IMG_6053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A tall glass vase from the dollar store, a glass candlestick from the dollar store, and a tall St. Jude candle (or another saint of your choosing) from, where else, the dollar store. When you bring home your supplies, begin by removing all the stickers and making sure the glass is nice and clean and free from oils. <br />
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This will be important for the next step: application of glue. I use E-6000 glue (from Walmart), but if you have a different brand you prefer, more power to you. Just be sure it's meant for adhering to glass. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWnygTvASfTIKQ6F6CrEHctIXa5LH3tsiHUhisWEciAzvUHOq5RCb-c0vV0Slz1FtYgqhdWbUby2u7bn5XWI7FLiACjsiVKrGjEaXc8MQzwA0ZmOqeH-ifWnel_XLtTsT04SOHr1Iz5k/s1600/IMG_6055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWnygTvASfTIKQ6F6CrEHctIXa5LH3tsiHUhisWEciAzvUHOq5RCb-c0vV0Slz1FtYgqhdWbUby2u7bn5XWI7FLiACjsiVKrGjEaXc8MQzwA0ZmOqeH-ifWnel_XLtTsT04SOHr1Iz5k/s320/IMG_6055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Flip your vases upside-down and apply a circle of E-6000 in a circle on the center of the bottom. The circle should be the same diameter as the top of your candlestick. You will also trace a circle of glue around that part. I've drawn red circles where the glue should go.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lnLJz8ibVY31URk_dSxklMwRZdX7VqQoAbfMNEYZy54B8geJqZKXtiBxwdYsje5_BWD-VxjF9tcMNAiTtFHAJKApI2MANeyAzdWtSiaILXH3l11QvYLqH8V2Z5ZlsTWS0EUsfQtg-0w/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lnLJz8ibVY31URk_dSxklMwRZdX7VqQoAbfMNEYZy54B8geJqZKXtiBxwdYsje5_BWD-VxjF9tcMNAiTtFHAJKApI2MANeyAzdWtSiaILXH3l11QvYLqH8V2Z5ZlsTWS0EUsfQtg-0w/s320/IMG_6056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Let the glue cure for a few minutes before you stick the two pieces together. Place your candlestick upside-down on the vase, matching the glue circles together and trying to keep the candlestick centered. Allow to dry for an hour or so.<br />
<br />
When you're ready, place the St. Jude candle inside (don't glue it down; you'll want to switch it out when it's burned down) and put cool, seasonally-appropriate stuff in between the vase and the votive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AeB7KM1DyJ9P-ibUfJhAA2jAvTuctZHpA4gJp_Mnuj5KTZMvtKr2n_1NVCn9ZffAttqNc1uU6LX9Ykhp-uxn1THNCGEMJfSlgYt_lXHyCaS6NqkIKu6KYdJhZEyjU3-QAeexpGB9Jp8/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AeB7KM1DyJ9P-ibUfJhAA2jAvTuctZHpA4gJp_Mnuj5KTZMvtKr2n_1NVCn9ZffAttqNc1uU6LX9Ykhp-uxn1THNCGEMJfSlgYt_lXHyCaS6NqkIKu6KYdJhZEyjU3-QAeexpGB9Jp8/s320/1.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>BOOM. Done. I've filled mine with autumn leaves, but I intend to fill them with candy corn for Halloween time, faux cranberries for Thanksgiving, peppermint sicks for Christmas, seashells in the summer, AND SO ON. These are so easily changed and updated to match the season or your home decor. And they're so simply made and so cool looking! They're also tall, at about 18" when they're assembled, which makes a nice, big impact.<br />
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What would you fill them with?? Leave suggestions in the comments!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-87340976169550171162011-08-28T00:00:00.001-07:002011-08-28T00:00:00.858-07:00Pickle Jar Candles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2NNhsMrpB5PULhcFZKIaACwFfYRvOPhCFaqAsofWl1IQWYwM8FVzx05iXkKOeZ8dsEJkPqo7a62YqO2mvkwoEDsMQ9AoGXY3myFoMfXukrV87tTY1utvY94bSfsZVDESVR5lD8xpM2k/s1600/IMG_5353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2NNhsMrpB5PULhcFZKIaACwFfYRvOPhCFaqAsofWl1IQWYwM8FVzx05iXkKOeZ8dsEJkPqo7a62YqO2mvkwoEDsMQ9AoGXY3myFoMfXukrV87tTY1utvY94bSfsZVDESVR5lD8xpM2k/s320/IMG_5353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've mentioned that<a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-to-do-with-empty-pickle-jars.html"> I love jars</a>. They're the coolest. They're like, free with your Smuckers purchase and you can reuse them! It's awesome! This project cost me nothing. I used only what I had on hand in my crafting stash, and I KNOW how much my fellow craft sisters hoard, so there's a reeeeeally good chance you've got stuff to make these in your cupboards right now.<br />
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Continued after the jump!!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
The Dollar Tree has these ugly candles. They're not scented, they're unattractive, there's no reason to buy them except they burn forever. They're narrow, and they fit perfectly into a pickle jar. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A_LXhlGwBedlDq779Lzhy9e3or2Da1Gxy0bkHOVmcmY99fXNinpJz2OQo_D4kwALO2YpOr764d7P07ihWvK4znDytClphAsTloz3uVpAVjdXaA78XhNvkgv_Pvn8JZJN86R6As5jcGI/s1600/IMG_5357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A_LXhlGwBedlDq779Lzhy9e3or2Da1Gxy0bkHOVmcmY99fXNinpJz2OQo_D4kwALO2YpOr764d7P07ihWvK4znDytClphAsTloz3uVpAVjdXaA78XhNvkgv_Pvn8JZJN86R6As5jcGI/s320/IMG_5357.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used a little E-6000 glue and secured the candle to the bottom of the pickle jar. There's a small gap between the candle jar and the pickle jar, the perfect size to drop in fun little decorative thingies. Once it dried, I dug around for some fun little decorative thingies. I ended up with some old project leftovers: little glass rock decor and some seashells, both purchased from the dollar store ages ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZfww-Ip0VTFnKe5_R4PxsJRCqoOBhRqP6HNl7UqLuwya2ALlUEbaU0XAJG1qfesjvpflhBozOw8qWrPy2swgv9cOHVMARebsWsUbv-vI-JawISCtJc9-clu55eigwNty09xPhr-k9S8/s1600/IMG_5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZfww-Ip0VTFnKe5_R4PxsJRCqoOBhRqP6HNl7UqLuwya2ALlUEbaU0XAJG1qfesjvpflhBozOw8qWrPy2swgv9cOHVMARebsWsUbv-vI-JawISCtJc9-clu55eigwNty09xPhr-k9S8/s320/IMG_5356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I stacked the glass rocks along the side in no particular order and without regard to a color scheme. I was a little more precise with the seashells, mostly so they wouldn't drop in upside down.<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/AVvXsEhY_gw2gesyj5EVCkTdwQkQV8XUanRo6xeEBCEbS-HlVzsW11E9pHn1BR_AZT2As6VQY0vVod15_gaw9Ce9dVTnMXPzrKW35aVTYMxFGjAfsmYJEkEQ5oI6Q_xvvRAM2139PCbtNet0qaQ/s1600/IMG_5360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_gw2gesyj5EVCkTdwQkQV8XUanRo6xeEBCEbS-HlVzsW11E9pHn1BR_AZT2As6VQY0vVod15_gaw9Ce9dVTnMXPzrKW35aVTYMxFGjAfsmYJEkEQ5oI6Q_xvvRAM2139PCbtNet0qaQ/s320/IMG_5360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4roZF1Z2FDobVZ2OcU0ofG5h64anpyWT-IT1DuxDqXuXd85ZEldRTiD9ACyZD0b9WskNIS4eg9WyzFej2cAbToxJwIb-C88uNhfwDxxUz46eL6YYHvZScaWQPUSFtE67uouF3ENB-RU/s1600/IMG_5361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4roZF1Z2FDobVZ2OcU0ofG5h64anpyWT-IT1DuxDqXuXd85ZEldRTiD9ACyZD0b9WskNIS4eg9WyzFej2cAbToxJwIb-C88uNhfwDxxUz46eL6YYHvZScaWQPUSFtE67uouF3ENB-RU/s320/IMG_5361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I finished the jars with a bit of silk ribbon and some polished hemp twine. I hot glued small seashells onto the ends of the twine to give it a little extra oomph. I hate the word oomph. It looks like there should be a consonant at the beginning. I digress.</div><div align="left" 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/AVvXsEhY2NNhsMrpB5PULhcFZKIaACwFfYRvOPhCFaqAsofWl1IQWYwM8FVzx05iXkKOeZ8dsEJkPqo7a62YqO2mvkwoEDsMQ9AoGXY3myFoMfXukrV87tTY1utvY94bSfsZVDESVR5lD8xpM2k/s1600/IMG_5353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2NNhsMrpB5PULhcFZKIaACwFfYRvOPhCFaqAsofWl1IQWYwM8FVzx05iXkKOeZ8dsEJkPqo7a62YqO2mvkwoEDsMQ9AoGXY3myFoMfXukrV87tTY1utvY94bSfsZVDESVR5lD8xpM2k/s320/IMG_5353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> They're pretty enough in the daylight, and they're absolutely GAWgeous at night. They're a nice size too, and they have a great visual impact, especially on a patio.<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/AVvXsEiKoXpJsace5A4PGYWTar3OZuq-xHHKPd36WcJHVudGVzIiESAyfMZF19Uwsyi34Ao_at_0CiFBltTl02kYFyniuLuQQIM0gfEPta4C7ZIuiyNefX2OVTP8HV-FRsj256RwpdcYECXvSQ8/s1600/IMG_5347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoXpJsace5A4PGYWTar3OZuq-xHHKPd36WcJHVudGVzIiESAyfMZF19Uwsyi34Ao_at_0CiFBltTl02kYFyniuLuQQIM0gfEPta4C7ZIuiyNefX2OVTP8HV-FRsj256RwpdcYECXvSQ8/s320/IMG_5347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEiN7vOUbUmfZpbN_aKB8wVy4Qf3Yy2ua-DqN9x2k0wSw5TRHUxEgkh9VFAMj6f_lxmQsMQ-uEBr9PkCkC9NrMsWlOwrJ1SUNLmhCT4eT3XYiT0STBVSmfsdm21j-8YZXSy9vSJP7Bd0/s1600/IMG_5363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEiN7vOUbUmfZpbN_aKB8wVy4Qf3Yy2ua-DqN9x2k0wSw5TRHUxEgkh9VFAMj6f_lxmQsMQ-uEBr9PkCkC9NrMsWlOwrJ1SUNLmhCT4eT3XYiT0STBVSmfsdm21j-8YZXSy9vSJP7Bd0/s320/IMG_5363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Not bad for a couple of pickle jars, eh??Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-68426497234297929242011-08-21T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-22T21:32:49.285-07:00Bonjour! MugI know I <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/08/thursday-miscellany-little-things.html">keep</a> harping on <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2010/11/centennial-park.html">Fall</a> and how it's <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-hope-you-kept-your-fat-pants.html">almost here</a> and I'm so <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/08/thursday-miscellany-homemade-jelly.html">GLAD</a> the heat is nearly over and how excited I am that we're looking at the backside of Summer, but this is my blog and I can repeat myself if I wanna!<br />
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One of the best things about cooler weather is that I get to drink hot chocolate like it's going out of style. I drink it almost every evening, from October to March and before you ask, the answer is no, I do not get sick of it. <br />
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Part of the fun of hot chocolate is drinking it from a fun mug. Like this, the Bonjour! Mug.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUgnqE0aZmoJYKcYslfw8LFK046DSzwgjsfj_kZjazDK5itGsnBO0LSB253IUNEi6-JZmpR2l7U49x7BeEv2n-9739wxkaV7tpztcbzu4yDsIaZjrVcehaT3HFBagFt0KvaxoXEhvZxI/s1600/IMG_5959-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUgnqE0aZmoJYKcYslfw8LFK046DSzwgjsfj_kZjazDK5itGsnBO0LSB253IUNEi6-JZmpR2l7U49x7BeEv2n-9739wxkaV7tpztcbzu4yDsIaZjrVcehaT3HFBagFt0KvaxoXEhvZxI/s320/IMG_5959-2.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="hps">Burt Reynolds</span> <span class="hps">a souhaité</span> <span class="hps">sa moustache</span><br />
<span class="hps">était si</span> <span class="hps">masculin comme</span> <span class="hps">cela.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is a fun, easy and CHEAP project that you can do in no time flat. <br />
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Follow me after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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The <a href="http://www.dollartree.com/home.jsp">Dollar Tree</a> has these plain white porcelain mugs, especially made for painting your own design on them. How are they different from other plain white mugs? I don't know. But the easily removable stickers assured me they're made expressly for this purpose. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEhDy9M9ZcMN-gCt5G4sWj2sX9Y3fk8_19mC4xGxbJ5T5jzvEORlIn6rJccR9LORtAoB3Tlx3a2ubCMsKdVGjQKaMGULy0kKZT-SYzUhJtqChR1DKNWJwrOq-962O_QB9pJc0zoIxow8/s1600/IMG_5959-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEhDy9M9ZcMN-gCt5G4sWj2sX9Y3fk8_19mC4xGxbJ5T5jzvEORlIn6rJccR9LORtAoB3Tlx3a2ubCMsKdVGjQKaMGULy0kKZT-SYzUhJtqChR1DKNWJwrOq-962O_QB9pJc0zoIxow8/s320/IMG_5959-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cheeky mug would like to kiss your hand and<br />
sing to you, using a baguette as a microphone.<br />
French dudes do that, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So I freehanded some thick, luxurious moustaches upon them with paint markers (the kind specifically made to paint porcelain and ceramic). And then... that's all. That's the entire tutorial. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1vF3r1txHUSnC7ADMdVVFTIdkdIVMsGXm1q9g1K8xcs6_7VYpzaptPPzlBV7KZPYVkUY-RIFOSeKMPd6vLoccEC-E3T5a-JwDKI1zqnuQei7ylzYlFMtZxNzO9JQlpi2VhK2IPKatSc/s1600/moustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1vF3r1txHUSnC7ADMdVVFTIdkdIVMsGXm1q9g1K8xcs6_7VYpzaptPPzlBV7KZPYVkUY-RIFOSeKMPd6vLoccEC-E3T5a-JwDKI1zqnuQei7ylzYlFMtZxNzO9JQlpi2VhK2IPKatSc/s1600/moustache.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a template I made, in case you<br />
need a less free-handed approach.<br />
Just right-click and save.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anyways, they're super fun and when you drink from them it looks like you have a funny moustache! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpUfFIzcgkK85CMyJahsHVWzLFp_fdJl-ZHq9yXCeot50oS52b1nS5W5A1px0wmydHYVuLMF-OeXsbCAh9GmNITA7klsltyksFzV29yDWtHm5bVd8F6OqSU-piNNsDgMOeQIGG4yiVkI/s1600/IMG_5962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpUfFIzcgkK85CMyJahsHVWzLFp_fdJl-ZHq9yXCeot50oS52b1nS5W5A1px0wmydHYVuLMF-OeXsbCAh9GmNITA7klsltyksFzV29yDWtHm5bVd8F6OqSU-piNNsDgMOeQIGG4yiVkI/s320/IMG_5962.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oui Oui je nais se pas croissant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I called it the Bounjour! Mug because the moustache looks French to me. I do not know why this is. But a quick Google image search for the phrase "Frenchman" returns about a million results that look like this:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwXWKRxFFTRhu6z3Q5HHZU-0rxyf5Yb_9439xfsiziA2oB6LON5yI_hF-imYRllmGWFdvPJhCTgCnVY9RdnetpBy8Uz7-UlK0vPRZnZWGqeM91gMaFWIG6UyBxrBYrRXMNRzYfLvpuR8/s1600/pretentious-frenchman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwXWKRxFFTRhu6z3Q5HHZU-0rxyf5Yb_9439xfsiziA2oB6LON5yI_hF-imYRllmGWFdvPJhCTgCnVY9RdnetpBy8Uz7-UlK0vPRZnZWGqeM91gMaFWIG6UyBxrBYrRXMNRzYfLvpuR8/s320/pretentious-frenchman.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly, my instinct was 100% correct.<br />
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</tbody></table>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-11129298096984653192011-08-19T11:54:00.000-07:002011-08-19T11:54:33.213-07:00Thursday Miscellany: Homemade JellyFrom my <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2010/11/jalapeno-jelly.html">Grama Hammons</a>. She's the coolest. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKVDJUnQKUjSBWE8fUra9MHYseksZX7irm9dLEN94LMfLA62S2ThO-SRXR-_NXKX5uc86U9WaHLhrhAAPcuvF4Q83fiwLT94Lpw7aB1Z-WUGlCU7IsTT5hDMEtz_QgS_ImC7pi9hYFic/s1600/IMG_5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKVDJUnQKUjSBWE8fUra9MHYseksZX7irm9dLEN94LMfLA62S2ThO-SRXR-_NXKX5uc86U9WaHLhrhAAPcuvF4Q83fiwLT94Lpw7aB1Z-WUGlCU7IsTT5hDMEtz_QgS_ImC7pi9hYFic/s320/IMG_5985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-63397220014439049262011-08-14T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-14T18:51:52.726-07:00DIY Patio LightsI've <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/07/cutie-pie-nursery-pendant-lamp.html">done</a> a few <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/06/craft-hack-diy-rustic-chandelier.html">posts</a> already featuring different DIY lighting projects, but this one is a little different. It's EASY. Like, no tools required WHATSOEVER. I give you:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rm5oANE9sPMhD7x7wYk7UTK0SWpa-Al9lzEWvw65WJF2OHGOlRfRWT-J43z9QxwI0gikVM65B-Ncz6i88I54KFQ_Upu09adwwt049vX1tLQdquJ-wv7ZWEucl0MxtRmpyVByjlS8UMY/s1600/IMG_5921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rm5oANE9sPMhD7x7wYk7UTK0SWpa-Al9lzEWvw65WJF2OHGOlRfRWT-J43z9QxwI0gikVM65B-Ncz6i88I54KFQ_Upu09adwwt049vX1tLQdquJ-wv7ZWEucl0MxtRmpyVByjlS8UMY/s320/IMG_5921.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br />
DIY Patio Lights!<br />
If you already have twinkle lights on hand (and who among us doesn't have a giant ball of tangled twinkle lights in the garage right now?) this project will cost you one dollar, plus tax. <br />
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Follow me after the jump!!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
I've wanted some of the rattan ball string lights I've seen in Target and Pottery Barn, but they're all stupidly expensive. For example, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Luna-Bazaar-Rattan-String-Lights/dp/B004QD6PWO">this set</a> from Amazon is $27.95:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9699jsfybb0PjQwRfkcGJpQ-PYgOMJ0KNrFTyxwQXBGkq5SRI2rMe2j9XaMiK8TkYQxulTUy2_qaqqnj7njpdRxSm-hSSNGhCgii001TUKLlJYo4v76go2hAIp0n1SwAtjBMIXlVLEQ/s1600/51BRb6OFkkL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9699jsfybb0PjQwRfkcGJpQ-PYgOMJ0KNrFTyxwQXBGkq5SRI2rMe2j9XaMiK8TkYQxulTUy2_qaqqnj7njpdRxSm-hSSNGhCgii001TUKLlJYo4v76go2hAIp0n1SwAtjBMIXlVLEQ/s1600/51BRb6OFkkL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SAY WHAT? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>That price does not include shipping. And if you know anything about me at all, you know I'm not shelling out 30 bucks for a string of Christmas lights. Not when I can make them myself. For a dollar.<br />
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Dollar Tree sells these grapevine balls by the bag. They come in two sizes. I used the larger size, which is about 3" in diameter, just because that's what I happened to have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZmPbLuiylFfA3tc1S8a98iivmkSQaeHO123MldwpeFmeG5pTaUQVuqOQbNgxvDgLBXFxYm3BnyIxx-l_cKEY77BizBXgMilUELPC1de-Ep_fcoDW5r67FI5PUrXGZc6bnmiWvpv2ghI/s1600/IMG_5925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZmPbLuiylFfA3tc1S8a98iivmkSQaeHO123MldwpeFmeG5pTaUQVuqOQbNgxvDgLBXFxYm3BnyIxx-l_cKEY77BizBXgMilUELPC1de-Ep_fcoDW5r67FI5PUrXGZc6bnmiWvpv2ghI/s320/IMG_5925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In fact, I happen to have an enormous hurricane lamp full of them. You can find them in the floral aisle, near the wreath forms and ugly fake flowers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF_dcPDrXAyFZd8GYfnfmc_xmvwT_jKQiLSnoKOOr1JSRc_SUAcX4ATIKS3ZMGTC0qM6O_YySA1-feESuxQRV5tMGaDbTqUNW6eYBdds6H-cZyjo6Snzlz2Jn27wNGCtJu3QP9qNvNMY/s1600/IMG_5927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF_dcPDrXAyFZd8GYfnfmc_xmvwT_jKQiLSnoKOOr1JSRc_SUAcX4ATIKS3ZMGTC0qM6O_YySA1-feESuxQRV5tMGaDbTqUNW6eYBdds6H-cZyjo6Snzlz2Jn27wNGCtJu3QP9qNvNMY/s320/IMG_5927.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So I emptied my hurricane lamp, untangled a string of lights from the ball in the garage, and voila!! A lovely set of rattan string lights for 1/30th the price!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi632U0ZF0WhgT9q-xbyEaFkcQNfA4wSyjS_o_0THSVjavaQHczEHKE_mfH25Mj9DgeVst4ChBwZypWNg1uQL1e2SU18kTPbADHBxKKjTmx8IWrPiwtr2z6HhkqGXo98-HVRvovm5WJ5JA/s1600/IMG_5919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi632U0ZF0WhgT9q-xbyEaFkcQNfA4wSyjS_o_0THSVjavaQHczEHKE_mfH25Mj9DgeVst4ChBwZypWNg1uQL1e2SU18kTPbADHBxKKjTmx8IWrPiwtr2z6HhkqGXo98-HVRvovm5WJ5JA/s320/IMG_5919.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They're cool inside or outside and the little spheres can be spray-painted any color you like before they're popped onto the twinkle lights. For the most part, the balls hold on just fine without any help, but you can apply a little hot glue to keep them more secure.</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/AVvXsEg-rm5oANE9sPMhD7x7wYk7UTK0SWpa-Al9lzEWvw65WJF2OHGOlRfRWT-J43z9QxwI0gikVM65B-Ncz6i88I54KFQ_Upu09adwwt049vX1tLQdquJ-wv7ZWEucl0MxtRmpyVByjlS8UMY/s1600/IMG_5921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rm5oANE9sPMhD7x7wYk7UTK0SWpa-Al9lzEWvw65WJF2OHGOlRfRWT-J43z9QxwI0gikVM65B-Ncz6i88I54KFQ_Upu09adwwt049vX1tLQdquJ-wv7ZWEucl0MxtRmpyVByjlS8UMY/s320/IMG_5921.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br />
Happy DIYing everyone!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com202tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-80168833216231446002011-08-11T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.461-07:00Thursday Miscellany: The Little ThingsSummer is finally slowing down for my family (and it's a good thing, because I am about to collapse) and I'm starting to <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2010/11/centennial-park.html"> look forward</a> to all the<a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2010/11/walked-to-park-again-today-just-axel.html"> great things</a> about <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/06/craft-hack-diy-rustic-chandelier.html"> Autumn</a>. Like cooler weather, watching the leaves change, spending more time in the kitchen, football, holiday dinners, new sweaters... I'm beginning to drool here. <br />
<br />
And so, in the spirit of retrospection, this edition of Miscellany is dedicated to some of the little things that have made me immeasurably happy this Summer. Things like my hanging bud vases, which were a STEAL from CB2, by the way. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX5jrKQC8Htwk_F2A_0x0s41OHI5Up_RMJJoPv5_X3JDwkmFtpWHTyXtSAfjFRMblWUmOJEEnwZECbCrCyF-N2ZGU54jAiCti6x1VJo3MCEmuiva1yCXG6XowQvHEAqMhf7O_Zg7s50Y/s1600/IMG_5930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX5jrKQC8Htwk_F2A_0x0s41OHI5Up_RMJJoPv5_X3JDwkmFtpWHTyXtSAfjFRMblWUmOJEEnwZECbCrCyF-N2ZGU54jAiCti6x1VJo3MCEmuiva1yCXG6XowQvHEAqMhf7O_Zg7s50Y/s1600/IMG_5930.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We grew these from seeds.<br />
Super cool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This bag of peaches from my lovely neighbor Bob.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskkvmoT55xfHDmX9oSm3MQYudK_mXpY_ia0NQ2Q632GTPxfrlf0cDHHAfZ1m3lkEEJeywYamZ1rLKTRqoV9swejiudymbObvmNVMRvMVIStCDZpJvL_4Xe6i4-91eyRlWR9COp5tcE-Y/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskkvmoT55xfHDmX9oSm3MQYudK_mXpY_ia0NQ2Q632GTPxfrlf0cDHHAfZ1m3lkEEJeywYamZ1rLKTRqoV9swejiudymbObvmNVMRvMVIStCDZpJvL_4Xe6i4-91eyRlWR9COp5tcE-Y/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voted Most Likely to Become Cobbler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> A lazy dog day, which for Dexter is very, very rare.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi123IssiZ55lx0aPYkLKDzwBLrGzJR-N41GRU6kogsEmRwsId3d6ep5rlJdpExOu21FMKW5Mk9JuF0nrVIju9cC7jPYUTZvB6E3ATFHwEofJ14Rfd1lgKNoAP-v7VT9bhZmLZXnfpl7xs/s1600/IMG_5935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi123IssiZ55lx0aPYkLKDzwBLrGzJR-N41GRU6kogsEmRwsId3d6ep5rlJdpExOu21FMKW5Mk9JuF0nrVIju9cC7jPYUTZvB6E3ATFHwEofJ14Rfd1lgKNoAP-v7VT9bhZmLZXnfpl7xs/s1600/IMG_5935.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He didn't even try to lick the camera.<br />
He must be sick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This new glasses chain that I bought at Dollar Tree. My optometrist has been gently suggesting that I should consider bifocals, because I'm constantly putting on and taking off my reading glasses. Like, CONSTANTLY.<br />
<br />
But I'm only 32, dangit!! I've got plenty of miles left on my eyes before they require bifocals! But a glasses chain? With pretty beads? That is a compromise I can make. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe1tv38lFPIC0AbcWbVT4hHujKsi_3s-Q3MewYgjhV8PAiWC_UV0TGhwVfQCRZbh_QlxVx1S8UagFgbSWp17luPrkbV-vEWwe7vOh8Ga6uDKjy2f11P5q04sHQXRz64l_2TMIpZ5ss24/s1600/IMG-20110808-00010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe1tv38lFPIC0AbcWbVT4hHujKsi_3s-Q3MewYgjhV8PAiWC_UV0TGhwVfQCRZbh_QlxVx1S8UagFgbSWp17luPrkbV-vEWwe7vOh8Ga6uDKjy2f11P5q04sHQXRz64l_2TMIpZ5ss24/s1600/IMG-20110808-00010.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought several, in assorted colors.<br />
Fashion!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And finally my brother-in-law, who loves to annoy me in small ways that amuse him. For example, at a BBQ we hosted recently, he drew mustaches on all the faces in my Harry Potter 2011 Calendar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48beWwLdb2MqOjaRwqp3VUYpC3u8OZSFNtW7EzJOcseZ3q2nuqGjh_U3Oi_t7JYY3ZPbmp76HpvWidr2UIvsYOqWgJwDQxar6u5-C-k5YzzPjlT__tcCxpw8bztO5g08jED5zQp7DCwE/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48beWwLdb2MqOjaRwqp3VUYpC3u8OZSFNtW7EzJOcseZ3q2nuqGjh_U3Oi_t7JYY3ZPbmp76HpvWidr2UIvsYOqWgJwDQxar6u5-C-k5YzzPjlT__tcCxpw8bztO5g08jED5zQp7DCwE/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate to admit it, but it's actually an improvement.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And how about you? What little things are bringing you happiness today?Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-82836487658993893382011-08-07T00:00:00.001-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.465-07:00I Hope You Kept Your Fat PantsWe all have two sets of clothes: the clothes that fit now, and the clothes that are a size too small that we intend to fit into again someday. Well, I hope you've also got some of your old "fat pants" laying around somewhere, because you're about to need them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2j0C2QTHJ8peUWbnftWO5_exOIlZ8-7ZR4Wp5Jxf8hOqBdok0cpn_TU5hmvXq_kZU_6kWFjt7aEKkLsIv3KA9j5fNheNJB0vRGbP6il1yNs2CG5EcMajugpiJUaYs0wH_Xfly4uqmQA/s1600/IMG_5901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2j0C2QTHJ8peUWbnftWO5_exOIlZ8-7ZR4Wp5Jxf8hOqBdok0cpn_TU5hmvXq_kZU_6kWFjt7aEKkLsIv3KA9j5fNheNJB0vRGbP6il1yNs2CG5EcMajugpiJUaYs0wH_Xfly4uqmQA/s320/IMG_5901.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br />
I usually leave the cooking to the professionals over at <a href="http://wherethehellismyspatula.blogspot.com/">Where the Hell is My Spatula?</a> but this recipe is too good to keep to myself. And here's the best part: it's embarrassingly easy. Like, your guests will be super-impressed and they'll be begging you for this recipe, TRUST, but you won't want to give it to them because it's so simple it's almost profane. <br />
<br />
Desserts this delicious and beautiful should be harder to make! This recipe is so easy and idiot-proof it almost feels like cheating.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Nqo03MMS7pj-z6jaNjdwtc622BDE3LttdRvj022sfDmy3f7bo2KifH1SNQD3GVTJdMxZq-EUCFbSVsd8-vpxhI18xfauxgLLtmyF79KBROnKRM3JGXzJVer57oZO62zvVtdEbUMu8Y/s1600/IMG_5905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Nqo03MMS7pj-z6jaNjdwtc622BDE3LttdRvj022sfDmy3f7bo2KifH1SNQD3GVTJdMxZq-EUCFbSVsd8-vpxhI18xfauxgLLtmyF79KBROnKRM3JGXzJVer57oZO62zvVtdEbUMu8Y/s320/IMG_5905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Get in on the secret after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
First and foremost, I have to give credit to my lovely friends Jamie and Michelle for A) making me aware that these apple tarts were even a thing, and B) being in the trenches (my kitchen) with me perfecting and testing this recipe. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoHrPBEX-6Hul8FqeYibZHrD_XIWc3apBTOtRDvkYv3xHcqYciVtBNRYRMcQ_ncwoP8brUV2TxgydQfvyBhD8zk3izPvVe-jFdoy5VnQW25UfTU1ZqBD9qEwOQRbDljJvCwquf3DBIRo/s1600/IMG_5884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoHrPBEX-6Hul8FqeYibZHrD_XIWc3apBTOtRDvkYv3xHcqYciVtBNRYRMcQ_ncwoP8brUV2TxgydQfvyBhD8zk3izPvVe-jFdoy5VnQW25UfTU1ZqBD9qEwOQRbDljJvCwquf3DBIRo/s320/IMG_5884.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh delicious, nutritious apple. <br />
When I'm done, you'll only be one of those things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What had happened was, they were at a local Scottish festival and there was a booth selling these beauties. They each purchased and then destroyed their tarts, afterward declaring that these were SO GOOD OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS. They wanted the recipe, but didn't have one. So they reverse-engineered the finished tarts and determined that they consisted of apples, pie crust, cinnamon and sugar, butter, some sort of cream cheese spread, and a light caramel sauce. But the amounts and ratios were unknown.<br />
<br />
After much experimentation, here is the final recipe...<br />
<br />
<strong>Fat Pants Apple Tarts</strong> (working title)<br />
<br />
Serves 4<br />
Calories: All of them. All the calories are in these.<br />
<br />
<strong>Tarts</strong><br />
4 large granny smith apples, peeled and cored<br />
4 tablespoons softened butter, divided<br />
1 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 tablespoon cinnamon<br />
2 packages ready-made pie crusts (4 total crusts)<br />
<br />
<strong>Cream Cheese Spread</strong><br />
1 package cream cheese, softened<br />
1 cup powdered sugar<br />
1/4 cup milk<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
<br />
Smucker's Caramel Sauce<br />
<br />
<strong>Directions</strong><br />
Preheat your oven to 400. <br />
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, set aside.<br />
Peel and core your apples.<br />
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Bring your pie crusts to room temperature and unroll on a nonstick surface. Place them on your parchment-lined baking sheet and spread a little butter over the middle of the pie crust.<br />
Mix your granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small dish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqtg5LYDROuLv8ynBDJWVVOf-7Tp7mtnxfEVwLCzIlIS0vucinWqa3gA3ShKjHwqTHhLsdvHLYL8ceH9Ggt1Ef3QAkZUaVynYlcHgme84-2eFA0qYaxm5Y_TXjM9zAZvCTl59tgcuUq8/s1600/IMG_5888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqtg5LYDROuLv8ynBDJWVVOf-7Tp7mtnxfEVwLCzIlIS0vucinWqa3gA3ShKjHwqTHhLsdvHLYL8ceH9Ggt1Ef3QAkZUaVynYlcHgme84-2eFA0qYaxm5Y_TXjM9zAZvCTl59tgcuUq8/s320/IMG_5888.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br />
Put your apple in the middle of the crust and put a tablespoon of butter in each apple hole. Put 1/4 cup cinnamon-sugar mixture in each hole, and then bring the pie crust up around the apple and smoosh it all together at the top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGgl3nhMfJ6mW8qdanHSGtdJ979wy_C7EQ_aXhWEg54PY3NzEafZPZURa5inSYdBDhM2c7RKYWYc6sihaf_QNVTTP6zQqqeHxa0TBJ1MnrdAlLDUQXb7aDjhXe4PElYEdiLp30ffymhw/s1600/IMG_5892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGgl3nhMfJ6mW8qdanHSGtdJ979wy_C7EQ_aXhWEg54PY3NzEafZPZURa5inSYdBDhM2c7RKYWYc6sihaf_QNVTTP6zQqqeHxa0TBJ1MnrdAlLDUQXb7aDjhXe4PElYEdiLp30ffymhw/s320/IMG_5892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Place on your baking sheet and bake at 425 for 30 minutes or so. Keep an eye on your crusts; you don't want them to get too dark.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPstpYzABHssifhXOcTF6eFfoou4rBmso5oTN-sI0eE0XbInlYZRR9Ok3nVUQ9Pq8UTht0xqbJjO3_SdjdAKXYT0Z8HyA778dB2LcunOYVEAUKMIuLkLdwAFnEJXUoPoVS5c4tS_CehSg/s1600/IMG_5894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPstpYzABHssifhXOcTF6eFfoou4rBmso5oTN-sI0eE0XbInlYZRR9Ok3nVUQ9Pq8UTht0xqbJjO3_SdjdAKXYT0Z8HyA778dB2LcunOYVEAUKMIuLkLdwAFnEJXUoPoVS5c4tS_CehSg/s320/IMG_5894.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Meanwhile, combine your cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon and vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add additional milk if needed until the texture is smooth and the cream cheese is thick yet pourable. I don't know if that makes sense.<br />
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When your tarts are done, place them in dessert dishes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XDeM-TMiq3P30hzGLsD78EFajGz9jIPWk4l4RE1qzjIwzxuw2RK5ewCgvwAFmDzhs6Gckn5CWXKDFmYC5bCzvdwbBf3dinVsA0OCLzCj5FGIasce3nEA0BuNoJfnj5hHn0UiGWk5gWs/s1600/IMG_5899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XDeM-TMiq3P30hzGLsD78EFajGz9jIPWk4l4RE1qzjIwzxuw2RK5ewCgvwAFmDzhs6Gckn5CWXKDFmYC5bCzvdwbBf3dinVsA0OCLzCj5FGIasce3nEA0BuNoJfnj5hHn0UiGWk5gWs/s320/IMG_5899.JPG" width="317" /></a></div><br />
Spoon some cream cheese mixture over them, then drizzle with your caramel sauce. Serve it to your guests and BLOW THEIR MINDS.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2j0C2QTHJ8peUWbnftWO5_exOIlZ8-7ZR4Wp5Jxf8hOqBdok0cpn_TU5hmvXq_kZU_6kWFjt7aEKkLsIv3KA9j5fNheNJB0vRGbP6il1yNs2CG5EcMajugpiJUaYs0wH_Xfly4uqmQA/s1600/IMG_5901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2j0C2QTHJ8peUWbnftWO5_exOIlZ8-7ZR4Wp5Jxf8hOqBdok0cpn_TU5hmvXq_kZU_6kWFjt7aEKkLsIv3KA9j5fNheNJB0vRGbP6il1yNs2CG5EcMajugpiJUaYs0wH_Xfly4uqmQA/s320/IMG_5901.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br />
DISCLAIMER: If you or your guests should die of spontaneous bliss while eating these tarts, Crafty Butt and its affiliates will not be held liable. ENJOY AT YOUR OWN RISK.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir181nW9ogMbGz4hNXsiDqrIgRD6OE0U63KJkHLvn9-u8jcDqgZP43HIdlAL1zjRYdWUiuWFJvwAKVAS68LJIUc5rrW3-X4lvPD_b1q6qPhh1Gfef9PKoyu6XY0oRyTM_1Yz1kbJl2gqI/s1600/IMG_5904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir181nW9ogMbGz4hNXsiDqrIgRD6OE0U63KJkHLvn9-u8jcDqgZP43HIdlAL1zjRYdWUiuWFJvwAKVAS68LJIUc5rrW3-X4lvPD_b1q6qPhh1Gfef9PKoyu6XY0oRyTM_1Yz1kbJl2gqI/s320/IMG_5904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Nqo03MMS7pj-z6jaNjdwtc622BDE3LttdRvj022sfDmy3f7bo2KifH1SNQD3GVTJdMxZq-EUCFbSVsd8-vpxhI18xfauxgLLtmyF79KBROnKRM3JGXzJVer57oZO62zvVtdEbUMu8Y/s1600/IMG_5905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Nqo03MMS7pj-z6jaNjdwtc622BDE3LttdRvj022sfDmy3f7bo2KifH1SNQD3GVTJdMxZq-EUCFbSVsd8-vpxhI18xfauxgLLtmyF79KBROnKRM3JGXzJVer57oZO62zvVtdEbUMu8Y/s320/IMG_5905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-14855051707792646652011-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-14T18:51:52.727-07:00Cutie Pie Nursery Pendant Lamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA93HExPiEBuVtE17noRx4rfjRGpZPUtpbfVtAKqZWtGBU2WAbfKcH7txlGwpty0oji1zSgn9Hfe53aifx6Xbv_k_eey5JV5B32EvxsiwKi8Wr9zS9vDH4DLur5R6WqlzGnuUS_400SM/s1600/IMG_5760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA93HExPiEBuVtE17noRx4rfjRGpZPUtpbfVtAKqZWtGBU2WAbfKcH7txlGwpty0oji1zSgn9Hfe53aifx6Xbv_k_eey5JV5B32EvxsiwKi8Wr9zS9vDH4DLur5R6WqlzGnuUS_400SM/s320/IMG_5760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This super-cute pendant lamp was made using something I bought from the dollar store and a bunch of crap I had on hand. Secrets will be revealed, after the jump!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP005bWEVix8KFq2pG8_UU-w8PZZeN3yNQkQc8LZTlz_PM2EhUlLj57cdvkL3y3n2xTDeGJbjHiXkx_fMstMCvSq618daxrqFjQ71rWHM446sPTl4u4HrCt6JIYGaEZqH6xhCGbugNLc/s1600/IMG_5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP005bWEVix8KFq2pG8_UU-w8PZZeN3yNQkQc8LZTlz_PM2EhUlLj57cdvkL3y3n2xTDeGJbjHiXkx_fMstMCvSq618daxrqFjQ71rWHM446sPTl4u4HrCt6JIYGaEZqH6xhCGbugNLc/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAGi8xyKQa7wV6AxX2rwMm1OgNFhW7l0duXVIHte1nUyFrrQzEqtZxTpz9VbHg3xPwMnbR9jtQfcxhAD6Hwpqn5FOcoEnr-6WThdAugXiihGp0BiqvggjhKELNeYdXCNy76j9gjpc4jk/s1600/IMG_5762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAGi8xyKQa7wV6AxX2rwMm1OgNFhW7l0duXVIHte1nUyFrrQzEqtZxTpz9VbHg3xPwMnbR9jtQfcxhAD6Hwpqn5FOcoEnr-6WThdAugXiihGp0BiqvggjhKELNeYdXCNy76j9gjpc4jk/s320/IMG_5762.JPG" width="312" /></a></div> To start with, I used a <a href="http://www.dollartree.com/school-office-supplies/Storage-Organization-Filing/Wire-Mesh-Wastebaskets/291c437c437p312627/index.pro">small trash bin from Dollar Tree</a>. Yuh-huh, a trash bin. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gCkCHi739QMcYH75w60aKlC_hxwn3wxgGYzZ_gaeelitWAusuRgdjFIwbQbrk1PiW4Rkbt57BP_-JBnm652bS-EBUGNMwNaz8krwye06ztNAyMQew9dQJrM6yhDLPhSacjTwvthyphenhyphenPBA/s1600/23795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gCkCHi739QMcYH75w60aKlC_hxwn3wxgGYzZ_gaeelitWAusuRgdjFIwbQbrk1PiW4Rkbt57BP_-JBnm652bS-EBUGNMwNaz8krwye06ztNAyMQew9dQJrM6yhDLPhSacjTwvthyphenhyphenPBA/s1600/23795.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I've got a few around the house that I use for actual trash, but I kept one on hand because I thought the shape was really cute, and I didn't know what I wanted to do with it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RXsWZyq4TqRQI5kUd4Q6ZWFpNoR1x7mK0C-RnMUDtOZCbffL1ABHmWnOBc15sJXXnv5Q3_a7k21F1AIYcW5IgQnEZzrq0f9zfiURgDpRLJIgu82n8gxoF35NHie1CMGXZCAx7AyVYW8/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RXsWZyq4TqRQI5kUd4Q6ZWFpNoR1x7mK0C-RnMUDtOZCbffL1ABHmWnOBc15sJXXnv5Q3_a7k21F1AIYcW5IgQnEZzrq0f9zfiURgDpRLJIgu82n8gxoF35NHie1CMGXZCAx7AyVYW8/s320/IMG_5763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9AUMIJHA6Rx_929MJb3fTx7Ui6_-bI0DjpqReIa1Fz10CY8my2W-K_-Co_FusC7Ks91ZJ1d8NEdmKNL98Ctavlt1ZVvZ19U-wn9lnzU7wlDiCQ_CNoGHFOXa6_gGAcQUmOvrlhdRjBc/s1600/IMG_5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9AUMIJHA6Rx_929MJb3fTx7Ui6_-bI0DjpqReIa1Fz10CY8my2W-K_-Co_FusC7Ks91ZJ1d8NEdmKNL98Ctavlt1ZVvZ19U-wn9lnzU7wlDiCQ_CNoGHFOXa6_gGAcQUmOvrlhdRjBc/s320/IMG_5764.JPG" width="317" /></a></div> It was a little while until inspiration struck but when it did, it struck big time. I ventured forth into my special space, a place I use to create beauty and joy. The garage. I had just enough Krylon spray paint in Ballet Slipper Pink to coat the trash bin a few times. I let it dry and began working on the embellishments.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7ffJtAmGs6Lg_QcX6-0DSo63JtYITS4gOcH_2uTp-bQswwE96in1SJQMlfWpOs4D7mGN-fXl93n1I-nwiMOpB7ApKBMxeGvEt1P6wm6yIl0Ar7ulD7jiWFEfeQgLjpoOMK2rQLQmznU/s1600/IMG_5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7ffJtAmGs6Lg_QcX6-0DSo63JtYITS4gOcH_2uTp-bQswwE96in1SJQMlfWpOs4D7mGN-fXl93n1I-nwiMOpB7ApKBMxeGvEt1P6wm6yIl0Ar7ulD7jiWFEfeQgLjpoOMK2rQLQmznU/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I have a bunch of organic muslin I bought on sale awhile back that I've used for other projects. I made a couple flowers, a large bow and a ruffle and glued those bad boys right on the bin. I trimmed the bottom with some ecru lace and then I was ready to add electricity!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9LUeBRsiCdLzvwVz2norWA7VKnJmiJe4M3PchmvzofdcrKzpW8-O6gtAmHvxvXPNxpuVOj_0wjd38TCTDiNIRp0lg89tWRO9A3qpOcl9wjtbgO7Qd6lxeAzw3Fmg7ulNzAOHy69qa9U/s1600/IMG_5766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9LUeBRsiCdLzvwVz2norWA7VKnJmiJe4M3PchmvzofdcrKzpW8-O6gtAmHvxvXPNxpuVOj_0wjd38TCTDiNIRp0lg89tWRO9A3qpOcl9wjtbgO7Qd6lxeAzw3Fmg7ulNzAOHy69qa9U/s320/IMG_5766.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kWMhH84mL45GYdtxy2lMILr9ZuehtsWmGR_rkW4BJAFSKaXgt_L78Fkx0A7FVu6QqJgiQTwzz61pJtWXjDL4r7sgZzlxLKiLkVWm5nccdx8mEj1H1Nnksh64xWsCSIJ4cfugbuUptZw/s1600/IMG_5768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kWMhH84mL45GYdtxy2lMILr9ZuehtsWmGR_rkW4BJAFSKaXgt_L78Fkx0A7FVu6QqJgiQTwzz61pJtWXjDL4r7sgZzlxLKiLkVWm5nccdx8mEj1H1Nnksh64xWsCSIJ4cfugbuUptZw/s320/IMG_5768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0AmRaZ-Q9rGd7kMmpnCKsT1YQWwPCXtcViLJpnxhrvNATSD_kfM1euWue-HsAnnigorAIrL3dTcxwbwa6uV6shNX1ZYf8Z7SRvR6E6Yqo1sGHP1QMoqIzPukTN9XHwwEy8BDafrNhLQ/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0AmRaZ-Q9rGd7kMmpnCKsT1YQWwPCXtcViLJpnxhrvNATSD_kfM1euWue-HsAnnigorAIrL3dTcxwbwa6uV6shNX1ZYf8Z7SRvR6E6Yqo1sGHP1QMoqIzPukTN9XHwwEy8BDafrNhLQ/s320/IMG_5770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2tO6x3yJQimeKip1xJsgbULB7FXZdxQC9BewpZc2IZxMsxVg-Oyn0xwP22TLaMnbPr2W4px32cC23QQrveqNbIpdFVl3KWpgEIt44BH3Y5hto3VGN1n_EXvTWF3NhBfAOG81ork1M28/s1600/IMG_5771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2tO6x3yJQimeKip1xJsgbULB7FXZdxQC9BewpZc2IZxMsxVg-Oyn0xwP22TLaMnbPr2W4px32cC23QQrveqNbIpdFVl3KWpgEIt44BH3Y5hto3VGN1n_EXvTWF3NhBfAOG81ork1M28/s320/IMG_5771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I had what I needed already, but pendant lamp kits are easy to come by. You can get them online from Amazon, or if you live near an Ikea (and if you do, I'm very envious) you can just drive there and get a kit for like, ten bucks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6u084EjtinOwI6Z78tK9Q3bDSmTmXzF0xKdYd0xY4x8MlF03eUDGK2N32ep4rhxsRZlwEPOJ6n6trgQ-xCzTg8BLsYY6R0uSUxVMCPXczTxc5Ng4g6l8zK7E6CGab5Bs6uJVUGwe8Ls/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6u084EjtinOwI6Z78tK9Q3bDSmTmXzF0xKdYd0xY4x8MlF03eUDGK2N32ep4rhxsRZlwEPOJ6n6trgQ-xCzTg8BLsYY6R0uSUxVMCPXczTxc5Ng4g6l8zK7E6CGab5Bs6uJVUGwe8Ls/s320/IMG_5767.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbGGv1lCCPdDUgIqfXBa_YMyzp1-ZFaOiGIaeak9elp_YWq5JrLQS2Bl-vXn8bRuRHrT4KSybiXnLhx-ZFzrhYBOpqRKOy6fbIh49_sRuaXPpsHC8aWzGst0p8OOrPul5BPDKX21umD8/s1600/IMG_5769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbGGv1lCCPdDUgIqfXBa_YMyzp1-ZFaOiGIaeak9elp_YWq5JrLQS2Bl-vXn8bRuRHrT4KSybiXnLhx-ZFzrhYBOpqRKOy6fbIh49_sRuaXPpsHC8aWzGst0p8OOrPul5BPDKX21umD8/s320/IMG_5769.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>Isn't she lovely?? The overall dimensions are 12" tall by 11" wide, her colors are powder pink and ecru, and she's adorable. If only I had a baby girl's nursery to put her in...Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-87651939956731484872011-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.469-07:00Thursday Miscellany: DexterAnd by "Dexter" I mean our dog, not the cable show serial killer. Although our dog <em>was</em> in fact named after the cable show serial killer, so I'll accept either answer. Good old Dex. This dog tries my patience like nothing else I've ever known, and I'm a person with huge patience reserves. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnSRCEjJ-F6I4rTUSTg0gECYWf1aDySpSJRdSAaWkMWjKlCBJVZ2aAcnoOIzaNtASu4X9gCFeTjYuwU-vyEEksBSFwntNNJTddT5ZBTXUTKzv_O6nTTLrsTUBdQfeEPG_uZ4ePMJDLLo/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnSRCEjJ-F6I4rTUSTg0gECYWf1aDySpSJRdSAaWkMWjKlCBJVZ2aAcnoOIzaNtASu4X9gCFeTjYuwU-vyEEksBSFwntNNJTddT5ZBTXUTKzv_O6nTTLrsTUBdQfeEPG_uZ4ePMJDLLo/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He lays in wait for his prey. Then he gets sleepy and has a nap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we were considering what sort of dog to get for our family, the most important attributes were playfulness (for the kids) and loyalty (for me). After much reading (on the part of my husband; I don't research things so much as I make rash decisions based on emotional reactions) we decided a Boxer would be ideal for us. This is an excerpt from the Boxer entry on Wikipedia:<br />
<br />
<em>"Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children."</em><br />
<br />
Well, how perfect does that sound?? Immediately after that bit, and which we somehow managed to either not read at all or immediately forget, is this:<br />
<br />
<em>"They are active and<strong> incredibly strong dogs</strong> and require adequate exercise to prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing, digging, or licking. Boxers have earned a slight <strong>reputation of being "headstrong,"</strong> which can be related to inappropriate obedience training."</em><br />
<br />
Incredibly strong dogs. I cannot emphasize enough how true that is. Dexter has the strength of an ox, and he regularly outruns my husband, <em>when my husband is on a bike</em>. This dog is a machine. He has eaten several pairs of my shoes, but only the expensive ones, so at least we know he has good taste. He digs in the yard like a backhoe, but only in very discreet parts of the yard, so you won't really notice it until you step in one of his holes and snap an ankle. He also goes completely deaf when he gets excited, so all those commands you spend hours teaching him will be rendered useless the exact moment you really need to use them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9cF7__dYEvasealdwwwbfMj8k9qxou-ZIp4T3zc-oa82wg9QTu4aGXxF7SPu6KyERwhitqJ-CJbZL74vXLtKE8wcvLLtJsriOFFP9HWFYt6PwOlhMeHc9yxqc5zSwX_8WnHRcsb-al0/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9cF7__dYEvasealdwwwbfMj8k9qxou-ZIp4T3zc-oa82wg9QTu4aGXxF7SPu6KyERwhitqJ-CJbZL74vXLtKE8wcvLLtJsriOFFP9HWFYt6PwOlhMeHc9yxqc5zSwX_8WnHRcsb-al0/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boxer sites also fail to mention that they REALLY<br />
like to stick their faces in your face. Like, a LOT.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Also, and I don't know how this isn't the first thing all those Boxer websites mention, Boxers are GOOFY. And I don't mean in an adorable way. I mean that if you spend twenty minutes watching a Boxer interact with anyone or anything, you will raise an eyebrow and declare that this dog ain't right. Dexter does things that not only don't make any dang sense, but also make him look like a special kind of idiot. ALL THE TIME. <br />
<br />
In fact, my sister emailed this gif to me recently, with a message that if we had stairs at our house THIS IS WHAT DEXTER WOULD DO: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/l4yst.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/l4yst.gif" /></a></div>Because he's so weird and everyone knows it. And so are ALL THE BOXERS. And yet, we've never even considered trying to find him a new home. Because he loves our kids SO MUCH, and they love him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH1yw_yyrh0_RkyKMUrjtzxz4Ead3-77RqSB62sBjeQMbJ2UfrxYMnz6y9ohJGT-uU3k57NLclVS_RTnh_smW0cLNz7SOXRFNffAbC8iw7ZAc-sfo-H-eQ2KIWtnKyVNr9jxnk3jjjMA/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH1yw_yyrh0_RkyKMUrjtzxz4Ead3-77RqSB62sBjeQMbJ2UfrxYMnz6y9ohJGT-uU3k57NLclVS_RTnh_smW0cLNz7SOXRFNffAbC8iw7ZAc-sfo-H-eQ2KIWtnKyVNr9jxnk3jjjMA/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g6WRWrsmBMu2ZJCcM-Wge6aogLH50aEIACXVWbtBvHfWIMbhSaOadtFLhaCaM0W1-jqSyh60iQ2ZpezJ8hZlbQmag5gO7VQnPOP7OVdqkM74OCh3_3D7Owyb1KdB3DoQXWsQUscfwtM/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g6WRWrsmBMu2ZJCcM-Wge6aogLH50aEIACXVWbtBvHfWIMbhSaOadtFLhaCaM0W1-jqSyh60iQ2ZpezJ8hZlbQmag5gO7VQnPOP7OVdqkM74OCh3_3D7Owyb1KdB3DoQXWsQUscfwtM/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAeJ2Rx4qL7p-J1opaY4gM5KqCvBjQabN6w2-zq4wCeh2X4sEAu_PuFfvuQEUQLAwC0XcE07WWMPaPPBhEDdFAjehCvdxBr_xx5lfMniR_bqbkpnmDtVGmmw8DrmDD99sciWa5z70hMs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAeJ2Rx4qL7p-J1opaY4gM5KqCvBjQabN6w2-zq4wCeh2X4sEAu_PuFfvuQEUQLAwC0XcE07WWMPaPPBhEDdFAjehCvdxBr_xx5lfMniR_bqbkpnmDtVGmmw8DrmDD99sciWa5z70hMs/s320/1.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>So. I guess we'll keep the little monster. Before you professional dog trainers tell me that it's our fault he's such a space-cadet, trust me when I tell you I KNOW it's our fault. Consistency is key, and we don't really provide much. We've tried some obedience methods with limited success, and we're currently trying another system that promises super-ultra-maxi results. If it works, I'll link it here for anyone else with a "special" dog. <br />
<br />
Until then, I've bought a shoe rack that he can't reach.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-37028573814275537512011-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.471-07:00Side Table Redo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0pN_7naKFcS0DOz2eWV_XGUOqSUQyCsfxQCKUEjbRQm4X83r9Uhnph3Sl3bGwSQhAaDL7es-eGPU5whimoni2i21VX8WBQ4vGDSNY16vwa2evuPNCrv0G-HmavYobPbX06msjRIU1Lc/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0pN_7naKFcS0DOz2eWV_XGUOqSUQyCsfxQCKUEjbRQm4X83r9Uhnph3Sl3bGwSQhAaDL7es-eGPU5whimoni2i21VX8WBQ4vGDSNY16vwa2evuPNCrv0G-HmavYobPbX06msjRIU1Lc/s320/IMG_5396.JPG" width="301" /></a></div> I'm pretty happy about this week's project. It turned out just as I'd hoped, which is almost unheard of for me. This little side table used to look like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-XfPGOcSBMgukzIgVCRx8EhU7-j7WDZqqE3jl-NSvYzlupcr8i22A0TawErsue7OQrtLu9T6Er_00H8fZLFYQ4Er0Gbdq5-TD69JNYJFaGt3dmztwhwm59GiMA_NATWMiZkgF9QZXqw/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-XfPGOcSBMgukzIgVCRx8EhU7-j7WDZqqE3jl-NSvYzlupcr8i22A0TawErsue7OQrtLu9T6Er_00H8fZLFYQ4Er0Gbdq5-TD69JNYJFaGt3dmztwhwm59GiMA_NATWMiZkgF9QZXqw/s320/IMG_5378.JPG" width="290" /></a></div> Lovely bones, but a bit on the... homely side. She just needed a little makeover. Tutorial after the jump!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So <a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a> has this really cool bit of French ephemera:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLq862k-bbuW0qDFx7GtLKelNk6HVTkBkJvxT8Tn74V13R5PtBqQuGzSPshJf_zfq1rpGDOTf_ejEhrnCtWkyZ2crjfUMVfu6toJNSuuiAw4c-nxNKVnICoFV6x87PO04qLd82g074yk/s1600/chocolat-clipart-graphicsfairy01bwblg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLq862k-bbuW0qDFx7GtLKelNk6HVTkBkJvxT8Tn74V13R5PtBqQuGzSPshJf_zfq1rpGDOTf_ejEhrnCtWkyZ2crjfUMVfu6toJNSuuiAw4c-nxNKVnICoFV6x87PO04qLd82g074yk/s320/chocolat-clipart-graphicsfairy01bwblg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know what "ephemera" means, but it sounds fancy! Anyway, as an amateur furniture refinisher and professional eater of chocolate, I knew it would be perfect for what I had in mind.</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/AVvXsEjp-XfPGOcSBMgukzIgVCRx8EhU7-j7WDZqqE3jl-NSvYzlupcr8i22A0TawErsue7OQrtLu9T6Er_00H8fZLFYQ4Er0Gbdq5-TD69JNYJFaGt3dmztwhwm59GiMA_NATWMiZkgF9QZXqw/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-XfPGOcSBMgukzIgVCRx8EhU7-j7WDZqqE3jl-NSvYzlupcr8i22A0TawErsue7OQrtLu9T6Er_00H8fZLFYQ4Er0Gbdq5-TD69JNYJFaGt3dmztwhwm59GiMA_NATWMiZkgF9QZXqw/s320/IMG_5378.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>But first, I had to do something about the outdated hunter green legs and the honey-colored varnish. So I sanded the living crap out of the table top and painted the legs gloss black.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f_sTX2YgDtDzW8aApSCcZYEdwmyT1wD6h5oQmH3QaChNwebDN2UWxDnVDNrj9DcyjnyO5AFL_J5zXXPtnfJrvyh5GksZPPYBJxZBfrgH9aIMnZ7qjafTmd42CnRLfnduH0YZDPZxQuQ/s1600/IMG_5379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f_sTX2YgDtDzW8aApSCcZYEdwmyT1wD6h5oQmH3QaChNwebDN2UWxDnVDNrj9DcyjnyO5AFL_J5zXXPtnfJrvyh5GksZPPYBJxZBfrgH9aIMnZ7qjafTmd42CnRLfnduH0YZDPZxQuQ/s320/IMG_5379.JPG" width="318" /></a></div> Better already! I printed the graphic in sections to get the size I wanted and used carbon tracing paper to outline it onto the table.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhXCFcH15BzN1R5l7n20S-WV7R-LnaVvJK161AY5-nM8bD1WbpeZE_-W2iFIz2YJWokfidDSjNON7l7tChNuIs2POOvKTlriVzfSGk9N5s7ND33X-zK6CecW9f6uCoFBhuNDelLCiahk/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhXCFcH15BzN1R5l7n20S-WV7R-LnaVvJK161AY5-nM8bD1WbpeZE_-W2iFIz2YJWokfidDSjNON7l7tChNuIs2POOvKTlriVzfSGk9N5s7ND33X-zK6CecW9f6uCoFBhuNDelLCiahk/s320/IMG_5380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then I painted it over with a paint marker. I love these. They are my favorite thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkRgnsXYGbwdVAr6IqRXtUtqQFTOWqgn8StkhlQlBffhNaBfdtbwD9RE-YfMNMdoS0DWcj9usyFHGIm_tno2d0DluKb9Bw7YEN7Q15AhtGK7XrsqsPlBzW5DFwaxbOZuWYj8looUiYpQ/s1600/IMG_5381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkRgnsXYGbwdVAr6IqRXtUtqQFTOWqgn8StkhlQlBffhNaBfdtbwD9RE-YfMNMdoS0DWcj9usyFHGIm_tno2d0DluKb9Bw7YEN7Q15AhtGK7XrsqsPlBzW5DFwaxbOZuWYj8looUiYpQ/s320/IMG_5381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Anyway, when it was dry, I sanded it over to age it a bit and then I stained it with Minwax Woodsheen in Colonial Pine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVuRkgDvuBEDwgnQdXToElzpQ_UtovnMRQNKoigePOTuTcabxPGD739NjkdC5vZpLz7IAWOjPWf-wJigLvJxThOUe_ntprb116hrmZEIymCnxUhrNkQjSDZiFOX6cczHN3vobVU9ze0/s1600/IMG_5384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVuRkgDvuBEDwgnQdXToElzpQ_UtovnMRQNKoigePOTuTcabxPGD739NjkdC5vZpLz7IAWOjPWf-wJigLvJxThOUe_ntprb116hrmZEIymCnxUhrNkQjSDZiFOX6cczHN3vobVU9ze0/s320/IMG_5384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Ahhhh, almost there. After a coat of clear varnish, she was all done!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq03PcB3L-2YKsp8Ytwtgu_vim5MtZT34uWl4GCkHGy3Ev5P4WGzYElo2neCmI06X7zXiKSed-bnWaG9sAxJ4dPeoAkFEwTw2AjlsNGg_T9ppTaDUXjTgmxxM2sa0mptHyTC-7HzSX5g/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq03PcB3L-2YKsp8Ytwtgu_vim5MtZT34uWl4GCkHGy3Ev5P4WGzYElo2neCmI06X7zXiKSed-bnWaG9sAxJ4dPeoAkFEwTw2AjlsNGg_T9ppTaDUXjTgmxxM2sa0mptHyTC-7HzSX5g/s320/IMG_5390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I can't believe the difference!! Her beautiful, curvy legs can really be appreciated now that they're a sexy black, and that top is unrecognizable. Tres magnifique! (I'm pretty sure that's French for "chocolate is delicious and I wish I had some")<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G9BLDx7UXe9XjVJgXtPjK_aiZQCRXGoCzFPrLqoJ-fffyLOYRur8_fsQpt0ZwC25Qhc3nYY9sNBbNts8scYgg_skynKBNrcBK6GPi1JArXb3-QRAN1Sz_k9jsLBhyqQ9_mluFk77okQ/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G9BLDx7UXe9XjVJgXtPjK_aiZQCRXGoCzFPrLqoJ-fffyLOYRur8_fsQpt0ZwC25Qhc3nYY9sNBbNts8scYgg_skynKBNrcBK6GPi1JArXb3-QRAN1Sz_k9jsLBhyqQ9_mluFk77okQ/s320/IMG_5396.JPG" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cool thing about a project like this is that this kind of furniture is easy to come by, inexpensive, and (usually) solid wood. This sort of Country Kitchen Style was really popular in the 90s and lends itself well to refinishing. I am now on the prowl for more furniture like this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-53751917560184896592011-07-17T23:59:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.473-07:00DIY Retro Patio Sign: Part 2Last week I made a <span style="color: red;">retro sunglasses cafe sign</span>, and now I'm posting the follow-up:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgade9yo3grKQAkwdgTuCzlCi_V1vDJ54ZE87tSGdwp4Ik9ZSMHDdOSoTWRfrs1e7WA-c_NvGkqGZEPhkebDVOaS9O_owN3r-SFqv8EtTWI7h82KfHcf847d6MiWvQAe6ybgJYKA_IXrls/s1600/IMG_5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgade9yo3grKQAkwdgTuCzlCi_V1vDJ54ZE87tSGdwp4Ik9ZSMHDdOSoTWRfrs1e7WA-c_NvGkqGZEPhkebDVOaS9O_owN3r-SFqv8EtTWI7h82KfHcf847d6MiWvQAe6ybgJYKA_IXrls/s320/IMG_5647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_hlR_DZgNsf8LNZbd1lnoyH0Ru0IPW-ipuZBAxV2RxkbmdSUNISmjG7y-tUtjGcMPb3vvrdHpVNCC8IPyOVVfHtkyRyD2B-cQNRlxFT1yGnEQrkH9haKvxb4z03pIFfkgJaobagBLLc/s1600/IMG_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_hlR_DZgNsf8LNZbd1lnoyH0Ru0IPW-ipuZBAxV2RxkbmdSUNISmjG7y-tUtjGcMPb3vvrdHpVNCC8IPyOVVfHtkyRyD2B-cQNRlxFT1yGnEQrkH9haKvxb4z03pIFfkgJaobagBLLc/s320/IMG_5646.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>Instructables after the jump!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I still have ridiculous amounts of plywood and paint on hand, so I thought it would be fun to make another sign. This one is a 1'x1' square, painted mustard yellow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0QKzJ_kCfLJvWJ5Ye5Jwjz2ZCwA41OGWYVCyQqx7ikcpqvNtJMlO6zbWapNOjFLpj9vcnDNbjiUcuwx_dcPKeGUGzK2nJsDwB03Hc3nMetHH11JNQJMjSOHZ1JeyI10ZuD0Qmh7kwSc/s1600/IMG_5638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0QKzJ_kCfLJvWJ5Ye5Jwjz2ZCwA41OGWYVCyQqx7ikcpqvNtJMlO6zbWapNOjFLpj9vcnDNbjiUcuwx_dcPKeGUGzK2nJsDwB03Hc3nMetHH11JNQJMjSOHZ1JeyI10ZuD0Qmh7kwSc/s320/IMG_5638.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>For the lettering, I printed out the desired text in a Word document using a cute font. And for the soda can, I'm a bit embarrassed to admit, I used regular old clip art. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYQCluun_vZUUIbjr4t7x_wSd9oVUJ4kNs6zixtgKm5s0BsX8zjuoLn6MHndlLZ6Vm0HNyDt9QHSIzJvKr5V-aUQVn30UNbDLw-2213lMmqA6_S4CZwnPuPmbpoGQRbIee9UEDaoocfs/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYQCluun_vZUUIbjr4t7x_wSd9oVUJ4kNs6zixtgKm5s0BsX8zjuoLn6MHndlLZ6Vm0HNyDt9QHSIzJvKr5V-aUQVn30UNbDLw-2213lMmqA6_S4CZwnPuPmbpoGQRbIee9UEDaoocfs/s320/IMG_5639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I used carbon paper to trace everything and then used a paint marker to fill in the lettering. And that's all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PfGeYxcqwg2mlzRysFOthJbQR9Mhf54enQGV7Lczw7zVov5UZsOx5JsVRobOiuWs1-CukPbxHbyn-_kXXcrnEVL68nYtkT1JF2XqSTMalRT0LI6DakgIj3pzln1AlV9IqtwBEqrkztE/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PfGeYxcqwg2mlzRysFOthJbQR9Mhf54enQGV7Lczw7zVov5UZsOx5JsVRobOiuWs1-CukPbxHbyn-_kXXcrnEVL68nYtkT1JF2XqSTMalRT0LI6DakgIj3pzln1AlV9IqtwBEqrkztE/s400/6.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's really fun and colorful, and I like the way it brightens up my patio.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-2538008308131215512011-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.475-07:00Miscellany<div class="header"><h2 class="me"><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: medium;">mis·cel·la·ny</span></h2><span class="pronset"><noscript>a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/M04/M0479000" target="_blank"><img src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/speaker.gif" border="0" alt="miscellany pronunciation" /></a></noscript><span class="show_ipapr" style="display: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS;"><span class="pron">ɪs<img alt="" border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png" />əˌleɪ<img alt="" border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png" />ni</span><span class="pron">;</span></span> <span class="labset"><span class="ital-inline"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brit.</span></em></span> </span><span class="pron"><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS;">mɪˈsɛl<img alt="" border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png" />ə<img alt="" border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png" />ni</span></span><span class="prondelim">/</span> <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif" /></a> <span class="pron_toggle" style="display: inline;"><a alt="Toggle for Spelled" class="pronlink" href="http://www.blogger.com/" title="Click to show spelled"><u>Show Spelled</u></a></span></span><span class="show_spellpr" style="display: block; margin-top: 8px;"><span class="prondelim">[</span><span class="pron"><span class="boldface"><strong>mis</strong></span>-<span class="ital-inline"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">uh</span></em></span>-ley-nee</span><span class="pron">;</span> <span class="labset"><span class="ital-inline"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brit.</span></em></span> </span><span class="pron">mi-<span class="boldface"><strong>sel</strong></span>-<span class="ital-inline"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">uh</span></em></span>-nee</span><span class="prondelim">]</span> </span></span> </div><div class="body"><div class="pbk"><strong><em><span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">–noun,</span> </span></span><span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">plural</span> </span></span></em></strong><span class="secondary-bf"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">-nies.</span> </span></span> </div><div class="luna-Ent"><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span style="color: #333333;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">1.</span> </span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">collection</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">group</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">various</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">somewhat</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">unrelated</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">items.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="luna-Ent"><span name="hotword">So I've been thinking lately that there are things I'd like to say here that are unrelated to DIYing and crafting. Personal things. Opinions, thoughts, and other assorted crap. But I don't want to overrun the blog proper with my blah blah blahing. </span></div><div class="luna-Ent"></div><div class="luna-Ent"><span name="hotword">To this end, I've decided to take one day a week, Thursdays to be specific, and post whatever is on my mind. I apologize in advance, because this is probably going to end up being mostly lame. Fortunately it'll only happen once a week, or until I get distracted and forget about it.</span></div><div class="luna-Ent"></div><div class="luna-Ent"><span name="hotword">Lately I've been thinking about gardens. It's the predominant focus of my <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-retro-patio-sign.html">projects</a> <a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-potting-bench.html">lately</a>, and there's more where that came from. My mom and I went to a local nursery recently, called Crickelwood, and it blew my mind. It's the coolest place ever. The weird thing is I had no idea it existed. I think most people in my town are probably unaware it exists. I've driven past it dozens of times on the way to my dentist's office and I never noticed it. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aZ_hMoPS6etz-Eu3yEp-l0CjqFsQUbchiSfuEbKW28gN-dt-IsGxSPam7sKnWgG_4JRaWUrB1gbVKTl1VeCU66fqTURInuVP9M3AbbybMa0K_s3rfOI_m9EnmWqIOCDm2ARfSGcJKcU/s1600/IMG-20110630-00334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aZ_hMoPS6etz-Eu3yEp-l0CjqFsQUbchiSfuEbKW28gN-dt-IsGxSPam7sKnWgG_4JRaWUrB1gbVKTl1VeCU66fqTURInuVP9M3AbbybMa0K_s3rfOI_m9EnmWqIOCDm2ARfSGcJKcU/s400/IMG-20110630-00334.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suddenly I need a blue door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="luna-Ent"></div><div class="luna-Ent"><span name="hotword">It's called the Secret Garden by those who work there, and until now, I guess the secret was pretty safe. It's barely noticeable from the street, even when you know where it is. Once you enter through the front gate, all tucked away underneath purple bouganvillea, it's like you're in another world. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS0ImfqWx2Y7cp8AwLakI8cyBUz378yJFTvy283mKe2FiN4OICTtQ6Gbzz63pxZeNJwIaYY_PHm7q2fxoFfJLAmQfOZEo8P23tIzOLJNzTexHdWJolbtY305YY5oHoC3gTOlCQ2lld0w/s1600/IMG-20110630-00338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS0ImfqWx2Y7cp8AwLakI8cyBUz378yJFTvy283mKe2FiN4OICTtQ6Gbzz63pxZeNJwIaYY_PHm7q2fxoFfJLAmQfOZEo8P23tIzOLJNzTexHdWJolbtY305YY5oHoC3gTOlCQ2lld0w/s320/IMG-20110630-00338.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured: so many things that I NEED.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="pbk">Like, I want to live there. Everything is green and cool and beautiful. If I could relocate every part of Crickelwood into my own yard, you best believe I would. As it is, I can only hope that the beauty I found there will somehow, in some tiny, fractional way, transcend my clumsy attempts at recreating it and that I'll be able to reproduce some of the charm of this place.</div><div class="pbk"></div><div class="pbk">Odds are slim. But as ever, I won't let that stop me.</div><div class="pbk"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW7ZRNhg4-JM3M-zYJ4mws8dyM0PplDDZ-kMUtwGka9R95Ui3UI0vhPlggmORIFIQe6Gs2Qq27U84OlHrUxib-51Ag0f-0yPIkQR46c2dbEdJPMSwYOtp6vEqs8aL83LpZv0sO4rf3Lo/s1600/IMG-20110630-00329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW7ZRNhg4-JM3M-zYJ4mws8dyM0PplDDZ-kMUtwGka9R95Ui3UI0vhPlggmORIFIQe6Gs2Qq27U84OlHrUxib-51Ag0f-0yPIkQR46c2dbEdJPMSwYOtp6vEqs8aL83LpZv0sO4rf3Lo/s400/IMG-20110630-00329.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you see that bench? I need to read a book there. <br />
By the way, that green frame is like, five feet tall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="pbk"> <span name="hotword">I mean, seriously, why can't I have this?? You know, aside from the labor, expense, and time it took to build it from scratch. Is there a Crickelwood in your area? Or rather, is it there, but you've never noticed it?</span></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-16932146150646677012011-07-10T23:59:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.477-07:00DIY Retro Patio SignSooo, I was noticing that we've got this jigsaw in the garage. And loads of leftover plywood. And I've always got several cans of spraypaint laying around. I put it all together and had an idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UDZxFYryt_wBugyKPqthqu28_Q6gZ8rmMsxLbO0kqx-Gs6PSZrtZrcPd4qRzDyx6Dp8gEbY7ddw8ndKUVPr1rKLdmgXZCd8I0OjAz0i86qG3MyXBOjtN5HmSSiwdtQzVI_J1mewJ8yQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UDZxFYryt_wBugyKPqthqu28_Q6gZ8rmMsxLbO0kqx-Gs6PSZrtZrcPd4qRzDyx6Dp8gEbY7ddw8ndKUVPr1rKLdmgXZCd8I0OjAz0i86qG3MyXBOjtN5HmSSiwdtQzVI_J1mewJ8yQ/s640/2.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br />
<br />
See how it came together after the jump!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
This patio cafe sign was sort of inspired by those old Frosty King drive-ins. They serve Frito boats and strawberry milkshakes and deep-fried burritos. There's one of these old-style drive-ins next to the public swimming pool I used to go to as a kid. Every day during summer, I'd spend hours at the pool. When it closed for the day at 4pm, my sister and I would walk next door to the drive-in and get a vanilla soft-serve ice cream cone. <br />
<br />
These are some of my favorite summertime memories. I don't mean to over-romaticize it; I once almost choked to death there during a hamburger eating contest. But despite the greasy table tops and the fact that they never mop the floors, I have a fondness for those old burger joints.<br />
<br />
I started with a 1'x2' scrap of plywood. I used a bowl to trace two circles that were meant to be the lenses, then I connected them free-hand with a Sharpie. I decided these looked more like olde-tyme spectacles than 1980's sunglasses, so I changed the shape a bit. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh690ezOBXSZHQFeh3zYgfgQVO7gu2amTGP4sn5PN_SWIGggkvw8MHB1RAIATdzu4E94fjrBpiNyXoQTQf08PEp7nlJGkxhRrNgIbXE_ddC-r7bjuWNMIEDi3udtkK1INJo7UX5RvgV75w/s1600/IMG_5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh690ezOBXSZHQFeh3zYgfgQVO7gu2amTGP4sn5PN_SWIGggkvw8MHB1RAIATdzu4E94fjrBpiNyXoQTQf08PEp7nlJGkxhRrNgIbXE_ddC-r7bjuWNMIEDi3udtkK1INJo7UX5RvgV75w/s320/IMG_5635.JPG" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why Blogger insists on<br />
orienting my pictures sideways.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then I used the jigsaw to cut the sunglasses out. I'd never even held the jigsaw before, but as it turns out, they're pretty simple to use. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija81NKTvVIF3ib2KzTPeTR6j3i7QSy8FRRWIjsJHShzgpLwd21bBHS4v8DlbhhYfx856tDSxF-sog8k0AidWCTXvYJOQTRyLnHTkf6yCEwP3rHPXs2OK2D8jNza-XRkwQYrHmmoZLw-g/s1600/IMG_5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija81NKTvVIF3ib2KzTPeTR6j3i7QSy8FRRWIjsJHShzgpLwd21bBHS4v8DlbhhYfx856tDSxF-sog8k0AidWCTXvYJOQTRyLnHTkf6yCEwP3rHPXs2OK2D8jNza-XRkwQYrHmmoZLw-g/s320/IMG_5636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's better</td></tr>
</tbody></table>WARNING: USE SAFETY GLASSES AND EAR PROTECTION AND A CRUCIFIX OR WHATEVER TO PROTECT YOURSELF. Please don't slice off any of your fingers. And if you do, please don't sue me. <br />
<br />
I went slowly and carefully, and it all went very well. You'll be fine. If you don't have a jigsaw, you may be able to rent one for a reasonable price. And if you can't be bothered, just borrow one from somebody. They're easy enough to come by.<br />
<br />
Anyway, then I spray painted it a cherry red color and painted the lenses in with chalkboard paint. I used a white paint marker to give it a little depth, and that was all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJLCkxZFCZxVwuztLe4DKYA_KI3vxXAw9Xq96FYCiid83a_JU34dDk8rUoR0nNlZA2DfcIh-nEGBbirZwiEHAedWT_0licTIoZQyiUyG2dvbNJ0q9WiAvSamNFcQHFHRNfxnoHzMHgnk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJLCkxZFCZxVwuztLe4DKYA_KI3vxXAw9Xq96FYCiid83a_JU34dDk8rUoR0nNlZA2DfcIh-nEGBbirZwiEHAedWT_0licTIoZQyiUyG2dvbNJ0q9WiAvSamNFcQHFHRNfxnoHzMHgnk/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It took longer for the paint to dry than to draw it and cut it out. For real. This took like, 20 minutes to make. And it's totally cute. I didn't use a stencil, and I didn't mask anything off when I painted it. I wanted it to look handpainted and imperfect, but it would be simple enough to make it look more polished and professionally made, if that's what you're into.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVjz3Ne6H9-ZU1OtLiveVhC-CKXJP67VjKoICof4FSSyD_3WMv-lX1Vvn6vISwdn4bQ1AozIh0zsHSAblJHHofAI3vWuNVWiFV3rJvvPEud2ABAyM1R4c1NRicwbH4EHNMx9nsBr_Sww/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVjz3Ne6H9-ZU1OtLiveVhC-CKXJP67VjKoICof4FSSyD_3WMv-lX1Vvn6vISwdn4bQ1AozIh0zsHSAblJHHofAI3vWuNVWiFV3rJvvPEud2ABAyM1R4c1NRicwbH4EHNMx9nsBr_Sww/s400/4.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br />
I've still got some plywood left (a LOT) and I've got another idea for a little companion piece to this cafe sign. I hope it turns out well, or I'm going to have to come back and delete this last bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98PLxEgo6kxaOQOiuJztIOI_PfJPnrOUma7Sdhr5U8o4sNTUdIE20d0pNx1UhCYrXnn9-CQaYpOIOILKYo1NJ9jAmyG1zuc1AMAMt9R6P4TSndUZ7ELmqOqLvxOWdvrK7kmvFs9fcX7c/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98PLxEgo6kxaOQOiuJztIOI_PfJPnrOUma7Sdhr5U8o4sNTUdIE20d0pNx1UhCYrXnn9-CQaYpOIOILKYo1NJ9jAmyG1zuc1AMAMt9R6P4TSndUZ7ELmqOqLvxOWdvrK7kmvFs9fcX7c/s400/1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-84478747793314996942011-07-03T23:59:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:39:14.479-07:00DIY Potting Bench<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRenBDMCVt9cPZoDV4tnxMPdjOJ7MyAM36_EsDZdm8wPgYcUISXxa0-J7xemheVu8AFXJVGPgXrZYC3QcSOBuHnkOBS6W6FIRnl-F0wOye0CC9s_n5m1hVzBH_DYa-y_0LaydZEPrlguc/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRenBDMCVt9cPZoDV4tnxMPdjOJ7MyAM36_EsDZdm8wPgYcUISXxa0-J7xemheVu8AFXJVGPgXrZYC3QcSOBuHnkOBS6W6FIRnl-F0wOye0CC9s_n5m1hVzBH_DYa-y_0LaydZEPrlguc/s320/IMG_5598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is how I spent my 4th of July weekend! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_WhILGabBszcqxQIXollNodC8On7rcjYOn1KbnmJOxEsOQVVzXOtwCeygLxCgna21eVILdGb05tIQ0K0QHz7SK8jAjryyHSkGUgNxpYmjJM70agnA-vIVnMigUz4cTmjc97EZV68PNc/s1600/IMG_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_WhILGabBszcqxQIXollNodC8On7rcjYOn1KbnmJOxEsOQVVzXOtwCeygLxCgna21eVILdGb05tIQ0K0QHz7SK8jAjryyHSkGUgNxpYmjJM70agnA-vIVnMigUz4cTmjc97EZV68PNc/s320/IMG_5600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Well, not the WHOLE weekend, just a few hours. I also spent a goodly amount of time eating corn on the cob and watermelon. And I admit, I DID spend the lion's share of my time in the pool, squirting my kids in their faces with a Super Soaker until they banded together like Voltron and flipped my floating lounge chair over. <br />
<br />
I think we can all agree, that's how the Founding Fathers would have wanted it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7mYf-T6JSDaovY-8uoGjPAOaUdx2my7kz6WciVI6piMqoIljiIdqDd7GgfACqq0QiWGN20t8utbyx-cZdwDQy8HojXgXeoekj5hGGROhSMjM9darIWADSlKdO8B6hutzh9AuGVWToU/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7mYf-T6JSDaovY-8uoGjPAOaUdx2my7kz6WciVI6piMqoIljiIdqDd7GgfACqq0QiWGN20t8utbyx-cZdwDQy8HojXgXeoekj5hGGROhSMjM9darIWADSlKdO8B6hutzh9AuGVWToU/s320/IMG_5604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was a great weekend. <br />
<br />
And here we are now!! Together again. Any Monday that finds me staring fondly at something I made despite my criminal lack of formal training with power tools is a good Monday. I made this. I love saying that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq2zWkO-MXlA-en6H5qjaOgjTD6EkhHa7HxDeHlRuO9cGjOy4CAYMEu1TBHmA9mAXUSDSUBZgeC9-bFFTag-0QaZ2ueF2uRgUsrUJtqO8fId5GrokyLTWlXUFZP4cvh9bzC8BkhL8zPM/s1600/IMG_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq2zWkO-MXlA-en6H5qjaOgjTD6EkhHa7HxDeHlRuO9cGjOy4CAYMEu1TBHmA9mAXUSDSUBZgeC9-bFFTag-0QaZ2ueF2uRgUsrUJtqO8fId5GrokyLTWlXUFZP4cvh9bzC8BkhL8zPM/s320/IMG_5601.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>Make one with me, after the jump!!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
I have been really<strike> covetous of</strike> inspired by all the beautiful and functional potting benches I've been seeing in the home & garden mags lately. Flea Market Gardening, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, I want to have all of them. But I can't.<br />
<br />
Hmph. <br />
<br />
But that's okay, because I've made my own, and so can you! First, you'll need a very meticulous and precise diagram of your future potting bench.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9lhMFYPEEkOtc5bjNGXj-_A3XvqXVBBmzobgDneA8HfbR8dBVcAgI7hS7VgoBSIJAklPvHyYY66k-THNcR1yt7HmyK3KrALAnnHy8FhuoyLzXKGbmFgE2ERK2wmCx1NdsYdTstnnFkE/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9lhMFYPEEkOtc5bjNGXj-_A3XvqXVBBmzobgDneA8HfbR8dBVcAgI7hS7VgoBSIJAklPvHyYY66k-THNcR1yt7HmyK3KrALAnnHy8FhuoyLzXKGbmFgE2ERK2wmCx1NdsYdTstnnFkE/s320/IMG_5532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not pictured: precision or meticulousness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then you'll need to purchase your building materials. I bought six 2"x 4" beams that were 8 feet long, and one 4'x8' sheet of plywood. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBzWsxqY2QoIXtcO1Neo6fwqBHvbTQTvmD4OIB0dpZO8yEwseI5m4MbfMmZXbubCv1Id7z7jxlXSiZGE0OPX8gxRMFMVnPJY4KTdX9JfRKnKkfXvt6yPYynGJX50zDqv1IbcnVOzvVDA/s1600/IMG_5557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBzWsxqY2QoIXtcO1Neo6fwqBHvbTQTvmD4OIB0dpZO8yEwseI5m4MbfMmZXbubCv1Id7z7jxlXSiZGE0OPX8gxRMFMVnPJY4KTdX9JfRKnKkfXvt6yPYynGJX50zDqv1IbcnVOzvVDA/s320/IMG_5557.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>This gave me enough lumber, plus a bit left over, to make exactly what I wanted! Except the lumber was mislabeled, and instead of being 8 feet long, all my 2x4s were 7 feet 8 inches. I was really peeved, but not so much that I was willing to heave it all BACK into the van and exchange it. Also, and did you know this, because I did not, 2x4s are really 1.5"x3.5". SAY WHAT?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6ZkAM_c5euFZYGO6VXCdmZg6PNIe8UOSD2mL7obacPLtzUiGVzdAtbmD3IhABELPB7Hi8OebCK0j5IkYwezdaJPv1fjo2iQpIIAhpCppCNqDrQfDjzhxNLFInYasjXWjMwscqu5lEUk/s1600/IMG_5566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6ZkAM_c5euFZYGO6VXCdmZg6PNIe8UOSD2mL7obacPLtzUiGVzdAtbmD3IhABELPB7Hi8OebCK0j5IkYwezdaJPv1fjo2iQpIIAhpCppCNqDrQfDjzhxNLFInYasjXWjMwscqu5lEUk/s320/IMG_5566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I was scandalized by this, but I've been assured it's totally normal. Anyway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjp2ltNLgbWxuPcgnVj0SxVqq8tnaubpwPLR6WzvrA071z84Orr4EVxWxlSoC0c_q2kkzVXwASOGIkAgUhnFdcAhftW41f4MNpGS6CylXypXhvVM8w5kAQq3QCVJLIFMsW_esHvmEsUM/s1600/IMG_5567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjp2ltNLgbWxuPcgnVj0SxVqq8tnaubpwPLR6WzvrA071z84Orr4EVxWxlSoC0c_q2kkzVXwASOGIkAgUhnFdcAhftW41f4MNpGS6CylXypXhvVM8w5kAQq3QCVJLIFMsW_esHvmEsUM/s320/IMG_5567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>SO. I had to adjust my specs a bit and revamp some of my plans, but I perservered. I also decided to make a crucial change to the upper shelf. Instead of having a fixed shelf, I wanted to make it removeable, so that if I ever need the bench to just be a temporary table, it can be. Neato!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB7qb2PtMU7A-SsYSpR2LfXTCupcA5lBYIjasrJf_whLvneOoh7KWm8jwdYgbvEIiWw6YgFZ9zvUnQZjn9-_T4cfdVq0vEJeUBOxxPDFS1w0S0cyHCZy3BqGthuM54wYfAvHlLJtJz-Y/s1600/IMG_5571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB7qb2PtMU7A-SsYSpR2LfXTCupcA5lBYIjasrJf_whLvneOoh7KWm8jwdYgbvEIiWw6YgFZ9zvUnQZjn9-_T4cfdVq0vEJeUBOxxPDFS1w0S0cyHCZy3BqGthuM54wYfAvHlLJtJz-Y/s320/IMG_5571.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I also wanted the upper shelf to be cuter. This was very important. So in place of boring old wood uprights, I painted some cute flower pots white and attached the shelf to them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6i1UUMoneTB4xL_qMOlhWfUpR886tQhIZrQUlETxpefF8f2A8DAGqKMuSYiZk1G_oMDvKFlDcl4JgfcnTYbbU1-gOoqx2OLZb3GsAb32BWlauMtxyDuMghiIFIL9cl7VIJAsZlDEIwI/s1600/IMG_5572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6i1UUMoneTB4xL_qMOlhWfUpR886tQhIZrQUlETxpefF8f2A8DAGqKMuSYiZk1G_oMDvKFlDcl4JgfcnTYbbU1-gOoqx2OLZb3GsAb32BWlauMtxyDuMghiIFIL9cl7VIJAsZlDEIwI/s320/IMG_5572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ooh!! I almost forgot! I was recently given some cool carved crown moldings, and I thought, "what the hey??" So that's on there too. And I painted it with some leftover pale green from my kitchen, just some cheapo Valspar paint in "Lindhurst Spring Eve". The green is on the bench top and its legs, and on the molding and flower pots I used some of the leftover white paint that's on my bathroom cabinets. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33fxhOQ6BBAmaqPYdnIT30iglYA3vIijfRAN0ociOLfSsE0mSQbUySDgHeXD_YIY2oxbxUh7xuztRJIOZDqlXprwCw-Q_xqzxWmwSKDzMd2eI17X5hvKbxwciRf3L-nNP1FC_6vLwqOY/s1600/IMG_5602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33fxhOQ6BBAmaqPYdnIT30iglYA3vIijfRAN0ociOLfSsE0mSQbUySDgHeXD_YIY2oxbxUh7xuztRJIOZDqlXprwCw-Q_xqzxWmwSKDzMd2eI17X5hvKbxwciRf3L-nNP1FC_6vLwqOY/s320/IMG_5602.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkYeXQGD9Hr8sTOO4wX5YvCf2qVnYJd1iRvJtNh02nyU6A_z_WTOmpyZQQTOhnDL02zWHkPTM4VuUDSHgXVRXrx8zlczHbUiWgLkxnj-YKS0CNJ5q1Tdi0Vcamyzz8ZgC0KvJByWB36w/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkYeXQGD9Hr8sTOO4wX5YvCf2qVnYJd1iRvJtNh02nyU6A_z_WTOmpyZQQTOhnDL02zWHkPTM4VuUDSHgXVRXrx8zlczHbUiWgLkxnj-YKS0CNJ5q1Tdi0Vcamyzz8ZgC0KvJByWB36w/s320/IMG_5598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My garden tools hang from hooks on one side;<br />
My little red watering can hides underneath,<br />
out of the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi2vXHg6Y3f-FaW3QY-KXHIYDkodNlNemkkqk8gwcAXRpPhNYjeL9OnAsUQHuH1dOKNCsynf4fej_m7Op5poIyFxtmzbrXML-WqiKuBrffZZ9ubD2qEV7wbDTt8UKU9bJycAOdUYq0Ao/s1600/IMG_5608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi2vXHg6Y3f-FaW3QY-KXHIYDkodNlNemkkqk8gwcAXRpPhNYjeL9OnAsUQHuH1dOKNCsynf4fej_m7Op5poIyFxtmzbrXML-WqiKuBrffZZ9ubD2qEV7wbDTt8UKU9bJycAOdUYq0Ao/s320/IMG_5608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two white flower pots support the upper shelf, <br />
and the whole thing is easily removed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Pretty dang inexpensive, for a potting bench! Less than $30 for the wood, and I had paint on hand. I'll have to apply some weather sealer to it to keep it safe from the elements, but not bad for a little weekend project!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBcdrNrNLou-1vK4T1yA46sEvM5E8J3pd3vWwX6yfYi7k9ZhYybDsHJib8T3B-9FqP50V5G0Pj20tMOzJWOUdh4ZbE9cTYw2EPTSKAhjmd9bPmxCSYzM4G4G28d4b5RFyqqWqHX1e3RA/s1600/IMG_5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBcdrNrNLou-1vK4T1yA46sEvM5E8J3pd3vWwX6yfYi7k9ZhYybDsHJib8T3B-9FqP50V5G0Pj20tMOzJWOUdh4ZbE9cTYw2EPTSKAhjmd9bPmxCSYzM4G4G28d4b5RFyqqWqHX1e3RA/s320/IMG_5583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalk paint makes great, easily changeable labels. <br />
Jobe's Plant Food Spikes and Miracle Gro at my fingertips!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj83tqodURVoVWu5-30BQ_982BP7Zb-hJZ3f6xSstqCEqBD2MJ0i_3BURhEvvotWwjn2k07z1aGWxC94ZpgT9Y3TxOf3roBQv1vbVroJIlKvJbeDLE5yHOi515CjYOGNUVe2dX5r1uaQ/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj83tqodURVoVWu5-30BQ_982BP7Zb-hJZ3f6xSstqCEqBD2MJ0i_3BURhEvvotWwjn2k07z1aGWxC94ZpgT9Y3TxOf3roBQv1vbVroJIlKvJbeDLE5yHOi515CjYOGNUVe2dX5r1uaQ/s320/IMG_5584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FPkCgM2a8DwSNdvbMoKh9pzMpEOrPkoxzQMw6oPytdv6WUIsEPE4xJIGMuLq7qPWQLCwSRPVeKilAiYUXyXHz5v8c4cmD3_RlEfeGlzyxEblHG8VfjsMAJz1-G1tqbqdUqtWHzosqpQ/s1600/IMG_5590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FPkCgM2a8DwSNdvbMoKh9pzMpEOrPkoxzQMw6oPytdv6WUIsEPE4xJIGMuLq7qPWQLCwSRPVeKilAiYUXyXHz5v8c4cmD3_RlEfeGlzyxEblHG8VfjsMAJz1-G1tqbqdUqtWHzosqpQ/s320/IMG_5590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this grapevine molding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Sz4BsVAZWU4bfW3Drn7Wz-Gf0BoKrRRrJzpde3C5kyEekCsB3kxOspNtvfSCE1jt8Bdod9q7rB3AlPsBUERum498xH5T0PP2UwIH5lgwv14Z3b9yvcv06YQWrj20rMEKr923Ze9M6Ys/s1600/IMG_5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Sz4BsVAZWU4bfW3Drn7Wz-Gf0BoKrRRrJzpde3C5kyEekCsB3kxOspNtvfSCE1jt8Bdod9q7rB3AlPsBUERum498xH5T0PP2UwIH5lgwv14Z3b9yvcv06YQWrj20rMEKr923Ze9M6Ys/s320/IMG_5605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peat pots and sissal twine! If only the weather<br />
was more conducive to gardening...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFCnSgTFxx72IIJiiIokjpCf4bGNs4ekifMM7uklmVV0lERfTL8pt_dU6fB0q8Wo7_PQS4PCxKC3KXAx6I2-AD_H9zTe3PwtuUhZIQ0xH-H7ANCqlWizBh48RlbJHH6t2qZfvkNFB0fw/s1600/IMG_5607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFCnSgTFxx72IIJiiIokjpCf4bGNs4ekifMM7uklmVV0lERfTL8pt_dU6fB0q8Wo7_PQS4PCxKC3KXAx6I2-AD_H9zTe3PwtuUhZIQ0xH-H7ANCqlWizBh48RlbJHH6t2qZfvkNFB0fw/s320/IMG_5607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nosy old Dexter is in about 30 of my shots, <br />
so I had to include one...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I hope this Fourth of July finds everyone (even my overseas friends, Hi Hannah!!) happy and well. We've got big plans ourselves (more swimming, more watermelon) and this box of fireworks we bought from a local cheerleading squad fundraiser:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCOmH8AgeSTt7MuudROH2MbbfIlxPm4BhrnlPr8vEVcngNjCS876dnSNw5LYASBscf7HbWDeKgkIvCawjRmFGVSB7mcCfgAAidOZg8HOd_PVyq6dR1N8HlPSrAeOl0BhJKNkRdto_9bI/s1600/IMG_5609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCOmH8AgeSTt7MuudROH2MbbfIlxPm4BhrnlPr8vEVcngNjCS876dnSNw5LYASBscf7HbWDeKgkIvCawjRmFGVSB7mcCfgAAidOZg8HOd_PVyq6dR1N8HlPSrAeOl0BhJKNkRdto_9bI/s320/IMG_5609.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This won't do NEARLY enough damage.<br />
We'll be buying more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I may even do a little gardening...<br />
<br />
With my new potting bench!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRenBDMCVt9cPZoDV4tnxMPdjOJ7MyAM36_EsDZdm8wPgYcUISXxa0-J7xemheVu8AFXJVGPgXrZYC3QcSOBuHnkOBS6W6FIRnl-F0wOye0CC9s_n5m1hVzBH_DYa-y_0LaydZEPrlguc/s1600/IMG_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRenBDMCVt9cPZoDV4tnxMPdjOJ7MyAM36_EsDZdm8wPgYcUISXxa0-J7xemheVu8AFXJVGPgXrZYC3QcSOBuHnkOBS6W6FIRnl-F0wOye0CC9s_n5m1hVzBH_DYa-y_0LaydZEPrlguc/s320/IMG_5598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461882545004206015.post-67417249457724603312011-06-26T17:33:00.000-07:002011-08-29T21:37:51.793-07:00Craft Hack: DIY Rustic ChandelierI know I'm prone to saying this, but I'm saying it again today: This is probably the coolest project I've ever done. It was really fun and surprisingly simple, and the end result is exactly as I'd hoped it would be.<br />
<br />
I give you the Rustic Chandelier Knock-Off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTttap7gDmBIHvHVcuk1VmM_Q3xROIlbwjWaobCkqLJTOGxZYp_f1iqwBTwcDIF2JxZneBSjJaTSg0W0x3eQiUYhDouVf6wdOhkdnwLU5uSBmhlh6RPo3QkSOmFvz7bAGmceIWTa_bNk/s1600/IMG_5504-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTttap7gDmBIHvHVcuk1VmM_Q3xROIlbwjWaobCkqLJTOGxZYp_f1iqwBTwcDIF2JxZneBSjJaTSg0W0x3eQiUYhDouVf6wdOhkdnwLU5uSBmhlh6RPo3QkSOmFvz7bAGmceIWTa_bNk/s320/IMG_5504-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I saw a picture of something similar a few weeks ago and I thought that, while it was really cool and I totally wanted one, the price tag was just a teeeensy bit steep. I mean, it IS really interesting and unique, but dang. <a href="http://remodelista.com/products/rustic-chandelier">This chandelier</a> from Rustic Designs costs $2,800. Yes, that's the correct number of zeros there. Two thousand, eight hundred dollars. That's almost three large for a chandelier made of branches.<br />
<br />
Not bloody likely.<br />
<br />
I knew I could make something similar, if not exactly the same, for a couple thousand dollars less. <br />
<br />
See how I did it after the jump.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The first thing I needed was some dry branches. Luckily, my husband had just recently removed some big ugly shrubs from the backyard. They hadn't been hauled away yet, so I moseyed on over to the side of the house and poked around until I found a few branches that were the right size, and also interestingly shaped.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdGSfk2b2z1vWZfXZPiMoyX5mLio39NAxv7As1tns8tAEI4t6EvpYUhgFifPjlrtLT6W1DEzAkkVAHfvx5UG_i_SwQDuhYc_GbVslL3e38mz0MLRt70g60eDN94V46AGyOZzR8Tsv6c0/s1600/IMG_5349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdGSfk2b2z1vWZfXZPiMoyX5mLio39NAxv7As1tns8tAEI4t6EvpYUhgFifPjlrtLT6W1DEzAkkVAHfvx5UG_i_SwQDuhYc_GbVslL3e38mz0MLRt70g60eDN94V46AGyOZzR8Tsv6c0/s320/IMG_5349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was three branches. I lashed them together at the top with thick(ish) hemp twine and hung them from the rafters in the garage at a comfortable working height. I brushed them off carefully to get rid of the spiders and dust and then varnished them lightly with my<a href="http://craftybutt.blogspot.com/search/label/Minwax"> trusty</a> Minwax Woodsheen in Colonial Pine to make them a little darker, a little healthier looking and a little shinier. If you intend to paint your branches, do it now, at this point, before you start wiring anything.<br />
<br />
Then came the tricky bit. See, I have NO IDEA how to build a chandelier. Aside from changing the occasional light bulb, I have never done any electrical work. But like any good blogger knows, when in doubt, ask Google. <br />
<br />
After a few minutes of research, I ran across a chandelier building tutorial. I had to modify it a lot to accomodate my project, but fortunately the rules of electricity are pretty static. Then I set about ordering the parts I needed. This took longer than any other part of the project. I'm totally serious. I spent hours trying to find exactly what I needed, to the point I nearly gave up and wrapped the dang thing with twinkle lights.<br />
<br />
But I perservered, and here are the parts you'll need if you want to make your own Rustic Chandelier:<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=crabut-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002T5QLPW&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=crabut-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0002YTQYA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=crabut-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000I1BYSS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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I used 10 bulb sockets on mine, but the original used 8. It's up to you how many to have, of course. You'll also need to go <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#">to this website</a> and order 25 ft. EACH of parts number 7587K126 and 7587K121. (This is black and white electrical wire; it's what you hook your sockets up to and then hook to the lamp cord.) Don't worry, this will all cost less than $20. I'm not even kidding. If you choose the free shipping option with Amazon, it'll be less than that. The black and white electrical wire is like $5 total, and you're ordering a lot of it. <br />
<br />
PLEASE BE ADVISED: <strong>You do NOT have to buy these parts from the sellers I'm recommending</strong>. You may be able to find what you need elsewhere for less money. All I'm saying is that I looked and looked and these are the best deals I found for this project. One thing I learned from all of this is that branch chandeliers are cheap to build, but the parts are a pain in the keister to get hold of.<br />
<br />
Alright, so when my orders came in, I spent a little time getting to know all of it. These are your candelabra sockets. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIwEGrpsHXBpOze2VBccLwnglZy9MVnqRJxntXprfJoZOVVk2vD7GNZ52fzh3z99JJbXsnp2Pu8q8ciJsWWLsQySMXfI46lEfVnxqIrz5ouAxBko-8XPSdW_PCLwAyXAFVYN0XuDU7dc/s1600/IMG_5471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIwEGrpsHXBpOze2VBccLwnglZy9MVnqRJxntXprfJoZOVVk2vD7GNZ52fzh3z99JJbXsnp2Pu8q8ciJsWWLsQySMXfI46lEfVnxqIrz5ouAxBko-8XPSdW_PCLwAyXAFVYN0XuDU7dc/s320/IMG_5471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They have a removable cardboard slipcover that's paintable. I suggest you paint them to match your branches BEFORE you start assembling anything. I almost did this whole thing in antique white, but since I'm trying to hack an existing project, I decided to keep it as close to the original as I could.</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/AVvXsEiQ1OhF-lhsY_Tu6ZNVjREgl-JK07Buo0rcl2xFxc_Dumhxa43snCQ9UfIlhUpcX0oeZ1j8RGupMfJFOrUZlS5J9GAlELFczqJFYx-eyRpc9VP9HN2l9SOy47_wg6vEmNQdmwuMlnYizuk/s1600/IMG_5472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1OhF-lhsY_Tu6ZNVjREgl-JK07Buo0rcl2xFxc_Dumhxa43snCQ9UfIlhUpcX0oeZ1j8RGupMfJFOrUZlS5J9GAlELFczqJFYx-eyRpc9VP9HN2l9SOy47_wg6vEmNQdmwuMlnYizuk/s320/IMG_5472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The candelabra sockets are what you'll be screwing your bulbs into, so you'll want to position them on your branches in a temporary fashion while you decide on the placement you like best. I used twisty ties to hold them in place while I made my decisions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0p3ZpWvCN6PkNFVmbbt-ajFZ8N5p9T1N5c4W5TNTuCQpIyhh9nZt80Z8_pML6Wlcfpo0FLb6NsA232vsJ667Iow7LTw0kP_XdKeLCaTRBEl-WXSlq7r5Y7wSPUE113gddzaeR6dzSV0/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0p3ZpWvCN6PkNFVmbbt-ajFZ8N5p9T1N5c4W5TNTuCQpIyhh9nZt80Z8_pML6Wlcfpo0FLb6NsA232vsJ667Iow7LTw0kP_XdKeLCaTRBEl-WXSlq7r5Y7wSPUE113gddzaeR6dzSV0/s320/IMG_5461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once you've decided on your socket placement, use a measuring tape to figure out how long your white and black electrical wire needs to be. Measure from the tippy top of your branches out to where your sockets are positioned. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1AX4ZOUUyDZ3DEnqm5T7BEnwNbma_77cCcWgWcm7QoFuRwtDPDOJVfFAbYRKX5m-x5iAxrdZXBrnKDJb3DeFvzE2NpKH38rF7thsWD7JG13V-6GF6c-7ATtw4hTv67y1AcroJqu1nbs/s1600/IMG_5463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1AX4ZOUUyDZ3DEnqm5T7BEnwNbma_77cCcWgWcm7QoFuRwtDPDOJVfFAbYRKX5m-x5iAxrdZXBrnKDJb3DeFvzE2NpKH38rF7thsWD7JG13V-6GF6c-7ATtw4hTv67y1AcroJqu1nbs/s320/IMG_5463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Add an extra inch to that number, just to be on the safe side, and then clip a length of black and white wire with wire clippers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNRg46NFKID_2nlEU3_k2Actpd3cbnU_lNpuSMTSP3nJ0Q4FFjnrEIFo6M2IhfTPb33AAeweTQ6zWbrQKak0qSipqAXRgXOiEQdLnP4pt8OXDR6rgz3PWszIMWUs34hAMUqV-c1cwH_g/s1600/IMG_5473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNRg46NFKID_2nlEU3_k2Actpd3cbnU_lNpuSMTSP3nJ0Q4FFjnrEIFo6M2IhfTPb33AAeweTQ6zWbrQKak0qSipqAXRgXOiEQdLnP4pt8OXDR6rgz3PWszIMWUs34hAMUqV-c1cwH_g/s320/IMG_5473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> At both ends of your black and white wires, you'll need to strip off the plastic covering. Expose about a half-inch or so of the wires.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwLMBYzER8BqzGIVUc0vPeL9O4HJLOL95vfj7wT6lottJOZ4hxtx76sFkDg95IZ9mdLasjPcrkKshQmZL5KSbjzb_0x7vS9tLsWdseMX8MZwJLYIo9Nx_HN358BjrwqspCnHggBHY7hE/s1600/IMG_5466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwLMBYzER8BqzGIVUc0vPeL9O4HJLOL95vfj7wT6lottJOZ4hxtx76sFkDg95IZ9mdLasjPcrkKshQmZL5KSbjzb_0x7vS9tLsWdseMX8MZwJLYIo9Nx_HN358BjrwqspCnHggBHY7hE/s320/IMG_5466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then twist them between your finger and thumb so the wires stay together, and then fold them over like a candy cane.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOViL0S-c_lChPOXwX7SK06OuuFhBzGn4oKjHZN87kksOzStLP8gOKSVfo9S7TYBM3oOMKOeIferxpcTOAcZyiWg9O_gO2SF3bs9dPWV3OSgMl0eR1g6R8502A5xeKvtlwKA1rJH-dFyk/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOViL0S-c_lChPOXwX7SK06OuuFhBzGn4oKjHZN87kksOzStLP8gOKSVfo9S7TYBM3oOMKOeIferxpcTOAcZyiWg9O_gO2SF3bs9dPWV3OSgMl0eR1g6R8502A5xeKvtlwKA1rJH-dFyk/s320/IMG_5467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With me so far? Cool. On your sockets, there is a silver screw and a gold screw. Loosen the screws, and then hook the white candy cane around the silver screw. Tighten the screw down and then hook the black wire to the gold screw. Tighten that down, too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPsTcFMOJJCeR0DXOWZGbFwSUQyqgpZPqJFfRPZyFaw0rYE5gqSpk43YMWtU-hSl8QUknAcYqvq5Z78HGojmoqjAuyrj0AbWfKtLf0kLe9I6bH8AjkWvYS4Ge3QFmB7QvzbvXKKlCYII/s1600/IMG_5470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPsTcFMOJJCeR0DXOWZGbFwSUQyqgpZPqJFfRPZyFaw0rYE5gqSpk43YMWtU-hSl8QUknAcYqvq5Z78HGojmoqjAuyrj0AbWfKtLf0kLe9I6bH8AjkWvYS4Ge3QFmB7QvzbvXKKlCYII/s320/IMG_5470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Let these wires dangle for now. Repeat this process on your remaining sockets. Then put your (painted) cardboard slipcovers back on.<br />
When all your sockets are wired and your slipcovers back on, it's time to begin fixing the sockets and wires to your chandelier. I used a regular old glue gun. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusvDOQYsmtHfHllKZ-cd7bd02rRnmtOzJSMf9uVgq-qc0X8yZRCF7ZWLhfVtgAMeMOE8gq9ztuLsubuAKvEJAXb2ei7d43_F1XN3dN7Tr-HPyS4g-pAEqVkpGnh3Pk_noW7uVFMwuYVA/s1600/IMG_5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusvDOQYsmtHfHllKZ-cd7bd02rRnmtOzJSMf9uVgq-qc0X8yZRCF7ZWLhfVtgAMeMOE8gq9ztuLsubuAKvEJAXb2ei7d43_F1XN3dN7Tr-HPyS4g-pAEqVkpGnh3Pk_noW7uVFMwuYVA/s320/IMG_5475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cMmKZFy_uTyF-yDQdfCMZiyFF9NFkCk_BqAhyphenhyphenQ_2mb8LN6OUlttB63S1brOWw_vvjXMVs77VT_LcWwUif0a_yaJfrIFxaIpqfv5PITsXXKjlWviz_zseI1djciSK2g9TAYKKJEBLoyc/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cMmKZFy_uTyF-yDQdfCMZiyFF9NFkCk_BqAhyphenhyphenQ_2mb8LN6OUlttB63S1brOWw_vvjXMVs77VT_LcWwUif0a_yaJfrIFxaIpqfv5PITsXXKjlWviz_zseI1djciSK2g9TAYKKJEBLoyc/s320/IMG_5477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Glue your sockets to where you've decided they should go. Once the glue sets a bit, you can start running the wires up the branch, gluing every few inches as you go. I glued the wires to the top sides of the branches, so that when people are standing below it, they won't show. <br />
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Leave several inches of free wire at the top so that you can wire them all together and then to the plug-in cord.<br />
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This next part is very important. Gather all the white wires together at the top of your branch bundle and twist the ends together so they stay in place. The end of your brown plug-in cord (I don't know the technical term) is split into two. One part of the cord is smooth, the other has a line of ridges along it. Twist the white wires together with the SMOOTH cord, and then screw on a wire nut to hold the hold thing together.<br />
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Repeat this with the black wires. Twist the ends together, then twist them with the RIDGED part of the plug-in cord. Twist a wire nut tightly onto all the wires to hold them together. When you're done, you'll have something that looks like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlToEuGQ3FUeKufg14TIMMEOWBe5yuUiIiXeqdyLZ20IL76QrriXMIEpmoYdAyBNfmRpqfSsU0KRdIcj_fu_fC0kPTttn83Ubx8mgx8iEKMBnfVz5bYkr-Qn-QiQLon75hsIznkb3nVaM/s1600/IMG_5486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlToEuGQ3FUeKufg14TIMMEOWBe5yuUiIiXeqdyLZ20IL76QrriXMIEpmoYdAyBNfmRpqfSsU0KRdIcj_fu_fC0kPTttn83Ubx8mgx8iEKMBnfVz5bYkr-Qn-QiQLon75hsIznkb3nVaM/s320/IMG_5486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Notice that the white wires are all together with the smooth half of the cord (on the left side of the picture), and the black wires are together with the ridged half (on the right). Run your plug up through the top of your gathered branches and tuck your wire nut bundles in there carefully, so the wires don't pull out. I wrapped a little more twine down around the top of the branches to hide the wiring. You really can't see the wiring at all if you've tucked and wrapped well enough.<br />
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At this point, it behooves you to screw some bulbs in there and try plugging it in. If one or more of your bulbs doesn't work, check your wiring again to make sure everything is connected where it belongs, and check your socket screws, too. Make sure the white wires are screwed to silver, and black wires to gold.<br />
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When my chandelier lit up for the first time, I may have done a dance in the garage and texted my husband at work to brag. <br />
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The final step is to paint over your wires to camoflage them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmfyh1ZYgx62CIDBCI64EdqSuEpxTLNPxvbLrBF6X-C69tPuXLmD78gLq924SlkhNe_cg7I8KPsxbEniAzbOeuPH8FkKKsIZfPWFoOi6r6m73lVO_DjymBtD10FbQKeHK-LneexkEUNM/s1600/IMG_5488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmfyh1ZYgx62CIDBCI64EdqSuEpxTLNPxvbLrBF6X-C69tPuXLmD78gLq924SlkhNe_cg7I8KPsxbEniAzbOeuPH8FkKKsIZfPWFoOi6r6m73lVO_DjymBtD10FbQKeHK-LneexkEUNM/s320/IMG_5488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaETPb76l9yXD30TXukATz7_RWC4aJv_0Ug1J1ZOUAuqgMS2Qc_fV9ofPPGLqmUK8TGspp9vwaKkckK8KeSJXyoc0yndH2WMLeiAP3ozIerpbqv6KcMGrmbxM4iW_ZEl5lWaTBujQt3Y/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaETPb76l9yXD30TXukATz7_RWC4aJv_0Ug1J1ZOUAuqgMS2Qc_fV9ofPPGLqmUK8TGspp9vwaKkckK8KeSJXyoc0yndH2WMLeiAP3ozIerpbqv6KcMGrmbxM4iW_ZEl5lWaTBujQt3Y/s320/IMG_5490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And that's all there is to it!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsltM1GYKLwONsYlXhRlxz2znS2mai5T3Q8iyM11oeojRLQqbTgKjk-QOI2tz3aXF0oynhyphenhyphenEHus_SPQt4yWLi13BzITymLpkEt5ySCID2Xk6mfYWb48Q8SyDztP9hx7FI73pkws6vq6a0/s1600/IMG_5505-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsltM1GYKLwONsYlXhRlxz2znS2mai5T3Q8iyM11oeojRLQqbTgKjk-QOI2tz3aXF0oynhyphenhyphenEHus_SPQt4yWLi13BzITymLpkEt5ySCID2Xk6mfYWb48Q8SyDztP9hx7FI73pkws6vq6a0/s320/IMG_5505-2.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>After all's said and done, I probably spent two total hours on this project, and that includes all the mistakes I made. This is a really deceptively easy project. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3vpJVO-uyL0XJvpFV8rUlBO1Qh64DBSVtUbBTBaSdTg4ADvZD9NvVYshrNK0KhjgxdUb1znPkBvg1WZfeiei5G9idSPABBeX2NBwES19QEjnAtdYPFyc1I_6dWhl9fzDU_dLQNUBBMs/s1600/IMG_5506-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3vpJVO-uyL0XJvpFV8rUlBO1Qh64DBSVtUbBTBaSdTg4ADvZD9NvVYshrNK0KhjgxdUb1znPkBvg1WZfeiei5G9idSPABBeX2NBwES19QEjnAtdYPFyc1I_6dWhl9fzDU_dLQNUBBMs/s320/IMG_5506-2.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><span style="color: black;">And if I do say so myself, I think it's not too shabby! I've hung it out on my covered back patio for now. It's not meant to handle rain, and obviously wind will blow it around like Dorothy's house. So it'll have to come in this winter, but I'll definitely enjoy it through autumn! It is really pretty at night, sitting at my little patio table. I love!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1phs9w_BCgZAmBEeMHynr3v1jVE0jHfuw27ANw5JKFFxpUAUjW_JfzKziok5NHOrOmz6wZJoDKEJrhBfEoceevCveeqWO4Dni68JbhhAahPWs8tPHZGhCHIV-49v5IJlP3sv7hGB8vRQ/s1600/IMG_5507-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1phs9w_BCgZAmBEeMHynr3v1jVE0jHfuw27ANw5JKFFxpUAUjW_JfzKziok5NHOrOmz6wZJoDKEJrhBfEoceevCveeqWO4Dni68JbhhAahPWs8tPHZGhCHIV-49v5IJlP3sv7hGB8vRQ/s320/IMG_5507-2.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>It's very neutral, so I'll be able to hang stars on it for the 4th of July, and when I bring it in later in the year, I'll hang little bats on it for Halloween, ornaments or tinsel for Christmas, and whatever other seasonal decorations occur to me! It would also be beautiful done with driftwood, for any of you seaside readers out there...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKikcmp1WlXjM5d8PbTWwuckd-0avMCVt09DiHRA_gRglDZvU44qVSnYXYof27HrJAsAS5GH5nKeza3nAKQkAMFHG9nghy3EmD9gddOqtclLcQdSHU0jhpxm4SoIodR8JH7JwH8SX6Ko/s1600/IMG_5508-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKikcmp1WlXjM5d8PbTWwuckd-0avMCVt09DiHRA_gRglDZvU44qVSnYXYof27HrJAsAS5GH5nKeza3nAKQkAMFHG9nghy3EmD9gddOqtclLcQdSHU0jhpxm4SoIodR8JH7JwH8SX6Ko/s320/IMG_5508-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: I am not an electrician. I don't know what I'm doing half the time, so if you're going to make a chandelier using my tutorial, please bear that in mind. Please use all the precautions you can think of to prevent zapping yourself stupid.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343304768164940770noreply@blogger.com56