tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89551755532851096242024-02-21T05:36:09.758-06:00The Angry PincushionCrafts, Creative Stuffs, & Cute Things...Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-11571303447780285092011-06-01T21:33:00.009-05:002011-06-02T11:06:12.489-05:00If you like cute, you'll love this post...Hey all! It's been awhile...again...yes I know I keep doing that. Didn't I warn you that I was a bad blogger?! Anywho, here's a little preview of what's been keeping me so busy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnptvU9qVe28N882H-NW5DdPNE-HgKcACG4M5GxzPdrJiqnDOdW-cAk76uoR6gumcZRLdPQhVjhUgFakh3BrhQVuhRIz0rViWH5CMn8kuCSaQ0ZZQxDg0kN0gSQqWmwLKNdzjgjuRpqtU/s1600/IMGP0150.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnptvU9qVe28N882H-NW5DdPNE-HgKcACG4M5GxzPdrJiqnDOdW-cAk76uoR6gumcZRLdPQhVjhUgFakh3BrhQVuhRIz0rViWH5CMn8kuCSaQ0ZZQxDg0kN0gSQqWmwLKNdzjgjuRpqtU/s400/IMGP0150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613451110913928898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2GUQ6RBz4xgOgSyY-gq9Cze5O9L_ysmSCBdlIvkj2aPeSUhVrGO2YTw1lBwDXUCjFctUw_s-UHoZW_hLr7F1zpU8NyWSt1lM42fJlL9BoETGN0-qW07R3cq6zM6Nl_DKvHPBC-B66OA/s1600/IMGP0152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2GUQ6RBz4xgOgSyY-gq9Cze5O9L_ysmSCBdlIvkj2aPeSUhVrGO2YTw1lBwDXUCjFctUw_s-UHoZW_hLr7F1zpU8NyWSt1lM42fJlL9BoETGN0-qW07R3cq6zM6Nl_DKvHPBC-B66OA/s400/IMGP0152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613449694977312066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD_LCbNkfnEFMQNbP4gX7CESpZQ3CtDYtTdPd8sZhwppkYNGtBJON9DemIfwzT_ygSp6uGR5TqoTCKDtpqQmCqv4k81atDubHVtDrXMhjbp0TXwLJQ_IZqgYGGCgBtPVy7U66Zhv94QY/s1600/IMGP0102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD_LCbNkfnEFMQNbP4gX7CESpZQ3CtDYtTdPd8sZhwppkYNGtBJON9DemIfwzT_ygSp6uGR5TqoTCKDtpqQmCqv4k81atDubHVtDrXMhjbp0TXwLJQ_IZqgYGGCgBtPVy7U66Zhv94QY/s400/IMGP0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613448672053080498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN17GQ1fjt4FcI8JXL8_BICw_xSMF5RPUG8Wvx6Sr_rhfhmHwtuO-_LLmNCMRHJXihr8t2aXU8y5MkWHtDbwwz5l4l_EAsN6V7vzNAVx_P89KIyzFd2ie061N9fN2AZonyi_AbTjnEWrE/s1600/IMGP0148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN17GQ1fjt4FcI8JXL8_BICw_xSMF5RPUG8Wvx6Sr_rhfhmHwtuO-_LLmNCMRHJXihr8t2aXU8y5MkWHtDbwwz5l4l_EAsN6V7vzNAVx_P89KIyzFd2ie061N9fN2AZonyi_AbTjnEWrE/s400/IMGP0148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613449688455386642" border="0" /></a>Cute eh? Long story short: A stray female cat shows up in my backyard near starving and pregnant in Febuary, several months later she is doing well(she is going to be spayed asap), and all five of her babies are turning 8 weeks this coming Saturday.<br /><br />I named them after characters from Star Trek Next Generation(huge fan here!)--Troi, Q, Worf, Hugh, and Barclay. Hoping to find loving homes for them soon! There is a DIY bit to this post...see down below the neato kitten mansion I made out of cardboard boxes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pE3UfX_eNNKY9StUesf7VuSvZjgQyhF_pdlLUvk0rBETcua6eXJ34GoGt7mFoee34XKVyLW_h-4jcL749P5qbrHheQ4mQVQ-vzp3h_fPlS6ah8Vuh2N-JWThvy8QszdJozc1XhWIrTk/s1600/IMGP0089.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pE3UfX_eNNKY9StUesf7VuSvZjgQyhF_pdlLUvk0rBETcua6eXJ34GoGt7mFoee34XKVyLW_h-4jcL749P5qbrHheQ4mQVQ-vzp3h_fPlS6ah8Vuh2N-JWThvy8QszdJozc1XhWIrTk/s400/IMGP0089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613448668055608498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6e30hV06ti4WYF6GqYjscdCTq5wVVZtT3FVUZ3KhAO_QJq2i7wW9y25In3pdZrY3ghozjUQn4qaR_qY-gcwD9iqsGCBzUI9nYmDmCPiUDdJgn9aOVsoZ8hZbKLobQQX8gKkPI6Kkcrs/s1600/IMGP0088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6e30hV06ti4WYF6GqYjscdCTq5wVVZtT3FVUZ3KhAO_QJq2i7wW9y25In3pdZrY3ghozjUQn4qaR_qY-gcwD9iqsGCBzUI9nYmDmCPiUDdJgn9aOVsoZ8hZbKLobQQX8gKkPI6Kkcrs/s400/IMGP0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613447794009133010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDX8RhAlMMjISReUYO1H_-NzS86e3KILLqmJEY3QpKFr6KwQiLF0jntC22GgKDkAg3Od5hksiI0K_ArB4j0tbR3Wzgdw8SH6kPgOL4w_t8G3ObFG5ur64REsLRQ7DxmmZue_ZfcYysVo/s1600/IMGP0083.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDX8RhAlMMjISReUYO1H_-NzS86e3KILLqmJEY3QpKFr6KwQiLF0jntC22GgKDkAg3Od5hksiI0K_ArB4j0tbR3Wzgdw8SH6kPgOL4w_t8G3ObFG5ur64REsLRQ7DxmmZue_ZfcYysVo/s400/IMGP0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613447785953048226" border="0" /></a>Play box<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj8pjySdTlGPasilA27x1Aj93fXQ2b62vD7e3_-1nxf3Al9zDCnT1VMFRaMKuwln023NPu6nvfFCLNSI-N6LXbsYUzWWMPs9ryTvXJRc9HZNZo0FovacRHFwLQV4lYIzFTRuMh1JpivI/s1600/IMGP0082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj8pjySdTlGPasilA27x1Aj93fXQ2b62vD7e3_-1nxf3Al9zDCnT1VMFRaMKuwln023NPu6nvfFCLNSI-N6LXbsYUzWWMPs9ryTvXJRc9HZNZo0FovacRHFwLQV4lYIzFTRuMh1JpivI/s400/IMGP0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613446860564681138" border="0" /></a>Upcycled- clear lid to a fast food salad turned into a window in the play box.<br />Too bad duct tape is so darn ugly...<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-16579656619951846202011-04-15T20:03:00.005-05:002011-04-15T20:22:42.815-05:00Easter Egg Leftovers<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TircaXwskDSUJHH2zHUED-HvGwT1BHgIGNd3ckEHJm3ry-itKJF_dkfJbIl2HakmPJbETMGUdVeGMLHPSwncNlv3gzkAsQwZVZNXv3WbvqH4bdwXPCFlQjiHEgEvNLcodf7_zUFDWgA/s1600/DSCN0829.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TircaXwskDSUJHH2zHUED-HvGwT1BHgIGNd3ckEHJm3ry-itKJF_dkfJbIl2HakmPJbETMGUdVeGMLHPSwncNlv3gzkAsQwZVZNXv3WbvqH4bdwXPCFlQjiHEgEvNLcodf7_zUFDWgA/s400/DSCN0829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595984647933166658" border="0" /></a>Pearly Easter Eggs<br /><br /></div>I'll be the first to admit that I am a crappy blogger, I get ideas and then am either too busy to do anything about it, or just don't feel like putting all the effort into not only making the project but then photographing the process, which can be VERY tedious! Still, The Angry Pincushion and my blogging skills are a work in progress, and I am okay with that, I hope you are too! :)<br /><br />With that being said, I have to admit that while I can normally come up with several crafty ideas for any given holiday, I have a really hard time with Easter, my mind kinda goes blank when it comes around. Eggs, bunnies, and chicks have been done a billion times and different ways, and it's sometimes hard to find inspiration or ideas for something new. However I did post an Easter egg project two years ago, and since I am having "crafter's block" with Easter right now I will post this craft left over and hope you get some inspiration from it.<br /><br /><a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2009/04/pearly-easter-eggs.html">-Pearly Easter Eggs- April 8th, 2009</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oCZix9XuAJrBxURYyUlB9pRXEeUVmVxJPa7lYxXakzlQxVc2XYBuvb48OYJkZRLdjn9X1wrDK55KjSnFprqpuq0JGeRYw-TjpLzPfwWi0muY2RrP_yGnEe_-qh_WJWALJXBGQnda_-g/s1600/DSCN0831.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oCZix9XuAJrBxURYyUlB9pRXEeUVmVxJPa7lYxXakzlQxVc2XYBuvb48OYJkZRLdjn9X1wrDK55KjSnFprqpuq0JGeRYw-TjpLzPfwWi0muY2RrP_yGnEe_-qh_WJWALJXBGQnda_-g/s400/DSCN0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595984322498729458" border="0" /></a>Leftover Easter project anyone?....anyone?<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-51846220698727484272011-03-29T18:33:00.008-05:002011-03-29T19:23:51.893-05:00Cuddly Rigor Mortis Auctions Original Painting for Japan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoFMBCkZ5QBLepIV0E1q-NTMfrNPE6tXvgTahPq9m3pPRcTFigfJyhoji5zV_w1mxwTlXEyvPdoEF90Tn-9grGEsYGUMGR25Tl_W0gZOzxqAqH0JAe2FUNWp9MZtOD8GDoMnKB68aquE/s1600/crmmononoawaresm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoFMBCkZ5QBLepIV0E1q-NTMfrNPE6tXvgTahPq9m3pPRcTFigfJyhoji5zV_w1mxwTlXEyvPdoEF90Tn-9grGEsYGUMGR25Tl_W0gZOzxqAqH0JAe2FUNWp9MZtOD8GDoMnKB68aquE/s400/crmmononoawaresm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589656279773070322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I've blogged about <a href="http://www.cuddlyrigormortis.com/">Cuddly Rigor Mortis</a> many times before, like for <a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2011/02/handmade-goodies-for-valentines.html">Valentine's Day</a>, and remember when Perry <a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2010/10/perry-imitates-art.html">imitated art</a>? Well the lovely lady behind Cuddly Rigor Mortis, Kristin Tercek, is not only amazingly talented, but she has a big heart too! :) Kristin is using her incredible artistic talent to raise money to help benefit Japan by auctioning a beautiful original painting with a cherry blossom theme titled <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Mono-No-Aware-original-painting-Kristin-Tercek-/300540406431?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item45f99aaa9f">"Mono No Aware" on ebay</a>. All proceeds from the sale of the painting will go to the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">Red Cross</a>. It measures 6.5" x 9.25", acrylic paint on a beveled wood plaque. It's sealed with a high gloss finish, and it's signed with the title and year and has a small hanger on the back.<br /><br />The bidding ends for this great painting in just two days, so you better put it on your ebay watch list asap!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpe-BMPZTQQQzfxwf1TFnlnp4k4_Rb9UCwTOVx961z96UmeDc_I93KcRcgwiw8qLcAxdpJIGBQSam2Tjb2_GupAmXkMpmM-HcBBoVU1MW4hxEVFMNyd3ICZPoGFYmRhAjcMgvjwD7Ib8/s1600/crmmononoawarecu1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpe-BMPZTQQQzfxwf1TFnlnp4k4_Rb9UCwTOVx961z96UmeDc_I93KcRcgwiw8qLcAxdpJIGBQSam2Tjb2_GupAmXkMpmM-HcBBoVU1MW4hxEVFMNyd3ICZPoGFYmRhAjcMgvjwD7Ib8/s400/crmmononoawarecu1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589655569356451506" border="0" /></a>Kristin captures the breathtaking beauty of the cherry blossom perfectly...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpP0NWNgZFUAdqKI-PGCH-sOLcC1PIBt6JCqAfJSUrOmjSCYoCrwLV34CEbEGw-Hin774g-25hB9-sAJLFqs_L36nungR_W1zGCyLkAFrUtETkIrhY83sZEVYcyCyFTACefG0dmilC3k/s1600/crmmononoawarecu2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpP0NWNgZFUAdqKI-PGCH-sOLcC1PIBt6JCqAfJSUrOmjSCYoCrwLV34CEbEGw-Hin774g-25hB9-sAJLFqs_L36nungR_W1zGCyLkAFrUtETkIrhY83sZEVYcyCyFTACefG0dmilC3k/s400/crmmononoawarecu2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589655406651335282" border="0" /></a>Face detail<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-17029433875466011292011-03-27T16:16:00.012-05:002011-03-27T16:52:31.097-05:00I'm Baaaaack!I apologize for being MIA for almost the whole month of March, but I swear I haven't been laying around eating chocolates(does anyone REALLY do that?). My 90 year old Grandma fell in the beginning of March and broke her arm, so I have been taking care of her during the day, & that takes up alot of time and energy. Then the rest of my days are spent doing house chores like dishes, dusting, laundry, and it seems like I am forever vacuuming up cat hair, sounds like an exciting life eh? Not only have I been busy/tired, but the Winter of 2011 has decided to hang on for dear life into late March, and it's starting to look like it might even be around for April! Argh! It's been so dreary, cloudy, damp and icky here in NE, it even snowed this weekend :( Family stress and crappy weather aside I feel like I have some free time coming to me and I'm gearing up for some Spring and Summer DIYish things.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I don't have a craft, recipe or other helpful info to post today, I would however like to share something with you that I discovered about a week ago that I am in love with. I came across an Etsy store called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fableandfury">Fable and Fury</a>, and they make the neatest laser cut stainless steel necklaces and earrings, very artistic! My favorite are the little deer earrings posted below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRNtcgPzDnq-lQAAmgw9_1HbA_fipnLkZUPuqd79IblPqJwMMzBkMUhJ39w4aYg3yhccQyHRzoF80uYwz63TXApThwOT0NOxW4lTuv3LDMrGoEfKQDC-Aasfekq3xwZVKqgf6QC6_ZNY/s1600/il_570xN.197322294.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRNtcgPzDnq-lQAAmgw9_1HbA_fipnLkZUPuqd79IblPqJwMMzBkMUhJ39w4aYg3yhccQyHRzoF80uYwz63TXApThwOT0NOxW4lTuv3LDMrGoEfKQDC-Aasfekq3xwZVKqgf6QC6_ZNY/s400/il_570xN.197322294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588880316345278082" border="0" /></a>So cute!<br /><br />This store has something for everyone, including silhouettes of the likes of David Bowie, Vincent Price, Johnny Cash, and H.P Lovecraft, and animals like owls, cats, and Jackalope-(yes, a Jackalope is an animal)-just to name a few designs. Love Edgar Allen Poe? How about wearing him around your neck? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7i-VXrDZzbVc6SpcA5pFMkoNsL8Ra7wg38jtJvFeFAVUvF5k5ecxDPHk35FOZS414xaxun1CKIRVVP4ZYANAKwGzeGj_0QmBOiGdMdblF1UFEvFuBPIRGqeQJCqJmyu1_IONXr8TSYY/s1600/il_570xN.197174726.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7i-VXrDZzbVc6SpcA5pFMkoNsL8Ra7wg38jtJvFeFAVUvF5k5ecxDPHk35FOZS414xaxun1CKIRVVP4ZYANAKwGzeGj_0QmBOiGdMdblF1UFEvFuBPIRGqeQJCqJmyu1_IONXr8TSYY/s400/il_570xN.197174726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588874912871958386" border="0" /></a>Nevermore wear a boring necklace....<br /><br />The Octopus Girl below looks like something from a Victorian horror novel, so naturally I love it! :) Seriously, go check <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fableandfury">Fable and Fury</a> out, you won't be disappointed with what you find.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaulPWHuK_HuG2HMA89ynvZ1eRLHQdxq19sbUbRqPJfLW97DkHSYYXeAiM9iyPkf34ywFZshoWFnhND3QFanJ0MMimzxuAbzokpjyd1VJFyBSOa2ZaNT5B1_XdCu-cqX8e0SdVatak8jI/s1600/il_570xN.193114912.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaulPWHuK_HuG2HMA89ynvZ1eRLHQdxq19sbUbRqPJfLW97DkHSYYXeAiM9iyPkf34ywFZshoWFnhND3QFanJ0MMimzxuAbzokpjyd1VJFyBSOa2ZaNT5B1_XdCu-cqX8e0SdVatak8jI/s400/il_570xN.193114912.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588874753861557250" border="0" /></a>Ahoy Mateys!<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-16123871719907929362011-03-03T16:52:00.006-06:002011-03-03T17:10:50.394-06:00March Madness<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1LbqrQ99bF9M9blki4DZauz189_gSBCO4BlBL9hhlw4BicuAaSdSMjziRXDNDYlbm4qtfuaKspV_Hyp4WvAi9y7wYCzRhw1jqbWmeavYIL5ehZ40lyUC8Y36LGmuPyRmFUN94ssVWtQ/s1600/front-pot-of-gold-img_8293.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1LbqrQ99bF9M9blki4DZauz189_gSBCO4BlBL9hhlw4BicuAaSdSMjziRXDNDYlbm4qtfuaKspV_Hyp4WvAi9y7wYCzRhw1jqbWmeavYIL5ehZ40lyUC8Y36LGmuPyRmFUN94ssVWtQ/s400/front-pot-of-gold-img_8293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579994652833835970" border="0" /></a>Pot'o'gold<br /><br /></div>I know St. Patrick's is still a few weeks away, but it's never too soon to start crafting and preparing. Here are the links to some past posts I did on Patty's Day crafts and even a recipe for regular and Vegan corned beef and cabbage.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcDKpXxRXly6_ofaQxjCroTIE3YY7erIZq6bxseeO3gUbj1OgcofbkQLRIK1CewlNQv2041C-wZvuCP26sloc9QVLPPgFZ295mAAqUKnAzZqzLTKXmeEbA2OM5iX6EtWKVA0MfZXQtHY/s1600/3884665840.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcDKpXxRXly6_ofaQxjCroTIE3YY7erIZq6bxseeO3gUbj1OgcofbkQLRIK1CewlNQv2041C-wZvuCP26sloc9QVLPPgFZ295mAAqUKnAzZqzLTKXmeEbA2OM5iX6EtWKVA0MfZXQtHY/s400/3884665840.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579994304041313778" border="0" /></a>Vegan Corned Beef<br /><br /></div><br />-<a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/20009/03/at-end-of-rainbow-and-vegan-corned-beef.html">At the End of the Rainbow, and Vegan Corned</a><a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/20009/03/at-end-of-rainbow-and-vegan-corned-beef.html"> Beef</a><br /><br />-<a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2009/03/fanciful-shamrock.html">A Fanciful Shamrock</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8g7DTQqcHjbyRJetmenWTLBuc5SZVaQUZObginfmXAfSkL4gguqf_hl310Ltbt8z4D_Y7T1CcpWPjZ1PMzWDZgmnnC0lxukqs8mw7YLrF812YVIZ5GOxawPS3q6NyRrLbl87-WPdP-c/s1600/6a00d83451d99869e20120a90a4290970b-400wi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8g7DTQqcHjbyRJetmenWTLBuc5SZVaQUZObginfmXAfSkL4gguqf_hl310Ltbt8z4D_Y7T1CcpWPjZ1PMzWDZgmnnC0lxukqs8mw7YLrF812YVIZ5GOxawPS3q6NyRrLbl87-WPdP-c/s400/6a00d83451d99869e20120a90a4290970b-400wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579994057698854386" border="0" /></a>A Fanciful Shamrock<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-42426111917961605882011-02-20T13:44:00.007-06:002011-02-20T19:12:11.074-06:00Awesome Cross Stitchery<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuLACAYFEtZwVK5hBdAzY3lRntxS7S0cdK01UReoZRDVa55PATZVr64ovv6MvL71mP5Xkkkx8fo_AdsEUtu5O4bQaMA-lMKm4JWogHqSG7SQ2nYtGhtbnD7Qwh0tAeoLilQzJeiWJUCs/s1600/xstitchbutton__4__1296470312.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuLACAYFEtZwVK5hBdAzY3lRntxS7S0cdK01UReoZRDVa55PATZVr64ovv6MvL71mP5Xkkkx8fo_AdsEUtu5O4bQaMA-lMKm4JWogHqSG7SQ2nYtGhtbnD7Qwh0tAeoLilQzJeiWJUCs/s400/xstitchbutton__4__1296470312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575118336062647874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Britta's cross stitch button masterpieces, from the top: Squirrel, Abstract design, Mushrooms, and Hedgehog.</span><br /><br /></div>Angry P's partner in craft Britta has quite a talent for creating awesomeness ( her felt <a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent-calendar.html">advent calendar </a>was so popular that I featured it 2x) and her new cross stitch designs are no exception. Britta said that she used a make your own cross stitch buttons kit to make the buttons in the above picture, and instead of using the already provided designs, she came up with her own using Cross Stitch Pro software. She said each button took about 5 hours to complete. Britta's favorite is the mushrooms, and it's mine too! :D<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-46emXkn2idAZkEUjdI0XooZY4bOeDkSfhjmZu4sUVZ8CfBX6MEvZU17dl03Jx4K9_8g_yLXr2B_Hr3nFUUrecj-emJHmIVtslRn9ZxCh6yFjX1nByTHDlJLToDsAo__jnRmJBIY3I_E/s1600/xstitchbutton__2__1296470344.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-46emXkn2idAZkEUjdI0XooZY4bOeDkSfhjmZu4sUVZ8CfBX6MEvZU17dl03Jx4K9_8g_yLXr2B_Hr3nFUUrecj-emJHmIVtslRn9ZxCh6yFjX1nByTHDlJLToDsAo__jnRmJBIY3I_E/s400/xstitchbutton__2__1296470344.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575118248832688450" border="0" /></a><br />Since I am a fan of the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Rainbow_%28viral_video%29"> Double Rainbow </a>video(who isn't?) I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I saw that Britta had captured the essence of double rainbow in the uber cute cross stitch below. Love it!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_djdjwnpV7DM5bhpTtaP4r0sNlkPnFfpj2UWD8iWLs00LV4R3nFFBHTCJQ9sAZAUMEvqyRn6aXcmmggajnySmbN01MIu1T4LyMxl7YWAAA4flpzNZ6Lhelt2LtkQcjQg8dtJ4oogNFT0/s1600/doublerainbow.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_djdjwnpV7DM5bhpTtaP4r0sNlkPnFfpj2UWD8iWLs00LV4R3nFFBHTCJQ9sAZAUMEvqyRn6aXcmmggajnySmbN01MIu1T4LyMxl7YWAAA4flpzNZ6Lhelt2LtkQcjQg8dtJ4oogNFT0/s400/doublerainbow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575118163616891362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Double Rainbow! Oh my God! So intense!</span><br /><br />Check out more of Britta's nifty projects, cross stitch and her nail art on her <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/users/11365">Cut Out+Keep profile</a>, and her <a href="http://brittajarvis.blogspot.com/">blog</a>.<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-16454951958991542082011-02-14T00:02:00.001-06:002011-02-14T00:02:00.541-06:00Perry the Love Bandit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vI-nYxpqzJvegatf3BID6chhd0koJveD9RWLTD9EtQQWy9iqeFTDKq-6hgK8pvvsNddZ8udWRVmg1rLhaHzipQy46hw63RaQ-eus3I1L42Of0JE7VLcpd3iXWbspiTPDuamWmoYgRWE/s1600/DSCN3615.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vI-nYxpqzJvegatf3BID6chhd0koJveD9RWLTD9EtQQWy9iqeFTDKq-6hgK8pvvsNddZ8udWRVmg1rLhaHzipQy46hw63RaQ-eus3I1L42Of0JE7VLcpd3iXWbspiTPDuamWmoYgRWE/s400/DSCN3615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572261113461452610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Perry and I wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-13516923665848202142011-02-11T10:07:00.016-06:002011-02-12T15:33:05.902-06:00Matchbox Valentine<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_dRsily4Xuun2AnOKOMKQ4Qk9SgZDLZLjs-PUF_qPlT3FaUyHrS57OAnzlZgUsZApXXAHFVw33kLiP4tIKCOD83SemrLBiw6fGLNQy1-WAtukxiAduhQhj4wN7gfJ1WQqHFcHPL3Lns/s1600/DSCN3660.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_dRsily4Xuun2AnOKOMKQ4Qk9SgZDLZLjs-PUF_qPlT3FaUyHrS57OAnzlZgUsZApXXAHFVw33kLiP4tIKCOD83SemrLBiw6fGLNQy1-WAtukxiAduhQhj4wN7gfJ1WQqHFcHPL3Lns/s400/DSCN3660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572481588285477762" border="0" /></a>You set my heart ablaze Valentine! ;)<br /></div><br />If you've been looking for a unique and punny-(that's pun and funny put together, as if you couldn't figure that out)-Valentine to make for your sweetheart look no further! I think this is pretty neato, but then again it was my idea, so call me biased. Not only is this matchbox Valentine fairly simple, but it's using something almost everyone has laying around in that "stuff" drawer, and if not a box of matches I'm sure is not that expensive at the drug store. Okay, I'll admit, the whole writing on the matches thing looks intimidating and it might not be for everyone, it does take a steady hand and a bit of patience. **Disclaimer**-this project is not for children, children and matches do not mix!<br /><br />I would like to point out that while photographing this project I ran across some difficulty. Most of the steps needed two hands, but photographing with one hand and trying to perform the step with the other proved very hard indeed. I wondered for awhile how other craft bloggers have both hands in shot while photographing. Third hand? Camera gnomes? Then I realized that they are probably using a tripod, duh. Sorry, I don't have one of those yet, maybe next Christmas! :)<br /><br />For this Valentine project you'll need:<ul><li>A matchbox</li><li>Matches</li><li>Water</li><li>Clear nail-polish </li><li>Fine tip Sharpie markers or paint pens</li><li>Paper</li><li>Scissors</li><li>Glue or tape</li><li>A steady hand!<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeuOOLfdQmN6TsPS0u8QGMcYmyOX1vcKoSYtZzsyaH6ieiDwKXTkuwx381zW6z3HhBe7N4ZDe0Sxr0uDQJfNfeEgYQjFOI5d_IrMKo5P7vf0uJBURaJO7UHoV9BRjUNA-wci9TrIz8RQ/s1600/DSCN3636.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeuOOLfdQmN6TsPS0u8QGMcYmyOX1vcKoSYtZzsyaH6ieiDwKXTkuwx381zW6z3HhBe7N4ZDe0Sxr0uDQJfNfeEgYQjFOI5d_IrMKo5P7vf0uJBURaJO7UHoV9BRjUNA-wci9TrIz8RQ/s400/DSCN3636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572467847508929890" border="0" /></a>1. Begin by doing something very important, take as many matches as you think you might want to write a message on and soak them in water for at least 3 hours, I soaked mine overnight to be on the safe side. Then take them out of the water and let dry.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1yYXFSZRLLg36ALgd9EgiZYiT81EbepaWKK1V5YOIMUwJG5LcA5zVwnhn6vVpjjCFwzW1DVdS4W6Kpw5b_EniAVB3m8N3CJwjZ0SKMqDVvGq6EOwWgFyPyuQMxnOLHOXBZtTwMFdmlU/s1600/DSCN3629.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1yYXFSZRLLg36ALgd9EgiZYiT81EbepaWKK1V5YOIMUwJG5LcA5zVwnhn6vVpjjCFwzW1DVdS4W6Kpw5b_EniAVB3m8N3CJwjZ0SKMqDVvGq6EOwWgFyPyuQMxnOLHOXBZtTwMFdmlU/s400/DSCN3629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572473806599950546" border="0" /></a><br />2. After each match is dry coat the tip with a little clear nail-polish to seal it and let it dry.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezrpY6hm0zfbB3Q0WkjK0UvQiE19cGVEu3zbiyWt0n_N5JlpPvLUWJrPl3iezmpm5-8wgk803Hc6XsrLv7CtMW_8EwkrpFii39n2Cw7lqUdSda6Bk4_zqUesTK3xx3FGfz9rN9uuanF0/s1600/DSCN3641.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezrpY6hm0zfbB3Q0WkjK0UvQiE19cGVEu3zbiyWt0n_N5JlpPvLUWJrPl3iezmpm5-8wgk803Hc6XsrLv7CtMW_8EwkrpFii39n2Cw7lqUdSda6Bk4_zqUesTK3xx3FGfz9rN9uuanF0/s400/DSCN3641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572467238874272770" border="0" /></a><br />3. I know this picture is a little out of focus, but have you ever tried photographing a match? It's harder than one would think...anyway, this is the match after I penned a sweet message on it, using all four sides of the match to write the message out with a fine tip Sharpie in black and red. It's not as hard as it seems. The key is to hold the pen and the match very steady, and have good lighting. The message on this match is "You light my fire Valentine", corny yes, but you can write whatever you'd like. Have a whole match box full of important dates to you, or stick with corny and sweet match and fire jokes :D<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lUp4dvXlzSwt6lUkg4nPqCNmwhcE-YQqtDhqfFcOM8y1u9_z7M3Oy7gQKhPOlQRsu5QThbbK1QJpr5FdBMpRaM6eZ55E4B6sblyf2dR-ktcw1GlJEc9yntDH4zHsU3t8Wq-_5YeJe5s/s1600/DSCN3665.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lUp4dvXlzSwt6lUkg4nPqCNmwhcE-YQqtDhqfFcOM8y1u9_z7M3Oy7gQKhPOlQRsu5QThbbK1QJpr5FdBMpRaM6eZ55E4B6sblyf2dR-ktcw1GlJEc9yntDH4zHsU3t8Wq-_5YeJe5s/s400/DSCN3665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572466239605265618" border="0" /></a><br />4. After you have your clever messages, as many or as few as you'd like written on your matches, take a small sized match box, empty it of extra matches of course, and...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5MWmdiqXyCGdvh2RksC83RPVeEBILg3VJ0ECHPk7ubt6bRul5r7vIlNNCzs535WhSPXStEN0FGrqIhrCbHqf6sixRn3vEJAvI-mzmbEfiicquLEFwmsK_drB9BBGJwoytyW6acVlkT4/s1600/DSCN3647.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5MWmdiqXyCGdvh2RksC83RPVeEBILg3VJ0ECHPk7ubt6bRul5r7vIlNNCzs535WhSPXStEN0FGrqIhrCbHqf6sixRn3vEJAvI-mzmbEfiicquLEFwmsK_drB9BBGJwoytyW6acVlkT4/s400/DSCN3647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572465950467876290" border="0" /></a>....lay it out on your blank piece of paper, you can mark the paper with pencil for the dimensions of the box, then cut out a strip of paper long enough to wrap around the match box, like a sleeve.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7Q5lxqRXvQ4rJqcSEAJTJ6RBjnxw7kkiObAVYBf-8Uq0TLNhGqj8D28x-q84mQEt8BK765x_3Xm-sn3avYPx_ibfSTi4xpteAVA7kzd3LgtZ7jek4eOcs4g9LFXd_i6Atdy8f0mKjHg/s1600/DSCN3650.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7Q5lxqRXvQ4rJqcSEAJTJ6RBjnxw7kkiObAVYBf-8Uq0TLNhGqj8D28x-q84mQEt8BK765x_3Xm-sn3avYPx_ibfSTi4xpteAVA7kzd3LgtZ7jek4eOcs4g9LFXd_i6Atdy8f0mKjHg/s400/DSCN3650.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572465578955383938" border="0" /></a>5. After you have your paper sleeve cut out you can draw whatever you want on it, match related or not, it's alllll up to you and how artsy you want to get. I thought a picture of a match along with the saying "I've met my match" would be perfect, and again very punny.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemL90iBY4OplL-DdC9w8rQr6dtyynwMo0MHmeKXgBT5wQf9bbpLjk6msbSmFBNm0Ob5S_oamIWW2wgkPKLGCcEf-AWBxQyNXcZlhrJIA5GYBsT3NsMfA9uaWtxVXtutt6v2kgXjeNliY/s1600/DSCN3652.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemL90iBY4OplL-DdC9w8rQr6dtyynwMo0MHmeKXgBT5wQf9bbpLjk6msbSmFBNm0Ob5S_oamIWW2wgkPKLGCcEf-AWBxQyNXcZlhrJIA5GYBsT3NsMfA9uaWtxVXtutt6v2kgXjeNliY/s400/DSCN3652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572465284737559618" border="0" /></a><br />6. Using glue, I used a glue stick, you could also use tape, secure the sleeve tight around the box, making sure that the box can still slide in and out without trouble.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWoxl86weHJQu4Bk7GRlIKdYbAhNJZ4ks8Mlh4DHBHmnyyZcjhBSKiMikn3U_R_QxTXAa7cv4RRV98-yswTejJM2-HL1O_K54-l9DXrSr9APd51zBMGiwPmQ87UHj9MbNPWivuebNqP8/s1600/DSCN3654.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWoxl86weHJQu4Bk7GRlIKdYbAhNJZ4ks8Mlh4DHBHmnyyZcjhBSKiMikn3U_R_QxTXAa7cv4RRV98-yswTejJM2-HL1O_K54-l9DXrSr9APd51zBMGiwPmQ87UHj9MbNPWivuebNqP8/s400/DSCN3654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572465011108495122" border="0" /></a>6. Put your message matches inside and close it up! Whoever you choose to give this to on Valentine's Day will definitely be surprised, just make sure they don't try and light the darn things! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzb_XBZFYhDoSQBZByJcz4i5yxcdv1gn5BE03Xs1TT2d0IBrzCAzQpP35oWoroANHM8BitiDdoF3vrUx6E22w8pZu3ErtcoBtLTJFnK09DaRK6yY1I0NsBDlCUmdDAJPmrI9j5zski8s/s1600/DSCN3658.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzb_XBZFYhDoSQBZByJcz4i5yxcdv1gn5BE03Xs1TT2d0IBrzCAzQpP35oWoroANHM8BitiDdoF3vrUx6E22w8pZu3ErtcoBtLTJFnK09DaRK6yY1I0NsBDlCUmdDAJPmrI9j5zski8s/s400/DSCN3658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572464622833129650" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-6672905204667807352011-02-03T19:20:00.011-06:002011-02-12T15:33:31.635-06:00Handmade Goodies For Valentine'sI love Valentine's Day, I always have. When I was little I could hardly wait for my Mom to take my brother and I to the store to pick out those cheap boxed Valentines to give to my class mates, I'd embellish the envelopes with stickers and glitter, and when the teacher allowed us to I would even put conversation hearts in with the card. When I got older I enjoyed making Valentines for my boyfriends and family, and still do. Whoever you celebrate V-Day with, be it a significant other, family, friends, or even your pet, just remember that nothing says "I love you" like something handmade!<br /><br />Here are a few fantastic handcrafted Valentine's goodies that anyone would love to receive on Feb. 14th :)<br /><br /><br />"L'amour Or Less" <a href="http://shop.cuddlyrigormortis.com/product/lamour-or-less-mounted-giclee-prints">mounted giclee prints</a> by <a href="http://www.cuddlyrigormortis.com/">Cuddly Rigor Mortis</a> artist Kristin Tercek-<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQAJI5jp75od0QgNEUigJbKS2ZA0H48DZTm6oAiwQ_pfN7SrgfvQlxKZcgr0FVhQJAasTiY8CEASYavmdye0ODBlHZawx4LWtrKE6PBFOgwO9jS76U7x72KAVaJ39wswaQ5wK6ruKJyA/s1600/300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQAJI5jp75od0QgNEUigJbKS2ZA0H48DZTm6oAiwQ_pfN7SrgfvQlxKZcgr0FVhQJAasTiY8CEASYavmdye0ODBlHZawx4LWtrKE6PBFOgwO9jS76U7x72KAVaJ39wswaQ5wK6ruKJyA/s400/300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569652674769125570" border="0" /></a>Ahhh, it's so cute!!!<br /></div><br /><br />Handmade warm fuzzies from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/violetpi">Violet Pie's Etsy shop</a>-<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40331237/valentine-deer">Valentine Deer</a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68FCoURajrq9DGHtFjRpg-4X4FfXBKQht_1BrmijHLYwaUvDe2n-v0VEN8Txk71OyIiVYu4PQAk8KwL1Pk497h7GhR8oCWvScJfMnYsix7O1h3WRszQFnur7ii5l1HqROI0Hbv15xnas/s1600/il_570xN.122151950.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68FCoURajrq9DGHtFjRpg-4X4FfXBKQht_1BrmijHLYwaUvDe2n-v0VEN8Txk71OyIiVYu4PQAk8KwL1Pk497h7GhR8oCWvScJfMnYsix7O1h3WRszQFnur7ii5l1HqROI0Hbv15xnas/s400/il_570xN.122151950.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569649131487485026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65995738/valentine-bunny-matilda">Valentine Bunny Matilda<br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XM7rK43DebqaS2w2EF18nSotlGf-L7Nj7NHFaqhGMsBKYWe9_zZ77vvNtLCS0In-ZirEbL-fIceUGw_kCq1Sd5D-uTqce_2T6TPSaLQdce9BA7ZMz-V65BURg-Mz9z8KILMKnGXhsHs/s1600/il_570xN.208526635.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XM7rK43DebqaS2w2EF18nSotlGf-L7Nj7NHFaqhGMsBKYWe9_zZ77vvNtLCS0In-ZirEbL-fIceUGw_kCq1Sd5D-uTqce_2T6TPSaLQdce9BA7ZMz-V65BURg-Mz9z8KILMKnGXhsHs/s400/il_570xN.208526635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569648865557326338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />'You Are My Sunshine' <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50057456/you-are-my-sunshine">Necklace</a> from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chocolateandsteel">Chocolate and Steel</a>-<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckHuZF-fVOVXjfX4dnpE02BkXUiyjV1WKzucJlOvJsbJmEuunnUhSAxh_RQvOmg-cz74vT2ClZBYlcqZGIIrqmLl0TB4uQVzXr4EhbZcrd3WO_MHtG7oct4vvbio9fa0e6w9RkO7FknU/s1600/il_570xN.153497617.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckHuZF-fVOVXjfX4dnpE02BkXUiyjV1WKzucJlOvJsbJmEuunnUhSAxh_RQvOmg-cz74vT2ClZBYlcqZGIIrqmLl0TB4uQVzXr4EhbZcrd3WO_MHtG7oct4vvbio9fa0e6w9RkO7FknU/s400/il_570xN.153497617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569648595732867714" border="0" /></a>This handcrafted fine silver necklace comes with a cubic zirconia stone, but can be customized with different birthstones, how cool is that?Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-46453340718957697002011-01-29T12:27:00.002-06:002011-01-29T12:28:50.670-06:00Photoast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QL5W3E8k6g6m6ijrYG0wtU9dqYtx9Io56ycKRm783ARtlh9ac6_Trl125oJ6npSDbZYT58eb0GOvM4exZmOysHOVjLGtR73RFR8HmBBTWJtK9sFu5or-b0RYWhl8Zri30ShY_VNfFYA/s1600/DSCN3022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QL5W3E8k6g6m6ijrYG0wtU9dqYtx9Io56ycKRm783ARtlh9ac6_Trl125oJ6npSDbZYT58eb0GOvM4exZmOysHOVjLGtR73RFR8HmBBTWJtK9sFu5or-b0RYWhl8Zri30ShY_VNfFYA/s400/DSCN3022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567676534734253618" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-47322412725371337092011-01-22T14:36:00.021-06:002011-01-22T15:55:01.428-06:00For The Birds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQocBqbd8ehM0E6zvOPEf5LKnK9-DsppuUAkJO_SoA7ALtLrVfYzU8XcDbY6Ehpc5lbrMPfkx0aTrnECSGsO6lzylorv7ZTWmHi_WctzlG60xBK6WwvuDLpFknJWdYjck9UV7CZ235ezA/s1600/DSCN3578.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQocBqbd8ehM0E6zvOPEf5LKnK9-DsppuUAkJO_SoA7ALtLrVfYzU8XcDbY6Ehpc5lbrMPfkx0aTrnECSGsO6lzylorv7ZTWmHi_WctzlG60xBK6WwvuDLpFknJWdYjck9UV7CZ235ezA/s400/DSCN3578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565125220608874082" border="0" /></a><br />I am an avid bird feeder during the winter, I love my feathered friends and always try to provide them with a meal and a drink during this miserable time of year, can you tell I hate winter? :) There are a lot of projects floating around cyber-space right now for cutesy bird seed ornaments, bird houses made of bird seed, etc., and as awesome as all those projects are, I just wanted something simple I could throw together for the birds in less than half an hour. This project is so easy even kids can do it! So here it is-<br /><br />You'll Need:<ul><li>Bird seed(small seed works best)</li><li>Peanut Butter</li><li>Bread(stale works best for this)</li><li>Screwdriver, knife, awl- simply something to make a hole with.</li><li>Ribbon, twine, old shoelace</li></ul>1. Using a screwdriver, or whatever you have on hand, poke a hole in a relatively stale piece of bread for the ribbon or twine. Don't have stale bread? Just let a piece sit out a few hours until it gets a little firm.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4MD-s_ExIYPg60G5YuTgtsJRE7F5kSg5d52D7G_K6jMMQbo-sBPnQ01eqNbOTFvDfpgDnlHiwcGkK72bl7o82FRy3lDRvCryIE2CVXmbPo_fOL04GKh1fktqrCLqzIIvlTjkv2tuFKw/s1600/DSCN3535.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4MD-s_ExIYPg60G5YuTgtsJRE7F5kSg5d52D7G_K6jMMQbo-sBPnQ01eqNbOTFvDfpgDnlHiwcGkK72bl7o82FRy3lDRvCryIE2CVXmbPo_fOL04GKh1fktqrCLqzIIvlTjkv2tuFKw/s400/DSCN3535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565120213375433442" border="0" /></a>2. After you have your hole punched, spread a layer of peanut butter on one side of the bread.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJr7-8XHrZFgsCABkG6BqZHzgkJQXIHLuwYEcbvAWPCio-llAeLDgArqEBBD8jwNWXe2LOKXgragljL5sSA1nZqwNhAU0vQSG47QVDbB2SiSeDrWJQkr06qHsUWGiGX5MKIF4r0SAVFo/s1600/DSCN3550.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJr7-8XHrZFgsCABkG6BqZHzgkJQXIHLuwYEcbvAWPCio-llAeLDgArqEBBD8jwNWXe2LOKXgragljL5sSA1nZqwNhAU0vQSG47QVDbB2SiSeDrWJQkr06qHsUWGiGX5MKIF4r0SAVFo/s400/DSCN3550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565119805778336002" border="0" /></a>3. Take a handful of bird seed and sprinkle it on the layer of peanut butter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnvj5qItnFtjcSQPfXCUzG6odXVaV8dtX9gWtppX4S_n-LHvCf-Ug28GjW7RyiKKmsXVro6k-kV6mVX4KgBWeGAzWWRKkJ8UUgMCMASO71-Z993qmCR5UYmQePyS8nG1RLckYigHivXI/s1600/DSCN3556.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnvj5qItnFtjcSQPfXCUzG6odXVaV8dtX9gWtppX4S_n-LHvCf-Ug28GjW7RyiKKmsXVro6k-kV6mVX4KgBWeGAzWWRKkJ8UUgMCMASO71-Z993qmCR5UYmQePyS8nG1RLckYigHivXI/s400/DSCN3556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565121410526883442" border="0" /></a>4. Press the seed into the Peanut Butter to ensure it sticks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq82yLMYhkJiILfeu_0vV-2iPmMJ0lOOkrB-Pj3y9V9km3HFJlJBbYNCoSZSsOi8tNqY6A4I2YoIBEzPVZkB0g25fbsqE5GlCX9-okkdiLuU3W1lw1LeFWXe9I3pFXS-4ipZXpZ_6W_o/s1600/DSCN3562.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq82yLMYhkJiILfeu_0vV-2iPmMJ0lOOkrB-Pj3y9V9km3HFJlJBbYNCoSZSsOi8tNqY6A4I2YoIBEzPVZkB0g25fbsqE5GlCX9-okkdiLuU3W1lw1LeFWXe9I3pFXS-4ipZXpZ_6W_o/s400/DSCN3562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565119487428216578" border="0" /></a>5. Thread your ribbon or twine, through the hole you made earlier, use your hole making tool to help thread it through, if you need it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQgwWXtKYrAmhQHy-7HdjYj0SeiGOyDowfSBjRPyzthxRKIyGfGnF0CCbt2EPPkEVjmKDyRq6SrTpLY9-f9Xs0H5_GpBgThQ2Kr3qPZK_onbSr_R8jJOeZw_UA4waAfzAIK7D6P4iQ08/s1600/DSCN3568.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQgwWXtKYrAmhQHy-7HdjYj0SeiGOyDowfSBjRPyzthxRKIyGfGnF0CCbt2EPPkEVjmKDyRq6SrTpLY9-f9Xs0H5_GpBgThQ2Kr3qPZK_onbSr_R8jJOeZw_UA4waAfzAIK7D6P4iQ08/s400/DSCN3568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565119147623669346" border="0" /></a>6.After threading the ribbon through let this sit somewhere dry overnight before hanging outside to give the peanut butter time to firm up so it holds the bird seed better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A-aPspHuh7pApn7GEEnRMijYkpG7bHug9OvDFA9l6Qvu_eglrMbZiYjYDM3x0xmGhyphenhyphenp_5voysxeDZADIDtMIY8LFjOLzAUNsQ75BA6Af9iCPyrqzrlES7ifwjeIcwqLVa-H62w0cNkk/s1600/DSCN3572.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A-aPspHuh7pApn7GEEnRMijYkpG7bHug9OvDFA9l6Qvu_eglrMbZiYjYDM3x0xmGhyphenhyphenp_5voysxeDZADIDtMIY8LFjOLzAUNsQ75BA6Af9iCPyrqzrlES7ifwjeIcwqLVa-H62w0cNkk/s400/DSCN3572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565118744259064386" border="0" /></a>7. Hang one or more in a tree or a bush by slipping the ribbon over a branch and tying a knot at the top. Watch the birds devour their treat! Squirrels will love it too :)Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-32174893901694327362011-01-14T15:52:00.007-06:002011-01-14T16:27:41.230-06:00Is It Spring Yet?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1SXD9MRrX_gcJ-8hmJPlQz9CBqr_5JzQ9ojimB3ELNyedqaHcAOWqdNQCY4VsB_pAoDz9uAwoHuWnKgUStCTIY4kVTxwV5hKr72vSXVM7oO8Ms9KQKt0PVrE8XR01G09J9ET8tyb1LE/s1600/DSCN2120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1SXD9MRrX_gcJ-8hmJPlQz9CBqr_5JzQ9ojimB3ELNyedqaHcAOWqdNQCY4VsB_pAoDz9uAwoHuWnKgUStCTIY4kVTxwV5hKr72vSXVM7oO8Ms9KQKt0PVrE8XR01G09J9ET8tyb1LE/s400/DSCN2120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562170875858609634" border="0" /></a>Day-dreaming of the first signs of Spring...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzdakkrfzLYjHl28E1qBdTjHN_QCOdD7TijxK1kachL4FXeWA0gD7iXI-vWipVvHKzgqI-R17YYdEFdU4NZtTQlfAmJfMUK6MlXw_wC-NGH8w-vTu8tMH2TPYhIxOSwfdJvHOqzlF35M/s1600/DSCN2029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzdakkrfzLYjHl28E1qBdTjHN_QCOdD7TijxK1kachL4FXeWA0gD7iXI-vWipVvHKzgqI-R17YYdEFdU4NZtTQlfAmJfMUK6MlXw_wC-NGH8w-vTu8tMH2TPYhIxOSwfdJvHOqzlF35M/s400/DSCN2029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562169366433504850" border="0" /></a>Coooold reality<br /><br /></div>As I type this my fingers are freezing, the high temps around here have been in the teens, yes you saw that right...the teens. I have to admit that between the icky snow covering the ground, and the frigid cold I have been suffering from the winter doldrums and a bit of cabin fever, does anyone know if there is a prescription I can take for either? Stuck in the house 24-7, still a little worn out from all the Christmas festivities and stress, and not feeling much inspiration to do any sort of creative anything. I seem to go through this every January, however, yesterday I did come up with a few winter project ideas that might boost my spirits! I will be posting a new, very winter inspired project this week that I think nature lovers like myself will especially love!<br /><br />By the way, I often complain about my camera on here, saying I can't get very good pictures for tutorials because of my camera, etc. Well now I have no excuse for bad pictures, or lack of them either! My parents got me a spiffy new Pentax D-SLR for Christmas, I almost fainted when I opened the package! And it's an awesome shade of red too! Look at it below in all it's red glory! :D<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpocbx2pDjUd3A8w0JjYcX0fXW_vXCr-4gwmuxM6ejmuL9V7-PMkO-iVtQouUiIG4o2w7A6o5C8BWa7wNm5yAavmURwcdHTWi0E8RXzy8ssT2g9kG7qYZhlFyR_TH06fdZcuKAXJ4NM0/s1600/41dAqkUoe-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpocbx2pDjUd3A8w0JjYcX0fXW_vXCr-4gwmuxM6ejmuL9V7-PMkO-iVtQouUiIG4o2w7A6o5C8BWa7wNm5yAavmURwcdHTWi0E8RXzy8ssT2g9kG7qYZhlFyR_TH06fdZcuKAXJ4NM0/s400/41dAqkUoe-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562167717176638706" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-36094121598337657502010-12-24T13:25:00.006-06:002011-02-12T15:34:35.650-06:00Merry Christmas and a Happy New Blog!<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Holidays!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJvinn1M6RUaGA9grpD5X8CSPiP1er9_fOMIL7ONVSA73o8XMxH4FrQy4TI3AGWIPhgEq-vMSJq6e-ulFSJYgWFlZZp5QL56zys_1Mff2GUWxwzI15UV36jTIWPA6v-yUWG4LGd8KiJQ/s1600/DSCN3403.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJvinn1M6RUaGA9grpD5X8CSPiP1er9_fOMIL7ONVSA73o8XMxH4FrQy4TI3AGWIPhgEq-vMSJq6e-ulFSJYgWFlZZp5QL56zys_1Mff2GUWxwzI15UV36jTIWPA6v-yUWG4LGd8KiJQ/s400/DSCN3403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554333231927917714" border="0" /></a><br />First I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday, and secondly I'd love to announce the arrival of my new baby blog: <a href="http://collectedblog.blogspot.com/">Collected</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN4tAYR05WsIFLewOZGXK2r9zNeHLJBtikI2lZ_srtGz2mBtuh28cbo4TKvDBZhaooQsHE5gBdAr7JgDXt1kQybJ86hcE8ua177z1rRIaQyfQ26DaWqPIfQMjUl9uB8DX3_PH-j6ycWI/s1600/DSCN3413.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN4tAYR05WsIFLewOZGXK2r9zNeHLJBtikI2lZ_srtGz2mBtuh28cbo4TKvDBZhaooQsHE5gBdAr7JgDXt1kQybJ86hcE8ua177z1rRIaQyfQ26DaWqPIfQMjUl9uB8DX3_PH-j6ycWI/s400/DSCN3413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554333416233369970" border="0" /></a>I have always been an avid photographer, and have often found my most interesting subjects to be random collections of things. I got the wild idea this Fall to start a blog and post a new collection every week, and so <a href="http://collectedblog.blogspot.com/">Collected</a> was born! It's first post will be tomorrow, Christmas, with a Christmas themed collection of course shown above. If I have good feedback and people are enjoying the blog I might even offer prints of my collections to purchase :)<br /><br />All the collections I photograph are things from my very own home, and are often vintage or antique things. I hope you take some time to check out my new blog, and keep coming back in 2011 to The Angry Pincushion for more new stuffs!Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-11098134293490192862010-12-23T16:50:00.005-06:002011-02-12T15:35:04.162-06:00Last Minute Gift Tags<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVzzqiZjD6YoIzBiPDc1EBoXj6GVGpOA9tPg0IF-qVFGSfgMGNgBB2mictu0qQykBuWjt4bVXmjPNmUslGTJm_BBqe1NqI08NIm_iqxpvurMyogKNS1K7kzqmzirRc5IPZBN0KdW_9Fw/s1600/65459_481923213438_88043348438_5826854_1302640_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVzzqiZjD6YoIzBiPDc1EBoXj6GVGpOA9tPg0IF-qVFGSfgMGNgBB2mictu0qQykBuWjt4bVXmjPNmUslGTJm_BBqe1NqI08NIm_iqxpvurMyogKNS1K7kzqmzirRc5IPZBN0KdW_9Fw/s400/65459_481923213438_88043348438_5826854_1302640_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554016595537586578" border="0" /></a><br />If you have any last minute shopping to do for Christmas you better get right on it! And if you have any presents to wrap, you should probably get started on that too :) I saw these festive and super cute <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/photo.php?fbid=481923213438&set=a.399947468438.172657.88043348438">free tags </a>from <a href="http://www.hh-candy.com/">Hip Hop Candy</a> yesterday on their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/Hip-Hop-Candy/88043348438">Facebook fan page</a>, I think they'd make an excellent addition to any package. Happy wrapping everyone!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1k0norKUGCDev5bebgYElYE6G-E3e4BHOuxlikKs6g834OFzJzr2b00qINHc20bQ_r50Jymcd_bim1Fq7Rcf2cvob_7GymCwVpJcLO78KmklLbRXwS80EC95dmkBkfwFaqICHj1vX2xs/s1600/163978_481923188438_88043348438_5826853_7753290_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1k0norKUGCDev5bebgYElYE6G-E3e4BHOuxlikKs6g834OFzJzr2b00qINHc20bQ_r50Jymcd_bim1Fq7Rcf2cvob_7GymCwVpJcLO78KmklLbRXwS80EC95dmkBkfwFaqICHj1vX2xs/s400/163978_481923188438_88043348438_5826853_7753290_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554016684597830562" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-10684942960748032282010-12-15T19:54:00.004-06:002011-02-12T15:35:35.621-06:00Crafty Repeat: Gingerbread Man Pin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJDBzCASW5xafGHte8xYjhwHL19f19hDELE4OgjK6-wzsoDMocZ18fYk4ms8HldlmuYIRAUdCZSQUaUW77FkpPD7YYl-ZaBjzavgQ9i-OUbai-HwUzxiWAcUO_FG7TcHx0Lppc2Y99qY/s1600/DSCN0519%252B1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJDBzCASW5xafGHte8xYjhwHL19f19hDELE4OgjK6-wzsoDMocZ18fYk4ms8HldlmuYIRAUdCZSQUaUW77FkpPD7YYl-ZaBjzavgQ9i-OUbai-HwUzxiWAcUO_FG7TcHx0Lppc2Y99qY/s400/DSCN0519%252B1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551093462391022594" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2008/12/gingerbread-man-pin.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Original Post: December 15th 2008</span></a><br /><br />If you are like me and love the smell of gingerbread you'll love wearing this unique pin! These are easy to make and cost almost nothing, are a great project to do with kids and make excellent teachers presents. And look how cute he is! You can use this recipe to make ornaments as well. I have had mine for years and can still say that he smells as good as the day I made him.<br /><br />You'll need:<br /><ul><li>-1 cup brown sugar, packed</li><li>-1 cup shortening</li><li>-1 cup white glue (Elmers)</li><li>-2 cups molasses</li><li>-1 tablespoon baking soda</li><li>-1 tablespoon ground ginger</li><li>-6 to 8 cups all purpose flour</li><li>-1 and 3/4 cups water</li><li>-cookie cutters</li><li>-pin backs</li><li>-hot glue gun</li></ul><br />You can certainly cut this recipe down depending on how many pins or ornaments you want to make. Remember these are NON-edible!<br /><br />Mix the brown sugar and shortening together, add molasses and glue, mix well, set aside. Combine baking soda and ginger with 6 cups of flour, add this to the glue/brown sugar/etc. mixture and add the 1 and 3/4 cups water while mixing. Add enough remaining flour to make the mixture into a stiff dough and knead it well. Roll to about a 1/4 inch thickness and start cutting out your gingerbread men, and other shapes if you wish. If making ornaments using a straw poke holes in the dough for a string to be tied through. Place on an un-greased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for one hour or until color is golden. Repeat with any remaining dough. To thoroughly dry gingerbread men, place them in the oven on oven racks and bake an additional 3 hours at 100 degrees. Let cool completely.<br /><br />After gingerbread men are cool, using a hot glue gun glue a pin back onto the gingerbread man, let cool and you have a yummy smelling, cute holiday pin!Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-70711506944841463042010-12-02T14:58:00.012-06:002011-02-12T15:36:13.084-06:00Advent CalendarAs I was changing all my calendars to December yesterday I found myself thinking about a advent calendar I had when I was young. It was made of fabric, it was from Avon I believe since my Mom was an Avon lady, and had a little mouse that you moved to a new pocket everyday. I remember waking up in the morning excited to move the little mouse another day closer to Christmas. As I thought of my adorable advent calendar from my childhood I remembered another advent calendar I had featured on The Angry Pincushion several years ago by a talented, crafty, British gal named Britta. So for old times sake, and because this advent calendar is absolutely lovely, here once again is Britta's cuddly, felt advent calender!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Original Post- Dec. 17th 2008</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM8xduSAbymFw7QEXsKRn98uk2WknPdgnKTY6_ASlQSeTnBy2NbhCz1llEf_BUaICFynqA_rImGaQ4IOepXFILVqilXlSn_nuYqIgigeQ0vywr03XvIF7cdvvBJ8bNPFmB2tAWt-RHXU/s1600/calendar8_1229176530-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM8xduSAbymFw7QEXsKRn98uk2WknPdgnKTY6_ASlQSeTnBy2NbhCz1llEf_BUaICFynqA_rImGaQ4IOepXFILVqilXlSn_nuYqIgigeQ0vywr03XvIF7cdvvBJ8bNPFmB2tAWt-RHXU/s400/calendar8_1229176530-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546197594159285042" border="0" /></a><br />I belong to a craft community forum called <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/">Cut Out+ Keep</a>, it's an amazing site where anyone is allowed to post their crafty creations and how to's. I encourage anyone who loves to craft to check it out and sign up! Cut Out+ Keep is where I found Britta Jarvis's lovely felt advent calendar. The first time I saw this advent calendar I thought it might be one of the cutest things I had seen, so I wrote Britta and asked if I could showcase her work on my blog, and thank goodness she said yes! So here it is, all the way from the UK, the how to for this most festive, and adorable felt advent calendar made by Britta for her boyfriend! Thank you Britta!<br /><br />You'll need:<br /><ul><li>-tracing paper</li><li>-various colored pieces of felt</li><li>-a few colors of embroidery thread</li><li>-a length of dowel or bamboo cane</li><li>-scissors</li><li>-needle</li><li>-small drill or hand drill</li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT2SU4NmZjM8eAy8Khe8cq3EsA02Xk_uePKMmKJ6gT8Nu_Y8KNDYxlRhoT2zLX60TW4yAxpufoKF6QDpbj2f2RI51yqny3mlfxBIQhFH6NOnXlfM-LgFcu0KIwh1NbD_DlKhzxqWfKTQ/s1600/18298.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT2SU4NmZjM8eAy8Khe8cq3EsA02Xk_uePKMmKJ6gT8Nu_Y8KNDYxlRhoT2zLX60TW4yAxpufoKF6QDpbj2f2RI51yqny3mlfxBIQhFH6NOnXlfM-LgFcu0KIwh1NbD_DlKhzxqWfKTQ/s400/18298.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546197214881684146" border="0" /></a>1. For your advent calendar you're going to need 25 days. I did 5 rows of 5 pockets to hold a sweet for each day. I decided to make the 25th day larger than the rest so it could hold more booty, but this also meant the the other 4 on its row were made slightly smaller. You can choose to do as I did or to leave them all the same size. First, draw out the pieces you're going to cut. I planned mine on tracing paper and then cut<br />around them to make the rectangles. I also made some simple felt christmassy shapes and sewed them on to every other rectangle in a checker-board fashion to decorate it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bP2XWkrUUI9d9mj-q5ZbLa6F_nmsXisLemLefVJbOkSfm2WhW2jaXb5u3BDKfhrkgx77v64o1Ccjfnx1ThZY5F1-BinfbH_7SC5CYAKc3ffW5KOUAEjpBzhUTqZ1z7hzgeXyjphXA80/s1600/18299.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bP2XWkrUUI9d9mj-q5ZbLa6F_nmsXisLemLefVJbOkSfm2WhW2jaXb5u3BDKfhrkgx77v64o1Ccjfnx1ThZY5F1-BinfbH_7SC5CYAKc3ffW5KOUAEjpBzhUTqZ1z7hzgeXyjphXA80/s400/18299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546196863595274258" border="0" /></a>2. Here are the rectangles laid out in sequence. The designs I added are a bell, holly, Christmas pudding, snowflake, snowman, candle, star, stocking, Christmas tree, present, mistletoe, a robin and a candy cane.<br /><br />3. The next step is to embroider on numbers from 1 to 25 for the days of December. I dotted the dates around so it could be fun searching for the right pocket every day. I used back-stitch but I'm no sewing expert, so if you know a better way then go for it :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltgSUW-gm5LWadK2Kh8qY4pvZqdp2nxtPkAzFELxXSRCN5p8PYDPTdwUgUUEkBUjl8sb3ITnXof4-lmTE3kiexqLLNP3Y9xR4g3KqKj50r4CpKz1toY6DhxK7Aby7RRQBCad0wtFajfI/s1600/18301.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltgSUW-gm5LWadK2Kh8qY4pvZqdp2nxtPkAzFELxXSRCN5p8PYDPTdwUgUUEkBUjl8sb3ITnXof4-lmTE3kiexqLLNP3Y9xR4g3KqKj50r4CpKz1toY6DhxK7Aby7RRQBCad0wtFajfI/s400/18301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546195694038295826" border="0" /></a>4. Get a piece of felt large enough to back all the pieces, minus about 5 cm horizontally but plus enough vertically to be able to roll the top around your dowel and write a message... call it 5cm again. The 5cm horizontally is so that you can bunch up each pocket a bit and make them more pockety and able to hold sweets :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF30-Z7QYxLNX03sxMD5XyKYYfySOzMqz3RmdGZH7h80bXaNYYlvPYNppcIZHOZSAOvs7RoTXOzbYzHbuvArq734tCMzqz8c00N8Y6jk5av59WParVT28cBACHBkMoJzWpTMqFL98sWI/s1600/18302.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF30-Z7QYxLNX03sxMD5XyKYYfySOzMqz3RmdGZH7h80bXaNYYlvPYNppcIZHOZSAOvs7RoTXOzbYzHbuvArq734tCMzqz8c00N8Y6jk5av59WParVT28cBACHBkMoJzWpTMqFL98sWI/s400/18302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546195277171282146" border="0" /></a>5. Decide what message you'd like to write on the top of your advent calendar. I chose 'Merry Christmas!' but you might like to add a name in there of the person you're making this for. Cut out the letters from different colored felt and sew it on just touching the top line of pockets, leaving the rest of the felt free at the top. next, get your dowel and cut it to the width of your calendar plus 2cm either side, then get your drill and make a hole through each end 1cm from the end. Roll this into the top of the felt and sew the felt closed around it. Get some of your thread (I used about 35 cm) and tie it through the holes in your dowel so that you can hang it up.<br /><br />6. Add sweets! This is a very important stage and will be noticed if you forget it! I try to get several types of sweet so that every day you get something different than the last. Hang up your completed advent calendar with pride!<br /><br />-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*<br /><br />Thanks again Britta for this great tutorial and pictures, and I'm sure all my readers enjoy your advent calendar as much as I do! Check out more of Britta's creative stuffs on her <a href="http://brittajarvis.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, and her <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/users/11365">Cut Out+Keep page</a>!Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-84581469847198132042010-11-21T23:02:00.006-06:002011-02-12T15:36:50.799-06:00Pumpkin Pincushion & Decorations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWmhjHS90R7PAWaiX2lZTmcS2sZwUjt_Cx4OnXqZcwTBh7exRgZ8VuqKWnkV4eZdOagdB3zBptb6-IcNz8-zmqjSPfe2L-hOfR4JaFH_ao8YR3PYldW_K7i2lvmUq9oHZlpM2DJUh1MA/s1600/DSCN3320.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWmhjHS90R7PAWaiX2lZTmcS2sZwUjt_Cx4OnXqZcwTBh7exRgZ8VuqKWnkV4eZdOagdB3zBptb6-IcNz8-zmqjSPfe2L-hOfR4JaFH_ao8YR3PYldW_K7i2lvmUq9oHZlpM2DJUh1MA/s400/DSCN3320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540734658973554578" border="0" /></a>I know it's getting to be a little last minute for Thanksgiving crafts, however this project is pretty simple and one that can easily be accomplished in a few hours with a few materials, one of which you can find in your own backyard! :) Plus, you know I can't resist the urge to create a pincushion.<br /><br />You'll Need:<br /><ul><li>Orange Fabric, I used an orange lightweight fleece.</li><li>Sewing supplies-Needles, thread, scissors, etc.</li><li>Thick twigs or sticks</li><li>Glue</li><li>Rice<br /></li></ul>I know I don't have any pictures of this project in the making, but I tried and found it extremely hard to take pictures while I'm working on things, especially when they involve sewing, sorry :( Maybe I need an assistant, any takers? :P Also, my current camera leaves alot to be desired in the whole DIY pictures area, still hoping to have that new camera soon. If only good cameras grew on trees and didn't cost an appendage.<br /><br />How to:<br /><ol><li>Using a template if you want, like a lid, or a circle cut out of newspaper, cut out a circle from your orange fabric.</li><li>After you have your fabric circle cut out, use a simple running stitch to gather the edges and start forming your pumpkin.</li><li>After gathering the top of your pumpkin, fill most of the way with rice before you start to close it up. I used rice instead of fiber fill to give it a less "plush" look, and so these guys would set nicely on their bottoms. Fill pumpkin to your desired amount, more rice=plumper pumpkin, just remember to leave room for your stick "stem".</li><li>Insert the twig in the center of your pumpkin, gathering the fabric around it. Then using a glue gun, or fabric glue, run some glue around the stick where the fabric will meet it, just to make sure it stays in place.</li><li>Finish by tightly gathering the fabric the rest of the way around the stem, pull tight, holding fabric to glue for a few minutes. Then cut the thread and tie your knot!<br /></li><li>Use your pumpkin for a pincushion or decoration. Make more than one, in a few different sizes, as pictured below for Thanksgiving, or also cute for Halloween!<br /></li></ol><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOkiHzRnzyy0GYZmDE4t8iGJoKTNKoYOd-sJQCAZ7p9VNSweN-NcK710VRtGw9j28tpTwr_uqWwHxL_Ktn8tT41XuhBP3ZvLzkTNOo5wAA1mbma3hzbuv5it7sp4YbpCKz3wGrTgyj2c/s1600/DSCN3317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOkiHzRnzyy0GYZmDE4t8iGJoKTNKoYOd-sJQCAZ7p9VNSweN-NcK710VRtGw9j28tpTwr_uqWwHxL_Ktn8tT41XuhBP3ZvLzkTNOo5wAA1mbma3hzbuv5it7sp4YbpCKz3wGrTgyj2c/s400/DSCN3317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540734417953126898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCSdwt-0n8mdsadN0j5ShjcPVOZYFzRLfK4cml30gIjXWwfOk1y_48t_TgfcLOVz8D2W_XrhePL6cKSkeoRvSDQg_1M-1qte2BMWO2ABS2ynBCtns_IJkF3J-_nf5sts6RbecrE3GPF0/s1600/DSCN3331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCSdwt-0n8mdsadN0j5ShjcPVOZYFzRLfK4cml30gIjXWwfOk1y_48t_TgfcLOVz8D2W_XrhePL6cKSkeoRvSDQg_1M-1qte2BMWO2ABS2ynBCtns_IJkF3J-_nf5sts6RbecrE3GPF0/s400/DSCN3331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540734144303264418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV2bkUpmj_triEBE5A0U6BKOT7BvNNHs8jgURX1Z3a_f3kTRj3mrJARwS6u9vU-jT8-OOFDt0KTEsrt4Yn5PqqnV2tk6Pg21hPUm944Vi2DQXHrD_wQuKtIlwFTOhxB22KKaRMwPC-_c/s1600/DSCN3332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV2bkUpmj_triEBE5A0U6BKOT7BvNNHs8jgURX1Z3a_f3kTRj3mrJARwS6u9vU-jT8-OOFDt0KTEsrt4Yn5PqqnV2tk6Pg21hPUm944Vi2DQXHrD_wQuKtIlwFTOhxB22KKaRMwPC-_c/s400/DSCN3332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540733856896960242" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-86215728980637483082010-11-17T21:37:00.009-06:002011-02-12T15:37:27.946-06:00Thanksgiving Plushies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoj4W-RLwdyY8wCTJQuGCvdrTOOeAZXu0LkYwIh4U7mB5x5rV5uLlDas0qd3IqMd8BC4qS_9oKS4iJCUBMrCLmE7NUvsxVZBXKUisgRuuYRmposJ4ejJjJ9xEI2cReMFhpE91oBsqXuo/s1600/DSCN3304.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoj4W-RLwdyY8wCTJQuGCvdrTOOeAZXu0LkYwIh4U7mB5x5rV5uLlDas0qd3IqMd8BC4qS_9oKS4iJCUBMrCLmE7NUvsxVZBXKUisgRuuYRmposJ4ejJjJ9xEI2cReMFhpE91oBsqXuo/s400/DSCN3304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540732456096348674" border="0" /></a>I often say that I inherited all my creative talent from my Martha Stewart like Mother. She is a crafty, domestic goddess and taught me well. That being said, have a look at these Thanksgiving plushies my Mom made! I love them, and think they are sooo cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6CBqOJs9bJOrdTdexXw_BX76dWAw0Gaqn38QWc_EDG5NWfS3lB9l9WgWywkei7H58Sxrd2FFuaMUdS3unCwXG6_NCbXhReW8w1WniXs7_Ok1Dhh2bix_6ARjHdHz1q0E2JBrDnTHWEo/s1600/DSCN3310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6CBqOJs9bJOrdTdexXw_BX76dWAw0Gaqn38QWc_EDG5NWfS3lB9l9WgWywkei7H58Sxrd2FFuaMUdS3unCwXG6_NCbXhReW8w1WniXs7_Ok1Dhh2bix_6ARjHdHz1q0E2JBrDnTHWEo/s400/DSCN3310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540732082009435442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-eDf7V86tYgo-MgulyLYzM0FDn7MpvFEzGHM1fa3Um9heZLi3RpM6P-6LNQVwNTaug5E7YuK5btwFVutdQ4KgidsBZKf2STc5dOOJ2bMZV7DWDck4uBHQBBj4gdmFg3MbNeMaKDa2LI/s1600/DSCN3316.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-eDf7V86tYgo-MgulyLYzM0FDn7MpvFEzGHM1fa3Um9heZLi3RpM6P-6LNQVwNTaug5E7YuK5btwFVutdQ4KgidsBZKf2STc5dOOJ2bMZV7DWDck4uBHQBBj4gdmFg3MbNeMaKDa2LI/s400/DSCN3316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540731797263680882" border="0" /></a>My Mom used green felt for the stem, a fake fall leaf, and green wrapped floral wire for accent.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJRwinkIiPwvmO9d5OLXPnh_w70nU9ZGZXHKT7cnU8vBTSB9kG92F5PEPWvMKLbcaojcXOwjIKKkkaIlnFHJNAHHUbazuYKd3gZg0WRS2_wA4PAaOpzV6BY7OV1ZnJpEEmaZy5GPM0kM/s1600/DSCN3308.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJRwinkIiPwvmO9d5OLXPnh_w70nU9ZGZXHKT7cnU8vBTSB9kG92F5PEPWvMKLbcaojcXOwjIKKkkaIlnFHJNAHHUbazuYKd3gZg0WRS2_wA4PAaOpzV6BY7OV1ZnJpEEmaZy5GPM0kM/s400/DSCN3308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540730325523649346" border="0" /></a>Turkey with a ric-rac and lace tail!!<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-22630554532259662782010-11-09T19:05:00.004-06:002011-02-12T15:39:54.136-06:00Zombie Leaves<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d4eiBk0N8B1TXF3kGCddRHogxSpSv_ILYj9MnVnOtN36vxO7zxq0MjPP45YwELFN_mzrkW5HYS2wAew18D5alaZum-4FKJM7A_Dv2vppjbg2YbLJ4iKlUMVj2xGAufSenV01Z2_fmiE/s1600/DSCN3266.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d4eiBk0N8B1TXF3kGCddRHogxSpSv_ILYj9MnVnOtN36vxO7zxq0MjPP45YwELFN_mzrkW5HYS2wAew18D5alaZum-4FKJM7A_Dv2vppjbg2YbLJ4iKlUMVj2xGAufSenV01Z2_fmiE/s400/DSCN3266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537296387000413906" border="0" /></a>It's that time of year again, time to rake up all those dead leaves laying around in the yard. What you may not know is that sometimes a few of these dead leaves rise again to become... zombie leaves!! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA74aWRM-yDgl48jvXBO8Bu4XFWS-i3Qg3PmQk7KwxLGYj2n9pT23dyaU7RI0DHKVu3809dpRudLnYMky9Pq5ynNBxWzvB0f8xDvyPkK5H69JxExrcYaAo4vk4AMDojX9gOl42Kd4q_uI/s1600/DSCN3273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA74aWRM-yDgl48jvXBO8Bu4XFWS-i3Qg3PmQk7KwxLGYj2n9pT23dyaU7RI0DHKVu3809dpRudLnYMky9Pq5ynNBxWzvB0f8xDvyPkK5H69JxExrcYaAo4vk4AMDojX9gOl42Kd4q_uI/s400/DSCN3273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537721674003910258" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-11572046881011003292010-10-31T06:29:00.005-05:002011-02-12T15:38:48.234-06:00Happy Halloween & Last Minute Costumes<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsmXxltOxo4WcO6-R9fjlAAx5qDD3CxLq__8ON7bq17adkrZ3cr7UOr-0PrOKwm4kW_4GkXEfFlfddeABtIyN1nEHy1N66F0YBPWXIRCi1TMh3jC_nvK8dyBrlIH940hpFYYgWYevphU/s1600/DSCN3065.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsmXxltOxo4WcO6-R9fjlAAx5qDD3CxLq__8ON7bq17adkrZ3cr7UOr-0PrOKwm4kW_4GkXEfFlfddeABtIyN1nEHy1N66F0YBPWXIRCi1TMh3jC_nvK8dyBrlIH940hpFYYgWYevphU/s400/DSCN3065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534002024347790098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Happy Halloween!</span><br />Perry loves dressing up.<br /><br />Looking for a quick, easy, last minute costume that won't break the bank? How about looking through old magazines, I found Rolling Stone is best for this, and cutting out head sized covers. Using a pair of scissors cut out the face, and the eyes...cause you'll want to see right? Then using some elastic or rubber bands punch two small holes in the sides of the "mask" and make it to fit your head before tying a knot in each end.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyPmI3thyphenhyphenkZ98vpAj9RX3KvkSH1VT5d7lCjnyCsWlXz6k848tYNAtWgMeSzRMIPOi11gZnOb4KDLeR6ZktEDTbAOTj6kgNYIc7465NMVPhSAdEO4uDJMV2m5lkbloaJM-6A3yttrxoaA/s1600/6568_138612799993_575819993_3337835_5173924_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyPmI3thyphenhyphenkZ98vpAj9RX3KvkSH1VT5d7lCjnyCsWlXz6k848tYNAtWgMeSzRMIPOi11gZnOb4KDLeR6ZktEDTbAOTj6kgNYIc7465NMVPhSAdEO4uDJMV2m5lkbloaJM-6A3yttrxoaA/s400/6568_138612799993_575819993_3337835_5173924_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534001191140836754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05sZFpgy8IsQsWhjYLFmZSE6WTvFtriZQEbzOH8RYC8JrYlCJAE_B6aMh7EPNNXLSQvao66wWuOu47_byBpUFl3x2BuvHSEIiHLpBknwGPuvTpfNro0wHxOzrIfG5_dGd7-rckCswjoY/s1600/6568_138612794993_575819993_3337834_2660554_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05sZFpgy8IsQsWhjYLFmZSE6WTvFtriZQEbzOH8RYC8JrYlCJAE_B6aMh7EPNNXLSQvao66wWuOu47_byBpUFl3x2BuvHSEIiHLpBknwGPuvTpfNro0wHxOzrIfG5_dGd7-rckCswjoY/s400/6568_138612794993_575819993_3337834_2660554_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534001123247453986" border="0" /></a>Look at Bruce and Mr. Penn having a great time!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiutBbAETx-WNUdm5w86zblrVyqaSBsAQyfQhlf8tcUAWJUaw7zNNH1b3rTjfBazgpDxkwDrtQylqdqrD7Mh_T0ja_SHbF7BB_1IUwa33yFsWsTaCImVhzHK_gbUf6L23K04j2PCEflxw/s1600/6568_138615874993_575819993_3337929_2955395_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiutBbAETx-WNUdm5w86zblrVyqaSBsAQyfQhlf8tcUAWJUaw7zNNH1b3rTjfBazgpDxkwDrtQylqdqrD7Mh_T0ja_SHbF7BB_1IUwa33yFsWsTaCImVhzHK_gbUf6L23K04j2PCEflxw/s400/6568_138615874993_575819993_3337929_2955395_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534001036255177410" border="0" /></a>My turn as Shawn Penn, and a chance to creep my brother out.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSKilJY8c_Ge-Ug2e6bnvgJOmMkVrIDZfcIx_pzY8p7C2GWn8ApY-rsINSUPUPtw-30T199pqLvxdKDVk_QStaoe_atpl8gKwI9zxo5oDU-HNtOHQwSmSJ6Kg9VlA2629VUOrJydDLR0/s1600/6035_102910_rib_shirt_l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSKilJY8c_Ge-Ug2e6bnvgJOmMkVrIDZfcIx_pzY8p7C2GWn8ApY-rsINSUPUPtw-30T199pqLvxdKDVk_QStaoe_atpl8gKwI9zxo5oDU-HNtOHQwSmSJ6Kg9VlA2629VUOrJydDLR0/s400/6035_102910_rib_shirt_l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534000929798317730" border="0" /></a>Another last minute idea is from the goddess of Halloween crafting, Martha Stewart. I saw this idea the other day on her show to create a simple ribcage t-shirt for a fast costume. <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/rib-cage-t-shirt">Instructions and the template</a> are on her website.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-72762772393276149532010-10-30T16:39:00.021-05:002010-10-30T17:17:23.853-05:00Halloween Shakers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODXonWGge_zm7vRYNZBSAaeq8ERnK9mFgrBpU8OyDGOMYmVxZZJFYnMMbk9fB-u6PLpc04_09_jangXjV2Gva1z721bZ5N_Jd91TBjnJoVoks2I1L4aKJrOMm765woOBfozzsBe4pfTU/s1600/DSCN3190.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODXonWGge_zm7vRYNZBSAaeq8ERnK9mFgrBpU8OyDGOMYmVxZZJFYnMMbk9fB-u6PLpc04_09_jangXjV2Gva1z721bZ5N_Jd91TBjnJoVoks2I1L4aKJrOMm765woOBfozzsBe4pfTU/s400/DSCN3190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533964698970249282" border="0" /></a><br />I know it's the day before Halloween, but I just had to post this finished project. I hope it gives you some inspiration to create for <span style="font-style: italic;">next</span> Halloween...or this Halloween, if you're right fast at whipping up craft projects!<br /><br />These shakers are made in the style of Victorian Halloween noisemakers, made from simple and very inexpensive round paper-mache boxes, uncooked rice(for inside the box), wooden dowels, some decorative trim, a hot glue gun, fabric, and acrylic paint. Painting the faces on these is really the time consuming part. Look for inspiration for these in old Victorian Halloween decor and pictures, and Halloween folk art.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSs5frn-zFm-C3oKmrT5S9qptbb_JHJdMb__PlcR3MjuD51XYextfTFhqeMNpBMTsavQXhL5rJZUjyG4a2kiHW0qk5EyFPwtrr4h1r0VIC0TwSXhrcpd1EZeOGx0f4uYY-tY31jslhAA/s1600/DSCN3181.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSs5frn-zFm-C3oKmrT5S9qptbb_JHJdMb__PlcR3MjuD51XYextfTFhqeMNpBMTsavQXhL5rJZUjyG4a2kiHW0qk5EyFPwtrr4h1r0VIC0TwSXhrcpd1EZeOGx0f4uYY-tY31jslhAA/s400/DSCN3181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533964420471725250" border="0" /></a>They kind of look like candy, don't they! :)<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosGBF_dzNPzryI0WL5Mg093aW5oKHQ1Roz65ty419bndSK27e703TrR9igYP9Y17qmLXDjaOsoDslEpv-WmRU9w4r0xLscRp-1k6QaaEvzbXMefw9W9WiKFSe5iaN_h0sclTTNBm9tjo/s1600/DSCN3195.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosGBF_dzNPzryI0WL5Mg093aW5oKHQ1Roz65ty419bndSK27e703TrR9igYP9Y17qmLXDjaOsoDslEpv-WmRU9w4r0xLscRp-1k6QaaEvzbXMefw9W9WiKFSe5iaN_h0sclTTNBm9tjo/s400/DSCN3195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533964098023021986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BsbpuNe_YtYW526E1YpYs3t2Pa9MByHQLD24GbTObPNBn80yd4AFgIFcwJTTaLESpysm1lul357TKTUo093jtFy9VR9y3JfHCc1ukmhvLh-sECPMwgPK37hVw1Yh52iRx3q2FdZAfuc/s1600/DSCN3197.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BsbpuNe_YtYW526E1YpYs3t2Pa9MByHQLD24GbTObPNBn80yd4AFgIFcwJTTaLESpysm1lul357TKTUo093jtFy9VR9y3JfHCc1ukmhvLh-sECPMwgPK37hVw1Yh52iRx3q2FdZAfuc/s400/DSCN3197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533963238232962226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41XIpPsJmaTQQswjUz4XGtakB2RoQInMTK_9KClPO3QMS-C6Kh5xWFevLlxTgZ6qfXE89XMXz9cxEdmAycF0VZUdqmx84n99CSCoZva_DRinBGeZtf-OfDM0o4gx-82ddlNRTp4fjaHM/s1600/DSCN3199.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41XIpPsJmaTQQswjUz4XGtakB2RoQInMTK_9KClPO3QMS-C6Kh5xWFevLlxTgZ6qfXE89XMXz9cxEdmAycF0VZUdqmx84n99CSCoZva_DRinBGeZtf-OfDM0o4gx-82ddlNRTp4fjaHM/s400/DSCN3199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533962720967779138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49mJU6LtLIW4sF0vLWUrdW8TMwTLhowVMDT1kXs0Bl-ZvxlPSnkTUYMaX20z1xIOKUZw8esML6945YpsmoBRoERRFakoODpryanqaayWMGVf_ffrxBIvs8dMjSSCIPoq6uXdwwgdic40/s1600/DSCN3209.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49mJU6LtLIW4sF0vLWUrdW8TMwTLhowVMDT1kXs0Bl-ZvxlPSnkTUYMaX20z1xIOKUZw8esML6945YpsmoBRoERRFakoODpryanqaayWMGVf_ffrxBIvs8dMjSSCIPoq6uXdwwgdic40/s400/DSCN3209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533962362549398642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDLR_NK4NcN-IrcFBt6Bydb89AUTubaTTNDyzyDXCY4A5AcEtyG6Mt4I7qmpUmw5iGnzTGD8yxHq9YmzYBRsiirZP94NtgTrzV79hqdbnfsNj23Zj-HuBRDJe9LTZtZamkYAQfBxKDR0/s1600/DSCN3217.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDLR_NK4NcN-IrcFBt6Bydb89AUTubaTTNDyzyDXCY4A5AcEtyG6Mt4I7qmpUmw5iGnzTGD8yxHq9YmzYBRsiirZP94NtgTrzV79hqdbnfsNj23Zj-HuBRDJe9LTZtZamkYAQfBxKDR0/s400/DSCN3217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533961626720606818" border="0" /></a>Pom-pom trim slightly aged on all the pumpkins.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQEa5CJr3FGeDpNKdVdCMuecvW-rg_O1I-m7Y3gI_q4lYA0UHrh7iI_5_06x5winLN6NDfqctoQi1LGxWMOCDmYnUrhPacdghf5HWw45R30faOHz5fHZUM3mELXX6f77g82UmG1RQCCw/s1600/DSCN3226.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQEa5CJr3FGeDpNKdVdCMuecvW-rg_O1I-m7Y3gI_q4lYA0UHrh7iI_5_06x5winLN6NDfqctoQi1LGxWMOCDmYnUrhPacdghf5HWw45R30faOHz5fHZUM3mELXX6f77g82UmG1RQCCw/s400/DSCN3226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533960933913051698" border="0" /></a>Decorative braided trim glued around the edge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vj5PiTfKr40_gvxdGV2xGzqCcwfkxlN36WVzwDJoCc4aIJ2N2PkZQUgvBBw8QB5pNhnS1XaUlxzdaAnhVJvnwPOmUtiXVEAUkWExi3nyNqD6Yh83eg_F1-UebNMz8BbeThRH4UZZF-o/s1600/DSCN3231.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vj5PiTfKr40_gvxdGV2xGzqCcwfkxlN36WVzwDJoCc4aIJ2N2PkZQUgvBBw8QB5pNhnS1XaUlxzdaAnhVJvnwPOmUtiXVEAUkWExi3nyNqD6Yh83eg_F1-UebNMz8BbeThRH4UZZF-o/s400/DSCN3231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533960131444307906" border="0" /></a>Black felt ears.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfG3womp25oGEXNPCVIX1sTJ58_ZaPsA0d00PF2sYVIR2NXn07qa5AuS5Y3Zax9BEOqiEASqVdi-54m3xUK6gwfs6jQgj9sYS3s9Dp5B7F9e0mHVOvkmR0pJE8F_5EiVG9IqkdLcrFlM/s1600/DSCN3232.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfG3womp25oGEXNPCVIX1sTJ58_ZaPsA0d00PF2sYVIR2NXn07qa5AuS5Y3Zax9BEOqiEASqVdi-54m3xUK6gwfs6jQgj9sYS3s9Dp5B7F9e0mHVOvkmR0pJE8F_5EiVG9IqkdLcrFlM/s400/DSCN3232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533958960728638098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7zF6NohlT0wTRRWk1TQsC5wCwbeajWy_vM8yRZkjJlrYOz0UciMXt6SwYriQ0bdiVVFL1iKShuZy7eZNUhLGqoenvrceAC6_5otA38SqLiVR3r9QPS-lkhjk-SsPRuMUIFxCwV030MU/s1600/DSCN3231.JPG"><br /></a>Strips of Halloweeny fabric tied in bows around the base of the dowel.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE81UHQK6lr0xTlj0d4skh2wJzjKUpk1EsZXX2AnPa8oGQeTS7NmZh8O1lddO6DTog7U5XmXCMBK7cQ7y9NtZ_JZIH9zOjkx_dVgqcCQs8Z19s4_ZC4Numgj9uLLca2ZfsW93tBGJ_VdY/s1600/DSCN3235.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE81UHQK6lr0xTlj0d4skh2wJzjKUpk1EsZXX2AnPa8oGQeTS7NmZh8O1lddO6DTog7U5XmXCMBK7cQ7y9NtZ_JZIH9zOjkx_dVgqcCQs8Z19s4_ZC4Numgj9uLLca2ZfsW93tBGJ_VdY/s400/DSCN3235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533958520705514546" border="0" /></a>Cheshire Grin<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-67944667433538969632010-10-17T19:14:00.020-05:002010-10-22T20:13:07.148-05:00Halloween Boo-quet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHwJB79mH2Y4KtsuxezdQ6-qH1fXehSKgztzpzlPH4cDWEUuh6Y9TFGPbi0TvXzMQq_KRfFJH24TkphPT9mmBaeIH87334O8fOhYUmrww-h2-aGAT9bzNo8Ys4oebsNcM1vyzb03Lexk/s1600/DSCN3176.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHwJB79mH2Y4KtsuxezdQ6-qH1fXehSKgztzpzlPH4cDWEUuh6Y9TFGPbi0TvXzMQq_KRfFJH24TkphPT9mmBaeIH87334O8fOhYUmrww-h2-aGAT9bzNo8Ys4oebsNcM1vyzb03Lexk/s400/DSCN3176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531036475419281570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMAy6FR80GGVgaAu9GPujgr4j9Q0YUmVuqAlLyABczPoWhpEMV3158jvFjgIMGECsGD_XVD-uvsN5HuWGBj6_uwAkzzBXfVKrzrL761VIyi6Ys_Vnl3u0z0JpLouV3Eu6bXY3sbbUcDs/s1600/DSCN3180.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMAy6FR80GGVgaAu9GPujgr4j9Q0YUmVuqAlLyABczPoWhpEMV3158jvFjgIMGECsGD_XVD-uvsN5HuWGBj6_uwAkzzBXfVKrzrL761VIyi6Ys_Vnl3u0z0JpLouV3Eu6bXY3sbbUcDs/s400/DSCN3180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531036107599043602" border="0" /></a>Boo-quet<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For Valentine's Day you put red Roses on the table, for Easter, Lilies, Christmas bouquets are almost always Poinsettias, but what kind of a bouquet can you display for Halloween? How about a spooky BOOO-quet of dead flowers, & creepy looking seed pods!<br /><br />I usually collect unique looking seed pods and dried flowers or seed heads during the fall and preserve them using clear acrylic coat before bringing them in to display or craft with. For Halloween I thought dead small Black Eyed Susans, or the seed heads, and a sprig of some random dried orange colored weed from the yard were perfect for this boo-quet. It was pretty simple, using a hand-held garden clipper I snipped the amount of Black Eyed Susan and unknown orange weed I wanted in my vase and then stuck them in, arranging them as I went, no water needed because they're dead!! Muahahahaha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFgYaI6-Fo2b04wzW1B-vFxvZsT4J6ZjAW341iQUvO4_Wb4WpWaFLDfMcfcv89ONaNcIeYlrPkZUXG7AdFn9Up3_xrumbia46WEoO0p36IxyEkzhgI6NnG97CfXf8-ZroU6ycH7heA3Q/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFgYaI6-Fo2b04wzW1B-vFxvZsT4J6ZjAW341iQUvO4_Wb4WpWaFLDfMcfcv89ONaNcIeYlrPkZUXG7AdFn9Up3_xrumbia46WEoO0p36IxyEkzhgI6NnG97CfXf8-ZroU6ycH7heA3Q/s400/DSCN3175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531034921900750066" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBVHPgG2uvIT77SIgLZwfFMJxK5twsyvJf1xdhbRkZAqPkurj4XKjA30hFkrkPGoSKnKjkoCyW262PRsM5J9wy7aRoL1nRn93lykajjf8CMS2bCPuYlrInKVwyum9GBvjj3ErI-6OX-4/s1600/DSCN3168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBVHPgG2uvIT77SIgLZwfFMJxK5twsyvJf1xdhbRkZAqPkurj4XKjA30hFkrkPGoSKnKjkoCyW262PRsM5J9wy7aRoL1nRn93lykajjf8CMS2bCPuYlrInKVwyum9GBvjj3ErI-6OX-4/s400/DSCN3168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531034197582993090" border="0" /></a>The small version of the Black Eyed Susans in my yard.<br /></div><br />Of course AFTER I had finished this and uploaded my pictures I decided to take some of that fairly inexpensive fake spider webbing, that you can find at almost any craft or drug store, and drape it around in this arrangement. Then I added a fake plastic spider and voila! a whole new and more festively spooky boo-quet was born! Just too bad I didn't think about it before I photographed and uploaded all my photos. :(<br /><br />If you want to try this you'll need:<br /><ul><li>Some sort of vase, or vessel for your arrangement.</li><li>Dried foliage, seed heads or pods, and or live flowers.</li><li>Clear Acrylic coat for dried things.</li><li>Fake spider web and fake spiders (optional)<br /></li><li>Florist's foam, if you want to get fancy.</li><li>Water of course, if you are using live flowers.<br /></li></ul>Below are a few pictures from my garden for ideas for another version of a dried foliage boo-quet.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQHZlImKsmFdasKlzfGr6RHBptkSoLv0I_g5XM1z0koUkkreqLNzInv0UWR9yiTgD-7AH_3augwmN_FhnSZ-rx3fnmDdpUt28ev6ZTOkTfbIhU8ibE4YAvUpOq0yF2aSZeIk9MI6OfNQ/s1600/DSCN3170.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQHZlImKsmFdasKlzfGr6RHBptkSoLv0I_g5XM1z0koUkkreqLNzInv0UWR9yiTgD-7AH_3augwmN_FhnSZ-rx3fnmDdpUt28ev6ZTOkTfbIhU8ibE4YAvUpOq0yF2aSZeIk9MI6OfNQ/s400/DSCN3170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531029221473674754" border="0" /></a>Neato and a little spookyish weed seed pods.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ROCaRh_iQGrpMEAKAIHmrzr0E6Pgpf9ud3pKiO67Vit5sWRYZSzvmfHEm087smJP-RnkmdwUhOWKgwhX3-GOL-8Qnjs-QZjWuH7w_8HJGQhRTJf3cvsC26_gMcVWe1Ku9A1DiROiujk/s1600/DSCN3166.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ROCaRh_iQGrpMEAKAIHmrzr0E6Pgpf9ud3pKiO67Vit5sWRYZSzvmfHEm087smJP-RnkmdwUhOWKgwhX3-GOL-8Qnjs-QZjWuH7w_8HJGQhRTJf3cvsC26_gMcVWe1Ku9A1DiROiujk/s400/DSCN3166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531028818801493794" border="0" /></a>Globe Thistle seed head<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D7SEmdMSpG0MlWvQhOFzqFhuEvXjDD3buds-5oluMb1bDi6TOv5A9rIwXLnW93sPLaEFHXvOf3duGnph6UknfnlPH7wkjIYS67PzMTFreruUn40QOf4aPNF0TVjMXwmOotgcnBC1dmw/s1600/DSCN3164.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D7SEmdMSpG0MlWvQhOFzqFhuEvXjDD3buds-5oluMb1bDi6TOv5A9rIwXLnW93sPLaEFHXvOf3duGnph6UknfnlPH7wkjIYS67PzMTFreruUn40QOf4aPNF0TVjMXwmOotgcnBC1dmw/s400/DSCN3164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531028512397088098" border="0" /></a>Dried Sea Oats.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMHTNKnOVXQDVHxiP-OySrVg4eNhv0MPFmZ2qei1jpTu-SV5g7ZVmUgbZmFi2KxChE-q5EyB5UIbpQHdKjHasi0DDWZSk8kppJnx-aE8glrbfEnQeArCai6GhCreHiy_2_CSGHZA-_H8/s1600/Spooky+Halloween+Bouquet+from+Martha+Stewart+Living.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMHTNKnOVXQDVHxiP-OySrVg4eNhv0MPFmZ2qei1jpTu-SV5g7ZVmUgbZmFi2KxChE-q5EyB5UIbpQHdKjHasi0DDWZSk8kppJnx-aE8glrbfEnQeArCai6GhCreHiy_2_CSGHZA-_H8/s400/Spooky+Halloween+Bouquet+from+Martha+Stewart+Living.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531027527664334322" border="0" /></a>Martha's version of a boo-quet<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you don't have a yard with any of these things in them, and you don't have any friends or family with any sort of dried fun stuff either in their yards, then try an arrangement with live flowers like the ones above from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">Martha Stewart</a>. Mums are great for fall arrangements and so are dark colored sunflowers, or how about blood red roses in a black vase? I like it. Pictured below is a lovely and spidery looking purple plant on my deck, & for some reason I am having brain issues right now and can't for the life of me think of it's name... but it would also make a great addition to a live Halloween boo-quet!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iuvQcL8ahTlmH_vPM7ROA7aKkkqzST9eQNOFkkU2mAhWc0mgy-ACVmFq2oNhnTHHfwNUWKe4wpfjeoomd0oC-5XP-s9UWYYHS-nNw7P_RxBnSDAgl-Rr49Pv36tatiDeVmHLw5wSuag/s1600/DSCN3172.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iuvQcL8ahTlmH_vPM7ROA7aKkkqzST9eQNOFkkU2mAhWc0mgy-ACVmFq2oNhnTHHfwNUWKe4wpfjeoomd0oC-5XP-s9UWYYHS-nNw7P_RxBnSDAgl-Rr49Pv36tatiDeVmHLw5wSuag/s400/DSCN3172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531028059313441490" border="0" /></a>Purple spider plant that I can't think of name of right now... pretty good caption huh.<br /></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-18557568807818551642010-10-12T18:40:00.001-05:002010-10-12T18:41:08.696-05:00Halloween Acorns<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC46t2VbCPSrlQR84-L_Ps2XHGCTF2hVDr6GTtX0IVZ3U00nMxG2Czw47LPoT56JcuSAdmXGKjrW9QEZoVO3ajxVhzd7xTzg0l4N0rCUNPfoDD7CIJex1vLFyOFNVw_jewh3A0pdzMpYM/s1600/DSCN3121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC46t2VbCPSrlQR84-L_Ps2XHGCTF2hVDr6GTtX0IVZ3U00nMxG2Czw47LPoT56JcuSAdmXGKjrW9QEZoVO3ajxVhzd7xTzg0l4N0rCUNPfoDD7CIJex1vLFyOFNVw_jewh3A0pdzMpYM/s400/DSCN3121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527306279400749890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Halloween Acorns</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmINcxTlkUVjUVecNfNrDvrbKDFOX9HYJUBOZwqgle_ECJTzrWP2p-BTWJkhBSBPY3eGpm2idL4NwKRElck2JUe_7TYOVfZ2PPypNFGX88hHHcLUbxjFOL64y-oMM-G5n0lsGtn2ImOqc/s1600/DSCN3123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmINcxTlkUVjUVecNfNrDvrbKDFOX9HYJUBOZwqgle_ECJTzrWP2p-BTWJkhBSBPY3eGpm2idL4NwKRElck2JUe_7TYOVfZ2PPypNFGX88hHHcLUbxjFOL64y-oMM-G5n0lsGtn2ImOqc/s400/DSCN3123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527306031568283890" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I was at my Grandma's house, in the back yard, walking around and picking up acorns off the ground that had fallen from her oak tree. I have always loved acorns, and I usually pick up a couple nice ones each fall, stick them up in a box full of naturey things that I'm never quite sure what to do with, and there they sit. Well, this year I was struck with a idea as I picked up these acorns, and so was born the Halloween acorn project! It's a pretty simple project with mostly basic craft supplies: acorns, a few bottles of acrylic paint, paintbrush, and some patience for painting tiny things :)<br /><br />You'll Need:<br /><ul><li>A bottle of black acrylic paint, and a bottle of orange acrylic paint.</li><li>A small paint brush</li><li>Cup for water (I use old yogurt cups)</li><li>Acorns, how ever many you want to use & any size will work.<br /></li><li>Acrylic clear coat spray, you can use either shiny or matte, I used matte.<br /></li></ul><ol><li>First step is to clean the acorns, I made the mistake of starting to paint a couple and realizing that the fine dirt on them was keeping the paint from sticking.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuStgzdlVndlltj3YHqB51gxW5vpiEmc3i52Sv7bwyJ-RdVBTUAmhL8zLW0XezYpDr0ys7w_i7SbY3YLSoitmJyOwOzRdslN44zTE3AOfpRv5InDTTFJ9bXSp2awLy4M_clSLuwItRoY/s1600/DSCN3080.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuStgzdlVndlltj3YHqB51gxW5vpiEmc3i52Sv7bwyJ-RdVBTUAmhL8zLW0XezYpDr0ys7w_i7SbY3YLSoitmJyOwOzRdslN44zTE3AOfpRv5InDTTFJ9bXSp2awLy4M_clSLuwItRoY/s400/DSCN3080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527305627911569474" border="0" /></a></li><li style="text-align: center;">Squeeze your paint out on a old plate or I usually use an old plastic lid from a butter tub or something similar. Get a cup of water, and start painting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiUT-oKKuoWGHPxY00GfKf3sIzaYQMDkmEif_5N23bWO7NciIO-U8a0wzhLYT6DWlVkEnI2TKS19hO4FLIJtHLVHLzv5Ct7uGPnHSTWtNFBuS48_cXvUDG9hLln7D2NQyGonSq8Ob8gY/s1600/DSCN3096.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiUT-oKKuoWGHPxY00GfKf3sIzaYQMDkmEif_5N23bWO7NciIO-U8a0wzhLYT6DWlVkEnI2TKS19hO4FLIJtHLVHLzv5Ct7uGPnHSTWtNFBuS48_cXvUDG9hLln7D2NQyGonSq8Ob8gY/s400/DSCN3096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527305036456841378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">After the first coat of Orange</span><br /></li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"> 3.Let the acorns dry completely overnight, then give them another coat of paint. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBncZJVgLAJgx0Kv0xX5n_bNwUgqpQbIdiH7kqDPYqqyrR_rDV6HY_tmvnsx0v6Ixqw6c1_1IBEQnBRwPCta6uNBXRUYfWTIU4ZkAXUwR1TGm77Kj8hM4k1OT3nNHYwy22smYt-Omxyig/s1600/DSCN3120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBncZJVgLAJgx0Kv0xX5n_bNwUgqpQbIdiH7kqDPYqqyrR_rDV6HY_tmvnsx0v6Ixqw6c1_1IBEQnBRwPCta6uNBXRUYfWTIU4ZkAXUwR1TGm77Kj8hM4k1OT3nNHYwy22smYt-Omxyig/s400/DSCN3120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527303366874343330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">After two coats of paint</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> 4. Let the acorns dry completely again, and then outside in a garage, deck, some other well ventilated space, lay down newspaper and spray one coat of either shiny or matte clear coat on the acorns. I used matte this time, but think I will try shiny next time!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> 5. After the acorns are dry, you can throw them in a vase, a bowl, or where ever suits you! I got a little fancy with some of my orange acorns and using a black fine tip paint pen I drew tiny little jack-o-lantern faces on.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GlvROxGRiFiWxIXnfJwrEPmm9-W-CYHfqn3tdDpMg3uXnTBIB6D0lCgaT1H9Q-ihdBMjf9jakZT0Xs8NN5u3YH3yG-N1Jrh2ENH3EemUsm0WF0HWZESWJcc3qbW-ZzSqPWyb0x_zkCU/s1600/DSCN3148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BAuHQUWIRY1eFPDC-ukaAcsrH4GbT2IKt_jafh8y1m4r6LRqqRBF21sPWGqP8KtB1fBOkG_qPY3J2SILErsG3W9dES6KVZvVobFffTdcB74Rni17cXO4YXwVTVrhV7AJ4NQaz6tV_QM/s400/DSCN3124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527302758904087362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished product!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GlvROxGRiFiWxIXnfJwrEPmm9-W-CYHfqn3tdDpMg3uXnTBIB6D0lCgaT1H9Q-ihdBMjf9jakZT0Xs8NN5u3YH3yG-N1Jrh2ENH3EemUsm0WF0HWZESWJcc3qbW-ZzSqPWyb0x_zkCU/s1600/DSCN3148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GlvROxGRiFiWxIXnfJwrEPmm9-W-CYHfqn3tdDpMg3uXnTBIB6D0lCgaT1H9Q-ihdBMjf9jakZT0Xs8NN5u3YH3yG-N1Jrh2ENH3EemUsm0WF0HWZESWJcc3qbW-ZzSqPWyb0x_zkCU/s400/DSCN3148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527302361038092594" border="0" /></a></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-33915226029385351162010-10-11T00:05:00.000-05:002010-10-11T00:05:00.182-05:00Book Review- Witch Craft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KVjuazg8epivmbi6H8pq53lBOi34s76ectEjmAhyphenhyphenoImJXuRrgyg269OBGvgpBOaTeMi8NVJfofEMiwu4oKlWBfr8PulaszSU5fjB2IAJcFoImrhmbXm1QzOgZl7wshdjdlUPfH0pYqA/s1600/witch+craft+book.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KVjuazg8epivmbi6H8pq53lBOi34s76ectEjmAhyphenhyphenoImJXuRrgyg269OBGvgpBOaTeMi8NVJfofEMiwu4oKlWBfr8PulaszSU5fjB2IAJcFoImrhmbXm1QzOgZl7wshdjdlUPfH0pYqA/s400/witch+craft+book.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525779292546942850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I recently received the new book Witch Craft, Complied by Margaret McGuire and Alicia Kachmar. Witch Craft is a Halloween DIY book with over 25 projects in it, and the cover reads "Wicked Accessories, Creepy-Cute Toys, Magical Treats, and More!" and it does deliver all that and more in it's 96 pages.<br /><br />This sweet little hardcover book is chalk full of crochet patterns, recipes, plushies, jewelry, and accessories. There is a really nice section in the back of the book about all the "witch crafters" in this book, and even gives the artists blogs and etsy sites. There were even a couple projects in here from a personal favorite of mine, Em and Sprout creator Lindsay Gibson.<br /><br />I did manage to pick two favorite projects in the book, and trust me, it was hard to chose! My two fav's were the beaded Spider Earrings, and the Fuzzy Bats(the adorable bat on the cover). I promise, if you love Halloween and crafty books as much as I do then this book is a must have.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955175553285109624.post-15834790702960362082010-10-09T00:45:00.005-05:002010-10-09T19:28:22.414-05:00In the Halloweeny Spirit!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgUcBg_QlsiWH9Xl5x_lGk9p68TNGzyRTQX6eznJE4NysHOVvbOD1feWftbAjWuQI_vNCk1WHSVOiwp25461iWXsxwm-YuIfgFjK9erQfib9Btp-3gK7_vMreVFLODe0a9OTLIuApUbw/s1600/DSCN1800.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgUcBg_QlsiWH9Xl5x_lGk9p68TNGzyRTQX6eznJE4NysHOVvbOD1feWftbAjWuQI_vNCk1WHSVOiwp25461iWXsxwm-YuIfgFjK9erQfib9Btp-3gK7_vMreVFLODe0a9OTLIuApUbw/s400/DSCN1800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525919062366581394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yes, that's my eerily lit face behind those pumpkins and lanterns</span><br /><br /></div>Even though it's extremely unseasonably warm for October here in NE right now, yesterday it hit 91 degrees, I am starting to scheme for Halloween. I know I've probably mentioned before on here, lord knows I have everywhere else, that Halloween is my favorite holiday, which could be why I own enough Halloween themed craft books and magazines to put Amazon out of business.<br /><br />I am currently working hard on some scary-cute projects for the up coming holiday, including one to enter in the big <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/">Craftzine</a> Halloween <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/10/craft_halloween_contest.html">crafts contest</a>, so wish me luck! In the meantime though, why don't you check out two of my past spooky(and yummy) Halloween projects/treats! I do ahve to apologize for my older Halloween posts, I had just started blogging, wasn't quite sure how to go about writing down instructions yet, and the pics are from an old shoty 6 mega-pixel digi.<br /><br />*<a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2008/10/cripsy-halloween-treats.html">Crispy Halloween Treats</a><br /><br />*<a href="http://angrypincushion.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-lanterns.html">Halloween Lanterns</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM31-MNjVEs6OuosejU89yxfYWBV3iLHZ7shbLE_zlm1RDPXDs6MJaRF1Z_Iq96mDd6DwaLrNKRNp8sJDr1WMcN89tRnDaSM8A6Ww-ZQb_Q3-s_a_3ovF2gOEpma0OxHHsaVeFqzHx7vo/s1600/DSCN0403.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM31-MNjVEs6OuosejU89yxfYWBV3iLHZ7shbLE_zlm1RDPXDs6MJaRF1Z_Iq96mDd6DwaLrNKRNp8sJDr1WMcN89tRnDaSM8A6Ww-ZQb_Q3-s_a_3ovF2gOEpma0OxHHsaVeFqzHx7vo/s400/DSCN0403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525759096552188434" border="0" /></a><br />Pssst! Check back next week for some Halloween crafts and fun! :)Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10970521862283732179noreply@blogger.com0