tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43282123677469985342024-03-05T05:31:57.567-06:00If I Can Do It, So Could YouUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-89376984521677228072015-02-28T14:33:00.002-06:002015-02-28T14:33:31.560-06:00A Long Overdue Update
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So it’s been a while since I’ve visited the ol’ blog here.
We’ve had a crazy busy summer and winter full of travel, vacations, family
visits, and oh yeah, getting pregnant with twins. And since their arrival is
quite imminent, here’s a quick update on at least one project – the garage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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When we last left off, we had insulated walls and a new mud
room unit on the wall. We now have new drywall, painted drywall, and we’ve
built a set of shelves along the back wall and added some trim molding. (I say
“we” loosely, because of course, I watched much of this process from the
couch.) </div>
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After we found out we were having twins, we did a little
tour of the town with our realtor. We wanted to confirm that we were happy
where we were at, and to see what was out there with a bit more square footage
for our growing family. We saw a couple really nice places, and even more total
duds. In the end, we decided that staying put was the best decision for now…
with some basement finishing to come. </div>
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During the house hunting process, I realized how great our
garage is. It is extra deep – technically a 2.5 car garage if you include all
that space in the back. Many of the houses we looked at had garages that would
barely fit our SUV, with no extra storage on either side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This simply would not do. Sadly, we
have too much stuff. </div>
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Right now we are in the cold-weather season, or as I call it
“garage chaos.” Even with all that extra space and storage, we are still
storing deck furniture, sand tables, deck storage boxes, hoses and various
other outside toys inside the garage. So while it still looks like a
disaster, I am trying to remind myself of what it looked like before we had all
this off-the-ground storage. In the warm-weather months, it is really quite
roomy.</div>
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The shelf plans came from the Ana White site, which is GREAT
for all kinds of inspiration. We did modify them a bit - my favorite part of
the new shelves is that they are missing the bottom shelf. This allows us to
roll all our wheeled things like bikes and strollers underneath the shelf to
free up more floor space.
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I also really like the extended middle shelf. To be honest,
my father-in-law had to talk me into that one. I thought it would get in the
way. But it has been nice to have some extra workspace there without hitting my
head on the upper shelf. And it’s especially useful for cutting longer boards
on the miter saw. </div>
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So this garage project is just about wrapped up. I do need
to paint some of the trim around the doors, and the doors themselves, but it
has been too cold here lately to get any of that done. I also want to
reorganize a bit better when it’s warmer, and establish some kind of recycling
station next to the kitchen door. And since I'm nesting like crazy, the whole house list is only getting longer. But for now, we’re focused on other things
and we’re thrilled with how the garage has turned out. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-32000526767367222512014-07-14T09:44:00.000-05:002014-07-14T09:44:41.514-05:00Drumroll Please...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIT2MOKDcO_iQ2QxQipCGo-V1060_9VBgWcj07ktpXKjO7LrfLB1KUO-qd5jwOARHxPry25jX3PAwlBqhgvQzHb_-9b5QvhcALzkHKh9dgQtHA981QOl1cB_YOr2XqpTK5c58NzBZNVTg/s1600/IMG_6147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIT2MOKDcO_iQ2QxQipCGo-V1060_9VBgWcj07ktpXKjO7LrfLB1KUO-qd5jwOARHxPry25jX3PAwlBqhgvQzHb_-9b5QvhcALzkHKh9dgQtHA981QOl1cB_YOr2XqpTK5c58NzBZNVTg/s1600/IMG_6147.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>After eight long years we have finally, finally, FINALLY painted the upstairs hallway. It is done! No more builder paint and scratchy flat walls scraping up my knuckles when I move laundry baskets. Can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus singing in the background? I would do cartwheels if I thought it wouldn't cause serious injury. <br />
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The color is Burnished Clay by Behr. It's a light gray with a hint of blue to it. It's the same color we used in the bonus room, and is a definite change over the gold and white combo we had going on before. (Half of the hallway was painted before. The other half was still white builder paint. Classy, I know.) <br />
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It took us forever to repaint because there are some high ceilings in the stairway and the best way to paint those high corners was not always obvious. But with some pole wielding and ladder maneuvering, we made it happen.<br />
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The thing about this space is there is no natural light. The only light that it gets is from the bedroom windows. If the bedroom doors are shut, the hallway is dark. So I picked the gold eight years ago thinking it would help keep things bright. And it certainly did cast a gold glow on everything. EVERYTHING. <br />
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Here it is midway through. You can see how the gold wall (left) casts a gold glow on the gray wall (right) so that you can't even tell it's not gold. Maybe I should consider a new kind of brighter white light bulb in there. But honestly, I have no idea how we'd get to it. Fourteen feet up in the middle of a stairwell. I fear the day that bulb burns out. <br />
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We've done the entire upstairs hallway, and the stairwell, and one small wall in the downstairs hallway. So we do have more of the downstairs hallway to do. This is more like a few hour job than a weekend job, though. Lots of cutting in and not a lot of wall space.<br />
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Now that the walls are a much cooler color, I'm looking forward to adding some more pops of color somehow. I'm thinking of doing some kind of timeline on the walls that
has the history of our family... from our first date up to now. Maybe?<br />
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I do like the new color, and I'm debating just going for it in the family room too. (It is also gold/yellow.) We'll see. I'll probably just live with for a while, because we all know how efficient I am at getting these painting projects done! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-35717531983582085152014-05-22T10:27:00.000-05:002014-05-22T10:27:26.650-05:00When Life Gives You Mud, Make a Mud Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been making some progress on the garage mudroom lately. Now that it's spring, we've been using this space so much more. All the clutter that used to accumulate in the kitchen is now in the garage. It is so nice to have a space where muddy shoes and kids can shed the dirt before entering the house. I love it. <br />
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One of the first things we did was get some cheap bath mats at Target. I had been looking at some beautiful outdoor rugs online, but as we all know, I am incredibly indecisive about my home decor choices. So when we saw these rugs on clearance for $12 each, we snatched them up as a temporary solution. Now that they're on the floor, I really like how soft they are, and how they are machine washable. So the temporary may be a more permanent solution. <br />
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During a craft night a while back, I took a giant canvas and some stencils and created the big sign above the top shelf. I intended it to be a little greener to match the rug, but I guess the paint had other ideas. I also plan on hanging it on the wall instead of leaning it, so that you can see the bottom line better from the ground. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. <br />
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On the baskets on the side, I picked up some cheap cardboard letters from the craft store and mod podged tissue paper to them. Now each family members has a basket with their initial on it.<br />
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So what's left? We still need to put some baseboard molding and trim in a few areas, including around the back door, and drywall the entire garage. I'd also like to put some kind of stair tread on the kitchen doorstep so that it's not just an ugly concrete step.<br />
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There's also some general cleaning, spider web removal and trim painting to be done. Eight years of scratch marks to cover up there. Now that it's finally warm, I just need to be less lazy. <br />
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I'm also debating painting the two doors a fun color. Maybe purple like the front door? Or navy? Or some kind of green/blue/aqua? And maybe some fun vinyl decal? "Hello" on the kitchen door and "goodbye" on the back door, perhaps? I'm open to suggestions. I also ordered some navy blue fabric to make a bench seat. We've been a little hesitant to sit there for fear of scratching the paint, so that will be nice when I get it done in a couple years.<br />
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Overall, we love the space and we use it often. And it's a huge improvement from where we were last year. Hooray for progress!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-84773198086800226182014-05-14T13:20:00.000-05:002014-05-14T13:20:40.029-05:00Springing Back to LifeWhen I first moved to Wisconsin, people would give me crazy advice like.... be sure to go on vacation in April to get away from the cold weather ... or don't plant your flowers until after Mother's Day or they'll freeze. I thought they were nuts. I grew up in the Northwest, where you see tulips and daffodils in March and spring comes early. But here it is, May 14, and we're just now getting ready to plant things. It's been cold here. Very, very cold. <br />
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But not anymore, friends! Spring is finally here. The color green is once again in our vocabulary and things are springing (!) back to life. In fact, look how great our lawn looks this year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZtPTV30rrHNPHSzBXqd94bnjNlX1EjklVnkbRNyYucnUaEwhKrgMpLvBXcxu9RTR8oVuasu6R5DXBVav5sh4rnEtOPhLp8BX5AifDsoQb1BImzw6NOODN1Xlte8N2RGjdxEpr2jJo-uX/s1600/IMG_6162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZtPTV30rrHNPHSzBXqd94bnjNlX1EjklVnkbRNyYucnUaEwhKrgMpLvBXcxu9RTR8oVuasu6R5DXBVav5sh4rnEtOPhLp8BX5AifDsoQb1BImzw6NOODN1Xlte8N2RGjdxEpr2jJo-uX/s1600/IMG_6162.JPG" height="239" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Not a single dandelion in sight! Well, except for that giant one in the
front flower bed, but we'll just call that one a little extra color. Here's the backyard. </div>
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I'm planning another big veggie garden this year, so I had my father-in-law Tom come over and build another garden box. I think he sees it as an investment in the future. We both have a weakness for <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/picklicious.html" target="_blank">Uncle Mike's pickles</a>, made with cucumbers from the garden. The more room we have to play with, the more pickles we end up with! Tom built the other two garden boxes for us <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2013/06/take-that-you-wascally-wabbits.html" target="_blank">last year </a>and it made the gardening so much easier. There were fewer weeds and everything seemed healthier and hardier. And no bunny troubles!<br />
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We used the same basic structure - just a few fence boards with some balusters and chicken wire. And thanks to an excessively large dirt purchase last year, we had quite a bit of extra soil hanging out in the back yard. Ben and Tom were nice enough to move it into the new box for me, while our two favorite little supervisors stood watch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKJLwTInXt7PpboiuK5dxleTBrrZVXJygFxs3YU43dZVKA8GSSeKXp7wHIQU1v5Ii5Tso8K6abRRztZ__SVmXMknhpGKHXD1f5TPF5h_bVUXNCyEQXS-R35t5ytzQc2Kay4GmH-Hh0gvw/s1600/IMG_6102_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKJLwTInXt7PpboiuK5dxleTBrrZVXJygFxs3YU43dZVKA8GSSeKXp7wHIQU1v5Ii5Tso8K6abRRztZ__SVmXMknhpGKHXD1f5TPF5h_bVUXNCyEQXS-R35t5ytzQc2Kay4GmH-Hh0gvw/s1600/IMG_6102_2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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So now, all that's left is plants. We have a nice little family-owned greenhouse around the corner, so I may take a walk with our wagon sometime soon. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-41854809254798522502014-03-05T22:10:00.000-06:002014-03-05T22:10:03.898-06:00This Garage is AwesomeHey remember when our garage looked like this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkQPvmIn4klMxfv-aXdvdejdyheCKWCva01UNy9Q0EnQPTR8Lbr-xyCP7NhlWFPsX-YLZyb2pOxto3rJ58JAr-6ZGKoYvPUl_MfWtDsJL5aLiUQ-38gKLsCyeYkw-yONtdyfPRCBVZ2Ec/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkQPvmIn4klMxfv-aXdvdejdyheCKWCva01UNy9Q0EnQPTR8Lbr-xyCP7NhlWFPsX-YLZyb2pOxto3rJ58JAr-6ZGKoYvPUl_MfWtDsJL5aLiUQ-38gKLsCyeYkw-yONtdyfPRCBVZ2Ec/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
And then this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVopCK7TPu07ctnIq7FCuOzFungUbBfEaeZD6-3laqjzi1-UxWel4A1vBcdEFtV5D0TBf6zqgQFZKhTziDWmqBvb0rVk8kBCcQ2JqUhJ52nv_VxEi-1v9KuPzwygkneowO30EdihgOXLgx/s1600/IMG_4933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVopCK7TPu07ctnIq7FCuOzFungUbBfEaeZD6-3laqjzi1-UxWel4A1vBcdEFtV5D0TBf6zqgQFZKhTziDWmqBvb0rVk8kBCcQ2JqUhJ52nv_VxEi-1v9KuPzwygkneowO30EdihgOXLgx/s1600/IMG_4933.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then it looked like this? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybmEfmTT_Cw-YByMgd2g1mz0rDrwpOtX5TGI8bsxH-zUfoFkGnyNl_Fr_WHGjH27dwODnDs2Rm7YYmOIFufzZyiofsfMiziiBf6WspSt3ejvfUNDJbrOrFDAMdgJ5VahodEQs6sfIz4Pj/s1600/IMG_5144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybmEfmTT_Cw-YByMgd2g1mz0rDrwpOtX5TGI8bsxH-zUfoFkGnyNl_Fr_WHGjH27dwODnDs2Rm7YYmOIFufzZyiofsfMiziiBf6WspSt3ejvfUNDJbrOrFDAMdgJ5VahodEQs6sfIz4Pj/s1600/IMG_5144.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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Well now it looks like this! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fsdaUOH3ANaXdpG7kdubmmHVrH5q-kfcg8XrkJl6BJGFeb57uLHypryc5Qo1S17Ovw50e6GjCL-B4g7BHcBFoSK9TOErbflEyGyo9fxG_umMzjIljge6jyGVzHPsuAx451_-Oiocx9OV/s1600/IMG_5494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fsdaUOH3ANaXdpG7kdubmmHVrH5q-kfcg8XrkJl6BJGFeb57uLHypryc5Qo1S17Ovw50e6GjCL-B4g7BHcBFoSK9TOErbflEyGyo9fxG_umMzjIljge6jyGVzHPsuAx451_-Oiocx9OV/s1600/IMG_5494.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our mudroom system is finished! And none too soon. We've been using this space a lot lately. Have I mentioned how freakishly cold and snowy it has been this year? Here's a recent view out that back door. A couple steps further and E was in above her knees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH3PQmCaMj4CYxYOidXXIN9eQKufXLVvLXU8WDuLaxLwx4hTBx_f6JguzKxI90Hnj3npvxkXPGC5fTcnwLV5mNJF2B_k8-8SyCfJF5v7rhPszepn_kQqO5fDWEFXV0cpT3vGJsIH_bBHC/s1600/IMG_5633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH3PQmCaMj4CYxYOidXXIN9eQKufXLVvLXU8WDuLaxLwx4hTBx_f6JguzKxI90Hnj3npvxkXPGC5fTcnwLV5mNJF2B_k8-8SyCfJF5v7rhPszepn_kQqO5fDWEFXV0cpT3vGJsIH_bBHC/s1600/IMG_5633.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, it has been so nice to be able to dump off all the coats, hats, gloves, scarves and muddy boots BEFORE they enter the house. Yes, they do get a little cold out there, but with the new insulation in the garage, it hasn't been as bad as I had feared. <br />
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Up next on the Project Awesome Garage agenda: painting the interior garage doors and trim, adding drywall to the garage, adding some trim, baseboard and caulking in a few areas, putting down an outdoor rug to cover the laminate floor, and sewing a custom bench cushion. And possibly a few other cute little touches here are there - maybe some big art or a mural or quote above the top shelf? But the bulk of the work is done and it is so nice to have a space that we can use! <br />
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Let's take another moment to enjoy the transformation, shall we?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-71632455199443293262014-02-04T11:12:00.000-06:002014-02-04T11:12:08.317-06:00Reusin' Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIuqySSq3FVVbyCpvUi8BhDHSrnY4v62NfkoIe09f29YBHgI_4LnSTKfXE3p07YFuOtK6lLHYhO1uREoKlMmhIFF6SwWULgoU4azjWtpne8bS6EDURW8fwZnyBa9MhYz9HQj7VJbWYrAM/s1600/Slide1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIuqySSq3FVVbyCpvUi8BhDHSrnY4v62NfkoIe09f29YBHgI_4LnSTKfXE3p07YFuOtK6lLHYhO1uREoKlMmhIFF6SwWULgoU4azjWtpne8bS6EDURW8fwZnyBa9MhYz9HQj7VJbWYrAM/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have I mentioned how much I love reusing stuff? Remember that candy machine I made for <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-for-tea-and-sweets.html" target="_blank">E's birthday</a> a couple years ago? I'm happy to say it's been getting some use lately. Some paint, tinfoil and cardstock, and we transformed it into a rocket ship for <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2014/01/blast-off-j-is-one.html" target="_blank">J's b-day</a> and a Mickey for <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2014/01/weve-got-ears-say-cheers.html" target="_blank">E's b-day</a>.<br />
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And remember the <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2014/01/because-muffin-top-is-best-part.html" target="_blank">muffin tower</a> I made for a friend's baby shower? It became the a Mickey cupcake tower for E's b-day too. Just swap out the ribbon, paper and treats and we're in business. <br />
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Cheap and easy - just the way I like it. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-19156513340365819572014-01-29T14:31:00.000-06:002014-01-29T14:31:36.738-06:00We've Got Ears, Say Cheers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RHxx0QPTVNTJ2Lz12XZSCfDSPBK_sjn0_Fj8C8RQkHA4JpruRsPltBj8CmdNULMtmny7AIGyNBUNqbXCmUqZWc1q7rVUiAH3zu2Sz_GvM6ZysyK8m3J4Ba1e23CpuOXBx48BRksZxYjX/s1600/IMG_5178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RHxx0QPTVNTJ2Lz12XZSCfDSPBK_sjn0_Fj8C8RQkHA4JpruRsPltBj8CmdNULMtmny7AIGyNBUNqbXCmUqZWc1q7rVUiAH3zu2Sz_GvM6ZysyK8m3J4Ba1e23CpuOXBx48BRksZxYjX/s1600/IMG_5178.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
In November, J had a <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2014/01/blast-off-j-is-one.html" target="_blank">rocket birthday</a>. When E found out, she wanted a rocket party too. But not just any rocket party. It must be a RED rocket party. Whatever that means. Well, I wasn't really in the mood to repeat the rocket theme three weeks later for her b-day. So naturally, I went on the offensive. For weeks, I tried to convince her that she wanted to a have a Daniel Tiger party. This was an entirely selfish request, for I really just wanted to make a trolley cake. Wouldn't that be adorable?<br />
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Well, eventually I got her to cave. But not on the Daniel Tiger part. Instead, she said she wanted a Mickey party. With Mickey cupcakes and balloons. This I could handle.<br />
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And since E isn't really a fan of big parties anyway, we kept it small and sane. Not the way I usually do things, but I'm starting to see the wisdom in simplicity. (Namely, that simplicity = more sleep, and I LOVE sleep.)<br />
<br />
So, we did a cupcake tower, some Mickey candy bowls, a Mickey banner, and some Mickey cookies. And considering her b-day party was two and half weeks before Christmas and two days before a big church event I was helping with, we managed to pull it off and stay sane. And have some Mickey fun in the process. Hot Dog! <br />
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The invites...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2etdviNcWOXj5wSBu4dXc1YOLBlqD7zh7CsmzNokRlneyChtMa_cU2Oo_eg3xWLr-_31VfOyVbQ1aLfmWBIg7u0jTLrHKFElpIgrsBFZk2ri5uZKkAzzm50ryFNXeI51cBKzwWo6fO28/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2etdviNcWOXj5wSBu4dXc1YOLBlqD7zh7CsmzNokRlneyChtMa_cU2Oo_eg3xWLr-_31VfOyVbQ1aLfmWBIg7u0jTLrHKFElpIgrsBFZk2ri5uZKkAzzm50ryFNXeI51cBKzwWo6fO28/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cupcake tower... <br />
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The banner for the birthday girl... <br />
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The Mickey candy bowls...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-65416473488645067682014-01-29T14:10:00.000-06:002014-01-29T14:10:38.458-06:00Because the Muffin Top is the Best Part<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A while back I had the privilege of making some muffins for a friend's baby shower. Since the shower was in the morning, she didn't want the traditional shower cake. So, I whipped up some muffins and used some extra cake circles and tomato sauce cans to create a cute little tower.<br />
<br />
This
was really easy to do. I had some pre-cut cake circles (in the cake aisle
at Hobby Lobby) and taped three together. I used 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-inch
circles. If you don't have any lying around, you could use any cardboard or foam board. I just happen to be a girl who has this kind
of thing waiting around for a raining day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O0lAsvdhqz5O4SYJUeImDdynjbStlWob0LKLyjrS4juiy-HomssnOU4fmcq1SEfAHE1bPTvOXdWbTor8s7Tma2mAYzJ19H7-QF2xvBiF30fSIdiri3Ecrx0QZGPk3BxnBC0Qodkt4DjE/s1600/IMG_5110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O0lAsvdhqz5O4SYJUeImDdynjbStlWob0LKLyjrS4juiy-HomssnOU4fmcq1SEfAHE1bPTvOXdWbTor8s7Tma2mAYzJ19H7-QF2xvBiF30fSIdiri3Ecrx0QZGPk3BxnBC0Qodkt4DjE/s1600/IMG_5110.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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Use a hot
glue gun to affix some ribbon to the edges. Then take the tomato sauce
cans and cover them with scrapbook paper. Glue the cans in between each
set of circles and you're all done. It only took about 10 minutes and I
think it made the presentation look a lot better. <br />
<br />
Oh, and the muffins were delicious. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjG_OT0H8nZ6TComfpe2DeJSDpdZVxYPaLixYFG7FdTuEkIIxRorSvKJ3D2KwkfHsBFJAh8cO1zCYzPiGg3swf7lxcpd5geMvpCIxoSE8qrelCMd7JmTXNY3wfSEX98UtLXImCW8JDCY7d/s1600/IMG_5115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjG_OT0H8nZ6TComfpe2DeJSDpdZVxYPaLixYFG7FdTuEkIIxRorSvKJ3D2KwkfHsBFJAh8cO1zCYzPiGg3swf7lxcpd5geMvpCIxoSE8qrelCMd7JmTXNY3wfSEX98UtLXImCW8JDCY7d/s1600/IMG_5115.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-60550961859473320432014-01-07T14:05:00.000-06:002014-01-07T14:06:01.295-06:00Blast Off! J is One!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOOZ6wtTPPb4mwgKj4MawJZRRA4X7-zS_MF3fu5D_9WxD7ojy40wMP-E0F0XiPbPOCsgtUciWI3XRTN4fYg6YrVugy9GpQFmjTu-K1WDxfiinc1ZpA7zELEO0yta_7sCb7KTOXLLvP-k3/s1600/DSC04433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOOZ6wtTPPb4mwgKj4MawJZRRA4X7-zS_MF3fu5D_9WxD7ojy40wMP-E0F0XiPbPOCsgtUciWI3XRTN4fYg6YrVugy9GpQFmjTu-K1WDxfiinc1ZpA7zELEO0yta_7sCb7KTOXLLvP-k3/s1600/DSC04433.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
In November, our sweet baby J turned one! (Or as E says, "He's not a baby anymore. He got big.")<br />
<br />
A few months ago, I found some cute rocket ship invitations and party supplies on super clearance at Hobby Lobby, and we ran with the theme.<br />
<br />
I have this genetic compulsion to go overboard on things, and for my own sanity, I'm trying to break the habit. So we went a little simpler than we did for <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-for-tea-and-sweets.html" target="_blank">E's first b-day.</a> But of course, old habits die hard, so we did have a bit of fun!<br />
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First up... the food.<br />
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We made rocket and star cookies... (I didn't have a rocket cookie cutter, so we used a strawberry cookie cutter upside down.) <br />
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...and cupcakes with little paper stars on sticks...<br />
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<br />
...and of course a cake... <br />
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... and some rocket shaped fruit kabobs... (on the left here - I forgot to take a better pic. The stands are dollar store floral foam covered in cardstock.)</div>
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And here it is all together.<br />
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For decorations, we used <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-for-tea-and-sweets.html" target="_blank">E's candy machines</a> and turned them into rockets...<br />
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<br />
...A garland with rockets and astronauts, similar to what we did for E (again, I forgot to take a picture!)<br />
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...And my favorite - a rocket ship photo backdrop so people could take a pic of the birthday boy in a rocket ship. (It is sitting on a music stand. Background paper from Hobby Lobby, hanging planets from Oriental Trading, the awesome rocket made by Maryke.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2zJGwwiJGeVHGIeVVhmImPBuIRp0BlYRD56NKck_0eqj2oS7uXuueok9HGRnOkEl6Ryuh70C4KKmvnLCquZC-HHtRQ1jsjhI3JwESrLHquZ1Jm0wHYzNzxFycWA5K-SLgLLxlGU4sRZC/s1600/IMG_5098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2zJGwwiJGeVHGIeVVhmImPBuIRp0BlYRD56NKck_0eqj2oS7uXuueok9HGRnOkEl6Ryuh70C4KKmvnLCquZC-HHtRQ1jsjhI3JwESrLHquZ1Jm0wHYzNzxFycWA5K-SLgLLxlGU4sRZC/s1600/IMG_5098.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a> </div>
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And finally, for activities for the kids, we had a rocket building station where they could make their own rocket ships and birthday hats. There was lots of messy, creative fun going on!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPJpoEjDpLwFR2BzU0ZqK5YPnvRyHPYANhu13DVuULA-YKFvBRYF7Gypc94BS-Wbj-l0hpgYPuSZ9ypnA7mHJ85_HviQ-lu8ujqVDzcgniOsiV0SGi0ghu_BccLeO4e4e_oF5dd-DXSE8/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPJpoEjDpLwFR2BzU0ZqK5YPnvRyHPYANhu13DVuULA-YKFvBRYF7Gypc94BS-Wbj-l0hpgYPuSZ9ypnA7mHJ85_HviQ-lu8ujqVDzcgniOsiV0SGi0ghu_BccLeO4e4e_oF5dd-DXSE8/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a great party and the birthday boy had a blast!<br />
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But nevertheless, things are moving forward. The insulation is in, the new garage door and opener are in, and the laminate floor is in. Now we're just waiting on the cabinets. My cabinet guy says early January. This excites me greatly. Here are a few photos of the progress.<br />
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That's a lot of insulation....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU3ZpuPCHvG9lUthBTSjTArotbD-kJXgCHNhd3DRqrzrKpahWG_pJX-ViZv_t-Ggk1CTszLdtVtYm_nsBYAe0PkCXTq3_Nbr_9-Ju27PIjHur_1flj63T2ukmmwPBHiW34U3Gr_WTDqB6/s1600/IMG_4863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU3ZpuPCHvG9lUthBTSjTArotbD-kJXgCHNhd3DRqrzrKpahWG_pJX-ViZv_t-Ggk1CTszLdtVtYm_nsBYAe0PkCXTq3_Nbr_9-Ju27PIjHur_1flj63T2ukmmwPBHiW34U3Gr_WTDqB6/s320/IMG_4863.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
... and it has to go up one roll at a time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjRkT6SRfwK7tCoX7GUpAVy0OuhhOxd2NsX6ZfwYl9l3agKPoXOPse7l8Va7EdEKR0r1E7XDkhpTUk-ooMWNZtIn3Nt-_7Ji83XKKylDLB1r_s6Er8aAukOJODEII4jUmZ4418rUCty0c/s1600/IMG_4937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjRkT6SRfwK7tCoX7GUpAVy0OuhhOxd2NsX6ZfwYl9l3agKPoXOPse7l8Va7EdEKR0r1E7XDkhpTUk-ooMWNZtIn3Nt-_7Ji83XKKylDLB1r_s6Er8aAukOJODEII4jUmZ4418rUCty0c/s320/IMG_4937.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
I got pretty friendly with the staple gun and ladder.<br />
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Just be sure you look up when climbing the ladder, lest you nail your head on the garage door. Ouch! <br />
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And here's the new laminate floor. The mud room unit will be placed between the two doors. They're being painted Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. I picked it solely based upon Pinterest's love affair with the color. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdvzeER47Z7-QY0SnbeKVILYkKf5VzJRbPNzjx7PCbuXoWECdcCnuWmhfOeDtlh6zsvzOcwVstMsR3JvNn-zCAZRjhP4bZpi0OZR-VrUsDa8eb9RkJbmiM0N-7fDTAlU75yWiYuHZNy7h/s1600/IMG_5144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdvzeER47Z7-QY0SnbeKVILYkKf5VzJRbPNzjx7PCbuXoWECdcCnuWmhfOeDtlh6zsvzOcwVstMsR3JvNn-zCAZRjhP4bZpi0OZR-VrUsDa8eb9RkJbmiM0N-7fDTAlU75yWiYuHZNy7h/s320/IMG_5144.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
The floor is great. Already picking up the dirt from the garage, though. Some indoor/outdoor rugs will be in our future.<br />
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Next step is installing the mudroom unit, and then covering up the insulation with drywall, or may some kind of pegboard system. Exciting stuff. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImEXqAy-V2BwnX9_J_zILd4l_uhYAhmm3r7cMVykGoQvPyHwqzgd84bqii-oYbCl1w_4iXxaPa6v4muWW3jfLA762XLr3HvaGjun4EKqgXXAmC1h9p7flRNFexBx_EqS3ntm2L42AsSnH/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImEXqAy-V2BwnX9_J_zILd4l_uhYAhmm3r7cMVykGoQvPyHwqzgd84bqii-oYbCl1w_4iXxaPa6v4muWW3jfLA762XLr3HvaGjun4EKqgXXAmC1h9p7flRNFexBx_EqS3ntm2L42AsSnH/s320/IMG_5147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-52327155519180584062013-12-12T15:46:00.000-06:002013-12-12T15:46:23.631-06:00Project Awesome GarageI love our house. It's a great fit for us and certainly has enough space for us. And while there are a few small things I'd fix, I'm generally really happy with it. There is, however, one thing that must change. We need a mud room. <br />
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We have a small coat closet by the front door, but we seldom come through there. We typically enter through the garage door into the kitchen and there is no room there for all the winter coats, hats, scarves, boots, etc. that accumulate. Despite multiple command hooks hanging everywhere, everything ends up on the kitchen floor and is constantly in the way.<br />
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Time to initiate Project Awesome Garage. Our goal is to create a mudroom-like space in the garage to contain all the clutter. We don't have room to add a finished room with walls, but we do have a blank wall connecting the kitchen and back doors where we can add some much-needed storage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ81QJDz2I_6jxmzAV9EHILYz1jVwKDv-DwGqZdshAVgbE2hqBk_J2Tk0_56O8oBmku_0-fHCewlqR9wrNoMVphvz3ri5z44Mv7kNcHOIj5QmMTUgVlGnmmQWgaUxZTr856kzbKswR8GjD/s1600/IMG_4933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ81QJDz2I_6jxmzAV9EHILYz1jVwKDv-DwGqZdshAVgbE2hqBk_J2Tk0_56O8oBmku_0-fHCewlqR9wrNoMVphvz3ri5z44Mv7kNcHOIj5QmMTUgVlGnmmQWgaUxZTr856kzbKswR8GjD/s320/IMG_4933.jpg" width="320" /></a>Before we can do that - we need to take care of a few more things out there. As you can see, the garage is a cold, damp, crowded mess. And this photo is after an initial clean up!<br />
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The project has four major steps.<br />
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1. Insulate the garage. Only one of the four walls of the garage adjoins the house, leaving three walls of uninsulated shiver-inducing plywood. If we're going to add a space to put on and store coats, it needs to be at least 32 degrees at all times. We're hoping some added insulation will also keep the fourth bedroom (directly above the garage) from being so cold in the winter.<br />
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2. Update the garage door and opener. The old garage door was dented, uninsulated, unreliable and incredibly noisy. Combine that with two light sleepers and a husband who leaves for work early, and everyone is up before the sun. We need something quieter and warmer. (Oh yeah, and one that goes up and down when it should!) <br />
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3. Add a new floor to the mud room area. The current concrete floor is cold, damp and not very pretty. We want something that creates a room-like space in the corner of the garage where the mud room will go. (Between the back garage door and the kitchen door.) <br />
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4. Install a custom-made bench, shelving unit and hooks. This needs enough storage for all our stuff, a bench and hooks low enough for the kids to use, and a plenty of floor space for things like boots and shoes.<br />
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We're making great progress, and I'll go into more detail in some future posts. I'm hopeful we'll have everything done by Christmas! <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-57258717225059538772013-12-12T15:08:00.001-06:002013-12-12T15:47:22.420-06:00K for Kate!Remember the yarn-wrapped letters I did for my friends' daughters <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2012/06/n-is-for-naomi.html" target="_blank">Naomi</a> and <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2012/05/l-is-for-lucy.html" target="_blank">Lucy</a>? Well, Lucy now has a sister named Katherine! So, here is a K for Kate!<br />
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Here it is in process...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMymsMxGJ0zPA00Gg2Cjt4mfckm68Hw0vTzSgto5G1AhaE_2_kj5IYGJ4MMDDxsy2qOK1RJa8tmCr3kNaLxcXHg6L9eAVJJpQJOE67lkYthmtYdaIzRVPSY0gF3S6gm_K7pV-pnjhDpFYB/s1600/IMG_4659.JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMymsMxGJ0zPA00Gg2Cjt4mfckm68Hw0vTzSgto5G1AhaE_2_kj5IYGJ4MMDDxsy2qOK1RJa8tmCr3kNaLxcXHg6L9eAVJJpQJOE67lkYthmtYdaIzRVPSY0gF3S6gm_K7pV-pnjhDpFYB/s320/IMG_4659.JPG.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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And here's the finished product. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-8691846569649394222013-09-14T00:32:00.001-05:002013-09-14T00:32:20.112-05:003-2-1 Contact!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz8vmC1fJ6kzjdMgugvOO-b3a5B4sD_Fp0J5MsSTlHDD-jvQpJiUE9DLpStB8v0D6b6L3SmUcoiBO2YtRxAwYnruS9ulYKwMY3b25BmMduSkF-oJNTJNCY13fi9by2xEO2mDqZm2HpZDg/s1600/IMG_4407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz8vmC1fJ6kzjdMgugvOO-b3a5B4sD_Fp0J5MsSTlHDD-jvQpJiUE9DLpStB8v0D6b6L3SmUcoiBO2YtRxAwYnruS9ulYKwMY3b25BmMduSkF-oJNTJNCY13fi9by2xEO2mDqZm2HpZDg/s320/IMG_4407.JPG" width="239" /></a>As our oldest daughter gets older, our schedules have become busier and busier. We've noticed she responds better (and behaves better) when she has a good sense of what's coming. She is a kid who hates surprises and is pretty slow to adjust to new environments and routines.<br />
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With a lot of new stuff coming up this school year (Jr. Preschool! Swimming! Puggles!), we thought it would be helpful if we put up a big calendar where everyone in the family could see the planned activities for the week.<br />
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We have a big pantry cabinet in the kitchen that has a long tall exposed side. Until now, we had some of those <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Command-Traditional-Plastic-Metalic-Brushed/dp/B001B0WNLW/ref=sr_1_10?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1379135449&sr=1-10&keywords=3m+command" target="_blank">3M command hooks</a> hanging there for coats and backpacks, with a shoe bin below. We moved the hooks over to clear the way for a huge calendar.<br />
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After exploring quite a few options, I found some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKMO90" target="_blank">chalkboard ConTact paper</a> at Amazon and decided to write out our own calendar. The reviews were decent and it seemed cheaper and easier than chalkboard paint, so I decided to give it a whirl.<br />
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This stuff is great. It comes on a roll like typical contact paper that you would use to line cabinets and drawers. It's as simple as peel and stick. (Although it can be a little unwieldy at times, so having a buddy during the sticking process may be a good idea.) My cabinets are wider than the 18" roll, so I had to piece it together. <br />
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I read a couple reviews online that suggested using a nylon pan scraper to help ensure there were no bubbles. I had one lying around from a Pampered Chef party. Worked like a charm. <br />
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It was difficult to measure everything so precisely, and the product does stretch/shift a little, so I cut it a little big and planned for some overlap. I used an X-acto knife to clean up the edges where needed.<br />
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Once it was all done, I seasoned it like you would a regular chalkboard. Just cover the whole thing in chalk and wipe it off. I have no idea why this works, but it does.<br />
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This little project took a little less than two rolls, about 30 minutes and about $16. Although the chalk ink markers are a little expensive, they make everything stand out nice and bright and are harder for a curious 2-year-old to wipe off. (They wipe away easily with a damp rag.) Time to brush up on my hand-lettering skills.<br />
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<br />So far, we're having fun with it. Putting the schedule in a place where everyone can see it is helping make sure we're all on the same page. I'm thinking of putting more ConTact paper on the opposite cabinet for a grocery list, and possibly some on the kitchen door for reminder notes. I sense an addiction coming on...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-56599275784278117012013-08-24T22:26:00.000-05:002013-08-24T22:38:59.170-05:00Celebrate Good Times<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsYsz0TaNiy1Se7qEGzcXHwwRkWDyMu05Pe3KLqgyc0hP-G5mkPjl4BOjHdxfLX5LxR5GPYD9pmqZJ2eZllubdMObZleprjn7qzd9TecuPuzGR2r-Oz6c74uJ_zPlrNlTYJdWap3DgDua/s1600/IMG_4047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsYsz0TaNiy1Se7qEGzcXHwwRkWDyMu05Pe3KLqgyc0hP-G5mkPjl4BOjHdxfLX5LxR5GPYD9pmqZJ2eZllubdMObZleprjn7qzd9TecuPuzGR2r-Oz6c74uJ_zPlrNlTYJdWap3DgDua/s320/IMG_4047.JPG" width="320" /></a>It seems like there's always something to celebrate around here. Last month, I spent an afternoon with one of Ben's cousins, making her birthday cake with her and teaching her some decorating tricks. She asked for a teal cake with purple polka dots. Here's where we ended up!<br />
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After a disastrous failed attempt at making fondant and gum paste flowers, I used candy wafers to make the flowers. Just melt some wafers in the microwave (follow the instructions on the bag, and DON'T add any other liquid!) and dip a plastic spoon back into the bowl to coat it with melted candy. Don't get any candy anywhere else on the spoon. Put the spoon in the fridge (candy side up) for a few minutes to harden the candy, and then slowly peel it off. Expect that about half of them will break - so be patient!<br />
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I used regular plastic spoons for the flowers on the sides, and a larger serving spoon for the flower on the top. (I think it came from the dollar store.) <br />
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I used some additional melted candy and extra buttercream as a glue to hold the petals together. I finished them with some aerosol food coloring - although the color didn't absorb as well as I would have liked.<br />
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The cake looked so pretty all lit up, and I think the birthday girl was happy with it too! <br />
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Also, a few months back, Ben and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. 10 years! Wow, time flies. Anyway, since the idea of taking two small children to Hallmark grips me with fear, I made Ben a card.<br />
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Actually, I made him two cards. I couldn't decide. Here's the other.<br />
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I used <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/">www.timeanddate.com</a> to come up with the numbers. Don't forget to account for all those leap years!<br />
<span id="goog_2009244184"></span><span id="goog_2009244185"></span><br />
And finally, check out this canvas that Janet made for her husband for Father's Day with hand prints from their three boys. Isn't it great?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-39752358803464529942013-08-24T22:01:00.001-05:002013-08-24T22:01:36.389-05:00Staying Dry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember back in March how I mentioned that our basement always seems to be wet? And that I was sick of it? Things were getting so bad around here, that we had the wet vac on standby in the basement every time it rained, just in case.<br />
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Well, in June, our basement took on some water yet again. And again it was a silly, pointless sump pump failer. Another late night workout with the vac. Hey, at least it's good cardio.<br />
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Well, this time we decided we weren't going to mess around. We walked past the pallet of the cheap-o sump pumps at Lowe's, and headed straight for the mother of all sump pumps. Ladies, and gentlemen, I give you the extremely expensive, yet extremely effective Basement Watchdog. Because you can't put a price tag on keeping the junk in your basement dry. <br />
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Backup pump, backup battery - this thing has it all. And after a couple of serious rain storms, including the return of the lake in the back of the yard and some nice little marble sized hail, the basement is still dry.<br />
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Hooray! I remain optimistic that this will fix things. Although I did buy a couple of water sensors for the basement floor. Just in case. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-17085047522180653362013-08-10T23:04:00.002-05:002013-08-10T23:04:15.268-05:00Garden GoodnessRemember a couple months ago when the garden looked like this?<br />
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<span id="goog_2125190910"></span><span id="goog_2125190911"></span><br />
<span id="goog_2125190910">Well, today it looks like this!</span><br />
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<span id="goog_2125190910">Lots of growing going on around these parts. The organic garden soil mix I used in the new containers has been great. I'm always amazed at how fast everything grows. </span><br />
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<span id="goog_2125190910">In the other corner, here's the blackberry bush, which also gets bigger every year. </span><br />
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Because of this year's mild summer, it hasn't been that tough to keep up with everything. My tomatoes are stuck at green, and my blackberries are stuck at red. E and I walk to the garden every day to see what's ripe and it has been a great lesson in patience.<br />
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I have harvested a few cucumbers and some dill for pickles...<br />
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Some delicious green beans...<br />
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And some of that lemon balm for shortbread cookies.</div>
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I've also picked a few handfuls of blackberries, but they usually don't make it out of the backyard. Yum yum! <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-1376470077870360262013-07-04T21:47:00.000-05:002013-07-04T21:47:01.077-05:00Happy Fourth!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uDXmy_aMIi7RPwHdyqRn4JotrKaJ1Xn5fSabML_mGLeUEsdiy2tTiLGKym1Qxx-XU02XvwCXSLFuH8rmLxs_GmbO0HoDsuaherSdiZqeaDWNcThyXa-NgCn0uDy7-SwGgCh8h5MQFSdY/s648/IMG_3868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uDXmy_aMIi7RPwHdyqRn4JotrKaJ1Xn5fSabML_mGLeUEsdiy2tTiLGKym1Qxx-XU02XvwCXSLFuH8rmLxs_GmbO0HoDsuaherSdiZqeaDWNcThyXa-NgCn0uDy7-SwGgCh8h5MQFSdY/s320/IMG_3868.JPG" width="320" /></a>Happy Fourth of July! We're celebrating here by going bed early. Exciting, I know. But we had an early morning and we have a couple other parties coming up this long holiday weekend. <br />
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Check out the fun wreath I made for the front door. Cost about $13 in supplies with enough to make another. I used a straw wreath (keep the plastic wrap on!), some yarn, scotch tape and pre-cut wood stars that E painted white for me. Easy, but a little time consuming to wrap the yarn. The idea came from a few of the <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=flag%20wreath" target="_blank">flag wreaths and tutorials</a> floating around Pinterest.<br />
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Hope you have a fun and festive Independence Day!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-55305934158277000802013-06-25T07:33:00.002-05:002013-06-25T07:33:59.038-05:00Cutie Pie Kiddos... and Designing with Clutter in Mind<br />
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<a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2013/06/diy-canvas-photos.html" target="_blank">Remember those photos</a> I mounted last weekend? I got around to putting them up a couple days ago. Honestly they would have sat around a lot longer, but I was worried that some little fingers would mess them up. Nothing like your own sticky kids to motivate you to get things done!<br />
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So here they are. Aren't they beautiful? I love how they turned out. You know what else I love? Having the talented photographer Holly Isaacson as my sister-in-law. Seriously I wonder how she accomplishes all that she does, and still has time to take such <a href="http://lilybella.typepad.com/" target="_blank">beautiful photos</a> and run an awesome <a href="http://hollysartcorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">art blog</a> and still raise three fantastic kids. <br />
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When I put up the frames up above Jonas' changing table in his <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2012/12/jonas-nursery.html" target="_blank">nursery</a>, I used the toothpaste method I found on Pinterest. A complete and total disaster. Not only did I get toothpaste everywhere (except where it needed to be), but it took me hours to get those photos just right.<br />
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This time around, I simply put up paper that matched the frame size (12x12 scrapbook paper) and arranged it how I liked it. Stuck a few nails through the paper that matched the hangars on the frame and we were done. It still took a bit of time with a ruler but overall SO MUCH EASIER.<br />
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Now here's the thing about design that really gets to me. When you see all those pretty photos on blogs and in magazines, the rooms are clearly staged. Stylists come in and arrange things just so and then nobody breathes or moves until the picture is perfect. The truth is no one lives like that. There is no way that anyone (at least anyone with kids) has a room that is that clean and that perfect for more than five minutes. And all those crystal or ceramic vases and bowls that are placed all around? Those wouldn't survive a day around here. As much as I hate it, clutter is a way of life. It just piles up.<br />
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So as I stared at the paper on the wall, I thought to myself that the photos should be lower. They look too high up and unevenly placed for the space. But then I remembered (actually, I tripped on) all the clutter I had moved to the floor.<br />
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If I don't live my life picture perfect like a magazine, why should I place the photos that way? So I decided to hang them with future clutter in mind. That way, when the clutter piles up like it inevitably will, the photos won't be hidden and won't serve as another reminder about how chaotic my life has become. None of us need one more thing staring us down and telling us we don't have our act together. The kids do that for me all on their own. Ha!<br />
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So higher up they went, and then the clutter got added back in. (I will confess that I did put some of it away.) Maybe I'm desensitized, but now I kind of like the clutter and how it looks all together. And in reality it's the way I live. It's why I have an office chair around my dining room table, why my coffee table is completely out of reach of the couch and why the vacuum doesn't have a permanent home and yet never gets used. Because it works for us.<br />
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That's why I love these photos so much. They remind me of what's important in life. So here's to you, cutie pie kiddos. I love you lots and I hope I always remember that you are everything I hoped for and more. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-79456074112135989462013-06-23T17:48:00.001-05:002013-06-23T17:48:44.260-05:00Windows, Windows, Windows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I updated the downstairs treatments fairly quickly, but it has taken a while to get to the rest of the house. Lately it seems like we've been going crazy for windows. The new bonus room valances are made from the <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2012/11/window-valances-for-guest-room.html" target="_blank">fabric</a> I got on mega clearance at JoAnn's last year year and the inside of the side pleats are leftover scraps from the <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-upholstered-headboard.html" target="_blank">headboard project.</a> All done for less than $20. Score!</div>
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<img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIcSjZa49P-dy8cOKtXl8QF9BAAEXNB-R85XQoEMB_aXs9Znjw0c9-WNWF2Y7Flr2FuGyyjx_YhEnUtSROqgpohbhi8TIwONXxxFHNmLm56OaXx9snfUUK9ScczFnhLpLUrexRDwTbcCB/s320/IMG_3777.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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I made a similar valance for the kitchen with some fun <a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/pink_light_design_/everything_nice/cake_mix_in_spring" target="_blank">fabric</a> from Hawthorne Threads. It has a cute baking theme and the aqua stripe along the bottom matches my KitchenAid. The inside of the pleat is a sunny yellow polka dot. It's the kind of pattern that makes me smile when I look at it. I may make something similar for the sliding glass door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8VEVc1L3IcyP2fnsAc9v3O8uZ_nqZikil857u3mBS9cfZG1MkRQUPOGLFPK71KBzVsra6s8Mgn-ar-CNrVtAP2lrNONVmsT9dii98UnXt2VHOGTkGNsHcEvt3b_OrDOqfn5IhupF59qQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8VEVc1L3IcyP2fnsAc9v3O8uZ_nqZikil857u3mBS9cfZG1MkRQUPOGLFPK71KBzVsra6s8Mgn-ar-CNrVtAP2lrNONVmsT9dii98UnXt2VHOGTkGNsHcEvt3b_OrDOqfn5IhupF59qQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally, I've been helping my awesome friend Janet with some window treatments for her house, including new valances for her family room and also a valance for her son's room. For these we used the simple method of stapling the fabric to boards and using hem tape on the bottom. They mount to the wall with simple L brackets. Only minimal sewing - and that was just to seam two pieces together to span her large window.<br />
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Lots of impact for not a lot of money. My kind of project!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-38409476538351212422013-06-21T15:21:00.002-05:002013-06-21T15:21:09.745-05:00Take That, You Wascally Wabbits!<br />
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<img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD7El1NNlXU-NTj06lSggjadGw6SSso8pOo8MdeZ9vdR3qdvVYhVCbZ0pyPAB4vhCXZ_ZQ4dGK2PnL5MY1kPVkF_X8rFJ6AsPJ2J8h16jvlMPM6piP-S7LfXOjJnxT3wHMgs9dpZKRRnw/s320/IMG_3795.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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(Insert trumpet sound) Presenting our new veggie garden beds! Ta da! Aren't they beautiful?<br />
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We've had a problem around here with some pesky little bunnies eating up anything green in the backyard. And now we think we may have a nest of baby bunnies brewing in the back. Lovely.<br />
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I've pondered a few different solutions - ranging from tolerating them to calling in the marines - and finally settled on a couple raised garden beds as the most humane and least taxing option.<br />
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Here's the before pic of the back of the yard where the garden is...<br />
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As you can see, it had become a dried up mess where no one wanted to be, except for a little girl and her shovel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguxNOGwQ-5GEgGaKwgUoj0vHQzZzzIv1XzM693JLfQaU9miHWIj34Ry1AC6jpj_HjYUQHW3Gy9R3Cz9VIkdurvvkKYzW6-mOI05g1mbLX6dUHC_6gkZ5vF2h-zDXmrutAA5PzP-xSvauH/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguxNOGwQ-5GEgGaKwgUoj0vHQzZzzIv1XzM693JLfQaU9miHWIj34Ry1AC6jpj_HjYUQHW3Gy9R3Cz9VIkdurvvkKYzW6-mOI05g1mbLX6dUHC_6gkZ5vF2h-zDXmrutAA5PzP-xSvauH/s320/IMG_3093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We used some <a href="http://ana-white.com/2010/05/hack-natural-rustic-cedar-raised-beds.html" target="_blank">plans </a>from Ana White (that site is amazing!) and headed to Menards for supplies. The corner posts and a few of the end pieces are actually leftover boards from when we built the deck seven years ago. The rest are cedar fence boards - this is the cheapest way I've found to do it. Add in a roll of chicken wire and some landscape fabric (or cardboard would likely work too) and you're in business for about $30. <br />
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I mentioned the plans to my father-in-law Tom, who loves a good project as much as I do. So he came over one Sunday and we put them together. (And by "we" I really mean Tom, although I did do my best to stand around and look helpful.) Just screw them all together and wrap and staple with chicken wire. It took less than an hour. <br />
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Then we had a couple yards of garden-blend topsoil delivered and my hero of a husband
helped me by moving most of it to the backyard. I did a royally
good job of ordering WAY too much, so kudos to Ben for moving a lot more
than he should have had to.<br />
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Later in the week, I took a trip to the little garden store around the cornerand bought some plants. We now have tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, a pumpkin, basil, sage, parsley, lemon balm and dill growing in the back. <br />
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I've seen the bunnies visit the new garden a few times, but so far they haven't eaten anything. I also got a bottle of some organic bunny repellent and sprayed the perimeter of the boxes and the plants on the ground. <br />
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I'm looking forward to all the yummy veggies coming in a few weeks!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-81462370582297301782013-06-14T22:38:00.000-05:002013-06-14T22:38:00.642-05:00DIY Canvas Photos<br />
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Remember how I said it was time to finally hang some pictures around the house? Well, friends, we are one step closer. Hurrah! This doesn't mean there are actually new pictures hung up anywhere, but it is progress nonetheless.</div>
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Thanks to our awesome <a href="http://ificandoitsocouldyou.blogspot.com/2012/05/before-and-after-dining-room-furniture.html" target="_blank">dining room redo</a> last year, we have a lovely little space for photos on the back wall of the room. Until now, it's been a place for clutter to pile up, with the occasional frame or scrapbook sitting on the buffet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBorKqLdh-Oy5fspLuaxZ8Y-PIxPcdz-haq01vi0gyYcmrQOmyAbnaPmEyF1wMkMkQ6ChsHUAYeS-DZwq1zCuH2Zu_rtXmLvjAIsUA9nsEh1o6Ain83K1laqw5v9MfBwn7WzY-5se3qOT-/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBorKqLdh-Oy5fspLuaxZ8Y-PIxPcdz-haq01vi0gyYcmrQOmyAbnaPmEyF1wMkMkQ6ChsHUAYeS-DZwq1zCuH2Zu_rtXmLvjAIsUA9nsEh1o6Ain83K1laqw5v9MfBwn7WzY-5se3qOT-/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My problem is that we take too long to decide what pictures to hang, and
then it's time for another photo shoot. So we're in this perpetual
cycle of indecision and self-imposed waiting. But not this time folks! We got our rears in gear and started the process of beginning the project to put some photos on the wall. (It doesn't sound so impressive when I put it like that, does it?) </div>
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Step 1: Order photos. I'm liking the 12x12 size lately and ordered 6 photos from UnitPrints for about $5 each. </div>
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Step 2: Buy the backing for the photos. I debated using foam core, boards, or straight up canvases. Just something other than frames that would make them stand out a bit. And then one day, I'm wandering Hobby Lobby and I come across BLACK 12x12 canvases for $7 each. ($4.20 with a coupon!) See, I was thinking of doing some Pinteresting up in here with the mod podge and the paint and the DIY canvases and all, but let's be honest. I am busy. And lazy. These black canvases eliminate a significant number of steps. This makes me happy.</div>
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Step 3: Glue the photos to the canvas. Take some spray glue, spray the back of the photo and place it on the canvas. </div>
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This spray glue is nasty stuff and will get ALL OVER. So be careful because there will be overspray. Lots of overspray. And you will be thinking evil thoughts about why you used the stuff in the first place. So do yourself a favor and cover the ENTIRE work surface with newspaper first. Put a new clean sheet of blank, white paper underneath the photo each time before you spray any glue to avoid any newsprint transfer. Change out the newspaper often to avoid a sticky mess. It will get all over your finger tips too and again you will think not-nice things while you scrub it off. </div>
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Why then, you might ask, don't I use something else for my adhesive needs? Time and convenience, my friends. I am willing to put up with some sticky newspaper if it means results in seconds and not having to deal with multiple coats of Mod Podge. Again with the laziness. </div>
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Step 4: Roll it out. A shout out to Holly for sharing this little trick with me. Take a rolling pin and roll it over the entire photo, paying attention to the edges. This will (I hope!) keep them from coming up in the future. Use a rolling pin that is longer than the photos to avoid any creases in the middle of the canvas. I used a shorter one the first go around (I was too lazy to go downstairs to the basement to get the long one) and now there is a crease on J's head. </div>
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As Ben says - if you can't take the time to do it right, you'll have to make the time to do it over. I usually roll my eyes when he says this, but I do see his point here. <br />
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So here we have it - six beautiful photos mounted on black canvas and ready to go on the wall. Progress! I love it!<br />
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I feel like we need some kind of office pool for when these will actually get put up. Hopefully before the next photo shoot. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-66712461313869807242013-05-04T23:10:00.000-05:002013-05-04T23:18:18.640-05:00The Summer To Do ListThere hasn't been much DIYing going on over here lately. This winter has dragged on and on and on, and all this cooped-up-ness hasn't lent itself to many projects. There are finally a few signs of spring - daffodils, tulips, green grass, oh my! All the fresh air has me dreaming of new projects to tackle this summer.<br />
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<b>Plan the Garden</b> Last year, our resident bunny
couple ate up pretty much everything in the garden. This year, I'm
determined to win the war over these rascally rabbits and send them
packing for good. Just don't tell E - I think she's become kind of
attached to them. Any and all suggestions are welcome for how to rid our backyard of these pesky wabbits. I think it's going to be June before the garden gets in, but I'm already thinking of what yummy veggies to plant. <br />
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<b>Elkhorn Flea Market </b>- this is one of my favorite day trips each year. This HUGE flea market takes up the entire Walworth County Fairgrounds and hundreds of vendors sell pretty much anything antique, handmade or vintage that you could think of. I love wandering through the stalls and coming up with lots of ideas. Last year, I got the dresser in the bonus room and a side table that I plan to sand down and refinish at some point. Add it to the list! This year's dates are May 19, June 30, August 11 and September 29.<br />
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<b>Garage Mudroom </b>- I was hoping to have this done last fall before J was born, but it didn't happen. We did buy some stick-on floor tile when it was on sale, but it's still in the box in the garage. I really like <a href="http://ana-white.com/2011/09/smiling-mudroom" target="_blank">this mudroom plan</a> from Ana White and I may just be ambitious enough to give it a go. <br />
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<b>Basement Layout</b> - we're starting to think about talking about coming up with ideas for initiating plans to finish the basement. I'm sure it's still a few years down the road, but I would like to at least get an idea of what walls should go where and how best to use the space. First up is figuring out how to get that pesky sump pump to cooperate and stop flooding the basement during heavy rains.<br />
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<b>Paint the Upstairs Hallway - </b>I really should stop talking about doing this and just get it done.<br />
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<b>Hang Pictures - </b>The walls around here are pretty bare. And now that we have some great new photos from <a href="http://lilybella.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Lily Bella Photography</a>, it's time to get some pictures up on the walls. Has anyone done the DIY canvases that are all over pinterest and would you recommend them?<br />
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<b>Finish Window Treatments</b> - another thing I need to just finally finish. Almost there!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-28884042669196045562013-03-19T14:54:00.001-05:002013-03-19T15:01:41.357-05:00Milestone Monday!We've hit a milestone here - this little ol' blog of mine has hit 10,000 page views. Exciting! So thanks to all of you for reading my ramblings and sticking with me through infrequent posts, crazy projects and my sub-par photography. (And I realize it is not Monday as the title suggests, but Milestone Tuesday doesn't sound as great, now does it? And I did think of it yesterday.)<br />
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Honestly I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately with all the projects that are unfinished around here - the mud room in the garage, the bonus room window treatments, the unpainted upstairs hallway, etc. And did I mention that the basement flooded again? That's the third time in seven years. Ugh. Fortunately we learned our lesson the first time and everything was off the floor or in a waterproof bin. And we caught it before there was too much of a mess. <br />
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Lately I've kicked it into high gear and am finally powering through some things that should have been done ages ago. Our bedroom is now painted and has curtains again, and yesterday I finished sewing the kitchen window valance. I'll post pictures once the house is not a complete disaster. Oh yeah, and the valance still needs to be hung up. Lucky you, tomorrow is cleaning day and my handyman (i.e. Bubba) is coming over tonight.<br />
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Because I have many projects going on at the same time, one of the ways that I keep everything organized is my house binder. I like to have all the info about every room handy when I'm out shopping for stuff, because you never know when you'll wonder whether the fabric in the quilt is raspberry pink, bubblegum pink, or pinky pink. <br />
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I
bought a small 7x9 inch binder from Office Max and some business card
inserts and filled it full of paint swatches and fabric samples. Each room has its own page, so it's easy to find what I'm looking for when I need it. I love having everything all in one place!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-53976096633763100142013-03-13T16:17:00.000-05:002013-03-19T15:01:14.289-05:00Master Bedroom PaintingIt seems like I always have multiple projects going on at once. I have a tendency to start projects and then let them hang on forever, either because of indecision, inability or lack of time. One of my New Year's resolutions was to finally finish painting all the rooms in our house. We've been here for about seven years now and there is still rough, scratchy marked up builder paint in spaces.<br />
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In the fall, when we stained the deck, I also got a few estimates for painting our master bedroom. The numbers were a bit higher than I wanted, so I figured I could do it myself. How hard could it be to paint the walls and ceiling of a huge bedroom with 11 foot vaulted ceilings and a ceiling fan smack dab in the middle? Well, I can tell you it was HARD work. Imagine me standing on tiptoes on top of a ladder, maneuvering between fan blades, using a small brush to paint a very large space. It took a solid weekend and there were times I wasn't sure I was going to be able to pull it off. But now it is done, nobody got hurt, I got a great workout and I love the color (<a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7638/" target="_blank">Jogging Path by Sherwin-Williams</a>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXwuoZfg9aTRe5Te7ZqlssQGcBHnLIVaWXuuzgAfP2zo7Xn6MUN1_xq624YNyLZ8tM15PeDtgLpLacI31Ki6sLRNYctwzdd6qz5wMmNezpsq954EU8lOWA0y7ouxSR_lbZ4Euxm8AfjUn/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXwuoZfg9aTRe5Te7ZqlssQGcBHnLIVaWXuuzgAfP2zo7Xn6MUN1_xq624YNyLZ8tM15PeDtgLpLacI31Ki6sLRNYctwzdd6qz5wMmNezpsq954EU8lOWA0y7ouxSR_lbZ4Euxm8AfjUn/s320/IMG_2886.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took me forever to get that tape around the light fixture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just starting out - this part took the most time!</td></tr>
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The room already feels much cozier and homier. Now comes the fun part - new curtain rods, window treatments, lamps, pillows, etc. And here's a small confession. I'm not that great at pulling together all the coordinates. In fact, Ben is much better at it than I am. He can look at something and decide instantly and accurately whether it will look great or awful in the space. If only he shared my belief that you can never have too many pillows. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half done with the ceiling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally finished with the paint! Now on to accessories!</td></tr>
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I've been loving the new <a href="http://www.target.com/c/threshold-brand-shop/-/N-56clv#?lnk=GlobalMessaging|&intc=959059|null" target="_blank">Threshold line</a> from Target. The other day I went on a buying binge (it's all on sale this week) and snatched up a bunch of lampshades, curtain panels and lamps. Now comes the part where I stare at them forever before deciding whether Ben is right (he usually is) about what should stay and what should go. The other option is using some of the newvstuff in the bonus room, which also has new paint but no accessories. I hope to have pictures of both completed rooms soon. I have lots of great ideas for the walls, thanks to Pinterest, so we'll see where we end up. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328212367746998534.post-29478839115053774132013-02-14T15:15:00.000-06:002013-02-14T15:15:38.146-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKIDcCBbmFOrvOdca9kGX_wbSTIBqtkSG9C_vXOwgNV58VlMLL0ssBXv58sk5HM1bDHuxGwLZik18URKMLKxr5mluAKdc5sSU1jSRltTB9t0-V0CW2a4geTLZZH4lWBtgGmHZCilHAPg5/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKIDcCBbmFOrvOdca9kGX_wbSTIBqtkSG9C_vXOwgNV58VlMLL0ssBXv58sk5HM1bDHuxGwLZik18URKMLKxr5mluAKdc5sSU1jSRltTB9t0-V0CW2a4geTLZZH4lWBtgGmHZCilHAPg5/s320/IMG_2765.JPG" width="320" /></a>It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without something yummy to eat. We have a weakness around here for the salty/sweet combo. This year, E and I whipped up some dipped pretzels. (Yet another idea from Pinterest.) We used some vanilla-flavored red candy wafers (about $3 a bag from Michael's or Hobby Lobby) and some Valentine's Day sprinkles for a fun and festive treat.<br />
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You just melt the candy wafers in the microwave, dip the pretzels in the candy and then dip again in a bowl of sprinkles. (I added a teaspoon or so of vegetable oil to the candy wafers after melting to get the
consistency I was looking for, and I think it helps them not harden so
quickly.)<br />
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Set them on some waxed paper for about a half hour for the candy coating to harden. Yum, yum! Super easy and a fun project even the 2-year-old can help with. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1