tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87843876713774041982023-12-21T04:33:52.723-07:00Hello, New DayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-79387312510348149832012-09-14T10:16:00.002-06:002015-09-15T13:32:39.843-06:00And Just Like That...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, hello there!</center>
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Yes, I <b>know </b>it's been awhile. Almost two months to the day, in fact, since I've written a blog post.</center>
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In those two months I took a trip with my family to Canada, got the kiddos ready for school, decided to get a puppy, read everything I could get my hands on about training a puppy, and got a puppy!</center>
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This is Dakota.</center>
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I hadn't planned on abandoning <i>Hello, New Day</i>. It just kind of happened. I feel a little bit like Forrest Gump when he decides that he's done running. Remember that scene in the movie? </center>
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I started <i>Hello, New Day</i> in February of this year. I blogged about photos and crafts and loved every minute of it! And it was so exciting to know that people actually read what I wrote. I appreciate so very much the love and support I've received from my readers! ♥ Thank you!</center>
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And while I've loved <i>Hello, New Day</i>, I've also enjoyed <i>not </i>blogging. It takes A TON of time!! So, while I'm not ready to completely end my blogging, I am very content to blog only on occasion. In the meantime, I'll continue to train Dakota, and enjoy reading the many blogs that I follow.</center>
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If you're a Facebook fan of <i>Hello, New Day</i> or a subscriber by e-mail then you'll be sure to see any new posts I write. And until then, have a wonderful Fall and thank you for stopping by!</center>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-59097516689865916052012-07-16T07:00:00.000-06:002012-07-17T23:09:22.116-06:00Love Story Distressed Wood Sign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Eighteen years ago today, I married my best friend. Jon and I had dated for seven years before we tied the knot. As I reflect back on the past 25 years of ups and downs, tears and joy, adventures and everyday life that we've shared, I cherish the love story that is ours.</div>
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A few weeks ago I saw a sign at my friend's house that had this wonderful quote on it and I knew instantly that I wanted to recreate it for myself.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-we6jUsg7Be8/UAMzfpJRACI/AAAAAAAAB9w/-KyQfGp4dpo/s1600/Love-Story-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-we6jUsg7Be8/UAMzfpJRACI/AAAAAAAAB9w/-KyQfGp4dpo/s640/Love-Story-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I bought a blank wood sign at <a href="http://www.thewoodconnection.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Wood Connection</span></a> here in Utah, painted it with an ivory craft paint, applied vinyl lettering that I'd cut out using my <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Silhouette</span></a> </span>SD machine, then put three coats of red craft paint over the letters. Once the paint had dried I peeled the vinyl letters off, drilled some holes in the top for the ribbon, and used a fine sandpaper to lightly sand the surface to give it a distressed look. The iron scroll hanger also came from The Wood Connection, but you can buy them online <a href="http://www.thoughtsinvinyl.com/unfinished-craft-wood-supplies/metal-scroll-hanger-craft-projects.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>. EASY! And a perfect reminder of a wonderful life that Jon and I share.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by! </div>
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<center><a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a></center><center>I'm linking up to these parties:</center><center><br /></center></div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=90266&c=15464" target="_blank" title="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120328/17639/75/1332957533.8" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
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</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-17812495051287598142012-07-11T20:59:00.000-06:002012-07-12T09:18:45.685-06:00The Versatile Blogger Award and One Lovely Blog Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<center style="text-align: center;">I am so honored and excited that <i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Hello, New Day</span></i> has been given two blogging awards!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">The Versatile Blogger Award</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0u64681wJ3s/T_33gz27ZoI/AAAAAAAAB8A/qnNvher6mBQ/s1600/versatile-blogger.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0u64681wJ3s/T_33gz27ZoI/AAAAAAAAB8A/qnNvher6mBQ/s1600/versatile-blogger.png" /></a></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">The Versatile Blogger Award is a wonderful way for bloggers to share their favorite bits of the blogosphere with their readers and to support their fellow bloggers.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">The adorable Kjerstin from<span style="color: #f6b26b;"> <span style="color: #f6b26b;"><a href="http://kjerstind.blogspot.com/2012/05/versatile-blogger-award.html" target="_blank">The Way I Am</a></span></span> gave <i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Hello, New Day</span></i> this award way back in May. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sheesh! Time sure has a way of slipping away from me.)</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kjerstind.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kjerstin from The Way I Am</a></td></tr>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">I am sooooo thankful and grateful to Kjerstin for this recognition and for her support. </span><a href="http://kjerstind.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">The Way I Am</a><span style="background-color: white;"> is a fun place where Kjerstin shares random tidbits of her life. She often participates in a weekly series called "Friday's Letters" where she writes little letters to anyone and anything that may have impacted her that week. Check it out when you have a minute!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Life is full of rules and regulations, and The Versatile Blogger Award is no different. Upon receipt of this award (or two months later ☺), here's what's required:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Rules</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Share 7 things about yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Pass this award along to up to 15 blogs you enjoy reading.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.</span></li>
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</center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Seven Things About Me</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I'm allergic to shellfish.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I've seen the stage production of Mamma Mia 5 times (twice on Broadway, once in Las Vegas, and twice in Salt Lake City.)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I always wanted to skydive - until I took my first flight on an airplane and realized I have a fear of heights.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I never graduated from high school, but I have 2 Bachelor's Degrees from the University of Utah.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I love board games, especially Pictionary (does anyone even play that anymore?)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">My nickname is Beppo.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I met my husband when we were both teenagers working at McDonald's.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the Award Goes To...</span></div>
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I would like to present The Versatile Blogger Award to:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Gary </span><span style="font-size: large;">from </span><a href="http://beinggawee.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Being Gawee</a></div>
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<i><a href="http://beinggawee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Being Gawee - Musings from an Everyday Life</a></i> is a fun blog written by a charming fellow in Australia. He participates in Fat Mum Slim's <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/how-to-play/" target="_blank">Photo-a-day Challenge</a> with me and he posts his daily photos along with entertaining, often witty, commentary. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Stephanie </span><span style="font-size: large;">from </span><a href="http://icecreamtobellyrings.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">From Ice Cream to Belly Rings</a></div>
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Stephanie is a sweet, endearing girl from South Carolina who blogs about everyday life as a twenty-something. Her honesty and sincerity are heartwarming, and her posts are delightful to read. Her blog's title is a testament to the versatility of her blogging topics - everything <a href="http://icecreamtobellyrings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From Ice Cream to Belly Rings</a>!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;">One Lovely Blog Award</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And speaking of Stephanie, she has given <i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Hello, New Day</span></i> the One Lovely Blog Award!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFt0WYpyJCs/T_4UudMOthI/AAAAAAAAB84/c5j6B3i_YxY/s1600/One+Lovely+Blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFt0WYpyJCs/T_4UudMOthI/AAAAAAAAB84/c5j6B3i_YxY/s1600/One+Lovely+Blog.png" /></a></div>
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</center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you so much, Stephanie! Your kindness and support mean so much to me! Here are the rules for the One Lovely Blog Award:</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"> </center><center style="text-align: left;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Rules</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Post the award logo and link back to the person who nominated you.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Share 7 things about yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Pass this award along to up to 15 blogs you enjoy reading.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.</span></li>
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Since I've already shared 7 things about myself, I'll get right to the award presentation. I would like to give a One Lovely Blog Award to:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Lori </span><span style="font-size: large;">from </span><a href="http://www.loripassey.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">A Speck of Dust</a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.loripassey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Speck of Dust - Scribbling Down Our Life Stories</a></i> is a lifestyle blog where my beautiful, talented, funny sister scribbles down her life story. It's entertaining, motivating and definitely One Lovely Blog. She doesn't post terribly often, but when she does, it's worth reading. Stop by and say hello when you have a chance.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Kjerstin </span><span style="font-size: large;">from</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="http://kjerstind.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Way I Am</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> As I mentioned above, </span><a href="http://kjerstind.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">The Way I Am</a><span style="background-color: white;"> is a fun place where Kjerstin shares random tidbits of her life. She often participates in a weekly series called "Friday's Letters" where she writes little letters to anyone and anything that may have impacted her that week. Her posts are fun to read and you can tell by reading her blog that she is a sweetheart and definitely deserves this One Lovely Blog award.</span></div>
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And last, but certainly not least,</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ruby </span><span style="font-size: large;">from </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://fuchsiavision.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fuchsia Vision</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-_gLoH-sc8/T_4xDurd7vI/AAAAAAAAB9g/D1j6fYIH1Ag/s1600/Ruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-_gLoH-sc8/T_4xDurd7vI/AAAAAAAAB9g/D1j6fYIH1Ag/s320/Ruby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of sweethearts, Ruby writes a blog called <a href="http://fuchsiavision.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fuchsia Vision</a> where she shares photos, poems, printables, and little glimpses into her life in India. Her writing style is so serene and beautiful; her blog is absolutely One Lovely Blog.</div>
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Whew! I didn't know this would be such a looooong post. If you've read this far - I'm impressed. Congratulations to all of you award-winning bloggers! And to my wonderful readers, thanks for stopping by!</div>
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</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-19338163829434353252012-07-10T18:28:00.000-06:002013-01-27T09:09:03.989-07:00Better Late Than Never? 4th of July Painted Flag and USA/Declaration of Independence Sign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;">Another July 4th has come and gone. I finished these patriotic projects just a little too late to share with you before the Independence Day holiday, but they are beautiful enough to display year-round. Make them now or pin them to your 4th of July Pinterest board to make for next year!</span><br />
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Creating both of these projects was easy. Let's start with the Pottery Barn Painted Flag knock-off.</center>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdy8Bri5xco/T_yP-TikW5I/AAAAAAAAB5M/ciT1hBawTPY/s1600/Flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdy8Bri5xco/T_yP-TikW5I/AAAAAAAAB5M/ciT1hBawTPY/s640/Flag1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">My inspiration was this beautiful flag from </span><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/painted-american-flag/?pkey=e%7Cflag%7C4%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Pottery Barn</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzNVHMr4NLM/T_yamT6LskI/AAAAAAAAB6E/gDnmGI0vam0/s1600/PotteryBarnFlag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzNVHMr4NLM/T_yamT6LskI/AAAAAAAAB6E/gDnmGI0vam0/s400/PotteryBarnFlag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">But at $129, I knew I could make my own. I started by finding a piece of </span><span style="background-color: white;">alder wood in our garage (left over from our <a href="http://www.hello-newday.blogspot.com/2012/03/extreme-makeover-fireplace-edition.html">fireplace remodel</a>) that was 26 inches wide (the Pottery Barn flag is twice as big as mine). Then </span><span style="background-color: white;">I did a bit of research on the U.S. Flag because I wanted to make sure that my flag was proportionally true to the real flag. Using 26" as the width for the flag, I used the dimensional information from <a href="http://www.usflag.org/flagspecs.html"><span style="color: red;">usflag.org</span></a> to figure out the rest of the measurements (i.e., width of stripes, size of stars, etc.). Here's what </span><strike style="background-color: white;">my kids who are better at math than me</strike><span style="background-color: white;"> I came up with: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Next I lightly sanded the wood and rounded the edges a bit (that alder wood is super easy to "shape"). I then painted the entire board with white craft paint and let dry (this was like a primer coat). Then I applied a coat of antique white craft paint and let that dry.</span><br />
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Using blue painters' tape and a ruler, I marked off the area that would be blue. Then I used tape to mark the red stripes. Before I painted the red stripes I applied a coat of Martha Stewart <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://shop.plaidonline.com/martha-stewart-crafts-6oz-weather-crackle-effect/144/32201/product.htm">Weather Crackle Effect</a> </span>and let that dry. Red paint is then applied and when it dries, the cracks in the paint appear!</center>
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When the red stripes are dry, mark off the white stripes with painters' tape. Apply the crackle effect, let dry, then apply a pure white paint.</center>
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For the blue Union part of the flag, tape it off once the stripes are dry, paint the crackle effect first, let dry then paint the blue.</center>
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For the stars, I created a stencil using my Silhouette machine. The dimensions are 10.4" wide x 7.4" tall (the same dimensions as the blue union on the flag). Each star is .84".</center>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzlqDwgHyxc/T_y7A86bCNI/AAAAAAAAB6k/2du7h_NF-m4/s1600/Flag-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzlqDwgHyxc/T_y7A86bCNI/AAAAAAAAB6k/2du7h_NF-m4/s640/Flag-stars.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cut the stencil out of vinyl, weeded out the stars, and centered it over my dried blue area of the flag. I painted one coat of Antique White, then a coat of Crackle Effect, then a coat of white, drying each coat before applying the next. Then I simply peeled off the vinyl to reveal the white stars.</center>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB9fVgaXl64/T_yRGd758yI/AAAAAAAAB5U/9fLVEt2LTJc/s1600/Flag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB9fVgaXl64/T_yRGd758yI/AAAAAAAAB5U/9fLVEt2LTJc/s640/Flag2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">For the song lyrics, I again used my Silhouette. I used the font Minya Nouvelle in a size 62.0 pt. I cut the letters out of red vinyl and adhered them to the flag using transfer tape.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXdpALfZ0jc/T_ySdkks7gI/AAAAAAAAB5c/gWVBqYr4khU/s1600/Flag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXdpALfZ0jc/T_ySdkks7gI/AAAAAAAAB5c/gWVBqYr4khU/s640/Flag3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdy8Bri5xco/T_yP-TikW5I/AAAAAAAAB5M/ciT1hBawTPY/s1600/Flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdy8Bri5xco/T_yP-TikW5I/AAAAAAAAB5M/ciT1hBawTPY/s640/Flag1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The U.S.A./Declaration of Independence sign was an easy project as well (and less time-consuming than the flag.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mNeXaSYSEbM/T_yAMe_D5lI/AAAAAAAAB40/6qayGuNXCt8/s1600/USA_Sign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mNeXaSYSEbM/T_yAMe_D5lI/AAAAAAAAB40/6qayGuNXCt8/s640/USA_Sign1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I got the 3-photo wood board and the U.S.A. letters from a local crafting woodshop here in Utah called </span><a href="http://thewoodco.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">The Wood Connection</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">. They do not ship their products, so if you're not in Utah you'll need to check Michaels or Jo-Ann for similar products.</span><br />
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The board measures 16.25" x 8". The one I got from The Wood Connection has 3 raised panels, but you could accomplish the same look with a flat piece of wood. </center>
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The letters measure 4" x 6".</center>
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I painted the board black and the letters red. The Wood Connection has a great tutorial for applying the glitter <a href="http://thewoodco.blogspot.com/p/glitter.html">here</a>.</center>
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For the Declaration of Independence background I downloaded a copy of the document and sized it according to the measurements of the 3 raised panels. You can download the pre-measured sections by clicking on each one's caption.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I printed these on <a href="http://www.strathmoreartist.com/product-reader/items/300-series-watercolor.html">Strathmore 140lb Watercolor paper</a> because I wanted the paper to have a heavy texture. Once printed, I cut them out and adhered them to the black board with Elmer's Glue. Then I glued the letters onto the paper with Elmer's Glue.</span></center>
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Please let me know if you have any questions about either of these projects. I didn't take photos as I went because I didn't think I'd be sharing tutorials (but I've had enough requests, so there you go!)</center>
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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!</center>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-41919862449730447902012-06-27T12:15:00.002-06:002012-06-27T18:19:41.018-06:004th of July Banner Tutorial with Printable<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I <span style="color: red;">love </span>our country's Declaration of Independence. I love it because it's a cherished symbol of our nation's freedom, a national treasure that was written over 200 years ago bravely declaring our independence from Great Britain. The 56 men who were part of the Continental Congress in 1776 signed their names to this document and by doing so were considered traitors by the King of England. They were risking their lives and their honor for freedom for the United States of America. I love it also because it is so beautifully handwritten. Notwithstanding its content, the handwriting itself is a work of art.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPKj4jgs2jA/T-tDR9KjZ9I/AAAAAAAAB4M/2h2au4pPK54/s1600/JulyBanner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPKj4jgs2jA/T-tDR9KjZ9I/AAAAAAAAB4M/2h2au4pPK54/s640/JulyBanner3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I wanted to use this beautiful text somehow in a fun piece of decor for the upcoming 4th of July holiday. I created a simple banner that I hung on the mirror over my sideboard. If you'd like to make one too, here's a step-by-step tutorial:</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 1.</span> Download* these three 8.5 x 11 pages and print them on heavy paper (I used 140 lb. <a href="http://www.strathmoreartist.com/product-reader/items/300-series-watercolor.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Strathmore Watercolor paper</span></a> because I wanted the flags to have texture and sturdiness. I trimmed the 9" x 12" paper to 8.5" wide so that it would fit into my printer.)<br />
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<i>*To download, just click on each thumbnail image and the full-size image will open.</i></div>
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<i>Right click on the full-size image and save to your computer.</i></div>
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<center><table><tbody>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZcaVT-MS7o/T-qISBGGsbI/AAAAAAAAB3k/TxcTJA2ak70/s1600/PatrioticPennantA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZcaVT-MS7o/T-qISBGGsbI/AAAAAAAAB3k/TxcTJA2ak70/s200/PatrioticPennantA.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/62406095/PatrioticPennantA.jpg" target="_blank">Banner Printable 1</a></td></tr>
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</td><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvbc-atSC2Q/T-qIcraiw7I/AAAAAAAAB3s/cXTDGeFT0cE/s1600/PatrioticPennantB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvbc-atSC2Q/T-qIcraiw7I/AAAAAAAAB3s/cXTDGeFT0cE/s200/PatrioticPennantB.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/62406095/PatrioticPennantB.jpg" target="_blank">Banner Printable 2</a></td></tr>
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</td><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nfug5MfalU/T-qIjvjOC9I/AAAAAAAAB30/A0DQVbvOpo4/s1600/PatrioticPennantC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nfug5MfalU/T-qIjvjOC9I/AAAAAAAAB30/A0DQVbvOpo4/s200/PatrioticPennantC.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/62406095/PatrioticPennantC.jpg" target="_blank">Banner Printable 3</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 2.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Cut out the 9 Declaration of Independence flags that you just printed on heavy paper.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Step 3.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Cut out 9 strips of blue glitter paper (the length of each flag top by 1/2 inch wide).</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 4.</span> Repeat step 3 with red glitter paper.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 5.</span> Glue the blue strips to each flag top, leaving a 1/4 inch of the strip showing at the top.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5ksonBioXA/T-tLBY_XYSI/AAAAAAAAB4k/YnwUdBpBO3U/s1600/JulyBanner4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5ksonBioXA/T-tLBY_XYSI/AAAAAAAAB4k/YnwUdBpBO3U/s320/JulyBanner4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 6.</span> Repeat step 5 with the red glitter paper.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 7.</span> Download* the star and print on regular paper; cut it out and use it to trace stars on the glitter paper. I used 5 red and 4 blue stars. Cut out the glitter stars and adhere to flags (I used 3D tape so they would have a bit of dimension).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>*To download, just click on the thumbnail image and the full-size image will open.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Right click on the full-size image and save to your computer.</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8IcqO9vUZs/T-qIrUXGFtI/AAAAAAAAB38/XpqXat48jUI/s1600/Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8IcqO9vUZs/T-qIrUXGFtI/AAAAAAAAB38/XpqXat48jUI/s200/Star.jpg" width="75" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/62406095/Star.jpg" target="_blank">Banner Printable 4</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Step 8.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Punch holes in the banner tops and string bakers twine or other string through the banners.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9J-4SYvcZmM/T-qF3c7Q-kI/AAAAAAAAB3M/VgUlXYB77dc/s1600/JulyBanner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9J-4SYvcZmM/T-qF3c7Q-kI/AAAAAAAAB3M/VgUlXYB77dc/s640/JulyBanner1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9GQnK-hpk0/T-qG2DrbTfI/AAAAAAAAB3c/DM88eXpni1I/s1600/JulyBanner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9GQnK-hpk0/T-qG2DrbTfI/AAAAAAAAB3c/DM88eXpni1I/s640/JulyBanner3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank you for stopping by, and have a happy 4th of July!<br />
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/" style="background-color: white;"><img alt="Button pic 9" border="0" height="50" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZS7tPvyYCjI/T7RavmJc6GI/AAAAAAAABdo/J08kz388nRE/s200/WUW+02.jpg" width="50" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-48352374095856515442012-06-12T07:00:00.000-06:002012-06-12T07:00:08.394-06:00Tuesdays with Matt - Look for the Fun Not the Familiar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">For the month of June, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Tuesdays with Matt</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> will focus on reigniting the spark in your relationship with your partner.</span>
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Do you remember the days when everything was fun and exciting? You used to play games, try new things, and never really had the same date twice, right? What happened to that? As positive as familiarity can be in a relationship, there is also a downside to it. Join renowned author and media personality Matt Townsend and he gives you the skills you need to keep your relationship with your partner fun and exciting. You may just Reignite the Spark!<br />
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Great suggestions from Matt today! Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-16000739381677681642012-06-07T07:55:00.000-06:002013-01-27T09:09:43.441-07:00Stenciled Gift Wrap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you're a regular reader of <i>Hello, New Day</i> then you know by now that I love stencils and stenciling projects. My latest stenciling project is this cute and colorful gift wrap that I created this week using the small Hollywood Squares Stencil from <a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Royal Design Studios</span></a>:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQsQn8fZNjU/T8_WRFkpiTI/AAAAAAAAB0c/QnJMgwnM37A/s1600/Wrap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQsQn8fZNjU/T8_WRFkpiTI/AAAAAAAAB0c/QnJMgwnM37A/s640/Wrap1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JK2TIU7xhOM/T8_bHvCiqvI/AAAAAAAAB00/rOdjXoWTr28/s1600/Wrap3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JK2TIU7xhOM/T8_bHvCiqvI/AAAAAAAAB00/rOdjXoWTr28/s400/Wrap3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSJXS0B2JN8/T8_azL6_tCI/AAAAAAAAB0s/oFLFFJhTKUY/s1600/Wrap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSJXS0B2JN8/T8_azL6_tCI/AAAAAAAAB0s/oFLFFJhTKUY/s640/Wrap2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was at the Snap! Conference in April I received <a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/products/hollywood-squares-stencil" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">this free stencil</span></a> from Royal Design Studios. </div>
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I hadn't heard of them before, but once I started looking through their catalog, and after taking a hands-on class at Snap! from the company's president and creative director herself, Melanie Royals, I was hooked. </div>
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They have an awesome collection of beautiful stencils and so many inspiring projects on their website. There are also some fantastic <a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/pages/how-to-stencil" target="_blank">resources</a> on their website for learning how to stencil and learning different techniques. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MusVFAgPhu4/T8_mKXjrjBI/AAAAAAAAB1E/zFzo-Jj7wlY/s1600/Wrap4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MusVFAgPhu4/T8_mKXjrjBI/AAAAAAAAB1E/zFzo-Jj7wlY/s640/Wrap4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This gift wrap was easy to make and would be a fun project for the kids too! The color possibilities are endless and the cost minimal. I started with some packing paper that I had on hand. Whenever I go to Tai Pan Trading here in Utah (a home decor store), I seem to bring home sheets and sheets of this paper. They use it to wrap fragile items that you buy, and I've always hated just throwing it away. Some time ago, I decided to start keeping it, thinking I could use it for packing paper myself someday or for shipping items.</div>
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Since the paper was wrinkled, I ironed it. I didn't even know you could iron paper, but you can! I set my iron to high and ironed directly on the paper. I read that you should put a cloth or pillowcase over the paper before ironing, but for me it worked better without the cloth.</div>
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Before ironing:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSlA7iV_F7I/T8_m-HSlUgI/AAAAAAAAB1M/jVHyq9Ftjmo/s1600/Wrap5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSlA7iV_F7I/T8_m-HSlUgI/AAAAAAAAB1M/jVHyq9Ftjmo/s320/Wrap5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After ironing:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7cDPc4CR1Y/T8_nC1y8O7I/AAAAAAAAB1U/80Mf-70SVZc/s1600/Wrap6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7cDPc4CR1Y/T8_nC1y8O7I/AAAAAAAAB1U/80Mf-70SVZc/s320/Wrap6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I simply placed the stencil on the paper and taped it in a couple of places to hold it in place.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwOzjBodkXc/T8_n-02ZHmI/AAAAAAAAB1c/XccqrBXiRxI/s1600/Wrap7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwOzjBodkXc/T8_n-02ZHmI/AAAAAAAAB1c/XccqrBXiRxI/s640/Wrap7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to use orange and pink for my gift wrap, but I didn't have any craft paint in the right colors, so I used my stamping ink and applied it with sponge wedges. I used Stampin' Up's Classic Ink in <i>Only Orange</i> and <i>Pink Passion</i> (<span style="font-size: x-small;">I know the supplies photo above shows Positively Pink, but I changed my mind after I took that photo and switched to Pink Passion</span>).</div>
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To apply the ink, I just dabbed and rubbed the ink right on the paper over the stencil.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpyQwQlBKW4/T8_prdpq4qI/AAAAAAAAB1k/B-2Q1F9cC-8/s1600/Wrap8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpyQwQlBKW4/T8_prdpq4qI/AAAAAAAAB1k/B-2Q1F9cC-8/s640/Wrap8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It took me an hour to stencil the whole paper (which measures 24" x 34"), and cleanup was a cinch. The ink literally washed off under running water in the kitchen sink. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZP4idrnXPqM/T8_qTLbk5eI/AAAAAAAAB1s/z5HHuLanAfo/s1600/Wrap9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZP4idrnXPqM/T8_qTLbk5eI/AAAAAAAAB1s/z5HHuLanAfo/s640/Wrap9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOGCNuVe6TE/T8_qvwL09vI/AAAAAAAAB10/ZVvO9qYOArI/s1600/Wrap10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOGCNuVe6TE/T8_qvwL09vI/AAAAAAAAB10/ZVvO9qYOArI/s640/Wrap10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I loved doing this project and I can't wait to give my sister her birthday gift that I wrapped in this colorful, fun gift wrap!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-syU_0sGP0/T8_uFX3o1aI/AAAAAAAAB2E/cB9JXjGGZWA/s1600/Wrap11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-syU_0sGP0/T8_uFX3o1aI/AAAAAAAAB2E/cB9JXjGGZWA/s400/Wrap11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_PrPX9eH18/T8_uiv2UlYI/AAAAAAAAB2M/7IyFI1aUWd0/s1600/Wrap12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_PrPX9eH18/T8_uiv2UlYI/AAAAAAAAB2M/7IyFI1aUWd0/s640/Wrap12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the pattern and color combination so much that I think I'll stencil a canvas tablecloth in this design that I can use outside for summer dining. Or maybe a beach tote. Or maybe both. It's just too cute! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7T7rfB1Y7hA/T8_wVQRHRcI/AAAAAAAAB2U/Bdg5CYrBgvk/s1600/Wrap13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7T7rfB1Y7hA/T8_wVQRHRcI/AAAAAAAAB2U/Bdg5CYrBgvk/s400/Wrap13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find the Hollywood Squares stencil that I used at Royal Design Studio by clicking <a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/products/hollywood-squares-stencil" target="_blank">here</a>. Thank you so much for stopping by!</div>
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I'm linking to these fun parties:</center>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=90266&c=15464" target="_blank" title="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120328/17639/75/1332957533.8" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93024&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Made By You Mondays Skip to My Lou"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333423515.25" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93109&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Show Me What Ya Got "><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120516/17639/75/1337183131.37" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111766&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tip Junkie"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120508/17639/75/1336536660.96" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93101&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Terrific Tuesdays Adventures of a DIY Mom"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333427518.39" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=150185&c=15464" target="_blank" title="The 36th Avenue"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120530/17639/75/1338436277.1" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=156837&c=15464" target="_blank" title="BCD Show & Tell SNAP Party"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120613/17639/75/1339628221.65" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94632&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Ginger Snap Crafts"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735653.08" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94775&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Polka Dots on Parade"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333753388.42" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93124&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Two Yellow Birds Decor"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333429132.81" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94630&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Somewhat Simple"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735467.3" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=156819&c=15464" target="_blank" title="The Brambleberry Cottage"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120613/17639/75/1339626588.07" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=90268&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Weekend Warrior"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120328/17639/75/1332957854.08" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94629&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tatertots and Jello"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735388.89" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=154146&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Embracing Change"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120607/17639/75/1339115340.84" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111153&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Lolly Jane Boutique"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120507/17639/75/1336418464.15" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-60869643884191743782012-06-05T07:00:00.000-06:002012-06-05T07:00:02.509-06:00Tuesdays with Matt - Make a Date<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For the month of June, <i>Tuesdays with Matt</i> will focus on reigniting the spark in our relationship with our partner.<br />
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Back in the good old days, you and your partner were actually able to set time aside to work on what was most important to you: your relationship with your partner. Nowadays, does it feel like all kinds of things get in the way of doing that? Things like your job, your kids, your phone, maybe even Facebook? In this video Matt Townsend, Relationship Coach and Communication Expert, gives you the skills you need to begin Reigniting the Spark in your relationship.<br />
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<center> </center><center>Thanks for stopping by today!</center><center><br /></center><center>
<a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a>
</center><center><em style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> See my full disclosure statement <a href="http://www.hello-newday.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html" style="color: #667fdd; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></em>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-33212040471194865692012-06-04T09:03:00.000-06:002012-06-04T09:03:32.234-06:00The Bee's Knees - June 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wLKNVDm7dc/T44d_4fcZII/AAAAAAAABis/k5VlNY0ULG0/s1600/BeesKneesBannerwithHND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wLKNVDm7dc/T44d_4fcZII/AAAAAAAABis/k5VlNY0ULG0/s640/BeesKneesBannerwithHND.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center><br /></center><center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiEd2klSo1k/T43S6P6U8gI/AAAAAAAABiM/hFwx0tvtY6A/s1600/beeskneesdefined3_png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiEd2klSo1k/T43S6P6U8gI/AAAAAAAABiM/hFwx0tvtY6A/s640/beeskneesdefined3_png.png" width="640" /></a></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://raisinguprubies.blogspot.com/2012/05/cute-place-to-make-stuff.html" target="_blank">A Cute Place to Make Stuff - <i>Raising Up Rubies</i></a></span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">There are so many creative blogs nowadays, sharing so many fun projects that I enjoy looking at and that inspire me. And every now and then I come across a project that takes my breath away. I love to share these projects with you - they're just too good to miss! This week's featured project comes from Jaime over at <a href="http://raisinguprubies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Raising Up Rubies</span></a>. She transformed her formal living room (which is just off the kitchen) into an unbelievable craft room. EVERYTHING in the room is beautifully done.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0mytSqL-rM/T8zLrfLcQaI/AAAAAAAAB0E/TUhYsb5y3DQ/s1600/RaisingUpRubies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0mytSqL-rM/T8zLrfLcQaI/AAAAAAAAB0E/TUhYsb5y3DQ/s640/RaisingUpRubies1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">You've got to click over to her <a href="http://raisinguprubies.blogspot.com/2012/05/cute-place-to-make-stuff.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">post about this room</span></a> and check out all of the amazing details. She shares over 30 photos of this fun space, including a fantastic idea for customizing standard bookcases. Also, her sewing tabletop is soooooo creative and cute.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6I9oYAFTy8w/T8zNFvDEfAI/AAAAAAAAB0M/sUSNcVyJj00/s1600/RaisingUpRubies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6I9oYAFTy8w/T8zNFvDEfAI/AAAAAAAAB0M/sUSNcVyJj00/s640/RaisingUpRubies2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I could go on and on about Jaime's cute place to make stuff, but I'll let you <a href="http://raisinguprubies.blogspot.com/2012/05/cute-place-to-make-stuff.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">see for yourself</span></a> why I think her craft room is absolutely The Bee's Knees. Thank you so much for stopping by! I'll see you here tomorrow for a new segment of Tuesday's with Matt.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center><a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a></center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-7812264140613531622012-05-29T10:18:00.003-06:002013-01-27T09:10:04.060-07:00Laundry Sign Inspired by Ballard Designs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CSTUUZuETo/T711mNfKVnI/AAAAAAAAByM/pTnmB5ZZFh4/s1600/Laundry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CSTUUZuETo/T711mNfKVnI/AAAAAAAAByM/pTnmB5ZZFh4/s640/Laundry2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I finally finished a project that I started about six months ago. Have you ever done that? Started a project then for some reason or another it sits there forever, unfinished? I hate that. Back in December I decided to make a piece of art for my laundry room. I used this beautiful sign that I saw in the Ballard Designs catalog as inspiration:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gElCUpTWQwg/T8TpwNfnoPI/AAAAAAAABz0/FuLd68grEwE/s1600/ballard_laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gElCUpTWQwg/T8TpwNfnoPI/AAAAAAAABz0/FuLd68grEwE/s320/ballard_laundry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/laundry-giclee/15115?listIndex=0" target="_blank">Ballard Designs</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6N6wvrg7v8/T712qHzgjKI/AAAAAAAAByU/ibJG-keQ1eA/s1600/Laundry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6N6wvrg7v8/T712qHzgjKI/AAAAAAAAByU/ibJG-keQ1eA/s1600/Laundry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6N6wvrg7v8/T712qHzgjKI/AAAAAAAAByU/ibJG-keQ1eA/s640/Laundry3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are the materials I used:<br />
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<li>16x20 wrapped canvas from <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a></li>
<li>Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint in the following colors:</li>
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<li>Putty</li>
<li>Vanilla Bean</li>
<li>Acorn</li>
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<li>Martha Stewart Crafts Weather Crackle Effect</li>
<li>Adhesive Vinyl and my Silhouette machine</li>
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I started by painting two coats of the "Putty" paint color on the canvas front and sides. Then I created the wording in my Silhouette program. I used Times New Roman font for all of the words. The word "Laundry" is 200.0 point, the second line is 93.6 point and the rest of the wording is 63.0 point. And THIS is when my project stalled.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canvas with 2 coats of "putty" paint</td></tr>
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I have used my Silhouette many times for cutting paper, but not often to cut vinyl. I wanted to cut the letters onto vinyl so that I could stick them to the canvas and use them as stencils. I could not get the smaller letters to cut without them pulling up and getting all tangled and mangled in the machine. I spent <i>hours </i>working on this. Finally, in frustration, I put the whole project away until last week. <br />
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I got the vinyl loaded into the Silhouette and tried again. Same problem. Yeah, I'm not sure why I thought time would solve this issue. :) I sent Silhouette Customer Service an e-mail describing my problem and asking them if I was trying to cut letters that were too small. They responded in ten (!!!!) minutes - awesome! Their suggestion was that I slow down the cutting speed to 1 and decrease the cutting thickness to the lowest level. WHADDYA KNOW? It worked! </center>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2n6xGKKFFNo/T8GT_58jHPI/AAAAAAAABzE/UdrZbNzWDaA/s1600/Laundry7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2n6xGKKFFNo/T8GT_58jHPI/AAAAAAAABzE/UdrZbNzWDaA/s400/Laundry7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Using transfer tape, I transferred the wording to the canvas. Then I put one coat of "Putty"-colored paint over the words to kind of seal them onto the canvas in preparation for the darker color. I let this coat of paint dry.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYnTTMcdw0g/T8GU6B1wS3I/AAAAAAAABzM/2T5VdoTvFok/s1600/Laundry8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYnTTMcdw0g/T8GU6B1wS3I/AAAAAAAABzM/2T5VdoTvFok/s400/Laundry8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once the coat of "Putty"-colored paint was dry, I put one coat of "Vanilla Bean" on the canvas. When this coat was dry, I applied a coat of the Weather Crackle Effect. The photo below shows the canvas at this point in the process (while the Weather Crackle was still wet):<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw9XLLFgrdw/T8GVlL3gt2I/AAAAAAAABzU/soa6cOpPylk/s1600/Laundry9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw9XLLFgrdw/T8GVlL3gt2I/AAAAAAAABzU/soa6cOpPylk/s400/Laundry9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I let the crackle effect dry overnight and this is what the canvas looked like in the morning:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IOc-7BE2ec/T8GWKpgU37I/AAAAAAAABzc/CNNKmrLWbBM/s1600/Laundry10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IOc-7BE2ec/T8GWKpgU37I/AAAAAAAABzc/CNNKmrLWbBM/s400/Laundry10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At this point, I worked quickly and didn't take photos of the process, but here's what I did: I covered the entire front of the canvas in "Acorn"-colored paint. While it was still wet, I removed all of the vinyl letters using the weeding tool that came with my Silhouette. Once the letters were removed, I used my hand to get the canvas wet with a bit of water and I scraped the acorn paint off with my fingernails and with a paper towel. I wanted the sign to look like weathered wood. I just scraped and rubbed until I liked how it looked. If the paint started to dry too much then I just lightly wet it again so that it would scrape off.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9k50i7SY72Y/T8GWWfE08fI/AAAAAAAABzk/EWQQDay4SLE/s1600/Laundry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9k50i7SY72Y/T8GWWfE08fI/AAAAAAAABzk/EWQQDay4SLE/s640/Laundry3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So now, in retrospect, it wasn't a difficult project. I couldn't be happier with the customer service department over at Silhouette America - they were so quick to respond and their suggestions were right on target. Now, if you've got a project that you've set aside, I encourage you to pick it back up and finish it! It's a wonderful feeling!<br />
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I'm linking up to these parties:</center>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93109&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Show Me What Ya Got "><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120516/17639/75/1337183131.37" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111766&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tip Junkie"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120508/17639/75/1336536660.96" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-81502854353935162452012-05-22T12:00:00.001-06:002012-05-22T12:00:46.491-06:00Tuesdays with Matt - Being Present<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pedrvD2F02g/T7vSbdzt_MI/AAAAAAAABx0/BiSfbucCPhI/s1600/so-busy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pedrvD2F02g/T7vSbdzt_MI/AAAAAAAABx0/BiSfbucCPhI/s640/so-busy.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><br />
<center>Today's tip from Matt hits close to home. I struggle with this constantly: being present. I get so distracted by what's coming next or what I have to do tomorrow that I often forget to enjoy and savor today.</center><center><br /></center><center>That's one of the reasons that I LOVE <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2012/05/photo-day-may-its-time.html" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim's Photo-a-Day Challenge</a> - it helps me to STOP every day at least for a moment and think about my surroundings and just everyday stuff.</center><center>It's easy to remember to photograph a child's birthday party or a special occasion, but taking pictures of everyday things like the grass outside or something you wore today is not usually what we think of when we photograph. Capturing everyday moments and subjects is such a fun, creative outlet for me. And it helps me to be <i>present</i>.</center><center><br /></center><center>Check out Matt's video for his suggestions on how to live in the now:</center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyFTlVByrGA/T7vTgz4J0pI/AAAAAAAABx8/dShXJJHutBw/s1600/historymysterygift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyFTlVByrGA/T7vTgz4J0pI/AAAAAAAABx8/dShXJJHutBw/s320/historymysterygift.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center>Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful day!</center><center><a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a></center><center><br /></center><center><em style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Disclosure</strong> – All opinions stated in this post are entirely my own opinion. See my full disclosure statement <a href="http://www.hello-newday.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html" style="color: #667fdd; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></em>
</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-26661324338857020252012-05-16T08:45:00.001-06:002013-01-27T09:11:25.580-07:00Tulle Ballet Wreath - Dance Teacher Gift Idea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I adore my daughter's ballet teacher. Jennifer is the owner of the dance studio and the director of the Ensemble Dance Company for which my daughter dances. She has been a role model and teacher to Emma for five years now.<br />
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With another dance year coming to an end, we wanted to give Jennifer a gift to show our appreciation for her and all of her hard work. You can't see these tulle wreaths that are everywhere in bloggyville without thinking of a dance tutu. And when I found some miniature pointe shoes at my local dance shop, I knew that I wanted to make a Tulle Ballet Wreath for Jennifer.<br />
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It was a quick project that you can make for your favorite dance teacher or even for your favorite <i>dancer!</i><br />
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Here's what you'll need:<br />
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<li>8" metal macrame ring (I got mine at Joann Fabric & Craft store, but you can also find them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Macrame-Ring-Gold-8/dp/B0026HR0M6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337124045&sr=8-1" target="_blank">here</a> on Amazon.com)</li>
<li>Light pink tulle - (2) 6" wide spools (again, I found mine at Joann's in the wedding section. I used a little more than one spool for the wreath.)</li>
<li>2 pointe shoe keychains (I got mine at a <a href="http://dancewearinc.com/" target="_blank">local dance store</a> but I also found them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pointe-Shoe-Keychain-multi-colored-One-Size/dp/B003Y000NA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337099299&sr=8-2" target="_blank">here</a> on Amazon.com)</li>
<li>scissors</li>
<li>decorative ribbon for hanging (I used a 16" piece of pink ribbon with brown polka-dots)</li>
<li>white craft paint (if you want to cover the label inside the shoes)</li>
<li>needle and thread </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3km9mdTOo1E/T7KQdGuruxI/AAAAAAAABwU/DziurGQWPL4/s1600/metal+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3km9mdTOo1E/T7KQdGuruxI/AAAAAAAABwU/DziurGQWPL4/s200/metal+ring.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84T7N46nbQ0/T7KRy9XVtDI/AAAAAAAABwk/YiLqM9lqfes/s1600/Tulle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84T7N46nbQ0/T7KRy9XVtDI/AAAAAAAABwk/YiLqM9lqfes/s200/Tulle.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulle</td></tr>
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</td><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-486BYI7SH8M/T7KQn3qIAXI/AAAAAAAABwc/HOESmUhD54I/s1600/Mini+pointe+shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-486BYI7SH8M/T7KQn3qIAXI/AAAAAAAABwc/HOESmUhD54I/s200/Mini+pointe+shoe.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minishooz Pointe Shoe Keychain</td></tr>
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Cut the tulle into 12" strips and tie a lark's head knot around the ring with each strip of tulle. This is what a lark's head knot looks like:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE46jdfhS-g/T7LoecxXb5I/AAAAAAAABw0/0WLIgoO8Ogo/s1600/Larks+head+knot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE46jdfhS-g/T7LoecxXb5I/AAAAAAAABw0/0WLIgoO8Ogo/s200/Larks+head+knot.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_13480_make-larks-head.html" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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If you need instructions on how to tie this type of knot, you can find them <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_13480_make-larks-head.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Once you've gone all the way around the ring with the strips of tulle, take the ribbon that you're going to use for hanging, and loop it around the ring. I then hand-stitched the ribbon ends together at the point where it meets the ring. <br />
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Next, if you'd like, you can paint over the wording on the inside of the shoes. I simply used basic white craft paint and just put a couple of coats to cover the inside.<br />
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Then I tied the two shoes together and hand-stitched them to the back of the ribbon so that they hung the way that I wanted them to.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpFIyrukssM/T7MXT-pyIdI/AAAAAAAABxM/pFoQs041o8Q/s1600/Ballet-Wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpFIyrukssM/T7MXT-pyIdI/AAAAAAAABxM/pFoQs041o8Q/s640/Ballet-Wreath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Easy, right? And such a beautiful gift for a dance teacher or dancer. Thank you for stopping by today!<br />
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<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
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I'm linking to these fun parties:</center>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93024&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Made By You Mondays Skip to My Lou"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333423515.25" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111153&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Lolly Jane Boutique"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120507/17639/75/1336418464.15" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93109&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Show Me What Ya Got "><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120516/17639/75/1337183131.37" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111766&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tip Junkie"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120508/17639/75/1336536660.96" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94632&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Ginger Snap Crafts"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735653.08" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94775&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Polka Dots on Parade"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333753388.42" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94636&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Creations by Kara"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735972.09" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=90268&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Weekend Warrior"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120328/17639/75/1332957854.08" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93101&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Terrific Tuesdays Adventures of a DIY Mom"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333427518.39" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94629&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tatertots and Jello"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735388.89" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-58250160760126242012012-05-14T14:30:00.002-06:002012-05-15T07:42:39.085-06:00Tuesdays with Matt - The Power of No<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<center><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Tuesdays with Matt</span></center><center><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">{The Power of No}</span></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Join author and Life Coach Matt Townsend as he explores the Power of Saying NO in
your life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Do you feel pulled in too many directions?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Do
you wish you had the tools you need to say no?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Look no
further. In this video Matt will provide the tools and concepts you need to say NO.<u1:p></u1:p></div>
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<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y1gTpUFDWGM?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
</center>
<center><br /></center><center>I would love some feedback on my <i>Tuesdays with Matt </i>posts (this is only the second one). Do you like them? Would you like to see Matt more often? Not at all? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for stopping by!</center><center><br /></center><center>
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</center></center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-68216647838035595952012-05-09T07:00:00.000-06:002012-05-09T07:00:14.474-06:00The Bee's Knees - May 9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wLKNVDm7dc/T44d_4fcZII/AAAAAAAABis/k5VlNY0ULG0/s1600/BeesKneesBannerwithHND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wLKNVDm7dc/T44d_4fcZII/AAAAAAAABis/k5VlNY0ULG0/s640/BeesKneesBannerwithHND.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiEd2klSo1k/T43S6P6U8gI/AAAAAAAABiM/hFwx0tvtY6A/s1600/beeskneesdefined3_png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiEd2klSo1k/T43S6P6U8gI/AAAAAAAABiM/hFwx0tvtY6A/s640/beeskneesdefined3_png.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/2012/05/diy-white-faux-ceramic-and-milk-glass.html?m=0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">DIY White Faux Ceramic & Milk Glass Vases - <i>The Happier Homemaker</i></span></a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Have you seen all of the lovely vignettes that feature the beautiful milk glass and white ceramic pieces? Here are a couple of examples:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGncV6rau2g/T6mmsGKIabI/AAAAAAAABu4/DJWlQSJhtV4/s1600/white_ceramic_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGncV6rau2g/T6mmsGKIabI/AAAAAAAABu4/DJWlQSJhtV4/s320/white_ceramic_1.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/359778/layer-color#" target="_blank">via Martha Stewart</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HrnRHEJrCeM/T6mnNWF1YYI/AAAAAAAABvA/h0OMgF2abuU/s1600/white_ceramic_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HrnRHEJrCeM/T6mnNWF1YYI/AAAAAAAABvA/h0OMgF2abuU/s320/white_ceramic_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/charming-hardworking-storage/#page=12" target="_blank">via Better Homes & Gardens</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">Well, if you don't quite have the collection that you'd like, let me share with you Melissa's recent <a href="http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/2012/05/diy-white-faux-ceramic-and-milk-glass.html?m=0" target="_blank">blog post </a>that shows you how to take these:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naF9dKXTa2Y/T6mpKZwDVPI/AAAAAAAABvI/9zYWZDrpqxM/s1600/beforevases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naF9dKXTa2Y/T6mpKZwDVPI/AAAAAAAABvI/9zYWZDrpqxM/s640/beforevases.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">and turn them into these:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFcaIZTF04k/T6mqPuoiCfI/AAAAAAAABvQ/BTuvOK6AW4k/s1600/vases3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFcaIZTF04k/T6mqPuoiCfI/AAAAAAAABvQ/BTuvOK6AW4k/s640/vases3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">You can see how she did it on her blog, <a href="http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/2012/05/diy-white-faux-ceramic-and-milk-glass.html?m=0" target="_blank">The Happier Homemaker</a>. It's a wonderful idea, and EASY! Now, if I only hadn't taken all those vases to the thrift store last year! ;)</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6leKnyXQM/T43so6M1MbI/AAAAAAAABiU/d3cUTUE33Ss/s1600/LittleBee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6leKnyXQM/T43so6M1MbI/AAAAAAAABiU/d3cUTUE33Ss/s1600/LittleBee.png" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://blah2beautiful.blogspot.com/2012/05/stenciled-rug-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Stenciled Rug Tutorial - <i>Creatively Living</i></a></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">If you've read <i>Hello, New Day</i> lately then you know that I'm in love with all things stenciled right now. And I love it when someone can restore or otherwise redo something that seems like its a goner. Like this rug that <a href="http://blah2beautiful.blogspot.com/2012/05/stenciled-rug-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Stacie </a>had in her basement:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssqGsJ7bI40/T6muH6tp-7I/AAAAAAAABvc/9FjO2t22btg/s1600/rug+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssqGsJ7bI40/T6muH6tp-7I/AAAAAAAABvc/9FjO2t22btg/s640/rug+2.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Honestly, I would have thought this rug had seen it's last days. I'm not sure I would have known that it could be painted. Check out what it looks like now!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEpP-P5vOJ4/T6muqAz_KeI/AAAAAAAABvk/Svvh7ZcbgC8/s1600/rug+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEpP-P5vOJ4/T6muqAz_KeI/AAAAAAAABvk/Svvh7ZcbgC8/s640/rug+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Seriously! You can see exactly how Stacie performed this transformation over on her blog, <a href="http://blah2beautiful.blogspot.com/2012/05/stenciled-rug-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Creatively Living</a>. It's beautiful! And it's projects like this one, and Melissa's, that make me LOVE crafting and DIYing. They are simply The Bee's Knees!</center><center>
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</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-4539685917376207602012-05-08T08:00:00.000-06:002012-05-08T08:00:08.285-06:00Tuesdays with Matt - Balancing the Load<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center style="text-align: center;">I am very pleased and honored to begin a new segment here on <i>Hello, New Day</i> called</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Tuesdays with Matt</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">This is Matt:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nG_uWm_2uB8/T6h52WWTjLI/AAAAAAAABuo/iqk5hijv6y8/s1600/MattTownsend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nG_uWm_2uB8/T6h52WWTjLI/AAAAAAAABuo/iqk5hijv6y8/s320/MattTownsend.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150657337517933&set=a.498851022932.271289.306782982932&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<center style="text-align: left;">While attending the Snap Conference last month I had the distinct pleasure of listening to <a href="http://www.townsendrelationshipcenter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Matt Townsend</span></a> speak.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Matt is a communication and relationship expert who "has been energizing and involving audiences with his unique approach to building and maintaining successful personal and business relationships" for over 18 years (<a href="http://matttownsend.com/about-matt" target="_blank">source</a>).</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Matt has wonderful advice and tips on communication, relationships, parenting, and life in general and he delivers this advice in a fun, engaging, and often funny, way.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i>I was not the only gal at that Snap Conference speech who was laughing so hard that I was crying. Yeah, he's that fun!</i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Matt has experience speaking and training hundreds of Fortune 500 companies such as CNN, Cox Communications, and Lockheed Martin. Other past clients include: AT&T, American Express, Dupont, General Mills, Hewlett Packard, Honda, IBM, Nike, and the US Army, and the US Navy. Pretty darn cool list of references, I'd say.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Matt is also the host of a local radio broadcast (The Matt Townsend Show heard on Saturday mornings at 11:00 on<span style="color: #073763;"> <a href="http://www.ksl.com/?nid=251&sid=93128" target="_blank">KSL News Radio</a></span> 102.7 FM/1160 AM.) and a frequent contributor to KSL TV’s <a href="http://studio5.ksl.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Studio 5</span></a>.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now, Matt will be a regular contributor to Hello, New Day!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Each Tuesday, I'll be sharing a bit of Matt's expertise right here. If you'd like to see more of Matt than what I share here, you can find him at <a href="http://www.townsendrelationshipcenter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Townsend Relationship Center</span></a>.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">And now, without further adieu, our first edition of Tuesdays with Matt!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Tuesdays with Matt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">{Balancing the Load}</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take
a second and look closer at all the demands on your time.<br />
All those
demands are important, so how do we handle them all? Sometimes it
feels like an avalanche.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In this short video, Matt will give you some tools you need to start
digging out.</div>
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BTW6r3pRE8o?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></center>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">So, remember, "focus on the important, not the urgent." Now go have a great day! And thanks for stopping by!</span></center><center style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a>
</center><center style="text-align: center;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Disclosure</strong> – All opinions stated in this post are entirely my own opinion. See my full disclosure statement <a href="http://www.hello-newday.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></em></center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-88237447550051095162012-05-07T12:55:00.000-06:002012-05-09T07:59:16.268-06:00Tissue Paper Flower Art - Mother's Day Gift Idea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mother's Day is just a few days away! I made this little flower art this past weekend for my mom. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMSGKTvzZ7Y/T6gFp5_G6MI/AAAAAAAABtY/jqjiqM9Wrb4/s1600/Flower-Art-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMSGKTvzZ7Y/T6gFp5_G6MI/AAAAAAAABtY/jqjiqM9Wrb4/s640/Flower-Art-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhello-newday.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F05%2Ftissue-paper-flower-art-mothers-day.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-MMSGKTvzZ7Y%2FT6gFp5_G6MI%2FAAAAAAAABtY%2FjqjiqM9Wrb4%2Fs640%2FFlower-Art-2.jpg&description=Mother's%20Day%20Gift%20Idea%20-%20tissue%20paper%20flower%20art"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a></center>
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<br />
The quote reads:<br />
<br />
<br />
<center style="text-align: left;"><center style="text-align: left;"><center><span style="color: #741b47;">If I had a flower</span></center><center><span style="color: #741b47;">for every time I thought of you,</span></center><center><span style="color: #741b47;">I could walk in my garden</span></center><center><span style="color: #741b47;">forever.</span></center><center><span style="color: #741b47;">-Alfred Lord Tennyson</span></center></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">This would also make a lovely gift for a grandmother, daughter, or special friend. Today I'm going to share a simple tutorial with you so that you can make one too! </center></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Here's what you'll need:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>8 x 8 canvas (I got mine at Michael's)</li>
<li>burlap fabric large enough to cover the front and sides of the canvas</li>
<li>staple gun</li>
<li>tissue paper in color(s) of your choice</li>
<li>1.5" scalloped circle punch ( I used <a href="http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Crafting/Punches/Lever-Punches/Lever-Punches/Lever-Punch-Scalloped-Circle-Large" target="_blank">this one</a> from Fiskars)</li>
<li>stapler (I used a mini stapler like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BOS10K-Stapler-Staples-Sheet-Capacity/dp/B00260X7S4/ref=sr_1_12?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1336412317&sr=1-12" target="_blank">this one</a>)
</li>
<li>glue (I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aleenes-oz-Original-Tacky-Glue/dp/B00178KLEY" target="_blank">Aleene's Original Tacky Glue</a>)
</li>
<li>white linen fabric for quote</li>
<li>iron-on inkjet transfer paper (I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/June-Tailor-Transfer-Sheets-10/dp/B0018NBK6Q/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1336412789&sr=8-9" target="_blank">this paper</a>)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Make the tissue paper flowers.</span><br />
I used a tutorial that I found on Fiskars' website. You can follow the same tutorial <a href="http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Articles/Mothers-Day-Tea-Party" target="_blank">here</a>. Note that the only difference is in the size of the scalloped punch - I used a much smaller one than the one used in their tutorial.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LK6MyXZPOM/T6gXSQGe8tI/AAAAAAAABt4/nasT5TEDf3s/s1600/Flower-Quote-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LK6MyXZPOM/T6gXSQGe8tI/AAAAAAAABt4/nasT5TEDf3s/s640/Flower-Quote-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Cover the canvas with burlap.</span><br />
I simply used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the canvas, stapling it to the wooden frame in back.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Print the quote onto a piece of iron-on inkjet transfer paper.</span><br />
I typed the quote in Photoshop Elements. I used <a href="http://www.fonts101.com/fonts/view/Handwriting/22590/JaneAusten.aspx" target="_blank">Jane Austen font</a> (16 point) for the quote and Century Gothic font (8 point) for the author's name. Century Gothic is a font that was already installed on my computer.<br />
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**Make sure that when you print the quote onto the transfer paper you print it backwards or mirrored so that when you iron it onto the fabric the words will be the right way.**
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjKKrwACatg/T6gYF8kM8iI/AAAAAAAABuA/5KcwA2swhUY/s1600/Flower-Art-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjKKrwACatg/T6gYF8kM8iI/AAAAAAAABuA/5KcwA2swhUY/s640/Flower-Art-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Iron the quote onto the white linen fabric.</span><br />
After the quote was on the fabric, I trimmed the fabric to 4.5" x 2" and removed some of the outer threads on all sides so that it would be frayed around the edges.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LhUWE4aCKo/T6gPYX5hpcI/AAAAAAAABto/Z2q50NVzin4/s1600/Flower-Quote-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LhUWE4aCKo/T6gPYX5hpcI/AAAAAAAABto/Z2q50NVzin4/s640/Flower-Quote-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Glue the flowers and quote onto the burlap.</span><br />
And that's it - you're done! If you decide to make one, please snap a photo and send it to me (my e-mail is listed on my sidebar). I would love to see it! I'll share any photos that you send on my Facebook page.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMSGKTvzZ7Y/T6gFp5_G6MI/AAAAAAAABtY/jqjiqM9Wrb4/s1600/Flower-Art-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMSGKTvzZ7Y/T6gFp5_G6MI/AAAAAAAABtY/jqjiqM9Wrb4/s640/Flower-Art-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever. - Alfred Lord Tennyson
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day! </div>
</center><center style="text-align: left;"> </center><center>
<a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a>
</center><center>I'm linking up to these fun parties:</center><center><br /></center></div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=90266&c=15464" target="_blank" title="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120328/17639/75/1332957533.8" /> </a> </div>
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</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 84px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=90267&c=15464" target="_blank" title="http://asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com/"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120328/17639/75/1332957670.92" /> </a> </div>
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</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 84px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93024&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Made By You Mondays Skip to My Lou"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333423515.25" /> </a> </div>
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</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 84px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94629&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tatertots and Jello"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735388.89" /> </a> </div>
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</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 84px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111153&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Lolly Jane Boutique"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120507/17639/75/1336418464.15" /> </a> </div>
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</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 84px; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=93109&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Show Me What Ya Got "> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120402/17639/75/1333428252.53" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=111766&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Tip Junkie"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120508/17639/75/1336536660.96" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94632&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Ginger Snap Crafts"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333735653.08" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=94775&c=15464" target="_blank" title="Polka Dots on Parade"> <img src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120406/17639/75/1333753388.42" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
<img height="0" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/cimp.php?c=15464" style="border: none !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;" width="0" />
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-2129656670562003522012-05-02T14:20:00.001-06:002012-05-02T14:20:23.845-06:00Fabric Flowers and Stamped Washer Necklaces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<center style="text-align: left;">Hello! I've been working on a couple of small projects that I'd like to share with you. Remember the<span style="color: #0b5394;"> <a href="http://www.hello-newday.blogspot.com/2012/04/just-be-you-snap-conference-recap.html" target="_blank">fabric flower</a></span> I showed you in my post about the Snap Conference? Well, I did make a few more to sell at my daughter's dance company yard sale last weekend!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnmWbEB6UpA/T6GWWAbBfyI/AAAAAAAABtI/KlxKAUAmnTc/s1600/RileyBlakeFlowers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnmWbEB6UpA/T6GWWAbBfyI/AAAAAAAABtI/KlxKAUAmnTc/s400/RileyBlakeFlowers2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">If you can sew on a button, then you can make these! I tried to find a tutorial over at <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Riley-Blake Designs</a>, which is the fabric company that taught me how to make these fun flower clips, but I couldn't find one. I did find their beautiful fabric at my local fabric store, and even though I had fabric at home that I could have used, I bought some of their fun prints. <a href="http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/2010/03/flower-headband-and-pin-tutorial.html" target="_blank">This tutorial</a> from Creation Corner shows how I made the flowers (<i>note: I used alligator clips that I found at Jo-Ann's instead of the clips that Tasha used.</i>) So grab some fabric and a needle and thread and make some of these cute flowers! Your daughter and her friends will love them!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">A couple of month ago, I came across a beautiful blog called <a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">The 36th Avenue</span></a>. Desirée shares some absolutely gorgeous and creative projects on her blog. One project that caught my eye was her <a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/2011/07/believe.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">stamped washer necklaces</span></a>. This is not a new idea, but it's one I hadn't seen before. I was fascinated by the idea of stamping on metal and loved the fact that they could be customized to <i>any </i>situation.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">My daughter and three of her dance company friends have been working hard for months learning a dance routine called "Tell Me" (it's set to the music "<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHm9MG9xw1o" target="_blank">Secrets</a></i>" by One Republic). A couple of weeks ago, they performed the lyrical dance for the first time at a dance competition (and rocked it!) I used Desirée's tutorial and made these stamped washer necklaces that Emma gave to the girls the night before they were to dance.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHKTkxCIexk/T6GJjawDCdI/AAAAAAAABs4/ApAetjtREfU/s1600/TellMeNecklaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHKTkxCIexk/T6GJjawDCdI/AAAAAAAABs4/ApAetjtREfU/s640/TellMeNecklaces.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">They loved them! And they were so fun to make. And who would've thought that you could find some jewelry-making supplies at <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">The Home Depot</span></a>? I LOVE CREATIVITY!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center><a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a>
</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-58268221661711210312012-05-01T14:16:00.001-06:002012-05-01T14:16:35.956-06:00A Month in Photos: April 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUB9ZILpMB4/T6A7ZOIe8OI/AAAAAAAABlU/oMlzY3_ZoSs/s1600/April-Photo-a-day-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUB9ZILpMB4/T6A7ZOIe8OI/AAAAAAAABlU/oMlzY3_ZoSs/s200/April-Photo-a-day-Collage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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So long, April 2012. Boy, I am somewhat shocked that April's over already. I mean, I look at the calendar every day and I know that we haven't skipped any days, but it doesn't seem like another 30 whole days have come and gone!<br />
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<center style="text-align: left;">I took all of April's Photo-a-Day Challenge pictures with my iPhone. I was skeptical at first of the capabilities of the iPhone camera, but, since I dropped my Nikon on the floor while it was attached to the tripod and the lenses were zoomed out and it got all bent, I decided to give the iPhone camera an honest try. I might have trouble going back to a regular camera for this daily challenge! Using the iPhone camera was so convenient and I'm perfectly happy with the quality of the photos!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">April 2012</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">{a month in photos}</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvVLXfkO5GE/T6A7IrN1uMI/AAAAAAAABlM/_GLy9tOxyOE/s1600/April1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvVLXfkO5GE/T6A7IrN1uMI/AAAAAAAABlM/_GLy9tOxyOE/s320/April1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsDqcgtd3l8/T6A7ykhZ3-I/AAAAAAAABlc/pBqCg6c_hzs/s1600/April2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsDqcgtd3l8/T6A7ykhZ3-I/AAAAAAAABlc/pBqCg6c_hzs/s320/April2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSQwmvL92tU/T6A9Ad1mE3I/AAAAAAAABoE/-IMT05_lsV4/s1600/April3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSQwmvL92tU/T6A9Ad1mE3I/AAAAAAAABoE/-IMT05_lsV4/s320/April3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94ROUQ0nRxs/T6A9B3qnVUI/AAAAAAAABoU/0QcLn1HXwaE/s1600/April4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94ROUQ0nRxs/T6A9B3qnVUI/AAAAAAAABoU/0QcLn1HXwaE/s320/April4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56RrdWa5HCY/T6A9CkfnIlI/AAAAAAAABoc/r16xpCk-JJw/s1600/April5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56RrdWa5HCY/T6A9CkfnIlI/AAAAAAAABoc/r16xpCk-JJw/s320/April5.jpg" width="320" /></a> </td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ae2N1qNSr8/T6A9Df2amJI/AAAAAAAABok/EAw-5CHJIis/s1600/April6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ae2N1qNSr8/T6A9Df2amJI/AAAAAAAABok/EAw-5CHJIis/s320/April6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rscaUqx0rek/T6A9DxMlxfI/AAAAAAAABos/kb4JWhoCc6U/s1600/April7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rscaUqx0rek/T6A9DxMlxfI/AAAAAAAABos/kb4JWhoCc6U/s320/April7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe0qps9zksA/T6A9EnI3vkI/AAAAAAAABo0/MePkFlYoW1Q/s1600/April8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe0qps9zksA/T6A9EnI3vkI/AAAAAAAABo0/MePkFlYoW1Q/s320/April8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bq6gMGX-r9Q/T6A9FPVmgAI/AAAAAAAABo8/adPkSsmxrvA/s1600/April9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bq6gMGX-r9Q/T6A9FPVmgAI/AAAAAAAABo8/adPkSsmxrvA/s320/April9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc1xybXtlBc/T6A8x3CZicI/AAAAAAAABlk/8XSwuSI6Mk0/s1600/April10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc1xybXtlBc/T6A8x3CZicI/AAAAAAAABlk/8XSwuSI6Mk0/s320/April10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5D_5n5OFbc/T6A8yrkyw5I/AAAAAAAABls/rEh3cHMNLqk/s1600/April11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5D_5n5OFbc/T6A8yrkyw5I/AAAAAAAABls/rEh3cHMNLqk/s320/April11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAYwziUYRQg/T6A8zUnPDuI/AAAAAAAABl0/_r6egcCV--c/s1600/April12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAYwziUYRQg/T6A8zUnPDuI/AAAAAAAABl0/_r6egcCV--c/s320/April12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNcUr-hxTFc/T6A80MPotNI/AAAAAAAABl8/k2nRQM9ch2U/s1600/April13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNcUr-hxTFc/T6A80MPotNI/AAAAAAAABl8/k2nRQM9ch2U/s320/April13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-am8CsNkDDUA/T6A80uWL7aI/AAAAAAAABmE/iyOVphG3ZVE/s1600/April14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-am8CsNkDDUA/T6A80uWL7aI/AAAAAAAABmE/iyOVphG3ZVE/s320/April14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-eHQirTTNY/T6A81Zm3LWI/AAAAAAAABmM/FYmc6y_FgDI/s1600/April15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-eHQirTTNY/T6A81Zm3LWI/AAAAAAAABmM/FYmc6y_FgDI/s320/April15.jpg" width="320" /></a> </td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYbe3Y3otGA/T6A82WQCuqI/AAAAAAAABmU/puoNhFvj2_U/s1600/April16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYbe3Y3otGA/T6A82WQCuqI/AAAAAAAABmU/puoNhFvj2_U/s320/April16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBSX5_9gVMA/T6A83F0l9wI/AAAAAAAABmc/H0Vq2C21McM/s1600/April17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBSX5_9gVMA/T6A83F0l9wI/AAAAAAAABmc/H0Vq2C21McM/s320/April17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWz6qY5mimA/T6A84Bxr7QI/AAAAAAAABmk/W3VpVWE8UFM/s1600/April18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWz6qY5mimA/T6A84Bxr7QI/AAAAAAAABmk/W3VpVWE8UFM/s320/April18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMJBrswUt9E/T6A84lx1-ZI/AAAAAAAABms/bFk7Ywb2QhM/s1600/April19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMJBrswUt9E/T6A84lx1-ZI/AAAAAAAABms/bFk7Ywb2QhM/s320/April19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeO2hiRAKTw/T6A85dDjorI/AAAAAAAABm0/cnbouVn5suI/s1600/April20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeO2hiRAKTw/T6A85dDjorI/AAAAAAAABm0/cnbouVn5suI/s320/April20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8WkkwJz874/T6A853iHojI/AAAAAAAABm8/uGDvbVPBlUI/s1600/April21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8WkkwJz874/T6A853iHojI/AAAAAAAABm8/uGDvbVPBlUI/s320/April21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BG9T8WMaW8Q/T6A86gU-KUI/AAAAAAAABnE/gZ_sbIwjcxo/s1600/April22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BG9T8WMaW8Q/T6A86gU-KUI/AAAAAAAABnE/gZ_sbIwjcxo/s320/April22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pR15vJOSO88/T6A87XbmdlI/AAAAAAAABnM/VlH2ehFOzWw/s1600/April23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pR15vJOSO88/T6A87XbmdlI/AAAAAAAABnM/VlH2ehFOzWw/s320/April23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjqCd3-cGrE/T6A88JR3-vI/AAAAAAAABnU/Y0-qETxD9KY/s1600/April24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjqCd3-cGrE/T6A88JR3-vI/AAAAAAAABnU/Y0-qETxD9KY/s320/April24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbykPVv-DPw/T6A88yrEKvI/AAAAAAAABnc/xDfI5Z1Oy60/s1600/April25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbykPVv-DPw/T6A88yrEKvI/AAAAAAAABnc/xDfI5Z1Oy60/s320/April25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ8_2_uGomo/T6A89SHTsaI/AAAAAAAABnk/syhprfRExs4/s1600/April26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ8_2_uGomo/T6A89SHTsaI/AAAAAAAABnk/syhprfRExs4/s320/April26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dObQr1_IpRg/T6A8-JJrZNI/AAAAAAAABns/8JkVndxGTDw/s1600/April27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dObQr1_IpRg/T6A8-JJrZNI/AAAAAAAABns/8JkVndxGTDw/s320/April27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WaKSThMoKMc/T6A8-8JLcGI/AAAAAAAABn0/KU8MqkxmVl8/s1600/April28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WaKSThMoKMc/T6A8-8JLcGI/AAAAAAAABn0/KU8MqkxmVl8/s320/April28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqdrBUwiK2E/T6A8_lAnLoI/AAAAAAAABn8/5bl3fUrixIs/s1600/April29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqdrBUwiK2E/T6A8_lAnLoI/AAAAAAAABn8/5bl3fUrixIs/s320/April29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhT8c4m0ymE/T6A9BNNOwrI/AAAAAAAABoM/8DPtAB7Nfcc/s1600/April30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhT8c4m0ymE/T6A9BNNOwrI/AAAAAAAABoM/8DPtAB7Nfcc/s320/April30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">If you're interested in knowing a bit more about some of the photos, you can see them all on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelloNewDayBlog" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Hello, New Day's Facebook page</span></a>. As I post them, I usually give a bit of info about what you're seeing.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">And, if you'd like to join in on the Photo-a-Day Challenge, head on over to Chantelle's blog, <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2012/05/photo-day-may-its-time.html" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a>, and check out the prompts for May!</center><center><br /></center><center>
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</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-28616640141105315262012-04-28T14:44:00.002-06:002012-04-28T17:45:21.798-06:00The Bee's Knees - April 28<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<center>Are you ready for this week's edition of The Bee's Knees?</center><center><br /></center><center>Just to remind you, this is a weekly segment that will showcase a few of my favorite projects/creations/decor that were recently posted in the blogosphere that I think are <b><i>The Bee's Knees</i></b> (the very best of the best).</center><center><br /></center><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXVLvYs6AKw/T5q3DBOyckI/AAAAAAAABks/iqe7vc9S4U0/s1600/LittleBee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXVLvYs6AKw/T5q3DBOyckI/AAAAAAAABks/iqe7vc9S4U0/s1600/LittleBee.png" /></a></div>
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<center><br /></center><center><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://simplythisandthat.blogspot.com/2012/04/stenciled-fabric-cork-board.html" target="_blank">Stenciled Fabric Cork Board - Simply This & That</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center>I am so in love with stencils right now. Bonnie covered an ordinary cork board with fabric</center><center>that used to be <b>plain white</b>! Check out her <a href="http://simplythisandthat.blogspot.com/2012/04/stenciled-fabric-cork-board.html" target="_blank">post </a>to see how she did it. Wow!</center><center><br /></center><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWgVqD237zg/T5q4Vnxf8QI/AAAAAAAABk0/6mWtrsD7gFE/s1600/Stenciled+Fabric+Cork+Board+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWgVqD237zg/T5q4Vnxf8QI/AAAAAAAABk0/6mWtrsD7gFE/s640/Stenciled+Fabric+Cork+Board+finished.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXVLvYs6AKw/T5q3DBOyckI/AAAAAAAABks/iqe7vc9S4U0/s1600/LittleBee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXVLvYs6AKw/T5q3DBOyckI/AAAAAAAABks/iqe7vc9S4U0/s1600/LittleBee.png" /></a></div>
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<center><br /></center><center><center><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2012/04/mirror-makeover.html" target="_blank">Mirror Makeover - Landee See, Landee Do</a></span></center><center><br /></center><center>Landee took a simple entryway mirror that she already had <span style="text-align: left;">and transformed it into a STUNNING piece of art! You can see the before and after and how she did it over on her cute blog, <a href="http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2012/04/mirror-makeover.html" target="_blank">Landee See, Landee Do</a>.</span></center><center><br /></center><div style="text-align: left;">
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<center><br /></center></center><center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXVLvYs6AKw/T5q3DBOyckI/AAAAAAAABks/iqe7vc9S4U0/s1600/LittleBee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXVLvYs6AKw/T5q3DBOyckI/AAAAAAAABks/iqe7vc9S4U0/s1600/LittleBee.png" /></a></center><center><br /></center><center><a href="http://splendid-design.blogspot.com/2012/04/wednesday-home-inspiration_25.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday Home Inspiration - Splendid Design</span></a></center><center><br /></center><center>I love my house. I love my decor and my furniture.</center><center><b>BUT</b>...when I saw this house featured on Megan's blog, <a href="http://splendid-design.blogspot.com/2012/04/wednesday-home-inspiration_25.html" target="_blank">Splendid Design</a>, I kinda wanted it.</center><center><br /></center><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nou9HgmQKyA/T5q54fDB-3I/AAAAAAAABk8/BPGgwTOYAe4/s1600/img_alpeterhouse_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nou9HgmQKyA/T5q54fDB-3I/AAAAAAAABk8/BPGgwTOYAe4/s640/img_alpeterhouse_2.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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<center><br /></center><center>There are 8 photos of this home on Megan's blog post and each one I see takes my breath away. I ♥ it! I think if I'm in a bad mood I could look through these photos and be absolutely uplifted. Yeah, it's THAT amazing. To me, it's The Bee's Knees. ;)</center><center><a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a></center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-87278681595170678602012-04-26T22:46:00.001-06:002012-04-26T22:46:51.677-06:00And the Award Goes To...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6Yc5iCwIJ8/T5oW9ArjJvI/AAAAAAAABkU/cmzcG_JZ0GA/s1600/liebster-award-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6Yc5iCwIJ8/T5oW9ArjJvI/AAAAAAAABkU/cmzcG_JZ0GA/s640/liebster-award-blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Liebster</span> </span>is the German word for beloved/dear/favorite. The Liebster Blog Award is "passed from one blog to another to honor smaller blogs (those with less than 200 followers) that deserve recognition for their fabulous blogging abilities."</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">The lovely Stephanie over at <i><a href="http://www.icecreamtobellyrings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From IceCream to BellyRings</a></i> has graciously given Hello, New Day this award! I am honored and tickled pink that she considers my new blog worthy of this recognition. Thank you, Stephanie!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Once awarded the Liebster, the recipient may:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Post the award on their blog;
</center><center style="text-align: left;">Choose 5 blogs (with less than 200 followers) to give the Liebster Blog Award to;</center><center style="text-align: left;">Link back to the blog who gave them the Liebster, and</center><center style="text-align: left;">List 5 random facts about themselves.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">So without further adieu, I award the Liebster Blog Award to:</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Claire of <a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Little Something in the Meantime</a></center><center style="text-align: left;">Ruby of <a href="http://fuchsiavision.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fuchsia Vision</a></center><center style="text-align: left;">Megan of <a href="http://splendid-design.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Splendid Design</a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">These 3 blogs definitely deserve the Liebster Blog Award in recognition of their fabulous blogging abilities. I chose only 3 recipients because most of the blogs I read have more than 200 followers! </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">And now...5 random facts about me (<i>Spoiler Alert if you watch Desperate Housewives and are not caught up to present!</i>):</center><center style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>I was a dinner guest at a Mardi Gras Party and was seated with <a href="http://www.steviewonder.net/" target="_blank">Stevie Wonder</a>, at a table next to <a href="http://www.quincyjones.com/" target="_blank">Quincy Jones</a>.</li>
<li>I would love to live in a hotel.</li>
<li>I cried when Mike was killed on <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/desperate-housewives" target="_blank">Desperate Housewives</a>.</li>
<li>Nothing frustrates me more than being stuck in traffic.</li>
<li>I have a fear of heights. A few years ago I made myself go to the top of the <a href="http://www.gatewayarch.com/experience/" target="_blank">St. Louis Arch</a>. I was proud of myself, but it didn't cure my fear.</li>
</ol>
</center><center style="text-align: left;">Thank you again, Stephanie, for this award, and thank YOU for stopping by!</center><center><br /></center><center>
<a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a>
</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-63250942545704137692012-04-23T14:45:00.002-06:002012-04-23T17:05:54.963-06:00Just Be You - Snap Conference Recap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;">Just </span><span style="color: magenta;">Be </span><span style="color: cyan;">You</span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></span></center><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tP4CxOWAFzk/T5WMrHZ43YI/AAAAAAAABjE/6i36ihoMnXA/s1600/NecklaceAmyCornwell_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tP4CxOWAFzk/T5WMrHZ43YI/AAAAAAAABjE/6i36ihoMnXA/s400/NecklaceAmyCornwell_web.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new favorite necklace from <a href="http://www.amycornwell.com/" target="_blank">Amy Cornwell</a> -<br />
she gave one to everybody at Snap!</td></tr>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">"Just Be You" was the theme for the <i><a href="http://www.snaptheconference.com/snap-2012/" target="_blank">2012 Snap! Creativity at Your Fingertips Conference</a></i> that I was lucky enough to attend this past weekend. The conference was AMAZING! It was fun, and exciting, and emotional (yep, tears were shed), and inspirational, and educational, and validating.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I don't have the exact numbers, but there were</center><center style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>approximately 320 bloggers from across the country attending Snap,</li>
<li>60 <a href="http://www.snaptheconference.com/snap-speakers/" target="_blank">speakers</a> from some of the most well-known blogs in the creative blogging world,</li>
<li>46 of the best vendors selling their homemade goodness at the <a href="http://thequeenbeemarket.com/" target="_blank">Queen Bee Market</a>,</li>
<li>three FULL days of classes, and</li>
<li>several fabulous sponsors who showered us with tons of swag (free goodies and product samples).</li>
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It really was <b><span style="font-size: large;">uh.may.zing</span></b>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFqVhSrhfro/T5WP8M7EdwI/AAAAAAAABjM/8Ffsr5Bd-oA/s1600/Tulips2_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFqVhSrhfro/T5WP8M7EdwI/AAAAAAAABjM/8Ffsr5Bd-oA/s640/Tulips2_web.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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The venue was perfect. (Of course, it being only 20 minutes away from my house maybe clouds my judgement a bit.) Thanksgiving Point is a beautiful place. There are tulips everywhere, the food is fantastic, and the Emporium is such a fun place to shop.</div>
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I went to the conference by myself, but not without first trying to find someone to come with me. I am a little bit socially challenged. Okay, maybe more than a little bit. :) I am not good at all at small talk and chatting and mingling and, having never been to a blogging conference before, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I think I was practically hyperventilating as I walked into the building to register. There were 2 girls greeting attendees at the door and as I said hello to one, I mentioned that I was nervous. She gave me a huge hug and the two girls behind me (thanks <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/rubymarket" target="_blank">Zoe & Jeremy</a>!) heard me and began chatting with me, helping me feel at ease. This was the atmosphere: welcoming, friendly, and supportive.</div>
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After that initial stress and nervousness, the rest of the weekend was a virtual blur of meeting people, exchanging business cards, attending classes, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hello_newday" target="_blank">tweeting</a>!
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6gUkdIuM_Do/T5WmVWg2UaI/AAAAAAAABj8/TIyDnCWpNXk/s1600/BusinessCardsSnap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6gUkdIuM_Do/T5WmVWg2UaI/AAAAAAAABj8/TIyDnCWpNXk/s400/BusinessCardsSnap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At registration, <a href="http://www.xyron.com/enUS/Home/default.html" target="_blank">Xyron </a>gave us each a ring with hole punch so that we could keep our collected business cards organized. It's ideas like this that make me giddy! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zChK_705YKY/T5WjCT7YPoI/AAAAAAAABjc/Jc2ODqu4diY/s1600/AnaWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="587" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zChK_705YKY/T5WjCT7YPoI/AAAAAAAABjc/Jc2ODqu4diY/s640/AnaWhite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the inspiring <a href="http://ana-white.com/" target="_blank">Ana White</a> speak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7071BgRcyTE/T5WlhflCigI/AAAAAAAABj0/-CrRG3YBCzM/s1600/MeandKelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7071BgRcyTE/T5WlhflCigI/AAAAAAAABj0/-CrRG3YBCzM/s320/MeandKelli.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Kelli from <a href="http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lolly Jane Boutique</a>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1klRYW4fCBU/T5WnMGUTUdI/AAAAAAAABkE/X4OfcEj6pt8/s1600/ShelleySmithSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1klRYW4fCBU/T5WnMGUTUdI/AAAAAAAABkE/X4OfcEj6pt8/s640/ShelleySmithSpeaking.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adorable <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/" target="_blank">Shelley Smith</a> speaking at the Discovering & Defining Your Style class.<br />
I could listen to her speak all day long!</td></tr>
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<center style="text-align: left;">I could go on and on about the inspirational talks that were given throughout the weekend. Like about <a href="http://www.cherylstyle.com/" target="_blank">Cheryl </a>who told us, among other things, about the time she had Martha Stewart over for dinner and, no, everything did NOT go as planned, but the evening was still a success! I cannot wait for her book to come out next month: <a href="http://www.cherylstyle.com/book/" target="_blank">You're So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party On!</a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">And about Amy from <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/" target="_blank">The Idea Room</a> who demonstrated a little "blogger yoga" - squatting down and trying to angle that camera for the perfect photo. She reminded us that a lot of times we compare our worst to other people's best. We need to just be ourselves and not get into that comparing game that so many of us participate in.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I've heard people say that bloggers must be so narcissistic in order to blog. Kind of a "look at me! look what I did!" attitude. After this weekend, I can attest to the fact that most of these women are just very passionate about sharing creativity. It's as simple as that. And as bloggers, we needn't worry about the numbers/statistics or whether or not we're on trend. We don't have to worry about posting every day. We need to "get inspired by our own creations first" (<a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/" target="_blank">Shelley Smith</a>) and "Learn it. Do it. Share it." (<a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/" target="_blank">Kate Riley</a>).</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxeYwF-EMRI/T5Wj_VpO_MI/AAAAAAAABjk/qKkGOrnOcio/s1600/MeandKate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxeYwF-EMRI/T5Wj_VpO_MI/AAAAAAAABjk/qKkGOrnOcio/s400/MeandKate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Kate from <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/" target="_blank">Centsational Girl</a>!</td></tr>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I also had the opportunity to try a hands-on class in stenciling taught by the President and Creative Director of <a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/" target="_blank">Royal Design Studio</a>, Melanie Royals. Oh.My.Gosh. Now I want to stencil <i>everything</i>! Her instruction was outstanding and her stencils are beyond beautiful.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">One of the conference sponsors, <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/" target="_blank">Riley Blake Designs</a>, had a make-and-take project at their sponsor booth where we made these fabric flowers.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIdbuS4UuHs/T5WzaIK12LI/AAAAAAAABkM/AsQao0D4-yY/s1600/FlowerSnap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIdbuS4UuHs/T5WzaIK12LI/AAAAAAAABkM/AsQao0D4-yY/s640/FlowerSnap.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Their fabrics and notions are so cute! And now that I know how to make these adorable flowers, I can't wait to make a bunch more for my daughter and her friends. In fact, I think I'll whip up a bunch for her dance studio yard sale this weekend.</center><center style="text-align: left;"> </center><center style="text-align: left;">Finally, at the closing dinner, we were treated to a special guest speaker, <a href="http://www.matttownsend.com/" target="_blank">Matt Townsend</a>, a communication and relationship expert. His talk was phenomenal! He was hilarious and inspiring. When he was done, I felt so good about myself and my blog and pretty much felt like I could do anything. :)</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">It was an amazing experience, Snap. I made some new friends and found some new blogs to read. It was wonderful to be surrounded by like-minded women and to feel empowered and inspired. I am honored to be part of such a supportive, creative, powerful community.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">And, I can't wait until next year! ;)</center><center><a href="http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/?action=view&current=Signature2copy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Signature" border="0" src="http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s495/catherineL618/Signature2copy.png" /></a>
</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-51060345366989295892012-04-18T08:00:00.000-06:002012-04-18T08:00:02.534-06:00Introducing: The Bee's Knees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello, again! It's been awhile, I know! We had a good Spring Break and now the kids are back in school for a short 2 months until summer vacation. I am ready and so excited to attend the <a href="http://www.snaptheconference.com/snap-2012/" target="_blank">SNAP Conference</a> this weekend where I will be rubbing shoulders with some of the best creative bloggers out there.</div>
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And speaking of the <b>best</b>, I would like to introduce to you a new segment here on <i>Hello, New Day</i> called "The Bee's Knees":</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wLKNVDm7dc/T44d_4fcZII/AAAAAAAABis/k5VlNY0ULG0/s1600/BeesKneesBannerwithHND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wLKNVDm7dc/T44d_4fcZII/AAAAAAAABis/k5VlNY0ULG0/s640/BeesKneesBannerwithHND.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiEd2klSo1k/T43S6P6U8gI/AAAAAAAABiM/hFwx0tvtY6A/s1600/beeskneesdefined3_png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiEd2klSo1k/T43S6P6U8gI/AAAAAAAABiM/hFwx0tvtY6A/s640/beeskneesdefined3_png.png" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is The Bee's Knees?</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Each week I will feature</center><center style="text-align: center;">projects/creations/decor/products</center><center style="text-align: center;">that were posted that week on the blogs that I read</center><center style="text-align: center;">that I think are The Bee's Knees - the best of the best!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">One thing I hoped to accomplish when I created <i>Hello, New Day</i> was to share some of the extraordinary creativity that is out there in the blogosphere. I am constantly amazed and inspired by what I see and now I will be able to share that with you!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">So, without further adieu, let's get to the first edition of <span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bee's Knees</b></span>!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">This week, in honor of SNAP!, I'd like to share three of my favorite projects (<i>from any time, not just this past week</i>) from 3 bloggers who will be speaking at the conference. These ladies are my blogging heroes and I'm pretty sure I'll turn into a bumbling idiot if I get the chance to meet them this weekend. :)</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6leKnyXQM/T43so6M1MbI/AAAAAAAABiU/d3cUTUE33Ss/s1600/LittleBee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6leKnyXQM/T43so6M1MbI/AAAAAAAABiU/d3cUTUE33Ss/s1600/LittleBee.png" /></a></div>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/01/laundry-room-reveal-part-2-yes.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Laundry Room Reveal - <i>The House of Smiths</i></span></a></u></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1yu6Gb26nI/T435e66E6RI/AAAAAAAABik/gojY-t_rUtg/s1600/Laundry+room+and+mags+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1yu6Gb26nI/T435e66E6RI/AAAAAAAABik/gojY-t_rUtg/s1600/Laundry+room+and+mags+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1yu6Gb26nI/T435e66E6RI/AAAAAAAABik/gojY-t_rUtg/s1600/Laundry+room+and+mags+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1yu6Gb26nI/T435e66E6RI/AAAAAAAABik/gojY-t_rUtg/s400/Laundry+room+and+mags+017.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sTkyVwRsM/T431Uaj3TmI/AAAAAAAABic/hTW43bV5ZSs/s1600/Laundry+Room+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7sTkyVwRsM/T431Uaj3TmI/AAAAAAAABic/hTW43bV5ZSs/s400/Laundry+Room+Image.jpg" width="220" /></a> </div>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/01/laundry-room-reveal-part-2-yes.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><b>This</b></span></a> is the blog post that started it all. A couple of years ago I stumbled upon Shelley's blog when she wrote about redoing her laundry room. I love EVERYTHING about this project and I guess it will always have a special place in my heart since it was this post that kept me coming back to Shelley's blog and from there to other creative blogs, which all inspired me to create Hello, New Day. Shelley continues to inspire with fun projects and fun reading. Check out her latest projects at <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/" style="color: #3d85c6;" target="_blank">The House of Smiths</a> like her recent entryway closet makeover!<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></center><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6leKnyXQM/T43so6M1MbI/AAAAAAAABiU/d3cUTUE33Ss/s1600/LittleBee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6leKnyXQM/T43so6M1MbI/AAAAAAAABiU/d3cUTUE33Ss/s1600/LittleBee.png" /></a></div>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/03/painting-a-kitchen-table/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Painting a Kitchen Table - <i>Centsational Girl</i></span></a></u></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;">Kate, from the amazing blog, <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Centsational Girl</span></a>, is another blogging/DIY gal whom I admire. I've read her blog for about as long as Shelley's and I am always super impressed with the projects that Kate tackles. Recently she gave an ugly, $45 thrift-store table a makeover that you've got to <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/03/painting-a-kitchen-table/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>see</b></span></a> to believe! It's one of those projects that makes me excited to check in on her blog everyday. I always look forward to seeing what Kate has to share. </center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></center><br />
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<center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/01/stenciled-ceiling.html" target="_blank">Stenciled Ceiling - <i>Not Just a Housewife</i></a></u></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I found Stacy's blog, <a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/" target="_blank">Not Just a Housewife</a>, about a year ago when she shared her stenciled ceiling project. Who says ceilings need to be painted white? Check out what Stacy did to the <a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/01/stenciled-ceiling.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">ceiling in her master bedroom</span></a>! </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Again, it's this level of creativity that just makes me practically giddy! Genius!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">These three blogging girls will be at SNAP! And so will <b><span style="font-size: large;">57</span></b> other unbelievably awesome creative bloggers. It's really like the "Who's Who" of the Creative Blogging world. And those are just the <i>speakers</i>!! There are a bunch of other very cool bloggers who are attending this conference. It'll be awesome and I'll be sure to keep you posted on what's going on at the conference. Make sure you're following me on Twitter if you're interested in real-time updates. I'm learning how to tweet and will do my best to tweet often!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Thank you for stopping by Hello, New Day today! I wish you a fantastic day and I hope that you've found a bit of inspiration here.</center><center>
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<center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Hello, dear reader!</center><center style="text-align: center;">I'm just popping in with a little update on Hello, New Day.</center><center style="text-align: center;">When I started this blog 2 months ago, I jumped in head first to the whole blogging experience.</center><center style="text-align: center;">It's been amazing and sooooo much fun!</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">And now that I have a tiny bit of experience under my belt, I'm going to take some time off to focus on which direction I'd like to go with Hello, New Day and to develop some fun ideas I have for the blog.</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Since my kiddos are on Spring Break from school</center><center style="text-align: center;">I'll be spending more time with them and less time in front of the computer this week.</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">And then next week I'm attending <a href="http://www.snaptheconference.com/about/" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">SNAP</span></a>!</center><center style="text-align: center;">This is a 3-day creative blogger conference and I'm absolutely giddy about the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the women whose creative blogs I admire so much!</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">I will continue to participate in <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a>'s photo-a-day challenge.</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">My photos will show up daily</center><center style="text-align: center;">on the sidebar of Hello, New Day,</center><center style="text-align: center;">on my Instagram and Twitter feeds, and</center><center style="text-align: center;">on Hello, New Day's Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelloNewDayBlog" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">page</span></a>.</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you soon!</center><center style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFwGzeLx2ig/T4Ng68jvm4I/AAAAAAAABdc/u8Spjvj0V1E/s1600/Birdie3lightpink.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFwGzeLx2ig/T4Ng68jvm4I/AAAAAAAABdc/u8Spjvj0V1E/s200/Birdie3lightpink.png" width="75" /></a></center><center>
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</center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-27910948103399591472012-04-04T20:50:00.000-06:002012-04-04T20:50:06.685-06:00A Month in Photos: March 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some of my favorite photos from March:</div>
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Elliott enjoying the chocolate frosting from his birthday cake.</div>
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Sophie wants her cat treat right now.</div>
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Elliott with his new Mario Party 9 Wii game.</div>
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Jon teaching Elliott to ride a bike.</div>
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Jon celebrated a birthday this month.</div>
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My favorite snack: chocolate-covered espresso beans.</div>
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Elliott at his birthday dinner with Emma, Ethan, and Grandpa.</div>
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And I had a great time with Fat Mum Slim's Photo-a-Day <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2012/02/thank-you-march-photo-day-starts.html" target="_blank">Challenge </a>for March!</div>
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Here's the recap:</div>
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<center><br /></center><center><br /></center></center></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13907928111018345039noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784387671377404198.post-30237881966625445732012-04-03T18:02:00.000-06:002012-04-06T12:26:29.308-06:00Easter Tulle Wreath and Easter Canvas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday I told you I had <i>one </i>more Easter craft to share with you, but really I have two. :)<br />
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The other day when I went to print a Michael's coupon from their website, I found a tulle wreath <a href="http://www.michaels.com/Tulle-Wreath/29448,default,pd.html" target="_blank">tutorial </a>and thought it was so cute and looked easy (I just can't pass up a cute, easy craft!) I followed their directions but I cut the tulle to 22" instead of 30". And I added the little egg ornaments (found at Michael's for 40% off) that I hung with some hemp yarn that I had. The letters are just stickers that I stuck on the eggs!<br />
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I was planning on only making the Easter wreath but I got carried away when I saw this gorgeous canvas art on Pinterest. It sells at an awesome online <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/" target="_blank">store</a> for over $300. Really. I <i>love, love, love</i> the idea of the white, raised letters on a white canvas.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xh3bkt6VsOQ/T3uCjHfyEoI/AAAAAAAABak/L0KnMkB2uCs/s1600/happily+ever+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xh3bkt6VsOQ/T3uCjHfyEoI/AAAAAAAABak/L0KnMkB2uCs/s320/happily+ever+after.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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So this is what I made. A simple, understated piece of Easter canvas art. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCahxFq5_e0/T3uObwdzxhI/AAAAAAAABbk/KOOr8UOS7l4/s1600/DSCN5311_edited-1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCahxFq5_e0/T3uObwdzxhI/AAAAAAAABbk/KOOr8UOS7l4/s640/DSCN5311_edited-1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My canvas version only cost $11! I already had the spray paint and the other items were on sale plus I used a coupon.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xDKnPA0s-M/T3uFkPfmoCI/AAAAAAAABa0/8rQvm9sAI-o/s1600/DSCN5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xDKnPA0s-M/T3uFkPfmoCI/AAAAAAAABa0/8rQvm9sAI-o/s400/DSCN5282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was simply a matter of gluing the wood letters to the canvas and spray painting the whole thing white.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsQOD0SufNo/T3uOpARWBfI/AAAAAAAABbs/u3_AWSw_5jM/s1600/DSCN5327b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsQOD0SufNo/T3uOpARWBfI/AAAAAAAABbs/u3_AWSw_5jM/s640/DSCN5327b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's been a fun, craft-filled day! Thanks so much for stopping by!<br />
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