tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50223188347154300422024-03-14T01:58:04.440-04:00simply plain janejanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-62541663481758254332013-06-27T15:32:00.000-04:002013-06-27T15:32:09.214-04:00this just in:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Coming soon...</div>
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After more than two years of longing for a bigger family, we are THRILLED to announce a new little family member. He/She is just the size of a peach, but is very present in all of our hearts! If I dare say a word about my two children I am quickly corrected by Anna and Elisha that I have three children now! We can't wait until sometime around New Year's Eve when we get meet this little one face to face. We can't wait until next week or so when we will find out whether we are expecting a brother or sister.<br />
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Anna and Elisha are now sharing a room-- and loving it! I have bought boy colors and girls colors of gorgeous yarn so I'll be ready start a nice warm baby blanket as soon as we know who he/she is ;-)<br />
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Our hearts are just so so full of thanksgiving!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-9650146954065385222013-01-26T11:02:00.001-05:002013-01-26T11:02:15.323-05:00The Hen : An AppreciationAhhh! E.B. White's <u><a href="http://www.rootsimple.com/2013/01/the-hen-an-appreciation/#">The Hen: An Appreciation</a></u>. All you backyard chickeners will enjoy his little blurb.<br />
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We are eagerly waiting for the days to get longer and longer and our chickens to lay more and more eggs... And I am wanting more chickens. I want to be patient and wait for one of our girls to feel drawn to motherhood... At which point I will sneak some fertilized eggs underneath her and let her do all the work of caring for the babies. But, it is hard to be patient. I am ready for some more bitties!<br />
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My mother has convinced me that I must do an oil painting of the above photo... I have decided where I will put it when it is finished, but I have not decided when and where I will do the toxic fume, messy work...hmmm. And what if my paint has all dried up? There are downsides to being an artist of many many varied mediums (as my husband can assure you whenever we try to organize and clear out our basement- my workshop)!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-19184765260400692612012-10-04T22:06:00.000-04:002012-10-04T22:06:50.907-04:00meet my 20 year old crafty (crafted) friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mother gave me a box a while ago that was full of odds and ends... old photographs, letters, yearbooks... and these little girlies. I remember so vividly spending all afternoon pouring over toothpicks and embroidery floss with my cousin. We would wrap the thread around a toothpick and wet it... when it dried, you had lovely curls. We designed their outfits and hair styles. Magic moments of being lost in childhood creativity. I know my cousin treasures those memories, because when I was visiting her the other day I found a few of her little toothpick girls mixed in with her sewing notions ;-)<br />
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Amazing that the curls have lasted at least 20 years!<br />
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I decided that it was time to give these girls a proper home (20 yrs old seems like a good age for getting your own place right ;-)<br />
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An Altoid box, scrapbook paper, glue, ribbon and a VERY quick, VERY tiny sewing project and these ladies are set!<br />
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and there you have it, TA DA!<br />
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** these are what we call restaurant toys. they are only played with while we are dining out or in particular places- like waiting rooms. small and lightweight for my purse...and something that I like to be supervising, so they don't get destroyed or lost (my daughter is only 3;-)janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-4448206352277806552012-09-17T22:34:00.000-04:002012-09-17T22:34:03.360-04:00ummm.... hi, my name is jane.I feel like I need to reintroduce myself. I feel like it has been forever since I have been 'here'. While I'm sure it hasn't been all THAT long, I do feel like a bit of a different person. You see, I have a new job. My becoming a Kindergarten teacher (of one child... my own) directly corresponds with my blog break. This year I expect that I will not be blogging quite as much... but if you are interested in what my world looks like when I'm not blogging about it, you can check out the pictures I am posting on Instagram. I have put a gallery of updating pics on the side bar and you can click on them to see them larger on the webstagram website. I instagram a lot... Love the "insta" aspect! But, I do have a number of things to show and tell... so maybe I'll post more often than I expect. You know, now that we are reacquainted and all ;-)janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-31594888515313311202012-07-11T16:20:00.002-04:002012-07-11T16:21:13.821-04:00July fourthing concluded<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We returned a while ago from our delightful annual mountain trip with Andrew's family. We have developed some traditions that are becoming quite dear to us and I imagine our children will have wonderful associations with these "July 4th" things that we enjoy so much...</div>
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~The road trip that includes a stop for produce and boiled peanuts...</div>
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~And, of course, includes some projects for Mama to work on in the car and continue working on on the porch all week. This year I worked on binding my sister's wedding quilt and knitting a sweater for Anna (because I don't know how I could get through July without starting a sweater ;-)</div>
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~Silly red,white, and blue attire and pinwheels.</div>
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~Family pictures.</div>
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~The perfect small town American parade including bright sunshine, gathering handfuls of candy off the steaming asphalt, and waving to various county politicians and family reunion groups in the procession.</div>
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~Lots of great cousin time... especially matching cousin time;-)</div>
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~Enjoying all our meals on the front porch picnic tables.</div>
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~Eating our homemade peach ice cream on the porch swing and going straight back for seconds.</div>
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~Everyone bringing their garden produce to share... this year we enjoyed an afternoon shelling a MESS of black eyed peas from our garden.</div>
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~ Some close encounters with the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/elk.htm">elk of Cataloochee</a> during our evening hike and picnic there.</div>
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~ a little antiquing here and there...</div>
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~ and coming home tired, but refreshed!</div>
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<br />janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-83847801784273684312012-06-28T14:41:00.002-04:002012-06-28T14:47:54.261-04:00getting your flag colors on!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mother-in-law requested that we wear our "flag colors" on the forth of July for a big family photograph. I don't know about you, but I don't really have a lot of "flag colored" clothing. Well, I have plenty of white... some blue... not much red, but really nothing that combines them all together in a festive patriotic way. So--- I did a quick little project and now I'm set for years ;-)</div>
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I saw this little appliqued tank project in a sewing book that passed through my hands a while ago. I'm sorry to say that I'm not sure which one it was... But, all you need is a few scalloped pieces of wonder-under and fabric scraps... couldn't be simpler.<br />
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If you would like a refresher on the applique process, here is a <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/02/tutorial-applique-blossom-sweater.html">link</a> to a previous tutorial that walks you through the steps.<br />
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So, how about you? Do you dress in festive attire on the 4th? My grandfather alway wore a sequined red and white striped tie and had a special "flag color" painted cane for the occasion. Sometimes I really miss decorating my bike with red,white, and blue streamers for our neighborhood parade! Maybe Andrew will consent to some streamers on our car? ;-)janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-27840521815148605952012-06-25T07:00:00.000-04:002012-06-25T07:00:03.352-04:00tiniest mary janes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a WHILE since I made a pair of my favorite baby shoes... I had to sit and scratch my head for a minute to remember the steps in order. There was a <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-things-have-found-home.html">time</a> when I was making quite a few!<br />
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A friend of mine is having her third baby, but first girl... so of course I had to make her some absolutely, adorably girlie tiny shoes for her Sprinkle. In our group, you get a Baby Shower first go 'round and a Sprinkle for subsequent babies... I love a Sprinkle. We get together for dinner on a weeknight and eat yummy stuff (more often than not a baked brie is involved) while we share birth stories, and laugh over potty training disasters, and then settle down to finding out what is weighing most on the soon-to-birth mother's heart and then pray for her and her family. It is such a very sweet and treasured time.<br />
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But, back to these little mary janes... they are wonderful... they stay on, they are cute, and they are lined with the softest felted cashmere from a recycled goodwill sweater.<br />
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I took a few pictures (some very poor quality) of my process... I can write out a full tutorial (and maybe add a few more pics even?) on this if you want me to, but you are going to have to sweet talk me into it ... just kidding, really all it takes is just commenting that you are interested ;-) sometimes I feel like I'm sending this out into oblivion. And if the pictures are enough to get you started on a pair of your own, I would LOVE to see a pic... tiny shoes just make my day!<br />
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<br />janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-28712780931043552032012-06-21T07:11:00.000-04:002012-06-21T07:11:00.326-04:00too hot to handle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What do you get when you take an old worn out pot holder, some fabric scraps and few minutes of your time?<br />
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I have noticed that the main pot holder I grab most of the time is not lovely. at all. Something about the size, shape, and thickness must be just right, though, because I use it a lot. I'm not even sure where it came from (if you recognize it as your own, feel free to claim it ;-). The other night I was carrying stuff down to the basement while waiting for water to boil. I grabbed the pot holder on my way and decided to make it look a bit more presentable. The pieced front was stitched together before the water boiled. I LOVE and quick project like this... My most used potholder now makes me so much happier every time I use it and I didn't have to put more than 15 minutes towards giving it a makeover.<br />
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As my mama always said, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> thing </span>of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">beauty</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>is a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">joy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> forever</span></i></span>."<br />
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<br />janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-41873472759674928602012-06-18T22:31:00.000-04:002012-06-19T14:59:26.230-04:00how does your garden grow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ours is well on it's way. We have been enjoying a cherry tomato here and there... plenty of basil and squash... and the beans are about to start really kicking!<br />
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We have spent a good bit of time in our garden getting ready for our tiny informal community garden tour... it is always nice to have a reason to get everything tended to and looking nice at the same time. I think everyone was here to see the chickens, but we used it as a reason to tidy up all the spaces in our yard.<br />
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The garden path was weeded and mulched.<br />
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Our gorgeous Snowflake hydrangea only needed to be told how absolutely beautiful she is!<br />
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The hosta hill was weeded and tucked into a fresh bed of pine straw.<br />
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Our work in progress waited patiently until the tour was over and then we finished framing two more walls...this <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/05/celebrating-5-castles-in-sky.html">little playhouse</a> is swiftly becoming a reality (and a berry juice restaurant -- there are wild blackberries growing behind it and Elisha has been smushing them and dropping them into water to serve us ;-)<br />
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This lovely blue hydrangea was also happy to just look lovely with no help from us... it is no wonder I love a hydrangeas so!<br />
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My lambs wool is also doing just fine on her own thank you very much...and has received glowing reports on her children ( I have divided and shared from this huge thriving plant with great success).</div>
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This was the biggest ordeal we tackled lately. I do not like heights. My husband does not like heights. However, we spent a good bit of time on friday at the top of a tall ladder and hanging out of the upstairs window getting this Lady Banks rose tamed. I kept asking myself if it was worth it. I have a feeling that come next March when it is in glorious full, fragrant bloom I will be so glad that we went to the trouble.<br />
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We have enjoyed being the token youngsters in our community garden... and it was great fun to introduce them to <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/02/baby-princess-goes-to-school.html">Baby Princess</a> and share some sweet tea and deviled backyard eggs.janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-70058280282411544522012-06-07T07:30:00.000-04:002012-06-07T07:30:00.142-04:00got holes? ... a towel repair tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Isn't it a shame that the towels that get holes are the well loved, worn in, favorite ones? I am pretty pleased to have my nice old towel back in the game... with a lovely addition. It will certainly be a favorite again! Do you want one?</div>
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Grab your holey towel...<br />
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And some Pellon Wonder Under iron on adhesive and fabric scraps big enough to cover the hole.<br />
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I cut my Wonder Under out into two birds(that would be big enough to cover my holes) while I had it folded... so I then had two of each bird, mirrored. Iron the Wonder Under to your fabric and cut the shapes out.<br />
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** I used birds, but be inspired by the size shape and placement of the hole/holes you have to cover... you can use design for this project. And, yes, I was laughing at myself and thinking of the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo">put a bird on it</a>" clip from Portlandia... but what can I say- I like them.<br />
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These mirrored pairs are for covering the holes from both sides of the towel.<br />
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Peel the back paper off and iron the birds onto the towel covering the holes strategically. Then, stitch around the edges on your sewing machine.<br />
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Notice the back side of the towel... you can see the hole and the stitches. Use the stitches to help you line up the other pair of birds directly over the back side of the first pair. Iron the second pair down into place.<br />
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Stitch around the edge. I actually like to go around several times to get a flowy movement with my edge line. (I like how it masks any imperfections ;)<br />
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Ta Da! Now, if I could figure out how to give second life to my favorite pj pants that are disintegrating!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-7404119744479274012012-06-05T15:17:00.001-04:002012-06-05T15:17:39.690-04:00snapshots: an instagram update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought I'd give a little glimpse into life here as of late. Here are some highlights from the pictures I have posted on instagram. For those of you who are my instagram friends- sorry for the redundancy!</div>
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My father-in-law shared his abundance! This was only part of one day's harvest! I shredded some to freeze for squash bread later, broiled chunks for burritos, grilled halves (tossed with olive oil and salt/pepper), and finished off the last few as battered and fried slices. Yum!<br />
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Car quilting... that is why I like road trips ;-)<br />
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It is amazing how some bright colored shoes can add a little spring to your step. I've been enjoying the loan of my sister's shoes... she let me borrow them because Anna loved them so much!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M162mP2hisg/T8164ruu1oI/AAAAAAAABy0/ezItQQ7c_bg/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M162mP2hisg/T8164ruu1oI/AAAAAAAABy0/ezItQQ7c_bg/s640/IMG_2858.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Speaking of spring in your step... if hot pink shoes can do it, imagine how thrilling it is to wear this get up!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Grh-QTjpUrg/T816_HPGHdI/AAAAAAAABy8/mKWlvpqDjOQ/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Grh-QTjpUrg/T816_HPGHdI/AAAAAAAABy8/mKWlvpqDjOQ/s640/IMG_2892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A family photo op at the water war b'day party. It was a BIG hit. ... with the boys. Anna decided that she doesn't like boys. Considering what a flirt she can be at this young age, I'm kind of o.k. with her current decision and hope she retains it through high school :-)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXGjybriDhM/T817DMIi-ZI/AAAAAAAABzE/deEA4K-E2wI/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXGjybriDhM/T817DMIi-ZI/AAAAAAAABzE/deEA4K-E2wI/s640/IMG_2917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have made big progress on our play house... like true Southerners, we prioritized the front porch.janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-91668133332341082432012-05-31T12:47:00.000-04:002012-06-19T14:59:47.438-04:00celebrating 5. castles in the sky.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have been celebrating some more birthdays this week. We spent the weekend in Alabama celebrating with Andrew's grandfather (he and Elisha share a birthday... not too gracefully- they enjoy bantering back and forth about whose birthday it is ;-)... Andrew was celebrated on Sunday and then we came home to celebrate Elisha on Monday. We wanted to be home so that he could thoroughly enjoy his gift:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-yEG8tkUhA/T8YyWf3WowI/AAAAAAAABws/HMIrFfRC_w0/s1600/IMG_2816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-yEG8tkUhA/T8YyWf3WowI/AAAAAAAABws/HMIrFfRC_w0/s640/IMG_2816.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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We decided that building a house with Daddy would be this little guy's dream come true. He is always asking us to do projects with him... a number of times he has piled the scarp wood he can scavenge around the yard and claimed to be building a house. Now it is official! In the morning he did a treasure hunt with drawn clues to find his instruction manual... He loves to follow directions (or at least study them with importance), so I sketched out some drawings of the process for him to decipher.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg2-j0IR3IQ/T8YyYg69-GI/AAAAAAAABw0/tznu_i6LMNY/s1600/IMG_2849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg2-j0IR3IQ/T8YyYg69-GI/AAAAAAAABw0/tznu_i6LMNY/s640/IMG_2849.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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And, you can't get through birthday month around here with out a cream cheese pound cake! I made the bouquet to show Elisha all the flowers that bloom around his birthday. We have some irises that bloom on Anna's birthday and we call them her birthday flowers... As we watch them getting closer to blooming we talk about how her birthday is approaching. Elisha had been asking, "what are my birthday flowers?" ... Well, as you can see late May has many many birthday flower options!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">building team making plans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UULOgWwmIzY/T8YyiF-qhrI/AAAAAAAABxE/wbZqwfN1CkQ/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UULOgWwmIzY/T8YyiF-qhrI/AAAAAAAABxE/wbZqwfN1CkQ/s640/DSC_0243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">supply list and first steps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">door and window detail. more process directions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwXpf9YkkQA/T8YypzOFScI/AAAAAAAABxk/mUVO5MZJgOQ/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwXpf9YkkQA/T8YypzOFScI/AAAAAAAABxk/mUVO5MZJgOQ/s640/DSC_0246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last steps</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtsGRB6SBPQ/T8Yy12aZlzI/AAAAAAAABxs/v09PwrqSG7Y/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtsGRB6SBPQ/T8Yy12aZlzI/AAAAAAAABxs/v09PwrqSG7Y/s640/IMG_2821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think my newly five year old is looking pretty pleased with our summer project ;)janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-21464259115132334682012-05-24T14:33:00.001-04:002012-05-25T15:04:29.389-04:00birds of a feather...nestled<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/--diUvGzdAHA/T71e_YXoEKI/AAAAAAAABwg/2tlqmuCf2IA/s1600/feathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--diUvGzdAHA/T71e_YXoEKI/AAAAAAAABwg/2tlqmuCf2IA/s400/feathers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/05/quilt-market-anna-maria-horner.html">from sew sweetness blog</a></td></tr>
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Have you seen this pieced feather? Well, it was made by <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">Anna Maria Horner</a>... I love it.</div>
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So, when I was trying to decide what to put on the front panel of the wrap I was making for my cousin's first baby (who was born friday night and I have been helping with the past few days... Oh- delightful!) what do you think came to mind? You must know me well ;-) Of course I had to copy Anna Maria! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tz-_UnRUrc/T71cC2DY0HI/AAAAAAAABwI/5l5bb-lIipc/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tz-_UnRUrc/T71cC2DY0HI/AAAAAAAABwI/5l5bb-lIipc/s640/DSC_0238.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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Here is tiny baby in her feathered pouch... if you are interested in a step by step of how I made the feather follow right along(I have no doubt that Anna Maria had it refined a bit more- you are getting my first copy cat attempt).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iicvXE_RTAE/T71FD23_YMI/AAAAAAAABuQ/kL9_rl4evd0/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iicvXE_RTAE/T71FD23_YMI/AAAAAAAABuQ/kL9_rl4evd0/s640/DSC_0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I paper pieced the colorful sides, so here is my paper. (The shape should be narrower at one end- I forgot and fixed that later).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu3lfNHDwgg/T71HvHeC-hI/AAAAAAAABuc/JSSnKG8CgRk/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu3lfNHDwgg/T71HvHeC-hI/AAAAAAAABuc/JSSnKG8CgRk/s640/DSC_0241.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sewed strips of fabric together on top of the paper at an angle and ironed each strip open as I went along. When paper piecing set the stitch length tight; this will help the paper be very perforated and easy to tear away.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfcbHtetwNQ/T71H6iPO9AI/AAAAAAAABuk/zw88o3gX7CI/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfcbHtetwNQ/T71H6iPO9AI/AAAAAAAABuk/zw88o3gX7CI/s640/DSC_0242.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When this step is finished, the back should look about like this.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73TZW9o67m8/T71IG-cdFJI/AAAAAAAABus/KFCPpbyg4h4/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73TZW9o67m8/T71IG-cdFJI/AAAAAAAABus/KFCPpbyg4h4/s640/DSC_0244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then you trim off the excess fabric to get it into the shape of the template/base paper.<br />
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Now tear the paper off of the back.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQcj7h9Umms/T71IWyqsooI/AAAAAAAABu8/jWzRIvxvfMw/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQcj7h9Umms/T71IWyqsooI/AAAAAAAABu8/jWzRIvxvfMw/s640/DSC_0238.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One down, one to go....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pmxZBZmQ1E/T71IeRYoVwI/AAAAAAAABvE/RwdMlCENCeg/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pmxZBZmQ1E/T71IeRYoVwI/AAAAAAAABvE/RwdMlCENCeg/s640/DSC_0247.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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When colored pieces are finished, you sew them to a piece of background fabric that looks about this shape.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yea6if0u90/T71IjjD66zI/AAAAAAAABvM/uBzAt8sRLLI/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yea6if0u90/T71IjjD66zI/AAAAAAAABvM/uBzAt8sRLLI/s640/DSC_0248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Match up the edges the way you would pieces of bias stripes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJB_ygXpy6w/T71IpK63MbI/AAAAAAAABvU/144f8C20XAE/s1600/DSC_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJB_ygXpy6w/T71IpK63MbI/AAAAAAAABvU/144f8C20XAE/s640/DSC_0249.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Next, sew your center strip to both side pieces.<br />
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Add little triangles to close in the top...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1zsdjB44V8/T71I9ckh4rI/AAAAAAAABvk/9kr-IZ4n3yM/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1zsdjB44V8/T71I9ckh4rI/AAAAAAAABvk/9kr-IZ4n3yM/s640/DSC_0251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then, add background fabric to the sides... Ta Da -- feather complete. Now, what to do with it?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoPReIkkPCc/T71JLHfWhRI/AAAAAAAABvs/Q36NH69Tazk/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoPReIkkPCc/T71JLHfWhRI/AAAAAAAABvs/Q36NH69Tazk/s640/DSC_0252.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sewed more background fabric until I had a square that measured about 16"X16". I sewed a free form feather to finish the design. Then, I hemmed the top edge under.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QByzmJG7sQ/T71JX9Uj13I/AAAAAAAABv0/I8xg_RTzR9k/s1600/DSC_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QByzmJG7sQ/T71JX9Uj13I/AAAAAAAABv0/I8xg_RTzR9k/s640/DSC_0253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I ironed all my edges under and pinned the two sides and the bottom to the center of my jersey. (to make a <a href="http://www.mobywrap.com/">moby</a> type wrap you use a ~20" X 5.5 yard piece (give or take depending on size of intended wearer) of jersey fabric. I like a medium weight that is mostly cotton with a little bit of lycra).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ4IMbFPsr0/T71JnZFD1bI/AAAAAAAABv8/_XBn7rJcPa4/s1600/DSC_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ4IMbFPsr0/T71JnZFD1bI/AAAAAAAABv8/_XBn7rJcPa4/s640/DSC_0254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sew the three sides down using a coordinating thread. (The white feather looks splotchy because I had just sprayed it to erase my marker sketch.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0BBSYuX6dU/T71cfiMc85I/AAAAAAAABwQ/0bYIBbxF5K4/s1600/DSC_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0BBSYuX6dU/T71cfiMc85I/AAAAAAAABwQ/0bYIBbxF5K4/s640/DSC_0242.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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See the handy pocket for keys and dipes? The panel is also nice for marking the center when putting on the wrap.<br />
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Peep eye ;-)</div>
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<br />janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-85133841476170424922012-05-17T08:30:00.000-04:002012-05-21T13:47:23.500-04:00queen of pops!Confession:<br />
I have been attacked with an obsession. Have you heard of "<a href="http://kingofpops.net/">King of Pops</a>"? They are a wonderful popsicle company here in Atlanta... fresh, healthy, sometimes seasonal, creative, and VeRy delicious! ... But.... at $2.50 a pop (;-) my husband is less than thrilled by the fact that I consider having stumbled upon one of their cute carts around town feels like enough of an occasion to celebrate with a popsicle for everyone (that means more flavors to taste!).<br />
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So, to relieve family tensions and appease my unending popsicle craving, I have accepted my challenge--- to make deliciously creative and healthy-ish pops of my own. My first attempt was so yummy the fam titled me the "queen of pops". It was blueberry, lemon/limeade, mint...uummm! As the King of Pops says,"frozen happiness on a stick"!<br />
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Here is a mold like the one I just got... I like that it is smallish and you can make 8 in the tray at a time. One thing that slowed me down with popsicle making before was waiting until all the pops were eaten to start a new set and then having a hard time keeping up with the sticks. I just bought 150 popsicle sticks for $2.50 at Michaels, so we shouldn't have that problem anymore. You just wait an hour or so after putting them in the freezer to put the sticks in -- that will keep the stick centered. I am pulling them all out and putting them into a ziploc when they are frozen that way I can start a new batch before the previous batch has been consumed.<br />
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Now, as far as recipes go, the internet (and some cute books) seems to be full of options. I read a few to get ideas (and looked at the flavor list on the <a href="http://kingofpops.net/flavors">King of Pops website</a>)... but then I just added stuff until it seemed right. I think it needs to seem plenty sweet as a liquid in order to be sweet enough frozen.<br />
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My Blueberry Mint Lemon/Limeade was a generous handful of frozen blueberries, maybe 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, 2 cups Country Time lemonade (premixed), lime juice, and a few sprigs of fresh mint -- tossed it the blender and poured in the mold.<br />
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For the Salted Chocolate Banana, I melted about 1/3 cup dark chocolate morsels in about 2 cups whole milk, added about 1/8 cup coco powder, 2 ts flour, 1/4 vanilla yogurt, bit of sugar, and sea salt to taste. I put a few chunks of very ripe banana into each pop mold and poured my chocolate mixture on top.<br />
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My Tropical Treat is about 2/3 cup canned pineapple, 3/4 cup pineapple juice, 1 cup orange juice,a handful of grapes, and a dash of honey blended in the blender and poured over kiwi slices.<br />
When my basil has really taken off you can bet I will be incorporating it into the mix!<br />
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All these measurements are approximate and you will have to adjust them to the amount needed to your popsicle molds, but I hope I have given you some inspiration and a feeling of freedom to freeze up some happiness in your home ;-)<br />
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:::edited to add--- I had a conversation with a King of Pops seller... I was digging for tips and figured out that they boil the fruit puree to make it have a more concentrated flavor... and they have a super yummy flavor- cookies and cream. It is chunks of actual chocolate chip cookies floating in a sea of frozen "cream" I know that they use sweetened condensed milk to make that "cream"... maybe that is all they use, maybe they do something to it, I haven't had the chance to experiment with it yet.<br />
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Guaranteed to turn your pouty child into a happy child ;-)<br />
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*** a happy child with blueberry (or any other popsicle flavor) on their face!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-81302328859056361002012-05-15T15:01:00.000-04:002012-05-15T15:01:08.284-04:00around here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">We have been enjoying what remains of our fall planted carrot patch. For those of you who have never grown your own carrots-- this is what they look like all cleaned up... pretty interesting characters, don't you think?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">We are thrilled to have a jar of VERY local honey. Some friends from our community garden have bees... We made a trade- eggs for honey. YUM!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">We have been enjoying the centerpieces leftover from my sister's wedding. I really love having a little of the beach on my table.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">I just love a simple project like </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><a href="http://whipstitchfabrics.com/blog/?s=denyse+zipper" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">! Denyse Schmidt taught a mini-workshop on making these pieced pouches... not only do they make great gifts, I'm thinking I could use a few more around here for organizing who-know-whats.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">Around here I have been wondering why on earth my tomato seedlings have stalled at this point for at least a month. What is the deal?!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">Our grass, on the other hand, has not stopped growing! Thankfully, my husband has a fairy princess brandishing her blankie, ever ready to help him keep that unruly grass in check ;-)</span>janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-26145776151688704582012-05-07T20:30:00.002-04:002012-05-07T20:30:42.159-04:00pretty in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was beyond thrilled when <a href="http://leahandmark.com/christina/">Christina</a> offered to take a few pictures for us to broaden her portfolio. She was so sweet and patient with my kids who were more interested in acting for an Oscar than smiling sweetly at the camera. It is such a pleasant surprise to find such lovely photographs in your inbox when you were certain your kids were never holding still enough to be anything but a blur! I love that we have their personalties captured, as well as their cute wedding clothes, our new door, and my "Little Folks" quilt (that I have yet to make a full finished post about...).</div>
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So So Lovely! Thank you Thank you Christina! I hope your internship with <a href="http://leahandmark.com/">Leah and Mark</a> is amazing and I hope that Atlanta folks will have you clicking away ;-)<br />
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p.s. - I think your <a href="http://homesayshello.blogspot.com/">blog</a> "Home says Hello" is really lovely too!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-10915450927411709472012-05-04T12:00:00.000-04:002012-05-04T12:00:01.121-04:00delicate details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some of the promised detail shots of the flower girl dress I made for Anna. It is so fun to look back at my <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/02/something-old.html">first blog post</a> about this project and see it could to life from the inspiration and laid out fabric... I worked on it for so long and tried it on her so often that I didn't have that Ah ha! moment when it was completed, but looking at these two posts back to back I am enjoying a little "wow! it really became what it was supposed to, and it is lovely" moment. Thanks for sharing it with me ;-)</div>
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<br />janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-9454900491768458872012-05-03T14:58:00.000-04:002012-05-03T14:58:15.676-04:00fully celebrated.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gathering at the water cooler</td></tr>
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Take a nice spring evening and add some friends, music, cake, fun party favors (procured during a late night wandering through Target), a bucket of ice to entertain the youngest ones, and a boo-oo-tiful bike for the birthday girl and you'll have a very celebrated birthday.janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-52805694664656852532012-05-01T16:34:00.003-04:002012-05-01T16:34:25.687-04:00an 'all the way big girl'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Guess who turned three today?!<br />
Elisha has been telling Anna that she is kind of a big girl, kind of a baby until she turns three-- then she will be a big girl all the way.... Oh my! that day has arrived.<br />
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Our tiny dancer will have a casual little back yard dance party to celebrate (She is quite the entertainer- dancing and singing most of the time). Parties are nice... but, I think this little girl is going to grow up feeling like a birthday is not a birthday without a mama-made birthday dress. I have been so busy that I decided that I wasn't going to bother with a handmade dress this year... but it turns out I can't let go of this little tradition. This year I even let Anna help pick out the fabric- a darling Moda print by Oliver+S ( it is in the Cape Ann collection).<br />
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I originally thought I would do a simple smocked (with elastic thread) top, but then decided on a sleeveless yoke. Well, I was winging it and it just didn't lay right. So, I moved right on back to plan A. If at first you don't succeed chop it off and move on;)</div>
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The elastic smocked top is so easy to do and very wearable. Before I sewed the elastic thread onto the top, I attached the pink skirt... I am so pleased with how the little box pleated gathers turned out with the rick rack peeking out! The criss-crossed straps work so well to keep them from sliding off her little shoulders.<br />
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I was going to use those fabulous peach buttons on the back of the yoked top that was scrapped and I just had to find a place for them on the new version. While they are not functional in the least, they are mighty cute.<br />
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Here is a little glimpse at how our tradition started: The two year old birthday dress, and...<br />
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...the first birthday dress. Time flies!<br />
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Nothing says "all the way big girl" like a big girl bike. We had a nice little pajama ride this morning after she was thrilled with this birthday surprise.<br />
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And then we had a little celebrating with her preschool class. And with that our marathon birthday month has officially been kicked off-- one down, three to go!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-71732013725650086302012-04-24T22:39:00.000-04:002012-04-24T22:55:15.484-04:00they're hitched!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo snagged from Alan Garcia off of facebook</td></tr>
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Driving home the night after my sister's wedding I was mesmerized by the tiniest sliver of a new waxing crescent moon that was on the horizon directly in front of us. Apparently, the spring is the only time that you can catch a glimpse of what they call the "newborn moon " before it sets... I just kept thinking about the new life, the new family that my sister and her husband have started. That moon looked so much like a little boat- a sliver of a canoe... I just imagined them riding off on the journey of their life together in that little moon boat.<br />
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The stars were so bright in the sky that night as we drove home...so clear, you could see them all. There was so much concern about rain over the wedding weekend as storm clouds moved in and out, threatening. A drop was felt here or there, but it held off for the ceremony and it was beautiful. Then, the rain came down as though celebrating during the sultry(sounds more romantic that humid right? ;) southern wedding.<br />
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The threat of the clouds made us realize what a gift that was-- that moment of time standing there with the wind blowing in from the ocean... with the weather holding so that we could all be out there on the spot that for the past fifteen years at least she had dreamed of having her wedding.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from my uncle Lindsay Holliday (I think?)</td></tr>
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Kelley McRae who is not only their friend, but also an incredible musician and songwriter sang t<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNwsp05mmBE">his</a> song as they left the ceremony... So lovely!<br />
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Anna and Elisha did a really great job as flower girl and ring bearer. Anna did, however, forget to throw the flowers until she got to the front and stood next to me... so I had a lovely little explosion of petals right in front of me... she also decided that she would rather stay at the front next to mama than go and sit with Big Mama (my mother). But the ceremony was a little long for one so small so she entertained herself (and the front rows of people) by turning her basket into a hat and she even started to do a little song about a bunny whose ears "go flop flop flop" just as they were saying their vows... luckily the breeze didn't carry the song very well and I don't think too many people noticed ;-)<br />
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The stormy weather really brought out the intoxicating fragrances- there was jasmine blooming everywhere, magnolias, and gardenias... I love to think of the olfactory connection we will have to that special weekend when we smell those scents!<br />
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The kids put up with all the photography after the wedding because of promises of wedding cake. So, of course they walk straight up to the cake table and camp out... when the cakes were finally cut they sat right in front of the table and went to town.<br />
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When I ask them what their favorite part of the wedding was... yep- cake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo snagged from Laura Rogers off of facebook</td></tr>
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Dancing came in a close second... and Elisha also enjoyed my lovely young cousin's company. She was the closest thing to a teenage girl there, and he has been telling us how much he likes teenage girls (HELP! What will I do when he is able to date those teenage girls!?!)<br />
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Andrew gets the super dad of the year award! I was completely unavailable for mothering pretty much the whole time. I did the centerpieces for the wedding and helped pull it together... I probably walked ten miles just carrying stuff back and forth, up and down. Andrew kept the kids out of the way and amazingly enough kept them from getting sunburned! He, however, didn't make it out so lucky...he really took one for the team ;-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DOMWguvZXXg/T5cR3wRg2pI/AAAAAAAABnA/Q9VY1mvTdnQ/s1600/485300_3155634286201_1125510301_32544580_2144378468_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DOMWguvZXXg/T5cR3wRg2pI/AAAAAAAABnA/Q9VY1mvTdnQ/s640/485300_3155634286201_1125510301_32544580_2144378468_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from my sis Betty Collins</td></tr>
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Ah, here they are- aren't they darling? I think this will be what my children envision as the quintessential wedding cake for the rest of their lives... big impression! I will know that it is this wedding cake that I have to blame when I can no longer fit into any of my clothes and people no longer recognize me. We brought home half of one of those big tiers and I have been working hard to get it out of my house... my main strategy being-- eat it fast so that it will stop tempting me ;-) It is SO good it MUST be 99% butter!<br />
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* We are going to have a photo shoot soon with the kids in their wedding clothes. Anna got chocolate on her dress before I had a chance to document it properly... so stay tuned- I promise to get some well photographed detail shots of her dress!<br />
**Speaking of photos... We didn't even take our nice camera out of the bag-- too busy making the wedding happen and enjoying it, so sorry for the poor quality phone pics and half of them I yanked off of facebook...janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-82523114616340485012012-04-17T15:50:00.001-04:002012-04-17T15:51:23.892-04:00Wedding bustleI am busily sewing up a storm in preparation for this wedding! I decided that I HAD to get their wedding quilt pieced... I know officially I have a year to get them their gift, but since I had SO much else I was sewing for the wedding I just had to work on the quilt too... Well, I am happy to say that it is ready to begin the hand quilting- hurray! And I will show off the flower girl dress completed and the ring pillow shortly;) I'm off to finish them!<br />
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<center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/17/2045.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/17/s_2045.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" /></a></center><br />
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonejanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-28845338934048979792012-04-14T18:06:00.001-04:002012-04-14T18:06:00.560-04:00<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/14/3202.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/14/s_3202.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There is nothing like the smell of water after a long day of garden work!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/14/3203.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/14/s_3203.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Popsicles make pretty good fuel for said garden work;) <br /><br />We had a full day - the morning was spent laboring in the community of our fellow garden members... Working in a garden together is such a great way to be 'with' other people. We don't all know each other that well, but there is a shared purpose and joy. It was really really nice.<br /><br />Then we made our way over to a bigger community garden to benefit from their plant sale (we have lots of new varieties of tomatoes to try- and some old faves). This is the best part of gardening- all the anticipation and hope tucked in with each new seed or seedling. Don't get me wrong, I do thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction of fresh tomato still warm from ripening on the vine... But the flutter of hope and anticipation reverberating around the spring landscape... Mmmm!<br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-57558867010488332752012-04-13T16:32:00.002-04:002012-04-13T16:32:26.861-04:00local gardeners take heed:The Oakhurst Community Garden in Decatur has a wonderful <a href="http://oakhurstgarden.org/events/plant-sale/">plant sale</a> this weekend... and after this weekend you can buy what is left on the honor system... We will be there to buy our FAVORITE varieties of tomatoes: Cherokee Purple and Brandywine... & Abe Lincoln and Super Sweet 100 are very good cherry tomatoes and we will get some of them as well...<br />
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Oh, Caprese Salad and Bread Salad here we come!!! I couldn't find a recipe for the bread salad I make to link to, but it is basically cubed garlic bread, pearls of mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, basil, pesto, and extra oil and balsamic vinegar--- mouth watering yet?janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-8885870670571108192012-04-12T16:11:00.000-04:002012-04-24T23:05:08.834-04:00proud as a peacock...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...That is what my whole family will be next month when my cousin had her first baby. That isn't really why I put a peacock on her baby sling -- I just thought it would be so lovely... and that is certainly a good enough reason to do something, in my book;-)</div>
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If you saw the <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/04/id-rather-have-roses-on-my-table-than.html">flowers</a> and <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/03/right-now.html">wreath</a> I made for her baby shower you will realize that I was pretty settled on a certain color scheme... coral, pink, orange, and turquoise are getting a lot of play these days.<br />
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I love love love a linen ring sling! I am going to be sure this new mama knows the trick to wearing this comfortably so that she and that new baby girl will be fond of their ring sling days together ;-)<br />
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A little touch of hand sewing makes a project feel so exquisite don't you think?<br />
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Making a ring sling is not very complicated- there are tons of tutorials online and you can get the rings from <a href="http://slingrings.com/">slingrings.com</a>. Here is a little glimpse behind the scenes of the applique process for the peacock:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inspiration</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of feathers!</td></tr>
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If you have missed some of my previous tutorials and want to more details on my applique process go <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/02/tutorial-applique-blossom-sweater.html">here for a blossom</a> and <a href="http://simplyplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/03/village-cardigan-tutorial.html">here for a cityscape</a>.janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022318834715430042.post-60340881505503788342012-04-10T08:28:00.000-04:002012-04-10T08:28:03.839-04:00hunting for eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Easter!</div>janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09056262116584600617noreply@blogger.com2