tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10147175260621231962024-03-05T13:42:04.966-08:00Little Bean WorkshopLittle Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-68010800706664414282013-02-04T12:09:00.000-08:002013-02-04T12:09:24.685-08:00Play Vet Clinic and Felt Band-Aid TutorialLittle Bean's favorite things to play with have always been her stuffed animals. And she has a ton. Thanks, in part, to my love of stuffed animals as a child that my mother held on to for me. She loves barbies too and just HAD to have a barbie house from Santa for Christmas. But, most often I catch her playing with her stuffed animals...feeding them lunch, tucking them into bed, etc.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1378184457"></span><span id="goog_1378184458"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODfmaka7hFkEvqOMMEqyfJTd8vMRWpfJJ1O8-X1oefcsjjJtfsW9tYpALFXhhxzRwrTprhkfb2TUxTdCkmlDHDiQYcTTd_IhfCX75bdFAAdMtNKuDQNfQUjkiS41Dw_I_A0dPGsjGGfI/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODfmaka7hFkEvqOMMEqyfJTd8vMRWpfJJ1O8-X1oefcsjjJtfsW9tYpALFXhhxzRwrTprhkfb2TUxTdCkmlDHDiQYcTTd_IhfCX75bdFAAdMtNKuDQNfQUjkiS41Dw_I_A0dPGsjGGfI/s400/IMG_2714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So, when a friend of mine pinned <a href="http://www.peanutblossom.com/blog/2013/01/hidden-corners-for-play.html/">THIS</a> on Pinterest, I knew that I had to come up with my own version of a play at home vet clinic for her. It cost me about $10 total. <br />
<br />
I picked up these cute wire baskets at the dollar store as well as the clipboard (below). And then I went to Hobby Lobby in search of some dry erase labels for the basket. I didn't find any, but I am glad since I saw packages of wooden stars instead ($1.50/4 stars). Once I got them home, I drilled holes in them and then painted them with leftover chalkboard paint that I had on hand. Then I just used some twine that I already had to tie them to the baskets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPHTYNgT3qZqIfzk13Na9iacQ-k0YML6ncvRqMKNm5k9M0IFbe9XeI_0WFiKiKLdwx_BW-Hf_VrCBEkgft68FttK_z-VssNvSf3QCQNhjp5EHYo75vpd3AmJ6adIOO3Ph21-hUFkxMdw/s1600/IMG_2716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPHTYNgT3qZqIfzk13Na9iacQ-k0YML6ncvRqMKNm5k9M0IFbe9XeI_0WFiKiKLdwx_BW-Hf_VrCBEkgft68FttK_z-VssNvSf3QCQNhjp5EHYo75vpd3AmJ6adIOO3Ph21-hUFkxMdw/s400/IMG_2716.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Now she can't exactly write or read a lot yet, but I knew we needed to have some sort of "chart" for the animals. I found the printable <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/all-crafts/activity/games/play-veterinary-clinic-printables/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. She enjoys using these, but she likes it more when I can document detailed notes for her.<br />
<br />
She was telling me that she needed band-aids for her animals today. Her doctor kit came with a bunch of sticker band-aids, but those all got used up during one play date. So, I searched for a tutorial to make some. I was shocked that I couldn't find one. I did find some for sale on etsy for $16, but that is a little steep for this. So, I winged it. And it's crazy easy to do. Even once I started taking pictures to do a tutorial, it only took a matter of minutes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EZzpWJJ85VGYDksUXtENZwfsxotd_WJcf5FFByse-3tk5IrQtevlF_EiNrDWfPQVP_waGx2slx_c9yxrshXpvu5ieZkxoZbOGEtVkpN_VdtTa7gDMx_ct9bigf7hGVtAPbMMZ88axtc/s1600/IMG_2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EZzpWJJ85VGYDksUXtENZwfsxotd_WJcf5FFByse-3tk5IrQtevlF_EiNrDWfPQVP_waGx2slx_c9yxrshXpvu5ieZkxoZbOGEtVkpN_VdtTa7gDMx_ct9bigf7hGVtAPbMMZ88axtc/s400/IMG_2715.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Fluffy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used supplies that I already had on hand. You only need some brown felt (or whatever colors/patterns you desire), some white felt, and some Velcro along with basic sewing supplies (scissors, thread, machine).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdHBR0YA-g_RGPhwIqO9hhd-bHyJnd8kVF6-5MWjaJussKUHQkPOWjA3HGIgXTRpsCvBbWSl4FhP3OedfDngQRmYv3ktd_aZVAVlg0nJTORShLsBlLQAp9G6UcZhktop5lcsM5KIuxcQ/s1600/IMG_2705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdHBR0YA-g_RGPhwIqO9hhd-bHyJnd8kVF6-5MWjaJussKUHQkPOWjA3HGIgXTRpsCvBbWSl4FhP3OedfDngQRmYv3ktd_aZVAVlg0nJTORShLsBlLQAp9G6UcZhktop5lcsM5KIuxcQ/s400/IMG_2705.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
First, start with the Velcro. You will only need to use the scratchy side. So, yes, you will be stuck with unmatching Velcro pieces...annoying, yes. Just cut it into whatever size lengths you would like...ours are between 2 and 3 inches. Then round out the corners so they are shaped like band-aids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2H-RT0nXmNuemR6RwXC_iG2ormqaotPw5yF6KODvpkr7jez4TsPiwRdIWUjvBLc99m_t9KDGeQ8Yf6byDJv4SY8coMhzTh2TEB1mTmHjToKyD9IbiLqHE9dTobbKeQkJRTgeE4oZbFc/s1600/IMG_2706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2H-RT0nXmNuemR6RwXC_iG2ormqaotPw5yF6KODvpkr7jez4TsPiwRdIWUjvBLc99m_t9KDGeQ8Yf6byDJv4SY8coMhzTh2TEB1mTmHjToKyD9IbiLqHE9dTobbKeQkJRTgeE4oZbFc/s400/IMG_2706.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After I had all these cut out, I just placed them on the felt and sewed them on, one at a time without cutting the felt. Like this...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl_zq3RqQSBCo4p4RDWip82ZEDi9uyCV_0OQvSiIQ1h5w3vDxNEWEAuRgtS1NUc_KbJCarfcbJn6pJw_2IsANV9vFbCN5aS8Owr9EqN3BeKpkDmd8I7cpraKmMV4poc37hzDClXkitFQ/s1600/IMG_2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl_zq3RqQSBCo4p4RDWip82ZEDi9uyCV_0OQvSiIQ1h5w3vDxNEWEAuRgtS1NUc_KbJCarfcbJn6pJw_2IsANV9vFbCN5aS8Owr9EqN3BeKpkDmd8I7cpraKmMV4poc37hzDClXkitFQ/s400/IMG_2707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It will look like this...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAvyusawPsGwzQE-aX87aJgiFwIL-9pJM3bJP7K6010yAsPW3B7TTKj3jetUZiIwvqbdQZ3tbr0kcn1QeErhQ_2N6cTbPImGZodSv-BjL_35McdmgLBQlCvuH16oWpwXirv6ipUHej-w/s1600/IMG_2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAvyusawPsGwzQE-aX87aJgiFwIL-9pJM3bJP7K6010yAsPW3B7TTKj3jetUZiIwvqbdQZ3tbr0kcn1QeErhQ_2N6cTbPImGZodSv-BjL_35McdmgLBQlCvuH16oWpwXirv6ipUHej-w/s400/IMG_2708.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSf2DlVlK-LKeiwnY7zkiBwpPEQgP2q9NC0Nh_UFft4k3vSEPqjupsB5F-fej8KzBwNSIqJdUgZKb4uyrawyz1I8HjfiFJhFM63ERMQ7N4rvOu3Waw1THoe8fTZ_e2ApBnOJcM8m8MHA/s1600/IMG_2709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSf2DlVlK-LKeiwnY7zkiBwpPEQgP2q9NC0Nh_UFft4k3vSEPqjupsB5F-fej8KzBwNSIqJdUgZKb4uyrawyz1I8HjfiFJhFM63ERMQ7N4rvOu3Waw1THoe8fTZ_e2ApBnOJcM8m8MHA/s400/IMG_2709.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After this was done, I just trimmed around the edge. I left a bit of an overhang (of the brown felt).</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD9Si-bpP5yzUksK9KASILvo9y5UvHwk-UoORudIK5kfc0Pt4xRAym1SYLS_6jA3qLG1n2ZDfzDViOWEjcp7EFIGL1_veMDE5_BGKm2c6hv-3rbjsa4oqszEoXvNqKyyM6Tv2LdU1DSE/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD9Si-bpP5yzUksK9KASILvo9y5UvHwk-UoORudIK5kfc0Pt4xRAym1SYLS_6jA3qLG1n2ZDfzDViOWEjcp7EFIGL1_veMDE5_BGKm2c6hv-3rbjsa4oqszEoXvNqKyyM6Tv2LdU1DSE/s400/IMG_2710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now cut a small rectangle of white felt to stick in the middle to be the absorptive pad of the band-aid.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcA-OTqaaQHRQWGzdDYc5rCpEUX5pOCRvsVtZTkAyQN2kyIk98LnbFW4ohr08JZ-MqpKmIvED6mdrZzlz1Gh39zdTbSmy41TRZ5TdndlKrx_CypLTSROIcCH5XYmX1kMl5xQYAs4xebc/s1600/IMG_2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcA-OTqaaQHRQWGzdDYc5rCpEUX5pOCRvsVtZTkAyQN2kyIk98LnbFW4ohr08JZ-MqpKmIvED6mdrZzlz1Gh39zdTbSmy41TRZ5TdndlKrx_CypLTSROIcCH5XYmX1kMl5xQYAs4xebc/s400/IMG_2711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Sew on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlMk9X3cCEftOSUoP9hSMsbmZpd4JJutu43uwOZV7v_I6xUUlKih2NQ90isCliCz57iq2rtUElXekUKWVofFX-UhnbRV0ubfzZXSMjXV87l0rjrn3H563E0BNZxeTDVAXbuR8pGCWaeo/s1600/IMG_2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlMk9X3cCEftOSUoP9hSMsbmZpd4JJutu43uwOZV7v_I6xUUlKih2NQ90isCliCz57iq2rtUElXekUKWVofFX-UhnbRV0ubfzZXSMjXV87l0rjrn3H563E0BNZxeTDVAXbuR8pGCWaeo/s400/IMG_2712.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaDxb5wBS-PuWQY6BtQGjsJKwCR4RcQZysnADOG6lwsH6k_FvQgm1TVzECair91tdyR_sVBx9SFT9u14utnz_qAyhTUupNL-fV-3vJAOF2JVq4KN5qGw72UrtpGmgXzrfm1iRQwLkasI/s1600/IMG_2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaDxb5wBS-PuWQY6BtQGjsJKwCR4RcQZysnADOG6lwsH6k_FvQgm1TVzECair91tdyR_sVBx9SFT9u14utnz_qAyhTUupNL-fV-3vJAOF2JVq4KN5qGw72UrtpGmgXzrfm1iRQwLkasI/s400/IMG_2713.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Voila! That's it. Now repeat. And watch your child enjoy fixing all of her creatures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fu_5DSSvmYY69o1KDU1z7X-As26ZhjVT1K8-znfVcUDArVcfTtdGS-ML77sLO0mVo6en9_INygd6kHCxC5h213YZjSwlhvl4wx_HKKGcChC8kqrNzjfTkl1WUk4RKgBOthWo5IIDbnc/s1600/IMG_2717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fu_5DSSvmYY69o1KDU1z7X-As26ZhjVT1K8-znfVcUDArVcfTtdGS-ML77sLO0mVo6en9_INygd6kHCxC5h213YZjSwlhvl4wx_HKKGcChC8kqrNzjfTkl1WUk4RKgBOthWo5IIDbnc/s400/IMG_2717.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something tells me that Moosy has had better days.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7blbjOVVT4T7te4IFz0Mrijo-PfKtlkGW-y5E91M3I4ergsSbp-4MBv1shPNqUgWnq0YGZ3VgaoxuGafCPx3YfFbQx0WwcZZyYFWWOvvroxxs6nWTleRkfH06qKAFCsuPwbdBZinjsqA/s1600/IMG_2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7blbjOVVT4T7te4IFz0Mrijo-PfKtlkGW-y5E91M3I4ergsSbp-4MBv1shPNqUgWnq0YGZ3VgaoxuGafCPx3YfFbQx0WwcZZyYFWWOvvroxxs6nWTleRkfH06qKAFCsuPwbdBZinjsqA/s400/IMG_2718.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
This is her doctors bag. It's mainly just the store bought kit with lots of extra syringes (minus the needles). The girl loves giving shots...in the neck. Weird?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeiRitCxWYuMHtjO8as51RVASH1WFRrIDMt-cjpaBrOD-q5Dk27jCnxuklRDoeHJVvG2M0TZeN6_nNxqAQ5YADP6oRwBQumZtLr_vq6h0d-omApclFzuLFPDgKeY1GM58haBTQ-thXpE/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeiRitCxWYuMHtjO8as51RVASH1WFRrIDMt-cjpaBrOD-q5Dk27jCnxuklRDoeHJVvG2M0TZeN6_nNxqAQ5YADP6oRwBQumZtLr_vq6h0d-omApclFzuLFPDgKeY1GM58haBTQ-thXpE/s320/IMG_2719.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We even have diapers for the tiniest of guests (courtesy of a friend who works in our local NICU). Apparently, if diapers get dropped, they get tossed in the NICU. Works for us!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, my little bean was being crazy camera shy today (which is very out of character). So, no cute little vet pictures today.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-25177004190889192752012-12-23T13:24:00.001-08:002012-12-23T13:27:53.359-08:00No Pain, No Gain Circuit WorkoutTwo days until Christmas...and I am stressing. Anyone else? I have too many presents to wrap and assemble, menus to plan, grocery shopping to do, cleaning, house guests, and on and on. I love the quote from Christmas Vacation <em>"I don't know what to say, except it's Christmas and we're all in misery." </em> Sometimes it feels as though I pile on so much and set my expectations so high that I sort of forget to step back and enjoy everything that I have worked so hard on.<br />
<br />
Working out is a huge stress reliever for me. It is a fundamental part of my life. I almost always find a way to fit in<em> some</em> form of exercise. And at this time of year, I find that my workouts are even more important and more beneficial to my (mental) health.<br />
<br />
This morning, I did a tough workout. I really needed to push myself a little. 1000 rep workouts are amazing and so very effective. I put together a circuit workout that combines cardio and strength. I did 5 rounds which is a little over 1000 reps. I was sweating, for sure. There is only one exercise that requires weights, the plank rows. I used a 10 pound dumbbell. However, if you don't have weights, you could switch out the exercise for bird dogs done in full plank or simply hold a plank position for 1 minute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmnR8dggEQGgVvEbXZPuiQxfJXKU4ADWwpy4RIZUHgl2B79P3WCBbPU569sdkjdWltZETfEEI4oVNJEdCKhgEOjbZGGq0WcEoia56qMB8wECL2h00yHok7LSLJ5GWXprENahipgwfOHc/s1600/no+pain,+no+gain+workout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmnR8dggEQGgVvEbXZPuiQxfJXKU4ADWwpy4RIZUHgl2B79P3WCBbPU569sdkjdWltZETfEEI4oVNJEdCKhgEOjbZGGq0WcEoia56qMB8wECL2h00yHok7LSLJ5GWXprENahipgwfOHc/s400/no+pain,+no+gain+workout.JPG" width="357" /></a></div>
I felt ten times better after I completed this workout today. Even though I may be in the same room with the little bean, I am focusing on myself and my workout which is much like alone time. And I am blessed. because she generally does not bother me during a workout. She even works out with me some times. She has actually become quite good at mountain climbers. It's cute.<br />
<br />
Enjoy your holidays. Relax. Decompress. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas!</span>Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-15862647750399028792012-10-09T09:41:00.001-07:002012-10-09T09:55:24.660-07:00Mario cupcakesA friend kindly asked me to do her sons birthday cake for his 6th birthday last weekend. He is in love with Mario, so of course that is the theme we went with. She found the inspiration for these cupcakes on Pinterest. It was a really fun project...turned out a lot more time consuming than I had originally thought, but that is fine since I had such a great time doing it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k8qjDacmZP81z1AxVa2egvOoZxlQq2iwiEAuMVwTmB6qN8Lwz8-rn1k_aF0SzNhxmE2SGBmr5tJQFmaSdAnb75JgsLqkvjZCrCKK-BMde0yot-3MxtvQBAzuoSg8PNhs2zc41PTrqVs/s1600/IMG_2446-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k8qjDacmZP81z1AxVa2egvOoZxlQq2iwiEAuMVwTmB6qN8Lwz8-rn1k_aF0SzNhxmE2SGBmr5tJQFmaSdAnb75JgsLqkvjZCrCKK-BMde0yot-3MxtvQBAzuoSg8PNhs2zc41PTrqVs/s320/IMG_2446-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario looks a little portly...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sorry for the terrible picture...we were in a huge hurry to get these babies in the car and GO! We would have been on time if I didn't have to stop at Starbucks every time I go somewhere. It was a great party, all of the kids had fun and I think the birthday boy was pleased.Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-27176829873217084842012-10-09T09:17:00.001-07:002012-10-09T09:41:49.192-07:00Meal Plan 9/30-10/6Obviously, I am making this post a week late. The bonus, I can include my reviews since there were a couple of new recipes tried. Two that were absolutely amazing and I am sure will become regulars around here...which is saying a lot.<br />
<br />
We are officially dropping below freezing every night here now. So, last week we had to harvest all of our tomatoes. Oh man, do we have a lot of tomatoes. I made three batches of <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/919620/classic-roasted-salsa">roasted salsa</a>, a huge batch of <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/basic-marinara-10000001662822/">marinara</a>, and I chopped and froze about 15 quarts...and we still have a ton on the counter.<br />
<br />
<u><strong>Meal #1:</strong></u> Turkey burgers with avocado and green salad<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Meal #2:</u></strong> Penne with turkey meatballs (with parsley and onion) and <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/basic-marinara-10000001662822/">marinara</a> with sauteed zucchini...this marinara was really yummy...very flavorful...I will definitely make again.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Meal #3:</u></strong> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/mushroom-grilled-cheese-sandwich-aka.html">Mushroom grilled cheese</a> with green salad...OMG, this was completely heavenly. I didn't have white wine on hand and just used water...still out of this world.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Meal #4: </u></strong> <a href="http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2012/06/family-and-food.html">Avocado egg salad</a> sandwiches with green salad. I am a huge avocado lover and this sandwich was Ah-mazing. I only used half of an avocado and I subbed the mayo with greek yogurt and also used half the curry powder suggested since mine is hot.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Meal #5:</u></strong> Banana chocolate chip muffins with homemade <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/turkey-breakfast-sausage-patties-100408">turkey sausage patties</a> (for breakfast). This sausage was really good...too spicy for the little one, but perfect for mom and dad!<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Treat:</u></strong> Me and the bean also made some princess crown cookies with oodles of sprinkles from this <a href="http://sweetopia.net/2009/12/sugar-cookie-recipe/">recipe</a>...the cookies really held their shape and are yummy.<br />
<br />
What does everybody else do with all of their tomatoes?<br />
<br />
Have a great week!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-60117105762745597102012-09-27T20:15:00.000-07:002012-09-27T20:18:38.452-07:00Reader Circle Quilt Pictures I feel like a proud mama, in a weird way. I received the NICEST string of emails from a reader, Kimberly, who recently completed the front and back pieces of her version of the <a href="http://littlebeanworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/01/little-bean-circle-quilt-tutorial-and.html#comments">Little Bean Circle Quilt</a>. She did such an amazing job that I had to share the pictures. She did a better job than I did on mine, for sure!<br />
<br />
Instead of using a whole sheet as I did, she used squares and attached her circles to the squares and then pieced the squares together. It looks amazing and she definitely has more patience than I do. I love how she appliqued her son's name onto the circles. Really clever.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhgS5VqjcsYow4k6FZ_jojP7roMSSc1XJAhhHQ3yI5xRVpRq3Ot9iZqBwOzvXPHT2BM7nSACdM9bol6SIUgcve2HL1DPWBqsz5s4fVT-bVofhpDAn3m72uWWzhbHcfrLUJmnXqpo-Ee0/s1600/reader+quilt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhgS5VqjcsYow4k6FZ_jojP7roMSSc1XJAhhHQ3yI5xRVpRq3Ot9iZqBwOzvXPHT2BM7nSACdM9bol6SIUgcve2HL1DPWBqsz5s4fVT-bVofhpDAn3m72uWWzhbHcfrLUJmnXqpo-Ee0/s200/reader+quilt+1.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of the quilt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoppCxe6XaEGIRoREgu28Sb3oeWP-oc0Q05imW_fn-y3bA7cqKXQJVlqYYM1Af2NdGvTrSlbtEqywGI8bbJpW11bB3G00zdkhP7EduRND405OQ_mrr7FCfhSVjVaMNWpb50oVL0Oj3YE/s1600/reader+quilt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoppCxe6XaEGIRoREgu28Sb3oeWP-oc0Q05imW_fn-y3bA7cqKXQJVlqYYM1Af2NdGvTrSlbtEqywGI8bbJpW11bB3G00zdkhP7EduRND405OQ_mrr7FCfhSVjVaMNWpb50oVL0Oj3YE/s200/reader+quilt+2.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of the quilt, which Kim claims she has to re-do since the fit isn't right. Bummer!<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(Yes, I realize these pictures are tiny, but every time I enlarge them they get blurry. Please click on them to see them better.)<br />
<br />
It humbles me that someone 1. actually read the blog and attempted the project and 2. took the time out of their day to thank me and share their success with me. I am completely tickled every time I get a comment or a thank-you on this blog. I know I don't have a large following, but the kindness of those who do read makes it so worthwhile. So, thank you.<br />
<br />
If anyone has any photos of completed projects from this blog, I would love to see them and share them!<br />
<br />
Thank you so much Kim! You have inspired me to keep up with the blog and to try to create more projects.Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-4110433277591553372012-09-18T10:37:00.003-07:002012-09-27T20:26:16.296-07:00Tabata WorkoutToday I was awoken to the annoying squeak of our puppy's favorite toy...at 5:45. Ick. I was afraid that he would wake Little Bean, so I hustled out of bed and decided to take him for a run/walk. I prefer to run, but Dexter prefers to sniff everything and freak out at every noise, so we move a little slow. <br />
<br />
I didn't feel that our outing was sufficient for exercise, so I decided to do some Tabatas. If you aren't familiar with Tabatas, you should give it a try. It is fast becoming one of my favorite ways to exercise. Basically, you exercise at an intense level for 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds for a total of 4 minutes. That would be one Tabata. It is a great way to do HIIT (high intensity interval training), which is supposed to be way more efficient than any other form of exercise.<br />
<br />
So, here is the workout that I did today. It is a total of 30 minutes and boy was I sweaty!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobH0vuFA00RGZXduDPY3pVP2wglbTEeP3nZ_qyGNnRbejSfx_aox0jp28GqrZyPLuToCdpA3OBoOts2xsjRSENUOWdHxNfLo5NRvqR17iZsxQctVo389kR2fSL34Wf9DpcnRYK5fxDrw/s1600/tabata+workout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobH0vuFA00RGZXduDPY3pVP2wglbTEeP3nZ_qyGNnRbejSfx_aox0jp28GqrZyPLuToCdpA3OBoOts2xsjRSENUOWdHxNfLo5NRvqR17iZsxQctVo389kR2fSL34Wf9DpcnRYK5fxDrw/s400/tabata+workout.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on image to see in full screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
If there are exercises that you aren't familiar with, check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">www.youtube.com</a> and do a search. There are all sorts of videos out there that have been really helpful to me.<br />
<br />
I use a Tabata timer app on my iphone which makes it super easy to keep track of where you are. It has a series of beeps, so you don't have to look up at all.<br />
<br />
Also, if you don't have a full 30 minutes, or you don't want to get super sweaty, then you can do just a couple of Tabatas.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-84578844678909917292012-09-11T11:16:00.001-07:002012-09-11T11:16:18.754-07:00Meal Plan 9/9 - 9/15This is my first post in about 10 months. Wow...how did I let that happen? I guess life just got away from me. I was inspired to start blogging again after getting the loveliest email from a reader who just completed her version of the<a href="http://littlebeanworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/01/little-bean-circle-quilt-tutorial-and.html"> Little Bean Circle Quilt</a>. She was so kind to take time out of her day to thank me for the project and she sent me pictures of her amazing quilt as well (which I will share in a separate post). So, I am going to start back slow with a meal plan for the week. Hopefully, tutorials and recipes to come...<br />
<br />
Here is what we are eating this week:<br />
<br />
<strong>Meal #1:</strong> Omelets with Avocado and Cheddar with Cucumber and Tomato Salad with homemade <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/900180/balsamic-vinaigrette">Balsamic Vinaigrette</a> (gotta use up all of that produce from the garden!)<br />
<strong>Meal #2:</strong> <a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/132171/spicy-crisp-tofu-mint-avocado-salad">Spicy Tofu and Mint Avocado Salad</a> (I baked the tofu sans the bread crumbs and added orange wedges to the salad)<br />
<strong>Meal #3:</strong> Slow Cooker Vegetarian Split Pea Soup and <a href="http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/30-minute-rolls/">30 Minute Rolls</a> (1/2 whole wheat flour)<br />
<strong>Meal #4:</strong> <a href="http://eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/blast-from-the-past-with-a-new-twist/">Cauliflower Quinoa Casserole</a> with Grilled Chicken Breasts (I use <a href="http://chaosinthekitchen.com/2009/11/cream-of-soup-substitute/">homemade cream of mushroom soup</a> that I keep in the freezer in ziploc bags)<br />
<strong>Meal #5:</strong> Margherita Pizza with tomatoes and basil from the garden and Green Salad<br />
<br />
Also, this week, I made 3 large batches of this <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/919620/classic-roasted-salsa?xsc=fb_edf_social_2012_07_26">Classic Roasted Salsa</a> to use up tomatoes, peppers, and onions from the garden. It's delish!<br />
<br />
I hope you all have a great week!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-13128478573459998302011-11-29T15:21:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:21:54.590-08:00No Sew Table RunnerI have been known to change my holiday decor year after year. This year, I suppose, is no exception. However, this year I have been extremely short on time. So, for my dining table, I came up with a super simple, super cheap, and super chic (I think) table runner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcEAYeEN3T4DLsFRAryGMIBXitciDZB5tWV1rxCZBwdGorv8RWoFAKTdHBVoI2MgjS967wouozp4-Gu7ZUrj2mGku9y2mf9LzivbYEAahhbWaVb4yEetZuhzOyxwIZjDGPOrN11W00IA/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcEAYeEN3T4DLsFRAryGMIBXitciDZB5tWV1rxCZBwdGorv8RWoFAKTdHBVoI2MgjS967wouozp4-Gu7ZUrj2mGku9y2mf9LzivbYEAahhbWaVb4yEetZuhzOyxwIZjDGPOrN11W00IA/s400/IMG_1812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwVoXMFkNKvZyzEJk0pxkS3Svqo1_2E5eqG3seTBaiK2lV4NdBMK7X8pzfQG7rn_nfvEr85fzErzwxNXMdXuC6rDWo6Q0ucPcQYZkh5JCXzjuVy_ZRjzaNC9m7IvcwgjifoQBlKfjIx4/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwVoXMFkNKvZyzEJk0pxkS3Svqo1_2E5eqG3seTBaiK2lV4NdBMK7X8pzfQG7rn_nfvEr85fzErzwxNXMdXuC6rDWo6Q0ucPcQYZkh5JCXzjuVy_ZRjzaNC9m7IvcwgjifoQBlKfjIx4/s400/IMG_1828.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It is just a combo of burlap and faux satin fabrics. To make this runner, you will need:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>approx. 2 yards of burlap</li>
<li>approx. 2 yards of satin like fabric (or preferred complimentary fabric)</li>
<li>scissors</li>
</ul>Seriously, that is it. So, first lets start with the burlap. When you have it cut at your fabric store...pay attention to HOW they cut it. You will notice that they will make a little snip right at the edge at the desired measurement. Then, they will take the thread that is there (going in the direction of the cut) and pull it out. It may break, but just keep at it until you get the whole length out. Once this thread is out, you will have a nice guide to make a perfectly straight cut.<br />
<br />
I went with two yards of each fabric since that is 72" in length. My table is 60" x 60" so that gives me a nice little hangover on each end. Basically, add 12" to the length of your table to get the look that I have here.<br />
<br />
Since my table is so wide, I went really wide with the burlap as well, 25". Using the cutting instructions above, cut your burlap to your desired width. Once you have made the cut, pull a couple of the threads out on the edge you just cut to give it a little bit of fray. Lay on the table.<br />
<br />
Next, you need to decide how wide to do your satin fabric. I did mine at 15" so I would be able to see a decent amount of the burlap. Make a snip at the edge where the selvage is. Now tear down your entire length. Yes, tear. Then measure out your width, make another snip and tear down the whole length again. The satin will be a lot messier and you will have strings everywhere. Just snip them off. Now lay on top of the burlap. <br />
<br />
Your edges will look a little rustic, like this...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCedUqN_mdNulstexkInthYciasLre3ClNLXYqsJBCL69ZMfNRJPtxOLpMsSFOkeq3_44wK2jD9vZNUkUFAHa6n_bUV3MLgpfTsNEl5vocilKvHRh07FhEcRM-BopNvFa2eiLR6WmV-d0/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCedUqN_mdNulstexkInthYciasLre3ClNLXYqsJBCL69ZMfNRJPtxOLpMsSFOkeq3_44wK2jD9vZNUkUFAHa6n_bUV3MLgpfTsNEl5vocilKvHRh07FhEcRM-BopNvFa2eiLR6WmV-d0/s400/IMG_1822.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Then, I just found these hurricanes (actually left over from our wedding centerpieces nine years ago - I have a ton and finally found a use), put plain white candles in them, and then filled in the hurricanes with fresh cranberries (I have no ideas exactly how long these will last, but one bag cost me $3, so cheap enough to replace if necessary).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjurfifTpuvGcr4KvbHh1A8qp5BOiYnu11JpHW090pYguQV19MzScQpebo0_mVyKwKMys92x7pVB9UODgXbY9eOkKlTLm0C4tXpnvJ_lnHIkmIk0mZMnzCkBx4c_Ru1VrGCnoBb37co0/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjurfifTpuvGcr4KvbHh1A8qp5BOiYnu11JpHW090pYguQV19MzScQpebo0_mVyKwKMys92x7pVB9UODgXbY9eOkKlTLm0C4tXpnvJ_lnHIkmIk0mZMnzCkBx4c_Ru1VrGCnoBb37co0/s400/IMG_1814.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"></div>And that is it. Seriously about the easiest thing ever. And another great thing is that once the cranberries are gone, this is completely neutral so I can leave it on my table throughout the year if I choose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFLFgSqXaJkmHQN4lBF6hlGkQEu-rUw92KdAC-ggLWHxkl24kZc6CY-Li-j82ZAOnglqyr8cZAnbivGI6jv3LJwY8LSO1eptAEkTJ9OJL2n8rljCPerzrtrnwDWc3FKIh8p1-pFc15HA/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFLFgSqXaJkmHQN4lBF6hlGkQEu-rUw92KdAC-ggLWHxkl24kZc6CY-Li-j82ZAOnglqyr8cZAnbivGI6jv3LJwY8LSO1eptAEkTJ9OJL2n8rljCPerzrtrnwDWc3FKIh8p1-pFc15HA/s400/IMG_1820.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I had some leftover burlap that I had no idea what to do with. So, when we brought home our poinsettias with their ugly foil wrapping, it came to me. I just cut out a length of burlap long enough to wrap around the pot and cut it (I didn't bother with the complicated method above, I just eyeballed it). Then I wrapped the burlap around the pot, tied it with some ribbon I had leftover from the banner on my mantel (scroll down to see) and then folded over the top edge. So much nicer looking that that ugly foil, don't you think?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q9OtIxQa9Ydcvkj46suAinGgHS5YOINHlFAx9_8TTaxcFRbqvjzqOsMtt-kALBNZeBZ2yr68BI145dBqdOEki_b1huMFOyOIPJNPrW8RxF6eyvDAJU4VuncQruK7Q1lpEfZJP0bpAWg/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q9OtIxQa9Ydcvkj46suAinGgHS5YOINHlFAx9_8TTaxcFRbqvjzqOsMtt-kALBNZeBZ2yr68BI145dBqdOEki_b1huMFOyOIPJNPrW8RxF6eyvDAJU4VuncQruK7Q1lpEfZJP0bpAWg/s400/IMG_1833.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61OpbPFLYBiO5R1fHaYGQkscY1cR-mi-xzJ96_-lRvwQgbLqaMVX2u_D6e86vUZlfyzNGdin0NiaG1nTMc-Tt-UMdGanwsvz8dH1HdEn6yd502fGCNNw_kiYLh10zzSisx0AEVAfq-cA/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61OpbPFLYBiO5R1fHaYGQkscY1cR-mi-xzJ96_-lRvwQgbLqaMVX2u_D6e86vUZlfyzNGdin0NiaG1nTMc-Tt-UMdGanwsvz8dH1HdEn6yd502fGCNNw_kiYLh10zzSisx0AEVAfq-cA/s400/IMG_1830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A friend of mine made the banner for me using her Cricut...I just LOVE it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-13983368978302796662011-10-25T14:53:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:53:44.501-07:00Rainbow Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Little Bean has turned 3 years old! It's so hard to believe...time goes so fast! To celebrate the occasion, we had a rainbow party, by Bean's request. She loves all things rainbow! So, I really took the theme and went with it. It was a blast to plan. I wanted to share some pics with you all...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFXeufzYH2g8tGNcH21KGEjqBZ8VqaTegA2Sck_L1z-Z8s6s5QSlQqOLXa68MImAvqaB-nz-NdMgvc1miOXqDLGygvj7f0Yd4awLs70H-WXBaz1EeoYxythEkboJiXcxfBhl9nffPrmI/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFXeufzYH2g8tGNcH21KGEjqBZ8VqaTegA2Sck_L1z-Z8s6s5QSlQqOLXa68MImAvqaB-nz-NdMgvc1miOXqDLGygvj7f0Yd4awLs70H-WXBaz1EeoYxythEkboJiXcxfBhl9nffPrmI/s400/IMG_1691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the food table. Our party was in the mid-afternoon, so we only needed snacks, rainbow goldfish, rainbow candies (sixlets), rainbow sprinkled dipped oreos, and rainbow vegetables.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BnoJShURHIFZoExlpobCajHlDYxRQXytmfmTax4SqvhI-uOrCCdr1axmH4AQfnjX7_mhuIIwJZyWFa_Jzw6RY3kviV5Tzmuy80JmjmEfQ7CtyBwY4OCXrRzvDbleDzn0pHqh1XdMiL8/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BnoJShURHIFZoExlpobCajHlDYxRQXytmfmTax4SqvhI-uOrCCdr1axmH4AQfnjX7_mhuIIwJZyWFa_Jzw6RY3kviV5Tzmuy80JmjmEfQ7CtyBwY4OCXrRzvDbleDzn0pHqh1XdMiL8/s400/IMG_1692.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A close-up of the dipped oreos, yummy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZniHKp_bfztoXYiaRhIQSoNzpEsVzQ-o167ZI14xrfXo2isOcs4Q3p9dchgncETR_F5WdtxGK2zTwJ-XYiIkjPoGNWf-iwJsrSztX_skW8ZC1rUYD4RBB8l-txoI__1O5C6qOM2OzTSI/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZniHKp_bfztoXYiaRhIQSoNzpEsVzQ-o167ZI14xrfXo2isOcs4Q3p9dchgncETR_F5WdtxGK2zTwJ-XYiIkjPoGNWf-iwJsrSztX_skW8ZC1rUYD4RBB8l-txoI__1O5C6qOM2OzTSI/s400/IMG_1693.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And I got the most adorable printables for the party. See below for resources.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPeJIQZqNfNz3g6J_T2cOJc0yuyA2LHfA6sTNRS3C79G8Pyrgv0R-vvEoaXvN7kFRRLqWeg72xelSyDmJHQvEp2brbZzJWeuu__ENjZPqph-yVIZY6hy_Hj1RPIK33VL6dOICXswQ63A/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPeJIQZqNfNz3g6J_T2cOJc0yuyA2LHfA6sTNRS3C79G8Pyrgv0R-vvEoaXvN7kFRRLqWeg72xelSyDmJHQvEp2brbZzJWeuu__ENjZPqph-yVIZY6hy_Hj1RPIK33VL6dOICXswQ63A/s400/IMG_1694.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A close-up of the cake, which of course, I did myself. I have to thank pinterest for the inspiration!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM8LmmoacE3xgC57oG5JIyXPK3B1T9-2HegvO8ExW688u3As8QWJTNPLC-V82utZAxxlhWmRkQj3DS9i_WuO1-2p8H8PsIL7XwZB93E37dVQsa4GcbzkUXsSaEx9BAaEZefR3F2koGLY/s1600/IMG_1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM8LmmoacE3xgC57oG5JIyXPK3B1T9-2HegvO8ExW688u3As8QWJTNPLC-V82utZAxxlhWmRkQj3DS9i_WuO1-2p8H8PsIL7XwZB93E37dVQsa4GcbzkUXsSaEx9BAaEZefR3F2koGLY/s400/IMG_1695.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And of course, the inside was rainbow too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu23hriXAWwNDQtzRGaAB0sGzvj_Ior_Y1pCOqzN24RxfivtkaHOsADGyqwDPzcZ5vIvKHe-Btsg1-VR0dWgvC_FbKBlR9DlmTIMVur25OwgAc7eRnm4GpcQ3WE_NPHc1I82GiWAZp2B0/s1600/rainbow+cake+close-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu23hriXAWwNDQtzRGaAB0sGzvj_Ior_Y1pCOqzN24RxfivtkaHOsADGyqwDPzcZ5vIvKHe-Btsg1-VR0dWgvC_FbKBlR9DlmTIMVur25OwgAc7eRnm4GpcQ3WE_NPHc1I82GiWAZp2B0/s400/rainbow+cake+close-up.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Above both of the tables, I hung paper lanterns in rainbow colors!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQS4HCJUan31hUX1ljYsKOQs04LJ3ZC0HKy9GR0H67ydEFu44AW2JLFFd5b3ZBGOLoTARG4rDp9yjNDiJao3i4yNqjNh0YK83wrbQmjv11-ZOfPi0vZIsr3faWJdNFZMoGvZTEnMslns/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQS4HCJUan31hUX1ljYsKOQs04LJ3ZC0HKy9GR0H67ydEFu44AW2JLFFd5b3ZBGOLoTARG4rDp9yjNDiJao3i4yNqjNh0YK83wrbQmjv11-ZOfPi0vZIsr3faWJdNFZMoGvZTEnMslns/s320/IMG_1698.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here is Bean in her rainbow party dress...complete with blue shoes and rainbow hair clips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjrQQ7OvgoXXJTpRvhtfs4HU0uFlK_UHDST6rCeb8AcplL4KWss6lqcYq0CLR_RZVllv2eQEjSRHFjkXa6vYQkDk_jZg-eHjghxNrn7ef6DhoUW6caGllikLErhPz20-aVzg_OwW_OY4/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjrQQ7OvgoXXJTpRvhtfs4HU0uFlK_UHDST6rCeb8AcplL4KWss6lqcYq0CLR_RZVllv2eQEjSRHFjkXa6vYQkDk_jZg-eHjghxNrn7ef6DhoUW6caGllikLErhPz20-aVzg_OwW_OY4/s320/IMG_1690.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gift bags which contained crayons (with rainbows on the outside), skittles, rainbow suckers (the round ones), rainbow leis, and rainbow hair clips (for the girls).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e9x_plEGT1fpn5uH0CHWu8PRW72OYB1QAPB7cVYS6zw0ojldSyLnG19L7_SOguRxuf0ZkmDUzy4jZCeNUxQnfDyDaalF-GzgrcQUgaBurrQ41CNWfN3ZAVRxXxEgkydvomKzUWVOgXQ/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e9x_plEGT1fpn5uH0CHWu8PRW72OYB1QAPB7cVYS6zw0ojldSyLnG19L7_SOguRxuf0ZkmDUzy4jZCeNUxQnfDyDaalF-GzgrcQUgaBurrQ41CNWfN3ZAVRxXxEgkydvomKzUWVOgXQ/s320/IMG_1701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The party table...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvbCGLCyuM4gvwgp34rY9umGAC4sfLJ_IrDsyS-9VWrcAlGZaHVp4pnVDsN1DFJmyDkAeHn4ancwkozVrqT4nd2LaEi5QJsFchyUIinuPfXzVFfrFMC2_gS4pomjYCsldpX_0e80ukFw/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvbCGLCyuM4gvwgp34rY9umGAC4sfLJ_IrDsyS-9VWrcAlGZaHVp4pnVDsN1DFJmyDkAeHn4ancwkozVrqT4nd2LaEi5QJsFchyUIinuPfXzVFfrFMC2_gS4pomjYCsldpX_0e80ukFw/s320/IMG_1704.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Pinwheels made with rainbow scrapbook paper in vases filled with rainbow sixlets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sHTo2qEG5SEokMHeRiy22yVu5yTnOpbDbLutwn5ggOteEEIKCkQDWByw1UFhXRwoep1VdQeNC8NiGiyEwNVfRFbQc-Mok-_VBEz39gb6LZC1t7EmH8utZfOh5SkR1WCdxUAPUpx7OA8/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sHTo2qEG5SEokMHeRiy22yVu5yTnOpbDbLutwn5ggOteEEIKCkQDWByw1UFhXRwoep1VdQeNC8NiGiyEwNVfRFbQc-Mok-_VBEz39gb6LZC1t7EmH8utZfOh5SkR1WCdxUAPUpx7OA8/s320/IMG_1705.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Since we were having this party in late October, we cannot count on the weather to be decent in any way. So, I decided to provide crafts for the kids to do to keep them busy. They seemed to be really successful. First, I did a Froot Loop necklace craft (hint: don't use yarn as I did, find some cording, it will be easier to string the cereal on).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nbhl7RQZ-MkYUs6EAz50w0qnmW26VAAV_2ybdYRfUisIv2IJ-TMXFEnKZdWeX5I-8FYvFfmrqmQdY1Can-7sGqE_0BCQyBltKbXsKm0FldrL7PrYjOBCYrXV81RG7VB2gJDYG_iJn8s/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nbhl7RQZ-MkYUs6EAz50w0qnmW26VAAV_2ybdYRfUisIv2IJ-TMXFEnKZdWeX5I-8FYvFfmrqmQdY1Can-7sGqE_0BCQyBltKbXsKm0FldrL7PrYjOBCYrXV81RG7VB2gJDYG_iJn8s/s320/IMG_1707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Second, I did a cloud with a rainbow craft. Super simple and inexpensive, but the kids really enjoyed them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsie09BE5FhysaQALGBMpskdcqBxTKdB4K95k8XTz7QLP7Z9PTnnL-K3lgmkmsY3ZpttsgHIjtdCqQhH-wf82InToEXSycDGX0aA4IInFgcexbGy_voT-AqO0QmwUbSmE7U4Dj9SHcNJc/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsie09BE5FhysaQALGBMpskdcqBxTKdB4K95k8XTz7QLP7Z9PTnnL-K3lgmkmsY3ZpttsgHIjtdCqQhH-wf82InToEXSycDGX0aA4IInFgcexbGy_voT-AqO0QmwUbSmE7U4Dj9SHcNJc/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A close-up of the lanterns over the party table...I didn't want to put holes in my ceiling, so I just tied them all on to my chandelier with fishing line.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQiofpzQh2DKIjcowkhiu-wSCUwAt4QuHeCbzjAWQzT8FrUFt_nRTfHOtxiSB2qchbY0SItHrdynNPbwaoV5zfw9FWniuD_aF1hJtWUMm0291oQMD33BpjR7IlUliHON94jhLznTZ7ho/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQiofpzQh2DKIjcowkhiu-wSCUwAt4QuHeCbzjAWQzT8FrUFt_nRTfHOtxiSB2qchbY0SItHrdynNPbwaoV5zfw9FWniuD_aF1hJtWUMm0291oQMD33BpjR7IlUliHON94jhLznTZ7ho/s320/IMG_1710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me and the Bean having a great time at the party...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYmsIFaO3kMKCic11kT7lIEHkFZpFKE3aShFVSgD_VOv5_y1SjLDs37LVXYXTt4xrCibJ3Mkpt32nr4gATflM1inaf4gkEM8kquSs67zcW0XoaVWaLKR7e-vmWGlvnYbifiGmNQzb1Q/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYmsIFaO3kMKCic11kT7lIEHkFZpFKE3aShFVSgD_VOv5_y1SjLDs37LVXYXTt4xrCibJ3Mkpt32nr4gATflM1inaf4gkEM8kquSs67zcW0XoaVWaLKR7e-vmWGlvnYbifiGmNQzb1Q/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Resources:<br />
<br />
Printables (including invitations, bottle wraps, thank you tags, etc). - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79254980/diy-printables-full-collection-rainbow">Bloom Events by SM</a><br />
Rainbow Sixlets - <a href="http://www.ohnuts.com/searchResults.cfm?criteria=sixlets&search=all&x=0&y=0">Oh Nuts!</a><br />
Chinese Lanterns - <a href="http://www.asianideas.com/lanterns2.html">Asian Ideas</a><br />
Rainbow Party Dress - <a href="http://www.gymboree.com/">Gymboree</a><br />
Paper Treat Bags - Michaels<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-6187037284319960952011-08-23T15:36:00.000-07:002011-08-23T15:36:31.330-07:00Cooking MotivationNo doubt, the bean and I have been enjoying our summer. However, I have been lacking a little in the craft and culinary areas. I have either been putting my effort in keeping up the outside or we've been out having fun in the sun while we can. Oh, and my little bean stopped napping too, which of course gives Mommy even less time.<br />
<br />
So, in an attempt to get some of my mojo back, I have given myself a little challenge. I went to our little local health food store and picked up some spices that I don't regularly use and I am going to try to plan recipes around the spices. I have also purchased a half a dozen cookbooks in the past month or so (now if I could find the time to sit down and go through them all).<br />
<br />
First up:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOIGRNyRWQf2cCUR8tlHhuzXDu2oz16Lkg8M94qq_XjpOMhXdcCT00wfcY4afshcxFo-sNy_bYB-R-jBZhvT2y3fa6UglniiyM8jAVqarU5r2l2TpKIFiDDlT43yZo9zKq2sqGKpg9TI/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOIGRNyRWQf2cCUR8tlHhuzXDu2oz16Lkg8M94qq_XjpOMhXdcCT00wfcY4afshcxFo-sNy_bYB-R-jBZhvT2y3fa6UglniiyM8jAVqarU5r2l2TpKIFiDDlT43yZo9zKq2sqGKpg9TI/s400/IMG_1626.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><strong>Chipotle Chili Powder</strong></div><div align="left">Here are some of the recipes that I have found:</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chipotle_flourless_chocolate_cake/">Chipotle Flourless Chocolate Cake</a></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/fiery-chipotle-baked-beans-10000000577251/">Fiery Chipotle Baked Beans</a> (I'd omit the chorizo though)</div><div align="left">I want to try using it in place of regular chili powder in my butternut squash and black bean chili</div><div align="left">Also want to try in tacos</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">And next:</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG-p7cBKirquEEwPrWVdcCd1AfIlR-MmK6IP_TU-5-7cHBDVRacpkFaJyvjFAqgmvEl2HUuf-gs1ZgcAvpCBOm8O-Ys2QPfb15X2RnZzDUybP6WNHGnRT6-mEC6vJ_b_Z-vYNLzPIkD4/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG-p7cBKirquEEwPrWVdcCd1AfIlR-MmK6IP_TU-5-7cHBDVRacpkFaJyvjFAqgmvEl2HUuf-gs1ZgcAvpCBOm8O-Ys2QPfb15X2RnZzDUybP6WNHGnRT6-mEC6vJ_b_Z-vYNLzPIkD4/s320/IMG_1622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Smoked Paprika</strong><br />
<a href="http://cheese.food.com/recipe/goat-cheese-with-paprika-garlic-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-capers-370929">Goat Cheese With Paprika, Garlic, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Capers</a> a Bruschetta recipe<br />
<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/smokey-black-bean-soup-347403">Smoky Black Bean Soup</a><br />
<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/baked-bbq-tofu-vegan-335587">Baked BBQ Tofu</a> (always wanted to try backed tofu - worth a shot!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBqHUAsvQp_l2Ngk9kx0hXHUfpRqYRBkg_gJ8oxLZWIqSGBH3Pviqd_QsWBme-f-e37hPmX559m7mziJqFhKcF2b8QyjCkhBWl3bTN9Wtym9xI7NYFGSPGZ91k_7_lWTUYXTrQjPY1Dc/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBqHUAsvQp_l2Ngk9kx0hXHUfpRqYRBkg_gJ8oxLZWIqSGBH3Pviqd_QsWBme-f-e37hPmX559m7mziJqFhKcF2b8QyjCkhBWl3bTN9Wtym9xI7NYFGSPGZ91k_7_lWTUYXTrQjPY1Dc/s320/IMG_1624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><strong> Fennel Seeds</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fennel-Seed-Focaccia-with-Kalamata-Olives-104194">Fennel Seed Focaccia with Kalamata Olives</a><br />
<a href="http://www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/20231">Spicy Turkey Sausage With Fennel Seeds</a><br />
<a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/basic-marinara-10000001662822/">Marinara Sauce</a> (always looking for a new take)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNwGClkRyy03VQmy7zD3-colivOeV4FEPaARopS9lRQGGvuey6cPOl4Qam1LR-mbPfPE8TM70fUfx-Qjdmiy076wZHzTSeJYqVPXCdyYpPpBwZtNcK7EDpJEWcj5z_Ys3n6xhMdN2eRY/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNwGClkRyy03VQmy7zD3-colivOeV4FEPaARopS9lRQGGvuey6cPOl4Qam1LR-mbPfPE8TM70fUfx-Qjdmiy076wZHzTSeJYqVPXCdyYpPpBwZtNcK7EDpJEWcj5z_Ys3n6xhMdN2eRY/s320/IMG_1627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><strong>Garam Masala</strong><br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/butter-chickpea-curry/detail.aspx">Butter Chickpea Curry</a><br />
<span class="itemreviewed"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-makhani-indian-butter-chicken/detail.aspx">Chicken Makhani</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="itemreviewed">I also ordered za'atar from Amazon. It's an Arabian spiced commonly used simply on bread brushed with oil. Absolutely delicious! I grew up in the Middle East, so it is very nostalgic.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="itemreviewed">I will report back if I find any to die for recipes. And by all means if anyone has a recipe using any of these spices, please share a link!!!</span>Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-8190279325497551472011-08-06T17:24:00.000-07:002011-08-06T17:27:30.437-07:00Furniture Revamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> I was very fortunate that my mother wanted to pass on this lovely hutch for free. It has a lovely antique quality. It fit beautifully in her home. She has a very eclectic and antique-y style. She is a retired interior designer and has a beautiful home. I, however, have a much more contemporary and non-eclectic style. So, I decided to revamp the hutch to fit in with what I have (and kept my fingers crossed that Mom doesn't hate it!).<br />
<br />
Here is the before picture, and please try to ignore the very, very messy garage in the background. The upper glass doors were already removed for travel, so they are not shown in this picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3-UMRsDNAIjldg1xAWfTKe5QLgsNxLCWs_W8exvc6qHjukkx_nzt4uHnwv-o5Sc6FFjwm9GcgN3X_iGyDk0jp1QU4dIfow4ksLrGC6kAI1xAjE_MlLPD8oj6HoIoCGo5GZxnjvbrMQk/s1600/IMG_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3-UMRsDNAIjldg1xAWfTKe5QLgsNxLCWs_W8exvc6qHjukkx_nzt4uHnwv-o5Sc6FFjwm9GcgN3X_iGyDk0jp1QU4dIfow4ksLrGC6kAI1xAjE_MlLPD8oj6HoIoCGo5GZxnjvbrMQk/s400/IMG_1535.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Now, drum roll, here is the after:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms_km-1sOJmf6j09fPX3HWuyDaEA0mYb7DgVlu2vemmDLF3ToEQLdQyPLnj-xUNw2dP5ufVXzYNJbm-3qMMX7SOZpCUSXl5sS-EOK8apC6SQ1w0_bLDDIOHasZcABkQ7YECeij2iKOoA/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms_km-1sOJmf6j09fPX3HWuyDaEA0mYb7DgVlu2vemmDLF3ToEQLdQyPLnj-xUNw2dP5ufVXzYNJbm-3qMMX7SOZpCUSXl5sS-EOK8apC6SQ1w0_bLDDIOHasZcABkQ7YECeij2iKOoA/s400/IMG_1562.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I think it cost me about $35 to redo this, including all of the hardware. I just bought some white paint (obviously) for the outside, a turquoise (Turquoise Bay at Ace Hardware) for the inside, and new knobs, pulls, and hinges. I already had primer on hand.<br />
<br />
Here is a close-up of the inside of the upper part. I just love the pops of red with the turquoise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH-Vqb3De27WKCBj9_8ZCpZiOSn1m697PdJA36dYAio9S4OnsHOTf_WjS_DujIAN2suYaJ-t9zryZdcIPvWqNiUsxFePc4RqipNJyumkrg-I4MKzVOaZpxgeXx0PK3SVh572tUAlGd5Y/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH-Vqb3De27WKCBj9_8ZCpZiOSn1m697PdJA36dYAio9S4OnsHOTf_WjS_DujIAN2suYaJ-t9zryZdcIPvWqNiUsxFePc4RqipNJyumkrg-I4MKzVOaZpxgeXx0PK3SVh572tUAlGd5Y/s400/IMG_1566.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And I stuck pretty true to the knobs that were on the original piece...the glass was just really yellowed so they needed to be replaced. Very classic looking, I think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2UF0rV5ivvi8emhLXVqqLs8UwaHY2ly0nChnF59pzrxOtYug8xeGPszWI-cCOti8vL3wQfaG4AObM4GrxvzUh6YJinEanGDip-gvVWpbPE-DNl0DLlozb-hOMRzCmsw9xTtBQLDhdEM/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2UF0rV5ivvi8emhLXVqqLs8UwaHY2ly0nChnF59pzrxOtYug8xeGPszWI-cCOti8vL3wQfaG4AObM4GrxvzUh6YJinEanGDip-gvVWpbPE-DNl0DLlozb-hOMRzCmsw9xTtBQLDhdEM/s400/IMG_1565.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I went a little more contemporary on the pulls, though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD94pwcyvJRX6AmPclpDT8fZ-i1IubWx0afqiyF4EGEz8XOx3KY3eclpj5-956rkWfrBm1axwor4O1eVHQx-DYi4tG0PujaUf4t7kCQ_JE497fO-rPkZbRs_luMFxesjk3KUy_Yptdfw/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD94pwcyvJRX6AmPclpDT8fZ-i1IubWx0afqiyF4EGEz8XOx3KY3eclpj5-956rkWfrBm1axwor4O1eVHQx-DYi4tG0PujaUf4t7kCQ_JE497fO-rPkZbRs_luMFxesjk3KUy_Yptdfw/s400/IMG_1564.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
All in all, I am super happy with how this project turned out. It makes a beautiful addition to our home and gives me TONS of extra storage. Also, it is an interesting process refinishing old furniture...when you get in there and see all of the stuff prior owners have done. All of the nicks and nails...it makes you wonder about them - who they were, when they were, etc.<br />
<br />
Have you had any successful furniture refinishing projects. If so, give me the link or email a pic. I am always inspired to see other peoples decorating!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-4895156281045540002011-07-16T16:52:00.000-07:002011-07-16T16:52:20.003-07:00Backyard MakeoverIt is no secret at all that our landscaping is a work in progress. Given that we have ten acres and no HOA rules to adhere to, we are taking our sweet time. It is so hard to believe that we have been in this house almost five years now and still have no front yard to speak of. Oh well. The backyard is coming along nicely. I posted pictures a while back of our raised beds and retaining walls as well as some before shots of our now fire pit area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqimc0v0jzCdYStdUVacKmIctDUbC6N7N_aeFLRap8bFyEWwH4UssJMF0kmEikzdMMvLGGPdrOzA19Ni_vMURwdemwrjsYyq7nU9dy-0gPvTqa1_Qhidvc4lhsVFKVXvvVAfN168Hlt4/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqimc0v0jzCdYStdUVacKmIctDUbC6N7N_aeFLRap8bFyEWwH4UssJMF0kmEikzdMMvLGGPdrOzA19Ni_vMURwdemwrjsYyq7nU9dy-0gPvTqa1_Qhidvc4lhsVFKVXvvVAfN168Hlt4/s400/IMG_1395.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raised Beds Late Spring<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB97BEldRtkmh6WlKyhi567iYgphW8KrJHiS8tCFyVQb-xX0-IzUySKQUqCIB-iDjIzkKkPtsT_G8GlwgcIKpVum2uzWZ4RW7aYmSNcnUPzYXCiSJRs5I71Y_c-j9hf0GMS-_7LMJL3so/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB97BEldRtkmh6WlKyhi567iYgphW8KrJHiS8tCFyVQb-xX0-IzUySKQUqCIB-iDjIzkKkPtsT_G8GlwgcIKpVum2uzWZ4RW7aYmSNcnUPzYXCiSJRs5I71Y_c-j9hf0GMS-_7LMJL3so/s400/IMG_1398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before pic of the fire pit area - lovely, isn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been very busy (with the help of my husband) working to get this project done so that we could be sure to enjoy the space during the summer weather. We had a few obstacles along the way (what project doesn't, right), but we made it work and we are super happy with the outcome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptzbcy5YFFyvmfR6QHIYvd0j9TgEHGn34RWlCZSVdqbrU3rcXvzjzqORJ5Ol9Mg1grgJ1J5cYzo58f-NsVtDuVM9TCkeU7TxZe69xF-YeftnEtX3g2iOXNhrLHhTWEkWSHDm1Los7Ync/s1600/IMG_1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptzbcy5YFFyvmfR6QHIYvd0j9TgEHGn34RWlCZSVdqbrU3rcXvzjzqORJ5Ol9Mg1grgJ1J5cYzo58f-NsVtDuVM9TCkeU7TxZe69xF-YeftnEtX3g2iOXNhrLHhTWEkWSHDm1Los7Ync/s400/IMG_1558.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We used leftover pavers from the walkway for the actual fire pit...so the only $ that we spent was for the adhesive - only $5! Of course, the chairs and gravel cost money too, but the gravel was $23 and the chairs were about $80. So, the grand total for this project: $105. I think that is pretty great!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqGRYOzF6VgmS2psWNy6amiF20bsS8UB29erDeZikSpsZroXrbgek1hciRHNAJLGyKP7CBK3eDj6XuM_2GYqD6CKdsjn2Y22T-IcOdgLAVmTwYBGp8PUvcPCTYC5BSAnbh_CCPxFxo80/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqGRYOzF6VgmS2psWNy6amiF20bsS8UB29erDeZikSpsZroXrbgek1hciRHNAJLGyKP7CBK3eDj6XuM_2GYqD6CKdsjn2Y22T-IcOdgLAVmTwYBGp8PUvcPCTYC5BSAnbh_CCPxFxo80/s400/IMG_1551.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And of course I had to make new red throw pillows on the patio to match the new red chairs, because as many of you know, I am completely obsessed with throw pillows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl512tGklRO3p8373gVKj3anx-cPHbHxprJEk80Zys3g7F6Wv8uCc1w_D-yMo1Qj6a-Ey_zDRrky-iOPsR7kpO16RLOoF2Fh05QrI9iJF6QRQ7TJlju7sIwryXTham3xJNyrr83t5Uu44/s1600/IMG_1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl512tGklRO3p8373gVKj3anx-cPHbHxprJEk80Zys3g7F6Wv8uCc1w_D-yMo1Qj6a-Ey_zDRrky-iOPsR7kpO16RLOoF2Fh05QrI9iJF6QRQ7TJlju7sIwryXTham3xJNyrr83t5Uu44/s400/IMG_1556.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here is the view from the other side of our patio. Just some bark and a picnic table. We were so fortunate - my father-in-law made us that table. I just love it. Now we have several areas in our backyard to use and we have seating for lots of guests.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgD2KE9E4-Afs4dbcQBn88KRcoLu0ItuUxBL_3GB1jlRD4ENjZ1n4B-32vSxQ6nCQUl3nVVaCUpg_yK4SORNLeXdLNP8EcTzL5kf5YKl9FptOsste-nEF2aZFVvyhc2KTbflPpgaDvuw/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgD2KE9E4-Afs4dbcQBn88KRcoLu0ItuUxBL_3GB1jlRD4ENjZ1n4B-32vSxQ6nCQUl3nVVaCUpg_yK4SORNLeXdLNP8EcTzL5kf5YKl9FptOsste-nEF2aZFVvyhc2KTbflPpgaDvuw/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have also been working on transforming the inside as well. Post and pics to come!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-40133982015822115842011-06-27T15:41:00.000-07:002011-06-27T15:41:33.649-07:00Menu Plan 6/26 - 7/2 and Fun PhotosIt feels like it has been forever since I have been on here. I guess that's because it has. I have one project too many going on right now and am finding a hard time completing anything. I was actually able to put a meal plan together this week though (out of necessity) to use up my garden harvest. I have an abundance of dill and spinach. A funny thing happened...I thought I was planting beets, but I must have a marble loose, because I planted 4 rows of spinach instead. Sometimes I scare myself.<br />
<br />
So, here is what we're eating this week:<br />
<br />
Meal #1 (Family BBQ - my contribution): <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1743,152185-249200,00.html">Cucumber and Dill Pasta Salad</a> along with grilled fish and sausages.<br />
Meal #2: Asian Salad with Spinach, Chicken, Oranges, Almonds, and Sesame Ginger Dressing with Crusty Bread<br />
Meal #3: Dill and Feta Cheese Frittata with Spinach Salad or Cooked Spinach <br />
Meal #4: Chicken and Pesto Paninis with Fruit Salad<br />
Meal #5: Sandwiches made with Leftover Frittata with Roasted Red Peppers on Baguette<br />
<br />
And of course, since it's summer, I have to be honest and say that the other night we'll be having leftover pasta salad with sausages on the grill. Pretty fancy here. LOL.<br />
<br />
Here are a few fun pics from our week...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNFCIeY5_T4Pib_pTA89xKhyNSXBjXXJGqiZ7uPFz_zGPrVXFL94IqBkx_91-KvvIjgrBdTGamMkNT1u-xj_s9S9dzFLI7zwRNdBpECQq3rvrbW4V3lSl9_PwFRwNwhU3x5YSyscmcz8/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNFCIeY5_T4Pib_pTA89xKhyNSXBjXXJGqiZ7uPFz_zGPrVXFL94IqBkx_91-KvvIjgrBdTGamMkNT1u-xj_s9S9dzFLI7zwRNdBpECQq3rvrbW4V3lSl9_PwFRwNwhU3x5YSyscmcz8/s400/IMG_1521.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and her fawn right outside my house<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf30m3HGeWUjxAl5ZC89U-1n6r5JoSDMzDTYh7ukz_dAoX8uRz6ZhRaXcf4HzDXur_sUtIizP620dOemLPjaQRB7ue0I9BHAVBDaac1XHShajCCD__jsYNi6YUKeU44yC4-AaDzhQt3fw/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf30m3HGeWUjxAl5ZC89U-1n6r5JoSDMzDTYh7ukz_dAoX8uRz6ZhRaXcf4HzDXur_sUtIizP620dOemLPjaQRB7ue0I9BHAVBDaac1XHShajCCD__jsYNi6YUKeU44yC4-AaDzhQt3fw/s400/IMG_1512.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursing....awwwww!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm-Nxbaf2SZBXXdRh47gGBExFr42zkSLux-AqTg98tLY3armE6gC1lizePKDno40A8c6G3ldWUYmQQK0AET_LizcPfEVtduorgJC4jqkGAYU4tLFG4waoaWFLrEwegTx4C7hQj1MPvTo/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm-Nxbaf2SZBXXdRh47gGBExFr42zkSLux-AqTg98tLY3armE6gC1lizePKDno40A8c6G3ldWUYmQQK0AET_LizcPfEVtduorgJC4jqkGAYU4tLFG4waoaWFLrEwegTx4C7hQj1MPvTo/s400/011.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bean with her first fish - those little pink princess poles really work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Have a great week everyone!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-36810415423292064372011-06-12T16:36:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:36:53.020-07:00Gardening Update and PicturesI just got back from a mini vacation (sort of). And I was finally able to get some pics of my new garden area. My husband and I put in two new retaining walls and built three raised beds this spring. The drippers are in and the seeds are sprouting. I am a virgin gardener, so I am beyond excited.<br />
<br />
There are no before pictures included here. But, picture a bunch of dirt and weeds. There you go, that's what we had before this. We are on 10 acres, therefore there are no restrictions on our landscaping (or lack thereof). Therefore, we have taken our sweet time with everything.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV60U5Cp6bT5IMb_DSeRT6s-4GYV8OhQykWXZJCYqVFRyVP6mdL6sBmKFySS-BB-Ngtb7H4IZ275LX5lX1YYi2E1l-hq4Jxc6ONGLdD96ugE_sjMabW4n1oslF5OkuoM4Y1FPMID_Aj0/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV60U5Cp6bT5IMb_DSeRT6s-4GYV8OhQykWXZJCYqVFRyVP6mdL6sBmKFySS-BB-Ngtb7H4IZ275LX5lX1YYi2E1l-hq4Jxc6ONGLdD96ugE_sjMabW4n1oslF5OkuoM4Y1FPMID_Aj0/s400/IMG_1395.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a list of the different things that I planted:</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beets</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carrots</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spinach</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lettuce</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Green Peppers</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Snap Peas</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Green Onions</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomatoes (4 varieties)</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Potatoes - in ground (Blue and Yukon Gold)</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zucchini - in ground</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eggplant - in ground</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Herbs (in pots - not pictured) - dill, chives, rosemary, basil, and thyme</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdfR3EVW4JH_Jp7hPzXUBvVQwYxxb28fO11eWQIY-ftjXkkuBi6b5xdlpTA3sIgJPEmriYAYQjo2c1YXlxJOS0ouN3nvTlgnGYsQFCO7I0YmzD_RbGuKeuhTt1enuvSoyIhbs_07tb2c/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdfR3EVW4JH_Jp7hPzXUBvVQwYxxb28fO11eWQIY-ftjXkkuBi6b5xdlpTA3sIgJPEmriYAYQjo2c1YXlxJOS0ouN3nvTlgnGYsQFCO7I0YmzD_RbGuKeuhTt1enuvSoyIhbs_07tb2c/s400/IMG_1396.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIE1ANqMGYvQihsojT2eDnpvi38C_1HKypizW13GCIvnrUuTjJaW8Sr5ZbYJIM3Jp_0iFPMnU6lRi9XU7-WLUmwt2KQXz9QHevZSg2k_B2Aai062ia85ZwvWqNwks37Kmyns8DLnlYkY/s1600/IMG_1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIE1ANqMGYvQihsojT2eDnpvi38C_1HKypizW13GCIvnrUuTjJaW8Sr5ZbYJIM3Jp_0iFPMnU6lRi9XU7-WLUmwt2KQXz9QHevZSg2k_B2Aai062ia85ZwvWqNwks37Kmyns8DLnlYkY/s400/IMG_1397.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This is a before picture of my next project. I am going to be building a fire pit in the lower area here. The tricky part: our septic tank is below this area, so the covering has to be somewhat easy to remove since it needs to be pumped every three years. I have some ideas that I am looking into for that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAububIC_4I6HxvcTD28HEDRe7PToPWuV-r4da9ZSjRAfNYvjommau7QZ5FIpDEOdG4gQL-8LvAIIq8whFY_gm02fIZuoW7bO8-aWPckvbr4cA55cNLZLlhpoF2AuV6G8CVEN4913PKF0/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAububIC_4I6HxvcTD28HEDRe7PToPWuV-r4da9ZSjRAfNYvjommau7QZ5FIpDEOdG4gQL-8LvAIIq8whFY_gm02fIZuoW7bO8-aWPckvbr4cA55cNLZLlhpoF2AuV6G8CVEN4913PKF0/s400/IMG_1398.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And yes, off to the left, that is one very dead tree. The gophers are responsible for that. Not happy since that was a very expensive tree. Grrrr....<br />
<br />
And below is a picture of our psychotic hummingbird. He perches at the top of said dead tree where he has an excellent view of our hummingbird feeder. Anytime another hummingbird thinks of taking a sip, he swoops down and threatens them and they inevitably fly away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEGHYDlczevZAxb4v9fcOxlHaSKF018fJ6nxA2t7adYw3y45oOav1eAU3B3VE8uvtCT-QjSo0aD53R0nI55nVBJQu19bdWZ29ysto7aU0ITdwzu9FQMZ1ITuWRZvmfRjRCbzxEMVC2EA/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEGHYDlczevZAxb4v9fcOxlHaSKF018fJ6nxA2t7adYw3y45oOav1eAU3B3VE8uvtCT-QjSo0aD53R0nI55nVBJQu19bdWZ29ysto7aU0ITdwzu9FQMZ1ITuWRZvmfRjRCbzxEMVC2EA/s400/IMG_1389.JPG" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Have a great week!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-28853743534539577202011-06-01T15:51:00.000-07:002011-06-01T15:52:26.138-07:00Pinterest FeverThere has been a lot being said about <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> in the blogosphere of late. Now I know why. It is an addiction. I may soon need to enter a 12 step program. So, here's the deal...you know how you come across a tutorial that you love and you save it in your favorites toolbar along with a hundred other tutorials that you love...then you never bother looking through them because it is overwhelming? Then Pinterest is for you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>You can categorize all of those different "favorites" along with an image from the website...so you have a visual of all things at once. How genius is that? Here are a couple of examples that I have been playing with today.<br />
<br />
This is on a pinboard of mine called "Things I Vow to Make."<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_O6sSKYXfHmBzItmfxKUMzRDh03Mm0mwEATtFcx4Sw_lZ-7lmpOc7TqHanP7NjJscpNUak7ws4jLOg_BLR4gKI8hHQkOJE-AmvF3tUDsJAIN5C2fSd5kg4iqhpRCDl9Eg0wYSy-6ckQ/s400/pinterest+1.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /><br />
<br />
The next one is my pinboard called "Good Food." Strangely, there are mostly sweets on there. Hmmm...<br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK7x2O2bR1riQja4P7to05lOxGF5i8hAe92vqdOe-3GArwSYLTRCIE6UsVvWEgR_VHVKUWXh_F6gJSfNoNGC158a03fu0VyRFZpMaTnA9WGplalNsINC3h-xeYTSyRtmVBeXV3xHB48w/s400/pinterest3.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /><br />
<br />
So, you can see that there are photos and links so when you are choosing your next meal, project, purchase, puppy, whatever, you can see them all side by side. Amazing!<br />
<br />
Here's the thing with Pinterest, you can only join by invitation. If you would like me to invite you, please leave a comment with your email address or send me an email at littlebeanworkshop{at}hotmail{dot}com. Don't blame me when you become an addict though!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-40989488181607919322011-05-24T15:19:00.000-07:002011-05-24T15:19:02.486-07:00A New LookI decided to update my blogs appearance today. We are having a terribly rainy, gloomy day and I wanted to see something fresh and crisp and reminiscent of summer. So, here you have it. A lime. And you must be thinking, "wow Amy, where did you get those mad photo skills?" As much as I would like to take credit, I cannot. I found out about a website called <a href="http://morguefile.com/">morguefile.com</a> that has free high resolution images to download. Awe-some. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMsj-NqpQR5yaZCyYRb5JVrqKa5sQPWKCU4Wqe2KL4bZY9T4K5fj9LIEdYC5M9GrrJG99_qoy7Um0KQxXo2j3iWFn56fCoBJWqyZO3AYnsOWq1TwQC4asqWWESWFzabn7K8DWxDXDQFQ/s1600/Lime+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMsj-NqpQR5yaZCyYRb5JVrqKa5sQPWKCU4Wqe2KL4bZY9T4K5fj9LIEdYC5M9GrrJG99_qoy7Um0KQxXo2j3iWFn56fCoBJWqyZO3AYnsOWq1TwQC4asqWWESWFzabn7K8DWxDXDQFQ/s400/Lime+photo.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I changed the font to a simple Courier style. I really like things to be simple and tidy, so I went very simple and tidy. Suits me perfectly. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgRVAWgTnHgeqgzMMYE2tXqCQDxTKpYaESRw6dkWtzXcbstskDYDaZ-6iUhoKs2k18XMxgE_VDbmB3lcdSfxL5l5LFmoSJ7OMHFtBi4rr6zl5xTBu_jvc0TFCpzqE3YMN8gVPLvoodGI/s1600/Lime+Header.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgRVAWgTnHgeqgzMMYE2tXqCQDxTKpYaESRw6dkWtzXcbstskDYDaZ-6iUhoKs2k18XMxgE_VDbmB3lcdSfxL5l5LFmoSJ7OMHFtBi4rr6zl5xTBu_jvc0TFCpzqE3YMN8gVPLvoodGI/s400/Lime+Header.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I am always visiting blogs where there are these very beautiful and fancy logos, layouts, etc. as the headers and I am always jealous. Good thing for me that I am a minimalist, because I seriously lack the skills to do something like that. Ha.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-51214640045483816252011-05-18T19:33:00.000-07:002011-05-18T19:33:45.527-07:00Meal Plan 5/15 - 5/21 and Garden UpdateAnother gorgeous week here. I have actually mowed my lawn twice already. I have planted beets, carrots, potatoes (blue, yukon gold, and red norland) and spinach as well as dill, rosemary, and chives. I am holding out until the weekend to plant the rest of my seeds and flowers. I will probably wait until June 1st before I dare put in any tomatoes...but I'll just buy big plants that were raised in a greenhouse. This is the first year that I have had a real garden (besides the odd flowers/veggies here or there), so I am really excited...and trying not to expect to much.<br />
<br />
Before I can post any pictures of our progress with our retaining walls, raised beds, and fire pit area...I have to be able to get a truck in here to deliver gravel and bark. However, our field was just plowed and getting a truck to the appropriate area will be a bit of a nightmare until the ground firms up. I am dying to share though...but too embarrassed to post pics of dirt and weeds.<br />
<br />
So, on with the meal plan. A little shorter this week since we have a date night (sort of) planned and a restaurant night as well.<br />
<br />
Meal #1: Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Toasts (we had a rainy and cold day that this was perfect for)<br />
Meal #2: <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2010/05/11/garlic-lemon-chicken-kabobs/">Garlic Lemon Chicken Kebabs</a> and <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artichoke/">Artichokes</a> with Lemon Butter (1/2 stick of butter and juice of 1/2 large lemon)<br />
Meal #3: Chicken Paprikash with Tossed Salad (<span style="background-color: yellow;">grrrr</span>, I can't find the link)<br />
Meal #4: Pad Thai with Tofu and Cucumber Salad (1/2 c. white vinegar, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt poured over sliced cucumbers)<br />
<br />
Do you all have gardens started? If so, what are you growing? What is your most successful veg/fruit?Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-50843177608732710462011-05-11T15:15:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:36:43.950-07:00Meal Plan and Update 5/8 - 5/14I have been a bad, bad blogger and seriously neglecting this little hobby. The sun has finally made an appearance here in the Inland Northwest and I can't seem to bring myself indoors. Not to mention we have 10 acres of property that need LOTS of attention. As I have previously mentioned, we built some retaining walls and 3 large raised beds (do you have any idea how much dirt it takes to fill those up? Yikes!). We have been planting seeds, herbs, and I got my dahlias in the ground (finally!) yesterday.<br />
<br />
So, given the lovely weather...the meal plan for the week completely reflects my laid back attitude. That, and the number of evening commitments between me and my husband...I am not wanting to spend my time in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
Meal #1: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/rachael-rays-sauteed-sweet-chicken-w-spicy-fresh-tomato-chutney-383313">Sauteed Sweet Chicken Breasts with Tomato Chutney</a> (never got to it last week)<br />
Meal #2: Dinner in the park: Tuna Salad Sandwiches with Mini Carrots and Strawberries<br />
Meal #3: Grilled Chicken Sausages with <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/284868/potato-salad-with-celery-and-scallions">Potato Salad with Celery and Scallions</a> (seriously, the BEST potato salad I have ever had...and it can be out in the heat too!)<br />
Meal #4: <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2011/05/bean-and-cheese-burrito-casserole-slow.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AYearOfCrockPotting+%28A+Year+of+Slow+Cooking%29">Slow Cooker Bean and Cheese Burrito Casserole</a> with Steamed Corn and Guacamole<br />
Meal #5: Rotini with Pesto, Goat Cheese, Basil, Grape Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, and Yellow Squash (Delish! and so easy)<br />
<br />
I hope you are all having a wonderful week and are enjoying similar weather!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-65879393884675013242011-05-03T14:05:00.000-07:002011-05-03T14:05:02.597-07:00Meal Plan 5/1 - 5/7The whole family did a 12K on Sunday (Bloomsday) followed by a few hours of intensive yard work (i.e. hauling dirt). After a very last minute dinner of scrambled eggs and bagels, I came up with this meal plan - mostly from thumbing through my fave Rachael Ray cookbook.<br />
<br />
Meal #1: Black Bean and Chicken Enchiladas (sauce recipe <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/easy-enchilada-sauce-recipe/index.html">here</a>) with Steamed Corn<br />
Meal #2: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/313994/quick-chickpea-curry">Curried Chickpeas</a> with Rice<br />
Meal #3: Spinach, Artichoke, and Egg Noodle Soup (based on a Rachael Ray recipe in 365: No Repeats)<br />
Meal #4: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/rachael-rays-sauteed-sweet-chicken-w-spicy-fresh-tomato-chutney-383313">Sauteed Chicken Breasts with Spicy Tomato Chutney</a> and Brown Rice<br />
Meal #5: Buffalo Turkey Burgers with Blue Cheese Dressing and Tossed Salad (again from 365: No Repeats)<br />
<br />
Been busy lately putting in raised beds and retaining walls in the back yard. Also getting ready to refinish some furniture and hopefully get to my sewing machine at some point. Sorry for the lack of tutorials!<br />
<br />
What are y'all eating this week?Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-41938606842739903512011-04-25T19:41:00.000-07:002011-04-25T19:41:39.232-07:00Meal Plan 4/24-4/30 and Easter RecapWow...long time, no blog. I have been a little busy with other obligations and a little (make that a lot) uninspired. However, I am back and have new ideas brewing in my head...hopefully some will come out as expected.<br />
<br />
We had a great Easter...the Easter bunny came and was very generous...little Bean got to hunt for eggs at home and at Grandpa/Grandma's house. Lucky girl. We had some amazing weather which is a first for us in the inland northwest...it has been a cold, wet, and windy spring here. Here are a few photos of our day...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KPNLmLU5ab7h5eEdDeQ4F2n4__D6nw-2oFfmA1LaelMEQQw2B-CdLMVikZ7UX9Y-a7a_460B7rWfWFtYaROaMbvLEjzsREvB8nV-od9aEBGWkKExCPFx0qjanm8smrwomP2tBxk0Jz8/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KPNLmLU5ab7h5eEdDeQ4F2n4__D6nw-2oFfmA1LaelMEQQw2B-CdLMVikZ7UX9Y-a7a_460B7rWfWFtYaROaMbvLEjzsREvB8nV-od9aEBGWkKExCPFx0qjanm8smrwomP2tBxk0Jz8/s320/IMG_1159.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-stop running all day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfj_-XmD2Fx-sH03GCvQakWwUQ0RQS5XoRTMH8z0HrKRmvxwIU1BhmJ0zP-Nyr-3Y0AErbeRVa4g3D4nk7WhLPNmzh45NT62iMIjQq4hhef47hZ14VzgDwZ2r-rdahZZzlvUfJZCrvB8/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfj_-XmD2Fx-sH03GCvQakWwUQ0RQS5XoRTMH8z0HrKRmvxwIU1BhmJ0zP-Nyr-3Y0AErbeRVa4g3D4nk7WhLPNmzh45NT62iMIjQq4hhef47hZ14VzgDwZ2r-rdahZZzlvUfJZCrvB8/s320/IMG_1129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love, love, love this pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOx7qVCwZCuSDVSzGze1KbDEK3XvSTKDktRf1EQ0lw6lHezWs_V2GzRko0mThVpzObB9XFZqd5GNeIU1yWvW9hfn9vP7gASrT2hZsSr518sRRHr-pOVYDbRFmlzjLEBdFLKZwItE99BCY/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOx7qVCwZCuSDVSzGze1KbDEK3XvSTKDktRf1EQ0lw6lHezWs_V2GzRko0mThVpzObB9XFZqd5GNeIU1yWvW9hfn9vP7gASrT2hZsSr518sRRHr-pOVYDbRFmlzjLEBdFLKZwItE99BCY/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These bracelets were her favorite Easter gift!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK-oYfMgU5kh07vUT3fnq0YfV4wvoe2tee8XfUJRHoBHcFng4SwAhFMkSksP08gwCM0_6oSJCfwviTWsKkIWPdElFbqb96O0q0ovmLVYNtIGdTXWBLROgWoIzv1AmTfwGJlgyYTVuqxo/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK-oYfMgU5kh07vUT3fnq0YfV4wvoe2tee8XfUJRHoBHcFng4SwAhFMkSksP08gwCM0_6oSJCfwviTWsKkIWPdElFbqb96O0q0ovmLVYNtIGdTXWBLROgWoIzv1AmTfwGJlgyYTVuqxo/s320/IMG_1144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out these shoes!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfSmZCofEcdD5wMx8AsM3f12GaGWOjISsk0s9DJkXz3EYf3KK3pkcrzSDWGVlBVTymWwUr_CSPjOhxlgWSBI6CN1PneUMMHQ2hIxwvnokYzHDQC_HwRRpsjUKMfrK0Bs_OwIFcrFbZ7Y/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfSmZCofEcdD5wMx8AsM3f12GaGWOjISsk0s9DJkXz3EYf3KK3pkcrzSDWGVlBVTymWwUr_CSPjOhxlgWSBI6CN1PneUMMHQ2hIxwvnokYzHDQC_HwRRpsjUKMfrK0Bs_OwIFcrFbZ7Y/s320/IMG_1168.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins climbing a tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L-4LHdJX1py3UM0H7BlKXzlFh1ycRlO-7ZFC9YYzj4I0ekI9gGuJU3HFtPg_VRrqem9DuxewrlNjJj2H-t6nfElD8bhrvMIHf4gMbGN7BS4PqqoWlSr5sklo5Dtq1teHOZBzszzyGhA/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L-4LHdJX1py3UM0H7BlKXzlFh1ycRlO-7ZFC9YYzj4I0ekI9gGuJU3HFtPg_VRrqem9DuxewrlNjJj2H-t6nfElD8bhrvMIHf4gMbGN7BS4PqqoWlSr5sklo5Dtq1teHOZBzszzyGhA/s320/IMG_1190.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What else is this thing for?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Okay, thanks for pretending that you care about my Easter :)<br />
<br />
Now, here's the meal plan for the week:<br />
<br />
Meal #1: (was supposed to be Easter dinner, but we were still too full from Easter brunch to eat): Sauteed Chicken with a <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/raymond-beurre-blanc-recipe/index.html">Lemon Buerre Blanc</a> with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus<br />
Meal #2: Penne with Eggplant Marinara and Feta Cheese<br />
Meal #3: Egg Salad Sandwiches (to use up all of those dyed eggs) with Tossed Salad<br />
Meal #4: Asian Chicken Salad (again) with Sesame Ginger Dressing (gotta use up all that dressing)<br />
Meal #5: Butternut Squash and Black Bean Winter Chili with Cornbread<br />
<br />
Have a great week everyone!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-69234234908505355472011-04-10T17:02:00.000-07:002011-04-10T17:02:25.873-07:00California Dreamin' Tube Top Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Consider yourselves warned...my arms are very white and I am a terrible model. That being said, I am tremendously excited about this tutorial. I LOVE summer and the sun. Therefore I love summer clothes. I have been dreaming up this tube top in my head for weeks now and it has finally materialized. It is really easy and dare I say, really chic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qlC7RxvgLiv0yTIx8k4ozoL8FG1ICmMs3SRFFYb9HlEyoTXRqMokJ0nehOg7ykF9Z4eoX6_p8AtnJ3ePKZ-yMLyBARrQ9EImo63pR1BC3t_lOaE0nyO0Qmgoz6QjqiYbY6Hdlgi6REE/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLoCestduAYCAHyt_xIKfiQuI0y0UYHNbs7uSHSRsPGgwQfUlBkonEXl_745nC2CMKq8TT1sEqC1Q-vGMlaRZRQDDytgimy2aN2EBPbngGbU74c4li4dfvaER7FthF4CbZBI9Z4bBqWY/s1600/Tube+top+labeled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLoCestduAYCAHyt_xIKfiQuI0y0UYHNbs7uSHSRsPGgwQfUlBkonEXl_745nC2CMKq8TT1sEqC1Q-vGMlaRZRQDDytgimy2aN2EBPbngGbU74c4li4dfvaER7FthF4CbZBI9Z4bBqWY/s320/Tube+top+labeled.jpg" width="177" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was about 39 degrees and windy outside. Yep, I'm that dedicated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SiP5OcyPS9l3TL3JUmxV8SUPMRB2eZ66G_n6EgYkYfgB__alkpD751TYivlQC36MfCktQawa01deRnIEJQegjCAThySQ_kv-bZHCIRJJF9zzycRGFv4wSeSzvfBdrDAnIbcjPJUHI8/s1600/back+view+no+label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SiP5OcyPS9l3TL3JUmxV8SUPMRB2eZ66G_n6EgYkYfgB__alkpD751TYivlQC36MfCktQawa01deRnIEJQegjCAThySQ_kv-bZHCIRJJF9zzycRGFv4wSeSzvfBdrDAnIbcjPJUHI8/s320/back+view+no+label.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is just a white interlock knit. Super simple. If you have not sewn with knits before, this is a great place to start. No serger needed (although I dream that I will someday have one for projects like this).<br />
<br />
What you need:<br />
<ul><li>one yard knit fabric</li>
<li>coordinating thread</li>
<li>1" wide elastic (amount will depend upon your underarm measurement)</li>
</ul>Start by taking your underarm measurement - right at your armpits. Mine was 32.5". Since we want all of the fabric to be gathered...add 12.5" to your measurement, so mine was 45". <br />
<br />
For the length of the main piece, I went with 19". However, I have an incredibly long torso, so if you are more average, you may want to go with 17". But go ahead and measure - you will want the top piece to end at the top of the hip...allow 1" total for seam allowance.<br />
<br />
So, the first piece = underarm measurement + 12.5" x 17-19"<br />
<br />
For the second piece, turn your fabric around and find the direction that does not stretch very much. You want to cut in this direction. In other words, you don't want the piece that sits on your hips to stretch very much so it will hold that nice shape. So, measure well. Take your hip measurement at the widest spot (mine was 34") and add .5" (so my piece was 34.5" long). The width should be 11".<br />
<br />
Second piece = hip measurement + 1/2" x 11"<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX46H8g_Xkfxyny8APie8mp6cSQDnWOJ7KkBBLuG2pJCGWOwSqNV0L5Y0ioHOICFVp6cHHS6GG5cW5bncZTQd5QTHmu4L_sutcBS0xKctibP3m6JwqdGxoed9fIqM2F9pO1CHw9LTzxQ/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX46H8g_Xkfxyny8APie8mp6cSQDnWOJ7KkBBLuG2pJCGWOwSqNV0L5Y0ioHOICFVp6cHHS6GG5cW5bncZTQd5QTHmu4L_sutcBS0xKctibP3m6JwqdGxoed9fIqM2F9pO1CHw9LTzxQ/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Using the top piece (the large piece) decide which edge is the top and do a zig-zag stitch (or serge) along the top edge.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9XexeUr7dCm07oLgmPr_nBGmkHK4hulVn4i2CXQS-D26-cksxU0z2zyi0qP0iJGTCFqaqxOefDJ5xJgLVSkRp7EaREqD7zoVK9HpqYf8sABIffSKx2cs5hmLyie_grZ92JnfKL5cxEc/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9XexeUr7dCm07oLgmPr_nBGmkHK4hulVn4i2CXQS-D26-cksxU0z2zyi0qP0iJGTCFqaqxOefDJ5xJgLVSkRp7EaREqD7zoVK9HpqYf8sABIffSKx2cs5hmLyie_grZ92JnfKL5cxEc/s320/IMG_1015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Now, with right sides facing, line up the edges (side of your top). Stitch all the way from the bottom to top and then finish off with a zig-zag stitch).</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJh1yHNrk1RRcazzKZ0gfSOYMQhyphenhyphenw6raRcbi2EFItNH0_vxdy_mQd7lkjEGp22KK08-R_PYpvtq97AaqTBlq1dXJm4t9mx5SP80CxlIRjjGMxHK0p5mXFjpHVr5Oy9q8alq9uoOKjMd0/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJh1yHNrk1RRcazzKZ0gfSOYMQhyphenhyphenw6raRcbi2EFItNH0_vxdy_mQd7lkjEGp22KK08-R_PYpvtq97AaqTBlq1dXJm4t9mx5SP80CxlIRjjGMxHK0p5mXFjpHVr5Oy9q8alq9uoOKjMd0/s320/IMG_1016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5EqgH7T6hdq_bgZR9yt5aJysbT9wK4oerSQ5mew2oBPjSzh4SNMPGSnPe606Q4EzwGgBTUhn749RClCHUW_DspYM3wg8LFwjbHDX6gCbPIK8txE2QshWzJck4StPof1szKH32AMmQ1s/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5EqgH7T6hdq_bgZR9yt5aJysbT9wK4oerSQ5mew2oBPjSzh4SNMPGSnPe606Q4EzwGgBTUhn749RClCHUW_DspYM3wg8LFwjbHDX6gCbPIK8txE2QshWzJck4StPof1szKH32AMmQ1s/s320/IMG_1017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Back to the top. Fold over the top edge 1 1/4". Stitch all the way around leaving a 1 1/4" gap to feed your elastic through.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuYTnsV13tT1woOlUMiZF8zHNVJs8OFl3inGG9qaoOYLAuJIyDtU-LdKqPN3PBlZ_zWdmcjk0jpS_4YJ1hlP12TQIE1NG3xWbf9eig2jlWSbKVo1SaCcTCpvtZtj7uHopkKRWFMo7ANM/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuYTnsV13tT1woOlUMiZF8zHNVJs8OFl3inGG9qaoOYLAuJIyDtU-LdKqPN3PBlZ_zWdmcjk0jpS_4YJ1hlP12TQIE1NG3xWbf9eig2jlWSbKVo1SaCcTCpvtZtj7uHopkKRWFMo7ANM/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>For the elastic, my measurement was 32 1/2" but I don't want my top to fall down in the least bit, so I want my elastic working for me. I cut it at 28" + 1/2" for total seam allowance.</div><div></div><div>Elastic = underarm measurement - 4"</div><div></div><div>Using a safety pin, feed the elastic through.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxtILvC4o5ThR39fbSdYW-VW7jftJPPjC8LEhKjps-deIQTSNABLQH85YGQsZPdvb0L2ZHvjc5RrkeANaiW7ArhFMRKwMKDPAs4-tRzSKlTDGYFNAmV2_1r-jRide629QNQrMi6fY7Zk/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxtILvC4o5ThR39fbSdYW-VW7jftJPPjC8LEhKjps-deIQTSNABLQH85YGQsZPdvb0L2ZHvjc5RrkeANaiW7ArhFMRKwMKDPAs4-tRzSKlTDGYFNAmV2_1r-jRide629QNQrMi6fY7Zk/s320/IMG_1019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmizzDpM8XIpfwr9FBzLq5pPJZxmxXJRYj4Ijfres6zxDV2Lj4Y5ZvzFYLD51UsoUsrbAtnP6PnKcwcTRkFpVS0VNAqJWpEQvrAvCww0b8Oh-tEvQ3Kwz4w-1F7TQpXCGTXEEKMK5Ixhw/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmizzDpM8XIpfwr9FBzLq5pPJZxmxXJRYj4Ijfres6zxDV2Lj4Y5ZvzFYLD51UsoUsrbAtnP6PnKcwcTRkFpVS0VNAqJWpEQvrAvCww0b8Oh-tEvQ3Kwz4w-1F7TQpXCGTXEEKMK5Ixhw/s320/IMG_1020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Once you have made it all the way around, stitch the elastic together VERY well.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWCVfU5yPAbr3XxNhdFMr9C66esrKvNLnsMXkGL49kaS_TsG5gWTOP5UjW5TrUVEGC1JqShzLFourYyWyrgFRj6l4-77qHXvxirraI0oIK3FQuGH9TQP8q4TPpGyqN7nu8YqYC7YHpK0/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWCVfU5yPAbr3XxNhdFMr9C66esrKvNLnsMXkGL49kaS_TsG5gWTOP5UjW5TrUVEGC1JqShzLFourYyWyrgFRj6l4-77qHXvxirraI0oIK3FQuGH9TQP8q4TPpGyqN7nu8YqYC7YHpK0/s320/IMG_1021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Now to the smaller piece (bottom of your tube top). With right sides together, stitch the sides from bottom to top. Finish off with a zig-zag stitch.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLot21w6kD_GdiMAJsjOjZekOmmLBCF_bCmS7HaYZ7m-QVlsj954fvvtgklpRn4OEm9S3bJULiYnWTM_gCYFQbMFsdF7Wuzejf1b0Dk0O61x5rs6WI7M5qIOCUeOzh6isuH2f4p_Cy2U/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLot21w6kD_GdiMAJsjOjZekOmmLBCF_bCmS7HaYZ7m-QVlsj954fvvtgklpRn4OEm9S3bJULiYnWTM_gCYFQbMFsdF7Wuzejf1b0Dk0O61x5rs6WI7M5qIOCUeOzh6isuH2f4p_Cy2U/s320/IMG_1023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Now, with the right side facing out...fold your top in half so it looks like this...</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo891rk19Cuvmfsk2brUO2C0cV6Q3aW6HOBdK8IufNi4BA_MPDvZuc0mo1Ymgy_vvOs4A08ma8hQ9zYYnuh3qbUfSdmgz09yyvheIRdRSE92PyabSRCt6ZET7rUVIFBv2mB4_jO2-rAwk/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo891rk19Cuvmfsk2brUO2C0cV6Q3aW6HOBdK8IufNi4BA_MPDvZuc0mo1Ymgy_vvOs4A08ma8hQ9zYYnuh3qbUfSdmgz09yyvheIRdRSE92PyabSRCt6ZET7rUVIFBv2mB4_jO2-rAwk/s320/IMG_1024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div></div><div>Turn your machine's tension all the way up and also set your stitch length at the maximum. We are going to gather the bottom edge of the top piece. Do not back stitch here and be sure to leave long threads on either end so that you can alter your gathering, if necessary.</div><div></div><div>It should look like this.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8kh7asFEUx_Tpj8Q00ciLunaVk_ph_8Hug2rrcqCt-4cHT2OVG6nBxxCOAC0S3dJSZM5rP7FwNu1MvJtM8_E3om1sVxA-J4uSipk3Gx-noN7CgonqH8QAtSJSjL3-OfVlKq_Huf1XA8/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8kh7asFEUx_Tpj8Q00ciLunaVk_ph_8Hug2rrcqCt-4cHT2OVG6nBxxCOAC0S3dJSZM5rP7FwNu1MvJtM8_E3om1sVxA-J4uSipk3Gx-noN7CgonqH8QAtSJSjL3-OfVlKq_Huf1XA8/s320/IMG_1026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRvoszU-poUl4JvBjFrh1rfozErhn7IPVK0SW5odRAZVNOFHBRGqk1sgiUX9lajsGSdyImpR1uHOWGEswQUhxj4nyw5gCe8q5pTUIkzByxUUdbHlVQX4qaDXQF3sIuCv3WDWqt9mnHOs/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRvoszU-poUl4JvBjFrh1rfozErhn7IPVK0SW5odRAZVNOFHBRGqk1sgiUX9lajsGSdyImpR1uHOWGEswQUhxj4nyw5gCe8q5pTUIkzByxUUdbHlVQX4qaDXQF3sIuCv3WDWqt9mnHOs/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now you are going to want to play with the gathers a little. Using the threads you left on, pull and stretch until your gathered edge is the same length as the bottom portion of the top (the piece pictured below).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo891rk19Cuvmfsk2brUO2C0cV6Q3aW6HOBdK8IufNi4BA_MPDvZuc0mo1Ymgy_vvOs4A08ma8hQ9zYYnuh3qbUfSdmgz09yyvheIRdRSE92PyabSRCt6ZET7rUVIFBv2mB4_jO2-rAwk/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo891rk19Cuvmfsk2brUO2C0cV6Q3aW6HOBdK8IufNi4BA_MPDvZuc0mo1Ymgy_vvOs4A08ma8hQ9zYYnuh3qbUfSdmgz09yyvheIRdRSE92PyabSRCt6ZET7rUVIFBv2mB4_jO2-rAwk/s320/IMG_1024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Once you have this complete, you want to line up all of your rough edges. Make sure that your top is right side out. All the right sides are facing here. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG0fOlazKF6C1SM86aM_FUzgN1UNS5m1yC5nvQQH8opNNpsX-DDSN7NEudI4rEWAzkYcBOVkFW-WmhKGdqNtdhweybusl5MQn4w7-VVcBj2iFTooOfXKFOvcKZeczkMHNtQukkM-bYVo/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG0fOlazKF6C1SM86aM_FUzgN1UNS5m1yC5nvQQH8opNNpsX-DDSN7NEudI4rEWAzkYcBOVkFW-WmhKGdqNtdhweybusl5MQn4w7-VVcBj2iFTooOfXKFOvcKZeczkMHNtQukkM-bYVo/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span id="goog_317904865"></span><span id="goog_317904866"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div><div>Now stitch all the way around and secure the seam with a zig-zag stitch.</div><div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPOabF-PGP9TIjLM3EK9brnndKb6gn26zQge0HVM1NmXIwwEKITTB-dV7ReZf_JN6BFZowfQqc_g1F5Yhe-HUhVio0EsWoqY4b1XOmLHLophw9Wh6UL3GZjjrVPlb0nXEJyXRpcWdXXI/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPOabF-PGP9TIjLM3EK9brnndKb6gn26zQge0HVM1NmXIwwEKITTB-dV7ReZf_JN6BFZowfQqc_g1F5Yhe-HUhVio0EsWoqY4b1XOmLHLophw9Wh6UL3GZjjrVPlb0nXEJyXRpcWdXXI/s320/IMG_1028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div>Flip inside out and voila, it's done! </div><div></div><div>Note: For wearing, I turned the top elastic edge under so it looks a little more sophisticiated, but it looks great either way.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qlC7RxvgLiv0yTIx8k4ozoL8FG1ICmMs3SRFFYb9HlEyoTXRqMokJ0nehOg7ykF9Z4eoX6_p8AtnJ3ePKZ-yMLyBARrQ9EImo63pR1BC3t_lOaE0nyO0Qmgoz6QjqiYbY6Hdlgi6REE/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qlC7RxvgLiv0yTIx8k4ozoL8FG1ICmMs3SRFFYb9HlEyoTXRqMokJ0nehOg7ykF9Z4eoX6_p8AtnJ3ePKZ-yMLyBARrQ9EImo63pR1BC3t_lOaE0nyO0Qmgoz6QjqiYbY6Hdlgi6REE/s320/IMG_1029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeU40Z94X5idOY9NQcJw9ZI5jDVj8UAKqjADEaE09v_hVAJsbQtUjaUA0yI-P3941IuCvD3ap0XozBwuTpoeHfyqETzRNowECPzkl-d0Kw7KE7l_-rLYiRZYr71UJHcSTMELH7HGKBuvo/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeU40Z94X5idOY9NQcJw9ZI5jDVj8UAKqjADEaE09v_hVAJsbQtUjaUA0yI-P3941IuCvD3ap0XozBwuTpoeHfyqETzRNowECPzkl-d0Kw7KE7l_-rLYiRZYr71UJHcSTMELH7HGKBuvo/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n2H4JZfcXPPfAgGxOdptj4hyphenhyphenc5LrWVMOhuFmiGkOvOHf-NMelEDt1TrZBaDxh5lsneH9HV2xJNJUyKgwifEnCYSz5jKpJFwtnOKgbYQCbo-NhcV2taqITzd13iO3K42OxBlKGweJrGo/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n2H4JZfcXPPfAgGxOdptj4hyphenhyphenc5LrWVMOhuFmiGkOvOHf-NMelEDt1TrZBaDxh5lsneH9HV2xJNJUyKgwifEnCYSz5jKpJFwtnOKgbYQCbo-NhcV2taqITzd13iO3K42OxBlKGweJrGo/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SiP5OcyPS9l3TL3JUmxV8SUPMRB2eZ66G_n6EgYkYfgB__alkpD751TYivlQC36MfCktQawa01deRnIEJQegjCAThySQ_kv-bZHCIRJJF9zzycRGFv4wSeSzvfBdrDAnIbcjPJUHI8/s1600/back+view+no+label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SiP5OcyPS9l3TL3JUmxV8SUPMRB2eZ66G_n6EgYkYfgB__alkpD751TYivlQC36MfCktQawa01deRnIEJQegjCAThySQ_kv-bZHCIRJJF9zzycRGFv4wSeSzvfBdrDAnIbcjPJUHI8/s320/back+view+no+label.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">As always, if you make this project, please send me pictures!</div>Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-89717943111184358852011-04-05T15:55:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:55:27.206-07:00Meal Plan 4/3 - 4/9A little late once more. What can I say? One of these meals is one that we didn't get to last week due to MORE sickness. Ugh...is it summer yet? I feel so fortunate that Bean is old enough now to actually tell me what is wrong.<br />
<br />
Anyway...back to food. I am super excited to eat this week!<br />
<br />
Meal #1: <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/to-die-for-fettuccine-alfredo/Detail.aspx">Bowties Alfredo</a> and Tossed Salad (I lightened the recipe...I cut down on the butter by half and used half and half instead of cream but increased the amount to make up for the butter...delish!)<br />
Meal #2: Tuna Melts with Lemon, Capers, and Provolone with Steamed Veg<br />
Meal #3: Asian Salad with Chicken, Orange, and Almonds with Sesame Ginger Dressing<br />
Meal #4: <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001011293">Southwest Pinto Bean Burgers</a> with Chipotle Aioli and Sweet Potato Fries<br />
Meal #5: <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001559245">Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema</a> and Cole Slaw<br />
<br />
Also, I finally found the motivation to create something this afternoon...new summer tutorial on the way! This one's for us ladies!<br />
<br />
Have a great week!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-46947214540127269462011-04-03T08:49:00.000-07:002011-04-03T08:49:52.778-07:00Princess Cake and Pink and White Wedding CakeTwo lovely friends asked me to be a part of their special occasions by requesting cakes. The first, Layla's little friend, was turning 3 and wanted a princess party (what little girl doesn't?). So, what better than a pink tiara cake?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVJ44mH754IcC-E8ZA4J6Ax5y9yE7T8DKS2ACA5cMo6PCY_Klm3xa1zHnQ0P_xUG-jTGkXIbqHs0mn1jf50X6jwrafIGtWEtXeol_lXuvTJBQjfeKI16OvJykJTdU7HU6DWh5OzteMgk/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVJ44mH754IcC-E8ZA4J6Ax5y9yE7T8DKS2ACA5cMo6PCY_Klm3xa1zHnQ0P_xUG-jTGkXIbqHs0mn1jf50X6jwrafIGtWEtXeol_lXuvTJBQjfeKI16OvJykJTdU7HU6DWh5OzteMgk/s320/IMG_0978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And another friend had a lovely Spring wedding with pink and black accents. Here is the cute little square cake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGey6ybZ66NaVAXwNRxvggU7lOkL_Et62Xpf_6zTFjsKLj3JKX6nDYV1u5WoHMcAr_69lPESTKu6bVGhHs5ztAtV58p3IBykfjxWE7dxM8pKxwEPXAuv4a2mPBsphxHkQGXfwTQUrFfzo/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGey6ybZ66NaVAXwNRxvggU7lOkL_Et62Xpf_6zTFjsKLj3JKX6nDYV1u5WoHMcAr_69lPESTKu6bVGhHs5ztAtV58p3IBykfjxWE7dxM8pKxwEPXAuv4a2mPBsphxHkQGXfwTQUrFfzo/s320/IMG_0993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXUYlfhJWHh0hv3BfvlrRHG2FrBgRsNRRiviz1k4G553bQXursAt-dXeySuRsIc5BcorEXzCeTPabInNMorUXWsg3CfL-msK_sUh0X_HR1jdZR6RmXDENYbL9DhazI4UmT4wh5ZKluFI/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXUYlfhJWHh0hv3BfvlrRHG2FrBgRsNRRiviz1k4G553bQXursAt-dXeySuRsIc5BcorEXzCeTPabInNMorUXWsg3CfL-msK_sUh0X_HR1jdZR6RmXDENYbL9DhazI4UmT4wh5ZKluFI/s320/IMG_0994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What did you all do this weekend?Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-42392397598783662332011-03-28T15:36:00.000-07:002011-03-28T15:36:18.373-07:00Meal Plan 3/28 - 4/2Sorry I didn't post a menu last week. The stomach flu made the rounds through our entire family and then we had an out of town trip. Excuses, excuses, right? So, our stomachs are strong once more and we are ready for some serious eating. Here we go...<br />
<br />
Meal #1: Breaded Chicken Breasts with <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/creamy-roasted-broccoli-recipe/index.html">Creamy Roasted Broccoli</a> (OMG - I saw this on 5 Ingredient Fix over the weekend and HAD to have it!)<br />
Meal #2: Mexican Style Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (wish me luck...I totally made this one up - will share if it is a success)<br />
Meal #3: Red Curry with Cauliflower, Yam, and Chickpeas over Rice<br />
Meal #4: <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/to-die-for-fettuccine-alfredo/Detail.aspx">Fettuccine Alfredo</a> with Tossed Salad <br />
Meal #5: <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1880029">Creamy Carrot Soup</a> and Grilled Cheese (a total cheat - I froze it last month)<br />
Dinner Party Meal: Still undecided, but I may do a Thai theme...so I may omit meal #3, switch it up to chicken, eggplant, and pepper along with Pad Thai, Cucumber Salad, and Butterflies - those delicious cream cheese and crab deep fried things. Maybe mangoes and rice or black rice pudding for dessert. What kind of cocktail do you serve with Thai food? Totally taking suggestions!<br />
<br />
What are you cooking up this week? Please leave a comment and share - I get so much inspiration this way!<br />
<br />
Have a great and productive week!Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014717526062123196.post-23773857873366363932011-03-22T15:13:00.000-07:002011-03-22T15:15:19.998-07:00Salt and Pepper Shaker Cozy TutorialNever in my life did I think that I would sew a cozy for a salt and/or pepper shaker. But, alas, here I am. Here is my defense. I can't seem to leave any sort of salt and pepper shakers within reach of Little Bean otherwise her food ends up inedible. So, I decided I needed to get the grinders - well, at Williams Sonoma, they are like $50 each. So, Bean and I were perusing the aisles of Costco and came upon large plastic versions for sea salt and pepper. But, the ugly Kirkland labels were not something that I wanted to leave out on my table or on my counter. Justified? I think so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0CjV3gxBbKIgh78NmSIWUpvRMee3MQttHhicrswnK7RFE3LeYzJPjiIfE2Sj5l8N55JVODnIOxcustd_jpxHdnIlg-JYUTgglpkfv1G2tqV6r7CBwyqrXTbbFQkiptCoeHseyvDXxCo/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0CjV3gxBbKIgh78NmSIWUpvRMee3MQttHhicrswnK7RFE3LeYzJPjiIfE2Sj5l8N55JVODnIOxcustd_jpxHdnIlg-JYUTgglpkfv1G2tqV6r7CBwyqrXTbbFQkiptCoeHseyvDXxCo/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the grinders before (minus the labels - I needed quite a bit of Goo Gone to get those puppies off):</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwswBGQUi8136wsezeKV9Mkkj8dZEdJnzv2Kaume7hVmpvl-ffCywBm039Oo2kxuMaythRGqOPsVJjYbHv01s08zv-V8R7LIiDpGIonqYo5qa_4zZBXUI2taHBVG2_uLTVgy87Y-0-sM/s1600/IMG_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwswBGQUi8136wsezeKV9Mkkj8dZEdJnzv2Kaume7hVmpvl-ffCywBm039Oo2kxuMaythRGqOPsVJjYbHv01s08zv-V8R7LIiDpGIonqYo5qa_4zZBXUI2taHBVG2_uLTVgy87Y-0-sM/s320/IMG_0868.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">First you'll want to pick out your font for your letters. I used Stencil Std in MS Word. Based on exactly how big you want your letters, set the font at around 100. This took a little bit of printer ink to get just right.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fHbar26Vuod7z_NHEBjdFijO9ClHdj9GVb4ILsKiyK7qOVUNnYAGoDVJxpFhgIW9AlsZI56fW3b9vsr-aMZnjbiVUt-_kJXg3RtXsQWyPA91u0dfOkJ1QpHhzJIzy_pZFeUXkdWAGYA/s1600/IMG_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fHbar26Vuod7z_NHEBjdFijO9ClHdj9GVb4ILsKiyK7qOVUNnYAGoDVJxpFhgIW9AlsZI56fW3b9vsr-aMZnjbiVUt-_kJXg3RtXsQWyPA91u0dfOkJ1QpHhzJIzy_pZFeUXkdWAGYA/s320/IMG_0866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Fabric you'll need:<br />
<ul><li>four strips of fabric 8 1/4" x 3"</li>
<li>two small pieces of scrap fabric for your letters</li>
<li>two small pieces of double sided interfacing</li>
<li>~5 inches of 1/4" elastic</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJYguvm1xVFbZrx2T4WGBh8oZH1jzq4GgTMtv_38tgQuQSPS8b0xbr007Fbhyphenhyphen2DhKJGtI4IWWLN-sI0SFDUxbXA1lWPcd1HL3HmVVEwiEIVRcbs15yNEL8-N-YdgO7VCvb-b0X1-KiQI/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJYguvm1xVFbZrx2T4WGBh8oZH1jzq4GgTMtv_38tgQuQSPS8b0xbr007Fbhyphenhyphen2DhKJGtI4IWWLN-sI0SFDUxbXA1lWPcd1HL3HmVVEwiEIVRcbs15yNEL8-N-YdgO7VCvb-b0X1-KiQI/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Iron on the interfacing to your letter fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVkgtWdOr1m3DQVXvvJdYl61IZrMIiFcSHQqhrjtfS22hIv9XOsSHp9OfUB1q5loP1iSjvYLA5GV5yGdejLhESNdOihFyYHE7XSo6fcyPx0GFap-ptCJj6XvUeTthMvnml43vxaKiFVs/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVkgtWdOr1m3DQVXvvJdYl61IZrMIiFcSHQqhrjtfS22hIv9XOsSHp9OfUB1q5loP1iSjvYLA5GV5yGdejLhESNdOihFyYHE7XSo6fcyPx0GFap-ptCJj6XvUeTthMvnml43vxaKiFVs/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Carefully cut out your letters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1k7rVmStgjPu15iZg-6xxqrlyuvSw8YvTIljXLnyTSyXXQ99PoPt9x4SufL2Eib29Aa3-JLgntBzUg4K0ZuHjEJwYb9-Z7ACKUHJBheqdHW6Am6kVIzdc_N6ZYGAIpziwrzSVCwP_60/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1k7rVmStgjPu15iZg-6xxqrlyuvSw8YvTIljXLnyTSyXXQ99PoPt9x4SufL2Eib29Aa3-JLgntBzUg4K0ZuHjEJwYb9-Z7ACKUHJBheqdHW6Am6kVIzdc_N6ZYGAIpziwrzSVCwP_60/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Using scotch tape to adhere the letters to the interfacing, attach them upside down, as pictured.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_rSN9b0GEUuaKzcSoM7YukbxDP3NBGsp__lHKqfgqR5__BHtDGvQ0hzsGEws-kxZssMFZN_1epl85MconiXGFAioCv7OEHyxJb6BCsf6nSbH_ce3nQlv5-hdTSOZVm7veJj7VO6IORA/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_rSN9b0GEUuaKzcSoM7YukbxDP3NBGsp__lHKqfgqR5__BHtDGvQ0hzsGEws-kxZssMFZN_1epl85MconiXGFAioCv7OEHyxJb6BCsf6nSbH_ce3nQlv5-hdTSOZVm7veJj7VO6IORA/s320/IMG_0873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Carefully cut out your letters in fabric. Remove second piece of paper from interfacing and iron down to fabric strip. I didn't get a photo of it, but I stitched around the edge of the letters just for extra security.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsy8vYIg7g_oVU7eh-WsN_ZoD03dx78LxA-TC9PyHVcioGm8OZIChuCquBSleusHSEwfU1Vbj5btiOxdZBpAZJeLcX9wwF8IRrtz69Z7rw93LpGzDLEC4IHWLUjAhOUKNihWksBq2Aag/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsy8vYIg7g_oVU7eh-WsN_ZoD03dx78LxA-TC9PyHVcioGm8OZIChuCquBSleusHSEwfU1Vbj5btiOxdZBpAZJeLcX9wwF8IRrtz69Z7rw93LpGzDLEC4IHWLUjAhOUKNihWksBq2Aag/s320/IMG_0874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Place fabric strips right sides together and stitch all the way around leaving an opening to turn it right side out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8-uIDRSRo3W9RDtwtjazVT6cOhgGuaPQs_lC5T2Y0vPr4PJNbwwbl7dyPDTpIjJxwQ0pe7TF_GhEW77Gnz9xnHLorw5Ir_Ccy99woQOgSoMf2W8dDOkCCGiFeQ0Qbg1Dyr797nfoq78/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8-uIDRSRo3W9RDtwtjazVT6cOhgGuaPQs_lC5T2Y0vPr4PJNbwwbl7dyPDTpIjJxwQ0pe7TF_GhEW77Gnz9xnHLorw5Ir_Ccy99woQOgSoMf2W8dDOkCCGiFeQ0Qbg1Dyr797nfoq78/s320/IMG_0875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9L5oSMCxjH6jt42iVxmUrQDcuz1DkvOy13lS1KiGT3R1l_sspfu_g1LR5gT16Mu0A5OF34pxoMLA-FdhwdPwuDmWyRE_Hk9cFdvrh9LcC8Hg8zJBXzTk1ArVsG8G80sL-82u697QD_g/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9L5oSMCxjH6jt42iVxmUrQDcuz1DkvOy13lS1KiGT3R1l_sspfu_g1LR5gT16Mu0A5OF34pxoMLA-FdhwdPwuDmWyRE_Hk9cFdvrh9LcC8Hg8zJBXzTk1ArVsG8G80sL-82u697QD_g/s320/IMG_0876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once you have it turned, press it, being sure to press the open edge as you would like it to be sewn closed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm53ZASLIDwbP2W6MRlItP3M0YrOxL3XGSkqZLc8tTTMCeJa05xYnA0ScLgvSn2t1Y1BlB-ifR-_GYIp16LoMmSZFuEWtm0OCGg2E8j63ABgr8pJR-q-0PrqaP2J1XnRqQ-tjyaNYJfw/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm53ZASLIDwbP2W6MRlItP3M0YrOxL3XGSkqZLc8tTTMCeJa05xYnA0ScLgvSn2t1Y1BlB-ifR-_GYIp16LoMmSZFuEWtm0OCGg2E8j63ABgr8pJR-q-0PrqaP2J1XnRqQ-tjyaNYJfw/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now cut a piece of elastic, approximately 2 1/2". Fold it in half and insert the ends into the opening to form a loop. Pin down. Top stitch all the way around being careful to sew the opening closed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajKL6m13EQbKtchrKuHlGEUZe6uQek3ZZMF2OVSgGTQUALto5tluJnWxdB9dZbP8l45oPdECZpg8-_vpNU0J85FYIyNgZ3ikh0OfLXHzehiLKsBNLe5xyUwuvR3FPFWeK-YXIDnCfw44/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajKL6m13EQbKtchrKuHlGEUZe6uQek3ZZMF2OVSgGTQUALto5tluJnWxdB9dZbP8l45oPdECZpg8-_vpNU0J85FYIyNgZ3ikh0OfLXHzehiLKsBNLe5xyUwuvR3FPFWeK-YXIDnCfw44/s320/IMG_0893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
On the opposite end from the loop, hand sew a button down so it will be even with the loop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCctrLwsrUpHsZNif879cgJkS5eE-mOo0PUJg7lVZcu6syGSk9Nt8Uu7jLWT3jCdAedaU8W3XQmVha2c7XpkjsELseoYqambuJoZ3poRWa4ULZNM8JfOg0zZfrakll5r6Mp2E-YWpO4Y/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCctrLwsrUpHsZNif879cgJkS5eE-mOo0PUJg7lVZcu6syGSk9Nt8Uu7jLWT3jCdAedaU8W3XQmVha2c7XpkjsELseoYqambuJoZ3poRWa4ULZNM8JfOg0zZfrakll5r6Mp2E-YWpO4Y/s320/IMG_0894.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Now you too can say that you have made a salt and pepper cozy. Ha ha. But seriously, Costco, under $10, super cute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpfQmomVxQvOoD4Mkj7X96bbEKnSq-4wODypJTsnBcPnw9o9B20OR92PjsMVXzW1oPpxnV97iIPs_8FLQw_8jCQ-b4E6a6SnNbzdi8kuUyES9hMIZLcDRlZxfe3whqkz5z4ZEO6qyoNY/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpfQmomVxQvOoD4Mkj7X96bbEKnSq-4wODypJTsnBcPnw9o9B20OR92PjsMVXzW1oPpxnV97iIPs_8FLQw_8jCQ-b4E6a6SnNbzdi8kuUyES9hMIZLcDRlZxfe3whqkz5z4ZEO6qyoNY/s320/IMG_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_pJIdDPG241lyI2b7YYaRLm4BsYYBqJBlQPr8QhaFeSiZ1JPTUzWKvlekr2kQdSwYJPPy7-p5ni55ulg1zpJbM93-7vlrTp-KraDM-4cYqGv3WOIcHlZg4QGMViATPskfQ07QtbFlp8/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_pJIdDPG241lyI2b7YYaRLm4BsYYBqJBlQPr8QhaFeSiZ1JPTUzWKvlekr2kQdSwYJPPy7-p5ni55ulg1zpJbM93-7vlrTp-KraDM-4cYqGv3WOIcHlZg4QGMViATPskfQ07QtbFlp8/s320/IMG_0896.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LNOoqo1GyvCW7p-LJ2kv_7GuzxySyvi8esugZeDpAEiM32y9mDfdeEoGu_TetCJFNiCcCep9V4pmSU-3wI0BwMF8klcgqCG8L3wQxSpo6uH2ZR_Ivo7vxNF4fwBOAvgKAJwdGZhyphenhyphen0rA/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LNOoqo1GyvCW7p-LJ2kv_7GuzxySyvi8esugZeDpAEiM32y9mDfdeEoGu_TetCJFNiCcCep9V4pmSU-3wI0BwMF8klcgqCG8L3wQxSpo6uH2ZR_Ivo7vxNF4fwBOAvgKAJwdGZhyphenhyphen0rA/s320/IMG_0903.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294459168348967212noreply@blogger.com0