tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62106315733592100632024-03-05T08:35:11.512-06:00little altarsarlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-8533548339370739222014-06-03T19:00:00.000-05:002014-06-03T21:08:59.240-05:00DIY Christmas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's June and we are approaching the 6 month countdown mark to Christmas. Surely you've started your Christmas crafting. What?! NO? Me, either. I'm so far behind that I just realized that I haven't even posted about the things I made last Christmas. I've had a lot going on in my life. Not any more than most and certainly not worse. Still, enough on my plate that blogging was pushed back, then pretty much forgotten. Now, though, my brother has cashed in one more of his 9 cat lives and is doing well, my kitchen is completely finished, Helena's spring collection of toddler wear is hanging in her closet and I can try to catch up where I last left off. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Like last year, we agreed to do a diy Christmas, but with some modifications this time. I <i>really</i> enjoy shopping for the babies and there are only so many home made things you can make for a kid who likes tools and cars that will hold his interest. For new babies, it's even harder. This year I made some, bought a couple and recycled several older things. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had a few toys that I had saved from when my own kids were little, things that they really enjoyed. I pulled out their old Fisher Price musical instrument case that had lots of pieces to build what they wanted. I also found Meg's American Girl Bitty Baby. I wanted to get one for Helena, but didn't think her interest in baby dolls warranted paying that much for one. Luckily, while digging in the attic, I found the old one. Hurray! Big gift, zero cost. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For their diy gift, I made several dress up items for both. I made a dino tail for Reid and a mermaid tail for Helena. I made a wedding dress using a vintage dress I found at the WLYS and added a veil. For Reid, I had a hand me down blazer and added a tie. Helena got a tutu with tap shoes found at a resale shop and Reid got fireman bunker gear made from a discarded set that my husband was able to get. I also made them both crowns and super hero capes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="800" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953637555/player/50df1545d0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="534"></iframe><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnNx-bi3x3FqI7mbQ7pVRVMKz3R8kIUTJ-iDg7zDOblw2Dj_jaJSUy1r_rtAMVgHg8YsEpgJPVhypmk652irNxuk7R3gaVtsjry6LIkhZGIbQtz5VvGxtCmaZeCZ8cBiAIbV_VIV-MkI/s1600/12784707315_cdf4fe079a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnNx-bi3x3FqI7mbQ7pVRVMKz3R8kIUTJ-iDg7zDOblw2Dj_jaJSUy1r_rtAMVgHg8YsEpgJPVhypmk652irNxuk7R3gaVtsjry6LIkhZGIbQtz5VvGxtCmaZeCZ8cBiAIbV_VIV-MkI/s1600/12784707315_cdf4fe079a_o.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WQFU8h3a1G7hL4C-_0rLFDM4e21D_s0ZUY6BeLc5w_kg5mw-HtNj2DK-yRMX9Mo5WSl2zzjH1EmXLGh7FwJsPxhDFJhwUxr157LWiqskcUTuTmwR9pncHlv3iwcI8g9MqiL6Jo65Kjg/s1600/14322617661_46b574ff26_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WQFU8h3a1G7hL4C-_0rLFDM4e21D_s0ZUY6BeLc5w_kg5mw-HtNj2DK-yRMX9Mo5WSl2zzjH1EmXLGh7FwJsPxhDFJhwUxr157LWiqskcUTuTmwR9pncHlv3iwcI8g9MqiL6Jo65Kjg/s1600/14322617661_46b574ff26_o.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For the adults, I made red wine vinegar with leftover bits of wine. This was one of my favorites. It really turned out well and I had enough for me to enjoy and share with others. I bought some unpasteurized cider vinegar, it had a "mother" in it that starts the transformation from wine to vinegar. I put the vinegar, the wine and some water in a nonreactive crock, covered it with a cotton cloth, and let the mother do its job. In a few weeks, I had a fragrant, delicious vinegar. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEV4fbBx7IHoxTq1gzV7_80bpcovFwAn9TTHF8KL87cFuzCFz72B4jp2lo1T7ydzGdyms-nuKO191smzDZxpOyRC4kKz0zLNZB49FWu_6IC2p8OmP4MV_lDaD-_oFLrVgUV8vOyLOB3k/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+2+59+45+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEV4fbBx7IHoxTq1gzV7_80bpcovFwAn9TTHF8KL87cFuzCFz72B4jp2lo1T7ydzGdyms-nuKO191smzDZxpOyRC4kKz0zLNZB49FWu_6IC2p8OmP4MV_lDaD-_oFLrVgUV8vOyLOB3k/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+2+59+45+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PZTy7f9wF9UbgbL4NmpwJ3FQ57rI-_96C-muARuRfqsCOx0Avf02MhNvSxScTkP55h9xRu_o8YO9R6GX1beW8B0n4NAv1jnbg2-S1fmdQa84UbJHcH1iyCLx3YQ3_yU3vG3Wtu0fgrc/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+3+00+08+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PZTy7f9wF9UbgbL4NmpwJ3FQ57rI-_96C-muARuRfqsCOx0Avf02MhNvSxScTkP55h9xRu_o8YO9R6GX1beW8B0n4NAv1jnbg2-S1fmdQa84UbJHcH1iyCLx3YQ3_yU3vG3Wtu0fgrc/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+3+00+08+PM.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2XB0ZgLY9QjYjbLisydXThar1w4KnDln_Cz9nCAZdhKr3YZxL06I03ZMzznyZVrE9PBzd8SuZn_X3-fB4QOFzoJYGAO97fe7TlD6tOISqsuxp9nI4QELLmtmbQ0iCjuyNJVjRh6rxwg/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+3+01+22+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2XB0ZgLY9QjYjbLisydXThar1w4KnDln_Cz9nCAZdhKr3YZxL06I03ZMzznyZVrE9PBzd8SuZn_X3-fB4QOFzoJYGAO97fe7TlD6tOISqsuxp9nI4QELLmtmbQ0iCjuyNJVjRh6rxwg/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+3+01+22+PM.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted small, cute bottles to use for the vinegar, but they were a little expensive. Instead I went to a food salvage and bought a few bottles of weird hot sauce that was .50 a pop. I dumped it, washed them and refilled, using corks that </span><span style="font-size: large;">we have in endless supply. I made labels with some leftover linen I have. After coming up with the label on Photoshop, I printed them directly on the fabric. Love them!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp_ID0t4_xEfHSHDuQI5Una5oI_MGzfse8e-92-Tc6vT3kQ8luaJqGTT5z6FvGTfkJ2jASk1UR6O8SzwfZAnGBvpp4CkzEJsD8SGV042Tzuih3QnZOlTE65JM_TBRtPxEhyAMxFuNZqc/s1600/14324178322_2a6131ca39_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp_ID0t4_xEfHSHDuQI5Una5oI_MGzfse8e-92-Tc6vT3kQ8luaJqGTT5z6FvGTfkJ2jASk1UR6O8SzwfZAnGBvpp4CkzEJsD8SGV042Tzuih3QnZOlTE65JM_TBRtPxEhyAMxFuNZqc/s1600/14324178322_2a6131ca39_o.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the girls, I had pinned a knock off of an Anthropologie scarf. I have a weakness for scarves and hankies, so I had a lot of them. I used my serger to not only finish the edges but to cut the strips. I liked the way they turned out so much that I made one for me, too.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuzR8Bs2jS7CjDKIrGWEYXdOu987EzdDmXuFdUeKlnaI0p9_YzKYd-MntrpS9mBtVubT9Zn6QROZnLPv_p969O_cSxE1pN6pLLtCJP1kXeadpJjQrbqyrtrzsaNE228hLjmWmipFIJ5o/s1600/Photo+Jun+02,+8+27+23+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuzR8Bs2jS7CjDKIrGWEYXdOu987EzdDmXuFdUeKlnaI0p9_YzKYd-MntrpS9mBtVubT9Zn6QROZnLPv_p969O_cSxE1pN6pLLtCJP1kXeadpJjQrbqyrtrzsaNE228hLjmWmipFIJ5o/s1600/Photo+Jun+02,+8+27+23+AM.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also made them pot holders with the lining of the firefighter coat. Felt pretty sure it was fire resistant and insulated against heat, so I took some squares of it and covered them with vintage flour sack fabric. I'm definitely going to be making more of these. I really like the vintage look and they are large enough to use under pots.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfbfoRHYRr2VXWq7kYUzzJB9ZKThuFKTbiF5nJUWELfWlFXd8C0faYQEmTrRVFhLnsaCeCSikNIZLA0EqEKjn35pJWKQB-2CYBQAWyhZtfCf5i-UZeE1PxaYx0yFLQKO8Xr4bDwJc2XE/s1600/12954023444_fb9b153aeb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfbfoRHYRr2VXWq7kYUzzJB9ZKThuFKTbiF5nJUWELfWlFXd8C0faYQEmTrRVFhLnsaCeCSikNIZLA0EqEKjn35pJWKQB-2CYBQAWyhZtfCf5i-UZeE1PxaYx0yFLQKO8Xr4bDwJc2XE/s1600/12954023444_fb9b153aeb_o.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the guys, I made a wallet with the leftover material from the firefighter gear. I'm telling you, I used the heck out of that bunker gear. It was a bear to sew, but the guys were happy with the outcome. I also made the "wood chip smoke sacks" for smoking meat. I used more of the linen, printed directions on it and then made pockets that I filled with slivers of pecan wood from a tree that we chopped down in the back yard. I'm pretty sure I took pictures of all of this and I'm pretty sure I've lost them all. Take my word for it. They were fabulous.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There were other things but when you wait 6 months to write about it and you're the kind of person that has to text yourself on your </span><span style="font-size: large;">iPad so you can find your iPhone, the chances of you remembering everything you made are slim. I promise if I remember what they were or find the pictures, you'll be the first to know.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not gonna wait months until my next post. I am, however, going to make a few changes. Most people I know say they hate change. Change doesn't bother me, as a matter of fact, I kind of enjoy it. After taking a long break from blogging, and with all the sprucing up that's been going on in my life, I've decided this blog needs some sprucing, too. As soon as I figure out how to do it, that is. Hopefully, you'll see the results of arlene 2.0 soon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-43345065645990338202014-03-05T20:03:00.001-06:002014-03-05T20:03:53.961-06:00That Time We Went to Disneyland<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12785254724/player/c6c7fbb8e1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hello out there? Anybody? I took a look at my blog and realized I hadn't posted since NOVEMBER! I started this post about Disneyland right after we got back and here it sat, in the limbo land of "draft". I hate it when I don't do things chronologically, so even though the reasons I haven't posted might be post worthy in and of themselves, I have to honor my internal sense of order. Let's get Disney out of the way so we can move on to Christmas (good gosh, I'm delinquent). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although the kids were a little confused that we didn't walk off the plane and into the arms of Mickey Mouse, we did try to prepare them that we had to get to Disneyland AFTER landing in California and staying there a couple of days. With a beach and a hotel room to distract them, it wasn't too much of a problem. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once the last group joined up with us, we did a little sight seeing, had lunch and then headed to the land of Mickey. We had 3 day passes, but didn't want them to start on a half day, so after we checked in, we just took a stroll around downtown Disney, a free area outside the actual parks. Built, I'm guessing, to suck money from you by way of restaurants and gift shops. They were a success with us, as we left with a $60 "Cars" car hauler from the Disney store. It was a good sized hauler, full of die cast "Cars" vehicles. A steal when you are 4 and have a pocket full of birthday cash.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As you read this, if you've never done such a trip, read it with the understanding that there are 3 kiddos, 1 needing multiple naps and 2 still taking a 2-3 hour nap every day...and it wasn't happening. Also, an uber-organized type A and her equally A typed daughter, who happens to have an app that has organized our day based on an algorithm of Disney attendance, line waits and fast pass availability. Her disclaimer on Day One, before we entered the gate, "You may not understand why we are about to do what we do, but you will do it. There will be no whims taken." She had this planned to the minute. Even I was impressed. Did it all go as planned? No. But by following her plan, we saved hours in line as she checked wait times before we made any decisions on which way to go. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Also in the mix was the newly engaged couple. Trying to have a good time, boss everyone around and not scare off the new daughter-to-be was a challenge in itself. I <i>really</i> like her and we Cloud girls can be a little, oh, I don't know, overwhelming maybe. I didn't want to look like an overbearing MIL. Fortunately, my son picked a woman who has true Cloud qualities. She fit right in and even soldiered on with a fever. She can boss with the best of us! My admiration for her grew considerably.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have to say, despite the above disclaimer, we had a wonderful time. The kids absolutely LOVED seeing the characters. Helena <i style="font-weight: bold;">ran </i>to everyone she saw and gave them a big hug. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We rode rides, ate park food that we swore we wouldn't eat (because we were staying across the street and had sandwich fixin's to save money. Uh huh, that worked) and generally drank the Mickey Kool aid. On the first day, we did go back for a nap and some snack sandwiches. We had to get ready for the big event that evening, Reid's birthday at Goofy's Kitchen. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12784942913/player/61b4b0be2a" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="427"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12784807203/player/88db55e60b" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="427"></iframe></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="photo" aria-describedby="title_div" id="liquid-photo" src="https://v4s1.yimg.com/sj/2885/12785121914_3d1eed05df_c.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; image-rendering: optimizequality; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; visibility: visible;" /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next day, we just enjoyed the park, skipping back and forth between California Adventure and Disneyland. We were able to split up so we could ride "scary" rides and still let the littles to their thing. Our hotel had a heated pool and huge hot tub, so we tried to take advantage of that, too. The hot tub confused Reid. He wanted to know why the pool had bubbles like Mamie's Diet Coke and why we weren't talking to the men that were in the hot tub with us. Day 3 was Helena's birthday dinner and we enjoyed a great time. We were especially lucky because a photographer from the park agreed to come with us to the restaurant and take some pictures of the party. She said no one had ever requested that before, wasn't <i>sure </i>if it was ok, but better to ask forgiveness, huh? I did go to the photo pass customer service place and asked there, first thing in the morning and she was the manager, so I guess that helped. So glad I did, because the place was daaaaarrrk and I don't know if I could have gotten anything.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="photo" aria-describedby="title_div" id="liquid-photo" src="https://v4s2.yimg.com/sk/3830/12785093784_3c3b125bc9_c.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; image-rendering: optimizequality; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; visibility: visible;" /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wrote a ton more about the trip, but the internet ate it, so I'm just going to post pictures and close by saying I have the best family in the world. They all wore the costumes...uh, I mean, <i>outfits. </i>All 9 of us were camped out in 2 connected rooms, traveled around in a classy 12 passenger van and tagged out taking care of cranky babes. We will definitely be doing it again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="425" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953280445/player/8983366cf0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="425" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12784774363/player/7ae9319b72" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span><br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953558975/player/b321bf2bc5" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953986854/player/a4d594a7e3" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="427"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953702443/player/acdecc6a9b" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="427"></iframe></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="425" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953559805/player/8ab66b8375" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span><br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="800" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/12953712124/player/7cf937f4f4" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="532"></iframe></span>arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-65271505833645747482013-11-22T18:43:00.000-06:002013-11-22T18:43:11.400-06:00Project Repurpose Runway<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962843524/" title="IMG_0002_0071 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0002_0071" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/10962843524_14aa1a8275_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we got back from California, I was ready to rest. Lots of sewing and then <i>intense </i>family fun and travel wore me out. Then I got home. Christmas fabric staring at me, it was t minus 3 weeks until Thanksgiving, and, most importantly, Helena had nothing to wear with her black patent boots. Meg called and said, "So, what is she gonna wear with these boots you wanted me to buy? She has nothing winter-y." Grandma fail.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I immediately went to work. Years ago, Meg had given me a couple of wool skirts that I just loved. I even wore them a few times, but recently they became a little, um, snug. I'm not sure what causes that sort of mass shrinkage of everything in the closet, but I decided to make lemonade. I cut one skirt down to make a pixie sized one for Helena. I loved the winter white and the subtle roses on it. Banana Republic would be proud. I found a tutorial online that I loosely followed, but can't find it again for the life of me. Should've pinned it because I'd like to give credit for the inspiration.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962608746/" title="Photo Nov 11, 8 15 10 PM (1) by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 11, 8 15 10 PM (1)" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/10962608746_8a114dfff1_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962769313/" title="Photo Nov 11, 8 15 38 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 11, 8 15 38 PM" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/10962769313_53353e83ae_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962702324/" title="Photo Nov 12, 12 51 41 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 12, 12 51 41 PM" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/10962702324_13dc2f49a4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lovin' that pleat!</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next, houndstooth. I love it. Yeeeears ago, when Steve and Barry's was still around, I got this great coat. I loved it and it was only $10! Sadly, the same shrinkage occurred with it. I had gotten a ton of wear out of it, but couldn't bear to throw it out with the last purge. Nothing cuter than a houndstooth jumper with black patent boots, agree? I found some velvet I had hoarded and there you have it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962672144/" title="20131113-140254 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="20131113-140254" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/10962672144_e7cb84131b.jpg" width="319" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
photo from threewishesstyle.com<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962703394/" title="Photo Nov 12, 6 59 27 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 12, 6 59 27 PM" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/10962703394_1206efbdfb.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Needs some pressing, but you get the idea.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Outfit #3 was also an old skirt Meg had given me. I had gotten some winter white knit to do a top for Helena, but decided it would be better used as leggings. I used some vintage buttons from my bottomless button jar to finish it out. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962703204/" title="Photo Nov 12, 7 06 12 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 12, 7 06 12 PM" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/10962703204_437dd34de4.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962767763/" title="Photo Nov 12, 10 01 59 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 12, 10 01 59 PM" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/10962767763_72341ec749.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The only thing I had to buy was a zipper, I was fresh out of black ones. Using repurposed clothes, fabric out of my stash and old buttons, I was able to make 3 lined outfits. Not bad for a day's work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And one more, with the boots.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10962842594/" title="IMG_0006_0075 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0006_0075" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/10962842594_aba06e99d1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-24629331100057500122013-11-18T21:36:00.001-06:002013-11-18T21:36:39.596-06:00California or Bust<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10937693983/" title="IMG_0069 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0069" height="534" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/10937693983_92a02d746d_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Disney had been penciled in on our collective calendars for almost a year. We wrote it in ink about 6 months before and then put down the bucks about 4 months before. I started smocking in May and designing the outfits before that. Craziness, but typical crazy. This was the trip I dreamed about when my kids were little, but we couldn't afford. It was what I envisioned the ultimate grandparent trip would be. We saved our pennies, traded work for plane tickets (thanks, Tanya, a.k.a. the greatest neighbor in the world) and cashed in frequent flier points. Everyone was able to get off work and, let me tell you, we were <i>beyond</i> excited. You know how we get. </span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One post isn't enough to share the fun, but here is how is started.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We found the Mickey ears that we bought for Meg when she was 9 months old. Coincidentally, we were at Disneyland then because we were flying standby to Washington DC and got bumped off in Denver. With no chance to get a flight (they were canceling service in a couple of weeks so all flights were full from then on. Nice to find out midway thru the trip). Anyway, we decided to make the best of it and headed west instead of east. Our bags had a great time in DC. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Back to the ears. They were in the attic, kinda moth eaten. I took the plastic ears off the beanie and made a new beanie with some felt. I sewed the ears on and glued on the emblem. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10824487993/" title="Photo Nov 01, 1 12 13 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 01, 1 12 13 PM" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/10824487993_23def60dec_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everyone took a turn with them. Kenny, Meg, Reid, and Clark left from Love Field first. We had to book an early one to make sure they "made" the flight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10824178456/" title="Photo Nov 02, 5 09 53 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 02, 5 09 53 AM" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/10824178456_8bbfb42a13_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10824114485/" title="Photo Nov 02, 5 11 01 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 02, 5 11 01 AM" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/10824114485_614fee8fc4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Helena and I were next, out of DFW 2 hours later.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10824131926/" title="Photo Nov 02, 7 59 03 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 02, 7 59 03 AM" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/10824131926_8468912098_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">B and KC took Eddie back to Love Field that afternoon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10824291634/" title="Photo Nov 02, 2 35 31 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 02, 2 35 31 PM" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/10824291634_394c5480e4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They didn't have their flight until the next day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10824388533/" title="Photo Nov 03, 7 08 45 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 03, 7 08 45 AM" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/10824388533_f9af3647a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While we waited for them to get there, we got to enjoy the beach, Happy Hour at the hotel (free lemonade and nachos for the kids, which we called dinner) and the pool. We decided the next morning that even if we went home then, it had been a great vacation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10937349585/" title="IMG_0024 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0024" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/10937349585_6d564afee0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More on the real fun later.</span></div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-11051467352764068032013-11-01T16:16:00.001-05:002013-11-01T16:16:15.220-05:00The Time I Planned a Little Trip to Disney<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last year, birthdays got a little crazy around here. It was easy to throw big do's when there was one. Reid's <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-first-graniversary.html" target="_blank">1st</a> and <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-birthday-reid.html" target="_blank">2nd</a> were easy peasy. Last year, though, I had Reid's <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-3rd-birthday-reid-and-happy.html" target="_blank">3rd</a> and Helena's <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/11/someone-sweet-turned-one.html" target="_blank">1st</a> within 2 weeks of each other. A beating. A fun beating, but a beating nonetheless. So much so that I told Meg no more fall babies. She honored that request by telling me 2 weeks after Helena's birthday that we would have a summer baby the next year. Be careful what you ask for.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anyway, no more big parties except for the first (Clark, you can rest easy). Instead, small family get togethers except for the "big" years. What about instead, I thought, a little trip? Reid loves to travel so maybe I could take him to Disneyland. I fly space available and have access to a hotel employee discount, so why not? Meg was agreeable, to a certain extent. Maybe Papaw could get off and go, too. It happened. Well, if Papaw was going, why not bring Helena? We could schedule it around her 2nd birthday, but a little before, and she'd be free...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think this was the tipping point. Meg said Helena could go, but was sad that she was going to miss seeing the excitement on their faces when they met Mickey, et al. I told her if they could scrape together the moola and Eddie could get off, why not join us. Then B got wind of the fun and he and his girlfriend (now fiancee) wanted to be a part of it. Now nine people will be a part of my "little" trip to Disney and, just like the birthday parties, I've lost control. A spiraling frenzy of sewing, crafting and planning, which is my trademark to anything that needs a plan, has overtaken the Honeysuckle House. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because our budget is tight, we had to work some magic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The plan: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9 people, only one buying an actual ticket. The rest on stand by, buddy passes or frequent flyer. This will require 2 days, 2 departure airports, 2 airlines and 4 different flights. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hotel, 2 rooms that also include breakfast (have you met my SIL and husband? This will save us hundreds) and an airport shuttle for arrival and departure (no need for cabs or transfers) for the nights in LA. For 3 days, a hotel across the street from Disneyland that includes free parking, breakfast and has a fridge. We can walk back over to eat and take naps during the day.We got a great discount because we paid for it last summer and it was nonrefundable. Scary, but worth it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A 12 passenger van so luggage and 3 car seats will fit. Did you know it's cheaper to get a small van from a van rental place than a regular van at a car rental place? Now you do.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Disney 3 day park hopper - 6 military passes for the adults (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">relatively </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CHEAP) and a military discount for Reid. The other 2 kids are free.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other things deemed necessary by me:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Autograph books for the kids. Nothing big and I wanted them to be personal, so I made them with Disney Little Golden Books. I designed the paper on PS and just printed it at home on card stock. I took the books apart, trimmed down the pages and glued the new ones in. I was careful not to tear the gold tape on the spine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597573134/" title="Photo Oct 24, 1 24 49 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Oct 24, 1 24 49 PM" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/10597573134_376bde6fb2_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597813743/" title="Photo Oct 23, 12 21 13 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Oct 23, 12 21 13 PM" height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/10597813743_86900628a1_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597566674/" title="IMG_0026-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0026-1" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/10597566674_c550d45cc5_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last summer, I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/05/readers-digest-condensed-version-of.html" target="_blank">upholstered</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> a cushion for Meg's patio. We've discussed before how I am a fabric hoarder and, true to form, I had put back the scraps from that project "just in case". I couldn't think of a good reason to keep them, though, so I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>almost </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">threw it out. I had a change of heart as I went to the trash can a few months ago and shoved the bag in the closet. Lucky I did, too. B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ags for the girls! Something to hold our stuff but not be bothered with purses. Bonus points, also autograph-able.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scraps of drop cloth, a yard of fabric, vintage buttons and old fireman suspenders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597572534/" title="Photo Oct 30, 9 24 31 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Oct 30, 9 24 31 PM" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/10597572534_48980c1ae9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh, and coordinating outfits...for everyone...everyday. And Disney jammies for the kids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The jammies are just t-shirts that I found on sale at Joann. I bought each one a different one in large. Reid will just wear his as a sleep shirt. I made Clark's into a romper and cut Helena's into a gown. They are the kind the kids can color, but Meg forbade me from letting the kids color them or even coloring them myself. <i>They would bleed in the wash, blah, blah, blah. </i>(Note: this has happened to her before) Party pooper.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597568055/" title="IMG_0008-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0008-1" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/10597568055_2be052c52c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Flight day outfits are only for the kids and since Helena won't be flying with the boys, they didn't have to match. The kids will be celebrating their birthdays there, so I wanted Reid to have a shirt with a 4 on it. I had lots of shirts monogrammed so I used one for this. Clark's has just his name and the ears on it. I made Helena a dress that used just about every polka dot I could find and lots of giant rick rack. It's hard to get away with that unless you have a reason.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></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="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597821763/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_0010-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0010-1" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/10597821763_1836d77195_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">B said Reid's Disney font "4" looks like a Satanic symbol. Thanks for ruining that from me, bud.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day one at Disney. I started the smocking on Helena's dress in May. I'm slow. I found the retro Disney comic fabric and used that to tie the outfits together. The buttons on the dress are covered in it, the boys have chambray with appliques and the adults have reverse appliqued Mickeys.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597561945/" title="IMG_0016-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0016-1" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/10597561945_72e010b3e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A closeup of Reid's shirt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597560515/" title="IMG_0017-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0017-1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/10597560515_51801b0f88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 2. I saw the Minnie and Mickey backs on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/77264949830332029/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and knew it had to happen. A talented friend, Amy, sketched the backs of all the Disney characters and I cut them out and apart to make templates. I cut out the fabric, ironed it on the back of the shirts with fusible webbing and then appliqued them. A friend of Meg's, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TwoCsInAPod" target="_blank">Jillian</a>, did all the monogramming for me. If you need someone to do that kind of work for you, give me a call and I'll hook you up. I wasn't sure how big Clark would be by now, so instead of a shirt, I <a href="http://www.feathersflights.com/2012/04/baby-shortall-from-adult-t-shirt.html" target="_blank">made a large romper</a> with a man's large t-shirt. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kenny and I are Mickey and Minnie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597571805/" title="IMG_0003-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0003-1" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/10597571805_842cd9be21_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">B and KC are Goofy and Clarabelle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597575655/" title="IMG_0001-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0001-1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/10597575655_c76dba40d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For Meg, Eddie and the kids. How could they not be Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey and Louie?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597831293/" title="IMG_0002-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0002-1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/10597831293_dc085dd5a0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The front of the shirt has each person's name monogrammed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10608027125/" title="Photo Oct 08, 5 08 26 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Oct 08, 5 08 26 PM" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/10608027125_4a24dcc3f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 3. Helena's birthday party day, I wanted her to have a really special dress. This dress just about caused me to pull my hair out, but I LOVE it! I did the boys's in black and white seersucker and inset the appliqued Mickey trio (again, done by Jillian) into the outfits.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10600067765/" title="IMG_0021-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0021-1" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/10600067765_e6f8882464_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wanted the adults to coordinate, but felt like I was pushing it with another appliqued shirt. Instead, I saw this stuff call Dye Magnet and decided to dye the shirts. Using the 3 Mickeys, I designed a layout on PS, printed it on freezer paper and used the cutout for a template. I "stenciled" the Mickeys with the Dye Magnet and then dyed the shirts with black. The magnet holds more dye so the stenciled parts come out darker. Cool, huh?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597569076/" title="Photo Oct 22, 11 39 21 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Oct 22, 11 39 21 AM" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10597569076_4bc62c5c2b_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597575004/" title="Photo Oct 22, 11 47 38 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Oct 22, 11 47 38 AM" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/10597575004_6d389015c2_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10608043403/" title="Photo Nov 01, 7 18 41 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 01, 7 18 41 AM" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/10608043403_406c818ec6_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To protect all this fantastic-ness from Clark's continuous flow of spit, I've made a few bibs to match the outfits. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10607811254/" title="Photo Nov 01, 7 14 48 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Nov 01, 7 14 48 AM" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/10607811254_953a534ec9_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jillian made and appliqued a precious bow to go with one outfit and I made a few more (only one for each day, no need to go overboard). She, of course, also needed socks to match. My favorites are the vintage button Minnies. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The socks. Oh, my heart hurts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597812173/" title="IMG_0020-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0020-1" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/10597812173_29bfaaf585_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See the cute Mickey appliqued on the bow?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597577274/" title="IMG_0019-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0019-1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/10597577274_474712fb8d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rag roses on the clip with ruffled socks and some rick rack trimmed socks to go with her Huey shirt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597563855/" title="IMG_0014-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0014-1" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/10597563855_ecf5ff401a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597580656/" title="IMG_0006-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0006-1" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/10597580656_eb3157630b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All packed away in ziplocs according to the day on which they will be worn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10597567644/" title="IMG_0024-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0024-1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/10597567644_f4cc2acb3a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We leave Saturday, so it remains to be seen if we all actually get to Disney in them. Clark is a big spitter and can also blow out an outfit in the blink of an eye. The adults...that's a maybe, too. They SAY they will wear them, but we will see. More to come.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-43340260820572328792013-10-31T08:20:00.001-05:002013-10-31T08:32:05.424-05:00Chi-town<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10585642334/" title="IMG_0855-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0855-1" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/10585642334_83e90a52b6.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Summer was technically over, but being we live in Texas, it was still hot as Hades, so we still consider it so. Our last trip of the summer was to Chicago. Eddie had a conference to attend, so why not go and crash that fancy hotel room with 3 kids, their mom and the granny. Poor Eddie. He really wanted to be all grown up and professional but that's hard to do when the crew is going up and down the private elevator (executive floor, woot woot!!!) and making off with stashes of the free Diet Coke and, well, any food we could find. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We started off rough, which seems to be my summer trip theme, by getting bumped off our first flight. 6 hours in an airport wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. 2 napped pretty well and Reid just watched airplanes...endlessly. When we finally got on, they were able to put all of us together, stretched across an aisle. You "space available" friends know how hard that is to get. The kids were in heaven. I had packed a home made Lunchable box and they were excited to get to eat the secret goodies. The flight attendant felt sorry for us (I think) and gave us a bunch of the snacks, gratis. He said he wished he had a grandma like me. Now, I think he looked kinda old, so maybe he meant a sweet auntie, because surely he didn't think I was old enough to be his granny. Regardless, I'll let him think what he wants for the free nibbles.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All the delays made our arrival late and then we had a 45 minute train ride into the city. Not pretty. Carting 3 kids, the luggage and a double stroller up an escalator and 2 flights of subway stairs was the worst thing I've ever done. Ever. Ever. It required getting 2 kids up the stairs halfway, setting them down with a bag, running down, carrying a suitcase up, running down and helping carry the stroller up, with Clark strapped to Meg. Repeat. For 2 loooong flights. At 10:00 at night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everything got better when we saw a private elevator and heard about the free breakfast and happy hour snacks. And no one can feel down when you realize your are executive floor material. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next few days we tooled around Chicago by bus, water taxi and L train. We went to their fabulous zoo, which is free, and to the aquarium, which is so NOT free. We ate at some great places and enjoyed the city. I didn't get near enough time there, but I saw enough to make me want to plan another trip to see more.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Polar bear at the zoo.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10590906306/" title="IMG_0693-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0693-1" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/10590906306_7dca7d3d37.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Penguins at the aquarium.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10585595336/" title="Photo Sep 20, 1 18 26 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Sep 20, 1 18 26 PM" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/10585595336_549d6bb174.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10585578565/" title="Photo Sep 20, 1 17 01 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Sep 20, 1 17 01 PM" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/10585578565_877ca94791.jpg" width="375" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Millenium Park</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10590938075/" title="IMG_0757-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0757-1" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/10590938075_01c2b17a6f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First Chicago hotdog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10585618786/" title="IMG_0828 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0828" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/10585618786_2d7a864b30_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cranking out a penny for our <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/07/maybe-one-more-post.html" target="_blank">travel necklace</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10591340934/" title="Photo Sep 19, 12 27 54 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Sep 19, 12 27 54 PM" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/10591340934_53cc401193.jpg" width="375" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My favorite. The guy taking the pic kept saying "smile!" to Reid. I told him that's how Reid always smiles. Oops.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10585645794/" title="IMG_0843 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0843" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/10585645794_5db4cabd2c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seeing the sites.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10585629216/" title="IMG_0776 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0776" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/10585629216_45861ef4ea.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-39584628807926167792013-10-28T13:27:00.001-05:002013-10-28T13:27:34.656-05:00Cruisin'<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Finally on our way!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467711163/" title="Photo Aug 22, 11 22 42 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 22, 11 22 42 AM" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/10467711163_7d3f5fdd58.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last year, about this time, we were planning a cruise to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday. You know what <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-best-trip-that-ever-wasn.html" target="_blank">happened</a>. Instead, when the time came, we cruised down the freeway in an RV, <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/05/readers-digest-condensed-version-of.html" target="_blank">camping out</a> for the weekend. The cruise, though, would not be forgotten. Reid continued to ask "When are we going on my big, big boat?" I felt awful about it. One day, I saw some great prices on short cruises out of Galveston and asked Kenny if we could make it work. The prices were good for a short time in August. Coupled with our additional discount for the frustration of the Triumph, it made it a cheap trip. Now the only hard part was convincing Mama to let the kids go with us. Luckily, her 8 month pregnant brain made it easier and I got her to agree to let both the kids go. The new baby would be about 4 weeks old, surely she would appreciate the quiet.</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, it started kinda shaky. I was in SA and Kenny had to work until the morning we left, so our plan was to meet in Houston. Leaving before the sun came up, we lost our bearings and were headed west instead of east! We drove about an hour before I said, "This doesn't feel right." Maybe that's because is WASN'T! We had added some buffer time, so we weren't too far off schedule. Once we got to Houston, our plan was to meet up with Kenny and eat breakfast. I had searched out places to eat and found one that I thought would be easy to get to. It could not have been harder. It was downtown...DOWNTOWN! Morning traffic and people in suits. We had on no makeup and the kids were in their jammies. We had intended on dressing the kids in the bathroom of the restaurant. The problem was that the "restaurant" was a place in the atrium area inside a large bank building. I obviously didn't realize this when I picked it. First we had to find parking. That took several laps around the block. When we finally parked (parallel, thank you very much), we started searching for the kolache place. Turns out, it's just a bakery type place, without tables. By now, the kids are about to enter critical meltdown. Hungry, tired, cranky and still in their jammies, there were lots of eyes on them. (Also, they were out of the kind that I wanted, the reason I picked this place, so I was cranky, too. And.... no fountain Diet Coke. Ugh!) I'm sure we looked homeless. Anyway, we found some tables at a food court in another area of the building, so we were able to sit down properly to spill our orange juice all over ourselves. When we finished, we tried to find a bathroom. None to be found. Apparently, you have to work there and have a key to access the bathrooms. Kenny had parked in a garage a little farther out, so when he went to get his car, we took the kids to our car. Our morning show for passing pedestrians included a diaper change for a 4 week old, nursing same child (Meg's job, not mine). B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ecause of the no bathroom access for several hours, we also were</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> letting Reid tinkle on the wheel of the van, teaching Helena how to squat and tinkle on the curb, and dressing them all right there on the sidewalk. Then we changed car seats over from the van to our car and, we are set to go! Easy as pie, just as I planned...ha! We've been up for about for close to 6 hours now and finally on our way. The wrong way. Quick reroute and we are on our way, again!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We're here!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467521964/" title="Photo Aug 22, 12 47 14 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 22, 12 47 14 PM" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/10467521964_646b57f121.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467535296/" title="Photo Aug 22, 5 31 06 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 22, 5 31 06 PM" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/10467535296_b207f4d4a1.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lucky for us, the bad part of the trip came at the beginning. The rest of it was as great as any trip with a 20 month old and 3 year old can be. We ate often, napped hard and went to bed early. Our big excursion out was a 30 minute buggy ride up and down the road in Cozumel. Swimming, lots of dancing and just walking around. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We party hard! We had about as many fits as you would expect for the demographic we had in tow, but all in all, they were wonderfully behaved and had a great time. I think we are gonna have to do it again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tea with Mamie and Reid cuttin' a rug.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467516754/" title="Photo Aug 25, 3 43 08 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 25, 3 43 08 PM" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/10467516754_e8a3100f18.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467738873/" title="IMG_6532 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6532" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/10467738873_94f816901e.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Helena out for a swim and our day in Cozumel.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467570476/" title="IMG_6415 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6415" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/10467570476_95a98fd8cd.jpg" width="375" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467558104/" title="IMG_6469 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6469" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/10467558104_43f08bfb23.jpg" width="375" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467537264/" title="IMG_6614 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6614" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/10467537264_bcb42a689d.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reid striking a pose with the towel animal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/10467766263/" title="IMG_6365 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6365" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/10467766263_06ac26325b.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-37032781682929062882013-09-13T07:42:00.001-05:002013-09-13T07:42:03.041-05:00World's Best Road Trip to the World's Longest Yard Sale<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729264669/" title="Photo Aug 02, 1 25 33 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 02, 1 25 33 PM" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9729264669_0e075d823c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last year, by the perfect alignment of the travel stars, I was finally able to make my way to junker's mecca, the <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/08/worlds-longest-yard-sale-i-think-ive.html" target="_blank">World's Longest Yard Sale.</a> Is the junking better than<a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2010/10/canton-rules.html" target="_blank"> Canton</a>? I'd have to say, yes, sorta, but Canton is much more convenient. All packed together and condensed, like a ramen package. Not small by any stretch of the imagination, but everything is where it needs to be, all tucked together. Civic Center has the real antique vendors, The Arbors area has the artsy, crafty stuff with the furniture thrown in, and the folks in the back have the junk. This makes it perfect for a day or weekend of searching because you know where to go to find what you want. By definition, the WLYS is, well, long. You have your professional vendors then you walk a ways and find junk. Drive some more and see a yard sale, a little farther and more vendor tents. A completely different bird. It may not be convenient, but it makes for a great Girls Road Trip.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The trip this year was harder to plan because I had another grand baby on the way. Although I felt SURE this baby would come early, as the days crept past my daughter's due date, I began to panic. Fortunately, sweet baby boy finally made his <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/08/our-bonus-baby.html" target="_blank">appearance</a> and I, reluctantly, left for a few days. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 other friends joined the original cast this year. WLYS rules included: only 2 to a car (more space for stuff), bring food in a cooler (we don't stop much to eat so it requires quick meals at gas stations while we fill up), 4 ladies to a room so be willing to sleep with someone (saves money for more junk), cars don't have to stick together while shopping (moving on and meeting up later is fine) and most importantly (a rule that we also use for NYC trips), NO WHINING. Now, when everyone is in the room and we are exhausted, of course we can group whine. We are all over 50, our joints, heads, eyes, feet, and backs hurt. Also, if we stop at a place that looks promising and all it is are a bunch of crafts, then it would be wrong not to bellyache. Seller won't budge on a price? Gripe away.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 1 was a 12 hour drive, with only gas/potty stops and one glorious stop at Interstate BBQ in Memphis. We were fortunate enough to hit Nashville during rush hour gridlock and come out on the other side to a blinding rain thru the mountains. After a blistering 30mph trek thru a curtain of gray and in the middle of nowhere, we noticed that gas light had come on and we only had 20 miles left in gas and it was 25 miles to the next town. Gas was finally found, but not before my co-pilot almost had a heart attack. We slept well that night. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 2 was when the fun began. Suffice it to say, we found treasures from the first minute and had a blast digging, searching and picking. We traveled 79 miles in 10 hours. Our only break was at a wonderful diner in Pikeville called Scotty's. Tiny, red booths, dishes hand washed right behind the counter, it was a true diner. All that I read about the WLYS said to bring food because you never know when it will be hard to find. We never had a problem with finding snacks (fried pies sold out of a person's front yard anyone?) or great places to get real food. Maybe it was because we were hungry, but it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. We had dinner on the opposite end of the cuisine spectrum in Chattanooga. Contemporary Southern, locally sourced, blah, blah blah...but it was WONDERFUL. Lori ordered a meat+2 and I ordered the veggie plate (4 sides) and we shared. That way we were able to try almost all of the sides. Woo hoo! The next morning, another southern meal on the banks of the Chattanooga River. Lots of bacon and gravy and biscuits and......Diet Coke....you know.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With full bellies, we headed south thru Tennesse, Georgia, and Alabama. I would say that this stretch was completely different from the previous day. There were many more set ups the day before that were in fields, fair grounds, whatever with lots of vendors/sellers. This part had that, but father apart and not as big. Instead, we saw a lot more yard sales. We did score some goodies along the way, so I'm not complaining, just pointing out the differences. While shopping, we kept running into a couple of ladies. We chatted each time we met up. At one stop, one of our new friends said that if we hadn't had lunch, we were welcome to come by her summer cottage to have our lunch. Ummm...YES! We had our cooler full of various lunch/snack fixings so we followed them out of town, thru a gate, up a dirt road to her wonderful cottage overlooking a valley. It was a really nice time with all of us throwing together whatever we had to make, as my friend called it, a stone soup luncheon. Disclaimer: I don't suggest you accept every offer to go lunch at a stranger's house that you've met at a yard sale in the mountains of Tennessee, or anyone you don't know for that matter. I will say, though, that it makes for some interesting trips. We are tentatively planning a WLYS reunion for next summer. Thanks Ann and Joy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We really wanted to make the drive to the very end, Gadsden, Alabama, even though the pickins were getting slim. We pulled in around 5. All garage sales had pretty much shut down and we turned around in the parking lot of the county fair grounds, the official end of the road. Instead of being disappointed, we were thrilled to see this. What a beautiful ending to a great 2 days of shopping.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729263031/" title="Photo Aug 02, 5 23 40 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 02, 5 23 40 PM" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9729263031_bb7d0c3a03.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We made the drive from our last shopping stop to Tuscaloosa for another southern diner meal. This time they had a meat+3 and a 5 veggie plate. That's meatloaf and 8 sides to share! Plus cornbread and rolls!! Heaven. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 3 was our drive home. We spent the night in Jackson and had one last pigout in Vicksburg. Fried chicken and all the wonderful sides. What we didn't see on the menu was the homemade pimento cheese. We saw it on someone's table as we were leaving and commented on it. This being the South, they offered us a taste. We, being gracious women, took them up on it. After fried chicken and all the sides, peach cobbler and caramel cake, we still had room to each pimento cheese off a strangers table. Kind of embarrassing, but I wasn't leaving until I tried that pimento cheese!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rest of the trip was uneventful. We googled the small towns that we drove thru, reading their histories, while listening to "Ode to Billie Joe", Glen Campbell and other Southern ditties. The food was great, we all found lots of good things and I love road trips, but the whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Traveling around the backroads with good friends, having conversations that take time to get to, enjoying regional foods and finding treasures for yourself and others is a life experience that I cherish. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732462286/" title="Photo Aug 05, 2 55 12 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 05, 2 55 12 PM" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/9732462286_617ddcd694_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729240657/" title="Photo Aug 05, 2 53 14 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 05, 2 53 14 PM" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/9729240657_1e74d53fc6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732476508/" title="Photo Aug 03, 7 18 24 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 7 18 24 PM" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/9732476508_6f2c31ae45_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729254535/" title="Photo Aug 03, 7 05 18 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 7 05 18 PM" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/9729254535_f0b5c49f13_n.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729256259/" title="Photo Aug 03, 7 03 25 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 7 03 25 PM" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/9729256259_d8ebf33ebc_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732480326/" title="Photo Aug 03, 7 05 06 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 7 05 06 PM" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/9732480326_3d24e86e5f_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6210631573359210063" nbsp="" p=""></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729248995/" title="Photo Aug 03, 7 22 25 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 7 22 25 PM" height="213" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/9729248995_ecb3f793e1_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732484672/" title="Photo Aug 03, 6 49 50 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 6 49 50 PM" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/9732484672_986bdd8ec7_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a a="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729259027/" title="Photo Aug 03, 6 50 42 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 6 50 42 PM" height="192" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/9729259027_65ed69c866_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732483104/" title="Photo Aug 03, 6 53 10 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 6 53 10 PM" height="256" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/9732483104_8513dbd6b3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732490380/" title="Photo Aug 01, 12 09 36 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 01, 12 09 36 PM" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/9732490380_0b338b2229_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a a="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9732484342/" title="Photo Aug 03, 6 50 12 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 03, 6 50 12 PM" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/9732484342_5267076f36_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9729266411/" title="Photo Aug 01, 8 53 53 AM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Aug 01, 8 53 53 AM" height="534" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/9729266411_79075b3cb5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can't wait for next year!</span></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-64551838199939165792013-08-27T17:17:00.000-05:002013-08-27T17:17:14.961-05:00Our Bonus Baby <div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9608214561/" title="clark_0150 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0150" height="534" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/9608214561_5e02c52fe0_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have been chastised for waiting so long to post about my 3rd Sack of Sugar. It's not that he's not just as wonderful, because of course he is, or that he's not as special. I've just been so busy being "present" that I haven't had time to visit the "virtual". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Both of the previous grand babies are nothing alike. Starting with gender and including hair/eye color, skin tone, temperament...well, you get the picture. How would number three be different? He started by being the only one who was late. </span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other 2 were both early, Megan going into labor 12 days before <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2009/10/post-youve-all-been-waiting-for.html" target="_blank">Reid</a>'s due date. <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2011/11/shes-here.html" target="_blank">Helena</a> was early, too. Surely that means that's just the way her body does things, right? So we pack up and head down almost a week before the "expected" date, which of course we wouldn't make. WRONG. This baby decided to set himself apart by being 5 days late. He probably would have gone longer, but Meg went in on a Friday night to be checked out (baby wasn't moving the way he was supposed to). The Dr. said she was already at a 5, water bulging and if he broke it, it would only be a matter of hours. She agreed, but when they broke her water, they found she had another bag, holding the baby up. A point in the "like Reid" column. That explains why that stinker wasn't making a move to get out and probably would have been in for a few days longer. At 8 pounds 14 ounces, it's a good thing he didn't!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Clark Mercer Morales came into the world at 1:01am, July 20. All dark hair (point, Helena) and fuzzy. A really big boy, he set himself apart from the others by bringing on the curly hair (whoopie!) and weighing over a pound more than his sibs. Just like the others, he has his own look. Reid is blond and looks like a mini Papaw, Helena looks like she is a lot more Japanese than her DNA would attest to and looks like me. Clarkie Doodle looks like his daddy. Curly headed and blue eyed, Eddie finally has one that folks don't ask who his parents are.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9460467436/" title="clark_0009 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0009" height="534" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/9460467436_7cecbe63fa_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9608246381/" title="clark_0032 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0032" height="800" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/9608246381_d11554f9be_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I got to meet Clark much sooner than I did the other 2. This hospital was a little more strict about coming in and out of the waiting area unaccompanied, and it was pretty far away. Instead, we just waited outside the curtained area, so I was able to hear his first cry, and it was a loud one. I was also able to hold him when he was just a few minutes old, still wet and so new. What an incredible blessing! So much joy and relief when they finally make their entrance. We spent about an hour with them and then headed back to relieve the wonderful person who was sitting with the kids, Meg's fabulous neighbor. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next day, we took the big kids up for a few minutes to meet their brother. They were so excited! Reid was especially interested in seeing him. I don't know what I expected from him, but probably what you would normally expect from a 3 year old boy! Instead, he couldn't take his eyes off Clark and whispered sweet things to him the whole time we were there. Helena was most excited about her <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/07/home-stretch.html" target="_blank">big sister shirt</a> and couldn't wait to wear it, but we were barely able to get Clark's on his big ol' self. I thought we were going to have to cut it off.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9608243569/" title="clark_0037 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0037" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/9608243569_dcc6f111fc.jpg" width="333" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9611472130/" title="clark_0042 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0042" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/9611472130_d14ba9d80f.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9608227299/" title="clark_0098 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0098" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/9608227299_e60f711162_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We only stayed a short while, took the Bigs home and let them rest. When they got up, we went back for Clark's birthday party, a <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2009/10/birthday-party-and-going-home.html" target="_blank">tradition we started with Reid</a>. A friend was in town so joined us for the festivities. Clark didn't enjoy the cake, but his brother and sister were glad he had a birthday!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9457674223/" title="clark_0121 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0121" height="333" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/9457674223_2d65542e30.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9608217461/" title="clark_0127 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_0127" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/9608217461_ea1c61107a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next day, during church, we got a text. "They are discharging us, come get us!" We gathered up the kids and headed down to the hospital. That afternoon, we headed home with a new bundle of love. He has fit in perfectly. Nurses like a champ, up to about 13 pounds at 1 month and doesn't seem phased at all by the toddler turmoil that swirls about him. He's a sweet natured lovie who likes to cuddle. Meg had her usual <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2011/11/shes-here.html" target="_blank">over supply</a> problem, this time it seemed even worse, but now has it under control with a combination of pumping, cabbage, and sudafed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What a blessing this 3rd one has been. How good is God to allow parents to enjoy the gift of grandparenting? As great as my kids are, those grand babies are so much sweeter, so much softer, so much yummier. Or maybe I was trying so hard to get it right the first time, I didn't realize how right it already was and I just needed to let things be. I am taking advantage of every <strike>minute</strike> second I get with those precious darlings because I know it won't be too long before they will be working hard to hide their sweet, soft, yumminess. You never know when </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the smell of Baby Magic will be long gone from their hair, when </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it will be the last you snuzzle a neck, check a "giggle gland" or are "forced" to fall asleep with you lips pressed against a soft cheek. I don't want to look back and realize I missed it.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9611470134/" title="clark_065-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="clark_065-1" height="534" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/9611470134_3214118282_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-30471662030617530252013-07-09T17:33:00.000-05:002013-07-09T17:33:32.835-05:00Maybe One More Post<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I <i>really </i>thought (hoped, I guess) that the previous post would be the last before Bonus's arrival. The little stinker proved me wrong, though, and I've gotten a few more things done. Meg said I'm the holdup because I hadn't colored my hair or had my teeth cleaned and whitened yet (my appts were for today), and the baby didn't want to meet a granny with and inch of gray and Diet Coke stained teeth (I fell off the wagon).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I was in NY in February, I found some cute prints that were really pictures used to help illustrate stories for school. I bought 2 for me to use in my new kitchen (HAHAHAHAHAHA! Like that's gonna get done in the next few years) and 2 for the nursery. They needed to be framed so they were never hung when we redid the room. Meg has an Aaron Bros. gift card I had given her, but there's not one in SA and she kept forgetting to bring it down. SO...I decided to cut the mats myself to fit in ready made frames instead of getting custom frames. I have a mat cutter, so that saves tons of money when framing. However, my math skills are so lacking that it gives me the shakes just thinking about measuring and cutting. Not only that, but the whole blade-at-an-angle, cutting on the back thing makes my head spin. This time *high fives, chest bump* I only made one big mistake. Because I anticipated this, I bought twice as much mat board as I needed and so, in the end, had just enough. Yea me!! Now I can hang them and finish the last bit of the nursery. Happy, Bonus?</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9251874886/" title="Photo Jul 09, 2 06 21 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Jul 09, 2 06 21 PM" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/9251874886_ab99210687_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9251872466/" title="Photo Jul 09, 2 14 55 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Jul 09, 2 14 55 PM" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/9251872466_36162b24f1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9249090903/" title="Photo Jul 09, 2 24 39 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Jul 09, 2 24 39 PM" height="600" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9249090903_bb660166b9_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other thing I wanted to make was a necklace to commemorate our trip to NY. I'm not into souvenirs, but I did want something to remember our first Grandparent trip. We flattened some pennies at those machines and I used them, along with some other things I had, to make it. A dear friend had made some beautiful jewelry for me a few years ago. One necklace had been broken by some curious fingers. I used that, along with other charms, a lone earring or 2, medallion of a saint and other baubles. Kenny drilled holes in the pennies, I bought additional chain and the little ring thingies to hang the pennies from and, ta-da!, customized vacay necklace.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9251808844/" title="Photo Jul 09, 12 49 15 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo Jul 09, 12 49 15 PM" height="534" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9251808844_5f7fac7f25_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9249086055/" title="Photo Jul 09, 12 45 36 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="flattened pennies " height="600" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/9249086055_0c07347205_c.jpg" title="flattened penny souvenir necklace" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9251867370/" title="Photo Jul 09, 3 59 15 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="necklace souvenir pennies" height="800" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/9251867370_929d8001cc_c.jpg" title="flattened pennies charms necklace" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't think the picture does it justice, it's hard to see all the individual pieces. Pretty sure it looks amateurish and <i>maybe</i> a little tacky, but I LOVE it. Every penny brings back memories of the trip and I plan on adding many more pennies, AND memories, as the years go by.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, Baby Bonus, will you please come?</span></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-6169191237313965982013-07-03T23:06:00.000-05:002013-07-03T23:06:58.329-05:00Home Stretch<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206132398/" title="ny_0010 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="ny_0010" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/9206132398_3cb13234aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We made it to New York and back, had the babies down for a few days and now are just tying up loose ends, waiting on Bonus to make his/her entrance. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New York was a hit. We had a great time and I can't wait to take Reid back. He even said the other day that he wanted to go back to New York and ride more subways. I'm not one to brag about my grand kids *wink* but he was incredibly well behaved. He probably asked a thousand questions...a day...and ate about every hour or 2, but was not a bit of trouble. I won't bore you with a day-by-day account, but I will share a few pics.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206155566/" title="fao by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="fao" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/9206155566_1d5f865c56.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206129308/" title="timesquare by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="timesquare" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/9206129308_db6fafd043.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206155768/" title="dylans by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="dylans" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/9206155768_9043561471_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9203345289/" title="statue by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="statue" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9203345289_5e58c21ebc_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206132456/" title="himom by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="himom" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/9206132456_108d0b555c.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206132500/" title="happyface by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="happyface" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/9206132500_bd56444995.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've had just a few things to finish up and then the sweet baby can come. While I was in NYC, I bought some knit fabric that you just can't find here. I'll add here that if you were not convinced that my husband is the best in the world, My fabric quest will prove it. Not only did he watch both boys so I could shop (we had a friend with us and we were watching her son while she saw a show), but then had to carry all the fabric home in a suitcase for me. About 10 yards of knit, I couldn't believe how heavy it was, a few yards of velvet, lots of cottons just about filled the suitcase. I found a place that only sells knit called Spandex House. Doesn't that sound like heaven, for so many reasons? And <i>cheap</i>, I paid $6/yard for all but one. Lucky all the girls in the fam are short. It only took a yard for each skirt. Anyway, most skirts are made, so I can cross that off my list. I needed to finish up a few more matching outfits and that's almost done, too. I have a few pairs of panties cut out for Helena, but that's on the punch list to finish tomorrow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The most important things I wanted to make were Big Brother/Big Sister shirts for the bigs. Meg had seen an <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/collections/newest/products/carnival-embroidery-patterns" target="_blank">embroidery pattern</a> she liked, so I incorporated it into the shirts. I was very happy with the way they turned out. I wanted them to coordinate, but also wanted them to be gender specific. Not knowing if the baby is a boy or girl made it a little hard, but I used a gender neutral for that one. I did the same fabric for the first layer and then a different one for second. I did the embroidery on some canvas and then stitched them all on shirts. I made the gown for the baby, using one of Kenny's old tees, because I couldn't find one that was plain white. I had already purchased lots of tees for the others kids so I have plenty on hand for them. The fabric was out of my stash so all I had to purchase was the pdf for the embroidery pattern, a whopping $3.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206166652/" title="blog_0016 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="big brother shirt big sister shirt" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9206166652_d95512b94c_z.jpg" title="sibling shirts embroidery big brother shirt big sister shirt" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206355442/" title="blog_0022 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="sibling shirt" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/9206355442_b59539a5c0_z.jpg" title="Big brother shirts carnival embroidery" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206357528/" title="blog_0019 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="sibling shirt " height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/9206357528_0d1da11b08_z.jpg" title="big sister shirt carousel" width="427" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9206164518/" title="blog_0021 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="gown for baby brother or sister" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/9206164518_9705eab73f_z.jpg" title="baby gown sibling shirt clown" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also wanted Fourth of July shirts for the kids, and I was lucky enough to already have some red, white and blue striped fabric. I cut it into rectangles, just eyeballing it, and then cut a small rectangle of chambray. I used white buttons to use as "stars" and outlined the whole thing with a quick stitch. It took about 20 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9203377289/" title="blog_0028 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="fabric flag shirt" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/9203377289_9515f730fd_z.jpg" title="flag shirts fourth of july" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With any luck, my next post will be to introduce the newest member of our family. Stay tuned!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-50915501989109556362013-06-10T18:38:00.000-05:002013-06-10T18:38:27.205-05:00I Want to Be a Part of It<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9004022654/" title="ny_0409 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="ny_0409" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/9004022654_964eb79dc9_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At least twice a year, (<a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-york-week-one.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/10/manhattan-wedding-aka-wedding-that-made.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and once a summer for sure, I go to New York. I've been doing this since 2003, when Meg started school in Manhattan. It worked out great because I could fly on my brother's passes (or buy cheap tickets, of which there were plenty back then) and I would stay in her campus apt. Since then, I stay where I can. Either with friends or I rent an apt. I've gone with <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-york-part-deux.html" target="_blank">one or 2 friends</a>, Kenny, my <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2011/06/memaw-takes-manhattan.html" target="_blank">mom</a>, <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2009/05/loopers2fun.html" target="_blank">the Loop</a> and sometimes with <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2010/07/13-women-7-days-one-great-city.html" target="_blank">people I've never met</a>. I've gotten lost dozens of times, stayed in a hotel that I'm SURE had a meth lab, been bumped off lots of flights, but have never had a <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-first-circle-of-hell.html" target="_blank">bad time</a>. I've been lucky enough to eat at the restaurants of my favorite chefs (I'm a Top Chef junkie), I've seen dozens of Broadway shows, seen tapings of Letterman half a dozen times, and of Jon Stewart, Martha Stewart (even went to her trial), Conan, Jimmy Fallon. I've been to free concerts by Norah Jones and John Mayer. I got to see the hot dog eating championship, went to the Mermaid Parade and crashed a wedding in St. Patrick's Cathedral. I even danced on stage for part of a Broadway show. All this to say that I'm more excited this year than any other time before and feel like this trip will top all the others. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I get to bring Reid.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This isn't his first trip to the Big Apple. Last year his whole family came with us, as well as another family, and we had a great time. (Until we left and they stayed for what was supposed to be an extended time for Eddie's work, read about that fiasco <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/08/week-3-luck-runs-out.html" target="_blank">here</a>). This IS, however, the first of what I predict to be many, many Mamie/Reid/Papaw trips. Hopefully, we will be able to add Helena and Bonus, too. This trip will be all about watching him experience the joys of travel. Candy stores, toy stores and speed boats are all on the itinerary. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To help pass the time on the planes (we have a couple of connections, but nobody is griping!) I made a few games that would be light weight enough for me to carry and cheap enough to throw away if he really didn't like it. I made some letters and numbers, laminated them and cut them out so we could play school. I drew a road on 4 pieces of card stock and laminated them, too. Then I downloaded some clipart of buildings and signs and printed and laminated them, put velcro on everything and there you have it. A handy, dandy road and city scene.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9003949614/" title="photo-50 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-50" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9003949614_396dbb1d4e_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9003951522/" title="photo-49 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-49" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/9003951522_abfaf993d8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You probably think that I'm just gonna buy that baby anything he wants, fostering a sense of entitlement and greed. Puh-leeeease! I'm not that way. *wink* I fully intend on letting him pay for part of what he wants (even if it is only a verrrrrry small part). He's gets paid for helping to keep his sister awake in the back seat, so he's been saving his change to buy a car. A real car. He probably has about 2.50. Anyway, I made him a little coin wallet so he can carry his own money and help pay for whatever he feels like he HAS to have. It took about 10 minutes to make this. A couple of squares of leftover fabric, a zipper and that's it.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9003945226/" title="photo-52 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-52" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/9003945226_cab8f7c7ef_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9002768543/" title="photo-51 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-51" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/9002768543_fd6fcccd06_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I lined it with a coordinating fabric (really just a shirt I cut up because I thought it went well together) and used a little twine to make pulling the zipper easier. If you are my DIY Christmas list, you're probably going to get one of these!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other thing I made was more practical than fun. Reid has some allergy issues and so does Gwenn's little one. I needed to bring some Benadryl, but without the weight of a whole bottle or the expense of the individual doses. Surely if Miss Pinterest can do it, I can, too. I gathered up some straws from McD's and got out the bottle of Waladryl (you didn't think I bought the real stuff, did you?) that I already had. I used some heated needle nose pliers, heated them over the flame on the stove and clamped the end shut. I used a match to heat the end up a little more and melt it together. I then used a syringe to pull up a dose of medicine and put it in the straw. I clipped it to the right length and then sealed the other end. It wasn't as easy as it sounds, it took a few tries to get the heat just right, but is was a lot better than going to the store and shelling out $$ for medicine I already had. I also did a few Motrin just in case someone started running a fever. All it cost me was some time and a sticky counter top. It weighs next to nothing and I can carry it on.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/9010299089/" title="photo-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-1" height="367" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/9010299089_447c0b3de9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In less than 12 hours, I get to start making Mame-ories with Reid. This is why I live, this is what I was made for. Don't think for a minute that I am not humbly grateful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-78722131544961894812013-06-09T22:43:00.000-05:002013-06-09T22:43:02.256-05:00Bedroom Reveal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After living with the Murphy bed flat on the living room floor for a month and <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/06/bedroom-redo-furniture.html" target="_blank">fruit basket turn over with the furniture</a>, I was more than ready to finish the room. Then Meg planned a trip up to help me with a wedding, so it HAD to be done. I was thankful for that forced deadline. I absolutely love it and may not ever change it, even if there is a 4th Tater Tot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788731912/" title="house1_0092 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0092" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8788731912_9ff2fac250_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8974065635/" title="IMG_0036_0174-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0036_0174-1" height="534" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/8974065635_8d6ef71a47_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788726794/" title="house1_0095 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0095" height="534" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/8788726794_7f03ea6173_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8974070621/" title="IMG_0032_0170-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0032_0170-1" height="534" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/8974070621_cee3c833a9_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782146453/" title="house1_0094 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0094" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8782146453_dce5edd0b0_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975261564/" title="IMG_0034_0172-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0034_0172-1" height="534" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/8975261564_f7eb08c928_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a LOT of hoarded fabric that was shoved into the big brown armoire. I was able to store most of it in suitcases we picked up in NY at a store going out of business, and from the <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/08/worlds-longest-yard-sale-i-think-ive.html" target="_blank">World's Longest Yard Sale.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8974082201/" title="IMG_0019_0157-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0019_0157-1" height="534" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/8974082201_d2a31ac9de_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Medicine cabinet and <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-new-baby-means-only-one-thing.html" target="_blank">stripper resistant stool</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8974091041/" title="IMG_0010_0148-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0010_0148-1" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/8974091041_6dd159c9f7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8974077295/" title="IMG_0028_0166-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0028_0166-1" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/8974077295_b72ee248e4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other than the Murphy bed and mirror (which were both used), nothing was purchased specifically to furnish the room. I already had everything or I picked it up at a garage/yard sale hoping to use it as an accessory. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That was the best part of the whole makeover.</span></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-14921178193683822072013-06-07T16:38:00.002-05:002013-06-07T16:38:51.039-05:00Bedroom Redo: The Furniture<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975252826/" title="photo-38 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-38" height="800" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/8975252826_7638812b3a_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
When I decided to <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-new-baby-means-only-one-thing.html" target="_blank">redo the room</a>, all I really wanted to do was provide additional sleeping spots for our growing family. I knew that would require a full size bed, but the room would be so cramped, it wouldn't be much use for anything else but sleeping. Since the room is only used for sleeping when all the kids are in town, maybe once a month, it seemed like a waste of space. I felt like a Murphy bed was the only way to go. Once I found one, I started thinking of the possibilities for the room. Then the sofa table I got at the garage sale got me thinking...I could use this room for sewing, as well as a playroom for the kids when the baby wasn't sleeping. </span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first step in the process was emptying out the room for the bed. This is kinda how it went down...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>twin bed</b> -> To Meg's house for Helena. I then needed to paint it.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>ugly shelves</b>-><b> </b>to B's house for his room.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>chair with a fold out bed from Meg's house</b> ->to my house for Helena to sleep on. We already had one in our family room so now both older kids could sleep there.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>rocking chair from family room</b>->to Meg's for the nursery. Amazingly, the upholstery matched the baby room.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>armoire from Meg's nursery</b>->to our new bedroom for books.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>rocking chair from B's house</b>-> for my living room, because since I gave mine to Meg, I need a rocking chair. I'm reupholstering it now.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>large tv in family room</b> -> to living room. Since the kids would be sleeping in the family room, we needed a place for the adults to sit when the kids went to bed.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>new, smaller tv</b>-> into the family room, so I have something to watch when the kids aren't here. I like sitting back there because I can see my backyard thru all the windows.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>buffet from dining room</b>->into living room because the tv needed something under it.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>table from living room</b>->because now the dining room needed something for a blank wall, it was moved in there.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>side chair in living room</b>->to Meg's house for Eddie's office. Now that I had a rocker in there, we had to get rid of something.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>chalkboard I found at a yard sale</b>->in the living room cause I had a blank corner and it's stinkin' cute.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>medicine cabinet</b>->from the bathroom were are redoing (I promise it will happen, we just have to believe) for sewing storage.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The baby bed and the small dresser that is used for a changing table were the only things that stayed, as far as furniture goes. I did keep the rug, art work and curtains.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I (meaning Kenny) painted the room and I had a ball fixing it up. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I said before, I didn't like the finish on the bed. The above picture is my painting setup to paint the bed and the table. Pretty snazzy, huh? I filled the holes, primed and then painted. This required the purchase of a spray painter, which required the purchase of a new air compressor. Oh, well. Can I just say that there are no words to describe how much work this turned out to be? It was sunny and about 90 degrees. The white was so blinding that I couldn't see what I was doing. Sanding, priming, painting and painting. All. Day. Long. To add to the fun, the wind whipped up and blew my "structure" down. Luckily, I was out resting my tired self when it happened or this story would have ended much differently. My neighbor had to come over to help with the disaster relief.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I really like the look of chalk paint and had read that it's durable, just the thing for a room that will have lots of kids in it. It's <strike>kinda</strike> really expensive, though, and I'd rather spend my money on other things (like air compressors and spray painters) so I found some recipes online. The concoction I came up with included regular paint and unsanded grout. It worked great. Once it dried, I distressed it a little, and then waxed it with the cheapest wax I could find. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975255080/" title="photo-37-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-37-1" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/8975255080_f5a4ca6831.jpg" width="375" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975256650/" title="photo-36 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-36" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/8975256650_ed049a7a33.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love, love, love the way it turned out. The bed is big and a whole lotta white, so I found a mirror at Old Home Supply and had Kenny screw it to the front. Soooooo happy!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next was the cute stool that I got at a yard sale. The paint was yucky, but surely it would be easy to get off. After using all the stripper I bought for the job and then borrowing more stripper from the neighbor, all I had left was a goopy mess of old paint, and probably lead poisoning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8974056901/" title="photo-41-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-41-1" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/8974056901_116e1e13d0_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sand paper was the next level of attack. The paint laughed. Then...the big guns. I bought a sand blaster. Yep, I did. Lucky we had already bought a new compressor! 50 lbs. of "sanding medium" later the stool was...still covered in paint splotches. Good thing my husband had <i>even bigger</i> guns. He got out his wire brush on a drill thingy. He attacked it. Most of the paint is off now and then we decided that perhaps we liked the slightly paint chippy look. I wouldn't call it a win for the stool, just a draw.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We took the medicine cabinet out of the bathroom we want to redo (and now have to) to make some storage for my thread and stuff.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975606302/" title="photo-48 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-48" height="800" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/8975606302_60d908f017_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There was a can of blue spray paint in the garage that I thought would look good on the inside, but I ran out before I finished. Color candidate #2 was the apple green, so I repainted the thing and hung it on the wall.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The last thing I painted was the table and chairs. I had to prime these, too, because of the red paint on the table and the rust on the chairs. Once painted, I needed to cover the seats. I wanted fabric that was cute, but not babyish. It also needed to be gender neutral. I found some with cute pennants and laminated it. I stuck it on the seats with spray on adhesive. That was probably the easiest part.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975280678/" title="IMG_0013_0151-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0013_0151-1" height="333" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/8975280678_f8e580a0d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8975277178/" title="IMG_0017_0155-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0017_0155-1" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/8975277178_0440242db3.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's it. I'll post pics of the finished room later.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-59747181660826002292013-06-06T18:25:00.001-05:002013-06-06T18:25:53.305-05:00A New Baby Means Only One Thing: Redecorate<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I was working on the middle bedroom, it was brought to my attention that every time a new baby is on the way, I redecorate the room. I started thinking about it and it turns out it's true. When Reid came, we added the baby bed, changing table, I made all the bedding, bought new curtains and added new art on the wall. While we were waiting on Helena, I changed curtains again, changed out the furniture and added a twin bed, with new bedding to go with it. With Bonus coming in about 5 weeks, we are just finishing up baby #3 redo, the new expanded version. This included new furniture (again) in the baby room, but also changing out furniture in the family room and doing the switcheroo in the dining and living.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>This is the room before. Twin bed, lost of toys, mint green walls.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788726794/" title="house1_0095 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0095" height="534" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/8788726794_7f03ea6173_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782146453/" title="house1_0094 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0094" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8782146453_dce5edd0b0_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788730494/" title="house1_0093 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0093" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8420/8788730494_a7f7965d61_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788731912/" title="house1_0092 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0092" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8788731912_9ff2fac250_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've never been happy with the bed situation in our house. We had a full sized bed in the baby room, but it was so cramped, I decided to change the bed to a twin. That worked as far as roominess, but that left no place for adults to sleep. Reid slept in the twin and Helena slept in the crib, but Meg and Eddie slept on the couch and a chair that makes into a bed. We previously had a hide-a-bed in a couch, but we sent that to Meg's. With Bonus needing the crib and now an extra place for Helena to lay her head, measures had to be taken. So began project Murphy Bed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had been searching for one online for quite a while. They are NOT cheap, about $2,000 for a basic full setup, without the mattress. I found one on Craigslist for $600 and got it for $550, with a new mattress. Woohooo! Unfortunately it was in a knotty pine. Not my style, even if I lived in a lodge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Not my bed, but a lot like it. ugh.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782140831/" title="murphybed by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="murphybed" height="349" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/8782140831_c1ea5b8916.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In addition to places for people to lay their heads, I was in need of a place to sew. Setting up 2 sewing machines (regular and serger) on the kitchen table was a pain. I either had to finish fast or leave my kitchen a mess for a sewing marathon, there was no stopping and starting projects. I found a great sofa table at my neighbor's garage sale that worked perfectly. I had originally bought it for Meg's family room, but as my vision for the bedroom changed, the table became a part of it. It was long enough to handle 2 machines and also had a fold out leaf on either side to make it wider when I needed it. It was also in a beee-utiful knotty pine finish. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I came across a great stool at a flea market that was just the right size for under the table. So perfect! Except that it was an awful blue.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>pine sofa table </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788724632/" title="photo-40 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-40" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8788724632_de7beccd3a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>cute stool with weird, lumpy blue paint</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8788724594/" title="house1_0106 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0106" height="800" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/8788724594_958125b389_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wanted people to be able to sleep in the room, but I also wanted to use the room as a play room for the kids as they got older. With the Murphy bed up, there was plenty of floor space to play. My neighbor gave me a child size card table so I was on the hunt for some chid size folding chairs. I've never seen a set of 4, but at the Antique Alley yard sale, I found them! They needed quite a bit of TLC, but since I was painting A LOT of furniture anyway, I just added them to the list.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>loved the red card table for my kitchen, but it wasn't going to stay there.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782151883/" title="house1_0088 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0088" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8782151883_4832c21216_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>tiny folding chairs</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782143065/" title="house1_0099 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0099" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/8782143065_10d77c4a7d_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We move the large armoire to the garage, sent the twin bed to Meg's to redo for Helena's big girl bed (that's a whole 'nother post), gave the shelves away and the tiger went to live in San Antonio. That left the room pretty empty and since I never really liked the color I painted it the last time, we went ahead and painted the walls a soft gray. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, even though I'm not the one having the baby, I'm in full nesting mode. I'll post the after pictures later and you can let me know if you like the transformation. It really doesn't matter, though. When the next baby comes, there's sure to be a change.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-69293052524325947012013-06-05T20:48:00.001-05:002013-06-05T20:48:09.363-05:00Sewing Jag<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I've posted before, since I found out that there will be a 3rd little Tater Tot in the brood, I've been sewing for 2 girls instead of 1. We do not know what the baby is, but I want to be ready in case Bonus turns out to be a she. I don't really have a preference, I just don't want to waste a day of dressing 2 girls alike if I can help it. I've posted <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/02/matchy-matchy.html" target="_blank">one set of dresses</a> that I made and another<a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-best-trip-that-ever-wasn.html" target="_blank"> set for the boys</a>. I haven't had a chance to post the girls dresses that go with the boy set. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Here's the girl version of the sailor set.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782742081/" title="photo-43 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-43" height="600" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/8782742081_01f4d1d847_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a few more sets left to do, but here are several that I've been able to finish.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8789183578/" title="photo-34 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-34" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8789183578_705b61c68f_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Feed sack bloomers. I appliqued rose hips using the fabric onto the shirts</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8789188068/" title="photo-30 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-30" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/8789188068_0f7e9534d2_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>vintage sheets and lace</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8782603849/" title="photo-28 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-28" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/8782603849_42f48c44e5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Betsey Johnson fabric found in NYC on sale</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8789189176/" title="photo-27 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-27" height="534" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/8789189176_0917e9eb8d_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8789191086/" title="house1_0084 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0084" height="534" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/8789191086_bfce9867a0_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>I had matching vintage buttons for both dresses. Don't you love the detail in them?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8789190050/" title="house1_0087 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0087" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8560/8789190050_407662c1b2_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Didn't want you thinking I only sewing for girls. Here are some sleepers I did for a Boy Bonus.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8783472413/" title="photo-31 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-31" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/8783472413_737c0a10aa_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My goal is to not go over $5/yard unless I just looooove the fabric. So far, I've done fairly well. I got a whole stack of feed sacks for about $3 each. The sheets...who knows? Maybe a dollar or 2 for the full size sheet. I have so many, I'll be making their prom dresses with them. I have a few more sets to go before my self imposed deadline of the New York trip. I'm worried I'll find a lot more fabric and not be able to start anything new because of a backlog.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've also taken the plunge and started sewing for myself a little bit more. I made a couple of maxi skirts for me and one for Meg with some really cute blue chevron print knit and some polka dot print knit. I have to say, sewing for a pregnant Meg was easier than I thought. More on that later. Taking a look at several patterns on Pinterest, I kinda combined a few techniques and came up with something that had as little math as possible and with the least amount of sewing. My technique was super simple. I measured from my waist to where I wanted the bottom of the skirt to hit. I then measure my waist and divided it by 2. Some patterns say add an inch to that, but that didn't work for me the first time so I just left it at 1/2 my waist. I marked the waist measurement on the fabric, in the center and then just drew a line down from the each side of the waist, drawing a line at an angle to the edge of the fabric. I then cut out a waistband the measurement of my waist and 10 inches wide. Sewed that thing together, added it to the skirt part (after sewing together the sides), and I had a maxi skirt! When you sew on the waistband, you sew it so the seam is on the RIGHT side, opposite of what you would normally do. It's covered when you fold the band down. I made 3, 2 for me and a maternity one for Meg. Unintentionally. Which made me sad that a skirt I made for myself fits a person who is 9 months pregnant. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8942215613/" title="skirt by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="skirt" height="444" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/8942215613_465b41f15b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This fitting setback was caused by the fact that ALL the patterns said to measure your waist and add an inch. The width of your hips and your, uh, bottom, keep the skirt up. UNLESS you are built like me and have <i style="font-weight: bold;">no bottom at all.</i> Add to that a little (or a lot) of a midlife tummy and your skirt, like mine, will <i style="font-weight: bold;">fall off your body.</i> You will then have to alter and alter and alter it (and curse the pattern makers, those skinny, young things) until you finally figure out that your waist is bigger than your hips. With that slap in the face from reality, you will recut a waistband smaller than it needs to be (and maybe a little tighter) so that when you put your grand children on you hip, you skirt will not slide down your body, unnoticed by you but noticed by everyone else. You are welcome.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-31237652698451883692013-05-28T10:14:00.001-05:002013-05-28T10:14:28.017-05:00Fancy Pants<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nellie Bird never crawled, didn't sit up herself until 11 months, wasn't pulling up until 13 months and didn't walk until 15 months. At 17 months she had about a dozen words (mostly names like mama, dada, papa), but would rather sign than talk. At 18 months, though, she decided to let the Helena Show begin. She spat out a whole sentence and decided that words like "squirrel" and "strawberry" were more appropriate than "cat" or "moo". She also said she wanted to be potty trained. Not with words, 'cause that ain't how she rolls, but by signing. Her mom asked her if she wanted to use the potty and she nodded yes. Since a few days after that, she has been in panties. She was <i>THRILLED! </i>Wept when she had an accident in them. (I know the feeling, but mine is more from embarrassment.) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The problem has been finding panties to fit her tiny hiney. An even bigger problem...they don't make cute nylon panties with ruffles on the back anymore! If you're older than about 40 you probably know what I mean. Those slick ones with all the ruffles on the be-hind. Easter Sunday panties. Everything now is all cotton, Hello-kittyish. I was able to track some down at a Catholic Christening apparel site and at Ella Bella, but they were really expensive, maybe $20/pair. I did the only thing I know how to do...find a pattern. I found a great one on Etsy that was small enough, from Europe. Getting fabric was an issue I didn't expect. I guess there is not a lot of demand for pink nylon, huh? I did see some online, but it was $6.50/yd and had to be a whole yard. I didn't need that much to start with so I went to the Salvation Army store and found myself a big ol' pink nighty. Perfect. It's much more than a yard and was only $1.50. I already had some lace, so I went to town.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8791886584/" title="house1_0082 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="house1_0082" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/8791886584_eb6772e7b2_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After cutting out the itty bitty pattern, I sewed in the cotton lining (Girlfriend needs some breathable fabric "down there", don't ya know). You can buy underwear elastic (who knew?) and you just stitch that on the legs, sew the front and back together (add the lace before you do this), and put the elastic around the waist and you are done!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8791893462/" title="house1_0076 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="lace nylon toddler undies" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/8791893462_f9096475c3_c.jpg" title="toddler girl panties nylon with lace" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And here you have it, the first pair of Helena's Secret panties.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8791911336/" title="photo-42 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="diy toddler panties" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/8791911336_59124408c3_c.jpg" title="little girl toddler panties diy" width="600" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So far, we are two weeks in and Project "Potty Train Mommy" has gone well for Helena. She has new panties to show off and signs "let's go potty" with a flourish that has a contemporary dance-like vibe. We've have a day or two of set backs, but usually go all day without having to change panties. (And can we be honest and say that's a goal for all of us in the over 50 crowd). At the rate she's going, we may let her potty train Bonus and I may have found my calling as a panty designer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8835474373/" title="helenaposing by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="helenaposing" height="800" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/8835474373_09484fa7fe_c.jpg" width="557" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-9520904114311996122013-05-04T20:37:00.000-05:002013-05-04T20:37:51.927-05:00Reader's Digest Condensed Version of the Last 2 Months<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lawsy! Has it been that long? So sorry about that. It's not that I haven't been doing anything, just that life has gotten in the way. So, in an effort to keep this short and easy for me, here is the condensed version of what's been goin' on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The (Anti) Cruise.</b> Unlike the fabulous 5 day <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-best-trip-that-ever-wasn.html" target="_blank">Caribbean cruise</a> where I was going to be wined and dined by my husband, my mother was going to be celebrated for 80 years of making the world a better place, my grandchildren were going to experience the wonders of surf and sand and my kids were going to get some well deserved rest, we rented an RV and spent 2 nights at a state park. Not as fancy but I bet roomier than the stateroom Meg and Eddie were booked in and who needs a balcony when you have a concrete pad outside the door? We even hiked to the Guadalupe for fun in the sand and sun. Keeping with the bad luck, the water faucet in the kitchen broke, spewing water continuously, making it necessary to keep the water turned off coming into the RV. That meant no bathroom, no showers and no water inside. Much like the Triumph Cruise we were supposed to be one. We just couldn't win. The kids had a ball, though, and Reid can't wait to go camping again.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8705439729/" title="IMG_0061 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0061" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/8705439729_d50bd47f58_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8705438889/" title="IMG_0123 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0123" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8705438889_abe39a9513_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8706561158/" title="IMG_0074 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0074" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8706561158_97a33924d5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Pergola.</b> The house Meg and Eddie bought had a lot going for it, but the backyard wasn't one of them. Big, with a couple of huge trees, it had lots of potential. We set out to add some equity and shade to the house, trying to keep with the mid-century modern style and a modest budget. It took 2 weekends of lots of work, but we managed to finish it all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8705440637/" title="backporchcollage1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="backporchcollage1" height="798" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8134/8705440637_6016e12372_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It took crazy amounts of jack hammering and 3 trips to the dump to get rid of the tons (literally) of concrete that we had to take up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8705447745/" title="IMG_0684 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0684" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8705447745_f249fda209_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the couch we made with cinder blocks. For the pillows, I had some outdoor fabric I bought for another project and never used. I got some of that outdoor furniture foam stuff with a coupon at Hobby Lobby and use some leftover marine grade plywood to make the seat. I bought a canvas paint tarp and Scotchguarded it (useless, it was covered with sweet baby footprints in no time) to upholster the seat. Between my mom and me, we had enough patio furniture to furnish the whole thing. I used more fabric to make cushions for the chair and Meg spray painted all of it. The only ready made cushion we bought was for the lounge chair. I think, for all the patio furniture, cushions, and paint, we probably spent $150. Not bad at all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> View from the east.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8706597496/" title="IMG_0680 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0680" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8706597496_470e0d48c3_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">View from the west. We added a flagstone patio where we cut out some of the tile and removed a concrete slab. Now the back doors opens.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8706595530/" title="IMG_0697 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0697" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8420/8706595530_8852336f72_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They love it! The wisteria is already to the top of the posts so it won't be long till they have shade all day long. The only project left are the planters I want to make for her. More on that another time.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8705484395/" title="IMG_0682 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0682" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8705484395_74262558a1_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>My brother.</b> About the time we finished the pergola, my brother had a pretty bad encounter with his old friend CHF. He didn't see a bright light at the end of a tunnel (like he had before), but it was pretty serious. I got a call after work one day and after the blur of ICU, sleeping over at the hospital, etc., I looked up and it was about 10 days later.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That kinda wraps up what we've been doing, life wise. Squashed in there is also some sewing, gardening and a room redo. Stay tuned.</span></div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-50285561767360118322013-02-17T08:05:00.001-06:002013-10-22T22:21:00.005-05:00The Best Trip That Ever Wasn't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of the things that I was so looking forward to this year was celebrating my mom's 80th birthday. Nobody deserves a celebration more than Mom. She's overcome West Nile virus this past summer, watched my brother as he flirted with death for a few days last May and a couple of years ago waited in desperation for word of her <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2011/03/waves-of-concern.html" target="_blank">family in Japan</a>, who were at the epicenter of the earthquake and tsunami. We discussed having a big blow out but ended up planning a family cruise for all of us. FUN! That's got to be easier than planning a party, right? Let's start with coordinating vacation schedules for 8 adults. Mom's was the easiest, since she doesn't work, but Kenny is restricted by the number of folks who have already scheduled off, B just started a new job, so couldn't ask for days he didn't yet have, and Eddie's is the most difficult. He had to ask for days the summer before and THAT'S IT. No more days, and they can't be moved, period. Luckily, Meg had him take the week before Mom's bday off. Now the trick was finding a cruise everyone could afford, close by, during that time frame. We came up with one option...Carnival Triumph ( insert foreboding music here). There was also the little problem of my brother insisting that he would never, ever get on a ship. Too scary! We assured him that they were safe and we were going where there were no icebergs or reefs to run into. He reluctantly agreed, just for Mom.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Clouds love to talk about the greatness of trips, past and future. Every time we were together, it was " We are going to have sooooo much fun!" Even Reid was in on it, "I'm gonna ride in a big, big, big, big boat and sleep with Mamie and eat CAKE! They will bring sam'iches to my room and I will play in the sand!!! Every time. We blew this thing UP. Matching outfits for the kids, cute cover ups for the girls...SO MUCH FUN!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't have to tell you how it ends, right? We tried to reschedule the same week out of New Orleans but the boat was completely full for the 5 day. They offered us a 7 day for even less money than we had paid but the wheels had already fallen off. Dad wasn't sure he could swing the days, Eddie had to be back at work Monday morning and the ship didn't get back until Sunday, making it a litle too close. Oh, and my brother, the one who was assured nothing would go wrong on a cruise? He refused to even CONSIDER it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The good news is we got all our money back (of course) and now get to plan a party...with about 2 1/2 weeks notice. Also, I have one sailor-y outfit made for Reid and Helena's is already started. Following my matching plan, I also have one cut out for Girl Bonus. My neighbor wanted to know why Boy Bonus isn't in on the matching, so I made something for a boy, too. Now, no matter what Bonus is, I get at least one picture of the 3 dressed alike. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8482358680/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="613" id="blogsy-1361109956812.2437" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8482358680_ffc544901e_z.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you ask us, this trip was the best ever. Skies were always blue, the water was warm and the food was wonderful. Kids were well behaved and we all lost weight during it. The real trip could only have been a letdown after the great pre-trip we had!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-66899044206206211722013-02-15T21:33:00.001-06:002013-02-15T21:39:50.313-06:00Matchy Matchy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ever since I found out that we would be adding another baby to the family, my mind has been on matching outfits. The thought of 2 little girls in coordinating dresses makes my heart POUND! I immediately started planning outfits, and also thinking about ways to make new things for the baby using scraps from the things that I've already made for Nellie and that she'll still be wearing in the summer. (A special note to all you haters that laugh at my compulsion to save every piece of fabric no matter how small...HA! This is why you need to do it!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As a Christmas gift, I made a skirt for Helena and made ruffles with the same fabric for the back of a onesie for Bonus. The first dress I made was to coordinate with something I was in the process of making already. I found some incredible frou-frou fabric that I couldn't decide if I loved or was too much over the top. At $25/yard, I passed the first time. A few days alter I went back and it was on sale for 30% off. I tried to figure out a way to use as little as possible and bought 1/3 of a yard, which put my cost at about $6. I already had some white cotton for the lining so I was ready to go. While making it, I decided to add some pink piping I already had because I hate to follow the pattern exactly (I don't like things telling me what to do).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, it was a pain, because I had to piece together the fabric and match the flowers in the seams. Then sewing it so the dang flowers wouldn't get caught, which happened anyway so I had to redo it a few times. It was all worth it, though, because I won and did it on the cheap. When I finished the dress, there was a little of the frou-frou left and it pained me to throw it away. I got out some pink cotton that was in my stash and more white cotton and made another dress, this time in 0-3 months, to match Nellie's. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8478066472/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1360985617329.4434" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8478066472_45c7cef564.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8478066712/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1360985617377.814" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8478066712_6d94cdf097.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wish you could see the white piping around the neck of the little dress.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I know I don't have to tell you that if you make a dress, you HAVE to be sure that you have matching hair embellishments. I used scraps of the pink and white to make rag roses and some of the netting that was behind flowers to make a bow. I used a vintage earring on the big girl clip and put the roses on a headband for the little girl accessory.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8478066978/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="637" id="blogsy-1360985617380.162" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8478066978_8a45d0ba0b_z.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hair clip with netting and vintage earring.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8476976435/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="355" id="blogsy-1360985617389.0398" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8476976435_f6c8cfaea4.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Headband with rag roses and netting</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You may be wondering if Meg broke tradition and found out what she is having this time. No, she is not. Like before, no one will know what little Bonus is until it comes and we are formally introduced. I don't want to miss a single second of dressing the girls alike so I can't waste any time just hoping. Also, every person I know who is pregnant is expecting a girl, so finding a recipient of a few dresses won't be hard if Bonus turns out to be a boy. Do you think Kate Middleton wants a few? </span><br />
<br />
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-8625244429161955282013-02-02T13:24:00.001-06:002013-02-02T13:24:51.172-06:00Reid's Quiet Book, DIY #8<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8437480805/" title="Photo Jan 29, 2013, 1:55 PM by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="quiet book for boy" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8437480805_184e7a4337_z.jpg" title="diy boys quiet book" width="454" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">The</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> most time consuming DIY I did for Christmas was Reid's quiet book. I did one for <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-gift-4-who-loves-helena.html" target="_blank">Nell</a>, but hers was only a few pages and done with pictures that I already had. Reid's was completely from scratch and although I got a lot of inspiration from Pinterest pins, I had to get my ideas from several sources and compile the ones that I thought would interest him (mainly cars and trucks). Every part was sewn by me and only a few components could be bought. The things I did need to purchase were pretty specific so that in itself was frustrating. Not only that, but it took a great deal of math-y type spatial skills that you know I have trouble with. I had to be sure the fabric I chose for the back of one page matched the front of the next page. Needless to say, it hurt my brain.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On top of that, I tried to use only the fabric I had on hand and since the majority (ok ALL) the clothes I make are for baby girls, that in itself w</span>as a challenge. I did break down and buy the Hot Wheels fabric. When I saw it, I had to buy it for the cover and the car page.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I started by cutting the fabric twice as wide as I wanted each page, plus a little extra for the seam allowances. I wanted to make as few seams as possible by folding the fabric in half, right sides together lengthwise, with a piece of batting in the middle and sew the two short sides together. I then could turn it right side out, iron the seam allowances in on the 3rd (now long) side and top stitch it closed. Before I could do any sewing, though, I had to design, cut out and sew on all of the page components. A majority of the pages covered 2 sides. I had to make sure that I used the correct fabric on the right page so they would end up the same on both separate pages. I wasn't so careful with Helena's, although it didn't matter as much for hers, and facing pages didn't always match. I'm going to pretend that it doesn't bother me and I would appreciate it if you would do the same. In hindsight, it would have been so much easier to do them all with the same fabric. Live and learn. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I finished all the "graphics" and sewing the pages together, it was time to bind them. Originally, I planned to do it like Helena's, but it was too thick. I used grommets instead and use loose leaf rings (I'm not sure what the real term is) to hold them together. This ended up better because I can take pages out if they need to be mended or added to. It was labor intensive, but completely worth it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The first pages were the hook for him...roads, tunnels and firetrucks. I made the roads of felt and I stitched the white stripe with embroidery floss. I made the tunnel with a piece of felt so that it would lie flat when the book was shut. I added a railroad track, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">but Reid thought it was a parking lot. There is also a stop light and the blobs of color in the middle of the traffic circle are flowers, just in case you are wondering. He was not impressed with my french knots but did like the stop light.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8438651306/" title="photo-6 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="diy car road for quiet book" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8438651306_de172365db_c.jpg" title="quiet book car road " width="600" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I found the tiny cars at Target and glued snaps on the bottoms so they could be attached and not get lost. I sewed the back of the snap on a piece of elastic that I attached to the page.They were originally glued on with hot glue, but after a few day of play, they fell off. I then used super glue and that worked. It worked so well, I had to pry the snap off a little boy's finger when he did not listen to his Mamie and <i>leave it alone </i>until it dried. The second attempt on the truck was successful. Reid is very careful to always snap his vehicles back in when he finishes playing.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8437566531/" title="photo-11 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="car in quiet book " height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8437566531_8660551c6e_c.jpg" title="attaching car quiet book" width="600" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next page was a marble maze. I sewed a marble under some stretchy jersey and then sewed a "path" in which to move it. I didn't want it to be too difficult so I just did a back and forth pattern. When I say too difficult, you know I mean for me and not him, right?</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8438682796/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo-13 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="marble maze in quiet book" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8438682796_3060beafc6_c.jpg" title="marble maze quiet book diy" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The blue flecks are from the tape I used to hold the fabric in place and mark my lines.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Page 4 was a box truck with "smoke ears" (the exhaust pipes). I like the jaunty angle of them, don't you? It was purely unintentional. They were sewn on crooked and I didn't feel like fixing them. The zipper was from a pair of pants I didn't wear. I made some flat "boxes" out of cardboard and also bought a few truck patches for him to load.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8437695185/" title="photo-15 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="quiet book diy box truck" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8437695185_b2719c8fdf_c.jpg" title="box truck quiet book" width="600" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next 2 pages were the construction site. That boy loves him some heavy machinery and dirt. The back of the dump truck pivots on a button to dump and snaps when carrying the load. I made sand, rocks and a pile of dirt with felt and they are kept in a felt "dirt" pocket.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8437566641/" title="photo-9 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="diy dump truck construction page" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8437566641_6a72cba181_c.jpg" title="construction dump truck quiet book" width="600" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The 2 pages after that were the most fun. I loved making the firetruck and burning building. After cutting out the truck and sewing it down, I added a ladder and a door. The fireman is kept behind the door. I made his removable coat, which attaches with a snap, with iron on lamination for fabrics. I never knew such existed and I LOVE it. I see lots of matching bibs in my future. I sewed buttons on the truck to hold the ladder and used metal buttons for the hubcaps so Reid could change the tires. I made the hose from a piece of elastic and the nozzle from a scrap of the laminated fabric. The flames for the building are kept in the chimney when the house isn't on fire.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8438651206/" title="photo-7 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="quiet book diy fire truck" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8438651206_3ba217bf29_c.jpg" title="fire truck quiet book diy" width="600" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next up, Mr. Potato Head. His "suitcase" is made from an old wool army blanket that I got from a friend (thanks Amy) and a watch band. I just cut all his parts out of felt and there you have it. I plan on making more parts to match whatever he is interested in at the moment. I'm sure a fire helmet and hard hat will be in the suitcase soon.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8438651058/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="photo-10 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="quiet book page mr potato head" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8438651058_a9107e0ceb_c.jpg" title="diy mr potato head quiet book" width="600" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The last 2 pages are probably the hardest for Reid but we do enjoy playing with it as long as I do the cooking. It was the hardest for me to make, too! I cut out 2 circles for the crust and sauce to sew down. I then cut out all the ingredients and hand sewed the buttonholes on each one because the were too small to use the buttonholer on my machine. I chose buttons the matched the ingredient's color and also varied the size of button to match the ingredient size. Only the cheese will fit on the cheese button, etc. I made the sacks from real paper bags. I used the laminating stuff on this, too (I'm telling you, it's great stuff!) and trimmed them with pinking shears. I then just zigzagged them onto the page. I wanted each ingredient to have its own place when he wasn't using them.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8437566491/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="photo-12 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="pizza quiet book fine motor buttons" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8437566491_848d54a7ec_c.jpg" title="diy quiet book pizza button fine motor skill" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8438651978/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo-5 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-5" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8438651978_a5f04a5d9d_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I color coordinated the buttons with ingredient using stickers so that the placement would be balanced and nothing would overlap too much. I thought my head would explode. NEVER AGAIN.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He really loves this book and carries it with him all the time in the car. I probably could have gone with fewer pages since the thing is as thick as a library dictionary, but I couldn't stop myself. Now I can't wait to make a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> girly one for Helena!</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8438632132/" title="IMG_0079-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0079-1" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8438632132_0a78ef6db1_c.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-15245920198035220402013-01-30T20:31:00.001-06:002013-02-02T11:47:16.265-06:00DIY # 7 Kitchen Helper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love to cook...and eat. I'm so glad that I passed this love on to my grands. Reid is especially into cooking, and tasting, with his Mamie. I saw a cute "<a href="http://ana-white.com/2010/12/helping-tower.html" target="_blank">tower</a>" on Pinterest that I thought would be perfect, since we'd had a couple of near misses (and one real miss) standing on chairs while he helped. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8430708591/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1359599469079.6155" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8430708591_e3290bab40_c.jpg" width="500" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">The plans were pretty straight forward, but we did make a few design </span><span style="text-align: left;">changes. I liked the way the floor was removable so that it could fold flat and be stored in a closet or behind the door.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Kenny sanded and painted all the pieces before putting it together.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8430708853/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1359599469133.8171" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8364/8430708853_1c547e70eb_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8430709113/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1359599469109.4746" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8430709113_eb54409e50_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8430709645/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1359599469108.9255" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8430709645_d557be07a5_c.jpg" title="kitchen cooking tower" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The bottom is adjustable so we can make it higher for Nellie and move it down as they grow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They loved it! </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8437548705/" title="IMG_0065-1 by cloudsign, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0065-1" height="534" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8437548705_e0013ce418_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-57583640861745113302013-01-28T16:39:00.001-06:002013-01-28T16:40:36.959-06:00DIY Fail #2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's been a month since I've updated! Sorry! Sickness has reigned at the Cloud house for over a month and I'm just now getting my head above water. Just a few more DIY's to go. I'm saving the best for last.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My first fail wasn't so much a fail as much as it was a misinterpreted gift. Either way, I feel like my dad thought it was a fail, so I figure that's what counts. (<em>Just to let you know, I bought him some divinity to make up for the mistake.)</em> The other fail had to do with something I wanted to make for Meg. It was a double fail since I tried to salvage the gift, but that failed, too. I had seen these cute thumbprint charms made of clay. Seemed easy enough. I mixed some up with the intent of getting the kids thumbprints while they were here for Thanksgiving. Then I found out she was going to do the same for us! Oh, well, I was going to go thru with it anyway. The clay wasn't difficult, but the thumbprints WOULD NOT stay. It would just start puffing back up into its smooth clay self. After so many tries, we had a little person mutiny on our hands and I gave up. Meg went home and bought her clay and the little thumbprint bookmark she made for me turned out precious. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was determined to stick with my DIY clay. My next plan was to roll it out and cut out small rectangles with their birth dates stamped on. I used my date stamp after I rolled it to what seemed to be a good thickness. After stamping (and stamping and stamping) I got what I thought were pretty decent charms. Then I tried to move them...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I rolled it about again, this time lifting it before I stamped to be sure they weren't too stuck. No bad, if a little inky, but I planned on painting g them anyway. I left them to dry overnight. My imprecise measure of thickness led to some variation in the sizes when they dried out. They looked awful. No amount of painting could add "charm" to these.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8424359943/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1359412747656.589" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8424359943_dd34d1a97b_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not so cute, huh? I abandoned the idea and went with another (which I didn't complete so I'm not going to disclose. I need to have some ideas for next year). Why, do you ask, are there so many? I didn't want baby number 3 to be left out, so I made one for everyday for the 2 weeks before and a few days after it's due date. "WHAT?", you say. That's right, I have another tater tot on the way! Coming in July, we get to do all things baby again!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-24196476911193428702012-12-29T17:34:00.001-06:002012-12-29T20:16:32.043-06:00DIY for the Grownups<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DIY gifts for the grown ups were harder than for the kids. I made stuff for the girls that I had already made for myself or I thought I might enjoy. I made each one a <a href="http://www.asouthernbellewithnorthernroots.com/2011/01/purse-pocket.html" target="_blank">organizational clutch</a> and some<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/FASTEST-RECYCLED-T-SHIRT-TOTE-BAG/" target="_blank"> upcycled t-shirt bags</a>. I also made KC, B's girlfriend, a couple of pillows.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I made the clutch for myself for my trip to Italy. I wanted something lightweight to carry things like shout wipes, a few pills, a sewing kit and bandaids. I hate it when you take that stuff and it all scatters into the bottom of your purse, but I don't want to take the whole box/bottle. I loved mine and thought Mom, Meg and KC would, too. When I made mine, I used a potholder I found for .99 at Walmart. I wanted theirs to be a little classier, but no more expensive :) I found some <i>cute</i> quilted Japanese fabric in a remnant bin. I was able to get 4 from the piece of fabric and it was only around $2. Even LESS than a Walmart potholder! After cutting them the approximate size of a potholder, I finished the edges with coordinating bias tape, using a little more of the tape to make a loop. I used 6 ziploc snack bags per clutch, alternating them from side to side and securing with some tape. I zigzagged up the middle and, TADAAA!, gift made. I finished it with a vintage button from my stash of buttons. Mom loves it because it's so lightweight and she plans on keeping her checkbook in it along with coupons. Meg is using hers for cash organization instead of the Dave Ramsey-ish envelopes. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8323932390/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356824091789.5222" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8323932390_5cef929f8d_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">both sides of the quilted fabric</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8322873587/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356824091822.9282" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8322873587_74baf00929_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Vintage button and bias tape loop</span></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="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8322874491/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1356824091743.618" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8322874491_3f1248d8b8.jpg" title="diy ziploc wallets" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wish I had taken a pic of the inside, check out the link if you want to see it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also made reusable, upcycled grocery bags from some old t-shirts we had. I like the idea of reusing bags, but I don't like how bulky they can sometimes be. The insides are hard to clean, too. I made 2 for mom and Meg, 1 for KC (hers was the best, an old "I heart NY" shirt), and a lunch bag for B made from a kids shirt. I cut out the sleeves, leaving the seam of the sleeve intact to reinforce the "handle". I then used a plate to trace a semicircle for the opening of the bag. I didn't finish the edges or anything, just closed up the bottom on the inside of the shirt. A 10 minute project for all of them and something they can throw in the car to take into the store for shopping. They are lightweight and easy to clean, too.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8323934412/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356824091809.0637" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8323934412_2d96ca4b2a_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Old shirts</span></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="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8323934880/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356824091776.0686" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8323934880_67d3a8fe87_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I used a plate to cut the opening for the bag</span></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="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8322876019/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356824091736.7737" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8322876019_5cb75760f0_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">New bags</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I saw some signs on my way to work that said KC-this or KC-that and I really wanted to use these for her, making something personal. At first I was going to just do some prints, but you never know about wall space and if it fits their style. I had some leftover</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-gift-4-who-loves-helena.html" target="_blank">printable fabric</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> so I printed the pictures I took one morning onto the fabric and then made pillows with them. I had some vintage tablecloth that I was saving for something special. If a Christmas gift for your son's girlfriend isn't special, I don't know what is. This was safe, too, because if she didn't like it, she could always bury them under other pillows.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8322876657/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1356824091777.3796" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8322876657_7d65672750.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Vintage table cloth</span></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="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8323936380/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="374" id="blogsy-1356824091789.1267" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8323936380_058f6179ac.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The back of the pillows</span></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="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8323936896/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="374" id="blogsy-1356824091761.886" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8323936896_a6093e4013.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The front </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It wasn't too hard for the guys, I just focused on what they like. This is where my major fail came in. I misjudged the intensity of what my dad likes and went for something I thought he would enjoy, instead. For B, I made I that t-shirt bag with a kid's shirt to use as a lunch bag and about 10 days worth of frozen meals so he can come and get what he needs and not have to cook/buy lunch for a couple of weeks or more. He loved it. Having opened that before my dad opened his, Dad thought I had made him food, too. But no, I made some (I thought) wonderful Vick's <a href="http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot.com/2012/03/homemade-vicks-vapor-shower-disks.html" target="_blank">shower disks</a>. I made them in silver cupcake liners and put them in a plastic Glad container to keep them from smelling up the room. Well, he thought I made divinity (it was white and candy looking) and took a HUGE bite before asking what it was. Like I said, major misstep for me. He loves food the way I love food and thought that's what I would make for him. Don't know if he's going to enjoy those shower disks as much now that he's eaten one! For Eddie, I had already bought him some vintage pharmacy bottles at the <a href="http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/08/worlds-longest-yard-sale-i-think-ive.html" target="_blank">WLYS</a> and since that predated the DIY Christmas mandate, it was allowed.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My other major fail came with the adult gift, too. More on that later.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210631573359210063.post-47776071650572277882012-12-26T10:22:00.001-06:002012-12-26T10:28:43.786-06:00DIY Puzzles<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Catch 22: If I post about my DIY gifts, I won't have enough time to finish the diy gifts. What a dilemma. Since my kids don't care if I post or not, they just want some Santa, I had to focus on finishing. Now that Christmas is over, not only can I post the adult gifts, but I can also post the feedback. I'll even add some of the fails, too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This time I'll show 2 of the more educational toys I made. I had seen this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/77264949828740291/" target="_blank">shape puzzle</a>, but wanted something more durable. I used a piece of card board to give it some stability and then covered it with the felt I had embroidered with the shapes. I made the shape puzzle pieces with felt, backed with a small piece of the "hook" part of velcro and stuffed with a little batting. The little bit of velcro was enough to make it stick to the felt and Helena wouldn't have to work matching the velcro strips, just placing it on the felt would be enough. I embroidered the shapes on the puzzle board in the corresponding color so that she is matching both shape and color. I didn't get a picture of her playing with it, but she seemed to like it.</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8310251067/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356538928099.3752" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8310251067_dfb97b11c8_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8310251833/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1356538928110.786" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8310251833_fefd318089.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8310252385/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356538928125.7014" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8310252385_a908ce17de_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I made Reid some flash cards that incorporated some matching and fine motor practice, too. He's still kinda young to really enjoy flashcards so it was important that they be things he would enjoy looking at. No apples, trees or cutesy stuff. I printed pictures of a truck, car, boat, worm, you know things that would keep his interest. I also made one with his picture. As he likes to say, "Reid loves Reid". After printing the pictures, I glued them onto card stock, wrote the words on sentence strips and glued those on, too, and then laminated them for durability. I then wrote the words on clothes pins, one letter on each pin. He really liked it. The pins were a little difficult for him, but that will come. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8310253047/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356538928090.078" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8310253047_742d9ab283_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17504982@N07/8310253563/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1356538928090.0107" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8310253563_724b32b8e0_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next, adult gifts.</span><br />
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08794418934118768644noreply@blogger.com0