tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8944843840100285642024-03-14T05:02:40.756-05:00An Imperfect TransformationHollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-61137548368244564982011-02-05T15:33:00.012-06:002011-02-05T16:20:00.176-06:00Valentine's Day CookiesWe've been cooped up inside for the last few days due to weather. A rare event in Dallas! We finally got above freezing today and what did we do? Made it another pajama day and baked cookies. :) My absolutely favorite cookies are my mom's sugar cookies with buttercream frosting. YUM!<br /><br />This is a NON-refrigerated dough. When I make cookies, I like to make them right away, not wait for my dough to chill, then come back to partial room temp. Here's our super-secret family recipe.<br /><br /><strong>Gram's Sugar Cookies<br /></strong>1 cup margarine, softened<br />1 cup sugar<br />1 egg<br />2 tsp baking powder<br />3 cups flour<br />1 tsp butter flavoring<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570322777253890386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO-ZZibcZlDxOcnlci4fL_05MpRaBZFC0xJ7bF9_xtc4PGfqXN_FGXJrQggCVsVSbdwzC5KEA8u-dYkyePN27cvSv_l-P2vEA930zNeeYLPfkpaOBLJtQiDLtxFN8L32UDtVVjaxaxGA/s400/1.JPG" /><br />Cream together margarine & sugar, then add the egg and butter flavoring.<br /><p>Mix together 2 cups of the flour and the baking powder, then add them in slowly to the sugar mixture. I take it off the mixer and mix in another 3/4 cup of flour by hand. If you're keeping track, we have used 2 and 3/4 cups of the flour so far. Keep the other 1/4 cup set aside. We'll work that in as we roll out the dough. Putting in the entire 3 cups, plus using more as you roll it out can over-flour your cookies and make them dry.</p><p></p><p>Allow some time for a little Quality Control:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uepeZDePjOrXVj5L_V3S-rAr0eUcB4DxV_xdEfNaVmSBQwWKs7E0YLOmXRx8ZxczAZe_sSGqud6k_7bw_m6iOraam2EVMTOYLAKLPI3M2Pu0IviUydKQ7CQ829SWcO3HSH14-fLKBbM/s1600/QC.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570325364427528210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uepeZDePjOrXVj5L_V3S-rAr0eUcB4DxV_xdEfNaVmSBQwWKs7E0YLOmXRx8ZxczAZe_sSGqud6k_7bw_m6iOraam2EVMTOYLAKLPI3M2Pu0IviUydKQ7CQ829SWcO3HSH14-fLKBbM/s400/QC.JPG" /></a></p><p>Next, you want to roll out your cookies. My mom taught me this neat trick for rolling out your dough so that it is a consistent thickness. Take a dowel rod and cut it in half so you have two dowel rods approx the same length. I use a 5/16" dowel rod. Tape one dowel rod to the counter. Place your rolling pin on top of it so you can see how far apart you want your second one to be. Once you have figured that out, tape down the second dowel rod.</p><p> </p><p>Of course, if you have rolling pin bands, this isn't necessary, but I don't have any, so this is my method. :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 390px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570324516499971026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GqFMKhA0sPB8b9ks32ZYTio6nRMFG7dCmKsnScI9B4Bx44dheWA9hR1BBZHe6HdZY1UKW5MMvVAz_d4esjrQZpJs3hYSiAqqXMEbNr3XC4Ttf2ChDAcEJgu4swbku9qH49LY7yYM5aw/s400/dowel+rods.JPG" /><br /></p><p>Flour your working surface with part of the 1/4 cup of flour that we held out. Be sure to give your rolling pin a little flour too. Take 1/4 to 1/3 of your dough and roll it out. Keep the edges of your rolling pin on the dowel rods and all of your cookies will be the same thickness.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSTrpESY765O1rACzZjZPOPgn8rHmpdqiaC6AHyyBr2Iv5bisqe67xdYOYeFfN2rW7D4GYhYUBllnyHfjxQNymlTd3MaYU0Riu-s3vzDbZFAtOQpuUKlnzpMtq4qrFVpTPKZ4YOB_X7c/s1600/rolled+out.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 394px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570326012764952738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSTrpESY765O1rACzZjZPOPgn8rHmpdqiaC6AHyyBr2Iv5bisqe67xdYOYeFfN2rW7D4GYhYUBllnyHfjxQNymlTd3MaYU0Riu-s3vzDbZFAtOQpuUKlnzpMtq4qrFVpTPKZ4YOB_X7c/s400/rolled+out.JPG" /></a><br />Take your favorite cookie cutters and start cutting out as many shapes/sizes as you want.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3P_gq43Svzk1JcnAyrTr9kh8YEhXdE6bhxGHRYtJmc13XEQA1Kb7WhlLqkbmrVf_KSYXUAeHE11sCE6Ur1sWABC5C7XFC7fXUT5QcuVmr4gblnGg-c6rdkjjAb5iiAFKC9zrATqFUnQ/s1600/cutting.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570325852835232898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3P_gq43Svzk1JcnAyrTr9kh8YEhXdE6bhxGHRYtJmc13XEQA1Kb7WhlLqkbmrVf_KSYXUAeHE11sCE6Ur1sWABC5C7XFC7fXUT5QcuVmr4gblnGg-c6rdkjjAb5iiAFKC9zrATqFUnQ/s400/cutting.JPG" /></a></p><p>With the "extras" you have leftover, work it back into the dough instead of continuing to roll it out over and over until it's all gone, then starting with a new part of the dough to roll out. If you keep working the same dough into more and more flour, it will make your cookies hard.</p><p>Once you have your baking sheets filled up, bake at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes. At the 7 minute mark, check one of the cookies and just as it is starting to get very, very, very lightly brown, take the cookies out of the oven and immediately move them onto a cooling rack. Keep in mind, if you leave your cookies on the baking sheet, they will continue to cook, so get them off ASAP.<br /><br />Don't they look pretty? This is how my husband likes his cookies. I think there might be something wrong with him...he doesn't like icing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM86IsZvtpQEP4ag6ZVJ6SbLIT0jsu3CGCX6Rl-OoeOIx03vRZonR-ahnVQa1ofJBLWH8aPCmFUShb7pAKy0ZydRNcerSFXjm6FpTLqREbYYj4xvv9CRc1EaaxU52y6nziHGEb07mLjs/s1600/cooked.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570326160693077986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM86IsZvtpQEP4ag6ZVJ6SbLIT0jsu3CGCX6Rl-OoeOIx03vRZonR-ahnVQa1ofJBLWH8aPCmFUShb7pAKy0ZydRNcerSFXjm6FpTLqREbYYj4xvv9CRc1EaaxU52y6nziHGEb07mLjs/s400/cooked.JPG" /></a><br />Use whatever icing recipe floats your boat. I'm a buttercream fan, so that's what I used on these.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9YCePdNxN6dOJkESVrzkmbbg_pVNVnQKAV7mAZVvdBbP9pdUu7o_F2_tOVV5T1-EbhNPOLkB5kalICMGVslTkFLNvBEcrTSquuJiQiUiWzLaXGzKadHOYoDE5Uz02gvhH_nOR7-_HKA/s1600/last.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570324935007242194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9YCePdNxN6dOJkESVrzkmbbg_pVNVnQKAV7mAZVvdBbP9pdUu7o_F2_tOVV5T1-EbhNPOLkB5kalICMGVslTkFLNvBEcrTSquuJiQiUiWzLaXGzKadHOYoDE5Uz02gvhH_nOR7-_HKA/s400/last.JPG" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">...9 days early. :)</span></strong></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Linking up at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/">Tatertots & Jello</a>.</span></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-70621594400566392112011-01-31T09:27:00.014-06:002011-02-03T17:21:53.120-06:00Valentine's MantleI cannot believe it. I'm actually ahead of the game for a holiday! This many be the only place in my house where there is Valentine's decor, but at least I'm not desperately trying to come up with something on February 13th. :)<br /><br />Noramlly, my V-Day decor is minimal...a heart shaped something or other here and there. I have never tried to put together any sort of vignette (for any holiday!).<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568377028546350386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndLmP8bq5VNnmxEFB3U5GjiWCYo7dLrOW_hQy3Ac5Hw7YBSIDWUJI4i6mXJ_PXhcZ__xvbuS6zuMD_xYRazxZQQ7dWcB-G7NH1xGZOOpyBhTJrCGe9j5JA8QzhXX6z8IELX6T7Ayr01w/s400/mantle_full.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568377164726859186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgQQn-_dAHArqacdhtVgx9ICXtYTxTVrGTqyvaryRLB7mRPvIdg-UhAh-5fna80mLakRhPgIygRi8cYqHfZMRfKSd3PSuWvgc0bMipPgSh91uhXjble55WghO74mXwdx35X05XvEALU4/s400/mantle_full_right.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm always telling the kids, "Gimme some sugar!", so I thought it appropriate to make this little sign. I just reused a frame that was already on the mantle.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568376362666424754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlV-Pcs_4BidufaRhV07V45sfZq7jL-mikEduLxoGyDEuw0L7vrBKMNyrJeYMA6IqylJJwwoPR-PhQRvBRy3Tsd-UhXWN9juoF6JSE0MKDehFsf2GTCwxWnjnMEb9lrxryg_jFRRATZ0/s400/heart_and_sign.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 323px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568376302954131618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSQ2vWf4rLALwoGE9KEKjOd9rubEoZaHRSD6Wq8hVbnMTfNk370XITfadYWPQAvQeKZTjLzsM3mezZCthKtlC-KSyVbX5gKLykm7Viqsp8UrKpjTCtfoBeHOoHRC6ffWxnbQuXzmB1DU/s400/sugar_sign.JPG" /><br />Mine and DH's anniversary is 2/26. Last year, I gave him this picture for our anniversary. I bought it from a seller on etsy. Love that site! It normally hangs in our bedroom (as does this mirror, actually!), but I brought it out for the holiday.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568375808313663106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOHyOfuHpCTvK58LP9FsF66CGblqUlvVgTuzz5zR9KIZVCjbghWznzWQEw-vEc1Xlkplns8DcxcQRCYvGsBASjRx5UQ86lYXdr8UCD6RXia2UCEwT3ax1OJY-F-AWRoSeuV6oHddb-nA/s400/anniv_sign.JPG" /><br />I made several small banners for Christmas, but none of them were long enough to go across my mantle. I actually measured 3 times so that this one would be long enough. Lo and behold, it was too short too! LOL I was not about to rip out stitches from my bias tape, though, so I made do. I taped my banner to the mantle with scotch tape, then glued a little glittery heart over the tape so it didn't look so unfinished. Most of the fabrics were from my stash, but I bought a couple of new ones last week. I think it turned out cute!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568375105252194802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqJNgMfJCreilM6_Fno-1gxhaB8p0n26OTAg4vJuslcqUfW9vAWP1PCK6CJef3s5ZyQBp3Li4F71a9SEYr0hwd0HT89lK10YKdTnYnghHzhMphCDdzRd78lGEv9B5VcvFwnn5GP7U_yA/s400/banner.JPG" /><br />I totally ripped off the feather boa wreath from <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-mantels-love-good-party-valentines.html">Tatertots & Jello</a>. It's so fun and cheesy, how could I not run with it? :) I took two boas, white & pink, and wrapped them around a dollar store wreath. In order to be able to reuse both the wreath and the boas, I didn't glue them, I just stuck the ends of the boas into the wreath with floral pins.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 377px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568374330884232658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQN3eAdEZwrTw0kkFxbjwn3IIUXtJFkUmLRgBt5zTBJeMxi2ZInPeLLSp4KRTCOit6gcOoyHqi9EZdEs-sgaaBD92PJbfoo1hRlhvR-sy22Qtbu5ZrbzZWkyym3Kv96ICZtXKoqPx2H4/s400/wreath.JPG" /></div><br /><p></p><br />Linking up at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-have-you-been-working-on-its-time.html">Tatertots & Jello</a>, <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/01/sunday-showcase-with-rlights-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UnderTheTableAndDreaming+%28Under+The+Table+and+Dreaming%29">Under the Table and Dreaming</a>, <a href="http://thetatteredtag.blogspot.com/2011/01/kisskeep-it-simple-sunday-8.html">The Tattered Tag</a>, <a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/01/strut-your-stuff-valentines.html">Somewhat Simple</a> and <a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/01/amaze-me-monday-10.html">Dittle Dattle</a>.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-82426303899638904932011-01-25T16:43:00.005-06:002011-01-25T16:53:38.567-06:00Better late than never...<div>So one month post-Christmas, I'm finally 1) updating my blog and 2) showing your our stockings! I had set a goal of having them complete by Christmas Eve. I met than goal by a whopping 30 minutes. On 12/23/2010 at 11:30pm, I hung our stockings by the chimney with care. Yay me! :)</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566258224970919442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymktj4t4Q8_bxsN80HkMUjqRcn34AQwgZO5NZwL3-F5tOGUVVveGUmHGS7fR0q_xznXUjQHx7b4nBsCWwKEY5_FIALQOq0jc_OTEPYutXJ-hAMOZLz5iUQVys0FIkxgy7KklHRUHhFWw/s400/stockings.JPG" /><br /><div>Please excuse the quality. This is a 11:31pm picture taken with the iPhone and zero editing.<P>I was SO proud of myself for making these! It had been on my To Do list for much too long. My daughter is 2 (almost 3) and she had yet to have a stocking of her own. Bad mom! :)<P>I used a variation of the <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2010/12/tutorial-lined-stocking-with-cuff.html">lined stocking with cuff tutorial</a> from <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/">Cluck, Cluck, Sew</a>. I did make a couple of modifications, but it's been a month now and I don't recall what those were! Her directions were easy to follow, though, so for that, she is AWESOME.<P>Now that I have this Christmas post out of the way, my next one will be for Valentine's Day. I have <em>very</em> little to work with for that holiday, so it's all going on my mantle.</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-38130054216328137372010-12-03T08:32:00.003-06:002010-12-03T08:53:36.489-06:00Glitter TreesThese turned out so cute! The supplies I used were: candle holder (dollar store), styrofoam tree forms (dollar store), E600, white Elmer's glue and glitter (dollar store...again!).<br /><br />The first thing I did was smush the candle holder onto the bottom of the tree form so I could make sure I had the forms centered on the holders. Then, following E6000's directions, I put glue on both surfaces...all around the top of the candle holder and all in the little groove that I created on the bottom of the tree form. I let these sit about 12 hours, although the instructions say you should leave them alone for 24 hours. The instructions also say you shouldn't use it on styrofoam, but it was fine.<br /><br />After they glue dried, I used copius amounts of Elmer's white glue (raid the kid's stash!) and liberally spread it all over the tree form using one of the super cheap foam brushes. DOn't be stingy with the glue...you need something for the glitter to stick to. Then I took the glitter and shook it all over, covering all of the glue. Use LOTS of glitter! If you find that you missed a spot, go back and put more glue, then sprinkle over more glitter.<br /><br />In my case, I bought my glitter at the dollar store and it came in little bitty bottles, so I had to refill my bottles with my overflow glitter several times. I sprinkled on my glitter holding over an open file folder so that when I ran out of glitter in my bottle, I could just easily pour it right back in.<br /><br />This project was super easy. Not including the dry time for the candle holder and tree form, it took me less than 30 minutes to make all three. This was also a super cheap project! I already had the different glues and a sponge brush, so my other supplies cost $8. I have a small tree left over (it was a 2-pack for $1), as well as lots of glitter still remaining.<br /><br />Pretty, right?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546464555814551554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJnPfYS0V4wWuowuEBraT7WYr-dtEJhbQUxL12WVdotkLrGuvEQvdcPDEf6hrsDAQnMFgasQ9aofj5BbY1Ay0pga4onsqsATvlK6vDN6GawykyM2KAQfDMtXaV17Ye01Drq_RTZBkDvQ/s400/glitter_trees.jpg" /><br /><br />You certainly don't have to use traditional Christmas colors. The color combos are limited only by the colors of glitter you can find. :)<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-70962075188410483482010-11-13T16:57:00.008-06:002010-11-13T19:22:09.940-06:00Cinnamon Roll CookiesEvery year, I attend at least a couple of holiday cookie exchanges. This year, my step-mother wins the award for having hers the earliest...November 13th! She has pretty specific rules for her cookie exchanges: no chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, bar cookies or snickerdoodles. I don't know about you, but she just cut out all of my favorites (except for oatmeal raisin...eww!)! This makes me have to be creative, though, and that's not a bad thing. :)<br /><br />This year, I came up with a cheaters version of snickerdoodles. Please don't tell her! LOL Cinnamon Roll Cookies!<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539174303227327362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1PfXvq9P-Q7RHl5Oo19hrZCpfUo3qbu5PmW31SPU8Q7BIKSkILDR6DtEKkVQOxhBRJlUfzikXA2km0oA7a0oSsjhcXLBkwPHwKH0xX_yibtCbwOZ6iQZMUV9E1bjZ8RMtQ-GB-Liz3w/s400/cookies_platter.JPG" /></p><p>Here are some quickie directions on how to make these.</p><p>Take your favorite sugar cookie recipe. It can be from scratch, a package mix or even a pre-mixed dough log from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Take about 1/2 of a scratch recipe or 1 package or log and roll it out into about 1/8" thick rectangle shape onto a <em>well-floured</em> surface (ding, ding ding...this is KEY! Also, if you are using a premade log, I would recommend kneading in about 1/8 cup of flour so they don't spread out too much.) The thickness part is not an exact science, but keep in mind that you don't want it to be too terribly thick since we're going to roll this up like a pinwheel.</p><p>Once you have it rolled out, sprinkle the top of it liberally with cinnamon. Then, starting at a long side of the rectangle, start tightly rolling the cookie dough onto itself, creating a long pinwheel. I would recommend putting the rolled log into the refrigerator for at least an hour, but overnight would be best. You can take that advice or leave it, but if you're not in a hurry to get them done, I would definitely refrigerate.</p><p>Once your log has been in the fridge for at least an hour, take it out and start slicing one of the ends, making them approx 1/4" thick. See? You're just making your own slice and bake cookies! LOL Bake your cookies according to their package directions.</p><p>For for the glaze, mix together 1 and 1/8 cup powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Once these are mixed together and it's nice and smooth, pipe it in a zig-zag motion onto the cooled cookies.</p><p>Don't they look delish? They are!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539174456375711026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSBN1Cs9QoykKrb6NMf1d_XlbL33jkoiZrsBjmMv_4qpbB6tpsIPbjx37UDF1REHQHKfM8J25S0vp5srmS2wduP8YLiu9xu3bJRHu0ZkHNfb3sm_7MmHyMd6FdM-SByBct-mhLFysaBk/s400/cookies_close.JPG" /><br /><p> </p><p>Linking up at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/11/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-sugar-and.html">Tatertots & Jello</a></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-36148891704182324352010-10-19T16:50:00.006-05:002010-10-22T12:34:11.896-05:00Ruffly Candy Corn TeeWe had a company picnic on Sunday and I whipped this up in less than an hour. I cut my strips 1" wide with pinking shears, then ruffled them with the sewing machine. Individually sew each strip down onto fusible interfacing so that the colors go in the same order as a candy corn. On the back of the interfacing, trace out a candy corn shape, then cut it out. Press the shape onto the shirt, then go back and top stitch around the whole thing. I cut off too much of my white fabric, though, so my candy corn is mainly orange. Lesson learned!<br /><br /><br />Oh, this is what I got when I said "make a scary Halloween face." :)<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529878873531835906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9SBUeZMK_1azjAgwDfgYe-o6s1gk4SjzO1QfiK8EFgOAd3nmtAxIzziQBhEylLBjPTMzYLZCy6at90rK6ybXGIUYcf7vjWNx4Armtt9y7oEslEQT8pUe-HtkSqpNGnwHIj-qJDHPpHg/s400/shirt.JPG" /><br />Linking this post to: <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-25/">Get Your Craft On</a> and <a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2010/10/pity-party-9.html">30 Days</a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-18657538583810136922010-10-02T08:22:00.006-05:002010-10-21T09:29:10.566-05:00Baby BuntingFunny update: I apparently have issues with my hearing. Took this bunting to the baby shower, only to find out that the baby's name is JACK, not Jake. Ack! Another bunting will be on it's way to the parents-to-be soon. Anyone need a navy & maroon bunting with "Jake" on it? LOL<br /><br />One of my nieces is due to have her first baby next month. Today is the shower, so I wanted to make something personal for the baby. I decided to go with the ever-present-in-the-blog-community-BUNTING. It was ridiculously easy and took me one hour to make.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523444305001861602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zus6vqOmUR8Q1F7gd0PtccMRoVTgrKwd9NHMgmw5p9AohaNl38jL3HNtY-vANiRud71hBkMcFHyHk7Pd-gwmwslHzuNeh2VJNWRp-gfNystX2mxcBIklCl2mWVmlf20i-HCGpWazVyo/s400/bunting2.jpg" /><br /><br />This project could have been about half the time, but I did a couple of things differently than some I have seen. I wanted the buntings to have a little weight to them and lay fairly flat, so they are two layers of fabric sewn together. You can use just one layer of fabric if you want it to be more flow-y. That would definitely cut down on the amount of time it takes to make the project. I also made my own bias tape, as opposed to buying pre-made. I wanted it to match the color of the letters. If you make your bunting just one layer and use a pre-made bias tape, you could easily knock this project out in 30 minutes or less (depending on how many letters are in the name, of course!). This four-letter name could have been done in about 20 minutes with no problem had I done it that way. That's WAY less time than it takes to go to the store and buy a gift!<br /><br /><br />I do have one significant "lessons learned" from this project. If using a light colored bias tape with dark colored buntings, it would be a good practice to use a light-weight interfacing when making the bias tape. I found that the top edge of the buntings can be seen through at the very top of the bias tape.<br /><br />Hope the mom-to-be likes her gift!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-29756233329948901112010-09-26T10:25:00.006-05:002010-09-26T17:58:37.144-05:00Boo!Now that I have the majority of my craft show items complete, I can work on fun stuff again. :) I'm glad to get craft show goodies wrapped up (mostly...just working on new things here and there), so that I can work on decor for one of my favorite holidays...Halloween! This wreath is a blatant rip-off of <a href="http://diaryofacraftaholic.blogspot.com/2010/09/boo-wreath-tutorial.html">this one</a>. I love me some glitter, though, so I changed it up just a smidge. My wreath isn't as full as hers, though. I wound up only using about 1/2 yard of black burlap.<br /><br /><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521246475475008194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7D181M1uqAHhQNAd_GC5-C7wuwtLYZwLtNu4_2ZTkfTgTgDMNw71IHvYUB_o5YUotVQiLMP5ShsN9VX0YWXQgbanuZavVmhM3I2DBPkUdwcPrp5tOhm4h5W973cxTVQWmleT2JSXHrs/s400/boo.jpg" /></div><br />Funny Update: I just opened the front door and discovered that my carefully crafted wreath was on the ground. Apparently, even with today's "cool front," it's still too hot for a wreath whose ribbon hanger is held on with hot glue. Or maybe the craft gods are telling me you shouldn't hang up a Halloween wreath before October. Hmmm. The wreath is currently in hospice waiting for the kids to go to bed, at which point it will be repaired and then take up residence somewhere in the entry hall. :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-88812227912914935172010-06-24T12:19:00.003-05:002010-06-24T12:44:12.483-05:00Early July 4th Post - Flag Cake DirectionsI have had several emails about how I made the flag cake in <a href="http://imperfecttransformation.blogspot.com/2010/05/happy-memorial-day.html">this post</a>. Here are some quickie directions on how I did mine. I'm sure if you make one, you'll find where how you can save some time. If you do, let me know! :)<br /><br />You'll need enough cake mix (white) for three layers of cake. Use food coloring to dye one layer of the mix red and one layer blue. One layer needs to stay white. To get good thick layers, I used two cake mixes and had one layer worth of batter left over, so I made those into cupcakes. :)<br /><br />Bake layers as noted on the box. Once baked and cooled (cool completely!), cut the red and white layers horizontally. So now you have two small layers each of red and white and one regular sized layer of blue. Set aside one each of the red and white layers...those will be the bottom stripes of the flag.<br /><br />Now, of the layers that you didn't set aside, stack them one on top of each other (do not ice them yet). Using a sharp knife, you are going to cut a circle directly out of the middle of all three layers. I used a bowl as a guide and just stuck the knife from the top...ALL the way through to the bottom using the edge of the bowl as my round guide. So now you have a ring of red, white and blue and three inner circles of the same. Does that make sense?<br /><br />Take a break now and commence eating the inner circle of blue and the outer rings of the red & white cakes.<br /><br />ASSEMBLY:<br />Frost the bottom two layers of red & white that we set aside earlier...the bottom stripes of the flag. Just place a layer of frosting between those layers. Then frost the top of the red and place the blue ring on top of that. I put a small amount of frosting on the inside of the blue ring to help cut down on any crumbs and to hold the next two stripes in place. On the inside of the ring, place the small white circle cake, top with a bit of frosting, then place the red circle cake. Frost the entire cake, as normal.<br /><br />Is that clear as mud?<br /><br />FYI - after I sent my cake pictures to my mom? She told me that you can use a checkerboard cake pan and it would be easier. I don't have a checkerboard pan, so this is how I had to roll. :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-3605276492598290632010-06-07T15:04:00.015-05:002010-06-09T09:06:14.987-05:00A Birthday Shirt for Miss SI am a lame aunt. I not only forgot about my niece's birthday party last weekend (until my mom reminded me the day before), but I showed up with NO gift. Ack! Hopefully, my lateness will be excused!<br /><br /><p></p><br />Thank goodness for my mom. She brought her most hated sewing machine to the party for me to take home (thanks, Mom!). Her most hated machine is WAY better than what I had before. It sews on knit. With no issues. Yesssss!<br /><br /><p></p><br />I was prompted to try this after reading a tutorial one someone else's blog (I can't remember where I found it! She did a 4 with baseball fabric for her son's birthday). It was super easy...<a href="http://imperfecttransformation.blogspot.com/2010/05/extend-your-winter-wardrobe.html">especially if your machine doesn't hate you</a>. :)<br /><br /><p></p><br />So happy belated birthday, Miss S! Don't hate me too much for being so forgetful.<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480125971821002946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsPEvfpbcUe-y3xJPXPiNnWR-lbD1Ij9zofP2CweqV_1WTWn3ND0aGtIjyhqfBHwT8xw2uD13TzofAwPt8QdtbqGcmKzSott7iDuBqTBBB_5ZmCmt2prvyPpEk3bPbUgos78B0s48g1U/s400/shirt1.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480125820986455042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2eOE22peOATESQq097hcTsE3xU_UaMFzrR1xsAXZ1LNYRapzrB0rDlP5Na1E7dvvw3FnWhtzqrHHwqGr3v2HAut_ROQXztu3UJwvSeJuGK2LMJbdwRj8Yr8tAxyBgj9cR76_A8QaMF8/s400/shirt2.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480125672249443618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVHNp6gzlRWIOIgIKIuj4CDyzglFtnMxLB421s6oTexzCei-eRPorLQ8rLqIPOlJ5lFHEF3ierJLidcni-qb9ZMFviia008hoaZL3Gi_RoFYwUOmCEQXIvLT4odSTeSLp60bIH1Va2J8/s400/shirt3.jpg" /> </p><p>Since I can't remember what blog I got my inspiration, here is a super quick and dirty how-to (no pics) on this project. Prewash your fabric and shirt (since they are different types of fabric, it will alleviate puckering later on). I used my Cricut to cut out a large S and then traced the S onto the shirt. Next, I ironed interfacing to my white & pink fabric and placed it on the inside of the shirt, then pinned, pinned, pinned all around the S. It's not absolutely necessary, but I sewed two rows of stitches around the S. I tried to be all nice and careful with the second line, but very quickly figured out that there was NO way I would be able to mirror the first line of stitches perfectly, so I went all wonky with them making them criss-cross, curve, etc. After you are all sewn, very carefully cut out the pink shirt on the inside close to the stitches. Then go on the inside of the shirt and cut out all of the excess fabric, cutting near the stitches again.<br /><br /><br />Linking up to these parties: <a href="http://itsablogparty.com/show-me-how-tatertots-and-jello-guest-post/">It's a Blog Party</a>, <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/get-your-craft-on-tuesday_08.html">Today's Creative Blog</a>, <a href="http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/2010/06/sew-cute-tuesday-6810.html">Creative Itch</a> </p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-43830248767984072482010-05-31T20:29:00.008-05:002010-06-28T06:40:47.100-05:00Happy Memorial Day!<span style="color:#ff0000;">UPDATE: Go</span> <a href="http://imperfecttransformation.blogspot.com/2010/06/early-july-4th-post-flag-cake.html">here</a> <span style="color:#ff0000;">for a quickie (non picture...sorry!) tutorial.<br /></span><br />These pictures are proof positive that I am neither a food stylist nor a photographer. But the kiddos and I had fun creating our flag cake today. :)<br /><br /><br />Iced and ready to eat:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 367px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477611809327316978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih9ZJzIWonaBqjPy9MupG7hd7mUjmI9pkFcMciemJhCCh9aFK2S0IecO5O5-ljeJO76YGxb-SoC1t-qJ4NakYcWu6jDdElCEwpgmo6k78YdXMJNLQqtKAWxv4wiZkFlqoC84OVKNz1EU/s400/cake1.jpg" /><br /><br />Surprise!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477611661180307810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFraYtWG1Pkk0QkSJUI-Ott2b_nd-HYSKoyEPl7wMx4OGP6xZhxMvs1jE5Tmkv_r1DUSCMKVQK4QINOjZtHd6RSTWEuQlEPtfht1d1VdsoP1hC84Ga5r03Cg_rrzSyGQXj3-CBo6JFZaE/s400/cake2.jpg" /><br /><p> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">UPDATE: Directions can be found </span></strong><a href="http://imperfecttransformation.blogspot.com/2010/06/early-july-4th-post-flag-cake.html"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-77186801389844342422010-05-26T07:53:00.003-05:002010-05-26T14:09:16.193-05:00UGH!My sewing machine pooped out on me Monday night, just as I was sewing the very first seam on <a href="http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2009/06/border-fabric-sundress-tutorial.html">this</a>. Called three repair places and, rightfully so of course, they charge a diagnostic fee...of $75. Ouch! The machine was only $150 to begin with (12+ years ago). Luckily, I have a nice mommy, who hates the Singer she bought last year and used all of 5 times. She's coming for a visit in a couple of weeks and will give it to me on long-term loan. Lucky me!<br /><br />So in the interim, I will be scouring the home building sites near me and will beg for scrap wood. You can expect to see some wood crafts in the near future. And as soon as <a href="http://www.cricut.com/shop/#0/1/191/2/Cricut/Cricut">this guy</a> comes in the mail, you can see crafts with him. Happy (early) birthday to me!<br /><br />Also, we spent an inordinate amount of time at Home Depot last night picking up our new living room and dining room flooring. Installers are supposed to come on Friday. *please, please, please* Cannot wait to get rid of the ugly, dirty, builder grade carpeting. :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-54289587095544641872010-05-24T15:28:00.004-05:002010-05-26T14:08:47.679-05:00Goodwill Candle Holder Makeover<div align="center"> <strong>BEFORE:</strong><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 176px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474936623514783362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e3xqtYwZ_-m5uOLZQt9M71ifJEVDlFYJ7GPNy01oxfDQQW3dDtCDnNenR4UHyg_-kQKqulpXp5YMUEr6gqepSsIh-fenuUtVbheSa_UpLNqZ00xDqflhPF_lu7w51C-KoBKUvBCKvAk/s400/before.JPG" /><br /><center><p><strong>AFTER:</strong> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 157px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474936401575559490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouVm5s2zS6MpkpIhhYTGt_QsvXJHVOMY48WY5xHr3W7zsAhqtaUePjGVTwGHfu6mp_VMaXxzJw5Gnao9_vuDf-ZCXAN0l1BJUH0v52SkmY9sicye1xE7jJKp6DjWJ-LWEvBSsEprglp4/s400/after.JPG" /></p></center><br /><p> </p><p>Found this candle holder at Goodwill last week (was the ONLY thing I found...pout). It was marked $3, but it had a pink tag and it was "pink tags are half price" day, so it was a whopping $1.50 plus tax. I'm not really a taper person, but figured I could make it work for something. I'm not a huge fan of the grapevine ball on top, but figured it was better than seeing the taper holder that I didn't bother trying fill or cover.</p><p>Sprayed with primer first, then two coats of glossy white. Sanded lightly, then brushed on and wiped off Minwax's Dark Walnut stain. One spray of clear coat, then let it dry overnight.</p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-72746187814096686762010-05-22T10:42:00.005-05:002010-05-22T15:05:57.807-05:00Extend Your Winter WardrobeHow many shirts do you or your kids have that are the layered look?<br /><br><center><img src="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3769/lsshirtl.jpg"></center><br /><br /><P>I went through my daughter's clothes this morning...swapping out winter for spring/summer. As I was getting a donation bag ready, I got a bit irritated that I was getting rid of things that she had only worn a handful of times, but that still fit her. I started looking at some of the shirts that she had and wondered if I could cut off the sleeves to get some additional wear out of them. Sewing with knit is not my thing, though. I know it's user error, but whenever I sew with knit, it stretches out my fabric and looks terrible. So sewing was out for me on this one! She did have a number of layered-look shirts, though, so I went after those with a pair of scissors. Now she has additional shirts in her wardrobe for spring & summer!<br /><br><center><img src="http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2767/ssshirt.jpg"></center><br /><br /><P>Here are the "leftover" sleeves. If your sewing machine doesn't hate knit, you can totally turn these into baby leg warmers in less than 10 minutes. Snip a little off the top to make them straight across, fold down for a hem and sew a straight seam. Easy peasy! :)<br /><br><center><img src="http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5483/shirtarms.jpg"></center>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-36071839542467343932010-05-21T20:26:00.008-05:002010-05-22T08:00:29.698-05:00Family ArtLike I said in one of the first couple of blog entries, our house is a bit bland at the moment. We have very little of anything on our walls. BORING! We were looking for an inexpensive "something" to spruce up the walls and ultimately decided on a family art project. Everyone got a blank canvas and the same colors to choose from...even the 2 year old. Behold! Family Art!<br /><br /><p>Dad:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4246/daddypicb.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><p>Mom - I am NO artist:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6959/hollypic.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><p>Kid #1 (age 10) - he said this is a worm den:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/2534/wesleypic.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><p>Kid #2 (age 2):<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6404/willapic.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><p>I came home from work today to find them in the breakfast nook. Not exactly where I would have put them (I was thinking above the tv) nor in the "shape" I would have put them (I was thinking like one large square...two side by side with two underneath), BUT my husband participated in family art and was happy enough with them to hang them up by himself. So I'm happy too. :)<br /><br /><p>Daddy's is on the opposite wall, but here's a pic of the grouping he put together (Blogger is cutting off my pic, so you can click on it to see the whole grouping).<br /><br /><center><a href="http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/7854/grouppic.jpg"><img src="http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/7854/grouppic.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /><p>There are a couple of good things about this project. First, it was cheap...less than $6. I bought the cheapest canvases that Michael's had, plus I used a 40% off coupon. Second, whenever we get tired of the colors, we can paint over the canvases with white and start all over! Lastly, it was really nice to hang out as a family and do something artsy together. Makes a Mama smile. :)</p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-14067524070560525832010-05-19T21:04:00.007-05:002010-05-21T08:19:56.186-05:00Terra Cotta Pot TransformationI let the kids help with part of this one, so it's not exactly....right. But being a family project, I can't let my "issues" get in the way. :)<br /><br /><P>This "tutorial" is pretty basic since I forgot to take pics of a few steps.<br /><br /><P>I started with a couple of terra cotta pots. One was new and one I rescued from the plant hospital (aka, the back porch). I sprayed them with water to get the dust and dirt off, then left them for about 30 minutes to dry.<br /><br><center><img src="http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4885/potbefore.jpg"></center><br /><br /><P>Spray paint the pots white. I recommend paint, not primer. But that's what happens when you are in a hurry and apparently only look at the color of the cap. Oops.<br /><br><center><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/horobwes/whitepaint.jpg?t=1274322197"> <img src="http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/849/paintedwhite.jpg"></center><br /><br /><P>Allow the white paint to dry thoroughly (give it at least 20 minutes...more if it's humid outside).<br /><br /><P>For the striped pot, I used painters tape and placed it on the pot in the general design that I wanted. For the polka dot pot, I used some left over garage sale stickers that were in my desk (this is where my kiddos got involved and any anal tendencies toward symmetry went out the window). You can get several hundred for a buck at the dollar store. After you apply your stickers or tape, rub over them with your finger to make sure the edges are stuck down really well or when you paint over them, it will go underneath and look messy. I had trouble with mine sticking...I'm not sure if it's because I used primer instead of paint or if it's because it was humid.as.hell outside.<br /><br><center><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/horobwes/willadots.jpg?t=1274322455"></center><br /><br /><P>Now spray over your pot again with your color of choice, black in this case. No pictures of a black pot because, well, because I didn't take any. :) Allow the paint to dry and spray it again, getting any spots you may have missed the first time around.<br /><br /><P>After the black paint has had a chance to dry (another fudge up here because I didn't let mine dry thoroughly and because I didn't wear gloves, I looked like I had been fingerprinted), peel off your tape and stickers. I added a couple of coats of clear coat to help protect my awesome paint job from the elements.<br /><br><center><img src="http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4283/dotsx.jpg"> <img src="http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/9770/stripesp.jpg"></center><br /><br /><P>Lots of sticker shape and color combos would work here. My sister is a ladybug fan, so she may get one that is red with black dots. I'm thinking of doing a triple threat this weekend...yellow, pink and teal. I'll let you know how it turns out. :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-76290795038851462292010-05-19T07:22:00.000-05:002010-05-19T21:51:12.292-05:00Terra Cotta Pot Transformation<div align="center"><strong>BEFORE:</strong></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44W3gpfvlNCgt60JxSZINN2t_f2jLnNZUfdY2Pp2iW80ctbmQwcFGHoN9SqYyI1cDupQPoC-OXeQBnYPiHyBo6fkKWhk5mDyoiq9-X4XbLFvavxWX8QR7IXMSIAl1ds4kCdXqwvJ3xeo/s1600/pot.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 383px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472955780658049250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44W3gpfvlNCgt60JxSZINN2t_f2jLnNZUfdY2Pp2iW80ctbmQwcFGHoN9SqYyI1cDupQPoC-OXeQBnYPiHyBo6fkKWhk5mDyoiq9-X4XbLFvavxWX8QR7IXMSIAl1ds4kCdXqwvJ3xeo/s400/pot.JPG" /></a><br />I'll show the AFTER pics when I get home from work tonight. Let's just say that the title of this blog pertains to the contents of this post...it's definitely an imperfect transformation. :) See you tonight!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-45805307728112104712010-05-15T16:21:00.000-05:002010-05-17T08:23:38.842-05:00Tutorial: Numbered Bean BagsI'm popping my tutorial cherry today. :)<br /><br /><br /><p>I was inspired by <a href="http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2009/07/beanbag-tutorial-learning-to-spell.html">this</a> post at Lil Blue Boo (Ashley's site is one of my faves to visit...she's incredibly talented). She made a set of bean bags that spell out her daughter's name. So cute!<br /><br /><p>So being inspired, I decided to make alphabet bean bags for my 2 year old. 5 minutes into the project, I decided the alphabet was going to be too much work. I wanted something that would only take me a couple of hours. A nap time project! At this point, I went from 26 beans bags to 10. The nap time guesstimate didn't work out, though. All together, including taking tutorial pics, it took me about 5 hours. It could have taken about 3, but you'll see where I used some optional steps.<br /><br /><p>For me, one of the best things about this project is that I only had to buy beans. All of my material was scrap.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7933/fabrics.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><p>You will need the following materials:</p><ul><li>enough fabric for 20 squares</li><li>enough fabric for your numbers (you won't need much of this)</li><li>Wonder Under</li><li>typical sewing accoutrements (pins, scissors, thread, etc)</li></ul><p>I cut my squares 6" x 6", but you can go as big or small as you like, depending on what you have available. So here's how I did mine. Hope the directions are easy to follow!<br /><br /></p><p>I started by printing off the numbers 0-9. I used a text box in Microsoft Word so that I could easily size the letters based on the size of my squares. I used Calibri font in bold and made my letters 3" high by 2" wide.<br /><br /><p>Next, I traced my letters onto some Wonder Under using a ball point pen (per their instructions). There are a couple of ways you can use Wonder Under. I didn't want to have to cut my numbers more than once, so I used the trace method. I traced my numbers onto the BUMPY side of the Wonder Under.<br /><center><br /><img src="http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5612/tracing.jpg" /> <img src="http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6011/tracedletters.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>One you get all of the numbers traced, iron them, bumpy side of the Wonder Under facing down. Yes, you are now looking at the mirror image of your numbers.<br /><center><br /><img src="http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1299/numbersfused.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Now you'll cut out your numbers. This is time consuming. If you are going to satin stitch these onto your bean bags, being precise isn't necessary, but if you're not planning to do that, then get it as close as you can. I tried very hard to cut just inside my pen line because I didn't know if the ink would have bled through to the white fabric (FYI, it did!). Here are the numbers all cut out!<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9028/numberscut.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Next, I cut my bags out of some polka dot fabric. I made my squares 6" x 6", but like I said above, you can make them any size (or better yet, any shape!) you want. For the numbers we are doing (0-9), you'll need to cut out two pieces for each bean bag. You'll wind up with 20 squares (it only looks like 10 in my photo, but the other matching color square is underneath). My fabrics didn't have a precise pattern to them, so I actually cut 4 layers of fabric at one time (this will go quickly if you have a sharp blade on your rotary cutter).<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6307/cuttingfabric.jpg" /> <img src="http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4360/cutsquares.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Before we get to sewing, there is one quick step remaining. We now need to iron the cut out numbers onto the fabric squares. At first, I had a hard time pulling the paper back of the numbers, but if you gently fold it (don't crease the fabric) in your fingers, it will pull apart and come off easily.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2225/peelbacking.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>The Wonder Under directions say you're supposed to iron these on with a pressing cloth. Oops! :)<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1329/ironnumbers.jpg" /> <img src="http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/8200/allironedon.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>This particular step is totally optional. I chose to sew around the edges of the numbers because I know how hard my kids are on toys. They are not gentle giants. :) If you're going to sew around the edges, I have no tips for you. Just...good luck. It took me over an hour to sew around 10 numbers. If I had it to do over again, I MIGHT do it by hand with long running stitches or I might just use stencils and fabric paint and paint numbers on.<br /><center><img src="http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8163/sewing.jpg" /> <img src="http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7716/numbersewedon.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Once your numbers are on the fabric (whether you sew around them or not), it's time to start putting them together. Place right sides together, add a couple of pins, and sew around all four sides, leaving a 2-3" opening on one side. Trim your corners.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4470/cornerscut.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Next, turn your fabric right side out and poke out your corners so they are nice and square. I'm an advocate of ironing, so iron your right-side-out bags so the edges look pretty and crisp. :)<br /><br /><p>Now it's time to fill your bags with some sort of filler. I used 3/4 cup of pinto beans (you may want a little more or a little less), but you can use any type of bean, rice or the little balls that bean bags are normally filled with. The hole in the side of your bag is difficult to put beans through (unless you want to spend HOURS doing it one by one). I attempted to use my kitchen funnel, but the opening wasn't large enough for even one bean to go through. So I improvised...I tore off a small bit of a piece of paper and quickly taped together a funnel shape. Stick the funnel inside the hole and pour small handfulls of your beans in. My 10-year old helped with this part. He was very intent on not spilling the beans. :) You can barely see the funnel in this pic.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6240/wesleybeans.jpg" /> <img src="http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4291/beansg.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>After you have filled all of your bags, top stitch all the way around, making sure the catch the edges of your opening on each bag. As you are sewing, you'll have to putz with the beans a bit to keep them out of the way. Believe me when I tell you that if your needle hits a bean, it's toast.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9329/finalbagsewing.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Ta da! All done! Commence playing. :)<br /><br /><center><img src="http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4927/alldone.jpg" /></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>On this blog, I do plan to show my imperfections, so here's today's insight: this could have taken WAY less time than I put into it. :) There were a couple of places where I could have saved a lot of time.</p><ul><li>The first one I have already mentioned. It is not necessary to sew around all of the numbers. You could iron them on and leave as-is or you can use a stencil and use fabric paint (as Ashley did in my inspiration post...that would also save the time of cutting out the Wonder Under-ed numbers).</li><li>The second place to save a little time is to not sew them together inside out. It would be perfectly reasonable to sew the wrong sides together (using a 5/8" seam and leaving a small opening), use the opening to fill the bag with beans, closing the opening, then pinking the edges of the squares. I may actually do an alphabet using this method.</li></ul><p>I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to have at it in the Comments section! :)</p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-43737995461068548162010-05-15T08:36:00.000-05:002010-05-19T07:26:58.704-05:00Recipe TimeA friend of mine gave me this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">crock-pot</span> <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotchicken/r/bl104c4.htm">Creamy Italian Chicken</a> recipe a few years ago. The first time I made it for the family, I knew it was a keeper. My oldest thought it would be better with some broccoli mixed in, so we adapted the recipe a bit for us.<br /><br />Behold! Holly's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oldest Child's</span> Adaptation of Cream Italian Chicken!<br /><br /><ul><li>4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces</li><li>1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix</li><li>1/3 cup water</li><li>1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened</li><li>1 can cream of chicken soup</li><li>1 can mushrooms (optional...I leave these out)</li><li>2 heads fresh broccoli, torn in to tinier "head" pieces (does that make sense?)</li><li>hot cooked noodles</li></ul><p>Place the chicken breast pieces into the crock-pot. Combine salad dressing mix with water and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. In a small bowl, use a fork or whisk to mix together the softened cream cheese and soup. Stir in mushrooms, if desired. Cook another 2-3 hours on low. Add in cut broccoli pieces and cook for an additional hour...just until broccoli is tender enough to not fall apart. If you put the broccoli in with the cream cheese mixture? You'll just have a delicious mess on your hands. :) Serve over hot cooked noodles.</p><p>TIP: Usually, I have to add a bit more water to get it to a consistency that I like. Most of the time, I add 1/3 to 1/2 cup water when I put the broccoli in because I think it helps steam the broccoli better.</p><p>I usually serve with some buttered french bread and a small side salad. YUM!</p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-39538490649633760942010-05-13T09:46:00.000-05:002010-05-13T10:03:32.675-05:00Another one...<div><div>This is technically my third camera strap cover in as many days. Even with the piecing (is that the right wording?), it's going relatively fast. This one actually took me 90 minutes to make, but it's because I skipped right over the "fold in and stitch the ends part" and had to rip out a few inches of the side stitches to go back and do that. Live and learn...and keep the pattern in front of you for reference. :)</div><br /><div></div><div>So my friend used these cute Heather Bailey fabrics for her diaper bag. She sent me some fabric to make her a matching crayon roll (and I threw in a key fob out of them too). So now she has a matching camera strap cover. I hope she isn't tired of the fabrics...</div><br /><div></div><div>You'll have to excuse the poor picture quality. I had no natural light (that happens at 10pm, you know).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 69px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470769937233253490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq6t8XtaLnw39ICl-1kgTd7_z3EDuN9hJfmx-kVNN_OGtsxVfanVBdtIGgMuyJImPzhn1gyhd8oyoW1cmYE6Y0q_N2n_q97sllofOp7LjEwP_yls-dMFN12n9M0ssrbxstkuTNn9VbLg/s400/strap3.jpg" /></div></div><br /><p></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470770059047120594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIDvs_E0AkX65atl8usQ7_HzfokBQ63vRne81kLbj-k7NhVjd2mfv4tTajMG9dTwJMcqcE4z8OAUBSN7OEPqclqSaNOOvZdQD4XKSHhi8vAakjEHF2NaNtEPmZyD5nVkXhj9fdb5o-_Q/s400/strap2.jpg" />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-38389874830706062972010-05-11T08:08:00.000-05:002010-05-11T08:26:33.379-05:00Ouch!Lately, it seems my camera is constantly attached to me. On the upside, I'm getting some pretty decent pics of the kids. On the downside, my strap is killing my neck! This weekend, I putzed around with <a href="http://www.tidymom.net/2009/05/camera-strap-cover-tutorial.html">Tidy Mom's</a> camera strap cover tutorial and came up with this. I wanted to use up small scraps, so with the time it took for piecing and then sewing, it took me about an hour. Using only one or two pieces of fabric would have taken only half the time.<br /><br />My only issue with this creation? My tape measure must be a little off. ;) Next time, I'll take Dad's advice and measure twice (or maybe I should have measured 3 times?), cut once. :) Other than that, I love it!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6n5JuDWRaFVxhOOCSGmBfUCnJAU9bjQ6QGFuvBVGdEuj8fkCaimNyi-U64OhCuMtQKKGwxwC0XUKhmKEVbia1GCciOgwjDU2pddojxZa5lUN3eqikitbOp5ZAZNaU64QaYsvuxWHdXI/s1600/strap.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469999210053641362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6n5JuDWRaFVxhOOCSGmBfUCnJAU9bjQ6QGFuvBVGdEuj8fkCaimNyi-U64OhCuMtQKKGwxwC0XUKhmKEVbia1GCciOgwjDU2pddojxZa5lUN3eqikitbOp5ZAZNaU64QaYsvuxWHdXI/s320/strap.jpg" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-89111946771360938092010-05-10T11:12:00.000-05:002010-05-10T12:53:46.267-05:00ConfessionsI am just beginning this transformation of my home. I adore DIY blogs and strive to do more DIY in my home. So because of this, it is confession time. <p>My home? Not so pretty right now. In terms of decoration, there is very little. Not much to speak of in regards to things on the walls. I have lots of great intentions, but, honestly, very little follow-through (or $$ to follow through with!).<p>Confession #1: We have lived here for 4 years and there is still builder's "white" (it's really light tan, but nobody calls it builder's light tan!) on several of the walls in the public areas of the house.<p>What are public areas, you ask? In my house, we have areas where company is allowed to roam freely...and we have areas that are 100% off-limits. Because I would DIE if someone saw them. Like the master bedroom and bathroom. OFF-LIMITS. Seriously. That is the room that is last on the cleaning list every week. And if I said they were cleaned every week? I would be lying. So there. Now you have Confession #2.<p>Now for the good stuff. Pictures! Of my imperfect house! I will preface these by saying yes, I did pick up the toys from the living room floor. Yes, I did fold (and put away!) the mountain of clean laundry that perpetually lives on my loveseat and/or chair. Yes, my "sewing room" is also known as my dining room. Yes, I do hate that. Yes, I would love to kick my husband's junk out of the office and make that my sewing room. Yes, he is being rather stubborn about that. :)<p>My living room, from the entry hall.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469691740729414882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHoY0cehQ4eqsUqvGi2lyt91j9evepqgTzKPtmZ0d-bnYWApWBUTaQyScEKngFen615nEXrm5f34YaFFDUlVj296Yr5KtUKr7bIuZcESb_MLVvm4eZFm4l-_ucbKfBvgzlnNEyTIuUKo/s320/LR1.JPG" /><p>My living room, again, from the vantage point of my sewing/dining room. I have a love/hate thing going on with the fireplace. I adored the rock when we first moved in, but now I don't know quite what to do with all of it.<br><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469692301731101266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VFTwJzMXDoLYuvEQu1G7_H97CeEKGfT7F0pHcD3SiF6V-yRXjtCq4CFQ-wtxn-_pelWQBg8euuvQuOWFPcnnOvhqrcvOZoZY1rjzV3ddW4SQgWMurNoXQK1QafQc8s9ChO1mB_aJGAc/s320/LR3.JPG" /><p>This is my dining room. I think this part of the public areas will get the first semi-major makeover. The table and chairs are a hand-me-down from my dad. I don't really care for the color of them, but there are a TON of spindles on the chairs and the table has quite a bit of scroll-y stuffs. It would be a super pain to strip and stain. I am not a huge fan of painted tables, though. So either it will go in craigslist and the proceeds put toward a new set. Or I'll live with it for awhile longer. I'm guessing it will be the latter of the two. :)<br><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469694227214818578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7-rjI0fTJvqu6_F7M17x31RIeOVb42BfrhbGNnpCtLVRc1T5FuXDGhfSbJO9no1pNdFQa34tGGTvYzRZjWIyvDIknYEawR_-a-bJZpjWreJiFCouBK9TBVpwhdoDZMzospnht0pKNpc/s320/DR1.JPG" /><br /><p>Big-ish things are coming to the living room and dining room in the next 2-3 weeks. This will not be a DIY project. Instead of having WWIII in my house, we will pay out the hoo-ha for labor. I will definitely update as soon as it's complete.<P>Last, but not least, this is my entry hall. I think this could look fab with just a little color and a total re-do of that enormous art niche. This room may be the easiest of them all to work on, but I'm at a bit of a loss, so it will wait.<br><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469694331006041586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHYYepIxW2rkLdih2BntE6nwrVlPHpHwPwJo2MFM-joc7KmyIBAC-1BtyCLY39vmSj3MnMP04R7XsQQIneIOY2yiPo5-h_9q864TrQSKgAFtGjNEG7jpZbYIdf9EEZO2jckeIacIAe0U/s320/Entry.JPG" /><P>So there you go. Confessions of unclean bathrooms, unpainted walls and a total lack of creativity.</p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894484384010028564.post-70200777803703974382010-05-09T14:15:00.000-05:002010-05-09T15:40:32.320-05:00Welcome!Happy Mother's Day to all! As is our usual Sunday, the husband is at work, so it's just the kids and I. We will be partaking in gumbo and mini chocolate cupcakes for dinner. :)<br /><br /><br />No pictures of the gumbo, but here are some of my cupcakes. These are courtesy of Duncan Hines Devil's Food mix in a box and the recipe on the back of Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa. 3 out of 3 gave these a big thumbs up this afternoon. Yum!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469371554195470114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9shno5xYE3_h4s6uTsEfSTa3dhJcsoDnvomwPeQD5YJKKZMbvsRMdeKJPJCQJOSeeQG9LXzH9sspw8-9FN2uZ7O1L_BbDkC98twoa4HlqlMoZyPSHv9MTD_839KKKclhaq-Y1SO9gZ-s/s320/cupcakes.jpg" />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00026581585661710991noreply@blogger.com0