tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15724927118231307112024-02-19T17:00:41.020+00:00Livi Lou & Co.Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-62839361323246497082012-07-27T20:34:00.000+01:002012-07-27T20:34:27.695+01:00Settling InA PCS (military move) is such a long process. Especially when you are moving from one side of the world to the other and buy a house. We left England April 22nd and moved into our house June 15th, it was another week before we got our household goods.
We are getting settled in, most of our main floor has gone from drab like this<br />
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to warm and cozy like this. This photo is an in progress as we still has a storage shipment that had not been delivered so be looking out for more updated photos.<br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ39iGW_hlnGUrS0ug2hxlUD0nZ9O5dFvMUINCNRgrgvU4TzOqZu1bX1EgE4t59PKGWjp__s7uOekSBL0U_I3rUlONt-QuGlAjNf5x5hyk9LGrs1mYQqE2TRntUt8O9kUe6H8ZlrBVc0A5/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" width="240" /> It's nice to have color on our walls again after 4 years of renting.<br />
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My studio is set back up as much as it can be. It's in our unfinished basement. We hope to be able to finish it over the next couple of years. Until then I'm working with what I have. <br /><br />I decided a few months ago to finally go with my heart and do clothing. These next few dresses are the start of that.<br />
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I also have theses feather hair clips with flowers and button bling. The dresses and hair clips are going with me to a craft fair tomorrow, the first one I have done stateside. Hoping for some good weather and maybe a little lower temps as the heat we have had here in the Midwest has been very hard for us to acclimate too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-18710900773967956672012-05-08T15:00:00.001+01:002012-05-08T15:01:29.795+01:00Excuse the Lack of BloggingFamily life has been busy the last few months and gotten in the way of creativity.
As most military families do we moved. We said "Cheers!" to England for the second time and came just about as close to home we can get moving back to Illinois. Moving is a long process for us, first there is the wait to find out where we are going, then the wait to actually start going there. Now we are at our new base but we have another wait to be able to move into our new home. We decided to buy a house, if we were going to live on base or rent the wait would not be so long. On the upside we don't mind the wait since all our earthly possessions aside from 8 suitcases are still somewhere between Europe and us. Sleeping on the floor is not on our list of favorite things to do.
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I got the camera out the other day and did some playing while the kids played outside. Between rain/storms and not being used to heat and humidity we have been pretty cooped up the last few weeks.<br />
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Right before we left England I did take some time to be creative. I did a little bit of scrap busting making some cuffs and headbands.<br />
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These will be going up for sale on the <a href="http://hyenacart.com/stores/MilitaryWifeCreations/">Military Wives Creations</a> congo on Hyena Cart on May 21st.<br />
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There are small items listed in the <a href="http://www.livilouandco.etsy.com/">ETSY</a> shop and I'm looking into putting a storefront on the Facebook page. I'm looking forward to getting re-established and getting to use some services like paying for postage online and having the mail man pick up my packages. Shipping times will be much faster for you guys as well.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-32513122449932116172012-02-10T12:04:00.000+00:002012-02-10T12:04:04.863+00:00Simple Yoga Waist Skirt TutorialSometimes when I'm randomly surfing the web I see stuff I would really like to make. Sometimes I read the tutorial fully, file it away on <a href="http://pinterest.com/mary_j_mosley/">Pinterest</a> or bookmark it. Sometimes I glance quickly say oh that looks pretty simple and go on to the next page. This is one of the later so I have no idea where the original tutorial that inspired me is at.<br />
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What you will need:<br />
<ul><li>Knit fabric with a decent amount of stretch (how much will depend on what size and style of skirt you are making)</li>
</ul><ul><li>a yard stick</li>
</ul><ul><li>a tape measure</li>
<li>cutting tools</li>
<li>a cutting mat if you plan to use a rotary cutter</li>
<li>tailors chalk or a marker</li>
<li>serger or sewing machine with a ball point needle and stretch or zig zag stitch.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE02jocg_IfWYExP4j_0fJ7f7tFyN2RfNqgzqzegEaYn6tkBwJ8spsYH0J6hCg56IMqH9RUfd0Z8XyDL4JycDvwNitOU2BfNpXLcK6MOz34atqrWORioDmu4WK_e4zSLH6xXkOcDe1F8-A/s1600/IMG_1541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE02jocg_IfWYExP4j_0fJ7f7tFyN2RfNqgzqzegEaYn6tkBwJ8spsYH0J6hCg56IMqH9RUfd0Z8XyDL4JycDvwNitOU2BfNpXLcK6MOz34atqrWORioDmu4WK_e4zSLH6xXkOcDe1F8-A/s320/IMG_1541.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Gather your materials. You will need to take two measurements. The first is your waist the second is how long you want your skirt. Cut two lengths of fabric the desired length of your skirt plus any hem allowance you wish to leave. Lay these two pieces of fabric folded in half length wise on your cutting surface. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxaczu2EK411PP-BTeOnkPx-TDfrxXFkmicNAyECrLpmPVxisVIrlT4ygKbADoLz-Q9fs4chpz-IFB6Fb-bGhOf9aZz_kEL1WtggWFXuDg4Qt65MiuwL32yVHLqP-qtvbnl6GZqAEOyxd/s1600/IMG_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxaczu2EK411PP-BTeOnkPx-TDfrxXFkmicNAyECrLpmPVxisVIrlT4ygKbADoLz-Q9fs4chpz-IFB6Fb-bGhOf9aZz_kEL1WtggWFXuDg4Qt65MiuwL32yVHLqP-qtvbnl6GZqAEOyxd/s320/IMG_1542.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Now for some math. You will need to take your waist measurement and divide it by 4, so if you have a 32 inch waist your number will be 8 inches. On your fabric mark 8 inches from the folded edge of the fabric.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzUKW-T0otbOup1Dtrk1YhNGL5yP5emkfea7rH4v7VF3bGSPV6O3Xdt1rr6CfyFaueugFY0OJf4f4adZOeLV-TafLS2NvVZIG7wgSN6mytiby06IKs7YhNw8ZBmr3XC8uIdEimc0uNz-G/s1600/IMG_1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzUKW-T0otbOup1Dtrk1YhNGL5yP5emkfea7rH4v7VF3bGSPV6O3Xdt1rr6CfyFaueugFY0OJf4f4adZOeLV-TafLS2NvVZIG7wgSN6mytiby06IKs7YhNw8ZBmr3XC8uIdEimc0uNz-G/s320/IMG_1543.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Then using your yard stick mark a line down the length of the fabric. You can make this straight or flare it out as I did here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhnd_cb11PPmn_NxVv8LBSf5_J9gxmbiq4ioiRdMnill3g4oBXTMMpsj3IT_Z-cV_F85Ov8yWR_TZ3k27F6K8tEXAnIJeWHNqPTHjDWVD14a6lTlui-8ZjJauPTMeJ8v323WLUb18aJJo/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhnd_cb11PPmn_NxVv8LBSf5_J9gxmbiq4ioiRdMnill3g4oBXTMMpsj3IT_Z-cV_F85Ov8yWR_TZ3k27F6K8tEXAnIJeWHNqPTHjDWVD14a6lTlui-8ZjJauPTMeJ8v323WLUb18aJJo/s320/IMG_1545.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Using a rotary cutter or scissors cut down the line you just drew.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSfkLxawVeIMsgEFa9IMeG_H64g2qpvX6zETWkG3OkNuhXbtcEOWxZialtu2uxSsiro-sWfxZ3iEZvVnF5UbGl7uHBZoL7oN2DA9_efDLKbWGbNRVjdxWRBrUd64XcJ85EBf37VzOOruQ/s1600/IMG_1546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSfkLxawVeIMsgEFa9IMeG_H64g2qpvX6zETWkG3OkNuhXbtcEOWxZialtu2uxSsiro-sWfxZ3iEZvVnF5UbGl7uHBZoL7oN2DA9_efDLKbWGbNRVjdxWRBrUd64XcJ85EBf37VzOOruQ/s320/IMG_1546.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Now cut out your waist band. I used a contrasting fabric for this skirt. I cut two pieces that were half of my waist measurement by 6 inches.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaLET4avKtFtMl3itbLoR20JEoet6DdgN_KPR1bQOouU2p77bXBN5B5l2YCDmdeIXbwzIox58X8OtNTN_SXaOjWmHnTEMaVMKnuLOWN4fwvyGIBWZGUXeWWyC07eWSwRY-V4RSAnPnmam/s1600/IMG_1547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaLET4avKtFtMl3itbLoR20JEoet6DdgN_KPR1bQOouU2p77bXBN5B5l2YCDmdeIXbwzIox58X8OtNTN_SXaOjWmHnTEMaVMKnuLOWN4fwvyGIBWZGUXeWWyC07eWSwRY-V4RSAnPnmam/s320/IMG_1547.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Sew the side seams on your skirt right sides together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K4Jkya8OLNeuaqLRtz4gKTNc0SAebNjErIGJMwR8He8U_qrdoSe0zC2beoyjGFHegDG_fb_l3xVrvsf4dqzzNamYnvTsXlisU0J1aM00TZhO2Gd-nJqapujaX2Go5lqKq6lrNF7MLm1j/s1600/IMG_1548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K4Jkya8OLNeuaqLRtz4gKTNc0SAebNjErIGJMwR8He8U_qrdoSe0zC2beoyjGFHegDG_fb_l3xVrvsf4dqzzNamYnvTsXlisU0J1aM00TZhO2Gd-nJqapujaX2Go5lqKq6lrNF7MLm1j/s320/IMG_1548.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Sew the side of your waist band together the same way. Then fold the waist band in half line up the side seams with the main skirt body and sew right sides together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iF9cOvNum7hj3oN4x2aIxK0FxEY-ugqFmDONlu8kxKKK0toRJaMTQUZdEuyISEQnF70sTUruWWHDZ9rhSTdD1EkrF-3j-SZD3HZ23K8BmZIrGmL7mo3NfY547GIU8ivtxccjPjOP0rni/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iF9cOvNum7hj3oN4x2aIxK0FxEY-ugqFmDONlu8kxKKK0toRJaMTQUZdEuyISEQnF70sTUruWWHDZ9rhSTdD1EkrF-3j-SZD3HZ23K8BmZIrGmL7mo3NfY547GIU8ivtxccjPjOP0rni/s320/IMG_1549.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>The last step is to put in your hem. There are a number of techniques you can use from a simple shirt tail hem to cover stitched hems. I choose to finish mine with a lettuce edge that is simply a tightly serged edge with the knit fabric pulled tight as I ran it through my serger to give it a ruffled look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mHAgt1Zdqo9rY_ygCyn2t_2kyTFgvFnUeIwgIeU5WX10JiWy8kGrz1_Ta5O2DaJomRNv6OKxw3ydRPn0uvrkyuWlhOwqWxC72JHpZcqnbgaQp7N0is5gCGOltKgWgxT9kw_i-yr8p_sT/s1600/IMG_1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mHAgt1Zdqo9rY_ygCyn2t_2kyTFgvFnUeIwgIeU5WX10JiWy8kGrz1_Ta5O2DaJomRNv6OKxw3ydRPn0uvrkyuWlhOwqWxC72JHpZcqnbgaQp7N0is5gCGOltKgWgxT9kw_i-yr8p_sT/s320/IMG_1550.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>This skirt took about 30 minutes to complete start to finish. It can easily be made from toddler through adult.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-77494367478894842062011-11-28T11:21:00.001+00:002011-11-28T11:21:58.012+00:00Keeping it RealI've been MIA for a while, fall keeps me pretty busy.<br />
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First there was preparing for the big Bazaars the base here has every year. I needed to fill a 10x12 and 10x10 booth at each one. September was filled with sewing for the first Bazaar that ran the first weekend of October. That one went well and I sold out of a couple of bigger items so October and the fist part of November were spent sewing for the next bazaar in the middle of November. Add to that my husband had to go out of town for 6 weeks and I was a busy mamma.<br />
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Here are some pictures of my booth from the November bazaar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Al-ChVm59KnrgPH1hmZ8qh_2QR5eugP52Ejod4rpctXjXBGczbUJekl9Z6Nqc2KAXyWHnsLSBjxpGmJHXU44uoEg8P1ma2J3Lo1Gmvd-eXJbGmvm44MTc1Cd3_yYKaiY8uB7ZE3TXPk/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Al-ChVm59KnrgPH1hmZ8qh_2QR5eugP52Ejod4rpctXjXBGczbUJekl9Z6Nqc2KAXyWHnsLSBjxpGmJHXU44uoEg8P1ma2J3Lo1Gmvd-eXJbGmvm44MTc1Cd3_yYKaiY8uB7ZE3TXPk/s320/IMG_1075.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgnAPk_CDus3We753B7iwZyhaQsBDyG8B3R-uQrWJL3rzYgsYthjNrYmStkF77xXVxZu6shfSKPw6WO9I9GythfAqUuGSJeTW-pyOPF3cT0kcB2q062eSfQBJVNmcfMAZxROZmcHKELVH/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgnAPk_CDus3We753B7iwZyhaQsBDyG8B3R-uQrWJL3rzYgsYthjNrYmStkF77xXVxZu6shfSKPw6WO9I9GythfAqUuGSJeTW-pyOPF3cT0kcB2q062eSfQBJVNmcfMAZxROZmcHKELVH/s320/IMG_1076.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLXnNOx0uf69Ro8MKYPJ6_r21TT428NN1i5B7hRJu_YGDAUYyOdMhLNG4OvsVT5lQOYT1TKIejor05ZJlnkpqfWdY5uUq1rjrc34qFMwlz0F25oC1UCpCJ5ykY2N1_wnXUOH1vZh2TcG3/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLXnNOx0uf69Ro8MKYPJ6_r21TT428NN1i5B7hRJu_YGDAUYyOdMhLNG4OvsVT5lQOYT1TKIejor05ZJlnkpqfWdY5uUq1rjrc34qFMwlz0F25oC1UCpCJ5ykY2N1_wnXUOH1vZh2TcG3/s320/IMG_1077.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
And now the keeping it real part. This is what happens to my sewing room when I spend the better part of 4 months being productive with my sewing machine. This is actually after I had spent some time cleaning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk_BiLQpqDuT-KQrDb-AgtAFhXKMReK3pIAPAWzlFAJCdWkgps7UMlZrPftF0XT3llL_50I_c4bpE6b5T1-dPb1Mw_r7ZfxGK-HWt-Bx6xJJh6lh6yDo3VnmyrcYiLlr4cFOX2keUUOdo/s1600/IMG_1081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk_BiLQpqDuT-KQrDb-AgtAFhXKMReK3pIAPAWzlFAJCdWkgps7UMlZrPftF0XT3llL_50I_c4bpE6b5T1-dPb1Mw_r7ZfxGK-HWt-Bx6xJJh6lh6yDo3VnmyrcYiLlr4cFOX2keUUOdo/s320/IMG_1081.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-40505126861241826922011-08-29T14:36:00.000+01:002011-08-29T14:36:10.834+01:00Great Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP-6_NhUSkJQjFSoFyDAIMR43TBnTpkNdgDGS9NJrmW0WTUCmG73v2GH-6KQBZmthxM1ywFuhhnPRy0bYEyMv6z8skCPLjQodwkaUnIvPd-y7T4FaHGs5_703jyhCVyn_as0wuBVgR4XM/s1600/IMG_0857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP-6_NhUSkJQjFSoFyDAIMR43TBnTpkNdgDGS9NJrmW0WTUCmG73v2GH-6KQBZmthxM1ywFuhhnPRy0bYEyMv6z8skCPLjQodwkaUnIvPd-y7T4FaHGs5_703jyhCVyn_as0wuBVgR4XM/s320/IMG_0857.jpg" width="239" /></a></div> I have made a couple of these bags from <a href="http://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/636-baby-gifts-pretty-bird-quick-trip-diaper-bag">this tutorial on Sew4home.com</a>. I Love this bag, nice and roomy, lots of pockets for keeping items in order, and the best part, a key hook to keep your keys in easy reach. I know I'm not the only one who has dumped their bag out multiple times looking for the keys on the bottom of the bag.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMAY1FObbm4YbP_grFcKAYPyMscOhC8XZJ6ctslohLqEa3SvnHsy3Uscg3e6DIu4xWpUC1s1IlAV4QqPvwMPMi6QdnNpDo-fjqKLxPDOthlBkd_FxIPjtqsxrd5ZAGoVn_M1zpeLVo1tD/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMAY1FObbm4YbP_grFcKAYPyMscOhC8XZJ6ctslohLqEa3SvnHsy3Uscg3e6DIu4xWpUC1s1IlAV4QqPvwMPMi6QdnNpDo-fjqKLxPDOthlBkd_FxIPjtqsxrd5ZAGoVn_M1zpeLVo1tD/s320/IMG_0861.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8rvayqUvmjKS5wOTDGfYnDbT8v8ngzG17L0kjz8dPwHErjixcDtVRU7kY2119MVLjG1te8JxBRxuP0SKQj7mB2T_ZkRWYPnX7OW9bdm1yP2huJcb5RjqzE3Z7Yd4icQ1-71zs8ltbIRF/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8rvayqUvmjKS5wOTDGfYnDbT8v8ngzG17L0kjz8dPwHErjixcDtVRU7kY2119MVLjG1te8JxBRxuP0SKQj7mB2T_ZkRWYPnX7OW9bdm1yP2huJcb5RjqzE3Z7Yd4icQ1-71zs8ltbIRF/s320/IMG_0863.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-75582210666848015782011-08-25T08:46:00.000+01:002011-08-25T08:46:11.998+01:00Pub BenchWhen we moved into this house we bought a great OLD table and 8 chairs to go with it. We are still a small family but we love to have people over so a big kitchen/dinning table and lots of chairs are a must.<br />
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The chairs were old, some of them have started falling apart, one broke when I sat down on. Gorilla Glue has been one of our best friends but when you have glued the same joint 10 times in a month you start to think about getting something a bit more sturdy. We have only lost two of the chairs but we were still finding ourselves short on chairs. My solution was to find a church pew or pub bench to put along one side of our table.<br />
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I searched and searched, do you know how much antique church pews sell for??? Lets just say a little more than I had to spend. Then one day I was <strike>stalking</strike> browsing a site for local second hand sales and there it was a pub bench for about the price I was willing to pay. Justin was out of town at the time and so I had to send him e-mails asking him what he though. <br />
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Side note, I like to rearrange things in my house, my husband likes things to stay where they are/where. A purchase of a major piece of furniture means I need to explain to him what I want, why I want it, and how I'm going to fit it in our house. The last because well we are running out of room in this house and have no storage space. When he is gone, even for a day of work I usually send him a photo of what I have done so he isn't surprised when he gets home.<br />
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Back to the bench. This piece is great, at 7 feet long it will seat a lot of people for gatherings. Someday it will go in a pub themed man cave but for now it works in our kitchen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAAga0yxYsIjqG6_pMmfvLuTWOGh9rq-9wMt_SXwnZDcIwuqT1iCCvN8UtEerOspo0nPHNELS15rX5QtlOQpuTRRhuEa1jZdOeAyB2Me-f46lJ69wS_ErjMD45Eud6W1UJEdZ-fG2ZyFA/s1600/IMG_4575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAAga0yxYsIjqG6_pMmfvLuTWOGh9rq-9wMt_SXwnZDcIwuqT1iCCvN8UtEerOspo0nPHNELS15rX5QtlOQpuTRRhuEa1jZdOeAyB2Me-f46lJ69wS_ErjMD45Eud6W1UJEdZ-fG2ZyFA/s320/IMG_4575.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the before, the fabirc is very pub like, not very child friendly this needs to change a little.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw3oY9dnI5iPHFnU6HhSeiEBMFSjkOLc9RVjhj15XFL1rqfi41Qtklg9QzABRr6c3XzJ-YWS7DXQNb7nZMVFa4aY3Jokud0EvsZXehwDq_fTDFhOG93ZnHQdyHcN6W5qLyDhFWyyyXY7r/s1600/IMG_5156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw3oY9dnI5iPHFnU6HhSeiEBMFSjkOLc9RVjhj15XFL1rqfi41Qtklg9QzABRr6c3XzJ-YWS7DXQNb7nZMVFa4aY3Jokud0EvsZXehwDq_fTDFhOG93ZnHQdyHcN6W5qLyDhFWyyyXY7r/s320/IMG_5156.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Fun cooking themed cotton and a vinyl table cloth will help that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zlf7GCADQ7bdzfUT-S9zf64gKwnmJZRxy6s_xGgD07di5aGwdg8sXYGXiYmBkv43KvJX1gQm-oK0aigNoTVJTaR360ZWxsK9BP4cMd7EDWGdUN4Pk-HsRNoxYlEQEssS92vvFuwGCtzZ/s1600/IMG_5154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zlf7GCADQ7bdzfUT-S9zf64gKwnmJZRxy6s_xGgD07di5aGwdg8sXYGXiYmBkv43KvJX1gQm-oK0aigNoTVJTaR360ZWxsK9BP4cMd7EDWGdUN4Pk-HsRNoxYlEQEssS92vvFuwGCtzZ/s320/IMG_5154.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>Looking forward to lots of gatherings around our table with plenty of seating.<br />
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We still plan to fix up the wood on it. It will probably wait until we have a home with a garage though, or if we just happen to find a weekend with no rain and no plans to be out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-42934244577707012092011-08-18T00:00:00.000+01:002011-08-17T12:22:17.311+01:00Homemade Nutirgrain Type Ceral Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4evjeW5SrxmlfJ8ltJWu1PQXaHVTqEeljnlmzDTBIk4k0-5ub9HS3WbFISy4ENYzX-1D9uLbT476ThKeaFlVAoQFjxla0lMU1-idgfMg6OSGtBZbp2ieZTYzvU2yNg4D5yI6Tn2Vj33TF/s1600/IMG_5144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4evjeW5SrxmlfJ8ltJWu1PQXaHVTqEeljnlmzDTBIk4k0-5ub9HS3WbFISy4ENYzX-1D9uLbT476ThKeaFlVAoQFjxla0lMU1-idgfMg6OSGtBZbp2ieZTYzvU2yNg4D5yI6Tn2Vj33TF/s320/IMG_5144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A few months ago while searching for a good granola recipe I stumbled upon a recipe for homemade cereal bars. I tucked the recipe away and have been meaning to make it, this morning was the day, I had everything I needed and the kids were occupied with playing so I snuck into the kitchen and got to work.<br />
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Here is how I made these, I changed up the original just a bit.<br />
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You will need<br />
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1 cup of butter (soft)<br />
1 cup of brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup whole wheat flour<br />
1 1/2 cup white flour<br />
1 1/2 cup rolled oats<br />
1 tsp almond extract<br />
20 oz of fruit preserves<br />
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In a mixer, mix the butter and sugar until it is creamed. Add all the rest of the ingredients and mix until a nice even crumbly consistency. Put half of the mixture into a greased 9x13 pan and press it down firm. Next put the preserves over the bottom layer ( I used blue berry jam and apple butter two make two different flavors of bars). Then put the rest of the the crumbs and spread them over the top of the preserves. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.<br />
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These turned out so good and are so very easy to make, I think this may become my go to recipe for breakfast and brunch pot lucks.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-8642097060454181432011-08-17T11:52:00.000+01:002011-08-17T11:52:30.813+01:00Story of a Headboard Part 2Back in January I posted about <a href="http://http//livilouandco.blogspot.com/2011/01/story-of-headboard.html">my headboard dilemma</a>. I had settled that I would do a covered headboard and mount it on the wall. The question then became how tall did I want it to be and how was I going to get a 4x8 sheet of plywood or MDF home.<br />
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While I was debating these choices in my head I started browsing Ebay for night stands. I found some in a French Louis style that I remember being in catalogs as a child. I have always loved this style so I put a bid on two of them. I only won one, I'm still looking for a second. I found that the headboards that match the set could be made to work with my large American king sized bed so I started watching auctions for headboards. And eventually I won this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN7ed-wE2PO4RAtLRPDcaqLvMd5CqyMfoOF0pweSQmZKciwLbLeohG0hoV_jIqYi5gTYZgwkbQTXTtPm8AV-3uqHS1dLBLwu2tnBVYW6iChdeT-d6SevW26VuFG4x_YVlPo8G48u2hga8/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBN7ed-wE2PO4RAtLRPDcaqLvMd5CqyMfoOF0pweSQmZKciwLbLeohG0hoV_jIqYi5gTYZgwkbQTXTtPm8AV-3uqHS1dLBLwu2tnBVYW6iChdeT-d6SevW26VuFG4x_YVlPo8G48u2hga8/s320/IMG_0690.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Not gorgeous but nothing a little paint can't change<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF2b8abPBe_hPthUeSk9i6YLmVCahlGGdcAAt6Zj1NGdc8ezApg9XYIWhoxc1576FoMBC9J7Kw6Wnz64CWjYRCTbgD98aTs2siuA47rxycdgZU4hkaVQxAFR7FxmK5N21Wunf0s1kHWc7/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF2b8abPBe_hPthUeSk9i6YLmVCahlGGdcAAt6Zj1NGdc8ezApg9XYIWhoxc1576FoMBC9J7Kw6Wnz64CWjYRCTbgD98aTs2siuA47rxycdgZU4hkaVQxAFR7FxmK5N21Wunf0s1kHWc7/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is with the black paint put on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNCu3ZNeeCiizJkTG8Iyw2o12623g_nWTRUQA0yqREi7bgY4PgMXP3-sNawb2xlCMTUkoftc5P5nfNmtJx_YfBS5oV6OBYYKeyBJ3dH7Q9faLY5L41_xzKRXMeiiIIAPmQxkfLRW1NU8v/s1600/IMG_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNCu3ZNeeCiizJkTG8Iyw2o12623g_nWTRUQA0yqREi7bgY4PgMXP3-sNawb2xlCMTUkoftc5P5nfNmtJx_YfBS5oV6OBYYKeyBJ3dH7Q9faLY5L41_xzKRXMeiiIIAPmQxkfLRW1NU8v/s320/IMG_0692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I want to do a monogram in the crest part.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuU0oLgE3A902oowigK5A1iJpKoVwYGLn6vT61HmRTcXmlzdWcPT0hHo-GndmVmbpGE3ztEwZW95cjxGmZaTVBpvETKTLqyA8ldCq09lo3H4-vhph7fdCbGzx-W9UMCWM0ioprzrFkWKq/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuU0oLgE3A902oowigK5A1iJpKoVwYGLn6vT61HmRTcXmlzdWcPT0hHo-GndmVmbpGE3ztEwZW95cjxGmZaTVBpvETKTLqyA8ldCq09lo3H4-vhph7fdCbGzx-W9UMCWM0ioprzrFkWKq/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I accented the mouldings with silver paint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbJ2g97BGjd8JiaRL7fOcbBR8pDQqzdEgzrjLEpxCKE0bQWrPPwLeEcTSzlcZhOYW4OXn3TPR0bZW_493GmxSGWxhXxEwFK902nnoGC0gBMRmzO5m-Ss1-hTWY3HfO3ROlWAYjGLkbwwp/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbJ2g97BGjd8JiaRL7fOcbBR8pDQqzdEgzrjLEpxCKE0bQWrPPwLeEcTSzlcZhOYW4OXn3TPR0bZW_493GmxSGWxhXxEwFK902nnoGC0gBMRmzO5m-Ss1-hTWY3HfO3ROlWAYjGLkbwwp/s320/IMG_0694.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>All painted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt2kVbZ3WoCTRkllsXO7mW6qgSOAWHuQ6NFlHn66DhKEye6H2N-uXBVq1JMy57OyAMVUEnEGkGliQgPfaTX2rHlLTEkpllYoc14DK2_jiFB27t5fL0o50elaO5XBOBNTeDzG5n372Qvuc/s1600/IMG_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt2kVbZ3WoCTRkllsXO7mW6qgSOAWHuQ6NFlHn66DhKEye6H2N-uXBVq1JMy57OyAMVUEnEGkGliQgPfaTX2rHlLTEkpllYoc14DK2_jiFB27t5fL0o50elaO5XBOBNTeDzG5n372Qvuc/s320/IMG_0799.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>We put heavy duty picture hangers on the back then hung it on screws.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MrGorySmxqg3Lh1B2YP1XZzrsZbmY55AgreDpjh2Nhxdr7rBJ4d7P_CpCgG27NBloM_I4ka4oZkXumSdIIuq9HZcYx3QGAAbtcT3XqIyjFAmUgZPB-w9JlZr6ZuioPKofVrcJbk9mzYz/s1600/IMG_0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MrGorySmxqg3Lh1B2YP1XZzrsZbmY55AgreDpjh2Nhxdr7rBJ4d7P_CpCgG27NBloM_I4ka4oZkXumSdIIuq9HZcYx3QGAAbtcT3XqIyjFAmUgZPB-w9JlZr6ZuioPKofVrcJbk9mzYz/s320/IMG_0801.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0c61piAaBpjtyFbbQqryU0FDMiiepyRyw-FaMxpq5C-lBfkM13GqTLe1ITiOSKM-hHIuv85G4RVwPS8bgmo2rj_rTyKjQilDbGYYJrvshasslAphZuh0xIlzmaIEz1VR2VL9oi9AcDO7/s1600/IMG_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0c61piAaBpjtyFbbQqryU0FDMiiepyRyw-FaMxpq5C-lBfkM13GqTLe1ITiOSKM-hHIuv85G4RVwPS8bgmo2rj_rTyKjQilDbGYYJrvshasslAphZuh0xIlzmaIEz1VR2VL9oi9AcDO7/s320/IMG_0803.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>I'm still thinking about the monogram. I'm also checking out art work for above the head board. The night stand STILL needs to be painted. I'm also still <strike>stalking</strike> watching auctions on e-bay to collect a whole bedroom set, though how I would fit all the pieces into this bed room I'm not sure. <br />
<br />
Bedding is now my next big challenge. Everything I have looked at and truly liked so far is white, or more white than a house with two small children, two small dogs, and a cat with a perpetually bleeding due claw should have.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-61784236877454144642011-08-01T20:08:00.000+01:002011-08-01T20:08:26.018+01:00Homemade Sandwich BreadWho doesn't love fresh homemade bread? All too often though those homemade loafs just do not make a good sandwich. I found this recipe for sandwich bread years ago in my copy of "The Joy of Cooking". My husband recently asked me to start making this bread again as he prefers this to any store bought bread.<br />
<br />
As you can see this part of my cookbook is very well loved.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ghDZFPlRc3vd7_o-YuxvS0SKEPzxWgFsfNtCl1EgkCGpo6qA0M7AxAmmzH95BHeLnw8RPztVhvl3bjW3N43AVcNZtMYwa7tv2pHcT2JZPYL3ep6lDFKq-iMAWbNKftkVhJJUf1TEcJwv/s1600/IMG_4974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ghDZFPlRc3vd7_o-YuxvS0SKEPzxWgFsfNtCl1EgkCGpo6qA0M7AxAmmzH95BHeLnw8RPztVhvl3bjW3N43AVcNZtMYwa7tv2pHcT2JZPYL3ep6lDFKq-iMAWbNKftkVhJJUf1TEcJwv/s320/IMG_4974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The directions are as follows<br />
<br />
Combine in a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer and let stand until the yeast is dissolved, about 5 minutes:<br />
4 teaspoons active dry yeast<br />
1/4 cup warm (105-115 degrees F) Water<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpiFVaWkE4mjKaowDabbgrnBAtRj6BXnnCrDqzUuSgZOTOoq4CrinpSYZWALnhZw8B7pPiDdGO4wG4IZi0aZRG0zI6Co6EAMRfVsUT63QrZPDVZxG0t7JKhhZwP1Tgn56y2msfL9kcEy4/s1600/IMG_4976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpiFVaWkE4mjKaowDabbgrnBAtRj6BXnnCrDqzUuSgZOTOoq4CrinpSYZWALnhZw8B7pPiDdGO4wG4IZi0aZRG0zI6Co6EAMRfVsUT63QrZPDVZxG0t7JKhhZwP1Tgn56y2msfL9kcEy4/s320/IMG_4976.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always use my kitchen aid mixer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Warm to 105 to 115 degrees F:<br />
1 cup milk<br />
Add to the milk and stir to dissolve the sugar:<br />
1 cup warm water<br />
2 tablespoons (1/4) stick butter or shortening, softened ( I love to use coconut oil for this)<br />
2 tablespoons sugar or honey<br />
1 tablespoon salt<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqvFRyoUwficKdorsp3cvsgHOEjNpdbflSN-lkBDrhsGqNmmhO8KgJfQQ2DqtAbUD1mIjklzG92UEnhfp66TVur_KuDitU7vlFgoj8NVnvfWkAE4htxKEWqPQfdPztfNykqQKfrxOVHm/s1600/IMG_4978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqvFRyoUwficKdorsp3cvsgHOEjNpdbflSN-lkBDrhsGqNmmhO8KgJfQQ2DqtAbUD1mIjklzG92UEnhfp66TVur_KuDitU7vlFgoj8NVnvfWkAE4htxKEWqPQfdPztfNykqQKfrxOVHm/s320/IMG_4978.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiglAw8_DPBeiUYw7SfO2ROeMvaGqJuxfh5J7q3ZjZysXTOp7wT-shqbWwK_mAK__RdR4lYotzqZP-oB3dndUhN1-uh0s88Pnutoj9uyQb15mRfsJgFsFTZyUL3Nc_aWCyqAX_B6a1sxfM/s1600/IMG_4980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiglAw8_DPBeiUYw7SfO2ROeMvaGqJuxfh5J7q3ZjZysXTOp7wT-shqbWwK_mAK__RdR4lYotzqZP-oB3dndUhN1-uh0s88Pnutoj9uyQb15mRfsJgFsFTZyUL3Nc_aWCyqAX_B6a1sxfM/s320/IMG_4980.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the yeast mixture will look like after 5 minutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stir the milk mixture into the yeast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzzidGEoZc76TKGFhRSjxUFMbLoVNOi7FPl3MdqlBQK0FzoO01LUdB0u2zEocjDhQl1w5Vb0-LNWGxICPRCrsqKZG9L81yn_bnunk9MwR92A5oNYY47SzZOP1QOK11lNi_8kpYmyp73y3/s1600/IMG_4981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzzidGEoZc76TKGFhRSjxUFMbLoVNOi7FPl3MdqlBQK0FzoO01LUdB0u2zEocjDhQl1w5Vb0-LNWGxICPRCrsqKZG9L81yn_bnunk9MwR92A5oNYY47SzZOP1QOK11lNi_8kpYmyp73y3/s320/IMG_4981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWOu84AudCtM7Zl_BMcPS_DX1t4XF1sNOXkTUjVK3GA0rGqwweK18SdCEB1tVQAgbgHASLI3z-Te_2LQSeDglpVC7V5CzONt37Bj1aHxI_XAvG5ay_oTc4F_KYwg6D34zq4N-zMPWmf9h/s1600/IMG_4982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWOu84AudCtM7Zl_BMcPS_DX1t4XF1sNOXkTUjVK3GA0rGqwweK18SdCEB1tVQAgbgHASLI3z-Te_2LQSeDglpVC7V5CzONt37Bj1aHxI_XAvG5ay_oTc4F_KYwg6D34zq4N-zMPWmf9h/s320/IMG_4982.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dough hook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Have ready 4.5 to 5 cups bread flour ( I use half white flour half whole wheat flour to make brown bread)<br />
<br />
Add 3 cups o the flour to the yeast mixture and mix by hand or on low speed for 1 minute. Gradually add the remaining flour until the dough is moist but not sticky. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or with the dough hook on low to medium speed until the dough is smooth and elastic. Transfer to an oiled bowl and turn it over once to coat with oil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place (75 to 80 degrees F) until doubled in volume, 1 to 1.5 hours. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRdV7oLs-dGcZAAqjmWJGFmDlZXj_IacqQZNljj6qeIfEyUDBL16we5Jp-JdK3D-P-HgWfmqAXm_4e1-nDeQi-O8Cepgll1N6TtMyfc5KJAw9bf_qWkNt_0EMARCgJUBMVDOMUxOjmAnV/s1600/IMG_4983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRdV7oLs-dGcZAAqjmWJGFmDlZXj_IacqQZNljj6qeIfEyUDBL16we5Jp-JdK3D-P-HgWfmqAXm_4e1-nDeQi-O8Cepgll1N6TtMyfc5KJAw9bf_qWkNt_0EMARCgJUBMVDOMUxOjmAnV/s320/IMG_4983.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I usually let the bread rise in the mixer bowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8y4gQ0r6j5xaaC69I9GLV-aXG27L4iQj8gkPZ7d8XYbTldWN7gUTuUAwIMYwnFPkHwTwySuIlxVqH6ocA7nU6raHh-stJIZmTNlp8mzzaeigSG2xgbyW0LY387POzY93QdZ1zWIPXmhY/s1600/IMG_4985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8y4gQ0r6j5xaaC69I9GLV-aXG27L4iQj8gkPZ7d8XYbTldWN7gUTuUAwIMYwnFPkHwTwySuIlxVqH6ocA7nU6raHh-stJIZmTNlp8mzzaeigSG2xgbyW0LY387POzY93QdZ1zWIPXmhY/s320/IMG_4985.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to make a double batch on this baking, clearly my mixer can not hold raised dough for 4 loafs of bread :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Knead the dough briefly, return it to the bowl, and let rise again until doubled, about 1 hour. (you can skip this step if you are short on time but the bread is MUCH better when you rise it twice)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpma1YHA8vGod0Rg4uZpaO7CBWzItwqJVGG-d4r3Ch6_FfzZq5eoZSrsnDkU3D4p1ogqqpHOMBcqHYE-8nUPxPWx_kA96NFBQWo176u-PYWzLNlPCreSWpEd33uKYCkqSkXDqWuzZURNo/s1600/IMG_4986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpma1YHA8vGod0Rg4uZpaO7CBWzItwqJVGG-d4r3Ch6_FfzZq5eoZSrsnDkU3D4p1ogqqpHOMBcqHYE-8nUPxPWx_kA96NFBQWo176u-PYWzLNlPCreSWpEd33uKYCkqSkXDqWuzZURNo/s320/IMG_4986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did the second rise in two bowls much less mess potential</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Grease two 8.5x4.5 inch (6cup) loaf pans. Punch the dough down, divide it in half, and form into 2 loaves. Place seam side down in the pans. Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the loaves crest above the pan, making a nice dome, about 1 hour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRH7_ptYYefLOBW9-0KaNEJMuRfYZQc0_gYEzIsaOIMHO-sVpMIZHXs1_0t1zcIvFVWGEKgoA0Li7_drHKtIUTfCZnX_0EuP2_FzZ71xSeOqR4mRWJvMqcLgeVAmNUugP8W7AvHJgcD3gY/s1600/IMG_4987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRH7_ptYYefLOBW9-0KaNEJMuRfYZQc0_gYEzIsaOIMHO-sVpMIZHXs1_0t1zcIvFVWGEKgoA0Li7_drHKtIUTfCZnX_0EuP2_FzZ71xSeOqR4mRWJvMqcLgeVAmNUugP8W7AvHJgcD3gY/s320/IMG_4987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bake the loaves for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and bake until the bottom of the loaves sound hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes more. Remove the loaves from the pans to a rack and let cool completely.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm4fwqo6KlHf8mhiX6INrGeuJJ8KALSjaGzbG2feOSI83n0PhxWtgDEmWlXSjhb3xNmbAXlk7fV7kYBOEtlw8QgjeglFhSj7hW5JF2Pf3JUDkiDcJI2QjvKQechLMCLkr904oFG0nzrsL/s1600/IMG_4988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm4fwqo6KlHf8mhiX6INrGeuJJ8KALSjaGzbG2feOSI83n0PhxWtgDEmWlXSjhb3xNmbAXlk7fV7kYBOEtlw8QgjeglFhSj7hW5JF2Pf3JUDkiDcJI2QjvKQechLMCLkr904oFG0nzrsL/s320/IMG_4988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Xgth3qzxCLyG1HsyjG8OtneDtvfMTcqyhe-SiZbXYIyxLT77j1JSImhF-ZBBsk3ZMmjepDs6u6yqU3LZGOmruzK7EwOejv2CSGmEiRQw0I9L_UnX65CjgBcBdQxK9lvo5UUIdn9mt53/s1600/IMG_4990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Xgth3qzxCLyG1HsyjG8OtneDtvfMTcqyhe-SiZbXYIyxLT77j1JSImhF-ZBBsk3ZMmjepDs6u6yqU3LZGOmruzK7EwOejv2CSGmEiRQw0I9L_UnX65CjgBcBdQxK9lvo5UUIdn9mt53/s320/IMG_4990.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Slice and enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtn76SDWtIVm0ilVOWSqA2eHRxErGuv-KkQZ4bzWUoQiJ-m01vKOhqtR7mTiP9ksedLL8U6fbmZQO4K8u6mGjyBbQrGFHhyTSF7r-uM3JPsEE7zF32qGJo1_vhthopWXYQIKVNPXRpgkN/s1600/IMG_4973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtn76SDWtIVm0ilVOWSqA2eHRxErGuv-KkQZ4bzWUoQiJ-m01vKOhqtR7mTiP9ksedLL8U6fbmZQO4K8u6mGjyBbQrGFHhyTSF7r-uM3JPsEE7zF32qGJo1_vhthopWXYQIKVNPXRpgkN/s320/IMG_4973.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtn76SDWtIVm0ilVOWSqA2eHRxErGuv-KkQZ4bzWUoQiJ-m01vKOhqtR7mTiP9ksedLL8U6fbmZQO4K8u6mGjyBbQrGFHhyTSF7r-uM3JPsEE7zF32qGJo1_vhthopWXYQIKVNPXRpgkN/s1600/IMG_4973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-15693491530452356132011-07-29T14:25:00.000+01:002011-07-29T14:25:30.305+01:00Some London Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My husband took me to see a show in London back in mid June. We stayed overnight and did some walking (a lot more walking then we thought we would) and shopping the next day. It just happened to be the same day as the birthday celebration for Prince Phillip. We also just happened to be staying right around the corner from Buckingham Palace, meaning the route we had planned to take from the hotel to Covenant Garden Market was cut off by a parade route. While trying to figure out how to get where we wanted to go we walked through Green Park. This offered new views of the palace and the city of London</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl9dnyS6XBlYm2hazJ64Y-9qQN02qV0PS6PXfKAjXF4sWyjTsoPIv_jo1XtFz7T7fBOJNibYzQz80_rqkYpcBWhssxmIa915l-lTyZuANWP6FIdhTamrXehEjajqynrSWJwVC2sauGkwe/s320/IMG_4730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from Buckingham Palace to the City of London. You can see the crowd for the birthday celebration in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5loX0h5uM8TyygV2CokFmT0hQcCJRkAWyCteasPJV0a4iOJveYVO7uF_cFYjbFrQEHig_0j1-1EG_s_bu4jDdiA_M_YngzG37IMD17raSxZKCCgF46YOJiQgfIHtABm46x2Df_iYGYar/s1600/IMG_4737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5loX0h5uM8TyygV2CokFmT0hQcCJRkAWyCteasPJV0a4iOJveYVO7uF_cFYjbFrQEHig_0j1-1EG_s_bu4jDdiA_M_YngzG37IMD17raSxZKCCgF46YOJiQgfIHtABm46x2Df_iYGYar/s320/IMG_4737.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckingham Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1ZoM56-z1XV4iYmkQkVkOFKjxhMOoi31QAiUN8ChbCsg2md5bV6LSUHZ4CFaewRgMW_rovG1TvKmKp21Nh0lvUZLG9FOBgvy1pviO-6nVg3WaLpe_P8Kg4kZtJPdblo360hVAqtwDa0F/s1600/IMG_4738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1ZoM56-z1XV4iYmkQkVkOFKjxhMOoi31QAiUN8ChbCsg2md5bV6LSUHZ4CFaewRgMW_rovG1TvKmKp21Nh0lvUZLG9FOBgvy1pviO-6nVg3WaLpe_P8Kg4kZtJPdblo360hVAqtwDa0F/s320/IMG_4738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The London Eye</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUZSogA9WDm47EUUaHso8REWqyO8KXnIoSXc8WelgpC_M6pnBVHHXY749PyKX4QMiaXSGtFyK67GfX3KW0-IKHhAmI-yDSiKpTYwF5rjJDC99vVsuPwcsoKzBj6gVzTtCIPk9K9ZnyoEO/s1600/IMG_4746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUZSogA9WDm47EUUaHso8REWqyO8KXnIoSXc8WelgpC_M6pnBVHHXY749PyKX4QMiaXSGtFyK67GfX3KW0-IKHhAmI-yDSiKpTYwF5rjJDC99vVsuPwcsoKzBj6gVzTtCIPk9K9ZnyoEO/s320/IMG_4746.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fly over, just as we were walking up to Covenant Garden Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-62481402588735965722011-06-16T21:12:00.001+01:002011-06-16T21:12:31.976+01:00My Baby Turned 2Yesterday was the big day, instead of a party we decided to go to Legoland for a family treat. Then at the last minute we thought we probably should get some cupcakes and at least take some pictures. It just so happened that a friend of ours needed a baby sitter so he got a little party anyway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwjQgf6i48o9HOBH9KJU33AbepeQbcBfyIPfih1swKURm3So0mkBR5pQW4LOyJWw9upCxE_oabW5-M8MlfG5u9Srpf4NGl4RgvJu7zph2BcKHoklaZU3qZ5-veMnmN-QOUG0S_AeYD-nC/s1600/IMG_4753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwjQgf6i48o9HOBH9KJU33AbepeQbcBfyIPfih1swKURm3So0mkBR5pQW4LOyJWw9upCxE_oabW5-M8MlfG5u9Srpf4NGl4RgvJu7zph2BcKHoklaZU3qZ5-veMnmN-QOUG0S_AeYD-nC/s320/IMG_4753.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55isvXp65iu8ke3WYLzpcLIXiJK6YWb4iqMhDdi62M0Tl9EG9R8aILHRgeaEd4d5t8SYdrd0md9_NPuTyRWc41UDddbXWTyK89UpFUG6TYb7pe0uYt1YS2fr2t549vtLWxP8IFhKUP-bj/s1600/IMG_4754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55isvXp65iu8ke3WYLzpcLIXiJK6YWb4iqMhDdi62M0Tl9EG9R8aILHRgeaEd4d5t8SYdrd0md9_NPuTyRWc41UDddbXWTyK89UpFUG6TYb7pe0uYt1YS2fr2t549vtLWxP8IFhKUP-bj/s320/IMG_4754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrJsx1LeQD84LUQkDgQ69DWNsLDmIY1Up3_TYYqzi4otrgbUzoehU13UzAQSyGQX1aTzK5m6rdkT25Q4P8VAjLc8idFPnRd-K4ec36WcauF6-h7IGmfKjxbca2l1Pw_hf89r0VVU0x9RJ/s1600/IMG_4762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrJsx1LeQD84LUQkDgQ69DWNsLDmIY1Up3_TYYqzi4otrgbUzoehU13UzAQSyGQX1aTzK5m6rdkT25Q4P8VAjLc8idFPnRd-K4ec36WcauF6-h7IGmfKjxbca2l1Pw_hf89r0VVU0x9RJ/s320/IMG_4762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOlK1-mwQ4GKM2_gH4d23boSr10-PpOk9fjzIZQ_ck-LDRjb03na0l-ennGsPGZ1EBdfsgHR-cOrpk4XKeWPHYmep5NT8vCOnxSyvyD6PzRlsh7xfHLprlX_9ysknQCqFqkW1w8frUSGo/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOlK1-mwQ4GKM2_gH4d23boSr10-PpOk9fjzIZQ_ck-LDRjb03na0l-ennGsPGZ1EBdfsgHR-cOrpk4XKeWPHYmep5NT8vCOnxSyvyD6PzRlsh7xfHLprlX_9ysknQCqFqkW1w8frUSGo/s320/IMG_4767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-k6z3ZrztqGIDEvG3bbYaWKm68AUib1B4da7q42g2SQuvM_v5CvVVFzWSwXJoWSlyAkCsIGkPkEenfdxzxDYQI5H2avjNAKuxYblwLQIajibdUgz6dOhvoLzo-pGaiMyaMVrWZ2sd2O4/s1600/IMG_4772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-k6z3ZrztqGIDEvG3bbYaWKm68AUib1B4da7q42g2SQuvM_v5CvVVFzWSwXJoWSlyAkCsIGkPkEenfdxzxDYQI5H2avjNAKuxYblwLQIajibdUgz6dOhvoLzo-pGaiMyaMVrWZ2sd2O4/s320/IMG_4772.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qaYK_SIp_i4d1jhbngDba86OcHzCXFkTCAqYeouKdStxBiZdDzwiV15Jdztdhp0fGiSBYoFdXE5LDk4Eo9CpGrGd_VooTVpFJzaJhrhLlSfu2paCsdp2cBGuratoTxBxPJlhmdwOoKd3/s1600/IMG_4790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qaYK_SIp_i4d1jhbngDba86OcHzCXFkTCAqYeouKdStxBiZdDzwiV15Jdztdhp0fGiSBYoFdXE5LDk4Eo9CpGrGd_VooTVpFJzaJhrhLlSfu2paCsdp2cBGuratoTxBxPJlhmdwOoKd3/s320/IMG_4790.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ_-lCQ0YJ_HIO8_MBOc3PYUp5f3mbqpJeJzD2PzzVRsQercQgsqJqrelIu__-U_FtHwa21zGrYwYWycsbmcTjlVpK2cgPVmxM3hT6TCQaAeDYiP4VrYbEPj12CepAQaUpq_VFwX7fgAi/s1600/IMG_4793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ_-lCQ0YJ_HIO8_MBOc3PYUp5f3mbqpJeJzD2PzzVRsQercQgsqJqrelIu__-U_FtHwa21zGrYwYWycsbmcTjlVpK2cgPVmxM3hT6TCQaAeDYiP4VrYbEPj12CepAQaUpq_VFwX7fgAi/s320/IMG_4793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeP2R6V_W0RlRRxrrjZ16KTURxXDBPHnNxB6pCvPzZ4UlcAQ_aENyZImyCyj-gBZV7rHkhMVsy2LiabV2j9ct-iNK9uewtkBo79FqE783ZM_S2yCL3C2s82Sp1uJA-yUyldHO1k6Od6vg/s1600/IMG_4796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeP2R6V_W0RlRRxrrjZ16KTURxXDBPHnNxB6pCvPzZ4UlcAQ_aENyZImyCyj-gBZV7rHkhMVsy2LiabV2j9ct-iNK9uewtkBo79FqE783ZM_S2yCL3C2s82Sp1uJA-yUyldHO1k6Od6vg/s320/IMG_4796.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-45040155739477040392011-04-11T13:03:00.000+01:002011-04-11T13:03:39.833+01:00Day 6: Some one you would like to trade places with for a day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PwLFdYSaxQhvI1n6bxFEJlq47xzb9vYcL3bhCgO8Goj5Xk-hkFVLQpHfc-mFihj9l13ZCSH7xmXDqBcOnz1W8RoHdhgYAsAT62CAL8KaCPL7SoxW3xJ0EvSHNhdsDKI5F8XOZLzA5nbe/s1600/IMG_3780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PwLFdYSaxQhvI1n6bxFEJlq47xzb9vYcL3bhCgO8Goj5Xk-hkFVLQpHfc-mFihj9l13ZCSH7xmXDqBcOnz1W8RoHdhgYAsAT62CAL8KaCPL7SoxW3xJ0EvSHNhdsDKI5F8XOZLzA5nbe/s320/IMG_3780.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Who wouldn't want to be 4 for the day again?<br />
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Don't forget to go back to day 5 and enter your favorite memory for a chance to win $25 credit to my ETSY shop, items on Facebook, or custom made items.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-57022117351767826812011-04-10T08:16:00.000+01:002011-04-10T08:16:07.236+01:00Day 5- A picture of Your Favorite Memory And My 100 Fan Giveaway.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4shrTVo15rcUcld6g2fEeuiIxv0NtKMZ6_jBl5GP2JLHODqDJCuhSH0GutCeXnWirXR8rLzAZWL4RJAprAmIkyTd7acD8hR3daLaiZBHgq6iwOSWAewA1t7D_FPTO9-PaLC4ynIT0AmyR/s1600/Mosley_241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4shrTVo15rcUcld6g2fEeuiIxv0NtKMZ6_jBl5GP2JLHODqDJCuhSH0GutCeXnWirXR8rLzAZWL4RJAprAmIkyTd7acD8hR3daLaiZBHgq6iwOSWAewA1t7D_FPTO9-PaLC4ynIT0AmyR/s320/Mosley_241.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Teresa Morry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So hard to choose just one, but everytime these two play together it warms my heart.<br />
<br />
Now for the giveaway part, tell me what your favorite memory is in the comments, or leave a link to a post about it :). I will use a random number generator to pick a winner on Friday the 15th of April.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and remember the prize is $25 credit to anything in my <a href="http://www.livilouandco.etsy.com/">ETSY</a> shop or posted for sale in my photo albums on Facebook.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-46572525971739876492011-04-07T06:00:00.000+01:002011-04-07T06:00:02.435+01:0030 Day Challenge Day 4A picture of a habbit you wish you didn't have......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yiutYLdIQoD87pjX6hI496j2G6-bLgNDWj9I8TUwGQBbl1INuIx3xo32tCYsxbiKUXmU1viCX7krzPDD9gXRnE9N-GvVoDJ7n_jLGtAYXkAh3YZGLJ-MVtfgXHz5BJoN5CJwoeZrugB2/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yiutYLdIQoD87pjX6hI496j2G6-bLgNDWj9I8TUwGQBbl1INuIx3xo32tCYsxbiKUXmU1viCX7krzPDD9gXRnE9N-GvVoDJ7n_jLGtAYXkAh3YZGLJ-MVtfgXHz5BJoN5CJwoeZrugB2/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>I'm working on it......<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-86941315356219435552011-04-06T06:00:00.000+01:002011-04-06T06:00:00.485+01:0030 Day Challenge Day 3A picture of the cast from your favorite show.<br />
<br />
Hard to choose just one favorite show..... but Chuck is definitely at the top of the list.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTap1t7dbijfWUFHNIMkfxIQu6mTLWF8xsNV-AvhyphenhyphenMh9w5a-Jp-MHK2EsjX2UhyphenhyphenZkCZn4ry0HCKc81Ol0i1NE5aG4srElQnJIucrfGJmQ2z4_mg3wR24DBmj3hiRMw2VY6O5SmN_3fvAt/s1600/chk_319_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTap1t7dbijfWUFHNIMkfxIQu6mTLWF8xsNV-AvhyphenhyphenMh9w5a-Jp-MHK2EsjX2UhyphenhyphenZkCZn4ry0HCKc81Ol0i1NE5aG4srElQnJIucrfGJmQ2z4_mg3wR24DBmj3hiRMw2VY6O5SmN_3fvAt/s1600/chk_319_03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nbc.com/chuck/episode_guide/">Picture Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-12362378375964359482011-04-05T06:00:00.001+01:002011-04-05T06:00:02.486+01:0030 Day Challenge Day 2A picture of you and the person you have been close to for awhile.<br />
<br />
This is me with Justin. We met in the fall of 1997 at the begining of our senior yeare of high school.<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;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFfvjlmeh09TS5qLs8S-WM-WL79a0RzjQ2WC1dhoC_zQrJa-Sq2qxuYG1Bw32GA6ZCYRopjMezjqS_Pi_ZhCvskhL9v1d7ZQ72-ut9-bLJw5fbsKJXtnHW5kx1LKQtwP4bMW4zi1kFbwj/s320/IMG_8741.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture by S&P Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-7144421447483787182011-04-04T08:34:00.000+01:002011-04-04T08:34:02.837+01:00Welcome to the Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgepnvQux7d_cwC0FgX3xWS-p4VbrR-yNPEFOIHY8q1pgxieFloJv3_glcVzRfi2U8h9ovdPc6yoEMYJPx5paCPg2W8kUKyhQVDpPGUxbzWqlcQi7S-DK2JHpTMkKcW4pSbQY-i8rtvU8/s1600/ubp-2011_558x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgepnvQux7d_cwC0FgX3xWS-p4VbrR-yNPEFOIHY8q1pgxieFloJv3_glcVzRfi2U8h9ovdPc6yoEMYJPx5paCPg2W8kUKyhQVDpPGUxbzWqlcQi7S-DK2JHpTMkKcW4pSbQY-i8rtvU8/s320/ubp-2011_558x150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm joining the <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/34651/ultimate-blog-party-2011/">Ultimate Blog Party</a> a little late but better late than never right?<br />
<br />
So, uhm, a party post.<br />
<br />
Lets see, I'm Mary Jo, my family and I live in England, you can read about them on my side bar.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnJQBI3YjEE6Mlb1Rbl-Kvzp7B4npTm40pWSpWWyJ9vQlNVxfiJSMbU7giY9-vRY3Xo1xuImUwfzBcJfdYItHspZoF7Zeqx9HFz0llHOxtUWlWVEExMFptqc8GPrcKejIr_QPFsET-nb_/s1600/IMG_8724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnJQBI3YjEE6Mlb1Rbl-Kvzp7B4npTm40pWSpWWyJ9vQlNVxfiJSMbU7giY9-vRY3Xo1xuImUwfzBcJfdYItHspZoF7Zeqx9HFz0llHOxtUWlWVEExMFptqc8GPrcKejIr_QPFsET-nb_/s320/IMG_8724.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/SP-Photography/153901871323082">Picture by S&P Photography</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'm the owner, operator, creative force, onewomansweatshop behind Livi Lou & Co. a little side business I run to that give me <strike>an excuse to buy fabric</strike> a little extra spending money. Someday I would love to have a Brick & Mortar store, but for now I'm content to sell online and at craft fairs as long as the Air Force takes us where it will take us. Check out my side bar to find where to shop.<br />
<br />
My blog is pretty new, only a few months old. I'm trying to be regular about posting but, you know, life gets in the way sometimes. I post all differnt things from things I have made to picutres of my house, on Fridays I like to post an interview with other WAHM's so if you would like to be featured let me know.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-58279103309941750722011-04-04T06:00:00.001+01:002011-04-04T06:00:06.898+01:0030 Day Challenge Day 1A picture of yourself with 10 facts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-1_SZpKL3hP21OBYdiap5NsgCZtPlTddHb40ii13q1Vy5_2AnCQSUNwZPVXfVq1c2_GKEfIA9gkDV2UDh28LXxp-9CDE5r5gpDzEaYVukLl1tTHEE5PXFhlFjeHClGgMs5EuXYSmNF7R/s320/IMG_8931.jpg" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/SP-Photography/153901871323082">Photo by S&P Photography</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>1. I live in England<br />
2. I was homeschooled<br />
3. I love to sew.<br />
4. When I was 12 I made clothing without patterns.<br />
5. Now I almost always use a pattern.<br />
6. I have tried almost every craft out there.<br />
7. I like to bake.<br />
8. I don't like to clean up after baking.<br />
9. I have my dream job.<br />
10. I don't mind laundry, except when I have to hang it to dry in my Kitchen.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-47495647128638639112011-04-03T06:00:00.000+01:002011-04-03T08:26:49.084+01:0030 Day ChallengeMany of my friends are doing this challenge on Facebook, I though it would be fun to do overhere :)<br />
<br />
Day 01- A picture of yourself with ten facts.<br />
Day 02- A picture of you and the person you have been close with for awhile.<br />
Day 03- A picture of the cast from your favorite show.<br />
Day 04- A picture of a habit you shish you didn’t have……<br />
Day 05- A picture of your favorite memory.<br />
Day 06- A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.<br />
Day 07- A picture of your most treasured item.<br />
Day 08- A picture that makes you laugh.<br />
Day 09- A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.<br />
Day 10- A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.<br />
Day 11- A picture of something you hate.<br />
Day 12- A picture of something you love.<br />
Day 13- A picture of your favorite band or artist.<br />
Day 14- A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.<br />
Day 15- A picture of something you want to do before you die.<br />
Day 16- A picture of someone who inspires you<br />
Day 17- A picture of someone that has made a house impact on your life recently<br />
Day 18- A picture of you biggest insecurity.<br />
Day 19- A picture of you when you were little<br />
Day 20- A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel<br />
Day 21- A picture of something you wish you could forget.<br />
Day 22- A picture of something you wish you were better at.<br />
Day 23- A picture of your favorite book.<br />
Day 24- A picture of something you wish you could change.<br />
Day 25- A picture of your day.<br />
Day 26- A picture of something that means a lot to you.<br />
Day 27- A picture of yourself and a family member.<br />
Day 28- A picture of something you’re afraid of.<br />
Day 29- A picture that can always make you smile.<br />
Day 30- A picture of someone you miss.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-72890274916929617342011-03-12T16:19:00.000+00:002011-03-12T16:19:29.733+00:00Feature Friday ( a day late)Real life has been pretty busy, gearing up for a big show in just a few short weeks, looking at a few smaller shows, taking care of kids and house, you know the drill. I have tons to blog about and even lots of pictures taken to go with the blogs, setting aside the time to write the blogs up is another thing.<br />
<br />
Today I'm introducing you to Kim from Cloth by Kim.<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: What is your specialty?<br />
CBK: Cloth Diapers, mama pads, and things that go with them!<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: Where are you from?<br />
CBK: Originally Indiana, but in Texas now<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: Do you have a day job? <br />
CBK: I'm a SAHM, so I have a round the clock job!<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: What inspires you? <br />
CBK: I think that my friends inspire me the most. I think it's important for me to have a creative outlet in life, and this is it for me! I enjoy creating things and I really enjoy when I can sit down and create something new! I also love when people ask me if I can make something new because it inspires me to know what people want. I know what I like, but not everyone is like me :-)<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: How did you get started?<br />
CBK: I got started when my sister really wanted to use cloth diapers but couldn't afford them. A friend offered to show me how to make them for her at 1/3 the cost of buying new. At first I wasn't sure if I like it, but after I created my own pattern I was hooked!<br />
<br />
LL&Co: Where can people find your products? <br />
CBK: Right now most people find my products through word of mouth, but I recently started a FB fan page along with a HyenaCart store! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cloth-by-Kim/159415790772611 http://hyenacart.com/ClothbyKim/<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: Do you have any advice for people who would like to sell their own hand made items? <br />
CBK: Find your own niche, and see if people are interested. While I was thinking about making cloth diapers I was discouraged and was telling a friend that I didn't think that I could do it because there are so many other WAHM's. She encouraged me, so I got started and my friends started spreading the word! I started getting contacted from friends and family of friends and family! It's been exciting to see how much people want to buy from me because they know a friend of mine.<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: Tell us about your family.<br />
CBK: My husband and I have been married for 9 years, and we have four beautiful children! Our boys are 8 and 6, and our girls are 3 and 1. We homeschool our children so they are around all day while I'm working! Many times I teaching math while cutting out material :-) We started using cloth diapers when our oldest was about a year and a half and haven't looked back since! We are currently in the middle of trying to adopt from our state's foster care system, so my heart is really burdened for those children who don't have a mom or dad to hold them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b2ZBfYV7MYeDQQlbhA9MWRV0dBSJUudTWQrSJDRZ-soTJWkt8QfaMP7tDRF6tMNLOTqpEDsL_aieStyomkxiaO36r3VehfBLemXMBy-tFiLAG27ByvlociuJWTMCRnmt-LTAhIGCUwjV/s1600/P1013569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b2ZBfYV7MYeDQQlbhA9MWRV0dBSJUudTWQrSJDRZ-soTJWkt8QfaMP7tDRF6tMNLOTqpEDsL_aieStyomkxiaO36r3VehfBLemXMBy-tFiLAG27ByvlociuJWTMCRnmt-LTAhIGCUwjV/s320/P1013569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
LL&Co. What does a typical day look like for you? <br />
CBK: After breakfast the kids and I do chores, then we do some school. Depending on how much I need to be involved with their school, many times I will be cutting out material or sewing a few easy things. After that we have lunch, then is rest time! I usually try to get a lot of work done during rest time unless there is something else that needs to be done. After rest time I usually start working on dinner. After dinner we have family time, then the kids go to bed. If I need help DH will turn on the TV and press snaps while I sew. I love when he helps!<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: Describe your creative space.<br />
CBK: My creative space tends to take over the house! I started by having an area in the guest room, but I felt like I needed to be downstairs so I could keep an eye on the kids. Right now I have pretty much taken over the dining room so the kids are doing school in the kitchen. But if I'm interested in something on TV I'll move into the kitchen where I can watch while I work. Unless I need to sew and someone else wants to actually hear the TV!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgtWmjm7PjZbuuV9jblqA_gWAZurqGDelvhZjoxZ824FyAphPor0-sEAUuCEHI8gmxhWDpKAdlFRVDaLN1w91-TPJWQudv8sT9BSXJftyPYbMYVrw4aCDgaIAUE8Pm06zkYcRO020KuKQ/s1600/P1013568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgtWmjm7PjZbuuV9jblqA_gWAZurqGDelvhZjoxZ824FyAphPor0-sEAUuCEHI8gmxhWDpKAdlFRVDaLN1w91-TPJWQudv8sT9BSXJftyPYbMYVrw4aCDgaIAUE8Pm06zkYcRO020KuKQ/s320/P1013568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
LL&Co.: Do you have other hobbies? <br />
CBK: Yes, I scrapbook and recently got into digital scrapbooking!<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: How did you come up with your shop name?<br />
CBK: I wanted to keep the name open so I could do many different things. Since everything that I make is out of cloth, I decided that I liked Cloth by Kim :-)<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: How do you promote your work?<br />
CBK: Mostly through FB, but my friends also really help by letting other people know what I'm doing.<br />
<br />
LL&Co.: What are some of the goals you have for your business?<br />
CBK: My biggest goal is to raise money for my friends who are adopting. Our adoption has minimal costs since we are going through the state, but I have many friends who are adopting internationally. Half of my profit goes to friends that are adopting. If I ever run out of friends that are adopting then I'll start advertising for new people to feature so I can help them out too. My second goal is to keep the costs low so more people will start using cloth. I know that the startup costs can be high so I try to keep things as low as I can.<br />
<br />
<br />
CBK: Good question! I guess I can't say all of them :-) I think right now my favorite are the mama pads because they're cute, easy, and quick! <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-66709718293533197652011-02-24T00:00:00.001+00:002011-02-24T00:00:04.538+00:00For those of you who are sitting on the edge of your seats to see more of my house (Hi Mom!), I bring you the living room. I mentioned in <a href="http://livilouandco.blogspot.com/2011/01/story-of-headboard.html">my little rant about head boards</a> that I'm not a fan of who long and narrow my living room is. It's 18 foot something by 11 foot something, sounds like a decent sized room right? Yes and no, lots of space but it's cut up kinda funny between the old fireplace, a stare case, and doors and windows it has taken some creativity to come up with something that I can sorta like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69yrDqZZC6RFE8TS69yJ2HjKjOUnC6kl44-AV30feRaMzVlvF3kDa8DIaeCTq2hb4HaXwBRS-XnKtgx8nxpoYY_QoDvw2r1KYoXISfEIVRmnA8WLoLHkI1-uCM1T_-b8kGKj27dkOj8U_/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69yrDqZZC6RFE8TS69yJ2HjKjOUnC6kl44-AV30feRaMzVlvF3kDa8DIaeCTq2hb4HaXwBRS-XnKtgx8nxpoYY_QoDvw2r1KYoXISfEIVRmnA8WLoLHkI1-uCM1T_-b8kGKj27dkOj8U_/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is looking into the living room from the kitchen. See those THICK walls? The kitchen is the new part of the house, this is going into the old part of the house. Want to hear some interesting facts about our house? OK I'll tell you.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP72jPZ7W9BwkUCaNRFI7B_BTU_ClS98_jzQjizeEvzmCO1On03jecG5MdtiyebeZ4w6nvG7dp8vpRn2pLtpKAQEclb4TSTLMyodeYZenp2q4527CD6le1fP6UOvU50E35p-AbFB-K1ok/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP72jPZ7W9BwkUCaNRFI7B_BTU_ClS98_jzQjizeEvzmCO1On03jecG5MdtiyebeZ4w6nvG7dp8vpRn2pLtpKAQEclb4TSTLMyodeYZenp2q4527CD6le1fP6UOvU50E35p-AbFB-K1ok/s320/IMG_3607.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right side of fire place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The old part of our house was originally two cottages, it's very hard to imagine living in a house that has two 18'X11' rooms and that's it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLGzXqEhqEEgIp2Y-bZfCnV8GLvajMhBKknpDwBhEvO7Qrz-FXv7sr2ghMj16hEuMxnhfBszgjfwwuevr6oV-vh8d4mgP8syx0sbfQyKYG4DRU4ThQKojRiqGVa1VR_glj-BsPImB1auV/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLGzXqEhqEEgIp2Y-bZfCnV8GLvajMhBKknpDwBhEvO7Qrz-FXv7sr2ghMj16hEuMxnhfBszgjfwwuevr6oV-vh8d4mgP8syx0sbfQyKYG4DRU4ThQKojRiqGVa1VR_glj-BsPImB1auV/s320/IMG_3611.JPG" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left side of fire place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At some point the two cottages were combined into one house, the old cottage part of our house is not a bad size.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqEsPYYzlFDLDTW0Nrc1oxi5TSzQWBFJdaTGKPzUWLpNHNzGjB1lcx9bIhqqN5k2Ij5g6DVbaAZGl93c3hIBRPxUy53JT1CrNBqCNILYQj6vKa4zoQ1EvL4fmwsCgFzy6wdm_ZCY08ZOp/s1600/IMG_3613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqEsPYYzlFDLDTW0Nrc1oxi5TSzQWBFJdaTGKPzUWLpNHNzGjB1lcx9bIhqqN5k2Ij5g6DVbaAZGl93c3hIBRPxUy53JT1CrNBqCNILYQj6vKa4zoQ1EvL4fmwsCgFzy6wdm_ZCY08ZOp/s320/IMG_3613.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd3ivNL-tQ48E0p6UsBZHcIWQncPEmXNAe_77KTRBGUaCWrG4A_Wfdzg07iwxEKLuA7EUPzgt6Y3exhGPWYvc1qgEJIB62SbBUTVgc4_qxxVtzRbtje3z_xTZ_JaRxB6Jx1o3UlGsLeaY/s1600/IMG_3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd3ivNL-tQ48E0p6UsBZHcIWQncPEmXNAe_77KTRBGUaCWrG4A_Wfdzg07iwxEKLuA7EUPzgt6Y3exhGPWYvc1qgEJIB62SbBUTVgc4_qxxVtzRbtje3z_xTZ_JaRxB6Jx1o3UlGsLeaY/s320/IMG_3614.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stair Case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At the time that our landlords acquired the property the cottage had sat empty for 10 years, they stripped it out re did it and added a large addition to it that makes up our kitchen and bedroom.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96vLs9admFDFOOUkQdviCRzjvLUQl-A5c06jTJ23GQE4FKvNZi7Fv_sWgTnI2qy-PmdIpRJb26epDEv224KUyYTDsduxJtp07jllDvRVN5ZDFmZEOrNenUsB-kKOrdhH5SxP76lYLu42O/s1600/IMG_3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96vLs9admFDFOOUkQdviCRzjvLUQl-A5c06jTJ23GQE4FKvNZi7Fv_sWgTnI2qy-PmdIpRJb26epDEv224KUyYTDsduxJtp07jllDvRVN5ZDFmZEOrNenUsB-kKOrdhH5SxP76lYLu42O/s320/IMG_3615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gMmvgnry5Wzi3SWJJKH1qprWMjgYpAA2MsRfQcBs1oHaJX93hVZzog0OG7hUrySXvtXVB_OUo_ue-vVRTxZIvF6DZdd6Ly2UDO1bzKF4UDfULQ3yr_Gfib_J1GNNNKuiPnEpqzHhzOBx/s1600/IMG_3616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gMmvgnry5Wzi3SWJJKH1qprWMjgYpAA2MsRfQcBs1oHaJX93hVZzog0OG7hUrySXvtXVB_OUo_ue-vVRTxZIvF6DZdd6Ly2UDO1bzKF4UDfULQ3yr_Gfib_J1GNNNKuiPnEpqzHhzOBx/s320/IMG_3616.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doll house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUINQwLmgsYrrW4oIQb2HuqroaOvlHMUlC9zSxKeu9Rdqhsz_IYDBhmjz5mL3ATQOIS5vg46D_kd5LbDEhtF-aj2gsNU-xTcXObfngegK2OaymIohMjMTwCu_XhyH130B7y1EH1nB5qk-/s1600/IMG_3617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUINQwLmgsYrrW4oIQb2HuqroaOvlHMUlC9zSxKeu9Rdqhsz_IYDBhmjz5mL3ATQOIS5vg46D_kd5LbDEhtF-aj2gsNU-xTcXObfngegK2OaymIohMjMTwCu_XhyH130B7y1EH1nB5qk-/s320/IMG_3617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More toys, and my tea trolley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOS87UE7-5IAaiQBLehtfivyi-ypUSaI7_ZSAjDvQ4K5ASsSaMiPZ3HgH8yELzM14yToklrZiJlPxEoGXnFDwGbE4Bkq-oTPGmbQcD3ajVyuuHjVAChrVF5uycMLE-Hu5f3sFMTufiFvL/s1600/IMG_3618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOS87UE7-5IAaiQBLehtfivyi-ypUSaI7_ZSAjDvQ4K5ASsSaMiPZ3HgH8yELzM14yToklrZiJlPxEoGXnFDwGbE4Bkq-oTPGmbQcD3ajVyuuHjVAChrVF5uycMLE-Hu5f3sFMTufiFvL/s320/IMG_3618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room looking from my sewing room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I would really like to re-do the nooks on either side of the fireplace. I want some color and/or pattern on the wall of the nooks. I also want to get some IKEA expedite 2x2 shelves for storage (and to get the fish tank down to kid level) and then floating shelves above for books and decorations. Would also help to make the area look symmetrical.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGY9sQXje_Mc2Bp9sX21B51Y-8hS1EfgVtEvm8lH2Ylt-Fy7cNw944TbiCdYW7Chw2T77XRIwizfnedTt5ojFZ5b9KY6S7KOIWw6F0NLhJ0xMW6F4GjFdSJbvFjhx7BgT6_-f_-7muRgT/s1600/IMG_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGY9sQXje_Mc2Bp9sX21B51Y-8hS1EfgVtEvm8lH2Ylt-Fy7cNw944TbiCdYW7Chw2T77XRIwizfnedTt5ojFZ5b9KY6S7KOIWw6F0NLhJ0xMW6F4GjFdSJbvFjhx7BgT6_-f_-7muRgT/s320/IMG_3619.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drawers have Olivia's Littlest Pet Shop collection and a few of Erik's toys</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGoan-rEwrEoEh7vjZlyAjN0lnBi3_g2C2hgKlVFQEehktRbJwHM8m4D19Aj1XsDfbPOUcT12G61SDdjq8Ay40cXwDnvqzupCtgy5204eFKBYhf-GEc8uqWcQnnN6aQNr6Hheg2j_hoMk/s1600/IMG_3620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGoan-rEwrEoEh7vjZlyAjN0lnBi3_g2C2hgKlVFQEehktRbJwHM8m4D19Aj1XsDfbPOUcT12G61SDdjq8Ay40cXwDnvqzupCtgy5204eFKBYhf-GEc8uqWcQnnN6aQNr6Hheg2j_hoMk/s320/IMG_3620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game Cabinet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOfhlmxmbhN7kmXsEaytUJ9Ds6pYAW6ZpOrKZEQL-W9938So8I982WSreFYh1klSXKSABw5Mye_2nxG5GUg-w0i2R3NL6w2ENCNdTS8hG2KwTaB3uC4Vc0-fOw3vAX-Xb_PooCtc-AIT1/s1600/IMG_3621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOfhlmxmbhN7kmXsEaytUJ9Ds6pYAW6ZpOrKZEQL-W9938So8I982WSreFYh1klSXKSABw5Mye_2nxG5GUg-w0i2R3NL6w2ENCNdTS8hG2KwTaB3uC4Vc0-fOw3vAX-Xb_PooCtc-AIT1/s320/IMG_3621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are suppose to have pictures of the kids from new born to one year, I have to rescue some photos from a dead laptop though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And that is the living room.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-66962613088138068012011-02-22T15:21:00.002+00:002011-02-24T10:03:19.040+00:00Just a Little FunI have been a little obsessed with silhouettes lately, I figured out how to make them on GIMP and did one of Olivia, then my nephew Wally, I'm still trying to get a good profile shot of Erik.<br />
<br />
Then I started thinking about making art out of them, like this pillow <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiixb21mhKbkwwy660BIfQcNotmZph3R9nSvGkJdtIujdaCrznI5u9XHnKtmoeoEi_H0UAAcq4KvuS8zQQYaYB0WL_jKAecOEcMOsDGLBo2yYaONH9Ied174FrI3SRloeLAWiaES50-fP8/s1600/IMG_3639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiixb21mhKbkwwy660BIfQcNotmZph3R9nSvGkJdtIujdaCrznI5u9XHnKtmoeoEi_H0UAAcq4KvuS8zQQYaYB0WL_jKAecOEcMOsDGLBo2yYaONH9Ied174FrI3SRloeLAWiaES50-fP8/s320/IMG_3639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I got the image from <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a> then rescaled it in GIMP to make it fit on a 13X13 square.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUc0jJHIWrbZYMSALyOrhzP8SFR5tG52fkwCsLok9Ux5LIuwwjanhbhkLg-13zH8KF-fzq89aWJh_OE5AetzOMhsfscpDfa3Wl_tSh6pFEL67yYxnh5gZELiZDVduulATEeJhRJk5t0WL/s1600/IMG_3640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUc0jJHIWrbZYMSALyOrhzP8SFR5tG52fkwCsLok9Ux5LIuwwjanhbhkLg-13zH8KF-fzq89aWJh_OE5AetzOMhsfscpDfa3Wl_tSh6pFEL67yYxnh5gZELiZDVduulATEeJhRJk5t0WL/s320/IMG_3640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After printing I traced it onto wonder under backed fabric.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM74zYJxUUWG_E6Cg2EMtlONnf7MlqAzU1QFaD_KSLDHHSEkcfrcFYz5Euif2cbHfujzN6X9Z4W8CkpJLlKqnKWjVNj2Yq7Z6NXiGuiQBzB1olSaSqR0l6Z9kVQifY5g6UaHZvVaDo9n8/s1600/IMG_3643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM74zYJxUUWG_E6Cg2EMtlONnf7MlqAzU1QFaD_KSLDHHSEkcfrcFYz5Euif2cbHfujzN6X9Z4W8CkpJLlKqnKWjVNj2Yq7Z6NXiGuiQBzB1olSaSqR0l6Z9kVQifY5g6UaHZvVaDo9n8/s320/IMG_3643.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>Cut it out and applied it to the pillow cover I made out of this adorable print. Which I really want to make a shirt or dress out of but I have a lot of it so why not use some? Vintage lace dressed it up a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHVuIinoWxYmojep2_kKO_sO9dG5EJkg4xri7PsknVHKHHspnAhQ2eQm6id0-E5HcybUeMy4FyCRSlwnQ8Yb-hMWRd923cRKVf_BiaQo86zh6_8nuQ8ENHQsnwevjZqvZLUKqgXSIEWtn/s1600/IMG_3644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHVuIinoWxYmojep2_kKO_sO9dG5EJkg4xri7PsknVHKHHspnAhQ2eQm6id0-E5HcybUeMy4FyCRSlwnQ8Yb-hMWRd923cRKVf_BiaQo86zh6_8nuQ8ENHQsnwevjZqvZLUKqgXSIEWtn/s320/IMG_3644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Simple to try yourself, or you can find this one in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68628419/dancing-days-pillow">shop</a>.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/p/bloggers-pillow-party.html" target="_blank" title="Blogger's Pillow Party"><img alt="Blogger's Pillow Party" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9ngRl5uphLwS7GZobpuJP2z47sscL_ZTg8j6XUy6CyaeXiSOJPtqbCMy69U4QmN_B-NRfYqRCyGD-FA8fyIYP2E9zuo9asfocvgSKCQJ3DEvY1jIo-RFu5c3urdtjCZ276POZ0k1E2ym/s170/Button.jpg" style="border: medium none;" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-14966242159043605792011-02-19T00:00:00.002+00:002011-02-19T00:00:01.170+00:00Floor PillowsMy husband put me on a fabric diet a while ago. He said I was accumulating way to much fabric and needed to use it up, I have no idea what he was talking about as I live by the you can never have too much fabric rule. Then again we are a military family and that means we will move sooner or later and the military will only pay for so much weight so it's in my best interest to make something out of the fabric and try to sell it you all of you out there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTPihCfB-zLMruNGHdI88zwTSyHJfhP-NShE_ubgye3axnYZpK7xIWyrq5ElCxL3Qx62FoOrAuz5CbQubzvlJjxAtV_kC0FgyiXievHp7G_fni2L8NEYFUBmS4oUXqIXGZf5VjmLp8HIG/s320/IMG_3577.jpg" width="320" /></div><a href="http://3punkmom.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-land-of-nod-inspired-floor.html">This tutorial</a> from Living With Punks was posted a few times in various places I hang in the online world.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh984mDQAw9srDXcph_v5XvJkj-7VWi5ogIM_Lh6ugQUKa9qm2hKIGt7vo6o2OJ2Ix-eWelbp8cULN15N8NXkSHbUzOGPeMPQqaAHfHtjuoE1IEw98RxAND1NWftJ_Cevm6b1SCORQo3sIU/s1600/IMG_3584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh984mDQAw9srDXcph_v5XvJkj-7VWi5ogIM_Lh6ugQUKa9qm2hKIGt7vo6o2OJ2Ix-eWelbp8cULN15N8NXkSHbUzOGPeMPQqaAHfHtjuoE1IEw98RxAND1NWftJ_Cevm6b1SCORQo3sIU/s320/IMG_3584.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I made a couple for the kids, they love them. Erik takes his around the house with him randomly throwing it around and plopping down on it. I have even found him sitting on his hunched over a bowl of oatmeal chowing down (sorry no pictures I had extra kids that day and I'm pretty sure he was trying to make sure he got to eat)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe2DungzAnu8TXnKad1L7K_MFlOMwktx8BHBiNZUkHAiKaUPILB7rEDCoOoVlyxiJFbeZj2oqDgWRW-1aH9PLEH9FitfcskhNPDV2WSQV4Pcb4d3TAEd2af2l3lV4cjSCUBjMc-hasbf2/s1600/IMG_3590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe2DungzAnu8TXnKad1L7K_MFlOMwktx8BHBiNZUkHAiKaUPILB7rEDCoOoVlyxiJFbeZj2oqDgWRW-1aH9PLEH9FitfcskhNPDV2WSQV4Pcb4d3TAEd2af2l3lV4cjSCUBjMc-hasbf2/s320/IMG_3590.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjwH1XxdjPw3477WldKN-sTbCKuFmnPtXLAeqQ29wLFj9g370DiN6xoVX2Hm-6TaJwcOJ_Xmb1U_j7Y5YX8sjy5D2JO12Vf86hZVAiioM_fOzozXDhXfP1mRBFf971mv1Ew_3sQKfKPro/s1600/IMG_3591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjwH1XxdjPw3477WldKN-sTbCKuFmnPtXLAeqQ29wLFj9g370DiN6xoVX2Hm-6TaJwcOJ_Xmb1U_j7Y5YX8sjy5D2JO12Vf86hZVAiioM_fOzozXDhXfP1mRBFf971mv1Ew_3sQKfKPro/s320/IMG_3591.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>Now a word about my model. This girl I tell you what, she used to pose pretty for the camera all the time. Now I have to beg for a half way decent shot<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpv6rnB_b4l-TkHK1RA6ouHa1VYrY382nftofyhoWpDrFKBk4l4gGRSj4vasOgJ7sWFD6fOpHfcAR7hXcAUYbNGUblgSlT-ZrHsk5MZXUdW7EmYYR5uy22h69aItNm-3Emd0a277XqKNN/s1600/IMG_3597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpv6rnB_b4l-TkHK1RA6ouHa1VYrY382nftofyhoWpDrFKBk4l4gGRSj4vasOgJ7sWFD6fOpHfcAR7hXcAUYbNGUblgSlT-ZrHsk5MZXUdW7EmYYR5uy22h69aItNm-3Emd0a277XqKNN/s320/IMG_3597.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNR_sf7AsBtPwP3dhoxy73j4xYaE0zl9QXCWMAD6L5HutOg1-5vC1cXtPUKt4U9FMv_Ccd0gtlT97KyJWeIzoJ56w-azEzgl8Z3NKugoEJKNyHvco0VuedXxDV60ClwI6IQMoT87faShh/s1600/IMG_3598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNR_sf7AsBtPwP3dhoxy73j4xYaE0zl9QXCWMAD6L5HutOg1-5vC1cXtPUKt4U9FMv_Ccd0gtlT97KyJWeIzoJ56w-azEzgl8Z3NKugoEJKNyHvco0VuedXxDV60ClwI6IQMoT87faShh/s320/IMG_3598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Because she would rather make silly faces like this!<br />
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You can find these pillows and some boy themed pillows in the <a href="http://www.livilouandco.etsy.com/">shop</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-45724302294938236212011-02-18T00:00:00.001+00:002011-02-18T12:05:51.453+00:00Feature Friday-LilacAve<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Today’s featured artist is </span>Deb Ragsdale of <a href="http://www.lilacave.com/">LilacAve</a>, from Texas, her specialty is soy candles and natural body products.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: Do you have a day job? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>LilacAve is my job<br />
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: What inspires you? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>For business, I'm a victim to packaging and marketing; so I'm inspired by products I see around, commercials, photography, art. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Personally, I'm inspired by the people around me, and all the wonderful places we've been, and want to go. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: How did you get started?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>My son was diagnosed with Autism in Fall of 2007. He needed therapy, and my career job, would not accommodate me taking him to therapy once a week. We started looking into getting a Nanny. Not only would I have been working for free, but I'd be paying someone to basically care for my son's needs. Even after therapy was not as intense, our military life caught up with us, and we moved twice in a year. In that time I was able to grow, and realized how passionate I was about this business, and how perfect it was for our life.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co: Where can people find your products? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>I have just launched my own site, <a href="http://www.lilacave.com/" target="_blank">www.LilacAve.com</a> .</div><div class="MsoNormal">I also sell on Etsy <a href="http://www.lilacave.etsy.com/" target="_blank">www.LilacAve.etsy.com</a> .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpghxve6MBhremKKrduaKmNH9X2VidaXgbQPEpcRoFfU3pPcdFsBgkyVX3ZjUDakECuUDtQ2oConVOb-nQvR_2PZeI7B4kFq6IfWm9Jjbt7ft7fersORp3ZBZgWIHMauR-TicqDSemiI_/s1600/spa+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpghxve6MBhremKKrduaKmNH9X2VidaXgbQPEpcRoFfU3pPcdFsBgkyVX3ZjUDakECuUDtQ2oConVOb-nQvR_2PZeI7B4kFq6IfWm9Jjbt7ft7fersORp3ZBZgWIHMauR-TicqDSemiI_/s320/spa+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: Do you have any advice for people who would like to sell their own hand made items? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>Even if you have the most fantastic product, it isn't easy to get your business going. It requires a lot more work than most people expect. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: Tell us about your family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>We are a military family. My husband is a Navy Submariner. We have 2 kids, my son, and a daughter. We also have a dog and a cat. We are a quirky bunch, but very closely bonded. I think that's what I love most about us. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co. What does a typical day look like for you? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>I get up early, and usually check my email with coffee. Then wake the kids, take them to school, and come home. Then I'm usually working on marketing, making new products, research, and shop maintance most of the day. Get the kids from school, do housework, sometimes need to take my son to therapy. Dinner, homework, bed for the kids, then back to work on my business until bed time. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: Describe your creative space.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>I work in 2 zones of the house. All candles are made in my workroom. The bath and body products are done in the kitchen. Mailing and computer work done in the office. Yes, I have taken over!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwzq_8Kj9uFQcfwgOI2Vntl2YmOyJPzQq5W1EaOZdlJ98M1_UxvrVy7RMidRasfLKPB7UiAeqGD70Npj1HZGdw0GHBTGz32K1hsjrNfFosht61dDWH4uTUNn_COKtJtY5jlm4Ta2XEtrP/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwzq_8Kj9uFQcfwgOI2Vntl2YmOyJPzQq5W1EaOZdlJ98M1_UxvrVy7RMidRasfLKPB7UiAeqGD70Npj1HZGdw0GHBTGz32K1hsjrNfFosht61dDWH4uTUNn_COKtJtY5jlm4Ta2XEtrP/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: Do you have other hobbies? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>Ummmm, no, not really. LOL. I'm pretty tied up all day with family, housework, and business. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: How did you come up with your shop name?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve:</span> Our first home, is a place I feel very attached to and comfortable in. It is on Lilac Ave. We still own the house, and I miss it dearly. We can't wait to get back to it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: How do you promote your work?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>I love Facebook. For me, it is a way for me to connect with my customers, as many of my fans have bought from me, and love my stuff. So having the connection where I can hear their thoughts, see what they are excited about, is such an incredible tool. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LilacAve" target="_blank">www.Facebook.com/LilacAve</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I also Twitter. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/LilacAve" target="_blank">www.Twitter.com/LilacAve</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have a blog, that is mostly for promoting others, and gives business tidbits, but I think sometimes helping others can be the best kharma for your own business. <a href="http://www.lilacave.com/apps/blog/" target="_blank">http://www.lilacave.com/apps/blog/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am also part of a few Etsy teams. I've been in business for 2 and a half years. and I find that building relationships, is sometimes the most beneficial personally and for your business. Most of the time your team or your connections will recommend you to their friends, and etc and etc. It is a domino effect. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRbXLipK5BehqdamS-uV9KKbjgp-cFtlY2CJfm4hJ0yXzJWj_LsvkpXTjhOc5ehfCtt2pAfJaVJceWiOPb1PzKl2T0c2brfibOEc9oL3VMruJshuIfMlnpkctmU053AetC4lGuxQR6g3H/s1600/woodblock+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRbXLipK5BehqdamS-uV9KKbjgp-cFtlY2CJfm4hJ0yXzJWj_LsvkpXTjhOc5ehfCtt2pAfJaVJceWiOPb1PzKl2T0c2brfibOEc9oL3VMruJshuIfMlnpkctmU053AetC4lGuxQR6g3H/s320/woodblock+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co.: What are some of the goals you have for your business?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>My goal is to create a stable income, so that when my husband gets out of the military in 4yrs, he can pursue his dream of going back to school full time, without me having to give up mine, of having my own business. In my dream of dreams, I will have my own store one day, where I can have not only my stuff, but the wonderful handmade items of all these incredible artisans I've met. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LL&Co. What is your favorite item in your shop right now? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 13.5pt;">LilacAve: </span>This Pomegranate body butter....use mine every day!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66022047/pomegranate-body-butter-4oz-natural" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/listing/66022047/pomegranate-body-butter-4oz-natural</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572492711823130711.post-50218159181079066122011-02-11T00:00:00.003+00:002011-02-11T00:00:06.022+00:00Feature Friday- Sew Humble Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjTg9GjyTvObwf-zDIXjXW4sKxfYJvXPAohHfrGWQyZO3h5dWxJadPHWn2Gt65NeSMdUD-nKfpnIjY_WED1_TH4ScW7TEq-ZPRat3O9Reqq47N-p05t1ik_b7qDLa9yRAPOZOwYLcKFrR/s1600/DSC_0176_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjTg9GjyTvObwf-zDIXjXW4sKxfYJvXPAohHfrGWQyZO3h5dWxJadPHWn2Gt65NeSMdUD-nKfpnIjY_WED1_TH4ScW7TEq-ZPRat3O9Reqq47N-p05t1ik_b7qDLa9yRAPOZOwYLcKFrR/s320/DSC_0176_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Today I would like to introduce you to Crystal Humble of So Humble Beginnings. She is a fellow Air Force wife and work at home mom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWD_oGDHygMo7CoyD1un6bgVTN9D-n8tTRtR7j4nUNcgVrK1xPKT7FUh5x-Yf8maoVHXkcT6yY4x_bukDFjDjSH8SXhXxSc06f8xPOrdPcpvVHNUBNg5lLz_uhTKySk4QLHlLsNRLIXPU/s1600/DSC_0221_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWD_oGDHygMo7CoyD1un6bgVTN9D-n8tTRtR7j4nUNcgVrK1xPKT7FUh5x-Yf8maoVHXkcT6yY4x_bukDFjDjSH8SXhXxSc06f8xPOrdPcpvVHNUBNg5lLz_uhTKySk4QLHlLsNRLIXPU/s320/DSC_0221_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>LL&Co.: What is your specialty?<br />
SHB: Aprons, Quilts, and Children’s art items<br />
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LL&Co.: Where are you from?<br />
SHB: Military Wife and Kid (but I Claim Pauls Valley, Oklahoma)<br />
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LL&Co.: Do you have a day job? <br />
SHB: Mom, and Running my business! I have a brick and mortar shop and online store as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ1zAS0WaY3OH7vSfFi8LfqX5Saqg5DIt4M7fN2Nar26-l0caH44vTfiOJrbpWQiOZJXmmE4OQb-DnhDlnxf3z8MhssYBGR6233BvlXy8rnBJYf_foudSvH9Vg6YW37qAwGwdZNR2E6Uy/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ1zAS0WaY3OH7vSfFi8LfqX5Saqg5DIt4M7fN2Nar26-l0caH44vTfiOJrbpWQiOZJXmmE4OQb-DnhDlnxf3z8MhssYBGR6233BvlXy8rnBJYf_foudSvH9Vg6YW37qAwGwdZNR2E6Uy/s320/DSC_0108.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1pjNUn8mRPxqLv-seMZNqadz8feKt3YlqRdiKv911LVXJ5lX0sSGLDXH31kBTQoMY-AkwrWar611fKj0ZzLhlNuv1ZHEGLAllUiobskgwMz7YJnBq3M4hZXlV1ZAhJQO2Do6QrvBjiFK/s1600/DSC_0131_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1pjNUn8mRPxqLv-seMZNqadz8feKt3YlqRdiKv911LVXJ5lX0sSGLDXH31kBTQoMY-AkwrWar611fKj0ZzLhlNuv1ZHEGLAllUiobskgwMz7YJnBq3M4hZXlV1ZAhJQO2Do6QrvBjiFK/s320/DSC_0131_3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>LL&Co.: What inspires you? <br />
SHB: Life!! Other Artists. There are sooo many great and talented women out there! <br />
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LL&Co.: How did you get started?<br />
SHB: I was living overseas. I decided that I wanted to start "doing" something crafty again. So I drug out my old sewing machine and went at it. Now I have WAYYYYYYY too much fabric (if there is such a thing) and a WHOLE room full of machines and doo dads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizX5Q3elGrpTUIDOuZby8UUSC2jHoTzWl4csPxtueJHBGD9O2I0RzD17Wuho0UmD39lrKSmXoj6vXLZ8jGHhRcz5yUzsaQ9G43C7BXIswHac7Vhy1bWmHRiV_gLPdPNE6hyphenhyphent67Zjcq-nNQ/s1600/DSC_0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizX5Q3elGrpTUIDOuZby8UUSC2jHoTzWl4csPxtueJHBGD9O2I0RzD17Wuho0UmD39lrKSmXoj6vXLZ8jGHhRcz5yUzsaQ9G43C7BXIswHac7Vhy1bWmHRiV_gLPdPNE6hyphenhyphent67Zjcq-nNQ/s320/DSC_0772.jpg" width="320" /></a> LL&Co: Where can people find your products? </div>SHB: They can shop online at www.sewhumblebeginnings.com, or come see me in person at Hip Stitch here in Albuquerque, NM.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NWqFUo2HoRGi3NyWA71EnXB-PHjsglW-d_teUgT9OnUwfOQBruphTtNrBzr-W-bsEWGCdT986T2LYcSkfU7zqGYL-oBRqYhydxVbAu5ccB94GI_ReP7FYtdJooJ9FNS1J6rLnfq0KUja/s1600/Craft+Fair+Set+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NWqFUo2HoRGi3NyWA71EnXB-PHjsglW-d_teUgT9OnUwfOQBruphTtNrBzr-W-bsEWGCdT986T2LYcSkfU7zqGYL-oBRqYhydxVbAu5ccB94GI_ReP7FYtdJooJ9FNS1J6rLnfq0KUja/s320/Craft+Fair+Set+Up.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQwL6Msi-YLzA_enlJYFzky-WMXkq-2bnuzUe8PrSrGI5WrfqAf0R-yb7sl0a4-mklqtitWxrjV6ntYf8CpvcvE8G5SgYMyhJzEuSM3J0-_eEIVK09C8FVNCIQ9Q4gvtntVi-7171M2ZJ/s1600/suitcase+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQwL6Msi-YLzA_enlJYFzky-WMXkq-2bnuzUe8PrSrGI5WrfqAf0R-yb7sl0a4-mklqtitWxrjV6ntYf8CpvcvE8G5SgYMyhJzEuSM3J0-_eEIVK09C8FVNCIQ9Q4gvtntVi-7171M2ZJ/s320/suitcase+display.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>LL&Co.: Do you have any advice for people who would like to sell their own hand made items? <br />
SHB: Make what makes YOU happy. Create what you enjoy. Don't stress over the "rules" of sewing. There isn't always a WRONG and a RIGHT way to do something. Now sometimes there is an EASIER way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2qyp3omHlfes54nWfi0IaJCQXy6juasEsofE6UE7QLfNQy7u7J_reicNmpTqjhYowBQQcQTJmrg6fPtzUmh5ZWn3dutsdr5WN1hk0b0bbjnaththmBu0lfvKzBBQMIhUGFHI7njYZuXp/s1600/DSC_0110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2qyp3omHlfes54nWfi0IaJCQXy6juasEsofE6UE7QLfNQy7u7J_reicNmpTqjhYowBQQcQTJmrg6fPtzUmh5ZWn3dutsdr5WN1hk0b0bbjnaththmBu0lfvKzBBQMIhUGFHI7njYZuXp/s320/DSC_0110.jpeg" width="291" /></a></div>LL&Co.: Tell us about your family.<br />
SHB: My husband is in the USAF going on 14 years now. I have 2 boys who are just fabulous. We love to travel even if it’s just for a short weekend get away. We are a very close knit family. My boys are each others best friends, as are my Husband and I. <br />
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LL&Co. What does a typical day look like for you? <br />
SHB: I get up, make myself a cup of coffee, and sit to pilfer through the MASSIVE number of emails that came through while I was sleeping. Make the boys breakfast, I do this every morning, and trying to keep up something NEW everyday is a challenge. Then once they are off to school it’s a decision of going into the shop, sewing up an order, or organizing and sorting supply orders which ship out all over the world. What happens that day is decided by which of those three tasks is currently the most demanding at the time.<br />
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LL&Co.: Describe your creative space.<br />
SHB: It’s a JUNGLE!!! Its organized CHAOS! I have a "spare" bedroom upstairs that i have taken as MINE. It looks out onto our loft upstairs, which is the boy’s play area, so i can still be close to them while in there working. I have a Serger, Pfaff QE 4.0, Singer XL100 embroidery machine, and a Tin Lizzie 18 Long Arm Quilter. I have 4 bookcases FILLED with fabrics. A Makeshift cutting table and a closet full of fabric and other crafty items. I’m not really sure if the carpet in there is the same color as the rest of the house...since I don't see it too often!! LOL I mounted a TV in there to help not make me feel like I’m in a One Woman Sweat Shop at times. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3PGY92S18c-OKSEq8ZxUEDzRPSB0Jp94kPA62rgYpdEnD_AxGV2-YxpdBgj6Ga3UQW4o7S5q9ZWwBXodE1cg98vNgEBayqAvGxYAeoflOBYs0Nr-PiL39ClCyaGZWS8YIU_73DnikPXD/s1600/unorganized+partial+fabric+stash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3PGY92S18c-OKSEq8ZxUEDzRPSB0Jp94kPA62rgYpdEnD_AxGV2-YxpdBgj6Ga3UQW4o7S5q9ZWwBXodE1cg98vNgEBayqAvGxYAeoflOBYs0Nr-PiL39ClCyaGZWS8YIU_73DnikPXD/s320/unorganized+partial+fabric+stash.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
LL&Co.: Do you have other hobbies? <br />
SHB: I love to bake, scrapbook, photography, and traveling!<br />
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LL&Co.: How did you come up with your shop name?<br />
SHB: A long time ago, when my oldest was a baby, I wanted to open a Children’s Shop. We lived in the Panhandle of Florida at the time and there were NO baby shops. With my last name being HUMBLE, I thought HUMBLE BEGINNINGS would be a great BABY store name. We'll THAT never happened...my oldest didn't sleep for 2 years, so there was NO way I was going to be able to do ANYTHING! So when I started my sewing business 7 years later, I just used the same thing but added a SEW to the beginnings...and voila. <br />
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LL&Co.: How do you promote your work?<br />
SHB: A lot of my work is promoted by word of mouth. I like to pride myself on GREAT customer service and flexibility. I will ALWAYS make it right! However I have been struggling lately with the idea of advertisement. How to REALLY get my name out there to the rest of the world, and as of yet I haven't come up with any Great solutions.<br />
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LL&Co.: What are some of the goals you have for your business?<br />
SHB: I would love to just have a nice steady stream of clients. I would love to be a GREAT blogger (which I am not). I would like to become an artist that is featured places, that get's known for just that one great shtick. Last but not least...I want to have my own Brick and Mortar shop...when we finally land wherever the Air Force lets us land!<br />
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LL&Co. What is your favorite item in your shop right now? <br />
SHB: Right now I think it is still my Cherry Quilt! I LOVE this thing. I get giddy every time I look at it and the Free Hand Cherries I stitched on it! I am very proud of how it turned out!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhHDXgndDZGST-2tQIQW6wNiZFbhSaEPSnNZ24TZ6GCS0xYiypIgCmOEaxi4zmWnJKamg4YqT9wltuxq_BnUJI6RptI4LEs4p__7961Z3kaKe5APDGKpGWAZ2G7HYRXScSkJoaozvCQlG/s1600/DSC_0128_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhHDXgndDZGST-2tQIQW6wNiZFbhSaEPSnNZ24TZ6GCS0xYiypIgCmOEaxi4zmWnJKamg4YqT9wltuxq_BnUJI6RptI4LEs4p__7961Z3kaKe5APDGKpGWAZ2G7HYRXScSkJoaozvCQlG/s320/DSC_0128_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/51/DAFD2EE33B96A70DE862BEA5D82EC1F7.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Mary Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281062236741144439noreply@blogger.com3