tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51600796118923655202024-03-28T20:29:50.916-07:00hillmadeRenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-46870292758301490582015-03-04T15:50:00.002-08:002015-03-04T15:50:59.405-08:00A Spontaneous Birthday Party and Instagram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Need to add some fun to your winter? Throw a simple birthday party, just you and your kids. By simple I mean, <b>SIMPLE</b>. Decorate a little, enjoy some sort of treat, and just make the day feel special. Before you know it, the day <b>will</b> be special. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHu477LyaNWYTYCsoYgbf9MDRJistfXQH3T8XFNFm__JdxvlVTa62hRa8GSeWFwH7J4yo4kaD1tQ7_qrdp0UEHeD74YNzz_IltBqgylotq2OXR4rPxFNoV9ScRd_bJCkMm2s0zzNjx18/s1600/IMG_9735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHu477LyaNWYTYCsoYgbf9MDRJistfXQH3T8XFNFm__JdxvlVTa62hRa8GSeWFwH7J4yo4kaD1tQ7_qrdp0UEHeD74YNzz_IltBqgylotq2OXR4rPxFNoV9ScRd_bJCkMm2s0zzNjx18/s1600/IMG_9735.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a>Yesterday we awoke to 3-4 inches of snow outside. The girls were thrilled! Immediately after eating breakfast they dressed for the occasion and headed outside to our winter wonderland. 10 minutes later they were done. What were we going to do with the rest of our snow day!? </div>
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Then Hailey informed me it was Leo's birthday.</div>
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Leo is one of Hailey's imaginary friends. Don't be misled, Leo is a girl. And apparently yesterday was her birthday. And we were to throw her a party, which of course necessitated decorations.</div>
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<b>Oh boy</b>. I drug my feet on that idea. I was in no mood for partying, let alone throwing and decorating our own. Quickly though, Hailey's enthusiasm won me over, so birthday-party-it-up we did. Why do kids have the best ideas sometimes?</div>
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We pulled out streamers and ribbon, a plastic tablecloth, and even gift bags for the presents (their own toys wrapped up). Of course, there must be presents! Lucky for those girls I even had cupcakes in the freezer, leftover from Keira's birthday. We thawed those puppies and gave them a nice topcoat of Nutella and sprinkles. Yes, Nutella. No frosting? Use Nutella. It totally satisfied us. It was a bit thicker than frosting, but nothing a glass of milk can't help. :) No cupcakes immediately on hand? Bake some cookies or muffins together and stick a candle in it. If your kids are like my kids, they are quickly satisfied by anything with sugar. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFjJJoW1xiQF8TXvbPbNtXUI3r7-14wP3vGy-Fo9gk_9t4zTFM1quT1P1uTSxnfw7ji-obqurCMWRU5HPZdUNlaLAWw9qYDKKLHy7hSpj3ySJysWCFnElM-TkgB-H_YSCzAfMZKaa4yI/s1600/IMG_9741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFjJJoW1xiQF8TXvbPbNtXUI3r7-14wP3vGy-Fo9gk_9t4zTFM1quT1P1uTSxnfw7ji-obqurCMWRU5HPZdUNlaLAWw9qYDKKLHy7hSpj3ySJysWCFnElM-TkgB-H_YSCzAfMZKaa4yI/s1600/IMG_9741.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrx1j8vi989n78i8J_J4M3uGteFQPlrbr4iCXss-pqqs_J0rE7CbjGMkyLNyb6_JxG-EPTlIkBfW4b5lvO63u4xM20MSY8RCfqFMlj2JuI83hZaB3CqBLQtM57Qcgvtsc3B1ac_mlgI4/s1600/IMG_9761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrx1j8vi989n78i8J_J4M3uGteFQPlrbr4iCXss-pqqs_J0rE7CbjGMkyLNyb6_JxG-EPTlIkBfW4b5lvO63u4xM20MSY8RCfqFMlj2JuI83hZaB3CqBLQtM57Qcgvtsc3B1ac_mlgI4/s1600/IMG_9761.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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After cake and presents it was almost lunchtime. I had a few par-baked mini pizza crusts in the fridge, so we decided to use those up and <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-mini-pizzas-for-lunch.html" target="_blank">make our own pizzas</a>. This is <b>always</b> a hit with the kids.<br />
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Since it was suddenly a special day we pulled out a blanket and picnicked in front of a movie (which never happens). Win-win for me, pizza and some quiet time to relax!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgP5-1xPi5BlKp4L9opdop1OHMshmI3bztD7IFwQGsma6rw2uvMZHI2ZAvvRCc8fBndQd-u3dmy36kU-0pF4gezJcEXK2C3MAO8JXiOwDp_zOV4l0hMOOsHWii7W3X7bOgwxYTMvebM4/s1600/IMG_9767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgP5-1xPi5BlKp4L9opdop1OHMshmI3bztD7IFwQGsma6rw2uvMZHI2ZAvvRCc8fBndQd-u3dmy36kU-0pF4gezJcEXK2C3MAO8JXiOwDp_zOV4l0hMOOsHWii7W3X7bOgwxYTMvebM4/s1600/IMG_9767.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aG9cERb8905GQjVYRtw4sGEOkMRP9sLn-Phga39QI7QYlWNZJ7UWQyGHpa6CGS9b_gKFMSQRA5GQ1giHU_wgWE3VxrokFSzEO-rBBqDQgqf8OUx7r3xtbNHyAnWNO4rTcU1F-Mxks_c/s1600/IMG_9775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aG9cERb8905GQjVYRtw4sGEOkMRP9sLn-Phga39QI7QYlWNZJ7UWQyGHpa6CGS9b_gKFMSQRA5GQ1giHU_wgWE3VxrokFSzEO-rBBqDQgqf8OUx7r3xtbNHyAnWNO4rTcU1F-Mxks_c/s1600/IMG_9775.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Need a pizza dough recipe? <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/cook-quick-and-easy-pizza-dough_13.html" target="_blank">Use mine</a>, it's quick. I can whip up some crusts ready for toppings in just 45 minutes to an 1 hour. I store the extra in the fridge or freezer to be used later. It makes for an extra fun, yet super easy lunch.<br />
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<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/cook-quick-and-easy-pizza-dough_13.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjwQM36BFUkN-Jv6WQqNaXBIFqIi_Ju1rrsc3JgPzJrKKkgnSu9rXerfZzwO2YuMSXdD0GXy7d67TjVsertBDOcc5z2gjeGAAuQfONUpj8_3NM12mj1CTeJWk8m4g_GrIigI4tzyDfyE/s1600/quick+pizza+dough.png" /></a> <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-mini-pizzas-for-lunch.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9a1H4xAdGVKsd6q0pxX5daxoV_-iHB2H6vOGznBvJIf8sy0zZnTpm2Q1rnWDQCjFyxd8QAzG0ZFR8jgPWawJgeP5wziU8ESeg5ptpexRr14DDF86rwloNs0_-KUs7IVsz2lkWaBK6lI/s1600/mini+pizzas.png" /></a></div>
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So tell me, how do you like to spend your snow day? What do you do to keep you and your kids happy and sane during the winter?</div>
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Now, let's talk<b> INSTAGRAM.</b></div>
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Yeah, what about it? </div>
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Well... I'm now on it! Follow me @<a href="https://instagram.com/hillmade_blog/" target="_blank">hillmade_blog</a>. There is plenty I do day to day that doesn't make the blog. I'll post more of that there. I'd also love to see what you're up to! Have you used any of my ideas? Tag #hillmade_blog. I'd love to see it!</div>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-18307595469649842232015-01-13T07:10:00.000-08:002015-01-13T14:44:46.274-08:00My One Little Word (#OLW) for 2015 and a Free Printable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Is it too late to be discussing New Years Resolutions? (<i>Happy New Year, BTW!</i>) It's still January, so it counts, right?</div>
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I've seen the idea of choosing One Little Word to focus on for the year floating around bloggy-land. I love it. So I jumped on board. As I thought about it, and the word that kept coming back to me was:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>patience</b></span></div>
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I feel like if I practice having more patience everyday so many other things will fall into place for me. Our home will be happier, we'll love each other and laugh more, and I'll be more accepting of the person I am or am trying to become.</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZTnF6QXFUQUlqczg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img alt="Free Printable: love is patient | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IuKQPG5L-fo9oJ7D7hvNBmmZs_tbh0dvcS26E70-9tN7zdlHHvWmoJdGhMmXr0cg4V0WnI9lu9db9KtKFrdH8LY2pm_81htE1XL3Dicw7WhKDXvdBPk5DPIFoBS7_tHr2rawLBLtJK0/s1600/love+is+patient-02.jpg" height="640" title="Free Printable: love is patient | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="510" /></a></div>
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I had always thought of myself as a patient person, up until that moment I had my first child and became a mother. It is so much easier to be patient when your focus is on only yourself. Once you throw others into the mix, it becomes more complicated and patience is stretched and wears thin quicker. So... to aid myself in my journey towards more patience this year I put together a print to hang in a predominant area in our home, that I will see multiple times a day, in the hopes of helping me to settle down and practice more patience.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArlJ4t3aVbkoNmr92wZwHt59V7bsXVTb7qoj9-xKGVyi7l3uzqSHs6tIhHj1KzKwyb695IxwG5lPtbjer9YioEiSFQQ8vVHbpoY2rTMvcEsvRE2zVbs5X_9BbKLJBC-f481VAvFgbb-o/s1600/hillmade_patience+printable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Printable: love is patient | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArlJ4t3aVbkoNmr92wZwHt59V7bsXVTb7qoj9-xKGVyi7l3uzqSHs6tIhHj1KzKwyb695IxwG5lPtbjer9YioEiSFQQ8vVHbpoY2rTMvcEsvRE2zVbs5X_9BbKLJBC-f481VAvFgbb-o/s1600/hillmade_patience+printable.jpg" height="426" title="Free Printable: love is patient | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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I spend a great deal of my day between the kitchen and living room, so that is where I hung up the print. I also put up a picture of our family, and plan to put up more pictures of my girls. If I see adorable happy pictures of them, I'm more likely to soften a bit and be more patient, right? That's what I hope at least. :)<br />
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I want to share the print with YOU! Click the image above, or follow <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZTnF6QXFUQUlqczg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">this link to download</a> your own <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3s7_HYIXL_ZTnF6QXFUQUlqczg&authuser=0" target="_blank">8x10</a> copy. I also resized it for <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3s7_HYIXL_ZZnhuX1RCa3NuNmM&authuser=0" target="_blank">5x7</a> or <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3s7_HYIXL_ZZUxDR2F4bGFSVlU&authuser=0" target="_blank">4x6</a> if you'd prefer smaller.<br />
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What is your One Little Word for the New Year? What are your goals?<br />
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-75484542258102358172014-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:002014-12-15T06:00:04.931-08:00Create: Sew a Felt Star OrnamentBoy, it's been a while, hasn't it? I've been here, just busy with life and not taking enough time to document all of it. But! Today I have a simple kids craft to share with you, just in time for Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZzGCQNTdjE5wPXH2JTFMuu3EL3xmSeNI2xErGoVe0ILCP81R5mzkyKV4ksHE56kkqCQQZCkGkUz57L5j6QWJiaCDvI02cDeFLoWui5utwzWhIuhA56tNgNH5ZmgpqM0mHrxgDLQTtIg/s1600/hillmade_star-Christmas-ornament_pin-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZzGCQNTdjE5wPXH2JTFMuu3EL3xmSeNI2xErGoVe0ILCP81R5mzkyKV4ksHE56kkqCQQZCkGkUz57L5j6QWJiaCDvI02cDeFLoWui5utwzWhIuhA56tNgNH5ZmgpqM0mHrxgDLQTtIg/s1600/hillmade_star-Christmas-ornament_pin-image.jpg" height="640" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="426" /></a></div>
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For her birthday, Hailey asked for a sewing machine. She is 5 and has never touched a sewing machine, but she has watched me and decided she wanted to try. I was not about to spend money on her own machine without seeing her sew first, to be sure this is something she really is interested in. Instead I made her a small sewing kit with some essentials to get sewing. Life became busy and we never found the chance to take some time to sit down together and work on a project. Finally one afternoon in a search for something Christmas crafty for Hailey and her friend to do for some quiet time I decided it was time to pull out some of those sewing supplies and have that first lesson in sewing.<br />
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We made felt star ornaments. I'll show you what we did.<br />
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You will need:<br />
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<li>embroidery needles (<i>for the beginning sewer- they are nice and big and easy to hold onto</i>) </li>
<li>crochet thread (<i>it is found by the yarn and is thicker than normal thread, which makes it easier for little hands to handle. You could use embroidery floss as well</i>.)</li>
<li>water soluble/disappearing ink marking pen</li>
<li>felt</li>
<li>star pattern (<i><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZWDZscE1kR05WSWc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">print one here</a></i>)</li>
<li>fiberfill (<i>not pictured- whoops!</i>)</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsV9xrd7WRH62v7pbTxLJhzsRxAaqBDc-GerAtuqsuzfU6Xa6qy3ocsWcAINu9fKlF9ljZTPvk_T3pSgHqra_tZjijsc5Z7SEoGKXieYlKo2X7SozMI6fZfeLiY0kn3FVh7ZgNtMdGHM/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsV9xrd7WRH62v7pbTxLJhzsRxAaqBDc-GerAtuqsuzfU6Xa6qy3ocsWcAINu9fKlF9ljZTPvk_T3pSgHqra_tZjijsc5Z7SEoGKXieYlKo2X7SozMI6fZfeLiY0kn3FVh7ZgNtMdGHM/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_01.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a></div>
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I began by marking a small dot every 1/4 inch or so around the star on the front and the back. This was to help guide the girls in their needle placement so they would end up with reasonably even stitches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaQ6GZAIXV_MpitvhwRQ4VXlxTx6V5ipEuTu7F1766wHfk4lbTbdBLsoXT6l12FvxdHYVjqyA8OP1rP4ARvt5DYjoWF9_DIA5uSVow13yD_sntfUMHYzgUP4PGKR-uQYovGXkxQg_rSI/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaQ6GZAIXV_MpitvhwRQ4VXlxTx6V5ipEuTu7F1766wHfk4lbTbdBLsoXT6l12FvxdHYVjqyA8OP1rP4ARvt5DYjoWF9_DIA5uSVow13yD_sntfUMHYzgUP4PGKR-uQYovGXkxQg_rSI/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_02.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had a quick chat about the seriousness of using a real needle and I pointed out that the tools used in sewing are not toys. And then I armed them with pre-threaded needles and showed them how to move from one stitch to the next.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_XOQoWNyN9UlzlSpGgy59iQbVGDe_kPZT2VbAKhnVPgCpSRJjPhE0aogfjMViWSUP6uXRa_J9v7WVXAaaN9c1_lZI0GZmx5pvMLT8X8NzKPHCaJbjdy0h1LNKzRhql2lRwGilAgCrqo/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_XOQoWNyN9UlzlSpGgy59iQbVGDe_kPZT2VbAKhnVPgCpSRJjPhE0aogfjMViWSUP6uXRa_J9v7WVXAaaN9c1_lZI0GZmx5pvMLT8X8NzKPHCaJbjdy0h1LNKzRhql2lRwGilAgCrqo/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_03.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a></div>
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They loved it. "<i>This is easy peasy banana squeasy!</i>" Oh that made me happy to hear! I was unsure if they would really sit long enough to finish the simple project or if they would lose interest after two stitches.<br />
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Sew on they did. I did have to sit right next to them and help them solve their small issues and occasionally gently encourage them to keep going.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFcIQbNCE8W-FH6nFns6i8fG6hCGmzZ33IhTrocCQtxOt-9yXHXjoYoFqfxU7d9zcoSfvYqyz0vRF5_xshw0sy7P9jUoaY22dW2juPSc1H2BvQ-Nz7lxLnNbRf6_i-h8yUpsOnMiP8NA/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFcIQbNCE8W-FH6nFns6i8fG6hCGmzZ33IhTrocCQtxOt-9yXHXjoYoFqfxU7d9zcoSfvYqyz0vRF5_xshw0sy7P9jUoaY22dW2juPSc1H2BvQ-Nz7lxLnNbRf6_i-h8yUpsOnMiP8NA/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_04.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjn7PF69Werj7QXX0y-2fIVcOshIUCpWITxVj1_up1c6pweaViXrCiq7vDI91_3a_4Z3G0K_mNqngitkZdY4xc-wIgglzqKBPDCK_yqQjXyqu90yo4qB70YrJ-l3cV26X7T10RSzdc3g/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjn7PF69Werj7QXX0y-2fIVcOshIUCpWITxVj1_up1c6pweaViXrCiq7vDI91_3a_4Z3G0K_mNqngitkZdY4xc-wIgglzqKBPDCK_yqQjXyqu90yo4qB70YrJ-l3cV26X7T10RSzdc3g/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_05.jpg" height="640" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="426" /></a></div>
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Once you get about 3/4 of the way around the star stop and squish in a bit of fiberfil to give it some puffiness. Then continue stitching the star closed.<br />
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When they sewed all the way around the star we pushed the needle back through the very first point we made, right through the knot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5BfU007OAf7ZymZorbRy1hxuYfrD7jpA4vvHd9LsABrqd5kxz7Uv010FNaQ-6rxsUe-8tOtSUfsJOw-zU2BVQyUaRD_17nfVwapVAdyR9Mdse-BJ78USya8ad0sYDvh4GobCPLyfDwg/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5BfU007OAf7ZymZorbRy1hxuYfrD7jpA4vvHd9LsABrqd5kxz7Uv010FNaQ-6rxsUe-8tOtSUfsJOw-zU2BVQyUaRD_17nfVwapVAdyR9Mdse-BJ78USya8ad0sYDvh4GobCPLyfDwg/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_06.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp7dSje2he14dNEnSGiGPpt4J33798MW-9kerptONYGPRSIcZsq5nWehu_m7_jMumI_fceOgPrPCPD7ywqN6H8tr9SEEQ28jInfyqCZIpCWapnxQVmNRfsnWKPGFDg-kn-KdHXXfw-jg/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp7dSje2he14dNEnSGiGPpt4J33798MW-9kerptONYGPRSIcZsq5nWehu_m7_jMumI_fceOgPrPCPD7ywqN6H8tr9SEEQ28jInfyqCZIpCWapnxQVmNRfsnWKPGFDg-kn-KdHXXfw-jg/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_07.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a><br />
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Leaving a small loop of thread to hang the ornament by I slipped the needle underneath the last stitch and tight a knot tightly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6cq2C9r5gWTPwCAvmDtAmNPhnVUMFzUpH6OdbVtoXiCc5kS_1Pqi_bYCb_S9SWtvRb4yeQhnKlZG7yElQOgB4Bw9jYJ3IIpu27bsQyQYhkGKkhBDVFh4c0EcRkW5IlqF3GuLu1Q4JrU/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6cq2C9r5gWTPwCAvmDtAmNPhnVUMFzUpH6OdbVtoXiCc5kS_1Pqi_bYCb_S9SWtvRb4yeQhnKlZG7yElQOgB4Bw9jYJ3IIpu27bsQyQYhkGKkhBDVFh4c0EcRkW5IlqF3GuLu1Q4JrU/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_08.jpg" height="426" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tada! It was finished. The girls were so excited to have sewn an ornament all on their own. Hailey's hangs proudly on our tree. The first thing she did when her dad came home from work that evening was to show off her fine work to him. Fine work indeed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlRY61B6Ljqh6ZWlWy9xZN8dPI-BzRJcaIF_cpqh_G222GYJbo07K6ExSnnj1zNK_V6KFO4rsHCo1jWlcH8qQwNz27Jtc054ZhZKrRKW8ioFKLBK2WJKgrA5T5gy0A1ZrZ8LqKmelYTM/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlRY61B6Ljqh6ZWlWy9xZN8dPI-BzRJcaIF_cpqh_G222GYJbo07K6ExSnnj1zNK_V6KFO4rsHCo1jWlcH8qQwNz27Jtc054ZhZKrRKW8ioFKLBK2WJKgrA5T5gy0A1ZrZ8LqKmelYTM/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_10.jpg" height="640" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiCy2Yk65dW_JeQC87w3oe4Z5yj9o3RDohEdtzRVL4zngwM7FYofbptXrQI5QnN4QZoCNYnIdT7fWPo6OVWwUALgbzGSwghAfpwo82aZ-mm0iPNsBJZ29p_v2EUUWix8DpHSNU_3lVbI/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiCy2Yk65dW_JeQC87w3oe4Z5yj9o3RDohEdtzRVL4zngwM7FYofbptXrQI5QnN4QZoCNYnIdT7fWPo6OVWwUALgbzGSwghAfpwo82aZ-mm0iPNsBJZ29p_v2EUUWix8DpHSNU_3lVbI/s1600/hillmade_star+Christmas+ornament_09.jpg" height="640" title="Sew a Felt Star Ornament | hillmade.blogspot.com | a beginning sewing project for any age" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'm hoping she's game for another sewing project in the future and we'll keep working on those stitches. In the meantime, I think this little star is adorable. It makes my heart happy to see it hanging on our tree. My little beginning sewer's first project. :)<br />
<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-65686905229569593472014-07-30T15:10:00.000-07:002014-07-30T15:28:29.852-07:00Create: Sew a Simple One Seam Child's Skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What is it about skirts that little girls love? It is a major struggle for me to get my daughter to wear pants or shorts. It usually requires a lot of talking it up and compromise on my part. Or a lack of anything else to wear due to my slacking on the laundry. :)</div>
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Well, if my little girl is going to insist on wearing a skirt everyday of her life, I need to at least provide her with an assortment to choose from so we're not wearing the same one over and over and over again. </div>
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Enter: my quick cheaters method of skirt sewing. (<i>Or really, I guess it is skirt resizing. However you want to look at it.</i>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaF5qmKfUllqnOUGQ4hxkExeg3-FdpUdI-RDhaI8FInue_B4d6pg5yXHGVGCtk3RQlyh5bfH5RuoTO5Sm7NxU3Uwwd1JMj_4AnxTrZ03jfBTNriEew2ZxDLWnrvsBOnIQzmMhEgSeLbA/s1600/hillmade_simple-one-seam-skirt_pin-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaF5qmKfUllqnOUGQ4hxkExeg3-FdpUdI-RDhaI8FInue_B4d6pg5yXHGVGCtk3RQlyh5bfH5RuoTO5Sm7NxU3Uwwd1JMj_4AnxTrZ03jfBTNriEew2ZxDLWnrvsBOnIQzmMhEgSeLbA/s1600/hillmade_simple-one-seam-skirt_pin-image.jpg" height="640" title="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
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Really what this takes is finding a cute (preferably low cost) already made skirt at the store, and sizing it down.</div>
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I have scored great deals on knit mini skirts in the women's section at H&M. When sewing for kids, the key really is to find mini skirts, because they are already the right length for short child legs. This past spring I found a few different skirts on sale for $3 and less that I thought would be adorable on Hailey.</div>
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<b>Step 1: </b>I began with a skirt of Hailey's that is already the right size and set it on top of the bigger skirt to gauge sizing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6LGJGVE25px5rnFdnCedpafabpVRu13bIOzXIj_F4EpxAYgtdLOJQ0g1G5YxZSzVV3mWZvd3utbroRCtc3LoVFatfEzhhPNF-AJeErzdKnv49uJuoSz0-5By1jr19KPogYnRKBVNPXk/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6LGJGVE25px5rnFdnCedpafabpVRu13bIOzXIj_F4EpxAYgtdLOJQ0g1G5YxZSzVV3mWZvd3utbroRCtc3LoVFatfEzhhPNF-AJeErzdKnv49uJuoSz0-5By1jr19KPogYnRKBVNPXk/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_01.jpg" height="426" title="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 2:</b> I then factored in about 3/4" to 1" extra to account for a seam allowance. Use a rotary cutter to cut off the excess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNOAAelZ98s3YaYgIEKDqgcDWiiTzWGbhhL6K1W3PdEaDjsq1dWs6Ya9JurBc5Muvp54bSu7IxYhMsJbmIK4YoZ7_YA4sv_OkQhGt91S9YB99sdXfsGIhiqr7yy-td9oTVRrM-V1m4h8/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNOAAelZ98s3YaYgIEKDqgcDWiiTzWGbhhL6K1W3PdEaDjsq1dWs6Ya9JurBc5Muvp54bSu7IxYhMsJbmIK4YoZ7_YA4sv_OkQhGt91S9YB99sdXfsGIhiqr7yy-td9oTVRrM-V1m4h8/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_02.jpg" height="426" title="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 3:</b> I ran it through the serger. Easy peasy. If you don't have a serger, simply use a zig zag stitch so the fabric is still able to stretch like it should.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe29CeXz3iY4HcxIGl9spdkwLa4GvdCJCq9AugxBFbXRPxSTvUDRjiZdoI2ne9TuG8K-S-aoZqiSC5DVAC68ZKfMXVaLq_LZquR5UWo-H6AxrC8ktjecHdXuH4tC6VKJhqalomlmb098/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_02_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe29CeXz3iY4HcxIGl9spdkwLa4GvdCJCq9AugxBFbXRPxSTvUDRjiZdoI2ne9TuG8K-S-aoZqiSC5DVAC68ZKfMXVaLq_LZquR5UWo-H6AxrC8ktjecHdXuH4tC6VKJhqalomlmb098/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_02_1.jpg" height="426" title="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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This skirt quickly became one of Hailey's favorites. It has the best colors and the proper amount of fantastic twirl. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm7LG5sDfjek9fXG7JMpN17mWrE1sbJnLeecsAAsFn6YlUqqjhp0LxqMAsGedS_skyLKMkPObJknMD5YmDq85O5XCx7Nbu7PxCmXEaRjxEeNYTr1vXS5XRScsji_k7-wbSh8046gHxBo/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm7LG5sDfjek9fXG7JMpN17mWrE1sbJnLeecsAAsFn6YlUqqjhp0LxqMAsGedS_skyLKMkPObJknMD5YmDq85O5XCx7Nbu7PxCmXEaRjxEeNYTr1vXS5XRScsji_k7-wbSh8046gHxBo/s1600/hillmade_simple+one+seam+skirt_09.jpg" height="640" title="A simple skirt sewn with just one straight seam. It doesn't get any easier than this! | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
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This works for making pencil skirts as well. Hailey has a couple of those she sports too. If you spot a great deal, this is an easy, minimal effort way of sewing a skirt. No hemming, no threading elastic through the waistband; just one cut, one seam and then you're done!<br />
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(<i>Depending on the length of the skirt and the size of your child, you may need to hem a little bit. Hailey wears a size 5/6 and the length of skirts has been perfect on her. If you need to hem, but don't want to, just roll the waistband up. It works, and no one will notice, promise.</i> :)<br />
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-48102243368012274822014-07-15T14:30:00.001-07:002016-01-19T08:50:43.958-08:00A Turquoise and Pink Country Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">01.19.16 edit: I have added a downloadable file for the Who Has the Groom game for those who may want to use it. </span></div>
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June was a busy month for my family. My sister was married at the end of the month. I spent a good portion of my free time helping prep for the wedding. I was so excited for my sister, and of course very eager to help craft and create wedding decorations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SVRDrCiWk4z5av17gDUL87q09yquJMbCpgjK__LboAgsPr9_xE_QAkDzM6upO_LIIPv5SITwVOm7Wq6_yvD5c81HKupqTvxApjYEvJ3pzxwYz41qMbQNQVJarxImTW8aUzx9bQgo6CI/s1600/IMG_7864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SVRDrCiWk4z5av17gDUL87q09yquJMbCpgjK__LboAgsPr9_xE_QAkDzM6upO_LIIPv5SITwVOm7Wq6_yvD5c81HKupqTvxApjYEvJ3pzxwYz41qMbQNQVJarxImTW8aUzx9bQgo6CI/s1600/IMG_7864.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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My now brother-in-law is a cowboy through and through. He is always in boots, jeans, and a hat. He and my sister go out hunting, fishing, and motorcycle riding. Naturally, the wedding was country themed: mason jars, burlap, lace, cowboy boots, and guns. The colors my sister picked were pink and turquoise, nice and bright for a fun summer wedding.</div>
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Let me share with you what kept me so busy helping plan this wedding. Besides helping with set up and food prep in the kitchen, I put my computer and crafting skills to work. When you procrastinate and do most of the work just weeks (or the night) before the wedding, it makes for jam packed days. Not that I did that..</div>
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To start the wedding month off, with some help from my mom and aunt, I hosted a bridal shower. Here is the invitation I made. Nice and simple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIitVF5FanpuPU_nE-YBXwXDHVMB9vw3Aa47JfxYh8y9b_WIRCf6wTAH13S2zhzZrJoVtTG3NFYtK3S6X71aMAxNvkartGLIoZq_VfmYjszR54esXHX_B4eHJ8bUrdxofYmsY2SeesFjA/s1600/Corinne's-bridal-shower-02_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIitVF5FanpuPU_nE-YBXwXDHVMB9vw3Aa47JfxYh8y9b_WIRCf6wTAH13S2zhzZrJoVtTG3NFYtK3S6X71aMAxNvkartGLIoZq_VfmYjszR54esXHX_B4eHJ8bUrdxofYmsY2SeesFjA/s1600/Corinne's-bridal-shower-02_web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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When I throw a party I really don't go all out. I like it to be nice, but not over the top. I don't decorate much or do anything real stressful or elaborate. Keep it simple. Corinne did request to play one game she had spotted on <a href="http://pinterest.com/renaeganell" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>:<i> Who Has the Groom?</i> I thought it was a fun idea, so we went with that.</div>
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The idea of the game is that each guest is given an envelope with a card inside. Most cards hold a celebrity, one or two others hold the groom. Whoever has an envelope with a picture of the groom wins a prize. Pretty basic. We played this game as we went around the room introducing ourselves. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqiO19Dm1OULyMzRqMY1YJ852F5m-TBaKUF3GX9or4TFkO4I18v0p_oDdBJR2Q6z6aXcNmKDTbrfIlneRJkmEOaXh1KLa9eP6ns-A_lim57E_vh4mrqL6lBccclAxIFgmUwGLeligIzk/s1600/hillmade_who+has+the+groom_bridal+shower+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqiO19Dm1OULyMzRqMY1YJ852F5m-TBaKUF3GX9or4TFkO4I18v0p_oDdBJR2Q6z6aXcNmKDTbrfIlneRJkmEOaXh1KLa9eP6ns-A_lim57E_vh4mrqL6lBccclAxIFgmUwGLeligIzk/s1600/hillmade_who+has+the+groom_bridal+shower+game.jpg" /></a></div>
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To make the cards I searched online and found an image of a model wearing a tuxedo. I also searched up different male celebrities and used Photoshop to place their heads onto the tuxedo body. I had so much fun making these cards! I included a few of Corinne's favorites, like Steve Irwin (who she loved as a child) and Spiderman.<br />
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I sized the cards to be business card size (2" x 3.5") so they would fit inside a small coin envelope. I rounded the edges of the cards with a corner punch. For the envelopes, I used a <a href="http://www.everythingmarybeth.com/2007/12/atc-envelope-free-download.html" target="_blank">template</a> found on <a href="http://everythingmarybeth.com/">Everything Mary Beth</a> and put the text on using Photoshop (or Illustrator) and then printed it all out on cardstock. To seal the envelopes I found a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Repositionable-Picture-Poster-E623/dp/B0008IT2KI/ref=sr_sp-btf_title_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1405457432&sr=8-6&keywords=repositionable+glue" target="_blank">glue stick</a> that was repositionable. It worked great! Follow the instructions, wait a minute or two before sealing the envelope, otherwise it will just stick like regular glue. If you wait, you can open and close it over and over and it will continue to stick and unstick. </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZbS0xRF9RTlJHLW8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here to download a copy of the game with envelopes.</a></span></div>
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Now, onto the wedding. I designed the wedding announcements. I am really happy with how they turned out. They were double-sided, information on one side, pictures on the other.<br />
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At the reception, for centerpieces among the burlap and mason jars, my sister requested I make some fact sheets about each the bride and groom. I made a little table tent that had a picture and a few facts about each of them on either side.<br />
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Another requested idea were signs greeting guests as they made their way into the reception. The signs read a welcome message, the bride and groom's names, the date, and a few other fun messages like "The hunt is over!". To make these signs we cut some plywood into rectangles, I think they ended up being 8 x 16. I made stencils on the computer and used my silhouette to cut them out of cardstock, we taped them in place and then painted with acrylic paint and foam brushes. Then the plywood was glued to wood stakes that were found at Home Depot. The signs turned out even better than I had imagined (especially considering we finished them at 10:00 pm the night before the wedding).<br />
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The last item I helped with was a quilt. My sister had seen the idea of using a quilt as a guest book and wanted to do that. That's fitting for a country wedding, right? So just a few weeks before the wedding my mom and I got down to business and busted out a quilt top. There were a few times when we were together cutting squares all afternoon, or sewing with both of our machines next to each other. With the two of us working hard we got it done.<br />
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The quilt pattern I found is called a Siggy Block, I found it over at <a href="http://sparrowquilts.com/tutorials/siggy-block-tutorial-block-swap/" target="_blank">Sparrow Quilts</a>. This pattern was perfect for the guest book idea. We did size it up a little bit, so the blocks were a bit bigger. It worked out great. Now Corinne and Taylor will have a guest book they will actually look at. Once we get it quilted that is... :)<br />
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That is a small bit of our summer craziness. Now to focus on completely reworking our backyard. Yay!<br />
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So tell me, what is keeping you busy this summer?<br />
<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-4693331579031560982014-06-11T13:06:00.004-07:002021-10-05T16:29:05.460-07:00Create: Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Where has the time gone!? Seriously, anyone else feel this way? It seems to be that this time of the year gets busy, busy, busy for us. Nearly non-stop busy. Preschool is out, swimming lessons are in, and the park is calling our name. Besides that we have a wedding coming up, (<i>My little sister is getting married and I have been trying to help out with preparations as much as I can. Some of which I'll share with you another day when I have a few more extra minutes</i>.) family from both sides coming and going over the course of the next month and an entire backyard to tear up and redo.</div>
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We've been playing where we can, but nothing super structured. Come fall we'll start up again with fun activities. :)</div>
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In the meantime, while I'm trying to slow down just enough to catch my breath, let me share with you the tutorial I shared over at <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Someday Crafts</a> back in March.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1F9M1JVBhxeILHwowBSJQfj1qVDjp3c_bScwGS9-y6DT9NqG1VkOd1PBZY6-zb-cfjkqfefUxSb40HQPcgnPY5-jZHvgh5hXa8XNl1sLBpxoxK7KVAU3rp3C-Kr8oAl3edhw1nDnQFA/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel_pin+image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1F9M1JVBhxeILHwowBSJQfj1qVDjp3c_bScwGS9-y6DT9NqG1VkOd1PBZY6-zb-cfjkqfefUxSb40HQPcgnPY5-jZHvgh5hXa8XNl1sLBpxoxK7KVAU3rp3C-Kr8oAl3edhw1nDnQFA/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel_pin+image.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="426" /></a></div>
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The crafting series for the month was <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/Crafting%20for%20Baby" target="_blank">Crafting for Baby</a>. My brother-in-law and his wife were due with a baby boy, so I chose to make a gift for them. I have been wanting to make new hooded towels for my girls (and still haven't done it!), so I thought I might try it out and make one for baby boy.</div>
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I know I haven't posted much sewing on here recently, but I really do love it. It is my happy place- sometimes it's just hard to get myself there. Besides a love for sewing, I also love monsters. I think they are adorable and just plain fun! Once I spotted this monster fabric at the store, it was pretty much a done deal. The hooded towel became a monster hooded towel. You can use this same pattern to make a non-monster hooded towel, just skip over the applique parts.</div>
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Ready to get sewing!?<i> (Just FYI: This tutorial is for an infant hooded towel (ages 0-18 months)</i></div>
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<b>You will need:</b></div>
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<li>1 yard terry cloth</li>
<li>1 yard cotton fabric</li>
<li>scraps of white fabric</li>
<li>scraps of black fabric</li>
<li>small pieces of fusible web (like Wonder Under)</li>
<li>pattern (found <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZZERuV0pGa2hnbWs/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-OKxbARnQBTdUA90rKcn_2A" target="_blank">here</a>)</li>
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<i>All seam allowances are 3/8" (the edge of the presser foot for me).</i></div>
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<b>Step 1: </b>Print out the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZZERuV0pGa2hnbWs/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-OKxbARnQBTdUA90rKcn_2A" target="_blank">pattern</a>, cut out the pieces, and assemble the hood piece (labeled A, B, and C).<br />
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<b>Step 2:</b> Cut the terry cloth down to 30" x 30". You will have some fabric left over, save it, you'll need it for the hood pieces. Also cut the cotton fabric to 30" x 30". Take the excess terry cloth fabric, fold it over lengthwise and pin and cut out the hood pattern piece (like in the image below). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQmIxpgvBbH-C2WD-zxSrZ0Tcx2UtWoJHqvhPjOqpPjo5EXZ1kDwUJ7-5odMRUgu7gZat-usD9ZChQSxEftToc3gjoeIBEfjEXS4T-z0RmgHI-KYIJtZVHnDQD-vWgIY1cIl7tjyVaIU/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQmIxpgvBbH-C2WD-zxSrZ0Tcx2UtWoJHqvhPjOqpPjo5EXZ1kDwUJ7-5odMRUgu7gZat-usD9ZChQSxEftToc3gjoeIBEfjEXS4T-z0RmgHI-KYIJtZVHnDQD-vWgIY1cIl7tjyVaIU/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+01.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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Using the scraps of white fabric, and the <i>white of eye</i> pattern piece cut out the eyes. Use the white fabric to cut out the teeth as well. Do the same with the scraps of black fabric and the <i>pupil</i> pattern piece.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEgUZ27Aj8fFfJmG3PddpsxoewEUP_IpPRU04b3SR3yOzcv9O1ilI0np2XTsKLtx6cym6Kf8mytqLh5CTID-WsnoG7xJHI6YEpBbLVRCp6q512UeyVb-PWmDsgLhgoHhtvq6vtY8mvALOo0/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ27Aj8fFfJmG3PddpsxoewEUP_IpPRU04b3SR3yOzcv9O1ilI0np2XTsKLtx6cym6Kf8mytqLh5CTID-WsnoG7xJHI6YEpBbLVRCp6q512UeyVb-PWmDsgLhgoHhtvq6vtY8mvALOo0/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+02.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All cut and ready to sew! (This image is missing the teeth, they were an after thought.)</td></tr>
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<b>Step 3: </b>Following the product instructions, iron the fusible web to the back of the eyes, pupils, and teeth. Peel off the paper backing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BToXbKkWzHrtxzAr_bYeAp2U4anNMiEGyPApSmrTRyQ8mMyYEJep8iHjG1yDkRgP4IOAOs56AEG61Pp8f5gohU8K-jsBfyz2ouwkP4WtjF82zMFkQXl7nUCPFcDlwd7geowcB9x0WwM/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BToXbKkWzHrtxzAr_bYeAp2U4anNMiEGyPApSmrTRyQ8mMyYEJep8iHjG1yDkRgP4IOAOs56AEG61Pp8f5gohU8K-jsBfyz2ouwkP4WtjF82zMFkQXl7nUCPFcDlwd7geowcB9x0WwM/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+03.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 4:</b> Lay out the eyes and teeth on one of the hood pieces. Make sure the eyes aren't too high or close to the edge, remember the seam allowance (3/8"). I placed the eyes approx. 1 1/2" from the top of the piece, and approx. 2" from the side. See the image below:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6xHpZnVtged8iERshnelsDosNiiEHzwNpkDF4nEpcxN6e9mAFp6GC5d4a_Mhd19Iy1CwHmyYwD6_x7uidCJoXZAiFE3BeQKxlCxJDV6UeHzQW6mbazHrxf1AvAD8S3mrG3mR2Z96bTQ/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+04_measure.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6xHpZnVtged8iERshnelsDosNiiEHzwNpkDF4nEpcxN6e9mAFp6GC5d4a_Mhd19Iy1CwHmyYwD6_x7uidCJoXZAiFE3BeQKxlCxJDV6UeHzQW6mbazHrxf1AvAD8S3mrG3mR2Z96bTQ/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+04_measure.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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Iron in place.</div>
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<b>Step 5:</b> Applique around the eye and teeth pieces. I used a zig-zag stitch. I set the sitch width to 2.5 and the length to 1.5. The scrap fabric I used was knit, which doesn't fray, so a small zig-zag works fine. If you use a fabric that fays easily, like cotton, you may want to tighten up the stitch width.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiiWh0CTxCNkqoICWKr20yi4be_q2ySl1Ox5aeeR0D32hD-gorPYaZ9E_M6Y07iFPJHPMcqb911p0yfia4mbU1UYuw1Y-SIC3_NPo6hFwozihHyYdNFXRoUgOijlLCzMHJmJFirG4U1Y/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiiWh0CTxCNkqoICWKr20yi4be_q2ySl1Ox5aeeR0D32hD-gorPYaZ9E_M6Y07iFPJHPMcqb911p0yfia4mbU1UYuw1Y-SIC3_NPo6hFwozihHyYdNFXRoUgOijlLCzMHJmJFirG4U1Y/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+05.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you haven't ever done applique don't be scared off by it! I hadn't either until this towel. It really is pretty easy, just <b>go slow</b>. Take your time and it'll turn out great! Around the curves, if you need to, don't hesitate to leave the needle down, lift the presser foot and pivot the fabric slightly. Tight curves can be tricky, doing this helps a lot!<br />
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<b>Step 6: </b>Now take both hood pieces. With the right sides together, stitch along the bottom of the hood. Turn right side out and press.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqtl697D6QSyW_0v4NYWD5wp-MxpO5Qwqg-4Zj49fNRiO5tO-mdjHD1YqfNCuj9HIly03rgdDpTcpxVRfejxszpljCr7ZVEi2EmcETt_7lUUF7sLt7VqcG3NLqhiR6166y2_PG2NgaeI/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqtl697D6QSyW_0v4NYWD5wp-MxpO5Qwqg-4Zj49fNRiO5tO-mdjHD1YqfNCuj9HIly03rgdDpTcpxVRfejxszpljCr7ZVEi2EmcETt_7lUUF7sLt7VqcG3NLqhiR6166y2_PG2NgaeI/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+07.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 7: </b>Use the corner rounding piece to round the edges of the 30" x 30" pieces of fabric (both terry cloth and cotton). Either pin the piece in place and cut around it, or use a pen with disappearing ink to trace around the pattern piece. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71GO4NGTe8jUteEqI5sUufQN3kV1J-pNBc-gaWsmRhrDBC0YLYgO4yihz6Upt9hQbnQpgj_ZZ-3UbHmHPtZh-T1tjc-YgIFyncsnqjpOKFOGWoTfi9hqr0WugpoJmV6j13bst6HzD6Z4/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71GO4NGTe8jUteEqI5sUufQN3kV1J-pNBc-gaWsmRhrDBC0YLYgO4yihz6Upt9hQbnQpgj_ZZ-3UbHmHPtZh-T1tjc-YgIFyncsnqjpOKFOGWoTfi9hqr0WugpoJmV6j13bst6HzD6Z4/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+08.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 8:</b> With the right sides together, pin all pieces in place. Sandwich the hood between the terry cloth and cotton fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02n6nTjPkB8fyViLaGqvqgfoScXc0sIkcHLcfq0MlzvzCmO5sXW9kKaJxORrPou71VkD1hyoUfwMov55CLMMk26jHS5XD185oTG96lfkhY1iYDsnbmkQf46VqWUNEGOUKUiMJltnD0jE/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02n6nTjPkB8fyViLaGqvqgfoScXc0sIkcHLcfq0MlzvzCmO5sXW9kKaJxORrPou71VkD1hyoUfwMov55CLMMk26jHS5XD185oTG96lfkhY1iYDsnbmkQf46VqWUNEGOUKUiMJltnD0jE/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+09.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 9:</b> Starting in the middle of one edge, sew the towel together. Be sure to leave a 6 inch gap so you can turn it right side out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET8_boEcyO2TQsOabzUzrrVaz_kLQqCpqZpFNUhRBtzMUARWCZ5Hbp_GunNlANxnt-E49yLHtXFgAnJec1Cd3SuzjSJQOHYIV1h43-0t6BhcLg-ZcwbrR6dNxPyVVhWfeZUmXF1u0zGY/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET8_boEcyO2TQsOabzUzrrVaz_kLQqCpqZpFNUhRBtzMUARWCZ5Hbp_GunNlANxnt-E49yLHtXFgAnJec1Cd3SuzjSJQOHYIV1h43-0t6BhcLg-ZcwbrR6dNxPyVVhWfeZUmXF1u0zGY/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+11.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is helpful to mark the gap with double pins, so you don't accidentally sew it closed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX0vfc4Cnd0LsS7AJhwPi7eD0MJ1VOuvLgyY39PTipoHDuv3rNmGF2MwifmXJDHp3eiXFOaY8_8U5hTL0UMPw2eyJnQ1qCtX4vJNJN9JIjHi00pjJNYvh2i-_M6lKC9JB_C8h-bwDuec/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX0vfc4Cnd0LsS7AJhwPi7eD0MJ1VOuvLgyY39PTipoHDuv3rNmGF2MwifmXJDHp3eiXFOaY8_8U5hTL0UMPw2eyJnQ1qCtX4vJNJN9JIjHi00pjJNYvh2i-_M6lKC9JB_C8h-bwDuec/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+12.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 10: </b>Turn the towel right side out and press. Topstitch around the towel, closing the 6 inch gap.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClNjap1UUEF5ChXHI_IVRbrw9zdKXATOBzd2RVob8EitO00DXwXGxwVLksTVvGOwZ9MHmEevXmF2KQqx1G6aJhT_Dwp7OxhqbAhds4TW-NYG-DyxjY-VX2YzG4S7xMa5NNdhE2SkjEMQ/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClNjap1UUEF5ChXHI_IVRbrw9zdKXATOBzd2RVob8EitO00DXwXGxwVLksTVvGOwZ9MHmEevXmF2KQqx1G6aJhT_Dwp7OxhqbAhds4TW-NYG-DyxjY-VX2YzG4S7xMa5NNdhE2SkjEMQ/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+13.jpg" title="Monster Infant Hooded Towel Tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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You're done! I know it looks like a lot of work, but it really is pretty simple. The most time consuming part is cutting out the fabric and assembling the monster hood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5q81vjzg8MgH1VaFVt-8IAdV8qLkotn4j8QLb1ZulDvYIgpAWcKIzCJCdpkaOUP8DTp5DaZ7kCkqc7VvVCtDynD9DdQXcCmcXWR0O1qniEmcJIaLVK0D0mg0dijwah1_zZO7OKbCJLA/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5q81vjzg8MgH1VaFVt-8IAdV8qLkotn4j8QLb1ZulDvYIgpAWcKIzCJCdpkaOUP8DTp5DaZ7kCkqc7VvVCtDynD9DdQXcCmcXWR0O1qniEmcJIaLVK0D0mg0dijwah1_zZO7OKbCJLA/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel+15.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Do you share my love of monsters? Check out my <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2012/04/tutorial-munster-sew-vivor-week-3.html" target="_blank">zipper mouthed plush monsters</a> (or Munsters) too!</div>
Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-58074652696999487502014-05-13T14:41:00.000-07:002014-05-13T14:41:20.448-07:00Cook | A Quick and Easy Lunch for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spring is here! (And has been for a little while now.) At our house that typically means that life begins to pick up the pace. When the weather is nice I feel guilty spending the day inside. We have found ourselves at the park, on walks, jogging, bike riding, and hiking the beautiful landscape we live in. Spring also calls for yard work, cleaning and organizing, weddings, graduations, and trips to the local amusement park.</div>
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Seriously, I have been finding it difficult to find time to sit down, relax and just breathe. There is always something to be done! I love it- but boy can it be exhausting!</div>
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One of the ways I have found to help make the day run smoother is to have quick lunches ready to go. A lot of the time that we decide to go to the park it is a last minute decision. It is typically nearing lunchtime, so of course we have to pack something to take with us. It usually takes twice as long as I think it should. If I have something quick I can grab, then we can get playing quicker and for longer, and then I can also limit the amount of time I have little people at my knees asking if it's time to go yet. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYvjwOfe3X8pM6iUw9Tywf8qjOuAa2_5mbw9RG6WlpwhDV2j1UVCEyxWDfdwvCX6IldmM0IBxDsD0a7_qaQopXLgOan1OJGWSxwEyCrMbAJzork5qU5VYzm1gEZEMkO0CTG-tSfVu6xQ/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_pin+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYvjwOfe3X8pM6iUw9Tywf8qjOuAa2_5mbw9RG6WlpwhDV2j1UVCEyxWDfdwvCX6IldmM0IBxDsD0a7_qaQopXLgOan1OJGWSxwEyCrMbAJzork5qU5VYzm1gEZEMkO0CTG-tSfVu6xQ/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_pin+image.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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One of the quickest lunches we have are lunchables. Hailey loves to get them from the store, but they can be expensive! Instead of buying them I make my own ahead of time and leave them in the fridge ready to grab and go. Really, it's pretty intuitive, but I have step-by-step pictures for you anyway. :)</div>
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Start with a block of cheese, some lunchmeat (I prefer thicker cut meat, it works better) and crackers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqiPkQRpTweGCW4SazFjai8bComs1RgxnUqBxoUWtrSlk24Gksb3FwIHhPrIvxqDGxEGYPzxpRwxROX2-PfR7_5TxY279G_paNE_o4Lbfep-cfuNDlCkx9GJAHUxrXHNQmGR_Srel73I/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqiPkQRpTweGCW4SazFjai8bComs1RgxnUqBxoUWtrSlk24Gksb3FwIHhPrIvxqDGxEGYPzxpRwxROX2-PfR7_5TxY279G_paNE_o4Lbfep-cfuNDlCkx9GJAHUxrXHNQmGR_Srel73I/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_02.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cut the cheese. (<i>He, he</i>... Not like <i>that! </i>So immature. <i>Cut the cheese... he he.</i>..) I cut the block along the long way, so the pieces are short, and then cut those pieces in half. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCrnkhvfoK7ORpJh2GyEa3Q6gXy8bP8UId1V3LAb5GCsKuNfzOHKXs19M6xcQ_cPEhQtVnlZcTuZ1EbASznGKROsl0dRl9papIFBOphcWG_BjskG6WyvxTnSsHAxdCSGY710ysP4dulY/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCrnkhvfoK7ORpJh2GyEa3Q6gXy8bP8UId1V3LAb5GCsKuNfzOHKXs19M6xcQ_cPEhQtVnlZcTuZ1EbASznGKROsl0dRl9papIFBOphcWG_BjskG6WyvxTnSsHAxdCSGY710ysP4dulY/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_03.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77Zaa0iQsNxTmvkvSh-NiK9gwVCFyjjJIxO4ZM6viurdl5ovwrukB6ahkEfC2VLmW8BtTnMii3XZDlkFODRAUb0NdGRfFA5aSSynvwrPEFQLD72jOktS_tlPJmue3GRWNioDg8LdS19g/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77Zaa0iQsNxTmvkvSh-NiK9gwVCFyjjJIxO4ZM6viurdl5ovwrukB6ahkEfC2VLmW8BtTnMii3XZDlkFODRAUb0NdGRfFA5aSSynvwrPEFQLD72jOktS_tlPJmue3GRWNioDg8LdS19g/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_04.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you want to get fancy, to easily cut the meat into circles I have found that my TBSP measuring spoon works great. Press it in and voila- circles! It's ok, you don't have to be fancy, just slice it up into small rectangles. It tastes the same, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5kxfmDmD1KjFzTQzHKgOOd6vu-UAYjmMm3d4I1NBb-3xA7ofKH7ot51nye0nWjFImEdBiZ4WRBOiDWXz2RHgQPDoQoTUs66Badls_S4b2qsjO3mXV-9lVuRGbu59sooJCdFsA7PH4X4/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5kxfmDmD1KjFzTQzHKgOOd6vu-UAYjmMm3d4I1NBb-3xA7ofKH7ot51nye0nWjFImEdBiZ4WRBOiDWXz2RHgQPDoQoTUs66Badls_S4b2qsjO3mXV-9lVuRGbu59sooJCdFsA7PH4X4/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_05.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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To avoid being wasteful, I cut up the excess meat left over from cutting circles and save it to put on salads or in eggs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwWJtrau_t3OoMQaGQJJXky2otpPhhJCFLYazf8Nkv_RhBr04XGnfcnHgS33uF1NvHC7xvoVCFvwHqeEEwh-rA7ujpN9w7XOsWr7f4kQI9FBIehH8JoogLT2zHI1CnWPy0OQTj3ovsEg/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwWJtrau_t3OoMQaGQJJXky2otpPhhJCFLYazf8Nkv_RhBr04XGnfcnHgS33uF1NvHC7xvoVCFvwHqeEEwh-rA7ujpN9w7XOsWr7f4kQI9FBIehH8JoogLT2zHI1CnWPy0OQTj3ovsEg/s1600/hillmade_lunchable_07.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bag up the cut meat and cheese and now you have a quick lunch to grab and go.</div>
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It makes my kids happy. Making your own little sandwiches is so fun!</div>
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-43085523111574710672014-04-21T21:06:00.001-07:002014-04-21T21:06:09.260-07:00Kids | Paper Bag Dresses and the Paper Bag Princess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We love the library. Just about every Thursday morning you can find me and my girls enjoying storytime at the library. While there, we check out a new stack of books each week. Hailey can hardly wait the 5 minute drive home before digging into the new books. She usually asks to look at one or two on the way home.</div>
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One book we have checked out a few times is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0920236162/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0920236162&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20">The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch</a>. <i>The Paper Bag Princess</i> is about a princess whose castle is destroyed by a dragon. The dragon carries away her prince, who she plans to marry. Everything the princess has is burnt by the fire of the dragon, including her clothes. The only thing to survive the dragon was a paper bag. The princess makes herself a dress from the paper bag and sets off to rescue her prince from the dragon. At the end of the book, after outwitting the dragon and rescuing the prince, the prince is no longer interested in the princess, because she is a dirty mess. The princess doesn't care, and leaves the prince, no longer intent on marrying him.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0920236162/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0920236162&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0920236162&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hillmade-20" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0920236162/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0920236162&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20">The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hillmade-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0920236162" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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What I like most about the story is the idea in the end that the princess knows the prince is wrong. She has a good sense of her own self worth and knows that how she looks is not an important part of who she is.</div>
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One afternoon Hailey asked me for an activity to do. We ended up making impromptu paper bag dresses, just like the Paper Bag Princess. You can too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16BIRjzNfz7ykfJlWWo6RBuC1oXv4PHNb2G5-7GQCyyNYPXYuyjiGbM1wfhv4ihO5EEC8FHCxKnib-KmfOVlKvfw30YtSeKy2Qstp9DhHiNAOkjCzc9JTpzThtelESeiaIByE_2C44UI/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_pin+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16BIRjzNfz7ykfJlWWo6RBuC1oXv4PHNb2G5-7GQCyyNYPXYuyjiGbM1wfhv4ihO5EEC8FHCxKnib-KmfOVlKvfw30YtSeKy2Qstp9DhHiNAOkjCzc9JTpzThtelESeiaIByE_2C44UI/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_pin+image.jpg" height="640" title="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="422" /></a></div>
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We started by ripping open the bottom of the bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdbQ9u9QPD3cQGO_5DTaACYKArNGLDdqIZiUBgEHn6FI37RNp3ERf3-ZWvsdec2HcubXDDk7KqH1-FqwXwUifJsGbcb6qt8O7ai2vAx4vCD-gYYzv5UcBlLfAfISRw_pL5pDs5bskLr8/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdbQ9u9QPD3cQGO_5DTaACYKArNGLDdqIZiUBgEHn6FI37RNp3ERf3-ZWvsdec2HcubXDDk7KqH1-FqwXwUifJsGbcb6qt8O7ai2vAx4vCD-gYYzv5UcBlLfAfISRw_pL5pDs5bskLr8/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_01.jpg" height="640" title="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vyIvLzufoZV5IBXX4Wp33ISvXNoDz7ql8-tDUta9JoqyY54pgRMuOSN1mrSCPSzExD7qAegQJ9mtRc2bwnOV3bQIeh6CaaeerHS4fi6gSX91PcugYrHzlHca6YvTI6ezkRN6o0_jAHY/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vyIvLzufoZV5IBXX4Wp33ISvXNoDz7ql8-tDUta9JoqyY54pgRMuOSN1mrSCPSzExD7qAegQJ9mtRc2bwnOV3bQIeh6CaaeerHS4fi6gSX91PcugYrHzlHca6YvTI6ezkRN6o0_jAHY/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_02.jpg" height="426" title="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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After Hailey tore the bottom open, I used some scissors to cleanly cut away the paper. You should have a tube to look through after the bottom is cut open. (Yes, Keira has marker on her face. That girl loves markes, but she always makes a mess!)</div>
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Then we decorated. We used crayons, markers and stickers. I think paints or stamps would be fun too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq3FOowoDXOv3BPo02AThgsBnvw9LsYWfaLTTk2LJV9gE2Yq6IG10Qj61HGhlmrRs5Wl_g_M_2kuGIpGgo99nNKjyaGWge3fqV-k0xpm-Vq2xbPq4TTwAjsix4HHMXxa8qORT79P7SyY/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq3FOowoDXOv3BPo02AThgsBnvw9LsYWfaLTTk2LJV9gE2Yq6IG10Qj61HGhlmrRs5Wl_g_M_2kuGIpGgo99nNKjyaGWge3fqV-k0xpm-Vq2xbPq4TTwAjsix4HHMXxa8qORT79P7SyY/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_04.jpg" height="426" title="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hailey decided to practice writing and traced the letters on the bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MrA7G_CiGglmknTXNgrDVRTW_foquINiiJBPsoigFpiMJQOdXeyj4HXTG5jZsoj-ekgBRCDQEuz8OoX_Auvq_2mopWCrdLEVYtvYz89jPcxP2oMXV3uGHsL6wsYztxS0E4-inI3mNt4/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MrA7G_CiGglmknTXNgrDVRTW_foquINiiJBPsoigFpiMJQOdXeyj4HXTG5jZsoj-ekgBRCDQEuz8OoX_Auvq_2mopWCrdLEVYtvYz89jPcxP2oMXV3uGHsL6wsYztxS0E4-inI3mNt4/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_07.jpg" height="426" title="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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After we decorated, the dresses were nearly ready to wear. Hailey complained that the top of the bag was digging into her arm pit, so we cut holes in the bag so it would sit more comfortably.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJq0yTJYGTwuZwzyC_TSMZd0xk3U5URuq_zJKQLakP9aNkSJCL0NL8fVnsf3NkX-Bn0LAS6hyphenhyphen7r9kMnUJN20xw3NwDvwZeh0k3Ntb1g429EGT-n6JNBpJ26nSBWqiEBk9aluTbpYqhKE/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJq0yTJYGTwuZwzyC_TSMZd0xk3U5URuq_zJKQLakP9aNkSJCL0NL8fVnsf3NkX-Bn0LAS6hyphenhyphen7r9kMnUJN20xw3NwDvwZeh0k3Ntb1g429EGT-n6JNBpJ26nSBWqiEBk9aluTbpYqhKE/s1600/hillmade_paper+bag+dresses_10.jpg" height="426" title="Make a paper bag dress to go along with the story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | hillmade.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's it. Easy peasy, but fun. So go grab some large paper bags, art supplies, and a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0920236162/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0920236162&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20" style="text-align: center;">The Paper Bag Princess</a> and craft away!<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-2056121558118872902014-03-31T06:00:00.000-07:002014-03-31T06:00:06.253-07:00Kids | Exploring with Non-Newtonian Fluid (Oobleck)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kyle is the cool kid at our house. He has one of those brains that is constantly dreaming up something new and fun. He loves to see how things work and experiment. Of course, he loves to share all of this with our girls. After dinner one evening, Kyle led us all in some fun with science. </div>
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Kyle and I have seen videos of people walking on what looks like liquid. Walking (<i>running really</i>) straight across it. What these people have done is made a large quantity of what is called a non-Newtonian fluid (also known as Oobleck). It is a fluid that when at rest acts as a liquid, but when force is placed upon it, it acts like a solid. It is crazy cool stuff. It's a mixture of water and cornstarch. That's it! </div>
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We played with this stuff for an hour, and only quit because it was bedtime. Hailey would have kept going and going and going... Seriously, if you need to occupy your children for an hour, make them some Oobleck. Or if you would like something fun to do <i>with</i> your children, make some Oobleck. :)</div>
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<b>You need:</b></div>
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1 1/2 cups water</div>
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16 oz. cornstarch</div>
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To make it, grab a large bowl or tub. Pour in the water. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx75jnBgg3i9sZk8zUjUL8ukX4V1F_XyIsso9HRjB39c8ft8GIJsH6RodqG5d7WsKnIV6tC4ynvsfpvoHQRJexSAuzj1uJv2oRPg7EQg0rzOhnM2qhtbG9hXjJmjgloM5MNGL4wcBCIhk/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx75jnBgg3i9sZk8zUjUL8ukX4V1F_XyIsso9HRjB39c8ft8GIJsH6RodqG5d7WsKnIV6tC4ynvsfpvoHQRJexSAuzj1uJv2oRPg7EQg0rzOhnM2qhtbG9hXjJmjgloM5MNGL4wcBCIhk/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+01.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Add the cornstarch. Start with a little, mix. Add some more, mix. We didn't follow any recipe, we just experimented until it turned out. We used almost the entire 16 oz. of cornstarch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthHj9DzeAh8ljzdDznwjD7dNLQYBjao6jWAOTLlbi67qOqwfgjB598sKwRFGfX2lgHmIXBJrD5lutUOkvx_2WxYQl3Pj63eBTMU_JXl-gklKZZScDRBdUvgkFsh2NtQB1IEQRE8NL5j4/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthHj9DzeAh8ljzdDznwjD7dNLQYBjao6jWAOTLlbi67qOqwfgjB598sKwRFGfX2lgHmIXBJrD5lutUOkvx_2WxYQl3Pj63eBTMU_JXl-gklKZZScDRBdUvgkFsh2NtQB1IEQRE8NL5j4/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+02.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the mixture is the right consistency it will pull away from the edges of the bowl.</div>
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Now roll up your sleeves, dig your hands in and play!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g5T3BvZZGxu0qVSBzfl2biW3MTXdxUBR460OnEWEHWJfPm1yFE9-wOCi0zGbTrpFsp7r9_VCTWDft3K_e-1JZ7a12HhZc5GWWcfFDty05t4qQdk5PnSCN1yzjjYT3iV4RmDr5MqfxCU/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g5T3BvZZGxu0qVSBzfl2biW3MTXdxUBR460OnEWEHWJfPm1yFE9-wOCi0zGbTrpFsp7r9_VCTWDft3K_e-1JZ7a12HhZc5GWWcfFDty05t4qQdk5PnSCN1yzjjYT3iV4RmDr5MqfxCU/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+03.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Try pushing down with your fingers and see how the fluid resists them.<br />
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Now relax and watch your finger sink into the goo.<br />
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Roll the goo into a ball and watch it ooze out of your hand when you stop rolling. (<i>Sorry the video is choppy, I made it from still images I had taken.</i>)<br />
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This stuff is serious fun. I even got into it and had a blast with it. Yes, it's messy, but it cleans right up with water, no scrubbing. Just wet a towel and wipe it away. Now, that's my kind of mess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69KS3OC06DAKaGEaq4y9TTY0waw5KxDR4uQKRYO-9LD_SyQNVWhZPYHQnjwn5JDAjjEyb6l3_sgFS7MrF3K7PKQP5m6Tn5EU26wVlJ39y-5kNRMrjCvi0X2LojF76hLuN7knFwNemwpM/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69KS3OC06DAKaGEaq4y9TTY0waw5KxDR4uQKRYO-9LD_SyQNVWhZPYHQnjwn5JDAjjEyb6l3_sgFS7MrF3K7PKQP5m6Tn5EU26wVlJ39y-5kNRMrjCvi0X2LojF76hLuN7knFwNemwpM/s1600/hillmade_non-newtonian+fluid+06.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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If you do just one messy activity with your kids, make it this one! They will love it. You will earn major cool parent points for it. I'm thinking we need to have some friends over and do it again. Anyone want to come play with us!?<br />
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-58226136748554293882014-03-28T09:38:00.000-07:002014-03-28T09:38:08.152-07:00I'm Guest Posting Today: Monster Infant Hooded TowelHey all! I'm guest posting over at <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2014/03/crafting-for-baby-monster-hooded-towel.html" target="_blank">Someday Crafts</a> today as part of their <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2014/03/crafting-for-baby-series.html" target="_blank">Crafting for Baby Series</a>. I am sharing a tutorial to make this monster infant hooded towel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG9nNqNiYt2IJefNB-Jc6ADGZiMSMOyrYLkuBO1bsGDo8TtirXG3Z1zunXtAcCXLsI0E1a6rn34hlrcM34WvUTM1UKZzN1DPvJAwfePJB6lCS5pWKQvlVEKGQt0kRJxEB6mRa6st_N3k/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel_pin+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG9nNqNiYt2IJefNB-Jc6ADGZiMSMOyrYLkuBO1bsGDo8TtirXG3Z1zunXtAcCXLsI0E1a6rn34hlrcM34WvUTM1UKZzN1DPvJAwfePJB6lCS5pWKQvlVEKGQt0kRJxEB6mRa6st_N3k/s1600/hillmade_Infant+Hooded+Towel_pin+image.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I know I have been a little sparse in posting recently. I've been busy working on this tutorial and playing outside with my girls. The weather here has been fantastic! I have a new post to share on Monday, so be sure to check back then! And of course, click over to Someday Crafts and check out <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2014/03/crafting-for-baby-monster-hooded-towel.html" target="_blank">my tutorial</a>, plus the others that have been shared by other bloggers.<br />
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-72968226765677671752014-03-11T15:13:00.000-07:002014-03-11T15:13:51.729-07:00Kids | A Fun and Simple Matching Game: Steal the Pile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love to play games. I grew up in a game playing house. When I was in high school, nearly every Sunday evening after dinner our family would sit down and play some sort of game together. Kyle's family is the same way. Sunday evening is game night. Games are a great way to spend time together as a family.</div>
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My maternal grandmother was a big game player. We often joked that we wouldn't teach her the rules to a new game we were playing, just to give her a handicap, because she would end up winning anyway. As a child I remember going to her house to visit and playing cards with her. We played with a set of cards that have kittens on them, which were always called the "Kitty Cards". Years after her passing, I have those cards as a special reminder of the fun I had playing cards with my grandma.</div>
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The game I remember playing most often with Grandma was <i>Steal the Pile</i>. It is a simple matching game that even small children (preschool age) can pick up on. I have taught Hailey how to play and she loves it. It is one of the games we play most frequently together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJfdZfaKEipmpbic5lYWfgEqRf6ltyPLT3NpSnrkCWd035_NERSus_WGojejOAnb61kTK4A3PT9DmGYbEYBhivIpEn82oA910BEGGpFDfuBmtG3W3UeQQbIQRc8xAfChEMNe4dBBvxBk/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile+child+game_pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJfdZfaKEipmpbic5lYWfgEqRf6ltyPLT3NpSnrkCWd035_NERSus_WGojejOAnb61kTK4A3PT9DmGYbEYBhivIpEn82oA910BEGGpFDfuBmtG3W3UeQQbIQRc8xAfChEMNe4dBBvxBk/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile+child+game_pin.jpg" height="640" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="426" /></a></div>
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Interested in playing? I'll teach you.</div>
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<b>1. </b>Start by dealing out 4 cards, face down, to each player. Then deal 4 cards, face up, in the center.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2PRzoPwYMM1tadiz2NpmsbUv6aXy6EsTt_e2oaA4XQkQsIrpsQgMjxZgWSElTZOj28z6VAK6uPn0WVNA3wPJolMoc1skMRO6fCEFeAG8QXtw5b4B7EHxgLaNbptH4OruyJqJD3VeaHI/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_04.jpg"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2PRzoPwYMM1tadiz2NpmsbUv6aXy6EsTt_e2oaA4XQkQsIrpsQgMjxZgWSElTZOj28z6VAK6uPn0WVNA3wPJolMoc1skMRO6fCEFeAG8QXtw5b4B7EHxgLaNbptH4OruyJqJD3VeaHI/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_04.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>2.</b> Each player picks up their hand and compares the cards they are holding with those on the table, looking for matches. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae5xlBfd25fX3rDwsnqS2chhyphenhyphenI0KDDE2G4Fxz55CDTP7xUDImH3T3h-XqlzDueZZOIKmfRgJGx12Qe_O5EIw1mhYekXzx8NqpQD4O6iRhNGmtItWh3R53Lgrdk7sOMz9r5ihrSuxUbuE/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae5xlBfd25fX3rDwsnqS2chhyphenhyphenI0KDDE2G4Fxz55CDTP7xUDImH3T3h-XqlzDueZZOIKmfRgJGx12Qe_O5EIw1mhYekXzx8NqpQD4O6iRhNGmtItWh3R53Lgrdk7sOMz9r5ihrSuxUbuE/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_05.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mMsBqT_Xq1M4ehYKSWzu_ETZhKv3KgTwpAtVGCQg3YER1Xd6EpG9c9meM80fC_KJjZ4Sb4pF5jEo9sqAUmq9QJeY-zVFryySwQwprN-j_vZuBA8yAMNjmc3F3aexpdHzeamm0haMfE0/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mMsBqT_Xq1M4ehYKSWzu_ETZhKv3KgTwpAtVGCQg3YER1Xd6EpG9c9meM80fC_KJjZ4Sb4pF5jEo9sqAUmq9QJeY-zVFryySwQwprN-j_vZuBA8yAMNjmc3F3aexpdHzeamm0haMfE0/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_01.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>3. </b>Players take turns selecting a card from their hand and matching it with one face up on the table. If they have a match they take the matching card from their hand and the other matching card from the table and set them in a pile in front of them.</div>
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<b>4.</b> If the player can not match any of the cards face up on the table, they then discard any card in their hand face up on the table, adding it to those already there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiaV2H5xCF8tRS75t4kO6dbYTBw0AvLaNFWjz-r-dpvS9n080RUGppcSgTPRyzYaasWlFevnHiA_bmx8nGqdP8bVQP81v2a1kpkSw42QuOziCir4NTtQqijk7ObSiRvn9QBTFtFJq0Y8/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiaV2H5xCF8tRS75t4kO6dbYTBw0AvLaNFWjz-r-dpvS9n080RUGppcSgTPRyzYaasWlFevnHiA_bmx8nGqdP8bVQP81v2a1kpkSw42QuOziCir4NTtQqijk7ObSiRvn9QBTFtFJq0Y8/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_09.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63g5hNkq7Pz9cxpMn7k3YZfoXK27RbPULjladsTqI-XtP8Vvm0bgu1qj61h4QxCywlOIiO4byXnZsBbwiudU2ppOSkSyNHAzXGmoL9YyCS_Micsjq_vUEjl4fgWjI7atGi6kNWQ_1kw/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63g5hNkq7Pz9cxpMn7k3YZfoXK27RbPULjladsTqI-XtP8Vvm0bgu1qj61h4QxCywlOIiO4byXnZsBbwiudU2ppOSkSyNHAzXGmoL9YyCS_Micsjq_vUEjl4fgWjI7atGi6kNWQ_1kw/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_06.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>5.</b> The twist in the game is that besides matching those cards in the center of the table, you may also match with your opponents pile of cards they have made. If you have a card in your hand that matches the top card of their pile, you may match and steal their entire pile and add it to your own. Thus the name, <i>Steal the Pile</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhWH8tK6oNZyWlHGGMEy1XMo36T7p-GnzsPvgD3WG2eiK5prmQ8So4rFpQfkkCazV46EJyKoK8nCbh6uhMTLfOO4ycVt2e6hK_xRO-qo9ygIKYhnsA9MqI2S22Y7usrwZsSLaTcLJAoA/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhWH8tK6oNZyWlHGGMEy1XMo36T7p-GnzsPvgD3WG2eiK5prmQ8So4rFpQfkkCazV46EJyKoK8nCbh6uhMTLfOO4ycVt2e6hK_xRO-qo9ygIKYhnsA9MqI2S22Y7usrwZsSLaTcLJAoA/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_08.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>6.</b> After both players have played their initial 4 cards, another set of 4 cards is dealt to each player. Play continues the same as the previous round. Once all of the cards in the deck have been dealt out and played, the player with the most cards wins!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WKkAz9ztP5kMnRIJaEwbnbMMTriGFm46lRDPO8WcdouKx73_GHBIUthN2Hf-npZjTr-O-W0BW3nArSkwqjQ-vbcHEYDG4Lm9Ka2pv3WdYAwSRRhC6wHU5DtJ497KecU4QkV9nHkO3iE/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WKkAz9ztP5kMnRIJaEwbnbMMTriGFm46lRDPO8WcdouKx73_GHBIUthN2Hf-npZjTr-O-W0BW3nArSkwqjQ-vbcHEYDG4Lm9Ka2pv3WdYAwSRRhC6wHU5DtJ497KecU4QkV9nHkO3iE/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_03.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hailey thinks it is so fun to steal my pile. Likewise, she understands it's all in good sport when I take hers away too. It just means she needs to try to get it back!</div>
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It did take her a few rounds to completely get the concept, and sometimes I still need to give her a little bit of help. The more we play, the better she is getting at picking up the strategy of the game. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xMvJ1aUDK7sNk3GmF4Q5ADUbSTWRoN1RUzSYJEMg9duLGcgTFElG6PR48nC8yv1HCzQcAx59rKz9sKY-R0czzORMLtoc7cSzRHEMODY29xE0_S6e6G6zdIXt-SONzBZymTAUnGeKuSQ/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xMvJ1aUDK7sNk3GmF4Q5ADUbSTWRoN1RUzSYJEMg9duLGcgTFElG6PR48nC8yv1HCzQcAx59rKz9sKY-R0czzORMLtoc7cSzRHEMODY29xE0_S6e6G6zdIXt-SONzBZymTAUnGeKuSQ/s1600/hillmade_steal+the+pile_02.jpg" height="426" title="Steal the Pile | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun and simple matching game for kids of all ages!" width="640" /></a></div>
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If your preschooler/kindergartener likes to play games, check out the <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/kids-sight-word-memory.html" target="_blank">sight word memory</a> game I created. It has been a fun and successful way of teaching Hailey sight words.<br />
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<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/kids-sight-word-memory.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Sight Word Memory | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun way for beginning readers to learn sight words!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DXMawATj1T-2V5jrbG1D1wRUGVQulptTLbYYHDPGy4H01Bfqs-Z-ydeerfsi9UVP5PAgKsjIQgRQKGrsq1XA8egBC9rAYC4Ku6SRm2vK1QbYjf-r24OfbaDLPf7xpz248i7WK2s7xpk/s1600/sight+word+memory.png" title="Sight Word Memory | hillmade.blogspot.com | A fun way for beginning readers to learn sight words!" /></a></div>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-66956854226657205212014-02-28T15:04:00.001-08:002014-02-28T15:06:56.670-08:0010 Arts and Crafts for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hailey loves to do arts and crafts. I really enjoy doing it with her too. Here are some arts and crafts projects we've done together.<br />
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<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-magic-crayon-resist-art.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD0AldLW2z_K12l7kbRZFtqmFF0wTwBdJDGddrLCxBJ_GfuCYzD0vz9W3jGOREGp1C3LnCxsY7eYh3C2LovRmtNrXjyM1ktZL16UrXYQz1J_Wm00jtE5xpjW867xNZPRABM38DU5PoIc/s1600/magic+crayon+art.png" height="200" width="200" /></a>
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-and-egg.html#.UxDzHPldUpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR-aKqcOno0I6eCmX8YxsCj8r8WoHbP4SCiTIJtbYWkMKo_03WijfoeBCJ0ZBpiUfepGDXl8wNwizlG5pdavONhVh8OeRLe9tJYFlJd74qnOjwg9l5SR6dB4JHGe54vcKokqEr_8jFsI/s1600/egg+carton+caterpillar.png" height="200" width="200" /></a>
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/making-fruit-loops-necklace.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOJr7yDfVATzyBhTvs2pPy5XpFq3TWh63UnCuqf9yS9_RAIYVaSafH69gWp9peazMHFrVuY69itHm9rMmu8b60ChzHlB92Q6IIiHVZoHrkeoPn1rNIiRd72h3nG7iw25w3KHnw3ohyqM/s1600/fruit+loops+necklace.png" height="200" width="200" /></a>
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As much as we enjoy making a crafty mess together, I just don't do it often enough. I'm out to change that. Hopefully we can get our hands messy more often and have fun doing it together. I have spent some time scouring Pinterest and the internet for some fun ideas. From that, I have compiled a list of 10 activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sxN4M0MsMkBsK1XIw3FZRsWKy9Nob17mT2yDz6qIWsgc5E67Jug_vWqHLLS0CLAZXTEppf0jzfENGYHQuY317E7P4masPsg_xaLBQCvipqp3mC0gAcOArxB6xp9zwNc0dArh4vW3tU8/s1600/hillmade_10+arts+and+crafts+for+kids-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hillmade | 10 arts and crafts for kids" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sxN4M0MsMkBsK1XIw3FZRsWKy9Nob17mT2yDz6qIWsgc5E67Jug_vWqHLLS0CLAZXTEppf0jzfENGYHQuY317E7P4masPsg_xaLBQCvipqp3mC0gAcOArxB6xp9zwNc0dArh4vW3tU8/s1600/hillmade_10+arts+and+crafts+for+kids-01.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4ATj4J1myiJcpyxXZktZr2OMgKDa8ghIHE3JyXHhXo6T1bwqtTVBk-mcHWI3fVXjo7zmBgyyu6banbxiODGSdAxigthicG4CLsxkojcGk2oTZ6cXUPSH8e7Pl_9BSUXLl4jgJGEbzd4/s1600/line-01.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4ATj4J1myiJcpyxXZktZr2OMgKDa8ghIHE3JyXHhXo6T1bwqtTVBk-mcHWI3fVXjo7zmBgyyu6banbxiODGSdAxigthicG4CLsxkojcGk2oTZ6cXUPSH8e7Pl_9BSUXLl4jgJGEbzd4/s1600/line-01.png" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fun-a-day.com/fun-with-pet-rocks-a-camping-themed-craft/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Fun-A-Day | Fun with Pet Rocks" border="0" src="http://fun-a-day.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pet-rock-collage-2.jpg" height="640" title="" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://fun-a-day.com/fun-with-pet-rocks-a-camping-themed-craft/" target="_blank">Fun-A-Day</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://lifelessonplans.org/magic-milk/" target="_blank"><img alt="Life Lesson Plans | Magic Milk: Learn Color Theory" border="0" src="http://lifelessonplans.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/PicMonkey-Collage7.jpg" height="640" title="" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://lifelessonplans.org/magic-milk/" target="_blank">Life Lesson Plans</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2014/02/simplest-kids-art-projectand-boredom.html" target="_blank"><img alt="U Create | Simple Kids Art Projects" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QIaNsSiYYMFj7chNZTADdNjvExhxcmLem2sXyXopOxD9jXbq5_LI3uAyCtkpW4toM0ARD8-eiOJvydYSTWPu2yFoxg6-6w0YaBm-zVTYFARXEAb1Aiofrdl4AH-Vu1qKqMZ1iZY8XISC/s1600/Kids+Art.png" height="640" title="" width="426" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2014/02/simplest-kids-art-projectand-boredom.html" target="_blank">U Create</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/compass-painting/" target="_blank"><img alt="Housing a Forest | Compass Painting" border="0" src="http://files.housingaforest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Compass-Painting-2.jpg" height="640" title="" width="426" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/compass-painting/" target="_blank">Housing a Forest</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mamapapabubba.com/2014/01/21/simple-heart-resist-art/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Mama.Papa.Bubba. | Heart Resist Art" border="0" src="http://mamapapabubba.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Simple-Heart-Resist-Art-Mama.Papa_.Bubba_..jpg" height="640" title="" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://mamapapabubba.com/2014/01/21/simple-heart-resist-art/" target="_blank">Mama.Papa.Bubba.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.powerfulmothering.com/cardboard-dinosaurs-stand-up-dinosaur-toys/" target="_blank"><img alt="Powerful Mothering | Cardboard Dinosaur" border="0" src="http://www.powerfulmothering.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cardbaord-dinos.jpg" height="640" title="" width="608" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.powerfulmothering.com/cardboard-dinosaurs-stand-up-dinosaur-toys/" target="_blank">Powerful Mothering</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2013/09/09/melted-crayon-rocks-gifts-that-kids-can-make/" target="_blank"><img alt="Red Ted Art | Crayon Art Rocks" border="0" src="http://www.redtedart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Crayon-Rocks-Gifts-for-Kids-To-Make.jpg" height="640" title="" width="426" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2013/09/09/melted-crayon-rocks-gifts-that-kids-can-make/" target="_blank">Red Ted Art</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2013/08/paper-plate-hippopotamus.html" target="_blank"><img alt="I Heart Crafty Things | Paper Plate Hippo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqQKHTEhofG_b0VrkYIPyY5p8MIpOoCBUp7CvEewQ7fqZKI_gfq__T9spz1byF1lTfBUabgyKFsF8360l4ZmPwNuoSQmD5aJy7bB1GT_bWS4YB1w2TrPIjRLrzZsVoBNHwY7oPPxZwZz2/s640/Hippo.jpg" height="640" title="" width="494" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2013/08/paper-plate-hippopotamus.html" target="_blank">I Heart Crafty Things</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.daisycottagedesigns.net/2012/04/preschool-at-home-week-2.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Daisy Cottage Designs | Easy Fishbowl Craft for Preschoolers" border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8613855089_5717c795ac_z.jpg" height="640" title="" width="426" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.daisycottagedesigns.net/2012/04/preschool-at-home-week-2.html" rel="" target="_blank">Daisy Cottage Designs</a><br />
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.meaningfulmama.com/2013/06/diy-robot-mask.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Meaningful Mama | DIY Robot Mask" border="0" src="http://www.meaningfulmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1-robot-mask-diy-crafts-for-kids-075.jpg" height="428" title="" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.meaningfulmama.com/2013/06/diy-robot-mask.html" target="_blank">Meaningful Mama</a></td></tr>
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Don't these crafts look so fun!? I have created a <a href="http://pinterest.com/renaeganell" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> board dedicated to <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/renaeganell/kids-crafts/" target="_blank">crafts for kids</a> where I pinned these crafts and more. If you like these, follow me on <a href="http://pinterest.com/renaeganell" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> to see what other fun crafts I discover!<br />
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-33092581766020896012014-02-25T19:33:00.001-08:002014-02-25T20:02:42.419-08:00Kids | Magic Crayon Resist Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of Hailey's favorite activities is to paint with watercolors. I can give her paper, a cup of water, a set of watercolors and she is set for a good half hour of fun. I know half an hour doesn't sound all that long, but if you have kids, you understand that an activity that keeps a small child's attention for that long is golden.</div>
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Today we spiced things up a bit. We used a white crayon to draw out a design, and then painted over it with watercolor and watched the design appear. I've seen this done many times elsewhere online, but we've never tried it. Today was the day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIBEvFKPw3J1E7mxS5lICbfQ8NjdBW4VaYcInn-kVCHJ3O7dMa4IA81FqNRNgCDWS8fb2zaHuhdXxVjnosJUCSlBRTlOr1LTYKcorMgrj5Vn1kjIq0H8pXnQ9RaMjjdVV6vR2czcFep8/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIBEvFKPw3J1E7mxS5lICbfQ8NjdBW4VaYcInn-kVCHJ3O7dMa4IA81FqNRNgCDWS8fb2zaHuhdXxVjnosJUCSlBRTlOr1LTYKcorMgrj5Vn1kjIq0H8pXnQ9RaMjjdVV6vR2czcFep8/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_7.jpg" height="640" title="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" width="426" /></a></div>
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I call it magic crayon art, and of course it really isn't magic. I totally wish I could perform actual magic, just like Harry Potter. (<i>Don't we all?</i>) It is a simple illusion, that seems so magical to children. As you paint over the crayon with the watercolor, the crayon resists the watercolor and becomes noticeable as the color fills up the paper around the crayon mark. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmgE1NBb6PsZiPZdoPzVf5JjXwESmfORyly0ZN-BYOwD4zLn_uTJVKZCPWlie_XDT4wuIf1o9IWKgiA0vX_il75JD7CTk2SyU18q81Rx2UjNjJW7anDG9CVY3aEVQcEyPT6F_ozaO8K0/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmgE1NBb6PsZiPZdoPzVf5JjXwESmfORyly0ZN-BYOwD4zLn_uTJVKZCPWlie_XDT4wuIf1o9IWKgiA0vX_il75JD7CTk2SyU18q81Rx2UjNjJW7anDG9CVY3aEVQcEyPT6F_ozaO8K0/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_2.jpg" height="426" title="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" width="640" /></a><br />
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Start with a white crayon and a white piece of paper. Draw your design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaBzK06jGegV_VDKntpPOqgkjEMfkSMdJCwKGWlws9LPEr22XuRGumfABw8_JIjpuj7c3G9zaEfgR4Wx1JaeT0t53WhfTwA56Ff0r8VcdfO2HVU6_uS7fOJYNh4UdQ-X2zthQqsylfLc/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaBzK06jGegV_VDKntpPOqgkjEMfkSMdJCwKGWlws9LPEr22XuRGumfABw8_JIjpuj7c3G9zaEfgR4Wx1JaeT0t53WhfTwA56Ff0r8VcdfO2HVU6_uS7fOJYNh4UdQ-X2zthQqsylfLc/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_3.jpg" height="426" title="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can you see it in the picture below? I know, it's hard to see white on white. I thought I'd try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KxJ2jKUkBcK7Zfk7cLYf01r1C2Z8bPtSxs6fnyD2I-7ixhyphenhyphen_zeEVaNd7qb5j3gLRTj8yvT94QCa8R7KXQsaU9TrDRHbMQG_EiinuKZvvgFYHibp0CoAMWeVCx2RCfg1mP1AJsw0ATGw/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KxJ2jKUkBcK7Zfk7cLYf01r1C2Z8bPtSxs6fnyD2I-7ixhyphenhyphen_zeEVaNd7qb5j3gLRTj8yvT94QCa8R7KXQsaU9TrDRHbMQG_EiinuKZvvgFYHibp0CoAMWeVCx2RCfg1mP1AJsw0ATGw/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_4.jpg" height="426" title="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now wet your brush, grab some color, paint away and watch the design pop out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uKVHJqDvNWN1GtK6uBjMwrHbpq69LqOYrY3vNtbljrWgKGA1b3vtiflYtxvseadR1larDKPDB4K4seRUMUyeHs3xM7-QG-Q3mL78N2u-n3FlKCNnz31mbgHp8Zluv5OFMP_7V52hlb4/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uKVHJqDvNWN1GtK6uBjMwrHbpq69LqOYrY3vNtbljrWgKGA1b3vtiflYtxvseadR1larDKPDB4K4seRUMUyeHs3xM7-QG-Q3mL78N2u-n3FlKCNnz31mbgHp8Zluv5OFMP_7V52hlb4/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_5.jpg" height="426" title="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy1RT94Iwxf6GrroA-2hV8F2TgSaL7WqPGf0oWR6GWvTBX3FjatvuxIQsxcpLvP4rL05Yb3XatH2GOrh8KOlLO83GuDZj0H15Y2rxe9opP1q90zzdm_xbwUuMLZH0CVmHJ2OmKFwsAqU/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy1RT94Iwxf6GrroA-2hV8F2TgSaL7WqPGf0oWR6GWvTBX3FjatvuxIQsxcpLvP4rL05Yb3XatH2GOrh8KOlLO83GuDZj0H15Y2rxe9opP1q90zzdm_xbwUuMLZH0CVmHJ2OmKFwsAqU/s1600/hillmade_Magic+Crayon+Resist+Art_6.jpg" height="426" title="Magic Crayon Resist Art | hillmade.blogspot.com | Draw a picture with white crayon and watch it appear with watercolor!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hailey had fun painting. She didn't completely get the idea of painting all over and seeing the white pop out. She was concerned with tracing over what she had drawn with crayon. She enjoyed herself, that's what really matters.<br />
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I love using thick paper for painting and watercolor. It holds up so much better. For this project, Hailey used a sketch pad that we pull out occasionally. Usually, when we paint we pull out our big coloring book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=melissa%20and%20doug%20coloring%20pad&linkCode=ur2&tag=hillmade-20&url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank">Melissa and Doug</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hillmade-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. The paper is nice and thick and the pictures are big, so even the smallest kids can color in detail. I also like that it has a spot on each page for the child's name to encourage writing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00146K0KE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00146K0KE&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt=" Melissa and Doug Jumbo Coloring Pad- Blue" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81Utua1-U8L._SL1500_.jpg" height="194" width="200" /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006691LZW/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006691LZW&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt=" Melissa and Doug Jumbo Coloring Pad- Animals" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81d+GjKg5fL._SL1500_.jpg" height="156" width="200" /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00146K0K4/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00146K0K4&linkCode=as2&tag=hillmade-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Melissa and Doug Jumbo Coloring Pad- Pink" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81kg-7AJ7SL._SL1500_.jpg" height="193" title="" width="200" /></a>
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I love that this art project is so quick and easy to prepare! Spur of the moment, I wanted something fun to do with Hailey. I remembered seeing this idea, so we grabbed our supplies from the closet and just a couple of minutes later off we were creating! No real preparation needed, besides filling up a cup with water for the brush. Clean up is easy too.<br />
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Give it a try. I plan on making my own artwork with it too. :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Please note that this post contains affiliate links.</i></span></div>
<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-31368010785921634032014-02-21T08:59:00.001-08:002014-02-21T14:43:29.771-08:00Printable | Survival Bracelet Thank You Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kyle and I keep Valentine's Day pretty simple. I still wanted to do something small for him. Just a little something to say, <i>I was thinking about you. I love you... Happy Valentine's Day</i>. Kyle has mentioned a few times that he would like a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1392953599768&tag=hillmade-20&url=search-alias%3Dsporting#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=paracord%20bracelet&sprefix=paracord+%2Csporting%2C378&rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3Aparacord%20bracelet&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1392953602726" target="_blank">paracord bracelet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hillmade-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. So, that is what I gave him. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F8LjzHbH3jLK6pm_WhqSjTZIcj-koNm07g-cGFT8H12MiMUHUiOEnNdZmMopwUSKe8tgpSvpphveEEwOCQp8B3k4Mzco40HXsZ2A8l65MAueOENvILrQ5mkkX4-dsJiUCCLHJu80sRc/s1600/hillmade_survival+thank+you+card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Survival bracelet thank you cards | hillmade.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F8LjzHbH3jLK6pm_WhqSjTZIcj-koNm07g-cGFT8H12MiMUHUiOEnNdZmMopwUSKe8tgpSvpphveEEwOCQp8B3k4Mzco40HXsZ2A8l65MAueOENvILrQ5mkkX4-dsJiUCCLHJu80sRc/s640/hillmade_survival+thank+you+card.jpg" title="Survival bracelet thank you cards | hillmade.blogspot.com" /></a></div>
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But, wait! What is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1392953599768&tag=hillmade-20&url=search-alias%3Dsporting#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=paracord%20bracelet&sprefix=paracord+%2Csporting%2C378&rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3Aparacord%20bracelet&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1392953602726" target="_blank">paracord</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hillmade-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />? Ok, so maybe you are awesome and know exactly what paracord is. Or maybe you are still awesome, but are more like me and have no idea what it is. I didn't know until Kyle pointed it out to me a few months ago. Paracord is nylon cord used in parachutes. It is durable cord that can be used for many purposes. The paracord bracelet is cord wrapped around itself, fastened by a buckle. When unwound it provides for cord to be used when you really need it. It's a way to have some cord on you at all times, like when you are outdoors hiking or camping or whatever. Clever, eh?<br />
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After making Hailey's <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/free-printable-dinosaur-valentines.html" target="_blank">dinosaur Valentine cards</a>, I was in a punny mood. I created a punny Valentine's card to go along with my gift. But, since Valentine's Day is gone for another year, I decided to slightly change it up to be a thank you card. And of course, I'm sharing it with you!<br />
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Click on the image below to download a set of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1392953599768&tag=hillmade-20&url=search-alias%3Dsporting#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=paracord%20bracelet&sprefix=paracord+%2Csporting%2C378&rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3Aparacord%20bracelet&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1392953602726" target="_blank">paracord</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hillmade-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> thank you cards.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZcXBaUGRjY19lN2c/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkCw7VKrEXDGWzvCC3Ttijeyrt9_Nzdixf3eXK3M4BEpDJ0EfyTe5bDrg9k2ZJGHFLKjSouJJRpsPlrdOXrkmqsDIlvTyMPcteaLLsrYU43M4Zdb-3GskAIocuHkAieLHYbi6atnRpHI/s1600/paracord+thank+you_4+up-05.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are four pages in the file, one for each color, with four cards per page. Print the cards out on cardstock, cut them out, and then using an X-acto knife cut along the dotted lines to cut out the holes to slip the bracelet through.<br />
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Recent Posts:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please note that this post contains affiliate links.</span></i>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-41113098190833381522014-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-24T13:27:01.378-08:00From Deck to Flag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy President's Day! To celebrate, how about an American themed post for today?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW2fdYtXs_cGGQjTqgSIA3igMkCad_5kxwETcHsZZQ9r3YY9VNO-JtQr1n-qbIVu9cfaJyyrYKmiC2aXrvry6S5DaQFk-nEzRtnciKJxFL0MJcOeFtLf4iav__Bpe9tpIK5bXKzfIMOk/s1600/hillmade_wooden+american+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW2fdYtXs_cGGQjTqgSIA3igMkCad_5kxwETcHsZZQ9r3YY9VNO-JtQr1n-qbIVu9cfaJyyrYKmiC2aXrvry6S5DaQFk-nEzRtnciKJxFL0MJcOeFtLf4iav__Bpe9tpIK5bXKzfIMOk/s1600/hillmade_wooden+american+flag.jpg" height="640" width="508" /></a></div>
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When we moved into our house we knew our deck needed some love. Nails were popping up and the wood was splintering. Well, it turns out the deck needed <i>a whole lot</i> of love. After Kyle's foot nearly went through the wood when he stepped on it, we decided it was best to tear it down and build new. When Kyle tore it apart and we discovered all sorts of rot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kxBm95OzpbG6ungS12OF8xu8_KcVd51mo3SN9eOBzdQikK8LGqKEBazCPjKBVFbNNzIHvt3MjS0LWIrT4wuE_wVAyBvRoj9Wv9eDj5u7GwSKU7qVYwcCIaJ4VNY0Ug9mG3xST5Qgz9E/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kxBm95OzpbG6ungS12OF8xu8_KcVd51mo3SN9eOBzdQikK8LGqKEBazCPjKBVFbNNzIHvt3MjS0LWIrT4wuE_wVAyBvRoj9Wv9eDj5u7GwSKU7qVYwcCIaJ4VNY0Ug9mG3xST5Qgz9E/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not all of the wood was rotten. A good part of it was, but there was still some that was usable. So, of course, Kyle got to work reusing the wood. He had an idea to make an American flag. It is similar to pallet art, but instead it's <i>tear-down-your-old-deck art</i>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv_5F_gq-JvcQVdzbPAvN8ekRdyyOlyRNh22Xie20CBMplu_UJ-q5GSfLDm_cPev0nIm0zh1cSogNpAriUlGTFK8-22Nk3uGflqMVSdioE5kTqgqPFz5NoSDyJQs2XFM7Cbifu1DcPhU/s1600/IMG_4143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv_5F_gq-JvcQVdzbPAvN8ekRdyyOlyRNh22Xie20CBMplu_UJ-q5GSfLDm_cPev0nIm0zh1cSogNpAriUlGTFK8-22Nk3uGflqMVSdioE5kTqgqPFz5NoSDyJQs2XFM7Cbifu1DcPhU/s1600/IMG_4143.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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We opted to use a brighter red and blue color than an actual American flag. We did this because it sticks with the color scheme we have going on elsewhere in the house. We used the red for our <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/home-painting-front-door.html" target="_blank">front door</a>, and the blue on the <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/home-our-happy-tree-on-canvas.html" target="_blank">tree painting</a> that is hanging in our living room.</div>
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<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/home-painting-front-door.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Eq8wM8FUDkVRKMV422dAkQF7NQ3Y4kGeC8jUQuAm8jsXFxCzCc549BXr45sfVsQopOATZ2N56KRgpdilzSG_zSl1849IdpI7wY8UVAMbzOuXv4Tj9-dKiPbE4ExrA5sDoXLRT0n5osk/s1600/painting+the+front+door.png" /></a>
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/home-our-happy-tree-on-canvas.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrQ2OI7yU8F05cqAMclY9s_oSvR0OmAVZacIilPVeZiKOdlQHiTaVcOYacfMmAJ93KyZjHPS1uWcEsDwipTZP7RtX4LxQjx2HecXA0NRVHcGcgPToVRMkgNW1mt3M0nHmGQFwlXSNWc0/s1600/tree+painting.png" /></a></div>
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After he assembled the wood, Kyle taped off the stripes and rolled the red paint on. To do the stars, we cut them out of cardstock, taped them into place, and Kyle rolled the blue paint on right over the top. It actually worked great! I was worried the paint might leak through, but the stars came out nice and crisp.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSKyLrP5xBIHfTzEpTAK_uQ4Nj2Cd7BV5ZNNAbh5Kt2U6nhRIKQpY2kI28C0pl2QYnw6SkD7jOzzBY7TgeDCMyjLanpA7bhk_bDIvBXPns4tRTIqw-G8sqnyNF-kp2ynDJ8Fn2Us-XY4/s1600/IMG_4149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSKyLrP5xBIHfTzEpTAK_uQ4Nj2Cd7BV5ZNNAbh5Kt2U6nhRIKQpY2kI28C0pl2QYnw6SkD7jOzzBY7TgeDCMyjLanpA7bhk_bDIvBXPns4tRTIqw-G8sqnyNF-kp2ynDJ8Fn2Us-XY4/s1600/IMG_4149.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG0Y_gLan1MMRxH9huMynMmd4Vk-epFCHwiv9_DxvxTdh_quEJy6Vafk708RfuyUZbKE3uq9Mdw2efU4eEaM4COgMnk6HPOXb8FbL6_C5S77e4TPeB1gqssrcANvooufgj7nU4NgloTE/s1600/IMG_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG0Y_gLan1MMRxH9huMynMmd4Vk-epFCHwiv9_DxvxTdh_quEJy6Vafk708RfuyUZbKE3uq9Mdw2efU4eEaM4COgMnk6HPOXb8FbL6_C5S77e4TPeB1gqssrcANvooufgj7nU4NgloTE/s1600/IMG_4155.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the finished product. This thing is big. Like 6.5 feet wide big. It's pretty awesome. It sure makes quite the statement, doesn't it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVXfksKx3IRwydTuGJ5uf-6jLNZ7s-e3R6eEL0bUMlZroaVWAAIGI9-AsyNF9tgw-gZ3iPLtx17N6ZbV1k9klyPDtkc7BkVPEITRx0AwFdBLM-30X_ItK52gNgq96z7M7rAKvWYw7fdE/s1600/IMG_4168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVXfksKx3IRwydTuGJ5uf-6jLNZ7s-e3R6eEL0bUMlZroaVWAAIGI9-AsyNF9tgw-gZ3iPLtx17N6ZbV1k9klyPDtkc7BkVPEITRx0AwFdBLM-30X_ItK52gNgq96z7M7rAKvWYw7fdE/s1600/IMG_4168.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It seems that Kyle and I have a tendency to take on a lot at one time. There is typically some sort of project in progress around here.. When Kyle was working on the flag, there were two other projects that we were also working on. Kyle used the deck wood to make a frame for his <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/home-our-happy-tree-on-canvas.html" target="_blank">tree painting</a> in our living room, and we bought and reupholstered an old couch which we also placed in our living room. Here is what our garage looked like with three projects in progress at the same time:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO0_Yu12YGr4OgIzL66Fyte9rba5DmXjTnSWNfHXEiqWE_IXJjcGIvOQUVit4tr9i7MWz-RxKqRQvqo0ra6Edhw2oKMecvlvn4Hm8VP_2YqkWnTnl0RDQ8SXm0tkbS6JwbYOL_PLgk_E/s1600/messy+garage_numbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO0_Yu12YGr4OgIzL66Fyte9rba5DmXjTnSWNfHXEiqWE_IXJjcGIvOQUVit4tr9i7MWz-RxKqRQvqo0ra6Edhw2oKMecvlvn4Hm8VP_2YqkWnTnl0RDQ8SXm0tkbS6JwbYOL_PLgk_E/s1600/messy+garage_numbers.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think we need a shop... :)<br />
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-11954486216587749302014-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-14T12:58:58.260-08:00Cook: Quick and Easy Pizza DoughLike most Americans, we love pizza at our house. We enjoy ordering pizza on occasion, but we really love making our own pizza. Ordering out is good, but sometimes homemade pizza just tastes better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyg4VAN7x72JBuRdGdC7EcZNmroT-t8V3i1nQHyeFqSSsRyJfkK7JSnN8SzDRaZUJnhB6bh6PVSxgNvLgF4rXAROThifnY_n8TNJwCmuVIR2k-5ySMz8QHhsa4ESh_ivMktYvTveEkS0/s1600/hillmade.blogspot.com+Quick+and+Easy+Pizza+Dough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough // hillmade.blogspot.com // You can freeze it too! Par bake the crust and then freeze it for an even quicker meal." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyg4VAN7x72JBuRdGdC7EcZNmroT-t8V3i1nQHyeFqSSsRyJfkK7JSnN8SzDRaZUJnhB6bh6PVSxgNvLgF4rXAROThifnY_n8TNJwCmuVIR2k-5ySMz8QHhsa4ESh_ivMktYvTveEkS0/s1600/hillmade.blogspot.com+Quick+and+Easy+Pizza+Dough.jpg" height="640" title="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough // hillmade.blogspot.com // You can freeze it too! Par bake the crust and then freeze it for an even quicker meal." width="426" /></a></div>
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On Monday I shared our fun <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-mini-pizzas-for-lunch.html" target="_blank">make-your-own mini pizza lunch</a>. Today I am sharing the pizza dough recipe we use. It is so easy. And it's quick. It doesn't have to rise all day, just two quick 10 minute rises. That's it. That means you don't have to plan way ahead to make pizza. It can be a last minute decision. I like that.<br />
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The pizza crust process is pretty simple. Mix your dough. Let it rest for 10 minutes. (<i>Hailey has totally picked up on letting the dough rest. She told me the other day she needed to let whatever she was cooking up in her play kitchen "rest".</i>) Separate the dough into either half (for regular pizzas) or into 8 balls (for mini pizzas). Roll each ball into a circle. It doesn't have to be perfect- it's going to be eaten and then no one will see it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IXeOhdFHpKAIjfgYYE_hnC9VdFj1RTluVYflnQnCF5RMf6S-fvzqONoG8hwIX6vlv1lu6qaD8mzUqg6Wsex0icAgYSPHuFK4laPo2Ykdal6e5lw2sHBs6GLRgt_OyundWl7lABhZqII/s1600/hillmade_mini+pizzas_dough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IXeOhdFHpKAIjfgYYE_hnC9VdFj1RTluVYflnQnCF5RMf6S-fvzqONoG8hwIX6vlv1lu6qaD8mzUqg6Wsex0icAgYSPHuFK4laPo2Ykdal6e5lw2sHBs6GLRgt_OyundWl7lABhZqII/s1600/hillmade_mini+pizzas_dough.jpg" height="426" title="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough // hillmade.blogspot.com // You can freeze it too! Par bake the crust and then freeze it for an even quicker meal." width="640" /></a></div>
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Place the dough onto your baking sheet/pizza stone. Prick the dough all over with a fork and sprinkle on some Mozzarella cheese.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWoLPT6v1OK2qbjW2zQZIpXTfPXoulMHA9C-sOnJez_XEeYl1pSCdiC_wknzYKsmye6xOKeL-ma1BmO7lQePp452HNzifskKWxpjUr8Da6LcS8BKvEQbCEY1z8IcWEVE7h5thSBmiRn8/s1600/hillmade_mini+pizzas_dough2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWoLPT6v1OK2qbjW2zQZIpXTfPXoulMHA9C-sOnJez_XEeYl1pSCdiC_wknzYKsmye6xOKeL-ma1BmO7lQePp452HNzifskKWxpjUr8Da6LcS8BKvEQbCEY1z8IcWEVE7h5thSBmiRn8/s1600/hillmade_mini+pizzas_dough2.jpg" height="426" title="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough // hillmade.blogspot.com // You can freeze it too! Par bake the crust and then freeze it for an even quicker meal." width="640" /></a></div>
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Par bake those puppies for 5-ish minutes, until the cheese is melted. Make sure you do this so the pizza sauce doesn't make your crust soggy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxeJkGVsH1wCRgbpdQkYZfk_Pzm_k_WXyM48YgCc8SfU25rrQD-82ObVyBUNf64rVH5mSlQnV2GzJj6vMq9WC2LmkA4-uQUx3biE4s6Sm_tdGzyHg6LQUOfMB93-2swfqWWZdqvQO5UQ/s1600/hillmade_mini+pizzas_par+bake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxeJkGVsH1wCRgbpdQkYZfk_Pzm_k_WXyM48YgCc8SfU25rrQD-82ObVyBUNf64rVH5mSlQnV2GzJj6vMq9WC2LmkA4-uQUx3biE4s6Sm_tdGzyHg6LQUOfMB93-2swfqWWZdqvQO5UQ/s1600/hillmade_mini+pizzas_par+bake.jpg" height="426" title="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough // hillmade.blogspot.com // You can freeze it too! Par bake the crust and then freeze it for an even quicker meal." width="640" /></a></div>
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After the crust has par baked you can then either top your pizza with goodness and bake it a little longer, or if you aren't going to use the crust immediately, you can wrap it in foil and put it in the freezer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0uxSHm8ih2MAoY-BpP4eYvo238DE-F1X5Fx04tqkxzsTm4RbEA04qnLIgot-pJkXzQzgHz02Cp-VuDGGgOA96efQUTS0MCad50SF9qNFBfMr9l8hLEvoqUVxDemhUYAS9YzLtEwFuSQ/s1600/hillmade_+frozen+mini+pizzas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0uxSHm8ih2MAoY-BpP4eYvo238DE-F1X5Fx04tqkxzsTm4RbEA04qnLIgot-pJkXzQzgHz02Cp-VuDGGgOA96efQUTS0MCad50SF9qNFBfMr9l8hLEvoqUVxDemhUYAS9YzLtEwFuSQ/s1600/hillmade_+frozen+mini+pizzas.jpg" height="426" title="Quick and Easy Pizza Dough // hillmade.blogspot.com // You can freeze it too! Par bake the crust and then freeze it for an even quicker meal." width="640" /></a></div>
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I love to freeze the par-baked crust. I just started doing this a few months ago. It is so handy! Next time you want to make pizza, pull out your crust, let it thaw at room temperature for a little bit, dress it up with sauce and toppings and bake it like normal. Or, if you're impatient like I was the other day, put the crust in the preheated oven for a minute to thaw it quick!<br />
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Ok, now that I've blabbed...moving on to the recipe.<br />
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<b><u>Pizza Dough</u></b><br />
<i>Makes 2 (12") pizzas, or 8 mini pizzas</i><br />
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1 cup warm water<br />
1 Tbsp. yeast<br />
2 Tbsp. sugar<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
3 cups flour<br />
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Mozzarella cheese<br />
pizza sauce<br />
pizza toppings<br />
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<b>1.</b> Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.<br />
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<b>2.</b> Dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt, and 2 cups flour. Mix to form a slightly sticky dough. If more flour is needed add up to 1 cup more. </div>
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<b>3.</b> Knead the dough for about 3 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes.</div>
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<b>4.</b> Separate the dough in half, making two balls (or eight balls for mini pizzas). Using a rolling pin, roll each ball out into a large circle. Let the dough rest for another 10 minutes.</div>
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<b>5.</b> Prick the crust all over with a fork. Lightly sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the dough. Par-bake the crust for 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is close to beginning to brown.<br />
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<b>6.</b> Once the crust is par-baked, add toppings and bake it again for another 6-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is lightly brown.<br />
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[<i>You can make this recipe in the bread machine. (My recent new best friend.) Add the ingredients into the breadmaker wet then dry. I add the yeast last, just because that is what my breadmaker recommends. Set the dough cycle and let it run.</i>] </div>
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<b><u>Pizza Sauce</u></b></div>
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<i>Makes enough for 2 (12") pizzas, or 8 mini pizzas</i></div>
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1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce</div>
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2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese</div>
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1 tsp. Italian seasoning</div>
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1 tsp. garlic salt</div>
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Stir all ingredients together. Spread on par baked pizza crust.<br />
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Recent posts:<br />
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-mini-pizzas-for-lunch.html"><img alt="Mini pizzas for lunch" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVGQqPn65DcRzEE1Vx0bzefk0BLYYgUfMR1H87jkPKLMXh5sKLu89qlToBoeW2j-ei3y1Hoi6gz5a5101w0Nzb-u3vaYkWOheXIi58K03mUpvAHsRD7tojv2rLnqn7H2rOlV-SWxSQZ0/s1600/mini+pizzas.png" height="200" title="Mini pizzas for lunch // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="200" /></a>
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/free-printable-dinosaur-valentines.html"><img alt="Free Printable Dinosaur Valentines" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uM2O1ia6r8eJ8JY17uCPD8eH5ML4vKDEEp0nNNm6woTw4Ra6XfFNWGTqMVzrPE0ZMV1z3AiFzAj72MRAGy08Ufwvq5h8P8xsNpJT6OnwmmsWjDB3eX_XvNV7NMdeYeMrLqjcAeupcQs/s1600/printable+dino+valentines.png" height="200" title="Free Printable Dinosaur Valentines // hillmade.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a>
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-play-food-from-recyclables.html"><img alt="Play food from recyclables" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaf7LKNDdgA_RfAkXNUTREMdTTM2Sw0LlRFRTTf5LCSsxbPF-hey9yNo0ktqTvG0EE7hvRgDXLgfnIt2CzLurp11-u9afHYc8JUp4Cn2cHq7jAV1NJnVM9phrV-7VPFN3zVxzWacYF70/s1600/recyclable+play+food.png" height="200" title="Play food from recyclables // hillmade.blogspot.com // Take a look in the kitchen, there's free play food!" width="200" /></a>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-32330315621570567022014-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-14T22:04:59.187-08:00Kids: Mini Pizzas for Lunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you like me when it comes time for lunch? I never have a plan in mind, leaving me standing staring into the fridge hoping something interesting will jump out at me. Usually I'm left with no ideas, moving me to the pantry to sit and stare. And then back to the fridge. After all of that, we end up eating our same old standbys: PB&J, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, or a turkey sandwich. </div>
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Somedays you have just got to change it up a bit. Hailey had a friend over for lunch last week, so I actually thought ahead and we made it a special occasion. I gave the girls the opportunity to make their own pizzas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wP4vLmKHRlzLyht_wFAJ6wZmfWeQ4VfdavouhVlfeN1Qj7LvlHuOrqwUSiPFiQifaya9UlgkN3c2RPm_Wh5cim5V8orELkGS1sAAZDoMzb8GyZJBu6S5r_nNGl9BajXEHtu9_qZ9tEI/s1600/hillmade.blogspot.com+mini+pizzas-+fun+food+kids+can+make.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wP4vLmKHRlzLyht_wFAJ6wZmfWeQ4VfdavouhVlfeN1Qj7LvlHuOrqwUSiPFiQifaya9UlgkN3c2RPm_Wh5cim5V8orELkGS1sAAZDoMzb8GyZJBu6S5r_nNGl9BajXEHtu9_qZ9tEI/s1600/hillmade.blogspot.com+mini+pizzas-+fun+food+kids+can+make.jpg" height="426" title="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="640" /></a></div>
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I par baked some crust ahead of time, gave them some toppings and let them go at it. With a little direction from me. :) </div>
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<div class='nopin'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_qaTY3dKuPdVq_rKNCa23McDrUvTcCe45wGxzsCb1XZ4ktQ2-pPcJ72lG9TeXNy2BExh0HlH9Khmr7hpXpwznV9I_PPo-276heuaWE0-dfpAjUEKOBbgFDhjgKquPpIl4K-EQ-ccMMY/s1600/IMG_5889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_qaTY3dKuPdVq_rKNCa23McDrUvTcCe45wGxzsCb1XZ4ktQ2-pPcJ72lG9TeXNy2BExh0HlH9Khmr7hpXpwznV9I_PPo-276heuaWE0-dfpAjUEKOBbgFDhjgKquPpIl4K-EQ-ccMMY/s1600/IMG_5889.jpg" height="426" nopin="nopin" title="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="640" /></a></div>,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqEDSbE8BwkZ1P9kH_W7mIG-RQhEq0TEVKEbsFMfVoe67ffXTSxwD8_LHHtKLcynMHlzcMMH7ucV1FOOdwXR0T-vjlBOiZ4qUBJM1f76ApZU9o7ofikcVx0lqFkSn9DzimBnx6cGXDQ4/s1600/IMG_5891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqEDSbE8BwkZ1P9kH_W7mIG-RQhEq0TEVKEbsFMfVoe67ffXTSxwD8_LHHtKLcynMHlzcMMH7ucV1FOOdwXR0T-vjlBOiZ4qUBJM1f76ApZU9o7ofikcVx0lqFkSn9DzimBnx6cGXDQ4/s1600/IMG_5891.jpg" height="426" title="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyZH5wMmua7SKe-3hrJ3nZolcx1ppXzF3fwFy1wemZ0EsIaCCRLFnu-yDw-CKLC3I2sWY0OS4ipaUBmbugnz5RkTZslVrCsXTYUUk0lHWCL2DHQi9ozh3aUddwrIv8gjxzMYq__E1eaE/s1600/IMG_5902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyZH5wMmua7SKe-3hrJ3nZolcx1ppXzF3fwFy1wemZ0EsIaCCRLFnu-yDw-CKLC3I2sWY0OS4ipaUBmbugnz5RkTZslVrCsXTYUUk0lHWCL2DHQi9ozh3aUddwrIv8gjxzMYq__E1eaE/s1600/IMG_5902.jpg" height="426" title="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpvpVrJ0Ll2TFYojrM9GI3cRA5tTnQNKzikxTPNY0hw2muQc2Z17kbgBwXcjZ1zJsagByDns572QPO1zrWLAlUDpbpZAoSSlIL0x4qmB5mSqvsI7JJWN-ebReoD70XAcu1_9TgO8rEfY/s1600/IMG_5906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpvpVrJ0Ll2TFYojrM9GI3cRA5tTnQNKzikxTPNY0hw2muQc2Z17kbgBwXcjZ1zJsagByDns572QPO1zrWLAlUDpbpZAoSSlIL0x4qmB5mSqvsI7JJWN-ebReoD70XAcu1_9TgO8rEfY/s1600/IMG_5906.jpg" height="426" title="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Notice my child in the background dumping a massive pile of pineapple on her pizza? There was already twice that hiding under the cheese. I think the entire can of pineapple would have ended up on her pizza had I not stopped her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdRSo368ui1Vgl71N2r49Kp57mJWUWIIQeg7RD8pFMRbQKWqSIiS5UvQDONheDEgpXrQIfir2KdXnPno_4gUwVN2mecFKkT-1ipmD93c4nwB2g8zfuyrbq7De-gibE-r4ODbv-asHJgs/s1600/IMG_5909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdRSo368ui1Vgl71N2r49Kp57mJWUWIIQeg7RD8pFMRbQKWqSIiS5UvQDONheDEgpXrQIfir2KdXnPno_4gUwVN2mecFKkT-1ipmD93c4nwB2g8zfuyrbq7De-gibE-r4ODbv-asHJgs/s1600/IMG_5909.jpg" height="426" title="Mini Pizzas // hillmade.blogspot.com // A fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Delicious pizza. Doesn't it look so good? I really shouldn't be writing this post with a hungry stomach right now...<br />
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Ok, now you tell me, what do you like to eat for lunch at your house?<br />
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In need of a recipe for pizza dough? I'm working up a post with a recipe for later this week. Watch for it! Of course, it makes it easy to watch for my next post if you follow along. :) Add this blog to your reader or add me on <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/renaeganell" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a>, and check out what finds I'm pinning on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/renaeganell/" target="_blank">pinterest</a>!<br />
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[edit: Click the image below to be taken to the recipe!]<br />
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/02/cook-quick-and-easy-pizza-dough_13.html" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJousBdkmCdNIGSbNH4VpiZ6DCIXCurcC3mpbSvWQOtolfnYO29hiNgHWJoaDFcmwkqcAZJeIpxYKP_Xrw9cPNS4qoZuAzZMfGQAObbsAxamspL9zSzio5a7-XxZJ4IOFTlkrUTsmFK4/s200/quick+pizza+dough.png" /></a>
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</div>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-53021624430876753912014-02-06T14:26:00.000-08:002014-02-07T13:41:38.280-08:00Free Printable: Dinosaur Valentines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Admittedly, Valentine's Day is not one of my favorite holidays. It's ok... I know it's fun for kids, so I might try to come up with something special and fun to do with my girls on Valentine's Day. But beyond that, I really just don't get into it. I'll play along, but I don't go all out. And I don't expect Kyle to either. I'd rather do something more extravagant for our anniversary, a day just for us.</div>
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That being said, I made some valentine's for Hailey to hand out to her classmates in preschool. The big Valentine's Day party is next week, of course, and she needs valentines to share! I do remember in elementary school having fun spending the time writing my name on them, packaging them up, and sharing them with my classmates. I thought Hailey would enjoy the same, so I elected her to help me assemble some awesome dino valentines.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIvbRVWWCuoWbP0vNCiX7ux8ScpvYvTwC1RN43CfAAznp8dcjI4OEVux2yzGf3Qe9hfIqauW-W3aYNDSwN95QhWeWwwMiu7tYGzPft0SNjYFCa7NV7DHaHnDVIVF5L5XdhSxJXZDIQGU/s1600/hillmade_dino_valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIvbRVWWCuoWbP0vNCiX7ux8ScpvYvTwC1RN43CfAAznp8dcjI4OEVux2yzGf3Qe9hfIqauW-W3aYNDSwN95QhWeWwwMiu7tYGzPft0SNjYFCa7NV7DHaHnDVIVF5L5XdhSxJXZDIQGU/s1600/hillmade_dino_valentines.jpg" height="426" title="hillmade: free printable dinosaur valentines" width="640" /></a></div>
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I grabbed our two dinosaurs, (Yes, we only have two. I think we need to add a few more, they need friends.) and did a little photoshoot. Belle even made an appearance. Lucky us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ5ddVkuEVrH2z9CjyeruQLR95tYnYx662Z2DKMBjIoKnuyX_oo76FmyLSFfLBVEnTDFkAANOiKzKLJyMoAbO7IgVZm0En3iMZHKnLDiYLdjwOt_IIz2zrHNa9sNkePvaqAMHne1hNwI/s1600/IMG_5878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ5ddVkuEVrH2z9CjyeruQLR95tYnYx662Z2DKMBjIoKnuyX_oo76FmyLSFfLBVEnTDFkAANOiKzKLJyMoAbO7IgVZm0En3iMZHKnLDiYLdjwOt_IIz2zrHNa9sNkePvaqAMHne1hNwI/s1600/IMG_5878.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took those pictures into photoshop, did a little photoshop magic and cut the dinosaurs out. I brought them into Illustrator and being playing and creating.<br />
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One thing I knew I wanted was Hailey's cute handwritten name on them. So, I had Hailey write her name with a sharpie on a piece of paper for me. I then scanned it into the computer and did some quick photoshop cropping and brought that image into Illustrator as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK2QpGzhiSnxmX9tyW8h0B_LFgTU8i0_1sMhyphenhyphendDmIeVFpn1RCSmdrlkqGMOlJtWj-zLL85VaBK7tyOPNCL5Zm2jZa97QiQLxE-MFubEExxG-uSDX3Fz1DMSRSMrCjby8dzA6NE8XiSWc/s1600/Hailey+handwritting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK2QpGzhiSnxmX9tyW8h0B_LFgTU8i0_1sMhyphenhyphendDmIeVFpn1RCSmdrlkqGMOlJtWj-zLL85VaBK7tyOPNCL5Zm2jZa97QiQLxE-MFubEExxG-uSDX3Fz1DMSRSMrCjby8dzA6NE8XiSWc/s1600/Hailey+handwritting.png" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
When the design was finished, we printed the cards out on cardstock. Hailey helped me cut the cards out and round the corners- this she loved. We picked up some dinosaur fruit snacks at the store and taped the cards onto the fruit snacks. And now her valentines are ready and waiting for the big day!<br />
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Look! Even the dinos like them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93uk1Ut7jo3dZGJThE9mSiyR_ZfUmIBsocEexEGLcd4NoxekAEailsPbrFe47c28w-OTB6MMxLyDZZr7AAsKDGjn8qFrEmO7VyUZZBpkBvR8GeFEZPqrlvajZtBDlqjBwgx1a-PSekVo/s1600/hillmade_dino_valentines_like+valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93uk1Ut7jo3dZGJThE9mSiyR_ZfUmIBsocEexEGLcd4NoxekAEailsPbrFe47c28w-OTB6MMxLyDZZr7AAsKDGjn8qFrEmO7VyUZZBpkBvR8GeFEZPqrlvajZtBDlqjBwgx1a-PSekVo/s1600/hillmade_dino_valentines_like+valentines.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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They are already trying to rip into the fruit snacks. Looks like we will have to hide them until next week! :)<br />
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Looking for some valentines of your own? Here, try ours. Click on each of the images below to download a PDF file with 8 valentines per page.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZZTFndFdMejVZeGc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_KglHCIYAAvm9nGNUDOm8AOqYrqy8BznJxTupaKXobaG81a1aknU9qGNTipb_YxreTX0z82xT0QV7_WNW8yXZ16n35kgWuEA82cqGLXSQOAWzunuo2XJsuZfKTC-rlPJwxrzIHtM47g/s1600/Dino+Valentines-02.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZdXhzWHVSakR2S0U/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08PiEsDqfpdHEeRWosOvspx0dzAHu6xAVmbuC4XFjemU6kf_R7_hsUTqluPPtl75CQi9LofguhWdCBug-xj35SmZBwqF-v78fsaj5YeJyrbURVj6USVqukrIbuwenu3iqveNvKP61ptc/s1600/Dino+Valentines-01.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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Linked up at: <a href="http://the36thavenue.com/">the36thavenue.com</a>, <a href="http://blog.peekaboopatternshop.com/">blog.peekaboopatternshop.com</a>, <a href="http://www.roubinek.net/">roubinek.net</a></div>
Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-31962607297365255222014-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-03T00:00:14.813-08:00Kids: Play Food from RecyclablesKids love to be in the kitchen. I think mine could spend their entire day in there just eating. It feels like they are <i>always</i> hungry. I hear a lot of, "Can I have a snack? My tummy is hungry" from Hailey and a lot of "na na na" <i>please</i> signing and pointing to the pantry from Keira. I'm happy they are good eaters, but goodness, let's find something else to do besides eat!<br />
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Besides eating, they love to help mom cook. When I am able to take a little bit more time cooking or baking, I do especially love to have Hailey help me in the kitchen. Here are a few recipes we've enjoyed making together:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHegcci0JohF-ULnHm1HgeRfsf9FNHC-v2x9SFx1FW9iyPjRyk9WnnMHSGWzv4xTOyJupoTfB0U27rWo661i9m15oQnnG2gJNrYc2KuNlmjICUuevsWp2lUwVR0px6Fjq08dgSYdZt_-I/s1600/chocolate+pretzel+treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2012/05/051612-lazy-cake-cookies-from-im-lazy.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BTe2ygWK_bItG8lcLvOMD-WkmYMvB-8YwEtidu0t2_YhnVfb5RiKSWiOeHug7gxosVsK9FRA1EslVZdZCKCLKsKn1dgEbYmjgLSi-xLzlJG8g3evd7mR20SOSl3XfD-mOJLdv1Q_BnY/s1600/toddler+lazy+cake+cookies.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2013/01/spelling-with-pretzels.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwXbhRMU34QWsLU_ArUZ96OZCcYvxF6E9sWrtCAnVs0EncoFypuVLJTHw0CbC_bptpwlA6SIZWOkIpk7s75FFYgN-wb-iO9_J16rqrjXOIB_bfPA-Xo8FMbwaJ1fiWmX-3z-ieT6yB3Y/s1600/spelling+with+pretzels.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-treat-making_23.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHegcci0JohF-ULnHm1HgeRfsf9FNHC-v2x9SFx1FW9iyPjRyk9WnnMHSGWzv4xTOyJupoTfB0U27rWo661i9m15oQnnG2gJNrYc2KuNlmjICUuevsWp2lUwVR0px6Fjq08dgSYdZt_-I/s1600/chocolate+pretzel+treats.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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I think play kitchens are a fantastic toy. It opens up so much creativity and provides them with some opportunity to feel big, just like mom. It has it's bonuses for mom too. Realistically I can't have my girls in the kitchen with me all the time. Some days I think it would take me close to all afternoon just to make dinner. And my patience would be long gone by the time we're ready to eat. When, for my sanity, it just isn't reasonable to have them helping in the kitchen, I love that I can occupy them with their own play kitchen.<br />
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I love to watch Hailey's imagination work. She can take nothing and make something from it. My boring grown up mind is always astounded at what she comes up with. Though she doesn't really need much to fuel her creativity, it has been fun for her to have some props to encourage her play. Plus, it is so much more awesome when it really is just like mom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSDeNUZlJY2Nfe9dWGGMb_fAWDczXuyYiZDrCK61Hr745OQBonhwxjz5-GPK7xKU70N9t7cUwfnn6PmfWKeRT4nPifQVTc_akf88wAJhat_duhYuhumntcbg-WH-Gnhjf51C0wb73v4s/s1600/hillmade_old+food+containers_play+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img a="" as="" border="0" child="" containers="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSDeNUZlJY2Nfe9dWGGMb_fAWDczXuyYiZDrCK61Hr745OQBonhwxjz5-GPK7xKU70N9t7cUwfnn6PmfWKeRT4nPifQVTc_akf88wAJhat_duhYuhumntcbg-WH-Gnhjf51C0wb73v4s/s1600/hillmade_old+food+containers_play+food.jpg" food="" for="" height="426" kitchen="" old="" play="" recycle="" s="" title="hillmade:" width="640" /></a></div>
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Instead of throwing away (or recycling) the used containers from our pantry and fridge, I like to wash them out and give them to Hailey to use in her kitchen. She loves it! She gets so excited every time I give her a new product, washed and ready for play.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNjP0ZMTUlSRbHrYFdIuhqN8HgeFrc4Tv5q6RdoF2OcSKijMPnZTp-RKJaQAsgf4bUryE6I_Gg6lMxKNIHA_oj0SSufzeZjcXiRXMQEeQs3eU8LMfvcLErk3vHbXRC3k78kV6z7Gl0pQ/s1600/IMG_5722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNjP0ZMTUlSRbHrYFdIuhqN8HgeFrc4Tv5q6RdoF2OcSKijMPnZTp-RKJaQAsgf4bUryE6I_Gg6lMxKNIHA_oj0SSufzeZjcXiRXMQEeQs3eU8LMfvcLErk3vHbXRC3k78kV6z7Gl0pQ/s1600/IMG_5722.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hailey loves her kitchen. And so do her friends. When Hailey has friends over they always spend a good amount of time "cooking". We have enjoyed many meals of macaroni and cheese soup or some other made up dish, like kayna, <i>whatever that is</i>. Birthday cakes have been baked and complimented with rounds of singing Happy Birthday and pretend candles blown out over, and over, and over again.<br />
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Next time you finish off a small plastic container, take a minute to wash it out and give it a second life with your imaginative child. They'll be over the moon excited. Promise.<br />
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Love it? Pin it and share the love! And then be sure to follow along with me for more! </div>
Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-60415297047541076672014-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-30T06:50:09.455-08:00Home: Our Happy Tree on Canvas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the 6 1/2 years Kyle and I have been married we have moved 8 times. Yes, we've moved twice in one year, two times. We have been pretty transient. College will do that to you. Now that Kyle has a "real" job, we bought a home, and we are grown up people, we are finally settling down in one place for a little bit.</div>
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We haven't ever felt compelled to do much decorating in our apartments. We knew we wouldn't be there long, so we just didn't. 1 1/2 years later, our home is still the same way. Most of the walls are bare or have one lonely picture hanging on them. It's time to change that! We're here to stay and we want to make our home feel like we belong there. </div>
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Kyle is a designer. It is his profession, but also it is innate in him. It is what he loves to do. He has a constant flow of ideas running through his head. Not a little trickle, but a real stream of ideas. And it is starting to rub off on me as well. Kyle had an idea to create a large painting of a tree to place above the couch in our living room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_Yag_kDbeuOlUnhbShojEYV4ss7YRQcUs9Qsli2_NWr5_PRdW8BuLEQc9CmnZCmAprECnrvRUTHBmzRakNBZEEEuP8EzwkEXfZZZa-7SJR6JfrHTza299kg0BCI6UYdyHEgDU6Mok5E/s1600/IMG_4191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_Yag_kDbeuOlUnhbShojEYV4ss7YRQcUs9Qsli2_NWr5_PRdW8BuLEQc9CmnZCmAprECnrvRUTHBmzRakNBZEEEuP8EzwkEXfZZZa-7SJR6JfrHTza299kg0BCI6UYdyHEgDU6Mok5E/s1600/IMG_4191.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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We wanted it bright and happy. We love color! We went with lime green and as close to cyan as I could find. It is hard to find a good cyan. I was surprised at what a difficult time I had finding just the right blue. P.S. That lime green is the same green Kyle used to put an accent stripe around the <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-birthday-present-cuttingsewing-desk.html" target="_blank">sewing desk</a> he made for me last year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAcDS632qqGMG3uXrGj85ApoRU4PPZkv9X6jLRVRJO_oT0RsfK7BpiSvSqmaGRW0gojCoSt2yN9N25IC6-Ni3iDWNCfoYKEeXBS7W7DQoe4vtCxF1PbkqwpkTUuboWlOXLfpnVq1iUgM/s1600/IMG_9546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAcDS632qqGMG3uXrGj85ApoRU4PPZkv9X6jLRVRJO_oT0RsfK7BpiSvSqmaGRW0gojCoSt2yN9N25IC6-Ni3iDWNCfoYKEeXBS7W7DQoe4vtCxF1PbkqwpkTUuboWlOXLfpnVq1iUgM/s640/IMG_9546.jpg" /></a></div>
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We laid out our canvases, on our guest bed of all places, down in the basement away from child hands. We put on a light coat of gesso to prime the canvas for painting. And then got to work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmoMrCOckxaQHwJ88UwtP-t3CjZZyLNBer8__zQTSFaGldTw40yx_btQPEcGIaUkhaTPY6tyS6QjgmyBEPhpLIhpqEU1ARSOrEiEbKUQyRw7i8zK1JwRy9szKJvM47_cCo_-9mHOUcFI/s1600/IMG_9552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmoMrCOckxaQHwJ88UwtP-t3CjZZyLNBer8__zQTSFaGldTw40yx_btQPEcGIaUkhaTPY6tyS6QjgmyBEPhpLIhpqEU1ARSOrEiEbKUQyRw7i8zK1JwRy9szKJvM47_cCo_-9mHOUcFI/s640/IMG_9552.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dthFxi1laTFKpD8EJhTY_moIm6qK_XbODLKfQ5t_NC4IWT7mUeQRgbIFWDcLXO-vDPm4NUgIABR7yNCH_Ctl3H35KLgVrY0YJaHiSRSdoqt3UZ78KYgzAB3b4PaswEzBCfFK8mEx3m0/s1600/IMG_9554.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dthFxi1laTFKpD8EJhTY_moIm6qK_XbODLKfQ5t_NC4IWT7mUeQRgbIFWDcLXO-vDPm4NUgIABR7yNCH_Ctl3H35KLgVrY0YJaHiSRSdoqt3UZ78KYgzAB3b4PaswEzBCfFK8mEx3m0/s640/IMG_9554.jpg" /></a><br />
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I don't have any pictures to show of Kyle actually painting on the tree. My hands were full and I just didn't think to use a tripod. Kyle made a file of the artwork and using our projector, projected the image onto the wall. I held up each of the six canvases while Kyle worked quickly to paint in the image.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wh9LDpk6kUbGrSeBBiWm1V8JettAZjoocd6HTTmUDP1fJJZ_v7BEfVtTFg1vt2ouMQvOae4m6Z3kcv4LFNBpT55w6myOSaFLEQIi2hyg1pQLBGve9pR6CWN2VDh2wJ8TIi03TMZU1es/s1600/IMG_9638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wh9LDpk6kUbGrSeBBiWm1V8JettAZjoocd6HTTmUDP1fJJZ_v7BEfVtTFg1vt2ouMQvOae4m6Z3kcv4LFNBpT55w6myOSaFLEQIi2hyg1pQLBGve9pR6CWN2VDh2wJ8TIi03TMZU1es/s1600/IMG_9638.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It turned out pretty awesome. We both love it. But, it needed a frame. Last summer, Kyle tore down our old decrepit deck, and saved the reusable wood. He took a few pieces and made a frame. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d3tVyevWglXbgr7ISxlt1HaXg451FlvdyuIIrf3DifdbsmkND62FAFpvILfkxyXfnXPalokpz5FwNhV8IQXkyE2Qq5dGr0iGUjuKEMy2d2IKjGXTWUTH9dNeP70LrKVdWY_on3P8VgE/s1600/IMG_4183_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d3tVyevWglXbgr7ISxlt1HaXg451FlvdyuIIrf3DifdbsmkND62FAFpvILfkxyXfnXPalokpz5FwNhV8IQXkyE2Qq5dGr0iGUjuKEMy2d2IKjGXTWUTH9dNeP70LrKVdWY_on3P8VgE/s1600/IMG_4183_1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The frame really finishes it off. What a happy tree! And that is the beginning of the never ending task of decorating our home.</div>
Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-10754066395385549822014-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:002015-06-26T07:13:27.949-07:00Kids: Sight Word Memory<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confession:<i> I am not very good at pretend play.</i> I just get bored with it and have a hard time coming up with anything to contribute. I do enjoy watching and listening to Hailey imagine a whole world beyond my grown up visibility. One of the best things of Hailey getting older has been the addition of new ways to interact with her. She is now old enough to play games, and she loves it. Oh yay! I love to play games. That I can do. Even slow, easy to play, mind numbing games... I can do that. And am happy to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hailey has a pretty good understanding of letters and the sounds they make. She has begun sounding out words and showing some interest in reading. She isn't completely ready to read yet, but on the path to get there. In an attempt to help enlarge her interest in reading I made a memory game using sight words.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3b3fwr3iKCe-aO_Pem2Udq4u7ALTNuwSlXMPMAxJNq-7ME6dBSFsG_Fx9LgqNlF9ny3sz3N_Q40j3iQ8LjwiE_eAUJ0DzjydzKme4AgRHdC4q-TsxyGDzGByQX4-1OsAieyK3SE5ok8/s1600/hillmade_sight+word+memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3b3fwr3iKCe-aO_Pem2Udq4u7ALTNuwSlXMPMAxJNq-7ME6dBSFsG_Fx9LgqNlF9ny3sz3N_Q40j3iQ8LjwiE_eAUJ0DzjydzKme4AgRHdC4q-TsxyGDzGByQX4-1OsAieyK3SE5ok8/s640/hillmade_sight+word+memory.jpg" title="hillmade: sight word memory, a fun way to learn beginning reading words" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My idea is that even if she isn't in the mood to learn to read the words at the moment she will at least be able to start recognizing those words as she is exposed to written words just in the everyday things we do. For example, today at church we were singing out of the hymn book. I pointed at each of the words as we sang and she followed along. She excitedly picked up on the word <i>is</i> a couple of times and pointed it out to me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtSs9BJBUNojNylbAPq8UW6iu9BNsIrCERxH9fZm4u5jmdhVOPy_eM1jO-VvPlOo5c-J0brYXMNJcgBNnRrvfnMiCBOwMEiUTN6l0-F8UbcjlSDl65Ff11fWlu2Jh5kaaO6q_o4hlzac/s1600/IMG_5783_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtSs9BJBUNojNylbAPq8UW6iu9BNsIrCERxH9fZm4u5jmdhVOPy_eM1jO-VvPlOo5c-J0brYXMNJcgBNnRrvfnMiCBOwMEiUTN6l0-F8UbcjlSDl65Ff11fWlu2Jh5kaaO6q_o4hlzac/s640/IMG_5783_1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The game is played just like any other game of memory. There are 36 total cards, 18 matching sets. Flip over the cards two at a time, if they match keep them and go again. If they don't, flip them back over and it is the next person's turn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbmHU4_wU63brUMnPCDlCnYQPxpBYBXU4qnWzZBr9KC7No9qMBGjmpJhburt0LaL47lsEzkhKuQ62ERVoYNuNl1ofUSWvsWO2eMiB0ApZpenxQkJRd1OktnaMjfpO5mOAyjCJMdohftI/s1600/IMG_5842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbmHU4_wU63brUMnPCDlCnYQPxpBYBXU4qnWzZBr9KC7No9qMBGjmpJhburt0LaL47lsEzkhKuQ62ERVoYNuNl1ofUSWvsWO2eMiB0ApZpenxQkJRd1OktnaMjfpO5mOAyjCJMdohftI/s640/IMG_5842.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make things a little easier, while we're still learning to recognize each of the words, instead of turning the cards back over when they don't match we leave them flipped up. I find it can take too long the other way and she loses steam. This way the game goes a little quicker, but she is still able to pick out matches. The more we play it, the more words she will learn to recognize.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKwgr36ua0GcDBCuGviKmohNlxNJqwZc1p9j9E8gYBl9v4QodkPWxAZxim6UEZASLcFzJ17ZDtOGS4lpXlhy34lnkcOlFoXPFunQ7atB-ninks3_Svoh99lnDcYstu-wwf75VN12f0Bc/s1600/IMG_5854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKwgr36ua0GcDBCuGviKmohNlxNJqwZc1p9j9E8gYBl9v4QodkPWxAZxim6UEZASLcFzJ17ZDtOGS4lpXlhy34lnkcOlFoXPFunQ7atB-ninks3_Svoh99lnDcYstu-wwf75VN12f0Bc/s640/IMG_5854.jpg" /></span></a><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfetLGRTCbpODBamA5RG8QqChTQdhtZhmD7VKk4EHGPEsdO62lkfSEj4GmPEGGF5vYxNuFMjtjaLKe8OsI5nZfU8aiXoMIjHVFA9BCyKWJHcRqeOevyqeXs4UkoIxuzP1Yu-634LJ94U/s640/IMG_5784.jpg" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow the links below to download your own copy. There is one file for the fronts, another for the back. Print the fronts out on cardstock. Reload them back into your printer and print the back on them (you will need to enter in 6 copies for the back, there is only 1 page in the file.) Each printer is different on whether the already printed side goes face up or face down. On my printer, Canon MP970, it is down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZY0s0eXR3RjJTSlk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Sight Word Memory Front</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZeTZPcGdyX0VrMXc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Sight Word Memory Back</a></span></div>
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Looking for more sight word games? Check out <a href="http://www.sightwords.com/sight-words/games/" target="_blank">sightwords.com</a> for more fun games to play with your beginning reader! There you will also find strategies for teaching sight words to your child and master lists of sight words, including flash cards to print out to assist in teaching your budding reader to learn how to read.</div>
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-78071108518843739742014-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-07T13:48:37.329-08:00Kids: Edible Apple IgloosBrains are funny. Funny amazing. It baffles me how much information is stored away for another day. Sometimes we really have no clue that our experiences have been carefully tagged, organized, and tucked away. That is until that tag pops up again and our brain jumps into action, "Look, here! Remember this. Or this..." And then we are shot back into time.<br />
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My brain went to work one day when Hailey brought home from preschool a picture of an igloo she had colored. Instant memory: I was sent back to when I was about her same age (four). I have a distinct memory of making igloos out of apples, peanut butter, and marshmallows. I mentioned that to my mom, "I remember making igloos, did we do that?" Baffled, she said, "You remember that!?" Nice work brain. (High five!)<br />
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So... what did Hailey and I do? We made igloos!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwML4GyueWXabQUTK2g3Bzj0Rzf8m7McrFK0NYbvNloE8IVdJ8RbB8DCZ5EAFaA0fcmerZlozvZH6qo4l7kRY8MTMdLzrqToI-QWbqUSszsZEblSgBkmnkyy97WmUUMyaaHpLsdZwOjT4/s1600/hillmade_apple+igloo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwML4GyueWXabQUTK2g3Bzj0Rzf8m7McrFK0NYbvNloE8IVdJ8RbB8DCZ5EAFaA0fcmerZlozvZH6qo4l7kRY8MTMdLzrqToI-QWbqUSszsZEblSgBkmnkyy97WmUUMyaaHpLsdZwOjT4/s1600/hillmade_apple+igloo.jpg" height="426" title="hillmade: edible apple igloos, a fun winter indoor snack to make with kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is what you need:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31FL_IQDdlm0koPblIFtlil_lgT_415r7oY0pi3QvvnWpGxKwf8tl4ay9tuDLPlcUw6KxVq5XGw2CXCGhFRa66dmHBZF0x06zFC2PMK2NLW5YAKCwJWOoR-ATWbcekEuXfzFIWeYzQk0/s1600/IMG_4712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31FL_IQDdlm0koPblIFtlil_lgT_415r7oY0pi3QvvnWpGxKwf8tl4ay9tuDLPlcUw6KxVq5XGw2CXCGhFRa66dmHBZF0x06zFC2PMK2NLW5YAKCwJWOoR-ATWbcekEuXfzFIWeYzQk0/s1600/IMG_4712.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>peanut butter</li>
<li>marshmallows</li>
<li>apple</li>
<li>cutting board</li>
<li>knife (one for cutting, one for spreading peanut butter)</li>
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<b>step 1:</b> Core and cut your apple in half. If you have a handy-dandy apple corer that would be ideal. I don't, so I just cut away the core as best as I could with a knife.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nrr5uTw7eu97PctqW_aorRYyMf-isByOss6kKsA13PIvrrCxj77AQYTsrsQv6_RllbDnGieAwlmTEdslwXfMUdPe9mOkr7GF02sJinpHNYMMXB0AEciDkUdBvnfZIjEZGRdVedk2Ytc/s1600/IMG_4714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nrr5uTw7eu97PctqW_aorRYyMf-isByOss6kKsA13PIvrrCxj77AQYTsrsQv6_RllbDnGieAwlmTEdslwXfMUdPe9mOkr7GF02sJinpHNYMMXB0AEciDkUdBvnfZIjEZGRdVedk2Ytc/s1600/IMG_4714.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>step 2:</b> Spread peanut butter on the outside of the apple.<br />
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<b>step 3:</b> Stick marshmallows to the peanut butter all over the apple.</div>
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Ta-da! An igloo. Now go eat it!<br />
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Linked up at:<br />
<a href="http://we-made-that.com/" target="_blank">We Made That</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/" target="_blank">The 36th Avenue</a>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-51696931653408521932014-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-20T09:04:09.301-08:00Home: Painting the Front Door<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We bought our house 1 1/2 years ago. It was built in 1987, which really isn't that old. I was born before then, so it <i>can't</i> be old! But, it has reached the age of needing updates. Mostly what it needs is a good coat of paint everywhere. One of the first places to start was our front door. Take a look at the before.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGgPRyV8-Jv108JqPhtNeXkJEr464j_7LV-iMCaT9JXyp5p_4oPv9jHhkYHu0ljXnbNA7WfkAnozBPZO-aSMzvRBdLDeoKoCiRILzh0IJumOdWIvw1_CHnvAqKtRhoW7HFdIrMO5Lxrw/s1600/IMG_4073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGgPRyV8-Jv108JqPhtNeXkJEr464j_7LV-iMCaT9JXyp5p_4oPv9jHhkYHu0ljXnbNA7WfkAnozBPZO-aSMzvRBdLDeoKoCiRILzh0IJumOdWIvw1_CHnvAqKtRhoW7HFdIrMO5Lxrw/s1600/IMG_4073.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's just so blaaaaah... and the paint is chipped to the metal. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBBwl46QmfZEDAjXDjW9pEZlgfvdLFT0-txfh_M5sJHoXH4YczpuIHOfYz37HSZP2F5eWsDR5Xp89_R7HRHjd1DT1qoaQ2SG-f4qQKIQoZhRXl3JgZ3v76bKBdrm4s6Kto6KSa6HKDG4/s1600/IMG_4071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBBwl46QmfZEDAjXDjW9pEZlgfvdLFT0-txfh_M5sJHoXH4YczpuIHOfYz37HSZP2F5eWsDR5Xp89_R7HRHjd1DT1qoaQ2SG-f4qQKIQoZhRXl3JgZ3v76bKBdrm4s6Kto6KSa6HKDG4/s1600/IMG_4071.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I hated that when people came to our home, the first thing they saw was our old beat up front door.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJsi47BVutza8i-lYm4PhK1sPYPM0X0m9OrJj2VeI7W4A0QKvc329EHmZLSNUhyphenhyphenQRF4RwF0UBhhJQw1dr2OkDzIk5pi-5V6OlqcmJS8d1QfdTJ9weBFrBGSlozyYHZou7FpMGGkPlRTo/s1600/IMG_4069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJsi47BVutza8i-lYm4PhK1sPYPM0X0m9OrJj2VeI7W4A0QKvc329EHmZLSNUhyphenhyphenQRF4RwF0UBhhJQw1dr2OkDzIk5pi-5V6OlqcmJS8d1QfdTJ9weBFrBGSlozyYHZou7FpMGGkPlRTo/s1600/IMG_4069.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inside wasn't much better. When the previous homeowners painted the walls and trim they did a pretty sloppy job of it. They painted right on the door and the hinge! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMydOz1b3_i1Jwpu6yHOWfZxdLPyqpcfUvD35kYx32ji2RPbvcHXVzFhAYyplZm8lo969blh2k4av0ywPwUScnBKEvH_SfYDLsYpjNlVsqpfHKZTB98Gw2QAEoJL4fg-ICVFSP-xNtjGE/s1600/IMG_4075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMydOz1b3_i1Jwpu6yHOWfZxdLPyqpcfUvD35kYx32ji2RPbvcHXVzFhAYyplZm8lo969blh2k4av0ywPwUScnBKEvH_SfYDLsYpjNlVsqpfHKZTB98Gw2QAEoJL4fg-ICVFSP-xNtjGE/s1600/IMG_4075.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'm not a fan of the wall color, but that has to stay for now. But look, the front door is the same color. It sinks right into the wall. So boring...</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkgHf7i7kW9WGO6zdAV0BYaiQb4lkDk7tryW8wxF2EAZX2BPJHmoQEDPRZ0A4qgRin4tj0fqh-uKkb6qfvWtYvMVl8HRCJLiglWKUY906iznHtLcS_F5H3ejrCtwfSJ_6qlcrJcrHPcY/s1600/IMG_4079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkgHf7i7kW9WGO6zdAV0BYaiQb4lkDk7tryW8wxF2EAZX2BPJHmoQEDPRZ0A4qgRin4tj0fqh-uKkb6qfvWtYvMVl8HRCJLiglWKUY906iznHtLcS_F5H3ejrCtwfSJ_6qlcrJcrHPcY/s1600/IMG_4079.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband is awesome. Seriously awesome. He spent 1 1/2 days painting that front door. It took quite a bit longer than we originally thought it would. But it was so worth the effort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To start with, since the paint was chipped down to the metal, we had to strip all of the paint off the door. There it is, bare, right down to the metal. The red spots are areas where Kyle filled in a couple of larger dents in the door with some bondo (auto body filler).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then came priming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then painting. Look at that bright red! We really wanted a red-orange, which it is. But it is heavier on the red side than we originally wanted. I still love it though! The color we chose was Grenadine by Behr. It was nice and bright and happy. And definitely not boring.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now look at that happy door! Isn't that more inviting? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We even painted the inside the same color. I love the pop of color it adds. It was definitely needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now our house is easier to find. It's the one with the bright red door! (Yes, we still need to paint the trim. It's somewhere on our long list of updates to make.)</span></div>
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<br />Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-39582506985230840102014-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-17T00:00:00.982-08:00First Birthday Cupcake Toppers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think parties are fun. Who doesn't? <i>Party pooper...</i> In college we threw some fun parties, like a fish themed birthday party for our goldfish. Yes, our goldfish actually made it to his birthday. He was a trooper of a fish. Seriously. It was a sad day when he died. We had a funeral.<br />
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But I digress... <br />
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I really don't go all out for parties. I'm not a big party planner. I think themed parties are fun. But they can get expensive! It adds up quick. But, I feel like when it's your very first birthday you deserve a little something special. Even if it's just a few streamers, a pile of balloons, <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-screen-printing-first-for-me.html" target="_blank">a special birthday shirt</a>, and a fancy topper on your cupcake.<br />
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After <a href="http://hillmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-screen-printing-first-for-me.html" target="_blank">screen printing</a> Keira's birthday shirt, I used the same design to make some cupcake toppers. I changed the wording from I'M #1 to KEIRA IS #1. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRpGbL5CtE7p4v2oNtBFJA1DOsKtYDZ5Naa8sWGOFv9_qjT5XpUQKSn89TVu5R-CUpyYokNGtGLzOyVlvpj0xkBXCC_T2AWXiODE2sUAqVkWVzi50l7eYvKMhuQVj3SE_wN9l5jzCVlE/s1600/IMG_5422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRpGbL5CtE7p4v2oNtBFJA1DOsKtYDZ5Naa8sWGOFv9_qjT5XpUQKSn89TVu5R-CUpyYokNGtGLzOyVlvpj0xkBXCC_T2AWXiODE2sUAqVkWVzi50l7eYvKMhuQVj3SE_wN9l5jzCVlE/s1600/IMG_5422.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I Love them. That's right, with a capital L. I made a birthday poster for my little girl and even put one on there too.<br />
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Want to make some? I made a file with five different colors, purple, orange, green, blue, and red. I took off the name, so they just say #1. I assume most anyone else wanting to use them won't be throwing a party for a little girl named Keira. Keira isn't that popular of a name. :)<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZNnhxS1JsSEtSblk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g1I2wFzZMbjoqB0FYQyHTi6MWPtaWb8X6EDZPrEpQ7A3fxa3XE0e3m7Dj285CwYT0bI_P5aqohd2X2M3fxMP3goxl9yoNbHXH3nObk-aZ4pX8e7JP9U_vfnFSBmwYd8H6HSjti6Arvs/s1600/%231+Foam+Finger+Cupcake+Topper_5+colors.png" /></a></div>
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Print the file out on cardstock, cut the fingers out, and tape a toothpick to the back. That's it!<br />
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Click on the image to download the file, or follow <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3s7_HYIXL_ZNnhxS1JsSEtSblk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">this link</a>.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160079611892365520.post-85863163518130841582014-01-16T07:41:00.000-08:002014-01-17T19:21:18.768-08:00DIY Screen Printing: Nylons, an Embroidery Hoop and Mod PodgeFor a few years now I have wanted to try my hand at screen printing. I think it looks so fun! So when my baby girl turned one and <i>needed</i> a 1st birthday shirt, I thought I'd try it out.<br />
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You know those foam fingers at sporting events? They say things like, "We're #1!" and are larger than life. How about a foam finger #1 birthday shirt? I had this idea in my head for a few months and was so excited about it. So, I did a little internet research on at home screen printing on the cheap, and got to work. I'm no expert, but I'll show you what I did and what I learned.</div>
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First you'll need:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCER61s7HHf_dMaTLp2CsjqHlZis5aFpAKqyUrhRLLDPHbo47-UiaJaWYBawVnL-yDWCsoZag7iRB7mjx99ALMUWO_EXRt7Yrfv5KCU1amn_iyrHr83RKITHK3wQYQjllhUiTAL1vw6ag/s1600/IMG_5265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCER61s7HHf_dMaTLp2CsjqHlZis5aFpAKqyUrhRLLDPHbo47-UiaJaWYBawVnL-yDWCsoZag7iRB7mjx99ALMUWO_EXRt7Yrfv5KCU1amn_iyrHr83RKITHK3wQYQjllhUiTAL1vw6ag/s1600/IMG_5265.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>old nylons, or other tight woven thin material (I read mention of using tulle. I started with that, but the fibers weren't tight enough, the gaps were too big and it was hard to get good definition. It looked pixelated. If you understand the way resolution works, it is the same concept.)</li>
<li>embroidery hoop</li>
<li>mod podge</li>
<li>fabric paint (I used acrylic paint and mixed it with a fabric painting medium)</li>
<li>paint brush/toothpicks</li>
<li>credit card or other object with a straight edge, it must be wider than your image</li>
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<b>step 1:</b> stretch the nylon tight over the embroidery hoop and secure it into place. </div>
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<b>step 2:</b> You can do this next step two ways. You can print your image out in reverse and place the hoop on top of it with the nylon side up. (This is what I did.) Or, what I think would be easier, is to print your image out just like you want to see it and put the nylon side down so it is touching the paper and then trace the image onto the nylon with a pen or marker.</div>
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<b>step 3:</b> Using mod podge, paint any areas of the design that you don't want to be color when you screen print. For me it was the outline of the hand. Make sure you flip the hoop over so the nylon is not touching the paper (the image will be reverse), otherwise it will stick to the paper as the glue dries. </div>
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I used a toothpick to paint the detailed areas and a foam brush to do the bigger outside areas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdkJxQ1XC7KpDaLXANSEdkTyACfn7EbHPUOJhsaXzbi1hobU_Qqz_9MDXaF_0ToL34gWkuQ8xKD-jfvBjIPNu9u-iR-gfIpZ4K-ZqpMvE-FpwLCT3xbo3a1q63B_qMKWY5XTZ3IrVYH8/s1600/IMG_5276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdkJxQ1XC7KpDaLXANSEdkTyACfn7EbHPUOJhsaXzbi1hobU_Qqz_9MDXaF_0ToL34gWkuQ8xKD-jfvBjIPNu9u-iR-gfIpZ4K-ZqpMvE-FpwLCT3xbo3a1q63B_qMKWY5XTZ3IrVYH8/s1600/IMG_5276.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>step 4:</b> Wait for the mod podge to dry. It will dry clear and harden.<br />
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<b>step 5:</b> Now your screen is ready to use! But first you need to mix together the acrylic paint and the fabric paint medium. Follow the instructions on the bottle. For me it was 2 parts paint to 1 part medium.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTOfRP596btT_ziBVStkrnkTDVi4sYwyswSBcV2sUodMIwNdIUfHmIensxTT88b4SLzNTjlBTXF7E589Swe0JmsIQBX-PY_FPMMQi0g5yacRy4HS1isnpv1JgaX4UBUj0pxEmBd29DHw/s1600/IMG_5307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTOfRP596btT_ziBVStkrnkTDVi4sYwyswSBcV2sUodMIwNdIUfHmIensxTT88b4SLzNTjlBTXF7E589Swe0JmsIQBX-PY_FPMMQi0g5yacRy4HS1isnpv1JgaX4UBUj0pxEmBd29DHw/s1600/IMG_5307.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>step 6:</b> Now the real fun begins. Place your screen, nylon side down, on top of your fabric. Squeeze or pour a generous amount of paint in a line across the top of your image. Now, do as I say, not as I do. I took this picture on my very first attempt, and I didn't do it right. The paint should go all the way across your image and be enough that as you pull it down the screen you have enough to fill in the image. This is done in one step. Only pull the paint across the screen one time, so be sure that when you do it that your card is sliding over the whole image. Not like how I show it in the picture below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWlwhwwXy_VRGPyXXjNno4sLUC-skggLQP9B8cSYtCxKu1jmiVeQYYxOWVKMEBCFux0O5Qda1NgtAk9jE1TlWavTwT2gbA75T3w5qSlq4j7pbfzfcqJiEzsNwJdeqiTbE_SGcxQ3091E/s1600/IMG_5300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWlwhwwXy_VRGPyXXjNno4sLUC-skggLQP9B8cSYtCxKu1jmiVeQYYxOWVKMEBCFux0O5Qda1NgtAk9jE1TlWavTwT2gbA75T3w5qSlq4j7pbfzfcqJiEzsNwJdeqiTbE_SGcxQ3091E/s1600/IMG_5300.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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I definitely recommend practicing. It took me a few tries to get the hang of how much paint and how much pressure to use. <br />
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When you are ready, make sure to remember what you learned, and don't go against your better judgment. Like I did. I said not to go over the image twice, but I did. When I printed on the actual shirt I was so nervous it wasn't going to come out right that I went over it a second time and put too much paint into the image and lost some detail. Darn it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB81QbhgDVz98jj52JN-pxHJkoivVdbFKfzm1ZZgyRnX8ocPJW4G3ThBAVrFSI9YmfO4sZ2Vjd5V4jiA40M26aCZ95rT-WyQgJFKylALrI8V1fN2zFeqzrMWSUzPuSkDSi8Ic3H_fB2lo/s1600/IMG_5306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB81QbhgDVz98jj52JN-pxHJkoivVdbFKfzm1ZZgyRnX8ocPJW4G3ThBAVrFSI9YmfO4sZ2Vjd5V4jiA40M26aCZ95rT-WyQgJFKylALrI8V1fN2zFeqzrMWSUzPuSkDSi8Ic3H_fB2lo/s1600/IMG_5306.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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After the paint dried I went back over it with a toothpick and touched it up. I pulled out some white paint and mixed it with the fabric medium to add the details back into the image.<br />
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<b>step 7:</b> To heat set the paint, after it has dried, place a cloth over the image and press an iron to it for a few seconds.<br />
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This method of screen printing isn't perfect. But it was cheaper, and it worked for what I was using it for. I actually think it gives a pretty good distressed image, when you do it right and don't use too much paint. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ujgu-YZn7fH5V3DHXhzljvWvJjR3tV8jWwjJXHl39PEwNtjs1n7ev8811GmoBbsLhBjT4v7g_EmaGmM-ILzc6znMblsHX4B4VUsXD4Fucqp5Xj_bfF6UyUSQpR-kWyP2XPggsDiB4IE/s1600/IMG_5335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ujgu-YZn7fH5V3DHXhzljvWvJjR3tV8jWwjJXHl39PEwNtjs1n7ev8811GmoBbsLhBjT4v7g_EmaGmM-ILzc6znMblsHX4B4VUsXD4Fucqp5Xj_bfF6UyUSQpR-kWyP2XPggsDiB4IE/s1600/IMG_5335.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Little one year olds don't care what their shirt looks like, plus they look cute no matter what they're wearing. That's the advantage of being a baby. Actually, in the end I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It was a fun project and definitely something I'd give another try at.</div>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00304324153463980805noreply@blogger.com8