tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20732139592234647362024-02-08T08:44:39.825-08:00Well Hello, Sunshine!~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-51931262617314711712013-07-02T16:55:00.001-07:002013-07-02T16:55:15.386-07:00Reupholstering a Thrift Store FindCheck out this beauty!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rTV2E0ydwnc/UdNoYVB__UI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ilXHzmY1kO8/s640/blogger-image-1764266571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rTV2E0ydwnc/UdNoYVB__UI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ilXHzmY1kO8/s640/blogger-image-1764266571.jpg"></a></div>I picked it up while checking out a new thrift store in town and it just HAD to come home with me. I think it will be pretty sweet in the office. Well, once I sand it, paint it, and reupholster it! Stay tuned!</div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-61494443356346090332013-06-27T15:48:00.001-07:002013-06-27T15:48:42.707-07:00Craft Room Redo, Step OneThe craft room is that one room in our house where everything goes when it doesn't have a home. The door remains shut 99% of the time because there is always so <strike>much random stuff </strike> many wonderful projects on the floor and the tables. I decided that giving the craft room a face-lift would be invigorating. It might even encourage met to keep the door open once in a while, and keep me from making it the house dumping ground.<br />
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I thought I had a nice *before* picture for you, but I seem to be terrible about taking those. Just went through my entire iPhoto collection... and you know what? I haven't really taken any pictures of the rooms in our new house (and we have lived here for two years!) I am sure I will find one around here somewhere... Anywho...<br />
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The to-do list looked a little like this:<br />
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1. Purge the stash of random things that "might be a fun project one day"<br />
2. Empty and organize closet (also full of "potential" projects)<br />
3. Paint bookcases<br />
4. Paint cabinet<br />
5. Make curtains<br />
6. Make art piece for wall<br />
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So, I began the purge. It felt SO good.<br />
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I used the tried-and-true technique of laundry baskets labeled:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Recycle</li>
<li>Trash</li>
<li>Donate</li>
<li>Move Elsewhere</li>
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It went much faster than I anticipated. It helped that J-Boy was napping- so I had a deadline. That and Lady GaGa. She makes every project go faster! It even felt good to let go of some of those "projects" because it meant that I was making room for *new* projects!<br />
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Total count:<br />
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<li>Three bags to the recycling bin</li>
<li>Two for donation</li>
<li>One to the trash</li>
<li>Two baskets full of things for other rooms in our house (how did THAT get in here?). </li>
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Then, it was time to tackle the bookcases. My new design included simple white bookcases. Like these:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reNdhV0floA/UAGQ7nS_CWI/AAAAAAAAAo0/wCbhz-U7QZY/s1600/hemnes-bookcase__0104042_PE250692_S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reNdhV0floA/UAGQ7nS_CWI/AAAAAAAAAo0/wCbhz-U7QZY/s320/hemnes-bookcase__0104042_PE250692_S4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But at $155 a piece, I didn't really want to invest in new bookcases. Plus, I had purchased pine ones from a friend who was closing her craft shop a few years ago. They are great shelves- tall, not too deep, lightweight but sturdy. They have lived in my craft room for years, but I never did anything to them... until now! Off to the paint store! <br />
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I really didn't want to use an oil based primer, but since they were sealed and knotty (and I didn't want to sand three bookcases and fifteen shelves- the boy only naps once a day!) I went with Zinsser primer.<br />
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This stuff sticks to almost anything and gives you a nice primed surface to paint. Even though it is an oil-based primer, you can paint it with latex once it is nice and dry. I warn you, though, it is stinky! Be sure to paint in a well-ventilated space! I tried to paint these in the craft room, but it was not enough ventilation! Eventually I moved the whole operation to the garage, and I even wore a mask that I usually wear for spray painting because I started getting a little woozy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the sun fading on these bad boys!</td></tr>
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I gave the bookcases two coats of primer to be sure the knots were nice and covered. I also primed the shelves twice. Bookcases are sneaky pieces to paint. At only 7'x3' you would think they would paint up quickly, until you remember your 5th grade math class and how fast surface area calculations can grow... and grow... and grow. So, a whole lotta square feet of priming later (and one accidental painting mark on the garage floor-sorry honey!) they were ready for paint!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After one coat of primer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After two coats of primer. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doh! Don't rush...</td></tr>
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This is where the two coats of primer really paid off. I had a very smooth and happy surface to work with. I ended up using a foam roller for these so that the finished product was as smooth as possible. This would have been a great project for a paint sprayer, but I don't have one of those yet :)<br />
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The cases and shelves went white, but I wanted the back to really "pop" off the walls. So I went with a bright raspberry paint (Behr, Strawberry Daiquiri) for the backboard. Even though the backboard is particle board and it tore a little when I pried it off the back, it was worth removing it to paint. Trying to paint it while attached would have meant a lot of tape and more patience than I was willing to commit to such a project.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole operation.<br /></td></tr>
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Paint. Paint. Paint. Paint. Done!</div>
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After drying in the garage for a few days, I moved them back into the craft room. I was anxious to put everything back on them right away, but I knew that the longer curing time they had, the better. Finally, it was time to add all of my supplies back on to the shelves. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-da! Progress has been made!</td></tr>
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So now the to-do list looks like this:</div>
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<strike>1. Purge the stash of random things that "might be a fun project one day"</strike></div>
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<strike>2. Empty and organize closet (also full of "potential" projects)</strike></div>
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<strike>3. Paint bookcases</strike></div>
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4. Paint cabinet</div>
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5. Make curtains</div>
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6. Make art piece for wall</div>
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What do you think? What have you been working on in your space? Looks like I have my work cut out for me on my next projects!</div>
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~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-64581881647824035392013-06-27T15:08:00.002-07:002013-06-27T15:11:32.398-07:00Eliminate the Drawer Dump!<div>
Ah, bedtime! The time when you try to wrangle over-tired, cranky children into pajamas with clean teeth, just-one-more-drink-of-water, and a story that hopefully isn't written by Dr. Seuss (I love that man, but I just can't handle those rhymes that go on and one and on at bedtime!!) </div>
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My son, in his budding independence, loves to pick out his own pajamas. Great! One less decision for Mama! The problem is that this is the pajama drawer:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pajama Drawer BEFORE </td></tr>
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Does this look familiar to you? Do you know what havoc a four or five year old can have on a drawer like this? Searching for *just* the right pair of pajamas (which I know don't exist, it is just the LAST pair to make it out of the drawer while standing on the pile of discarded pjs) is a recipe for exhaustion, for sure!!<br />
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One day while putting away laundry, I had an epiphany. Now apparently other moms have had this epiphany before me, but no one bothered to let me in on the secret. I, however, beg you to try it if you haven't figured this one out yet. It will change your life. Okay, it won't. But I bet it will make pajama finding easier!<br />
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The simple solution? Turn all the clothes on their end. Yep, just "file" those sweet jammies upright. Now little eyes can see the patterns and there is no more need for digging! Yay!!<br />
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It really is the little things, people. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pajama Drawer: Filed!</td></tr>
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<br />~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-10793383524541915802013-06-21T13:58:00.000-07:002013-06-21T13:58:37.403-07:00Summer is here!!Well, Hello, Summer! <br />
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It is true, this summer I am planning on gettin' my craft back on and blogging a little bit about it. My first projects will be part of the Pinterest Challenge. Pinterest is a dangerous worm hole and I am determined to not let it suck me in to never let go. Instead, I actually want to <em>do</em> a few of the <strike>hundred</strike> projects that I have pinned. <br />
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First up, a wall map for the playroom/media room. Perhaps something like this...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymDhEM_SE90/UcS9t6Zo1DI/AAAAAAAAAu0/WjII1xISBUQ/s1600/Large+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymDhEM_SE90/UcS9t6Zo1DI/AAAAAAAAAu0/WjII1xISBUQ/s320/Large+Map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or this... a little less vintage.</div>
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I like the cutout quality of this one...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoVpckE9ZuQ/UcS9ySM1wMI/AAAAAAAAAvE/9l9JW7ZjrA4/s1600/WAll+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoVpckE9ZuQ/UcS9ySM1wMI/AAAAAAAAAvE/9l9JW7ZjrA4/s320/WAll+map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And this is a sweet idea...<br />
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What is your vote? Do you have a map at your house? I like to believe that it would be a learning tool for J-Boy as well, but maybe that is just the teacher in me! ~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-90606873951104707922011-12-11T21:41:00.000-08:002013-06-27T15:12:55.251-07:00Chevron ChairI have this darling chair that was handed down to me from my parents. It is wood, it has a diamond shaped seat, and was made in Missouri. Umm... I know I have a few "before" pictures of it... but I can't seem to find any. Sorry!<br />
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Unfortunately, one of the legs is broken a bit and I know that it should never hold the weight of a person again. It really is a useless piece of furniture, it being a chair you can't sit in... But it is too adorable to get rid of... but it also doesn't really *go* anywhere in our house.<br />
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Rather than getting rid of it, I decided to paint it. GASP. I know there are wood finish die-hards who say to never paint beautiful wood... but this was the one way that I was going to be willing to keep it... so. there.<br />
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I thought that the best place for this darling beauty would be for the master bedroom in front of a glass front curio cabinet. All the (wood) furniture in the master bedroom is black and the textiles are sea blue and white. Beachy without being beach-cottagy if you know what I mean (is cottagy even a word? No? Oh well.)<br />
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SO I decided to paint the chair white with a blue chevron pattern on the seat. I began by taping down a pattern of parallel tape strips.<br />
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Then, I grabbed a craft knife/razor blade and *very* carefully cut away at half of the tape to reveal a chevron pattern. I wanted to be careful to not marr the white paint with razor cuts, but also keep the integrity of the tape (Frog tape worked great for this!)<br />
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It was a bit like an optical illusion, so I did mark the chevron with a pen to help me cut the right rows!<br />
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Once all the trimming was done, I was left with this:<br />
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Then came the paint. I used a Martha Stewart latex paint aptly called Sea Glass.<br />
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I also added a single chevron to the back rail. In hindsight I should have left it white.<br />
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The finished product:<br />
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It is adorable. I love the chevron pattern and I am proud of the technique.<br />
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The only thing? I don't like it in my bedroom. It just doesn't go. Too cute or something... Not sure. It has moved into my craft room and now I don't know what to do with it. It doesn't really go in there either. So, repaint it? Sand it down and stain it? What to do!?<br />
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UPDATE: This adorable chair found a home in my craft room after the re-org. I'll post about it soon!~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-88176722763927504912011-11-11T14:41:00.000-08:002011-11-11T14:41:48.658-08:00November...!?So, I went back to work in September. Apparently it has consumed my life.<br />
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No, not really, it just seems that every spare minute that I have while not at work is filled with other fun stuff. My "free time" is still around, but I have to be very selective about what I choose to do with it. I am still squeezing in projects here and there- though clearly not at the speed that I can keep up with over the summer!<br />
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I find myself doing "mini-projects." Like when I realized that Little Man was not going to wake up at his usual 5:45AM and I had a few minutes on my hands. What to do? Maybe write a list. Except, this is where the paper is found:<br />
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Hmm.. guess I could clean the junk drawer.<br />
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Much better!<br />
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So this is life during the school year. Squeeze things in. Isn't that the truth for us all!?<br />
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I also played around with my Silhouette. I have to admit that I have a HUGE list of want-to-do's for this crafty craft tool...<br />
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My first project: A laundry jar<br />
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It was my first attempt at using vinyl. I have to say that I was pretty darn pleased with myself! If I were to do it again I would have made the font a bit smaller, but I love the red and teal together!<br />
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I feel strongly that your "first" attempt at anything is worth keeping. Even if it is a bit wonky. Such good memories!<br />
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Our current "BIG" project is redecorating Little Man's room. One night, when we went to check on him after bedtime, we found him all squished up in his toddler bed. It was clear that although he is only 3 1/2, it was time for a big boy bed! So, out came the convertible bed directions again and presto-chango- Little Man is now in a full-sized bed!<br />
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I love it because there is enough room for me to crawl in next to him for snuggling and story time! I also love that we have given his room a more finished decor. When we first moved in I slapped some wall stickers up and called it a *room of transition*... but it bothered me that it didn't feel really pulled together.<br />
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And it still isn't fully pulled together- but almost! I am working on collecting the last few precious pieces before I give you the full reveal. Stay tuned! I promise I will try to post a few more times this month ;)~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-85680878256315949732011-08-27T22:08:00.000-07:002011-08-27T22:08:06.762-07:00Back to School!Back-to-school time is upon us. In our house, our son isn't old enough for elementary school, but since I am a teacher, it is a special time for me! I have the privilege of working during the school year and having the summers off- and I love the leisurely time that the summer brings. However, each August, the butterflies sneak in and I begin to get excited about school starting again!<br />
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This year, I was inspired by some cute back-to-school displays over on Pinterest. So, I decided to create a little arrangement for the kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gvRtsLjUvts/TlnK_9hkroI/AAAAAAAAAm0/XkRL3Ile2iA/s1600/BTS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gvRtsLjUvts/TlnK_9hkroI/AAAAAAAAAm0/XkRL3Ile2iA/s640/BTS3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I picked out the large scissors from my craft room, a dictionary, and a few books. The little hedgehog just seemed to join the party!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUxNosUAoRc/TlnK-k6UPoI/AAAAAAAAAms/xbuAe_9LIYQ/s1600/BTS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUxNosUAoRc/TlnK-k6UPoI/AAAAAAAAAms/xbuAe_9LIYQ/s640/BTS1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> On the other side, I used my FAVORITE pencils (Ticonderoga) to create a back-to-school vase.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60H2e-zVy_k/TlnK_SwsD5I/AAAAAAAAAmw/OHyp9KbxFJY/s1600/BTS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60H2e-zVy_k/TlnK_SwsD5I/AAAAAAAAAmw/OHyp9KbxFJY/s640/BTS2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gvRtsLjUvts/TlnK_9hkroI/AAAAAAAAAm0/XkRL3Ile2iA/s1600/BTS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gvRtsLjUvts/TlnK_9hkroI/AAAAAAAAAm0/XkRL3Ile2iA/s640/BTS3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The book covers were plain paper that I had saved from a shopping trip. It's just the paper that the shop wraps breakables in. I flattened it out, folded it around a book for size, and then used a light blue and red pen to create the "paper" effect. I used my best "teacher writing" to inscribe the cover.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJK-SdEj6JE/TlnLB1xpuCI/AAAAAAAAAnA/4tpXS8H-Oiw/s1600/BTS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJK-SdEj6JE/TlnLB1xpuCI/AAAAAAAAAnA/4tpXS8H-Oiw/s640/BTS6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> Before I know it, I will be coming home and collapsing on the couch from a long and exhilarating day of teaching. This little display sure gets me in the mood!<br />
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~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-2585939320852539752011-08-24T19:30:00.000-07:002011-08-24T19:30:08.016-07:00Glass, Glass, Baby!To finish off my list of summer classes (<a href="http://wellhellosunshine.blogspot.com/2011/07/test-post.html">here</a>, <a href="http://wellhellosunshine.blogspot.com/2011/07/cheesemaker-for-day.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://wellhellosunshine.blogspot.com/2011/08/chocolate-making.html">here</a>) I recently took a glass blowing class at <a href="http://uptownglassworks.com/">Uptown<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> Glassworks</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">!</span> I made this:<br />
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No, really, <i>I</i> made that! Well, the master glass blower led me through the process and was by my side the entire time, but<i> I</i> made this!<br />
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This was, by far, the most intimidating and exhilarating class yet. Mostly because I was constantly in fear of burning a finger or two off! The furnace is kept at a cool 2700 degrees, after all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkAQVb4V1Qo/TlSN_omN3pI/AAAAAAAAAic/HVjrOkOlXaU/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkAQVb4V1Qo/TlSN_omN3pI/AAAAAAAAAic/HVjrOkOlXaU/s640/IMG_2057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>First, I picked the colors I wanted to incorporate into my bowl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKkb7-B6Fpg/TlSNmEI_7SI/AAAAAAAAAhU/kxWFLJDa0us/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKkb7-B6Fpg/TlSNmEI_7SI/AAAAAAAAAhU/kxWFLJDa0us/s640/IMG_2039.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose two greens; Grass and Irish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LYi-kXY-bo/TlSQzshIUZI/AAAAAAAAAkI/X6Sti-kNKjk/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LYi-kXY-bo/TlSQzshIUZI/AAAAAAAAAkI/X6Sti-kNKjk/s640/IMG_2040.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Starting with a small glob of molten glass, I rolled and rolled to get it nice and smooth and round. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixv65k72kDI/TlSQ2ixEyKI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/L8HssxUQXFU/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixv65k72kDI/TlSQ2ixEyKI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/L8HssxUQXFU/s640/IMG_2042.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> It was HOT!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2cRO7IRVi0/TlSQ9OXxY4I/AAAAAAAAAkg/RmApS5Ud-CU/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2cRO7IRVi0/TlSQ9OXxY4I/AAAAAAAAAkg/RmApS5Ud-CU/s640/IMG_2046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Then we dipped it into the small colored shards. <i>Grass</i> on two sides and <i>Irish</i> on the other two.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dt7NuviHE0/TlSQ-XfRPmI/AAAAAAAAAkk/UworUvDpfIA/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dt7NuviHE0/TlSQ-XfRPmI/AAAAAAAAAkk/UworUvDpfIA/s640/IMG_2047.JPG" width="640" /></a>Did I mention I was a bit nervous!? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVwt0OYuE5o/TlSRBVfgqcI/AAAAAAAAAks/PN8U6ibfrd8/s1600/IMG_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVwt0OYuE5o/TlSRBVfgqcI/AAAAAAAAAks/PN8U6ibfrd8/s640/IMG_2049.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, rolling to swirl the colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJIGLtqQfE8/TlSRERatWtI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Y1q9O5diKqg/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJIGLtqQfE8/TlSRERatWtI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Y1q9O5diKqg/s640/IMG_2051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Back into the fire.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVigcTW3v-w/TlSRGO2xs7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/CsUDa7DK3Qk/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVigcTW3v-w/TlSRGO2xs7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/CsUDa7DK3Qk/s640/IMG_2052.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> More rolling and swirling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwmiPZpgsjI/TlSRIOlf6bI/AAAAAAAAAk8/WvuO0t0HEgU/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwmiPZpgsjI/TlSRIOlf6bI/AAAAAAAAAk8/WvuO0t0HEgU/s640/IMG_2053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Shaping with a wooden form.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQo8mqKM1Sg/TlSRLqSikNI/AAAAAAAAAlE/cwl4Gn1lIjc/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQo8mqKM1Sg/TlSRLqSikNI/AAAAAAAAAlE/cwl4Gn1lIjc/s640/IMG_2055.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz_ODH-tHcE/TlSRNGMTJOI/AAAAAAAAAlI/8UC0jQB-DtM/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz_ODH-tHcE/TlSRNGMTJOI/AAAAAAAAAlI/8UC0jQB-DtM/s640/IMG_2056.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Getting instructions for the "blowing" part of the glass blowing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ePLlzdJQqk/TlSRReizw3I/AAAAAAAAAlU/igqwOKG5umY/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ePLlzdJQqk/TlSRReizw3I/AAAAAAAAAlU/igqwOKG5umY/s640/IMG_2060.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> Blowing the bubble. Phew. I had to work hard not to pass out! Not only was that a lot of breath- it was HOT in there!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kt21AXaY53M/TlSRSijNK2I/AAAAAAAAAlY/NgVxC0s_OYs/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kt21AXaY53M/TlSRSijNK2I/AAAAAAAAAlY/NgVxC0s_OYs/s640/IMG_2062.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Blow, Blow, Blow the glass...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHzJQj-SG6U/TlSRXIWwX0I/AAAAAAAAAlk/vCqoWIxX8h4/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHzJQj-SG6U/TlSRXIWwX0I/AAAAAAAAAlk/vCqoWIxX8h4/s640/IMG_2065.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mKnEeBBr-c/TlSRYfAw2JI/AAAAAAAAAlo/_SS_D1Bhz6Y/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mKnEeBBr-c/TlSRYfAw2JI/AAAAAAAAAlo/_SS_D1Bhz6Y/s640/IMG_2066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Ridging the end with a metal jack to make the foot of the bowl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M21vJQHDHCA/TlSRZ20meGI/AAAAAAAAAls/RGmSwrSYd2A/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M21vJQHDHCA/TlSRZ20meGI/AAAAAAAAAls/RGmSwrSYd2A/s640/IMG_2068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Starting to really feel natural at this! Ok, not really.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxZ2SiNEmE8/TlSRb4Kb7uI/AAAAAAAAAlw/axBWT5w5SdE/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxZ2SiNEmE8/TlSRb4Kb7uI/AAAAAAAAAlw/axBWT5w5SdE/s640/IMG_2069.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> Then, my teacher used a blow torch to heat the end even more while I blew to "pop" the balloon. This would make it open to make the bowl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vM_Zbq8uTcU/TlSRdCffnRI/AAAAAAAAAl0/RJ2iNe605Mg/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vM_Zbq8uTcU/TlSRdCffnRI/AAAAAAAAAl0/RJ2iNe605Mg/s640/IMG_2070.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> I did it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R6Axiwh3jUs/TlSRfrSeJ1I/AAAAAAAAAl8/JUyj0kPikb0/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R6Axiwh3jUs/TlSRfrSeJ1I/AAAAAAAAAl8/JUyj0kPikb0/s640/IMG_2072.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Then, you have to trim the very thin lip of the bowl so it won't shatter. I let my teacher do the cutting. It was too close for my comfort.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJbc2ceWKb8/TlSRhDzyYiI/AAAAAAAAAmA/l15YRHTRzcc/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJbc2ceWKb8/TlSRhDzyYiI/AAAAAAAAAmA/l15YRHTRzcc/s640/IMG_2073.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7QcpXQNq10/TlSRiRY0ImI/AAAAAAAAAmE/1DHCHFTVJOQ/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7QcpXQNq10/TlSRiRY0ImI/AAAAAAAAAmE/1DHCHFTVJOQ/s640/IMG_2074.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> Using the jack again to open the rim up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zindc8-r-lk/TlSRjrQ8R5I/AAAAAAAAAmI/38EFeeR3E8I/s1600/IMG_2075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zindc8-r-lk/TlSRjrQ8R5I/AAAAAAAAAmI/38EFeeR3E8I/s640/IMG_2075.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> Finally a spin to get it to open up like a flower.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EUxImXGkjIw/TlSRlShskUI/AAAAAAAAAmM/6QGYWybeZXM/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EUxImXGkjIw/TlSRlShskUI/AAAAAAAAAmM/6QGYWybeZXM/s640/IMG_2077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTYSNRcuZCw/TlSRm3zVz-I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/yLGwOplXelw/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTYSNRcuZCw/TlSRm3zVz-I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/yLGwOplXelw/s640/IMG_2078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> It started cooling down quick and you could see the color change from the molten orange to the green that it would become once room temperature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7YIp0-met7w/TlSRo_Dt4JI/AAAAAAAAAmU/dTeK3l1U--U/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7YIp0-met7w/TlSRo_Dt4JI/AAAAAAAAAmU/dTeK3l1U--U/s640/IMG_2079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npc_dCxSEJ8/TlSRqdq70LI/AAAAAAAAAmY/clMhJk92ATk/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npc_dCxSEJ8/TlSRqdq70LI/AAAAAAAAAmY/clMhJk92ATk/s640/IMG_2080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>My teacher pulled a "button" of glass from the furnace for the base of the bowl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiaUEMFEY3o/TlSRrwHCCPI/AAAAAAAAAmc/oijqu-SMwWo/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiaUEMFEY3o/TlSRrwHCCPI/AAAAAAAAAmc/oijqu-SMwWo/s640/IMG_2081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> After setting her down on the button, she was all done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWXDvrMtuvk/TlSRtQVK2cI/AAAAAAAAAmg/NdjgioWun3E/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWXDvrMtuvk/TlSRtQVK2cI/AAAAAAAAAmg/NdjgioWun3E/s640/IMG_2082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I was SO proud!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CY_rl95oOq8/TlSRu6RIthI/AAAAAAAAAmk/nqz4n3K96xI/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CY_rl95oOq8/TlSRu6RIthI/AAAAAAAAAmk/nqz4n3K96xI/s640/IMG_2083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It had to immediately go into a "cooler" (that was set for 1000 degrees) so it would slowly cool to room temperature and not shatter. I was able to go back the next day and pick it up.<br />
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A beautiful addition to our kitchen, don't you think? (House tour to come...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GN0_ZdC6-0Q/TlWzaUMg_RI/AAAAAAAAAmo/ZHkO9Ya16kI/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GN0_ZdC6-0Q/TlWzaUMg_RI/AAAAAAAAAmo/ZHkO9Ya16kI/s640/securedownload.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-88769777568333288852011-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:002011-08-14T00:01:01.593-07:00Art WallWe have a cool little "nook" in the playroom/media room. It is great for all of the storage boxes for the mountain of toys that wee boy has. I wanted to be able to pin up some of his artwork along the wall. I considered using this system from IKEA,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAoXuRw_pdc/Tkb3-5orzjI/AAAAAAAAAfI/zCnJ_EW2ggg/s1600/deka-curtain-wire-incl-clips__0091166_PE226438_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAoXuRw_pdc/Tkb3-5orzjI/AAAAAAAAAfI/zCnJ_EW2ggg/s320/deka-curtain-wire-incl-clips__0091166_PE226438_S4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{IKEA}<br />
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</tbody></table>But it seemed a little too industrial for the warm space. So, I grabbed this beautiful piece of hemlock at the hardware store.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETdPkEMQMi4/Tkb4WOwfnKI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Ffd89IPKSC8/s1600/IMG_2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETdPkEMQMi4/Tkb4WOwfnKI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Ffd89IPKSC8/s640/IMG_2013.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div>I decided to spray paint it a beautiful blue color called <i>Lagoon</i>. Yes, this is the same color blue that my sister just redid her entire office in, even though I bought it without knowing that! ( Her guest blogger entry to come soon!)<br />
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I had just received a package with a whole bunch of styrofoam in it. I thought I would be really clever and use the styrofoam blocks to prop up the wood while I sprayed it. Note: this is NOT what you want to do. Apparently spray paint and stryrofoam don't mix.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kuQ_G-bWaSY/Tkb5r3CIhsI/AAAAAAAAAf8/8LMoSthB5CU/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kuQ_G-bWaSY/Tkb5r3CIhsI/AAAAAAAAAf8/8LMoSthB5CU/s640/IMG_2021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Easily fixed, but what a bummer.<br />
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Then, I enlisted the help of my trusty sidekick to assist me in measuring out the space for the clips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3Q9LUVBPoE/Tkb6daPfwGI/AAAAAAAAAgg/xuaukD74z68/s1600/IMG_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3Q9LUVBPoE/Tkb6daPfwGI/AAAAAAAAAgg/xuaukD74z68/s640/IMG_2026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRPyYT90aq8/TkcB19Bvt6I/AAAAAAAAAhE/CtmdVzvrsrE/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRPyYT90aq8/TkcB19Bvt6I/AAAAAAAAAhE/CtmdVzvrsrE/s640/IMG_2025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I used my trusty tube of E6000 to glue those babies down, and gave them 24 hours to cure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu6EwefV23U/TkcBL_N713I/AAAAAAAAAg4/GEooOnzHTGA/s1600/WithClips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu6EwefV23U/TkcBL_N713I/AAAAAAAAAg4/GEooOnzHTGA/s640/WithClips.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> I nailed two hangers on the back. Then, using a long level and my favorite new toothpaste trick, I was able to get it up on the wall in no time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4s0_ibvBgTA/TkcCxz4AgTI/AAAAAAAAAhI/wERtLMlHnGI/s1600/blog+pics+oct+29+10+153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4s0_ibvBgTA/TkcCxz4AgTI/AAAAAAAAAhI/wERtLMlHnGI/s400/blog+pics+oct+29+10+153.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theindustrialcottage.blogspot.com/">{Via}</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ue4KtFzQqk/TkcBUaBXlKI/AAAAAAAAAg8/tas8pZidTNI/s1600/ArtWallClips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ue4KtFzQqk/TkcBUaBXlKI/AAAAAAAAAg8/tas8pZidTNI/s640/ArtWallClips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I love the way it showcases wee boy's art! Now that my Silhouette SD is here, I will be added some fun vinyl to the space above it. Stay tuned.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HOrDNjeVSmw/TkcBh8bg1UI/AAAAAAAAAhA/kTjR106dClk/s1600/FinshedArtClips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HOrDNjeVSmw/TkcBh8bg1UI/AAAAAAAAAhA/kTjR106dClk/s640/FinshedArtClips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-26768689252692552082011-08-13T15:06:00.000-07:002011-08-13T16:22:32.757-07:00Chocolate CabinetAfter all my chocolate making, I was trying to find a way to incorporate a little chocolate into my house decor. I found this fabulous French ephemera over at<u> </u><a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a> and was immediately drawn to it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1HyLAi5QLQ/TkFvw60zOFI/AAAAAAAAAco/9tOihdcyZyI/s1600/chocolat-clipart-graphicsfairy01csm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1HyLAi5QLQ/TkFvw60zOFI/AAAAAAAAAco/9tOihdcyZyI/s320/chocolat-clipart-graphicsfairy01csm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew it would be the perfect addition to a small cabinet that was handed down to me from my parents. It has a split-hinged top. I think it was originally a flour bin, but I need to ask my mom to tell me the story again. Isn't she adorable?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZvo1VLM1lc/TkFxHHq6DWI/AAAAAAAAAcs/AScVgGIpEKQ/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZvo1VLM1lc/TkFxHHq6DWI/AAAAAAAAAcs/AScVgGIpEKQ/s640/IMG_1714.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>She sits in the library next to the <u><a href="http://wellhellosunshine.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-tiny-time-out-tuffet.html">tiny time out tuffet</a></u>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAJFZyM-V-M/TkFxHxKcIWI/AAAAAAAAAcw/L3ye5OptnTc/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAJFZyM-V-M/TkFxHxKcIWI/AAAAAAAAAcw/L3ye5OptnTc/s640/IMG_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OjsXZntA3xA/TkFxItlHBrI/AAAAAAAAAc0/oTTja5dxHG4/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OjsXZntA3xA/TkFxItlHBrI/AAAAAAAAAc0/oTTja5dxHG4/s640/IMG_1718.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has beautiful legs and detailing. When I was little I remember that we used it as side table for our (plaid!) couches. I love the way it smells when you lift open the top. Yeah, I smell my furniture. I am strange like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started with a light sanding, leaving some of it less sanded in places, keeping its old charm. Then, I propped it up on the tables in my (undecorated) craft room so that I could work on the top without bending too much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BgKEOMZOrM/TkFyZDBEhuI/AAAAAAAAAc4/JYFpzU8uX-c/s1600/IMG_2000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BgKEOMZOrM/TkFyZDBEhuI/AAAAAAAAAc4/JYFpzU8uX-c/s640/IMG_2000.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I borrowed an overhead projector from work (yep, we still use these bad boys!) and made a transparency on the commercial photo copier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uX8qfrkDirM/TkFyeR6dQGI/AAAAAAAAAdE/2lXMEX0QXQg/s1600/IMG_2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uX8qfrkDirM/TkFyeR6dQGI/AAAAAAAAAdE/2lXMEX0QXQg/s640/IMG_2003.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working with a steady hand, I transfered the image.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YSeV4mbGEM/TkFydjFDNgI/AAAAAAAAAdA/SzXtTdShj7Q/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YSeV4mbGEM/TkFydjFDNgI/AAAAAAAAAdA/SzXtTdShj7Q/s640/IMG_2002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XF3UELr9rZU/TkFyfCefRkI/AAAAAAAAAdI/4ZiLs5ol1Bw/s1600/IMG_2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XF3UELr9rZU/TkFyfCefRkI/AAAAAAAAAdI/4ZiLs5ol1Bw/s640/IMG_2004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Once I had the entire image on the lid, I moved the production out to the garage to lightly sand it. I took the wording down a bit to give it an aged appearance. Then I gave it a few coats of espresso stain.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13xTn6p0C1g/TkFz5nPfI_I/AAAAAAAAAds/3lFjLfDoy_M/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13xTn6p0C1g/TkFz5nPfI_I/AAAAAAAAAds/3lFjLfDoy_M/s640/IMG_2007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XXlkTDbiB8c/TkFz6myWwyI/AAAAAAAAAdw/nrcGRIZuHwA/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XXlkTDbiB8c/TkFz6myWwyI/AAAAAAAAAdw/nrcGRIZuHwA/s640/IMG_2008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T_cr0vBTLs/TkFz7kXhvcI/AAAAAAAAAd0/2rL_judiGco/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T_cr0vBTLs/TkFz7kXhvcI/AAAAAAAAAd0/2rL_judiGco/s640/IMG_2009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyZ3FQaBhtQ/TkFz90cq2HI/AAAAAAAAAd8/cATuL17Km14/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyZ3FQaBhtQ/TkFz90cq2HI/AAAAAAAAAd8/cATuL17Km14/s640/IMG_2011.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>I finished her with two coats of hand-rubbed polyurethane.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wADwD0Hot3I/TkcGw5sZJ_I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/kwW6_G7cfys/s1600/Choc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wADwD0Hot3I/TkcGw5sZJ_I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/kwW6_G7cfys/s640/Choc1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzHxJ4-nSGM/Tkb0YrDUFtI/AAAAAAAAAfA/ip5WJSrwUEo/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzHxJ4-nSGM/Tkb0YrDUFtI/AAAAAAAAAfA/ip5WJSrwUEo/s640/IMG_2252.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0nG0c7YPJMI/TkcGtc903PI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oVSGbMxkb5c/s1600/Choc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0nG0c7YPJMI/TkcGtc903PI/AAAAAAAAAhM/oVSGbMxkb5c/s640/Choc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> I love the way it adds interest and a little charm without being overbearing or too country. It is a little chocolate sunshine, if you will.~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-57023899685832867962011-08-10T14:59:00.000-07:002011-08-10T14:59:55.691-07:00Miles of BeachesThis past weekend, we packed up the car and headed out to the coast. It was a wonderful trip! We joined up with some dear friends of ours and their little boy- and it was pure joy to watch the kids playing on the beach!<br />
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If you haven't ever been to the Washington (or Oregon coast) then you are missing out! The beaches are HUGE and WIDE and you feel like you could walk forever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_VTXvO1gTk/TkL5qcBujoI/AAAAAAAAAeY/3hbttcm0zjA/s1600/IMG_2183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_VTXvO1gTk/TkL5qcBujoI/AAAAAAAAAeY/3hbttcm0zjA/s640/IMG_2183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>For wee-boy that means he can RUN forever, which is a bonus. Even though you are at the beach, you don't have to panic about the water because there is so much space and time before the little feet can reach it. Plus, the water is COLD! {Not that that stopped <i>someone</i> from drenching through three outfits before I wised up and put him in his swimsuit. Duh.}<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfqz3Ug7m8E/TkL5n4jAikI/AAAAAAAAAeI/e_5oyuOkXBw/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfqz3Ug7m8E/TkL5n4jAikI/AAAAAAAAAeI/e_5oyuOkXBw/s640/IMG_2152.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another neat thing about certain parts of the Washington coast is that you can drive your car out on the beach. Since the span from road to water can be quite a trek with chairs, picnic, toys, etc, taking your car out onto the sand is a fun way to go. Wee-boy thought that was pretty funny. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMQotaVp-20/TkL5rUG1XfI/AAAAAAAAAec/G3P3mQP4m_g/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMQotaVp-20/TkL5rUG1XfI/AAAAAAAAAec/G3P3mQP4m_g/s640/IMG_2186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>There wasn't much wind, which was good for lounging, but not so good for kite flying. However, we have a *tiny* kite that wee-boy was thrilled to run with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4Ve_Eemz7w/TkL5ts_9tYI/AAAAAAAAAek/K5ASKU6DBNE/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4Ve_Eemz7w/TkL5ts_9tYI/AAAAAAAAAek/K5ASKU6DBNE/s640/IMG_2208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>His BFF sure didn't want to be left out of *that* kind of fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P10pnqQDiCs/TkL5uvMPtSI/AAAAAAAAAeo/KpR5r-dtcHc/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P10pnqQDiCs/TkL5uvMPtSI/AAAAAAAAAeo/KpR5r-dtcHc/s640/IMG_2212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Then it was time for a little grub. Seafood seemed fitting for being by the sea. This is one of my favorite recipes from <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/home-cooking-skills/salmon-baked-in-a-foil-parcel-with-green-beans-and">Jamie Oliver</a>; pesto salmon in a foil parcel. Delish. This is wild Alaskan sockeye salmon, which is why it is *so* beautiful and dark pink.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jr23v-XGAsY/TkL5pOD4B1I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/YvVOPxtunIg/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jr23v-XGAsY/TkL5pOD4B1I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/YvVOPxtunIg/s640/IMG_2174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Then we put the kiddos to bed, and watched the sun set from the hot tub.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucZ-1lkMJw4/TkL5p0ujM4I/AAAAAAAAAeU/-E4qT7UvLiQ/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucZ-1lkMJw4/TkL5p0ujM4I/AAAAAAAAAeU/-E4qT7UvLiQ/s640/IMG_2182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Falling asleep to the sound of the waves crashing was so peaceful!<br />
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In the morning, at low tide, we wandered down to the water's edge for some beach combing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4pyx_ojvJg/TkL993liXiI/AAAAAAAAAew/Ibdm0wIJPhk/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4pyx_ojvJg/TkL993liXiI/AAAAAAAAAew/Ibdm0wIJPhk/s640/IMG_2194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The sand dollars were plentiful. It is hard to resist the urge to pick them all up and take them home! {'Cause I did that last trip and our guest bath tub was full of sand dollars for the next year! One can only decorate with so many!}<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SHNIV6Je4I/TkL5vZ_DXjI/AAAAAAAAAes/a0oFTL-RHq4/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SHNIV6Je4I/TkL5vZ_DXjI/AAAAAAAAAes/a0oFTL-RHq4/s640/IMG_2227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A few did sneak into the car, though...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yESwPv_JwqM/TkL-jZPiD6I/AAAAAAAAAe4/d8zrUajtTvU/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yESwPv_JwqM/TkL-jZPiD6I/AAAAAAAAAe4/d8zrUajtTvU/s640/IMG_2223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>All in all, an amazing weekend. Makes me daydream about owning a seaside home of our own one day...~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-17301744705893314612011-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:002011-08-10T08:00:10.137-07:00WayfaringPoking around on Pinterest today and found this. <br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/104561331/" target="_blank"><img 442'="" border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/104561331_Fyr5fvGt_c.jpg" width="320 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: center;">{via}</div></div><br />
I am having to hold myself back from running to the garage to rip apart the rest of the pallet waiting for me down there. This is definitely the project for that!! I think it would be the best piece of art for my classroom! <br />
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But I need your help! Which literary places should I highlight? I like the ones pictured, but know there are others I should feature. <br />
Do you have a favorite childhood book with an unforgettable location? Have you read a book recently that would inspire a young reader?<br />
Leave me a comment and let me know!~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-14572363363181206592011-08-09T10:15:00.000-07:002011-08-09T10:15:25.739-07:00Chocolate MakingI was made to be a student. I love to read. I love to create. I love school supplies. Since I also love chocolate, what better than to combine the two and take a chocolate making class? Turns out the chocolate making class at our local chocolatier is more of a quirky make-and-take experience rather than a class, but it was a fun afternoon nonetheless.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koUKIWEQVu8/TkFkdvMOUyI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Ypc-y_q0uJ4/s1600/IMG_1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koUKIWEQVu8/TkFkdvMOUyI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Ypc-y_q0uJ4/s640/IMG_1945.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
First, we donned paper hats and nametags. Have I told you that I LOVE nametags? Usually because I can't remember your name and I wish you were wearing one. When we meet, please don't be offended if I call you 'Honey'. It is really because I can't remember your name. You can call me Sunshine. Or maybe I should call <i>you</i> Sunshine.<br />
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Where was I? Oh yes, chocolate making. Class was held at <a href="https://www.boehmscandies.com/">Boehm's Candies </a>in Issaquah, Washington. It was founded by Julius Boehm in 1943. He was born in Vienna, Austria and made his was to Issaquah where he built a Swiss Chalet to feel like home (also the location of the production facility). Since the area has mountains known as the Issaquah Alps, it makes sense that he felt at home. He was a quirky man, Olympic althlete, and art collector. We got a tour of the production facility as well as his (former) private home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R4F5Kl7imr4/TkFkc3FAJlI/AAAAAAAAAb0/Alf4p3TcyvA/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R4F5Kl7imr4/TkFkc3FAJlI/AAAAAAAAAb0/Alf4p3TcyvA/s640/IMG_1932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The equipment is old-school and wonderful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGTCm5GPxRc/TkFkeiZttTI/AAAAAAAAAb8/7KvRPNKsJ_c/s1600/IMG_1946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGTCm5GPxRc/TkFkeiZttTI/AAAAAAAAAb8/7KvRPNKsJ_c/s640/IMG_1946.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jkgSNZb-nE/TkFkfuPYUMI/AAAAAAAAAcA/NrHQ3hiCXQU/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jkgSNZb-nE/TkFkfuPYUMI/AAAAAAAAAcA/NrHQ3hiCXQU/s640/IMG_1947.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p59L3dUX18I/TkFkgb7tesI/AAAAAAAAAcE/MpdjAt_DvQc/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p59L3dUX18I/TkFkgb7tesI/AAAAAAAAAcE/MpdjAt_DvQc/s640/IMG_1949.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mr. Boehm had a unique decorating style. His kitchen cabinets had bells attached to them. <i>All</i> of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4pM0MXxFRE/TkFo5ERZ-XI/AAAAAAAAAcc/N2cZ50k6OLk/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4pM0MXxFRE/TkFo5ERZ-XI/AAAAAAAAAcc/N2cZ50k6OLk/s640/IMG_1985.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite kitchen item- custom tiles that were painted with fondue recipes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Le92dJoTVc8/TkFo555eNKI/AAAAAAAAAcg/l-YlzR144HI/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Le92dJoTVc8/TkFo555eNKI/AAAAAAAAAcg/l-YlzR144HI/s640/IMG_1986.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course for the class I took my trusty sidekick, Moi, with me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H66CbOzqhZY/TkFkg5yuflI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Cihp61nBk58/s1600/IMG_1951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H66CbOzqhZY/TkFkg5yuflI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Cihp61nBk58/s640/IMG_1951.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
We made vanilla cremes, molded chocolates, rocky road and nut clusters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCIc2_eCy3Q/TkFkhTMoKgI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Pa--hPT1fMw/s1600/IMG_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCIc2_eCy3Q/TkFkhTMoKgI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Pa--hPT1fMw/s640/IMG_1955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got to decorate a large chocolate bar. My design was really cute in my head. It looked a little wonky in real life, but it was fun to make!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPEEEy7Debs/TkFkhzX4S8I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/31PoGFBVYEI/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPEEEy7Debs/TkFkhzX4S8I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/31PoGFBVYEI/s640/IMG_1962.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose the dinosaur mold for my chocolates. I knew the stegosaurus would be a big hit at home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGAdAPRVASI/TkFkim9N54I/AAAAAAAAAcU/vvZDYg7ylTY/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGAdAPRVASI/TkFkim9N54I/AAAAAAAAAcU/vvZDYg7ylTY/s640/IMG_1992.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
The best part (other than taking home almost 2 pounds of chocolate!)? We didn't have to clean up the mess!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMm8FEhTGEY/TkFkjlabibI/AAAAAAAAAcY/eVIPjp8tuqY/s1600/IMG_1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMm8FEhTGEY/TkFkjlabibI/AAAAAAAAAcY/eVIPjp8tuqY/s640/IMG_1993.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have a chocolatier in your area who holds classes, I encourage you to sign up! I can't promise that you will make the best gourmet chocolate, but I bet you will have a great time. Who knows, you may even channel a little bit of Lucy like we did!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcvPKM0wiRk/TkFo7AOREmI/AAAAAAAAAck/V-sMgZRH1Gs/s1600/IMG_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcvPKM0wiRk/TkFo7AOREmI/AAAAAAAAAck/V-sMgZRH1Gs/s640/IMG_1996.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
PS- I am trying out a new photo size. Let me know what you think!~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-30376275548116086802011-08-04T21:49:00.000-07:002011-08-04T21:49:15.890-07:00Pallet Project #1The other day I swung by work to pick up a few things. As a bonus I found this near the dumpster:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCYeualo-To/TjtwunZ-RoI/AAAAAAAAAbM/zfOT4Y_zFK8/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCYeualo-To/TjtwunZ-RoI/AAAAAAAAAbM/zfOT4Y_zFK8/s320/IMG_2014.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> I have been amazed at some of the fun things people are making out of pallets. Headboards, coffee tables, book cases... you name it- it has been made from this wonderful- FREE- wood. The beauty of the pallet is that it is made from random, mismatched wood. They aren't perfect, but they have so much potential! The end result is often a bit on the country side, though, and that doesn't really work with our house at all.<br />
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However, I was still eager to play around and build *something*! So, after much debate in my head, I took out the hand saw and made three cuts from the end of the pallet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o_2DzMjaAQ/TjtwwivbcwI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/gZefR7zg5WU/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o_2DzMjaAQ/TjtwwivbcwI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/gZefR7zg5WU/s320/IMG_2015.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> Sitting upright, it makes a bit more sense. Do you know where I am headed with this?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXxhifGjw1I/TjtwzZIzpbI/AAAAAAAAAbU/cHwo-zt_Wfs/s1600/IMG_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXxhifGjw1I/TjtwzZIzpbI/AAAAAAAAAbU/cHwo-zt_Wfs/s320/IMG_2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Since I wanted the little pallet shelf to have a bottom (so it would actually hold something) I pried off another board and whacked it on to the bottom. It wasn't perfect- and didn't have to be!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mliwg6CkTbI/Tjtw2FEi6rI/AAAAAAAAAbY/AKhiQEIw9CU/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mliwg6CkTbI/Tjtw2FEi6rI/AAAAAAAAAbY/AKhiQEIw9CU/s320/IMG_2017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> It doesn't stand up, but it won't need to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6TWU6coUEs/Tjtw6p10soI/AAAAAAAAAbg/9EMF7L5UDQY/s1600/IMG_2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6TWU6coUEs/Tjtw6p10soI/AAAAAAAAAbg/9EMF7L5UDQY/s320/IMG_2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then, I sprayed on a coat of Heirloom White spray paint. I quickly learned that this raw wood should have been sprayed with primer since it sucked up the paint fast! But I just kept spraying- it was fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoAnM31Wzxk/Tjtw83OdCJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/7_65IcnqqGE/s1600/IMG_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoAnM31Wzxk/Tjtw83OdCJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/7_65IcnqqGE/s320/IMG_2023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then, I took a few deck screws and attached it to a spare wall in the garage. Now I have the perfect perch for all of my spray paint cans- safely out of reach from little hands!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIDwMvkvkm8/TjtxAmE6C3I/AAAAAAAAAbs/MJSc2R1249o/s1600/IMG_2028_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIDwMvkvkm8/TjtxAmE6C3I/AAAAAAAAAbs/MJSc2R1249o/s320/IMG_2028_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> If our house was more on the country-side, I can imagine a few of these next to a comfy reading chair to hold books and magazines. Fun!<br />
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There is wood left over from the pallet. Now if only I could decide what to do with them...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-49906846421199289242011-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:002011-08-03T14:15:32.227-07:00Project CentralHello, Sunshine! Thanks for stopping by! I have had a few friends ask me if I am working on a project right now since they haven't seen me post recently. I giggled! If only you could see my garage right now!!<br />
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I am still working through my list of the 21-Day Challenge, the pics just aren't that show-worthy. I am also working on a few ah-mazing wood projects that I can't wait to show you- only I want to wait for all the paint to dry! Once they are in their new homes, I will be sure to let you know. Want a hint? I titled one project, "The Chocolate Box!"<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Other projects... yesterday I:</div><br />
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">Put together a hutch for my wrapping station </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Built my new treadmill. Woot Woot! (And worked out on it this morning! Happy Birthday to me!!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Put the last coat of stain on the Chocolate Box</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Painted a lovely piece of hemlock for an art station for the wee boy</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Built a shelf for my growing spray paint collection- out of a pallet! </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Primed a canvas for a future piece of art</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">I also:</div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Drooled over some ideas on Pinterest</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Read up on working with zippers for my future pillow party</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Hit the hardware store to gather some more project fodder</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Tidied the craft room</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Rewashed a load of laundry that *someone* snuck a disposable diaper into (I knew there would be a drawback to teaching the 3yo how to do laundry!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Surfed around for a great vegetarian dish to prepare for a future beach weekend</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">So, yes, I have been working on projects. Can't wait to show them to you! Stay tuned! What are you working on?</div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-34670991606595847142011-07-29T16:18:00.000-07:002011-07-29T16:20:10.594-07:00F BombYep. The F Bomb.<br />
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There are times in life when nothing else really fits. I find it helps to say it, and then move on. It is kind of a "there, I feel better now" moment.<br />
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When life is throwing lemons your way, toss an F Bomb back and see how it feels. I suggest that you wait until the kids are out of ear shot- but I won't judge.<br />
I'm nice like that.<br />
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We have had the need for an F bomb or two in our house these days (and, no, not because we have a house guest ;) and so, I created this little beauty.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Np-IgYwNEiA/TjM7_W1TTII/AAAAAAAAAa0/iMcZo9WqeZs/s1600/securedownload-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Np-IgYwNEiA/TjM7_W1TTII/AAAAAAAAAa0/iMcZo9WqeZs/s400/securedownload-4.jpeg" width="297" /></a></div><br />
Call it a paperweight, or a knick-knack, or whatever. It makes me smile and giggle in an evil little way.<br />
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I was a little giddy about getting started, so I painted the "bomb" before I remembered to get the camera. Then, by that time I had paint all over and I was committed, so I took all of the photos with my phone. Sorry 'bout the quality!<br />
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I started with unfinished wood pieces from the craft store. I think the ball is supposed to be for making tiny bun feet (like for a <u><a href="http://wellhellosunshine.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-tiny-time-out-tuffet.html">tiny time out tuffet</a></u>?) It has one flat side, which was perfect for this project since I didn't want it to roll around!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVGPnSoSAss/TjM78xXubrI/AAAAAAAAAao/FUbl3-0g7S0/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVGPnSoSAss/TjM78xXubrI/AAAAAAAAAao/FUbl3-0g7S0/s320/securedownload-1.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>Then I added some paint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3nX6aErDjQ/TjM8BWlVNHI/AAAAAAAAAbA/k0ZHhSftvt0/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3nX6aErDjQ/TjM8BWlVNHI/AAAAAAAAAbA/k0ZHhSftvt0/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upWI95od660/TjM_91DaD8I/AAAAAAAAAbI/mtl7Vn8MIjI/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upWI95od660/TjM_91DaD8I/AAAAAAAAAbI/mtl7Vn8MIjI/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little distressing ink and sanding so it didn't look so candy-apple red and perky!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvN9mhACRU0/TjM8A9vgYSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/cdHr9VDPEVY/s1600/securedownload-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvN9mhACRU0/TjM8A9vgYSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/cdHr9VDPEVY/s320/securedownload-6.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I dug around in that jar of bits-and-bobs for a nut that was tiny enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1P7rPTmUaiQ/TjM8AHjFWRI/AAAAAAAAAa4/3rj3eSeulhg/s1600/securedownload-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1P7rPTmUaiQ/TjM8AHjFWRI/AAAAAAAAAa4/3rj3eSeulhg/s320/securedownload-5.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Slapped on a little E6000 (Amazing stuff! Glues everything. Keep the windows open and your fingers out of the way!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wmke0itgF74/TjM9g71zvUI/AAAAAAAAAbE/BaXM7ZZUZCw/s1600/e6000-glue-100g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wmke0itgF74/TjM9g71zvUI/AAAAAAAAAbE/BaXM7ZZUZCw/s320/e6000-glue-100g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Popped in a little snippet of distressed hemp twine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwd3xBTq6I0/TjM7-iyRl7I/AAAAAAAAAaw/GyEcsfos-BY/s1600/securedownload-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwd3xBTq6I0/TjM7-iyRl7I/AAAAAAAAAaw/GyEcsfos-BY/s320/securedownload-3.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finished it off with a little more distressing ink and paint around the nut... and Viola!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Np-IgYwNEiA/TjM7_W1TTII/AAAAAAAAAa0/iMcZo9WqeZs/s1600/securedownload-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Np-IgYwNEiA/TjM7_W1TTII/AAAAAAAAAa0/iMcZo9WqeZs/s320/securedownload-4.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had myself an F Bomb! Makes a great tongue-in-cheek gift for that special someone! Who are you dropping the F Bomb on? Comment and let me know, just don't drop it on me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-23777283800717385122011-07-29T07:04:00.000-07:002011-07-29T07:04:29.417-07:00I Was Featured at House of Hepworths!Yesterday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day (a beautiful brunch hosted by my dear sister, a chocolate making class with dear cousin, dinner al fresco... the list goes on...and I will blog about it later)<br />
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When I finally climbed into bed to catch up on my favorite blogs and drift off to dreamland, imagine what a birthday treat it was to see my tiny tuffet featured on the front page at House of Hepworths! Can I get a Woot Woot!?<br />
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If you are visiting from HOH, thanks for stopping by! My blog is new and I am just getting started. I have lots of projects waiting to be created and posted on, so keep checking in on me!<br />
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PS- Your comments bring me so much Sunshine! Thanks for leaving me a note!~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-22294417853408576792011-07-28T07:17:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:59:23.538-07:0021 Day Challenge- Day #1<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You know those organizing projects that you know you need to do, but keep slipping to the end of your endless to-do list? Sigh. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For me, having some fun reward or reason to complete said projects always helps. Of course, I know that a clean and organized fill-in-the-blank-here is a reward in itself... but sometimes I need a little kick in the pants.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then I stumbled across<u> <a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/">A Bowl Full of Lemons</a>.</u> This girl loves to organize. She has a 21 Day Challenge for home organization and I thought it might be a good way to motivate me. The cool part is that all the people who are participating are taking before/after photos- so you also get inspired by some great ideas and completed projects. Oh, completed projects, you evade me so! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I linked in to join the challenge! Wanna join me? </span>The challenge list goes like this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #46423c; font-family: 'IM Fell Great Primer'; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #46423c; font-family: 'IM Fell Great Primer'; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px;">21 Day Organizing Challenge</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #46423c; font-family: 'IM Fell Great Primer'; font-size: 24px; line-height: 26px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="position: relative; width: 627px;"><div class="widget-content"><ul style="color: #483b2d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1.25em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2010/12/21-days-to-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Join the Challenge (at any ti</a>me)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-1-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 1 - Junk Drawer</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-2-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 2 - Computer Desk</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-3-getting-organized-challenge-messy.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-4-getting-organized-challenge-linen.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 4 - Linen Closet</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-5-getting-organized-challenge-under.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 5 - Under kitchen sink</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-6-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 6 - Dresser Drawers</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-7-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 7 - The Pantry</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-8-getting-organized-challenge-coat.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 8 - Coat Closet</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-9-getting-organized-challenge-toy.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 9 - Toy organization</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-10-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 10 - Laundry Room</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-11-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 11 - The Freezer</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-12-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 12 - Spice Cabinet</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-13-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-14-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 14 - Under bathroom sink</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-15-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-16-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 16 - The Fridge</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-17-getting-organized-challenge-mail.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 17 - The Mail</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-18-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 18 - Keepsakes</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-19-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 19 - Master Closet</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-20-getting-organized-challenge.html" style="color: #6c5843; text-decoration: none;">Day 20 - Photos</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-21-getting-organized-challenge-you.html" style="color: #99813a; text-decoration: none;">Day 21 - You pick!</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="color: #483b2d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Yep, all the projects you *know* you want to do, but so don't want to do them!</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
However, I like do to things my own way... so I am starting with Day #7.<br />
What? Me? Break the rules!? I know. I usually am against such horrors!<br />
But I *really* need to clean the pantry!!<br />
<br />
So I clicked over to see a few inspirational pantries and suggested steps. Then I cried.<br />
"Step Two. Remove Everything"??<br />
<br />
Wouldn't it be <strike>easier to procrastinate</strike> neater if I just shoved everything around and make<br />
it look tidier? Kept the beautiful waterfall-glass door shut all of the time? <br />
<br />
Guess not. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">This time I will follow the rules. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">The dreaded "Before."</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ee4uxLwY3ms/TjFle3wGekI/AAAAAAAAAZY/-qyvLtAYxm8/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ee4uxLwY3ms/TjFle3wGekI/AAAAAAAAAZY/-qyvLtAYxm8/s400/IMG_1897.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Yep, it is walk-in. And no, you can't walk in it right now. The bags will attack you. Or, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the </span>cereal perched on top of more cereal will fall and conk you in the head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I speak from experience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26paZVDKgdU/TjFlgLxmd0I/AAAAAAAAAZc/8pcSARe4NKk/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26paZVDKgdU/TjFlgLxmd0I/AAAAAAAAAZc/8pcSARe4NKk/s400/IMG_1898.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="widget-content" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Yikes! This angle is even scarier!</span></div></div></div><div class="widget-content" style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then, the clean out!</span></div></div><div class="widget-content"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frnLifgUzUQ/TjFlig4e8wI/AAAAAAAAAZk/NsRFrabzBPI/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frnLifgUzUQ/TjFlig4e8wI/AAAAAAAAAZk/NsRFrabzBPI/s400/IMG_1900.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank slate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxx00pvMSHU/TjFlj3-qQmI/AAAAAAAAAZo/EJYsRd4DSPo/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxx00pvMSHU/TjFlj3-qQmI/AAAAAAAAAZo/EJYsRd4DSPo/s400/IMG_1901.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That corner is tricky! It can hide *a lot* of miscellany.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3ppEZZZjXE/TjFlm5AKchI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Zk-gZ9IHdoM/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3ppEZZZjXE/TjFlm5AKchI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Zk-gZ9IHdoM/s400/IMG_1903.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the fixture cover came down for a cleaning! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWyX_4Soyhs/TjFlliyAcbI/AAAAAAAAAZs/L8fnpY4J71s/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWyX_4Soyhs/TjFlliyAcbI/AAAAAAAAAZs/L8fnpY4J71s/s400/IMG_1902.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little flower... the last of the flotsam from the floor. A sweet gift from Wee-boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="widget-content"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then, I scrubbed everything clean, including the wire racks. Supposedly those lovely shelves allow for "breathing" in your spaces. Really, they just allow for everything to fall through. I am not so fond of them. Plus, if you try to slide things to the left or right, things fall over and get caught. </span></div></div></div><div class="widget-content"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div class="widget-content"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since I wanted to put a lot of glass bottles and containers on the top shelf (so I can actually read the labels and know what is in there!) I pulled out some place mats from the kitchen and slapped them down on the shelf tops. Viola! </span></div></div></div><div class="widget-content"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Saxuy2BNjYs/TjFlxD6wabI/AAAAAAAAAaM/eR1hS9_am54/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Saxuy2BNjYs/TjFlxD6wabI/AAAAAAAAAaM/eR1hS9_am54/s400/IMG_1910.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No more pouring through the wires! Easy sliding! Plus, since the top shelf will be cooking oils, less worry of dripping! Added bonus: a pop of color and pattern in the pantry!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjC7m3OFvEQ/TjFlyZlNllI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/fhsr_Ck2JgY/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjC7m3OFvEQ/TjFlyZlNllI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/fhsr_Ck2JgY/s400/IMG_1911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">I didn't have enough for all of the shelves, and they are too big for the less-shallow shelves in the front of the pantry. However, I am thinking some heavy shelf liner might work.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">The pantry is clean!! The rest of the kitchen looked like this:</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWNu0JnAzuA/TjFloUWfAVI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/uMxW5WOabaE/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWNu0JnAzuA/TjFloUWfAVI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/uMxW5WOabaE/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1pxETyPGDI/TjFls3mwQcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/0BsXNWlwdbo/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1pxETyPGDI/TjFls3mwQcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/0BsXNWlwdbo/s320/IMG_1907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ip7FS0hgro4/TjFlp-yRXRI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/6eKt6xqQGIg/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ip7FS0hgro4/TjFlp-yRXRI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/6eKt6xqQGIg/s320/IMG_1905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDbwDPWtlIs/TjFlrcRWbDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/3fKWXzhZZzk/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDbwDPWtlIs/TjFlrcRWbDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/3fKWXzhZZzk/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Where did all of this stuff come from!!?? Please, no comments about the amount of artery clogging foods in our house right now. We have house guests and I want them to feel welcome. Okay, we have *one* guest and she doesn't eat junk food. Ah, well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Also, notice the pile of dishes in the background. We are big on no dishes left in the sink around here- shows you how eager I was to jump in on this project!! Better get to those next!</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Three trips to the compost and recycling bins later...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Riqz2sY3MHI/TjFqjX9Ts3I/AAAAAAAAAaU/G5bF69n1PEk/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Riqz2sY3MHI/TjFqjX9Ts3I/AAAAAAAAAaU/G5bF69n1PEk/s400/IMG_1912.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVKUOJDWzgw/TjFqmR12LsI/AAAAAAAAAac/Mt7FfdmWn1I/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVKUOJDWzgw/TjFqmR12LsI/AAAAAAAAAac/Mt7FfdmWn1I/s400/IMG_1914.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBsg7Tia8r8/TjFqn3cVX1I/AAAAAAAAAag/7AATgYDQprg/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBsg7Tia8r8/TjFqn3cVX1I/AAAAAAAAAag/7AATgYDQprg/s400/IMG_1915.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boDLLPdGOhE/TjFqpjk02eI/AAAAAAAAAak/ExtZzTmZLQ0/s1600/IMG_1916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boDLLPdGOhE/TjFqpjk02eI/AAAAAAAAAak/ExtZzTmZLQ0/s400/IMG_1916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Ahhh... SO much better. Now, I still have some things to work out and finish. However, I have learned to clean out a space and find out what I really need to store <i>before</i> heading out to buy beautiful baskets and bins. Otherwise, I just end up making three trips: a scouting/buying-too-much trip, a realistic trip, a returning-the-extras trip. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">So now that I have purged and reorganized, I have an idea of which bins, boxes, and baskets I really <strike>need</strike> want. If you look closely, you'll see that I have used the lids to a few boxes found in the other kitchen cabinets (a whole other post!) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">My plan is to actually keep those- just spruce them up a bit (read: spray paint!) Also, a Silhouette SD is in my future (can you say Birthday Girl?) and I just know I'll be making the flour bins fancy with some a-mazing labels!! Stay tuned for updates!</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">So, how is <i>your</i> pantry looking? Post a comment and share your experience! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">PS- My mom says that posting your first time can be confusing if you have never done it before. So here is a quick tip! Scroll down to where you see the little pencil and "Comments: below. Click on "Coments." Read all the great comments left by other readers (thanks Mom and Jocelyn!) Then, Type in your comment into the big comment box. From the drop down menu below that where it says, "Comment As" click and scroll down to "Name/URL". Enter your name. If you have a blog of your own, you can enter your website in the URL box. No website? No problem, just type in your name to the Name box and leave the URL part empty. Then when your comment posts it will say, "Sally said:" Yay! </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div></div></div></div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-83557970876467995242011-07-27T07:52:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:59:58.544-07:00Tutorial: Tiny Time Out TuffetLast week, post bath and bedtime routine, I gleefully left my family cozy at home to make a run to Ross. I had learned just that day that they are open until 9:30pm- who knew!?<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>It was a fruitful trip and I returned with all sorts of goodies. While I was there, I saw a tiny stool that looked something like this:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qL9dm8C0aIw/TieW0Hq34MI/AAAAAAAAAWI/ljs3xlhUjQk/s1600/bobsnbitsstool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qL9dm8C0aIw/TieW0Hq34MI/AAAAAAAAAWI/ljs3xlhUjQk/s1600/bobsnbitsstool.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Now I love the idea of this, but not the style. We do use time outs in our house, and since we have a three-year old... the time out spot gets a visiting weekly. But our time out spot is in the Library/Living Room in our house. So, if I wanted to have a cute spot for time outs, it would need to blend into the decor and not scream TIME OUT!</div><div><br />
</div><div>That's when I spotted this:</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_qpWr_yJQ4/TieNg52JRII/AAAAAAAAAUc/uQGLQBeEOFw/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_qpWr_yJQ4/TieNg52JRII/AAAAAAAAAUc/uQGLQBeEOFw/s320/IMG_1649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Cute, low to the ground, stable. The *perfect* time out spot... just not the perfect color.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div>So, of course it had to come home with me. I knew that the perfect fabric would find me. Maybe a nice stripe or quatrefoil pattern?So the little tuffet came home and found a spot on my craft table. Just waiting. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Fast forward a week. Heading out to Costco this morning, I got there too early and *had* to make a stop at a close-by fabric store while we waited. Thankfully, I had a partner-in-crime with me (Thanks, Moi!) who was willing to drive the cart around searching for pirate fabric with the wee boy while I wandered the aisles looking for some inspiration. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I was excited to see that the outdoor fabrics were 50% off! Since I was going to be recovering the little tuffet- an outdoor fabric would be a great choice since it is heavy and durable. And check out what I found:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7lQZ6BpzGs/TieNogUtqcI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PBlfqBR2IhI/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7lQZ6BpzGs/TieNogUtqcI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PBlfqBR2IhI/s320/IMG_1663.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">A beautiful chocolate and sage quatrefoil! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span>I could barely contain myself! I was itching to get my fingers on my staple gun! After a few more errands and an amazing lunch at Uwajimaya, it was home for nap and craft time!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started by removing the darling little bun feet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iyd9tRokHko/TieNhaFUKiI/AAAAAAAAAUY/jxfY6bPbR1c/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iyd9tRokHko/TieNhaFUKiI/AAAAAAAAAUY/jxfY6bPbR1c/s320/IMG_1652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I began prying at the staples. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvznrQiAiJw/TieNjoTAi5I/AAAAAAAAAUk/_sIa__ng5KY/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvznrQiAiJw/TieNjoTAi5I/AAAAAAAAAUk/_sIa__ng5KY/s320/IMG_1654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CfFmTSnTGE4/TieNj2ku3aI/AAAAAAAAAUg/xIa16jjJwlw/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CfFmTSnTGE4/TieNj2ku3aI/AAAAAAAAAUg/xIa16jjJwlw/s320/IMG_1655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I was using a thick fabric to recover the stool, I decided to leave the red faux leather on. If you cover your own tuffet (or dining chairs, or some other fab find) you can take the next layer off and start fresh. But, no one will know if you leave it on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QsMXrddDqw/TieNlfFnkcI/AAAAAAAAAUo/kBWPP1UNiUo/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QsMXrddDqw/TieNlfFnkcI/AAAAAAAAAUo/kBWPP1UNiUo/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Then it was time to cut the new fabric to size. If I had taken off the red, I could have used it as the pattern. Instead, I just eyeballed it and pretended that I was wrapping a present. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqQ8FQT5FnQ/TieNv8Kll4I/AAAAAAAAAVE/No3zfU7sxKI/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqQ8FQT5FnQ/TieNv8Kll4I/AAAAAAAAAVE/No3zfU7sxKI/s320/IMG_1671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Then over to the other side, not getting too close to the corners. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WTjB2nrxtI/TieNygtdC1I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/TRPgLlk4nAY/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WTjB2nrxtI/TieNygtdC1I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/TRPgLlk4nAY/s320/IMG_1673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Then, over to the adjacent sides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAsptypS2dQ/TieNy59ImmI/AAAAAAAAAVM/vNnF9eTMYQs/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAsptypS2dQ/TieNy59ImmI/AAAAAAAAAVM/vNnF9eTMYQs/s320/IMG_1674.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Then it was time to work on the corners. I like a nice flat finish, so I tucked the fabric under and created a nice flat corner. When I did the dining room chair covers, I used a more gathered look. It depends on your preference and the fabric you are working with.</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwdjVNh0sMM/TieN0ngm4FI/AAAAAAAAAVU/8UxoEdzmB14/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwdjVNh0sMM/TieN0ngm4FI/AAAAAAAAAVU/8UxoEdzmB14/s320/IMG_1676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all four corners were complete, I decided to put the backing fabric back on, so that wee boy wouldn't pick at it the raw edges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MglP5-qEu-g/TieN9UkpxTI/AAAAAAAAAVo/WI80pcSTJTI/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MglP5-qEu-g/TieN9UkpxTI/AAAAAAAAAVo/WI80pcSTJTI/s320/IMG_1683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly, I used an awl to poke holes in the new fabric where the feet went. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwMuMft8tww/TieN3Xqp1OI/AAAAAAAAAVg/wifg9GCQ3_k/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwMuMft8tww/TieN3Xqp1OI/AAAAAAAAAVg/wifg9GCQ3_k/s320/IMG_1681.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the feet were on, it was ready for a time out! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWdwbkmJ0TE/TieN9dblIpI/AAAAAAAAAVk/HTkhGivu6nc/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWdwbkmJ0TE/TieN9dblIpI/AAAAAAAAAVk/HTkhGivu6nc/s320/IMG_1685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best part? It didn't get any use its first night in its new home! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-7029484998732033582011-07-22T22:53:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:51:41.376-07:00Cheesemaker For A Day<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today was a day to remember! Today I became a Cheesemaker (for a day)!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those of us in the Seattle area, we know the wonderfulness of Beecher's Handmade Cheese. If you aren't from the Seattle area (or, as of June 20th, from New York City!) I hope you get a chance to indulge in Beecher's delicious cheeses when you come to visit!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w86RkUNtGaM/TipCk_JMNeI/AAAAAAAAAXs/TPDMQmrpaJk/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w86RkUNtGaM/TipCk_JMNeI/AAAAAAAAAXs/TPDMQmrpaJk/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Beecher's is located at Pike's Place Market, so it is a sure stop for most tourists and locals alike. Many local grocers and food shops even carry some of the delectable cheeses, so if you aren't in the mood to face the crowds at the Market, you can pick some up during your next midnight run for </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Oreos</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> cheese.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At Beecher's, they handcraft all of their own artisan cheeses in small batches right in their store front production studio. They use centuries-old methods with only all-natural, farm fresh ingredients. There are large windows facing the street and into the shop, so all the visitors can see the transformation right before their very eyes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QEyLpymXdg/TipGZZAqWZI/AAAAAAAAAXw/zDUXx7pFVLk/s1600/Beechers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QEyLpymXdg/TipGZZAqWZI/AAAAAAAAAXw/zDUXx7pFVLk/s320/Beechers.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not sure how one becomes a "Cheesemaker for a Day" normally. I happened to win/purchase the adventure at an auction supporting a local school. Since I knew that Moi would be visiting this summer, I scheduled the day to coordinate with her stay.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We arrived at 9:30- after we popped in to La Panier for an almandine and latte- and the cheesemakers were already hard at work. Now I must say that we met quite a few amazing cheesemakers who were all very helpful, knowledgeable, and put up with our and tons of questions and sunshine! And boy do these guys work HARD! I was not quite prepared for the physical labor that we were about to endure!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We started by gearing up with knee-high rubber boots, white coats, aprons, and yep- hairnets!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq0_x0CP96Y/TipK27t92bI/AAAAAAAAAX0/PIPsgBRx0Tw/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq0_x0CP96Y/TipK27t92bI/AAAAAAAAAX0/PIPsgBRx0Tw/s320/IMG_1739.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then, we were given a full tour of the production facility. The entire place is less than 1000 sq ft, but they are able to create about 4,000 pounds of cheese per day! Our guide outlined the entire process of creating their signature cheese, Flagship, which was what we were going to make!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There are basically five steps, each one a science in itself. I popped over to the Beecher's site and grabbed a few pics to show you, since we couldn't make cheese and take pics at the same time!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step One: Fresh Milk</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Milk is delivered twice a day, fresh from the farm, just hours after the last cow is milked. All the milk Beecher's uses has no rBST added!</span></div><table 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zm-xMgfwOs/TipNotaTJHI/AAAAAAAAAX4/8kdqzu8pRE8/s1600/tip_101_cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zm-xMgfwOs/TipNotaTJHI/AAAAAAAAAX4/8kdqzu8pRE8/s320/tip_101_cow.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Moo.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pArdPxnqxV0/TipOnzCx3aI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ADnLF5AoqDs/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pArdPxnqxV0/TipOnzCx3aI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ADnLF5AoqDs/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is the milk storage container where the fresh milk is pumped. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step Two: Pasteurization</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since the milk is delivered raw from the farm, Beecher's pasteurizes the milk themselves. I was surprised that the milk is only heated for 24 seconds in what they call the HTST process (high temp, short time). The equipment used to pasteurize the milk is a complicated twist and turn of pipes and connections. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvgweD-rGYo/TipNpmp2_ZI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/gZlBYWeYidQ/s320/tip_101_pasteurization.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Don't touch! That's hot!</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step Three: Cheesemaking (duh!)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The pasteurized milk gets pumped over to the open Make Vat where the milk is made into cheese. Let's all take a moment to pause and be thankful that someone, somewhere, somehow, once figured out how to make milk turn into cheese. Good thing I wasn't in charge of that invention. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkYSprieMh8/TipNpYVe8MI/AAAAAAAAAYM/xBYSuq4frxA/s1600/tip_101_makevat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkYSprieMh8/TipNpYVe8MI/AAAAAAAAAYM/xBYSuq4frxA/s320/tip_101_makevat.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In this step, a few things are added to the milk. First, enzymes and then the rennet. Beecher's uses microbial rennet. What is rennet? I am glad you asked! Beecher's says, "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rennet is a coagulating enzyme used to curdle milk, causing clumps (curds) to form and separate from the liquid (whey). Rennet is added after the cultures and is also integral to the final flavor of the cheese. Until recently, rennet was derived from the stomach lining of a calf, goat or lamb. Now, many cheesemakers use vegetable rennets (derived from plants) or microbial rennets. In addition to being less expensive than traditional animal rennets, vegetable and microbial rennets allow cheesemakers to craft cheeses suitable for vegetarians. All Beecher's cheeses are made using microbial rennets." Again, who figured this stuff out? </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imMmo42D-Rg/TipNpxnr7xI/AAAAAAAAAYU/-C82er_aZME/s1600/tip_101_screening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imMmo42D-Rg/TipNpxnr7xI/AAAAAAAAAYU/-C82er_aZME/s320/tip_101_screening.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next, the curds and whey are pumped from the Make Vat over to the other Open Vat. Here, the whey can be drained out through the large drain down the middle of the Vat. As the whey is separated, the curds begin to 'knit' together. The cheesemakers (hey- that's us!) cut the curds so they can encourage more whey to be squeezed out. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgzHvpoPTaU/TipNo-pCn1I/AAAAAAAAAYA/pugLV73p_80/s1600/tip_101_cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgzHvpoPTaU/TipNo-pCn1I/AAAAAAAAAYA/pugLV73p_80/s1600/tip_101_cutting.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step Four: Cheddaring</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The name cheddar comes from the process of cheddaring, the next step in cheese making. The curds are cut into 'loaves.' Once the loaves were cut, we had the privilege of stacking, turning, and restacking the loaves. It was amazing to watch the transformation as the enzymes were hard at work, the curds were knitting themselves together, and the whole batch changed texture and shrank as it lost moisture. The loaves are also HEAVY and awkward to handle. The real cheesemakers made it look super easy to flip those babies! We did a lot of laughing at our awkwardness.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b3tkDiKxQA/TipZhBwIOSI/AAAAAAAAAYk/0MKDfv3y9Uc/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b3tkDiKxQA/TipZhBwIOSI/AAAAAAAAAYk/0MKDfv3y9Uc/s320/IMG_1727.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAkDT8TX9A8/TipNpfN7sFI/AAAAAAAAAYI/vFsb3-YOf1U/s1600/tip_101_loaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAkDT8TX9A8/TipNpfN7sFI/AAAAAAAAAYI/vFsb3-YOf1U/s1600/tip_101_loaves.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This step also includes feeding these large loaves into a chopper of sorts that turns the huge, heavy loads into bite-sized pieces. These bites are salted and mixed up. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ66QeyGH0c/TipNooUVcPI/AAAAAAAAAX8/wbpvoO_Mpqg/s1600/tip_101_curds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ66QeyGH0c/TipNooUVcPI/AAAAAAAAAX8/wbpvoO_Mpqg/s320/tip_101_curds.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you visit Beecher's, you can buy the cheese in this stage. They call them "curds" in the shop even though it is past the official curd stage and is really just young cheese! The cheesemaker gave us a few containers to fill when we got to this stage, so we were actually able to bring home the cheese that *we* made!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G2j2fr3Tk9M/TipWdl5X_DI/AAAAAAAAAYc/VE7AE3-MQds/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G2j2fr3Tk9M/TipWdl5X_DI/AAAAAAAAAYc/VE7AE3-MQds/s320/IMG_1788.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step Five: Hooping and Aging</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The salted curds are placed into molds called "hoops." Each hoop holds about 45 pounds of curds. We shoveled and scooped and piled and punched the curds in. At one point the cheesemaker told us to pack the curds in "like they stole your lunch money!" I guess I wasn't punching hard enough! Then </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">we</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> they moved the hoops to a cheese press. The press works overnight to drain more whey and it was crazy to watch the whey pour out from the cheese that was feeling so firm already! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8z2dvtA5KrU/TipYxIYaOtI/AAAAAAAAAYg/OCpW1nE2TzY/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8z2dvtA5KrU/TipYxIYaOtI/AAAAAAAAAYg/OCpW1nE2TzY/s320/IMG_1729.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Flagship cheese is then aged for a year at an off-site location. There is NO way they could store all that cheese in their shop- remember they make 4,000 pounds of cheese A DAY! Phew! we only made one batch and I was wiped!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily, we were treated to a wonderful lunch at the lunch counter in the shop before we had to turn in our cheesemaker badges. Since we couldn't decided what we wanted off the menu, we decided to each order something different and split. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Moi picket their world famous Mac and Cheese. It has always been amazing, but after a certain recently-retired television host said it was her favorite, it has really gained popularity. It, of course, is made with their Flagship cheese!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOSjCwX3ncY/TipfnIcxIXI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jkzqu0lCI_Y/s1600/Beechers_worlds_best_mac_and_cheese-500x384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOSjCwX3ncY/TipfnIcxIXI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jkzqu0lCI_Y/s320/Beechers_worlds_best_mac_and_cheese-500x384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I chose the Flagship sandwich made with Flagship cheese, Just Jack cheese, tomatoes, basil, and Beecher's spread. Delish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMqyOANhq5s/Tiphdcd-50I/AAAAAAAAAZA/49w6ICrd3rg/s1600/img_2796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMqyOANhq5s/Tiphdcd-50I/AAAAAAAAAZA/49w6ICrd3rg/s320/img_2796.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we knew it, it was time to hang up our hairnets. What an experience! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Thanks, Beecher's! I will never take my cheese- or all the work that goes into it- for granted!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Nod9GhNjbk/TipaFYF4gHI/AAAAAAAAAYw/pcF6x0Tv-ak/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Nod9GhNjbk/TipaFYF4gHI/AAAAAAAAAYw/pcF6x0Tv-ak/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-25727574650369851902011-07-21T07:54:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:51:58.335-07:00Cooking with Moi<div style="text-align: left;">Whenever cousin Moi comes to stay with us for her vacation, she teaches me how to cook something new. She has been coming to see us every summer for a few years (four?) which for me, means I have gotten some pretty awesome cooking lessons, not to mention amazing company, wet-your-pants laughter, partner in crime adventures, and just a ton of fun. I love her visits.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Moi went to culinary school and owns her own chocolate company, <u><a href="http://moichocolates.com/">Moi Chocolates</a></u> (which you should check out- delish!!) I am always inspired by her ease in the kitchen and all of the little tips and tricks she has up her sleeve. Now, I have to admit that it is the little things that make me giddy- but she is impressive! Each year, after she leaves, I have new wonderful additions to my cook book that sustain us until next summer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This year, Moi taught me how to make Chinese Dumplings. I won't be able to post a recipe, because like all people who know how to cook (not me!) she doesn't use recipes. I am really a follow-the-rules, measure-everything kind of girl, but Moi is teaching me how to use my senses more to cook.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">We gathered all of our groceries at <u><a href="http://www.uwajimaya.com/">Uwajimaya</a></u>. Aren't these mushrooms beautiful?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhlYsNuEJnc/Tig2y8Vhi3I/AAAAAAAAAWY/OoDr2F6q8dQ/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhlYsNuEJnc/Tig2y8Vhi3I/AAAAAAAAAWY/OoDr2F6q8dQ/s320/IMG_1694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Baby bok choy. Wee-boy picked it out. Not that he'll eat it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnUof4zKklE/Tig2xWYmkDI/AAAAAAAAAWU/zwcyZFf-VKU/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnUof4zKklE/Tig2xWYmkDI/AAAAAAAAAWU/zwcyZFf-VKU/s320/IMG_1693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chop chop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqwAyeuOKZY/Tig2uT4cMuI/AAAAAAAAAWM/ev18GNMaZsc/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqwAyeuOKZY/Tig2uT4cMuI/AAAAAAAAAWM/ev18GNMaZsc/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Ground chicken in an Asian market is much finer than in a western market. Moi says that I could also buy western ground chicken and toss it in my Cuisinart. (And I <i>do</i> love a reason to use the Cuisinart!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU9nTGLXbUs/Tig20pP8LNI/AAAAAAAAAWc/MyWretd6v_w/s1600/IMG_1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU9nTGLXbUs/Tig20pP8LNI/AAAAAAAAAWc/MyWretd6v_w/s320/IMG_1695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU9nTGLXbUs/Tig20pP8LNI/AAAAAAAAAWc/MyWretd6v_w/s1600/IMG_1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take off your rings and get mixing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UD-lqHg7sAg/Tig22EpoKoI/AAAAAAAAAWg/V0KULVZxkmo/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UD-lqHg7sAg/Tig22EpoKoI/AAAAAAAAAWg/V0KULVZxkmo/s320/IMG_1696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We tossed in some salt, pepper, and sesame oil. Then it was time to wrap!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lx-TB-VjzXs/Tig33A-oBrI/AAAAAAAAAXE/aSOIWBlqnUc/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lx-TB-VjzXs/Tig33A-oBrI/AAAAAAAAAXE/aSOIWBlqnUc/s320/IMG_1697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little dab of filling, then wet the rim of the wrapper with an egg wash. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b50HLN3TJxw/Tig24V1jDkI/AAAAAAAAAWo/NMMNZAL_D44/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b50HLN3TJxw/Tig24V1jDkI/AAAAAAAAAWo/NMMNZAL_D44/s320/IMG_1698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Pinch the edges together to seal the goodness inside. Then I learned to make them fancy with a fan crimp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5APjjQf4Ng/Tig25mwSs9I/AAAAAAAAAWs/zgdPqltbtNE/s1600/IMG_1699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5APjjQf4Ng/Tig25mwSs9I/AAAAAAAAAWs/zgdPqltbtNE/s320/IMG_1699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Beautiful!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUcre6Fozpg/Tig266_vHiI/AAAAAAAAAWw/g8iKLcTBINI/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUcre6Fozpg/Tig266_vHiI/AAAAAAAAAWw/g8iKLcTBINI/s320/IMG_1700.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> Pop 'em in a pan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00oEfBbAVmI/Tig2-brpXFI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ZnD9o5wx6p4/s1600/IMG_1702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00oEfBbAVmI/Tig2-brpXFI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ZnD9o5wx6p4/s320/IMG_1702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Add a little water to steam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVuYGEp2_NM/Tig3BfDvK-I/AAAAAAAAAXA/PfdjRE99V-0/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVuYGEp2_NM/Tig3BfDvK-I/AAAAAAAAAXA/PfdjRE99V-0/s320/IMG_1704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steam. Steam. Steam. Moi says you know when they are ready because you can smell them. It may take me a few tries to get that part right!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj6bvGJJtTM/Tig4M9VhjsI/AAAAAAAAAXI/c3re9UgUxMQ/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj6bvGJJtTM/Tig4M9VhjsI/AAAAAAAAAXI/c3re9UgUxMQ/s320/IMG_1705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> These babies are going to give <u><a href="http://www.dintaifungusa.com/">Din Tai Fung </a></u>a run for their money!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNCtXr0_rx4/Tig4WNGagUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/qzTikwb8vI4/s1600/IMG_1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNCtXr0_rx4/Tig4WNGagUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/qzTikwb8vI4/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moi also made sauted bok choy and soy sauce noodles. It was a great kitchen adventure and we all ate WAY too much at dinner!! I was also reminded that Moi and I have yet another similarity: we both cook with every dish in the kitchen!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUpmiHbALg4/Tig4ZmqAu_I/AAAAAAAAAXo/OpLjkm2akm4/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUpmiHbALg4/Tig4ZmqAu_I/AAAAAAAAAXo/OpLjkm2akm4/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Moi says that the best chefs are messy- so if I am messy, that is a good sign. For the mess that I can make- I should be WAY better than I am! It was worth every dish.<br />
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Thanks, Moi!~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-81359280233041377062011-07-18T06:31:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:52:48.988-07:00Inspiration File: Laundry Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQeknhVdvcI/TiQx-YSze1I/AAAAAAAAACQ/3u0XOtu4teI/s1600/29155563_dkd3XOI0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQeknhVdvcI/TiQx-YSze1I/AAAAAAAAACQ/3u0XOtu4teI/s1600/29155563_dkd3XOI0_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One might think that I am pregnant the way I am nesting these days. Sorry, Mom, not pregnant! I think that all of this time off in the summer just gets me itching to decorate, create, and nest in a way I can't during the school year.<br />
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My current obsession is with the powder room/guest bathroom. I walked in there the other day and I had HAD it with the blah-ness of it all. So, naturally, I decided that it must immediately be redecorated. Four different towel expeditions later, I have a general theme and color scheme. It will be wonderful once I make/find/repurpose some art for the walls (well, and paint and patch the wall from the 12 holes I had already put in the walls. I didn't like that art anymore anyway.)<br />
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So why is this post about the laundry room and not the bathroom? Well, because I am not ready to reveal the bathroom yet. AND in true Sunshine fashion, I have moved on to my next project without finishing the last one.<br />
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Enter <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. If you haven't checked this site <s>out where have you been? </s>you should. Just type in your interest, and see fabulous pics from all over the web that people have "pinned."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here are a few drool-worthy laundry rooms that I have my eye on:<br />
(I apologize for the tiny size of these pictures. I will figure this thing out eventually!)<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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhBrGTSgH78/TiQx9lTts0I/AAAAAAAAACE/szF_G3F-6BA/s1600/9270014_ARrnX7Ue_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhBrGTSgH78/TiQx9lTts0I/AAAAAAAAACE/szF_G3F-6BA/s1600/9270014_ARrnX7Ue_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am also currently <s>obsessed</s> in love with blue. <br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3HZ9HExZ6M/TiQx_pMJe9I/AAAAAAAAACk/NnW0h2URiI4/s1600/64866704_IY7n0cxF_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3HZ9HExZ6M/TiQx_pMJe9I/AAAAAAAAACk/NnW0h2URiI4/s1600/64866704_IY7n0cxF_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How sweet is this!?<br />
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<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrOyLMBQ69g/TiQx_mrkEuI/AAAAAAAAACg/ck7vdIfvSNE/s1600/51245434_OwYaXZDY_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrOyLMBQ69g/TiQx_mrkEuI/AAAAAAAAACg/ck7vdIfvSNE/s1600/51245434_OwYaXZDY_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost makes you want to do laundry. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Thjn0rLK4I/TiQx9VN12KI/AAAAAAAAACA/Bn9wL2JezYI/s1600/7783922_uXtUhZmL_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Thjn0rLK4I/TiQx9VN12KI/AAAAAAAAACA/Bn9wL2JezYI/s1600/7783922_uXtUhZmL_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_mCAnmY69A/TiQx9Jj_JwI/AAAAAAAAAB8/wGEmKDT9yiU/s1600/5660398_ogTWK10x_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_mCAnmY69A/TiQx9Jj_JwI/AAAAAAAAAB8/wGEmKDT9yiU/s320/5660398_ogTWK10x_b.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-lzI-aWWc/TiQx-IXh6JI/AAAAAAAAACM/rU_7Wx-K-_0/s1600/19169079_WB9JRpDK_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-lzI-aWWc/TiQx-IXh6JI/AAAAAAAAACM/rU_7Wx-K-_0/s1600/19169079_WB9JRpDK_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The laundry symbols are adorable. I have been pondering the Cricut. <br />
I fear that my house will be overwhelmed with vinyl sunshine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>Now I am itching to paint some Sunshine in our house. However, I made a vow to wait at least one year before picking up a paintbrush in our new house. The countdown has begun!<br />
I think I will have to start in the laundry room... <br />
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What is your current obsession? Leave a comment and let me know!</div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-57164409922931682472011-07-16T21:38:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:53:00.683-07:00Ugly CookiesThere are many names for these ugly cookies: No-Bake, Boiled, Chocolate Oatmeal. It doesn't matter what you call them, you just better make a double batch! Since we lucked out winning the "dessert" category for the neighborhood Block Party, I enlisted my littlest kitchen helper to make our contribution.<br />
<br />
I dug the recipe out of my family cook book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIBfATGTTa0/TiJjGPI0hUI/AAAAAAAAABA/R6T9wOPOiGY/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIBfATGTTa0/TiJjGPI0hUI/AAAAAAAAABA/R6T9wOPOiGY/s320/IMG_1565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aren't these cards awesome? I love having recipes written in my mom's handwriting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's like she is in the kitchen cooking with me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkZccmH8EnI/TiJjKQzdUXI/AAAAAAAAABE/Uv3aWYKfDBs/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkZccmH8EnI/TiJjKQzdUXI/AAAAAAAAABE/Uv3aWYKfDBs/s320/IMG_1536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stuff that sinful things are made of. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOnEwkNcVrA/TiJjLZXpXjI/AAAAAAAAABI/vX9tRXX4ytE/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOnEwkNcVrA/TiJjLZXpXjI/AAAAAAAAABI/vX9tRXX4ytE/s320/IMG_1538.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> First, mix butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa in a saucepan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vawdq47a528/TiJjRHq4ccI/AAAAAAAAABY/4JYaYtmZejs/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vawdq47a528/TiJjRHq4ccI/AAAAAAAAABY/4JYaYtmZejs/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bring to a "full, rolling boil."Looks like boiling lava to me, but smells heavenly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rf0KCtLL3Y/TiJjMilfgJI/AAAAAAAAABM/ehiQe9QfpZg/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rf0KCtLL3Y/TiJjMilfgJI/AAAAAAAAABM/ehiQe9QfpZg/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then add oatmeal (always double check your assistant's measuring skills!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jmyIYcC0IM/TiJjN2g89dI/AAAAAAAAABQ/ixwVFMDAS4Y/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jmyIYcC0IM/TiJjN2g89dI/AAAAAAAAABQ/ixwVFMDAS4Y/s320/IMG_1542.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add peanut butter and vanilla. This is an awesome gadget- perfect for measuring goopy ingredients. When you are ready to add them, you just push the plunger in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leave it to Alton Brown to figure that one out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVAb0yl-q1k/TiJjSy34PaI/AAAAAAAAABc/JC3QJvm4naA/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVAb0yl-q1k/TiJjSy34PaI/AAAAAAAAABc/JC3QJvm4naA/s320/IMG_1547.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mix. Mix.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LOyJaa_P4_4/TiJjUQnrDxI/AAAAAAAAABg/0iJgJDsJcWA/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LOyJaa_P4_4/TiJjUQnrDxI/AAAAAAAAABg/0iJgJDsJcWA/s320/IMG_1548.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mix it up! Mix. Mix. Mix. Mmmm. Resist the temptation to lick the spoon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> It's hot. Trust me. Resist. The. Urge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GI-B2GKHic/TiJjVl38NsI/AAAAAAAAABk/Zx-boC7aTk4/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GI-B2GKHic/TiJjVl38NsI/AAAAAAAAABk/Zx-boC7aTk4/s320/IMG_1549.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The spoon the deliciousness onto waxed paper. Let them cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZHd9R3SMtI/TiJjXL5kt7I/AAAAAAAAABo/-MQNEBuqNzo/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZHd9R3SMtI/TiJjXL5kt7I/AAAAAAAAABo/-MQNEBuqNzo/s320/IMG_1552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still drying. Not ready yet....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eorphDxWMLA/TiJjYwXsfXI/AAAAAAAAABs/IosJ1dr0XQ0/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eorphDxWMLA/TiJjYwXsfXI/AAAAAAAAABs/IosJ1dr0XQ0/s320/IMG_1553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmm.. NOW I think they are ready!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xujld2Rgqro/TiJjaB0vvEI/AAAAAAAAABw/ZKzmkeqq-_Y/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xujld2Rgqro/TiJjaB0vvEI/AAAAAAAAABw/ZKzmkeqq-_Y/s320/IMG_1554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They may not be pretty, but they <i>will</i> add sunshine to your day!!</div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073213959223464736.post-32263577044837952882011-07-14T11:29:00.001-07:002011-07-28T07:53:11.563-07:00Salute! Pizza al Fresco!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, I took a class at a local cooking school named </span><a href="http://www.thesizzleworks.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">SizzleWorks</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. The class was all about making Italian style pizza on the grill! What a class! To be honest, I have never taken a cooking class before, and although I love the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">idea </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">of cooking, I have made some pretty awful meals. Okay, there are a few good ones now and then, but... I was a little intimidated, but since a friend invited me (thanks, Erin!), I took the plunge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3PJxi_d_1Y/Th84QV4Dz9I/AAAAAAAAAA4/AaQNfB3whGg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3PJxi_d_1Y/Th84QV4Dz9I/AAAAAAAAAA4/AaQNfB3whGg/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3PJxi_d_1Y/Th84QV4Dz9I/AAAAAAAAAA4/AaQNfB3whGg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Don't you love how my wine looks blue in this pic?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, we chopped and diced and ate and sliced and drank and grilled and ate. It was blissful. And I felt all professional, like I actually knew what I was doing. This is a big facade for me. I pretend I know, but I am just making it up!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE-og4Ruwy8/Th85MnGYkPI/AAAAAAAAAA8/XQdvhUe8fg0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE-og4Ruwy8/Th85MnGYkPI/AAAAAAAAAA8/XQdvhUe8fg0/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE-og4Ruwy8/Th85MnGYkPI/AAAAAAAAAA8/XQdvhUe8fg0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This was my creation. Half pesto, mozz, tomato, garlic and half gorganzola (I love me some stinky cheese!) pear, and pinenuts. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Let's just say that I didn't have any left to share or take home! And... I may have eaten a few pieces of my neighbor's pizza. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was so jazzed about making my own pizza (and that you put it RIGHT ON THE GRILL!) that we decided to have grilled pizzas for our 4th of July BBQ. Sure hamburgers and dogs are the all-American choice, but I couldn't resist! I'll post pics of that grand adventure later.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, here is the recipe for the pizza dough. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thin Crust Italian Pizza Dough</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 package yeast (bread yeast, the blue package)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup warm water (110 to 120*F)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups type 00 pizza flour</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 teaspoons salt</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons vegetable oil</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Dissolve yeast and add 1 teaspoon sugar in the warm water, set aside to "proof." Meanwhile, in food processor, process remaining sugar, flour, and salt to combine. With machine running, add yeast mixture slowly. Then add oil. Process until ball forms, adding additional water if necessary. Process 45 seconds to knead, making a very soft dough. Cover and let rise on an olive oil greased pan, about 1 hour, until double. Pat out to form circle, roll to cracker thin, brush with olive oil (or garlic oil-yum!) and top as desired. Use cornmeal on the bottom for "ball-bearings" then slide onto a very hot grill. Once grill marks are present, move it up to the top rack in your grill for about 4 minutes. Presto!</span></span></div>~Kerrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08158421246200588894noreply@blogger.com2