tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20912787755872434412024-02-19T07:15:22.570-08:00Sunshine & Sew Much MoreCourtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-48638254448536757822012-01-15T20:53:00.000-08:002012-01-15T20:53:42.228-08:00Slow Cooker Baked Potato Chowder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I<b> love</b> baked potatoes with ALL the fixins', really who doesn't right? This recipe has all the things you love about Baked Potatoes. I knew I wanted to make some type of soup for my Sweetie this week since we have been experiencing a brutal Alberta cold snap (we're talking -25 to -35 Celsius before the wind chill, brrr!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What could be better suited to a cold day then chowder??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIndFp6iVCXHVhKN2Ychi9m8DhAbpV1VeQzBj0OvS_lHI3ycpDdK7VdCW4XLb1QTVAum4NYmaKJ-RIdq3qaKlt7H_L7yaKcCltmsQxCutRoryjcrjoSWDf3v80QgAV81wkrh5taf6rNoJt/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIndFp6iVCXHVhKN2Ychi9m8DhAbpV1VeQzBj0OvS_lHI3ycpDdK7VdCW4XLb1QTVAum4NYmaKJ-RIdq3qaKlt7H_L7yaKcCltmsQxCutRoryjcrjoSWDf3v80QgAV81wkrh5taf6rNoJt/s400/IMG_0534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found a basic <a href="http://www.crockpoteasyrecipes.com/potato-bacon-chowder/">recipe</a> online so I could get an idea of how to make Chowder (since I have actually never made it before) and decided the one I found could be improved upon, so I made some changes and Kevin and I both agree it really is some amazing chowder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOgSKOdywJkgZWT09pbWjZTmXTM3F6ku7Fsdp1vkJ2pZQDWvawGcms_i45nNXsWMsuQ5sWHi-7xg_pY8ErZrsi4Kk9b4jYLoOnlULxSp2yEIFL6-aFFMnux5Ut8HwlpwBrCnj6OuBOiGl/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOgSKOdywJkgZWT09pbWjZTmXTM3F6ku7Fsdp1vkJ2pZQDWvawGcms_i45nNXsWMsuQ5sWHi-7xg_pY8ErZrsi4Kk9b4jYLoOnlULxSp2yEIFL6-aFFMnux5Ut8HwlpwBrCnj6OuBOiGl/s400/IMG_0533.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Here's what you'll need:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1. </b> 4 cans Campbell's Cream of Potato Soup</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2.</b> 4 Cups of Milk (or you can use 2 cups water 2 cups Evaporated Milk as a substitute)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3.</b> 1 Lb Bacon, pre-cooked (I used Apple-wood Smoked Bacon which was awesome! ... and on sale)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4.</b> 3/4 of a Large White Onion, finely chopped (you can pre-brown for extra flavour)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>5.</b> 1 - 2 Cups 1/2 inch peeled and cubed Russet Potatoes (the more potatoes the chunkier it will be)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>6. </b>1/2 Cup Sour Cream</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>7. </b>1 Tsp Parsley</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. </b>1 Tsp <a href="http://www.backeddys.com/">Back Eddy's</a> (or other brand Seasoning Salt, but this one is the best, in my opinion)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. </b>1 Tsp Fresh Ground Pepper</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>10. </b>1 Tsp Garlic Powder</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>11.</b> 1/2 Tsp Liquid Chicken Bovril</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>12. </b>1 - 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>13. </b>1/2 Cup Fresh Chives, Chopped</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Instructions:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gather ingredients. Be sure to pre-fry Bacon to desired crispness (I did mine in the microwave with my <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.ca/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=35431&catId=9&parentCatId=9&outletSubCat=">Pampered Chef Ridged Baker</a>). Should you want to, you can slightly brown the diced onions prior to adding. In Slow Cooker, Mix ingredients number 1 and 2, stir well. Add ingredients 3 through 6, stir again. Add seasoning, ingredients 7 through 11 and stir. Allow chowder to get hot before adding ingredient 12, this will take approximately 1 hour on High setting, OR you can add Cheese about 30 minutes to an hour before serving. Cook on High 4 to 5 hours or on Low 8 to 10 hours. Garnish with leftover Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese, Pepper and chopped Chives (Ok, I for got to put chives on in the picture, oops!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiU8-TVdTWecj6kKyxgtMd_9OW7hdigoWuPiEgRCRWKf8dcdmboG-42_Y8bn0aSMcHwi7IWXuS3liKDVqS1Iqv8k6PH0cAz4ycGvFpjvB17sgxo-lib6Oyx4gAOPqKz_gc4pEvuNkRsQE/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiU8-TVdTWecj6kKyxgtMd_9OW7hdigoWuPiEgRCRWKf8dcdmboG-42_Y8bn0aSMcHwi7IWXuS3liKDVqS1Iqv8k6PH0cAz4ycGvFpjvB17sgxo-lib6Oyx4gAOPqKz_gc4pEvuNkRsQE/s400/IMG_0535.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">MMMmmmmm......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy Cookin'!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-Courtney Soleil</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-17572258537919506582011-05-02T13:41:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:26:15.106-07:00Family Room Curtains.... Finally.<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My family room bow window has been nekkid <s>since christmas</s> for a little while. While my Mum was here over winter we took down the boring Ikea curtains, washed them and then they sat folded in my sewing room forever, waiting to be rejuvenated. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to re-purpose, so when we moved in to our house and the previous owners had left some <s>boring</s> adequate Ikea curtains behind, I decided I would keep them until I found something I liked better.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what the curtains used to look like:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Lm9DV5ECo9_nJx44KCm0XKjyoPbirdlmwvWx9_JDM-mxCfWJtkyeIWp_j_nOu0m2RKslPqVxUM-eYd6mZ6Z3mLRsE17LLTOUPZVw6UJ6KupPQpqJGaO5aquvHXYcsQBPo4PfXRigHTqf/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Lm9DV5ECo9_nJx44KCm0XKjyoPbirdlmwvWx9_JDM-mxCfWJtkyeIWp_j_nOu0m2RKslPqVxUM-eYd6mZ6Z3mLRsE17LLTOUPZVw6UJ6KupPQpqJGaO5aquvHXYcsQBPo4PfXRigHTqf/s400/IMG_9714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and now:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsRJrlkn-wpsVA56L5uVvH1Jhhzl9rNrrlthnr-kXlR26fDjB-CtGIBXcjvEnQ8jI0aovhPQZLnDW0yTTFhMpX7opGGsxua7HzQdY5_3JamDQwGMImSQFCwD_JK-2XmZMr3PdWUHGpAUM/s1600/IMG_9709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsRJrlkn-wpsVA56L5uVvH1Jhhzl9rNrrlthnr-kXlR26fDjB-CtGIBXcjvEnQ8jI0aovhPQZLnDW0yTTFhMpX7opGGsxua7HzQdY5_3JamDQwGMImSQFCwD_JK-2XmZMr3PdWUHGpAUM/s400/IMG_9709.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't mind Kevin's lap top in the corner, he looked comfy on the couch so I didn't want to move him...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, curtains, not too exciting, I know. I am happy with them because I was able to re-purpose something FREE in to something pretty, and remember my <a href="http://courtneysoleil.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-room-project.html">fabric from my post back in february?</a> There is the green and gold stripe in all it's glory. Green is not my favorite colour, but, it is a close third and it goes with the room.. plus it only cost me about 8$ for the transformation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsthwBbcZ94MKAx8Grx34OhSiyyJRIbo7xL6xQPzeqrZUyIf9fT7fICBFm5A5xzmPC8L_X5UA_Mu434EGtXPSPjTRvi13CcjMEj1i1MPro2C8seGM5on-6GY3eKQZy-VRAnQ2kH4b5ui2/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsthwBbcZ94MKAx8Grx34OhSiyyJRIbo7xL6xQPzeqrZUyIf9fT7fICBFm5A5xzmPC8L_X5UA_Mu434EGtXPSPjTRvi13CcjMEj1i1MPro2C8seGM5on-6GY3eKQZy-VRAnQ2kH4b5ui2/s400/IMG_9684.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made tie-backs to match, I also bought some plain green of the same fabric, and good thing I did because I used everything but a 8"x12" piece of the valance fabric... and I wanted wide tie-backs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY59ykEDEh3TSfhQ_AJPc4iCH9VhPe1dP_af7DrHJQO63ugyHhivby0hKMynRO6eHgKdHSSa4pYmzBzfD9fztozb4pj-HhJtah-g4kVD3uALehFoZRyzXQv8DK6K6RqAI96agl91NHOte/s1600/IMG_9712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY59ykEDEh3TSfhQ_AJPc4iCH9VhPe1dP_af7DrHJQO63ugyHhivby0hKMynRO6eHgKdHSSa4pYmzBzfD9fztozb4pj-HhJtah-g4kVD3uALehFoZRyzXQv8DK6K6RqAI96agl91NHOte/s400/IMG_9712.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>So here is a brief "How To"</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I don't want to insult anyones intelligence)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For an 11' span, I used 4 standard size Ikea curtain panels, and sewed 2 of them together for each side of the window. I had 2 meters of of valance fabric (you will need the same amount of lining) and another 1/4 meter of a coordinating (or of the same fabric if you like) for the tie backs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the underside of the valance, I lined them with a thin and cheap polyester, just to give stability.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaTlycEYN9SscIyKiwDPgjlkQyEX-BOWDJk55JM1RVz2vyLvGqZCelfM9JXv7_4Xidv7Bj5MVlDmZBayeCnEH3Nw-o72XKXnZkGN9C9RqKuA0U5FE8whPsx6YcIUX4BR2SRabHkdKz3Ei/s1600/IMG_9715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaTlycEYN9SscIyKiwDPgjlkQyEX-BOWDJk55JM1RVz2vyLvGqZCelfM9JXv7_4Xidv7Bj5MVlDmZBayeCnEH3Nw-o72XKXnZkGN9C9RqKuA0U5FE8whPsx6YcIUX4BR2SRabHkdKz3Ei/s320/IMG_9715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> As you can see above, I have a wooden dowel as a curtain rod, mainly because its an 11' span and I couldn't find a long enough curtain rod or one stable enough not to bow in the middle.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really didn't want to have to hang 2 dowels just to have a valance, and I didn't make the curtains in the rod pocket style because the rod holders would make the curtain hang funny.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6SFI7ZPyVe92k0gYfp7sAm6QtRdLY5WkpgOdGl-K_84L_9TCIKkbmC2opu10kbw2PwbXQ23oEUT59dYCzo7q0QyGJnQiVlJCqoS8x4bELKSg9wE4RP8tWaq9QJepfPsKyQuMU3J3i-wl/s1600/IMG_9718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6SFI7ZPyVe92k0gYfp7sAm6QtRdLY5WkpgOdGl-K_84L_9TCIKkbmC2opu10kbw2PwbXQ23oEUT59dYCzo7q0QyGJnQiVlJCqoS8x4bELKSg9wE4RP8tWaq9QJepfPsKyQuMU3J3i-wl/s400/IMG_9718.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My solution was to attach the valance to the curtains as is.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkWPkBDn2JiJT45Khc2iZIyto-rRxZqsqqqZX9FkeTp-B1VvzjR7IhKTl4ZvbObXHq7_mCrG8iFm9YHnj8bBB103wzhPg9xrM4giLsG8jtBMTelP1Woawi4CBS2IAfhC4QXoFUaFKa7Jc/s1600/IMG_9720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkWPkBDn2JiJT45Khc2iZIyto-rRxZqsqqqZX9FkeTp-B1VvzjR7IhKTl4ZvbObXHq7_mCrG8iFm9YHnj8bBB103wzhPg9xrM4giLsG8jtBMTelP1Woawi4CBS2IAfhC4QXoFUaFKa7Jc/s400/IMG_9720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take your finished valance and face good side of valance to the back side (side toward the window) of the curtain and sew a straight stitch along and it will look like the picture above....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you put up your curtains flip the valance over to the front and it will be nice and finished looking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiQ3-wQyo2a6CK_UecK2gNgSD-UnB6sEuKOEps0coLcQmpo9vE47YuOKzOAKYOoqhxGqVS1Z08Q27x9ts7O_3lL_Mb8dF6TSd-rAZ3fNNklNdFBd7-1ob1p4BWHA0Lenv0eMUm71zApyC/s1600/IMG_9722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiQ3-wQyo2a6CK_UecK2gNgSD-UnB6sEuKOEps0coLcQmpo9vE47YuOKzOAKYOoqhxGqVS1Z08Q27x9ts7O_3lL_Mb8dF6TSd-rAZ3fNNklNdFBd7-1ob1p4BWHA0Lenv0eMUm71zApyC/s320/IMG_9722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...the back of the curtains still look like that...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTETRwI6TDc-h8T6RiZUk-BO1nv2Y4Wgnt7vpnIzHdmUAWEp63__NlmclGuEtAYwVCMjN1HebEdouJ5Uh-HDnNWFd2BClns6QqywWDugfVuFB10SQdYeRNu7X18At26PIX4nwKWjgb1JG/s1600/IMG_9723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTETRwI6TDc-h8T6RiZUk-BO1nv2Y4Wgnt7vpnIzHdmUAWEp63__NlmclGuEtAYwVCMjN1HebEdouJ5Uh-HDnNWFd2BClns6QqywWDugfVuFB10SQdYeRNu7X18At26PIX4nwKWjgb1JG/s400/IMG_9723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now you have your valance attached... easy as can be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Hgk7lUCHeeCvreRVhiD_WaWhnEF6_aa2qzEA-m18BnFggDV1gvAlCTTCblF-I-ltTaqMXhfO_5AefKyS8Qi2w4lSIWuOw35CmZ08Zub-DyuEbqrIVJ3SUR5kZiDx8xmoCtuGeYyoIyY/s1600/IMG_9686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Hgk7lUCHeeCvreRVhiD_WaWhnEF6_aa2qzEA-m18BnFggDV1gvAlCTTCblF-I-ltTaqMXhfO_5AefKyS8Qi2w4lSIWuOw35CmZ08Zub-DyuEbqrIVJ3SUR5kZiDx8xmoCtuGeYyoIyY/s400/IMG_9686.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So pretty and shiny....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">***<br />
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Below is a picture my Mum took of the old windows... it was kind of a surprise, the boys changed the windows while I was at work so I only have mid-reno photos. We used to have 3 windows on the left, we filled in the side window (it looked at our neighbors anyway) and made a bigger hole for the new bow window.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3iB07vaBcvoCj4RWQ101klwCX8ZXEi5iZGPvb_X8Ye8ek_PRGGxgNmAO5Mo1SSGSkKY44cA6KHbqKsJI0hT_TarOzX5BRFtXEee_p19RRL2jJOlYBz0T8PpnGYczCjF9AWwnbrAoHfbN/s1600/Oldwindosfamilyroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3iB07vaBcvoCj4RWQ101klwCX8ZXEi5iZGPvb_X8Ye8ek_PRGGxgNmAO5Mo1SSGSkKY44cA6KHbqKsJI0hT_TarOzX5BRFtXEee_p19RRL2jJOlYBz0T8PpnGYczCjF9AWwnbrAoHfbN/s400/Oldwindosfamilyroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
...much better now, I think.<br />
I love my Bow window, Kevin along with my Dad and his Dad, installed the windows last year, and the bow window was a mis-size so it was practically free for us. Another one of my favorite windows in the house, you can lay on the couch and watch the world go by.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCS3d3b3s4L6657mu59WRrGSFfrnosqZ2tXOL6MPa2pOCtAJ_usX8bNzO_uSpxr9pRZJbXh2qthTIl08YUN7UYto0oWSvDuthPF2rOvYAEdy_Ett-uALXM0EgFfab7spBTBICa-UnMfFf/s1600/IMG_9696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCS3d3b3s4L6657mu59WRrGSFfrnosqZ2tXOL6MPa2pOCtAJ_usX8bNzO_uSpxr9pRZJbXh2qthTIl08YUN7UYto0oWSvDuthPF2rOvYAEdy_Ett-uALXM0EgFfab7spBTBICa-UnMfFf/s400/IMG_9696.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Another project down, 9 million more to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhousqVQTCNG3IeLr4ZMFwvnbSm6OT9qdpNGWF861kKrOCUCFgqWuPkh0jJxkld_rUpdOpw17mxA1zlIE7Rfndi_2j612GaInAA2tgYmTWP_lIMFebLUNGXgjJQi8c63sYjk4s1cMz4Uabk/s1600/IMG_9698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhousqVQTCNG3IeLr4ZMFwvnbSm6OT9qdpNGWF861kKrOCUCFgqWuPkh0jJxkld_rUpdOpw17mxA1zlIE7Rfndi_2j612GaInAA2tgYmTWP_lIMFebLUNGXgjJQi8c63sYjk4s1cMz4Uabk/s400/IMG_9698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> Happy Sewing!<br />
-Courtney Soleil</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-57956721342941568122011-04-21T05:30:00.000-07:002011-04-21T05:30:00.506-07:00Fabric fabric and even more fabric....I found a cool a cool way to organize my fabric - it totally makes sense too! It seems many quilters know of this trick to fabric organization but I would have never known and been cutting up uneven cardboard pieces forever!<br />
<br />
Use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BCW-Silver-Comic-Backing-Boards/dp/B000KC316I/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1303363329&sr=1-7">comic book backboards</a> - who woulda' thunk it eh? I saw the idea <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/03/fabric-neat.html">here</a> and if you read reviews on amazon apparently I am behind the times - in case you are behind with me here is your update in to 21st century sewing....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(It's only fitting I store comic book fabric on comic book boards right?)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7dZn1HzadPxfJsS7OyjTKAoOoYtJ9IbURdG5ruIMEw9dzFT1HV9NQhQfY5hS065kRKSjArJGgyKhcJvtX2pg8KXV9aaWK2bvVk5v5qENUVzpJlycqjTjjdP0kRMDPpeBaDOjsroWXmDN/s1600/IMG_9592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7dZn1HzadPxfJsS7OyjTKAoOoYtJ9IbURdG5ruIMEw9dzFT1HV9NQhQfY5hS065kRKSjArJGgyKhcJvtX2pg8KXV9aaWK2bvVk5v5qENUVzpJlycqjTjjdP0kRMDPpeBaDOjsroWXmDN/s400/IMG_9592.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You just fold your fabric in half (like most come off the large bolt at the store already) and then fold in top fold to center of fabric then selvage to center also. The boards are roughly 7x10" - I measured my folded fabric to between 9" and 9 1/4" so you'd see to board's ends once rolled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Storing 1 to 6 or 7 meters is your range for these boards (they are like a thicker card-stock), and lower that end number if its a thicker fabric - I only used this storage method for my thinner fabrics and my baby quilting flannels - it just seemed to work the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbWEqJxic7eg9BLU_Uob6axAUrf-swZiSG51TNqGLMHVb5eElUF0OPpn88pJtCZKYgt4l-VgUSP0Kt2HPlcHnBgs2FWSiRm4iNl1aE_VnLlO3iPk400keBCnIAXJm-xHMvZJMtBAlA2xG/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbWEqJxic7eg9BLU_Uob6axAUrf-swZiSG51TNqGLMHVb5eElUF0OPpn88pJtCZKYgt4l-VgUSP0Kt2HPlcHnBgs2FWSiRm4iNl1aE_VnLlO3iPk400keBCnIAXJm-xHMvZJMtBAlA2xG/s320/IMG_9591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Because I do <s>should but don't have time</s> my share of quilting also, I have many beautiful fabrics with 1/2 a meter or less (some fat quarters also) and I wanted to be able to store them all together, but less than a 3/4 meter just doesnt wrap around as well. I took my trusty quilting ruler and cut some in half lengthwise, it worked perfectly!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eQOpP8nUZjfvuzSseaWqIrjkgB9Ww7PSDXc0zSgdMEmyH_HR9I9irDVSKY6WfkfLMHnSkyg_W3ZOaOIzBibV0kYYOb71SBDciIUYSJg7RwHcBuyA50fqKM-SRyRbZMVfQINqVU7Cs9RP/s1600/IMG_9593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eQOpP8nUZjfvuzSseaWqIrjkgB9Ww7PSDXc0zSgdMEmyH_HR9I9irDVSKY6WfkfLMHnSkyg_W3ZOaOIzBibV0kYYOb71SBDciIUYSJg7RwHcBuyA50fqKM-SRyRbZMVfQINqVU7Cs9RP/s320/IMG_9593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then folded in the raw end and pinned in place as above. I stood my mini fabric bolts up on a shelf... if that's how you will be storing them I suggest poking the pin in to the card also, it keeps the fabric from sliding down the board and bunching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSCO1ixFCZVLJZaiy3iOFJF3gwvA9aPCiZH1teHsnWDyaozNgZC8UIkAxxIMuIdPGBGMBcq3D-4mpTad9IzFayJHfwWUOR3MGG7ZdO8yitURLXPZVuozs0U3rsgm-zTZQKbzLmCW8BgGf/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSCO1ixFCZVLJZaiy3iOFJF3gwvA9aPCiZH1teHsnWDyaozNgZC8UIkAxxIMuIdPGBGMBcq3D-4mpTad9IzFayJHfwWUOR3MGG7ZdO8yitURLXPZVuozs0U3rsgm-zTZQKbzLmCW8BgGf/s400/IMG_9586.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't they look oh so pretty and organized, much better than <a href="http://courtneysoleil.blogspot.com/2011/02/sewing-room.html">before</a>. My "super mini" bolts are at the top to the left - they could be organized better (colour wise) but some of them are in order of quilt projects.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zw5MvFqo2irJAHYUjKge9-Dfk_DG3QK0p4_0iC9OEsptDJZtNu6yGQGC8mrN5Mpc6-9sZaZaLHkLm050H7IeqSggi3iffHxixbTBJvug-sWpXkmAJFEqINJMoubugodswZUm0GXpnGWO/s1600/IMG_9587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zw5MvFqo2irJAHYUjKge9-Dfk_DG3QK0p4_0iC9OEsptDJZtNu6yGQGC8mrN5Mpc6-9sZaZaLHkLm050H7IeqSggi3iffHxixbTBJvug-sWpXkmAJFEqINJMoubugodswZUm0GXpnGWO/s320/IMG_9587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.....and just to keep it real, here is the rest of the shelves, they are in need of a mass organization too... all in time - as my in-laws always say <i>"Home wasn't built in a day".</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Organizing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>-Courtney Soleil</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-55736476023676921552011-04-14T06:30:00.000-07:002011-04-14T06:30:03.367-07:00Baking FrenzyI was on a baking frenzy last week - we don't have kids <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(yet)</span>, so baking is something I keep to a minimum or else Kevin insists I am trying to make him fat... he says he can't not eat baked goods because they are so tasty so if I don't make them then he doesn't have a dilemma... Last week I had 2 really good excuses to bake!<br />
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1. We had a work potluck so I got to bake a billion cupcakes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0E6Hh10qNxK-XFu_8bB41VhTzQkRG6MVc4uMbuUxJVSbJU4dv0ZxJE5JMkn_HC8f2x-67CZg9uqu6fcOAj2dY2CA8Whs6a4nkQY30eKX4gNlikFYa-_Z2GfsP83DvKmQ8MDaWOFCS6kE/s1600/IMG_9575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0E6Hh10qNxK-XFu_8bB41VhTzQkRG6MVc4uMbuUxJVSbJU4dv0ZxJE5JMkn_HC8f2x-67CZg9uqu6fcOAj2dY2CA8Whs6a4nkQY30eKX4gNlikFYa-_Z2GfsP83DvKmQ8MDaWOFCS6kE/s320/IMG_9575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The yellow ones are <a href="http://www.duncanhines.com/products/cakes/moist-deluxe-lemon-supreme-cake-mix"> Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake mix</a> with <a href="http://kitchenmagpie.com/lemon-buttercream-icing">Lemon Buttercream Frosting</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKU0Wink7TlHvnhJaBt9Ro8YOp27Xxg2Rwi1BwLxmfKlciQNPenf9rEycKJmHawsrmcG7MUZIWCouXcfhMtkps-fBKUbYCZl9lmUCwxw8Vu7l8HGVu1C0bIA0DXNnX3NaRpbVbbuEDmPk/s1600/IMG_9576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKU0Wink7TlHvnhJaBt9Ro8YOp27Xxg2Rwi1BwLxmfKlciQNPenf9rEycKJmHawsrmcG7MUZIWCouXcfhMtkps-fBKUbYCZl9lmUCwxw8Vu7l8HGVu1C0bIA0DXNnX3NaRpbVbbuEDmPk/s320/IMG_9576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pink ones are <a href="http://www.duncanhines.com/products/cakes/moist-deluxe-confetti-cake-mix">Duncan Hines Confetti Cake Mix</a> with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, I used the same recipe as the <a href="http://kitchenmagpie.com/lemon-buttercream-icing">Lemon Frosting</a>, but omitted the lemony things and added vanilla instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lG4KukWKr9PZN1WkrBIiovIjS5SRjrOjq4DPIPPh8fAAZRr068DWe_zsmVg5ch59atEphkTqaB2eYJDRne8Opazsx_XSOsWr3ZWwYHPZKLRSJhllji4SdtWj3Q7S4k1VvDQyCUZOYLfD/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lG4KukWKr9PZN1WkrBIiovIjS5SRjrOjq4DPIPPh8fAAZRr068DWe_zsmVg5ch59atEphkTqaB2eYJDRne8Opazsx_XSOsWr3ZWwYHPZKLRSJhllji4SdtWj3Q7S4k1VvDQyCUZOYLfD/s320/IMG_9577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were a hit at work!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Kevin's parents came over for "Tea and Cake" - being of English background I am VERY familiar with both tea and cake... I made Kevin's favorite, Banana nut muffins:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRylJ-F11k3omQGdkOuEr13HOZ5rOsJM3Fxa8atFnpGqG4XTL1awRIuCda9cYQBfZU0E53iuZJi-kzbLevc8xwDpmOj_m1OtFvDhwBomk9MtjkJxrIXtpL6jF9bVdinhyphenhyphendouRmEauOM5R/s1600/IMG_9581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRylJ-F11k3omQGdkOuEr13HOZ5rOsJM3Fxa8atFnpGqG4XTL1awRIuCda9cYQBfZU0E53iuZJi-kzbLevc8xwDpmOj_m1OtFvDhwBomk9MtjkJxrIXtpL6jF9bVdinhyphenhyphendouRmEauOM5R/s320/IMG_9581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRckdfEFjNMwGOM2hBx6uQ04ZDfLWZCoPesJL-CI1ZBrXe36okVDk-kx_o8XDOeBI7nByN7adeHglXk1GcF1Wn-H0fV3aWypdwcgVHvQjWN6Z84MEaqmlOG2Uo8lo3IFt9yJDYvhrDu3rU/s1600/IMG_9580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRckdfEFjNMwGOM2hBx6uQ04ZDfLWZCoPesJL-CI1ZBrXe36okVDk-kx_o8XDOeBI7nByN7adeHglXk1GcF1Wn-H0fV3aWypdwcgVHvQjWN6Z84MEaqmlOG2Uo8lo3IFt9yJDYvhrDu3rU/s320/IMG_9580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have the recipe hand written on a piece of paper, and I have used it since I moved from home, so don't ask me where it came from originally... Here it is:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Banana Nut Muffins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1/4 cup brown sugar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup butter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> eggs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> large crushed old bananas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup buttermilk or heavy whip cream</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">tsp vanilla</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> cups flour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup quick oats</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> tsp baking soda</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> tsp </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">baking powder</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> tsp salt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> cup chopped walnuts or pecans (if desired)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> cup chocolate chips (if desired)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Instructions: Mix first 6 ingredients then add in remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60mins if in cake form or 20-30mins for 12 muffins.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also made a <a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/LemonFrostedLemonCake.html">Lemon Cake</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFPvvDnN5jQzqUPsikiVPOWNjckfVmICNyoJgXTrIXAEDe4C1dvflJgpeyRG8wphxeWL3Fx7771jETIQMsRf_d0dAUTJHiY10E9wVw6pf8VIEm7W07JfHz7fDMTCckxfnmAD5CDr-nK2S/s1600/IMG_9583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFPvvDnN5jQzqUPsikiVPOWNjckfVmICNyoJgXTrIXAEDe4C1dvflJgpeyRG8wphxeWL3Fx7771jETIQMsRf_d0dAUTJHiY10E9wVw6pf8VIEm7W07JfHz7fDMTCckxfnmAD5CDr-nK2S/s320/IMG_9583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZcBVbt4hbOT-pT9f21X3DIg1mrjEd3yx-0MGKDTGYsyQp9mZtJ6-mVimZWHtLcTQnRl6GlFa5VLUIyF2luXwh8oYWA_meCuwPQJqD6tmT0PsLHpg3afLfBKO5ZRUw31ZYmP3tNkfIrY5/s1600/IMG_9584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZcBVbt4hbOT-pT9f21X3DIg1mrjEd3yx-0MGKDTGYsyQp9mZtJ6-mVimZWHtLcTQnRl6GlFa5VLUIyF2luXwh8oYWA_meCuwPQJqD6tmT0PsLHpg3afLfBKO5ZRUw31ZYmP3tNkfIrY5/s320/IMG_9584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">mmmmm... who doesn't love a nice cup of tea with a side of Lemon cake? This cake is a little dryer than expected, but it goes great with tea or coffee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Baking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-35698540164072438912011-04-13T06:00:00.000-07:002011-04-13T06:00:19.477-07:00Chaise Lounge coverYesterday we talked about the Snazzy Dog Bed I made, now what to do about cleaning my <a href="http://www.leons.ca/shared/product/product.aspx?ItemId=207354&ChildItemId=134606">couch</a> and keeping it nice? The dogs love their bed but in getting used to it, they briefly sneak up on to the couch and most often the chaise lounge.<br />
My initial solution was to steam clean my couch - well, I am <s>cheap </s> economical, and paying 200$ to have my couch steam cleaned every so often was not an option. Then I thought I will just vacuum it really well and often - not happening, I work full time and I have a hard time keeping my house in order as it is. I DO vacuum my couch as often as I can though, Kevin bought me the most beautiful vacuum (I love my<a href="http://www.english.dysoncanada.ca/store/product.asp?product=DC23-MOTORHEAD-ANIMAL-CA"> Dyson</a>) which does make it easier. But vacuuming alone didn't get it thoroughly clean - since I love to live dangerously I actually removed my cushion covers and WASHED them, in the WASHING MACHINE - I know, I'm sure you are cringing this very moment - they came out like new, maybe better than new, and they smell soooo good. Nearly all the cushion covers can be removed, except the chaise lounge bottom, so my solution:<br />
<br />
A Cover!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqQwZs3zEqtX52T3iW1DTlZERCm8GRmYF49Z5BX9IfhA9NwBgD1joMUUbfnsCI5HypjQ6yamzsqJxm1UScFqpz-aeP3ai8k8442tojfnMVK-52FtGvCdvRBv1ZOQw_piGJDocgkzsPIvs/s1600/IMG_9564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqQwZs3zEqtX52T3iW1DTlZERCm8GRmYF49Z5BX9IfhA9NwBgD1joMUUbfnsCI5HypjQ6yamzsqJxm1UScFqpz-aeP3ai8k8442tojfnMVK-52FtGvCdvRBv1ZOQw_piGJDocgkzsPIvs/s320/IMG_9564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a <s>old</s> vintage bed spread my Mum had given me ages ago, the very first one she ever bought actually. I love the texture and the cream colour - usually I have cream curtains so the match it perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7YxKzUXdRzl1d8m1pa_H5Wx4Uo94DYKlvoNyQGExAmG1Wh4nG1M7eYOOATjuk4qskq6ESMIQ5SEcrZDaPA2qjML0h2kHdmHzfyIecgSiPXBKojZrtU0gP8RlTZl4K3IuqImEE79nDaJ/s1600/IMG_9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7YxKzUXdRzl1d8m1pa_H5Wx4Uo94DYKlvoNyQGExAmG1Wh4nG1M7eYOOATjuk4qskq6ESMIQ5SEcrZDaPA2qjML0h2kHdmHzfyIecgSiPXBKojZrtU0gP8RlTZl4K3IuqImEE79nDaJ/s320/IMG_9572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ...unfortunately it had huge holes all along one end and was very frayed from time and use. I have always loved it and used it to cover another couch prior, but it really looked rough. I took the better side of the bed spread and laid it on my chaise lounge pinned where it need to be cut or stitched and made a custom cover - it doesn't shift and it is so soft and easy to wash. I made a couple throw pillows to tie it in and voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am blogging from that very spot right now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Sewing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-39985999856287544162011-04-12T12:38:00.000-07:002011-04-12T12:38:27.704-07:00Snazziest Dog Bed... EverI have been trying to kick my pooches off our beautiful family room couch for eons, nothing seemed to work. I tried putting throw pillows everywhere so they couldn't lay comfortably and would be forced to go to their beds in the basement - not happening - they figured out they could nose the pillows on to the floor or snuggle in between them (which they liked EVEN BETTER!). I tried locking them in their basement room, dudley ate through the door.... seriously. We replaced the door with a new one, but they can still get out... I do like having them roam the house freely, I feel safer that way - They alert us to intruders and any passing sinister looking cats or squirrels (Dudley is convinced they are evil... who are we to disagree?). The dogs have earned their "right" to roam the house - they never have accidents anymore, they let us know when they have to go out, they don't chew or destroy anything and they don't make a sound (except Dudley does snore...), so why not let them protect the house? Well, my poor <s>sanity</s> couch is suffering.<div><br />
<div>I love my furry babies, I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">really</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> really</span> really do, but I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">really</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> really</span> really love my couch too. Kevin and I bought this couch when we moved in, and I still haven't seen one I like as much. It's over stuffed and soft and light coloured.... it's pretty much perfect in every way - except for the fact it's covered in dog hair the majority of the time and it shows the dirt. Clearly my pups like to be upstairs closer to us, and close to the front door so here was my last attempt at saving my couch for doggy destruction:</div><div><br />
</div><div>A Snazzy Dog Bed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrJbzsvNPuy070kl0xWgV5vkm_r5Zofm23M8hdwHuwdQpwazjooqQHmBGdAlSGg8VhZ3ujcWAUrrpLx6-l6Sdg2xTTt8r69mOuvcOkG8fQjUVn8jjekdq_y3-xffMIET1D39OivTDTKZ-/s1600/IMG_9569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrJbzsvNPuy070kl0xWgV5vkm_r5Zofm23M8hdwHuwdQpwazjooqQHmBGdAlSGg8VhZ3ujcWAUrrpLx6-l6Sdg2xTTt8r69mOuvcOkG8fQjUVn8jjekdq_y3-xffMIET1D39OivTDTKZ-/s320/IMG_9569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the colour, it actually looks way more green in person, goes really well with the walls and the green from the throw pillows from my couch <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(see my couch subtly sneaking in the side of the picture?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div>Fabricland had a sale on all their upholstery fabric, and this fabric was very similar feel to my couch (which the dogs love) and it doesn't show the fur - super easy to wash and vacuum. Here's a close up, both really super soft chenille, just different patterns: </div><div>Couch Dog Bed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yo90mPqzBG0Gs91hyF20TVRQtz4Xl7sc0s2UVsq1rRPPPytH6nuqcv8LWjxqr7cdQWA2wzW8HIjT5u0bw1MIx8SguFGSO5SA4Iac_KbDMFhvQECRcTT6Y5ppktgYoHRpBaZMg_D-NPwf/s1600/IMG_9570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DYUuPlZwqnckmfE-8Hfqp8J5Mw9g6F722s2iX7cH4QVQYwF-VlItsGpZqQlGLCLBcDNtLAOGTs4SVWJXtpkllNAS688qOvQavUXFVCww5mtA_qdwj7aZkzf5sQJkx4i8YdVsJ-vLHY_q/s1600/IMG_9571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DYUuPlZwqnckmfE-8Hfqp8J5Mw9g6F722s2iX7cH4QVQYwF-VlItsGpZqQlGLCLBcDNtLAOGTs4SVWJXtpkllNAS688qOvQavUXFVCww5mtA_qdwj7aZkzf5sQJkx4i8YdVsJ-vLHY_q/s200/IMG_9571.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yo90mPqzBG0Gs91hyF20TVRQtz4Xl7sc0s2UVsq1rRPPPytH6nuqcv8LWjxqr7cdQWA2wzW8HIjT5u0bw1MIx8SguFGSO5SA4Iac_KbDMFhvQECRcTT6Y5ppktgYoHRpBaZMg_D-NPwf/s200/IMG_9570.JPG" width="200" /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>HOW TO:</b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To make the dog bed, you need about 4 meters of upholstery fabric <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(for those that work in yards, a meter is roughly 40" wide).</span> I made this like a pillowcase (very very simple) and did a zipper closure at one end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3gZy8vkvBAqEMJLBPhK2y-vVJqH195gt1RTCdKpNsngI6DfOLz2GJgY5-xYyDI3EqmoXRg7foioBjLCmj6U4ve1clLfdZle3TpdQS2aOJJlWiuxtSr0pgGkqlRPTl7aCxZx18TK-GWqL/s1600/IMG_9558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3gZy8vkvBAqEMJLBPhK2y-vVJqH195gt1RTCdKpNsngI6DfOLz2GJgY5-xYyDI3EqmoXRg7foioBjLCmj6U4ve1clLfdZle3TpdQS2aOJJlWiuxtSr0pgGkqlRPTl7aCxZx18TK-GWqL/s320/IMG_9558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finished mine ended up 40"x60" and it fits 2 large breed dogs perfectly (for me it filled a void of space beside my stairs too)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeuT2fg5nrM4BCYLr5xDOAifO7sg8JAZniKPi5RRZJRJcZd_Sq8bQpX71D9WAwnv5spSyqN6BAlsfCE7TIDFzCgufYfEXMGnUZSpvr2o7ll3dP3rxPx52nUj7OhzavO0XBXP87j2SCEoq/s1600/IMG_9565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeuT2fg5nrM4BCYLr5xDOAifO7sg8JAZniKPi5RRZJRJcZd_Sq8bQpX71D9WAwnv5spSyqN6BAlsfCE7TIDFzCgufYfEXMGnUZSpvr2o7ll3dP3rxPx52nUj7OhzavO0XBXP87j2SCEoq/s320/IMG_9565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought a twin duvet from Walmart (included pillows) for 15$ on sale and used it as the soft center - you could use fiber fill or batting or foam, but this was cheap and available. I actually forgot to buy a zipper so I took the zipper off the quilt bag:</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxVLNq_GZQ8ZJGTCn-jvs_TrtrVLMRFsON4gfEinBATrlQC-FZBI1zkj1ZfW18Bm73cLR5sZM1shv52aX_MxOX04oY_IECI921ZdcPG7To3ek5aI3WT42lOwAxF0pA-ZYSkIqcFEoA2Ut/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94kVVNojTPMR0BNDZX22jptAXIo-eSRh7j53pay4PuEg2te4dF54MsYhtP6bagr1ncGddXRKY6G0F1Y8RtgdomjEZocWBLcOrq1ZI3NRxh7UNFnE-QJoTCPt4p0Gw0fEe8HCYyNl82p31/s1600/IMG_9554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94kVVNojTPMR0BNDZX22jptAXIo-eSRh7j53pay4PuEg2te4dF54MsYhtP6bagr1ncGddXRKY6G0F1Y8RtgdomjEZocWBLcOrq1ZI3NRxh7UNFnE-QJoTCPt4p0Gw0fEe8HCYyNl82p31/s200/IMG_9554.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxVLNq_GZQ8ZJGTCn-jvs_TrtrVLMRFsON4gfEinBATrlQC-FZBI1zkj1ZfW18Bm73cLR5sZM1shv52aX_MxOX04oY_IECI921ZdcPG7To3ek5aI3WT42lOwAxF0pA-ZYSkIqcFEoA2Ut/s200/IMG_9555.JPG" width="200" /></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwPdjfeVLSpMBtWmPaS6KUI4IURoOx9Os1FHX0_6SCYNwgeqoRnYvyARS3Jy0hpQZyJ-v8kmLu9rPElYP0I_yUstlqIXBFlAjCnijP2M3E8urg9Ck3uBtGY7PXC_6hnQVkxtzjGarNvsX/s1600/IMG_9557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wZ698zAIvgKL6cj9qQ6QN4r_0WGXke7eYcM3LqJ6eIBVNIscncyISjPaSkqiGuAKm2TVKHRsQZ6EqwaccQHjE1p2mD03bmZ7orlp30sUfOnCsnqGA8ki2OhLVfgBnWwNAgQlbpLq3Q3E/s1600/IMG_9556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wZ698zAIvgKL6cj9qQ6QN4r_0WGXke7eYcM3LqJ6eIBVNIscncyISjPaSkqiGuAKm2TVKHRsQZ6EqwaccQHjE1p2mD03bmZ7orlp30sUfOnCsnqGA8ki2OhLVfgBnWwNAgQlbpLq3Q3E/s200/IMG_9556.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwPdjfeVLSpMBtWmPaS6KUI4IURoOx9Os1FHX0_6SCYNwgeqoRnYvyARS3Jy0hpQZyJ-v8kmLu9rPElYP0I_yUstlqIXBFlAjCnijP2M3E8urg9Ck3uBtGY7PXC_6hnQVkxtzjGarNvsX/s200/IMG_9557.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PsjSBv2TOvRMcH3izSMWPfrQ9LSWkRGLL3H1VbprqpJjO-iSSdZ1f987RwagGEq3UDGWikN8I8xkCh-FSasZRuR7G-jG0sDUOd-dyzE_bqiLrkUUUp8OMU1y16KSTXbN2yc_TtqQ5shm/s1600/IMG_9559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PsjSBv2TOvRMcH3izSMWPfrQ9LSWkRGLL3H1VbprqpJjO-iSSdZ1f987RwagGEq3UDGWikN8I8xkCh-FSasZRuR7G-jG0sDUOd-dyzE_bqiLrkUUUp8OMU1y16KSTXbN2yc_TtqQ5shm/s320/IMG_9559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Worked GREAT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey I think I just took cheap to a new level - I even kept the clear vinyl bag to make<a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-spy-bag-tutorial.html"> I-spy bags</a> in the future. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The furry babies seem to really like their new bed! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcuU1TqSfpbFPV3iHxJMWnzkPIVPy1IGfJ6dPOohq8o4e3wq9mjeWZvZsRtfXVGTTwTTOU0OrzyiuqlBp5naLc9v0xqqUGT7syaq0WSTOIJYh8_MxmJfpQ9JdqiFWYhfeVHnLwRLaZ4Dr/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcuU1TqSfpbFPV3iHxJMWnzkPIVPy1IGfJ6dPOohq8o4e3wq9mjeWZvZsRtfXVGTTwTTOU0OrzyiuqlBp5naLc9v0xqqUGT7syaq0WSTOIJYh8_MxmJfpQ9JdqiFWYhfeVHnLwRLaZ4Dr/s400/IMG_9563.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now what to do about cleaning my couch?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More on that tomorrow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Sewing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div><div><br />
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</div></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-37532028536164896122011-03-28T22:34:00.000-07:002011-03-29T23:01:19.926-07:00Samosas and Muffins!<div style="text-align: center;">I had an excellent thifting day recently and in one of the $1.99 bags of random items was this brand new dough press:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8BuMYiRnGAPAs4vKqOSTUt1HjjEbJlH_7wT3QSUAolNU32Zr2lnAy-zoY5IZKMvXeN9HSA2CMQ0pZqa165_iqDaN3lqoZCe1AQHssmfRIOin5HFbO2xsH_WB3BamLF3i4-Ad8IHSc0qv/s1600/IMG_9461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8BuMYiRnGAPAs4vKqOSTUt1HjjEbJlH_7wT3QSUAolNU32Zr2lnAy-zoY5IZKMvXeN9HSA2CMQ0pZqa165_iqDaN3lqoZCe1AQHssmfRIOin5HFbO2xsH_WB3BamLF3i4-Ad8IHSc0qv/s320/IMG_9461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So adorable, it even came with some recipe ideas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaCO44t13hEvicgkXAPd0z83uLFrKVunqJ7zt-ITojuDZgT8AcW2aYUGeCRDyIaAhRDyKAq5ALwgz-2yzDdnWgcpyosIkYxrUJ62Op-5FD6R0RII8-tT88IJRSs2s_yh5uAWSia7CZtEW/s1600/IMG_9463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaCO44t13hEvicgkXAPd0z83uLFrKVunqJ7zt-ITojuDZgT8AcW2aYUGeCRDyIaAhRDyKAq5ALwgz-2yzDdnWgcpyosIkYxrUJ62Op-5FD6R0RII8-tT88IJRSs2s_yh5uAWSia7CZtEW/s200/IMG_9463.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZZYZY5DyNxYZE2Uri2UDbNxkcnpoTQRxuI0-QUeeLlyutr3oeSccy5oDLVekKEMY_HQkCc8ggenp4iJYB_B6-Qf4FdZ4wEDEKanpu4ZWni5RJvoSjYT-OFa-m4wBes-QEl8FbB6wKsf/s1600/IMG_9462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZZYZY5DyNxYZE2Uri2UDbNxkcnpoTQRxuI0-QUeeLlyutr3oeSccy5oDLVekKEMY_HQkCc8ggenp4iJYB_B6-Qf4FdZ4wEDEKanpu4ZWni5RJvoSjYT-OFa-m4wBes-QEl8FbB6wKsf/s200/IMG_9462.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just place a rolled piece of dough on each side, stuff with filling and smush closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can make all kinds of things with this thing! Pizza pockets, pie pockets, and of course....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SAMOSAS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyF13mImyDQqFN8jywDKUBtEPcx7qhbP8j2PaoC00DJPDcrGNFUc77d7jkvNADBjuwC04ItXqh1knuhRmnvgF5ZCbIozKZHPiB6R04dYElgBzrvj33m4BPFr1UYKxt-JBFNhL3sm7L4KV/s1600/IMG_9449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyF13mImyDQqFN8jywDKUBtEPcx7qhbP8j2PaoC00DJPDcrGNFUc77d7jkvNADBjuwC04ItXqh1knuhRmnvgF5ZCbIozKZHPiB6R04dYElgBzrvj33m4BPFr1UYKxt-JBFNhL3sm7L4KV/s320/IMG_9449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsnxoMiiRxGXc_HSfkUTexPfkfuCLC8zBiPfVDjI690F_taX1diK_fo1AFov6VM6uU5g7REC7GgTh5MmU8kohyphenhyphen_ZS3KCrjpiRqa6P9A0Btr9anZz2oF6ADKi1x8vUQnEWPYOWTGWJCd8j/s1600/IMG_9448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsnxoMiiRxGXc_HSfkUTexPfkfuCLC8zBiPfVDjI690F_taX1diK_fo1AFov6VM6uU5g7REC7GgTh5MmU8kohyphenhyphen_ZS3KCrjpiRqa6P9A0Btr9anZz2oF6ADKi1x8vUQnEWPYOWTGWJCd8j/s320/IMG_9448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most samosas are deep fried, I was trying to be a little healthier and I baked mine, still turned out crispy and wonderful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuV5oK_bKv3uO24zZnOrhXoBhAyUKLH_nXFX9L5SbgzE9IAVF_cadmlsT1YWcXL_juO7MSH1Cxdfe8PtlIlyQbx0QMaxBjLFpmPQrBujIfaTXE5FoRlo85g2ZslzCjSR9SUXdUe_OJ0sD/s1600/IMG_9456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuV5oK_bKv3uO24zZnOrhXoBhAyUKLH_nXFX9L5SbgzE9IAVF_cadmlsT1YWcXL_juO7MSH1Cxdfe8PtlIlyQbx0QMaxBjLFpmPQrBujIfaTXE5FoRlo85g2ZslzCjSR9SUXdUe_OJ0sD/s320/IMG_9456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I made some veggie and some beef, I used the recipe for veggie filling found <a href="http://www.samosa-recipe.com/Vegetable_Samosa.html">HERE</a>, and modified it a little for the beef one also. I always found store bought beef samosas never had as good a flavour as veggie, I think a lack of strong spices maybe? Even though I used the same things in the beef samosas, we still liked the veggie ones best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhxYFYRAkDYNIWB9fuwmBNHiDiiwfRGEVrAu0ZdP9pijavFOwxBqHgn39vDJOZbD6mPZ9cH9FkiQrwjNWgkhyphenhyphenEfNV5iUK57XBaqyTzMRVYWJPDWFgB-1ZTvWZzLx6JPWVwJJd4f-ef3gf/s1600/IMG_9450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhxYFYRAkDYNIWB9fuwmBNHiDiiwfRGEVrAu0ZdP9pijavFOwxBqHgn39vDJOZbD6mPZ9cH9FkiQrwjNWgkhyphenhyphenEfNV5iUK57XBaqyTzMRVYWJPDWFgB-1ZTvWZzLx6JPWVwJJd4f-ef3gf/s320/IMG_9450.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made a TON of samosas for a family gathering, they were a hit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also brought along some muffins:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhfTLMsGTGSMw7rJ9jj0Pue8U8SM9ThviDgM6Od73K2ktDlc6_5_vmPkzyvq8D1Dg-UTU5PHd2pflkjmRUgQh5cKCNen2HogdKCvqOtVAAcKJcR-KoJ8Ogm7YeHGXnDG5LTnlglK6Sobn/s1600/IMG_9452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhfTLMsGTGSMw7rJ9jj0Pue8U8SM9ThviDgM6Od73K2ktDlc6_5_vmPkzyvq8D1Dg-UTU5PHd2pflkjmRUgQh5cKCNen2HogdKCvqOtVAAcKJcR-KoJ8Ogm7YeHGXnDG5LTnlglK6Sobn/s320/IMG_9452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhfTLMsGTGSMw7rJ9jj0Pue8U8SM9ThviDgM6Od73K2ktDlc6_5_vmPkzyvq8D1Dg-UTU5PHd2pflkjmRUgQh5cKCNen2HogdKCvqOtVAAcKJcR-KoJ8Ogm7YeHGXnDG5LTnlglK6Sobn/s1600/IMG_9452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>This is my knock-off version of a <a href="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_laxfztMcVA1qdhhqco10_400.jpg">Timmies Fruit Explosion Muffin</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I try to make different types of muffins every week for Kevin to have for breakfast or snack at work, I make mine with oatmeal so they are healthier and more filling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_frm9bP1q709QF3aBMLKCMZ5y6Sd_nDfyNZwSBinFqRctts8UwMZMbYNiZIdQmJtK9jlKsZ8KZW6BrK85wMPYi2xTUNaSq42S28_ARXRLVj_ohtLezHPGTYcXjxYY7TNTRV34eaxRJQZy/s1600/IMG_9451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_frm9bP1q709QF3aBMLKCMZ5y6Sd_nDfyNZwSBinFqRctts8UwMZMbYNiZIdQmJtK9jlKsZ8KZW6BrK85wMPYi2xTUNaSq42S28_ARXRLVj_ohtLezHPGTYcXjxYY7TNTRV34eaxRJQZy/s320/IMG_9451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cheated with these muffins, I used the <a href="http://www.canadaonly.ca/products/Quaker-Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Muffin-Mix-900g.html">Quaker Oatmeal Muffin Mix</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> then threw in a bag of "Antioxidant Rich" berries </div><div style="text-align: center;">(cherries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and acai berries)</div><div style="text-align: center;">then topped the muffins with a slice of BC Gala Apples.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3tcoXCxxE5CmyfYtZjUEHIlWpxrKsLpwwe15f8Z1seJciohwLwelURVtkJM8B4RvOpQ1nX4e5vHL_jybI0v7F92JPqqITdgr5BDgBlen1xFmR-p8Qb_q7tlMraWmx6sQHuFQiTLJyOAm/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3tcoXCxxE5CmyfYtZjUEHIlWpxrKsLpwwe15f8Z1seJciohwLwelURVtkJM8B4RvOpQ1nX4e5vHL_jybI0v7F92JPqqITdgr5BDgBlen1xFmR-p8Qb_q7tlMraWmx6sQHuFQiTLJyOAm/s320/IMG_9453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I filled the centers with Strawberry Jam made by Kevin's Grandma. MMMmmmmm....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM43t2QrmaHT_KrlXCrWh0FKU5pqtvG7Pb3VAxVk_lLin6VBLx6sEMS3lr6wg59HgBV-tka64eKD8CgGaizhUNS9zb9QlXGJFLouigb1aMSUH1uKp23qO-gElYq_4X3Xl1YQgrhN9WhGK/s1600/IMG_9455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM43t2QrmaHT_KrlXCrWh0FKU5pqtvG7Pb3VAxVk_lLin6VBLx6sEMS3lr6wg59HgBV-tka64eKD8CgGaizhUNS9zb9QlXGJFLouigb1aMSUH1uKp23qO-gElYq_4X3Xl1YQgrhN9WhGK/s320/IMG_9455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made some simple Lemon-Poppyseed and Carrot-Pineapple muffins for an alternative for those who don't like berries (not sure who those people are, but they must not be related to me...). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So tasty, and as easy as... well... muffins!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Cooking and Baking!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Courtney Soleil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-22056733874495134462011-03-28T20:04:00.000-07:002011-03-28T20:04:17.656-07:00Project Organization, Kitchen Pantry<div style="text-align: center;">I have had so much on the go lately (as usual), sometimes I feel like I work-eat-sleep, so little time for creativity - and with <a href="http://courtneysoleil.blogspot.com/2011/03/whiteboard-crazy.html">"Project Organization"</a> on the go in my house, it's a little difficult to get everything done that I want to do... included in those things is sewing and posting projects more regularily.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today since I have been cleaning instead of crafting, I wanted to share my first organizational hurdle with you, the kitchen pantry:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaHk6VJyIaThCSSzbRwHFwDboD9agQrApAH5sIerb3kQ0qi2fOVprdWy1AgF7Cq6iBsEyehUNJiz8Jm-RkDf3-xAkQ2WBIdEumR2sOxbMuVIY6hRmH0SzeGcpxK0SqwPSuvGCb5zGUyMC/s1600/IMG_9439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaHk6VJyIaThCSSzbRwHFwDboD9agQrApAH5sIerb3kQ0qi2fOVprdWy1AgF7Cq6iBsEyehUNJiz8Jm-RkDf3-xAkQ2WBIdEumR2sOxbMuVIY6hRmH0SzeGcpxK0SqwPSuvGCb5zGUyMC/s320/IMG_9439.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjl9Sj4yCyfc_OmFeQDrryI-2o3m2vnTb2aX26jT0Iame2j6UwbEmmFicwgNlri1MQQDmxnEu7s4cr3GxLynAw1y1MB5g43qZBv47U7hA9JEfgf1ZJ99QqhUiDbKyfv9oKEPkjW0FuMqc/s1600/IMG_9439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjl9Sj4yCyfc_OmFeQDrryI-2o3m2vnTb2aX26jT0Iame2j6UwbEmmFicwgNlri1MQQDmxnEu7s4cr3GxLynAw1y1MB5g43qZBv47U7hA9JEfgf1ZJ99QqhUiDbKyfv9oKEPkjW0FuMqc/s320/IMG_9439.JPG" width="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry, I didn't get a "before" picture - by the time I decided I would post about it was when I was done. It turned out so much better than I expected - but just so you know it used to look sorta like this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75fJbXvjcUwMxielAsmtdJIL5VFlY0ib_bPWCUUJDXKvKrz1mZEO-I-XeQkUzhR2KVRSjg3jQZCTsvjHlMOPXWuYb7VQQTC1DapaB4xF673BgbR03wnXkN7yQMpZGUWuDD4O5X_PuVX2X/s1600/messycuboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75fJbXvjcUwMxielAsmtdJIL5VFlY0ib_bPWCUUJDXKvKrz1mZEO-I-XeQkUzhR2KVRSjg3jQZCTsvjHlMOPXWuYb7VQQTC1DapaB4xF673BgbR03wnXkN7yQMpZGUWuDD4O5X_PuVX2X/s320/messycuboard.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23510145/ns/health-mental_health/"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo source)</span></em></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, maybe not EXACTLY like that, but when I opened the pantry something always seemed to fall out. Basically the OLD pantry set up had only shelves and they were spaced wayyyyy too far apart.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's no magazine piece, and I did it very inexpensively, but I am happy with it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRxdBLkCnpfSR2BCKpOmF6L_XfCqzW34ja09Xq_KnsbNo53z_W90qlcNJxOhz1xQ06SheHYy4ffVr9Qmo7nVpQx_OQVKKk9SRsZI0cuwU9e1jku5kn6yIYdw9MbwJvHo7LJpizNScF-CR/s1600/IMG_9443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRxdBLkCnpfSR2BCKpOmF6L_XfCqzW34ja09Xq_KnsbNo53z_W90qlcNJxOhz1xQ06SheHYy4ffVr9Qmo7nVpQx_OQVKKk9SRsZI0cuwU9e1jku5kn6yIYdw9MbwJvHo7LJpizNScF-CR/s320/IMG_9443.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kevin was great, he moved all the shelves up for me and changed the spacing so it would be more functional.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZqWpmLc24Qohe9Vl4VJzQTjc0KK-n2j2F71JGm6_9Mskh1pdffWWKkMdYwqJ-nGAb7VfSuR1bDDaWXQqDngrp_khxZvDV3sistvjqhaqXVF8r2_32hVA06UMMGAHqCHDkEh1RoXDdfa3/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZqWpmLc24Qohe9Vl4VJzQTjc0KK-n2j2F71JGm6_9Mskh1pdffWWKkMdYwqJ-nGAb7VfSuR1bDDaWXQqDngrp_khxZvDV3sistvjqhaqXVF8r2_32hVA06UMMGAHqCHDkEh1RoXDdfa3/s320/IMG_9440.JPG" width="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought this wire drawer caddy from Ikea (they had the same one at JYSK also) for around 30$, and for me that is kinda expensive (well, I can <i>afford </i>it, but I don't <i>like </i>to spend more than I need to). The caddy was pricey, but It just was the best choice for the application, and believe me I looked and LOOKED!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD1JIW1YvZjya32Evkyi_pTm4fDpeTNJb9NUMi2hbSmwqt7orTujckesQIH5lQJ3HDXaDbbvbiNZUcLW69O8LHoSxfN2ukHaWvu2oslfwDR_epLb9H_qBDJkWjkSku-XyekYtWgXwuE-W/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD1JIW1YvZjya32Evkyi_pTm4fDpeTNJb9NUMi2hbSmwqt7orTujckesQIH5lQJ3HDXaDbbvbiNZUcLW69O8LHoSxfN2ukHaWvu2oslfwDR_epLb9H_qBDJkWjkSku-XyekYtWgXwuE-W/s320/IMG_9440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love to be able to see everything through the wire drawers from the front and be able to pull them open for quick access to all the goodies! I store potatoes in the bottom, then next up misc mixes, soups, bread crumbs etc, then baking supplies and finally on top ziploc bags, plastic wrap, parchment paper etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am a firm believer that buying something for slightly less cost that doesn't work half as well is a waste, I would rather spend a little extra to have something that works perfectly for me (within reason of course, I am a frugal girl after all!), and this works perfect. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just as a Bonus, here is a peek at my beautiful kitchen window ledge:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSy-84QEEOeztSMILVT7r6kcpu4z3n9BWOn6LQtJruSZhuREDo9gMEXe89o5-wMg9fhkcJtBGeZQlnByvjIouMS4rOlwMCFE-6S3Wn-nQdfitG5YftnACwTgQ2rOkExwBxz7_TZEO_kyN/s1600/IMG_9464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSy-84QEEOeztSMILVT7r6kcpu4z3n9BWOn6LQtJruSZhuREDo9gMEXe89o5-wMg9fhkcJtBGeZQlnByvjIouMS4rOlwMCFE-6S3Wn-nQdfitG5YftnACwTgQ2rOkExwBxz7_TZEO_kyN/s320/IMG_9464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kevin put new windows and doors in our house last winter (he is SO AMAZING!) and I had always wanted a boxed out kitchen window - when I came home one night he had built it for me! I am so thrilled with it, every time I'm at my sink I am reminded how lucky I am.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09zkypAtRzc2F9_I44l0siloPk1afUj2jTxGcUMtis_mjDSUjsdvklsYSX4oc3wvZj36Kl4xcFqkVE6811DozCJgrzGJAdQeaEmRazIlhD75Lg36AWNKbW74LH8a-9TtpCtXijnt1__O5/s1600/IMG_9465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09zkypAtRzc2F9_I44l0siloPk1afUj2jTxGcUMtis_mjDSUjsdvklsYSX4oc3wvZj36Kl4xcFqkVE6811DozCJgrzGJAdQeaEmRazIlhD75Lg36AWNKbW74LH8a-9TtpCtXijnt1__O5/s320/IMG_9465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mum gave me these beautiful canisters, I love blue and yellow plus they match my kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCtOnzO0wap1Ao71KhCSWMam6g-fJKV6nQx_w3J_rrUnfMQ7hkkmgZsHj1E5TeQDA6KfO53X1N5Hb6iHUgzlDwS7Q7sxUKEBj9XsITWe5nH1ioFzcZg49X3MnpuoTsA7EsVj-xblWFxSe/s1600/IMG_9466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCtOnzO0wap1Ao71KhCSWMam6g-fJKV6nQx_w3J_rrUnfMQ7hkkmgZsHj1E5TeQDA6KfO53X1N5Hb6iHUgzlDwS7Q7sxUKEBj9XsITWe5nH1ioFzcZg49X3MnpuoTsA7EsVj-xblWFxSe/s320/IMG_9466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love it!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Organizing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Courtney Soleil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-83682302945511284462011-03-13T11:24:00.000-07:002011-03-13T18:24:53.081-07:00Snu Love ApronMy first home made apron! I feel so accomplished finally getting it finished - I only worked on it intermittently between shifts at work, so I guess it didn't really take long, but I am glad to have it done!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowM8-UqoRSzwILJ8ufmESqGfVocOFUASLmOvoWkIQv32ikC9AOYubDQ1fuBmXKBG_q-D8VPk7J57BU1-z2fLV5S7ptDkr0gNf-1JfrTpi4_Zl6snOwS-ljpz_2iUKQAAiUDOZ_ld3TImZ/s1600/IMG_9430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowM8-UqoRSzwILJ8ufmESqGfVocOFUASLmOvoWkIQv32ikC9AOYubDQ1fuBmXKBG_q-D8VPk7J57BU1-z2fLV5S7ptDkr0gNf-1JfrTpi4_Zl6snOwS-ljpz_2iUKQAAiUDOZ_ld3TImZ/s400/IMG_9430.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used the <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/03/nae-nae-apron-tutorial.html">Nae-Nae Apron Tutorial </a>at <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/">Craftiness is not optional</a> and modified it to suit me better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCFHETQNyu6kyETpDTE0LDFQIhcbLJPXLSgcxJsSs9M9foXpvLavA2adymGPL4pIpmiCIdi3Q1LCb4t_RNDazouH7MBGLM7ahuk_WhsENPGxD5dl-AXfZRSj1T5yB6zqjfuOgawgYjOQh/s1600/IMG_9445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCFHETQNyu6kyETpDTE0LDFQIhcbLJPXLSgcxJsSs9M9foXpvLavA2adymGPL4pIpmiCIdi3Q1LCb4t_RNDazouH7MBGLM7ahuk_WhsENPGxD5dl-AXfZRSj1T5yB6zqjfuOgawgYjOQh/s320/IMG_9445.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxDJ9TdwMbGRsQgn_wqaGN83p6r868Yt9sts1Gd5UA998TOO-PW1WV987mZMkGTVyaRZMghw2wVGftNniHJIZ_UzhT_EjEU9-YXm6jPvr8_oSdmPFjhQDhXDF-39pl8r7WpdyiFAkuVk-/s1600/IMG_9447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxDJ9TdwMbGRsQgn_wqaGN83p6r868Yt9sts1Gd5UA998TOO-PW1WV987mZMkGTVyaRZMghw2wVGftNniHJIZ_UzhT_EjEU9-YXm6jPvr8_oSdmPFjhQDhXDF-39pl8r7WpdyiFAkuVk-/s320/IMG_9447.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the fabric! Look at the cute hearts, thus the Snu Love Apron. Had to have blue, my favorite colour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMY7ICXVA5zjxeXE-4sSXgALX4l2xixJr5P2Pu_UBJITmKP4aretiEP6_WusIq58-IqzZUMAkteuiXPMyzELOn7FlcMX1xZuVBHTwWvR9_HTAhc71i8gcQy84dwqNeiDOlCvrKPY-XjYb/s1600/IMG_9436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMY7ICXVA5zjxeXE-4sSXgALX4l2xixJr5P2Pu_UBJITmKP4aretiEP6_WusIq58-IqzZUMAkteuiXPMyzELOn7FlcMX1xZuVBHTwWvR9_HTAhc71i8gcQy84dwqNeiDOlCvrKPY-XjYb/s320/IMG_9436.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made the ties long enough to be able to do a bow in front...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0ap42FgIA2dW-D_EIS8Mib5iupJ1YPoCIFrdgroJ5mq48fQjUt-0nnmv3TwkuYU48HAZNJXEtz5flRironOMBuIa9g6mJPih9kKDzmaIa0FIdPRhxNjmGuYE3lGRy0tCcndGEGKsaWWk/s1600/IMG_9435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0ap42FgIA2dW-D_EIS8Mib5iupJ1YPoCIFrdgroJ5mq48fQjUt-0nnmv3TwkuYU48HAZNJXEtz5flRironOMBuIa9g6mJPih9kKDzmaIa0FIdPRhxNjmGuYE3lGRy0tCcndGEGKsaWWk/s320/IMG_9435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or wrap around the front then tie it in the back....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like to repurpose as much as possible, so I lined it with a vintage sheet I had on hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPIRdyQ6KEI-1xACQjNOOtpoKC1lCjx0tJrzK2q_HzvRx1koANA0376LuI99Epln_ZEt6uG71AP3iwVwCmbF8l1YMmY5B0sIf4pzKwVF23V5cmcloAN0EfNFGESzBmAiK3vrZuvbFWabQ/s1600/IMG_9434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPIRdyQ6KEI-1xACQjNOOtpoKC1lCjx0tJrzK2q_HzvRx1koANA0376LuI99Epln_ZEt6uG71AP3iwVwCmbF8l1YMmY5B0sIf4pzKwVF23V5cmcloAN0EfNFGESzBmAiK3vrZuvbFWabQ/s320/IMG_9434.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't like ties for the neck strap because I always manage to get my hair tied in them, so I did some buttons to the side instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNrzV-2h8-8tTtHI97Ph-dfvp3YEpUr1x5xy4hFKreFsiiYqWYfmhE33E9PXc5QUE1L0qykj5Vexf2aGHvG3Y0CGtoEGfRyPv4R7vxdxyLtWTGeUfVyIfbOl1Gw2q5xkrLwO2qRtJ18cb/s1600/IMG_9433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNrzV-2h8-8tTtHI97Ph-dfvp3YEpUr1x5xy4hFKreFsiiYqWYfmhE33E9PXc5QUE1L0qykj5Vexf2aGHvG3Y0CGtoEGfRyPv4R7vxdxyLtWTGeUfVyIfbOl1Gw2q5xkrLwO2qRtJ18cb/s320/IMG_9433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love V-Neck, and it's a little better fit when you are big busted like me (ha ha).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQyknu8edALevyFKYFq23ZtMoUBbOcoLL7rOl45XDVKWG9p36Hp_Dmp-rj7gY-2H1vKx7AJwFGzM8Rsu5VUV-UMfkj2ZQ1UFU7HtN6d3gpmYUStu6WQCOl8wsyo3zviRkDJrGHW-RL11N/s1600/IMG_9431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQyknu8edALevyFKYFq23ZtMoUBbOcoLL7rOl45XDVKWG9p36Hp_Dmp-rj7gY-2H1vKx7AJwFGzM8Rsu5VUV-UMfkj2ZQ1UFU7HtN6d3gpmYUStu6WQCOl8wsyo3zviRkDJrGHW-RL11N/s320/IMG_9431.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg-b7U7tuzQj3HVPvv0p8xbR6Hyn1h3WyXbWV4OMuUpRQUpHO4AgJ25glO8OQiQgIfizcwpj4S19AZsKjh3JO4sm93wsTs9CvYvZvdR_cVLV08Jmtt7ozNkM2zmjNgYwNScwvMdjPmMDv/s1600/IMG_9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg-b7U7tuzQj3HVPvv0p8xbR6Hyn1h3WyXbWV4OMuUpRQUpHO4AgJ25glO8OQiQgIfizcwpj4S19AZsKjh3JO4sm93wsTs9CvYvZvdR_cVLV08Jmtt7ozNkM2zmjNgYwNScwvMdjPmMDv/s320/IMG_9432.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wasn't sure about pockets, but I think I will use them, and they are so girly. Ok, I used pleats all over the place, they are so pretty though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdsg_LVMCFHNkl8SqEJEWavdjKWlPbPeAQZ2kIn0pO3k1xoRVvKylcx7Nd5nQCpuyu-5-boTPVAqGtkcB4nJHnh7R05OfPJLhjr81c4KvkrR0da3kTj_4K-64HL-f3n9xOEANh9NoERbr/s1600/IMG_9437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdsg_LVMCFHNkl8SqEJEWavdjKWlPbPeAQZ2kIn0pO3k1xoRVvKylcx7Nd5nQCpuyu-5-boTPVAqGtkcB4nJHnh7R05OfPJLhjr81c4KvkrR0da3kTj_4K-64HL-f3n9xOEANh9NoERbr/s320/IMG_9437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the bow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I actually bought another brighter turquoise and yellow floral fabric because I couldn't decide which I liked better - so another apron may be in my future!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Happy Sewing!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>-Courtney Soleil</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-4288468966718301582011-03-08T06:43:00.000-08:002011-03-08T06:43:27.247-08:00Whiteboard CrazyNow that things are pretty much starting to get back to <s>ab</s>normal again, I have kind of made myself a BIG project to start, slowly at first... My plan is to organize and revitalize my house to the nth degree (on a budget), one room at a time. I decided my starting point will be the kitchen, since it's the most used room in the house - I have it so planned out now, that I even drew a picture of what will go where on the microwave stand. Our kitchen is lacking in storage space, so organization is key. I'm going to need baskets, home sewn dust covers, newly upholstered chair cushions and a whole lot of mental stability (seriously, every time I open my pantry something falls out and hits me).<br />
<br />
To kick things off, I started with a more simple (less daunting) project - that desperately needed to be done. This is our whiteboard calendar BEFORE, it's always been the hub of our home - and usually it hangs between the front entrance and the kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc7Q0rEzxjb23ihfL5NV9R1vmD6Pf8t6l3PzPCURHZiCCL6wxs01UIr1YABjqfhgl5p6XXetEXfb3nCwnDHGIz9NudAxIMDpq9veMLq5HNVJ8DguPBXF0pCcgMGwW4XKJaDBzfQWYU0fC/s1600/IMG_9409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc7Q0rEzxjb23ihfL5NV9R1vmD6Pf8t6l3PzPCURHZiCCL6wxs01UIr1YABjqfhgl5p6XXetEXfb3nCwnDHGIz9NudAxIMDpq9veMLq5HNVJ8DguPBXF0pCcgMGwW4XKJaDBzfQWYU0fC/s320/IMG_9409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, it was <s>really ugly </s>a little worse off for ware...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzea2i_-8ThIE_gL8WdQSRH_8uQ6PNzZ_DHslnBduwwwmzp0pdozblSY_U_l2uauIMm22R1qfv2DabIMJGd7T65sHDQ5wdPI5La-DyPTlxPuRQrXhwYHqSH6IRInYsqVAVVu84O_N6avY/s1600/IMG_9411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzea2i_-8ThIE_gL8WdQSRH_8uQ6PNzZ_DHslnBduwwwmzp0pdozblSY_U_l2uauIMm22R1qfv2DabIMJGd7T65sHDQ5wdPI5La-DyPTlxPuRQrXhwYHqSH6IRInYsqVAVVu84O_N6avY/s320/IMG_9411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kevin had it since he was in college, and I don't think it ever had a frame, and after a few moves from BC to AB and back.... it got a little beat up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have thought I would spruce up the calendar just a little bit, and plus we needed another whiteboard for some kind for grocery list and dinner menu plans etc. So here is the finished product:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD0yndAYV13s6tQ2ZmhzBkLXmK3jVGg32JFsOdkA2i0XabYKnkUnk00H7kE7uTEC5ILvvC479bSmsd9uYLFlcFoGR5uKp7GoHL3DcloXtWDx8i2hMptbGLPF7h_F_4vcQ4Ic5lQ3GUdUg/s1600/IMG_9421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD0yndAYV13s6tQ2ZmhzBkLXmK3jVGg32JFsOdkA2i0XabYKnkUnk00H7kE7uTEC5ILvvC479bSmsd9uYLFlcFoGR5uKp7GoHL3DcloXtWDx8i2hMptbGLPF7h_F_4vcQ4Ic5lQ3GUdUg/s320/IMG_9421.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please ignore the thermostat in the middle, ugly, it makes a great place to hide the dry-erase marker though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To make the mini whiteboards, I put craft paper in the frame instead of a picture - this is not an original idea, I know, I have seen it all over craft land. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thought I'd mention, those frames were only 3$ at liquidation world! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You'll remember <a href="http://courtneysoleil.blogspot.com/2011/03/ribbon-organizing-and-pattern-weights.html">yesterdays post</a>, and on the shelf above the ribbon was a frame just like these? I thought I could use one in my craft room too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvKvD-umlLT6ck6V4BiaUVRHbETl6n7miadl1zkP18MKC5jHHEOyKSnBmoEqJGdgNUq5RgMChOIo4j6Dx9bR6YLLD_B8slNi-aRJ9NmpmJ1-mruFJnKFsqxQuFVf65vq3jpL7vd2eDkH-/s1600/IMG_9422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvKvD-umlLT6ck6V4BiaUVRHbETl6n7miadl1zkP18MKC5jHHEOyKSnBmoEqJGdgNUq5RgMChOIo4j6Dx9bR6YLLD_B8slNi-aRJ9NmpmJ1-mruFJnKFsqxQuFVf65vq3jpL7vd2eDkH-/s320/IMG_9422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the calendar, I would have loved to build a frame with wood and paint it silver the same as the mini whiteboards, but I am still pretty timid with tools - not that I don't know how to use them but they are Kevin's, for work... maybe one day. Anyhoo, I used black bias binding with rick-rack over top to make it pretty, then craft paper at the top to match the mini whiteboards, the month is a removable piece of craft paper. Pretty and functional, LOVE IT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned for more posts about my house revitalization.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Crafting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-81235379392238832622011-03-07T13:58:00.000-08:002011-03-07T14:03:30.368-08:00Ribbon Organizing and Pattern WeightsYou may remember my post about my <a href="http://courtneysoleil.blogspot.com/2011/02/sewing-room.html">Sewing Room</a> where I showed off the pants hanger ribbon storage idea - but since I couldn't find a hanger with rungs spaces far enough apart, I couldn't fit all my ribbon! While my Mum was here, she suggested we get a wooden dowel and hang them on there some how between a shelf of in the closet.... we were brainstorming what we could do that would be functional in my room. and TADA!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCGdVCDQ3LurK7I-TyTd6jIfMx9iHp_gnglTtctqCmChXh9wBJ9hgq4K7cVL1oUCnQsmfzMse6o9X5Dz7R-7xpPemRIIQdjKFIO7eIliOr4wqO6zcxCblr17lOri4pqj8oez7PZ3TgJyz/s1600/IMG_9412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCGdVCDQ3LurK7I-TyTd6jIfMx9iHp_gnglTtctqCmChXh9wBJ9hgq4K7cVL1oUCnQsmfzMse6o9X5Dz7R-7xpPemRIIQdjKFIO7eIliOr4wqO6zcxCblr17lOri4pqj8oez7PZ3TgJyz/s320/IMG_9412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had this shelf up already (Kevin's handy work!) above my cutting/crafting table, and I picked up 2 inexpensive tension curtain rods from Walmart to fit between the braces under the shelf, perfect size for all my sewing ribbon (and room for many more...). It Also makes a great place to hang my tape measure (I am constantly losing that thing!) and my extension chord for my glue gun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***Ohhhh and see that picture frame up there? I know you <s>didn't even notice it until now </s>were wondering "what is that???" There will be more on that tomorrow!!!***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzNLQO_Hpy0FbTbWjYx80N72u04BtZ4wVWpBqu-vpvbwPpIDAD1kGe4PjvRSFTFtPlf6KEYjyVX9i3ylM-tJWjxJzhNI3Y1RRq8pT0D8pcftV1bKffdlepSGJNJMheCV7PHcIhLDYkL1o/s1600/IMG_9413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzNLQO_Hpy0FbTbWjYx80N72u04BtZ4wVWpBqu-vpvbwPpIDAD1kGe4PjvRSFTFtPlf6KEYjyVX9i3ylM-tJWjxJzhNI3Y1RRq8pT0D8pcftV1bKffdlepSGJNJMheCV7PHcIhLDYkL1o/s320/IMG_9413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still use the pant hanger for all my craft ribbon (wired ribbon for flower arranging etc.) but I like to have these ones where I always have easy access to them. I can take each spool off one by one if need be, but I like to just roll off how ever much I need from where they are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every person has different needs of a ribbon organizer, and different space restrictions to consider. Some crafters need <a href="http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/2011/02/ribbon-organizer.html">portability</a>, others need to be able to grab each spool <a href="http://kanzlerthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/05/is-that-ribbon-in-your-gutter.html">individually</a> without any hassle. Some ribbon storage ideas are a little harder to duplicate because they are so <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2010/08/crafty-room.html">unique</a>, but if you know the right people.... You have to really think about what is going to work for YOU.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">----------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Pattern Weights</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've had this project waiting to be posted <s>since christmas</s> for a while, but never got around to it... So here they are!! I wrapped the washers in dollar store ribbon (oh look at all the pretty colours!) and you can't lose these babies, no matter how cluttered your sewing room may be (heehee).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlfdhDH7NC_yCvQvX3G40Ge0W-xdrRL3cgzuQ0LYMZ9KdHa1DiHvzktfHGLC-rhCKDfzLlWIDgcO8ilwfU_8byXJPsFW89MLFt9tmQm7E1rF8XFtCzrriP9MxH6jgKQ70U3BNYTcVSd_3/s1600/IMG_9415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlfdhDH7NC_yCvQvX3G40Ge0W-xdrRL3cgzuQ0LYMZ9KdHa1DiHvzktfHGLC-rhCKDfzLlWIDgcO8ilwfU_8byXJPsFW89MLFt9tmQm7E1rF8XFtCzrriP9MxH6jgKQ70U3BNYTcVSd_3/s320/IMG_9415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I originally saw the idea for this type of home made pattern weights </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/33804301/sew-chic-patterns-weights-red-american?ref=em">HERE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">, but I have been rediscovering similar ideas all over blog land. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YimIER1S4Qx0PKRZMKKqD-Zb_rCduJ8NIPm1qm4-LfR0ZbpW0UePMzC2kaBVkXWvCaGmT6kvpUUeyvNK8NgUbPKZeXC9_igSHNinMQ0xVyw4dt7d5JQAhFX91un7JPqe1fXPdvYG_obA/s1600/IMG_9414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YimIER1S4Qx0PKRZMKKqD-Zb_rCduJ8NIPm1qm4-LfR0ZbpW0UePMzC2kaBVkXWvCaGmT6kvpUUeyvNK8NgUbPKZeXC9_igSHNinMQ0xVyw4dt7d5JQAhFX91un7JPqe1fXPdvYG_obA/s320/IMG_9414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/01/fabric-weights-get-makeover.html">HERE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://sascharomeo.blogspot.com/2010/02/weighted.html">HERE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> are two more examples of the same Idea, except they also used nuts for their versions (I'll be making some of those soon too), where as the ones shown above are doubled up washers - cost me a whole 30 cents each from the hardware store. These are great, no more pinning! Definitely one of the most used items in my sewing room.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy Organizing!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-Courtney Soleil</b></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-32606943802345099832011-03-01T18:53:00.000-08:002011-03-01T18:53:15.409-08:00NEW TOY! (Coming Soon...)Ok, it hasn't arrived yet - but I have to post about it... I finally ordered a <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/">Silhouette SD</a>!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTs9HqzIA-9MEo3uyy4TNbNeajYl_7f224mTahfDkpH1G_xPJa6H9SQtd6qDXtAcywJG5XaEcpjfDDBkltHHEA47-q1VYPlBI1ghe76U2IJTEw5PDUHu8WjGAya7SZ35MBt29asvp8w4N/s1600/SILHOUETTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTs9HqzIA-9MEo3uyy4TNbNeajYl_7f224mTahfDkpH1G_xPJa6H9SQtd6qDXtAcywJG5XaEcpjfDDBkltHHEA47-q1VYPlBI1ghe76U2IJTEw5PDUHu8WjGAya7SZ35MBt29asvp8w4N/s320/SILHOUETTE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My beautiful cutting master machine should be arriving in a week or so (I am so excited when I talk about it I make that high-pitched excited scream noise and Kevin just laughs at me...). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I haven't found a dealer in Canada yet (Michael's has never even heard of them...), but the Silhouette company does deliver to Canada - so if you have an extra 300$ kicking around you can go nab yourself one off their site, if not there are always promotions in blogland and on ebay (I never pay full price for anything...). I got a great deal on my new toy, I was looking around at <a href="http://www.u-createcrafts.com/">U-Create</a> - they had a promotion code to get a few extras (rolls of vinyl, heat transfer etc.) with the machine, plus I got the whole package for 225$! SAH-WEET!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will post a review and pics of my few first trials once it arrives...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>AND</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You wanna blog that looks as pretty as your posts? Check out the giveaway by <a href="http://www.blushinktemplates.com/">Blushink Templates</a> hosted <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/03/blushink-templates-sweet-blog-design.html">HERE at Tatertots & Jello</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Cutting (and crafting)!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-52898842363089258762011-02-19T22:10:00.000-08:002011-02-19T22:10:54.478-08:00Scallop Shirt and BloomersHere is my first attempt at kids clothing, I do have a new niece on the way, due in June, but this is size 12 months, and I can't bring myself to give it away.... I may keep it for my hope chest.... I really made this outfit to see how well I do with patterns, and well the whole process. This project seemed so daunting at first - but, baby steps lead up to making baby clothes apparently. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV0avgz_KwA0UvVF3Rd84M8GKPHNflfUzGhKvsMY0sTD2Ij9pRoh_npo2mnhEaL_hQhSu0ZcwWxjirxu_IYFDT6Ef0jx6n6qcxOpdE5oHr9fi1NdlRjWyNQfQiBLnB-ZC8xIpRGi0rMg4/s1600/IMG_9342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV0avgz_KwA0UvVF3Rd84M8GKPHNflfUzGhKvsMY0sTD2Ij9pRoh_npo2mnhEaL_hQhSu0ZcwWxjirxu_IYFDT6Ef0jx6n6qcxOpdE5oHr9fi1NdlRjWyNQfQiBLnB-ZC8xIpRGi0rMg4/s400/IMG_9342.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got both pieces of fabric, again, from my favorite store - Marshalls - in the remnant bin (as much as you can shove in a shopping bag for 8$, pretty sweet eh?) and they go so great together I will have to make more outfits from the remaining fabric! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxdyzhcfdMGU-432zfz1Cim1mb5IMiK2ADAH0uRN8ntA5SQ7a_Olbgkqi53Re8O7sLjlK-70fqSZLcBs1D7uuyMzFoTQSXcgraO1_B4RkReBBdO6rQmzO98AqEGfEmtCaI6NHsZ6Y8hjs/s1600/IMG_9336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxdyzhcfdMGU-432zfz1Cim1mb5IMiK2ADAH0uRN8ntA5SQ7a_Olbgkqi53Re8O7sLjlK-70fqSZLcBs1D7uuyMzFoTQSXcgraO1_B4RkReBBdO6rQmzO98AqEGfEmtCaI6NHsZ6Y8hjs/s320/IMG_9336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I didn't have a real t-shirt pattern, so I took a onesie pattern and traced it on to freezer paper (I got ideas from a tutorial <a href="http://projectrunandplay.blogspot.com/2011/02/scalloped-top-tutorial-jess-of.html">HERE</a>, but didn't follow it to a T, I was experimenting). After tracing, I added an A-line shape at the bottom, I ended the length just past where the leg cut outs started on the onsie pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e7bqUFBpOEkDA8ywX5WZLu2gch4E4-CGuyPh8hTpozrwksQ_YVjCcOj5UVrF-Shy6ND_FiVfYcUgSTqfjJf0R09M03WujTJo0g1BncVwu41sz5YPqx6kjFzn9F9JKreK7Td_WmN7ArJX/s1600/IMG_9337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e7bqUFBpOEkDA8ywX5WZLu2gch4E4-CGuyPh8hTpozrwksQ_YVjCcOj5UVrF-Shy6ND_FiVfYcUgSTqfjJf0R09M03WujTJo0g1BncVwu41sz5YPqx6kjFzn9F9JKreK7Td_WmN7ArJX/s320/IMG_9337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got the idea for the Scalloped neckline from <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/02/scallop-shirt-on-project-run-and-play.html">HERE</a>, I loved the idea, there is a great tutorial for it <a href="http://projectrunandplay.blogspot.com/2011/02/scalloped-top-tutorial-jess-of.html">HERE</a> (that Jess from <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/">Craftiness is not optional</a> is amazing!), I did mine a bit different (Jess' is much nicer - someday maybe I will be that good!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_Fg3-rSo4ei_RIFXHQt5BlmQqmE4rRIMHD0YkdOBFtjLsb7C3OaLPyoke6UY6SIlDD8qfPwZ4wqBaozUPwRKW_YASxffEhXl2_WwOVzDH50X3K-a9yDx8ovNUYA6KAgaDHz7aKbAR1W/s1600/IMG_9339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-_Fg3-rSo4ei_RIFXHQt5BlmQqmE4rRIMHD0YkdOBFtjLsb7C3OaLPyoke6UY6SIlDD8qfPwZ4wqBaozUPwRKW_YASxffEhXl2_WwOVzDH50X3K-a9yDx8ovNUYA6KAgaDHz7aKbAR1W/s320/IMG_9339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The shirt felt difficult at first, mostly the sleeves. I was winging it to see what I was capable of, and the first time you make something is generally the most difficult, so I look forward to the next outfit I make!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneiTgM2sAhpbIGocuJlkM-cEjh3PzB41HrmURjQQU7b4JyQtW_hmo1gveD8Izb-CiW1Ahr5hSGba0JPvT8qd9ApQyX1HjTVCuPCWIQVCacgUbmZNJL_prJYNZKC9T0Mk9n4HY64gfQZ3s/s1600/IMG_9340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneiTgM2sAhpbIGocuJlkM-cEjh3PzB41HrmURjQQU7b4JyQtW_hmo1gveD8Izb-CiW1Ahr5hSGba0JPvT8qd9ApQyX1HjTVCuPCWIQVCacgUbmZNJL_prJYNZKC9T0Mk9n4HY64gfQZ3s/s320/IMG_9340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I already had a pattern for bloomers (seriously, one of the easiest things I have ever made).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV1pXgKuo_yc7Uv2OQXQUdU-mNO_5vcUIlTekqG6NLTFl72dQAQHTKOvPAh427bGNw3knjwFDpP-UZ_oRJUI8VQVBUAxHi-0-cqX7CY7MHy9rhToT4s9tctZC_SzVXliZsGPLFkr9Juxt/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV1pXgKuo_yc7Uv2OQXQUdU-mNO_5vcUIlTekqG6NLTFl72dQAQHTKOvPAh427bGNw3knjwFDpP-UZ_oRJUI8VQVBUAxHi-0-cqX7CY7MHy9rhToT4s9tctZC_SzVXliZsGPLFkr9Juxt/s320/IMG_9341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I added the bows and pockets just as a cute-sie detail to tie the outfit together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If your a Mama, Mama-to-be, Grand-mama or Awesome Auntie (like me)- Try it out, it's not as hard as I would of expected, and it was so much fun to make.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Sewing!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Courtney Soleil</span></b></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-71477692427339346242011-02-17T22:42:00.000-08:002011-02-17T22:46:24.605-08:00Family Room Makeover Project.....After much ridiculousness and a really long time in Fabricland trying to decide on "the perfect fabric" for my living room, here is what my Mum and I finally decided on:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTd43DBI7-uDUSU457UkWU4fNFN784pXcG5KPWkqpjZ_TKF1Qp49dOSsaOipoWd9xpEt9w3x7WwAOiNn6zjEwac6W3vylmq1leN2jHxcdkCxbrTwyt7S_5w964uE4qbDb8xiZh88teuuU/s1600/IMG_9270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTd43DBI7-uDUSU457UkWU4fNFN784pXcG5KPWkqpjZ_TKF1Qp49dOSsaOipoWd9xpEt9w3x7WwAOiNn6zjEwac6W3vylmq1leN2jHxcdkCxbrTwyt7S_5w964uE4qbDb8xiZh88teuuU/s320/IMG_9270.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The bottom one is for throw pillows for my sectional couch (it matches really well, adds texture!) and the middle one is to add a valance and tie backs to my boring cream ikea curtains (they were left here by the previous owners, and well I can't pass up free...). On top is just a cheap fabric to use as a lining for the valance, but I kinda like it! Mum and I have been getting amazing deals on fabric lately, the pillow fabric was on for buy 1 get 3 free (worked out to around 3$ a meter), and the valance fabric was buy 1 get 2 free (worked out to about 4$ a meter)... I can't remember what the lining was on for.... but it was even cheaper - we even got the pillow forms buy one get one free.<br />
The colours go really well with my family room, the sectional is a cream chenille with a hue of green to it, and the throw pillows that came with it have the same colour as the sectional and then a goldish colour, grey-green and goldy green, very much the colours of both above fabrics. I have a cream and light grey area rug, cream curtains, green walls (just a couple shades lighter than the valance fabric) and a beautiful fireplace. Though I always prefer silver or pewter over gold fixtures, the fireplace has gold trim and we got a free table set thats gold and pewter and a tall spider lamp in gold - I can't get away from it. Oddly enough, with having a greyish green colour in the couch and grey in the rug, and a few pewter accents - like on the table and a fire poker set, gold and pewter are getting along.<br />
I promise when it is all finished I will post pics of the whole room too - as long as it doesn't all go horribly wrong... ( ha ha ha?).<br />
I am also working on tons of other projects, and I still have a ton more fabric pics to post, like I mentioned further up, Mum and I got some great fabric deals.... can you say remnant bin? One deal we got was buy 1 get 5 free from the remnant/bolt ends bin, and most pieces were over a meter, such a variety too, I can't sew them fast enough - I am literally running out of space to keep them all!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I will update with more soon, promise!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Sewing!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Courtney Soleil</span></b></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-59223796702954236242011-02-11T19:21:00.000-08:002011-02-11T19:22:35.334-08:00Baby Changing PadI just had to share this project!!! Since I haven't been able to do much for a while, but the very least I can do is sew, right? For this Baby Changing Pad I used Jill's (from Home Made By Jill) tutorial found here <a href="http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-baby-changing-pad.html">HERE</a>, I used a great froggie print and lime green flannel (my sister Farrah's favorite colour), Iron-On Laminate (I bought mine is a role at <a href="http://www.marshalldiscountfabrics.com/wholesalefabrics/">Marshalls</a>), 2 layers fusible fleece, some black binding and belting and here is what I ended up with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5SYBsO1-U9K786aAwnRs-xiGJ9JGj37aqOb6N74K1N6e8zYKPco58hotFVC_XsTRFlcQV4YxidpASOMEjbanRhbrkMGyErY269m_Ev6v9a84Dc664lMl7eidff5i6ru5sjcDNRoUtK6O/s1600/IMG_9265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5SYBsO1-U9K786aAwnRs-xiGJ9JGj37aqOb6N74K1N6e8zYKPco58hotFVC_XsTRFlcQV4YxidpASOMEjbanRhbrkMGyErY269m_Ev6v9a84Dc664lMl7eidff5i6ru5sjcDNRoUtK6O/s320/IMG_9265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This really is a great project for just about anyone to try, don't be scared! Makes a great shower gift, and would be fun to personalize, this one is exactly my sisters style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodLsJgl8QMcj48d5EdZd8-omnR5wzwrewTiNsMOUwiE1wfyJR7OLZZM8I-X-dwtpUldK_m2O8dGpNcjmKhpl1F4koJrSBJFqnT7FUvUFtdwWJumzUyFCSAqOOAupKb811yGa_3YSmZrZz/s1600/IMG_9267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodLsJgl8QMcj48d5EdZd8-omnR5wzwrewTiNsMOUwiE1wfyJR7OLZZM8I-X-dwtpUldK_m2O8dGpNcjmKhpl1F4koJrSBJFqnT7FUvUFtdwWJumzUyFCSAqOOAupKb811yGa_3YSmZrZz/s320/IMG_9267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Iron-On Laminate allowed me to take the perfect print and make it durable and wipe-able, perfect for this application.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP21n0gOiBym36r88zogToZgZ9HMqLEl3Fgyq5sCEXuhaW4e4CZJv8SKf4TUxd3QovfeMvSxs8mypJDJlt9C28Sykx28KjRL9gxDzAJOgBqqWt8S7jHO0sWrU4Ew3cVxGp20uipYlOgDdi/s1600/IMG_9268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP21n0gOiBym36r88zogToZgZ9HMqLEl3Fgyq5sCEXuhaW4e4CZJv8SKf4TUxd3QovfeMvSxs8mypJDJlt9C28Sykx28KjRL9gxDzAJOgBqqWt8S7jHO0sWrU4Ew3cVxGp20uipYlOgDdi/s320/IMG_9268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love how this turned out, and it was SO easy to make too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwknNdgLMDGnnL5nHQqTsvTx1VaoeGhYe8I9-Mni9iOV7uyEfdRPuUF63QLfkcvWQfOwCsBB7vTejP5SxVYQtLCSppaJz-PdcFOhlYqGb2Wa3VkqovZaCzaDuNT0dzUjE_5sf5n3Vdss0I/s1600/IMG_9266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwknNdgLMDGnnL5nHQqTsvTx1VaoeGhYe8I9-Mni9iOV7uyEfdRPuUF63QLfkcvWQfOwCsBB7vTejP5SxVYQtLCSppaJz-PdcFOhlYqGb2Wa3VkqovZaCzaDuNT0dzUjE_5sf5n3Vdss0I/s320/IMG_9266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was going to leave the outside plain green, but decided this would be much more adorable, and it is for my amazing sister after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWDfyEpIX5jc0rdzMgVIX2wTWTskxItmMxXWqnQNVteMDt-Q6krv7AsawciAeU3-AznLa_sxIDgFaoBQ1xv_QT7PPMEjqY_J9fDABojZ8eC7thS1HAslQYMFFF_ciRmkaUOlaCg4eLZEP/s1600/IMG_9269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWDfyEpIX5jc0rdzMgVIX2wTWTskxItmMxXWqnQNVteMDt-Q6krv7AsawciAeU3-AznLa_sxIDgFaoBQ1xv_QT7PPMEjqY_J9fDABojZ8eC7thS1HAslQYMFFF_ciRmkaUOlaCg4eLZEP/s320/IMG_9269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I happened to have some belting, I tend to save little pieces of stuff like that to re use, this came off a backpack that eventually got tossed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy Sewing!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-Courtney Soleil</b></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-63255553895598807102011-02-06T13:40:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:40:58.031-08:00Sewing Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today I am going to show off a couple things in my sewing room, my Mum has been here and has helped me organize!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">----</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sewing Machine</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just before christmas I moved the sewing room from the smallest room in the house to the spare room (double the size!). I figured my sewing gets used a heck of a lot more than the spare bed (people stay over maybe 2-3 times a year?) so why waste all that space, well Kevy agreed. Not long after the room swap, my sweetie bought me a beautiful new sewing machine, so far I am just enamored by it...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCI0_JRAgSD70pROuapMBmXnKU2s9Pth64yUZi9nblue9dS-tDXo6Fd-5uGZTDQ6y2tvgeQ5huX22SO66i6YNNI6G3vT3-6O7h8fX4OlO1Q5Z2iYhEVbsW_kWXMSfslTJujLGIO9QBLMj/s1600/IMG_9272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCI0_JRAgSD70pROuapMBmXnKU2s9Pth64yUZi9nblue9dS-tDXo6Fd-5uGZTDQ6y2tvgeQ5huX22SO66i6YNNI6G3vT3-6O7h8fX4OlO1Q5Z2iYhEVbsW_kWXMSfslTJujLGIO9QBLMj/s320/IMG_9272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vthqtPR59K9MIdDXO91gLViZfmjVqmZ70nQ2VpyeSns2gpX_uRPd6_6j-SMzrmlqSYWStb9HeFU0aUvgvGoOt8Ciqdrgguk5sVvznhCBPY5QwyRitny4rxaOy1zwcTThx3O6AHC7sq5h/s1600/IMG_9273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vthqtPR59K9MIdDXO91gLViZfmjVqmZ70nQ2VpyeSns2gpX_uRPd6_6j-SMzrmlqSYWStb9HeFU0aUvgvGoOt8Ciqdrgguk5sVvznhCBPY5QwyRitny4rxaOy1zwcTThx3O6AHC7sq5h/s320/IMG_9273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I kept the old Janome for emergencies, but I am a Brother follower for life now. I did a lot of research on sewing machines before we bought this one, I knew I wanted something to do basic embroidery, mainly monogramming, and this one just fit the bill - It does everything I want and more. The only problem is being in Canada, we get overcharged for EVERYTHING, a basic Babylock (same company as Brother) with less features was over 1000$ on sale here and this machine was under 400$ new off ebay with shipping from Alabama! I have to say, apart from duties, ordering from the states is the way to go! Thank you <a href="http://www.kenssewingcenter.com/">Ken's Sewing & Vacuum Center</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> ----</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sewing Table</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got many things for christmas this year from my sweetie pie, some weren't wrapped and he doesn't see them as gifts, but to me the little things he does for me are the greatest gifts of all. One thing in paticular just made my year... He works hard all day then comes home and builds me a sewing table in the perfect height... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCfybhHXGJK0a1ryXlILCmecS9G4VhFGjuXMRAPyIy4GnHEKCZOTczclyTbAhg4IBQJ2zpKfvzfnUqNCPhjy2H4aGtp65T9y2kKt3IBfVAeuY32txKUaX1paeAh5oiNamK8BGFLxtMwO6/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCfybhHXGJK0a1ryXlILCmecS9G4VhFGjuXMRAPyIy4GnHEKCZOTczclyTbAhg4IBQJ2zpKfvzfnUqNCPhjy2H4aGtp65T9y2kKt3IBfVAeuY32txKUaX1paeAh5oiNamK8BGFLxtMwO6/s320/IMG_8751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kevin even painted the feet blue (my favorite colour!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoltss-PLQx90UNFO6Ok-ahRd5mFv-JzxTfyuYO4rHBeZufqQizUZeU3zTNwy0PEZmZbnstmuO-fnbBhXok4VCYRVmEMwz5Y07ZODnq8REmZdP3tD-0DBZT9Xe57Riv-kZ4QKZUHqmM8B/s1600/IMG_8744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoltss-PLQx90UNFO6Ok-ahRd5mFv-JzxTfyuYO4rHBeZufqQizUZeU3zTNwy0PEZmZbnstmuO-fnbBhXok4VCYRVmEMwz5Y07ZODnq8REmZdP3tD-0DBZT9Xe57Riv-kZ4QKZUHqmM8B/s320/IMG_8744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRSOEpcgZdcy-zyVdMBxIYKq3Rvx2PksB9dphJy7rpp-xVOJhQ0cRX0LX570f0TfzsX0vpJXRFbalSbqCJdg5f6ECmF41UA5F7F6Asywk5hsWd0cJLwetAc1tkLQB_uoj1YLiZg9Y9JRO/s1600/IMG_8743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRSOEpcgZdcy-zyVdMBxIYKq3Rvx2PksB9dphJy7rpp-xVOJhQ0cRX0LX570f0TfzsX0vpJXRFbalSbqCJdg5f6ECmF41UA5F7F6Asywk5hsWd0cJLwetAc1tkLQB_uoj1YLiZg9Y9JRO/s320/IMG_8743.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> He took our old kitchen table (it was the pereft size, even has a leaf for bigger projects) and added an 8 3/4" base so it's the right height for cutting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9yOkRZI1q4VD09-woHGMNul8Rz2IV7tnKzN7jWcmk9BDJPm_DAlUrHm6KBNr5Z_tOt5ujO4rk95vnZvqIX1ol09sjWxf34fWCtqMhOBIwm9Cm-3ZdaGb5OiBmMeym_1-8rayKJNFE9LE/s1600/IMG_8749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9yOkRZI1q4VD09-woHGMNul8Rz2IV7tnKzN7jWcmk9BDJPm_DAlUrHm6KBNr5Z_tOt5ujO4rk95vnZvqIX1ol09sjWxf34fWCtqMhOBIwm9Cm-3ZdaGb5OiBmMeym_1-8rayKJNFE9LE/s320/IMG_8749.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The base acts as a great shelf for my rubbermaid containers - I keeps extra fabric, batting, clothing to repurposed and other misc. sewing things. Now I fit my scraps bin and garbage can there too. I am so fortunate to have such a sweet and supportive man.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-----</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Little Bit of Organization....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomqVTzMicYAqkjQjCMbyu8C8T6A_jAIY3H4hvhbkiJ9Egpx4uy0M5-l2HOnfviz2v8cVOvI3dNKjp6LbFuc69LQwWo1v6Ok2UCW-IhP_S4TtP3zUPpbwBAF8mma4KZe4fixVVsJ7sH-H2/s1600/IMG_9271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomqVTzMicYAqkjQjCMbyu8C8T6A_jAIY3H4hvhbkiJ9Egpx4uy0M5-l2HOnfviz2v8cVOvI3dNKjp6LbFuc69LQwWo1v6Ok2UCW-IhP_S4TtP3zUPpbwBAF8mma4KZe4fixVVsJ7sH-H2/s320/IMG_9271.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My sewing station - Machine, dollar store drawer unit with machine essentials (feet, bobbins, tools, etc.), sewing caddy with pin cusion and thread bag (more on that later), but I found that idea on <a href="http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/01/ultimate-pincushion.html">Craftiness Is Not Optional</a> (I love Jess' blog) and she used <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSPincushionOrganizer.pdf">This Tutorial</a> from <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/">Sew Mama Sew!</a>. Ok so I didn't actually use the tutorial I just guessed and I think it turned out pretty good! I swapped sides for the thread bag because it just worked better for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTIJUJGBaK8rrkxitTVItHHljfWn8qH-NmaqXx92y9g7MPO4faAzQqSF0R9EQhhwhROlGWp_MTqBsQLscszbW8p3_9V3HlCnvxDrcvUm2UpjZDrSkWJRxgPSjUshSpmQSw5VSegGuQNMZ/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTIJUJGBaK8rrkxitTVItHHljfWn8qH-NmaqXx92y9g7MPO4faAzQqSF0R9EQhhwhROlGWp_MTqBsQLscszbW8p3_9V3HlCnvxDrcvUm2UpjZDrSkWJRxgPSjUshSpmQSw5VSegGuQNMZ/s320/IMG_9279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I like to have my fabrics out where I can see them for inspiration, the really pretty ones anyways...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FYz1qrghtOi8jYVmf7XatGwpNzioIuUdg1HmUnltzGvKS25pTrxbrCJS2f1CCEO4VUEmnoWxzUWg1RXsMb4YYoKFZz6KapZgWFEptfWh2IKP330OwV0iH35CsVgaKMrdEAFlJiVCLBa-/s1600/IMG_9280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FYz1qrghtOi8jYVmf7XatGwpNzioIuUdg1HmUnltzGvKS25pTrxbrCJS2f1CCEO4VUEmnoWxzUWg1RXsMb4YYoKFZz6KapZgWFEptfWh2IKP330OwV0iH35CsVgaKMrdEAFlJiVCLBa-/s320/IMG_9280.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found the original Idea for this ribbon organizer over at <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2010/01/craft-organization-ribbon.html">The Cottage Mama</a>'s blog. It would have been better if I could have found a pant hanger as widely spaced as Cottage Mama's hanger, but this is as close I could get, still works, just have to space them a rung apart (darn it).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv8RDYfIhY2NoeOmOYmKPPTFlRQc21B7AqUzySFtN0yygHmLF9n975kDy4gspUxn9vwn6jv8K2GOZEOXiGlvezKVIMFy5OrGvxa6qK_M8FXPF80suZ3bRymXttJCsYp1aoPPnVF8INefH/s1600/IMG_9277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv8RDYfIhY2NoeOmOYmKPPTFlRQc21B7AqUzySFtN0yygHmLF9n975kDy4gspUxn9vwn6jv8K2GOZEOXiGlvezKVIMFy5OrGvxa6qK_M8FXPF80suZ3bRymXttJCsYp1aoPPnVF8INefH/s320/IMG_9277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here are my buttons, some more ribbon and my beautiful Sewing encyclopedias (my Mum is the best, she got them for me from a used bookstore in BC)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FEnrwqm7XRcSI0MRBx5iZZIWCtc88seI5Ko9C8c4HdGSKn7Os-Hh0O1xV7Vn8yLqEVjn2TJkpZ4EXixVUPWBlNeb1tzAq9CgnQ1kfnTnbt63gE4McGFOJGPkfhQ4gUpy4i-tVLA4R0QN/s1600/IMG_9278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FEnrwqm7XRcSI0MRBx5iZZIWCtc88seI5Ko9C8c4HdGSKn7Os-Hh0O1xV7Vn8yLqEVjn2TJkpZ4EXixVUPWBlNeb1tzAq9CgnQ1kfnTnbt63gE4McGFOJGPkfhQ4gUpy4i-tVLA4R0QN/s320/IMG_9278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The button and ribbon jars were also inspired by <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2010/08/cottage-mama-studio.html">The Cottage Mama</a>'s great organizing ideas. I bought a 1lb button bag from Wal Mart ans sorted them by colour and size (and sets) in small baggies then put them in jars, and from Fabricland my Mum and I got super cheap ribbon spools, too small for my ribbon hanger so I put them in a small jar so you can see all the colours. These jars were a set and were 5$ at Wal Mart (STEAL!!)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I will post more intermittently on my great room, promise - until then...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy Sewing! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>-Courtney Soleil</b></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-8684896596443891962011-02-06T12:04:00.000-08:002011-02-11T19:25:33.972-08:00Dog Coats - Refashioned from Human CoatsI'M BACK! I know it has been forever since I posted - I apologize but I was having too much fun recovering from surgery (ok, recovering yes, fun no...). Now I am back and thought I better post some things I have been working on.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dudley's Coat</span></div><br />
Since Alberta is pretty much the coldest place I have ever been I figured my dogs think so too (you'd think they'd be used to it..), so I made them both doggy coats! I made Dudley's coat first because well, he basically sits outside and shivers all winter - and Sam would rather lay in a snow bank instead of her bed.<br />
I have bought countless coats for Dudley and they never quite fit right and when the dogs play the cheaply made coats don't stand up long - at 40-90$ a coat I can't afford to keep replacing them!<br />
I took one of my old coats and an old fleece zip sweater, fitted it to Dudley (I didn't want it to gape and have him pee on it...), then used the fleece for the bottom and the winter jacket on the top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zslj2fNTUKCbvxIfXXEx3kC7eEk-by8RP0go-kBa7kVmqDECg6MS_b4F019ydHfPPNlLNu-m09P35-n8gQnnbX4RyJtXqBpvJkJ23LnBmNeYpfFbJN8Tem02enHGMOqmnoQwPxMFs8yQ/s1600/IMG_8989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zslj2fNTUKCbvxIfXXEx3kC7eEk-by8RP0go-kBa7kVmqDECg6MS_b4F019ydHfPPNlLNu-m09P35-n8gQnnbX4RyJtXqBpvJkJ23LnBmNeYpfFbJN8Tem02enHGMOqmnoQwPxMFs8yQ/s320/IMG_8989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYVkfXhMOw8z86d5kdUunmaQNyhf-sz1HhWsC7ikVFVHkSFukB31vNpsj2heFWG0TBBkN9zOvjKrMgq4CNVnieRM8m6aAUWp-191v54iI-655CSzO1um8cqdb8SQ9vxetKF3Eq5maZkhP/s1600/IMG_8714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYVkfXhMOw8z86d5kdUunmaQNyhf-sz1HhWsC7ikVFVHkSFukB31vNpsj2heFWG0TBBkN9zOvjKrMgq4CNVnieRM8m6aAUWp-191v54iI-655CSzO1um8cqdb8SQ9vxetKF3Eq5maZkhP/s320/IMG_8714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd3U7Cnw_NMOp3kCQrrkpck1IdJWbK0SvHVzp5Ma2EpOLP8iYkb4zVgUxoh7FzF20s7wPT4Yqpi-vaovke1l3rUNZetfQEOpzuiVwOnMIbVxdf5fO5_B6YL-t0TJtX9ZL9p43De_DDGUb/s1600/IMG_8719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd3U7Cnw_NMOp3kCQrrkpck1IdJWbK0SvHVzp5Ma2EpOLP8iYkb4zVgUxoh7FzF20s7wPT4Yqpi-vaovke1l3rUNZetfQEOpzuiVwOnMIbVxdf5fO5_B6YL-t0TJtX9ZL9p43De_DDGUb/s320/IMG_8719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Under the chest, nice and snug.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogzftPSPE60A5k0jRnAqGrJSHyAC-8y6Iz8z6bHNKDp2uAX4pKFPB2yON3b-fiwIZJWvwFOqq0Sy_mEH7xWpIDnKZ3mIWjsjdZgoRLkDF52QdvNLHoIEMKEZtUV8pYYMN2haHc5MOguc7/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogzftPSPE60A5k0jRnAqGrJSHyAC-8y6Iz8z6bHNKDp2uAX4pKFPB2yON3b-fiwIZJWvwFOqq0Sy_mEH7xWpIDnKZ3mIWjsjdZgoRLkDF52QdvNLHoIEMKEZtUV8pYYMN2haHc5MOguc7/s320/IMG_9099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I even made leg covers so he is as covered up as can be without limiting his movement (wouldn't want to hinder his squirrel chasing abilities....). I couldn't make a belly strap because boy dog anatomy makes it difficult and I didn't want the back of the coat flying up - the solution was leg straps that velcro together on the inside of the thighs. Voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTF50oIJGa96uouip-9OXbACcFT6tMn17j7CbLOtNhluxrjG3FMrbBQBrRqyxBkSl7XIu1jOLXhPqm8pOJ2JcDgOucKB0kBud5CRFNBQDswxx9PPylwsZ1DKH61YYVCNawNNmu_8yvtyC/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTF50oIJGa96uouip-9OXbACcFT6tMn17j7CbLOtNhluxrjG3FMrbBQBrRqyxBkSl7XIu1jOLXhPqm8pOJ2JcDgOucKB0kBud5CRFNBQDswxx9PPylwsZ1DKH61YYVCNawNNmu_8yvtyC/s320/IMG_8717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I put his name on it in case he gets lost (not likely, but its cute..).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg57m0iJTpYGj9zwdgHEiFxABb-3pxJPG6FRWWWaZVkLF4en8OAVkpw0-yHD-8n65xYwyF2QCLFChAHdVaIZ_1oMvu65sbUcWB9vwNu6fc34WIzKPC8fU4cWPyrXz5JWNof5WvcheUuy3V/s1600/IMG_8721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg57m0iJTpYGj9zwdgHEiFxABb-3pxJPG6FRWWWaZVkLF4en8OAVkpw0-yHD-8n65xYwyF2QCLFChAHdVaIZ_1oMvu65sbUcWB9vwNu6fc34WIzKPC8fU4cWPyrXz5JWNof5WvcheUuy3V/s320/IMG_8721.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, this last one is mainly because he is so darn adorable, but you can see I used velcro on the neck to keep the zipper from slipping down.</div><div style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Samantha's Coat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">With Sam's coat I didn't need to make it super warm, just needed more of a wind breaker/water repeller. It was important I make Sam's coat more of a "working" coat, we are going to put Sam in training for Search and Rescue (hopefully) and we wanted her to have something functional.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7eSt0uGg8O1xUXOBlPW3xPNZFrGw0BlreZf9JS6OrcU8jWiB_N-xTXjXx2-MtiWDIJmqpZ8FlxcSbZjTlSW7rLyA5kQIB5h-sWEKE9Zhqih-1KQCJQ0woPbSrdnylVNiWqyLZHtnkL0V/s1600/IMG_9203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7eSt0uGg8O1xUXOBlPW3xPNZFrGw0BlreZf9JS6OrcU8jWiB_N-xTXjXx2-MtiWDIJmqpZ8FlxcSbZjTlSW7rLyA5kQIB5h-sWEKE9Zhqih-1KQCJQ0woPbSrdnylVNiWqyLZHtnkL0V/s320/IMG_9203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I bought a adult large sized rain coat from Value Village (cost a whole 3$ !) and refashioned it to fit Sam. I sewed up the original arm holes (they were in the wrong spot...) and made new ones, they are large because Sam runs like lightning and I had to put function first. I used black bias binding to finish the arm holes off. I was able to use the original zipper and snaps and just had to make a rear cut out for her back legs, I also was able to include the original pockets and hide-able hood (rolls in to the collar).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2xDfROikrz_u8ZrwHsus-E74NhzoAkY7Kuz3pISSk1KM3qA9T1CQNd28XDBnKWr-YkGvTpF7gV8eIgAvk0-M-mwaMsAz2JS8pQPDT_BNBseeZ7dsNbmxjZ_XA3splhuquiSZ34gEWxed/s1600/IMG_9205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2xDfROikrz_u8ZrwHsus-E74NhzoAkY7Kuz3pISSk1KM3qA9T1CQNd28XDBnKWr-YkGvTpF7gV8eIgAvk0-M-mwaMsAz2JS8pQPDT_BNBseeZ7dsNbmxjZ_XA3splhuquiSZ34gEWxed/s320/IMG_9205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I took a cheap reflective vest I had on hand and used some pieces of reflective tape on the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlR-Qo_Poy7p8YMyUUE49HWz7ZoUwxuMdSfTmnHBreTQRqCakluyxHLhoUjtEaAtKy9terRqD4dfYWShl3MLDS3_kMKxfeCfGbkWz5_S3-auAi2nmhHOQq43rrLilbAiVL_pplRjYFbEJ/s1600/IMG_9217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlR-Qo_Poy7p8YMyUUE49HWz7ZoUwxuMdSfTmnHBreTQRqCakluyxHLhoUjtEaAtKy9terRqD4dfYWShl3MLDS3_kMKxfeCfGbkWz5_S3-auAi2nmhHOQq43rrLilbAiVL_pplRjYFbEJ/s320/IMG_9217.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (isn't she beautiful?????)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DxCXZscwuSiF3YjAFNM7U0lYhJht3mauleVJB-VVgZnowPZcGTi4t8e-5YbJrUmGsUe8GPhthm2O2KCtsyLvaVMIDvG5T5I2P_izUXN4XW-Tw3UeDDSZiydOgRlFtrPi8cvKjomZM2eP/s1600/IMG_9221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DxCXZscwuSiF3YjAFNM7U0lYhJht3mauleVJB-VVgZnowPZcGTi4t8e-5YbJrUmGsUe8GPhthm2O2KCtsyLvaVMIDvG5T5I2P_izUXN4XW-Tw3UeDDSZiydOgRlFtrPi8cvKjomZM2eP/s320/IMG_9221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> To correct the angle and have a nice finish I took a scrap of the orange vest and appliqued it on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6ctMfte9cxFFwBjrFO0YxEjRNxm7lIVW70tP2D17lDwfufyUg75sXJ2RqjHknfv3gaBkpMgctxy9JQYZWy-Zllpx0QrCVE05Y9ZGZjDtxCyBLiR06waoDgqfW7yH6H8smcGO7vofVNUZ/s1600/IMG_9222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6ctMfte9cxFFwBjrFO0YxEjRNxm7lIVW70tP2D17lDwfufyUg75sXJ2RqjHknfv3gaBkpMgctxy9JQYZWy-Zllpx0QrCVE05Y9ZGZjDtxCyBLiR06waoDgqfW7yH6H8smcGO7vofVNUZ/s320/IMG_9222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It honestly fits so great! I was very happy with how it turned out. Don't worry, now that I have an embroidery machine I will be putting her name on the coat too, when I will do I will make another post.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN-PuxQL1-CQEmH2CpMu-zexJixzNKeCLbtjpMRWP4kSQLTIOlLQBe-7TvtWdwoshwnUIsKRMVv5RYhx2qceFdZcR8FGlw0KtSr0wY3tq6zfcj9zDyZouSHZJLGQDiv81ygMf-lyKCjb7/s1600/IMG_9200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN-PuxQL1-CQEmH2CpMu-zexJixzNKeCLbtjpMRWP4kSQLTIOlLQBe-7TvtWdwoshwnUIsKRMVv5RYhx2qceFdZcR8FGlw0KtSr0wY3tq6zfcj9zDyZouSHZJLGQDiv81ygMf-lyKCjb7/s320/IMG_9200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The reflective tape is awesome, you can litaraly see it reflect an extreme distance from a light source - I am considering putting some on Dudley's coat too for when I take him running... we will see. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Feel free to email me if you have any questions.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Sewing and Repurposing! </div><div style="text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-58308140017756966042011-01-11T21:39:00.000-08:002011-01-12T16:46:18.352-08:00Soap SockHappy Tuesday!<br />
Now this is a simple little project inspired by my late grandmother, Patricia. Post World War II there was rationing going on all over the place, it of course effected the everyday man, woman and <s>bar of soap </s>child. My crafty grandmother decided to make a "Soap Sock" out of foam to conserve soap and to prevent it from getting all icky and melted in the shower (ewwwwww.....) - if she hadn't done this project, I'm sure they would have been much smellier people.<br />
I was so grossed out by melted soap that when I cleaned the shower I would literally chuck the bar away because it just didn't seem clean enough to be in the shower.... So when I mentioned my grossed-outedness to my mom, she told me my grandmother's story and I thought I had to think of something like that. I still don't know how the whole foam idea would work, and I really liked the idea of a washable "Soap Sock", so I played with some scraps of Nylon Lining (like you would find in a windbreaker jacket), some cotton chording, and a wash cloth (well half of one anyways).... Here is what I came up with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCr0P_dHqrqadrZl_AOAqxm7smbuOHZR26CuJy_mpEjiUkW9Tl2ebiQzCFnz4TQJlH-xq4hgGjIdqngCGxVuAJMu-0kdxn0p7oAKVPj1tJBnPMtk8rq6XGI75Dtd7EPo0c7yPU0j_exgS/s1600/IMG_9143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCr0P_dHqrqadrZl_AOAqxm7smbuOHZR26CuJy_mpEjiUkW9Tl2ebiQzCFnz4TQJlH-xq4hgGjIdqngCGxVuAJMu-0kdxn0p7oAKVPj1tJBnPMtk8rq6XGI75Dtd7EPo0c7yPU0j_exgS/s320/IMG_9143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RZYbeLkJ7mY2loMJSviNfoj6N7UBJquLT_B0rb2V_aWaZqnjRWszGEx2oPW_te5GUm4pUu9zrjp-oUd-V2DGGUuUkpDcDtU7uC09r3Pi1eJRsdM-Xe_mQk2VPssjKSY1b_wLaPJgBLns/s1600/IMG_9144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RZYbeLkJ7mY2loMJSviNfoj6N7UBJquLT_B0rb2V_aWaZqnjRWszGEx2oPW_te5GUm4pUu9zrjp-oUd-V2DGGUuUkpDcDtU7uC09r3Pi1eJRsdM-Xe_mQk2VPssjKSY1b_wLaPJgBLns/s320/IMG_9144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZkCnQDS6cdM44EBfAP8ZhKxfQ69Gw0JHpZAxIlTrwx6ioRvrTEd9oprFr776l5I1SQmRlvLqhG3s7JpyjogOrEkhWgxcAb9ldCpiKysXqTF5xp3lTuNhI7lRoW4DWNAPzLXMN-KRAxQ9/s1600/IMG_9145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZkCnQDS6cdM44EBfAP8ZhKxfQ69Gw0JHpZAxIlTrwx6ioRvrTEd9oprFr776l5I1SQmRlvLqhG3s7JpyjogOrEkhWgxcAb9ldCpiKysXqTF5xp3lTuNhI7lRoW4DWNAPzLXMN-KRAxQ9/s320/IMG_9145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You just slide the bar or soap in the top, pull the drawstring closed and Voila! No more icky melted soap. The nylon lining prevents the gooey soap from sticking to the terry cloth and also helps to create a lather when washing. It never gets smelly and when the soap is finally gone, I just wash and pop in new soap - I made one for Kevy and he LOVES it - the soap I think is coming up on it's 2 month life now. Saving on soap - CHA CHING!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Happy Sewing!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>-Courtney Soleil</b></div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-28020919012605140692011-01-10T00:31:00.000-08:002011-01-10T00:31:45.332-08:00Suprise Cookies...Ok, I'm on a baking roll tonight (maybe I am hungry or sugar deprived?), I just found a perfect recipe on, again, the <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/">I Still Love You </a>blog, for <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/home/2010/01/spritz-cookies/">Spritz Cookies</a>, and I think adding this type of cookie with some melted chocolate and butter cream icing will turn out nicely.... don't worry you will see in the next couple weeks what I mean. I may try this <a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/food/vanilla_buttercream_icing.php">Canadian Living</a> recipe for the icing.... unless someone has an amazing Vanilla icing I should try instead - comment away!<br />
Lets just say as a hint that what I plan to make may be slightly similar to these <a href="http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/08/homemade-oreo-cookies-so-good.html">Home Made Oreo Cookies</a>... Just sayin'...<br />
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Happy Baking!<br />
-Courtney SoleilCourtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-47580986719492391322011-01-09T21:40:00.000-08:002011-01-09T21:40:26.089-08:00Strawberry Lemonade CupcakesI found a post at <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/home/2010/05/strawberry-lemonade-cupcake-recipe/">I Still Love You</a> for these delicious looking cupcakes and thought I should share it here. I will for sure give these yummies a whirl and let you know how it went! (pictures will be provided of course!)<br />
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<strong>Strawberry Lemon Icing</strong><br />
<em>from the kitchen of Melissa Esplin</em><br />
<em>makes enough to frost about 1 1/2 dozen cupcakes</em><br />
1 tablespoon lemon juice<br />
4-6 fresh strawberries<br />
1 cube or 1/2 cup butter, softened<br />
2 cups powdered sugar<br />
Puree strawberries & lemon juice in a blender. Allow strawberries to macerate for about 10 minutes; it helps with the flavor. With a hand mixer beat strawberry mixture, butter and sugar until consistency is smooth. You may want to add more sugar or more lemon juice to get your preferred consistency. Frosting is perfect for sugar cookies, cupcakes, cakes, etc.<br />
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It seems to me I have seen other fellow bloggers attempt this recipe also, I have read nothing but stellar reviews - let's see if we can win Kevin over - he likes his baked goods, but not too far to the sweet side.<br />
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Happy Baking!<br />
-Courtney SoleilCourtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-25206723143770136662011-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:002011-02-11T19:25:14.375-08:00Piggy Hooded Towel, with a twist!So a while back I was walking through Zellers (this does NOT happen often, it just happened to be the only store like it anywhere near my work, damn downtown core and lack of Walmart!) and I found a bin of washcloths in packs of 12 for 3$, steal! I bought 4 packs - I know, I know, who really needs that many right??? Well I had an idea, my nephew Linc has a blue and brown theme nursery - perfect, the washcloths were lt brown, lt blue, peachy-ish and white - I thought what can I make for him?? I had been planning to make him a hooded Piggy towel (his parents love pigs and hippos...) and I was trying to find the right pink for a towel...<br />
So suddenly I had a better idea... completely out of the box - I cut 8" squares from the wash cloths then pieced them all together, pre-washed the now patch work towel, and used some pink flannel (also pre washed, 7$ from Walmart) and backed it, added a hood face and ears.... I hand stitched the face with colour-fast thread and made the ears stand up (kinda) with interfacing - Voila Piggy cuteness. (sorry about picture quality, I forgot to do pics before I wrapped it)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYN8GrBW6UnUELUSCh1fQpNaIMp8ZNg2rj_jzkkdOKkFC_gSMr9ejv5G09GsMzdmpfVhFoZDYlPVINBiUmhfz5AnGBPWDrWvEJmRmBCvaHcRBCyt05j2vxlQmT8ntmuZwjlMGT7-drPTx/s1600/IMG_8907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYN8GrBW6UnUELUSCh1fQpNaIMp8ZNg2rj_jzkkdOKkFC_gSMr9ejv5G09GsMzdmpfVhFoZDYlPVINBiUmhfz5AnGBPWDrWvEJmRmBCvaHcRBCyt05j2vxlQmT8ntmuZwjlMGT7-drPTx/s320/IMG_8907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j_NwmhTOF-M2AY39fcRnfcOmDXWtFrLkH8q5kwiwvirJU24cvZ917ruJhcU1mnkwWdRSGDybaaK3wp0i4ltVZm0GgZ_C74nXFE1ba5yQmU3QGAS4ECTI0xi_bW9mt0SXB00J6DU0SpxF/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j_NwmhTOF-M2AY39fcRnfcOmDXWtFrLkH8q5kwiwvirJU24cvZ917ruJhcU1mnkwWdRSGDybaaK3wp0i4ltVZm0GgZ_C74nXFE1ba5yQmU3QGAS4ECTI0xi_bW9mt0SXB00J6DU0SpxF/s320/IMG_8904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPFzrSvOHjHxROwh5jf4WQEYXpKIA6emZOWzU9d0xb3flHiHqNrvhxR9CkU7vxPYYaCCocBEolTHS8oCgowvEFWibvfiBvwmyLYRQUFB4KY3ruagcEY-kHBhcrroD1zL-ULegzZbMXpDG/s1600/IMG_8905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPFzrSvOHjHxROwh5jf4WQEYXpKIA6emZOWzU9d0xb3flHiHqNrvhxR9CkU7vxPYYaCCocBEolTHS8oCgowvEFWibvfiBvwmyLYRQUFB4KY3ruagcEY-kHBhcrroD1zL-ULegzZbMXpDG/s320/IMG_8905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvYkC4Qne-4h9kWhh9LL5hik93295TQY31yaZ5_uQ_5ff4bzZ4SOun7apiIA2l7C9hxbUTvwuBfQU7qn-WY9DSL_CnBVzuApthyixVshh0U_zC_tvPQUyH_I9YsXS8iXJ-PY1jXKJvyK5/s1600/IMG_8902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvYkC4Qne-4h9kWhh9LL5hik93295TQY31yaZ5_uQ_5ff4bzZ4SOun7apiIA2l7C9hxbUTvwuBfQU7qn-WY9DSL_CnBVzuApthyixVshh0U_zC_tvPQUyH_I9YsXS8iXJ-PY1jXKJvyK5/s320/IMG_8902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a little big for a 7-8mo old but he will grow in to it... and Kevin was sweet enough to show what it looks like on a full size head.... what a good man! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM3EIywI6rArngdK_cnolR12-E-sSdUAVp6vgIVe0PX_8ebHA7Sot2uYh3P3GjT2bzo5_67bOPPxYtb0wawmBz1iGFW1mxs4sOPmTtct0oj2objjWcRzcMeauVBmM-j4upaTnO5DYa43a/s1600/IMG_8901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM3EIywI6rArngdK_cnolR12-E-sSdUAVp6vgIVe0PX_8ebHA7Sot2uYh3P3GjT2bzo5_67bOPPxYtb0wawmBz1iGFW1mxs4sOPmTtct0oj2objjWcRzcMeauVBmM-j4upaTnO5DYa43a/s320/IMG_8901.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's more than one way to sew a hooded towel.... Get creative!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Sewing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Courtney Soleil</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-73309528005560354572011-01-03T16:40:00.000-08:002011-02-11T19:24:02.202-08:00Baby Quilt TutorialHello Everyone! This is my first Quilt EVER, and it's the project that really gave me back the "sewing bug", so it's only fitting it be my first project post, right? This is a VERY BEGINNER Quilt.<br />
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<b>Step 1.</b> Pick out your fabrics, (I used Baby Flannels from Fabricland) and pre wash them all, because I had cotton I used HOT water.<br />
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<b>Step 2.</b> Create a Template of what colours/patterns go where, and establish the size you want to use. I went with a 9x6 block pattern with a border - 6"squares, I just used a square blocks grid pulled of the internet. I decided my sizing is a little odd (live and learn...) so I went with a 6" border on the sides and 3" border on top and bottom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFiltz7cuFBOxvyqalLnLwU1uu4mrDrqHk3uwh_Bq6-a8o2diX894cNLU0MW-7Gl9TpiJ9SzruXbr2jCFnN5x_3_eRFXXxCkpFXlxPpq2rrYQCbXL7zt9KG6kzYuLKOFmcJxRcSguvY3W/s1600/IMG_8576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFiltz7cuFBOxvyqalLnLwU1uu4mrDrqHk3uwh_Bq6-a8o2diX894cNLU0MW-7Gl9TpiJ9SzruXbr2jCFnN5x_3_eRFXXxCkpFXlxPpq2rrYQCbXL7zt9KG6kzYuLKOFmcJxRcSguvY3W/s320/IMG_8576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b>Step 3.</b> Using a 6" ruler, a Self Healing Cutting Mat and a Rotary Cutter, cut out required number of squares, using your template. ( I got a Quilters starting kit at Walmart by "Unique" for cheap like 12$, came with the whole shebang including flag and safety pins and a thimble! The cutting mat that came with my kit was only teenie, so for another 25$ I got a 18"x24" cutting mat and upgraded to a 6"x24" fiskars ruler, both also from Walmart - the kit was worth it just for the rotary cutter, at fabric/quilting shops they run 30-60$ a pop!)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 4.</b> After laying out your squares as drawn in your template, pin together squares, facing good sides together... be sure the pins are pinned point toward the edge you start sewing from, that was pins will be easy to take out as you go. (Now obviously if you are more skilled, you can skip this step... I was not at the time....)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TD7dPeVHRrFrUkGlFPjv7z1pmbt4H8Gnyfzt4V7KjfDiaO3a50bVRRLI1d66fRMLiaJsKs-GIryC0llA8aF0HJPRpF2mTbylY39LpxcoYezReQbSIJZKJPKjO_PCcI5kO6wwwsIO9k1m/s1600/IMG_8581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TD7dPeVHRrFrUkGlFPjv7z1pmbt4H8Gnyfzt4V7KjfDiaO3a50bVRRLI1d66fRMLiaJsKs-GIryC0llA8aF0HJPRpF2mTbylY39LpxcoYezReQbSIJZKJPKjO_PCcI5kO6wwwsIO9k1m/s320/IMG_8581.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 5.</b> Once pinned, lay out all your rows in order like on the template... then start sewing the pinned edges of your squares together, referred to as "piecing" - leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kXWeNvRknaj8xOApmdUObSw4Qvuz6nWrGM1J6rHzq_jh2uGboSuFcdA6RnIwu8fTQPn-iGLrkrzj4DQgTS6g8CkY-uakfImtvRwziUvVBV7xfbURIDS6x7ROwMhI9Ls4bDZdowMu2-8h/s1600/IMG_8583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kXWeNvRknaj8xOApmdUObSw4Qvuz6nWrGM1J6rHzq_jh2uGboSuFcdA6RnIwu8fTQPn-iGLrkrzj4DQgTS6g8CkY-uakfImtvRwziUvVBV7xfbURIDS6x7ROwMhI9Ls4bDZdowMu2-8h/s320/IMG_8583.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PjsB8AbZft9m6nrWsFXTsEKSzrAaRRLvOkewr1tnL_RHadVem6XRIlCoCJkf3Kmqy7cfEcxGYSCTQN5ByqO3sWFDrgadQXP2cpZbSDJmmbGT6AS61t3MARr1jz0OOFnZFYfpAdt3IJV7/s1600/IMG_8585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PjsB8AbZft9m6nrWsFXTsEKSzrAaRRLvOkewr1tnL_RHadVem6XRIlCoCJkf3Kmqy7cfEcxGYSCTQN5ByqO3sWFDrgadQXP2cpZbSDJmmbGT6AS61t3MARr1jz0OOFnZFYfpAdt3IJV7/s320/IMG_8585.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 6.</b> Okay, Now you need your Iron and Ironing Board... once ALL the squares are pieced together in rows, iron all the backs of the 1/4" seam allowance down.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UGnwO4QefosI4BC0-df1YFnZ9NqPuIIsyTaDBd6iprS1pGc8LNu_32wmNNBAggyJOqHmXI7PgvsqBZPRVMnGSUt0Uwjnib-c_nl5xw2hezmOneg55nw5d_awaNB9U8gtYUfkekfs9bSA/s1600/IMG_8586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UGnwO4QefosI4BC0-df1YFnZ9NqPuIIsyTaDBd6iprS1pGc8LNu_32wmNNBAggyJOqHmXI7PgvsqBZPRVMnGSUt0Uwjnib-c_nl5xw2hezmOneg55nw5d_awaNB9U8gtYUfkekfs9bSA/s320/IMG_8586.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GAa5Fs3Q42nZoHpa32V22YQIlJ9HlWpsfrTuzJ-Mo8RpMxTGgZLsdm42SJHMNjibJVn1_4azi17qy-zHETEwFqqzUdoxVfNkLhl8dgra7B7DMP3cS85hOt6c-2OBmzyUgWaArsBUtiqH/s1600/IMG_8587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GAa5Fs3Q42nZoHpa32V22YQIlJ9HlWpsfrTuzJ-Mo8RpMxTGgZLsdm42SJHMNjibJVn1_4azi17qy-zHETEwFqqzUdoxVfNkLhl8dgra7B7DMP3cS85hOt6c-2OBmzyUgWaArsBUtiqH/s320/IMG_8587.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQGcsp9Z0EooOXjln9O4cbD9dmMtxJyi_XQeVAqILLSKnakaeHVJqu4_KatU-OP1lqb3qiFB_fRg7wRTFCO8NT066bCNVtmMnqaaEVvkh8Xh6E3qpduvyl3sdXvuox45_n9L6i6kr74I6/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQGcsp9Z0EooOXjln9O4cbD9dmMtxJyi_XQeVAqILLSKnakaeHVJqu4_KatU-OP1lqb3qiFB_fRg7wRTFCO8NT066bCNVtmMnqaaEVvkh8Xh6E3qpduvyl3sdXvuox45_n9L6i6kr74I6/s320/IMG_8588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 7.</b> Sew all the rows together in order either top to bottom or bottom to top, totally up to you here. I kept a close eye on my template so I was sure I didn't have any mishaps...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz02KT1Mo7TATdQH9KdUzNvMkS4j7I3_mWMqjFtf_7_tTC20WKw3lgAktThidfIUOlYyDFtTi-jIfT9jlnGaD-6uadzdy_BuYTVoXS41moiBvSKISyY1nvKbCFsE_GyN0juEVEILnTbGY/s1600/IMG_8590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz02KT1Mo7TATdQH9KdUzNvMkS4j7I3_mWMqjFtf_7_tTC20WKw3lgAktThidfIUOlYyDFtTi-jIfT9jlnGaD-6uadzdy_BuYTVoXS41moiBvSKISyY1nvKbCFsE_GyN0juEVEILnTbGY/s320/IMG_8590.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Again, Iron the seam allowance down......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSKtNpQSk73ztcrsKnT4Vzt889iMoPLc8Cc0Vh5qqEQG2hm9uLI3LS5usidjjkzNEEwbrdp3_VUNtbGvxkXClROGsJ_lCLQT91QOWxkEReoMBqGBWWSpxQjZO3H2LTBWyAXzL49dLlxI0/s1600/IMG_8589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSKtNpQSk73ztcrsKnT4Vzt889iMoPLc8Cc0Vh5qqEQG2hm9uLI3LS5usidjjkzNEEwbrdp3_VUNtbGvxkXClROGsJ_lCLQT91QOWxkEReoMBqGBWWSpxQjZO3H2LTBWyAXzL49dLlxI0/s320/IMG_8589.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 8. </b>Now for the border... Cut your border desired size, I decided a plain blue would be too plain so i used some yellow in the corners... attach the border around all 2 sides same way as you would sew the pieced rows together...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEHKOJFLss7w4SUqAkTi1sQM_K5KkUl8qHkf3cRicaHz8HZfdRbOoEhgYs-GdEsYWSVKUwLl0ZPsmfkQ2E6EBN9N5yKCw9lNXNaqv1MOa2WUJpq-qMf2rlWU7B_cen2WuHDca021AbIGs/s1600/IMG_8591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEHKOJFLss7w4SUqAkTi1sQM_K5KkUl8qHkf3cRicaHz8HZfdRbOoEhgYs-GdEsYWSVKUwLl0ZPsmfkQ2E6EBN9N5yKCw9lNXNaqv1MOa2WUJpq-qMf2rlWU7B_cen2WuHDca021AbIGs/s320/IMG_8591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ly9ZcYUSPT4mhdspLV-lcSCF6tdTYZ4PQBvpg6qbyjNTBV4Ga_u99QvDtZCJk5RPjaMJoZMMSxsdRyq2GSM0SU6sOvrUZEQSWL4vAl9jecNxB2vcIpb-ZitrTSWJRno2IKxUk1tsj89P/s1600/IMG_8592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ly9ZcYUSPT4mhdspLV-lcSCF6tdTYZ4PQBvpg6qbyjNTBV4Ga_u99QvDtZCJk5RPjaMJoZMMSxsdRyq2GSM0SU6sOvrUZEQSWL4vAl9jecNxB2vcIpb-ZitrTSWJRno2IKxUk1tsj89P/s320/IMG_8592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucp5B5NAJSFH5Snx-pMYmf3bLPyG3WylWjWMuT3qUWBH0qHiSLdA_WsxAtJyhkkytnXVslsD_ygLSB7zSpSQES0e2UC5P_lAALLoSIVAfSx0Gh-tlPyvINhYO55x4LJkAfrc1qbfUkZdW/s1600/IMG_8593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucp5B5NAJSFH5Snx-pMYmf3bLPyG3WylWjWMuT3qUWBH0qHiSLdA_WsxAtJyhkkytnXVslsD_ygLSB7zSpSQES0e2UC5P_lAALLoSIVAfSx0Gh-tlPyvINhYO55x4LJkAfrc1qbfUkZdW/s320/IMG_8593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your Quilt top is now done!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgX1muVhS1U1gph4YV0OPC5t6Pu5qJZj0emC3QjzNDhqztVsQawsH9pgyHCJibOcu6GaAVkpr0zoW7uPImdqlwCd_BMZf2KIqcJQirmI8i5GLYkh9xtDVPMO1LrA9Q_objYAaQQ6P1AZt/s1600/IMG_8594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgX1muVhS1U1gph4YV0OPC5t6Pu5qJZj0emC3QjzNDhqztVsQawsH9pgyHCJibOcu6GaAVkpr0zoW7uPImdqlwCd_BMZf2KIqcJQirmI8i5GLYkh9xtDVPMO1LrA9Q_objYAaQQ6P1AZt/s320/IMG_8594.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 9.</b> Now you want to make a quilt "sandwich" - lay out your backing fabric down on a large table or hard surface floor - you can tape it down - the put your batting on top ( backing and batting should be about 2" larger all the way around) then on top place your quilt top. Now there are many methods to finish a quilt from here, I am going to tell you how I did THIS one. Safety pin about every center of each square (about hands width apart...) catching all 3 layers together. Instead of 'quilting' this quilt, I felt I was not experienced enough at the time (and my OLD Janome was evil...), so I opted to use embroidery floss (MAKE SURE IT'S COLOUR FAST!) and sew each corner of each square through to the backing, I trimmed my "tied" ends so there would be no chewing on them from the baby this was for...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIZN-PKIJuXgGyi2jo_I4_dDCpqvRZb5TiUr5POqedTH_dIZvEaIovwP9m8JDA8bF-iCdhQGrBeIPVe2Il94QpI8CeObC5u0zkuLgRv9DuMFCA0fBTdb_wmjq6d9U0Dysw54kqxjE6lK_/s1600/IMG_8598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIZN-PKIJuXgGyi2jo_I4_dDCpqvRZb5TiUr5POqedTH_dIZvEaIovwP9m8JDA8bF-iCdhQGrBeIPVe2Il94QpI8CeObC5u0zkuLgRv9DuMFCA0fBTdb_wmjq6d9U0Dysw54kqxjE6lK_/s320/IMG_8598.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSjjPpg4B-81IMLCOAD9jYaPJWLonruH_5lMFAHcXk7ooiCM3ug7V5K6RwyCJFN1Rmb7M5THDgzD2oSOjM1sjU2il45_-zNfaepJe8X1QetF9GCtgyo_Si4jZPEqdQH9cMglabza8VTd3/s1600/IMG_8597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSjjPpg4B-81IMLCOAD9jYaPJWLonruH_5lMFAHcXk7ooiCM3ug7V5K6RwyCJFN1Rmb7M5THDgzD2oSOjM1sjU2il45_-zNfaepJe8X1QetF9GCtgyo_Si4jZPEqdQH9cMglabza8VTd3/s320/IMG_8597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After all the corners are stitched together, its a good idea to use the rotary cutter and ruler to even off the edges, and I like to do a basting stitch all around the edge to hold it together, this will save you when it comes to binding - if your lucky you might even have hair left after the next step....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmC2EGeCQxVty61hXsho8R2Ee7iDeYgERmbuJ0R04b74aZSE232t6p824-KH0NWqq3KJXuVIS7l-X7ZvufSzaGKkQGlnSbwyRAW6zgAxfWqOQW6PjNY5MphZZ_9_aKYr0sYA35HPmEtby/s1600/IMG_8599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmC2EGeCQxVty61hXsho8R2Ee7iDeYgERmbuJ0R04b74aZSE232t6p824-KH0NWqq3KJXuVIS7l-X7ZvufSzaGKkQGlnSbwyRAW6zgAxfWqOQW6PjNY5MphZZ_9_aKYr0sYA35HPmEtby/s320/IMG_8599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Step 10. </b>Now for the binding... This part I hated the most, I actually used Satin Binding, which you can buy in a package from Walmart or a Fabric store... it's around 6$ for a 4yrd package but if you are frugal like me, you can score a sweet bargain bin deal for .40 cents a package... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To attach binding just sew either a straight stitch or a zig zag (your choice, test which you think looks better...) and go all the way around catching on the top, the on the other side go all the way around stitching "in the ditch", basically stitching in the same stitch line as the top. You should know in advance, Satin Binding may be soft and lovely, but it is pure evil... it puckers like crazy as you can see, I had to do mine twice! You will need to mitre corners and if one binding package is not enough you will have to attach the pieces together - ok so I don't have a step by step for either of those steps, but I found a million online to help me - and hey gimme a break, it's my first time doing a tutorial, I'll do better next time, I promise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTcHas3hpLWlLhwAw-2T525h1gWVHVXOm-XyBHj6Yx7-vGWfeXzwa1OVF7UCG_vY5hGfH8xKRivPK7Yw4ILHfXMdx40RMnC1MbBA2q2lCRKOqKAjVHTAcXA3Ky5tddd13TcMc0otOqpYF/s1600/IMG_8603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTcHas3hpLWlLhwAw-2T525h1gWVHVXOm-XyBHj6Yx7-vGWfeXzwa1OVF7UCG_vY5hGfH8xKRivPK7Yw4ILHfXMdx40RMnC1MbBA2q2lCRKOqKAjVHTAcXA3Ky5tddd13TcMc0otOqpYF/s320/IMG_8603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWmK6o9O3OfsgQJXHzQpPiI7IXutYyosZhmOMH04FB-Ll1fgE_8iTpiXe1sra8al8jt10U5lBr6IgllPoOx0-fc66aXmn2gApEDLD92y7giQ-7oU_W2APi8P_Z5crNPcn4GkyyAIBPkdz/s1600/IMG_8604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWmK6o9O3OfsgQJXHzQpPiI7IXutYyosZhmOMH04FB-Ll1fgE_8iTpiXe1sra8al8jt10U5lBr6IgllPoOx0-fc66aXmn2gApEDLD92y7giQ-7oU_W2APi8P_Z5crNPcn4GkyyAIBPkdz/s320/IMG_8604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> How lame! I can't even find my great final pic of this project, I'll get back to you with it when I do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaziD-VhUHWRG4geBea4TAqEuCsn_0bDKNyheNhOEDN9y8jyF_Tc4aY9EibGaXwHv0ULlpcuYhT1_6yE3p8LPBV8sHJyvUFt2WknINpAEL_yZAj-0juEcfbAVvpF1pRaZUFbjuTvKN0XO/s1600/quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaziD-VhUHWRG4geBea4TAqEuCsn_0bDKNyheNhOEDN9y8jyF_Tc4aY9EibGaXwHv0ULlpcuYhT1_6yE3p8LPBV8sHJyvUFt2WknINpAEL_yZAj-0juEcfbAVvpF1pRaZUFbjuTvKN0XO/s400/quilt.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know it wasn't perfect, but my little nephew Linc LOVED it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Sewing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Courtney Soleil ;-)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091278775587243441.post-14373821448967163182011-01-01T21:46:00.001-08:002011-01-01T23:10:13.087-08:00Hello New Blog!Here it is, my first attempt at blogging! I think it is fitting to start the new year off right! I have been reading so many great crafty-sewie blogs that I just couldn't help starting one of my own. I can't wait to post all my crafty projects - I guess I have been preparing to start a blog for a while because I already have tutorials ready! I have been making everything from quilts to cup cakes this last while and I can't wait to share them - plus I have so many things I want to make still, my imagination is running wild!<br />
My Hubby just bought me a brand new sewing/Embroidery machine for Christmas (don't worry, I have pictures coming!!!) so now the sky is the limit! I hope to have guest blog/tutorial posts from others once I get up and running, and since my Momma is one of the most talented people on earth, I will definitely be showing off some of her projects - and hopefully once she becomes computer literate (if ever) she can start a blog of her own and share her own masterpieces. Stay tuned, can't wait for you all to see my coming posts!Courtney Soleilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130306005135657498noreply@blogger.com0