tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15771220004086627392024-02-07T14:54:30.865-06:00Learnin' to Talk TexanMeghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-14909965427452551462011-08-04T06:00:00.001-05:002011-08-04T06:03:08.534-05:00Let's grow stuff, ya'll<div>Now that I have a big yard I have finally decided to do something I've always wanted to do: grow a vegetable garden. (woo hoo, I live an exciting life!) I researched different ways to grow veggies and decided that due to the horrible condition of the dirt in my yard (i.e. clay mixed with sand), plus Rory's habit of uprooting all my plants that are planted in her reach, I needed to go with a raised and fenced plant bed. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also did some research and found a method that I thought sounded easy to follow and would almost certainly make me successful: <a href="http://www.squarefootgardening.org/">Square Foot Gardening</a>. It's a way of separating your flower bed to make it the most efficient it can be. Since I'm all about helping these veggies reach their full potential, I thought it was a fit. So now I'm writing this post in hopes of helping anyone else out there who plans to create a similar full-potential veggie masterpiece.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here is what I started with:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mWH_bIUJqe3iI7AugrdEfJ6peoK73nIig8Q81Qiw9rNValim2yJSvXczY8DuJf0DgYjOTbDJWeAqSwzHY7Ml8E55GEnRfb0feElJl4If4Lx0a7uh1dHIRJsNaUeRmspVlLNWZHOOIgjp/s1600/367.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mWH_bIUJqe3iI7AugrdEfJ6peoK73nIig8Q81Qiw9rNValim2yJSvXczY8DuJf0DgYjOTbDJWeAqSwzHY7Ml8E55GEnRfb0feElJl4If4Lx0a7uh1dHIRJsNaUeRmspVlLNWZHOOIgjp/s320/367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491300208710498" /></a>(2) 8-foot 2x6 boards (for the raised bed itself)<div>(6) 4-foot pieces of wood trim (for the grid lines)</div><div>Roll of weed barrier cloth (for the bottom)</div><div>Assorted bags of peat moss, potting soil, compost, and vermiculite (for "Mel's Mix")</div><div>Veggies (not pictured, but purchased at Dallas Farmer's Market for a steal!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I also started with this:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprh0w0YzOvkOUSy45wafgBxBekadtVfV9-ejC9yMl3imgAZ41u1ZDXRlDSOyZqd31uxzKX9DT1Rweq-cLBjrov_whnBa92xSgzFLZLxr_94XmJerYIWH9Q8yVkUxc7MM9Rr9b1nvuufQS/s1600/368.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprh0w0YzOvkOUSy45wafgBxBekadtVfV9-ejC9yMl3imgAZ41u1ZDXRlDSOyZqd31uxzKX9DT1Rweq-cLBjrov_whnBa92xSgzFLZLxr_94XmJerYIWH9Q8yVkUxc7MM9Rr9b1nvuufQS/s320/368.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491293935839538" /></a>That would be the remnants of my first attempt at composting, destroyed by the one and only Rory. It consists of chicken wire and metal corner posts, twisted into a disastrous mess of metal. This (after some untangling) will surround the bed when it's done.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started by cutting my 2x6 boards in half, giving me 4 4-foot boards for the bed. I then stacked them and pre-drilled holes for the screws to connect them. I saw this tip online to stack the boards and let the top one stick out further than the rest to allow you to drill through it. Then you just kneel on the pile to hold them all in place while you drill. That little tip made it much easier to do this drilling/screwing thing by myself.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T7YF9tem03Z20gLhg4L1x9lsI8lvrSsEya-xMbnW1bSSNIMy4xcfEN8obln9CjlZ-bvIfanqgnTQqz4EzoxVgPHJN9JzEKT_qKezPWKSZzmhUtGxE5T1C_cGidgZtp4v0Ye-aOOSnwlW/s1600/369.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T7YF9tem03Z20gLhg4L1x9lsI8lvrSsEya-xMbnW1bSSNIMy4xcfEN8obln9CjlZ-bvIfanqgnTQqz4EzoxVgPHJN9JzEKT_qKezPWKSZzmhUtGxE5T1C_cGidgZtp4v0Ye-aOOSnwlW/s320/369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491057899929874" /></a>Notice the kneeling whilst drilling and also simultaneously taking a self-portrait? That's what we call multi-tasking my friends! (because yes- I did this entire project alone. Construction and all. Go me.)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHQsys-xhXRAPs6C5lCi9grQcUg8fYSKp-G4tNxkosl9y_odWV0ZEcWRuwyInilvq2_gImY_L3cSSXlZoJN6UnZhBCwxFk9Lmc_NKVHaRJ1JuT6xzrdUTP-qJnIx-TNuizMvb-Vkq4dIM/s1600/370.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHQsys-xhXRAPs6C5lCi9grQcUg8fYSKp-G4tNxkosl9y_odWV0ZEcWRuwyInilvq2_gImY_L3cSSXlZoJN6UnZhBCwxFk9Lmc_NKVHaRJ1JuT6xzrdUTP-qJnIx-TNuizMvb-Vkq4dIM/s320/370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491052803563874" /></a>After all holes were pre-drilled, I screwed the boards together to make a square. Alternate your ends so that the equal sized boards all fit together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bonus- here's another "How do I do this by myself?" trick... At first I was struggling screwing in the screws to the board and trying to hold the boards at the same time. Then I moved over to my patio, put the board facing out (straight ahead in the picture below) against my concrete step, lined up the board from the side (facing the left in the picture below) on the end, and then screwed in from there. The pressure of me pushing the drill into the wood pushed the main board against my step and I was able to focus only on holding the other board to make a right angle. Easy peasy. (but of course I didn't take a picture of it. But you can figure it out)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gI-PEvO5xyLo1Ym8iIPhVTlpIxiHDZxWL-EcbXm1I5QZTIS5qp62HYTrJlw3uCdfJbe0O3_SAX2ILh3tVZr2qOwcRS_MVLwWWhC53sa6NvzngRkf7hl7n50JWCQpKR5SdoowBoGT1Rxx/s1600/372.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gI-PEvO5xyLo1Ym8iIPhVTlpIxiHDZxWL-EcbXm1I5QZTIS5qp62HYTrJlw3uCdfJbe0O3_SAX2ILh3tVZr2qOwcRS_MVLwWWhC53sa6NvzngRkf7hl7n50JWCQpKR5SdoowBoGT1Rxx/s320/372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491047427360994" /></a>Once all boards were screwed together, I had this frame: </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9q4kLmURWZpG0i0EOLJPbESs6L-M6eXhzKZzPjwf0sdy-1Q30wuZHZ1o2V99w08ijXYtP3DPtEbO9FWJuWNLYMRCIvUyD2nryxCusCd_hXKS08SuFMXnlV1QgRFUbpOLtwXl4a_xtMxp/s1600/373.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9q4kLmURWZpG0i0EOLJPbESs6L-M6eXhzKZzPjwf0sdy-1Q30wuZHZ1o2V99w08ijXYtP3DPtEbO9FWJuWNLYMRCIvUyD2nryxCusCd_hXKS08SuFMXnlV1QgRFUbpOLtwXl4a_xtMxp/s320/373.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491037652116834" /></a>Score. But see all those weeds poking through from below? Not gonna happen. So I covered the bottom with weed barrier and stapled it to the edges so that it wouldn't move. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take that weeds.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFgY6X4OnMvHtNjsj92rcfq9hscaJbYeNKKzEWda_YyEooBPFR96mIsOtjcO2pN5z9E3neDRYqSPDr7cX9Xci7qyXMJDmg2CNnee6JMumy0Hb374y94P64MHwtJg22C_Lx-TabbUSXjYP/s1600/374.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFgY6X4OnMvHtNjsj92rcfq9hscaJbYeNKKzEWda_YyEooBPFR96mIsOtjcO2pN5z9E3neDRYqSPDr7cX9Xci7qyXMJDmg2CNnee6JMumy0Hb374y94P64MHwtJg22C_Lx-TabbUSXjYP/s320/374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621491032225398450" /></a>After placing the box where I wanted it, I filled it with "<a href="http://www.squarefootgardening.org/whatissfg#!__whatissfg/get-started/vstc2=follow-the-basics">Mel's Mix</a>" of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 vermiculite. This mix is said to keep nutrient-rich forever and make your plants bloom amazingly. So there ya go, veggies. Nothing but the best for you.</div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnNfXK_BKgnWg3xVDy98L7J-5Bsz6JWZ61aphLRIcLKWQlcEdVHqeIPO1BDYYdfkbH2cgU30zJbX_875SpOXC960oXfZoaCP2McigkjtOYRUS7NZ0sZ79xzePI-z1bEiiRAY7YdT9yEmW/s320/375.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621489824461269282" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Now this is where the pictures get sparse... Originally I was going to put down a grid of wood trim (as the grid is the most important part of square-foot gardening). However, I didn't take in to account that a 4 foot piece of trim, fitting across a 4 foot square, doesn't leave much room for attaching it to the edges. Dang. So now what's my plan B?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I remembered that I had an old water hose out behind the shed that dear old Rory had chewed a hole through. (jeez- what am I raising? such a destructive hellion!) So I thought to myself, what if I could re-purpose that old hose into a new watering system while at the same time using it to mark the square grid?? Holy cow! What a great idea, self!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So off I went to get the hose and connect it in a grid-like pattern on my flower bed. Here is the best picture of said grid (post-planting, like I said- sparse pictures at this point).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ShTOISrokUM9GQZpIMbFK8lihbu15K0vmG9_C9ey5G4mP9jZ3TSpzgUimLpgalvKcKF6BqBic4TDTNgkvb8aTVDGuDaoNHJ6oL6umNZwdNMjxraCoqPMN_8TCS8kNrlq607-cns7xRsk/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ShTOISrokUM9GQZpIMbFK8lihbu15K0vmG9_C9ey5G4mP9jZ3TSpzgUimLpgalvKcKF6BqBic4TDTNgkvb8aTVDGuDaoNHJ6oL6umNZwdNMjxraCoqPMN_8TCS8kNrlq607-cns7xRsk/s320/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621490499787997618" /></a>I started with the hose in the back corner. I left the connector there so I could just connect my other hose whenever I wanted to water the veggies. I then used 2 nails on each side of the hose to help secure it along the sides of the bed where it "turned" to go in another direction. Then, once the entire grid was in place, I poked holes along the hose to make sure each "square" got some water spray- like a homemade drip system. </div><div><br /></div><div>I used the extra hose at the end to drape onto my fence/window boxes that are holding assorted herbs:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGUB-pbtmwcHOd5eGEgSIfUf6KQDkdmV4Da_hvYVN8xGx-CdfSnWX8irposVChTjZDEvVciY8808mpkordq6iuRtGM3p_1VQncJwBkKE8agXrs1kQsIGaLx88h7TFU-H2IBAkHZ0fW1vs/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGUB-pbtmwcHOd5eGEgSIfUf6KQDkdmV4Da_hvYVN8xGx-CdfSnWX8irposVChTjZDEvVciY8808mpkordq6iuRtGM3p_1VQncJwBkKE8agXrs1kQsIGaLx88h7TFU-H2IBAkHZ0fW1vs/s320/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621490497714094546" /></a>After all plants were planted (according to a spacing guide found online- sorry, can't find the link now), I added the chicken wire and posts to (hopefully) keep the hellion at bay.</div><div><br /></div><div>I planted Big Beef Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, Red Peppers, Sweet Banana Peppers and Jalapeno Peppers. In my herb baskets, I added Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary & Oregano.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few views from when they were planted in the spring:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O11HPUbaZSgMGfCl4j2lvGCLTjyBypdQuGXYGpu44zrgg_OBFsGPWjurvEXVzROZHgfK7WBI0FZaw7vzv1Yenss-A6zSv6sSjX0Z_kEw2ub5J2dbz8K-e4J22iKveI0bth9ZPR1enKL4/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O11HPUbaZSgMGfCl4j2lvGCLTjyBypdQuGXYGpu44zrgg_OBFsGPWjurvEXVzROZHgfK7WBI0FZaw7vzv1Yenss-A6zSv6sSjX0Z_kEw2ub5J2dbz8K-e4J22iKveI0bth9ZPR1enKL4/s320/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621490492224454866" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGRKVF41SeQ595x3Mhhcex3u9oxyk0-8RAE7POFaDz3TMalGPRiIy19NUVPnqS0Q0qDG0XNHX5rUCI7xbgfNqUkMCdR_SIvbfWiaRXyhrnPFziM4aIEiZeNbu6ag-20_EaZt-Y3GD6Cjr/s1600/012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGRKVF41SeQ595x3Mhhcex3u9oxyk0-8RAE7POFaDz3TMalGPRiIy19NUVPnqS0Q0qDG0XNHX5rUCI7xbgfNqUkMCdR_SIvbfWiaRXyhrnPFziM4aIEiZeNbu6ag-20_EaZt-Y3GD6Cjr/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621489820288399746" /></a>I also had a couple of extra plants, so I added them to these empty pots:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGQ-uPOX9X72ZznS2547PC0LnLT96kXTvcKqYCp-W05sK_2BR8tvRvZzX5L8FA2-X_LizSQ9upNJ6dCSFCSaf0OiH7ITaCRCi4G8albBoKRnYhy2OZx9j80jy8NZ0j5AKY-F7RAP9dFdh/s1600/017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGQ-uPOX9X72ZznS2547PC0LnLT96kXTvcKqYCp-W05sK_2BR8tvRvZzX5L8FA2-X_LizSQ9upNJ6dCSFCSaf0OiH7ITaCRCi4G8albBoKRnYhy2OZx9j80jy8NZ0j5AKY-F7RAP9dFdh/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621489814692641106" /></a><br /></div><div>LOOK! After a few weeks, I already have some peppers and tomatoes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzg4y16sQ7wBe8_FXKinmVJfAGHGq45JpcJScVZXAbU9vEVKJHbmS3pY4hCnwx9akd38t9MytBvixwp561dCbUHBNQh7lCOlgrvU9E94-bUcALm1yJSksmWm9tTnNEci11wAm0VFUeaeN/s1600/015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzg4y16sQ7wBe8_FXKinmVJfAGHGq45JpcJScVZXAbU9vEVKJHbmS3pY4hCnwx9akd38t9MytBvixwp561dCbUHBNQh7lCOlgrvU9E94-bUcALm1yJSksmWm9tTnNEci11wAm0VFUeaeN/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621489810035920050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxPagcm_nh4ALyUTKKNo_ClAtxoRSsKHo-ZdUFQlhH-wN6jcuzrKiuzP0_1gEzeLLmuH49da4JZXkasVNy2sS58r-_dz23M09VID15gD6NvPOCBSQopLFy8Bk7X-i5mmDbrViAs_CkAtI/s1600/014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxPagcm_nh4ALyUTKKNo_ClAtxoRSsKHo-ZdUFQlhH-wN6jcuzrKiuzP0_1gEzeLLmuH49da4JZXkasVNy2sS58r-_dz23M09VID15gD6NvPOCBSQopLFy8Bk7X-i5mmDbrViAs_CkAtI/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621489803023698818" /></a><br /></div><div>UPDATE: It is now August (I never posted this in the Spring like I meant to) and those little tomatoes and peppers you see above are THE ONLY veggies I got all Spring! It might have something to do with the Texas temps jumping from 70 degrees to OMG IT'S FREAKIN HOT degrees within a couple weeks. I was told that once the temps go over 80, I won't get any new veggies, but to keep the plants alive all blistery summer and then come fall, I'll have so many tomatoes and peppers I won't know what to do with myself. So here's to hoping. I've been watering them constantly to keep them alive and well (as opposed to the rest of my yard which has turned into a desert).</div><div><br /></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-50718848514839310182011-08-02T05:23:00.001-05:002011-08-04T06:01:13.956-05:00Quick Table Re-Do<div style="text-align: left;">One of my major recent projects involved rearranging my house to accommodate a new giant crate for <a href="http://learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/2011/06/welcome-to-family-atlas.html">this girl</a>. With a huge crate taking over my small dining room space, I was left with an empty corner and awkward space.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZuCZE_GV50SAZkfo9clpOeSlCLCnszU7Fc5t_kkGh2e-QAN3Zsj5fj8h9M30AwCE49ufHT4NMMH77PM4W4QHtadxeTlwbxSZYOrJjyJD0rDP97aRJ8SKj3EEN0bGokC6RX9rXySJfOBq/s320/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621487752495292818" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">why hello ginormous crate. thanks for coming in and taking over everything</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjeRsukWpbiAnFR6ioWeWcv45PUMI5b-Lehyphenhyphen_MLCNB2_3mnd-CLIQIjej7IZG4yf3a3KwujByz5qTFyg-WocBCn9eeT_jfndcLbWbySw6VECJ0-KIUH6gihHHZjnMGjdEqj0y0yW4hGuh/s320/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621487750229543010" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">oh no, I didn't want a dining room there. go ahead, it's all yours</span></i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I decided to re-purpose the space and add a new seating area. I wanted to find a chair and a small side table that I could refinish to add some character to the room. The problem? I wanted to do it all before my parents came to visit... which gave me approximately two weeks to find a chair and a table on the cheap, refinish them, and re-decorate the space. No biggie, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Enter thrift store marathon. I literally visited every thrift store within a 20 mile radius multiple times, and I had Craigslist on lock-down. It was rare if I went more than a few hours without checking for a table or a chair online, each under $20. (thank you, Craigslist for iPhone!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, luck was on my side. After a few stops, I found this beauty for only $4 at a thrift store! </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXmORv8lV0G_9KNMSJ_s6KRTqLEAZEjg-XoShib71VQIqbCLOz8B23b2z9drpzjx8Q7R17knMrCSsMKhxO9KiU-OdcypVGZ7rYXo95lUpJzjBrNjpMdvcJNji9z99JrlCRORdEgvqXqSV/s320/065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620617334830006722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div>She wasn't all that pretty, and she definitely needed to freshen up, but I knew that a quick coat of paint would do the trick! </div><div><br /></div><div>And Ta-Da! It did! I sanded her down and coated her with two coats of spray paint, and she was done.<br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNT1tQ7v5R4gR92_yjdc6ZKNr2TETSPEXwj0RKFmwxXarcbjVumCS26Z2up9WoxCxgTMII20nQi1v3b26l3VvdLQSvDV7DkO5YsoCqb9_9amHjzLgR29-2092-DSbagC010EHAJwtQReu/s320/066.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620617324321985026" />I am not a professional re-finisher (as I will prove when I show my chair re-do) so I know I didn't do this the correct way. I should have primed it first, and I probably should have done a clear coat or seal too. But I like to live on the edge. And by edge, I mean the edge of laziness mixed with "is this really necessary?"</div><div><br /></div><div>But she still looks great. I paired her up with my new found chair (story on that coming soon) and we were set to impress.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWCSUeBFPnIXoHg-tRY59PFXJ2amZk57azLBWM4dEg2DE3m4ofwTL72lvCvZbgZLrU0c18DRxiwUdgV2QtFoNlt8joZSlIzGoR0jAD0ms6MJe80GtzHo6f5HRj03qIaOC11lFK08qkqtb/s1600/003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWCSUeBFPnIXoHg-tRY59PFXJ2amZk57azLBWM4dEg2DE3m4ofwTL72lvCvZbgZLrU0c18DRxiwUdgV2QtFoNlt8joZSlIzGoR0jAD0ms6MJe80GtzHo6f5HRj03qIaOC11lFK08qkqtb/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620617353951972962" /></a>Look- she even made a happy home for <a href="http://learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-friend-armadillo.html">Mr. Armadillo</a>! Don't they go so well together?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70Xsu-npgV9E7y3tyzjXndNZabhf5kc259B7PEclCCDgdpoYbsvFKupUMvIu-L20zZubFazwT5PgFYHIGZ105ipmRAyM0YcOKoR09dZustEA975mdLxwD9bFEBLOX9o5pAs4JKAIm7gGK/s1600/001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70Xsu-npgV9E7y3tyzjXndNZabhf5kc259B7PEclCCDgdpoYbsvFKupUMvIu-L20zZubFazwT5PgFYHIGZ105ipmRAyM0YcOKoR09dZustEA975mdLxwD9bFEBLOX9o5pAs4JKAIm7gGK/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620617348393593570" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">A happy table, a happy armadillo, and a happy awkward corner. Perfecto.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">p.s. more pictures of the before and after space to come...</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-51869489061350242482011-07-01T08:22:00.003-05:002011-07-01T08:25:48.381-05:00Friday TunesJust a little musical inspiration to kick off your Friday...<div><br /></div><div>Have you heard the song "<i>Look At Me Now</i>" by Chris Brown, featuring Busta Rhymes? If not, please watch this video first and watch the words and get a sense of how crazy fast Busta puts out those lyrics... (sorry for the profanity... the second version is clean!)</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_p9I5ipJFs0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><br />Now watch this version. And pick your jaw up off the floor when you hear her do the Busta part... Famazing.<br /><div><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/khCokQt--l4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Awesome, right?? I bet you start practicing now... Find more of her amazing talent here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/karmincovers">http://www.youtube.com/user/karmincovers</a></div><div><br /></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-42496186713330161252011-06-21T05:35:00.008-05:002011-06-23T13:37:34.361-05:00Welcome to the family, Atlas<div style="text-align: left;">You already know we are dog people. Our two furry kids, <a href="http://learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-birthday-jack.html">Jack</a> & <a href="http://learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/2009/05/belle-of-ball.html">Rory</a> pretty much take over our lives. (and I'm actually pretty surprised that I haven't written more about them here...)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve04Jjhiqytvw1QNa17GIp4sgSVgC0uj_2HpC-X0TdV_TpnbOfL_cCj5l4rx6sfqIL26Goxv2i63Jzc3SNAs81YoBmk2WcJyNtuxMdcaC-XQyw_9rR8Kt7yWhdAfHqC2kJZUDnL8lnS4W/s320/roryandjack.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621482211988769378" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >proof that for 5 seconds, Rory was smaller than Jack</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We got Rory as a puppy and have experienced just about every problem you can face with a little wall-chewing, <a href="http://learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/2011/01/rory-me.html">turkey-eating</a>, fur ball running around under your feet! But we've also loved every minute of her growing up. We're cheesy like that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s3gJ6zxsDohnfYXmJ3bvB0cCDFwhi0Z1m8L3w1Iz5YdTXmdXXzjQIsrqT_a4U0ZxDgcojkFlGql8qIX61IkrKkKOHUenMAb7XFeRIvWOgGTu9O-ilpmG5rvKNPH0A_6nN2WqiUGm_sS0/s320/rorybelle.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621482993178232770" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >she's a goof. a BIG goof. and we love her.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We're also huge suckers for the huge puppers. Big dogs make us drool. But, since they can easily (and literally) eat you out of house and home, we can't commit to buying another one just yet. Instead, we decided to start working with a giant dog rescue called <a href="http://bigdogshugepaws.com/">Big Dogs, Huge Paws</a>. They are based in Colorado but are quickly expanding to Texas. We decided that we really wanted to be a foster home to dogs that had nowhere else to go. These gentle giants just need a place to live while they try to find their forever home. We went through the foster approval process and were finally matched with a dog...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everyone, meet Atlas:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M6Bt9wWVY0CGIoA40XGMQbwh1AlGdLynmMXytBNiIsZRswy-2ZNZykma28_iAoWT5rrqysyo6k99CmCeuMfJoPnxkbMWbYFnJ-U2xIwjJCusmQ1ZRz7EpfolKO-RVBuWlxbrSeaKvkUq/s320/069.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620620148050234306" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >just chillin out max and relaxin all cool (don't mind the dead grass)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>She is an 8 year old Brazilian Mastiff, weighing in at 101 pounds. Oh, she may look like a grumpy old lady (and she can be sometimes) but really she's a sweetheart looking for a new family. Her family had to move over seas and couldn't take her with them. Sad deal. </div><div><br /></div><div>We got her at the end of May. Literally the DAY before my family arrived. So if I wasn't already in a full on, last minute finish-projects-clean-house-get-groceries-do-yardwork frenzy, I was now. Luckily we knew it was a possibility, so our house was all foster-ready. (more on the total house re-arranging coming soon!) Surprisingly we made it through the family visit just fine (although my family chose to rename her Alice) and have gotten in to a good groove ever since.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is how Atlas spends most of her time:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uZkWkLCqnMBuJMc5YfJLDCPEU5uDpXomNueeXRzvJoduh3kXt50U8aBgmKpBaSByQEdg6jzC8Pkw_BcUrIS8xxBYMtZfjGUyi72lp4-5nPGBD1qeh16RcWbyjxSV5kL1dqhKz0Buaj0o/s320/atlastoys.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621484612912686210" />Sleeping on her bed with her toys. And snoring. Did I mention she snores? Loud. But I guess you can get away with that when you're old. I'll let it slide.</div><div><br /></div><div>What about you? Looking for a Big Dog of your own? Check out BDHP and take a look at the dogs they have up for adoption... you might find yourself a new forever friend! <a href="http://bigdogshugepaws.com/">http://bigdogshugepaws.com/</a></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-15278601705297041742011-06-20T09:30:00.004-05:002011-06-21T05:23:48.693-05:00My friend the armadillo<div style="text-align: center;">While catching up on some <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a>, I was inspired by Sherry's post on faking ceramic animals. She loves collecting white ceramic animals (awesome) but she shared a secret-- <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/09/something-crazy-happened/">they're not all real ceramic</a>! Oh, the power of white spray paint!</div><div><br /></div><div>She took this $1.99 frog from goodwill:</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXmfUQ02JLoZz2NAcuK_j7SWhYUUf5fPaTiauZkP_q2PEs6CBPItneTWsgYmEcS7dJhF50dg-ZmaC4uTxsYE0adkg0Mhy_xlCjhiBWX3tTr5maXkyTMIwIjIpbPUEOaDiNpWyIVTnM45h/s320/ceramic-frog-before.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273866448243490" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>and made it this!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiswQwrLkn6d743K2MxaV9THQO2QXqztIJPpTr6u2ZZai9DaWNH071JYgdeOS7PtqXrkqJsZlRPFI1ocvPq8gvDLQZKXYy-rf4lxatV17iEHcNy1098dSOsD7_LLH75VhsQBDyYp3Nk4S/s320/ceramic-frog-after-spraypai.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273759742333234" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">(pictures from Young House Love)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Genius, right? In one of those "why didn't I think of that?" kind of ways. So ever since I saw that post, I have been on the search for a cool ceramic animal that I can spray paint and add to my own home decor.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's when I came across this little gem:</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4ihk5zQb7iy6vkvGXgEmZ4HRF2pPXnSzVwZHovMaIxwc-wZRkDa2EUAbUKHSS_W3BaPB_wXoxFsvvaOSv4yE8R0f38OXOnK0ZoXyc7MUPvQ24W3vmqlk__NhLJYGTThW5mI8ecu0fcri/s320/038.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273154222078898" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>A horribly ugly brown/yellow/gold armadillo! Every Texas home needs an armadillo, right? Right. So I bought it. I'm pretty sure it was also right around the $1.99 range. So away he came, to a yard and some spray paint! Look at him, just ready to be made over!<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSpskxH3nYBQQqdS3OvFm29rGc-_xfVK2zylAh8RZSdaACU8BEm2TOaFKOHSyzQKWsAzdpaDqQkx7q0Et9ud9cj1L8sKu6akYmAoa0KEJQdrBJzVl1VKBA0dXmGEhM1QtXvoVWFnAFi2-/s320/039.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273139650182162" />I decided to go with Rust-oleum Gloss Pure White spray paint. It said it was good for all surfaces, so I figured it would work well on the ceramic surface.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokvkV3kX_n9qUCcfUnbpeAShik8dPBeJ3CSWUypQYJnoQ-7ZpaOTUbXVlpJHz_GlLH6GqGvfBpDkyhMlcfwzyyPHk3clKBcU46sKqfYtaqMUF69w0vfBArAEHYDM3iS6eOHXdoecqAo9C/s320/040.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273131625079234" />After several coats on the top and bottom, the little guy was completely covered, and completely transformed!<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw_0s-k-EBR5qxT0VG93sWDYNJEBZweL37SLtUbzYcBv5etIG9RAyfKopwEJtnokNQsHd7G2X9CpkZv18fFmThIseVc58_2Gt3p6faZCjgRvYQxFaBEJD_X8ffJwbeO_fXHMtu0G_OqvX/s320/041.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273127064664786" />Unfortunately, after the first coat of paint, I noticed a crack along his back that had previously been disguised by the hideous color pattern. This was pretty easily fixed with another coat of paint, as it filled in fairly nicely. Plus, it's on the back, so you don't notice it much at all (unless you're looking for it- which you all will now!)</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-EPfChbGrbl4xrAg25kn_vM3IHQcPI3DyygUgE-qkmA8TJkrLmeDF-J-i-S84k9gbC4NL3m5g-94d8qWF1F5cHAOyM2atQutELDwOjfrxz7cZdVtVwqdtRz9pHULeMJTz72Iki9S1O3L/s320/042.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618273125268489186" /><div>But now that he's all happy white, he sits comfortably in his new home. And I'm in love. And my house feels a bit more classy Texas.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC4T9a77e7Qbo04nV2vmEWXdMg-ZSTDEsVOzDsw3nZ2ypFDtb8Pmy99f420umEnFAIu5b7HRvdjV95fJP-nagG1y9SNH_GNAPU4STB22YGNTCPGeHdj-OVIJNpv5ah-KVAWQ88xCS-92j/s320/001.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619148030153137298" /><i>Hey, good lookin. What's cookin?</i><div><i><br /></i><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyRB4DoZzX0ZQETtqg8rJyIEKHSj3XcA03fzxgd5AE1UL4bthsY9apFWDQIJiRb_KMxvPErKRiZtullOw3EUycDKaQeMyFb4m50BxE4eWvpFZWESuZbVHEVft2D50ctHa2fmZ37hlB-KF/s320/002.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619148043232977810" /><div><br /></div></div></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-91118665525873539522011-06-16T08:00:00.000-05:002011-06-14T22:09:23.386-05:00Gourmet on the Go<div>Do you ever wake up and wish you had a Starbucks in the kitchen? Someone waiting there for you with a scone and an iced coffee? Well I do. </div><div><br /></div><div>But now, thanks to these amazing premade scones, I can have it all! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdZPuoCGj1R_W7zgxwfq7Z461y46dWVkM_HSFTrR58mKYP_cLAf6tngaP4BXn3j54lk0vcQHROMd-MOxb-Nbmof5owf2AKjw4pA263HMGfbLcPYkWWoHjlN3cduUiMwdGgh9P5WFw31HN/s1600/009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdZPuoCGj1R_W7zgxwfq7Z461y46dWVkM_HSFTrR58mKYP_cLAf6tngaP4BXn3j54lk0vcQHROMd-MOxb-Nbmof5owf2AKjw4pA263HMGfbLcPYkWWoHjlN3cduUiMwdGgh9P5WFw31HN/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618277210485626514" /></a>My friend bought them for me at Central Market and she said they have blueberry and cinnamon. They are just like Pillsbury biscuits that you open, plop on a baking sheet, pop in the oven, and BAM! they're done before you blow dry your hair!<div><br /></div><div>Pair that up with a flavored coffee poured over ice, and I feel like I just went through the drive thru in my kitchen!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx11sL7HnGdFfYGqnIDEst2oq_K47Mt7DxCb3EFmHYtV0d09JSHDjKVoOcdJbQNnHoMvYvon-Ysr13GNw2Ogw9U5kgqoF-9EQHRrBM6M2HwvOW3P2A_4VygKIIglEBLBquCEa6kUQcgBw/s1600/010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx11sL7HnGdFfYGqnIDEst2oq_K47Mt7DxCb3EFmHYtV0d09JSHDjKVoOcdJbQNnHoMvYvon-Ysr13GNw2Ogw9U5kgqoF-9EQHRrBM6M2HwvOW3P2A_4VygKIIglEBLBquCEa6kUQcgBw/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618277208529501986" /></a>Cheers to a good start!</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-67594657318674493512011-06-14T21:24:00.002-05:002011-06-14T21:47:23.663-05:00Lamp Re-Do<div>My favorite lamp had an accident. It wasn't his fault, but his shade just couldn't take the pressure (or the gravity) and it fell free from the frame. Poor shade.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look how sad it looks:</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAEWQvboTPudL081s0AuDTrH7X52vGLlcCsDns3uKc02vpyOgkUzayp2MlYB6jDqeH5ZnG29HPMFMGr2y56PqOjoX6rHUSXo2dFbJ6XH-zIwcbtEbqZFUd3KuTXuNCZO92wHbHzjVTA5v/s1600/004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAEWQvboTPudL081s0AuDTrH7X52vGLlcCsDns3uKc02vpyOgkUzayp2MlYB6jDqeH5ZnG29HPMFMGr2y56PqOjoX6rHUSXo2dFbJ6XH-zIwcbtEbqZFUd3KuTXuNCZO92wHbHzjVTA5v/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267902514961954" /></a>Pitiful. The top frame is what secures the shade to the lamp itself, so without it attached to the shade, there is just no hope. Of course the sane person would just buy a new shade. They're cheap, right?<div><br /></div><div>But not this girl. Mostly because I couldn't find one in the shape I liked, but also because I just love a crafting challenge! I was inspired by <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/09/nursery-update-keep-it-light/">this post at Young House Love</a> and decided to go for it and recover the lamp shade. I found a piece of the perfect brown fabric in the remnants basket at Jo Anne, and we were all set to get going...</div><div><br /></div><div>So I started with the frame and reconnected it to the shade. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwjCNghFhf4a9FNzZLVlHtilLx8JeWiCr00zVYq5xW7WXBoSIL9coiKxaG62P7K6zIVaZJ9zdvDnDBHt8bzmY2ZaB0dXs4k6IdseZ9sO4dFlOwDWUbcIMAP0g6u0-H5bEDLcs5Q06wWyg/s320/005.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267895984304146" /><div>I simply used masking tape because I didn't have to worry about it being too strong. I was going to hot glue the fabric over it and that would hold it together just fine.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqu3Brn44P4iqhyphenhyphenESenmZOz1ufquBZOJlBW3yuRPSvuKdvu0TG_8Rr6-CS5B71QG17gJL8ir-ryOMQOig_usbTKrQ3eY-TVNOQTFo2n1D0F3Su3Ww44_1IPcNbiU-hJrpoj8DUjLPjJcz/s1600/006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqu3Brn44P4iqhyphenhyphenESenmZOz1ufquBZOJlBW3yuRPSvuKdvu0TG_8Rr6-CS5B71QG17gJL8ir-ryOMQOig_usbTKrQ3eY-TVNOQTFo2n1D0F3Su3Ww44_1IPcNbiU-hJrpoj8DUjLPjJcz/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267890923146722" /></a>After several strips of tape around the top, the frame was securely re-attached. (I feel I should mention here that this lamp is purely decorative. I never actually use it because my bedroom has plenty of overhead light from my ceiling fan. Additionally, the fabric I chose is fairly dark, so this strategy may not be perfect if there was light actually shining through the shade. The tape may or may not create shadows, depending on your fabric choice)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VonpSJT4bVnaJgbtVBTpCBfTPz-EsssnP8fz4r_KNk1Iw4JMsi3epc_1uAtGv7JMi73LeLfMWCJlQxlUonR4rUhdWE0_vFRwlqghzu_-Ffzz03JPGjKwKYE-9YxDgmygs7-sVnJ2HV8J/s1600/007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VonpSJT4bVnaJgbtVBTpCBfTPz-EsssnP8fz4r_KNk1Iw4JMsi3epc_1uAtGv7JMi73LeLfMWCJlQxlUonR4rUhdWE0_vFRwlqghzu_-Ffzz03JPGjKwKYE-9YxDgmygs7-sVnJ2HV8J/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267887058522418" /></a>After I secured the frame to the shade, I began attaching my fabric. I started by running a line of hot glue down the seam on the shade, and placed the fabric on it quickly and smoothly.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3ImiDQUt6G9bBj0zNpLl_1Rw9UVMKuKFA63BU9Nsb2ABihAkS0Y5loRIXOvA2lh_V03rUII9HPuFTtQQzHbUo81skO857OMxIOLHjXKfED3iZz0_1WpqeqCNkArxavo_3d11SCn3xqiA/s1600/017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3ImiDQUt6G9bBj0zNpLl_1Rw9UVMKuKFA63BU9Nsb2ABihAkS0Y5loRIXOvA2lh_V03rUII9HPuFTtQQzHbUo81skO857OMxIOLHjXKfED3iZz0_1WpqeqCNkArxavo_3d11SCn3xqiA/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267877216154754" /></a>Once the fabric was attached at the seam, I pulled it taught all the way around and hot glued along the top edge first. My problem was that this shade was not perfectly tubular. It was slightly angled, so the fabric wouldn't lay tight and smooth. I had to slightly pucker/pleat the fabric along the way. As you can see, by the time I made it all the way around, the layers weren't lining up perfectly anymore. It's OK in this situation because there is no pattern, but if you are working with a pattern you'll want to be more careful.<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBXE45wAgafkAAZb6LBw2jm-wn2iqqL_6VOMzaCcUAs5q2ttKn9lcS6xEpgLqnlY6Rj495rv_U4ged9JpDh1Kq2aYs_JbTwPrTsbFCNKDfGYxuE1nzx027oElflVFmLuUTtZQhCqzl0de/s1600/018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBXE45wAgafkAAZb6LBw2jm-wn2iqqL_6VOMzaCcUAs5q2ttKn9lcS6xEpgLqnlY6Rj495rv_U4ged9JpDh1Kq2aYs_JbTwPrTsbFCNKDfGYxuE1nzx027oElflVFmLuUTtZQhCqzl0de/s320/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267532620240562" /></a>After it was laid out all around, I secured the inside frame edges with another line of hot glue.</div><div>(I should preface here, that this project would have been MUCH easier if I would have had Handy Man help me hold the fabric in place. But I was too excited to get it done and didn't want to wait for him!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbca-G6aKqnZYzi9kjCTxHn53ka0Q_ODELlpkphyZGKu2VQjQJGqYmKdikuFvEww18o6BJxSqPqcu74kEq_JcW22-5Cfp1DGUv2eWkfVYyxLDLIyx4DyTSozpE0VshFo6770E8Rd5b7V_4/s1600/019.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbca-G6aKqnZYzi9kjCTxHn53ka0Q_ODELlpkphyZGKu2VQjQJGqYmKdikuFvEww18o6BJxSqPqcu74kEq_JcW22-5Cfp1DGUv2eWkfVYyxLDLIyx4DyTSozpE0VshFo6770E8Rd5b7V_4/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267528928205010" /></a>After it was glued down I trimmed the excess around the edges. The fabric I used was not ideal, as it frayed a bit when you cut it. So I left a larger edge than normal, in case it starts to fray.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJ03TprEPaeLgeRw341ie9L74xAviezJmu64l_d_7tM1O-iTXPcCU_2XnFEt3Zim2VDWy8urgJz1UZ6BAfY_kXhwZeSRBATqvy4Q8w3_2SbAWFwBBB7vf6n7kDrAhAXI2hrUgvr3F1cGD/s1600/020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJ03TprEPaeLgeRw341ie9L74xAviezJmu64l_d_7tM1O-iTXPcCU_2XnFEt3Zim2VDWy8urgJz1UZ6BAfY_kXhwZeSRBATqvy4Q8w3_2SbAWFwBBB7vf6n7kDrAhAXI2hrUgvr3F1cGD/s320/020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267519051135506" /></a>Again, since this is a decorative lamp, and not exactly a functional light source, the inside seams don't have to be perfect. But I'm sure I could have done a better job trimming it than this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCnkk-IttpDxsi_KP-f7PH6vVYMstfuHJD6iqCxMUBWeiknARdInr1rHapNjNJ6NYI2Kr-D4dfYLLmOvGq4ep3dShbbqNePMt4NXmpV9HCyr5Q_l_7XGjM_d32dl_H4y74wKWI1kkgfQZ/s1600/021.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCnkk-IttpDxsi_KP-f7PH6vVYMstfuHJD6iqCxMUBWeiknARdInr1rHapNjNJ6NYI2Kr-D4dfYLLmOvGq4ep3dShbbqNePMt4NXmpV9HCyr5Q_l_7XGjM_d32dl_H4y74wKWI1kkgfQZ/s320/021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267510658540210" /></a>Ideally I would clean it up and/or add a finished strip along the inside of the shade, but I didn't want to take the time. It looks fine from a distance, and that's all that matters for a fake-on-the-dresser-just-because-it-looks-good lamp. Check it:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqsnu4u_GWvQatGOZhhLyBruIvCYP_xMYIpFLzBgBtSrHzBGQn_pRPFyGQSzbsRrAoI-RlVImZ587Axm1eiApPEK5rTwatsfuo1s5UJHb4GD5J9y_ENVFehRZP-ylnktZkJZ6TimNg3qN/s1600/026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqsnu4u_GWvQatGOZhhLyBruIvCYP_xMYIpFLzBgBtSrHzBGQn_pRPFyGQSzbsRrAoI-RlVImZ587Axm1eiApPEK5rTwatsfuo1s5UJHb4GD5J9y_ENVFehRZP-ylnktZkJZ6TimNg3qN/s320/026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618267505135100562" /></a>I think it works well! And it didn't take long at all. Those are the kinds of projects I can get behind!</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-78243534892534057842011-06-14T21:01:00.008-05:002011-06-17T06:36:22.561-05:00Empty Frame Gallery Wall<div style="text-align: left;">One of the projects I tackled over the last few months was the big blank wall in my guest room. This room is decorated in black and white and includes my (embarrassingly) extensive collection of Scottish Terrier figurines.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCPY8J1Bas84jU2JCcioCwdPneZKrthlW4jQjqnlwc2bBIrdCrHEdTjCPnXSgNJY4Y0_yZzqqX52WbScjNSo1dOA4owPC1utRWMnxJJyMRVhrdRYi9QCQK5Z_jL5A5I_EYzJ-oRJw15bu/s320/011.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619150797188939170" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02sLx-UB5kHl8DXYLeQy-YHZPIqx6RUzm1XaZY6XE9fPxX6WzxlbNOmfrfZx-OFXCZaqvrE95x2hBPNuyBndCuwp9R-30KN6v1uSkJOLN4qhJyLnSFd2tnGHI6GtRQWrxJ45bJNXJ-72h/s320/010.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619150800813608594" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The bed in this room is my old twin bed from growing up. When I had it, it was white with brass, but it was painted black when it was passed down to my brothers. Now it goes perfectly with the style and decor of this room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The only problem was this big, blank wall. First of all, the twin bed is off-center. That means that I can't really hang one large item over the bed or else the whole room will look lopsided. So I decided to use a recent design trend and create an empty frame wall.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRC9A_X20DRI2aRYKkj6_iT2bU4qvnmnpZQJF46BRTwkpU1xdCz9md2nWY2gc4IqzzPmP_wAACcfPtaeCpkClZdJG05QexILYbiS-VhJoAykIfeSKor7eba3P162p0pgYaHuQywAomJDy/s320/133.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261944472604994" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>So I started with this blank canvas and a variety of frames. I have been collecting assorted frames from thrift stores and the Hobby Lobby clearance section for a while. They were all different colors, so I gave them a quick coat of black paint, and "Ta Da"- they match!<div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PFMXKyQxkCl7pDu-BlQjy6qHjE70roG-ZlhOOgm88hTyrmazadlAiDBPOrGAod2szRKbcD0txMPV5kiFRczfMOh1hhUUIN2jA0Ol4Xfg7XVUUfg7xVBEWs-PU7jFqf-xi6MOGyXwXNyl/s320/036.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619149696308533602" /><div>Of course, I got ahead of myself and put them on the wall before I painted them all... I couldn't wait to see the layout! So the rest of the pictures show them in their original colors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>To start, I used a tip I saw somewhere online (probably from the Queen Martha Stewart or someone) and used a huge piece of white craft paper to lay out the design I liked. I simply measured my space on the wall, cut a matching piece of paper, spread the paper on the floor and laid out the frames how I would like to see them on the wall. </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2vVY-CZFti4tR_hJmo1CcSwW44ORkOsyXMVlXQ3Q50FA4T3nxzPGAnCuuyQAljLnOQTuHPHjYGkE7wN3eT6B5X2Y-S5JDXqfd-oUeIjYu-xPiRGO92tup1dNEihyphenhyphenQ3ME26bDmuTIJjR_/s320/135.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261936782747810" />After they were laid out the way I like them, I traced them on to the paper. I was then left with these outlines:</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPYU1DjCU6JgCm_YiyvxzsK1nXbqmuBQ-kCKKVA5piaqz3YbI9TqoXVArjkkLETuWG3Cqb6pPN8fTcxQHrVZDAmOrn7sfWb9OYlcSGQ6Evs46yDTU7VXoRX01x9bh4pIPdrIRZP0F84l5/s320/137.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261931412608610" /><div><div style="text-align: left;">Can you see them? I should have done them in marker so you could see them! But you get the idea...</div><div><br /></div><div>After having my Handy Man put some frame holders on the back (he's way better at measuring than me!) I was ready to hang them on the wall.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsMc50fv8PsY5jbWFS4SadiyZuJlPXbJ1K9eARiH_l2vXoj7ORtcGR0QHMd9WGSrp_UUEq2lwqWfADXG7bclvxgJT2ZKPsQKHovuwqBotEr6ZunQx0lh_ZY0BliMWy_Ua7drbuIL44F47/s320/138.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261601973553618" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I simply hung the paper on the wall using thumb tacks, and used the outlines as my guideline for where to put the nails for each picture hanger. </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgFiq3EnCRc3e_VHSpQJpyHhByTji4jAsvBI5zUGlyp8VeyefzUUqkPaoHY0HJPbWRutBW4GXzl_44QheEf1MMSgeW0pwrDClh9vTRj-K5pkHVXEZh_OorRC7K9RH4dOJKcFkdIJJ5tW1/s320/139.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261599474458082" />Is this angle better? I really should have used markers! </div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1C7VVWp3D08s29jSWSffLZZIAD-ZuesiExqzaZC7zN-pVael4gBUho8hygOyzM1bVo4BA-Iq-FBvr3wSTZhyfwIp-_uEiDosdBdbW0_eWWK2MbsbAticJiTzYUb8jqPw82IY4aLq_wOl/s320/140.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261595520981618" />After you measure the picture hangers and figure out where the nail holes go, just nail them right over the paper. Then hang the frames to make sure they lay directly over your original outline.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRYi-JrG6LHsLwS3TERZJikqN-i_rINld3Xv9-YY4CVWI892ddbG9ssw7B3Y3VsLZSlzo8ppHOwpdvQ-cQ27YS76TPP4ecdOtuiWnKGv-XPEwRc4qqlPGtbRSsUFUvSf9hQNaNWbzOGCJ/s320/141.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261593095271490" />Once all your nail holes are done, you can remove the paper and put all the frames in place. Here is what my wall looked like halfway through, before I painted all the frames and added a few more.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtga-aSJrxqq0xjcTtSpiN7V_ldQ-xXuK0v5TBG_593ncA498Ejv2CznBrRxrVs2KsR6zUp2JGIFICzwWhLPoXb_Ll149GLmdr7Mr7zmEHf4rXHUkxbo_Tw9xsvaiLPAYJwjLzyN2ozQBh/s320/143.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618261584898922482" />Here it is now. I still consider it a work in progress, as I can keep adding frames to fill the whole wall if I want. I really like adding the few little touches to the frames to make them more interesting.</div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pY20rGFAcXKM9Ca2T_9_YnT-Qn4jJTPX7wDHAyfzPlEDjikNCR8u3t09huDj3qScS7TUZI98bztJdZDAM5HWh9uL6_rzWTwFKDz3qKF-bJx9tznIRDAKArl9N5_vp9Wdcd3HzKe_4ynS/s320/008.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619149989991312274" /></div><div>I especially like the book I hung with a plate hanger. Super easy and a great way to display a collectible book! This would be so cute in a kids room!</div><div><br /></div><div>So now the black and white room is a little more complete. Take that off the list! (or at least mark it "half done")</div><div><br /></div></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-60658344042175858402011-05-27T14:02:00.002-05:002011-05-27T14:13:24.689-05:00FUNKYou read that right: I said FUNK. That's what I'm in today.<br /><br />I thought I would have a chance to catch up on the blog in the past few weeks, but boy was I WRONG! May has been crazy!<br /><br />My family (mom, dad, and two brothers) all came to visit me for 5 days last weekend. While it was great to see everyone, it put me in a tailspin the two weeks prior to their visit as I tried to clean and finish up a million unfinished projects around the house before they got here(which of course means that I have tons of upcoming material for the blog!). But all that frenzied activity has made me tiiiirreed! I woke up cranky this morning and I can't seem to shake it.<br /><br />So I turned to this little dude, who instantly changes his mood with a little "Dog Days are Over":<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BnBau6fL8S8" frameborder="0" width="640" height="390"></iframe><br /><br />I love that he gets all cranky and starts whining until he hears the song start again. Everytime I hear this song, I want to break in to a dance similar to his!<br /><br />So here is the full version of the song for anyone else that is having a FUNKY Friday! Let's turn it back in to a Feel Good Friday!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iWOyfLBYtuU" frameborder="0" width="640" height="390"></iframe>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-5290220901516527762011-05-09T21:07:00.007-05:002011-05-09T21:30:51.983-05:00Spring has Sprung<div style="text-align: left;">While I was away from the blog, I completed a lot of projects. I'm going to try uploading a bunch of them now that we're back and running, but they may seem a little out of order. Since there has been a back log since St. Patrick's Day, I hope you'll stick with me if I seem to jump from here to there!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr2cb4vM1G7388AVTgm7XEJDusrAJWLPgaHjHgpEIrNqEhuCNz8Itw4jM6rCO02XBhxjmsasqV1OBC427c6_kzMtvE3TnuzPE88L8A6YtPSCGa4qVHE6886V4uw_hGuO46gwFEV0WGhVJ/s1600/photo.JPG"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKU7aQO_XgnZkPavwOB89-YLIl_9uMUxmIXVKXfcrUO3HjtQyuHW8zySMb68mDL_Uz6B3JBR6Ai9eVSLKlUXtDnuJvXq4Tz0XyxSoj1HFubG7mvfi1GPseOmhglW1DKnQKa5GVo1yrMtH/s1600/photo.JPG"></a><br /></div><div>First up is the centerpiece I created for Spring/Easter. I used things from the Dollar Tree and the Target Dollar Bins to put together this super cute Spring display:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea9HcSlSvN1ZadexILQfo6eD3O4RrsSIeqJlN158UlnDpjd2mHYBkHicRHdXvhooD74wydbhfJhz_FGb2iGULrnEatJ0FXmfE_155KlGI7xjJ9oMcYgGefunLHkqLOtQtbhKoYDpoRN4D/s320/155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904887848940930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>I bought the basket at a thrift store for $1.99 and filled it with floral foam from the Dollar Tree:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo1hCk7kkwikYYa_9h-VEij-7n17AiDwjXUO5Hv7iSwHrMWs6-MnFW-HBnOtkS7nL6eTxCrhLXcv_GD-uXM7nYxzCuZT-xOt3qk-aYglXdYUJeO_nRHtObvPyUx18bxBjRppD8hOUfbci/s1600/149.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo1hCk7kkwikYYa_9h-VEij-7n17AiDwjXUO5Hv7iSwHrMWs6-MnFW-HBnOtkS7nL6eTxCrhLXcv_GD-uXM7nYxzCuZT-xOt3qk-aYglXdYUJeO_nRHtObvPyUx18bxBjRppD8hOUfbci/s320/149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904283410643330" /></a>I even left it wrapped in the plastic packaging to keep the mess under control (floral foam sometimes tends to fall apart pretty easily when not wet). I used three rectangles for this size basket, cutting one in half to fill the two ends.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeFrF41Im1lP-i1ibBU-zGElk06mk-CAjmIwlW7wc-CEDcx4Mqwlh7iM-hVriry0KeskQCtYBvKhu4BDinX1AciQmBT8t8VlUq952mrMX10L6RXwqVBJ25ystwceMVvsR5yqYQ6WDnLMA/s1600/150.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeFrF41Im1lP-i1ibBU-zGElk06mk-CAjmIwlW7wc-CEDcx4Mqwlh7iM-hVriry0KeskQCtYBvKhu4BDinX1AciQmBT8t8VlUq952mrMX10L6RXwqVBJ25ystwceMVvsR5yqYQ6WDnLMA/s320/150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904120842956498" /></a><br /><div>I found these cute bird houses in the Target Dollar Bins. They are supposed to be decorative plant stakes for your potted flowers, but they work great for this project! Just stick them right in to the foam:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAt0U8H7ziR1UYNbiWzlxHy0hj5nRsUgpm08-3L6pCdArq8lHupafps_iDkenAcxTAOOCkEY80mw4Nqmlz8PiMrKATwas7AaSNBLI3SS4IsriW_eDUNB9Hh_8NQ37dUX1vXDpQFq6PhxL/s1600/153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAt0U8H7ziR1UYNbiWzlxHy0hj5nRsUgpm08-3L6pCdArq8lHupafps_iDkenAcxTAOOCkEY80mw4Nqmlz8PiMrKATwas7AaSNBLI3SS4IsriW_eDUNB9Hh_8NQ37dUX1vXDpQFq6PhxL/s320/153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904116661162754" /></a>Along with the floral foam, I also picked up some flowers and birds. These came in a three pack, so you get even more bang for your buck. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S6oN8iOo9zT54CFBvKg7mZhuk1cgjWtdvZo0Lzl8nM5boA8nlLgjXgmHeViIzFEjRvYLqzGZabehZ7LjfexueMM6zPuv_S4FfSUop30SVeMynydqLxswxjO_FRVc0WpjSzI2bRXTdA1n/s1600/154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S6oN8iOo9zT54CFBvKg7mZhuk1cgjWtdvZo0Lzl8nM5boA8nlLgjXgmHeViIzFEjRvYLqzGZabehZ7LjfexueMM6zPuv_S4FfSUop30SVeMynydqLxswxjO_FRVc0WpjSzI2bRXTdA1n/s320/154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904116279599266" /></a>After sticking the flowers and birds in the foam, I covered the entire surface with floral moss (bought at Dollar Tree). I didn't glue it down, but it would probably be a good idea if you want to save this for future seasons. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyPetTmvUZrhqww853UULPY-HmyUx5XRzRVZE3qjygEPIA3XXX4ye0qH5jYBBgJoIykSpGNu7ad_3ZyXubmaQCrEaZuXOtpGGH6NnDr_sHzrEeTdc4CDhYDcai5YKOhEXppfcTTFf-bHZ/s1600/159.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyPetTmvUZrhqww853UULPY-HmyUx5XRzRVZE3qjygEPIA3XXX4ye0qH5jYBBgJoIykSpGNu7ad_3ZyXubmaQCrEaZuXOtpGGH6NnDr_sHzrEeTdc4CDhYDcai5YKOhEXppfcTTFf-bHZ/s320/159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904113548856786" /></a>When it's all done, it looks so cute! I put it on my seasonal dresser display in the living room, but it would also be cute as a centerpiece or on a mantle!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYIS9KKW4JFXKxHpL5SZgkZfqsDv9FlXIv5cc_LglfavIa89L43jIB9ZoQMFCJAnxkXibBphFQFDlPNIdWmzwrZbe2rzXvrqGPqQQ1AobCPQA5p0IkWWlmT5DvU1O8L-qXKrHvTTC42Ls/s1600/156.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYIS9KKW4JFXKxHpL5SZgkZfqsDv9FlXIv5cc_LglfavIa89L43jIB9ZoQMFCJAnxkXibBphFQFDlPNIdWmzwrZbe2rzXvrqGPqQQ1AobCPQA5p0IkWWlmT5DvU1O8L-qXKrHvTTC42Ls/s320/156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604904110166139522" /></a>I also found this square picket-fence box at the thrift store and used the extra plant stakes to create a second display for my other table. I can't decide which one I like more- the basket or the picket fence! Good thing I can display both!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw0Ln6X65W_JQuCQAkX38M0WqJ4u6Z5veChqtoNjUyPX80hA7rbxnDSwjqys78FRZq5cMQYn7vWfinwgJLrqQgwPt6JP3dTkgxOzRRy_oAaICTSvR9GRrdYdyYj7GFuKCBCnc_7T6Fs8y/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604908670344533026" /><br /></div><div>(P.S. <i>Sorry about the poor picture quality! A new camera is at the top of my wish list!!)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>(P.P.S. <i>I don't think these items are available in the Target bins anymore so I'm sorry if I just inspired you to create something that you can't... but just wait until next year! Now as soon as you see them pop up in the bins, you'll already have a plan of what to make</i>!)</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-65229497627429682762011-05-09T20:23:00.003-05:002011-05-09T20:32:13.602-05:00Let's Move!<div>I am a huge fan of the First Lady's new campaign called "Let's Move," which encourages kids to exercise as part of a healthier lifestyle.<br /><br />The campaign recently had a big boost in popularity when Beyonce wrote and choreographed a song for kids to learn and use as an exercise. Kids in elementary schools across the nation learned the dance and performed it as big groups at school functions. The song is pretty catchy, and the dance is easy enough that anyone can do it! See below:<br /><br /><iframe height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-sN5VALvrVE" frameborder="0" width="640" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br />I think this is a great idea and a fun way to encourage kids to be more active. I always love when celebrities step up and use their popularity for good, too. Way to go, Beyonce!<br /><br />Here are a couple of links to videos showing the First Lady, Michelle Obama, doing the dance, as well as Beyonce surprising a group of students at their school:<br /><br />Michelle Obama: <a href="http://youtu.be/LHabSqxjsEQ">http://youtu.be/LHabSqxjsEQ</a><br /><br />Beyonce: <a href="http://celebrity-gossip.net/beyonce/beyonces-lets-move-school-surprise-502391#ooid=13OW1mMjo3NIOhgXJQeyySIkkFNTtopK">http://celebrity-gossip.net/beyonce/beyonces-lets-move-school-surprise-502391#ooid=13OW1mMjo3NIOhgXJQeyySIkkFNTtopK</a></div><div> </div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-57047859870567958822011-05-03T18:19:00.010-05:002011-05-05T08:06:06.586-05:00I'm Baaaack!Oh my goodness- I can't believe it's been so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">loooong</span>! It's hard to believe that March 11 was my last post- not only <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">because</span>, hello??? It's <em>MAY</em> already! But also because- has it really been <em>that long</em>?? Man. Time flies when you're living in chaos! :)<br /><br />But seriously, between working some big events at work (<a href="http://www.strokersdallas.com/2011/02/spring-fling-2011/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.strokersdallas.com/2011/02/rick-fairless-charity-golf-tournament-3/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.strokersdallas.com/2011/02/texas-motorcycle-expo-bike-show/">here</a>) and my laptop completely crashing in the worst way, I have had such a hard time getting back on here to post!<br /><br />Let's start with the laptop crash of 2011 (as I will now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">infamously</span> refer to it). We've been struggling with my poor, old laptop for some time now. I bought it in 2006 when I moved to Texas, so it's a good 5 years old (which is ancient in laptop years). It held on well for me through most of it's lifespan, but it really took a dive there toward the end. It caught a virus that we just couldn't shake, and it was all downhill from there. I was in the middle of some pretty heavy research one night mid-March when it finally decided it had had enough. It locked up and shut down and refused to cooperate. When I took it in to Best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Buy's</span> Geek Squad to diagnose the problem, even the "Geek" had to laugh at how bad it really was. (Oh, you want to put in a CD to check the hard drive content? Good luck- this little laptop will spit it right back <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">atcha</span>!) His recommendation: get a new laptop. Awesome.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602636044759008322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQt2fpvo5l292HX_HZFfofjVnn3yCA6T1Bxo59cZYGAz5bMKVP_lzFkPA-UnWv1_N_0QFj8If55Lu-CZ_4FQnsGGdIR4EaBVZIBCz9mug69OWo7xyUkC7oL2XTnJ3XG0DUmWpV048irmt/s320/HP-Pavlion.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />So a couple of weeks and a nice hefty Best Buy bill later, here I am on my new HP Pavilion Laptop. I love it so far and I can only hope it treats me as well (or better) than my now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">peaced</span>-out Gateway. Although there is still hope for that old guy- he's back with the Geek Squad now, trying to get made back into a shadow of his former self. If he comes out alive and kicking, the rest of the family will have a computer all to themselves! (and no sharing for me!)<br /><br />So now that we're back and ready to roll, I've got quite a bit to fill you in on... I've done several projects in the last month that I can't wait to share, and made more decisions about the future of this blog. Being away from the blog for so long showed me how much I really do enjoy writing on here. I may struggle with what to share from time to time, but the important part is that this little space on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">blogosphere</span> really gives me the chance to put it all out there! So here's to a refreshed start and some brand-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">spankin</span>-new content coming your way! Let's go!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602636954185584386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SoiHg8quCvdNTcvQQ4imQ45cuCemTk8k2yJIvR8ewGSo16s-1WowHdwguLaLBKJDLmXYCYdOxdbvNri885aY7gHfBQqRnoHf4ovxEx78m5o6PZJIZWtAF7-L-3XSggsHrKqT-wrbGEP_/s320/luckenbach.png" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">(consider this a teaser picture of a future post about our mini-vacation!)</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-29564548745980506732011-03-11T07:36:00.002-06:002011-03-11T07:39:46.974-06:00Friday TunesJust a little song to start your day... this one always gets stuck in my head, so for that I say "You're Welcome."<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V58E50YUqSk" frameborder="0" width="480" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br />I also recommend that you turn your Pandora Station to "Forget You" by Cee Lo Green. My hair stylist had it on the other night and it's perfect.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-10653304016394544332011-03-08T17:53:00.002-06:002011-03-08T18:03:29.510-06:00Quickie Craft, St. Pat's StyleHere is a quick and cheap little St. Patrick's Day project for all of you non-crafters...<br /><br />I found these super cute bamboo placemats at Dollar Tree. They would be super cute on a table alone, but I wanted to do something a little different...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ1YPVGC3q6UX8Zio3SvNtMyhYw7RZ09fwmWFRR4UKMOYsAQPk3PdvHN6fd0WmUhg074AJVD40cf-mF_YJvkOs6PEgdVsGnLwuJli7wzcujLdCf_cGdaaoJ47DNTUulVgzG79bea-PUpV/s1600/stpats3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581862878074295522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ1YPVGC3q6UX8Zio3SvNtMyhYw7RZ09fwmWFRR4UKMOYsAQPk3PdvHN6fd0WmUhg074AJVD40cf-mF_YJvkOs6PEgdVsGnLwuJli7wzcujLdCf_cGdaaoJ47DNTUulVgzG79bea-PUpV/s320/stpats3.JPG" border="0" /></a> So I bought several of them and used the non-crafters key to success: Duct Tape. I taped together four of them to create a table runner. They line up right next to each other making them easy to connect:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Zy0bbNkWynsx7Zknmr595acuiBFxIY91XL8g45aEZamNrRbtI_-k-hMDFMBTKhizSfxIIIWUS5NoBOUtPiwhyFQTMJEQGf4BQCVNmcWnVr-L6ayuekXT42FgerwtJrzNQpE1kgxx-H5/s1600/stpats2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581862872879477634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Zy0bbNkWynsx7Zknmr595acuiBFxIY91XL8g45aEZamNrRbtI_-k-hMDFMBTKhizSfxIIIWUS5NoBOUtPiwhyFQTMJEQGf4BQCVNmcWnVr-L6ayuekXT42FgerwtJrzNQpE1kgxx-H5/s320/stpats2.JPG" border="0" /></a> And that's it! Now I have a cute table runner and it only cost $4! Another cheap score!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_juie94BWGh7aRTXE_CzatgHfp-YuYOrZQO5Kf2z6NBWt66PsIkpNAQPWz5uG1Gy1NVoA3DCnv2b21SVWeNeI3vX1CYj8AmMn7KRpvbcG4_LsRHzeEOCUf71ub_Zvt8JM6_Q-dHJ5Jin/s1600/stpats1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581862867262238274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_juie94BWGh7aRTXE_CzatgHfp-YuYOrZQO5Kf2z6NBWt66PsIkpNAQPWz5uG1Gy1NVoA3DCnv2b21SVWeNeI3vX1CYj8AmMn7KRpvbcG4_LsRHzeEOCUf71ub_Zvt8JM6_Q-dHJ5Jin/s320/stpats1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now what to put on top of that table...???<br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-65282725861725101482011-03-04T08:58:00.002-06:002011-03-04T09:01:07.120-06:00Winning, DuhJimmy Fallon never ceases to amaze me with his impersonation abilities... watch this video he did as Charlie Sheen and tell me he doesn't sound JUST LIKE HIM! He's so great...<br /><br /><object height="283" width="384" align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="_cx" value="10160"><param name="_cy" value="7488"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://widget.nbc.com/videos/nbcshort_at.swf?CXNID=1000004.10045NXC&widID=4727a250e66f9723&clipID=1308280&showID=243&siteurl=http://www.nbc.com?vty=fromWidget_Video&dst=nbcwidgetNBC Video&__source=nbcwidgetNBC Video"><param name="Src" value="http://widget.nbc.com/videos/nbcshort_at.swf?CXNID=1000004.10045NXC&widID=4727a250e66f9723&clipID=1308280&showID=243&siteurl=http://www.nbc.com?vty=fromWidget_Video&dst=nbcwidgetNBC Video&__source=nbcwidgetNBC Video"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value="000000"><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://widget.nbc.com/videos/nbcshort_at.swf?CXNID=1000004.10045NXC&widID=4727a250e66f9723&clipID=1308280&showID=243&siteurl=http://www.nbc.com?vty=fromWidget_Video&dst=nbcwidgetNBC Video&__source=nbcwidgetNBC Video" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" width="384" height="283" align="middle" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><br />He cracks me up. I would love to spend a day with him! <em>(Heck- even an hour or a minute would be great!!)</em>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-24464177727545103172011-03-02T21:44:00.006-06:002011-03-02T22:13:17.586-06:00Happy Home-iversary!This month marks my 2 year anniversary with my house. It's been a bumpy road and an adventure like I never imagined, but it's been worth every penny (literally!)<br /><div> </div><div>Oh, house, remember how we started?</div><br /><br />Your horrible lack of landscaping... or grass... or even dirt...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579695927869571330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf81tQf1-GRVfO-GFrCj6NqqPP7tNQErQt04MSfkkgN9sAwDJgf60R0_K27w846jbCMITm5RJ0dKvHmqSfHzNHZQAdlGGxNQ_1tc5TO4m0AOXp_I26p3-DOykjZdrlrVyV0mWslE-0O8KT/s320/100_1324.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="left">Your desperate looking side-yards <em>(Oh, Hey Jack!)</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579695934584154834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlQWilBaSnes5SyHhuF-E7dyEK1NbD-OyzaFFhgtsn9ESF0dutOyG6GMTYRV5oR9xQgAInzOjAhkzPeCi8MNmX8qChRUwgWzTC82iJ682boAMqN84Fo-IpAqgw3w51PY4jqMW0_W0maxa/s320/100_1314.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And even worse backyard. <em>(why did you ever think those cement flowerbed borders were a good idea??)</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579695927088047682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gD-7tFXUAUYXS0H5K52Q4AdseiBcDPHB5NFy348wFgZuOBcF90z40vn8-IylYBHHZAid6nSc2HatP6y2Xhu_yjHDbXYHIc3m4b2mldFBXB0-Nse8LQFqkfEBHZf12iq4zW7ZdRpr2ybM/s320/100_1320.jpg" border="0" /><br />Our sad attempts at planting sod in patches <em>(Who were we kidding? That was a waste of time! Good thing Rory looks so cute to make this picture worth it)</em></p><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj7SIn9XUudMsgV4s2YapNWOKDK7C6PCF12M59hRn3G-Zc_FDdn7ayBeLazOOycFNZUzeiJ0cjaNKOQ4Yo8NEYpA-7FTv9IfFy3fbM8Qbh5sUK_jwjqiLyW9sQopaeORhtOLn-c884OSu/s1600/100_1630.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579697302704229970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj7SIn9XUudMsgV4s2YapNWOKDK7C6PCF12M59hRn3G-Zc_FDdn7ayBeLazOOycFNZUzeiJ0cjaNKOQ4Yo8NEYpA-7FTv9IfFy3fbM8Qbh5sUK_jwjqiLyW9sQopaeORhtOLn-c884OSu/s320/100_1630.jpg" border="0" /></a> Remember your lack of appliances and awkward kitchen space? <em>(no pantry? empty window space?)</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnDkW-5bTaYAQaeFMjVr6qew0oWhX6kYdDDnbTzoBkFNn21-e3W7xYu_MpRsMJybTZ2HENVAGdKoGLbBzx_6GaC-g7QPFaLgl7o34teMX14MM7SZBlX8ase2twnZqSPm4MNr45UHFxLx6/s1600/100_1326.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579697297774516498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnDkW-5bTaYAQaeFMjVr6qew0oWhX6kYdDDnbTzoBkFNn21-e3W7xYu_MpRsMJybTZ2HENVAGdKoGLbBzx_6GaC-g7QPFaLgl7o34teMX14MM7SZBlX8ase2twnZqSPm4MNr45UHFxLx6/s320/100_1326.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What about when we filled that empty kitchen space with a HUGE fridge that cost more than I should have spent <em>(and yet I don't regret it for a second. LOVE my fridge!)</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii44u1vv1eyeozpA9buvGE7AnT0CCHR9v6ovWxA8k4f3h7WibQT29O9_azz8GkW4PjxcvOj1kz1Rw59dBuxLw9tGeLC3H_lj9Mq7yN4XvJzjGp5axJ0v8_wU8vz2MOLdBUadL28N9M5GTi/s1600/100_1518.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579695951776902562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii44u1vv1eyeozpA9buvGE7AnT0CCHR9v6ovWxA8k4f3h7WibQT29O9_azz8GkW4PjxcvOj1kz1Rw59dBuxLw9tGeLC3H_lj9Mq7yN4XvJzjGp5axJ0v8_wU8vz2MOLdBUadL28N9M5GTi/s320/100_1518.jpg" border="0" /></a> What about your disgusting carpet that I refused to walk on?<em> (nasty- you should be ashamed of yourself)</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EM3bTM5efaRl42S8U_NR_HANCj8Bxwthcu6sSlVzI5Nv-CD-wJze8XWlF5bL_3haHh4UxvqXMniByM5O8NV2lCKq6P9as_gsUg_rOMp5PN1Qq_TBBpUSw6V7E54UHOkPC39kdKSDXXPH/s1600/100_1331.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579695937939719058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EM3bTM5efaRl42S8U_NR_HANCj8Bxwthcu6sSlVzI5Nv-CD-wJze8XWlF5bL_3haHh4UxvqXMniByM5O8NV2lCKq6P9as_gsUg_rOMp5PN1Qq_TBBpUSw6V7E54UHOkPC39kdKSDXXPH/s320/100_1331.jpg" border="0" /></a> Good thing I replaced it all and repainted the rooms before moving in! <em>(I won't hold that against you anymore)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579698384105423730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ9toV7gEZ-bfVeym-hTCRz89c8zui004qFwSet3tBOQ0yYvyLdg_hZy4oIz44sHfVh5fibJwLNjl2MZa_x1gJoMYk9-D4S5Zvbceb1YHodsxME71bjG8Xz8DmVhdctGnQeYWvnnnVPpm/s320/100_1514.jpg" border="0" /></em><br />Oh yes, it's been a long road of updating and decorating and yet we're still not even close to done. Wait until you see what's next...</div><div> </div><div>But before we go, how about looking back on some of our "firsts?" Remember when...<br /><br /><div>We hosted our first theme party and indoor camp out?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579697312700344338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBugUWyHkjDpce6mxMWJD1INFv6ErWKUpNJ5v-yswXeE67ks3SpC3_u7v9j8eghiPK2EAxqgt5yWVFeHKDcLPxVtzxVvKs_ph6jrog-YsiuFtEN5NT0Ez1wSln1jO5PR_KDxF_e0udtlY/s320/Copy+of+100_2689.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The aftermath of our First Thanksgiving...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579697316464394530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwIiNgBQq42sLRNDu234mULBwRdnUZe3-gsjZVSRVqzMJDs5KbylqJaC8_-03WVL_WWujnLcKP2V7opJiZylLP0bErpcVjNguacxeTgJpRW6ZrE-noEC5KGkOzUnldIvo_JBoWmjboAyw/s320/100_2715.jpg" border="0" /><br />Our First Christmas...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579698389871250018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQclpIzVOanQAB2l802JUjb2CXqzSxDa92HT_EOkCWrSyvodKdeA49ESNLvokAYE6pPzj9b1cEP2JfMZAd7J6BZlRvaOxQ67OGklSOyGCtbv6HZKqZ1RkH9RsoG5H5sXjtbDxJxlsr_Ms/s320/100_2721.jpg" border="0" /><br />And our first record-setting snow...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579697326800728626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_YLPDTXUmaZs6QY8QE4CfrlklffWKwxAFofdTQgJZEx70jtSwC7ST00kkmTWaRy9yj4rumQm1Ldnzd6c1DhbJhI7Jx5WP6X-8VBG_nRTw-fW_HwThLV-LqY2UmnBmtC13VV921tpUpg3/s320/100_2931.jpg" border="0" /><br />Oh yes, it's been an adventure. I can't wait for the warmer weather when we can get back to business and start a few more projects on my list! You'll love it, house, I promise.</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-52277109015173991102011-03-02T21:19:00.005-06:002011-03-03T22:07:28.089-06:00St. Patrick's Day WreathAfter putting a hook on my door at Christmas, I've found myself wanting to put a wreath up for every holiday!<br /><br />This month I obviously wanted to Go Green and make a festive St Patrick's Day wreath. I found everything I needed at the thrift store and the whole project only cost me $5!<br /><br /><br />I started with a stack of assorted green t-shirts, all priced at 50 cents-$1.99 each.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwoz822ekgK-PN_CIgnSqcFDzrh6Tk10cCtRG7U8nVZCLDXt2cDdSQtrxVUYAkVbEED9uj2xrwRraChClHzGalKwWAV1XvcjmkACA9P2nRcjQKvOYy4sHy_8yPKZrw6E7Vbv0olROnw06/s1600/100_4579.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579690040617053938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwoz822ekgK-PN_CIgnSqcFDzrh6Tk10cCtRG7U8nVZCLDXt2cDdSQtrxVUYAkVbEED9uj2xrwRraChClHzGalKwWAV1XvcjmkACA9P2nRcjQKvOYy4sHy_8yPKZrw6E7Vbv0olROnw06/s320/100_4579.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I also found a couple of wreath forms that were 50% off 99 cents! Score! I bought 2, but only used one for this project. I'll save the other for next month! <span style="font-size:85%;">(<em>Notice the background- yes, I did this project in a laundry basket to minimize the straw that would end up all over the floor!)</em></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689826289802002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsPMpsXTJjiF9drjXxqQkzynyL8JYU8LZbOeX3nvsfQwHdv69A-HN39tN1zooefRf8lFCsVikFUJNVlc64yeVJqKI6ZlxedBcOKqryC5VObfuU7vwgMP-whunwDNW-vNVPTS211-7SZJf/s320/100_4585.jpg" border="0" />I started cutting each t-shirt along the bottom hem and continued to cut it into one long 1 inch strip, all the way up to the sleeves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkihHI5NJ9wwlT_6WrC1BUDdUWdWbAHxzLrNfcshkZw3H1X8OWlxkqf1xW8DsZiulXbvyAxyro9dDoqUnquGlQmhMZfFow0uiMqAdbygxxUVw5f8LxsAkqPz67pwI8YmEckbMcFVZ7U8S/s1600/100_4582.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579690037380270338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkihHI5NJ9wwlT_6WrC1BUDdUWdWbAHxzLrNfcshkZw3H1X8OWlxkqf1xW8DsZiulXbvyAxyro9dDoqUnquGlQmhMZfFow0uiMqAdbygxxUVw5f8LxsAkqPz67pwI8YmEckbMcFVZ7U8S/s320/100_4582.jpg" border="0" /></a>Keep cutting until you have a pile of green strips! <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(this is after two of the four shirts I used) </em></span><br />After I cut up each shirt, I took the strips and cut them into manageable lengths, approximately two arm spans long. I'd say cutting them in to 4 foot strips would be perfect.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-vtTgqFu6k1IVR3m0UmXbsO31FzZ3n08gSyAMl_oKhH7biGzt3CCRuP0wTSg5IlHPrRq9ljm-8RwUYaqisipv2aU1u8HuoQru66W29_rEBb5RotDjI3kO97TmRKf6e_IhwSopx5diVe3/s1600/100_4584.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689830352682434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-vtTgqFu6k1IVR3m0UmXbsO31FzZ3n08gSyAMl_oKhH7biGzt3CCRuP0wTSg5IlHPrRq9ljm-8RwUYaqisipv2aU1u8HuoQru66W29_rEBb5RotDjI3kO97TmRKf6e_IhwSopx5diVe3/s320/100_4584.jpg" border="0" /></a> I used a straight pin to hold the first four strips on to the wreath. After pinning them down, start randomly wrapping them around the wreath, alternating directions and colors.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQUwilEybGyGnOUyVDbIMJKWPY7EVkYEjlWvGyNsCUjn94RjjWjfRfk6y6Dbxs_5RlGy7i1C3H3XsveGk8zX1EQZrOjaMIUrdQJkFoAUAuAZdCi06SpMJN1vFQ7HF0VFe_EtkOMD7HabA/s1600/100_4586.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689822033500530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQUwilEybGyGnOUyVDbIMJKWPY7EVkYEjlWvGyNsCUjn94RjjWjfRfk6y6Dbxs_5RlGy7i1C3H3XsveGk8zX1EQZrOjaMIUrdQJkFoAUAuAZdCi06SpMJN1vFQ7HF0VFe_EtkOMD7HabA/s320/100_4586.jpg" border="0" /></a> When you reach the end of your first strip, pin it to the wreath form to hold it in place. After the first few strips are pinned down, the rest of the strips can be tucked under existing strips and no more pins are needed.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689810969905058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wFMWIu8xkLESxno_-JBDuYlfkQOD1c_RFN1QV9FCqexYAawg854yWTOspoMJraaDn9UzrV7puooxNTHEAp64xofdtZyxzS7h63BgxrRzOR1Gci8stlZu0FppF_UJgitncL_3dnln6WJI/s320/100_4589.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Continue wrapping and alternating until the entire wreath is covered and the colors are the way you like it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKx80R7JFpVCopxEA2h4hMKY696tXISEO-RYONxa9rqbFe2_yJQVCvrtYHMs-pQuk9m5v1i-496L7-SUgGMTb_1H0WpB1t0YZispGv5lO78fP96Dmcja-4hrf-6GDjcmS2NTp7mr1BI1E/s1600/100_4588.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689817110677026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKx80R7JFpVCopxEA2h4hMKY696tXISEO-RYONxa9rqbFe2_yJQVCvrtYHMs-pQuk9m5v1i-496L7-SUgGMTb_1H0WpB1t0YZispGv5lO78fP96Dmcja-4hrf-6GDjcmS2NTp7mr1BI1E/s320/100_4588.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I like the way this looks, but I thought it needed a little something else, so I traced out a shamrock on one of the shirt scraps to add some flair.<br /><div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CBcv56Yc0SUP5lROtNHpWw_lfJioiNBur5XHNRWOF88YgGak2NClI5ALV9OFkO7gruEPAk2fsjr05LCFb56oXepN1qHTIKZSuuEvwhjYG-nT4koPfwqXY8bEaA33sJ18A7q0NeL_g1TC/s1600/100_4590.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689342614814034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CBcv56Yc0SUP5lROtNHpWw_lfJioiNBur5XHNRWOF88YgGak2NClI5ALV9OFkO7gruEPAk2fsjr05LCFb56oXepN1qHTIKZSuuEvwhjYG-nT4koPfwqXY8bEaA33sJ18A7q0NeL_g1TC/s320/100_4590.jpg" border="0" /></a> I laid out the shamrock and started lining the edge with hot glue. I twisted the extra strips and glued them along the edges <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(yikes! flash wash out!)<br /><br /></span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN48NCHRbI6hBVGhPprO55hAn077QCKnvE-FJ_DU6aBDaPXhSWC79q10ceg1EzvbAQyUzwP-96dJx2yyidvkcn9GDjV2sroDiMIv8pjlVGQYsXxLZE5j_QZu3yvXluUvNoGlXgSpsiXjn/s1600/100_4591.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689336723823042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN48NCHRbI6hBVGhPprO55hAn077QCKnvE-FJ_DU6aBDaPXhSWC79q10ceg1EzvbAQyUzwP-96dJx2yyidvkcn9GDjV2sroDiMIv8pjlVGQYsXxLZE5j_QZu3yvXluUvNoGlXgSpsiXjn/s320/100_4591.jpg" border="0" /></a>After making it all the way around the shamrock I filled in the remaining sections with smal twists of fabric<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUGM6PxXel70jIbId1invAK9Puz52JYujHTF4U6PeQivydrec223smuDRaJYt85aI3SzPiKSMToCIivOA-MIb3qy1Nz9rLKy_U2J7Hh91xEnRUmYaOPB1grvHe_znSk8orj-w2iLLcX8A/s1600/100_4595.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689331607362050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUGM6PxXel70jIbId1invAK9Puz52JYujHTF4U6PeQivydrec223smuDRaJYt85aI3SzPiKSMToCIivOA-MIb3qy1Nz9rLKy_U2J7Hh91xEnRUmYaOPB1grvHe_znSk8orj-w2iLLcX8A/s320/100_4595.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once it was done I pinned it to the wreath and it was ready to hang!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8V46ZYWKmM5Y9gd6KqrS4J9Umn6snr7KOxk-dllVK_H96hHN1Jao7rygpIevkLBgNv5R2UeKJcS4QfV7SpvemvE74cO7vpIBPaPDxAns9DBlQC6FCqcnElHu3HYoeH88XvXCvTkOePVVV/s1600/100_4599.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689326092452578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8V46ZYWKmM5Y9gd6KqrS4J9Umn6snr7KOxk-dllVK_H96hHN1Jao7rygpIevkLBgNv5R2UeKJcS4QfV7SpvemvE74cO7vpIBPaPDxAns9DBlQC6FCqcnElHu3HYoeH88XvXCvTkOePVVV/s320/100_4599.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Of course it was dark out when I finished, but I had to hang it and get pictures right away! I was so pleased with the final product and happy that it was so easy and cheap!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEE4yy2rdI2R2c-Eh73C50_hmwZXcirTThyjNfQV7iRKn4QCBNqt39e4HG4zSvL5IJZyWQdgNDTliHsPz7VgYYOc-AJFc2B6yC_UP59sf2ruDIevxE9oWcLJUBLH38O_pMiC1sCQ-LIQA/s1600/100_4606.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579689325181318274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEE4yy2rdI2R2c-Eh73C50_hmwZXcirTThyjNfQV7iRKn4QCBNqt39e4HG4zSvL5IJZyWQdgNDTliHsPz7VgYYOc-AJFc2B6yC_UP59sf2ruDIevxE9oWcLJUBLH38O_pMiC1sCQ-LIQA/s320/100_4606.jpg" border="0" /></a>Total cost:</div><div>wreath form: $ .50 </div><div>t-shirts: $2.00</div><div>$ .50 </div><div>$1.00</div><div>$1.00</div><div></div><div>Total: $5.00</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Sweet!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br />Linking up:<br /><a href="http://thecsiproject.com/" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Visit thecsiproject.com" src="http://thecsiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/thecsiproject.com-logo-150.png" /></a>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-63465455633527558662011-03-01T08:39:00.003-06:002011-03-01T08:54:07.468-06:00Charity Golf TournamentAnyone out there a golfer? Want to help a great cause while hitting the course?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579121386511576018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PJvOTRy9a_TxwYngiklvmRvHg46J3rS0POeNCY0ZHq4qv6rHN5PyL8Sml29GDPwH-z8VEK86z1d3nfDSIfss7eN20PSZbxNLqRYMIt4l7wx80nuRpNFIXqh3j9OXfWH-Ulx9h5BvpSOW/s320/RF+Golf_Info_2011B.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>Join us for the Second Annual Rick Fairless Charity Golf Tournament on March 31st at 1:00pm. We will be golfing at Riverside Golf Course in Grand Prairie and it's only $100 per player. All money raised benefits Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.</p><p>For the $100 fee, each golfer is able to participate in the tournament, gets a goody bag, is eligible to participate in contests to win prizes, and gets a free meal at Strokers Ice House after the tournament! It's great fun and raises money for a great cause.</p><p>For more info, visit <a href="http://www.strokersdallas.com/2011/02/rick-fairless-charity-golf-tournament-3/">http://www.strokersdallas.com/2011/02/rick-fairless-charity-golf-tournament-3/</a> or email me at work: <a href="mailto:meghan@strokersdallas.com">meghan@strokersdallas.com</a></p><p></p>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-72014807012196899962011-02-23T21:12:00.004-06:002011-02-23T21:28:06.199-06:00I must confessI've had a bit of a blog identity crisis lately.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I (try to) maintain two blogs. This one (Learnin to Talk Texan) started as a way for me to share my thoughts, likes, dislikes, and anything random that came to mind while I learned to live life in Texas.</div><div></div><br /><div>Then I started <a href="http://www.memorabledetails.com/">http://www.memorabledetails.com/</a> as my event blog. That would be my place to share all things partying and entertaining, which is and always will be my passion (and hopefully future profession). </div><br /><div>Unfortunately, my interests and hobbies started taking over and I couldn't figure out where to put what. Crafting? Home decor? Cooking? Gift ideas? What to do? What to do?? Am I still "learnin' to talk Texan" per say? Does my blog need to be less random and more organized? </div><br /><div></div><div>So I have come to this conclusion: <a href="http://www.learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/">http://www.learnintotalktexan.blogspot.com/</a> will continue to be the place where I share random thoughts and lessons learned while living as a Texan, but it will also be my place to share my experiences as I live and grow here- including my adventures in crafting, cooking, and general life living. I will keep <a href="http://www.memorabledetails.com/">http://www.memorabledetails.com/</a> to events and entertaining only. Will the occasional craft or recipe show up over there? Sure- as long as it applies to a party or event.</div><br /><div></div><div>This should keep me a little more "organized" (I use that word loosely) and a little less split-personality-blogger-like. </div><br /><div></div><div>Hopefully you will enjoy the randomness that is my life, and will stick with me as I continue to "Learn to Talk Texan" through crafting, web surfing, home remodeling, cooking, and life living! I would love to have you follow this blog and comment to let me know what you like and don't like. Come on Y'all! Yee Haw!!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577092388506067154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2WZNJWCDJaEvV79OhhXOdRWkm9MdfjglUXefnDm8SKG73HRwd1E2EvLegY_H6eDxJjXrIAmOiB_Q-eySauOGPM0jeM3p8fK2dvcVhpyypiMPyGrRaaYnqvjaTDsnMIkucr4tAx1tsgeU/s320/100_4018.jpg" border="0" /> <div>...and if you need a little party inspiration, please check out <a href="http://www.memorabledetails.com/">http://www.memorabledetails.com/</a> too! And become a follower there too! Cheers!</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-18297330429103281562011-02-22T19:02:00.002-06:002011-02-23T21:49:23.041-06:00I dance the Irish JigNeed a laugh? Check out the human ventriloquist:<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/htU6qYsLsEE" frameborder="0" width="640" height="390"></iframe>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-71655623308588796562011-02-17T18:43:00.003-06:002011-02-23T21:28:31.573-06:00Tilapia Done Right<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbGiaDkCOpllN3rPYz91n4GkISWz9Mdo-YwXD36iQA23vAzCppoztriMDCtSfzOxxkGpdDGJDvM_6lpcUJZEXxsav3w9Nkt8p1uesqIE8n_mWxy371UdXv2qKJxxjopDisua7Eu_1Yi0u/s1600/sandralee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574826794103648594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbGiaDkCOpllN3rPYz91n4GkISWz9Mdo-YwXD36iQA23vAzCppoztriMDCtSfzOxxkGpdDGJDvM_6lpcUJZEXxsav3w9Nkt8p1uesqIE8n_mWxy371UdXv2qKJxxjopDisua7Eu_1Yi0u/s320/sandralee.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I must admit, Sandra Lee got it right with this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/crispy-crunchy-fish-and-chips-recipe/index.html">Fish & Chips</a>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Try it. Love it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Also do yourself a favor and make your own tartar sauce with equal parts Miracle Whip and Sweet Relish. That's it. No need to mess with perfection.</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-679279296642138672011-02-15T12:10:00.002-06:002011-02-15T12:15:26.177-06:00iPhone loveI finally jumped on the iPhone train and upgraded from my old internet-less phone to a new, shiny iPhone and I. LOVE. IT.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573981367091823474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-XqsT-GzgjX6i9QE3qcluAP9Gi-RKBbCREPgrfUg7eEYsqga8C43sAVMn4kn8AqBw7cpfjLFbulAc-LGgtXCbFug-ERNPug1IBY1jDu5brrtjoO6F8NucwL74-PTYXeyDG2Fu-eddGrg/s320/iphone.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">(<a href="http://wp.appadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/iphone-3g.jpg">image credit</a>)</span></em></p><p align="left"><br />Seriously, how did I go so long without one? Of course there will be people who say a Blackberry or a Palm or a (insert cool phone name here) is better, but I am completely satisfied with my new iPhone. I didn't even upgrade all the way to a new iPhone 4. I actually went with the (much more affordable) 3gs. It has plenty of bells and whistles to keep me occupied!<br /><br />I've only gotten to play with it a little bit so far and I haven't downloaded many apps yet.. any suggestions? What's on your iPhone that you just can't live without?</p>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-11015929383548077852011-02-11T12:45:00.004-06:002011-02-23T21:49:38.394-06:00Fort Wayne, my hometownFort Wayne, Indiana rarely makes national news. It's a small town that tends to keep to itself.<br /><br />However, a recent debate about what to name the new government building is creating quite a stir! Many people want to name the building after a past Mayor, which seems like an honorable memorial. But is that really their motivation? Or could it be because the Mayor's name is Harry Baals??<br /><br />Let's see what Jimmy Kimmel has to say about all this:<br /><br /><object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pOU7NthjM6c?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pOU7NthjM6c?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-46506081936026486022011-02-11T12:32:00.003-06:002011-02-11T12:45:49.495-06:00Can I take a sick day?<div align="center"><a href="http://www.uniquesquared.com/blog/796/knowledge-base/vanishing-midi/attachment/sad-dog_l/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572504827329290834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv5tJj0mbfIEz9LtlbPWr5vurBfRy6aPcYxqvpu2yIyZJIio6chYoSSzl0EmoxbiT6xfJD8xVPojA2PQR9ZZ_s7Ycsp0e_Ly8WTpuQxV8fUegriPMUHvXsDA54icGV3KbcNHvyuakTypw/s320/sad-dog_l.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"> (</span></a><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.uniquesquared.com/blog/796/knowledge-base/vanishing-midi/attachment/sad-dog_l/">image credit)<br /></a></span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Oh my, I have been in a FUNK for the last two weeks!</div><br /><br />I've had a cold that I just can't shake, we've had record setting low temps here in Texas, and I have constantly felt exhausted! What is going on?!<br /><br />Unfortunately I have let this funky funk get in the way of my fun and I haven't blogged in forever- on here or on <a href="http://www.memorabledetails.com/">http://www.memorabledetails.com/</a>! So I promise, by Monday, I'll get over this feeling and try to get back to normal! It's no fun being quiet and boring.<br /><br /><br /><br />In the meantime...<br /><br /><br /><br />Have you heard about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52AOPQvCTv4">this football game in Grapevine, TX</a>?<br /><br />Looking for a good fish recipe? <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/crispy-crunchy-fish-and-chips-recipe/index.html">Try this one for Tilapia Fish & Chips</a>. I almost died, it was so good!<br /><br />Are you a golfer? <a href="http://www.strokersdallas.com/2011/02/07/rick-fairless-charity-golf-tournament-3/">What if it's for charity</a>?<br /><br />Looking for a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/02/white-and-dark-hearted-brownies/">cute & easy Valentine's Day treat</a>?<br /><br />Happy Friday!<br /></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577122000408662739.post-91052551960403744282011-02-01T15:08:00.002-06:002011-02-23T21:29:18.990-06:00Snow Day in TexasAnother freak snow storm hits Texas! This time it's all ice and sleet. Check out the damage it did to Strokers Dallas:<br /><br /><iframe class="youtube-player" title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kXiOIpsgubU" frameborder="0" width="640" height="390" type="text/html"></iframe>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387549234559309990noreply@blogger.com0