tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40797692840279189522024-03-04T23:08:33.186-05:00Curly Willow DIYA blog about home decorating, crafts and travel. Join me as I decorate our new home in Florida on a budget.Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-38567122721602941062012-03-20T19:50:00.003-04:002012-03-20T20:35:26.821-04:00Spring It OnHappy spring! It's the first day of spring so you know what that means. Time to freshen up the mantle!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130635238632514"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AGncK9GasRt6CO3-Pw3ZOVy8Vg5N3hF3-8sOeEu0-pZYcDADTRLdSmtQiiWMz71Fn6vK5DKL1K5lHtVSEL6I14qOFa-5_jbVcULIozFtCJ6uYNGHUmi4udFW448eix3gYOMUHjkohGI1/s640/19.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130682588319906"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1E92gSMvk2-7790Dz0CFh9V_XO0HyskZ6d33pud4M59JkC_yAvsSsduEWxYnmItk-SUdw9GtnhVQixwMUUrdHyZd55cAYMaWMejdfkooS_6_9rDlsCJIguEXYTQ9FkCzTPlA7ZPXPOUy/s640/20.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
I'm keeping the look light and airy. Silver mercury glass candle sticks and turquoise mercury glass birds are the right combination. I used the same candle sticks I always keep on the mantle. So far, I've used them on both the fall and Christmas decorated mantles.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130733670409026"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkqWYa-V9Sx15E4MxJDTfWXWOtLH_UT4wVt8u566mygBxV4C2231WlcNPqC_8fnDCCj0W2ix927kdoJkssUdDIKGrVpVo4xPmb-N2AD8O61J_NYDIq-Z9vkiVyegVcm1MjO6JbVR7SVkV/s640/22.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130769084746354"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6q8rNUTXUVDdkmDHpHWsYmXAN5Y9mPAPtQqSKAXgsbEirdimIRr3sme6Y9mlVpom1j7vMW5_uipJgsqHbvwtqnPXwGIc7zAZ9gQdH9D2Yc4CRB_w9FaXr3txK0f5rey_amWsEWS800zN/s640/26.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
A branch and a grass bird's nest with speckled eggs bring in a natural element. Fresh leaves from my yard add more lively green color.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130811487792450"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1YQBK_tbhr6SMnzTd6MbEX7kR5PFgE9afy4Y2rdEkqT7Z-YHtTPjNv3Y-Wf9mUbuJ5bNFWbI1P9WNn08IoHCFvtqZDxeuUt3lf1NR7PAYNBcuQWgxMzt_ue_RwhlB7lZd4S_b06y1y9R/s640/27.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130882056389010"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGub37cUrCW-xdoH1VaQsznM7TWy2YOIEa5g5-cmS_cx8bq5CekFXTQOe-nFJBbTW1Driq295ZBeS6ev-hcxF250XgpfEuauVOnXSTiCxKmCpUM7OHEhpSqxswpJX6bEjkKYdQNnngs5oY/s640/30.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130926299257938"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5bIo3SaFZWpgVtdkokzg6IuLVsr8GsQLkEcj8s7xGyitrbBr9C43F2eWn2QpKbwKBwXFscgPUpPfzIzp4py2owxEYeFuTejUMYSWgQjvQD_txaSCQmXTE3l5SJM-5BrcEzqcqfG8qbAW/s640/32.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5722130958843477330"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlqiuVA9yqq6Jvru01dglH9I0MOtHMhdhyphenhyphenBeo0f1llnMgkbaBi6pDPQp4nuy0lzD0r_PuoWpncwhGwVwyiPkl4Aw10Gx-v2iW4ZrC0rauRy-fzTWliErJxZl3Kl1zMOWZ05QI7-nraug2/s640/33.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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Now that the mantle is done, maybe I should move on to spring cleaning. How about you? What are you doing to freshen up for the season? Can't wait to see!!<br />
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Barb<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/spring-decorating-link-party" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Linky%20Buttons/Spring_Fling_Button_Layla.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-74620182896483036282012-02-13T08:00:00.004-05:002012-02-16T19:13:52.979-05:00Sunny Breakfast NookHi all! I'm back from my week in Florida finishing up our kitchen and breakfast nook spruce up. Most everything is done, with the exception of the subway tile backsplash in the kitchen. We'll have that done the next time we get down there, in a few more weeks. <br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472734310945282"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQZ7jsoZZc2eBmzaE8s7JwQK3Y3mCjytGBUKOhOPDgjilQxKFF7ZYESIdZ_uDHeUJWYuudE-9dPITWj8djIra9ubOWFFkjNqDjq047Sk1Z7YysykoBcTcsogrS2cWkhAid0RadM7Nm2QD/s640/32.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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Today I'd like to share with you the finished breakfast nook.<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472744782900706"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpGOrjzxyArEZqE1hZrz92rMAdKx7L04pLH-MsvbZnhJU9uy5fYgLAcXGF9FpCwTw6AmVioRKDF-Xc93y_GJV8IJTCEVZTiqgEzJvBcsgPSr2basPONmzW99aR0LJgZY2CKR2Sliw_R6o/s640/19.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472755075597506"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH5xPIymWgkM2QCKDnUJx2shpgvw6NOW0t-M66zLDdlGz9KbDKt_GzZ5HUyzuYncQkin0UI3YXyTKRHQ05qwja1CP0gQWj6fC4OPPRZFfx-46CfV74iABioGxk3O6WEM4fykF4k2NvvCq/s640/20.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472762920801314"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC840CKwUlz8asnOFsd52VOrrwLf1jgm7Mu48ONeXdLvfLkSIWnxouj-lpkvy5iR_8PkDYoyk95e_bz-OBEZe52qBtYas3nFaRac_CNp9O5xp50AcV032lxKFFNSzoIU1fw7L03R0Suro/s640/22.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472770971940306"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNjA6dw1MCZJ8lsvZeOaBNi2A7CLDigdxQxqBx_3QAqHCLSe6j8V6jS_i8fE9ywUMt_HmLsfHnHcMFKWP1FijW3z8zSP5KPgjwdXjS8SMDtlw3ma5s7cQ_aRQBxOFRkXloJzhm4c7Sunt/s640/26.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472780068466370"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW_v7g7f5rq7zpeS1OLhftoIwWw6Vzp2dl15fuGN3mMtiPGbRlhVCAI8RsczITynaa31EqWjUo9XPBfOHaeCfx1DpJ8VfsX0PxbXagDTn0XRoMv4dO-luO0WGkF-WAKkgAHUMoxPBtL5J/s640/27.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472789587424850"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJmByVaOdkGwIh2m7O2BQz2jtP4sOBIAWgSXwV4u3Ke26wE6-QYYpBF9opmVyHOlAI-1Ac0sRwU10L7pwO4iIA_xjT-KWXAZZ-daIRshO339VRh1ftb-G_HcevxUEoYek8XYoM8q26Lr7/s640/30.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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It's sunny and bright and a great place to start the day. <br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5708472795721306130"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2b1SjJqPA8arrjmnUVDJBmylettYry45-DxuNuQ0GfgET_9t2bwVStQl2aFwCld9it9-UMXS0egn3z6mO5bp_ZChiQA4Et-DazmceG-QA47flRMrLI6bOgIIurpiCyWRqVG09frgYOen/s640/33.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a><br />
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The table's set and the coffee's hot. Join me, won't you?<br />
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Have a super week!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
Barb<br />
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Linky parties <br />
I like to link to these parties. Hope to see you there!<br />
<a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/02/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-52.html" style="background-color: #fdfefa; color: #7d4417; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Inspiration Friday at the At the Picket Fence</a><br />
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<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/feathered-nest-friday_16.html" style="background-color: #fdfefa; color: #7d4417; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2012/02/fridays-unfolded-54.html" style="background-color: #fdfefa; color: #7d4417; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense</a><br />
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<a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/2012/02/potpourri-friday-24.html" style="background-color: #fdfefa; color: #7d4417; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Potpourri Friday at 2805</a><br />
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<a href="http://redoux.blogspot.com/2012/02/friday-link-up-party-43-and-les.html" target="_blank">Friday Link Party at Redoux</a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/02/turquoise-lovin-25.html" target="_blank">Turquoise Lovin' Party at Sweet Little Gals</a><br />
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Posted using BlogPress from my iPadBarb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-57193517010393277822012-02-09T21:40:00.005-05:002012-02-16T17:05:28.806-05:00It's All White Now.......in my kitchen.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707324959438180050"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWEfycbUaNK6kyvuNurahwAPQu8bsbDUeDPnxDMNaeomMZl17unUs5rM1-pUCHwJWoP3uzdX-TAYZRb5-ICuonawob_jlQCvJjm2hWpHn0AzpHy4Y-qaZWvnGdzw9S61bHb5Fuqun743U/s640/1.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
We did it! Over the Christmas holiday we painted our kitchen cabinets, added and painted bead board to the breakfast bar and nook, and painted the breakfast nook and kitchen walls. Whew, what an undertaking! We started this little project the day after Christmas and worked nonstop for 2 weeks. <br />
I returned to Chicagoland January 9th (this is our home in Florida) and just came back this week to finish painting the kitchen island and hang curtains in the nook. In due time, I will find barstools and finish accessorizing the top of the cabinets.<br />
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This is how the kitchen looked on Christmas day.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707324972566278802"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjhnF629s9BhX8ym5DOPiqJ9nstv4BlPqgvt4ts2ywydlnUIqVEFF3sn-Hnm5HTXuerpPghdA1obQAq-RGMUEo4h5VpCBHdIkUEi0b4bd9brVCFwpnvtFltQWUKtPgHXAVRWlAhlg8kjR/s640/11.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707325007088252658"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk6toOQBHZOQJsyvz6qLfVrqUFZjOkUajr2DlC572GTuyam-bppG-spEFYDE1KIBQAyTEsSz7j5HWBH8UUXpnqiK4l9vAyRUvqwN9pkI6vu_v6YsqSR9a5-8BMZftQDaVr1Ia3AePFoaj/s640/3.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
The day after Christmas...<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707325029823825522"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8nPdcy-bcGgCXBebZLD0_HgqsDg-l5RrKjIFvIOxIdzS1oanmiHpT-9UpIaJtxQwRnez9kl0Q3Hr6hkdVdEUuf5nJ81NaH_SHqZ03FdAL-CBugyn81xcocL8j38KbAOFE_Gfjcv06R5h/s640/4.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
Wohoo!...New Year's Eve<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707325055380848194"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN1McJymyXhuWIeCvLglJON5kHt19fnXMe0LCzKiOn58-eTggag92biZ9BnElAlGOkOx-luI2mhTqCI6lOc45_SBVfi7GuataVrY6kIJNfxcUeJtGgaInm4EskvA77rScxG7DZdTARIGM/s640/6.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
And today!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707325089065060930"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLsIAOBrCK4VNUr6KXaLUCBkn3ZI_xphoTmWG9OdoX9cosh7Ym-x7LtEZifDRG6phCiY6tfO0ZmiefzOSIpnhpHojSfy3S1VZCgJLI5zR0MzQMBwckiSrogCxy0_wRG_PC8xLdCjgixyR/s640/7.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108630054875530952686/BloggerPictures?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqyntzM8-OG8AE#5707325104362823906"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadm1UZxXov9g4Ou7ykZ1wbQM1pN85yEOnt1Bv45CJeFD_yaRtTHpOl-Lyi7V6TRdImiFp9UXHUzU0qhSt6WsGbHLbwOODx3Du6PKvL93aT7OkYVz0OfUlbL5cK1atTV4fdba1mueVTmx7/s640/12.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;" width="640" /></a></center><br />
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Don't worry. Those bile green walls are going to get a new coat of gray paint, too.<br />
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See the breakfast nook? Just a little peek until next week.<br />
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It was an exhausting overhaul but I'm so pleased with the transformation and I'm excited to share the almost finished project with you. We will be adding 4"x12" white subway tile to the backsplash. We hope to do that soon, very soon. <br />
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In the meantime, thank you for visiting with me. This is my first blog post this new-year but I hope to post again soon and on a more regular basis. And, I hope too, to see you around the blogosphere!<br />
<br />
Until next time-<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
Barb<br />
<br />
Oh, and in case you're dying to know-<br />
SW 7004 Snowbound on cabinets and beadboard<br />
Behr UL 260-1 Cracked Pepper on kitchen island<br />
SW 7652 Mineral Deposit on nook and kitchen walls<br />
<br />
Linking to:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://missmustardseed.com/2012/02/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-a-link-party-5/" target="_blank">Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/" target="_blank">The Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/02/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-52.html" target="_blank">Inspiration Friday at the At the Picket Fence</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/feathered-nest-friday_16.html" target="_blank">Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2012/02/fridays-unfolded-54.html" target="_blank">Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/2012/02/potpourri-friday-24.html" target="_blank">Potpourri Friday at 2805</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://redoux.blogspot.com/2012/02/friday-link-up-party-43-and-les.html" target="_blank">Friday Link Party at Redoux</a><br />
<br />
<br />
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadBarb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-72588484723395632262011-12-28T13:56:00.000-05:002011-12-28T13:56:45.510-05:002012 and New Beginnings!<div style="text-align: center;">We are on the verge of another exciting year! <br />
And with that brings new opportunities and changes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't that wonderful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is my last post on Curly Willow DIY. <br />
I'm not sad, but excited to start a new adventure of my own. Barb will continue to post here about her home decorating, crafts and travel. She is the reason I started this blog. She has amazing taste and creates beauty all around her and I wanted her to share. And, I know that is what you've enjoyed about this blog. Now that she is up and running and has GREAT followers, she is good to go and be independent. <br />
(I will be still helping her behind the scenes.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did start my own blog, <a href="http://www.vickidesigner.com/">www.vickidesigner.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will sharing about art, fonts, crafts and things that inspire me. This will <u>not</u> be a home and garden blog. I will still be offering freebies and great paper printables to keep you inspired and organized. So, if you enjoyed what I've shared in the past, I'd love for you to join me at <a href="http://www.vickidesigner.com/">www.vickidesigner.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a screen shot on what you will find.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-049zGWKzTIM/Tvtk3h_HsxI/AAAAAAAABbU/vZJAC3tJsuM/s1600/vickidesigner1-1024x1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-049zGWKzTIM/Tvtk3h_HsxI/AAAAAAAABbU/vZJAC3tJsuM/s640/vickidesigner1-1024x1008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I hope you stop by my blog and check it out. <br />
You can subscribe via e-mail or RSS (in your favorite reader.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you abundant blessings and prosperity in 2012!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">God Bless!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-10671494048422881892011-12-21T18:48:00.000-05:002011-12-21T18:48:16.606-05:00Baby's First Christmas<div style="text-align: center;"> Four more days. Are you ready? <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just want to share, really quickly, a little Christmas keepsake <br />
I made for our new niece, six month old Laurel.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8cAVsdR79g/TvJubeFn2EI/AAAAAAAABZo/fIpFZsPcVM0/s1600/photo-3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8cAVsdR79g/TvJubeFn2EI/AAAAAAAABZo/fIpFZsPcVM0/s1600/photo-3a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk5jMs-kg-Q/TvJucLXbUaI/AAAAAAAABZ4/KAJK33gRj0M/s1600/photo-4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk5jMs-kg-Q/TvJucLXbUaI/AAAAAAAABZ4/KAJK33gRj0M/s1600/photo-4a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa4EQP9x-pM/TvJucrV9OVI/AAAAAAAABaA/aUIBLIf0ebw/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa4EQP9x-pM/TvJucrV9OVI/AAAAAAAABaA/aUIBLIf0ebw/s1600/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dw46fTWZG1s/TvJuZ36KAAI/AAAAAAAABZA/S9BmxW4gdME/s1600/photo-1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dw46fTWZG1s/TvJuZ36KAAI/AAAAAAAABZA/S9BmxW4gdME/s1600/photo-1a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oP51I-peLag/TvJv3aO4CpI/AAAAAAAABaw/43go0pbUngE/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oP51I-peLag/TvJv3aO4CpI/AAAAAAAABaw/43go0pbUngE/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX04V2f1eGE/TvJv_JpEwsI/AAAAAAAABa8/qwSNhif72SI/s1600/photo-5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX04V2f1eGE/TvJv_JpEwsI/AAAAAAAABa8/qwSNhif72SI/s1600/photo-5a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So sweet for baby's first Christmas.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blJRUKVfWSs/TvJvNVGpoTI/AAAAAAAABaU/oqyyQwcbeN4/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blJRUKVfWSs/TvJvNVGpoTI/AAAAAAAABaU/oqyyQwcbeN4/s1600/photo2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUOQP9T1-1M/TvJvNq2CXSI/AAAAAAAABac/IOucP3-l0Pc/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUOQP9T1-1M/TvJvNq2CXSI/AAAAAAAABac/IOucP3-l0Pc/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNAF1VJNcEA/TvJvN4U6_nI/AAAAAAAABak/_VThxfXy77Q/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNAF1VJNcEA/TvJvN4U6_nI/AAAAAAAABak/_VThxfXy77Q/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-57252484342959863002011-12-11T21:02:00.000-05:002011-12-11T21:02:41.239-05:00Putz('n) on the Glitz<div style="text-align: center;">I couple of weeks ago I was perusing Pinterest and came across this image.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/48976714667254977/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/48976714667254977_hhqBBWK2_c.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"> Source: <a href="http://allyscrapsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-christmas-village.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">allyscrapsblog.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/bascomjean/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jean</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Be still by heart! Are you kidding me? It's everything I love! <br />
A glittery antique looking gem of a Putz inspired house with over-the-top whimsical humor. <br />
I HAD to make one of these!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I popped over to the website <a href="http://allyscrapsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-christmas-village.html" target="_blank">Ally Scrap, the blog</a> to check out the "how to" instructions. <br />
Ok, it looked easy enough, so I went for it. After all, it's just paper, paste, glitter and some <br />
sparkly embellishments, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pulled out my craft drawer, took a mental inventory of what I had on hand, and then rushed to the craft store to buy wooden bird houses (yes, I cheated and used paper to cover small bird houses), some little plastic deer, and a variety pack of bottle brush trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPEFTFDiQcI/TuVeSUrBS9I/AAAAAAAABW0/-BcaqTSs2A4/s1600/photo-1-%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPEFTFDiQcI/TuVeSUrBS9I/AAAAAAAABW0/-BcaqTSs2A4/s1600/photo-1-%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First off, I soaked the bottle brush trees in a bowl of bleach to strip the dark green color. <br />
The result of the bleaching gave me a variety of different colors for my forest of trees. <br />
Then, I spent the next couple of hours cutting, glueing, trimming, and glittering. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0XcBywPAW_8/TuVek55ncSI/AAAAAAAABW8/7hoKapV2O3c/s1600/photo-2-%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0XcBywPAW_8/TuVek55ncSI/AAAAAAAABW8/7hoKapV2O3c/s1600/photo-2-%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFbEas8_K0Y/TuVelU9OMpI/AAAAAAAABXE/xS0j3vFNSdA/s1600/photo-3-%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFbEas8_K0Y/TuVelU9OMpI/AAAAAAAABXE/xS0j3vFNSdA/s1600/photo-3-%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Osz_7JUkwgg/TuVelpQetdI/AAAAAAAABXM/jVF5cSQ5gLE/s1600/photo-4-%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Osz_7JUkwgg/TuVelpQetdI/AAAAAAAABXM/jVF5cSQ5gLE/s1600/photo-4-%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5iyI2g6-Zw/TuVemYZQxjI/AAAAAAAABXU/e0U22Fiq5RU/s1600/photo-5-%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5iyI2g6-Zw/TuVemYZQxjI/AAAAAAAABXU/e0U22Fiq5RU/s1600/photo-5-%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a lot bigger than I first intended to make it, but I will store the bottle brush trees in the base <br />
(a shoe box).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QO2ebg0Ic0M/TuVfBBjf5ZI/AAAAAAAABX8/LCMuZ9K05Fg/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QO2ebg0Ic0M/TuVfBBjf5ZI/AAAAAAAABX8/LCMuZ9K05Fg/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made a second little house that I will display in the living room.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANlrJMxNBHo/TuVe6WzpOkI/AAAAAAAABXc/uuUqEoa2FMQ/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANlrJMxNBHo/TuVe6WzpOkI/AAAAAAAABXc/uuUqEoa2FMQ/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh7wRYwEUUQ/TuVe6_V7PII/AAAAAAAABXk/e6W-WKXHfQs/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh7wRYwEUUQ/TuVe6_V7PII/AAAAAAAABXk/e6W-WKXHfQs/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71QZQ3GJ-a4/TuVe7IST2wI/AAAAAAAABXs/VOGOp_Uf3dk/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71QZQ3GJ-a4/TuVe7IST2wI/AAAAAAAABXs/VOGOp_Uf3dk/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9oCxr1HI0cM/TuVe7rvfe4I/AAAAAAAABX0/QaZI5WFGi44/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9oCxr1HI0cM/TuVe7rvfe4I/AAAAAAAABX0/QaZI5WFGi44/s1600/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, although these aren't exactly Putz houses, I think they're fun and <br />
funny little additions to my holiday home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Crafty?? I'd love to see what you've made for this season. <br />
I'll be linking up to these terrific parties this week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/11/holiday-home-link-parties/" target="_blank">Holiday Home Link Parties @ Centsational Girl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm</a><br />
<div><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style</a></div><a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground</a><br />
<div><br />
<div>Hope to see you around.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Cheers!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Barb</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.09);"><br />
</span></div></div></div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-74483629216420285012011-12-07T20:51:00.000-05:002011-12-07T20:51:53.148-05:002011 Tree<div style="text-align: center;">Hey! How are you all doing? I've been making the rounds and visiting some really fantastic holiday parties this week. I've shared my dining room tablescape and my decked out mantel, so today I'll show you my tree.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRgjVCJ-dwc/TuAPaKRXKVI/AAAAAAAABWA/ckEwJKtwv5k/s1600/Tree_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRgjVCJ-dwc/TuAPaKRXKVI/AAAAAAAABWA/ckEwJKtwv5k/s1600/Tree_w.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year I used pipe cleaners to make spirals and stuck them on the ends of the branches. I like them because I think it gives the tree a whimsical look.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYqLnuLuxaY/TuAPX2B_-QI/AAAAAAAABVg/BB7hlCBnBpM/s1600/photo-1_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYqLnuLuxaY/TuAPX2B_-QI/AAAAAAAABVg/BB7hlCBnBpM/s1600/photo-1_w.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made glitter letters a couple of years ago and used them as place setting tags. I stuck them on the tree last year because I needed a little "filler" and I'm using them again this year. Turquoise, green, white and silver ornaments keep the theme light and beachy for this coastal home. White lights and a couple strands of silver garland give the tree sparkle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G4JpK7C_W6c/TuAPYp2H3KI/AAAAAAAABVo/DXQQxD-QmdI/s1600/photo-2_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G4JpK7C_W6c/TuAPYp2H3KI/AAAAAAAABVo/DXQQxD-QmdI/s1600/photo-2_w.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcZiLcyBI2c/TuAPZAAO7nI/AAAAAAAABVw/lbSW9rUkifY/s1600/photo-3_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcZiLcyBI2c/TuAPZAAO7nI/AAAAAAAABVw/lbSW9rUkifY/s1600/photo-3_w.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cg34IqTXiA/TuAPZkhffwI/AAAAAAAABV4/OSOU8auh60I/s1600/photo-4_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cg34IqTXiA/TuAPZkhffwI/AAAAAAAABV4/OSOU8auh60I/s1600/photo-4_w.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a pickle hidden in there too. Can you find it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In keeping with the holiday spirit, I'll be joining these parties:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2011/11/youre-invited-blogosphere-holiday-link.html" target="_blank">Honey We're Home - Christmas Cheer to the Blogosphere</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">2805 - Christmas Blogger Block Party</a></div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-9196303789639740632011-12-05T08:00:00.004-05:002011-12-08T11:44:54.538-05:00Bottle Brush Trees and Mercury Glass, Please!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7txoBXrGbI/Ttw0Z661DuI/AAAAAAAABUQ/CDEuPeUE8xs/s1600/photo-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7txoBXrGbI/Ttw0Z661DuI/AAAAAAAABUQ/CDEuPeUE8xs/s1600/photo-11.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-papHq2kRYjs/Ttw0ZpnR9dI/AAAAAAAABUI/8hivOEmR5z4/s1600/photo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-papHq2kRYjs/Ttw0ZpnR9dI/AAAAAAAABUI/8hivOEmR5z4/s1600/photo-10.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, yes please! I love glittery antiqued bottle brush trees at Christmas time and I especially love them paired with mercury glass candle sticks. I'm not usually a flashy or sparkly kind of gal but this year I felt the need to glitz and glam things up for a change. My mantel this year is really over the top for me. But, I must say, I'm really digging the way it looks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NP5cy1l_4E/Ttw0ZWQVKfI/AAAAAAAABUA/DxnmM_FvwoI/s1600/photo-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NP5cy1l_4E/Ttw0ZWQVKfI/AAAAAAAABUA/DxnmM_FvwoI/s1600/photo-9.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc57Q20Gf0E/Ttw0ZO2QdaI/AAAAAAAABT4/vI1vdvi5AFA/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc57Q20Gf0E/Ttw0ZO2QdaI/AAAAAAAABT4/vI1vdvi5AFA/s1600/photo-8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rusty ceiling tile and flanking sconces are always there. Generally, I have the short skinny candle sticks on the mantel, too. The center piece changes often, at the very least, seasonally. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WGpOPsa6NU/Ttw0YZ_mF2I/AAAAAAAABTo/bj5OKUmf3gE/s1600/photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WGpOPsa6NU/Ttw0YZ_mF2I/AAAAAAAABTo/bj5OKUmf3gE/s1600/photo-6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD7-_IVWXoo/Ttw0XXHCdyI/AAAAAAAABTQ/5qEBRoCRWqw/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD7-_IVWXoo/Ttw0XXHCdyI/AAAAAAAABTQ/5qEBRoCRWqw/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mother made that turquoise tureen in 1969. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBlCed4iq4Y/Ttw0XKFqFCI/AAAAAAAABTI/V0Jpz-zehmA/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBlCed4iq4Y/Ttw0XKFqFCI/AAAAAAAABTI/V0Jpz-zehmA/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4_GhmZEaQY/Ttw0Wrm5fvI/AAAAAAAABTA/TwbyCuPP8ng/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4_GhmZEaQY/Ttw0Wrm5fvI/AAAAAAAABTA/TwbyCuPP8ng/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She used that groovy mottled finish on several different pieces. I used to think it was hideous, like a psychedelic nightmare, but now I love it. Actually, that tureen was the inspiration for decorating my living and dining rooms. I also painted the two canvases in my entry way that color. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I filled the tureen with bulbs I swiped from the Christmas tree. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc57Q20Gf0E/Ttw0ZO2QdaI/AAAAAAAABT4/vI1vdvi5AFA/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc57Q20Gf0E/Ttw0ZO2QdaI/AAAAAAAABT4/vI1vdvi5AFA/s1600/photo-8.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm getting my linky parties on at:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From MY Front Porch to Yours</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/" target="_blank">Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Christmas Blogger Block Party</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.athoughtfulplaceblog.com/" target="_blank">A Thoughtful Place Christmas Cheer to the Blogosphere</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/" target="_blank">Southern Hospitality Holiday at Home</a><br />
<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/12/christmas-mantel-link-party-2011.html" target="_blank">Home Stories A to Z - Christmas Mantel Link Party</a></div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-44804741260316649562011-12-05T07:00:00.001-05:002011-12-05T07:00:07.721-05:00Blanket Covered Holiday Table<div style="text-align: center;">Vicki and I just celebrated a milestone, our one year blog anniversary! That's great and everything but it also means we missed all the holiday linky parties from last year. We had no idea that they existed. Last year at this time I would scroll through blog after blog with wonder and just drool over all the holiday loveliness. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year I'm ready to party and mingle with you festive party-goers. It's going to be a busy next couple of weeks. I'll be making the rounds, sharing my dining room table, my decked out mantel, my tree, and a glittery craft. I have my glass of champagne, er, cup of Joe, so let's go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I never use a tablecloth on my dining table but this year Vicki talked a lot about using a tartan plaid blanket as a tablecloth for her holiday table. I thought that was a neat and unusual idea and since I happen to have an Irish wool throw I thought I'd give it a try too. My blanket is not what I think of as a traditional plaid. It's soft turquoise and cream with a very pale green.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3bNTvxiU8c/TtmQNqmNdlI/AAAAAAAABRE/ce9AS9EWwkE/s1600/photo8_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3bNTvxiU8c/TtmQNqmNdlI/AAAAAAAABRE/ce9AS9EWwkE/s1600/photo8_sv.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The blanket usually is draped over the chair in the living room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year I glittered some shells to make place setting name tags and I'm using them again this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSHexh__BxM/TtmQiTCR7lI/AAAAAAAABRM/ohiFiTUWhe0/s1600/photo7_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSHexh__BxM/TtmQiTCR7lI/AAAAAAAABRM/ohiFiTUWhe0/s1600/photo7_sv.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a coastal home so I always like to add shells, starfish and sand dollars to the holiday mix. <br />
Then, a few candles and it's set, as simple as that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OptHIOEqMec/TtmQ22MRLNI/AAAAAAAABRU/e0hT5vlvCEE/s1600/photo1_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OptHIOEqMec/TtmQ22MRLNI/AAAAAAAABRU/e0hT5vlvCEE/s1600/photo1_sv.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEVLTSPP1Dk/TtmQ3IMOleI/AAAAAAAABRc/mp7XPo7lHeg/s1600/photo2_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEVLTSPP1Dk/TtmQ3IMOleI/AAAAAAAABRc/mp7XPo7lHeg/s1600/photo2_sv.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYMz7X0wnbQ/TtmQ3X-JfCI/AAAAAAAABRk/FFN7eet-SVE/s1600/photo3_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYMz7X0wnbQ/TtmQ3X-JfCI/AAAAAAAABRk/FFN7eet-SVE/s1600/photo3_sv.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxOt_2w215w/TtmQ35Dz4rI/AAAAAAAABRs/y340UARCNag/s1600/photo4_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxOt_2w215w/TtmQ35Dz4rI/AAAAAAAABRs/y340UARCNag/s1600/photo4_sv.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQo7u2yiv2g/TtmQ4Ghez4I/AAAAAAAABR0/mPjTGZoxl50/s1600/photo5_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQo7u2yiv2g/TtmQ4Ghez4I/AAAAAAAABR0/mPjTGZoxl50/s1600/photo5_sv.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2gJv1Ldw_Q/TtmQ4h2vyhI/AAAAAAAABR8/iEjWeZDjfrI/s1600/photo6_sv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2gJv1Ldw_Q/TtmQ4h2vyhI/AAAAAAAABR8/iEjWeZDjfrI/s1600/photo6_sv.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure you've used a blanket or throw on a picnic but have you ever used one on your holiday dining table? I don't have a menu planned yet but I don't think I'll be serving any red wine,<br />
that wouldn't be pretty draped over my living room chair ;-).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be partying with</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/" target="_blank">The Lettered Cottage for Holiday at Home Party</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">No Minimalist Here for Christmas Blogger Block Party</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-90436171301600275642011-12-01T07:00:00.002-05:002011-12-01T07:00:12.489-05:00December Is Here!<div style="text-align: center;">So, here we are into December. Already! What the heck happened to November? Never mind, no time to think about it. There's way too much to do now to prepare for Christmas. Have you started shopping, decorating, baking, pulling out your hair? Ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm back in Chicagoland after spending a week in Florida. While I was there I did all my Christmas decorating. The dining room and fireplace mantel are decked, the tree is trimmed and I even did a glittery, gluey Christmas craft. There are a bunch of holiday linky parties these next few weeks and I'll be participating in some of them so I'll wait until then to show you my fully glitzed and glammed (well, sort of) house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The big news, though, is we hung three pendant lights over the breakfast bar! Yay!! We ordered them online from Home Depot and they were delivered the day we arrived in Florida.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpdAsLqxzFc/Ttb0HngeO9I/AAAAAAAABQ8/HCYxFCJ1G-M/s1600/photo-%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpdAsLqxzFc/Ttb0HngeO9I/AAAAAAAABQ8/HCYxFCJ1G-M/s1600/photo-%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLLl8CyIguU/TtbzvC58MpI/AAAAAAAABQM/ypaugeRzKhA/s1600/photo_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLLl8CyIguU/TtbzvC58MpI/AAAAAAAABQM/ypaugeRzKhA/s1600/photo_a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've looked for two years for something that I thought had a vintage beach industrial vibe. Do these fit the bill? They have a powdery antique pewter finish and although the underside looks white when lit, it's the pewter finish too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8FHuFpS3maM/TtbzwEOiTxI/AAAAAAAABQg/q3CE9ROkhfE/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8FHuFpS3maM/TtbzwEOiTxI/AAAAAAAABQg/q3CE9ROkhfE/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKIpNmRdWIY/Ttbzw48xXuI/AAAAAAAABQw/qNoXAp1JZm8/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKIpNmRdWIY/Ttbzw48xXuI/AAAAAAAABQw/qNoXAp1JZm8/s1600/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rgnw2DgDOw/TtbzvaBfIZI/AAAAAAAABQU/nNM9hhpT87g/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rgnw2DgDOw/TtbzvaBfIZI/AAAAAAAABQU/nNM9hhpT87g/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The cords are a little wonky and crooked now but that will work itself out and they will hang straight soon enough. I really like them but I need to get used to seeing them hanging there. Sometimes I see them out of the corner of my eye and think they look like hovering alien aircraft. But really, I DO like them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What about you? Will I see you at the linky parties? I've seen tons of great holiday decorating and some very clever and festive projects already but I can't wait to see more and I'd especially love to see what you've done!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See ya around!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and my brother will be installing a new tile backsplash in my <br />
kitchen while he's visiting for Christmas. Yahooeee! I'm so excited.</div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-59828395197862472162011-10-18T19:21:00.001-04:002011-10-20T11:48:17.877-04:00(F)ALL AROUND THE HOUSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hey everyone! Did you have a good weekend? I just got back from a long weekend in Florida. The weather was gorgeous, not at all fall like, but when I stepped out of the airport today, brrr, definitely a lot cooler than when I left on Thursday. I think fall is here to stay in Chi-town.<br />
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</div><br />
I won't be back to the Florida house until a couple of days before Thanksgiving. I felt I needed to continue with some fall decorating there so that I won't be overwhelmed with decorating, grocery shopping and cooking when I get back. A couple of weeks ago I shared my fall mantel (<a href="http://curlywillowdiy.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-my-lovehate-relationship.html">here</a>) so today I'll show what I did to the rest of the house.<br />
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Before the inside though, the potting table outside gets a little something.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifp2pXOZ3m0/Tp4Gk2-JdEI/AAAAAAAAA8E/KrrYf9R5tqw/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifp2pXOZ3m0/Tp4Gk2-JdEI/AAAAAAAAA8E/KrrYf9R5tqw/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5gugtm8k8k/Tp4GvR6QALI/AAAAAAAAA8M/QdUWvlkOyr4/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5gugtm8k8k/Tp4GvR6QALI/AAAAAAAAA8M/QdUWvlkOyr4/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The geckos will love nesting in the faux leaves. The pumpkin man will be replaced with another pumpkin for Thanksgiving. He is the only Halloween decoration I have for this this house. Poor lonely guy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDWGtdwboB0/Tp4GwMfo65I/AAAAAAAAA8U/7S8bMGXMYUk/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDWGtdwboB0/Tp4GwMfo65I/AAAAAAAAA8U/7S8bMGXMYUk/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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For the inside entry I bought a coastal inspired dry floral fall arrangement. See starfish and shells? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HeOZ26uhLs/Tp4HM3Dt-zI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Ae77DUIyHAo/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HeOZ26uhLs/Tp4HM3Dt-zI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Ae77DUIyHAo/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw7E3m0UZv0/Tp4HNvWQtnI/AAAAAAAAA8k/_m1_aPG5e8M/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw7E3m0UZv0/Tp4HNvWQtnI/AAAAAAAAA8k/_m1_aPG5e8M/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1Ax9Ms8G40/Tp4HNwvpakI/AAAAAAAAA8s/hcFQv5fsBDY/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1Ax9Ms8G40/Tp4HNwvpakI/AAAAAAAAA8s/hcFQv5fsBDY/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLTWYbd2ZdI/Tp4HOd3PRJI/AAAAAAAAA80/DfBuzf0AHuU/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLTWYbd2ZdI/Tp4HOd3PRJI/AAAAAAAAA80/DfBuzf0AHuU/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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In the living room I always cut palm leaves for the vase, and I added a felt pumpkin for the season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1qBGTdFxLD0/Tp4Hc-TQCKI/AAAAAAAAA88/_N1jghWrEls/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1qBGTdFxLD0/Tp4Hc-TQCKI/AAAAAAAAA88/_N1jghWrEls/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The behemoth leaves come from the landscaping. They are too big for any vase I have so I simply scissor cut them into a fan shape. Once they're trimmed back, three fit beautifully in the vase I always use.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_n4dXs5eEs/Tp4HnCzOiTI/AAAAAAAAA9E/uEvTjCTjqI0/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_n4dXs5eEs/Tp4HnCzOiTI/AAAAAAAAA9E/uEvTjCTjqI0/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65-OMIA2k3Q/Tp4Hoab7coI/AAAAAAAAA9U/_CFs3X6FLzY/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65-OMIA2k3Q/Tp4Hoab7coI/AAAAAAAAA9U/_CFs3X6FLzY/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vONR9PPDnhs/Tp4Hn2B-5mI/AAAAAAAAA9M/KSfGI_WNVtI/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vONR9PPDnhs/Tp4Hn2B-5mI/AAAAAAAAA9M/KSfGI_WNVtI/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The family rooms gets candles and little munchkin pumpkins.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVXz2nO-lpM/Tp4ITAAqN6I/AAAAAAAAA90/p5jPASxHqmM/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVXz2nO-lpM/Tp4ITAAqN6I/AAAAAAAAA90/p5jPASxHqmM/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsqyecCn_eg/Tp4ISko5WwI/AAAAAAAAA9s/p4fIK3E8vYg/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsqyecCn_eg/Tp4ISko5WwI/AAAAAAAAA9s/p4fIK3E8vYg/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqht0QNA-Fs/Tp4IRtXrxzI/AAAAAAAAA9c/Vmzr_cMbJnM/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqht0QNA-Fs/Tp4IRtXrxzI/AAAAAAAAA9c/Vmzr_cMbJnM/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUV8embkQpc/Tp4ISJmnrpI/AAAAAAAAA9k/tG3xl1NtJ6U/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUV8embkQpc/Tp4ISJmnrpI/AAAAAAAAA9k/tG3xl1NtJ6U/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
With all of this decorating done, I'll have plenty of time for baking pies (frozen), breads (heat and serve), and cookies (slice and bake). <br />
<br />
P.S. I'm not much of a baker or cook.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, we're planning a small Halloween party at the Illinois rental. Anyone else having a party? What are you planning? I'm scouring pinterest for ideas but so far I have nothing. Nothing. Not that I don't like anything, I'm just too indecisive. And it's still a couple of weeks out, right? No worries. Until next week. Ack!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmBsZiCxkzI/Tp4Jn7e_ftI/AAAAAAAAA98/i951xEvwNxw/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmBsZiCxkzI/Tp4Jn7e_ftI/AAAAAAAAA98/i951xEvwNxw/s1600/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, hope to see you around some linky parties this week. I'd love to see what you've got!<br />
<br />
Barb<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/">Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage</a><br />
<a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home</a><br />
<a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/">Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed</a><br />
<a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/">Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/">Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest</a><br />
<a href="http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/">Look What I Found Friday @ Vintage Revivals </a><br />
<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground</a><a href="http://happyhourprojects.blogspot.com/"></a><br />
<a href="http://justagirlblog.com/">Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl</a><br />
<a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/">Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal </a>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-26358173360238652812011-10-03T08:00:00.007-04:002011-10-03T22:02:53.610-04:00Let the Holiday Shopping Begin...a giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">Here we are... October!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just two and a half short months till the Holidays!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I say let the official HOLIDAY SHOPPING begin!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a local friend that does amazing things with yarn! </div><div style="text-align: center;">She is quite the crafter, artist, mother and woman!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--T4mCFQfs0k/ToNqynw69CI/AAAAAAAAA0A/7U-5Z397evY/s1600/iusb_760x100.7129482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--T4mCFQfs0k/ToNqynw69CI/AAAAAAAAA0A/7U-5Z397evY/s640/iusb_760x100.7129482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is offering YOU any one item of your choosing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUucAFcr8LM/ToNqwJtAGoI/AAAAAAAAAzw/ucR_1G-68iM/s1600/il_570xN.174659495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUucAFcr8LM/ToNqwJtAGoI/AAAAAAAAAzw/ucR_1G-68iM/s1600/il_570xN.174659495.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Adison newsboy beanie teal/melon/cream multi--choose your size 4T-adult small</span></h1></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zXVC00e9bE/ToNqw9irfMI/AAAAAAAAAz0/m_sMQQMZ_Z0/s1600/il_570xN.178844555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zXVC00e9bE/ToNqw9irfMI/AAAAAAAAAz0/m_sMQQMZ_Z0/s1600/il_570xN.178844555.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brimmed Beanie in retro colors--choose size newborn through 6 months</span></h1></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVAGMDqBOas/ToNqxexp2iI/AAAAAAAAAz4/J9H81ZlkS6c/s1600/il_570xN.194614280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVAGMDqBOas/ToNqxexp2iI/AAAAAAAAAz4/J9H81ZlkS6c/s1600/il_570xN.194614280.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chain Scarf Necklaces -SET OF 2- pick your colors--Free Shipping</span></h1></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPAOj_JY0e0/ToNqyMysu8I/AAAAAAAAAz8/kYhHE67LYFY/s1600/il_570xN.266824709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPAOj_JY0e0/ToNqyMysu8I/AAAAAAAAAz8/kYhHE67LYFY/s1600/il_570xN.266824709.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Ellie brimmed flower beanie in melon sorbet and pale yellow with pearl accent--<br />
choose size newborn through 6 months</span></h1></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I love what she creates!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">One lucky reader (sorry US only) will win one item of your choice – <br />
SAH WEET! <br />
<b>To enter simply go to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/adiandelliedesigns">Adi and Ellie Designs</a> and tell me which item is your favorite (comment.)</b></div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Additional entries (in the comments) can be:</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">1. Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AdiAndEllieDesigns">Adi and Ellie Designs</a> on Facebook</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">2. Follow or subscribe to this blog</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">3. Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curly-Willow-DIY-CW-Collections/130507807043283">Curly Willow DIY</a> on Facebook</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">4. Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/CrlyWillowVicki">@CrlyWillowVicki</a> on Twitter</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">5. Tweet, pin, stumble, tumble, facebook – just share the linky love</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">And as a bonus double entry: Blog about your favorite piece(s) on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/adiandelliedesigns">Adi & Ellie Designs</a>!!<br />
<br />
This giveaway closes the following Monday, Oct. 10th.<br />
<div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;"><b>MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY.</b></div><b><span style="color: red;">So, if you do each item above, you should be leaving 6 comments below.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>So, who in your life gets this fabulous gift for the holidays? </b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Have a fabulous Monday!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Vicki</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-31044497822342755332011-10-01T08:00:00.025-04:002011-10-03T22:13:05.794-04:00Framed my Own Canvas Print, Instant Wow!<div style="text-align: center;">The beginning of September I won a giveaway from Catherine at the <a href="http://designeditor.typepad.com/design_editor/">Design Editor</a> and <a href="http://uprinting.com./">UPrinting.com.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I designed my own KEEP CALM Poster. It's been such a busy September, <br />
I never had time to frame it until today. I bought an easy frame kit at Hobby Lobby for $6.00. <br />
It was so easy to put together with a little light hammering.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UmFCwqV0pI/ToNhVHmMXWI/AAAAAAAAAy8/r4zjs8bhfCQ/s1600/DSC_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UmFCwqV0pI/ToNhVHmMXWI/AAAAAAAAAy8/r4zjs8bhfCQ/s1600/DSC_0870.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> You can see in the photo I simply stapled my frame together with a heavy duty staple gun. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An easy way to line up your art, since you can't see it when you frame, is to fold over where your art begins. That way you can simply line up your frame, check it, and staple in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7JAO2Wh7cs/ToNhWMO2g-I/AAAAAAAAAzE/NWkmBvU9eC0/s1600/DSC_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7JAO2Wh7cs/ToNhWMO2g-I/AAAAAAAAAzE/NWkmBvU9eC0/s1600/DSC_0872.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDoL5XlWA5U/ToNhWg-ndxI/AAAAAAAAAzI/5QQye6wbqmE/s1600/DSC_0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDoL5XlWA5U/ToNhWg-ndxI/AAAAAAAAAzI/5QQye6wbqmE/s1600/DSC_0873.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Folding the corners over is as easy as wrapping a present. <br />
So, whatever look you want works as long as it's a nice tight corner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2-HPprjCVM/ToNhXOr0x4I/AAAAAAAAAzM/aX83-reLvr8/s1600/DSC_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2-HPprjCVM/ToNhXOr0x4I/AAAAAAAAAzM/aX83-reLvr8/s1600/DSC_0874.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-73hRhNoNj_s/ToNhYWkjfMI/AAAAAAAAAzU/gHYJlr5pbGM/s1600/DSC_0876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-73hRhNoNj_s/ToNhYWkjfMI/AAAAAAAAAzU/gHYJlr5pbGM/s1600/DSC_0876.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After you have all your sides stapled, turning over the frame from time to time <br />
just to double check yourself...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRiu75PaXDE/ToNhXql6HEI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Je398ijy51I/s1600/DSC_0875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRiu75PaXDE/ToNhXql6HEI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Je398ijy51I/s1600/DSC_0875.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Use a hammer to lightly tap the staples in a little tighter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is an easy project, you'll only need the staple gun, hammer and a flat head screwdriver <br />
to dig out any staple that might be a bit wrong.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xInK0HN5P08/ToNhZFXaSHI/AAAAAAAAAzY/ID09ZMKqyo4/s1600/DSC_0877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xInK0HN5P08/ToNhZFXaSHI/AAAAAAAAAzY/ID09ZMKqyo4/s1600/DSC_0877.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done! Easy-peasy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVJcvCZ-0es/ToNhcXv5uyI/AAAAAAAAAzs/S4dBqIj8Djs/s1600/DSC_0886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVJcvCZ-0es/ToNhcXv5uyI/AAAAAAAAAzs/S4dBqIj8Djs/s1600/DSC_0886.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hang on the wall and instant WOW!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VRUHQJymdQI/ToNhajJfS9I/AAAAAAAAAzg/9XQMGzlLmKo/s1600/DSC_0882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VRUHQJymdQI/ToNhajJfS9I/AAAAAAAAAzg/9XQMGzlLmKo/s1600/DSC_0882.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that this adds some inspiration for my office!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUI0dmF7T2Q/ToNhbG3spKI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Hk2hL_ozKGQ/s1600/DSC_0883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUI0dmF7T2Q/ToNhbG3spKI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Hk2hL_ozKGQ/s1600/DSC_0883.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you see it? I know! Right! I have one... my hubby got it for me for my birthday. That adorable, awesome, cute-as-can-be bag hanging there is the <a href="http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/pages/shophome.htm">Jeanne Oliver Ellison Camera Bag!</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, you want a closer look... <i>I don't blame ya!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCFBG-oykes/ToNhbzcixwI/AAAAAAAAAzo/a_kqsRp4rl8/s1600/DSC_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCFBG-oykes/ToNhbzcixwI/AAAAAAAAAzo/a_kqsRp4rl8/s1600/DSC_0884.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-O-V-E</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, if you have a fav image you'd love to see on canvas...</div><div style="text-align: center;">you can try to win a giveaway... OR have the image printed on canvas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I checked it out, my image is a 16x20, which only costs $25.56 at <a href="http://uprinting.com/">UPrinting.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then just buy a easy frame at Hobby Lobby for $6.00.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's a pretty inexpensive way to get an amazing personalized look for your home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki<br />
<br />
Linking up to</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special" border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/smallsns.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l639/thegirlcreative/grab_button_JSIWUaug2011.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Boogieboard Cottage" src="http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy117/jacquesfamily52/Boogieboardcottagehtmlbagde-4-2-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzPdfImjyJ8/Ti3RiAl7TrI/AAAAAAAAbsk/EOZi_5qvP7o/s1600/One+on+sidebar.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img alt="Making Monday Marvelous Linky Party" height="125" src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/10/tutes-tips-not-to-miss-29-and-tutorials-tips-link-party-30.html"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1g4ajRMo7xA/ToprlKmo9pI/AAAAAAAAA5k/dKJ41WJWqjY/s1600/tutorials-and-tips.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-54777986597853568442011-09-30T15:51:00.002-04:002011-10-02T09:51:02.329-04:00Door Decor for Fall<div style="text-align: center;">Wow! Lots of love happening here at Curly Willow DIY when Barb showed us her fall mantel in her Florida home. I know she misses being there during the year. So, thanks for showing her the love!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know Barb's not a big fan of fall or winter... but I love it! <br />
So, I'm hoping there's love out there in blogland for me too! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel very fortunate to live only a mile from an awesome family farm where I can buy all my fall decor at very reasonable prices. I mean where can you buy a huge mum plant for $8. When I say huge.. H-U-G-E!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, here is door decor for fall. I am all about rustic and natural! <br />
When you say Pottery Barn... I say YES!</div><div style="text-align: center;">pottery barn - YES!</div><div style="text-align: center;">POTTERY BARN - Yes!<br />
(Are ya cheering with me?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we go... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCom1mztC0w/ToYZOXOqqjI/AAAAAAAAA2U/hOOUK4Z57so/s1600/DSC_0891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCom1mztC0w/ToYZOXOqqjI/AAAAAAAAA2U/hOOUK4Z57so/s1600/DSC_0891.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything here is au natural from a local farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0joriGHv-w/ToYZPIPrY8I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/eyKtPIrz1uI/s1600/DSC_0896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0joriGHv-w/ToYZPIPrY8I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/eyKtPIrz1uI/s1600/DSC_0896.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mum plant in the flowering basket is ONE PLANT.... H-U-G-E!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVv_dC6wFWg/ToYZPnDC-RI/AAAAAAAAA2c/4r7KIC9VOhI/s1600/DSC_0897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVv_dC6wFWg/ToYZPnDC-RI/AAAAAAAAA2c/4r7KIC9VOhI/s1600/DSC_0897.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First year the farm had white pumpkins... $5 each.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yboqkC0z55w/ToYZRLFylyI/AAAAAAAAA2k/27ZDAb6b68E/s1600/DSC_0899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yboqkC0z55w/ToYZRLFylyI/AAAAAAAAA2k/27ZDAb6b68E/s1600/DSC_0899.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my little scarecrow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DgH72UQP0w/ToYZRyAOjRI/AAAAAAAAA2o/2E8BQboSvkc/s1600/DSC_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DgH72UQP0w/ToYZRyAOjRI/AAAAAAAAA2o/2E8BQboSvkc/s1600/DSC_0900.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wandering jew plants in the urns are from the wedding. <br />
I put gold mini LED lights around the balls, they light up and are super fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WvkDc4KVSwI/ToYZS78UbiI/AAAAAAAAA2s/qhP0snsVEtI/s1600/DSC_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WvkDc4KVSwI/ToYZS78UbiI/AAAAAAAAA2s/qhP0snsVEtI/s1600/DSC_0901.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hubby is a metal scraper part time. He found these two dented milk cans. FREE!<br />
The burlap ribbon I bought the end of the year last year from Ballard Designs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFWstDKPPvc/ToYZTYfTFxI/AAAAAAAAA2w/B134U_Vd-qQ/s1600/DSC_0902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFWstDKPPvc/ToYZTYfTFxI/AAAAAAAAA2w/B134U_Vd-qQ/s1600/DSC_0902.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wreath - Hobby Lobby three years ago. Ribbon - Ballards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All leaves, pinecones, and pine needles are all courtesy of Mother Nature!</div><div style="text-align: center;">She's pretty terrific!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I'll keep those HUGE mums by the door for a month and then plant them in the <br />
yard to bloom year after year. They will be beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm linking up to<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/09/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-34.html"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2t2nHivJsDE/ToZXwiK9RwI/AAAAAAAAA28/EFlmMDpAYeU/s200/Inspiration+Friday+Graphic+large_thumb%255B2%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/door-decor-fall-linky-party/"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0pLRnUJ9cI/ToYZUQSdljI/AAAAAAAAA20/fHTYy-7jqu4/s1600/Fall_Link_Party_Rhoda.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2011/10/seasonal-sundays-68apple-pie.html"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjiOlnnIE4/TYZe8PN6qII/AAAAAAAAAQA/-3Qgb0CZLSU/s1600/Seasonal-Sunday-Teapot-resized_thumb.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Have a great weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PS: Guess who I found huddle next to my house while photographing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FxdXZnNhzc/ToYZVgPdLBI/AAAAAAAAA24/0QnugRbdH_4/s1600/FROG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FxdXZnNhzc/ToYZVgPdLBI/AAAAAAAAA24/0QnugRbdH_4/s1600/FROG.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do ya see him on the top pic... a little frog huddle against the house for warmth!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a windy, cold day today. He probably came from the creek right next to my house. This spot is frequented by all the neighborhood kids who try to catch tadpoles and frogs. This little guy got away! I'm happy to provide a safe, warm spot to hide. :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-59882476612664042062011-09-30T00:00:00.002-04:002011-09-30T13:34:57.534-04:00DIY Wedding- Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey everyone! First, I'd like to say thanks to you for all the positive comments you left about the Florida mantel! Your feedback is just what I think I needed and poking around the many great linky parties is getting me into the spirit of this fall season. I even picked up a couple white pumpkins and striped mini pumpkins to start spicing up me interior spaces. I will need to get in gear and spruce up my front entry too. Before I do anymore fall decorating though, I want to share more of what Vicki and I did for Jessica's wedding. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2um1elpxrA/ToU0tcCqg1I/AAAAAAAAA1s/LXauFduIB3g/s1600/527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2um1elpxrA/ToU0tcCqg1I/AAAAAAAAA1s/LXauFduIB3g/s1600/527.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Randy and Jessica</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5TI74wYnQM/ToU0rfl_cII/AAAAAAAAA1g/j5Vmsz478NI/s1600/524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5TI74wYnQM/ToU0rfl_cII/AAAAAAAAA1g/j5Vmsz478NI/s1600/524.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing it up</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think everything except the catering and cake was DIY. Vicki, Jessica and I are all long distance from one another, so all the ideas, planning and execution was done through lots of emails, phone conversations, and texting. Coordinating our ideas was challenging at times. We worked on projects independently and a lot of the time just hoped for the best.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10YJEDLZ804/ToU0y9AVsDI/AAAAAAAAA2M/7dYwgqqRzaI/s1600/5223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10YJEDLZ804/ToU0y9AVsDI/AAAAAAAAA2M/7dYwgqqRzaI/s1600/5223.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIY Chalkboards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OnOo-r9cxM/ToU0mT9GncI/AAAAAAAAA1E/h_3vJJh-5ew/s1600/516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OnOo-r9cxM/ToU0mT9GncI/AAAAAAAAA1E/h_3vJJh-5ew/s1600/516.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Direction sign - cut and ready for chalkboard paint</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtF8dfYtR3s/ToU0hBlTWuI/AAAAAAAAA0s/VE7nxPfQWz8/s1600/510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtF8dfYtR3s/ToU0hBlTWuI/AAAAAAAAA0s/VE7nxPfQWz8/s1600/510.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More chalkboard paint!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last week before the wedding we were finally all together and worked in a frenzy to get the last details ironed out. We had an assembly line going in Vicki's living room for many of the end projects. Vicki's dining room turned into a wedding warehouse of sorts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEmfiILqoes/ToU0wfiwhJI/AAAAAAAAA18/R0Mu9ezLePo/s1600/531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEmfiILqoes/ToU0wfiwhJI/AAAAAAAAA18/R0Mu9ezLePo/s1600/531.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designing and setting up the pew cones</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3r8dOAoxuok/ToU0v6_DW2I/AAAAAAAAA14/_JEiG9n8eTs/s1600/530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3r8dOAoxuok/ToU0v6_DW2I/AAAAAAAAA14/_JEiG9n8eTs/s1600/530.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles all around!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtw1KIFYEAA/ToU0vJXp-2I/AAAAAAAAA10/t1xoBprC6r4/s1600/529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtw1KIFYEAA/ToU0vJXp-2I/AAAAAAAAA10/t1xoBprC6r4/s1600/529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stapling the cones to wooden dowels</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEDR2f5ARrU/ToU0xLu25zI/AAAAAAAAA2A/WavUgeaBluo/s1600/532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEDR2f5ARrU/ToU0xLu25zI/AAAAAAAAA2A/WavUgeaBluo/s1600/532.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding Central!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFqEoP3VzEQ/ToU0xmBhdWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/OxMEkF8qtTo/s1600/533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFqEoP3VzEQ/ToU0xmBhdWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/OxMEkF8qtTo/s1600/533.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Waldo?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N19kpiyHW2U/ToU0yVIo3hI/AAAAAAAAA2I/_GmRKzLCTuY/s1600/535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N19kpiyHW2U/ToU0yVIo3hI/AAAAAAAAA2I/_GmRKzLCTuY/s1600/535.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a lot of stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were a little worried about getting everything to the cottage. But after all the cars were packed, we hit the road with three van loads and two passengers in each.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJNOJEWQJ5Y/ToU0cRZ-DnI/AAAAAAAAA0U/-BlHjRHzNl8/s1600/504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJNOJEWQJ5Y/ToU0cRZ-DnI/AAAAAAAAA0U/-BlHjRHzNl8/s1600/504.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van #1, Driver: Father of the Bride and the Groom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcNHxZ7KdE0/ToU0htiExKI/AAAAAAAAA0w/_tLsz86QWGg/s1600/511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcNHxZ7KdE0/ToU0htiExKI/AAAAAAAAA0w/_tLsz86QWGg/s1600/511.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van #2, Driver: Mother of the Bride and Bride</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXyNCQPPW98/ToU0nmfNyKI/AAAAAAAAA1I/ESSviBdHCaE/s1600/517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXyNCQPPW98/ToU0nmfNyKI/AAAAAAAAA1I/ESSviBdHCaE/s1600/517.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van #3, Driver: Godmother and brother of the bride</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I mentioned in an earlier post, once we were at the site, it was all hands on deck. Vicki and I put everyone to work. We all pulled together and we got the job done. I would like to say it was flawlessly executed! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xavlyn58wc/ToU0ZE9kxSI/AAAAAAAAA0M/thiF2Z1Dyd0/s1600/502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xavlyn58wc/ToU0ZE9kxSI/AAAAAAAAA0M/thiF2Z1Dyd0/s1600/502.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working with the caterer to dress the tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plyypAJRObs/ToU0pVlbDEI/AAAAAAAAA1U/NA0aL4gwVF8/s1600/520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plyypAJRObs/ToU0pVlbDEI/AAAAAAAAA1U/NA0aL4gwVF8/s1600/520.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends in from Texas and Indiana helping out</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nixldd0eS0/ToU0sH3M_uI/AAAAAAAAA1k/S02EJX2icmk/s1600/525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nixldd0eS0/ToU0sH3M_uI/AAAAAAAAA1k/S02EJX2icmk/s1600/525.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on projects</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc7ndAAMoZA/ToU0syg4pEI/AAAAAAAAA1o/fheFaDYG2BE/s1600/526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc7ndAAMoZA/ToU0syg4pEI/AAAAAAAAA1o/fheFaDYG2BE/s1600/526.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone pitched in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPpLSmp8Fdo/ToU0uZmUcMI/AAAAAAAAA1w/WOkGq9DNNg0/s1600/528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPpLSmp8Fdo/ToU0uZmUcMI/AAAAAAAAA1w/WOkGq9DNNg0/s1600/528.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother of the bride and Sister of the groom work on the luminaires for the pathway to the cottage at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After the final walk through before the ceremony, I was able to let out a huge sigh of relief. I thought everything looked pretty perfect. It was all I imagined and more. Vicki and I were able to thoroughly enjoy the ceremony and reception knowing we did our best. Jessica and Randy thought is was perfect, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWrT7DoAo-4/ToU0V3eghLI/AAAAAAAAA0E/njKjQMyqbSg/s1600/500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWrT7DoAo-4/ToU0V3eghLI/AAAAAAAAA0E/njKjQMyqbSg/s1600/500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowers everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g15Jz7iQyQw/ToU0bu1VlTI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/_mE6mSdgqMI/s1600/503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g15Jz7iQyQw/ToU0bu1VlTI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/_mE6mSdgqMI/s1600/503.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directional sign ready to go! CUTE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiMY1zKWu64/ToU0dnwsE8I/AAAAAAAAA0c/QA_3HxZT8ZA/s1600/506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiMY1zKWu64/ToU0dnwsE8I/AAAAAAAAA0c/QA_3HxZT8ZA/s1600/506.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aisle way was lined with woven pew cones, flowers and burlap ribbon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crHb6rMnOX0/ToU0feTHYJI/AAAAAAAAA0k/8px7-ItDSnk/s1600/508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crHb6rMnOX0/ToU0feTHYJI/AAAAAAAAA0k/8px7-ItDSnk/s1600/508.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Favors were popcorn balls in memory of Grandma that past away last summer. <br />
She was known for making THE BEST popcorn balls for her grandchildren.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUCNbb2V5GQ/ToU0gNxNdzI/AAAAAAAAA0o/GcdIfy4--RA/s1600/509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUCNbb2V5GQ/ToU0gNxNdzI/AAAAAAAAA0o/GcdIfy4--RA/s1600/509.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat tag were hung by shutters. This was a freebie find by the father of the bride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNpjJJtlgwg/ToU0lTma3oI/AAAAAAAAA1A/7rui_EF2WrI/s1600/515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNpjJJtlgwg/ToU0lTma3oI/AAAAAAAAA1A/7rui_EF2WrI/s1600/515.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkboard Menu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrBrLIINrCk/ToU0k9tJqSI/AAAAAAAAA08/whO0asm_u2I/s1600/514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrBrLIINrCk/ToU0k9tJqSI/AAAAAAAAA08/whO0asm_u2I/s1600/514.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tables were dressed in chocolate, khaki, vintage china, ball jars for water with purple striped straws; and<br />
the side of the tent was lined with photos of the bride and groom, growing up <br />
and as a couple strung with twine by clothespins.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uKq8p8Uvvc/ToU0qwLw3_I/AAAAAAAAA1c/hDU51rxLe6o/s1600/522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uKq8p8Uvvc/ToU0qwLw3_I/AAAAAAAAA1c/hDU51rxLe6o/s1600/522.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift table with bird cage holder for cards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGNqm1x8Ap0/ToU0qOB8VHI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/OjD1hECtfl8/s1600/521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGNqm1x8Ap0/ToU0qOB8VHI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/OjD1hECtfl8/s1600/521.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Married Banner</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6p7oR0lm7Q/ToU0kHMVGbI/AAAAAAAAA04/ZaDl23uEnos/s1600/513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6p7oR0lm7Q/ToU0kHMVGbI/AAAAAAAAA04/ZaDl23uEnos/s1600/513.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful aisle and arbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAHiIqmJKsc/ToU0eYIvytI/AAAAAAAAA0g/gX_kFPXPZXQ/s1600/507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAHiIqmJKsc/ToU0eYIvytI/AAAAAAAAA0g/gX_kFPXPZXQ/s1600/507.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrCZLOa3oZw/ToU0o0B9AlI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/xmW53H-ENvg/s1600/519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrCZLOa3oZw/ToU0o0B9AlI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/xmW53H-ENvg/s1600/519.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head table dressed and ready for the wedding party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, what about you? Have you ever done a DIY wedding? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Exhausting and exhilarating? I'd love to hear about it and see what you did.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a super weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PS: Here's a few fun people pics!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHSJQtdonrM/ToU0Wt4fJcI/AAAAAAAAA0I/bHi7KEfiYVI/s1600/501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHSJQtdonrM/ToU0Wt4fJcI/AAAAAAAAA0I/bHi7KEfiYVI/s1600/501.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki and Barb</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFQLvdwWG8k/ToU0c2S1qiI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/7XByqH6oZAw/s1600/505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFQLvdwWG8k/ToU0c2S1qiI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/7XByqH6oZAw/s1600/505.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki and Barb with Jess</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6Umf5yAp1o/ToU0oFncVOI/AAAAAAAAA1M/NvQVdcTtg3I/s1600/518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6Umf5yAp1o/ToU0oFncVOI/AAAAAAAAA1M/NvQVdcTtg3I/s1600/518.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two very tired gals. Jess and Vicki! Happy, but tired! :)<br />
<br />
Linking up to these parties.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1774677364"><br />
</a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://justagirlblog.com/2011/09/show-and-share-and-a-giveaway.html">Show and Share @ Just a Girl</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2011/09/best-diy-projects-of-september-linky-party-2/">Best DIY Projects of September @ Beneath My Heart</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/09/feathered-nest-friday-fall-mantel-peek.html">Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-and-tell-friday_29.html">Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2011/09/frugal-friday_29.html">Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest </a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-26906947761841114872011-09-26T20:52:00.005-04:002011-10-06T22:26:12.447-04:00Fall-My Love/Hate RelationshipThis post was featured on...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k580/debrasvintagedesigns/fallpbimg9l225.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<center><a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd492/Honey2805/027-Copy.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Fall is here whether I like it or not. </div><div style="text-align: center;">All of my kicking and screaming isn't going to keep it away, <br />
so I've decided to give in, go ahead and do my best to welcome it. <br />
So, Welcome Fall!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6-C_6ZRPUQ/ToEb-Eb7MOI/AAAAAAAAAyk/6eMnMa8JnZo/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6-C_6ZRPUQ/ToEb-Eb7MOI/AAAAAAAAAyk/6eMnMa8JnZo/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did that sound at all sincere? <br />
Really gracious of me, right? <br />
It's not that I don't like fall because I really do. <br />
I love the colors of the changing leaves, the smell of burning logs in fireplaces, anything and all things pumpkin, all of that good stuff. What I really don't like about fall is that it's the season before winter. Mmhhmm, that's it. That's the only reason I don't like fall. Because I loathe winter. Hate it. Despise it. Chicago winters. Need I say more?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, I'm doing my best to get into the spirit. I've seen so many great fall home decorations the last couple of weeks and, of course, if you check out Pinterest, board after board of fall loveliness. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last time I was in Florida I gave my dining room mantel a little fall flair. <br />
The leaves are faux since Florida doesn't get bright orange and yellow changing leaves. <br />
And the pumpkins? Plastique. Ooh la la.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GEIjbp7MuSw/ToEb-8jDoII/AAAAAAAAAyo/lAsdv4jwMKU/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GEIjbp7MuSw/ToEb-8jDoII/AAAAAAAAAyo/lAsdv4jwMKU/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUiU4OJO1sQ/ToEb_ViyaGI/AAAAAAAAAys/bEhlx0M-BAU/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUiU4OJO1sQ/ToEb_ViyaGI/AAAAAAAAAys/bEhlx0M-BAU/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umzri8bdP2s/ToEb_01oDOI/AAAAAAAAAyw/hpOYcjwYSUk/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umzri8bdP2s/ToEb_01oDOI/AAAAAAAAAyw/hpOYcjwYSUk/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbTPfPK4mD8/ToEcAcj4uaI/AAAAAAAAAy0/8ZeCicd8ZVk/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbTPfPK4mD8/ToEcAcj4uaI/AAAAAAAAAy0/8ZeCicd8ZVk/s1600/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's my best attempt to get on the early fall decorating bandwagon. <br />
Hopefully, it'll get better when I get into a better mindset that fall is here to stay. <br />
I really should do some fluffing in the Illinois rental...just not quite feeling it yet. <br />
What about you? How are you feeling about this season? <br />
Pulling out your pumpkins, leaf garlands and gourds? <br />
I'll be looking to see what you've done. <br />
I'm linking up to lots of parties this week. Hope to see you there. <br />
More wedding pics will be coming later this week too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All the best!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6QJR95NN_U/ToEd06U7K8I/AAAAAAAAAy4/lqDb-W8y-fY/s320/Fall_Link_Party_Badge_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plus these other parties...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/">White Wednesday @ Faded Charm</a><br />
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style</a><br />
<a href="http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/">Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive & Proper</a><br />
<a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/">Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage</a><br />
<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here</a><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/">Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage</a><a href="http://www.asortoffairytale.blogspot.com/"></a><br />
<a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home</a><br />
<a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/">Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic</a><a href="http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/"></a><br />
<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage</a><br />
<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://justagirlblog.com/">Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl</a><br />
<a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/">Potpourri Friday @ 2805 </a><br />
<a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2011/09/30/fall-decorating-party-link-up/">Fall Decorating Party @ Hooked on Houses </a> </div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-39676723310172878712011-09-25T21:15:00.004-04:002011-09-27T19:28:20.916-04:00DIY Wedding Floral Spray<div style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoyed Barb's post about the wedding flowers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so nervous about the flowers for the wedding because I really didn't know what all those different flowers were going to look like together. Jessica's friend, Sarah, lives in Texas and was handling it all from there. She flew into Chicago on Wednesday, picked up the flowers and luckily spent the night at another of Jess' friend's home in Chicago. Then the next day, she was planning on spending 9 hours at the airport to wait for her other Texas friends who were flying in and then she could drive out to Michigan with everyone. But, the maid of honor, Amy, to the rescue! Amy lives on the east side of Indiana and drove into Chicago to pick up Sarah so she didn't have to sit at the airport all day. Thank goodness for friendship. This wedding really came together because of the work of friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah brought in boxes and boxes of flowers. When I saw the hydrangeas, I was a little surprised! My last conversation with Jess was that there weren't going to be any because in September they were so expensive we couldn't really afford them. I knew she was disappointed, but no one had any extra money at that point to add to the budget.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When we saw them, Jess just beamed! I was so happy for her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq-c-qBqcl0/Tn_Oqt_GlNI/AAAAAAAAAyg/jJploOJ69Bs/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq-c-qBqcl0/Tn_Oqt_GlNI/AAAAAAAAAyg/jJploOJ69Bs/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah mentioned she bought a few deep blue stems for $16/stem, <br />
then the rest were only $2 or $3/stem. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBoNp5vJr4U/Tn_Jb9KtCVI/AAAAAAAAAxk/vNnrhVcQUjA/s1600/DSC_0557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBoNp5vJr4U/Tn_Jb9KtCVI/AAAAAAAAAxk/vNnrhVcQUjA/s1600/DSC_0557.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangeas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">After seeing the flowers, Sarah showed us her secret weapon! FLORAL SPRAY!</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlF5qj1i2-Y/Tn_JcddIpII/AAAAAAAAAxo/NbabZupv2L4/s1600/DSC_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlF5qj1i2-Y/Tn_JcddIpII/AAAAAAAAAxo/NbabZupv2L4/s1600/DSC_0558.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just For Flowers - floral spray</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I turned my camera on multi-shot and got pics of the spraying and color transformation in action.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQqr4G4wn4I/Tn_JcvVBQMI/AAAAAAAAAxs/6MZGBUdnsEw/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQqr4G4wn4I/Tn_JcvVBQMI/AAAAAAAAAxs/6MZGBUdnsEw/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Sarah begins to spray, you'll be able to see the transformation from photo to photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcN4GWtsGBo/Tn_Jc__D7PI/AAAAAAAAAxw/kIfEfFBqgSc/s1600/DSC_0625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcN4GWtsGBo/Tn_Jc__D7PI/AAAAAAAAAxw/kIfEfFBqgSc/s1600/DSC_0625.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As she sprays, she sprays the bottom and even pulls the large stems apart to spray between the large stem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYXzPH6hr_o/Tn_JdSfvDuI/AAAAAAAAAx0/gMJMuyZKdSI/s1600/DSC_0627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYXzPH6hr_o/Tn_JdSfvDuI/AAAAAAAAAx0/gMJMuyZKdSI/s1600/DSC_0627.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLw8eQE77C0/Tn_Jd9IVx6I/AAAAAAAAAx4/eOPBqmIFXCM/s1600/DSC_0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLw8eQE77C0/Tn_Jd9IVx6I/AAAAAAAAAx4/eOPBqmIFXCM/s1600/DSC_0629.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf_iOe1506Q/Tn_JeAUXG3I/AAAAAAAAAx8/UhekKNwkNvA/s1600/DSC_0630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf_iOe1506Q/Tn_JeAUXG3I/AAAAAAAAAx8/UhekKNwkNvA/s1600/DSC_0630.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo really shows the addition of the deep blue color.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phxiR4RMyfA/Tn_JenvLqGI/AAAAAAAAAyA/tybehcB1Zwg/s1600/DSC_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phxiR4RMyfA/Tn_JenvLqGI/AAAAAAAAAyA/tybehcB1Zwg/s1600/DSC_0631.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV0Szx33nso/Tn_JfA28E_I/AAAAAAAAAyE/QRtIW5v54AQ/s1600/DSC_0632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV0Szx33nso/Tn_JfA28E_I/AAAAAAAAAyE/QRtIW5v54AQ/s1600/DSC_0632.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can really see the depth of the color here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r00H5_3SQCw/Tn_JfRgk-5I/AAAAAAAAAyI/HI4jfO0PLuA/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r00H5_3SQCw/Tn_JfRgk-5I/AAAAAAAAAyI/HI4jfO0PLuA/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this photo because it shows a great action shot of the spray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bpzfI30gHE/Tn_JfvKhoNI/AAAAAAAAAyM/vKSegDeGiO0/s1600/DSC_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bpzfI30gHE/Tn_JfvKhoNI/AAAAAAAAAyM/vKSegDeGiO0/s1600/DSC_0634.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The depth of the color really comes into view here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-noo3fttLHeI/Tn_JgezdV1I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/POADrOUYcoA/s1600/DSC_0635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-noo3fttLHeI/Tn_JgezdV1I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/POADrOUYcoA/s1600/DSC_0635.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NIcvQzBzd4/Tn_Jg6eQ2iI/AAAAAAAAAyU/bsGMJvzNT7I/s1600/DSC_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NIcvQzBzd4/Tn_Jg6eQ2iI/AAAAAAAAAyU/bsGMJvzNT7I/s1600/DSC_0636.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The transformation is amazing. What a great cost savings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEwO-pQwQUU/Tn_JhKKkTGI/AAAAAAAAAyY/G89RHVQcKeg/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEwO-pQwQUU/Tn_JhKKkTGI/AAAAAAAAAyY/G89RHVQcKeg/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell which one is the "pricey" stem and which one is the "cost-effective" stem?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ5f4G6y0t0/Tn_Jhx5zJ4I/AAAAAAAAAyc/2XlEu3WAvOo/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ5f4G6y0t0/Tn_Jhx5zJ4I/AAAAAAAAAyc/2XlEu3WAvOo/s1600/DSC_0640.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Sarah went to work and sprayed all the light blue stems to match the beautiful Delphinium blue stems.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed this great DIY. I never knew there was such a thing as floral spray.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My hubby found a full can when we were cleaning up and past it onto to Barb.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bet she'll do something amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Keep checking back, we have several more DIY Wedding posts coming up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you aren't following yet, please use the links to the left.<br />
We love our followers and enjoy your comments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, have you ever used floral spray before? If so, tell us how you used it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Talk to ya soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be linking up to lots of parties, cause everyone should know about this DIY.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_827839870"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/">Something I Just Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch</a><br />
<a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2011/09/making-monday-marvelous-73.html">Making Monday Marvelous @ C.R.A.F.T.</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/">Twice Owned Tuesday @ House Of Grace</a><br />
<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/">Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/09/tutorials-tips-link-party-29.html">Tips and Tutorials @ Home Stories A to Z</a><br />
<a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/">Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just a Housewife </a><br />
<a href="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/">Anything Goes @ Type A Decorating</a><br />
<a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/">Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a> <br />
<a href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/">Trash 2 Treasure @ Sassy Sites </a></div><a href="http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/">All Things Inspired @ All Things Heart and Home</a><br />
<a href="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/">Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking</a><br />
<a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/">Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design</a><br />
<a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/">White Wednesday @ Faded Charm</a><br />
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style</a><br />
<a href="http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/">Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive & Proper</a><br />
<a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/">Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-45435467715813547392011-09-23T11:11:00.003-04:002011-09-23T18:56:41.099-04:00The Wedding Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, the wedding has come and gone. A full year of planning and prepping and now it's all over. Whew. We're exhausted and at the same time, elated. Everything came together beautifully. Jessica and Randy have wonderful families and a great bunch of very talented friends who all worked together to give them a beautiful day. The bride and groom were happy and that makes all of us happy. So, mission accomplished!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really too tired to write much but I want to share some pics of what we did for this DIY wedding. We will write several posts about the wedding and will share lots of photos but today I'm just going to talk briefly about the help we had from everyone and show you the flowers. Vicki and I had a vision of what we wanted the wedding site to look like but it took a team of willing friends to execute our vision. I, for one, could not have been any more pleased with the way everything looked when all was done.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki and I took advantage of all Jessica and Randy's friends and appreciated their willingness to help with so many last minute preparations. We really put them to work! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would say the biggest on sight task was getting all the floral arrangements together. The floral designer, Jessica's friend, Sarah, flew in from Texas. Sarah is currently getting her master's in art. She is incredibly talented and worked her magic on buckets and buckets of cut flowers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i90jB4UxEkM/TnycZZpUJmI/AAAAAAAAAv8/rw6TnXTg17g/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i90jB4UxEkM/TnycZZpUJmI/AAAAAAAAAv8/rw6TnXTg17g/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iavt7mpquis/TnycaBsvGCI/AAAAAAAAAwA/S7-zaSKBBxA/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iavt7mpquis/TnycaBsvGCI/AAAAAAAAAwA/S7-zaSKBBxA/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pM-mNOGt-g/Tnyd2y3jaKI/AAAAAAAAAwo/iFFq3v2NrsI/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pM-mNOGt-g/Tnyd2y3jaKI/AAAAAAAAAwo/iFFq3v2NrsI/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkM8QJRZLH8/Tnyd31_3aLI/AAAAAAAAAws/sDP_u2DACtI/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkM8QJRZLH8/Tnyd31_3aLI/AAAAAAAAAws/sDP_u2DACtI/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sv8xRKZZjGs/Tnyd4aaA4xI/AAAAAAAAAww/ioP9S3hXSOw/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sv8xRKZZjGs/Tnyd4aaA4xI/AAAAAAAAAww/ioP9S3hXSOw/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJM5JkAcQQY/Tnyd41JsDVI/AAAAAAAAAw0/MRTh5KOYsMs/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJM5JkAcQQY/Tnyd41JsDVI/AAAAAAAAAw0/MRTh5KOYsMs/s1600/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah was able to save money by doing a real cool DIY "trick of the trade." We will be sharing this in another post. So, check back for that special post. You will be amazed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Her finished arrangements were breathtaking!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CpIP6Dpjnc/TnycUYuMvsI/AAAAAAAAAv0/xvY0XPMoSqk/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CpIP6Dpjnc/TnycUYuMvsI/AAAAAAAAAv0/xvY0XPMoSqk/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjxOBaz4XDw/Tnyca49aDII/AAAAAAAAAwE/5WA6bjna0-Y/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjxOBaz4XDw/Tnyca49aDII/AAAAAAAAAwE/5WA6bjna0-Y/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XALAnbNzw4/Tnyck55HGZI/AAAAAAAAAwM/Opr209a5p1g/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XALAnbNzw4/Tnyck55HGZI/AAAAAAAAAwM/Opr209a5p1g/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyGiyNCKukw/Tnycl0BMi8I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/259xcIYB7qQ/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyGiyNCKukw/Tnycl0BMi8I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/259xcIYB7qQ/s1600/photo-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All vessels we brought we used for either flowers or floating candles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLOVA20Iz6o/TnycmmFDd-I/AAAAAAAAAwU/3vcGVG6ylwQ/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLOVA20Iz6o/TnycmmFDd-I/AAAAAAAAAwU/3vcGVG6ylwQ/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table Numbers by Vicki</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFae95-ccGg/Tnycnd1mozI/AAAAAAAAAwY/xMyLst-cJ0k/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFae95-ccGg/Tnycnd1mozI/AAAAAAAAAwY/xMyLst-cJ0k/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little peak of the table center piece, with some floral dropped around the table for drama!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGAvQlW5DTs/Tnyc5KJuKyI/AAAAAAAAAwg/f6kRwhb52OA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGAvQlW5DTs/Tnyc5KJuKyI/AAAAAAAAAwg/f6kRwhb52OA/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers were a huge part of the decorations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All the center pieces and bouquets were similar but different, and equally beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah, Jessica, and Amy, the Matron of Honor, worked together on the arbor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIi7n4rAOWw/TnycTfjWWMI/AAAAAAAAAvw/A_eUhJ5cBW0/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIi7n4rAOWw/TnycTfjWWMI/AAAAAAAAAvw/A_eUhJ5cBW0/s1600/photo-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess shows us what she wants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9gXcoJq4Kw/Tnyc4SlivbI/AAAAAAAAAwc/6KJHWj6Wc-Q/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9gXcoJq4Kw/Tnyc4SlivbI/AAAAAAAAAwc/6KJHWj6Wc-Q/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy's turn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-TVNmC1umc/TnycVd314sI/AAAAAAAAAv4/XWMuRv5LP1w/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-TVNmC1umc/TnycVd314sI/AAAAAAAAAv4/XWMuRv5LP1w/s1600/photo-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah giving Jess some lovin'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was a little, no, A LOT, intimidated about decorating the arbor, so I was really glad they were willing to tackle that! I'm sure all their theater training in set decoration came in handy for this project. It turned out so pretty. Job well done, ladies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We'll post again soon and show you how we set up for the ceremony and the transformation of the tent (before here) for the beautiful reception. I must say, it's pretty amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0Q8dQqaRCI/Tnyc5xaZl-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/o93oyaMPjRc/s1600/photo-SNEAK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0Q8dQqaRCI/Tnyc5xaZl-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/o93oyaMPjRc/s1600/photo-SNEAK.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had BOXES of decorations!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See you soon! Don't forget to check back and see more of this DIY Wedding.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barb</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PS: If you aren't receiving our posts via e-mail or thru your favorite reader, please use the links to the right to link us to you. We love our followers and look forward to connecting with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://blog.addicted2decorating.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://kristilinauerinteriors.com/a2d-pics/addicts-not-so-anonymous-link-party.png" /></a></div>Barb@curlywillowdiyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12704953490453840893noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-45636586166294517942011-09-16T08:00:00.001-04:002011-09-16T08:00:00.442-04:00Guest Post: The Next Adventure<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Okay, this is going to wrap up our guest posts... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/">Brenda from Cozy Little House</a> is heading out on her next adventure! She currently lives in East Texas and is heading for Oklahoma. Brenda writes and photographs about her life and her journey. She is an excellent photographer. We love her ability to capture the beauty around her. We are so excited for her next adventure!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Okay Brenda, take it away!</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PREPARING FOR THE NEXT ADVENTURE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcCXNbYQ66n5zt2B3JcVu9O2NvOsv-fTeWBlU9IbnS8oPnOT4MstYcoTMW9oPBIFSnRnza1OY-pysWRUAkkgBOYsLjmWqsEQIeePMyoslIqbUoKSGZkyS3WUu4KPzxsjUwyb3iyhisWda/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcCXNbYQ66n5zt2B3JcVu9O2NvOsv-fTeWBlU9IbnS8oPnOT4MstYcoTMW9oPBIFSnRnza1OY-pysWRUAkkgBOYsLjmWqsEQIeePMyoslIqbUoKSGZkyS3WUu4KPzxsjUwyb3iyhisWda/s400/2.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I start scaling down and getting ready to pack to move, <br />
I realize I have a whole lot of glass objects around me to deal with.</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ2PPWlCqAT9FZVF4tFBx7zxJ3xiE4IPwx4TJ2aiqG9B85f6PaddIEuf8yNzvgCtKZJtwfsUdvvJfiwGBgkJld5Aj2HpEIATun81CC7Icki_FZNNdM07Si6Sbvjd_wx4aOo5Jm7IpjATQ/s1600/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ2PPWlCqAT9FZVF4tFBx7zxJ3xiE4IPwx4TJ2aiqG9B85f6PaddIEuf8yNzvgCtKZJtwfsUdvvJfiwGBgkJld5Aj2HpEIATun81CC7Icki_FZNNdM07Si6Sbvjd_wx4aOo5Jm7IpjATQ/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, but how could I part with these white pitchers! <br />
(Of course there's the chance stuff will get broken en route...)</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4wjlbhf6ZNuKrOwIR_bGL4rt4Zr0mnx1veZ_YGTKAfR27LEpWGJ3Rb7Uq4jxgqOTcpHm_tQmgH9w-GOULtT_XUpmwhBD4vvmT7_DCEBwXbnPl-IdkzAruVZ0UBrY7GN7k72bGOEv6y2I/s1600/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4wjlbhf6ZNuKrOwIR_bGL4rt4Zr0mnx1veZ_YGTKAfR27LEpWGJ3Rb7Uq4jxgqOTcpHm_tQmgH9w-GOULtT_XUpmwhBD4vvmT7_DCEBwXbnPl-IdkzAruVZ0UBrY7GN7k72bGOEv6y2I/s400/8.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, I just can't think about that now. I have to think: Bubble wrap. Lots of bubble wrap.</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFzPa5m9QPrsAKhA8PScDK_YucpbiHvkRZHdPVLWt_KcR-A-KvkQi2ArfEky84rFGiw_e8i1XFlVIizG3R4OsgmUPZxUXcWH0cqY6CoaAw5_shDSRf1vSqD6z5xFhFOISlRXqyDa4ucI7/s1600/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFzPa5m9QPrsAKhA8PScDK_YucpbiHvkRZHdPVLWt_KcR-A-KvkQi2ArfEky84rFGiw_e8i1XFlVIizG3R4OsgmUPZxUXcWH0cqY6CoaAw5_shDSRf1vSqD6z5xFhFOISlRXqyDa4ucI7/s400/9.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've already packed and parted with several sets of dishes<br />
that went to the consignment shop. But you know how it is: <br />
You look around you and think you can get rid of something. <br />
And before you know it, it's found its way back to the "keeper" pile.</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3tn6Ay9yGCBg4MwzsnKRSlEBrMYMICucpowWXqXCk0iOHpx9CbZAsdqYgGAhVIu0XzZXBjCjD1jhx7pfzIsmwdZ2HqkXvjJc07abfaSzxGoNWX-S5F9HzPyPTzWiEddlEbyckQhYxEzE/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3tn6Ay9yGCBg4MwzsnKRSlEBrMYMICucpowWXqXCk0iOHpx9CbZAsdqYgGAhVIu0XzZXBjCjD1jhx7pfzIsmwdZ2HqkXvjJc07abfaSzxGoNWX-S5F9HzPyPTzWiEddlEbyckQhYxEzE/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm getting weary just thinking about this. <br />
But then what "decorator" doesn't have a lot of glass pretties?</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqQKSCbGcXl1KQHPwSau_PnjpZVqhE4HSKaYaXFxnxqRAVFZwOFL90hRjQslnLViPiiRhYsDdt9RHnx4hHGhR0NZsQztqMCCZJqazC0MH6cg0xWZkgLoAhnxE-KWIrb9MtzQU3vkPSAT4/s1600/23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqQKSCbGcXl1KQHPwSau_PnjpZVqhE4HSKaYaXFxnxqRAVFZwOFL90hRjQslnLViPiiRhYsDdt9RHnx4hHGhR0NZsQztqMCCZJqazC0MH6cg0xWZkgLoAhnxE-KWIrb9MtzQU3vkPSAT4/s400/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not to mention all we store in glass objects. Like bowls and jars and such.</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m-Ku13aaIfEO151So65w_RVPNeqsack2ldy9qCnLGuYxbz70B9bidgX84c864tPJ6DnKvABWmbknZOW-yuCIeZ9LpvglH5o4o6vG7lL2zwHF0uwXIl0JhZZfdXiaPTsHNWfmtxum7kNM/s1600/28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m-Ku13aaIfEO151So65w_RVPNeqsack2ldy9qCnLGuYxbz70B9bidgX84c864tPJ6DnKvABWmbknZOW-yuCIeZ9LpvglH5o4o6vG7lL2zwHF0uwXIl0JhZZfdXiaPTsHNWfmtxum7kNM/s400/28.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Humor me. Look around you. How much surrounding you would have to go in boxes that say: Careful! Glass inside! Beware of breakables!</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Brenda <a href="http://cozylittlehouse.com/" target="_blank">http://cozylittlehouse.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Brenda, be careful and be safe in your travels, friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks to all of our great guest bloggers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We appreciate you so much and helping us out here!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Next week, Barb and I will back with lots of posts...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">but more importantly... lots of WEDDING posts!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">xoxo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Barb and Vicki</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-60796752720690594442011-09-13T08:00:00.001-04:002011-09-13T08:05:06.143-04:00Guest Post: Cookie Time Tuesday!<div style="text-align: center;">Gosh, we hope everyone is having fun with our guest bloggers.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our next guest is Lindy from Itsy Bitsy Paper. We met Lindy through a linky paper. <br />
She's a great talent in lots of areas... baking, graphic design, DIYs and crafts. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hop on over to visit Lindy and get to know her better.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Take it away Lindy!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">COOKIE TIME TUESDAY!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so excited to be guest posting today at <a href="http://www.curlywillowdiy.blogspot.com/">Curly Willow DIY</a>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do a Cookie Time Tuesday every week featuring a new Cookie Recipe. It is so much fun to give them a try each week and knock on wood I've not had a single recipe that hasn't turned out yummy. Each week I laugh and say that I have a new favorite cookie until the next Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This cookie is so simple but looks amazing and tastes even better! How can you go wrong with Peanut Butter, Nuts and Chocolate? The cookie recipe is a super simple flourless PB Cookie that is great by itself or dipped in chocolate and nuts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzo3LplRZ5RqULlQt4RRE4-07m6wVAGamO_WVJASAdIS7Ci714geGYNn-NhmaIgI-7-GggC7lYIpQnoWutjTuGTNBLyfCVNQ1XVyYuqK8rg0E7oYXj2-T9DnTaxUr6IbjINBfoovqi9TQ/s1600/Cookie+Time+-+Page+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzo3LplRZ5RqULlQt4RRE4-07m6wVAGamO_WVJASAdIS7Ci714geGYNn-NhmaIgI-7-GggC7lYIpQnoWutjTuGTNBLyfCVNQ1XVyYuqK8rg0E7oYXj2-T9DnTaxUr6IbjINBfoovqi9TQ/s1600/Cookie+Time+-+Page+002.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdg1FxXchqtAyzTHyb3nwjM_sh-gREJN3mvAwSFxoejlfGtNqSlFKToxnc1KtdB6RBYbvXABpCcdVDy4KNOHCMU1jCx3NPvroKjCFEaib9kKXwhWUrjFN7uDVDEMbvaqaMbSbr_zNyOw3/s1600/willow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdg1FxXchqtAyzTHyb3nwjM_sh-gREJN3mvAwSFxoejlfGtNqSlFKToxnc1KtdB6RBYbvXABpCcdVDy4KNOHCMU1jCx3NPvroKjCFEaib9kKXwhWUrjFN7uDVDEMbvaqaMbSbr_zNyOw3/s1600/willow3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Print Recipe <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_30709948"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HERE</span></a></span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ry4TG_CC6bfwrKzaj1Ux8ucnhQqH1biFoI2L2Ay-AUA/edit?hl=en_US"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will need:</div><div dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.2885243244616901" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 cup peanut butter</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 cup granulated white sugar</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 large egg</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 teaspoon baking soda</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">½ cup mini chocolate chips </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 bag milk chocolate chips</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 cup chopped peanuts</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XCuzq2xdDabosuOiJN5oyo5eiyrtVs53SlJiwlCLTaQWOgwgw4dsjUNAelpVexjfvTLaIwOZlHcep-dSzInhi-uQIGR5o0V4EzT3__H8E1XsitqifCzzwWlaDvhb0BhSASe-LIKo03ZR/s1600/willow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XCuzq2xdDabosuOiJN5oyo5eiyrtVs53SlJiwlCLTaQWOgwgw4dsjUNAelpVexjfvTLaIwOZlHcep-dSzInhi-uQIGR5o0V4EzT3__H8E1XsitqifCzzwWlaDvhb0BhSASe-LIKo03ZR/s1600/willow1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> • Gather Ingredients</div><div style="text-align: center;">• Mix the first 6 ingredients together</div><div style="text-align: center;">• Add mini chocolate chips to batter and mix well</div><div style="text-align: center;">• Roll into balls and place on a baking sheet. Flatten with tines of a fork</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_kyP2pR32BcdfvGS2U-TPkf7_dVP5wb-_wK6Ure83GfbXCylTJDoSyI4YhAt_dBgLrKFmTHfqvgqOJlyBjkKh-WGVL1vhNgeeOkCEwl17Xxju4DbrA8EUzpnPhSS-mbYt0GC-Una7Dd0/s1600/willow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_kyP2pR32BcdfvGS2U-TPkf7_dVP5wb-_wK6Ure83GfbXCylTJDoSyI4YhAt_dBgLrKFmTHfqvgqOJlyBjkKh-WGVL1vhNgeeOkCEwl17Xxju4DbrA8EUzpnPhSS-mbYt0GC-Una7Dd0/s1600/willow2.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">• Bake cookies for about 10 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">• Melt the bag of milk chocolate chips</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">• Dip cookie in melted chocolate only covering halfway then dip in nuts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">• Lay dipped cookies on parchment paper to let the chocolate harden</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6ieKFQsOQelOn9_HWe6koSjbDQZMLdxfR397IAGdblOlVsXeozCDN1eM3hs0RJl41OKu3RXr4epBgWbTbs7rC_CzShxLTLP761QJNAQIRspIDrJ5TJC4EPm1jyVvya8s8Vx9rSukvdPk/s1600/willow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6ieKFQsOQelOn9_HWe6koSjbDQZMLdxfR397IAGdblOlVsXeozCDN1eM3hs0RJl41OKu3RXr4epBgWbTbs7rC_CzShxLTLP761QJNAQIRspIDrJ5TJC4EPm1jyVvya8s8Vx9rSukvdPk/s1600/willow4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">YUMMY in the TUMMY!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you have any other questions or need anything from me just let me know and </div><div style="text-align: center;">I will get it right to you. Thank you again!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Like" the Itsy Bitsy Paper Fan Page on Facebook</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/itsybitsypaper">www.facebook.com/itsybitsypaper</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Visit Itsy Bitsy Paper's Blog for lots more fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you Pin? Follow Itsy Bitsy Paper's Boards on Pinterest</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/itsybitsypaper/">http://pinterest.com/itsybitsypaper/</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lindy Harnarain</div><div style="text-align: center;">itsy bitsy paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">Owner•Designer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.itsybitsypaper.com/">www.itsybitsypaper.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://itsybitsypaperblog.com/">http://itsybitsypaperblog.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow! Those look yummy!! Thanks Lindy. I will definitely be making those after the wedding!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo Vicki and Barb</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-57025953869919983862011-09-09T08:00:00.059-04:002011-09-09T09:34:29.838-04:00Guest Post: Finding Family at Find-a-Grave<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our next guest blogger is <a href="http://hartwoodroses.blogspot.com/">Connie from Hartwood Roses.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Connie lives in Virginia and has an amazing home, with a a small rose nursery that specializes in antique roses. Connie is a Certified Rosarian, a Master Gardener, a carpenter, a remodeler, and a dreamer. (As she states it... We love that!)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Okay, Connie, take the wheel, your in the drivers seat today!</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Finding Family at Find-a-Grave</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m thrilled that Vicki and Barb has invited me to guest post over here on her blog today. She told me that I could talk about anything I want, so I’ll tell you about one of my favorite web sites.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love spending time in cemeteries. There is something peaceful and relaxing about wandering through the carved stones, reading facts and figures about families who once lived nearby. It is especially rewarding to search for and find the grave of an ancestor ... standing in the same spot where their family stood while saying their final goodbyes. (Many of the roses in my garden came from cuttings I snipped during some of my visits to cemeteries ... but this is a subject for another day.)</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I began researching my family's history when I was 16 years old. What was once a very challenging undertaking, involving interviews with family members, trips away from home to courthouses and dusty library basements and cemeteries, is now so much easier with all of the resources available online. Most of us have heard of Ancestry.com ... but have you ever visited <b><a href="http://www.findagrave.com/" target="_blank">FindaGrave.com</a></b>?</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Find-A-Grave, it is possible to look up your ancestors, or just about anyone, find where they are buried, and possibly see photos of where they are buried. Content comes from user submissions, and new graves are being added all the time.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=01ToalsonCemeteryFindaGrave_w.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/01ToalsonCemeteryFindaGrave_w.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The caption on this photo on the Find-A-Grave web site says, "This is an abandoned cemetery that is in disrepair. The only portion of the headstones that are visible are the stone base and one portion of a headstone. The Genealogical Society of Central Missouri by Evans and Thompson ©1933 documents that Micha Toalson is buried at this location."</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=02ElmerToalsonGrave_w.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/02ElmerToalsonGrave_w.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The photo above is the Toalson Family Cemetery in Boone County, outside of Columbia, Missouri. Resting in this spot are my great-great-great Grandfather William Toalson (1781 - 1841), his second wife Micha Brown Toalson (1798 - 1874), and William's son James (1817 - 1875). </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=03WilliamWestGrave_w.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/03WilliamWestGrave_w.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The grave of my great-Grandfather, in New Providence Cemetery, <br />
Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> (photo by Neil Wilcox)</span> </div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have never visited Missouri, though my father's family has been there since the early 19th Century. Photos of my ancestors' graves were taken by Find-A-Grave volunteers, in response to photo requests from me. Volunteers sign up to take photos when asked, posting them to the web site for all to see. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The grave of William West, one of my great-great Grandfathers, in New Providence Cemetery, Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> (Photo by Neil Wilcox)</span><br />
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=04BeardClaudeClara_w.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/04BeardClaudeClara_w.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am a Find-A-Grave photo volunteer for my area. Whenever someone requests a photo from a cemetery nearby, I receive an email with details so I can visit the cemetery and take the requested photos. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4SWnYSpfzk/TmoOmYsHKOI/AAAAAAAAAug/ZBH28RP_d9w/s1600/05JosephArmstrongGrave_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4SWnYSpfzk/TmoOmYsHKOI/AAAAAAAAAug/ZBH28RP_d9w/s1600/05JosephArmstrongGrave_w.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo taken by me at the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, Culpeper County, Virginia.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have also uploaded photos of the graves of my own ancestors to the Find-A-Grave database, to help other folks who are researching the same families that I am.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=06MarySurrattGrave_w.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/06MarySurrattGrave_w.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The grave of Mary Surratt, Lincoln assassination conspirator, </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently spent one morning taking photos at two nearby cemeteries for a Find-A-Grave member who lives in Mississippi. Her family has a rich history where I live in Stafford County, and it took a couple of hours for me to find everyone she wanted photos of.</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=08BeachPercyNorene_w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/08BeachPercyNorene_w.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Here is an interesting little fact ... I have found that most graves face east, toward the rising sun. (there's probably a reason for this, but I don't know what it is), so I find that it's best to take my photos in the morning, when the sun is shining on the face of the tombstones. Afternoon photos would be back-lit, with the sun shining directly on my camera, which makes the inscriptions in the photos hard to read.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I'm wandering through cemeteries, you KNOW that I also have to take </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">photos of the roses I find there.</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=09AndrewsSafranoHollywood_w.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/?action=view&current=09AndrewsSafranoHollywood_w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/09AndrewsSafranoHollywood_w.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Safrano, growing beside the gate to the Andrews plot, Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have some time to kill, surf around at <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Find-A-Grave</span></b></a> and see what you can find. If you like history, cemeteries, and photography, considering becoming a volunteer.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2056471004"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hartwoodroses.blogspot.com/">Connie at Hartwood Roses</a><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thanks Connie! We definitely learned something new today!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I never knew that service existed. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great weekend everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki and Barb</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-27014926143856767192011-09-07T08:00:00.001-04:002011-09-07T08:00:25.234-04:00Guest Post: Necessity or Luxury?<div style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Okay, today we have a great friend, <a href="http://vintagecountrygirl.blogspot.com/">Lorie from Vintage Country Girl</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">She is from the Midwest, in fact, lives only a short 45 minutes from Vicki.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> And they got to meet this past early spring. It was awesome!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Lorie lives on a farm, with a big garden, barn animals and enjoys life with her hubby and two beautiful kids. <br />
She blogs about all things creative... food, decorating, life on a farm, and her amazing kids.<br />
I hope you stop by and meet Lorie and get to know her and her family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So, take it away... Lorie!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Necessity or Luxury?</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Canning and freezing food is not for everyone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My mom was a canner. She always had a huge garden and put lots of food away. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I never thought I would do it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Then I had kids! And found out feeding them is expensive, and you never REALLY know what's in stuff you buy.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The cost of food, <u>good food</u>, just keeps going up.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> It's ridiculous!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When I started, I started off small. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I made applesauce with my mom and sister. I froze strawberries and made freezer jam. My kids <u>loved </u>this, and I loved that I made stuff that I knew the ingredients of.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> My garden got bigger each year, (still does.)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I've had help along the way. I haven't done it on my own. Phone calls to my mom asking whether I can do such and such are frequent. As my kids got older, they started helping and Brent, my husband, does too.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Books like these</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> are helpful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXTF_o4Gcck/TlRnZ1YQ6HI/AAAAAAAAAsY/2LcuAQs3LgM/s1600/ashley+english+canning+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXTF_o4Gcck/TlRnZ1YQ6HI/AAAAAAAAAsY/2LcuAQs3LgM/s1600/ashley+english+canning+book.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oihq1zr6jiw/TlRnaTe0emI/AAAAAAAAAsc/UM0KMo_l_U0/s1600/ball+canning+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oihq1zr6jiw/TlRnaTe0emI/AAAAAAAAAsc/UM0KMo_l_U0/s1600/ball+canning+book.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each year I try to master something new. This year it was a copy-cat recipe for Pizza Hut pizza sauce.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5y5hxXX7ts/TlRnnllWV_I/AAAAAAAAAso/bmF0mHoU2ic/s1600/pizza-sauce-in-pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5y5hxXX7ts/TlRnnllWV_I/AAAAAAAAAso/bmF0mHoU2ic/s1600/pizza-sauce-in-pot.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJYkMr6zioc/TlRnm4LGFjI/AAAAAAAAAsk/1Dgg3n6Pz9w/s1600/pizza-sauce-being-canned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJYkMr6zioc/TlRnm4LGFjI/AAAAAAAAAsk/1Dgg3n6Pz9w/s1600/pizza-sauce-being-canned.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwXtRM2CqyI/TlRnmOWSyzI/AAAAAAAAAsg/WUnyupJmhj8/s1600/canned-pizza-sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwXtRM2CqyI/TlRnmOWSyzI/AAAAAAAAAsg/WUnyupJmhj8/s1600/canned-pizza-sauce.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's good!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My <u>one</u> freezer is full already.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joebH-f8epw/TlRohjIXmiI/AAAAAAAAAss/xgFnY51vWSw/s1600/freezer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joebH-f8epw/TlRohjIXmiI/AAAAAAAAAss/xgFnY51vWSw/s1600/freezer.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The other one holds meat from the pig we butchered.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work and <u>often</u> I wonder...is this really worth it? Especially when a big chunk of money goes out for baskets of peaches or apples or grapes. But in the end, it always is.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> There is such a surge going on right now for buying locally, buying organic, and going green with our eating. If I'm the one growing it in my garden, and then canning or freezing it, I <u>know</u> what's in the final product.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> So even though I may complain over the hours it takes to prepare something to freeze or can...I know it's gonna taste good this winter to pull fresh fruit or grape juice out of my own stash.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2ZnfV-VLW4/TlRo4lVZNyI/AAAAAAAAAsw/RXDNNr8-8F4/s1600/canned-jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2ZnfV-VLW4/TlRo4lVZNyI/AAAAAAAAAsw/RXDNNr8-8F4/s1600/canned-jam.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So here's a challenge. Start small.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ask a friend or family member for help.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You'll reap the rewards over and over.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Thanks,<a href="http://vintagecountrygirl.blogspot.com/"> Lorie! </a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Gosh, I think I missed out!! I was supposed to head to Lorie's over the summer and learn this process, but life got crazy busy and I couldn't add another project to my life. BUMMER!! </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We hope you are enjoying our guest bloggers! We sure are!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Happy Wednesday Everyone!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Vicki and Barb</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-37684064355152303902011-09-05T08:00:00.003-04:002011-09-05T08:00:12.140-04:00Guest Post: Lovin' Freebies<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Okay, here we go with our next awesome bloggin' friend!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://asortoffairytalegirl.blogspot.com/">Stacey from A Sort of a Fairytale</a> has become a great friend of ours.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She is another Midwestern blogger. We love that!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stacey style is super cute, very fun and she loves COLOR!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stacey also has her own Etsy shop with some fabulous vintage finds. </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, stop by her blog and get to know her, then go check out her shop.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Here's Stacey!</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hello Curly DIY Readers!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I'm Stacey from </span><a href="http://asortoffairytalegirl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A Sort Of Fairytale</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> and I have the honor of Guest Posting here today!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So, I love to search to the ends of the internet for anything and everything cute and lately I've been on the hunt for Free Digital Printables. I have found some really great stuff that I think you will love too. I can't believe all the super cute free printables that out are there, ready to download with one click! Did I mention they are FREE?!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">First up is, </span><a href="http://www.do-it-yourself-invitations.com/free-printable-thank-you-cards.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do-it-yourself-invitations.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">, where you will find this thank you note card and envelope with adorable Chinese lanterns. There other cute styles of free printable note cards on the same page too!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HajmGgxZNM/TlRfRM4VCrI/AAAAAAAAAsI/mSUttyUHtKE/s1600/free-printable-thank-you-cards-lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HajmGgxZNM/TlRfRM4VCrI/AAAAAAAAAsI/mSUttyUHtKE/s1600/free-printable-thank-you-cards-lantern.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Next, we have bunting...<i>because I love me some bunting</i>! At </span><a href="http://ruffledblog.com/printable-alphabet-bunting/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ruffled</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">, they have listed an alphabet bunting printable for you. Just click on each letter near the bottom of the post to go to the download.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yGBzv6WJwU/TlRfZ-Li26I/AAAAAAAAAsM/MaJYrE46XM0/s1600/bunting-alphabet-letters-download-template1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yGBzv6WJwU/TlRfZ-Li26I/AAAAAAAAAsM/MaJYrE46XM0/s320/bunting-alphabet-letters-download-template1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you are planning a wedding, like Vicki, you should check out these 12 free wedding printables at </span><a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/12-free-wedding-printables/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Intimate Weddings</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">. Click on the links they share to go to the download.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJsU_ot1weo/TlRfpSYoYvI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/PIi1Nida7WY/s1600/free-wedding-printables-monograms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJsU_ot1weo/TlRfpSYoYvI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/PIi1Nida7WY/s320/free-wedding-printables-monograms.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lastly we have, darling summer (<i>hey, it's till summer, right?</i>) floral gift tags from </span><a href="http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/summer-floral-gift-tags" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Eat, Drink, Chic</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">. </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_VXxOVg4EY/TlRfwJLT0zI/AAAAAAAAAsU/V06gosaYj3s/s1600/summer_vintage_floral_tags_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_VXxOVg4EY/TlRfwJLT0zI/AAAAAAAAAsU/V06gosaYj3s/s1600/summer_vintage_floral_tags_02.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Get your printers revved up and enjoy all the Free Printable Goodness!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Many thanks to my pals, Vicki and Barb for letting me share here today!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">xoxo Stacey </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks Stacey! That was a lot of fun. There are quite a lot of printables out in cyberspace.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I hope y'all take a moment to check out Stacey's blog and her etsy shop.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And if you are looking for more printables, you can always check out my printable site...</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g364/vickishead/FREEBIES/">Vicki's Freebies</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-70768768657073289462011-09-01T08:00:00.002-04:002011-09-01T08:00:04.998-04:00Guest Post: Do You Textorate?<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Please welcome today our first guest blogger! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">We are so excited to have some of our bloggin' friends guest post during this busy time.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://thepolohouse.blogspot.com/">Alison from the Polohouse</a> has a beautiful blog. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">She lives here in the Midwest, like Barb and I, and is a very creative woman! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Lucky girl has a beautiful home that was once a polo barn. Cool, don't ya think?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">So, here we go. Take it away Alison!</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do you Textorate?</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I love to add numbers and letters into the design and decor </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">of casual rooms. This look is increasingly popular in decorating</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">today and works well in rooms such as family and game rooms, offices,</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">and kitchens too. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLxzvzmpc2Y/TlRZZbTnV6I/AAAAAAAAAsA/QBt1ClomPHQ/s1600/playroom-021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLxzvzmpc2Y/TlRZZbTnV6I/AAAAAAAAAsA/QBt1ClomPHQ/s1600/playroom-021.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">There is just something about old type and numbers that add</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">a little bit of graphic interest to a space. </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">You can add antique or vintage signage, destination subway or bus blinds, grain and feed sacks, marquis letters or numbers, and other decorative elements that have printed text on them.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGmvQ4FaUbY/TlRZXRh9RYI/AAAAAAAAAr4/ZZB6xaxGQ9Y/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGmvQ4FaUbY/TlRZXRh9RYI/AAAAAAAAAr4/ZZB6xaxGQ9Y/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">If you don't have anything antique or vintage to work with, you can stencil or create</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">your own images to replicate an older look. There are many websites and companies that sell these kinds of tools and stencils to help you create your own vintage-style designs.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPOMGhrQFPU/TlRY5rjtUAI/AAAAAAAAAro/rUrzzX4n2nE/s1600/archt-detlsoffice-039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPOMGhrQFPU/TlRY5rjtUAI/AAAAAAAAAro/rUrzzX4n2nE/s1600/archt-detlsoffice-039.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Whether through a lettered sign, old numbered tags, chalkboard messages, or monogrammed </span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">towels or pillows --- you may be "textorating" and not even know it!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfJOJWhV43Q/TlRY6zmNwCI/AAAAAAAAArs/7qxgMDSgPU8/s1600/archt-detlsoffice-057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfJOJWhV43Q/TlRY6zmNwCI/AAAAAAAAArs/7qxgMDSgPU8/s1600/archt-detlsoffice-057.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUoEXCGVSLo/TlRZYJzLmdI/AAAAAAAAAr8/OLs6jYZxFZM/s1600/DSC04296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUoEXCGVSLo/TlRZYJzLmdI/AAAAAAAAAr8/OLs6jYZxFZM/s1600/DSC04296.JPG" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black;">Do you use letters or numbers in your home decor?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEy_9dto-eI/TlRY4w4YQSI/AAAAAAAAArk/lWUKToPJ1jM/s1600/archt-detlsoffice-032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEy_9dto-eI/TlRY4w4YQSI/AAAAAAAAArk/lWUKToPJ1jM/s1600/archt-detlsoffice-032.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blessings,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://thepolohouse.blogspot.com/">Alison, The Polohouse</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks Alison! Barb and I love your blog and so happy <br />
you were able to stop by for a guest post today!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hope y'all are having a happy week, full of adventure!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">xoxo</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vicki and Barb</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079769284027918952.post-36386305926461680452011-08-25T13:03:00.000-04:002011-08-25T13:03:29.265-04:00To Busy To Post - Guest Series<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's Coming Soon!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKejVJQEgxg/TlZ_HW7ODBI/AAAAAAAAAs4/SFHWHgEnuYs/s1600/Guest-Post-Ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKejVJQEgxg/TlZ_HW7ODBI/AAAAAAAAAs4/SFHWHgEnuYs/s1600/Guest-Post-Ad.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Join the adventures of these wonderful ladies!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">See ya in September!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barb and Vicki</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1