tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47135098776348968752024-02-28T15:41:32.895-08:00The CraftmeisterBecca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-29990277617098435932023-06-28T05:51:00.004-07:002023-06-28T08:52:39.925-07:00Futurama is for Squares - Planet Express Crew Graphs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Good News, Everyone!<div><br></div><div>I've decided to share the color patterns I've been following to create the character squares for my Futurama project. I didn't create these characters, I just made them pixilated to fit in a square that is 26 stitches by 26 stitches. When I crochet these squares using a 3.5mm hook they end up being close to a 5 inch square. I am going to combine 20 character squares with a large Planet Express back patch. The front will feature folded lapels and pockets (of course), and a spot for a name tag so it looks like a crew jacket. I am also going to add poofs to the top of the shoulder where the body and sleeves meet as a nod to Futurama 's totally un-cool futuristic trends (you can't admit they're cool, that's totally not cool). </div><div><br></div><div>So without further adu, here is the first of the characters I am sharing, the Planet Express Crew! Keep in mind, I hand drew these in a notebook and wasn't intending on sharing them, so theyre a little rough. Fry doesnt have the colors listed on the bottom as the other characters do, but you can figure it out, you smarty pants. My handwriting is messy, it was colored in with art supplies I stole from my kids while they were sleeping, Fry's page had a nacho stain I cropped out. But, hey, they're free! I am creating them as I go, so I will share them in groups on this blog. Please subscribe to be the first alerted when I update and share more. Take a screenshot or right click on the image to download. </div><div><br></div><div>The charts are all 26 squares by 26 squares, guidelines drawn every 5 squares. Each square is a stitch, I crocheted the main colors and embroidered the black outline over the colors when completed. </div><div><br></div><div>Fry</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Leela</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Hermes</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Professor</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Bender</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br></div><div>Zoidberg<br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Scruffy </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Here is the crocheted version of Fry following just the color chart above:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And here's Fry after the outline is embroidered on:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Good luck creating your very own Futurama squares! Stay tuned & subscribe to see the next character squares, and to see my final project come to life! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-3017891575324257282016-11-11T13:28:00.000-08:002016-11-11T13:29:05.572-08:00Turkey Peacock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Peacock Crochet From Turkey Pattern</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wanted to make a peacock motif that was about the size of my hand but I couldn't find any free patterns to make one. I saw a LOT for Turkey motifs though, that time of year I guess. Then I thought, I could just change the colors of a turkey pattern to make it into a peacock! I found a really cute free turkey patterns for a coaster and thought the size would be perfect for what I'm envisioning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/11/crochet-turkey-coasters-and-ornaments.html/2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.craftpassion.com/crochet-turkey-coasters-and-ornaments.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But as I was crocheting my turkey-turned-peacock, something just wasn't looking quite right. I don't know if it was the colors, the size, or whatever. Something was just... off.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU3sc7ONEiiC4DG6al1RqxvZYr5s_13zxxmiRqwpwr9DIJVL15MwikDwVvpitcu4QIml6S2Gkr-uKrdOw6xVV1W4-OXwCgwWPER_jmU_cCq3N3ZovEbySEGGeoeQvUAZY1E-fYrZ07FE/s1600/20161111_100807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU3sc7ONEiiC4DG6al1RqxvZYr5s_13zxxmiRqwpwr9DIJVL15MwikDwVvpitcu4QIml6S2Gkr-uKrdOw6xVV1W4-OXwCgwWPER_jmU_cCq3N3ZovEbySEGGeoeQvUAZY1E-fYrZ07FE/s400/20161111_100807.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then I decided to just wing it and make up my own pattern based off of the one above and make a peacock myself. I was surprised, it came out really nice and I'm rather proud-as-a-peacock! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The other motif that I was originally working on did not go to waste. My very cute son decided it was great for playing peek-a-boo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So here's the pattern that I created, based off of the Turkey Coaster pattern from CraftPassion.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Peacock Motif </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">5MM H Hook used with Red Heart Worsted weight yarn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Ch - Chain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">SC - Single Crochet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">DC - Double Crochet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">HDC - Half Double Crochet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Sl - Slip Stitch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">All terms are in US Crochet terms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Body</span></u></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 1 (Royal Blue)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Magic circle, Chain 3, DC 14, sl to join top of ch3. (15 stitches)</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 2</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ch2, HDC in same starting stitch, 2HDC in each stitch around. sl to join top of ch2. Fasten off. (30 stitches)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Neck & Head</span></u></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 1 (Royal Blue)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Magic circle, ch 3, DC 7, sl to join top of ch3 (8 stitches)</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 2</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ch7, DC in 3rd loop from hook, DC, HDC, HDC, HDC, sl to join stitch on head. Fasten off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tail</span></u></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 1 Tail (Purple)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Start on body at any stitch. Ch3, DC in same starting stitch, ch 1, 2DC in same starting stitch, skip 2 stitches on body. *2DC, ch1, 2DC, skip 2 stitches on body* Repeat between * until you have 6 sets, Fasten off. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 2 Tail (Turquoise)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Start at ch1 space from round 1 tail, ch3, DC in same starting stitch, ch1, 2DC in same starting stitch, skip 2 stitches on body. *2DC, ch1, 2DC in next chain space* Repeat between * until you reach the end. Fasten off. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 3 Tail (Light Green)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Start at ch1 space from round 2 tail, ch3, 2DC in same starting stitch, ch1, 3DC in same starting stitch, *3DC, ch1, 3DC in next chain space* Repeat between * until you reach the end. Fasten off. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Round 4 Tail (Teal)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Start at ch1 space from round 1 tail, ch3, 6DC in same starting stitch, *7DC in next ch space* Repeat between * until you reach the end. Fasten off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Weave in all ends. Attach neck to body in the best place necessary for the peacock look. Repeat entire process again to make a total of two peacocks (or if you wish, you can make the second one in one solid color). Put both WRONG sides together, hiding all the ends and scraps, line up the edges and attach as follows:</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Attaching Front & Back</span></u></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Side edge of the tail</i> <i>(Grey)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">*1SC (at the corner to the tail and go through both layers), ch1, repeat between * until you reach the body, continue to Body & Feet</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Body & Feet</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">SC in next 4 stitches, [make foot: ch2, *ch2, SC on 2nd chain from hook, sl stitch to 2nd next chain, repeat between* 3 times, SC on next st, SC in the same stitch of last SC before making foot], SC in next 2 stitches, repeat make foot, SC in next 4 stitches. continue to Side Edge of Tail</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Side Edge of Tail</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">*ch1, 1SC, repeat * until you reach the corner of the tail. continue to Top of Tail Outline & Joining</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Top of Tail Outline and Joining</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">*SC in next 7 stitches. SC in between the 2 shells.</span><span style="background-color: white;">Ch1, SC around the row below (Round 3 Tail Light Green)</span><span style="background-color: white;">Ch1, SC around row Round 2 Tail Turquoise</span><span style="background-color: white;">Ch1, SC around row Round 1 Tail Purple </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ch1, SC into one of the skipped stitches on the body. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Turn to go back up the peacock tail now</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ch1, SC around row Round 1 Tail Purple </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ch1, SC around row Round 2 Tail Turquoise</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ch1, SC around row Round 3 Tail Light Green*</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Repeat between * until you reach the end. Sl to join starting stitch, fasten off. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You may now add a securing stitch to the peacock's head to keep it in place if you wish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's it! Please enjoy your peacocks! I will be making mine for a mobile for my new baby's nursery. </span></span><br />
<br />Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-57891714701393601672016-08-30T05:44:00.002-07:002016-08-30T05:44:30.730-07:00A Birth StoryScene: August 27th 2015, interior, day<br />
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I really just did not want to go to the doctor's office that day. But at the same time I was curious about what had happened the night before. I practiced in my head the whole drive there "Hey doc, I think my mucas plug fell out". I was seeing one of the dude doctors too, not my favorite doc (the only woman doc in the office was my favorite, her schedule fills up super fast because she's so popular). I had three, yes THREE, tests lined up for this appointment. One was a sonogram, one was a non-stress test, and the other was a weight and size scan to gauge the size of this baby boy. The sonogram and the scan were first. The staff requested that I go in with a full bladder.<i> Don't they realize I'm nine fucking months pregnant? Are they fucking serious???</i> At this stage in my pregnancy, the f-word was used A LOT in my inner monologues. Sometimes a lot in the outer monologues too. </div>
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The sonogram was actually kinda fun, I was able to see him again.... Sorta. His head was facing downwards and his face was smooshed up against my uterus, so his sonogram picture came out interesting looking. His face was so big and poofy... He looked like one of those swollen bodies you see on CSI. <i>Well, I guess he has spent the last nine months in liquid, so it makes sense that he looks like that.</i> But they were able to give me an approximate weight for this bowling ball I was hefting around. He was eight pounds, four ounces. Holy crap, that's a big kid. And each day he's in there he gets bigger!?!?! They measured the amnioc fluid and took a few other measurements and the scan was done. </div>
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Afterwards, it was time to talk to the doc. I got dressed and waited in the little room. But the doctor came in with another doctor. Uh-oh is this the tag team for delivering bad news? We we introduced, her first name was Rebecca. Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Man both agreed that the sonogram did not yield good results. He basically told me if the sonogram were a test, I failed. The baby is no longer rigid and tight, his limbs look limp. There's no amniotic fluid left, somehow, somewhere, my water broke and I didn't notice. <i>So THAT'S what that was last night!</i> I told the doc what happened the night before and he said, "Okay, this baby is coming out today, and I don't even want to put you on hormones to push him out because it would cause distress to the fetus. We'll have to do a C-section tonight around 6" Dr. Rebecca stood next to him nodding while looking over my file. "Yes, I agree" Dr. Man continued... "You're going to leave here and go right to the hospital, tell them that I sent you, they'll be expecting you. They'll get you all set up and you'll have your baby tonight."</div>
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Tonight? Did he really just say that? After weeks of trying to entice the baby to come out, I was finally going to be able to hold him in my arms. I almost couldn't believe it. Nah I'm not having a baby, I'll just be pregnant forever thank you very much. If I have this baby EVERYTHING is going to be different. Yes, it took me nine months to properly realize that. I mean I knew, yeah, my life is gonna change, I'm gonna have a little baby, blah blah blah. But I don't think I really REALLY realized it until I heard the words "you're having this baby tonight". The doc gave me a slip of paper to hand the receptionist at the end if the appointment, standard procedure at their office. The paper usually has instructions for the next appointment. My face was either pale white or bright red, I don't know I couldn't see it, but I can tell it was some kind if extreme. I mean... I was just told I'm having a baby. Today. I'm having a baby today. <i>Whew</i>. The receptionist looked at the paper and was SO excited for me. I don't know what it said on it, but I think it said something like "Go to Hospital to have baby. Right now leave. Go directly to hospital. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200" </div>
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I couldn't even drink water. </div>
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From the car I made the necessary phone calls to all my family members. I was really just repeating the words from the doctors, I don't think I really believed it. It just felt like going to the hospital was another thing I had to do, like going to the grocery store. Nothing was going to change because of it, I was still going to be pregnant. Honestly I was terrified of a c-section. Not so much of the surgery itself (which is pretty fucking scary when you read about it), but the recovery scared me more than anything. Six weeks of lifting nothing heavier than your baby, few weeks of not driving, I read that your first bowel movement afterwards is awful. And did you know that this major surgery is a major surgery in which you are AWAKE!?!? I wasn't scared that I'd feel anything, but the thought of being awake scared me. If something went wrong, I'd hear the alarms going off, I'd hear the doctors rushing in to stop the code blue (or whatever) from happening. You're strapped down to a table so you couldn't move if you wanted to, which I guess is a good thing. But like... What if there's a fire!? Not that I could get up and walk out with my organs hanging out, but these are the crazy thoughts that go through my head. I know more women who have had a section than have had natural births, and they're all fine. <i>But they're not me.</i> The doctors perform this surgery tons of times all over the world, <i>but not on me</i>. I was terrified, and it didn't even sink in yet, I was still thinking I could have a natural birth. Somehow. Anything is possible, I guess. </div>
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This was not how this was supposed to happen. I was supposed to be driven to the hospital by my husband in the middle of the night or early morning, I was supposed to tell him to drive slower while holding back my painful grunts from the contractions. I was supposed to FEEL my baby coming. Not be TOLD it was so. This was not at all how I pictured it. </div>
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I parked my car myself, walked into the hospital, asked where the maternity ward was and pointed to my giant belly. The hospital receptionist was surprised, "Oh, congrats? Here's your visitor badge I guess" hmm, so this happens often I see. When I got to the maternity ward the nurses were chatting at the nurses station, I walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm here to have a baby?" They threw up their arms in excitement, took my bag and took me to a room. I had to explain everything to them that happened, because contrary to what my doctor said they weren't expecting me. To be fair, I drove right there from the docs office, it was barely ten minutes away so they may not have gotten the orders yet. </div>
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Holy crap does it take forever to be fully checked in to a hospital. It must've taken three hours of them asking me questions, me filling out forms and giving them my insurance card, answering my own phone calls from family members, getting text messages from my friends... it was a busy few hours. They gave me a wonderfully attractive hospital gown to wear. I asked if I could wear my glasses during the surgery. I hate being blind for hair cuts, much less for belly cuts. My husband was driving up from Manhattan to be there with me, and my sister and mother-in-law were on their way too, so I didn't have to be alone.<br />
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After the check in was done they had to set me up to a machine to monitor the baby's heartbeat. Oh and if I moved they had to set it up again. Getting comfortable at 9 (really 10) months pregnant is nearly impossible. I was most comfortable sitting at a perfect 90° angle and the bed didn't bend that high. So I dealt with it the best I could and watched the printer that drew his heartbeat go crazy when he moved or kicked. It was cool, but annoying at the same time. The machine confirmed, no contractions. This isn't how this was supposed to go. </div>
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I didn't do a lot of research when it came to c-sections. I should have. There were a lot of things that I just did not expect. For example, when you go in for a C-section, they have to shave you. That's right, shave you, down there. I had to literally hold my baby belly up while a complete stranger got up close and personal with a very intimate part of my body. I guess it's better than shitting on the table while you push if you have a vaginal delivery. Another thing I did not expect or read up on was the way the epidural worked. I thought it was a shot (duh) way in the bottom of your spine, near your butt, and I thought it worked right away. I was terrified of this because of the horror stories (luckily outdated stories) of a person who moved a teeny bit and ended up paralyzed from the waist down. </div>
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When the anesthesiologist came in to meet with me I was crazy nervous. I didn't want to look at the tools on his tray, I didn't want to see anything he wanted to show me. Couldn't they just knock me out entirely? Do I really have to be awake for this? I was worried my lower back tattoo was going to block what he needed to see, I was worried I was going to sneeze or something and end up paralyzed. He told me to arch my back like an angry cat and stay completely still for two minutes. The nurse gave me a stool to help stabilize my legs while i was in position. I was so nervous about the "stay completely still for two minutes" part. Two whole minutes? <i>Do they know how <b>long </b>that is?</i> Can I breathe? Is my breathing making me move too much? What if my nose itches? </div>
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I'm not too proud to admit that I whimpered, yes <b>whimpered</b>, the whole time. The nurse held my legs and stroked my head, "You're doing great, not much longer" she assured me. When he was finally done, I looked at his tray. Oh my god the blood. There was so much blood on his tray. Holy fuck I'm glad I didn't look before. He told me my tattoo was fine, said it wasn't in the way. In fact, the needle was put in more of the middle of my back, like an inch below where my bra strap would be. He was gathering his things to leave when I stopped him, "Wait! I can still move my legs! Somethings wrong, it wasn't strong enough!" </div>
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But no that's not how it works, Becca. The anesthesiologist assured me that I would be numb by the time my surgery started. "Ohhhkayyy..... if you say so". I guess that's why they wanted me at the hospital so long before the surgery itself. </div>
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I was in complete denial that I was having this baby that night. Even after my husband got to the hospital and put on his "dad scrubs" to be in the operating room with me... after getting prepared by all the nurses for what was ahead.... after meeting with the doctors when they were in their surgical scrubs.... it still didn't feel like it was happening. There was still a chance in my mind that I could have a vaginal delivery. I could still dilate before 6 pm. I could still have the delivery I wanted. </div>
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When they transferred me to a portable cot to wheel me into the operating room, I honestly couldn't move my legs. Well, there's one relief. As I was getting wheeled in, I stared at the lights pass by straight up overhead, and I started to sob. There's no denying this anymore, this was really happening. The nurse asked me if I was okay and I was crying so much I don't think she understood my answer. But she said "I know, I get it." And held my hand. </div>
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When Dan was allowed in, I didn't look at anyone else. I stared at him the entire time, and tried talking to him about whatever entered my mind because I did not want to think about the crazyness going on below. There was one moment of brief silence and I heard one of the doctors say something like "Okay. Hand me the bladder" <b><i>MY BLADDER</i></b>?!? What the hell... Keep talking to me Dan. About anything. <i>Tell me the alphabet for fucks sake. </i>Just say words. </div>
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I had mentioned to my husband that my head kind of hurt, but I didn't think too much of it. I mean what's a little headache when your abdomen is sliced open? Almost right after that everything felt kind of.... awesome. Awesome and far away. I felt light, but not necessarily in a good way. For a moment I thought I was dying. My vision blurred, I couldn't focus on anything. I stared off at the ceiling and forgot where I was. It wasn't scary at the time, but when I told my husband about it later I was freaked out. He assured me that everything was fine, he remembered that part, it was when the anesthesiologist added morphine to my system. Probably because he heard me say my head hurt, or maybe the timing was a coincidence. I'm not sure. But it wasn't because I was almost dead, thankfully. </div>
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When they took the baby out, I felt an immediate difference. Holy cow, I can breathe again! Wow is that what a deep breath feels like? Its been so long! IN <i>ahhhhh</i> and OUT <i>aaaaaahhhhhh</i>. Once I heard Leo cry I felt even more relief. It's over. <b>He's out</b>. He's crying, he's okay. His cry sounded different from other babies. More hollow and throaty, I can't really explain it, but it was a unique cry to my baby. I saw him briefly wrapped up so little and tight, all I saw was his smooshy face. The same smooshy face I had seen in the sonogram hours before. Then Leo and my husband went to the nursery while I got stitched up. Maybe because all the excitement was over, maybe because there was nobody to talk to, maybe because of the extra drugs I got... but I took a snooze while they stitched me up. And I think I slept with a smile on my face. </div>
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Everyone was excited to meet the newest member of our family, of course. That night I gave my husband permission to go home to sleep in our own bed rather than spend the night with me in the hospital. The nurses convinced me to let Leo sleep in the nursery and they'd bring him to me for feeding if necessary. What a great decision. I slept like crap anyway, I could only imagine the lack of sleep with a brand new baby to worry about feet away from me. At one point in the night, during one of my few moments of sleep, I heard that throaty hollow cry all the way from the nursery and it woke me up. I was just about to buzz the nurses to see if Leo needed me when one of them wheeled him into my room for his feeding. I felt so proud that I recognized his cry my first night as a mom. </div>
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I'm a mom. </div>
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And I already felt like I was doing something right.<br />
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-63702488445909691452016-03-24T09:47:00.000-07:002016-03-24T09:51:37.979-07:00A Pregnancy Story<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was one of the lucky ones. My pregnancy was fairly easy, no complications or neonatal issues. I did not have morning sickness, just a feeling of motion sickness or lightheaded ness once in a while when I was washing my hair. I didn't have gestational diabetes, which I was worried I would because diabetes is all over my family medical history. I was very relieved when I got that test result back. I didn't have preeclampsia, which sounds scary and often ends up with the pregnant lady on bed rest. Almost the entire time was really easy. My hair looked great, my nails got nice and long and hard (usually I end up biting them because they're so brittle when they get long), my skin looked awesome, and I carried all in the front. Some people say it's because I had a boy, I'm not sure if that's the reason, but I'll take it. The only complaint I had really was my lack of energy. I was SO tired. Like all the time. There were times when I would be texting my husband and fall asleep mid text to wake up a few hours later to nonsense on my screen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"How's your day goin todssssssfssfsfsffsfssfsfssfffff"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first trimester was interesting. I had no idea what to expect, and I said everything I was feeling out loud to my husband. Mostly because it was new and it was weird, but also to keep him in the loop of how this whole pregnancy thing was going. They say you don't feel your baby move until you're about 16 weeks, mothers who have been pregnant before can feel them move earlier because they know the feeling and can recognize it. One night while laying in bed at 14 weeks pregnant, I felt something weird. It wasn't gas, it wasn't painful. It almost felt like a fish bumping into the side of its fishbowl. <i>"Could this be the baby?!"</i> I got so excited I felt like I almost couldn't fall back asleep, but I was pregnant so I fell back asleep in about three seconds. <i>"It's the baby moving!! Was it? I think it was! Yay! I'm pregnant and I can feel the baby moving! ...I think. Oh man how exciting, I can't wait to tell Dan in the morning! Oh man I never gonna be able to fall back asleep, I'm too excited! Yay baby! Baby moving insi- Zzzzzzz" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 18 weeks I definitely felt the baby move, and it was the same feeling I had at 14 weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 20 weeks the doctors order a special sonogram called the Anatomy Scan. I've read that they could take up to an hour to do, so I was prepared for a long day. It's also the same scan where they could tell you if you're carrying a boy or a girl, if you want to know. Surprises are nice, but I am way too excited and impatient to wait that long to find out if it's a boy or a girl. I could barely wait to 20 weeks! I scheduled the scan on a day when Dan would have off from work so we could both find out together who was checked in at Hotel Becca. Gender Reveal parties are all the rage on Pinterest, and while I don't want to be "one of those" Pinterest people, I kinda liked the idea of telling everybody at once instead of making a ton of phone calls repeating myself a bunch of times. So we had planned a f</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">amily dinner at our house that night and invited both sides of the family. I thought about doing the cake reveal: a white frosted cake on the outside, but when you cut into it it has either pick or blue icing for whatever kind of baby you're having. But I didn't want to go out and purchase this cake, and I didn't really want to make everyone wait until dessert to find out what it was, especially since Dan and I would already know. So I</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> purchased both "it's a boy" and "it's a girl" decorations from the dollar store along with a few gender specific colored balloons. I would decorate the house with the correct decorations once we knew, and return the incorrect decorations later. I figured this way, people would know as they came in the house, and I wouldn't have to repeat myself! 😜</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The scan itself did take a while. In addition to telling you what gender the baby is, they look at everything, and I mean EVERYTHING and take measurements, pictures, video, all sorts of stuff. Our sonographer was very nice and pointed everything out to us. It's really hard to tell exactly what it is, but if you squiiiiiint... It's still hard to tell. You just kinda gotta take their word for it. "There are the kidneys, and the baby's belly..." "Oh okay, if you say so!" After she was done going all over the body, taking video of the heart, taking video of the umbilical cord, measurements of everything, counting all the bones, finally it was the moment of truth! "Do you want to know what the baby is?" <i>YES! YEEEEEES! Yes please! Ive only been waiting since I found out I was pregnant!!! </i> "Uhh... Yeah, sure" I answered all calm and collected. I have three nephews, the last girl to be born in the family was me. A girl would be a welcomed blessing, but teenage girls scare the crap out of me. I know boys, but a young boy who gets messy all the time scared me too. I scare easily apparently. I didn't know what I wanted, I just wanted to know! "There's the baby's legs, and the baby's bottom. And - are you sure you want to know?" "Yes please!" Dan and I were both locked on this teeny black and white screen that showed the person who would change our lives forever. Finally it wouldn't be an "it"! "Okay, there's the baby's right and left leg and in between are..... Boy parts!" I don't know if it was the use of the phrase 'boy parts' or the fact that I finally knew what 'it' was, or if it was because this would be the 85th boy born in our families but I laughed. I laughed hard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">That evening everybody had a wonderful time and they were all so excited to finally know too. My sister Ingrid was especially relieved to know it's a boy, her son Archer would be closest in age to my baby boy and they live so close, they'll be fast friends. Now we just had to come up with a boy name... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">All of the excitement and euphoria was a little short lived for me unfortunately. The doctors had me go back for the same type of scan numerous times. And they all took a while so the sonographer could get clear pictures of what they needed to see. They had my lay on my side, on my other side, they had me drink juice to get the baby to move into a convenient position for them. I offered to do some jumping jacks if that would help get the baby in the right place but they said that wasn't necessary. Then I got a call from the doctor. I was driving at the time so I missed the call. On my voicemail was my actual doctor, not a nurse, not a representative. Doctors don't usually do that. I called back immediately as soon as I was parked, but the way my doctors office is set up is you call a call center and they have the doctor call you back. A bit annoying when you're trying to find out something. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> When</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> she called back she stated that I needed to come back for yet another scan because they couldn't find something in the brain. <i>What?! That sounds seriously serious!</i> "We need you to come in for a high risk - I mean - high resolution scan at our special office in Middletown." I almost feel like I wasn't even on the phone, I was watching a puppet of myself on the phone just responding with one or two word replies. "Wait - am I high risk?" I managed to blurt out. "No, no I just misspoke". That's a hell of a thing to misspeak, lady. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I freaked myself out. I thought of every possible brain disorder there was and convinced myself that my baby had it. Could I handle a child with cerebral palsy or autism or even worse... what if my baby is brain dead and wont have a life? I scared myself so much, I sobbed on my way home. I just found out I'm having a son, and now..... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember being so upset, sitting in my living room looking at the boxes of baby furniture my dad purchased for us that we didn't set up yet and thinking I'd have to return it. I remember thinking my sisters would need to cancel the shower they were probably planning me. I remember thinking my baby was already gone. Pregnancy hormones and over worrying are a bitch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But thankfully at the high resolution scan, everything was fine. The sonographer could tell I was panicking and asked me what they were looking for, I explained the situation to her, and after about five minutes she said to me "Your baby's brain is totally fine." I was so relieved, the doctor came in afterwards and confirmed that everything was okay and they had the images they needed. I didn't have to come back for more scans. I could go home and relax. It was the first time I felt like a mother. I made myself sick with worry, I just wanted my baby to be healthy. And he was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The following weeks and months, my bump grew. And grew and grew and grew. I didn't have anymore sonograms so I didn't get to see the little guy in there, but all of my prenatal appointments were all going very well. Every doctor in the practice agreed that I was progressing well and everything was on track. The last major test (one I was not looking forward to) was the Glucose Test. This was to test if you have gestational diabetes. I have a family history of diabetes and I'm over weight, so I was almost convinced I'd test positive for it. And it's a long test. And they prick you three times for blood. And you can't leave. But after drinking the juice that tasted like flat Sunkist, and three hours and three needle pokes later... I was done. I managed to complete the blanket I was crocheting for my baby while I was there too. And I didn't test positive. Yay! I can eat ICECREAM during my pregnancy!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The summer went on and got hotter and hotter, and my pregnancy became more and more uncomfortable. I had awful pain in my right hip that made me waddle more than the average bear. Be an, it sucked. My ankles and feet started to swell so bad that I had to buy shoes that slip on without laces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After you're around 34 weeks pregnant the doctors ask to see you once a week. It wouldn't have been so bad if my doctors office were more organized. Each time I went I waited in the waiting room for at least an hour and then waited in the exam room for another half hour. I unfortunately couldn't crochet anymore because my hands would cramp up very easily. Thank god for smart phones. The exam rooms were so stuffy that sometimes while waiting in there with my clothes from the waist down removed my ass would stick to the paper on the exam table. Talk about embarrassing. The doctor would come in and say, "okay, slide forward to the end of the table" and I'd say, "Uhh.. I can't, I'm stuck to the paper." One time the doctor had me stand up and helped me peel the stupid paper from my bare ass. How wonderfully embarrassing. The doctor checked me out and told me she couldn't tell if the baby was head down or not. She mentioned doing a sonogram at the next visit. I asked to be examined first before the sonogram to see if it was even necessary (I really didn't want to have to get that gloopy lube on my big ass belly. They never give me enough paper towels to clean myself off.) She agreed and mentioned that if the baby is head up that they'll have to do a C-Section. I was only 35 weeks at this point, why the fuck would they mention a C-Section to me NOW?! The baby could flip the day I go into labor. I'm skeptical of doctors in the first place, and this had me thinking that they were C-Section happy at that office. That same appointment I got the tDap vaccine. I originally didn't want to get it, I hate shots and how common is Whopping Cough anyway? But I caved in due to the pressure from my doctor, the nurses, and the women on my August 2015 Bump group online. I was fine until I walked out. I sat down on a bench outside and called my husband to complain about the long wait, the paper on my ass, and the mention of a C-Section. Oh, and the shot. I was complaining a lot these days so he knew how to quickly calm me down. Thank goodness for my wonderful husband, he's more supportive than the best bra. After the phone call, I had to limp to the car. My hip was seriously bothering me, ohhh man did it hurt. When I got home I limped up the stairs even slower than I had before. It took me seven minutes to get to my front door, by the time I got inside my house I couldn't move my right leg. It was just... there. It was dead weight. I moved my left leg and dragged the right leg behind me. Five hours of dealing with one leg, I deceided to call the doctor and find out what was going on, but as I got up to get the phone the pain magically went away. I decided it was from the tDap shot and never thought about it again. Luckily the pain in my leg/hip never got that bad again for the rest of the pregnancy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next appointment I saw a different doctor (there are three in the practice and they want you to see all three during your pregnancy because there's no saying who will be on call when you deliver). I waited two hours for that appointment. So already I was in a <i>wonderful </i>mood when I got the exam room. He examined me first and couldn't tell if the baby was head down or not. He wanted to do a sonogram but had to have me come back the next day because it was after 5 pm and the sonographer already went home (my appointment was 2:45 mind you). He also mentioned that if the baby is breech they'll have to do a C-Section. When I walked out of there I was pissed. <i>Damn C-Section happy doctors making me wait so fucking long I have to come back tomorrow. Bastards.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the sonogram the baby was head down. Not breech. A natural vaginal birth was still possible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point everyone was anxious. Every day I'd get facebook messages from people with suggestions on how to go into labor, I'd get asked if I had the baby yet, I'd get the whole "Oh you must be miserable..." Yes. I must.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even the apps I used to track my pregnancy were basically asking me "Baby yet??"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My due date came and went and everybody was getting impatient. And I was getting bitchier. It was hot, I was huge, and everybody's "helpful suggestions" were no longer welcome. Everything was a n<span style="color: #262626; line-height: 16px;">uisance. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I never thought I would ever want to ask for an induction, but at the next doctor's appointment I expressed my uncomforts to the doc and basically asked for an induction. It was August 20th and I was due on August 18th. I wasn't too far overdue, but man oh man was I uncomfortable. In fact, the word uncomfortable wasn't cutting it anymore, I needed a stronger word. But I couldn't think of one. Thanks, pregnancy brain. The doctor had done some tests and said they could induce me on Tuesday. I was so excited! Finally an end in sight! I could see my baby in a few days! I could've done backflips if my feet weren't so swollen! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But... wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The doctor came back in the room not even two minutes later and says "I've looked at your chart, and your due date is wrong" I stared blankly back at him. I went for anatomy scans four times, and at one I asked if my due date was accurate because I was given a window when I first got pregnant. The doctor there (the SPECIAL doctor there) told me it was too late to change the due date and that the 18th was accurate. She told me this at 21 weeks. Now he's telling me at 40 weeks that my due date was incorrect this whole time. My new due date was August 21st. So not only was I not overdue, I wasn't even due. And he can't/won't induce me that Tuesday. I was equal parts disappointed and livid. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Three doctors (four if you count the specialist I saw for that special scan) have been looking at my chart all this time and they only caught this incorrect date now. A MAJOR oversight. I left there with n</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">o induction, no progress, nothing new. Just bullshit. In fact, it was kind of a step backwards. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">My next appointment was scheduled for August 27th. It seemed so far away. The night before my appointment, on one of my many during-the-night-bathroom-runs, my musuc plug fell out. From what I've read online it could mean labor is a few hours away or a few days away. I woke up my husband while I looked at the bedsheets to see if there was anything on the bed. Nope, clean bed. False alarm.<i> Go back to sleep, </i>I thought, <i>If you're going to have contractions they'll wake you up. You should sleep, you'll need energy to push this baby out if you are going into labor.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the next morning I was woken up by my husband and his alarm clock. No contractions. The sunrise was beautiful, so I took a picture. Little did I know it was the sunrise of my sons birthday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Stay tuned for A Birth Story.... </i></span></div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-48672808279508522482015-08-08T17:57:00.001-07:002015-08-08T17:57:34.834-07:00Salsa Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Happy Summer!!</div>
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Farmer's markets! Fresh veggies! Juicy fruit! I love all the wonderful tasty things that come with the warm weather. </div>
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....and ice cream</div>
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But this post is about some of the more healthy sweet options that summer brings. Freshly made salsa! </div>
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Have two kinds of home made salsa recipes to share with you: Mango Salsa and Corn Salsa. Both a bit different from the normal tomato salsa. Juicy, sweet, crunchy, easy, there's seriously nothing to not love about these two. </div>
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First up, Mango Salsa. I made this for the first time last year and it's really easy. The hardest part is cutting up the Mango (hint: the riper the mango, the easier it is to peel/cut). </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mango Salsa</span></b></div>
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<i>What You'll Need</i></div>
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One ripe mango, chopped</div>
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One small red bell pepper, finely diced</div>
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One jalapeno, finely diced (leave in some seeds for heat, completely omit them for a milder salsa)</div>
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1/3 cup red onion, finely diced</div>
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1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely diced</div>
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Juice of one lime</div>
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Salt (optional)</div>
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Mix all together, add more lime juice to taste. </div>
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That's it! </div>
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Now, for the corn salsa. I used canned corn, of course fresh corn is better and will taste better. But it's not yet in season in the Northeasts, still a little early. If you use fresh corn, substitute a cob for each can. </div>
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<i>What You'll Need</i></div>
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One can of yellow corn</div>
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One can of white corn </div>
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(If using fresh corn, use two ears of corn instead of the two cans)</div>
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2 jalapeno, finely diced (leave in some seeds for heat, completely omit them for a milder salsa)</div>
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1/2 red onion, finely diced</div>
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3/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely diced</div>
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Juice of 2 limes</div>
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Salt & Pepper (optional)</div>
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Mix it all together, add more lime juice or salt and pepper to taste. You could add a bit of cayenne pepper to add a bit more heat to it if desired. </div>
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That's it!</div>
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Both of these salsas go great over grilled chicken. The following marinade really brings all the flavors together. Just mix it all in a Ziploc bag, let it sit for at least an hour (no more than three hours) and grill! Top it with the mango or corn salsa and you have a wonderful tasty easy summer dinner! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lime-Soy Chicken topped with Mango Salsa made with green bell peppers instead of red bell peppers</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lime-Soy Chicken Marinade</span></b></div>
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<i>What You'll Need</i></div>
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One Pound chicken (any style, bone-in, boneless, whatever you fancy)</div>
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Juice of 3 limes</div>
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1/4 cup soy sauce</div>
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1 tablespoon garlic powder</div>
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely diced</div>
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Dash of ground ginger</div>
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Mix together in Ziploc bag, marinade for 1-3 hours. For best taste, cook on the grill. </div>
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I hope you all enjoy the rest of the salsa season, and the rest of your summer!</div>
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Happy grilling!</div>
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~The Craftmeister </div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-42002282179150885862015-06-03T14:41:00.002-07:002015-06-03T14:41:36.415-07:00Alphabet Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wnSKBPrnOg/VW9uMBXt2YI/AAAAAAAAU-Q/-c-vAk3XUdU/s1600/alphabet%2Bwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wnSKBPrnOg/VW9uMBXt2YI/AAAAAAAAU-Q/-c-vAk3XUdU/s640/alphabet%2Bwall.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preparing for a baby is a lot of work...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">...and a LOT of cardboard! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Between the furniture deliveries and the boxes and packaging of various products, I had a <b>ton</b> of cardboard and styrofoam. I have four large garbage bags full of stryofoam and more to bag up, and I had at least three recycling cans full of cardboard, and more boxes to break up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAER3FFokUKSc01GIo4rcoAtFhlLG1S8uKuRaXwea3a7esY0mYikLqiEzm0xzIJ0SA-a0tVv5UKRqKuTTffPMWxClHgbDCq8xyKmjT-v0GvU8iqqKL4ZrRn2Ebmnmx6oRHQTmO3C3wZTM/s1600/waste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAER3FFokUKSc01GIo4rcoAtFhlLG1S8uKuRaXwea3a7esY0mYikLqiEzm0xzIJ0SA-a0tVv5UKRqKuTTffPMWxClHgbDCq8xyKmjT-v0GvU8iqqKL4ZrRn2Ebmnmx6oRHQTmO3C3wZTM/s320/waste.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I felt awful wasting all of it, and breaking up all that cardboard made <i>my back hurt just thinking about it</i>... So<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I think I came up with a fantastic idea to use it for some nursery decor!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the look of alphabet walls. I've seen them all over Pinterest and they all look amazing! Most of them are made with wooden letters and painted with different designs or patterns on them. I like the look of alphabets that use more than one font, to keep it interesting. The craft stores by me only sell one font of wooden letters. And they're pretty pricey, about $5 a letter. I could've purchased a random font alphabet from etsy but they're also expensive, although they are beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=wooden+alphabet+wall" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/wooden+alphabet+wall</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided I could try to make an alphabet wall myself. If I had more artistic talent, I'd draw the letters myself. But my handwriting <i>stinks</i>, and I've never been able to draw very well. I opened up a word document, typed out the alphabet, made the font <b>HUGE </b>(like 600 pt) so each letter would take up around a full page. Then I went to town on different fonts. This was a lot of fun, but also time consuming; it's harder than it sounds to make something look random yet cohesive. I think I did a pretty good job though. Now for the <b><i>really </i></b>time consuming part...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I planed on using the materials that would otherwise go to waste to create the letters for the wall. Either stryofoam or cardboard. First I tried cutting out the letters in stryofoam. The stryofoam was thicker, sturdier, and would make more of an impact on the nursery wall. Perfect! <i>Or so I thought...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh my goodness! What a mess! I thought stryofoam was messy <b>before</b> I broke it up. Once I cut it with an X-Acto knife all teeny tiny little pieces got EVERYWHERE! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2n802EgIeYs/VW9v5Qj4GjI/AAAAAAAAU-s/PdSxHu-y2K0/s1600/20150529_222008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2n802EgIeYs/VW9v5Qj4GjI/AAAAAAAAU-s/PdSxHu-y2K0/s320/20150529_222008.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My X-Aacto knife wasn't deep enough to cut all the way through the stryofoam so I had to use a steak knife. Which, if I wanted to do all 26 letters, would seriously dull the knife. I could just see me saying to my husband later on, "Oh sorry you can't cut your steak darling, I had to use the knife to cut <i>stryofoam</i>!" Oye...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I came across an article on Decozilla and the wheels started turning again. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I wouldn't be wrapping them all in fabric, but I love the idea of using cardboard.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://decozilla.com/2013/09/inspirational-wall-art/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://decozilla.com/2013/09/inspirational-wall-art/</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjYXHCNBJKo/VW9wbkZMeHI/AAAAAAAAU_w/0VvjlE0owv0/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjYXHCNBJKo/VW9wbkZMeHI/AAAAAAAAU_w/0VvjlE0owv0/s400/IMG_0804.jpg" width="73" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And it wouldn't be my first time working with cardboard. Here's a picture of one of my college art projects where we had to make a large version of something small from cardboard. I decided to make glasses, and they were a big hit!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJhC6qieGudKKDQlvdzBwZ_Rw6qCfA3TO8Y0Jo7NSTl15aM22ioYft9t1pTyT_yxpZXoVNx7VOlGKRNfUyKtPKT2RHKL5nt-5xZFBBXHREtIGY9RVp1iYL3LLXof4myHlhANLY0yE-Kg/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJhC6qieGudKKDQlvdzBwZ_Rw6qCfA3TO8Y0Jo7NSTl15aM22ioYft9t1pTyT_yxpZXoVNx7VOlGKRNfUyKtPKT2RHKL5nt-5xZFBBXHREtIGY9RVp1iYL3LLXof4myHlhANLY0yE-Kg/s320/IMG_0808.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had a friend who wanted to buy them so he could put them on statues as a joke/prank. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I could wrap a bunch of letters in scrap book paper, gift bags from my baby shower, wrapping paper, or just plain white paper then paint over that. I think painting directly on the cardboard would leave the grain of the cardboard still visible. And some of the letters still have pieces of shipping information on them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've started cutting out the letters on cardboard and it is SO MUCH easier than the stryofoam, not to mention a lot less messy. I'm using two pieces of cardboard to thicken it up and make it a little more noticable on the wall. After I have all the letters cut out, the fun begins! I can't wait to hang it all up in the little one's room. Of course I'll post pictures if the entire nursery once it's all set up. For now, here's some of the letters I already have cut. Only a few more to go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few hints for you if you're going to try this yourself...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1- Change your X-Acto blade often. I didn't change mine until I got to the letter M, and I <i><b>so</b> </i>wish I had done it sooner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2- Try to do the harder or more curly letters first, and with a fresh blade if possible. See that F? I muttered a few F words to myself while trying to get around all those little furls. Especially with a dull knife and a tired hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3- If the font doesn't look thick enough, make it bold, if it's still really thin, choose a different font. The W is probably the thinnest I'd do. I actually cut it adding a bit more to the stems, the original letter was thinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4- Watch the type of cardboard you're using, some is thicker than others. I was able to use a full box for the entire alphabet, then noticed that other boxes I had were thicker. Some of the letters are doubled, some are just one piece depending on the cardboard thickness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5- Take your time! It will be much more fun the less stressed you are, and your letters will look better. Some days I only did two letters a day, one day I did almost ten. Have fun with it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please share some pictures if you attempt an alphabet wall yourself, or even if you just spell out a name or a phrase. I'd love to see your font and color choices!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Crafting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">~The Craftmeister</span><br />
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-19871133065572699712015-05-08T07:36:00.000-07:002015-05-08T07:36:15.454-07:00Hats & Pillows<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank goodness I have a few months to work on this baby blanket. I'm constantly thinking as i crochet this...<i> crocheting blankets takes sooooo long!</i> I love it, but sometimes I just want to make something I can FINISH! That's why lots of my family members got smaller crocheted items from me for Christmas. Enter: hats and pillows!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I only have a pattern for a few of these items, the others I free handed based on pictures and on generic hat patterns from my favorite blog (besides mine of course😜).<a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/" target="_blank">Repeat Crafter Me</a> If you haven't checked out her blog before, please do so now, she's amazing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So first up, my adorable nephews. <b>I have three of them! </b>And they're all the perfect age to wear adorable crocheted hats of cartoon characters or animals... or animal cartoon characters! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My first nephew, Ben, totally loves Thomas the Train. I saw lots of crocheted hats for Thomas on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=thomas+the+train+crochet" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, but nothing that really stood out to me. So I decided to make my own for him, and i think it's the best Thomas the Train hat I've seen! Not to toot my own horn, but... Toot toot! 🚂</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">His little brother Holden is just over one years old, and loves Daniel Tiger. If you haven't watched this show yet, you should - or at least the opening sequence. If you ever watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood it will warm your heart. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is an animated continuation of the classic children's show, and it's just darling. I didn't have a pattern for this one either, but looked at a few pictures, and I even watched an episode of the show! The shape of the hat and the ears are loosely based on the <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2014/02/crochet-tiger-hat-pattern.html" target="_blank">repeatcrafterme.com tiger hat.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F06bq60G-SU-R6xQoC0R1TNS29l7t_PAKKHKM4QisWEr4vgnAFRLTApuUiFuThWBKITg7gjYoUd-Nw0kh1n5budNN_w-bTCmDj387IkXvJOh9Qtlv5YNU5cIYRC8LPoZQWhFehNBRa8/s258-no/" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My nephew Archer is still a little baby, and doesn't yet have a favorite cartoon or animal. If you remember, I made him <a href="http://craftmeister.blogspot.com/2014/01/babies-are-hoot.html" target="_blank">this owl baby blanket</a> while my sister was pregnant. So I decided to continue the owl theme and made m an owl hat. The pattern for this one can be found in the blog I mentioned above. Here's the pattern: <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/09/crochet-owl-hat-pattern-in-newborn.html" target="_blank">www.repeatcrafterme.com/crochet-owl-hat-pattern</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the hat:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETIMp_SK-dfIPEeG6ufreHbIf-ZFG2jauBHF71hYTj750lvq_WrIjC3Nq5wv1ilvuij-LxHaVm3nYdFOqGAjdKU2P3cNSExe8EUepNmzy1p0gcbxEMC-q8pzdNQrki8NxDNPgjCDubco/s640/blogger-image-627513138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETIMp_SK-dfIPEeG6ufreHbIf-ZFG2jauBHF71hYTj750lvq_WrIjC3Nq5wv1ilvuij-LxHaVm3nYdFOqGAjdKU2P3cNSExe8EUepNmzy1p0gcbxEMC-q8pzdNQrki8NxDNPgjCDubco/s640/blogger-image-627513138.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My nephews aren't the only ones who got character hats from me for Christmas. My sister and her husband have a slight obsession with monkeys, they have since they were dating. So I decided to make them sock monkey hats from RepeatCrafterMe. LINKHERE. I made them in two different colors; one in the classic sock monkey colors of gray and red, and the other in a brown/beige mix. They loved them, and they wear them proudly. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U8BdTLjSoiFdf_HESDtWJsmtWFOcVu9ZD2KcLRaf0wep1RJ7XDE5kqor5N5ULW97Ue6vTJn8sdgitd7yArdcl_Ah_ngVFuKueOcp-PIImbRCBxegk_Zsx33qU3C4hLn6k6vZCpxCK0s/s640/blogger-image-2124749587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U8BdTLjSoiFdf_HESDtWJsmtWFOcVu9ZD2KcLRaf0wep1RJ7XDE5kqor5N5ULW97Ue6vTJn8sdgitd7yArdcl_Ah_ngVFuKueOcp-PIImbRCBxegk_Zsx33qU3C4hLn6k6vZCpxCK0s/s640/blogger-image-2124749587.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My dad got a pillow made by me. He's got a country home upstate and has always favored Americana decor, so I decided to make him a flag pillow. I found the pattern on Pinterest, and it was really easy to follow. He loved it, he said it was the perfect size to use behind his head while he reads his books. You can see the pattern here: <a href="http://aseknc.blogspot.com/2011/12/americana-pillow-free-crochet-pattern.html" target="_blank">www.aseknc.blogspot.com/americana-pillow</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the pillow:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/KBS4Q4sQKPRVSM6b0JGvOysxfz5xUio2wbYO_L6fiu86=w1334-h889-no" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A while back, I posted a brainstorming session about pixel crochet in blankets and pillows. For my brother and sister in law's Christmas gift, I decided to combine two geek things, pixel art and Star Wars. I started this in the summer because it was going to finish up being a very large pillow (the finished piece was almost 20"x20"). I loved working on it piece by piece because it wasn't as hot as working on a blanket and having it draped all over. Each "pixel" is the first round of a Grammy square in a magic ring pulled really tight so there were as little holes as possible. I did a picture if R2D2 on one side and on the other I had a pixel version of Princess Leia and Han Solo. I used bright blue for the background to really help the colors pop. Im so happy with how it came out! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx09blVAiRtCVTxVNVnUadopdOF1ogUmaeUfYqqXxySvkZu2fzdd6-gPT7VQS8UO_KOALoMbTPv-FRGl_g7W1sX6r42mnoHO3crFHUlCSBGNy3bOwHucCDj_BxADLqF2PvR-vk-2F7DGE/s640/blogger-image--1956928048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx09blVAiRtCVTxVNVnUadopdOF1ogUmaeUfYqqXxySvkZu2fzdd6-gPT7VQS8UO_KOALoMbTPv-FRGl_g7W1sX6r42mnoHO3crFHUlCSBGNy3bOwHucCDj_BxADLqF2PvR-vk-2F7DGE/s640/blogger-image--1956928048.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcsm0Hm70QLC691ZLmnracstmxBtVKL06b_FOGOiXvoqkO-fYBaTdefb65JHs90wOr6VMZg1bhKNLI8MVyovkIrj8KsMWEYDIXeVVUpvLTRAPwcGv4ZlgyHfidvTtH5CWM5BvWjjjGuk/s640/blogger-image--2045269136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcsm0Hm70QLC691ZLmnracstmxBtVKL06b_FOGOiXvoqkO-fYBaTdefb65JHs90wOr6VMZg1bhKNLI8MVyovkIrj8KsMWEYDIXeVVUpvLTRAPwcGv4ZlgyHfidvTtH5CWM5BvWjjjGuk/s640/blogger-image--2045269136.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of Star Wars, there's one more hat I want to show you. I didn't make this one for Christmas, but I made it by request for my cousin's kid. He loves Star Wars, I asked her who his favorite character was and I was told he loves Storm Troopers! I have to admit, I was a little intimidated at first. Storm Trooper helmets are three dimensional, and they have a lot going on. I was afraid if I made it too flat it might look like Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. But I took my time (probably longer than I should have) and didn't second guess my choices when they were half way made, and I ended up with a pretty cool looking hat! To make it a little more Storm Trooper-y I did the braids in three solid colors instead of mixing all the colors together. I figured it looked a little more uniform, and a Storm Trooper helmet is a uniform after all! Sorry, no pattern for this one, I made it up as I was going along. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rm0wngc4GDwea0nYRA4HTQDTnxsMfh-ndkdVcaVlDFQG6qvbBTfWUrz-4pZEOseadUWF1l0EqQAFA-8GO2F_1HFjLUl3svLU2Eu3NjaIklzTKPaPw6_LnJSRncevxGx207GS9l414uI/s640/blogger-image-2059995940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rm0wngc4GDwea0nYRA4HTQDTnxsMfh-ndkdVcaVlDFQG6qvbBTfWUrz-4pZEOseadUWF1l0EqQAFA-8GO2F_1HFjLUl3svLU2Eu3NjaIklzTKPaPw6_LnJSRncevxGx207GS9l414uI/s640/blogger-image-2059995940.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you enjoyed seeing the things I've worked on this winter. Now, if youlll excuse me, I have to get back to crocheting a certain baby blanket before this baby comes.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy crafting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- The Craftmeister </span></div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-77186920067540857732015-03-22T16:50:00.000-07:002015-03-22T16:50:33.149-07:00Mirror Mirror On the Wall<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Spray and Stain</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eEEvX45Eskd11PYlnamKMZoX_rlp3oDsHeEMs-f5KsK_1wwAr2DMURK9NQ_NtGZEYBzVkjHIWOkQfxL3LnuP0I6LzTqRNE7plfVclGjjlZk8Jnnb2PNVb-LHFndDyKy5JHGTYVUbfqE/s640/blogger-image-1699591000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eEEvX45Eskd11PYlnamKMZoX_rlp3oDsHeEMs-f5KsK_1wwAr2DMURK9NQ_NtGZEYBzVkjHIWOkQfxL3LnuP0I6LzTqRNE7plfVclGjjlZk8Jnnb2PNVb-LHFndDyKy5JHGTYVUbfqE/s640/blogger-image-1699591000.jpg" /></a></div>
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The mirror that came with the house in the master bathroom was nice and big and really ornate looking. The only thing I didn't like about it was the nasty dingy color it was. I'm not a big fan of gold to begin with, but then add grime and dirt in the crevices of gold... and you've got a mirror of yuck. I decided to spray paint it white and add a dark stain over it. I was inspired by this Pinterest post/picture: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtirRLdbjAO8gdDuZ3gQWk9R52gmXg2JAwI3oR0c21FQFaes_TLSW2B8eMFJDn_NV9731xV41ndtI3rp_92QcKk8MPJZY5j9aDk2NvWGIxULALYqVgtBPHlRYr1lpriPcS93g1XWI5YA/s640/blogger-image--1977148365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtirRLdbjAO8gdDuZ3gQWk9R52gmXg2JAwI3oR0c21FQFaes_TLSW2B8eMFJDn_NV9731xV41ndtI3rp_92QcKk8MPJZY5j9aDk2NvWGIxULALYqVgtBPHlRYr1lpriPcS93g1XWI5YA/s640/blogger-image--1977148365.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm glad I did! When I first detached the mirror and spray painted it, the pure white paint made it look very plastic-y, as you can see below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsqgnyRNW6Cug8h4lXuURmT1RxbVL_B1GuXDnx_Y_r56qS0k4qnAQ9pvAMLFVf6fdMqKNn4gQdow7J9RbaWM-420Ju9qU1quF3ZExJV7Zw0Ko_LE55kUaB4jDYLh7KLCljcCxSyA-d6o/s640/blogger-image-2041712964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsqgnyRNW6Cug8h4lXuURmT1RxbVL_B1GuXDnx_Y_r56qS0k4qnAQ9pvAMLFVf6fdMqKNn4gQdow7J9RbaWM-420Ju9qU1quF3ZExJV7Zw0Ko_LE55kUaB4jDYLh7KLCljcCxSyA-d6o/s640/blogger-image-2041712964.jpg" /></a></div>
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An improvement over the dark gold, but not what I had in mind. So I used Martha Stewart Living Metallic Glaze in black coffee, dabbed it on the dried pure white mirror frame using a cheap-o foam brush and rubbed it in/off with a rag. A messy process, but I didn't use much glaze (have plenty left over for other projects) so it dried fairly quickly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIuOKmz5R2CR6JIQpHSHk8m-VzDTwhlI16TcTiG5P6GfyiHAGWa-GmdVinLbaarbRV43cCpPiFmni_uQOQAMU3poZX4mwEes7lCLMAzbDUR_7Dg8jCVRyC5xqr_umBHNr15-heHEzNQY/s640/blogger-image-761693645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIuOKmz5R2CR6JIQpHSHk8m-VzDTwhlI16TcTiG5P6GfyiHAGWa-GmdVinLbaarbRV43cCpPiFmni_uQOQAMU3poZX4mwEes7lCLMAzbDUR_7Dg8jCVRyC5xqr_umBHNr15-heHEzNQY/s640/blogger-image-761693645.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRfEKLl1ezRBqIq5SbSUR3p9ljVmHUkX3P_zbIw_N2ZzaeAswhOIp-oXiLse_rwnY3cb7DlNf1iyaeVIOEIOvca6QGS0yhF-1gmmkz-O0nRoqGOTtuOVckxhabmAXO9BFd_94v5HobEo/s640/blogger-image--1794677748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRfEKLl1ezRBqIq5SbSUR3p9ljVmHUkX3P_zbIw_N2ZzaeAswhOIp-oXiLse_rwnY3cb7DlNf1iyaeVIOEIOvca6QGS0yhF-1gmmkz-O0nRoqGOTtuOVckxhabmAXO9BFd_94v5HobEo/s640/blogger-image--1794677748.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRfEKLl1ezRBqIq5SbSUR3p9ljVmHUkX3P_zbIw_N2ZzaeAswhOIp-oXiLse_rwnY3cb7DlNf1iyaeVIOEIOvca6QGS0yhF-1gmmkz-O0nRoqGOTtuOVckxhabmAXO9BFd_94v5HobEo/s640/blogger-image--1794677748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb1U2Tj3A0_n9AyYzvVONAfU0v7fvC7dvcKmHyrdttgIwsDdOyfkia_zMmRt71g22KT0BnVfTc67dy_p96tscoEGST9ytbb9mi9Fl4iaKHzhdEvDIlED3IoHtmy2cxCsdVbN26DOU5zM/s640/blogger-image--263235347.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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I love how the glaze made the detail in the frame pop without making it look dirty or dingy. </div>
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All in all, I think the new and improved mirror is a great addition to the nautical bathroom! </div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-9607239545368277972015-03-21T20:12:00.002-07:002015-06-01T14:24:43.777-07:00Diamond Bobble Baby Blanket<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">As many of you already know, Dan and I will be adding an </span></span><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">addition</span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> to our family this August. My mother was always the baby blanket master in my family, but I figured since she's not here to make the blanket herself, I'd make it this time. I learned a new stitch, used my mother's yarn from her old stash.. it was going to be really special. After I started the pattern, I realized it eats yarn like crazy, and I was quickly r</span></span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">unning out. I only had a few rows done and would only have enough to make a few more. I was so disappointed, there was no more in her yarn bundle, and no paper to say what brand or what color it was. All I knew is it was worsted weight and an acrylic blend. The other day I walked into a yarn store expecting to be disappointed and expecting to hop from store to store searching for it... but I found it RIGHT AWAY! It was Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Green. You have no idea how elated I was when I found it, I almost broke into song at the store. I'm so glad Lion Brand continues to make an awesome product that has been enjoyed by many generations, and will be enjoyed for generations to come!<br><br>In the picture below, what's already done is from my mother's yarn, and the new skein is above it ready to be made into whatever! I may even have enough leftover to make a matching hat and mittens!</span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZCviDkuDwShOKZLIl_fEGyWR3r-TdqZrMc0adXKpEPkBiKce-HBS9AYHRg-HmRzB1G9UHkbD0J-I7aXt2z4DnMmwLXBtzPZa5ufS_s0sWBJMV3wRzJqoNZs5m1ZozG6gC4c7vPM7ovk/s1600/20150319_201945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZCviDkuDwShOKZLIl_fEGyWR3r-TdqZrMc0adXKpEPkBiKce-HBS9AYHRg-HmRzB1G9UHkbD0J-I7aXt2z4DnMmwLXBtzPZa5ufS_s0sWBJMV3wRzJqoNZs5m1ZozG6gC4c7vPM7ovk/s1600/20150319_201945.jpg" height="320" width="312"></a></div>
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After sharing my story on Lion Brand's Facebook page, many many people commented commending me for carrying on my mother's talent, and complimented my choice of color and pattern. Many people asked me for the pattern, so I figured I'd write one up! </div>
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The original stitch is from 101 Stitches For Afghans by Jean Leinhauser, put forth by the American School of Needlework, this pattern was #74 out of 101. I got my copy from Amazon, used for about $3. Here's a link to get your own copy: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/101-Stitches-Afghans-Jean-Leinhauser/dp/0881957631/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426993734&sr=8-1&keywords=101+stitches+for+afghans" target="_blank">www.amazon.com/101-Stitches-Afghans-Jean-Leinhauser</a></div>
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"></div>
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This pattern is fairly easy, if you can do the Single Crochet (SC), Double Crochet (DC), and a Triple Crochet, you will have no problem creating this blanket. It may look like an intimidating pattern at first, but once you get a few rows done, you'll be surprised at how simple it is. </div>
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<b>Materials</b></div>
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Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Lion Brand Pound of Love, in Pastel Green)</div>
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Size H hook (5.00 mm)</div>
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<b>Stitches Used</b></div>
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ch: Chain</div>
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sc: Single Crochet</div>
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dc: Double Crochet</div>
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Bobble: (Keep last loop of each triple crochet on the hook as you perform the triple crochet stitches) 5 Triple crochet in chain 1 space 2 rows below, Yarn Over and draw through ALL 6 loops on hook.</div>
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<i>I plan on creating a video how-to on the creation of the booble, it took me a few times to get it right. In the meantime, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube or Pinterest.</i></div>
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Feel free to message me if you're having any issues with this pattern, I will try my best to explain further. </div>
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<b>Instructions</b></div>
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<b>Foundation chain:</b> 150 chains (Any multiple of 12, then six extra stitches will work)</div>
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<b>Row 1: (Right side) </b></div>
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Sc in 2nd chain from hook and in next chain; *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next 11 chs; repeat from last * until you get to the last 3 chains. ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next 2 chs. Ch2 (counts as first dc on following rows), turn.</div>
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<b>Row 2:</b> </div>
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Dc in next sc (remember the ch 2 counts as the first dc, so youre basically skipping the first sc here), *ch 1, skip over ch 1 space, dc in next 11 stitches; repeat from * until you reach the last ch 1 space. Ch1, skip over ch 1 space, dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 3: </b></div>
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Sc in first dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc; *ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next 7 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc. Repeat from * to turning ch2, sc in 2nd ch of turning ch2. Ch2, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 4: </b></div>
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Dc in next 3 stitches; *ch 1, skip ch1 space, dc in next 7 stitches, ch 1, skip next ch 1 space, dc in next 3 stitches. Repeat from * until you reach the last sc; Dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 5: </b></div>
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Sc in frist 4 dc. *Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next 3 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next 3 dc. Repeat from * until you reach the turning ch2, sc in 2nd ch of turning ch. Ch 2, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 6: </b></div>
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Dc in next 5 stitches,* ch 1, skip ch1 space, dc in next 3 stitches, ch 1, skip next ch1 space, dc in next 7 stitches. Repeat from * to last 2 ch1 spaces, ch 1, skip next ch1 space, dc in next 3 stitches, ch 1, skip next ch1 space, dc in next 6 stitches. Ch 1, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 7: </b></div>
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Sc in first 6 dc, *Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next 7 dc. Repeat from * to last 2 ch1 spaces. Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next 5 dc, and in 2nd ch of turning ch2. Ch 2, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 8: </b></div>
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Dc in next 7 stitches, skip next ch 1 space, * dc in next 11 stitches, ch 1, skip next ch 1 space. Repeat from * to last 8 stitches, dc in last 8 stitches. Ch 1, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 9: </b></div>
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Sc in first 6 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, * Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next 7 dc, ch 1, skip next dc. Repeat from * to last ch1 space on 2nd row below, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next 5 dc and in 2nd ch of turning ch2. Ch 2, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 10: </b></div>
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Repeat row 6</div>
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<b>Row 11: </b></div>
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Sc in first 4 dc, * ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next 3 dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next 3 dc. Repeat from * to turning ch2; sc in 2nd ch of turning ch2. Ch 2, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 12: </b></div>
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Repeat row 4</div>
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<b>Row 13: </b></div>
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Sc in dirst 2 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc, * Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next 7 dc, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, sc in next dc. Repeat from * to turning ch2, sc in 2nd ch on turning ch2. Ch 2, turn. </div>
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<b>Row 14:</b></div>
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Repeat row 2</div>
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Repeat rows 3 to 14 until you've reached your desired length. </div>
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<b>Last Row: </b></div>
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Sc in first dc, *Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next 11 dc. Repeat from * to last ch 1 space on 2nd row below, Bobble (in ch 1 space on 2nd row below), back to the working row, sc in next dc and in 2nd ch of turning ch2. </div>
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Finish off. </div>
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I hope you enjoy this pattern and have as much fun making your project as I am with my baby blanket. I plan on adding a ruffled border to the blanket once I have it at the size I like. Stay tuned for that pattern, and for the video tutorial on the bobble stitch. Good luck! </div>
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Thank you for reading and checking out my blog! As a cute bonus, here's a picture of my dog, Henrik using my crochet book as a pillow while he takes a snooze...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnggaOsHBRoeR100k1ohy8QJTc5e6fJ8ZLKhmJTuOZYPtb-nyVe5P-OsJNczKgh8I_hAXJwN6gnG3d0Ap6OZZoPiFVw4seoli5t1XhFinXFd2WVmKlpVvqWb7v-pftmZs_WzYQ6iHGRGo/s1600/20150318_085856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnggaOsHBRoeR100k1ohy8QJTc5e6fJ8ZLKhmJTuOZYPtb-nyVe5P-OsJNczKgh8I_hAXJwN6gnG3d0Ap6OZZoPiFVw4seoli5t1XhFinXFd2WVmKlpVvqWb7v-pftmZs_WzYQ6iHGRGo/s1600/20150318_085856.jpg" height="320" width="180"></a></div>
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Happy Hooking!</div>
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<i>~The Craftmeister</i></div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-48842463387318975162015-03-21T19:01:00.000-07:002015-03-21T19:01:38.194-07:00Thai Style Meatballs & Peanut Dipping Sauce<div style="text-align: center;">
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I was in the mood for meatballs, but I also recently had Italian food. I wanted something different, so I looked up a few recipes for Thai meatballs (I had them in a restaurant once and loved them). A lot of the recipes I found had <b>Thai fish paste</b> in it...sounds yucky. I don't like fish, and I don't like paste. I'm suuuure it's a delicious addition to many dishes, but it wasn't something I had on hand. So I decided to take<i> a little from all</i> of the recipes I found and make up my own...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Cooking experiment! </i></b></span></div>
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And a successful experiment it was! Here's the recipe I came up with, and immediately added to my recipe book for my kitchen because it was so tasty. They have a bit of a kick to them, you can leave out the red pepper flakes if that's not your thing. But honestly, they're delicious the way they are!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kOTDDMLgEOoPRZfYtmW0wMyrLzr9nvU0OGiXRAmjU5RPX-SNkdnO-LV5bwhcI2p_sRtiIeb8VvmPz3Sc6X4pzNzWDdJAju62Kgp0fxpbtdgvWuBarDgV90o9aeCiSwLXSFZkun9u-qU/s1600/20150321_205810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kOTDDMLgEOoPRZfYtmW0wMyrLzr9nvU0OGiXRAmjU5RPX-SNkdnO-LV5bwhcI2p_sRtiIeb8VvmPz3Sc6X4pzNzWDdJAju62Kgp0fxpbtdgvWuBarDgV90o9aeCiSwLXSFZkun9u-qU/s1600/20150321_205810.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best picture... pardon the paper plate!</td></tr>
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<b>Ingredients Needed</b><br />
<b>Meatballs - Thai Style</b></div>
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~1 pound of ground beef (I had a little over a pound, maybe 1 1/4 pounds)</div>
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3 tablespoons coconut milk</div>
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1 teaspoon garlic powder</div>
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1/2 teaspoon (heaping) cayenne pepper</div>
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper (optional, but adds a delicious kick)</div>
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1 teaspoon (heaping) basil</div>
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1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger</div>
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2 tablespoons peanut butter (I used Skippy Chunky, the chunks of peanuts added a yummy crunch)</div>
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1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs </div>
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1/4 cup water </div>
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Splash of soy sauce</div>
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Zest of 1/2 lime</div>
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<b>Peanut Dipping Sauce</b></div>
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1 cup coconut milk</div>
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1 cup crunchy peanut butter </div>
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1 lime, juiced. (Zest optional)</div>
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For meatballs, mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well mixed. Form meatballs into walnut sized spheres. I was able to make 21 meatballs. Bake in oven @350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, or fry in peanut oil. </div>
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Mix together the peanut dipping sauce in a medium sized bowl. Serve with jasmine rice.</div>
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I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as we did! Enjoy! </div>
Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-650468864280624052014-10-15T08:53:00.000-07:002014-10-16T06:10:53.105-07:00Apples! Apples! Apples!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Srp0QjQnGzmgdNqKjv3DWluzqMbKrO3PCSu9-Fig-RY0uT1Ky3y-n6HrdSwccjbBi4xoFd_HQZxxmkPytKQ9jS3SGgZPPXAwNLiLhYsKk5HZFbEfjLfJPnazY0A8Ln-6jr-JGHoEBuA/s640/blogger-image-1603513266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Srp0QjQnGzmgdNqKjv3DWluzqMbKrO3PCSu9-Fig-RY0uT1Ky3y-n6HrdSwccjbBi4xoFd_HQZxxmkPytKQ9jS3SGgZPPXAwNLiLhYsKk5HZFbEfjLfJPnazY0A8Ln-6jr-JGHoEBuA/s640/blogger-image-1603513266.jpg"></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdmg_-mi2MQq0GV7MEj4XbOpWHk3BQ1Em5vwWQu5kJbvyL5m7l2LSvg1SGwvml0N47RRcSFMFFaKBhN_ihKlARoHz4Y0rK9UjgcOOnjxpb5dkvXKnKO4pxnnffb_A7T99kdmT5qNIPqw/s640/blogger-image--128131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you get 60 apples in one afternoon? Go apple picking!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdmg_-mi2MQq0GV7MEj4XbOpWHk3BQ1Em5vwWQu5kJbvyL5m7l2LSvg1SGwvml0N47RRcSFMFFaKBhN_ihKlARoHz4Y0rK9UjgcOOnjxpb5dkvXKnKO4pxnnffb_A7T99kdmT5qNIPqw/s640/blogger-image--128131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdmg_-mi2MQq0GV7MEj4XbOpWHk3BQ1Em5vwWQu5kJbvyL5m7l2LSvg1SGwvml0N47RRcSFMFFaKBhN_ihKlARoHz4Y0rK9UjgcOOnjxpb5dkvXKnKO4pxnnffb_A7T99kdmT5qNIPqw/s640/blogger-image--128131.jpg"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Living in the Hudson Valley means theres lots and lots of apple orchards all over. We decided to go to the closest one, Masker Orchard. I also like it because it's close to my maiden name, Mader ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And It has spectacular views, like this! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlBLyDtUAfJoZZG2WBZoRqk5FR7yi7VjtjIQ4NyOa_qwPy4nM1wR0y9YxbkAbf_TAiOXCPB9_xmMyDoL5b5B7g-nt65Qo6XIKw0ESBbUYrHvM2PidMMR3deSuBLWtg1E6j4d7xLB2Q3U/s640/blogger-image--1693528573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlBLyDtUAfJoZZG2WBZoRqk5FR7yi7VjtjIQ4NyOa_qwPy4nM1wR0y9YxbkAbf_TAiOXCPB9_xmMyDoL5b5B7g-nt65Qo6XIKw0ESBbUYrHvM2PidMMR3deSuBLWtg1E6j4d7xLB2Q3U/s640/blogger-image--1693528573.jpg"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So now that you have apples... of course, you're gonna make pie! We did! ....and turnovers, and an apple crumb bake, and we still had over half of the apples left. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7KjxYi4JWak4YG9pHF5dPCl6EcXIjf6vvZBBhTLiMEi4pnz2L4zAsajw6WH-wjHKpRM4IHPmfxT4l3uii_7lAGtdxzBlxlRIZW_6oIjwtLfbIx7QToFWay8CLMmy1yzvZZOap5dgutc/s640/blogger-image-945381957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7KjxYi4JWak4YG9pHF5dPCl6EcXIjf6vvZBBhTLiMEi4pnz2L4zAsajw6WH-wjHKpRM4IHPmfxT4l3uii_7lAGtdxzBlxlRIZW_6oIjwtLfbIx7QToFWay8CLMmy1yzvZZOap5dgutc/s320/blogger-image-945381957.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">...Before</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And after....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5EgfXyfsXsExeVpkqSqxWtl8oeUZGP8s0vsT7DrecCt-zGnhyphenhyphencH9-4QQ4u3WtnvgTNZOppzjRy2UUzXVidxVThEJ1-jW1YLUn5i1IPqVBFnR3ya9sWF94B8WWK5IB64bXRqqTQAtrk0/s640/blogger-image-542487041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5EgfXyfsXsExeVpkqSqxWtl8oeUZGP8s0vsT7DrecCt-zGnhyphenhyphencH9-4QQ4u3WtnvgTNZOppzjRy2UUzXVidxVThEJ1-jW1YLUn5i1IPqVBFnR3ya9sWF94B8WWK5IB64bXRqqTQAtrk0/s320/blogger-image-542487041.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't get a picture of the pie, wasn't fast enough... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There's only so many apples you could eat... and after all that peeling, coring, and chopping from making the desserts, I wanted to do something easy with the rest. I've been seeing a lot of recipes for slow cooker apple butter so I decided to try some myself! I love my crockpot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You still have to core 'em and cut 'em, but for apple butter you don't need to peel the skins! There's extra nutrients in the skins so it's a win-win for my lazyness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Surprisingly, no butter in apple butter. Which is awesome, I can eat it without feeling like a lard ass! All you need is apples, brown sugar (light or dark, doesn't matter), apple juice/cider/or water, cinnamon, and nutmeg (optional, but I love nutmeg). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did 12 apples, half a cup of Masker's apple cider (you can use water or apple juice, but I wanted mine to be flavorful and deep in color), a quarter cup of light brown sugar, two tablespoons of cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg. I put it on high for four and a half hours and mixed it every once in a while to make sure nothing was sticking to the pot. After that I used my stick blender for a while to mash everything up. I cracked the lid to let out some of the moisture and let it thicken up a bit. At this point in the cooking process it looked like apple sauce and smelled like a million Yankee candles. You can totally stop here or take some out to have cinnamon apple sauce, but I kept going with my batch. I wanted it to get to peanut butter consistancy and smoothness. I let it cook with the lid open for two more hours. I cannot even explain how awesome my house smelled. I didn't notice it because I was standing in it for some time, but then I took my dog outside and came back in and really smelled it all! Soooo amazing! I used the stick blender one last time to smooth it out perfectly and then it was done! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It made so much apple butter! I've been globbing it on my toast each morning, it's a wonderful way to start your autumn days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As they say at Masker Orchard, Live Apply!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~Craftmeister</span></div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-21556134047105587172014-10-08T20:12:00.002-07:002015-03-22T16:53:26.456-07:00Skywalker Boots<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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The internet is one of the best craft tools around. Some days I think to myself, "Hmm, I wonder how to crochet a heart..." A few clicks on google later and ...bam! Crochet heart. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZJiec8ZEIgpD9xtAEo9BdEsHCSSlC7gvfeGr78EhNP-aDCe7mJH4PevG75mKnfgUZ1xUWqh1LamIk7SzuUIaA_o5WGNDzLu7xnmm-zwHny3UCsO-pHDcVZ9YbfK-4vWC8fvM42-im8U/s1600/20141008_222850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZJiec8ZEIgpD9xtAEo9BdEsHCSSlC7gvfeGr78EhNP-aDCe7mJH4PevG75mKnfgUZ1xUWqh1LamIk7SzuUIaA_o5WGNDzLu7xnmm-zwHny3UCsO-pHDcVZ9YbfK-4vWC8fvM42-im8U/s1600/20141008_222850.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Hmm, I wonder how to crochet a flower..." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2IEghzKW3M0x3xFwyW-ln9WhP-QxVHduvI_s7DIR0mN5CA6Zn1BmwU0NyKsABBwFKFWWYN43i0wkcw6u_PzweRF5X4Iby81WavtRFDoFnTLctu9ynVdlnG8oCJQCbd7pN5gvZfVZdyY/s1600/20141008_222819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2IEghzKW3M0x3xFwyW-ln9WhP-QxVHduvI_s7DIR0mN5CA6Zn1BmwU0NyKsABBwFKFWWYN43i0wkcw6u_PzweRF5X4Iby81WavtRFDoFnTLctu9ynVdlnG8oCJQCbd7pN5gvZfVZdyY/s1600/20141008_222819.jpg" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
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"What about an owl...?"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7BBYnnQg76sdfKIBQp43fL1DWbi-aTGtqEINKztv5DoHFrnxSrmMvwWmqejQ7Bz65dTgZQMF01BIjWE7VsbyP_b-iV9Mo-CEeWPRRJtEDZxKTXWrwgOHkDmGv1b1duGCZzKJMsWwwRE/s1600/20141008_222737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7BBYnnQg76sdfKIBQp43fL1DWbi-aTGtqEINKztv5DoHFrnxSrmMvwWmqejQ7Bz65dTgZQMF01BIjWE7VsbyP_b-iV9Mo-CEeWPRRJtEDZxKTXWrwgOHkDmGv1b1duGCZzKJMsWwwRE/s1600/20141008_222737.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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It usually works for a lot of things I search. But of course, the one time I need to find a free pattern for booties, I can't find one in the right size. I ended up making up my own based on a pattern I found for a larger size bootie. I found <a href="http://sanitybystitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/toddler-double-sole-moccasins-pattern.html" target="_blank">this Toddler Double Soul Moccasins Pattern </a> pattern for toddlers and kids, they are about 6.5" in length. The kid I'm making the booties for is barely 12 months old, and his foot measured 5 inches. So here's the pattern if you need to make one for your<i> little</i> one! </div>
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I made the pattern almost exactly like the one in the link above, but smaller. I also changed the shaft of the bootie a little, I wanted my booties to look wrapped, like Luke Skywalker's boots in Star Wars. My stitches are in US terms. And I use the typical pattern short hand.</div>
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For example, SC # means to crochet one 'single crochet' in the next number stitches. And <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"># SC means to crochet # 'single crochet' in next stitch. Please let me know if you have any questions, this is my first time writing a pattern...</span></div>
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Stitches used: </div>
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SC Single Crochet</div>
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DC Double Crochet</div>
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HDC Half Double Crochet </div>
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sl st Slip Stitch</div>
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ch Chain</div>
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SC2TOG Single Crochet two stitches together </div>
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DC#TOG Double Crochet # of stitches together </div>
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Worsted weight yarn, Size G6 hook (4.00 mm)</div>
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In sole color (I used Red Heart Coco Bean), slipstitch, chain 13.</div>
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<b>Round 1</b>: 2 SC in 2nd loop from hook, SC 5, HDC, DC 4, 7 DC in last chain, working opposite side of starting chain DC 4, HDC, SC 5, 2 SC in last chain, sl st to first stitch</div>
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<b>Round 2:</b> ch 1, SC, 2 SC, SC 9, (HDC, 2HDC) x4, HDC, SC 10, 2 SC, SC, sl st join to first sc</div>
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<b>Round 3:</b> ch 1, 2 SC, SC, 2 SC, SC 11, HDC, SC 11, 2 SC, SC, 2 SC, sl st join to first sc</div>
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<b>Round 4:</b> ch 2, 2 DC, 2 DC, HDC 14, (DC, 2 DC) x3, (2 DC, DC) x3, HDC 14, 2 DC, 2 DC, sl st join to first DC</div>
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If you are doing the contrasting side double sole, fasten off. Make another sole in boot color and continue the pattern below...</div>
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<b>Round 5:</b> Stitch both soles together, carefully keeping them straight, using SC. ~58 stitches</div>
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<b>Round 6</b>: HDC in each stitch all around, should end with 58 stitches in total, decrease or add where ever if you need to</div>
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<b>Round 7:</b> DC in each all around, 58 stitches</div>
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<b>Round 8</b>: ch1, SC 21, SC2TOG, HDC, DC2TOG x5, HDC, SC2TOG, SC 21, sl st join to first</div>
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<b>Round 9:</b> ch 1, SC 17, SC2TOG, DC2TOG, DC3TOG, DC2TOG, DC, DC 2, DC2TOG, SC2TOG, SC 17, sl st join to first st</div>
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<b>Round 10: </b>SC 13, SC2TOG, DC2TOG, DC, DC3TOG, DC, DC2TOG x2, SC2TOG, SC 13, sl st join to first st</div>
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<b>Round 11: </b>SC 6, SC2TOG, HDC, DC2TOG, DC, (DC2TOG, DC) x4, DC2TOG, HDC, SC2TOG, SC 6</div>
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That's it for the shoe part, the next part of the boot is just 5 rows of double crochet. I slightly modified the boot shaft from what I saw in the tutorial I looked at when creating my pattern. I did 5 rows of double crochet then one last row of single crochet in a lighter beige color for some contrast. I think I get the Luke Skywalker effect with these boots, the texture of the stitches help it looked wrapped. I'm pretty happy with how they came out! I hope you enjoyed the pattern. Here's some fashion photos of the booties, I got inspired... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7exIyjyQjJWqCB3hj8DOCvZ_Gjpi1x_Vbbcn44lxMXb9fHx25IY6zNemzTfkzckwdnYNDN1meB2Q3Qr3WyqnsvQ5Jz2hMY83Jf4NTdGcRWhwg-FUSVHgTmUnrf4ngusmOdvRCv6HPTRM/s1600/20141008_174939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7exIyjyQjJWqCB3hj8DOCvZ_Gjpi1x_Vbbcn44lxMXb9fHx25IY6zNemzTfkzckwdnYNDN1meB2Q3Qr3WyqnsvQ5Jz2hMY83Jf4NTdGcRWhwg-FUSVHgTmUnrf4ngusmOdvRCv6HPTRM/s1600/20141008_174939.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv3iU4Vv3LTYBJ6CeYSWGWyNiQzbOdKPrBX2bO3p5CXVp5UBPKDyU2cnJNyh4Qgp30P2Ghe42HHiadL9xCjnmstg3OBgjQYE2rAFn4FncKZdh8JIVW97DZZHeS88l2M8L8IGxi-qbWuI/s1600/20141008_175355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv3iU4Vv3LTYBJ6CeYSWGWyNiQzbOdKPrBX2bO3p5CXVp5UBPKDyU2cnJNyh4Qgp30P2Ghe42HHiadL9xCjnmstg3OBgjQYE2rAFn4FncKZdh8JIVW97DZZHeS88l2M8L8IGxi-qbWuI/s1600/20141008_175355.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21x3C2z7o5GEF2EYS47IT5wMlQnbEnmnXy4EnEYfByY-wiLE7nG4-UeqcxQjEpmNUUeOnkpUqv8lmWcApYsvX-GtvyuxJq4d9Uupf1eCnu0kpq_NNhVu2wesj6_i5ueVpPCdntthdOys/s1600/blogger-image-533749222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21x3C2z7o5GEF2EYS47IT5wMlQnbEnmnXy4EnEYfByY-wiLE7nG4-UeqcxQjEpmNUUeOnkpUqv8lmWcApYsvX-GtvyuxJq4d9Uupf1eCnu0kpq_NNhVu2wesj6_i5ueVpPCdntthdOys/s1600/blogger-image-533749222.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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AND you could fold down the booties for a different look!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYK5-nTFHKB4GRfJ1GwJY7xGs8061S8AhbMLWPNv5rKagIwJSI-tphCs2RCiAALH1wtyep35-AkC-jhlvno7Nf1YwdL5G5kTDqTyfMdTBTtLfeWuhzv7teM4JR-bWHURy3PISNQ_EzQg/s1600/20141008_175216.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYK5-nTFHKB4GRfJ1GwJY7xGs8061S8AhbMLWPNv5rKagIwJSI-tphCs2RCiAALH1wtyep35-AkC-jhlvno7Nf1YwdL5G5kTDqTyfMdTBTtLfeWuhzv7teM4JR-bWHURy3PISNQ_EzQg/s1600/20141008_175216.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n5MMIM64DmMLWLUo4VIoroUEBhbc3QtfDwvnpT54Qihyphenhyphen_agSy0CuDLvphGivPaMOWgoevcsR5z3VmPQvYVR-ZwuoYfSeVAGflkeQ392O4cz6ieR-B_VCSR2nqvqgRx8bK705_XHdk3I/s1600/20141008_175201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n5MMIM64DmMLWLUo4VIoroUEBhbc3QtfDwvnpT54Qihyphenhyphen_agSy0CuDLvphGivPaMOWgoevcsR5z3VmPQvYVR-ZwuoYfSeVAGflkeQ392O4cz6ieR-B_VCSR2nqvqgRx8bK705_XHdk3I/s1600/20141008_175201.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...for those fashionista babies</td></tr>
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Thanks for checking out my first pattern! I hope you have as much fun making yours as I did! </div>
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Stay tuned for more pictures of the Star Wars twins costumes updates! </div>
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TTFN</div>
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~The Craftmeister</div>
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<br />Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-2033753807204594022014-09-30T05:16:00.001-07:002014-10-01T05:59:08.813-07:00Happy October<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTBY_r5lWbEwl04WsaYfJb83zy_rv_ni9CYmQFeQq7LEjZWLJ0zKlBQjoVc-LBWXV_0Stt9HG8qOMAWt0xKzapHUfFcbzZWiB7qAKla1P57ckWr9J2QAGX86dOJNcQOkUVT6M3ySql7o/s640/blogger-image--1290196692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTBY_r5lWbEwl04WsaYfJb83zy_rv_ni9CYmQFeQq7LEjZWLJ0zKlBQjoVc-LBWXV_0Stt9HG8qOMAWt0xKzapHUfFcbzZWiB7qAKla1P57ckWr9J2QAGX86dOJNcQOkUVT6M3ySql7o/s640/blogger-image--1290196692.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful autumn sunset over the mountain behind my house</td></tr>
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It's juuuuust barely October and I have been thinking about Halloween for weeks!! ...<i>Okay, maybe months..</i>. I love love love Halloween! This Halloween I'm making some costumes for some very adorable twins, and they're going as a pretty badass set of famous twins, <i><b>Luke and Leia from Star Wars</b></i>!<br />
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The twins are barely a year old so the costumes have to be sized down from the originals in the movies (just a bit). Leia's dress I figured would be easy enough, and Luke's Jedi tunic can be a re-purposed Karate Gi. However, no karate gi is made for an eleven month old, so I'm making it from scratch. I haven't made too many things with my sewing machine, so it's been a fun challenge. </div>
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I've crocheted a hairpiece hat for Leia's buns, and it came out really cool looking! </div>
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It's a single crochet hat with two very long braids wrapped in a coil. Very easy, and warm too just in case it's chilly Halloween night. Here's the Leia hat prototype (the real one is bigger and a darker brown).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp1k1Cxrilse8A0G8iMnULk6sfIhYzjh4DnpoQFnnPiZ4km4YGNK4IxTBTb_qtBUxj0cGQu4BY_dGO_AFsAlty-s7P68IqmScTLM2FREHfkPE9C-64LzAL74TO1KLOlEeiR8JetzENA0/s1600/20140828_104050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp1k1Cxrilse8A0G8iMnULk6sfIhYzjh4DnpoQFnnPiZ4km4YGNK4IxTBTb_qtBUxj0cGQu4BY_dGO_AFsAlty-s7P68IqmScTLM2FREHfkPE9C-64LzAL74TO1KLOlEeiR8JetzENA0/s1600/20140828_104050.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Speaking of hats.... Check out these candy corn hats my sister Heidi ordered for some of the kids in our family. I crocheted a total of six hats, and I had a ton of fun doing so. I followed the tutorial on The Worsted Crochet Blog (seen here: http://theworstedcrochetblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/candy-corn-hat-pattern-for.html) The only difference is I didn't make ear flaps and I did one extra row of yellow. We had the kids try them on ...and hilarity ensued. Trying to get three kids under three to sit still for a cute picture was really difficult, so I just took a ton of pictures. I took so many, my phone made a mini video of all the pictures, I love the result! Its almost as crazy as being there in real life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyQ7Y4E1-B_gxD0TGy_qeGnD0OcOH7UUWubEGmHjFBPu8Vi8ARkAdp378ioMPKxiPaxrHCoAwGH2uz45P_n15sw0V8bEFL73eZcLlkrr5n_LEOvg2vw9wUzQJJttf2KNuB4_0sE88lNY/s1600/IMG_0465.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyQ7Y4E1-B_gxD0TGy_qeGnD0OcOH7UUWubEGmHjFBPu8Vi8ARkAdp378ioMPKxiPaxrHCoAwGH2uz45P_n15sw0V8bEFL73eZcLlkrr5n_LEOvg2vw9wUzQJJttf2KNuB4_0sE88lNY/s1600/IMG_0465.GIF" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks Google+! ... said no one ever. Except for me. This one time. </span></div>
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Hats! Hats! Hats!! Here's another hat I made! It came out totally differently that what I was expecting. I followed the pattern exactly, but I think I was stitching too tight and using too thick yarn. I think it came out kind of cute looking anyway, so I kept going the way I was going and added a scalloped edge to it for more fun. It's really warm! And it's a piece I can totally keep for myself!<br />
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Back to Halloween...<br />
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Now that I have a huge dining room table, I figured it would be fun to make a cool Halloween table setting. My table is a nice dark wood so I wanted to use a table runner instead of a table cloth. Why cover up that beautiful wood?! I haven't gotten around to making a long table runner just yet, so I decided to do three small centerpieces in a row as a table runner. I used three round multi colored straw placemats that had autumn colors like crimson, gold, amber, and brown (only $2 each). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnR9kYJjGSfH0ckcqFypRvTyLXl2qruZNhe8PZJfp59WcIgVErqChAfdPGnuCFODe5EC6DkCkLQTSuXMNE0W5j4hTqfLAQYuu8RkZTpd53AiofiOaWsD7Hn07pK4_6EUIG6VuWiJmP9A/s640/blogger-image--1733820987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnR9kYJjGSfH0ckcqFypRvTyLXl2qruZNhe8PZJfp59WcIgVErqChAfdPGnuCFODe5EC6DkCkLQTSuXMNE0W5j4hTqfLAQYuu8RkZTpd53AiofiOaWsD7Hn07pK4_6EUIG6VuWiJmP9A/s640/blogger-image--1733820987.jpg" /></a></div>
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I set a small centerpiece on each; a large sugar skull I got from Home Goods, a bouquet of spooky purple and black roses with sparkly spiders from the dollar store <b>(YES! The $1 Store!)</b>, and a cool collection of four candles in interesting holders. Paired all that with orange place mats (great for all of the fall/harvest season, not just Halloween) and I have a cool Halloween table! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjNG9xlPICmKPMTrJ_IukYtVPwVsdDDVpp_W0-bJJcktS_M56mpGUoNmaCfM-qV8vyhxFQYgSW8bM4v_R3uPYpXogKasYQ6kNgAh0JfcLyA2hXc1P2zJ46WJfEl7mXlWlc9-9-FgcxWI/s640/blogger-image--1739935583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjNG9xlPICmKPMTrJ_IukYtVPwVsdDDVpp_W0-bJJcktS_M56mpGUoNmaCfM-qV8vyhxFQYgSW8bM4v_R3uPYpXogKasYQ6kNgAh0JfcLyA2hXc1P2zJ46WJfEl7mXlWlc9-9-FgcxWI/s640/blogger-image--1739935583.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Halloween wine glasses were a gift from my sister, they really complete the table spooking - I mean table setting</td></tr>
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You know that Christmas song The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? That is totally a fall song... totally. Autumn is the BEST time of year! </div>
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Stay Spooky!</div>
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~The Craftmeister </div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-26016928002880475102014-07-29T16:22:00.001-07:002014-09-17T17:47:36.311-07:00Tomato Basil Parmesean SoupIt's no secret that we love Rao's in this house. Their pasta sauces are some of the yummiest I've ever tasted! My favorites include Vodka Sauce, their new Four Cheese Sauce, Arrabiata, Garden Vegtable, Tomato Basil, Garlice sauce, Marinara (AND Sensitive Marinara).... Basically all of them! <div><br></div><div>This past month, Tomato Basil has been my <i>favorite </i>favorite. The flavor of the month if you will. </div><div><br></div><div>A while back, I had found a recipe for Tomato Basil Parmesan soup. If you've read my blog before, you know that I love making soups in the crockpot - I HAD to try it! The original recipe called for canned tomatoes and dried basil as the main ingridients. Honestly.... I wasn't impressed. Fresh ingridients can make <b>all the difference</b> in how a soup tastes. But the basil I had purchased from the farmers market wilted, so I couldn't use that. I had two bottles of Rao's Tomato Basil Sauce on hand and I decided to try it out. After all, Rao's uses fresh ingridients in their sauce, and I already know it tastes good! So, another Craftmeister cooking experiment....</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>And what a successful experiment it was! </i></b></div><div><br></div><div>Here's what you need:</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO2GrRnRzpaTqI85AnE3A-IixJ4ruTIOgU4IMhl3RkgfOQ0M5Vorjfbjd49lFoOeHOcnT_lk80xQBWq5OrCPt81jVfT904tNij5qbiZvUaaE2F8B3gccsr_G1NQMCwbmmksBXQmHVyWk/s640/blogger-image--1776611708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO2GrRnRzpaTqI85AnE3A-IixJ4ruTIOgU4IMhl3RkgfOQ0M5Vorjfbjd49lFoOeHOcnT_lk80xQBWq5OrCPt81jVfT904tNij5qbiZvUaaE2F8B3gccsr_G1NQMCwbmmksBXQmHVyWk/s640/blogger-image--1776611708.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2 jars Rao's Tomato Basil Sauce</span></div><div>4 cups chicken broth</div><div>~2 cups of celery </div><div>~2 cups of carrots</div><div>~2 cups onion</div><div>1 tablespoon oregano</div><div>1 bay leaf</div><div>3/4 stick of butter</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2/3 cups flour </span></div><div>2 2/3 cups half n half </div><div>1 1/2 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese</div><div>Salt & pepper to taste </div><div>1 teaspoon dried basil </div><div><br></div><div>Chop the carrots, celery and onions. Put them in a food processor to dice them very tiny. Add the Tomato Basil sauce to the slow cooker. Stir in chicken broth, veggies, bay leaf, and oregano. Cook on low for 6 hours. 30 before done time melt the butter in a sauce pan and stir in the flour. Add this to the crockpot and mix it in. Warm the half n half and stir it in with the Parmesan cheese. Stir it all in. The soup will look more orange than tomato red. Sprinkle in dried basil and add salt and pepper. Serve hot with grilled cheese sandwiches. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4XQMVmg07tn2q9CpbDYjijEfHGjVkCxpbcxcxxrWXxXJr1I7Pw2JLCDD2y_LDSwCZtL_4Gpy6vnjKmKrV8uRE4jsob1JkuTxnnD9ZjsHQe29xEIuiDBzToo8a7E32w-CTEe6iB3Fo8c/s640/blogger-image--660644764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4XQMVmg07tn2q9CpbDYjijEfHGjVkCxpbcxcxxrWXxXJr1I7Pw2JLCDD2y_LDSwCZtL_4Gpy6vnjKmKrV8uRE4jsob1JkuTxnnD9ZjsHQe29xEIuiDBzToo8a7E32w-CTEe6iB3Fo8c/s640/blogger-image--660644764.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>And there's bacon in those grilled cheeses, double yumm :) </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-38897855436240003612014-04-30T13:40:00.000-07:002014-04-30T13:40:16.728-07:00Captain's Quarters - Adjusting The Sails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Painting a room can be so rejuvenating. There's nothing like covering up the old dingy color that I really didn't like with a nice, smooth, rich color that I absolutely love. Let's take a brief look back at the yucky before pictures, shall we? </div>
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The colors I picked were specially matched to the colors I had in mind. The grey was called Milestone, and the blue was Award Blue. For the white paint, I chose a white called Swan Wing. I figured white is a pretty basic color, so I chose that one based on the name. I always see swans in Greenwood Lake, and anything that makes me think of the lake is perfect for my nautically themed bathroom. </div>
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Are you ready for the after pictures?? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3AgWR1Rhn8epGozFzENlawzhr7-3jRFq06Wc5DWZ3jqPmthYUemFq-OnYOpLuvkEs7rVaXD5iehvUXyFGh0II9oVwqFDMCogJNHY2Fhq0kmovmftqdks6iUbIFcfK50aKHifcMOH2oA/s1600/20140430_111818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3AgWR1Rhn8epGozFzENlawzhr7-3jRFq06Wc5DWZ3jqPmthYUemFq-OnYOpLuvkEs7rVaXD5iehvUXyFGh0II9oVwqFDMCogJNHY2Fhq0kmovmftqdks6iUbIFcfK50aKHifcMOH2oA/s1600/20140430_111818.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink ceiling, dried white. And no crack!</td></tr>
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.... But the transformation is not complete! Stay tuned to see how I transformed lots of my old bathroom accessories to match the new theme. </div>
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Stay crafty! </div>
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~The Craftmeister</div>
Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-78418544170821560012014-04-26T12:57:00.002-07:002014-04-26T12:57:33.988-07:00The Zoomer<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>>^..^<</b></span></div>
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My kitty cats love their Friskies. In the evening for dinner, they both split a Friskies can. I usually purchase the boxes of cans, and there's always this puzzle thing on the back of the box. I've never really looked at it, until yesterday. Enter: The Zoomer</div>
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I figured, why not? I'm just going to throw it out anyway. So I grabbed my scizors and I cut The Zoomer out according to the instructions. I had to use an exacto knife to cut out the windows, but otherwise it was not hard to do. </div>
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Folding the thing was not easy because it wasn't perforated at all. I made the folds using my countertop to keep it flat and straight. But it's small, so it came together quickly. The cardboard was stiff enough that it didn't get destroyed while folding and figuring out which tab goes where, but soft enough to maneuver it.<br />
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The box suggest to fill the toy with Friskies kibble, but we use very small kibble for Gordo's lack of teeth. But I did have some treats on hand from their Easter baskets, so I filled it with that.<br />
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The verdict? They loved it! They liked knocking it around and getting the treats out of it. Here's a video of Puffin's reaction to the toy</div>
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Shortly after Puffin was done with the toy, I found Gordo on top of the china cabinet with the toy next to him keeping a look out for toy thieves.</div>
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Enjoy the weekend everybody! </div>
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~The Craftmeister</div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-18972026893032594412014-04-17T09:10:00.000-07:002014-04-17T09:11:21.887-07:00Captain's Quarters - Repairing the Hull<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ahoy!</span></b> Are you ready for the most dramatic, dynamic, and aquatic part of the sorta-master-bathroom makeover?!<br />
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A hull in a nautical setting is the watertight body of a ship; so in this bathroom makeover, the hull is the large watertight body of the tub. I've mentioned in my<a href="http://craftmeister.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-quarters-brainstorm.html" target="_blank"> previous post</a> that I really don't care for the look of tub surrounds. But that's what we have and I love having a tub, especially with the dog and the possibility of kids someday. It's just... soo ugly. It would be too expensive to replace the whole thing right now, so instead my husband and I (mostly my husband) gave it a facelift! I found the inspiration and tutorial online, Dan did the heavy duty stuff and we together we put it together. </div>
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We followed the design and instructions from <a href="http://inmyownstyle.com/2011/06/bathroom-makeoverhow-to-add-decorative-molding-to-a-bathtub.html" target="_blank">InMyOwnStyle.com</a>. Her starting tub was almost the same as ours, and the steps seemed pretty clear. I like that she did this facade without damaging the tub. More than likely, we'll replace the tub before we move out of the house, but it's nice to know that if I change my mind in a few years (HA!) I can take it off and you'd never know it was there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my husband! Prepping the work area.</td></tr>
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Basically we built a frame for the front if the tub and covered it with beadboard wainscoting and MDF moldings (a plastic, waterproof, rot proof version of the classic wood moldings). On the top edge of the tub we placed a board made from PVC to finish off the built-in look. We also added MDF boards on the side of the tub going up the wall to further anchor it in place. </div>
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While building it I was wondering if it would hold okay, if it would shift or move in the years to come. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to lean on the new top if the tub. If I have to stand on the edge of the tub to change the shower curtain, or to clean, will it move and all fall apart? How well will it stand the test of time? The dramatic, dynamic, aquatic project was becoming <i>enigmatic.</i> </div>
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But after we were done and it dried I discovered that I totally could stand on the ledge if I needed to. It's not something I'm going to do everyday, but it's good to know that if I have to lean over the tub I can do so without worry. And after reading comments in the blog where I found the tutorial, I've found that the tub is standing their test of time just fine. They've had it installed for over a year, and the original author has daughters and large dogs that she bathes in the tub. </div>
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I'm really happy with how it turned out, and it matches so much better with the rest of the bathroom now!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ain't she a beauty?</td></tr>
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The drain stop in the tub wasn't working properly, it would always drain out. So we couldn't take baths and it made bathing Henrik a project and a half (we basically have to shower the dog). Dan did some research and found that the type of drain stops that have the lever one flips up and down don't last as well as other ones. So we decided that the old fashioned drain stop would work well for us. When he replaced the drain piece, I was surprised at what it looked like when it came out! </div>
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But take a look at it all shiney and new! A <b>great</b> improvement! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now to make the tub fill, we PUSH the button on the drain to plug it</td></tr>
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Now if you'll excuse me, I need to christen the new hull with some suds and aromatherapy.....<br />
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TTFN!<br />
~The Craftmeister<br />
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-29917557810292375792014-04-15T05:28:00.000-07:002014-04-17T08:52:37.301-07:00Captain's Quarters - Pink Sky<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Pink sky in morning, sailors take warning.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Pink sky at night, sailor's delight."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember that old saying? Well, sailors would panic than rejoice with my not-really-a-master-bathroom-but-I'm-calling-it-that-anyway master-bathroom makeover.</span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's a mouthful. </span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The ceiling is the first step in the redo of the master bath, but it took longer than my husband and I originally thought. We figured we'd just slap a coat or two of ceiling paint on it and be done. But then we noticed a pretty long crack where the slope of the ceiling meets the top flat ceiling (kinda like in an attic). Rather than just spackle it just to have it come back in a month or so, we repaired it for real. I'm so glad that I learned how to do this, because it will come in handy when we redo other rooms in the house. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Complicated ceiling facelift = blogpost! ;) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First we cleaned out the crack, removed any loose pieces but we were careful not to make it larger than it was. This was harder than it sounds. Afterwards it looked worse than when we started, but we soon repaired it with heavy duty spackle. We used DAP Crack Shot brand. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we used fiberglass netting to cover the seam where the crack existed. We used that instead of drywall joint tape because it should hold better. It reminded me of paper mâché; use the spackle as glue to hold it to the ceiling. It was a pain in the butt, but after we got a groove going it got easier. After that dried Dan sanded and we added another coat of spackle to cover parts where you could still see the net. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's very hard to take pics upwards while on a ladder, but I just had to get a picture of it for the blog! Your welcome, readers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After that dried, Dan sanded again. Now you'd never know there was a crack there at all! Well... besides the different ceiling color on the seam and the hand and palm prints all over the ceiling.... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But we're painting, so it's okay to have a mess there. I feel much better painting knowing that the crack shouldn't come back on the ceiling. :-)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now to paint! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we purchased the paint at Home Depot, I went to the counter to get the special colors mixed while Dan grabbed the things we needed from the isle shelves (ceiling paint and supplies). When we get home Dan told me that the ceiling paint he got was pink. We joke around a lot so I figured he was messing with me. But he assured me, seriously it's pink. I've heard of accent ceilings before, but pink? Yuck! After he had a good laugh, he explained that it's a special kind of ceiling paint that goes on pink while it's wet, and dries white. It's especially helpful if you're painting white on white. I've never seen anything like it and it was really fun to use.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">...Except for the fact that it matched with the purple walls too much. Talk about pastel in your face, yuck. I got some paint on my arm (inevitable) and when it was drying it was white on the outside, but still pink in the center. It looked so freaky! Like a crazy flesh eating zombie virus was on my arm. Pictures didn't come out right, but trust me, it was freaky! Soon enough it dried. White. And the bathroom is that much closer to becoming the master bathroom I know it can be! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I got the paint off my arm. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More to come! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~The Craftmeister</span></span></div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-58396376736170925882014-04-13T11:07:00.000-07:002014-04-15T05:29:59.647-07:00Captain's Quarters - A BrainstormWe've been in our house for almost three years and we haven't yet tackled the master bathroom. <br />
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Until now.</div>
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When I first saw this bathroom on the realty listing of the house, I laughed out loud. It's not <i>really </i>a master bathroom, I just call it that because it's right outside the master bedroom. And despite it's ugly appearance it's quite large and has lots of potential. </div>
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Potential that I'm going to uncover! Well, not uncover. That sounds out of budget. Potential that I'm going to <i>makeover! </i></div>
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It has lavender walls that have streaks of pale blue creeping through. The light switch covers <i>were</i> a nice unfinished wood, but the previous owners decided it would look better painted a butter yellow. The tile floor is actually really nice. Large grey/blue tiles, and they're in pretty good shape. So for this makeover, the floor can stay.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsXpQiN4ENlONvKf6F4kC3g45innMzLgjFMU2qpBmy8E36wqz9D8eDE4LIhAfHFvIRTypkPFKSkxub3rVNHA5fva96yj2PlRmxRSyXX7DWpvwdAs7IM2lXXwOgxGFWNhLrKCyB0c9c3o/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsXpQiN4ENlONvKf6F4kC3g45innMzLgjFMU2qpBmy8E36wqz9D8eDE4LIhAfHFvIRTypkPFKSkxub3rVNHA5fva96yj2PlRmxRSyXX7DWpvwdAs7IM2lXXwOgxGFWNhLrKCyB0c9c3o/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cabinets are in pretty good shape too, and I like the wainscoting inset. Funny, I never liked wainscoting or wood paneling until I moved into the country. Must be the mountain air.... I can clean the larger cabinets with Mr Clean's Magic Eraser, and the corner cabinet I'll have to paint. The previous homeowners thought it would look good with the colors of the bathroom. <b>Nothing looks good with these colors</b>, especially one cabinet with all three colors! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice more blue streaks over the toilet</td></tr>
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The tub is a tub and shower surround. Personally I hate the look of these things, I much prefer a tile wall and a tub. This one especially looks dated, and the drain plug doesn't stay up so we can't fill the tub. No baths for us :( As much as I'd love to rip it out and put in a jetted tub and a tile wall, it's just not in the budget. But I have a few ideas that I think may work to update it. </div>
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This mirror came with the house, and I <i>kinda</i> like it. I say <i>kinda</i> because it's beautiful and ornate and in good shape, but the color is dingy. I think a little paint may go a long way and bring out the beauty in this ugly duckling.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks weird because I edited myself out, haha!</td></tr>
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I'd like to adopt a more neutral color pallet for the make over. Since the bathroom is so big I can put a darkish color on the walls and not feel too claustrophobic. Our halls are already beige, so I decided to pick grey for the natural overall color for the walls in the bathroom. Behind the sink I'm going to add a navy accent wall to hopefully bring out the blue in the tile. </div>
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A nautical theme would really tie these colors together. But I have to watch it, too much nautical stuff could start looking campy. I've seen lots of kids bathrooms that have "Poop Deck" signs. I admit, I chuckled when I first saw that, but it's not something I'd like to see everyday. I want classy nautucal. Adult nautical. More cruise ship than pirate ship. And then I came up with the perfect name for a mature nautical themed sort-of-master-bathroom... Captain's Quarters. </div>
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The neutral pallet will make it easy to keep the nautical theme on the mature side. I'm going to add a few nautical decorations in the room, and I'm looking forward to making a few things for it too. I purchased anchor wall decals to put up the navy accent wall, I have twisted rope that I could wrap around my garbage can, I have lots and lots of sea glass from my trips to Veiques, and I could add a piece of driftwood as easy decor too! There's lot of ideas flowing in my head!<br />
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I edited one of my pictures so I could have a visual to see how it'd all look. I think that's a GREAT improvement, it'll look better once it's done for real! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's more like it!</td></tr>
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If you haven't already, please follow me on Pinterest, you can see what sparks my ideas and have a Sneak peak at upcoming posts!<br />
http://www.pinterest.com/yodameister/</div>
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TTFN ;)<br />
~The Craftmeister</div>
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-2558385568832315242014-03-07T12:19:00.001-08:002014-03-07T18:07:28.895-08:00Cheeseburger soup<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There's something wonderfully nostalgic about handwritten recipes. But the thought of having recipie cards flying all over my kitchen gives me a headache. I'd loose them all. So I started a recipe book for my kitchen! It has music notes on it, so I'm trying to think of a clever name for it, like "Kitchen Symphonies" or "Dinner Music" or "Songs For the Tummy". I'm still brainstorming..... </span></div><div><br></div><div>But here's one of my favorite handwritten recipes. The last time I made it was the first time I made it, and it was a huuuuge hit. It filled up the entire crockpot and it was all gone that same night! Everybody loved it. And I think you will to! </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here's the recipe, taken from my personal cookbook!</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_Ni7v8iDLd1txfSa7efOLoiqedN_ujUW0s_i8G1yFtUPC24qv5HvFdGxitwW9oBkLtM76OI30nJnS38xZG6eVKDkpx41JA0Jss272gFCxjC-x7xWa2ij3NnxoWp_MGpdR8wVueqrAR8/s640/blogger-image-1963968531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_Ni7v8iDLd1txfSa7efOLoiqedN_ujUW0s_i8G1yFtUPC24qv5HvFdGxitwW9oBkLtM76OI30nJnS38xZG6eVKDkpx41JA0Jss272gFCxjC-x7xWa2ij3NnxoWp_MGpdR8wVueqrAR8/s640/blogger-image-1963968531.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Start out with onions, garlic and ground beef. Brown all together in a skillet, then drain and add it to the crock pot. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbbgXzhI0VL4eZxrIB2TsR1IDyW1TJoXIWZvWIPLzJNwXH3K_UIHWxPcQ_tCsV1qw0UAky3114qCd4YF8cyTAucsGqPBfivN6xp2gWCTIdwWiibqIbhPFzoQKESGrWKkAnN5M7rG18Dk/s640/blogger-image-1209187108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbbgXzhI0VL4eZxrIB2TsR1IDyW1TJoXIWZvWIPLzJNwXH3K_UIHWxPcQ_tCsV1qw0UAky3114qCd4YF8cyTAucsGqPBfivN6xp2gWCTIdwWiibqIbhPFzoQKESGrWKkAnN5M7rG18Dk/s640/blogger-image-1209187108.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Veggies! Peel the potatoes and cut them bite sized. You can use whatever potatoes you'd like; red, russet, white, etc. I use white potatoes. I</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">also added celery, two stalks. Celery is a superfood, and I think the crunch represents lettuce on your burger. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> After they're washed and chopped, add to the crock pot. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLqFiPM2dvJUk407COgepWxFaewAsdazrMg4hI1gF2ZXxTHzrz-VRC35nukfiaews3UxoOaw4Zb3ucnzjFZDAJYQUhOXKoTI96XRPxVSUjfxT3S3O6T51QzVu2UqYYGRx3d9v41lNeB4/s640/blogger-image--1377129595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLqFiPM2dvJUk407COgepWxFaewAsdazrMg4hI1gF2ZXxTHzrz-VRC35nukfiaews3UxoOaw4Zb3ucnzjFZDAJYQUhOXKoTI96XRPxVSUjfxT3S3O6T51QzVu2UqYYGRx3d9v41lNeB4/s640/blogger-image--1377129595.jpg"></a></div><br></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Then add the broth, salt and peppers, and ketchup. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I used probably about double the amount of ketchup than the recipe states. I always use a lot of ketchup on burgers, so I figured I should add extra to the soup. The recipe calls for mustard but </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I don't add mustard, and I wouldn't even think of it! Up here in New York we don't put mustard on burgers! Yuck! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mix it all up and cover for like 5 hours on high, 10 hours on low. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7UKIyawL6UNNCDD6Q_0FcjtdWESlFc7NY_2cQq7gIDU0pqiGHsH3_MwXnFvUpELHv87yJUspKOf00dgGv-oiL0yfAeRoO_4mfKr9moFElTdggbIabq158k6OgSer8XvwgaDLLVaj_KE/s640/blogger-image-313888302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7UKIyawL6UNNCDD6Q_0FcjtdWESlFc7NY_2cQq7gIDU0pqiGHsH3_MwXnFvUpELHv87yJUspKOf00dgGv-oiL0yfAeRoO_4mfKr9moFElTdggbIabq158k6OgSer8XvwgaDLLVaj_KE/s640/blogger-image-313888302.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>About an hour before dinner time, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add flour and milk and whisk it all together. Take pan off the heat and add cheese. Add to soup after it's all melted. </div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0N-RXq3NoZv49EBJXUyG2DunruH8Why_Bqq48ra4Yu1gOW5baKypuQ333m2tGI9jHZ00VTscDSXaKHDQX5YAAHHKqb91yX8Y-tYL5PjukTh-FHk6ZCEgNLaZogDEQDASPAb8OSiYlFA/s640/blogger-image--1429066382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0N-RXq3NoZv49EBJXUyG2DunruH8Why_Bqq48ra4Yu1gOW5baKypuQ333m2tGI9jHZ00VTscDSXaKHDQX5YAAHHKqb91yX8Y-tYL5PjukTh-FHk6ZCEgNLaZogDEQDASPAb8OSiYlFA/s640/blogger-image--1429066382.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div>I think I may need a bigger crock pot! </div><div><br></div><div>The cool thing about this being cheeseburger soup is you can make it taste like most cheeseburger varieties! Like turkey burgers? Use ground turkey meat instead of ground beef. Or add mushrooms and use Swiss cheese for a Mushroom & Swiss Classic. You can top the soup with cooked bacon crumbles, chopped pickles, or extra cheese. Personally I like the way it is right from the pot. :) </div><div><br></div><div>I hope you enjoy this soup if you do try it! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>~the craftmeister </div><div><br></div>Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-43534169337794206262014-02-03T04:28:00.001-08:002014-02-03T14:18:43.890-08:00Kitty siblings & new dining room<div><br></div>It's normal for human siblings to act like one another - but I think it's pretty cool when cat siblings start showing similarities. I've heard Gordo mimic Puffin's meow, and Puffin mimic Gordo's grunt. The other day I was snapping pictures of the two kitties check out my new dining room set, and I got a picture of Puffin strutting. Here's the cool thing - I have a picture of Gordo strutting almost the same exact way when I first found him in Rosedale! <div><br></div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kzirBsbofHOs6NGLnsIIkTj8m4gDKick9uRC2DQWErStZeDm-k4eLufHgBETJSmne00us-SQZRmCvDR6-kPX7UPjrFeohyNDCTdt3DPVnV2q-p1gjp2eV-Ot4NE8dqKaCHljQwVuMb4/s640/blogger-image--1218995636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kzirBsbofHOs6NGLnsIIkTj8m4gDKick9uRC2DQWErStZeDm-k4eLufHgBETJSmne00us-SQZRmCvDR6-kPX7UPjrFeohyNDCTdt3DPVnV2q-p1gjp2eV-Ot4NE8dqKaCHljQwVuMb4/s640/blogger-image--1218995636.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kzirBsbofHOs6NGLnsIIkTj8m4gDKick9uRC2DQWErStZeDm-k4eLufHgBETJSmne00us-SQZRmCvDR6-kPX7UPjrFeohyNDCTdt3DPVnV2q-p1gjp2eV-Ot4NE8dqKaCHljQwVuMb4/s640/blogger-image--1218995636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ojvQ_E5UB5v9YKFj1qAAQhxLrVdLETEH_hNiMKIVis7kA8MQQ3jbZ8cDqWWDZcEHWl24wtUCigo6gOFrVaAL0gnQXP-cNYhq-G46-CjM_cA6-tGdtfB3VLjbvZej0a7sxNSh8UNBSNA/s640/blogger-image--232090736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ojvQ_E5UB5v9YKFj1qAAQhxLrVdLETEH_hNiMKIVis7kA8MQQ3jbZ8cDqWWDZcEHWl24wtUCigo6gOFrVaAL0gnQXP-cNYhq-G46-CjM_cA6-tGdtfB3VLjbvZej0a7sxNSh8UNBSNA/s640/blogger-image--232090736.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div></div><div>Okay, so there are some differences, but I still thought it was pretty funny. Here are some more pictures of my dining rom set! I have a dining room!! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDMRH_bjXqrp3X4C_PvNptwiWf3P3RMXKMhfs_3097ubHQj_GEKmmjmrOljxVMab-dywGFiD4cjpy-sydIFvhxJz7YaLFy3OAjwEt16cx80ix-xV7T6RfI6pT5uK_lt69Nhk8hyphenhyphen3fPZo/s640/blogger-image-197932572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDMRH_bjXqrp3X4C_PvNptwiWf3P3RMXKMhfs_3097ubHQj_GEKmmjmrOljxVMab-dywGFiD4cjpy-sydIFvhxJz7YaLFy3OAjwEt16cx80ix-xV7T6RfI6pT5uK_lt69Nhk8hyphenhyphen3fPZo/s640/blogger-image-197932572.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Pub height" table and chairs, the table can open to 9 feet! The cabinet in the back matches a piece we have in the kitchen, and it's now full of Mader heirloom china. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDa7lWLJdPZDLpacYYSShWvIZvIu9SOzrw31BCToCeOpvCTWvsjVhkYzj8115YTkDSzdNy1rLIj8Gt-Xu5icrvKXg3Gv8WvysOnz2WO2U_PKjekJwPx7rSVJuovAYqGuKtgUx924eQPU/s640/blogger-image-1175749683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDa7lWLJdPZDLpacYYSShWvIZvIu9SOzrw31BCToCeOpvCTWvsjVhkYzj8115YTkDSzdNy1rLIj8Gt-Xu5icrvKXg3Gv8WvysOnz2WO2U_PKjekJwPx7rSVJuovAYqGuKtgUx924eQPU/s640/blogger-image-1175749683.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Here's a shot from a different angle</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIa639z70hWGPJB1veDfLLvQCagqg_RkK5hRrTxUAR78Ywd6CTDbMuMDRzGS6iohhK868WLpEuGMxQSKbNK_nCol-UXO-UC8dgs5JkBRD27UyjA43EL6rEGoQUc-18jV7_JIBWWHKjMY/s640/blogger-image-1847087670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIa639z70hWGPJB1veDfLLvQCagqg_RkK5hRrTxUAR78Ywd6CTDbMuMDRzGS6iohhK868WLpEuGMxQSKbNK_nCol-UXO-UC8dgs5JkBRD27UyjA43EL6rEGoQUc-18jV7_JIBWWHKjMY/s640/blogger-image-1847087670.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Anybody recognize the centerpiece? ;) There's a wine server in the back with drawers and matching details. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTNxK-v-JQ60oqX2eELG2LHQi8aSgRofKpzrCVuuY0WulmS6g8Ec7gndS0cBsQua_h9V1zRCp9hkQrqjCFm8lfYGmszgK0wmVtbm_34zJ46vxdP-bYGVY4Wi3QdtbauC9FwrcGHhokGs/s640/blogger-image-862619586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTNxK-v-JQ60oqX2eELG2LHQi8aSgRofKpzrCVuuY0WulmS6g8Ec7gndS0cBsQua_h9V1zRCp9hkQrqjCFm8lfYGmszgK0wmVtbm_34zJ46vxdP-bYGVY4Wi3QdtbauC9FwrcGHhokGs/s640/blogger-image-862619586.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I love having a real dining room! I can't wait to have many awesome meals in there with my family. Holidays are going to be a lot more comfortable! <3</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gpDplxyI_RFMaoFmmm8jrF_4JFQ8bGkCaBnggFLPUyREv9RA5OSj4aHVt0LiFiQcSuNUMlmqb76j7pubhUo_p1Ao1N71YjyQ4QCu5-75tzcDwowvU5YwT9KyYdEF8xQcJVtvPTXe0_4/s640/blogger-image--1181254202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gpDplxyI_RFMaoFmmm8jrF_4JFQ8bGkCaBnggFLPUyREv9RA5OSj4aHVt0LiFiQcSuNUMlmqb76j7pubhUo_p1Ao1N71YjyQ4QCu5-75tzcDwowvU5YwT9KyYdEF8xQcJVtvPTXe0_4/s640/blogger-image--1181254202.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-43143450288981911592014-01-06T14:22:00.000-08:002014-04-11T18:58:00.871-07:00What Have You Been Up To?<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Are they over yet....?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it safe to turn on the radio.....?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Is it safe to go shopping again.....?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Can my electricity bill go back to normal now......?</span></div>
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HOLIDAYS!!! Am I right? <br />
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I was really busy crafting things for presents, and I didn't even finish them entirely. I had to give my sister a picture of her nearly completed blanket, and my sister-in-law got to see the blanket for her new baby and then she had to give it back to me so I could finish. I didn't make any cookies this year, and my neighbors didn't get cards or goodies in their mail box like they did last year.<br />
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Oh well.<br />
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Wanna hear the kicker? I'm STILL not done with the blankets....<br />
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But now that they are not a surprise anymore, I can share a few pictures with you!<br />
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On I Love Yarn Day 2013, I posted a few pictures of a picture afghan my mother made for me. In case you don't remember, here it is again! - With Gordo making a cameo appearance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfp8pDa7YMOxX-BmfBf50e0LqUBtQ7doa3DDx5YFxw8grivnJaBuGso0y67kwIB3E9V91RY71ZAb6R-LvO9_h6hb21jvDUmnhZdkJFtp6LptG4E-t3exLwPN_lbUdDAVL0edwBfaiJ-hA/s1600/DSCN1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfp8pDa7YMOxX-BmfBf50e0LqUBtQ7doa3DDx5YFxw8grivnJaBuGso0y67kwIB3E9V91RY71ZAb6R-LvO9_h6hb21jvDUmnhZdkJFtp6LptG4E-t3exLwPN_lbUdDAVL0edwBfaiJ-hA/s1600/DSCN1132.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the Great Granny Crochet Book by The American School of Needlework, published in 1979, there is a whole chapter for picture afghan patterns. My mother planned on making one picture afghan for each of her kids. My brother's was made first, when he was a baby. He was born in 1979, so that blanket was probably the first thing my mother made from this book. He still has it to this day, and is saving it to one day give to his children.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfVEQlBxbwKqwSqZGefNKx4l8cxPOuuFXKgkD4ElWeYy2l6v6bMAJSzXS1-1x4Y4oaj0cj136HlSifFP30eKrok4T3iFdCgMB96YMZyyh26syAV_D2dspyLnNx8yHKPuJ9xTv_SC4eOs/s320/blogger-image-1819764230.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="239" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is from The Great Granny Crochet Book by The American School of Needlework, 1979 edition.</td></tr>
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My sister Heidi got a carousel horse themed blanket, and my sister Ingrid was to receive a blanket fashioned after her two kitties. My mom was working on Ingrid's blanket when she got ill. She changed the pattern colors from two white and grey cats to one black cat and one orange tabby, Davin and Pumpkin. As beautiful as unfinished art is, I decided I'd do my best to try to complete the blanket. The finished product was supposed to be Ingrid's Christmas present. But instead, she got a picture wrapped up of it. I'm almost done with it... there's a lot of squares to sew together! After I complete it I'll snap a few pictures and post it up so you all can see.<br />
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My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their second child in February (Woo Aquarius Nephew!). I was learning the chevron stitch, and I thought it would make a great foundation for a baby blanket! Once they found out they're having a boy, I had a perfect idea in mind. With David's blanket as inspiration, I decided to make a few roads and then attach appliques of cars and ambulances (my brother is a paramedic). It's taking me a long time, but I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out so far!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Pardon the unfinished ends</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So there's a look at what I've been working on. And I've gotten a request for a granny square tutorial, so be on the look out for that in the next few weeks!<br />
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Stay warm out there!<br />
~The Craftmeister<br />
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-36092609476148256352013-12-27T07:29:00.003-08:002014-01-06T09:01:58.287-08:00Pet Stocking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Growing up, all us kids had personalized stockings. My parents picked out stocking for us with a cool design or character on it, and my mother wrote our names in glitter. I always liked that tradition, and I would love to continue that tradition when my husband and I start our own family. Right now though, our pets are our family. And like kids, they each have their own personality traits and different looks. I wanted to make truly unique stockings for my furry kids that captured their spirit. </div>
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All of these stockings were made with felt and lots of love. </div>
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<b>Henrik: The crazy eyed, always excitable Australian Shepherd. </b></div>
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<b>Gordo: The happy ginger cat.</b></div>
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<b>And Puffin: The princess kitty.</b><br />
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After creating these stocking and posting them on facebook, they were so well received! People loved them! So here's a few more that I've created... </div>
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<b>Vegas: The pampered Mini Schnauzer.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DKPPnL1kE93fiAOJsWoxL2aNlKTpVGRzCKFpzImq7RZtLE1L_rztaHB4pYJDiAKzX7umHodLIhhvwTx5ZVS2cJ2NPk6NEIfZLagPK-Ey2_7SvOUYhC5Sth0AK44ib4ghxfrZj4vCcmM/s1600/vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DKPPnL1kE93fiAOJsWoxL2aNlKTpVGRzCKFpzImq7RZtLE1L_rztaHB4pYJDiAKzX7umHodLIhhvwTx5ZVS2cJ2NPk6NEIfZLagPK-Ey2_7SvOUYhC5Sth0AK44ib4ghxfrZj4vCcmM/s200/vegas.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, I don't have a complete picture of this stocking</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59xQkVJP99QXEAVoeZMTLlFN36gBeEoDaabya_Vimj0hFlgqjdH5u8O2H-KFFoQaVIhr9ij-r3RZX8An38fLGUnX16MNws-29W2qyatqclBvXyohnlmw3dsg6RgQqi0Tlb40LPqSmFyY/s1600/IMG_20121219_154201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59xQkVJP99QXEAVoeZMTLlFN36gBeEoDaabya_Vimj0hFlgqjdH5u8O2H-KFFoQaVIhr9ij-r3RZX8An38fLGUnX16MNws-29W2qyatqclBvXyohnlmw3dsg6RgQqi0Tlb40LPqSmFyY/s320/IMG_20121219_154201.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<b>Toby: The playful and doofy lab mix</b>. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJcJUsEZpDQ/Ur2U7SI8l-I/AAAAAAAAFVY/uQkMiGzMk3Q/s1600/tobypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJcJUsEZpDQ/Ur2U7SI8l-I/AAAAAAAAFVY/uQkMiGzMk3Q/s320/tobypic.jpg" height="320" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<b>Lucky: The Cutie Yorkie.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4HZJAP_Gqbfpjw2l4muO96mzqkPKIdhxGlk-IIylkOOkKgZyMHbJNL6woZaiUP_Y5L9kJ0dUVT43lKyxjtS1nIc00uNZKodIYo2wHy86DxA7eONMDFuV8MYto_frvgFJMybvOpWk7I8/s200/luck.jpg" height="178" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGfGbfXIfxy6N4idmZq4mknvnCSfkheCzSwXcYLbkNISZ3Rk5saKq0RF4G1QYLyd7h7-GhvcWQynnLeGO8h-VlcRlQzgE8TVCrkall_W5aTVXmr0TyQ6PC3ksw4WBjS2dMZepKW_liJQ/s1600/Lucky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGfGbfXIfxy6N4idmZq4mknvnCSfkheCzSwXcYLbkNISZ3Rk5saKq0RF4G1QYLyd7h7-GhvcWQynnLeGO8h-VlcRlQzgE8TVCrkall_W5aTVXmr0TyQ6PC3ksw4WBjS2dMZepKW_liJQ/s320/Lucky.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stocking was made with a combination of felt and yarn</td></tr>
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<b>Molly: The Poised Mini Poodle.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiv1IkrW8alcr2iJJyrR1to9y5NWp86OTqYEsdf5Z49CLNe-_iZgSkRxOLiV0BV3_qpXDhJnGA8WakM-QGWpE2hToAnEu1CNK2VSXTl5VKEDS2D6Fi4Sw4EFONZ8rJWsEY67ZwWUc-Mw/s1600/Molly-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiv1IkrW8alcr2iJJyrR1to9y5NWp86OTqYEsdf5Z49CLNe-_iZgSkRxOLiV0BV3_qpXDhJnGA8WakM-QGWpE2hToAnEu1CNK2VSXTl5VKEDS2D6Fi4Sw4EFONZ8rJWsEY67ZwWUc-Mw/s320/Molly-3.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></div>
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<b>Kayto: The shy American Eskimo</b> .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q9upAR6Lddj1LGkzQn5qBECxSR5aTj3djzZLL9jwMtSkaFBxDpnA4aqP0PaOYeL3jg8lkOPU1ps3JgPy36iUEY5LbGB0rsczxWQ7czt_mvh2FDmWlMEnZ56T-kNE1jLbFSkSmiBpgt8/s1600/kato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q9upAR6Lddj1LGkzQn5qBECxSR5aTj3djzZLL9jwMtSkaFBxDpnA4aqP0PaOYeL3jg8lkOPU1ps3JgPy36iUEY5LbGB0rsczxWQ7czt_mvh2FDmWlMEnZ56T-kNE1jLbFSkSmiBpgt8/s320/kato.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Tquww9H8XB6JBcP6VD8P9XCVMxDa9j5CoHMHWYqRvr544599IS7KhYrKtELdI67rM00N4XvnHgvTTf9amvRsAm5Jw3U5KCxIm_EAe7X34KCE5VdxJ8pejOIwHMKqKjEgMwUEYjowZ0/s1600/kayto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Tquww9H8XB6JBcP6VD8P9XCVMxDa9j5CoHMHWYqRvr544599IS7KhYrKtELdI67rM00N4XvnHgvTTf9amvRsAm5Jw3U5KCxIm_EAe7X34KCE5VdxJ8pejOIwHMKqKjEgMwUEYjowZ0/s320/kayto.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<b>Cosmo: the playful American Eskimo mix (Kayto's brother)</b>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdB5JA5HzPKdd225XoiVfz3efcdZMmJYxKut7cnRbrSDPCwE63sOpmWNx_RAzmvkLjrZBGsrTtTNS3OTpLoGy4Kiqyyuin6OAnCZMDZDPlbMr4QEAMMJyALTNWdvKxj58qO4cH7EKJYc/s1600/cosmo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdB5JA5HzPKdd225XoiVfz3efcdZMmJYxKut7cnRbrSDPCwE63sOpmWNx_RAzmvkLjrZBGsrTtTNS3OTpLoGy4Kiqyyuin6OAnCZMDZDPlbMr4QEAMMJyALTNWdvKxj58qO4cH7EKJYc/s320/cosmo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmo has light beige spots by his ears, I created that effect by using tea as a dye. It worked well and it smells yummy!</td></tr>
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<b>Callie: The sassy and silly tortoiseshell cat.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkQOb29go59iPOfbevOQ8poGrq_7DflX9iBTFe9BCe9LvKEX-PQ4bDnxJ7HOTjUKppii11lIxBSCo_bAghAAT1T5FVng8D7a0B72-jGzWExG2s17C1fNG3az_kkTUdL8JBfQPkriPbfY/s1600/callie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkQOb29go59iPOfbevOQ8poGrq_7DflX9iBTFe9BCe9LvKEX-PQ4bDnxJ7HOTjUKppii11lIxBSCo_bAghAAT1T5FVng8D7a0B72-jGzWExG2s17C1fNG3az_kkTUdL8JBfQPkriPbfY/s400/callie.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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So that's what I've been working on for Christmas and why I haven't been posting. If you'd like one of these personalized stocking for one of your furry kids, let me know! They are $20 a piece and I do require a week or so to create them, so place your orders for next Christmas now!<br />
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Hope everybody is enjoying their holidays! Here's a bit of holiday cheer I made for my kitchen while making some Broccoli & Cheddar soup - recipe coming soon! ;-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzPUGnYQ_EOuf0v2MF7N-xfHQMapDTJ5ex4iOxJZtPBkGrDuiq80fnojqyTSmdPULdd5FC8W6JP5xSLRgyX35rd5Yyc3XHK7G6Pa8iHaS96tCs0_MKB_sh9U9us4AEKm53oT_x3ZR430/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzPUGnYQ_EOuf0v2MF7N-xfHQMapDTJ5ex4iOxJZtPBkGrDuiq80fnojqyTSmdPULdd5FC8W6JP5xSLRgyX35rd5Yyc3XHK7G6Pa8iHaS96tCs0_MKB_sh9U9us4AEKm53oT_x3ZR430/s320/tree.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broccoli stem and carrot peels Ho Ho Ho! </td></tr>
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Stay crafty!<br />
~The Craftmeister<br />
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Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-42520972936726313012013-10-23T09:51:00.002-07:002014-01-06T08:55:33.538-08:00Honey or Sugar Banana BreadRemember in the 90's when Bread Makers were huge? There were infomercials, huge displays at the department stores, all promising a machine that could make a whole loaf of bread and not take all day! The Maders had one too. My parents made all sorts of bread, and it made the house smell awesome. I thought about them the other day and so I was inspired to make some Banana Bread. Well, that and my bananas were looking too sad to eat, but just right for baking.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwYbV1iKj1dfmsnO-1xtNkoov4cfkn8o2gb_zRe-AYM3rnGDVwZCwXJXZPyBix8CTXKZ8E9X7xV6yijuY9kh-TlXPvkuiN6n7bZv1cY-hiaKVRxLqEcgcMCVrxJKBLTnaO_SZnO4wgI0/s1600/IMG_20131023_082718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwYbV1iKj1dfmsnO-1xtNkoov4cfkn8o2gb_zRe-AYM3rnGDVwZCwXJXZPyBix8CTXKZ8E9X7xV6yijuY9kh-TlXPvkuiN6n7bZv1cY-hiaKVRxLqEcgcMCVrxJKBLTnaO_SZnO4wgI0/s1600/IMG_20131023_082718.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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Dan and I picked up some Wildflower honey from the farmer's market in Warwick, NY. It's some damn good honey. I wanted to find a recipe that used honey in it to give the bread an extra boost of flavor. Unfortunately, when I had found a recipe I couldn't get the jar of honey open. The honey got under the lid and made the top stuck to the jar. So after looking at other recipes, I adapted the honey recipe to a different recipe - one with sugar instead. <br>
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I did and it was great!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0s4q-S9LJ_ZvGgDvGqNUHFb5uPU9GBAWh5LB-tr-S546IVkpOj_lYKdpafK-mQG_JIqjACjikdcBhVIEvxFa764gcIUgJvVs8MyM1Igf6a42r2GjtcbGEoK1v1jk4cXGV6ht_vgscD4/s1600/IMG_20131023_081404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0s4q-S9LJ_ZvGgDvGqNUHFb5uPU9GBAWh5LB-tr-S546IVkpOj_lYKdpafK-mQG_JIqjACjikdcBhVIEvxFa764gcIUgJvVs8MyM1Igf6a42r2GjtcbGEoK1v1jk4cXGV6ht_vgscD4/s1600/IMG_20131023_081404.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uhh... I should have taken the picture earlier. </td></tr>
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Later that same evening, my wonderful strong husband opened the honey jar for me (some honey from my honey). The first batch of Banana Bread was so good I figure I'd make the Honey Banana Bread too and let you know how they compared!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokXINL3Y0CJxEtTFqLWfhXl43B84K-upWZ4NzxSv0Ify6u-DcZJHqN2KYD9L1fMzVoUY5ozBLEtB3276TbFDqCskte-khTfrJVIDKa2tlouldLAKFpROZoAzV9FRke0JYCefGw8PHDvk/s1600/IMG_20131023_090827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokXINL3Y0CJxEtTFqLWfhXl43B84K-upWZ4NzxSv0Ify6u-DcZJHqN2KYD9L1fMzVoUY5ozBLEtB3276TbFDqCskte-khTfrJVIDKa2tlouldLAKFpROZoAzV9FRke0JYCefGw8PHDvk/s1600/IMG_20131023_090827.jpg" height="400" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching me mix</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Becca's Banana Bread </b></span><br>
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2 Cups Flour<br>
1 Cup Sugar<br>
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder<br>
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon<br>
1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg<br>
Pinch of Salt<br>
1 Cup Mashed Bananas (about two bananas)<br>
2 Eggs<br>
1/3 Cup <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vegetable</span></span> Oil<br>
1/4 Cup Milk<br>
1Teaspoon Vanilla<br>
1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips<br>
Parchment Paper/Wax Paper<br>
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Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper (or wax paper).<br>
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl, set aside. In large bowl combine bananas, eggs, oil, milk, & vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to banana mixture. Mix until moistened. Add chocolate chips. Pour into parchment lined loaf pan. <br>
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Bake for 60 min or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool for 10 min in pan, let stand on wire rack for 30 min before slicing.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Honey Banana Bread </b></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 3/4 Cup Flour</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 Cup Honey</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Teaspoon Baking Soda</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Teaspoon Cinnamon</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pinch of Salt</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Cup Mashed Bananas (about two bananas)</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 Eggs</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil </span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 Cup Hot Water</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Teaspoon Vanilla</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parchment Paper/Wax Paper</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper (or wax paper). Beat honey and oil together in a large bowl. Add eggs, mix well. Stir in bananas & vanilla. Stir in flour and salt. Add baking soda to hot water and add to banana mixture. Add chocolate chips. Pour into parchment lined loaf pan. </span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bake for at least 60 min or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool for 10 min in pan, let stand on wire rack for 30 min before slicing. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgNVxIZApW-QMoVF5j7n0xtiOz2of9I-2bC-wyaKtz23U1o4-thCi-7CxhjV9dbx2E0czH3Og8W8TSBlB6NRUnyra0CqYajqo8eu1Tw8I8HfCeYwvQ9X-a8okwTAKVzz5gQ7yWf5pREg/s1600/IMG_20131023_105442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgNVxIZApW-QMoVF5j7n0xtiOz2of9I-2bC-wyaKtz23U1o4-thCi-7CxhjV9dbx2E0czH3Og8W8TSBlB6NRUnyra0CqYajqo8eu1Tw8I8HfCeYwvQ9X-a8okwTAKVzz5gQ7yWf5pREg/s1600/IMG_20131023_105442.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey Banana Bread</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Craftmeister's Verdict:</span></span></b><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Personally I liked them both! The sugar banana bread had more of a spicy flavor to it, you could really taste how the cinnamon and nutmeg </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">complimented the bananas. The honey bread was more moist tasting but I think the flavored honey may have extinguished the cinnamon flavor. Don't get me wrong, they were both delicious! But delicious in different ways. If I were to make it again, I'd prob make it with the sugar. I think with the type of honey I used - locally purchased Wildflower Honey - it didn't taste how I wanted, and the honey isn't cheap. </span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY0glTr2VRYg3GkGl3PU73GUWGpjDWAJYv5CYtqJ8MF_xhNoMmD0zMa0GORxwpM0gu6GYQFK1F-8PUMU11zBbjl1NQUspuhRxQKa91NNgIaGWPGHCPYhEmXTL7AdzcSFPDhRur4aw0_w/s1600/IMG_20131023_082718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love baking in this weather. It warms up the house and you don't have to put the heat on! I got a recipe from my sister in law for Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Cider Donuts. I may have to try baking those next! </span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stay Baking, </span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">~The Craftmeister</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713509877634896875.post-10149597050836520372013-10-23T07:21:00.000-07:002014-01-06T08:55:33.479-08:00The bathroom is no place for...I'm currently in the process of redoing one of the bathrooms in my house. It's a small bathroom on the main floor; it's the one that gets used the most. As some of you may know, I have a modest rubber ducky collection. Hahaha, who am I kidding!? I love rubber ducks! I have devil duckies, cowboy duckies, sheriff duckies, graduation duckies, leprechaun duckies... and the list goes on. So to match, I painted half of the bathroom a buttery yellow. The bottom half of the bathroom is covered by white beadboard/wainscoting, so it's not too overwhelmingly yellow. I was looking for ideas on Pinterest for additional bathroom decor ideas, something kitschy that would compliment the many duckies. And what I found really, really put me off of bathroom decor.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What is with the passive aggressive signs for the bathroom? </b></span></div>
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Here are some of the best of the worst....</div>
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Wash Your Hands and Say Your Prayers, Because Jesus and Germs are Everywhere! </div>
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If You Sprinkle When You Tinkle, Please Be Sweet and Wipe the Seat. </div>
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My Aim is to Keep This Bathroom Clean, Your Aim Will Help. </div>
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This Bathroom Was Clean Yesterday... So Sorry You Missed It</div>
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Changing the Toilet Paper Roll Will Not Cause Brain Damage </div>
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Then there's the many rules on one sign trend that have basically all of the things listed above, but lovingly signed "Love, Mom". Seriously? Are people who use your bathroom that dirty that they need stupid reminders in the bathroom? Or maybe people just think it's cute? I really don't get it. </div>
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I DO like cute signs in the bathroom. Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Baths 5¢, Smile, Powder Room, or my personal favorite for a full bathroom.... Get Naked. All perfectly fine in my book! But don't nag at me to clean behind my ears while I'm on the John.... </div>
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Am I alone in this? </div>
Becca The Craftmeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11821791492104888381noreply@blogger.com1