tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82976778681243081012024-03-13T01:00:32.501-04:00The Magic of Ordinary ThingsKristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-19201969376967016022015-09-07T21:17:00.001-04:002015-09-07T21:17:21.467-04:00VALANCE SIGNAGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One month after we moved into this house, back in 2013, we were hit by a huge winter storm, and were out of power for EIGHT DAYS. On day two, our new neighbor, whom we had just met, showed up with a trailer full of wood so we'd be able to stay warm by having a fire in our kitchen fireplace.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1j0rCpVUKk/Ve4zjPiH-rI/AAAAAAAAOlo/ieID8fcpQRs/s1600/IMG_9165fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1j0rCpVUKk/Ve4zjPiH-rI/AAAAAAAAOlo/ieID8fcpQRs/s640/IMG_9165fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it wasn't just any old firewood, it was this gorgeous old solid oak that had nicely weathered over the years. Of course, at the time, we didn't realize this, or care - we were just trying to stay warm. But once Winter finally faded into Spring, we re-evaluted what we had left. Then that summer, we used some of it to build this amazing wall/potting table out on our carport.</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNUpZF7vayE/Ve4z1s1dJCI/AAAAAAAAOlw/-uZm6Uq9Edw/s1600/IMG_3945fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNUpZF7vayE/Ve4z1s1dJCI/AAAAAAAAOlw/-uZm6Uq9Edw/s640/IMG_3945fb.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And even after that, we still had a little bit of it left. So this past Saturday, I ventured out into the shed to see if any of it would work for a little project I was conjuring up. And we did! YAY!! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJkLRFs54xY/Ve4zVRSnwXI/AAAAAAAAOk4/hQeenkHSPDI/s1600/IMG_0806fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJkLRFs54xY/Ve4zVRSnwXI/AAAAAAAAOk4/hQeenkHSPDI/s640/IMG_0806fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just enough for this....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69q21XIwcMg/Ve4zX--3sZI/AAAAAAAAOlA/FNeR69NSclk/s1600/IMG_0813fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69q21XIwcMg/Ve4zX--3sZI/AAAAAAAAOlA/FNeR69NSclk/s640/IMG_0813fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A valance for my youngest sons room. We had just recently painted his room, and it just needed this one final little touch.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0t_SZcbgKis/Ve4zYrFIhkI/AAAAAAAAOlI/UbxdGGZEU90/s1600/IMG_0815fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0t_SZcbgKis/Ve4zYrFIhkI/AAAAAAAAOlI/UbxdGGZEU90/s640/IMG_0815fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had seen this "definition" on Pinterest way back when I first started pinning in October of 2011. It "defines" him to a tee!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-bQwWlKlQM/Ve4zabPiGBI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/83NyWPDIf8A/s1600/IMG_0817fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-bQwWlKlQM/Ve4zabPiGBI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/83NyWPDIf8A/s640/IMG_0817fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESPIyPHdZnE/Ve4zdgPMVAI/AAAAAAAAOlY/0DVtoo29f_I/s1600/IMG_0820fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESPIyPHdZnE/Ve4zdgPMVAI/AAAAAAAAOlY/0DVtoo29f_I/s640/IMG_0820fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think what inspired me to finally get it made, was the fact that I had just acquired this amazing antique oak desk. It was my first CraigsList purchase, and it was the perfect piece for him to sit at and do his homework.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TEo4huTLM5U/Ve4zeMnPLuI/AAAAAAAAOlc/oIfmfLh1_Lk/s1600/IMG_0821fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TEo4huTLM5U/Ve4zeMnPLuI/AAAAAAAAOlc/oIfmfLh1_Lk/s640/IMG_0821fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He LOVES the desk, but HATES the "definition".</span><br />
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-42546817460464098562015-09-07T20:50:00.002-04:002015-09-07T20:58:13.618-04:00A BRAND NEW BATHROOM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in February, my husband and I started a new nutritional program that required us to have "Cleanse" days - which basically meant we fasted for a day. On the very first Cleanse day, to keep our minds off being hungry, we decided to start demo-ing the boys bathroom. Little did I know, on that cold day at the beginning of February, that this bathroom would not be completed until 4.5 months later.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like, I just said, it all started with the removal of the tile. This lovely olive green speckled tile basically went all the way around the room up to 54" high. When I started taking it off, it was very clear that it had originally been installed using liquid nail - UGH!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8_PdQZBF0Q/Ve4qzuA4OJI/AAAAAAAAOjE/KApjHakDRpU/s1600/IMG_5739fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8_PdQZBF0Q/Ve4qzuA4OJI/AAAAAAAAOjE/KApjHakDRpU/s640/IMG_5739fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because of this unusual original installation method, the tile was taking the drywall with it when we chipped away at it. So, we would need to remove all the old drywall and install new. Luckily, my husband had a lot of help for this step.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbjgdD-dDw0/Ve4q8MkZ0TI/AAAAAAAAOjM/vykqsLoawIU/s1600/IMG_5912fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbjgdD-dDw0/Ve4q8MkZ0TI/AAAAAAAAOjM/vykqsLoawIU/s640/IMG_5912fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zd9jREVBFo/Ve4q-WPwd-I/AAAAAAAAOjY/Vs_S_6OcJtY/s1600/IMG_5919fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zd9jREVBFo/Ve4q-WPwd-I/AAAAAAAAOjY/Vs_S_6OcJtY/s640/IMG_5919fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ2KGtD3O4s/Ve4q-TWNSPI/AAAAAAAAOjU/IEtqdqnmXtM/s1600/IMG_5921fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ2KGtD3O4s/Ve4q-TWNSPI/AAAAAAAAOjU/IEtqdqnmXtM/s640/IMG_5921fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sorry, but is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the walls were redone, we next focused on the floor. We quickly discovered that there were three layers of vinyl flooring, with the last layer being installed on top of a 1/4" underlayment. Once we got up that underlayment layer, there were literally hundreds of staples that needed to be removed. After working on that for an. entire. day - the hubby came home and decided we need to pull everything up down to the subfloor. I worked on that STAPLE REMOVAL for NOTHING!!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIyEIAi0NyE/Ve4rALtR4JI/AAAAAAAAOjk/KJtK08aR3tk/s1600/IMG_5929fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIyEIAi0NyE/Ve4rALtR4JI/AAAAAAAAOjk/KJtK08aR3tk/s640/IMG_5929fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My frustration was short lived, once I saw the benefit of what we had already done. When the new tile floors went it, I was instantly in love.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlpDLFSEtA0/Ve4rCVUAzwI/AAAAAAAAOjs/b6dpi_BTi-E/s1600/IMG_6576fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlpDLFSEtA0/Ve4rCVUAzwI/AAAAAAAAOjs/b6dpi_BTi-E/s640/IMG_6576fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a Very Busy Spring and Early Summer, and only being able to work a few days each month on the project, it all finally came to fruition the weekend before our annual big July 4th party. Everything in the room is brand new except for the original Olive Green porcelain tub.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Presenting...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FGjsQWYyeM/Ve4rKiM8y-I/AAAAAAAAOj8/R4eyfj2X7lk/s1600/IMG_0190fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FGjsQWYyeM/Ve4rKiM8y-I/AAAAAAAAOj8/R4eyfj2X7lk/s640/IMG_0190fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vanity/top combo and the light fixture came from Lowe's. The mirror was bought in Nogales, Mexico when I lived in Tucson many moons ago.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvW7LP5dWFc/Ve4rPDMLlFI/AAAAAAAAOkc/Eg1b4a3e_a4/s1600/IMG_0196fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvW7LP5dWFc/Ve4rPDMLlFI/AAAAAAAAOkc/Eg1b4a3e_a4/s640/IMG_0196fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The faucet was the original one, and the backsplash tile also came from Lowe's.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skX9Ud_NzJo/Ve4rJlKGAxI/AAAAAAAAOj0/Vu4vdQ4_VW8/s1600/IMG_0189fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skX9Ud_NzJo/Ve4rJlKGAxI/AAAAAAAAOj0/Vu4vdQ4_VW8/s640/IMG_0189fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The shower curtain came from World Market. I was so excited when I found it because it pulled everything together - the color of the tile, the green tub, and the wall color, which was paint we had bought to match a different shower curtain that we had and were using when we had no intention of ever redoing the bathroom other than to repaint. And in the pattern, it offered the perfect accent color - teal.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5JaTwc84XM/Ve4rKpE-1UI/AAAAAAAAOkA/SZHoOiHmVVQ/s1600/IMG_0192fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5JaTwc84XM/Ve4rKpE-1UI/AAAAAAAAOkA/SZHoOiHmVVQ/s640/IMG_0192fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love the little niche in the shower the hubby built.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XahpFnuKj8I/Ve4rL_inzFI/AAAAAAAAOkM/yqHLbs3mpX8/s1600/IMG_0194fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XahpFnuKj8I/Ve4rL_inzFI/AAAAAAAAOkM/yqHLbs3mpX8/s640/IMG_0194fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yay! A new toilet!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTKWDb_cTEg/Ve4wICdfObI/AAAAAAAAOks/FXru7ud_ycY/s1600/IMG_0188fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTKWDb_cTEg/Ve4wICdfObI/AAAAAAAAOks/FXru7ud_ycY/s640/IMG_0188fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I SO love the view I now see as I walk down the hall and pass this gorgeous room. Now if I can just keep my boys from peeing on the floor, I'll be one happy Momma.</span></div>
Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-40346209609787176132015-09-07T20:21:00.002-04:002015-09-07T20:21:58.862-04:00TIRE PLANTERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The property that we live on, used to be a working farm. Sadly, back in the day, they didn't take their trash to the dump - they either burned it, buried it, or threw it in the woods. So because of this, there are a ton of old car and tractor tires in the woods. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided I would do something, with, well 3 of them. I saw this idea on Pinterest a LONG time ago, and over the summer it bubbled back to the surface of my brain, and voila... Tire Planters! Just added some potting soil and some pretty little Impatients :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_K0m_LBcJ8/Ve4n4rSkDyI/AAAAAAAAOiQ/L32g8RL5JGU/s1600/IMG_9648fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_K0m_LBcJ8/Ve4n4rSkDyI/AAAAAAAAOiQ/L32g8RL5JGU/s640/IMG_9648fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QgiREmsM9g/Ve4n4_stbHI/AAAAAAAAOiU/y3E_VisKjlw/s1600/IMG_9652fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QgiREmsM9g/Ve4n4_stbHI/AAAAAAAAOiU/y3E_VisKjlw/s640/IMG_9652fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXln4oM8xkc/Ve4oAuXgz6I/AAAAAAAAOiw/M3aeHqowggQ/s1600/IMG_9654fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXln4oM8xkc/Ve4oAuXgz6I/AAAAAAAAOiw/M3aeHqowggQ/s640/IMG_9654fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IdYBc3N2AgE/Ve4n86KmmQI/AAAAAAAAOio/czniyD0vpnE/s1600/IMG_9656fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IdYBc3N2AgE/Ve4n86KmmQI/AAAAAAAAOio/czniyD0vpnE/s640/IMG_9656fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqGTXMu2uWA/Ve4oArzhSbI/AAAAAAAAOi0/yJZTmZ2sDcs/s1600/IMG_9661fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqGTXMu2uWA/Ve4oArzhSbI/AAAAAAAAOi0/yJZTmZ2sDcs/s640/IMG_9661fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5bG3BcNjy0/Ve4n50D18SI/AAAAAAAAOig/9Dymrrub7kw/s1600/IMG_9650fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5bG3BcNjy0/Ve4n50D18SI/AAAAAAAAOig/9Dymrrub7kw/s640/IMG_9650fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They hang on the side of the shed, and are visible when people drive by the house. They add a little something special to an otherwise boring metal wall.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-60904013916251326652015-09-07T20:08:00.002-04:002015-09-07T20:10:47.667-04:00NEW KITCHEN ISLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we've moved into this house almost three years ago, we've had a couple of different set ups in the middle of our Eat In Kitchen. The first being a simple table, the second being this...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0H8HqzCffmQ/Ve4jC73vwNI/AAAAAAAAOh4/0t-O9f10Bec/s1600/IMG_4282fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0H8HqzCffmQ/Ve4jC73vwNI/AAAAAAAAOh4/0t-O9f10Bec/s640/IMG_4282fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A 30" x 60" stainless steel restaurant table. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then my husband's friend helped him acquire a 7' stainless steel table with a nice deep sink in the middle of it. See, nice and deep!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVmxPiNh66Q/Ve4ljY2BvxI/AAAAAAAAOiE/mWfRdcbkAP8/s1600/IMG_1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVmxPiNh66Q/Ve4ljY2BvxI/AAAAAAAAOiE/mWfRdcbkAP8/s640/IMG_1178.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The table came with a built in stainless backsplash, which made it a little awkward to sit at, so we decided to build a nice overhang. I didn't think we needed the overhang to run the entire 7' length, so we added some shelving at the end. Here it is after being built, but before it was finished.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyVgF0PJ9ss/Ve4iEwomGNI/AAAAAAAAOho/dwCNyLIjD1s/s1600/IMG_1228fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyVgF0PJ9ss/Ve4iEwomGNI/AAAAAAAAOho/dwCNyLIjD1s/s640/IMG_1228fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here's the finished product. We used a transparent gray stain, and polyurethaned the top so it would hold up to being used as a breakfast bar by my two little guys.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9lfSIkFWRQ/Ve4iFVa4QVI/AAAAAAAAOhs/EFlmALL_vtM/s1600/NewIslandfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9lfSIkFWRQ/Ve4iFVa4QVI/AAAAAAAAOhs/EFlmALL_vtM/s640/NewIslandfb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This project was completed last October. It's now September of 2015, and the sink has never been hooked up. UGH!</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-66041637417048122342015-09-07T06:43:00.001-04:002015-09-07T06:44:55.474-04:00FINALLY... SHELVING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So back in January, before I made the ottoman in the previous post, the hubbs made me some FABULOUS shelves! I never posted back then because even though I was SO EXCITED to finally have a place to display all our books and other stuff, it took. me. forever. to put anything on them. And still, they need a lot of work. But here they are...</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1fMMGC2D5U/Ve1m1ICjKWI/AAAAAAAAOgc/otyEQqqOejs/s1600/IMG_5536fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1fMMGC2D5U/Ve1m1ICjKWI/AAAAAAAAOgc/otyEQqqOejs/s640/IMG_5536fb.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the supports, I went to the hardware store and got the basic metal brackets, which are like $1.50 each. Then I bought a couple of spools of jute twine and went to town wrapping and wrapping and hot glueing and wrapping and wrapping and hot glueing TEN brackets.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JKg8YsisSI/Ve1m2W_OX7I/AAAAAAAAOgk/TW_9Qa_h4J0/s1600/IMG_5489fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JKg8YsisSI/Ve1m2W_OX7I/AAAAAAAAOgk/TW_9Qa_h4J0/s640/IMG_5489fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aren't they cool?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjA_8gjXphs/Ve1m0so9NII/AAAAAAAAOgU/ulcfCVFUE0k/s1600/IMG_5531fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjA_8gjXphs/Ve1m0so9NII/AAAAAAAAOgU/ulcfCVFUE0k/s640/IMG_5531fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The shelves are made out of 1"x6" pine that he battoned together on the underside and then faced with a 1.5" edging. He then stained them using the same stain as what we used on our kitchen island (that post coming soon).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IQ4-5C8GA0/Ve1nD4_61NI/AAAAAAAAOhM/o0BZwuiiR8w/s1600/IMG_0838fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IQ4-5C8GA0/Ve1nD4_61NI/AAAAAAAAOhM/o0BZwuiiR8w/s640/IMG_0838fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here they are today - 9 months later. I have gotten a few books and knick knacks on them, but they still look pretty stark.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RppJc7mcZfU/Ve1m5cUj3HI/AAAAAAAAOgs/GuGC4ki4eAQ/s1600/IMG_0830fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RppJc7mcZfU/Ve1m5cUj3HI/AAAAAAAAOgs/GuGC4ki4eAQ/s640/IMG_0830fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIRRGQVR6I0/Ve1m9AQCOnI/AAAAAAAAOg4/BeYQltMHZmY/s1600/IMG_0833fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIRRGQVR6I0/Ve1m9AQCOnI/AAAAAAAAOg4/BeYQltMHZmY/s640/IMG_0833fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qmdx-cw5f7U/Ve1nD65LPmI/AAAAAAAAOhQ/G1DxxP3Aqi8/s1600/IMG_0836fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qmdx-cw5f7U/Ve1nD65LPmI/AAAAAAAAOhQ/G1DxxP3Aqi8/s640/IMG_0836fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbZuWZQpa4o/Ve1m_5wKrTI/AAAAAAAAOhE/Vhhe1720L2E/s1600/IMG_0835fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbZuWZQpa4o/Ve1m_5wKrTI/AAAAAAAAOhE/Vhhe1720L2E/s640/IMG_0835fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5YdSccfhsU/Ve1m9G32sOI/AAAAAAAAOg0/yww91BsxbNU/s1600/IMG_0829fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5YdSccfhsU/Ve1m9G32sOI/AAAAAAAAOg0/yww91BsxbNU/s640/IMG_0829fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that the kids are back in school, and hunting season is soon approaching, I will have some free weekends where I can search through boxes we have still never unpacked and get more of our stuff out. But regardless. I. LOVE. THEM!!</span></div>
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-45703341887705952722015-01-26T07:47:00.000-05:002015-01-26T07:47:01.732-05:00OTTOMAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On my personal FB page last week, I posted this photo and asked my friends to guess what I was going to make using these items - nobody guessed.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOIomhNy1M0/VMYxZ44JpdI/AAAAAAAAOb8/aDUVFPG1yoY/s1600/IMG_5542fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOIomhNy1M0/VMYxZ44JpdI/AAAAAAAAOb8/aDUVFPG1yoY/s1600/IMG_5542fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few months ago, I had brought home two of these large wooden boxes, which are actually drawer boxes. I work for a kitchen & bath design firm, and these drawers were a mis-order, so they were going in the trash. I'm like... "I'LL TAKE THEM!" I knew I could come up with something to do with them. I was originally thinking maybe toy boxes for the boys room. Then when I rearranged our furniture after taking down the Christmas Tree, our big club chair was in desperate need of an ottoman. So for a few weeks, one of the boxes sat in front of the chair, upside down, with a pillow on top. Then last week, while looking for something else, I found this huge bag of old macrame cording that my old neighbor had given me. There was one skein that had never been opened. It was navy blue and 300' long. It got me thinking. As my mind starting racing at 100mph, I remembered that we had kept the top and the shelf of an old coffee table that they boys had broken by constantly jumping on it. Now my mind was really going, and I had to go to the big city the next day - I was definitely making a stop at Hobby Lobby.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6be0mwoq9z0/VMYxZx35UqI/AAAAAAAAOcA/ra1pHs1BTfM/s1600/IMG_5542fb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6be0mwoq9z0/VMYxZx35UqI/AAAAAAAAOcA/ra1pHs1BTfM/s1600/IMG_5542fb2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At Hobby Lobby, I found this AWESOME navy wood grain print fabric, and while there, picked up some 3" thick foam. Now my mission was to find something for feet - I headed to Home Depot. I looked at the typical bun furniture feet, but thought it would end up making the overall height too high. Then I spotted the wood rosettes. They were only 3/4" thick and would make perfect little feet if installed upside down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so, on Saturday morning with a little help from the hubby, we cut the shelf down to create something for the box to be attached too. We also created a top for the foam pad to be attached to. After the box part was all assembled, including the cute little feet, I painted the edges of the shelf and the feet using some leftover trim paint. Then he also helped me staple gun the fabric to the top. We only used a piece of 1/4" luan plywood, so it was very unstable when you pushed down on it due to the thickness of the foam. There was no way I could have done it by myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then for the arduous part... attaching the cording...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SIX hours and 22 glue sticks later.... VOILA!!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WeFv6Jyd3W0/VMYxZ5l-72I/AAAAAAAAOcE/E7mBpml-qIg/s1600/IMG_5556fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WeFv6Jyd3W0/VMYxZ5l-72I/AAAAAAAAOcE/E7mBpml-qIg/s1600/IMG_5556fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My new Ottoman...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About 44 rows of 1/4" wide cording...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhfej8QFmWc/VMYxdxR84NI/AAAAAAAAOcU/ohyzQDPqRmg/s1600/IMG_5560fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhfej8QFmWc/VMYxdxR84NI/AAAAAAAAOcU/ohyzQDPqRmg/s1600/IMG_5560fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The cute little feet...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymacR5DfUfk/VMYxizukIqI/AAAAAAAAOcs/5tw4GlyJdpQ/s1600/IMG_5572fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymacR5DfUfk/VMYxizukIqI/AAAAAAAAOcs/5tw4GlyJdpQ/s1600/IMG_5572fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The BEST part... the lid lifts off and the boys can store the toys the play with in the living room in there. YAY! No more cluttered coffee table! Yeah Right! I can dream, right?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4Uq86T9ISY/VMYxhq-iPiI/AAAAAAAAOck/9u90UQ7yxME/s1600/IMG_5569fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4Uq86T9ISY/VMYxhq-iPiI/AAAAAAAAOck/9u90UQ7yxME/s1600/IMG_5569fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And now, I have a wonderful little reading spot!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHBwQ34ehy4/VMYxf25nEtI/AAAAAAAAOcc/p8ahg0C_efo/s1600/IMG_5567fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHBwQ34ehy4/VMYxf25nEtI/AAAAAAAAOcc/p8ahg0C_efo/s1600/IMG_5567fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not too bad for just under $20, and a few minor burns from the blue gun!!</span>Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-59997105334894887122014-11-01T17:37:00.000-04:002014-11-01T17:37:20.836-04:00MY LITTLE BOXTROLLS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have y'all seen this movie???</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nvySNfnsI8/VFVNOwe58yI/AAAAAAAAOM0/CGl91MA1OWw/s1600/the-boxtrolls-poster-405x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nvySNfnsI8/VFVNOwe58yI/AAAAAAAAOM0/CGl91MA1OWw/s1600/the-boxtrolls-poster-405x600.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well we have! And the very first time we saw the previews for it, the boys thought BoxTrolls would make great Halloween costumes. And I was ALL FOR IT - Cheap and Easy!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So on one of my days off, a few weeks ago, I started working on costumes for my own Fish and Shoe.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FDczZpWDqg/VFVK-UTAKlI/AAAAAAAAOLU/uOXTpUdGc_c/s1600/1005_Monsters_Fish-220x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FDczZpWDqg/VFVK-UTAKlI/AAAAAAAAOLU/uOXTpUdGc_c/s1600/1005_Monsters_Fish-220x.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnCwvWd7zD8/VFVLxMK6tVI/AAAAAAAAOMo/R6hXorOvAHc/s1600/IMG_3670fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnCwvWd7zD8/VFVLxMK6tVI/AAAAAAAAOMo/R6hXorOvAHc/s1600/IMG_3670fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XC9he6e3A_s/VFVK-WaOIiI/AAAAAAAAOLQ/fTMh4T0dgkU/s1600/1006_Monsters_Shoe-220x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XC9he6e3A_s/VFVK-WaOIiI/AAAAAAAAOLQ/fTMh4T0dgkU/s1600/1006_Monsters_Shoe-220x.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Introducing Fish & Shoe...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PU1wU80TsY/VFVOCq_bPSI/AAAAAAAAOM8/4aHtbArxJlQ/s1600/IMG_4473fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PU1wU80TsY/VFVOCq_bPSI/AAAAAAAAOM8/4aHtbArxJlQ/s1600/IMG_4473fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We still have all the boxes from when we moved last year, so it was just a matter of finding the right size, which luckily I did. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz7DubEVV9E/VFVLCGkbQiI/AAAAAAAAOLk/NyxY_OEBU3c/s1600/IMG_4481fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz7DubEVV9E/VFVLCGkbQiI/AAAAAAAAOLk/NyxY_OEBU3c/s1600/IMG_4481fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For their bodies, I bought them each a pair of grey long johns. For their ears, I used some left over headbands from my Princess Lea hair buns and covered them with duct tape, sculpting some ears as I went.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVyVKHeZ4do/VFVLB_TfLUI/AAAAAAAAOLg/ZV3Cx9ypcEU/s1600/IMG_4483fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVyVKHeZ4do/VFVLB_TfLUI/AAAAAAAAOLg/ZV3Cx9ypcEU/s1600/IMG_4483fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The flaps kept wanting to pop open, so I punched some holes and stitched them together.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MI7DYbT95x4/VFVLFDPfjpI/AAAAAAAAOL4/NG68BMaQqBo/s1600/IMG_4485fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MI7DYbT95x4/VFVLFDPfjpI/AAAAAAAAOL4/NG68BMaQqBo/s1600/IMG_4485fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the movie, Shoe LOVED eating bugs! He would put so many in his mouth at one time, that a few would always escape and crawl up his face. So of course, I had to mimic that with my Shoe's facial artwork.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRaQw7DXZH8/VFVLDxKZYkI/AAAAAAAAOLw/diOgh6rsFbM/s1600/IMG_4489fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRaQw7DXZH8/VFVLDxKZYkI/AAAAAAAAOLw/diOgh6rsFbM/s1600/IMG_4489fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fish & Shoe / Shoe & Fish</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhAh5kUjegQ/VFVLLH3NuqI/AAAAAAAAOMQ/C5vSur63AXM/s1600/IMG_4498fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhAh5kUjegQ/VFVLLH3NuqI/AAAAAAAAOMQ/C5vSur63AXM/s1600/IMG_4498fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All ready for Trick-or-Treating!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5DjvZEuNDw/VFVLLUOfNxI/AAAAAAAAOMU/ELE8SfWBwvk/s1600/IMG_4507fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5DjvZEuNDw/VFVLLUOfNxI/AAAAAAAAOMU/ELE8SfWBwvk/s1600/IMG_4507fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a very successful night of Trick-or-Treating! Shoe's first treat was a blue sucker.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEYTLx3QLsc/VFVLIfE-ncI/AAAAAAAAOMA/AnwtMaGC_Dw/s1600/IMG_4519fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEYTLx3QLsc/VFVLIfE-ncI/AAAAAAAAOMA/AnwtMaGC_Dw/s1600/IMG_4519fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I took this last image with my cell phone. It was rare that one of my children were first to the door. When I saw this empty porch, with it's light on, I told my youngest to hurry up and go ring the bell...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_1poM6J8Xw/VFVLVcHRIxI/AAAAAAAAOMg/igFeILGzS40/s1600/trick-or-treatfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_1poM6J8Xw/VFVLVcHRIxI/AAAAAAAAOMg/igFeILGzS40/s1600/trick-or-treatfb.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This photo evokes such Emotion and Nostalgia for me. It reminds me of my Trick-or-Treat childhood memories, and it completely makes all the Romantic Dreams come true that I've always had for my own children - a small child, in a handmade costume, ringing the bell and waiting to say... "Trick-or-Treat!!"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hope y'all had a wonderful Halloween!!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-38900478246484673132014-09-15T16:35:00.000-04:002014-09-15T16:38:10.315-04:00FURNITURE MAKEOVER...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For about a year now, I have been (not very hard) looking for a dresser that I could redo and put it to use as a console under our TV in the B.A.R. (Big Ass Room). Then last month, I finally found one. I was driving by a yard sale, caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye, slammed the brakes on (not really), and turned around to go check it out. And how excited was I when it was only $30!!</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKdGQr-aLcM/VBdG57rs7yI/AAAAAAAAOI4/UZ_f4jxS3lw/s1600/IMG_0684fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKdGQr-aLcM/VBdG57rs7yI/AAAAAAAAOI4/UZ_f4jxS3lw/s1600/IMG_0684fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well this weekend, we finally finished it...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocLu8yDZauo/VBdE0Bai81I/AAAAAAAAOH8/HAd_tc9iNIE/s1600/IMG_1261fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocLu8yDZauo/VBdE0Bai81I/AAAAAAAAOH8/HAd_tc9iNIE/s1600/IMG_1261fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was in pretty good shape but did need a little work. This is the hubbs cutting out some material for a new shelf.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxafz2zvJC0/VBdEvA679bI/AAAAAAAAOHk/KyiJpwCRJV4/s1600/IMG_1038fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxafz2zvJC0/VBdEvA679bI/AAAAAAAAOHk/KyiJpwCRJV4/s1600/IMG_1038fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We added a new top (the old one was warped from water damage), added the shelf to replace the two top drawers, and then patched the holes in the drawer fronts where I removed the original American Colonial brass pull.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TG4tQg-Xy8I/VBdEu5HVoGI/AAAAAAAAOHg/2_uW23nDcF4/s1600/IMG_1040fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TG4tQg-Xy8I/VBdEu5HVoGI/AAAAAAAAOHg/2_uW23nDcF4/s1600/IMG_1040fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone suggested I use Annie Sloan Chalk paint, but with all the work that I knew needed to be done, I didn't see the point in paying for a product that would save me two steps I would have to do anyway. So I used Valspar Paint/Primer, Filoli Garden Pool in a Satin finish. The color being inspired by the rug we have in the room.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f353uNwth1Y/VBdEvirEpBI/AAAAAAAAOHs/u7j7de5d-Dw/s1600/IMG_1259fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f353uNwth1Y/VBdEvirEpBI/AAAAAAAAOHs/u7j7de5d-Dw/s1600/IMG_1259fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thing I had the hardest time finding, were the baskets for the new shelf. I really wanted wicker, but since I had such a specific size that was needed, it was nearly impossible to find anything. Then I got lucky one day at Target. The baskets are plastic, but they are the EXACT size I wanted, and I think their woven pattern is interesting.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6M6lMElREvY/VBdEzvjB6tI/AAAAAAAAOH4/0AqJCUvGxcQ/s1600/IMG_1263fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6M6lMElREvY/VBdEzvjB6tI/AAAAAAAAOH4/0AqJCUvGxcQ/s1600/IMG_1263fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rl69YIb1Xaw/VBdE4BEkBwI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/yq9T-Cu5oyU/s1600/IMG_1267fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rl69YIb1Xaw/VBdE4BEkBwI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/yq9T-Cu5oyU/s1600/IMG_1267fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My absolute favorite part of the new transformation are the drawer boxes. I saw this idea on Pinterest, and knew I wanted to execute it with this project. I found this Amazing handmade wrapping paper at World Market - the colors and pattern were Perfect! Just a little Mod Podge, and Voila - a little unexpected beauty.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6xx-Dq-79w/VBdE6-OHizI/AAAAAAAAOIg/wCd-Km4UIsQ/s1600/IMG_1268fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6xx-Dq-79w/VBdE6-OHizI/AAAAAAAAOIg/wCd-Km4UIsQ/s1600/IMG_1268fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also painted the top edge of the drawer boxes in a coordinating chartreuse green - just that extra little detail makes all the difference.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8kusZcHBAQ/VBdE4xuZq8I/AAAAAAAAOIY/WHLtqqoU9yI/s1600/IMG_1269fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8kusZcHBAQ/VBdE4xuZq8I/AAAAAAAAOIY/WHLtqqoU9yI/s1600/IMG_1269fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had originally thought I wanted a 6' dresser, but this one ended up being 5', and it fits perfect in the space.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfKxgYPcw1Y/VBdE1OD7ieI/AAAAAAAAOII/fuEgH3ta2fM/s1600/IMG_1265fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfKxgYPcw1Y/VBdE1OD7ieI/AAAAAAAAOII/fuEgH3ta2fM/s1600/IMG_1265fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNXJ7XYE41Q/VBdE75h7bJI/AAAAAAAAOIo/80uoy3eCw7E/s1600/IMG_1273fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNXJ7XYE41Q/VBdE75h7bJI/AAAAAAAAOIo/80uoy3eCw7E/s1600/IMG_1273fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quite the transformation don't you think?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00qZme-VuzA/VBdG8LCFmFI/AAAAAAAAOJA/vWur2EeCzNY/s1600/dresserfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00qZme-VuzA/VBdG8LCFmFI/AAAAAAAAOJA/vWur2EeCzNY/s1600/dresserfb.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_309305681"></span>Now to figure out what to put in all the drawers and baskets.</span><br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-51978952164040857922014-09-15T15:52:00.002-04:002014-09-15T15:52:56.980-04:00BACK TO SCHOOL...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So my boys have been back in school now for a month - we start mid August, and I've done a couple of Back to School projects.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first being a couple of cute "Pencils" for their teachers. These are the cute little Rolo candy pencils that are all over Pinterest.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Rp-4EoaDA/VBc_qfuKzkI/AAAAAAAAOHQ/uIaJr9wHJwU/s1600/IMG_0529fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Rp-4EoaDA/VBc_qfuKzkI/AAAAAAAAOHQ/uIaJr9wHJwU/s1600/IMG_0529fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The boys informed me that their teachers loved them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second, is what I threw together for my oldest son's birthday, which was last week. This year, our public schools have now made the rule that any birthday treats that are brought to school to be shared with classmates, must be STORE BOUGHT! BOO!! I understand the reasoning behind it, because of all the food allergies that so many children seem to have nowadays, but still... I like making things. It makes me sad :(</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I still found a way to make something. I scoured the Internet and found quite a bit of inspiration that were non-food ideas. This is what I ended up doing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJZptzpNBlY/VBdAWhNvKBI/AAAAAAAAOHY/nKVtiOwq9xU/s1600/IMG_1186fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJZptzpNBlY/VBdAWhNvKBI/AAAAAAAAOHY/nKVtiOwq9xU/s1600/IMG_1186fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cause all kids love Curly Straws.</span>Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-55883470781511298962014-08-03T19:53:00.000-04:002014-08-03T20:03:33.683-04:00NEW COMMAND CENTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For some time, I have been wanting a Command Center. Since my boys are now both going to be in school all day every day, and they are becoming more involved in separate extra curricular activities, I thought now would be the time - shortly before the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is what I had last year. It worked, but each "day" space was small - I sometimes had a hard time fitting everything in.</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-euPDbt90W0g/U95zvn6kQVI/AAAAAAAANh8/Ofl5zyTHL6U/s1600/IMG_0411fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-euPDbt90W0g/U95zvn6kQVI/AAAAAAAANh8/Ofl5zyTHL6U/s1600/IMG_0411fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I definitely needed something bigger - and thats what I got...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My New and Improved, Bigger and Better - Command Center</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmOo-PvQ-EQ/U95zmZmubwI/AAAAAAAANhQ/sOmgDBCnrsA/s1600/IMG_0395fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmOo-PvQ-EQ/U95zmZmubwI/AAAAAAAANhQ/sOmgDBCnrsA/s1600/IMG_0395fb.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's located in our kitchen on the wall that leads in from our side entrance. A wall that isn't really good for anything since it's in a high traffic pathway.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctWYh4y24w4/U95zlet2aEI/AAAAAAAANhE/HqzdqTsED0s/s1600/IMG_0398fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctWYh4y24w4/U95zlet2aEI/AAAAAAAANhE/HqzdqTsED0s/s1600/IMG_0398fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I loved all the ones I had seen on Pinterest using the large chalkboards, but since the walls in our kitchen are paneled, I didn't think the chalkboard would look right. So I thought Dry Erase instead. My original idea was to get 42 4x6 frames - one for each day, plus the SMTWTFS labels. Even at Dollar Tree, that was getting expensive. Then I realized I could use 8x10 frames, and get four days per frame. I would only need 12 frames that way - way cheaper. How excited was I when I got to Dollar Tree yesterday and found these 9x9 Square frames?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu7GMarftxE/U95zsVfDE8I/AAAAAAAANho/VczqeFdu6P0/s1600/IMG_0402fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu7GMarftxE/U95zsVfDE8I/AAAAAAAANho/VczqeFdu6P0/s1600/IMG_0402fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I then headed to Hobby Lobby and got the coordinating gingham check and chevron patterned papers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bv1pnK8z9Ko/U95zvRxpsGI/AAAAAAAANh4/mipMSmj1m8U/s1600/IMG_0403fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bv1pnK8z9Ko/U95zvRxpsGI/AAAAAAAANh4/mipMSmj1m8U/s1600/IMG_0403fb.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I knew I would have space to the right of the calendar due to the light switch being there, so of course it had to be filled. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlDAZw7XO9E/U95zvD8PSII/AAAAAAAANh0/T3tCta7v3cA/s1600/IMG_0409fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlDAZw7XO9E/U95zvD8PSII/AAAAAAAANh0/T3tCta7v3cA/s1600/IMG_0409fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wanted something to be able to put appointment cards on, so while I was at the Dollar Tree, I also got a metal, electric stove, burner cover. I painted the edges black, Mod-Podged some leftover paper on the face, and had gotten a few magnets - and voila a Magnet Board for my Appointment Cards. That cute little plaque at the top that says "Appts." is also a magnet, and it's a chalkboard. I got it at Target - love it!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AC8SptCPkEI/U95zryHDliI/AAAAAAAANhk/qFBmNucqz9Q/s1600/IMG_0401fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AC8SptCPkEI/U95zryHDliI/AAAAAAAANhk/qFBmNucqz9Q/s1600/IMG_0401fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From all the Command Centers I saw on Pinterest, the one feature that I knew I really needed was something to corral all the boy's paperwork from school. All last year, those papers kept getting lost and forgotten on my desk - I needed somewhere for them to go.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hence the clipboards... These two items were the most expensive part of the project. I found them at Staples and they were $5 a piece. I could have saved six bucks and just got brown masonite ones, but I really wanted clear ones. But one thing I didn't like about them was the Staples logo stamped into the metal clip - so I covered the logos up with little initial plaques. And just in case I forgot what my little men look like, I hung little photos of them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAAL2K-c8f0/U95zoysQ-wI/AAAAAAAANhc/Si3FsGG02bU/s1600/IMG_0400fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAAL2K-c8f0/U95zoysQ-wI/AAAAAAAANhc/Si3FsGG02bU/s1600/IMG_0400fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I was at Hobby Lobby getting the paper, of course I had to wander around. Because seriously, you can't go into Hobby Lobby for just one thing - right? During my wandering, I ran across the "Bless our Home" metal sign - and it was 50% off. So it came home with me. It's the perfect finishing piece, don't you think?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pti8vR-2K0/U95zmVZBzTI/AAAAAAAANhM/oDQRagEHZS8/s1600/IMG_0399fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pti8vR-2K0/U95zmVZBzTI/AAAAAAAANhM/oDQRagEHZS8/s1600/IMG_0399fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I Love my new Command Center, and look forward to putting it to good use!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmOo-PvQ-EQ/U95zmZmubwI/AAAAAAAANhQ/sOmgDBCnrsA/s1600/IMG_0395fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmOo-PvQ-EQ/U95zmZmubwI/AAAAAAAANhQ/sOmgDBCnrsA/s1600/IMG_0395fb.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Did I mention that I LOOOOVE it? Oh yeah, I Love my new Command Center!!!!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-52316563155184819352014-06-20T07:06:00.000-04:002014-06-20T07:14:16.696-04:00FATHER'S DAY 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year for Father's Day, we decided to get a little crafty. Ever since I started my addiction to Pinterest, I have been seeing "Sharpie" art on Coffee Mugs, so I thought this would be the perfect time to give it a try.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, I found these fabulous mugs at Walmart. From everything I read, cheap mugs work best.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pYweUZs6Yo/U6QSmzyT5lI/AAAAAAAANI0/wZ1DALFPhBY/s1600/IMG_8226fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pYweUZs6Yo/U6QSmzyT5lI/AAAAAAAANI0/wZ1DALFPhBY/s1600/IMG_8226fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then after gathering my collection of Sharpies, I let the boys go to town - using their creativity and imagination.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7dZwcylNQQ/U6QSmyoDBBI/AAAAAAAANIs/UjSwLqhZhwE/s1600/IMG_8232fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7dZwcylNQQ/U6QSmyoDBBI/AAAAAAAANIs/UjSwLqhZhwE/s1600/IMG_8232fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AyAWVjKeZs/U6QSmwEdGwI/AAAAAAAANIw/NonRFkQb61s/s1600/IMG_8234fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AyAWVjKeZs/U6QSmwEdGwI/AAAAAAAANIw/NonRFkQb61s/s1600/IMG_8234fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WVsyRnypA4/U6QSoNPF8HI/AAAAAAAANJE/h0K-WI6EwZU/s1600/IMG_8236fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WVsyRnypA4/U6QSoNPF8HI/AAAAAAAANJE/h0K-WI6EwZU/s1600/IMG_8236fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We completed the artwork on a Thursday, and then did the baking the following Monday (had to wait for days that Daddy wasn't home). Which worked out great, because the tutorials I had read said to wait at least 24 hours before putting them in the oven.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the completed mugs (before baking).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSQjLUlnW7k/U6QSo-dKaLI/AAAAAAAANJM/N9dZvut5_qY/s1600/IMG_8239fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSQjLUlnW7k/U6QSo-dKaLI/AAAAAAAANJM/N9dZvut5_qY/s1600/IMG_8239fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*Note: After the baking process, the colors did fade. Everything done in black was fine, the colors - not so much.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then this is how we packaged them. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WkaKxDnh_E/U6QSpG6Wr6I/AAAAAAAANJQ/tkXvNuNSkYo/s1600/IMG_8577fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WkaKxDnh_E/U6QSpG6Wr6I/AAAAAAAANJQ/tkXvNuNSkYo/s1600/IMG_8577fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had seen this idea, but with a necktie. Well, their daddy doesn't wear neckties, he wears bow ties - so that's what we did! And then, I had to add buttons, of course.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy LOVED his new Special Coffee Mugs from his boys!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These are the <a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/21-tips-for-diy-sharpie-marker-mugs" target="_blank"><i>tips</i></a> that I followed for this project.</span></div>
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-68334004512437591462014-06-04T16:11:00.002-04:002014-06-04T16:21:53.573-04:00ROAD TRIP!!!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back in April, for Spring Break, we road tripped to New Orleans to visit my husband's family. We hadn't been there in four years, so the idea of being in the car, for LONG hours, with my now 4 and 6 year old boys was FRIGHTENING!! I knew this time, I HAD. TO. BE. PREPARED!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, I visited Pinterest, a lot. I got lots of good advice, and lots of good ideas. From all that information and inspiration, this is what I put together for MY survival.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, we ordered two Kindle Fire's, and set up Kindle Free Time on both of them. These are the first electronic devices we've allowed the boys to have, and I wanted them as Back-Up for when everything else got "old". And I will say, on the way down to NOLA, they were on them very little. On the way back home, they were on them more. Mostly because, rather than doing the trip in two days (like we did on the way down), we really pushed them, and did the entire trip in ONE day - 15 HOURS!! They did awesome!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Second, I made a "Busy Box". This box was made to hold all the little goodies I collected for them to keep them entertained - and it sat on the seat between their booster seats.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m44_JaCvXQc/U48pVtgCYnI/AAAAAAAANHA/M_iRdAMOGoU/s1600/IMG_5730fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m44_JaCvXQc/U48pVtgCYnI/AAAAAAAANHA/M_iRdAMOGoU/s1600/IMG_5730fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I made it using an Eggo Waffle box (big one from Sam's Club). I then created a divider for the middle using a piece of cardboard, held in place with duct tape. Then I covered the entire thing with some fabric I had on hand - using spray adhesive. And just to jazz it up a little more, I cut out, using my Cricut, the saying "Are We There Yet?", and glued it to the front.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In addition to the Busy Box, I also made two Lap Desks. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wt-si1P04-E/U48pVi3QFwI/AAAAAAAANG8/lF-i0xKfeAY/s1600/IMG_5733fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wt-si1P04-E/U48pVi3QFwI/AAAAAAAANG8/lF-i0xKfeAY/s1600/IMG_5733fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I found two dry-erase boards at Walmart on clearance for $2 each. To create the padded bottom, I used a piece of cardboard, and a piece of scrap fabric. I wrapped the fabric loosely around the cardboard and stuffed it with plastic grocery bags. Once I had it stuffed to my liking, I glued the fabric to the cardboard, then glued the cardboard to the underside of the dry-erase board - all with spray adhesive.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also made sure they both had neck pillows for when they napped. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUyIoL0h5ac/U48pW-KCVqI/AAAAAAAANHU/92EWmUPxj_w/s1600/IMG_5737fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUyIoL0h5ac/U48pW-KCVqI/AAAAAAAANHU/92EWmUPxj_w/s1600/IMG_5737fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Note, these were never used (while napping). They are just too big for the napper to be comfortable when using them while sitting in a full back booster seat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now for the "Goodies" in the Busy Box...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2cX34H35c/U48pXnjHDQI/AAAAAAAANHc/LSQBhquk5-o/s1600/IMG_5747fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2cX34H35c/U48pXnjHDQI/AAAAAAAANHc/LSQBhquk5-o/s1600/IMG_5747fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I bought two clipboards so they would each have an additional hard surface for writing on.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC52AM9qJUs/U48paIAtg_I/AAAAAAAANH8/MfGsduhvOIw/s1600/IMG_5756fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC52AM9qJUs/U48paIAtg_I/AAAAAAAANH8/MfGsduhvOIw/s1600/IMG_5756fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On these clipboards, I placed a map of the United States, and highlighted the route of our trip.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also bought two folders, a bunch of pencils, Post-Its, and fun little erasers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cx3qduIAupM/U48pZaeINAI/AAAAAAAANHs/cV7n9YcW4wQ/s1600/IMG_5750fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cx3qduIAupM/U48pZaeINAI/AAAAAAAANHs/cV7n9YcW4wQ/s1600/IMG_5750fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Inside the folder, I placed a bunch of fun Car Games that they could play. To be honest, we really never played any of them - I think because the boys are both still too young. When we make this trip again in a couple of years, these games, I'm sure, will provide hours of entertainment - well maybe not "hours", but more than they did on this trip.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also had, for each boy, a notebook, pipe-cleaners, new box of crayons, new coloring book, stickers, new sunglasses, and a couple of little toys.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVFNIRFXiPY/U48pY6oWQbI/AAAAAAAANHk/-4tvjM9MMKc/s1600/IMG_5753fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVFNIRFXiPY/U48pY6oWQbI/AAAAAAAANHk/-4tvjM9MMKc/s1600/IMG_5753fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0aQizquW2g/U48pbD4nwvI/AAAAAAAANIE/mIgrtzFmgP0/s1600/IMG_5764fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0aQizquW2g/U48pbD4nwvI/AAAAAAAANIE/mIgrtzFmgP0/s1600/IMG_5764fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The notebook, along with the next item probably entertained them the most. They really enjoyed drawing and writing and placing stickers in them.</span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another thing I made, were these cute Coloring Cases.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EfgwSkLmF60/U48pZPB2S4I/AAAAAAAANHo/5VYu6p4pjEc/s1600/IMG_5743fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EfgwSkLmF60/U48pZPB2S4I/AAAAAAAANHo/5VYu6p4pjEc/s1600/IMG_5743fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Using a couple of old DVD cases, and following the instructions found <a href="http://stacyvaughnblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/dvd-coloring-case.html?spref=fb" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>, I created these kits so they could have fun with their drawing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another great idea (or so I thought) that I found, was using plastic shower containers hung on the windows.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4O3KLjwlDbs/U48pboHBQxI/AAAAAAAANIQ/GIOF6UPE4MU/s1600/IMG_5757fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4O3KLjwlDbs/U48pboHBQxI/AAAAAAAANIQ/GIOF6UPE4MU/s1600/IMG_5757fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These were to be used so they could put their toys or pencils or crayons or whatever in them, to hopefully help them from dropping things on the floor. And yes, they did work for that. The problem was, when my husband would check for traffic when changing lanes, he would see them in his peripheral and think it was a car. So we ended up taking them down, so he could safely drive.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now this last thing... was the <u><b>BEST</b></u> one I did - a Trip Timeline.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F24nLAzoI84/U48pVoFDKTI/AAAAAAAANHI/MDqE_9Cfxjk/s1600/IMG_5727fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F24nLAzoI84/U48pVoFDKTI/AAAAAAAANHI/MDqE_9Cfxjk/s1600/IMG_5727fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A piece of clothesline, that had 15 equally spaced tic-marks across it's width, was tied across the ceiling in the back seat. Then I had two clothes-pins - one with a car on it and one with a house on it (to mark the destination). The idea being that every hour of the trip, the "Car" got moved one tic-mark. The boys LOVED this!!! And I SWEAR, it did seem to make the trip go by FASTER!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ALL of my preparation, did make for a Very Smooth trip, and MY survival.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeP3-SQTAoE/U48pbm7N01I/AAAAAAAANIM/A8AU8Ywh7n0/s1600/IMG_5759fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeP3-SQTAoE/U48pbm7N01I/AAAAAAAANIM/A8AU8Ywh7n0/s1600/IMG_5759fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had two Happy Little Travelers!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tMoOT/road-trip/" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a> to visit the Pinterest board where I pinned all the inspiration for this post.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-13973677846429631072014-05-28T18:53:00.002-04:002014-05-28T19:12:58.190-04:00A STAR WARS 5TH BIRTHDAY...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Two years ago, my oldest son turned 5, and I went ALL OUT and planned an Over The Top <a href="http://themagicofordinarythings.blogspot.com/2012/09/gone-fishing.html" target="_blank"><i>Fishing</i></a> themed party for him. As soon as it was over, I knew that 20 short months later, I would have to plan another party for my youngest son, who would then be turning 5. Well that 20 month deadline arrived a week and a half ago, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nd because I am my mother, who always did everything Even Stephen for me and my sister, so I do everything Even Stephen for my boys</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, I went ALL OUT again, and planned an Over the Top Star Wars party.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After two months of planning, it all came to fruition....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I kept a notebook so I could keep organized and on track. These are pages 2 and 3 of twenty pages of notes. The first page was the guest list, and these pages were my brainstorming ideas. Once I had a clear idea of what I would be doing, then each category had it's own page. Then there were pages of To Do Lists. Then pages of shopping lists. The last page was the Order of Events for the day. All Organized, and Everything got crossed off. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know. I'm crazy!</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--e6LM5XkWKc/U4YwjWBELiI/AAAAAAAANGY/I9YX2nMlnE0/s1600/IMG_7735fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--e6LM5XkWKc/U4YwjWBELiI/AAAAAAAANGY/I9YX2nMlnE0/s1600/IMG_7735fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A month before the party, I pretty much had everything figured out, but couldn't get started on anything because we were about to spend Spring Break in New Orleans. And I had a lot to prepare for that trip (15 hour road trip (one way) with two boys 4 & 6 - that Post coming soon. So, as soon as we got back, I got to work - first, on the Invitations. I found lots of inspiration on Pinterest - from basic postcard invites to Light Sabers, but I really wanted to design something original. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I decided to go with the Death Star.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJma3qYbgbY/U4YwPUE300I/AAAAAAAANCU/L6Y3-B9UNns/s1600/IMG_6561fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJma3qYbgbY/U4YwPUE300I/AAAAAAAANCU/L6Y3-B9UNns/s1600/IMG_6561fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From the inspiration I collected, however, I did word the invitation using Yoda language.</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppBlxjaBTlE/U4YwQuMhZxI/AAAAAAAANCg/tIuqe52Repg/s1600/IMG_6568fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppBlxjaBTlE/U4YwQuMhZxI/AAAAAAAANCg/tIuqe52Repg/s1600/IMG_6568fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whenever I make invitations, I always have all my parts and pieces first, and then I have an assembly line type strategy for putting them all together. I made 18 of these, and they went out in the mail three weeks before the party.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSSBNRgHJ4/U4YwQ8dDBqI/AAAAAAAANCk/krFnVvP3KGU/s1600/IMG_6571fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSSBNRgHJ4/U4YwQ8dDBqI/AAAAAAAANCk/krFnVvP3KGU/s1600/IMG_6571fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After checking The Weather Channel every day for the previous week, and worrying about the possibility of rain, the day finally arrived - we were blessed with absolutely Gorgeous weather.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I couldn't sleep, so I was up early doing one last crafty thing that I didn't think I would have time for, but due to insomnia, I did - YAY!. Then my Mom and I set about getting all the food ready (mostly just assembling - no cooking) and setting everything up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So here it is...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">A STAR WARS 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, the Cake. I always seem to do cupcakes rather than an actual cake. It's way easier for me, and easier for the guests. So three Light Sabers it is. This is the cake table.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PZ5xUI7YgA/U4YwYLWAhrI/AAAAAAAANEE/44aqigh2LzU/s1600/IMG_7338fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PZ5xUI7YgA/U4YwYLWAhrI/AAAAAAAANEE/44aqigh2LzU/s1600/IMG_7338fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Birthday Boy LOVED it!!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oyocV7MyBg/U4YwWTUmLaI/AAAAAAAANDs/DeMsllEGH1s/s1600/IMG_7333fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oyocV7MyBg/U4YwWTUmLaI/AAAAAAAANDs/DeMsllEGH1s/s1600/IMG_7333fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I baked two batches of cupcakes, because I needed 33 cupcakes for the Light Sabers. So, I had to do something with the other 15 - Storm Trooper Guards. I had also made a batch of these earlier in the week for the Birthday Boy to take to school to share with his classmates.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUjx6ck_rV4/U4YwXJnqxcI/AAAAAAAAND4/uk5A4U-ccFs/s1600/IMG_7335fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUjx6ck_rV4/U4YwXJnqxcI/AAAAAAAAND4/uk5A4U-ccFs/s1600/IMG_7335fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My one and only original idea... Tie-Fighters. These are what I got up and made at a@*-o-clock in the morning the day of the party. I wanted to hang something over the cake, so I came up with these - just balloons with some chipboard attached to them. I cut out the shapes, drew the details with chalk and then stuck them to the balloons with double-sided tape. They were hung from the ceiling with fishing line.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mhgoym_LI4/U4YwdmXLuXI/AAAAAAAANFY/EFEe9EF4h10/s1600/IMG_7383fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mhgoym_LI4/U4YwdmXLuXI/AAAAAAAANFY/EFEe9EF4h10/s1600/IMG_7383fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ-OiowPAkQ/U4YwVhoznqI/AAAAAAAANDo/1FbnizM7AzU/s1600/IMG_7331fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ-OiowPAkQ/U4YwVhoznqI/AAAAAAAANDo/1FbnizM7AzU/s1600/IMG_7331fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Snack table... Notice the photo bomber to the left? That's the Birthday Boy!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H94xqSO2Pbg/U4Ywg5deLbI/AAAAAAAANF0/zwXIZrIt8Po/s1600/IMG_7392fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H94xqSO2Pbg/U4Ywg5deLbI/AAAAAAAANF0/zwXIZrIt8Po/s1600/IMG_7392fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I really wanted to make some type of bunting for hanging over the table, but because of how our house is positioned on a slight hill, the possibility for a lot of wind is high. Bunting, or anything hanging would have been all over the place. Luckily, we had really no wind that day, but I didn't take any chances. I created this sign using a sheet of plywood, a black plastic tablecloth and some letters I cut out with my Cricut.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8i_8uddt4M/U4YwZqIsxdI/AAAAAAAANEc/kDDJMCDl7HY/s1600/IMG_7353fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8i_8uddt4M/U4YwZqIsxdI/AAAAAAAANEc/kDDJMCDl7HY/s1600/IMG_7353fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Darth Vader mask was borrowed from a friend, and the "5" is paper mache from Hobby Lobby. I used Mod-Podge to adhere the star paper, from which I had cut out the "Star Wars" with an exacto knife.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byAILi95MEI/U4YwZWXlKyI/AAAAAAAANEY/_SnOW7uhJh8/s1600/IMG_7354fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byAILi95MEI/U4YwZWXlKyI/AAAAAAAANEY/_SnOW7uhJh8/s1600/IMG_7354fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was my most favorite thing that I found on Pinterest, and knew as soon as I saw it that I would be doing it for this party - Hans Solo in Carbonite Jello. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NwiNLOkl9a8/U4YwcZN8jwI/AAAAAAAANFE/BtOhUtFk1qM/s1600/IMG_7364fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NwiNLOkl9a8/U4YwcZN8jwI/AAAAAAAANFE/BtOhUtFk1qM/s1600/IMG_7364fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, from all the photos that I saw of this online, all the figurines were suspended in perfectly smooth Jello. I could not for the life of me figure out how they did that. Every time I tried to place Hans in the Jello, he would float to the top. I kept trying at different stages of solidity - but ended up waiting too long. When I finally got him to stay under the surface, the jello around him was no longer smooth. So, I went with that concept and roughed up the entire surface. To be honest, I think it looked better and more like the Carbonite - just sayin!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Along with the Jello, there were also Tie Fighters - tortilla chips and cheese cubes, held together with cream cheese...</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi6sk3Y6JCk/U4YwbT6koAI/AAAAAAAANEw/OWZfj0T_Mgs/s1600/IMG_7370fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi6sk3Y6JCk/U4YwbT6koAI/AAAAAAAANEw/OWZfj0T_Mgs/s1600/IMG_7370fb.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Edible Ewoks - Teddy Grahams...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2Wy1-leWMI/U4Ywao27O_I/AAAAAAAANEo/LIBkQiQfhIk/s1600/IMG_7369fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2Wy1-leWMI/U4Ywao27O_I/AAAAAAAANEo/LIBkQiQfhIk/s1600/IMG_7369fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and Kenobi Kabobs - fruit skewers. I was quite shocked that these were probably the most popular snack item. I mean, they're healthy - whaaat???</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmMfQu6pb0E/U4Ywbx0qeDI/AAAAAAAANE4/AVYEZ17Ml30/s1600/IMG_7372fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmMfQu6pb0E/U4Ywbx0qeDI/AAAAAAAANE4/AVYEZ17Ml30/s1600/IMG_7372fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The drink table included three tasty beverages. First, Yoda Soda - 7-Up and Lime Sherbert...</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1pdy4UObsV8/U4YwYrfOKmI/AAAAAAAANEM/Khe34qEnjjQ/s1600/IMG_7345fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1pdy4UObsV8/U4YwYrfOKmI/AAAAAAAANEM/Khe34qEnjjQ/s1600/IMG_7345fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vader-Ade - Blue Koolade...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6DdAKCEcBU/U4Ywc-bk_7I/AAAAAAAANFI/0zvi1vjMoiE/s1600/IMG_7377fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6DdAKCEcBU/U4Ywc-bk_7I/AAAAAAAANFI/0zvi1vjMoiE/s1600/IMG_7377fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and of course, Blue Milk! As yummy as this looks, no one was adventurous to try it :( LOL!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DS4pd-BhSAA/U4YwcU2FKxI/AAAAAAAANFA/4a5xm0T1TFs/s1600/IMG_7375fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DS4pd-BhSAA/U4YwcU2FKxI/AAAAAAAANFA/4a5xm0T1TFs/s1600/IMG_7375fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Despite the Blue Milk, the snack and drink tables seemed to be a hit with the party guests.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrIDU31ZXXI/U4Yv9MM6k4I/AAAAAAAANAM/0uxdOpj09K8/s1600/IMG_7401fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrIDU31ZXXI/U4Yv9MM6k4I/AAAAAAAANAM/0uxdOpj09K8/s1600/IMG_7401fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adjacent to the gift table, I arranged this little Galactic vignette.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-Big6S7ghs/U4YwXl8Du8I/AAAAAAAANEA/T-7vvhixbAQ/s1600/IMG_7337fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-Big6S7ghs/U4YwXl8Du8I/AAAAAAAANEA/T-7vvhixbAQ/s1600/IMG_7337fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4w6uXobDMA/U4YwSlB3zxI/AAAAAAAANC4/TUnnHEKHep4/s1600/IMG_7319fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4w6uXobDMA/U4YwSlB3zxI/AAAAAAAANC4/TUnnHEKHep4/s1600/IMG_7319fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The "Piece de Resistance" of this display was this adorable drawing. A few days before the party, Grey did this drawing to "add" to the party "decorations". As soon as I saw his cute little rendering of R2-D2 and Princess Leia (or Layr as he calls her), I knew I had to showcase it somewhere.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHm51mvIXeo/U4YwixaAXfI/AAAAAAAANGQ/CS2L4vaCdaA/s1600/IMG_7726fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHm51mvIXeo/U4YwixaAXfI/AAAAAAAANGQ/CS2L4vaCdaA/s1600/IMG_7726fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I displayed the Invitation and a paper R2-D2 that I made. The "May the Force be with You" is my son's t-shirt that I put over a pillow form.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6qzQX2JXEA/U4YwU36td5I/AAAAAAAANDY/Q7hAgqSSpEw/s1600/IMG_7326fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6qzQX2JXEA/U4YwU36td5I/AAAAAAAANDY/Q7hAgqSSpEw/s1600/IMG_7326fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Storm Trooper Eggs were set here, awaiting their game to take place. The Birthday Boy just loved that each Storm Trooper had his own "gun".</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lht7e6dhYWI/U4YwTaECWyI/AAAAAAAANDA/_BmHC_Y34_U/s1600/IMG_7323fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lht7e6dhYWI/U4YwTaECWyI/AAAAAAAANDA/_BmHC_Y34_U/s1600/IMG_7323fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These were the Party Favors that I had for all the guests - Light Saber Icee Cozies.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uKE_xugnwE/U4YwUMLafXI/AAAAAAAANDQ/SNT_3mMxvqU/s1600/IMG_7324fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uKE_xugnwE/U4YwUMLafXI/AAAAAAAANDQ/SNT_3mMxvqU/s1600/IMG_7324fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the gift table was a photo of Grey when he was Darth Vader for Halloween when he was 18mos. old.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTpCmsa4FUk/U4YwUyLkwOI/AAAAAAAANDc/cmFW-B7XkeY/s1600/IMG_7328fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTpCmsa4FUk/U4YwUyLkwOI/AAAAAAAANDc/cmFW-B7XkeY/s1600/IMG_7328fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now for the FUN....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When the guests arrived, they each received a tunic, so they would be properly attired for the Academy Training in which they were about to participate - brown for the boys and white for the girls. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmkOLktqblU/U4YwSjpUlcI/AAAAAAAANC0/pDc0WZM9iXk/s1600/IMG_7318fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmkOLktqblU/U4YwSjpUlcI/AAAAAAAANC0/pDc0WZM9iXk/s1600/IMG_7318fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All the girls also received a pair of Princess Leia Buns.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbctaJAQ1yw/U4YwhWRPKAI/AAAAAAAANGA/dxo0kVcJZOY/s1600/IMG_7409fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbctaJAQ1yw/U4YwhWRPKAI/AAAAAAAANGA/dxo0kVcJZOY/s1600/IMG_7409fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had a craft station set up for the Jedis to do while we were waiting for all the guests to arrive...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ7TQ-vVuVA/U4YwRI9hP-I/AAAAAAAANCo/6BKIl50uPe0/s1600/IMG_7314fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ7TQ-vVuVA/U4YwRI9hP-I/AAAAAAAANCo/6BKIl50uPe0/s1600/IMG_7314fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upZllIVYiw0/U4Yv4jFpasI/AAAAAAAAM_0/6YmDj703T6A/s1600/IMG_7408fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upZllIVYiw0/U4Yv4jFpasI/AAAAAAAAM_0/6YmDj703T6A/s1600/IMG_7408fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMFJkdghkT8/U4Yv4oygdMI/AAAAAAAAM_w/fEiN94EARKk/s1600/IMG_7415fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMFJkdghkT8/U4Yv4oygdMI/AAAAAAAAM_w/fEiN94EARKk/s1600/IMG_7415fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once everyone had arrived and had a chance to Build their Droid, it was time for the "Training Course".</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AR3y_S6L2NM/U4YwfFF_PfI/AAAAAAAANFg/PJIEeyY5HXY/s1600/IMG_7385fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AR3y_S6L2NM/U4YwfFF_PfI/AAAAAAAANFg/PJIEeyY5HXY/s1600/IMG_7385fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The course entailed climbing a rock wall, going down the slide, running through the Wall of Fire, weaving through the chairs, crossing the Hot Lava, a little Corn-Hole, and then keeping their balance across a couple of 2x4's.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once they had completed the course, they received their Achievement Badge...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2EvU_mAgzE/U4YwhzpP29I/AAAAAAAANGE/mR23w59dULg/s1600/IMG_7418fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2EvU_mAgzE/U4YwhzpP29I/AAAAAAAANGE/mR23w59dULg/s1600/IMG_7418fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and, their LIGHT SABER!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcFf0qsSzjc/U4YwfXmfFzI/AAAAAAAANFk/SgUr8owl8Gg/s1600/IMG_7386fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcFf0qsSzjc/U4YwfXmfFzI/AAAAAAAANFk/SgUr8owl8Gg/s1600/IMG_7386fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All the young Jedi listening to the instructions.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xos_UUYuKw8/U4Yv74IzOWI/AAAAAAAANAA/M_dATm_paQY/s1600/IMG_7420fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xos_UUYuKw8/U4Yv74IzOWI/AAAAAAAANAA/M_dATm_paQY/s1600/IMG_7420fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And they're off....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i97-L2VhFrc/U4Yv8pv4DLI/AAAAAAAANAE/-2PiBi4LWvs/s1600/IMG_7434fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i97-L2VhFrc/U4Yv8pv4DLI/AAAAAAAANAE/-2PiBi4LWvs/s1600/IMG_7434fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The "Hot Lava" was the favorite part of the course. Who knew a red plastic tablecloth and two pieces of cardboard could be so entertaining? The idea was that they could cross the "Lava", only one "Stone" at a time. After they set down one stone and stepped on to it, they had to pick up the previous stone to use as the next step.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckTzudZfwC8/U4Yv_scO11I/AAAAAAAANAY/JNfka0YNKpU/s1600/IMG_7437fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckTzudZfwC8/U4Yv_scO11I/AAAAAAAANAY/JNfka0YNKpU/s1600/IMG_7437fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The final obstacle...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfpp6-pmTMI/U4YwAjcVVII/AAAAAAAANAg/lBj40sNnb3s/s1600/IMG_7448fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfpp6-pmTMI/U4YwAjcVVII/AAAAAAAANAg/lBj40sNnb3s/s1600/IMG_7448fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> After the Training Course, it was on to Light Saber training with Jedi Master Marc.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8PkQ4zYP90/U4YwAbt6pcI/AAAAAAAANAc/kCOV-RgDlvo/s1600/IMG_7452fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8PkQ4zYP90/U4YwAbt6pcI/AAAAAAAANAc/kCOV-RgDlvo/s1600/IMG_7452fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPeFiPU001M/U4YwDPSJ26I/AAAAAAAANAw/TxJfoRvglfE/s1600/IMG_7460fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPeFiPU001M/U4YwDPSJ26I/AAAAAAAANAw/TxJfoRvglfE/s1600/IMG_7460fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then it was time for "Do Not Drop the Storm Trooper" Egg Run Relay.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2YQLfurPOss/U4YwDj3ESBI/AAAAAAAANA4/Y4hsebyI2AM/s1600/IMG_7481fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2YQLfurPOss/U4YwDj3ESBI/AAAAAAAANA4/Y4hsebyI2AM/s1600/IMG_7481fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, much to the joy of all the guests, it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" and eat some cake.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aryjBnCdM84/U4YwDbBa1MI/AAAAAAAANA0/tigYpXyctng/s1600/IMG_7487fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aryjBnCdM84/U4YwDbBa1MI/AAAAAAAANA0/tigYpXyctng/s1600/IMG_7487fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After their bellies were full, and the Birthday Boy had opened all his gifts, the guests were in for a Very Special Surprise...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">DARTH VADER!!!! The one surprise I was able to keep hidden...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_DfpSRznD0/U4Ywjbjy1VI/AAAAAAAANGc/W4fkfprmTLk/s1600/IMG_7603fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_DfpSRznD0/U4Ywjbjy1VI/AAAAAAAANGc/W4fkfprmTLk/s1600/IMG_7603fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My husband was SOO Excited to do this for his little guy. I looked into renting or buying a costume, but in the end decided I could just make one. I did buy the mask, which came with the red Light Saber, but everything else was made. Marc had a black sweatshirt that I added the grey detail with duct tape and made the chest plate out of chipboard. On the chipboard, I Mod-Podged some paper to create the "buttons" and then spray glued some fleece on the back so that I could pin it to the sweatshirt. The belt is made from a piece of poster board with the buckle detail made from paper and Mod-Podged to it. I then left it extra long, so he could just wrap it and staple it to where it fit him. The cape is a black twin sheet that I cut in a triangular shape and then he just pinned around his neck with a large safety pin. I wanted him to wear his black dress pants and shoes, but at the last minute - the night before the party, he remembered he still had all his motorcycle gear. So glad he remember that, because it was Perfect. He had black gloves and a black head mask, which covered his hair - that way, the boys would have No idea it was him. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When the opening of presents was just about over, Marc went in the house and got changed. While he was doing that, and I was awaiting his text that he was ready, I had all the kids in the front yard practicing their newly acquired "Light Saber" skills.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Darth Vader arrives...</i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WfXcspH5Sc/U4YwFtsJX1I/AAAAAAAANBI/msikoDDPevI/s1600/IMG_7539fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WfXcspH5Sc/U4YwFtsJX1I/AAAAAAAANBI/msikoDDPevI/s1600/IMG_7539fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Birthday Boy is the first to run to do Battle...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sK-0RKhiuU8/U4YwIZ_ZdxI/AAAAAAAANBc/zn9-0foK_Y8/s1600/IMG_7543fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sK-0RKhiuU8/U4YwIZ_ZdxI/AAAAAAAANBc/zn9-0foK_Y8/s1600/IMG_7543fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">then all the Jedi Knight's joined in...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xagKSkI8j8A/U4YwIRdjYqI/AAAAAAAANBU/QZnXHm_AdhE/s1600/IMG_7559fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xagKSkI8j8A/U4YwIRdjYqI/AAAAAAAANBU/QZnXHm_AdhE/s1600/IMG_7559fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVqclMN6lX0/U4YwINI9jMI/AAAAAAAANBQ/qzQpbScsOUU/s1600/IMG_7570fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVqclMN6lX0/U4YwINI9jMI/AAAAAAAANBQ/qzQpbScsOUU/s1600/IMG_7570fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">DV running for his life!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30Xe444x60Q/U4YwJXxs1EI/AAAAAAAANBo/caVy5s1kmHQ/s1600/IMG_7575fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30Xe444x60Q/U4YwJXxs1EI/AAAAAAAANBo/caVy5s1kmHQ/s1600/IMG_7575fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was definitely the highlight of the Party!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KL7Umue-Gms/U4YwNN_pYII/AAAAAAAANBw/q-L0G_YE2NM/s1600/IMG_7590fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KL7Umue-Gms/U4YwNN_pYII/AAAAAAAANBw/q-L0G_YE2NM/s1600/IMG_7590fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And last but not least, the Falcon Millenium Pinata. This is the most expensive thing I bought for the party. I really wanted to make a Death Star Pinata, but I just didn't have enough time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02fsNbNbY90/U4YwghR4MTI/AAAAAAAANFw/QIBAYkFzsKM/s1600/IMG_7397fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02fsNbNbY90/U4YwghR4MTI/AAAAAAAANFw/QIBAYkFzsKM/s1600/IMG_7397fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The best way to end any party, in my opinion, is with a Pinata. All the kids love them!! The Birthday boy was the first to go, but amazingly, every guest got a chance to take a whack at it.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eml_fBMlIWE/U4YwOKkhPQI/AAAAAAAANCA/vja2voWl2TA/s1600/IMG_7667fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eml_fBMlIWE/U4YwOKkhPQI/AAAAAAAANCA/vja2voWl2TA/s1600/IMG_7667fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I truly hope this will be a day that he always remembers. I know we will.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AieO5PpY7k/U4YwNQ8oq7I/AAAAAAAANB0/vGaxerymJXg/s1600/IMG_7658fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AieO5PpY7k/U4YwNQ8oq7I/AAAAAAAANB0/vGaxerymJXg/s1600/IMG_7658fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The whole time I was working on and making stuff for the party, he kept saying... "Mommy, thank you for making all this stuff for me and my party. I love you!"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrJq2DYc9gI/U4YwPAAqXaI/AAAAAAAANCI/DI4UqFAvhSo/s1600/IMG_7695fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrJq2DYc9gI/U4YwPAAqXaI/AAAAAAAANCI/DI4UqFAvhSo/s1600/IMG_7695fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love you too, Grey!! Mommy would do it all again in a heartbeat, just to see that sweet little smile. Happy Birthday Porkchop!!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Please visit the <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tMoOT/greys-party/" target="_blank"><i>Pinterest</i></a> board I created for this party so you can see where all my Inspiration came from...</span></div>
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-450220453031224852014-02-04T15:09:00.000-05:002014-02-04T15:14:09.602-05:00VALENTINE'S - SUPER SUCKERS TO THE RESCUE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valentine's Day is next week, and for once, I am WAY ahead of the game. Due to all the snow days we had in January, we were able get my boys' Valentines for their classmates ready a few weeks ahead of schedule. I followed <a href="http://spoonful.com/crafts/caped-cute-sader" target="_blank"><i>this</i></a> quick little tutorial and used it's templates.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the supplies, after they had all been cut out (by hand - the masks were a real b*@#^). I did use my Cricut to cut out the two-tone hearts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wJNomdytb04/UvFGFoyxB5I/AAAAAAAAM-M/_tPt_vF2_j8/s1600/IMG_4448fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wJNomdytb04/UvFGFoyxB5I/AAAAAAAAM-M/_tPt_vF2_j8/s1600/IMG_4448fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything needed for one "Super Sucker"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZNYwKDFFUA/UvFGFQegNKI/AAAAAAAAM-U/7jV1iE09Uec/s1600/IMG_4450fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZNYwKDFFUA/UvFGFQegNKI/AAAAAAAAM-U/7jV1iE09Uec/s1600/IMG_4450fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quite the little army I had going</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XeKQpznxGUs/UvFGFD5h6lI/AAAAAAAAM-I/lL4A70ibOII/s1600/IMG_4458fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XeKQpznxGUs/UvFGFD5h6lI/AAAAAAAAM-I/lL4A70ibOII/s1600/IMG_4458fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWNmKV0AdsY/UvFGHiGQb9I/AAAAAAAAM-s/mFq7A-jLWjk/s1600/IMG_4460fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWNmKV0AdsY/UvFGHiGQb9I/AAAAAAAAM-s/mFq7A-jLWjk/s1600/IMG_4460fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to make 35 total...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwSVxBULWgU/UvFGG2FrwxI/AAAAAAAAM-c/0zBww92M1ck/s1600/IMG_4462fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwSVxBULWgU/UvFGG2FrwxI/AAAAAAAAM-c/0zBww92M1ck/s1600/IMG_4462fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interesting perspective...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8lETwxJmk4/UvFGHGishBI/AAAAAAAAM-k/Kh-MMcB24EY/s1600/IMG_4464fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8lETwxJmk4/UvFGHGishBI/AAAAAAAAM-k/Kh-MMcB24EY/s1600/IMG_4464fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the Super Sucker Heros lined up ready for duty...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xXX76uWI2lw/UvFGI4IwQVI/AAAAAAAAM_A/NZV5WgNB2P8/s1600/IMG_4470fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xXX76uWI2lw/UvFGI4IwQVI/AAAAAAAAM_A/NZV5WgNB2P8/s1600/IMG_4470fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suuuuupppppeeeerrrrrr Suuuuuuccckkkkkeeeerrrrrr</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr1ofcREioQ/UvFGIcBHtCI/AAAAAAAAM-0/2lTT94v35E8/s1600/IMG_4475fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr1ofcREioQ/UvFGIcBHtCI/AAAAAAAAM-0/2lTT94v35E8/s1600/IMG_4475fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Valentine's Day everybody!!</span></div>
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-44201022274148327332014-01-28T19:15:00.000-05:002014-01-28T19:15:28.522-05:00DING!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DING!!! That's the sound of the light that went off in my head a few weeks ago - Inspiration had hit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was surfing through Facebook, when I saw a photo on a Photographer's page that I follow. It was of a little boy wearing a cute shirt that looked something like this...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCspqAUWcn0/UuhFGdrNOlI/AAAAAAAAM9s/yy21Fv6ukPY/s1600/heartstachesfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCspqAUWcn0/UuhFGdrNOlI/AAAAAAAAM9s/yy21Fv6ukPY/s1600/heartstachesfb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought... "I can do that!" And I knew exactly how I would do it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akm8h5Zxzqw/UuhFD7y1LmI/AAAAAAAAM9M/1TT-45JPWvk/s1600/IMG_4421fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akm8h5Zxzqw/UuhFD7y1LmI/AAAAAAAAM9M/1TT-45JPWvk/s1600/IMG_4421fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since this past summer, I had really been wanting to do a Sandpaper/Crayon transfer (go <a href="http://alphamom.com/family-fun/crafts/sandpaper-printed-t-shirt/" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a> to see how to do it for yourself). I had wanted to do it as a craft project with the boys, but it just never happened. So when I saw that photo, I knew I had found the perfect reason to finally do it. Reason being, the boys NEED a cute shirt to wear to school for Valentine's Day - and anything you find it stores are for girls.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGEkwBebcAM/UuhFEHBc1pI/AAAAAAAAM9Y/MfMlMlNIbFg/s1600/IMG_4432fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGEkwBebcAM/UuhFEHBc1pI/AAAAAAAAM9Y/MfMlMlNIbFg/s1600/IMG_4432fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NK__EVfqJs/UuhFGNZGYZI/AAAAAAAAM9k/ogHVfcjr57Q/s1600/IMG_4439fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NK__EVfqJs/UuhFGNZGYZI/AAAAAAAAM9k/ogHVfcjr57Q/s1600/IMG_4439fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had just bought some sandpaper for my husband's hand sander, and I had plenty of black craft felt, aaannnddd, the boys already had a shirt I could use. So in reality, this project cost me nothing!! Best kind of project.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrDDxnUDHYs/UuhFEISwNRI/AAAAAAAAM9Q/82_dO-ACY1I/s1600/IMG_4429fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrDDxnUDHYs/UuhFEISwNRI/AAAAAAAAM9Q/82_dO-ACY1I/s1600/IMG_4429fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just love them - the shirts and the boys! LOL!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iowC84EkLTg/UuhFGducz7I/AAAAAAAAM9o/TDz3os2F6hA/s1600/IMG_4441fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iowC84EkLTg/UuhFGducz7I/AAAAAAAAM9o/TDz3os2F6hA/s1600/IMG_4441fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now they're all ready to be little Heartbreakers on Valentine's Day. And I'm sorry, but aren't my little men so handsome?</span></div>
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-27002293813963245822014-01-28T15:50:00.000-05:002014-01-28T19:36:58.362-05:00My "Little" Mudroom...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So last February, we moved AGAIN. The house that we moved into is a quaint little 50's brick Ranch - 3 bdrm, 2 bath, full basement, HUGE yard - perfect for our little family. The added bonus, is this large room that had been built on behind the carport. We call it the B.A.R. - Big Ass Room! This room, because it is off the carport, is the entrance we use rather than our front door. When you enter through the door, there is a landing that leads either two steps up into the kitchen, or two steps down into the B.A.R. And behind the door is this "little" space 42" wide X 12" deep - perfect for a little spot for coats, shoes, backpacks, etc.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The whole idea really came about when I found this way cool piece of old wood in the basement stairwell. Don't you love the old chippy paint and raw edge?</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXY7obzciVo/UugIqJMCG_I/AAAAAAAAM8Y/xHSZzY8SPP0/s1600/IMG_4540fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXY7obzciVo/UugIqJMCG_I/AAAAAAAAM8Y/xHSZzY8SPP0/s1600/IMG_4540fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5utiWgvw6l4/UugIoxgwCCI/AAAAAAAAM8E/rISqkmhLAkY/s1600/IMG_4535fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5utiWgvw6l4/UugIoxgwCCI/AAAAAAAAM8E/rISqkmhLAkY/s1600/IMG_4535fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were two pieces both about 72" long that I thought would be perfect for a shelf and a bench... and so the idea started to take shape. But mostly in my head, because it didn't come to full fruition until the last couple of weeks.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a pullback of the entire little "Entry". I'm standing down in the B.A.R., and those two steps lead up in to the kitchen.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwoNhz1AeLg/UugIm8kMB6I/AAAAAAAAM7g/-nMze79Kg6Q/s1600/IMG_4506fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwoNhz1AeLg/UugIm8kMB6I/AAAAAAAAM7g/-nMze79Kg6Q/s1600/IMG_4506fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this wall of "random" things...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SGWuKgyzv0/UugInB5sEpI/AAAAAAAAM7k/BgPDPVDljQs/s1600/IMG_4523fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SGWuKgyzv0/UugInB5sEpI/AAAAAAAAM7k/BgPDPVDljQs/s1600/IMG_4523fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cross was my husband's Parent's. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It used to be gold, so we primed it with the intent</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of painting it, but liked the way the primer gave it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an antiqued look.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The mirror was my husband's Grandfather's.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It used to hang in his barbershop.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The candle sconce was my husband's Mother's.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't really know the history of it other than it belonged to her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bird "thingy" is something I picked up</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">at a garage sale for $2.00.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's one of those things that is so ugly it's cute.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's hand painted on a piece of wood - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there's just something about it that intrigues me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the star I got on clearance at</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joann's Fabrics for like $4.00 - loved the color.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaC1Qkki0d0/UugImleEsFI/AAAAAAAAM7c/abu7k_z00eg/s1600/IMG_4522fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaC1Qkki0d0/UugImleEsFI/AAAAAAAAM7c/abu7k_z00eg/s1600/IMG_4522fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now this little shelf, is also made from something I found here on the property.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last spring, I found remnants of an old fence and gate, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that were painted this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gorgeous shade of green.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As soon as I found it, I knew I would use the wood </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">somewhere in the house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And so, this little "key" shelf was created.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hung it with a couple of "L" brackets that I had "rusted".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Windmill photo is one I had taken two summers </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ago while visiting my parents in New Mexico.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I then transferred the image onto a piece of wood.</span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my mind, this light fixture is the Piece de Resistance of the whole space. It's from Ikea and is only $30. I just love it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhQaO6LEXmM/UugInrDk8_I/AAAAAAAAM70/egWX2VJVwIE/s1600/IMG_4526fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhQaO6LEXmM/UugInrDk8_I/AAAAAAAAM70/egWX2VJVwIE/s1600/IMG_4526fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here's the Mudroom... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhSeNviBKZk/UugIqYoIfmI/AAAAAAAAM8U/fE5SZTXFToY/s1600/IMG_4534fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhSeNviBKZk/UugIqYoIfmI/AAAAAAAAM8U/fE5SZTXFToY/s1600/IMG_4534fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We still need to put down new floor, so disregard that nasty looking step. It used to have even nastier looking carpet on it, so the exposed step is much better. If you back to this <a href="http://themagicofordinarythings.blogspot.com/2013/05/pool-noodle-race-track.html" target="_blank"><i>post</i></a>, you can see the yuckiness that was this area "before" the transformation.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the reasons it took so long for this project to happen, other than the fact that the space needed to be painted, was because I couldn't figure out what kind of brackets to use to support the shelf and bench. For months, I scoured the internet, looking for inspiration and options - but found nothing (without spending an arm and a leg). Then, while looking for something else in my craft supplies, I found some old white metal brackets that had been used at my old house for supporting shelving in the basement. I immediately decided I would just wrap them with twine. They would coordinate with the twine ball light I had just made for over the dining table, which is about 7' away.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK6oXd5ndSc/UugIpknx7II/AAAAAAAAM8M/95WmNTC_4Pk/s1600/IMG_4538fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK6oXd5ndSc/UugIpknx7II/AAAAAAAAM8M/95WmNTC_4Pk/s1600/IMG_4538fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a little bit of artwork, I made our family initial with twigs, and hung a wood image transfer of this year's family portrait.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ2C4hj0MF4/UugJPehMFYI/AAAAAAAAM84/zBgNJ5grcxQ/s1600/IMG_4487fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ2C4hj0MF4/UugJPehMFYI/AAAAAAAAM84/zBgNJ5grcxQ/s1600/IMG_4487fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know if you can see it, but the board for the shelf still has an old cut nail in it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdBINSBzhcc/UugIrAgSujI/AAAAAAAAM8k/BRrUSw35Upo/s1600/IMG_4541fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdBINSBzhcc/UugIrAgSujI/AAAAAAAAM8k/BRrUSw35Upo/s1600/IMG_4541fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I so love this space! The piece of wood that the hooks are attached to was also found in the woods behind the house. And the hooks were recycled from our first house.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOxZtJC0Sxk/UugIoUiknYI/AAAAAAAAM78/FtHML8ZeU-8/s1600/IMG_4532fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOxZtJC0Sxk/UugIoUiknYI/AAAAAAAAM78/FtHML8ZeU-8/s1600/IMG_4532fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The absolute best part of this project, was that it cost me less than $10. I had to buy one extra bracket, and I needed a spool of twine - everything else I had either found on the property or I already had, including the baskets on the shelf and the pillows on the bench.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sorry, but don't you just love this light???</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kSRvPfb7pYU/UugIrNTbLsI/AAAAAAAAM8o/OFULTzHcgJA/s1600/IMG_4550fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kSRvPfb7pYU/UugIrNTbLsI/AAAAAAAAM8o/OFULTzHcgJA/s1600/IMG_4550fb.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just to give you a little idea of what the B.A.R. looks like...</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KacnF1Aw66o/UugJPSi5HzI/AAAAAAAAM80/rzGnYi1FBJ4/s1600/IMG_4285fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KacnF1Aw66o/UugJPSi5HzI/AAAAAAAAM80/rzGnYi1FBJ4/s1600/IMG_4285fb.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been newly painted, and I just made those drapes using</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">old IKEA khaki panels I had and a Royal Design stencil.</span></div>
Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-38441346737935473492013-12-12T17:43:00.003-05:002013-12-12T17:43:57.348-05:00TWINE BALL LIGHT FIXTURE...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at my new Dining Room Light!! Isn't it Fabulous???</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-Dke-2S3sw/Uqo3JWDqXMI/AAAAAAAAM3o/Ti-6J9hRZJg/s1600/IMG_3325fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-Dke-2S3sw/Uqo3JWDqXMI/AAAAAAAAM3o/Ti-6J9hRZJg/s640/IMG_3325fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I LOVE IT!!! And I made it all by myself!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found this <a href="http://www.tiffanyruda.com/diy-how-to-make-a-string-pendant-light/" target="_blank"><i>tutorial</i></a> through Pinterest, and once we started working on the B.A.R. (Big Ass Room) - we recently painted all the brown paneling a lovely shade of gray and the honey toned baseboards/casings bright white, I knew this little DIY project would be perfect.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did have one minor setback... It's Winter... Beach balls do not exist in stores in Virginia in the Winter. So I had to order one from Amazon. I was so frustrated that I had to WAIT.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally the ball arrived, and that following Saturday morning, I got up CRAZY early (like 4:30) to start working on it, before the two little people in my house woke up.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These first two photos are not that great because it's still dark out, and I'm in my basement. These are the supplies that are needed, along with some warm water and a light kit. I used one that I had from Ikea, from an old Japanese lantern.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pW_xbx9q9qk/Uqo3Ht1Ry4I/AAAAAAAAM3M/RnH5MwTAvU4/s1600/IMG_3264fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pW_xbx9q9qk/Uqo3Ht1Ry4I/AAAAAAAAM3M/RnH5MwTAvU4/s640/IMG_3264fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I followed the tutorial, and hung the ball so it would be easier to wrap the twine. The only way I could see to hang it was by the rubber air stop thingy. Well, after about 1/3 of the twine was wrapped, I guess the ball got to heavy, and the air stop thingy came open, and the ball started to DEFLATE. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CRAAAAPPPPP!!!!!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I couldn't let my project be completely destroyed, so despite all the glue/cornstarch mixture, I put the ball up to my face and started blowing. Whew, project saved!! And my face, mouth and tongue were covered in glue. Yuck, but totally worth it!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That little fiasco actually worked out for the best, because it turned out to be much easier to just have the ball lay on an old sheet while I finish wrapping the twine. Then I had to wait 24 hours.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4B4_teyUJzw/Uqo3H6lPxPI/AAAAAAAAM3Q/FDt8jPVQ5pQ/s1600/IMG_3271fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4B4_teyUJzw/Uqo3H6lPxPI/AAAAAAAAM3Q/FDt8jPVQ5pQ/s640/IMG_3271fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And it was so worth the wait...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TiYNnRwA-Ks/Uqo3HkWOy1I/AAAAAAAAM3I/fu8tXqExE2k/s1600/IMG_3304fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TiYNnRwA-Ks/Uqo3HkWOy1I/AAAAAAAAM3I/fu8tXqExE2k/s640/IMG_3304fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-XK79IQqhA/Uqo3IjGlriI/AAAAAAAAM3g/-kbkKCNRrW4/s1600/IMG_3311fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-XK79IQqhA/Uqo3IjGlriI/AAAAAAAAM3g/-kbkKCNRrW4/s640/IMG_3311fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOL2WhZXTP4/Uqo3JLHCfaI/AAAAAAAAM3s/_cGWtfCdtI8/s1600/IMG_3322fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOL2WhZXTP4/Uqo3JLHCfaI/AAAAAAAAM3s/_cGWtfCdtI8/s640/IMG_3322fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you need a cute light fixture for somewhere in your home, I highly recommend this project!! So easy, for such a huge impact.</span></div>
Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-75199628617972134272013-11-26T13:09:00.000-05:002013-11-26T13:11:48.007-05:00BABY SHOWER CRAFTS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in August, I co-hosted a baby shower for a dear friend of mine. We wanted it for both Mommy and Daddy to be, so we decided on a Pot Luck Barbeque. We were on a very tight budget and short timeline, so luckily, this kept me from going too over the top. Everything that we did was simple and beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It all started with these Pom-Poms. I saw them <a href="http://www.joybobo.com/2013/06/easy-tissue-paper-pom-poms.html?m=1" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>, and knew they would be perfect for hanging over the food table.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RynxEN_248s/UpTfTq_GlDI/AAAAAAAAM18/6eYiNBD_T6w/s1600/IMG_5424fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RynxEN_248s/UpTfTq_GlDI/AAAAAAAAM18/6eYiNBD_T6w/s640/IMG_5424fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I found this adorable Wish Mobile <a href="http://www.hwtm.com/index.cfm?page=albums/view_album&albumid=8045&categoryid=8" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>. The exact thing for friends and family to leave sentimental and loving notes for baby and Mommy and Daddy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHDnw2usbzU/UpTfR5_fKtI/AAAAAAAAM1k/-J-dhU8lEdo/s1600/IMG_5415fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHDnw2usbzU/UpTfR5_fKtI/AAAAAAAAM1k/-J-dhU8lEdo/s640/IMG_5415fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbyPlHupUZs/UpTfRny1pkI/AAAAAAAAM1g/oQ2HDOfTPyo/s1600/IMG_5413fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbyPlHupUZs/UpTfRny1pkI/AAAAAAAAM1g/oQ2HDOfTPyo/s640/IMG_5413fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tzqNCG9VT8/UpTfS130z2I/AAAAAAAAM10/ygYdSxWHfio/s1600/IMG_5416fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tzqNCG9VT8/UpTfS130z2I/AAAAAAAAM10/ygYdSxWHfio/s640/IMG_5416fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then we added a few other crafty touches...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-et_M9VcQi7w/UpTfSfFESSI/AAAAAAAAM1s/CbJBJLRm8aQ/s1600/IMG_5411fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-et_M9VcQi7w/UpTfSfFESSI/AAAAAAAAM1s/CbJBJLRm8aQ/s640/IMG_5411fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0-AmUQVCg0/UpTfVHnLZqI/AAAAAAAAM2M/Oq46fGCF0Y8/s1600/IMG_5440fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0-AmUQVCg0/UpTfVHnLZqI/AAAAAAAAM2M/Oq46fGCF0Y8/s640/IMG_5440fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSPHjNxnCsA/UpTfUiToifI/AAAAAAAAM2E/ZafFynH84Ps/s1600/IMG_5437fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSPHjNxnCsA/UpTfUiToifI/AAAAAAAAM2E/ZafFynH84Ps/s640/IMG_5437fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEd8Bu_wi1Q/UpTfcda26mI/AAAAAAAAM2o/GNuUvMjstEU/s1600/IMG_5435fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEd8Bu_wi1Q/UpTfcda26mI/AAAAAAAAM2o/GNuUvMjstEU/s640/IMG_5435fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxTr9FgmqdM/UpTfV24HpqI/AAAAAAAAM2U/VoyZ7AXpsHw/s1600/IMG_5441fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxTr9FgmqdM/UpTfV24HpqI/AAAAAAAAM2U/VoyZ7AXpsHw/s640/IMG_5441fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't this Owl cake simply adorable? I can not take credit for it, however. The grandmother was kind enough to make it. I knew she was bringing the cake, but I had no idea it would be this wonderful.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osXdZaFz7YQ/UpTfWYvuRgI/AAAAAAAAM2g/X_wN8IeU7sM/s1600/IMG_5460fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osXdZaFz7YQ/UpTfWYvuRgI/AAAAAAAAM2g/X_wN8IeU7sM/s640/IMG_5460fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was supposed to have been a Surprise shower, but it didn't work out quite like that. However, both Mommy and Daddy to be, had a wonderful time and left with many gorgeous gifts for little Miss Elsie.</span><br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-82881299944232461462013-11-26T12:32:00.001-05:002013-11-26T12:32:22.562-05:00SLIME...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few times this past summer, I helped out a friend and watched her boys. The first time they came over, I planned a fun little craft that I knew would appeal to their ALL BOY personalities... SLIME</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ingredients are pretty simple - glue, Borax, food coloring and water - and glitter if you want a little extra sparkle.</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKU3JEZg-7w/UpTWw46r7zI/AAAAAAAAM1A/l9rKuFzm7eI/s1600/IMG_4815fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKU3JEZg-7w/UpTWw46r7zI/AAAAAAAAM1A/l9rKuFzm7eI/s640/IMG_4815fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go<a href="http://Go here to see exactly what you need to do" target="_blank"> <i>here</i></a> to see exactly what you need to do...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iL1lHubS10/UpTWSjz793I/AAAAAAAAM0A/l53UxPOALXA/s1600/IMG_3480fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iL1lHubS10/UpTWSjz793I/AAAAAAAAM0A/l53UxPOALXA/s640/IMG_3480fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time that we made it, I used white glue rather than clear glue. Wasn't very fond of the color when it was all done. We did make it one other time over the summer, and that time I made sure to get clear glue. That time however, even though it looked better, I must have done something a little off in the recipe, because the texture and consistency of it felt different.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But honestly, all the little crafters could care less - they LOVED making it, and playing with after.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4NLsG5OkYA/UpTWWc5VhqI/AAAAAAAAM0I/4Wk6j6IzYrA/s1600/IMG_3482fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4NLsG5OkYA/UpTWWc5VhqI/AAAAAAAAM0I/4Wk6j6IzYrA/s640/IMG_3482fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0bcUHORz0g/UpTWaXCJVQI/AAAAAAAAM0Q/eFxA0o4glgo/s1600/IMG_3486fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0bcUHORz0g/UpTWaXCJVQI/AAAAAAAAM0Q/eFxA0o4glgo/s640/IMG_3486fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SusqXbxJZYI/UpTWh7HkOWI/AAAAAAAAM0g/ZhTZc72iVqM/s1600/IMG_3492fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SusqXbxJZYI/UpTWh7HkOWI/AAAAAAAAM0g/ZhTZc72iVqM/s640/IMG_3492fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvB8McVwauM/UpTW13grk2I/AAAAAAAAM1Q/L0aBOLIdP2g/s1600/IMG_3501fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvB8McVwauM/UpTW13grk2I/AAAAAAAAM1Q/L0aBOLIdP2g/s640/IMG_3501fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9i_Qyyb7YZw/UpTWrmV9taI/AAAAAAAAM04/sy2vrQNE6Sg/s1600/IMG_3502fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9i_Qyyb7YZw/UpTWrmV9taI/AAAAAAAAM04/sy2vrQNE6Sg/s640/IMG_3502fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Definitely a HUGE HIT at our house!!!!</span></div>
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-81591150377679209192013-11-26T12:06:00.002-05:002013-11-26T12:08:33.942-05:00PALLET WALL / TABLE...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not sure if you remember, but last summer (2012) I posted about a little criminal activity I participated in, when I went and "helped myself" to some discarded pallets left in a field. Yes, there was a "No Trespassing" sign, but I ignored it. I wanted some pallets - and they had been stacked there for over two years. Would they really be missed?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, back to present day... I never did anything with those pallets I stole.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, being that my husband is in the flooring industry, he has ready access to all types of pallets. One day, he came home with (3) 7' x 4' pallets. He knew I so desperately wanted to do some kind of project with pallets, so he thought he'd provide some so I wouldn't have to steal anymore.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the "however"... we Finally did a project with pallets!!!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqMfS_Gd7nw/UpTMpwKmD6I/AAAAAAAAMzI/JPPHxa6Zw4Q/s1600/IMG_3945fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqMfS_Gd7nw/UpTMpwKmD6I/AAAAAAAAMzI/JPPHxa6Zw4Q/s640/IMG_3945fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't it A.MAZ.ING??? I LOVE IT!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's out on our carport, which we use as a patio, and it hides some equipment that we don't want seen from the road. It also has a little potting table for all the gardening I do - NOT! But it's there, ready to be a potting table, for whenever I decide to garden.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it couldn't be Just a Pallet wall/table. I had to "Pretty" it up a little...</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, it needed a shelf. To hang the shelf, I needed something old. I didn't have anything old, but I had recently seen something on Pinterest about making new metal rusty. So, following the recipe <i><a href="http://lipstickandlaundryca.blogspot.com/2009/04/rusting-recipe-for-making-things-grubby.html" target="_blank">here</a>,</i> I made two new, shiny "L" brackets nice and rusty, old looking.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndRhI4iTivs/UpTMl8CMWnI/AAAAAAAAMy4/aMpRHOyv5vA/s1600/IMG_3895fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndRhI4iTivs/UpTMl8CMWnI/AAAAAAAAMy4/aMpRHOyv5vA/s640/IMG_3895fb.jpg" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJJwlaEiscs/UpTMwoTOwVI/AAAAAAAAMzY/WHJoaikj-rE/s1600/IMG_3948fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJJwlaEiscs/UpTMwoTOwVI/AAAAAAAAMzY/WHJoaikj-rE/s640/IMG_3948fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mR1qmGsXKw/UpTMnyqT1YI/AAAAAAAAMzA/oq2Qj33o61M/s1600/IMG_3947fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mR1qmGsXKw/UpTMnyqT1YI/AAAAAAAAMzA/oq2Qj33o61M/s640/IMG_3947fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you love that old chain? That is actually old and rusty. We dug that up in our yard.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most liberating thing about this whole project, was that we measured NOTHING. The hubbs just eyeballed and guessed at everything. It gives it such an organic feel.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQH2fbqwKF8/UpTMv1t6dyI/AAAAAAAAMzQ/QllX9QEfHD0/s1600/IMG_3950fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQH2fbqwKF8/UpTMv1t6dyI/AAAAAAAAMzQ/QllX9QEfHD0/s640/IMG_3950fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last little touch, was a piece of art. This is one of my favorite photos that I took of my favorite flower. It's an image transferred to a piece of wood. You can see how I do this <a href="http://themagicofordinarythings.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-new-favorite.html" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zQa_xoeRpo/UpTM7aQcjKI/AAAAAAAAMzg/0aOp8U8scjw/s1600/IMG_3952fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zQa_xoeRpo/UpTM7aQcjKI/AAAAAAAAMzg/0aOp8U8scjw/s640/IMG_3952fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there you have it, I finally have a Pallet project in my home. Well, outside my home, on the carport.</span><br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-8513444494392084712013-11-26T11:25:00.000-05:002013-11-26T11:50:27.186-05:00BIRTHDAY YUMMINESS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My little Porkchop turned 4 back in May. For his Birthday this year, he got to enjoy two different yummy things. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, were these Adorable Lego Brownies. Inspiration found <a href="http://rindymae.blogspot.com/2012/06/lego-birthday.html" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>. I made these for him to take to school for his classmates.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqZYLgSTGJY/UpTHFK2t-XI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/dh7Wrlv3xd8/s1600/IMG_1929fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqZYLgSTGJY/UpTHFK2t-XI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/dh7Wrlv3xd8/s640/IMG_1929fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-yctVY9Ltg/UpTHE0_lM3I/AAAAAAAAMyI/hG3nNM2WG5Y/s1600/IMG_1933fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-yctVY9Ltg/UpTHE0_lM3I/AAAAAAAAMyI/hG3nNM2WG5Y/s640/IMG_1933fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then for our little family celebration, I made a Frozen Ice Cream Cake. You want to know the really sad thing... it's now the end of November - I made this back in the middle of May, and I have no recollection of how I did it. So, base on the next picture, I'm going to wing the instructions... Honestly, I don't really think it can be messed up. To start, here are the ingredients - simple enough.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aAD4d9w9tso/UpTHjCDRaII/AAAAAAAAMyc/l6JY4RuAk78/s1600/IMG_2141fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aAD4d9w9tso/UpTHjCDRaII/AAAAAAAAMyc/l6JY4RuAk78/s640/IMG_2141fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the bottom of a casserole dish, add a layer of ice cream sandwiches - then cover with Magic Shell. Then add a layer of Cool Whip and a layer of crushed Oreos. Then repeat - ice cream sandwiches, Magic Shell - but then switch and do the Oreo layer with the last layer being the Cool Whip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then Freeze and Enjoy!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFO55PbHN_U/UpTHFtzEhiI/AAAAAAAAMyU/2S-r20iH0jo/s1600/IMG_2284fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFO55PbHN_U/UpTHFtzEhiI/AAAAAAAAMyU/2S-r20iH0jo/s640/IMG_2284fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My little guy did...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-5dyvm6644/UpTHnCRPt3I/AAAAAAAAMyo/grr0m64Kyx0/s1600/IMG_2300fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-5dyvm6644/UpTHnCRPt3I/AAAAAAAAMyo/grr0m64Kyx0/s640/IMG_2300fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KXkfsL5V7Q/UpTHilRRHyI/AAAAAAAAMyY/dQI1xOpgU6E/s1600/IMG_2301fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KXkfsL5V7Q/UpTHilRRHyI/AAAAAAAAMyY/dQI1xOpgU6E/s640/IMG_2301fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-83486617217968015872013-11-26T10:49:00.001-05:002013-11-26T11:52:01.532-05:00FABRIC TRAYS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every spring, at the end of the school year, I always try to make something for my kids teachers. I never seem to have them done in time for Teacher Appreciation Week, but always in time for a little Good-Bye gift.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past school year, I made these little fabric trays, by following the tutorial <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/09/13/fabric-trays/" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqHxNPXtV4w/UpTAmKwxN5I/AAAAAAAAMxQ/8wxDkdncVfw/s1600/IMG_1953fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqHxNPXtV4w/UpTAmKwxN5I/AAAAAAAAMxQ/8wxDkdncVfw/s640/IMG_1953fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZGmsu0WuC8/UpTAmbV-zPI/AAAAAAAAMxU/UpZGOHRb5s8/s1600/IMG_1966fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZGmsu0WuC8/UpTAmbV-zPI/AAAAAAAAMxU/UpZGOHRb5s8/s640/IMG_1966fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ek-_o3nAyEw/UpTAo7DtkUI/AAAAAAAAMxo/OgVdPg1Cndk/s1600/IMG_1967fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ek-_o3nAyEw/UpTAo7DtkUI/AAAAAAAAMxo/OgVdPg1Cndk/s640/IMG_1967fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcmSRMs-U_4/UpTAnrRDKgI/AAAAAAAAMxg/VD-tRAQDja8/s1600/IMG_1974fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcmSRMs-U_4/UpTAnrRDKgI/AAAAAAAAMxg/VD-tRAQDja8/s640/IMG_1974fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5I0yuu-zcAE/UpTA6q39mFI/AAAAAAAAMxw/3NCdANdyg3w/s1600/IMG_1969fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5I0yuu-zcAE/UpTA6q39mFI/AAAAAAAAMxw/3NCdANdyg3w/s640/IMG_1969fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wUWrTHQQQI/UpTAeDe8iyI/AAAAAAAAMxI/WQVu_9clZFU/s1600/IMG_1964fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wUWrTHQQQI/UpTAeDe8iyI/AAAAAAAAMxI/WQVu_9clZFU/s640/IMG_1964fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Fun! So Easy! So Cute!</span>Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-51567429125061298162013-11-26T10:34:00.000-05:002013-11-26T11:54:16.101-05:00SPONGE WATER BOMBS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi! Remember me? The person who is supposed to be contributing to this blog. I'm so sorry to let my followers down. I'm sure I've lost a few of you over the last year. Unfortunately, things in life change, and little time is left for crafting. As much as I would love to do a new craft every day, every week, or every month - it just doesn't happen. I thought this past summer would be filled with all sorts of wonderful crafty projects for the house, but instead, I went back to work - so now there's even less time - *sigh*.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, as I thought back over the last few months, I did realize that there were a few things that I could share with you. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first being this... Sponge Water Bombs! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSqp8H7ac88/UpS2xI_gK9I/AAAAAAAAMww/qe4KgTXuYz0/s1600/IMG_3144fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSqp8H7ac88/UpS2xI_gK9I/AAAAAAAAMww/qe4KgTXuYz0/s640/IMG_3144fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we no longer live in a neighborhood that has a private beach on the lake, I knew I would need to come up with something to help my boys beat the heat. After finding these sponge water bombs <a href="http://www.alittletipsy.com/2011/06/make-memory-summer-sponge-bombs.html" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a>, I knew they were the perfect cure. A trip to the Dollar Tree and I was all set to whip them up. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdJbErFYqJY/UpS15kJ1bYI/AAAAAAAAMws/mfGko7pEPss/s1600/IMG_3145fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdJbErFYqJY/UpS15kJ1bYI/AAAAAAAAMws/mfGko7pEPss/s640/IMG_3145fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I remember correctly, I think I was able to make 10 bombs from the (2) 5-sponge packs I got for Two Bucks. Pretty cheap entertainment right there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JU3fPx8j0bI/UpS21GecF0I/AAAAAAAAMw4/PqY6vTczJl8/s1600/IMG_3154fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JU3fPx8j0bI/UpS21GecF0I/AAAAAAAAMw4/PqY6vTczJl8/s640/IMG_3154fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly, I think they only played with them "correctly" twice, before, the little destruction demons that they are, absolutely destroying them. They either tore them completely apart, or ripped the sponge strips in two. I was so heartbroken. I know it was only $2 and about 15minutes of my time. But I could just not understand why they would want to destroy something they were having so much fun playing with - I'll probably never understand boys.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully, if you decide to do this for your kids next summer, they'll last longer than ours did.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-54761838096083350922013-05-29T16:08:00.000-04:002013-05-29T16:08:54.892-04:00HOMEMADE GUMMY SNACKS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I found this recipe a LOOOOONGGG time ago over at <i><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/06/homemade-jello-fruit-snacks-recipe.html" target="_blank">Six Sisters Stuff</a>, </i>and knew that someday I would try to make these for my boys, who LOOOOOOVE Gummy Snacks.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehovIyfCjnc/UaZajimG3OI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/H9vjasde8gI/s1600/IMG_3128fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehovIyfCjnc/UaZajimG3OI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/H9vjasde8gI/s640/IMG_3128fb.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After getting lucky, a few months ago, at my son's pre-school's yard sale, and finding a Mold tray for just One Penny, I knew I was one step closer to getting these made. Then this morning, during a routine trip to Walmart, I finally got the supplies - today would be the day!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The supplies you need are some flavored gelatin and some unflavored gelatin. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ppTgG1f1n9I/UaZamrFjwOI/AAAAAAAAMTw/SmHRLIALGI0/s1600/IMG_3141fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ppTgG1f1n9I/UaZamrFjwOI/AAAAAAAAMTw/SmHRLIALGI0/s640/IMG_3141fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At Walmart, the Knox was $1.48 for (4)/.25oz packets, and the Jell-O was $.74 for a 3oz. box. So all told, because I got two flavors - I spent just under $3.00.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lRGuk0p9F7s/UaZalEKuFmI/AAAAAAAAMTc/YQCMorn-XzE/s1600/IMG_3119fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lRGuk0p9F7s/UaZalEKuFmI/AAAAAAAAMTc/YQCMorn-XzE/s640/IMG_3119fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Following the recipe from the above stated blog, this is how easy it is...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(1) 3oz. box of Flavored Gelatin</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(2) .25oz packets of Unflavored Gelatin</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 C water.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sprinkle all the gelatin over the water in a small saucepan.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Heat over medium heat and stir until all powder is completely dissolved.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pour into molds</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let sit for at least 20 minutes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> <i>When I checked them at twenty minutes, they were solid enough, but had a weird </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i> texture when I tasted them. I think I ended up letting them sit for a little over an </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i> hour - by that time, they were the Perfect Gummy texture.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is the Mold tray that I scored at the yard sale. From the original blog, she said that they can be found at Walmart and craft stores. I don't know if they're Jell-O brand, but anything with a small shaped mold would work.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjQT7QfMGyg/UaZamGDZtuI/AAAAAAAAMTo/R-z1bBnObOU/s1600/IMG_3137fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjQT7QfMGyg/UaZamGDZtuI/AAAAAAAAMTo/R-z1bBnObOU/s640/IMG_3137fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For $3, I got (70), slightly larger than a jelly bean, Gummy snacks. Not sure if that's</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a savings or not, but they sure were easy to make.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0JrJIT1kM/UaZalNY7FoI/AAAAAAAAMTY/Heh8-IWbjr8/s1600/IMG_3123fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0JrJIT1kM/UaZalNY7FoI/AAAAAAAAMTY/Heh8-IWbjr8/s640/IMG_3123fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure we will be making a lot of these, in all different flavors, this summer.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297677868124308101.post-50155534779337280292013-05-29T15:41:00.000-04:002013-05-29T15:43:09.950-04:00POOL NOODLE RACE TRACK...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure I saw this idea a while ago, but just never got around to buying the supplies. But after reviewing projects to do this summer with my boys, I knew it was time to make the Pool Noodle Race Track...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28zN39pCSWc/UaZVOdduMpI/AAAAAAAAMSU/T0aIn_Jb790/s1600/IMG_3103fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28zN39pCSWc/UaZVOdduMpI/AAAAAAAAMSU/T0aIn_Jb790/s640/IMG_3103fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I went back and looked at <a href="http://myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-05-06T09:00:00-04:00&max-results=5" target="_blank"><i>this one</i></a> over at <a href="http://myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Home Spun Threads</b></a>, and <a href="http://www.allmylittlegems.com/2010/06/make-car-race-track-from-water-noodle.html" target="_blank"><i>this one</i></a> at <b><a href="http://www.allmylittlegems.com/" target="_blank">My Little Gems</a>. </b>My initial intention, was to make it for cars, but the noodle I purchased at the Dollar Tree didn't have a big enough center hole, so I had to improvise. Luckily, I had some 3/4" wooden beads in my craft supply stash - and they worked perfectly.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u60fwdj4Qr0/UaZVRFfwhSI/AAAAAAAAMSw/aKyNjLn6nNE/s1600/IMG_3115fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u60fwdj4Qr0/UaZVRFfwhSI/AAAAAAAAMSw/aKyNjLn6nNE/s640/IMG_3115fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But of course, we couldn't just leave them plain wood... the boys went to town on them with washable markers, but after handling and playing with them for sometime, it seemed that their little hands were permanently dyed - thank Heavens for washable.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDW6m14B6RI/UaZVR2qw7oI/AAAAAAAAMS4/HCYD3_X3Js8/s1600/IMG_3118fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDW6m14B6RI/UaZVR2qw7oI/AAAAAAAAMS4/HCYD3_X3Js8/s640/IMG_3118fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Normally, I would go over the top on a project like this... for instance, I would have had "Start" / "Finish" flags, and I probably would have covered the mailing box with something. But instead, I actually took into account my boys track record of how quickly they can destroy something, so I didn't waste the time on things that would have looked great for photographs, but they could care less about.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSzFdnoCmJY/UaZVOgnpObI/AAAAAAAAMSg/rCiiobYmEQo/s1600/IMG_3104fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSzFdnoCmJY/UaZVOgnpObI/AAAAAAAAMSg/rCiiobYmEQo/s640/IMG_3104fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2As7WCMNxo/UaZVOHMeumI/AAAAAAAAMSQ/EM2uHnBt43g/s1600/IMG_3108fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2As7WCMNxo/UaZVOHMeumI/AAAAAAAAMSQ/EM2uHnBt43g/s640/IMG_3108fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ32w_3_Tlg/UaZVSFrX6vI/AAAAAAAAMTA/7NGDygePVYw/s1600/IMG_3112fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ32w_3_Tlg/UaZVSFrX6vI/AAAAAAAAMTA/7NGDygePVYw/s640/IMG_3112fb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a HUGE HIT!! In this photo, I just know they are saying...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUQZ3eQ_ndE/UaZVQPSwdBI/AAAAAAAAMSo/moZc9AdKozM/s1600/IMG_3110fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUQZ3eQ_ndE/UaZVQPSwdBI/AAAAAAAAMSo/moZc9AdKozM/s640/IMG_3110fb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Mommy, you're the BEST!!"</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And of course, they totally proved me wrong and didn't destroy it... YET!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_678065154"></span><span id="goog_678065155"></span><br />Kristol Faucheuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03085349646647777153noreply@blogger.com0