Romantic Ideas for Valentines Day

Photo Shoot

<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Photo Shoot last night!</span></div><div align="center">Had such a fun time photographing my friend Rose and her sister Theresa. We constructed this party scene with many costume changes and I superimposed them to make one complete scene.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3PmvKJInezQZ52hRzxhp_7H2mGK7YfdmbA50BwfMSbZl6BhteBPNjWQKQB-33rwz3SLIsLXHMapkWi3_ct1IRXvnYWcNWjePqWrMUkwpZMeHEHpdg0hXg6l3UWcoXcH7dyJKrZAQkPU/s1600-h/22639_1272027594012_1029547408_872858_2355478_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421249406710620930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3PmvKJInezQZ52hRzxhp_7H2mGK7YfdmbA50BwfMSbZl6BhteBPNjWQKQB-33rwz3SLIsLXHMapkWi3_ct1IRXvnYWcNWjePqWrMUkwpZMeHEHpdg0hXg6l3UWcoXcH7dyJKrZAQkPU/s400/22639_1272027594012_1029547408_872858_2355478_n.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yl-_D05hx-ppdVF3x3o2CZbVM7pWNTl9voSMja8hAFgqNdoJwm0RwVDQ30ZXfz5HocWPCoyfsLi31cV65GD7oqe9WvYbiva36SCDOQYRPFH6x5TJ7aPu-3H1FBPcCEzwWYW4_8yTgTs/s1600-h/22639_1272382922895_1029547408_874054_3678377_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248986306984034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yl-_D05hx-ppdVF3x3o2CZbVM7pWNTl9voSMja8hAFgqNdoJwm0RwVDQ30ZXfz5HocWPCoyfsLi31cV65GD7oqe9WvYbiva36SCDOQYRPFH6x5TJ7aPu-3H1FBPcCEzwWYW4_8yTgTs/s320/22639_1272382922895_1029547408_874054_3678377_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p>Good Sister/Bad Sister<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DczQFV1CkAsBNaygqBDJqYueJrOk3u6yN4jnwrsUdJwKoQNdpIXTx-TjILPhAqG6dNi2h2NYfPTNQ3bObIDvAIyfaoOI1zmnWZCF9uGp791xqCQfOtwA5T2_GiO1ZtlSqXQC7uwoBfs/s1600-h/22639_1272088835543_1029547408_872967_1108303_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248979411865554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DczQFV1CkAsBNaygqBDJqYueJrOk3u6yN4jnwrsUdJwKoQNdpIXTx-TjILPhAqG6dNi2h2NYfPTNQ3bObIDvAIyfaoOI1zmnWZCF9uGp791xqCQfOtwA5T2_GiO1ZtlSqXQC7uwoBfs/s320/22639_1272088835543_1029547408_872967_1108303_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 255px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbbQDf_4iK_54En33-T4dgOW8brdnCpyTXVK4b_ynuZl_97TrEMPVr7W8LSTffeD0Sg9ttV3W2E-G8TjyeDCaWR-qr4rJtSNLy3Yb2lDEpLS-DnzwlWipJO_F14P-nPRzGC29o2vqF6Q/s1600-h/22639_1272087715515_1029547408_872965_5401025_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248976826215810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbbQDf_4iK_54En33-T4dgOW8brdnCpyTXVK4b_ynuZl_97TrEMPVr7W8LSTffeD0Sg9ttV3W2E-G8TjyeDCaWR-qr4rJtSNLy3Yb2lDEpLS-DnzwlWipJO_F14P-nPRzGC29o2vqF6Q/s320/22639_1272087715515_1029547408_872965_5401025_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />They are both so beautiful!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinICQ3dLFRjH8Y2YZ9jdBW5ODRExKsTyveXzbhbEp5eQ2zCI8s2Gl-LThiRyzQPX2oXbr50uP4rBmKjyHi7x2yvVeajSrJqdokywahq0a3HV45_ud0TyMtff5SwdFr4Cc5rGC01LJUgGU/s1600-h/22639_1272083155401_1029547408_872950_5953992_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248875560842386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinICQ3dLFRjH8Y2YZ9jdBW5ODRExKsTyveXzbhbEp5eQ2zCI8s2Gl-LThiRyzQPX2oXbr50uP4rBmKjyHi7x2yvVeajSrJqdokywahq0a3HV45_ud0TyMtff5SwdFr4Cc5rGC01LJUgGU/s320/22639_1272083155401_1029547408_872950_5953992_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p>I will probably put this one in my upcoming show.<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUDU01Jm7YHwfCJozkk-pXnk2hkh6ytBKTAStDxCKPEECNb41-SEcbp9BJGsgzW7n0OH-hnq8hhdQtlK9O6qoet9pRKBP-hvhM_HKUoFW2VPf5jY5RZOgJ8JHPETNIZ6IGiwe0wxsKX8/s1600-h/22639_1272084755441_1029547408_872953_6803692_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248874235199266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUDU01Jm7YHwfCJozkk-pXnk2hkh6ytBKTAStDxCKPEECNb41-SEcbp9BJGsgzW7n0OH-hnq8hhdQtlK9O6qoet9pRKBP-hvhM_HKUoFW2VPf5jY5RZOgJ8JHPETNIZ6IGiwe0wxsKX8/s320/22639_1272084755441_1029547408_872953_6803692_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5BiXQQsM7HmwjxsFAzimHmhXVqTVB5GGCkZAp7gPVvVm8Ay7-CxQz98DEZLIULA8sHexIxh3jaMGEP0s-aOQ2aAQrr2KEvLiHyoztWQPqmj1QxZh6X8wiCV6qSD74HPtOimizSJ-fek/s1600-h/22639_1272072915145_1029547408_872934_2673896_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248869334745474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5BiXQQsM7HmwjxsFAzimHmhXVqTVB5GGCkZAp7gPVvVm8Ay7-CxQz98DEZLIULA8sHexIxh3jaMGEP0s-aOQ2aAQrr2KEvLiHyoztWQPqmj1QxZh6X8wiCV6qSD74HPtOimizSJ-fek/s320/22639_1272072915145_1029547408_872934_2673896_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /></div><div>The photo on the left uses a painting Rose is working on as the backdrop.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5Pi-Dojfr8K2QIDp2WzEQe1BKHr1w3YUFcK3CaBYWdeUaNph4xdCaaoZ0kKtMXDfMvmqXO9B6xXc-nGk0rbfFRbFIlR7N9y4-ave5pGow5grxgsCF6cYOWNIoCv4ibrJM3idzkJG2eY/s1600-h/22639_1272066434983_1029547408_872930_1299383_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248863064075058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5Pi-Dojfr8K2QIDp2WzEQe1BKHr1w3YUFcK3CaBYWdeUaNph4xdCaaoZ0kKtMXDfMvmqXO9B6xXc-nGk0rbfFRbFIlR7N9y4-ave5pGow5grxgsCF6cYOWNIoCv4ibrJM3idzkJG2eY/s320/22639_1272066434983_1029547408_872930_1299383_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3w9pAQNB9SKvtIXCWIe96z-MwWneuDtcdlE2hY5n-Ye6pM-A0wdxKlWvbECakfPBTcmfadZ4u4eLxnpDP8IDotXBldzVxTutXiyPsVqACXN3tjnA8kHgBsgx1-8JmkPRfszDSRmOE0U/s1600-h/22639_1272059274804_1029547408_872882_4900616_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248858290334578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3w9pAQNB9SKvtIXCWIe96z-MwWneuDtcdlE2hY5n-Ye6pM-A0wdxKlWvbECakfPBTcmfadZ4u4eLxnpDP8IDotXBldzVxTutXiyPsVqACXN3tjnA8kHgBsgx1-8JmkPRfszDSRmOE0U/s320/22639_1272059274804_1029547408_872882_4900616_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />Heartbroken<br /></div><div><div><div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtsLYeuqbbzOXJLoqdqr2Tu6x8LlKTpiLDoPBE5LzP0M2LCE0ICj9KOrOa22ElFREUv04n2Ls-EC1kPvVfU74dCE1x9mH_DzpkVO8n_vOMW3ApvF4IkKBpofW9GFIujAkgN7KUlpkE1k/s1600-h/22639_1272055234703_1029547408_872881_7738636_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248655841348354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtsLYeuqbbzOXJLoqdqr2Tu6x8LlKTpiLDoPBE5LzP0M2LCE0ICj9KOrOa22ElFREUv04n2Ls-EC1kPvVfU74dCE1x9mH_DzpkVO8n_vOMW3ApvF4IkKBpofW9GFIujAkgN7KUlpkE1k/s320/22639_1272055234703_1029547408_872881_7738636_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU47ZMUBdaXDa7KxH_vxSgWEzZWIbTkSoGLj9GiUx-qZUeiYyp4NyY_II5xWKnMLBZLa9Ouz455Lb4fyyrzNW_1-Bbsbn5zIg04anyMzNsh5kOo1dXi4p7qMvEgUSP7RbFpPvxJMZU8Xo/s1600-h/22639_1272043674414_1029547408_872872_1915376_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248650905069298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU47ZMUBdaXDa7KxH_vxSgWEzZWIbTkSoGLj9GiUx-qZUeiYyp4NyY_II5xWKnMLBZLa9Ouz455Lb4fyyrzNW_1-Bbsbn5zIg04anyMzNsh5kOo1dXi4p7qMvEgUSP7RbFpPvxJMZU8Xo/s320/22639_1272043674414_1029547408_872872_1915376_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p>Puppets<br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8Q7u2FBWS7YVaC8lthLSpTRQN1UAaJDPVLR_XJ-R_IzKQyu5CmLS5Inop0drBgU7lxBKTwV6ETHFLgtGeXa2DJ1kjvB5MrB0MthIvNneI_QyHbFctyoTzgK5kLtsVN7Gwac1kYVB0tM/s1600-h/22639_1272060874844_1029547408_872884_5243735_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248639407085458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8Q7u2FBWS7YVaC8lthLSpTRQN1UAaJDPVLR_XJ-R_IzKQyu5CmLS5Inop0drBgU7lxBKTwV6ETHFLgtGeXa2DJ1kjvB5MrB0MthIvNneI_QyHbFctyoTzgK5kLtsVN7Gwac1kYVB0tM/s320/22639_1272060874844_1029547408_872884_5243735_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw4TFhKlnGCdq9oWapNAQtLlz-Gfjun9g4xm_buR9GQF5z07xov9tD_8JiiYgdD7hdFOcHPsHN-tWclbBAAsHvg8iry-i8yxNoMQ8mqP0tMGQOm0xdAnRu5M7tI0x7JUXZuwEQfyA_EM/s1600-h/22639_1272060434833_1029547408_872883_1244517_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421248635604173666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw4TFhKlnGCdq9oWapNAQtLlz-Gfjun9g4xm_buR9GQF5z07xov9tD_8JiiYgdD7hdFOcHPsHN-tWclbBAAsHvg8iry-i8yxNoMQ8mqP0tMGQOm0xdAnRu5M7tI0x7JUXZuwEQfyA_EM/s320/22639_1272060434833_1029547408_872883_1244517_n.jpg" style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />Comfort?<br /><br /><p align="center"></p></div></div></div></div><br /></div>

Photo Shoot

Photo Shoot last night! Had such a fun time photographing my friend Rose and her sister Theresa. We constructed this party scene with many c...

8:07 PM

Wordle

Wordle

Found this cool website today: wordle ! You can either type in a bunch of words, a website, or your del.icio.us user name and it creates a r...

12:20 PM

Photography Exhibit

<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Solo Photography Show</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">January 15- February 26</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Farmington City Gallery inside the Costic Center</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Opening Reception January 22th</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">6-8 PM. </div><div align="center">There is nothing like seeing these printed large on the metallic paper. Some new work will up as well as smaller photos available for purchase. Hope to see you there!</div><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie2KBE4kpbqrHbE0k49CZ48dPvIy9Y1HgMMgHooTc0A-uy4n1DaroNm-v52di9mPNv2r3dGUrKw2ir_-I2J_iS4Dvy8ms4mOdBNop_C_YSrgJU8dhYeOHh3s7dXiyWZxXNTJrGgKPqxY/s1600-h/MAN+WALKING+IN+CHICAGO+BW2+etsy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420297858426192962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie2KBE4kpbqrHbE0k49CZ48dPvIy9Y1HgMMgHooTc0A-uy4n1DaroNm-v52di9mPNv2r3dGUrKw2ir_-I2J_iS4Dvy8ms4mOdBNop_C_YSrgJU8dhYeOHh3s7dXiyWZxXNTJrGgKPqxY/s400/MAN+WALKING+IN+CHICAGO+BW2+etsy.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jLXlOa2b1shspWp-37N78iFz3Xs1KJlTQkKEsDJETNmZibWCgigLjBl_yVxiBwDjqQ6sjjWBjdFGBCiAAXxkRbZWfs1dNf7waycIoAAocWXftWuqyDbCTNskIU5_R1ryYyMz-_cMMmU/s1600-h/Playground+series+no1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420297852617952530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jLXlOa2b1shspWp-37N78iFz3Xs1KJlTQkKEsDJETNmZibWCgigLjBl_yVxiBwDjqQ6sjjWBjdFGBCiAAXxkRbZWfs1dNf7waycIoAAocWXftWuqyDbCTNskIU5_R1ryYyMz-_cMMmU/s400/Playground+series+no1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJldJ3KwG8uGvDU-gsC2RNMUQx-yy5zoGfAHnLjcx0tmon1dj2xZSbYE3ufVZ88sXpE3y6nUMQJCWzPVoDGRMnhN-ZaZewsQaCgLSPzkam-KK2sf8PVHWe1DNsqsRxMMcObcL1lD8jbA/s1600-h/Shade+etsy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420297846772254610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJldJ3KwG8uGvDU-gsC2RNMUQx-yy5zoGfAHnLjcx0tmon1dj2xZSbYE3ufVZ88sXpE3y6nUMQJCWzPVoDGRMnhN-ZaZewsQaCgLSPzkam-KK2sf8PVHWe1DNsqsRxMMcObcL1lD8jbA/s400/Shade+etsy.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO1aaf4ICZCTYyCdSI6ZUoUCM0wjLE8SiA1uh6pCvmua3jXCyvPYXQXF9xcV0fjBv6RqMV0y6EaxY3FiGInyK6-7US3-wbT08_5EtBiNb3UVGo6baDd_QChI5C79_oZsQhhyphenhyphenT5xTaleY/s1600-h/Awaken+etsy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420297839802025954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO1aaf4ICZCTYyCdSI6ZUoUCM0wjLE8SiA1uh6pCvmua3jXCyvPYXQXF9xcV0fjBv6RqMV0y6EaxY3FiGInyK6-7US3-wbT08_5EtBiNb3UVGo6baDd_QChI5C79_oZsQhhyphenhyphenT5xTaleY/s400/Awaken+etsy.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Cqcbe8ZRJoBjKr63ES4lFTPjtTLlNeMUGvXBRZ0LZTjeyrUXcGYdyupxRMlz_Bel-8h6K3L2YUs2NECZirbsePMpFUGMEcoXhSN1yB29Abi46CsrBJAZdhiPMd0Zt4Meze397WeUctA/s1600-h/Alley+ann+arbor+square.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420297835879855410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Cqcbe8ZRJoBjKr63ES4lFTPjtTLlNeMUGvXBRZ0LZTjeyrUXcGYdyupxRMlz_Bel-8h6K3L2YUs2NECZirbsePMpFUGMEcoXhSN1yB29Abi46CsrBJAZdhiPMd0Zt4Meze397WeUctA/s400/Alley+ann+arbor+square.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>

Photography Exhibit

Solo Photography Show January 15- February 26 Farmington City Gallery inside the Costic Center Opening Reception January 22th 6-8 PM. There ...

6:41 AM

Quick Last Minute Gift Wrap Idea

<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoqGtqYAxW9c-ZUenP9DbRE608mPRwvr3JZbjrwvJoGwgqAbF2_THdwdB68F7JsinY8GDZI0KDhNhLrRqpoAeOfeITQokEPD_vj1zpxS_bJB2PswusR9JGfvWrKhZza9XdBYFmmZ1XrU/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"></a>Ah...Christmas vacation. All the presents are bought and wrapped (never mind that the wrapping paper and scraps are all sitting on the living room floor while I write this...and the house could use a good vacuum) and I am catching up on my blog reading. So many inspiring ideas!<br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418107528523076418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A7W_qtVuaUeWTPagPtaLUqK84Q8Hu4ydMnA6-awPIgi7iL1yXnfvHLuumLr6YoGZmU8ehSggPX6TpoUOW9_tZBQRCNL68WDE7Q6n3SpDprHdySOMZfdb23R6AXaK3yGv4DPAEBRJVZA/s400/CT04_Cover_USA_.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><br /><div align="center">First of all check out the Christmas issue of <a href="http://www.crochettoday.com/">Crochet Today</a>! So retro--I love it. More images are on Brett <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bara's</span> blog (a great blog to follow by they way)<a href="http://manhattancraftroom.blogspot.com/">Manhattan Craft Room</a>.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418108050901348402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoxiL-pxNL938gQX8Sx2UKloM28BzTWknpJZ03y6VrB7l4u28BfIBxYT_pBeCeQTZnSOCSKxHqm8QbnAJ4DEwmAmcEF20yQhYurLpew0HP9UhvkWF6nUnjK6NJeRwAvHHY9Dlpf98Rg4/s400/Retro_GingerbreadHouse.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />I thought this was a real gingerbread house until I looked at it really closely. It's all crocheted! Awesome! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The magazine's website had these cute ideas on it too:</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418109905586536194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDiOtywaNkxWWrkqgjeLknJk2iXeHpBA3hyphenhyphenVPBg1FP1SIDgj97GKLYH5AMabJgf-e4AXS5MArdAFyaof5DuCR6MWhyphenhyphenm2TRN2LaKCqszjfWB6RhM_G-63kMlzAgMHeOmf0lHbgxqMAoOc/s400/Ski%2520Sweater.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><div align="center">I would totally wear this! I have to pick up a copy of the magazine for the pattern. Changing colors is so easy with crochet as well as crocheting in the round.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418110408324500706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJKmnlp6uep66NK5ZkoPdt8_ZcvOEvIioff-qvpGp4CA2nA13IXOWMssmxzLVjOkowp8rhLa_z8cP_i0vUA7EY2Glmjx1csyP_7UuYu99xWJWPCCwmpM4LNi9M27_JxgEexSvOa_w-3I/s400/Diamond%2520Ring.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div align="center">How could anyone say no to this? You had me at crochet...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418107800094151090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmY7-xrS8q-NioEGKPd4QzPc6u6A7kNlYkCqKr9lWlfu7FrolGjMM0jYnMV7kFHVAUCc-rA4o8L3v_zSxoPwnzLpS8BsX_YtDlnGWCJXjU0kgtRsiucQe0hoU_mgD-oklE61YcTRo21Q/s400/Picture+2.png" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div align="center"><br />Check out this last minute gift wrap idea from <a href="http://makesomething.ca/2009/01/03/brown-paper-packages/">Make Something</a>'s Blog. Super simple and actually probably faster than wrapping if you already have your machine and fabric available!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418113962952628610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9zM98C3Kdq1qv7ydLcXDgCRTeuqbe1U9LbqvbGELHGj1jgOsA9iK1lIXX5FyDuUKCxV3azAVdMyz0-nQrvJKOtokFAzMEd-nUSU5GQlBiFotrOkn5TALLyZv02w1F4lD8P6hTHGLxts/s320/shrug.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" /></div>Here is another great idea I came across today that I am most <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> going to try. You take a t-shirt and make it into this adorable shrug! The how-to is on the <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tshirt_shrug">Cut Out And Keep </a>website, as well as all the variations people have done with it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbansketchers.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418114898241943250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegsVYOGDOustd1EalqgyZ06-TnaDurgAas1_YzXRbBjXDATh3s5ArZfZ74AUUaOp7nIy-xIvVZqq1hyphenhyphenuUL38leAuIaZZgEAZhoQr0VTKTuzQpQrw7zjb7ryqndKDbs9gyi5f4YoEj37w/s400/sketch.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Another really wonderful website is <a href="http://www.urbansketchers.com/">Urban Sketchers</a> which is a non-profit site devoted to sharing sketching that is done on location while the event or thing is happening.  It is updated almost every day and worth checking out.  Some really amazing talent posts there!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsy</span> Finds</span></div><div align="center">Here are some awesome <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span> finds I came across today too.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32438417"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418111472219467986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7xsgV0er_3X8bkoRBtd4z1cERZvy5d7ou3JJ1ndtlGcuCNbRWE9odd5HfyKK9QSVwgPRN8ql7bPuqcDNp8DsLaY9aw9EP5EKSp3KbIMuawIldddWaG9WKn6NcPiWzzs4CjGC8jMEmbw/s400/black+dress.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><p align="center"></a>I love this dress. This seller has a whole bunch of retro type dresses and one of them is even <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reversible</span>. From <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32438417"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">audreyandgrace</span></a>.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418113198055337810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLB1wbRr6UjeK5I5M8kdpycjLCRB2TKXtJfKULC5X7jsJXAn8jUhSj8JFXtrMXn9GT57YtEzEszU7VS6AY0Q-Aue74-naZnq6ny1Z-rUx1htRBNkoB9lLdhst0lUIbqgYOgo33eiQhEA/s320/dress2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418112535502489314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAkc9Tg48BAQlLFMDEliQtDtbEWrzK2zeYDI8WkcxRdkugzogdl1nZy4jJfMAeBJEjbhqqS8zptvdCctKeJNdyhXPdHcBE5fsVsqFzXWQ8XtGJFvcAXtKqzHp7_xC-dt4s3M30ISsM54/s320/ongirlcircus.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></p><p align="center">This adorable dress is available at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29915436"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">OneGirlCircus</span> </a>on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span>. I bought one of her adorable and super soft shirts for my son at the Holiday <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crafternoon</span> and it is awesome!<br /></p><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Now, to tackle that big pile of wrapping paper I left in the living room!<br /></div>

Quick Last Minute Gift Wrap Idea

Ah...Christmas vacation. All the presents are bought and wrapped (never mind that the wrapping paper and scraps are all sitting on the liv...

9:03 AM

From Art To Sweets

<div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Took a break from all the crafting the past couple of nights and started baking! Last night I made 2 kinds of chocolate bark: chocolate peanut butter and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">oreo</span> cookie. My favorite turned out to be the peanut butter. Both are super easy to make.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><div align="left">1 Package Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips</div><br /><div align="left">1Package Peanut Butter Chips</div><br /><div align="left">1 Tablespoon of Organic Peanut Butter</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for about 1 minute on 50% power. Stir like crazy. If you still have some stubborn pieces that won't melt stick it back in for about 10 seconds at time and stir in between until completely melted. Be careful not to overdo it! It ends up smelling and tasting horrible...yep I've done that before. Stir in the peanut butter and spread on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. Spread it as thin or thick as you want.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Melt the Peanut Butter Chips the same way and spread right on top of the chocolate layer. Refrigerate for at least one hour or until completely firm than break into pieces.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Chocolate Oreo Cookie Bark</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><div align="left">1 Package Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips</div><br /><div align="left">About 8-10 Sandwich cookies</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Melt the chocolate chips the same way, add the crushed up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">oreos</span>, and spread on the cookie sheet. Couldn't be easier and actually looks pretty fancy when done.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center">You can do this with any combination--white chocolate chips, candy canes, drizzle chocolate on top, etc.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-ymqU4hz5M1OefbMC6FgjAB790HUBPMtR24ftvi6RgbVLqBQTZfT0YRld4AxpuK9maiaa0i9BkfV6hNl2_uYyS_9UBqmI1JW_rAJwzSb542pIpC6ukh0d5ksUZ39cv-VHvpg02kWkmM/s1600-h/bark+lined+up.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875672657018562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-ymqU4hz5M1OefbMC6FgjAB790HUBPMtR24ftvi6RgbVLqBQTZfT0YRld4AxpuK9maiaa0i9BkfV6hNl2_uYyS_9UBqmI1JW_rAJwzSb542pIpC6ukh0d5ksUZ39cv-VHvpg02kWkmM/s320/bark+lined+up.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrWauOgHouU1DRK2Z7YZuXdibVJ9dgB-eEd5xIZX8mvX37Uw3NxIO8x1OIz2lUoAS3b-Wqk4Noamy94be5W7wmTa82Rkyx7JyXkNw0yUP0InGFNtZ4iYTE-DvzDx4SJQ9oMm-pHCnCZk/s1600-h/blog+bark.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875679445245474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrWauOgHouU1DRK2Z7YZuXdibVJ9dgB-eEd5xIZX8mvX37Uw3NxIO8x1OIz2lUoAS3b-Wqk4Noamy94be5W7wmTa82Rkyx7JyXkNw0yUP0InGFNtZ4iYTE-DvzDx4SJQ9oMm-pHCnCZk/s320/blog+bark.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7wzrPSPEIFG6YgBOk-bnImWUdzK05xFRRBvNNaxpvu7zx9Wcv3zyaNceNCob-EKxFF7st8JlBprcfrfXrYEgAy9W7XY3_4m0jFjWHEoh6zUJCWy3LLPEKkQf-WTyAi-aND4uO2oVk7c/s1600-h/packaged.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875670099261938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7wzrPSPEIFG6YgBOk-bnImWUdzK05xFRRBvNNaxpvu7zx9Wcv3zyaNceNCob-EKxFF7st8JlBprcfrfXrYEgAy9W7XY3_4m0jFjWHEoh6zUJCWy3LLPEKkQf-WTyAi-aND4uO2oVk7c/s320/packaged.jpg" style="WIDTH: 238px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">I ended up packaging up the Oreo cookie bark for my grandma for a Christmas present.<br />Luckily she doesn't care for peanut butter...all for me! Well, all for me and my family. :)<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUskdKknbuDtE1toZEvy2QifjLxl2SLnUw_rl-iij3x3FFWAE3IOtoxV_21FxtUTT8L8q6YygJ2XpoVNKSmcmQCm6Nd_C4uJqvZ42z4n0SWqEypVjNsVlnzNpUr3DIbLM7zvHeSLjPn4/s1600-h/meringue+cookies.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875562177854226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUskdKknbuDtE1toZEvy2QifjLxl2SLnUw_rl-iij3x3FFWAE3IOtoxV_21FxtUTT8L8q6YygJ2XpoVNKSmcmQCm6Nd_C4uJqvZ42z4n0SWqEypVjNsVlnzNpUr3DIbLM7zvHeSLjPn4/s320/meringue+cookies.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVAflZYNjpX4vg2-Jd9lKTiv_Sfs_ZHmztgk2cl8C2hY9rG6shQ6kwK2pYi7cPqWb23LeVVZ9cKd2J_tMa3C1HSzJwg88RzTq2XKGV7AWyA9A_PdIV8MJmLve0aeeMAlZ_prF4KnUdMc/s1600-h/cookies.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875560294074754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVAflZYNjpX4vg2-Jd9lKTiv_Sfs_ZHmztgk2cl8C2hY9rG6shQ6kwK2pYi7cPqWb23LeVVZ9cKd2J_tMa3C1HSzJwg88RzTq2XKGV7AWyA9A_PdIV8MJmLve0aeeMAlZ_prF4KnUdMc/s320/cookies.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I decided last week to make peppermint ice cream after the craziness of my daughter's play and my craft fair were over. Tonight was the night! The recipe calls for 8 egg yolks so I decided to use the egg whites (I couldn't just waste them!) and make meringue cookies too. I made chocolate ones with candy canes on top, chocolate ones with chocolate chips on top, and plain <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>' vanilla ones.<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcwjtEFD3sga_Gk1d26jjqCTYOMsdmQzX2RcafFRdpISfzI2zBDapQVOYxD-wTCMWouGIYuepzRVGH4j1BUjY7gY8SnKVweIj6es7Wo7bCIaSUYHomSaZvAgPmuxR2cxRqoPIr9CMWsk/s1600-h/ice+cream+maker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875554583781074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcwjtEFD3sga_Gk1d26jjqCTYOMsdmQzX2RcafFRdpISfzI2zBDapQVOYxD-wTCMWouGIYuepzRVGH4j1BUjY7gY8SnKVweIj6es7Wo7bCIaSUYHomSaZvAgPmuxR2cxRqoPIr9CMWsk/s320/ice+cream+maker.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">I drank <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moscato</span> wine --one of my favorites--and listened to a great mix of music including Billie Holiday. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Here is the recipe for the ice cream--worth all the trouble!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Peppermint Ice Cream</strong></span> </div><br /><div align="center">(courtesy of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">simplyrecipes</span>.com)</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ingredients</span><br />2 1/2 cups heavy cream<br />1 1/2 cups whole milk<br />8 large egg yolks<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />2 teaspoons peppermint extract<br />1/2 cup crushed candy canes or hard peppermint candy<br /><br />Method<br />Special equipment needed<br />An ice cream maker, or a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">KitchenAid</span> mixer with an ice cream attachment </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />1 Warm the milk, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Make sure the sugar and salt completely dissolve.<br /><br />2 Pour the cream into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and set a medium-mesh sieve on top.<br /><br /><br />3 In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.<br /><br /><br />4 Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a wooden or heatproof rubber spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula, about 5-7 minutes.<br /><br /><br />5 Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the cream. Then stir until cool over the ice bath. Chill mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.<br /><br />6 One the mixture is thoroughly chilled, add peppermint extract, a 1/4 teaspoon at a time, tasting the mixture after each addition, until you reach the desired level of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">peppermintiness</span>. (Different peppermint extracts vary in strength. I used 2 teaspoons of McCormick peppermint extract, which was just the right amount for our taste.)<br />7 Once chilled, freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.<br /><br />8 Once the ice cream has been formed in the ice cream maker, it will be fairly soft. Fold in the crushed peppermint candy. Put in an airtight plastic container and place in the freezer for at least an hour, preferably several hours. If it has been frozen for more than a day, you may need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften it before serving.<br /><br />Makes 1 1/2 quarts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBBDKvkiCShGAk2W5CXKcp4dQtGgFzDH5nYAUrYZnBkUJfmx_gAHptcjbUPrHPUcvJMv8me2G_nzqipLuyunmxSYl7jsvtxUk-qkEMPwL30g7b3JUZ3bFZf4waEIzn0HdunJsw0gwQrM/s1600-h/Extract.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875549944756626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBBDKvkiCShGAk2W5CXKcp4dQtGgFzDH5nYAUrYZnBkUJfmx_gAHptcjbUPrHPUcvJMv8me2G_nzqipLuyunmxSYl7jsvtxUk-qkEMPwL30g7b3JUZ3bFZf4waEIzn0HdunJsw0gwQrM/s320/Extract.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDIrqNcByxwRrfYInM_SkLE8ArWLsXF_CNcL9QqC1EFNlWahxvF0-IKrMHjSlbQ-XMeLTPQxMAh1ajeAs4MhaPr8LjmxgTMKB4-9uf6hBuSS79CkaK-c17ya9bH5uRkTg-C2kJhq8_jg/s1600-h/peppermint.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417875547418368770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDIrqNcByxwRrfYInM_SkLE8ArWLsXF_CNcL9QqC1EFNlWahxvF0-IKrMHjSlbQ-XMeLTPQxMAh1ajeAs4MhaPr8LjmxgTMKB4-9uf6hBuSS79CkaK-c17ya9bH5uRkTg-C2kJhq8_jg/s320/peppermint.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I found this peppermint extract at Whole Foods-so good! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidepBu0LXjRI9KtJSoxVE-tRQreuv8P9bEBIX96i55WJYcMcQD6Zep6bqYqGqEa47GlEYiOCg3HJCszypyhBWrZbvnIDtYsUsQGW6_aUBqdzn2CrLD1XYEzib9Piy4yvziusgwYwyJqgU/s1600-h/bowl.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417885726096288114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidepBu0LXjRI9KtJSoxVE-tRQreuv8P9bEBIX96i55WJYcMcQD6Zep6bqYqGqEa47GlEYiOCg3HJCszypyhBWrZbvnIDtYsUsQGW6_aUBqdzn2CrLD1XYEzib9Piy4yvziusgwYwyJqgU/s320/bowl.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">My impatience won and I dove into it before it is fully frozen!  It melted fast but I was faster eating it.  Yum!!<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div>

From Art To Sweets

Took a break from all the crafting the past couple of nights and started baking! Last night I made 2 kinds of chocolate bark: chocolate pean...

6:03 PM

New Stuff

<div align="center"> New items are listed in my shop and I thought I'd share them here too.  Except the legwarmers/armwarmers below because...I decided they went so well with this outfit that I am going to keep them!  Ha.  But I spent so much time and effort photographing them that I figured I'd post them here anyway.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YFp3Z4_o02yELV139XPaDTks6zhbvTH2XBhtDyTaUM6lCZAWGRBkssCVSGttuc45IY1WQEzVL0ju5EtD-mft-X7XnpjNhZH2K57Kih2pRgaPQXkysDjUIuqm4r8Sn6DuMJ6z9JrQgLA/s1600-h/black+arm+leg+warmers+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417783309909224690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YFp3Z4_o02yELV139XPaDTks6zhbvTH2XBhtDyTaUM6lCZAWGRBkssCVSGttuc45IY1WQEzVL0ju5EtD-mft-X7XnpjNhZH2K57Kih2pRgaPQXkysDjUIuqm4r8Sn6DuMJ6z9JrQgLA/s320/black+arm+leg+warmers+1.jpg" style="WIDTH: 211px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CjZ1aSHNrrWW-gESh8t6PsnXWwiuNiMERGb4yfW-vyfJLC-W30knLwx2gN19l5YEtCx3XfLibexE25mLHe25xFG_d6t64WU0sTcnVLvTxcf2NPOvn1cyVM61oMKxtcMr3WMtVadQgVM/s1600-h/legwarmers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417805721239488322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CjZ1aSHNrrWW-gESh8t6PsnXWwiuNiMERGb4yfW-vyfJLC-W30knLwx2gN19l5YEtCx3XfLibexE25mLHe25xFG_d6t64WU0sTcnVLvTxcf2NPOvn1cyVM61oMKxtcMr3WMtVadQgVM/s320/legwarmers.jpg" style="WIDTH: 170px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfoxxvKIedIX617anrCwv0ANE5oTenBo2J_7hyDjKsun1uM6j2jePYWPtqet8s1d9Abgql9FrtTPu6rRKTAArtoBuzWLgQwMbxQU-R9wmd5fhhWxobWW3mbEMPOWpQlXNvrn6_2IN0dE/s1600-h/legwarmers+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417809980193466050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfoxxvKIedIX617anrCwv0ANE5oTenBo2J_7hyDjKsun1uM6j2jePYWPtqet8s1d9Abgql9FrtTPu6rRKTAArtoBuzWLgQwMbxQU-R9wmd5fhhWxobWW3mbEMPOWpQlXNvrn6_2IN0dE/s320/legwarmers+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 263px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC23Sz4bpnGzheIS3uu6kH4nvJ43Im7VoEljRJrW-prGqOFmG_EbqvVDsug_IxpqYcRor4_UEBGZDeTD-eM3MMK_4UmNe3hh7XECKXLLAV0GTTiRchVLbTCFSuexN_N8UXO4Mela9VjDU/s1600-h/potty+pic.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417809987280789218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC23Sz4bpnGzheIS3uu6kH4nvJ43Im7VoEljRJrW-prGqOFmG_EbqvVDsug_IxpqYcRor4_UEBGZDeTD-eM3MMK_4UmNe3hh7XECKXLLAV0GTTiRchVLbTCFSuexN_N8UXO4Mela9VjDU/s320/potty+pic.jpg" style="WIDTH: 250px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMBeouVgz3Z6QAwf2OkERD7wFPPpb_IQFcWb2DemYiOF6sVPjVd_tI0SZQJYg9lORUj5HMwpUvKAI2ZSM8OIT0GW5rIp8PwOu3pcGdYrb3i4pQJsAl23bOF9YRONR0HrqxWdRqJPUl_k/s1600-h/legwarmers+bw+color.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417809983324173602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMBeouVgz3Z6QAwf2OkERD7wFPPpb_IQFcWb2DemYiOF6sVPjVd_tI0SZQJYg9lORUj5HMwpUvKAI2ZSM8OIT0GW5rIp8PwOu3pcGdYrb3i4pQJsAl23bOF9YRONR0HrqxWdRqJPUl_k/s320/legwarmers+bw+color.jpg" style="WIDTH: 170px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div><div align="center">My 4 year old son was in the room when I was taking these and when I tried to do a kitchy photo (the one on the left above) he told me it looked like I had to go potty!  Took me a while to regain enough composure to take more after that one.  Kids are awesome!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37211914"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417783304306684834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIDu2Md5KVL3AxhHL3hf0irLx_Q5YqXl0u9whwSy2iGFv-NV4Fy7TWyar2gsaetkV5vjcKSimK9rzg2iRac3E9wv2IzxxFGpGzJL-yTVVRdEc6PMSDb_QsDNfd3ugMN1ooh9WAtQnR8A/s320/pink+gloves+4.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37211914"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417783294776000370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW_JxT3_EO1v8MwO2A9z7VzdBI_piooFdV_bkziQXTlDg_yM4z_ONb8aQwNd9rNBKDRrNX1dsO8RVls4SD5VkxCTrs75FzZsz_k11sPjQK_Jkdey1t5kP678ZWAub2u4yWaAAd6ihgrE/s320/pink+gloves+1.jpg" style="WIDTH: 162px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div align="center">Armwarmers made from a recycled silk sweater and then needfelted.<br />$20<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37211353"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417763269028958818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcgDfE6IugDp07p8VV1bxAC2-91anqu3xOnNFZFjc-xHEgg7LjR2swB3JutMDnIuylO4RzJjkiqv4vVqw30NvS98LwyHtFR3a7Miv34_tJbbTfuaTAgF4eJV-3JW3p6rRp4W0y2WPcP4/s320/blue+puffy+scarflette+1.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37211353"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417763264537156338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2eIKGK1vj86gtM_H0vKWNAV2SCqG9F5q9_aKDWZFfIcVirNckjXX5_jWAtEBms2A9wsFuBwgAJmSNqeJytnhpOIWyqYO0WvutlDw656769cqVHqu_MYYb1u6fVgEIGVd4Xz6e1-8Dl4/s320/blue+puffy+scarflette+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />Blue scarflette with layered vintage buttons</div><div align="center">$24<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37210749"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762972370982066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRLRCs-Z0jRFNV-_NtTw6x_0yOOzG98-cyXKjwqpinnmi4JGIaboqTvH5_Tqy-DoeNkdpkxCkt2hmkBolxervVcoaWSibSvXALHrC-JgIgNygHu-mF87cO65m3S9yIMrxMY1nH2U2nOk/s320/big+sparkly+necklace+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />Swarovski crystals that have all been wire wrapped and hammered by hand.</div><div align="center">$48<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37197163"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762962456941826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSH1u6o3cV5AAn-WQF4u1s5vhx0I-xiHG_zCqAGM6CpKjQOymn6DCfOBKm-lMmFHf8l4Rzic7Ip42igLXtP79C_de-1HWdUjhVmx5q-P7Ic2aiyf9ZUfM2pIEFGKsCTN3MTmoByZk_fs/s320/bird+necklace+3.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37197163"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762970230610482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cPm_QQpeRTVo0dQ9q4l1ORCwiSofU_DOLBsTcWBGK2RVhtM1zRKL6N7k3nMIy4eC4uIzteLnswCjlBaQOWRFcrBAXnEeaht2LqNb8s2z3M_bHEV8gt-d9iUbzDuV2YFz1pLtnymASqg/s320/bird+necklace+4.jpg" style="WIDTH: 196px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />One of my favorite pieces I've made using mixed metals.</div><div align="center">$38<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37171066"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762954931003890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXu766ksXE2PKWSQC1r9qG3K5VnNBvcQYeKk8zhYkGPJD8NLISRwJhpIsjv3u0eg3Kr6TRYpqPqqLTCaihOqrbDJrSbgT_p4_ZNmGt_Xx2im5aydOZPYFDDkS1diu3aS7II6QjtVSY6Ng/s320/blueish+scarflette5.jpg" style="WIDTH: 220px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37171066"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762949254662098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtomv_K2hmCdfXQZWIv5v8S2vz4cXRePvVPJY4t0625khCMFSE0cIXiHTXrgK8iiP1a-XXkX8SP1c0TKZFk4xkp8UIxPtpnpz_BBxAcBqhsHfn16eme50MYdBxHi1SZq8-2KIZcLYjAY/s320/blueish+scarflette3.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I love love love this yarn!  It's hand dyed and spun in Japan and just beautiful.</div><div align="center">$28<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37169844"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762327842483666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LTcA91mf3CmPdXC_CNU7gB2mB0sKTwMjixWfwq4T6r2MWaT_6bfixxKY7zw8-jPJKuSLjYR54ZMm6MW2AzYXxgK_bA7BwlU0dR4UYf7n26V-sDUgfl1t1qHdx0UiNbWeR0kxG1ZAyJ0/s320/Round+pendant+1.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37169844"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762322909813714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_RvDj3yhrPlHKJAjnIc9jH3yE4UA498EZJEkMxFsfANQH2PLRc4yDGqyteNDf5oYBqCJffKNGR2ciTjHv0hAY8TstSmbTGfUe-naKYS-0L2GtY5b6M5cAnaAyH4jQRwYEY_mBMLQIJE/s320/Round+pendant+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />This necklace goes with everything.</div><div align="center">$24<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37164827"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762312569055682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHf-g83DlF2MI0AJ5Av3z3QwWL_3Gs-9FsloN-UU2PJ-CnOU5QH0zoCRqY8mJPC3_J6vHbbgwVy_5of4OcpJvclZUelDKRgvbKVWryitGlq61vNyA6HRCmwXTv0wWk76V2AMebkodZWc/s320/metal+circles+necklace+5.jpg" style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I hammered the little circles and then attached them onto the shiny rectangle.</div><div align="center">$30<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37164142"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762310197873810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXgTup7Qu0iXb7YnMEDkZ__T8KicDNvqwyd1X2UXX5-Elh74QgTRaW1hpdyYk2epjbEJqbYS7stdfNYHnwi_i0Vd1tgIucBA8KyXQBT3ktIc5QobFPpe4n6P75io1sdc_D-HSE_9eYyQ/s320/rectangle+with+circle+4.jpg" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=37164142"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417762298962637570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntXpuKLuTCdzl2aBxdf53SX2YuQ4b1kOY_8gDE0fMshdd84G6k_OZAnFhGM8Kngbl5xQ0kC2uF4VeP5fAs9ueQDzlPS0MqlQruEWh8GH1CBStRO6uM2GirtkEaxwRRRJVZvYDDp9b0WM/s320/rectangle+with+circle+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />This one reminds me of a full moon.  It's very shiny too.</div><div align="center">$30<br /><br /></div><div></div></div>

New Stuff

New items are listed in my shop and I thought I'd share them here too. Except the legwarmers/armwarmers below because...I decided they...

10:42 AM