tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32135157916203746322024-03-05T13:38:07.553-05:00coffee & bananasThe indecisive endeavors of a twenty somethingAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-32770436488844420632011-11-14T09:06:00.002-05:002011-11-14T09:11:59.176-05:00updatedI will no longer be posting here... <br /><br />but I am posting <a href="http://www.coffeeandbananasblog.blogspot.com">here</a><br /><br />Be sure to follow!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-87534344501569725042010-06-13T21:07:00.019-04:002010-06-13T22:01:26.837-04:00Saturday MarketYesterday, my friend Sara and I went to the Saturday Market in downtown Greenville.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ormsX6XLVC7aY4nWoV5u27dRWi-s1JAqwY48aHO4wWi1mSDEp6GOMj0ooJWWAYPsk2MRXbzB55Y4HXpg0ZbkUH0xWQwfuIk3ZgOq326WG1cItW0tLRMe58CiSrxffWwuuko3hmCan7KN/s1600/untitled6.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ormsX6XLVC7aY4nWoV5u27dRWi-s1JAqwY48aHO4wWi1mSDEp6GOMj0ooJWWAYPsk2MRXbzB55Y4HXpg0ZbkUH0xWQwfuIk3ZgOq326WG1cItW0tLRMe58CiSrxffWwuuko3hmCan7KN/s320/untitled6.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482430762365158610" /></a><br />(This is a picture from our senior year of high school. Sara and I are the two in the middle.)<br /><br />I love any kind of farmer's market, so I knew this was going to be right up my alley! We saw a ton of lovely fruits and vegetables, as well as plants, pasta, cheese, and handmade items. It was a visual feast!<br /><br />I didn't need to purchase most of the vegetables (we have a garden), but the fruit was calling my name.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmPjMrgpFyBDv5Em9GHnU3Wa29pfta3XB7UhuXCFmiUfHfasH1k5G5evmU9TGe9F2hxjM0pEpNJR3Dv2gRBZdQCu-WOTGzpuKZIRdGLnpAEHbJLTjsdOzRSTf8COOzRu4deNrz5KPHDet/s1600/Picture+2223.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmPjMrgpFyBDv5Em9GHnU3Wa29pfta3XB7UhuXCFmiUfHfasH1k5G5evmU9TGe9F2hxjM0pEpNJR3Dv2gRBZdQCu-WOTGzpuKZIRdGLnpAEHbJLTjsdOzRSTf8COOzRu4deNrz5KPHDet/s320/Picture+2223.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482432881661836066" /></a><br /><br />Especially the peaches! I adore peaches. These were relatively small, but so, so sweet.<br /><br />Next stop was a little canned goods stand. There were all kinds of homemade salsas, jellies, preserves, sauces, and whatnot. I almost walked away, but then something caught my eye.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBd0reCoSeb9B0oMYCjdLl-lbOadFh6lPH3BwGVmRD47XlQptP_liA_FZcqyT1lCKBlcNNY4uRDu9l7gAE3SRTogcUJtJPlg5JhAktnI7eBk7Ry3CbmERn0wtdpK7mKQIjBytRfpsbBvHJ/s1600/Picture+2226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBd0reCoSeb9B0oMYCjdLl-lbOadFh6lPH3BwGVmRD47XlQptP_liA_FZcqyT1lCKBlcNNY4uRDu9l7gAE3SRTogcUJtJPlg5JhAktnI7eBk7Ry3CbmERn0wtdpK7mKQIjBytRfpsbBvHJ/s320/Picture+2226.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482433520088937970" /></a><br /><br />Pumpkin Butter? I had never even heard of Pumpkin Butter, but I am a pumpkin fiend, so I knew I had to buy it! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEWTM0nV3AQd4fsdqA8Qpz3dd_DHADtKhaIvLSB-LMMQx-svLi2A2bsBggB4Ah2GTNJXhiI8q6v_KIduoRTDqbAt8_BqNe6APDbJZF96bfG-FqQvpBX_jLuE1wvinsiaplcddLNn2ViVR/s1600/Picture+2237.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEWTM0nV3AQd4fsdqA8Qpz3dd_DHADtKhaIvLSB-LMMQx-svLi2A2bsBggB4Ah2GTNJXhiI8q6v_KIduoRTDqbAt8_BqNe6APDbJZF96bfG-FqQvpBX_jLuE1wvinsiaplcddLNn2ViVR/s320/Picture+2237.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482434203901848578" /></a><br /><br />And let me just say, it was even better than I thought it was going to be! I'm adding Pumpkin Butter to my "One Day, Some Day" list of things I want to make.<br /><br />Next stop, the Peace, Love, and Soap booth. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHpCKqlhRoJ9LEjCVsQZoo_-eTVnVN5i8Je5H_IIJWsOg2w28BWaUjn-Ia7MztM5q_nsdYWsimjlpgvf3oPhdyH5u6hU_A0BS2wAvo8kFvs9kTAA76GccAF9wCBlD2wsyycbheNvOys76/s1600/Picture+2216.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHpCKqlhRoJ9LEjCVsQZoo_-eTVnVN5i8Je5H_IIJWsOg2w28BWaUjn-Ia7MztM5q_nsdYWsimjlpgvf3oPhdyH5u6hU_A0BS2wAvo8kFvs9kTAA76GccAF9wCBlD2wsyycbheNvOys76/s320/Picture+2216.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482436483864817954" /></a><br /><br />I adore this handmade soap. It's a certified South Carolina product (which I also love!) I bought Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemongrass, but the lavender is my favorite! My favorite thing about this soap, though, is how it lathers. A lot of handmade soap doesn't lather up very well, but this one does. Peace, Love, and Soap has an Etsy shop... be sure to check them out!<br /><br />After we left the farmer's market, Sara and I had lunch at a pizza place downtown, and stopped by a cute little vintage shop. I found this super cute little clutch for only seven dollars!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiMyTWzkFc9zeGdAVAVZ7R9j1NWRS_K9ZE2TRzEBbG2SCO9sZ9sAQrBP8u0ECm_GaattIm26MCofZXTYUAjPSsQQyaWniEmlvzOSlGhLHOQ9cb_KKIEyztaKGAqQAqDL-poITAvX0odHw/s1600/Picture+2208.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiMyTWzkFc9zeGdAVAVZ7R9j1NWRS_K9ZE2TRzEBbG2SCO9sZ9sAQrBP8u0ECm_GaattIm26MCofZXTYUAjPSsQQyaWniEmlvzOSlGhLHOQ9cb_KKIEyztaKGAqQAqDL-poITAvX0odHw/s320/Picture+2208.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482436978329062082" /></a><br /><br />I think I might stitch on some little vintage brass buttons that came from my great-aunt to dress it up a little, but I absolutely adore the shape of it and the set in handle!<br /><br />We also stopped in at Mast General Store. Being a small child (and a chubby one at that!) at heart, I was immediately drawn to all this yummy candy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAJB6FBeuUI3nuqxwiNeN7FdDEXHb8pICEFL3roOaBloMJc_BKSVg6xN21Yd4YDCqy4mTk8njueKaqhzbYrpFycd2f4l-luaYo85VdQmZp3HOnGKJAGppgcX2bxu9GgmQ-uAP65oSTSS5/s1600/Picture+2188.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAJB6FBeuUI3nuqxwiNeN7FdDEXHb8pICEFL3roOaBloMJc_BKSVg6xN21Yd4YDCqy4mTk8njueKaqhzbYrpFycd2f4l-luaYo85VdQmZp3HOnGKJAGppgcX2bxu9GgmQ-uAP65oSTSS5/s320/Picture+2188.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482438454104325138" /></a><br /><br /><br />They sell it by the pound, so Sara and I made at least 5 trips around the candy, picking out the yummy treats we wanted to put in our baskets! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHaYzYGnvORPsbG7c7fSgegO_A-qa4oRenm4bPWrtOZokOaGtcrAxtLHKJcBElCPciNSkVAzQ_4Z5yKbt4-N5aChaRTexV5x00nnXLePEXJj-4hbGrsNNudwlTBVS0tlB7VwIY3AA-3RC/s1600/Picture+2189.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHaYzYGnvORPsbG7c7fSgegO_A-qa4oRenm4bPWrtOZokOaGtcrAxtLHKJcBElCPciNSkVAzQ_4Z5yKbt4-N5aChaRTexV5x00nnXLePEXJj-4hbGrsNNudwlTBVS0tlB7VwIY3AA-3RC/s320/Picture+2189.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482438930812156706" /></a><br /><br />I was convinced my basket was going to weigh 16.9 pounds after I had added all my cherry licorice, mint candy, and DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED COFFEE BEANS! Which are, by the way, my new favorite candy ever!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25LFPd727OI9nx0qu9qFUlmUQrz2qymJj26bE6QHZdopwBTqZvzuF0iu2O_AqnzYc6Nx-m1pI3pcfaQ7PCs-Ehwm7lqe8dmrQtDmV6OJSS-IMXBV7lkU_NoIA_rjCAcydsp81IgDWAwFC/s1600/Picture+2229.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25LFPd727OI9nx0qu9qFUlmUQrz2qymJj26bE6QHZdopwBTqZvzuF0iu2O_AqnzYc6Nx-m1pI3pcfaQ7PCs-Ehwm7lqe8dmrQtDmV6OJSS-IMXBV7lkU_NoIA_rjCAcydsp81IgDWAwFC/s320/Picture+2229.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482443263960633042" /></a><br /><br />I like to look at my treats almost as much as I like to eat them. (I'm playing nice and sharing, I promise!) I just want to sort them and count them. I think I've spent too much time in K4!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc-Npi9yqPmoB5dFYEB9FwsJtupdsCfmLVAfoz3IqLm4tLqqbwvq30iP-WxhZ7FDBpHowO2RCCE3HbWYQ99QtKsnUhAxfdkk5U3ZBCu6S8XZIlSjLPCKFY4Zbj2zuoDhuVtY6wxEaxjw9/s1600/Picture+2230.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc-Npi9yqPmoB5dFYEB9FwsJtupdsCfmLVAfoz3IqLm4tLqqbwvq30iP-WxhZ7FDBpHowO2RCCE3HbWYQ99QtKsnUhAxfdkk5U3ZBCu6S8XZIlSjLPCKFY4Zbj2zuoDhuVtY6wxEaxjw9/s320/Picture+2230.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482440398027514274" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EYQc-FGsHIY16neKuG3qsFI1pAj65C_Ai_SD0-ZxotTTlWlt_qj7L3Y8bm7rwvwQD1vBT9hEdze8KjpaMJXsVS7uMqprBFjWvwksXi9cYiccZy_jfrj78HY2WNjS4Eujos3G1PVY9J2a/s1600/Picture+2233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EYQc-FGsHIY16neKuG3qsFI1pAj65C_Ai_SD0-ZxotTTlWlt_qj7L3Y8bm7rwvwQD1vBT9hEdze8KjpaMJXsVS7uMqprBFjWvwksXi9cYiccZy_jfrj78HY2WNjS4Eujos3G1PVY9J2a/s320/Picture+2233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482440927882279826" /></a><br /><br />There are cherry licorice bites, dark chocolate covered coffee beans, Bazooka bubble gum, coffee prims, toffee, soft peppermint, Andes mints, crybabies, twix, reese's cups, and the one thing no candy bag would be complete without...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AmTxP3c5RZUJ6oWDHRBrax5iLJswnQGvmsQxajDx2IbDcpZQWOPmdnKHyt-ew0lrfwhnSuJ49CNNRJM-1zZhZFVSx6LYpKaTniD0DJZHf5E0vx_AbSSHIaak8q901VIi0mWiitUclawx/s1600/Picture+2234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AmTxP3c5RZUJ6oWDHRBrax5iLJswnQGvmsQxajDx2IbDcpZQWOPmdnKHyt-ew0lrfwhnSuJ49CNNRJM-1zZhZFVSx6LYpKaTniD0DJZHf5E0vx_AbSSHIaak8q901VIi0mWiitUclawx/s320/Picture+2234.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482441176371100690" /></a><br /><br />... a watermelon flavored blowpop.<br /><br />Take some time, and go be a kid in a candy shop! Totally worth the 7.9 pounds I'm going to gain. :)Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-52231938257192936202010-06-11T18:04:00.013-04:002010-06-11T18:51:37.728-04:00Handprint quiltWhile I was in Alaska, I woke up one morning with an idea in my head. I grabbed the hotel notepad, sketched it out, and went back to sleep. Fast forward a few weeks, and you've got this cute little handprint quilt!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccCoVmXsEsu5WWQp2fVDhOJlDNCVnCD0gPwWToCMC3zCGZ8lQGgcveaZe5N709Kix8ovQKrdRJwv1aD6ZO2XXzpGURqUq3N2HAXHtJ1zwHyWQ_kWfUV6eKc1ad0AhVDq2VhWF57qrCXCG/s1600/Picture+2156.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccCoVmXsEsu5WWQp2fVDhOJlDNCVnCD0gPwWToCMC3zCGZ8lQGgcveaZe5N709Kix8ovQKrdRJwv1aD6ZO2XXzpGURqUq3N2HAXHtJ1zwHyWQ_kWfUV6eKc1ad0AhVDq2VhWF57qrCXCG/s320/Picture+2156.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481646809577758930" /></a><br /><br />I LOVE the way it turned out. I simply cut twelve 10" x 10" white blocks, and had each of my kids put their handprints on one of them in acrylic craft paint. I suppose I could have used fabric paint, but acrylic won't wash out and I had it on hand. I let each child write their name under their handprints with a paint marker (also will NOT wash out... learned that the hard way!). For the in between (can't think of the real word off the top of my head, but you know what I'm talking about!), I chose something that was cute, but still gender neutral. I cut a ton of 5" x 3" pieces and stitched them together for a patchwork look. I love that each child had a part of making something lasting, that I can take with me from my sweet little class this year. <br /><br />On the twelfth block, I added a title and a sweet little handprint apple.<br />I'm a little crazy about handprints... you can make anything out of them! For the apple, simply paint the palm red and press. Paint the pinky brown and press on top for the stem. For the leaf, paint the thumb green and angle next to the stem, and voila! handprint apple!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I-oxlGcajfZbRkrQ5uAFKCfaKKRfI2NPCBC1VISjfuoZOZfcbSmfWKCbwmeo6uOSf8efG-uQv4TfLsDclMKzgdX4OnozQoLnb-_xs_Jl7tRSFK3iuHjd1-KTndyDQxfM5Oh9vhqrPahR/s1600/Picture+2163.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I-oxlGcajfZbRkrQ5uAFKCfaKKRfI2NPCBC1VISjfuoZOZfcbSmfWKCbwmeo6uOSf8efG-uQv4TfLsDclMKzgdX4OnozQoLnb-_xs_Jl7tRSFK3iuHjd1-KTndyDQxfM5Oh9vhqrPahR/s320/Picture+2163.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481646307582784674" /></a><br /><br />It's perfect for lying on your belly in the grass with a book, (by Dr. Seuss of course!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBIPLrcpX4on6MulMnJnmwqHDd59hxt5egjGVY98kA5N-mzrg2aEFBtKsclb1Du7EOt9FeGqAx3aZGqI0xHPpbl50ByU2YNvHTNJdDqxmV2qtW5GyK2n9g-c-tY8OvoVY1Re7oBr0vmw9/s1600/Picture+2168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBIPLrcpX4on6MulMnJnmwqHDd59hxt5egjGVY98kA5N-mzrg2aEFBtKsclb1Du7EOt9FeGqAx3aZGqI0xHPpbl50ByU2YNvHTNJdDqxmV2qtW5GyK2n9g-c-tY8OvoVY1Re7oBr0vmw9/s320/Picture+2168.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481648113009800738" /></a><br /><br />eating a yummy, healthy snack picnic style,<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNFFPcxRtrrLJ_UXz-r92S-l1kZ2YdWh2FaX6ZnF2qFn41JN4kv8bfONj_kY0Btr2vOWekZ6inxuHVMrTc5XbxY9j4JKA8PcCPEsZrOsiBxaTKbImBZeK_Q83tT81CQTFhnsKIFdIZg3c/s1600/Picture+2127.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNFFPcxRtrrLJ_UXz-r92S-l1kZ2YdWh2FaX6ZnF2qFn41JN4kv8bfONj_kY0Btr2vOWekZ6inxuHVMrTc5XbxY9j4JKA8PcCPEsZrOsiBxaTKbImBZeK_Q83tT81CQTFhnsKIFdIZg3c/s320/Picture+2127.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481649520031241106" /></a><br /><br />or just looking at!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vo3dQ3wiUeUSC0yc6IGUjKwpfsNKDjqZZRFn2boeaT4y6bsgHj1IjqpPIKruKa-lZZmi5j__Y0WgjfG6oqiX4rWSvqfO7tRfwRpTiJHzksoTv8vwdjM8yDXXHNi4ZhJ6hjIvaHh6oB10/s1600/Picture+2128.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vo3dQ3wiUeUSC0yc6IGUjKwpfsNKDjqZZRFn2boeaT4y6bsgHj1IjqpPIKruKa-lZZmi5j__Y0WgjfG6oqiX4rWSvqfO7tRfwRpTiJHzksoTv8vwdjM8yDXXHNi4ZhJ6hjIvaHh6oB10/s320/Picture+2128.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481650589913309970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtJfeSnXMOpfrVrsEVWp4wGlhs1qvde65iivFbcgCQoTJz9wVLAzHmgPrjgkH0p-536zX6nFlvXomaVBNRA67MtP6ou74ArEDALM1lLl6jSjuh4_k5qCAJfP7qb5s5ixreAiJbnVC_d_3/s1600/Picture+2164.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtJfeSnXMOpfrVrsEVWp4wGlhs1qvde65iivFbcgCQoTJz9wVLAzHmgPrjgkH0p-536zX6nFlvXomaVBNRA67MtP6ou74ArEDALM1lLl6jSjuh4_k5qCAJfP7qb5s5ixreAiJbnVC_d_3/s320/Picture+2164.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481652097661946946" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0EUlm9QWrDlcf-Bbtd_pByAvswDaf4y1rgyxwzmeRvA-LcWvYwKcs68Vh1ZRwaoWAptX9DJjdqmLlOV7w9jhnC788XNVPx8WlyB3e69e8By59MG_KAu4AaAk5U0AWVywxGrB1_J3Z2fG/s1600/Picture+2173.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0EUlm9QWrDlcf-Bbtd_pByAvswDaf4y1rgyxwzmeRvA-LcWvYwKcs68Vh1ZRwaoWAptX9DJjdqmLlOV7w9jhnC788XNVPx8WlyB3e69e8By59MG_KAu4AaAk5U0AWVywxGrB1_J3Z2fG/s320/Picture+2173.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481650036841534018" /></a><br /><br />Such a sweet little quilt, made with the help of a sweet little class!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-8677663223856676302010-06-11T17:31:00.013-04:002010-06-11T17:59:07.431-04:00What Happiness is Made of...Happiness is...<br /><br />Going barefoot<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHh78egL57S6N3kQHyVU0gSFvpjWwKIvKy-NFQnEwWtYbuVKX6u9Uk7Mmb40IaPbJYRLAeXa1mSUtdyEvpc-aY2fxgXOOyqr-nf8gfMrcypVWlNrB90PNniUD45RZJ_wOAumUMBK0ODto/s1600/Picture+2120.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHh78egL57S6N3kQHyVU0gSFvpjWwKIvKy-NFQnEwWtYbuVKX6u9Uk7Mmb40IaPbJYRLAeXa1mSUtdyEvpc-aY2fxgXOOyqr-nf8gfMrcypVWlNrB90PNniUD45RZJ_wOAumUMBK0ODto/s320/Picture+2120.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481632550544128882" /></a><br /><br /><br />Pretty pictures made just for me by my favorite kids<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGihURfZJkWI1UbWndyr5GbLr1yq68voT8mrgpwGjcdNEJuksQLx9jCROrpsZ2Dz_rPj5ycgVKDPXtSwmZ3CLl7X0PhRHRdQaomCcvPFu4kYMBplY0s5mg6UCSMvGuEUH7x8x1COOmzdR/s1600/Picture+2140.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGihURfZJkWI1UbWndyr5GbLr1yq68voT8mrgpwGjcdNEJuksQLx9jCROrpsZ2Dz_rPj5ycgVKDPXtSwmZ3CLl7X0PhRHRdQaomCcvPFu4kYMBplY0s5mg6UCSMvGuEUH7x8x1COOmzdR/s320/Picture+2140.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481632911597874466" /></a><br /><br /><br />Food that doesn't come from the grocery store<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgree5oIT5k32TMlyoOs6QfbzoV5OEZ-2Vh-9Re8OoIP7_NeabxAOW30Yt5glcRgA-JX03eGuRKvuBSQamab10KDtTJwXi49eyODy81lCG66L-hknW-g6y2gOxQQaE9kli3O_yKUFVXJQCS/s1600/Picture+2178.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgree5oIT5k32TMlyoOs6QfbzoV5OEZ-2Vh-9Re8OoIP7_NeabxAOW30Yt5glcRgA-JX03eGuRKvuBSQamab10KDtTJwXi49eyODy81lCG66L-hknW-g6y2gOxQQaE9kli3O_yKUFVXJQCS/s320/Picture+2178.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633306082534594" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRM00WikPc4GLblcLFxCqKAOke1iNawvt_AriH9zSr-z4xs8Mibgc2xbO2vsWbL3StgCvijiznO3uM3rx32Xz1OnqKdYakCEr3enln_Ib3E6nrwqPuHc9ox9QfkSc-XchNdLSFTacq4EA/s1600/Picture+2180.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRM00WikPc4GLblcLFxCqKAOke1iNawvt_AriH9zSr-z4xs8Mibgc2xbO2vsWbL3StgCvijiznO3uM3rx32Xz1OnqKdYakCEr3enln_Ib3E6nrwqPuHc9ox9QfkSc-XchNdLSFTacq4EA/s320/Picture+2180.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633825572663650" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR-VjH5kE1fq2SH-luq9xtysxqPZCyYILRehBy9EyQLsdW4FmY6lj_Mo9kmN6O7qlJ8zex0XRHv-53R6b3jEd0ZiFUXCBeBC7keBhOXjfQ4tkq9KQ4tnd8rhnlr170Q9PqmDZHiEHiJ-h/s1600/Picture+2183.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR-VjH5kE1fq2SH-luq9xtysxqPZCyYILRehBy9EyQLsdW4FmY6lj_Mo9kmN6O7qlJ8zex0XRHv-53R6b3jEd0ZiFUXCBeBC7keBhOXjfQ4tkq9KQ4tnd8rhnlr170Q9PqmDZHiEHiJ-h/s320/Picture+2183.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481634127171166306" /></a><br /><br /><br />This quote from one of my five year olds:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhH7yDsOTrC5-MGnd_ps9k6h5wqi7jyP4FUXwD55QmF4suhocA2x6F7tFsX4ZQSyXLmRW6crl7CTVNIPmujAu18W_tP4EUfBcLbvyfPUQNN2hhdRCwHioy8ZcqZaZ3LslVTOZTFuUzR6-/s1600/Picture+2134.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhH7yDsOTrC5-MGnd_ps9k6h5wqi7jyP4FUXwD55QmF4suhocA2x6F7tFsX4ZQSyXLmRW6crl7CTVNIPmujAu18W_tP4EUfBcLbvyfPUQNN2hhdRCwHioy8ZcqZaZ3LslVTOZTFuUzR6-/s320/Picture+2134.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481637852532719170" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sunscreen... happiness for this tanning addict turned safe sun fanatic<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7BGesyCOP9v40_YJz57yavvPYTVpm3FmFrOZtXMHtYggZ4qqHeLOKKs1mczH_1mQnswQT9Eg9KyDwmRE1H4Z_6Qdmfu0KVGxou6XrGf9qo5-X9IpDPz0PAIiega3V5R7RVK4Z2d8NTn5/s1600/Picture+2149.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7BGesyCOP9v40_YJz57yavvPYTVpm3FmFrOZtXMHtYggZ4qqHeLOKKs1mczH_1mQnswQT9Eg9KyDwmRE1H4Z_6Qdmfu0KVGxou6XrGf9qo5-X9IpDPz0PAIiega3V5R7RVK4Z2d8NTn5/s320/Picture+2149.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481635661059722482" /></a><br /><br /><br />Friday morning chicken biscuit with hot sauce<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp88GEPfiqFuEmp0k3ulyd6QXKQvk3TGL_MgAvJSTXv-Vw_3Mf2q68uatlMCcWmcUKvnmFi2gMBilWBcVhOnodatM8qQAH0e9HlSBW-2hoeKtyUAXFuYC0ESibEyOnsC28Rn-bqhGt71D/s1600/Picture+2141.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp88GEPfiqFuEmp0k3ulyd6QXKQvk3TGL_MgAvJSTXv-Vw_3Mf2q68uatlMCcWmcUKvnmFi2gMBilWBcVhOnodatM8qQAH0e9HlSBW-2hoeKtyUAXFuYC0ESibEyOnsC28Rn-bqhGt71D/s320/Picture+2141.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481637030883061490" /></a><br /><br /><br />...and last but most certainly not least...<br /><br />The amazing guy holding my hand in this picture... he makes me the happiest of all!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iQVd9kCg0Dow9_TDBxgY6YgMi1G4WBK8o-Rnu-axH8N5N6Qk3oaeRfuGWzRTEFNAsJ7Skou8FHqx4z7mo0pnFny0pQKSxwLXhYyWwwkybJQgOeqBvdkSClQC3s-XWyeejZJkoPCSBmfn/s1600/26084_659473532804_21306379_38286121_6066485_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iQVd9kCg0Dow9_TDBxgY6YgMi1G4WBK8o-Rnu-axH8N5N6Qk3oaeRfuGWzRTEFNAsJ7Skou8FHqx4z7mo0pnFny0pQKSxwLXhYyWwwkybJQgOeqBvdkSClQC3s-XWyeejZJkoPCSBmfn/s320/26084_659473532804_21306379_38286121_6066485_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481638597831972978" /></a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-68952992545188803952010-06-08T21:39:00.002-04:002010-06-08T21:41:27.098-04:00Pardon the mess... under constructionPlease excuse the randomness while I work on my blog. I'll be changing the look quite a bit, I'm sure, but I'm working on sprucing it up and making it easier to follow. Probably going to be a work in progress. :) Happy Tuesday!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-91439281876793550002010-06-06T19:42:00.003-04:002010-06-06T20:04:25.738-04:00Spring Vacation?So, as you may have noticed, I took a little unintenional break from blogging. I simply ran out of time. It started with a visit to South Carolina from a loved one who is stationed in Alaska... so of course, every extra moment was gladly given to him. Then it was one thing after another, a trip to Alaska (My first time in a plane! If HE wasn't waiting for me on the other end, I never would have boarded!), and K4 graduation. In case I haven't said, I teach K4... and I love it! We worked so hard on graduation, and it was incredible! I'm still looking for a video from it, and if I find it I'll post it. For graduation, we recited and did sign language to an excerpt from Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!", sang "My God is So Big", Seven days in English, Spanish, French, and Sign Language, "Fifty, Nifty United States", a song about space, a song about butterflies, "Forty-Four Presidents", Dr. Jean's "The Money Song", added to 10, and sang "Kindergarten, We'll Have a Blast" (to the tune of Summer Lovin' from Grease). Sounds like a lot for 5 year olds, huh? They were amazing and I am so very proud of them! As for my trip to Alaska... it was amazing, I have a post coming to tell you all about it!<br /><br />Now, as for my crafting/sewing/general nerdiness... I have not taken a break from that! I just haven't photographed any of my work, but look for those and a few tutorials coming in the next few days! <br /><br />It's good to be back!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-43924942786460537332010-03-29T17:35:00.002-04:002010-03-29T17:38:06.523-04:00I'm a slacker... a very busy slackerSo sorry for the lull in posting... This week has been CRAZY BUSY and really won't slow down for... a while. Holy goodness. Thinking about everything I have to do is so incredibly overwhelming, but I'm pulling through it. I've been working on a few things here and there (when I should be sleeping! I'm functional on three hours a night now! Should I be happy about this, or upset about this? We'll see) and I'll post them soon. I promise.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-58690672467229946152010-03-23T20:19:00.007-04:002010-03-23T21:12:57.730-04:00My First Quilt!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjhxfSajaoACwMI7O-LalEss6Fiab2ExWV970TuAIXcDokEd8y_lgrnMITYqo54nwmZ1ClU0uu6FN6sco77bOdPnDBgLajcUB5HimOOVVznhipLo3hszEHxU9_qBex53qeaU4xhwMs2Q7/s1600-h/Picture+1801.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjhxfSajaoACwMI7O-LalEss6Fiab2ExWV970TuAIXcDokEd8y_lgrnMITYqo54nwmZ1ClU0uu6FN6sco77bOdPnDBgLajcUB5HimOOVVznhipLo3hszEHxU9_qBex53qeaU4xhwMs2Q7/s320/Picture+1801.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451999194508787890" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdni68X8zxlVrB8lenneTSshFuJyL2QlkPOyGfbqYaRY6RsgpBHNPxNgq1WOHhLkuSWbtZPzJKN_5bspiZhwqVD7go8X6PeaR1j7M97Ma0t9X1AvEpU-b6lvfQayvIO2XQa57ZNy12hqO/s1600-h/Picture+1779.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdni68X8zxlVrB8lenneTSshFuJyL2QlkPOyGfbqYaRY6RsgpBHNPxNgq1WOHhLkuSWbtZPzJKN_5bspiZhwqVD7go8X6PeaR1j7M97Ma0t9X1AvEpU-b6lvfQayvIO2XQa57ZNy12hqO/s320/Picture+1779.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451996123983899922" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcBxF9uq_s8d7bggkHB-0klZVaTBr6BIJ5Gns8oABqEwL9psNSCQil1ShpXmvkY87yctvDV8r-gCE3yPleQ6k73fRmpo1SEOW24f4t6UdBOZ6EmOx09oYWg4T6zn9QOB9fD5vpgU541NL/s1600-h/Picture+1783.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcBxF9uq_s8d7bggkHB-0klZVaTBr6BIJ5Gns8oABqEwL9psNSCQil1ShpXmvkY87yctvDV8r-gCE3yPleQ6k73fRmpo1SEOW24f4t6UdBOZ6EmOx09oYWg4T6zn9QOB9fD5vpgU541NL/s320/Picture+1783.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451996579421270530" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGI7hx7UWvzvCToBgBiy1aJvhPgaNTc1Vcl7xZctYsah2n73LAtNmdlVH27KH_AqNAOpw7t62Kj6JAoAQ-aBNzY3j6ez23bbbAh9cN8TC5dPszipZyz-ULt8Tdehi3y422b_xAb1xxUHj/s1600-h/Picture+1808.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGI7hx7UWvzvCToBgBiy1aJvhPgaNTc1Vcl7xZctYsah2n73LAtNmdlVH27KH_AqNAOpw7t62Kj6JAoAQ-aBNzY3j6ez23bbbAh9cN8TC5dPszipZyz-ULt8Tdehi3y422b_xAb1xxUHj/s320/Picture+1808.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451999858946692514" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke1dnbsDCDTBBq51lDwgupovGWMNtFD279cbR7oxlRIj6f9JqdCGtYrXik3xAf-XdmJYd-XrrKYHOBpK1T9Uo2gujXfvTovrfHI0lhPYKarrwYVAh1Bbl1IUjBgXF_zgiNZ1G1XQYxC_D/s1600-h/Picture+1791.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke1dnbsDCDTBBq51lDwgupovGWMNtFD279cbR7oxlRIj6f9JqdCGtYrXik3xAf-XdmJYd-XrrKYHOBpK1T9Uo2gujXfvTovrfHI0lhPYKarrwYVAh1Bbl1IUjBgXF_zgiNZ1G1XQYxC_D/s320/Picture+1791.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451998609859230194" /></a><br /><br />Well, I'm not even sure this actually qualifies for a quilt, but I love it! I love all the white space, I love the Nicey Jane fabric, I love the lap size... perfect for sitting out on the swing in the evening. I used a bunch of Nicey Jane charm squares and white Kona cotton. Super simple... I think that's why I love it so much... or maybe it's all the pink. :)Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-34488457470174136792010-03-16T23:22:00.024-04:002010-03-17T00:29:16.996-04:00Pretty Patchwork PincushionsRemember <a href="http://ashley-danielle-james.blogspot.com/2010/03/patchwork-pincushions.html">this post</a>? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLAT1zKIP0mbYQeY1VBpVZ-46XXU-qRM36giGfwGXF5Tnj3HsH5vDbnFy7Th2oy6eRiovLC-cq7uozev6TOjPZxF9n84KyziPeTRO48PGs7I-y2wSGnsHgbJXLB07orXEC7NBDw7gY_fn/s1600-h/Picture+1439.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLAT1zKIP0mbYQeY1VBpVZ-46XXU-qRM36giGfwGXF5Tnj3HsH5vDbnFy7Th2oy6eRiovLC-cq7uozev6TOjPZxF9n84KyziPeTRO48PGs7I-y2wSGnsHgbJXLB07orXEC7NBDw7gY_fn/s320/Picture+1439.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449453997428658178" /></a><br /><br />Well, I finally got around to putting that tutorial together... so here goes!<br /><br /><strong><br />DISCLAIMER:</strong> I do things my way, not necessarily the best or the right way... but it works. Hopefully this will give you an idea on how it's done, and you can find your own best way to make them!<br /><br />First, you will need:<br /><strong>6</strong> charm squares or fabric scraps<br /><strong>4</strong> buttons<br />matching embroidery thread<br />embroidery needle<br />compass or bowl<br />paper<br />scissors<br />sewing machine<br />rotary cutter<br /><br />Start by picking out your charm squares or fabric scraps (make sure they coordinate). I love the Heather Bailey Nicey Jane collection, so I used some charm squares from a charm pack I had... can't wait to share what I'm doing with the rest of them! Arrange the prints in the order you want them... I tried to make sure I didn't have my florals together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO68n7nRDBeq-ZcC3Le3fSdSo1j3wG18gIv6wV8CMbQ7YCfKgvkW4M-om4oRdDZ2kAP9g6qEFE9IkjzFp2QuusDOellrIBgZbtDhiEmY_HHMIAQT-MXdXge-C4AA8buNArui7r0RJFhvJ6/s1600-h/Picture+1723.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO68n7nRDBeq-ZcC3Le3fSdSo1j3wG18gIv6wV8CMbQ7YCfKgvkW4M-om4oRdDZ2kAP9g6qEFE9IkjzFp2QuusDOellrIBgZbtDhiEmY_HHMIAQT-MXdXge-C4AA8buNArui7r0RJFhvJ6/s320/Picture+1723.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449439478347339250" /></a><br /><br />Set those aside. Take your compass and set it to whatever radius you want your circle to have. A 2-3 inch radius works best (4-6 inch diameter). If you do not have a compass, just trace a bowl! Cut out your circle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGj7rLFsp3elym1HxOtir1BZBsX7K173JZicoUrmiR6I__a3wNFgC9Qa1wJTpz4u5WGXvFmuWne1o7brY6eKJjbau6hp1WoRb8fGf0VSRCfrsVe3CwoErtqUk12WnlYRfDrT9tyHmBmlj/s1600-h/Picture+1731.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGj7rLFsp3elym1HxOtir1BZBsX7K173JZicoUrmiR6I__a3wNFgC9Qa1wJTpz4u5WGXvFmuWne1o7brY6eKJjbau6hp1WoRb8fGf0VSRCfrsVe3CwoErtqUk12WnlYRfDrT9tyHmBmlj/s320/Picture+1731.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449440968344601426" /></a><br /><br />Fold your circle in half, then fold the half circle into thirds. Tape it together. This is your template!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZThOHBoHDrfsMYIc9bVVaFpDJYW7kNwRaa6lqxGeX10n39ukcTF5KIzNTqzBVj6OKi8JlzMYbUKba5JmP1KNFSOLM0_8ppANvHSi3_k9PnZQ21T1ZeFpNyrX5O572vCB_7PxdaV7_mXY/s1600-h/Picture+1732.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZThOHBoHDrfsMYIc9bVVaFpDJYW7kNwRaa6lqxGeX10n39ukcTF5KIzNTqzBVj6OKi8JlzMYbUKba5JmP1KNFSOLM0_8ppANvHSi3_k9PnZQ21T1ZeFpNyrX5O572vCB_7PxdaV7_mXY/s320/Picture+1732.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449441499352747602" /></a><br /><br />Start with your first piece of fabric. Fold it in half and place the middle of the arc of the template on the fold of your fabric.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBykQREST4kXrXrfMSl3lSCVlsIcp_2ebVHAd_Dm5X2J5y6pEyyjpicUzyjT1iMoxJ-Ia2xtkhhEfOBz2v9apoO_eIZKwaJ7GfZIbkBdpHuKFIqzk2j_AF8yG0nkDRabyKjJF3RESlyK1/s1600-h/Picture+1735.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBykQREST4kXrXrfMSl3lSCVlsIcp_2ebVHAd_Dm5X2J5y6pEyyjpicUzyjT1iMoxJ-Ia2xtkhhEfOBz2v9apoO_eIZKwaJ7GfZIbkBdpHuKFIqzk2j_AF8yG0nkDRabyKjJF3RESlyK1/s320/Picture+1735.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449442101624251826" /></a><br /><br />Cut around the template, following the lines out to the fold of the fabric. DO NOT cut around the arc! Hint: Make sure you do not slice any of the template off... you don't want your pieces getting smaller as you go!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40ZjGMPZpF-Ny-_E2M3S2ZSOtNiuK3kXrWl2axzX0DLqcQICZdvt3gsbDGAVY7hyphenhyphenYFAe7v3gSBFEWuVe0AWDAAmYOwyaahyDen5nUFKRFAaqwmATzUTzpTONYILJzIXI-DZ6BSm02V3l-/s1600-h/Picture+1736.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40ZjGMPZpF-Ny-_E2M3S2ZSOtNiuK3kXrWl2axzX0DLqcQICZdvt3gsbDGAVY7hyphenhyphenYFAe7v3gSBFEWuVe0AWDAAmYOwyaahyDen5nUFKRFAaqwmATzUTzpTONYILJzIXI-DZ6BSm02V3l-/s320/Picture+1736.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449442117585941170" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphILKlff5NQxcRuOerVjHZTzlGcyUBPBvGrz5QIB3RG2_pdzKwrj8OGoHIT99OmdUSLRZp-_w6gLd47ijGIBZtEW4q7QrQ2AwJB-zlqJE_DE9jAgouZZ6KTkF6eRe_-BhbAmzACbKpjBV/s1600-h/Picture+1739.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphILKlff5NQxcRuOerVjHZTzlGcyUBPBvGrz5QIB3RG2_pdzKwrj8OGoHIT99OmdUSLRZp-_w6gLd47ijGIBZtEW4q7QrQ2AwJB-zlqJE_DE9jAgouZZ6KTkF6eRe_-BhbAmzACbKpjBV/s320/Picture+1739.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449445635704822594" /></a><br /><br />Once you have gotten all of your pieces cut, pin the first two pieces with the right sides together, and run them through your machine. I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance, but it really doesn't matter as long as you are consistent. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxs5AZGDvCrhgQuHNwG2E6-LdVYD1gK7IQFvGlXT2vd9DiyQhaz_C6y2taRuX6VamBmRo84JO_jYu2lj_z-cgrIwWVUCje8x0vWaRbPqgQh0cwFF8wTpVokVkeCyFRJBJY3MskeJpMm2E/s1600-h/Picture+1740.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxs5AZGDvCrhgQuHNwG2E6-LdVYD1gK7IQFvGlXT2vd9DiyQhaz_C6y2taRuX6VamBmRo84JO_jYu2lj_z-cgrIwWVUCje8x0vWaRbPqgQh0cwFF8wTpVokVkeCyFRJBJY3MskeJpMm2E/s320/Picture+1740.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449443280031265810" /></a><br /><br />Now, take the template and put the point facing the unsewn point of the diamond, centering the arc over the sewn point of the diamond. Trace the arc so that the ends of the arc are on the seam. Sew over the arc you have traced.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t5fn4TPRC4CTznc69wq_L9q24jk3pE4oZ5ozuzRS5XVh2xPEKF-wGJ7gU4u3vn9hWeKVLGMrfHVghsjGWHewAcnM5fuYcXpQh-I4TkMnnCPHcAAYsqDPnvYihcKSdTZgeMaShsEK2Nuh/s1600-h/Picture+1742.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t5fn4TPRC4CTznc69wq_L9q24jk3pE4oZ5ozuzRS5XVh2xPEKF-wGJ7gU4u3vn9hWeKVLGMrfHVghsjGWHewAcnM5fuYcXpQh-I4TkMnnCPHcAAYsqDPnvYihcKSdTZgeMaShsEK2Nuh/s320/Picture+1742.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449444186703159554" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzb-1tjS4RZUtX9y_PekMDp7ZKxz9ZU3im7nFpUDGS6CoqkyIVLJChibccmt4-PIx0nNcs6mcdkC0fVk67zsB2j1c-gzWsRDovdcKfvjPJDgariR9JeKvyEuv6hseQjLPD419ACViTNlM/s1600-h/Picture+1743.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzb-1tjS4RZUtX9y_PekMDp7ZKxz9ZU3im7nFpUDGS6CoqkyIVLJChibccmt4-PIx0nNcs6mcdkC0fVk67zsB2j1c-gzWsRDovdcKfvjPJDgariR9JeKvyEuv6hseQjLPD419ACViTNlM/s320/Picture+1743.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449445641018116594" /></a><br /><br />Continue adding your pieces on this way until you have all of your pieces sewn together. On the joining seam, leave 1 inch at the bottom unsewn for turning and stuffing. Turn... and stuff! Make sure you stuff it full enough so that the pins won't slip out if your pincushion gets turned upside down.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfu-WGKHWSJA4ti7nuk8_nHbIp2j4BW1gn2hyyNrzVVij0e58VtWuGAYYHNquP7FXQX6tDyh3PvxWXxR_8ztAv7L6S64Q8WowsvzK9CNrIVIP4YLEBIMuIa2OzDWBX7lZlEMBkiDgnbYP/s1600-h/Picture+1749.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfu-WGKHWSJA4ti7nuk8_nHbIp2j4BW1gn2hyyNrzVVij0e58VtWuGAYYHNquP7FXQX6tDyh3PvxWXxR_8ztAv7L6S64Q8WowsvzK9CNrIVIP4YLEBIMuIa2OzDWBX7lZlEMBkiDgnbYP/s320/Picture+1749.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446577828906498" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jkiAY6QiV53q7R1yS6zeHxWp8-ZlRED97u0qUurty2bwpcDbnaxGbPCvrp8ImtFtZ8C92QlG_MdhXL6RKTmyIoBQWLV16DpZaIsCznGwCUpla_D3tovOfOEBuU1EnnZR1R31YmIwdz8l/s1600-h/Picture+1750.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jkiAY6QiV53q7R1yS6zeHxWp8-ZlRED97u0qUurty2bwpcDbnaxGbPCvrp8ImtFtZ8C92QlG_MdhXL6RKTmyIoBQWLV16DpZaIsCznGwCUpla_D3tovOfOEBuU1EnnZR1R31YmIwdz8l/s320/Picture+1750.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446581565561586" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBlv0LUxtm0k9CNLUEJyP8F_MRiu1LhyphenhyphenbLR0iR9cfy4w1sG-3HJL5NCiRSdVp6TdnaoScZOcFR2uzsxOfXqP3AsChff51hHUwUyA-F6cn_lyVbVBEIJQPapsB7r74b0UgA0weqLCuhl-Y/s1600-h/Picture+1751.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBlv0LUxtm0k9CNLUEJyP8F_MRiu1LhyphenhyphenbLR0iR9cfy4w1sG-3HJL5NCiRSdVp6TdnaoScZOcFR2uzsxOfXqP3AsChff51hHUwUyA-F6cn_lyVbVBEIJQPapsB7r74b0UgA0weqLCuhl-Y/s320/Picture+1751.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446591149786386" /></a><br /><br />Once you have gotten it stuffed, stitch up the opening. Thread your embroidery needle and stitch through the middle, covering each seam. Sew your buttons onto the middle. These are so great, because they are super cute, and hide all those stitches and knots from the embroidery thread... and adding them to the top AND bottom means you can use either side!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvoi2RROWpWISq6QhEPLzCQlFjDY94Dlw_f555z8CWuMdgsKUDujykY0GDISeP7ygCa3ZrGrdKftNQfzzLi04MGMJEIkXvO0RxYCaxn4mOhbKFHvGc3g3ogsrRekzzMVTbXjT3i7CgvAc/s1600-h/Picture+1752.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvoi2RROWpWISq6QhEPLzCQlFjDY94Dlw_f555z8CWuMdgsKUDujykY0GDISeP7ygCa3ZrGrdKftNQfzzLi04MGMJEIkXvO0RxYCaxn4mOhbKFHvGc3g3ogsrRekzzMVTbXjT3i7CgvAc/s320/Picture+1752.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449452830752541970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OeWhf-_bz-HAZW0q0m3oYzs6-dtP3ha54ji9zbP1rvmIM89Kxk5fFmaYvztmLRJNo0WtuLL9kuYovdszuK731BYv5EE_sH_wCSGuNjqMJHVHTFSWZBgxiJusPl2p-C8i5Ndys4aJrXYa/s1600-h/Picture+1754.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OeWhf-_bz-HAZW0q0m3oYzs6-dtP3ha54ji9zbP1rvmIM89Kxk5fFmaYvztmLRJNo0WtuLL9kuYovdszuK731BYv5EE_sH_wCSGuNjqMJHVHTFSWZBgxiJusPl2p-C8i5Ndys4aJrXYa/s320/Picture+1754.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449453097106719538" /></a><br /><br />Voila! You're finished, and you have a cute new pincushion to use for yourself or give to a friend!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h_t0Z-MZCnE4qHK4C2zbh7cph_BZy2t-ZXiJPJrNYpaiTm5TFaGWtzq-mwb7RL1fNw7F2A5kSwXoBqpJHIlx4cTgwD35SsacP9hkKlvphjtSM4NlsYJec_KX4KQmGg8JU88pTadaRwia/s1600-h/Picture+1759.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h_t0Z-MZCnE4qHK4C2zbh7cph_BZy2t-ZXiJPJrNYpaiTm5TFaGWtzq-mwb7RL1fNw7F2A5kSwXoBqpJHIlx4cTgwD35SsacP9hkKlvphjtSM4NlsYJec_KX4KQmGg8JU88pTadaRwia/s320/Picture+1759.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449452267650360338" /></a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-58022669134056948092010-03-16T19:10:00.005-04:002010-03-16T19:31:05.280-04:00Old Dress? New Skirt!I LOVE the fuller above the knee skirts that are so in right now! I can't get enough! I recently cleaned out my closet (again!) and remembered this dress.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6FdfAUgyvNSrxxFONg94xgLps635A2X53i-u4xSVI5ujIDwx0plIez-8sdUbFH_gXN-x3fUDspxuiuSPZqT7Abm92_GSSC1ZX2Ivy-4byhkQqP4QLgVVwHXJ_Lpm73Ylg3-TcolZnhWX/s1600-h/Picture+1121.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6FdfAUgyvNSrxxFONg94xgLps635A2X53i-u4xSVI5ujIDwx0plIez-8sdUbFH_gXN-x3fUDspxuiuSPZqT7Abm92_GSSC1ZX2Ivy-4byhkQqP4QLgVVwHXJ_Lpm73Ylg3-TcolZnhWX/s320/Picture+1121.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449377751842759938" /></a><br /><br />I immediately saw a cute, pleated skirt... in my head. I think the only thing I liked about this dress was the color, fabric, and the pleats. I only bought it because I was literally an hour away from an event and it was the only thing I remotely liked. It's always been too big, but sometimes when I'm crunched for time, I don't think clearly.<br /><br />So, old dress I've only worn once... goodbye! Hello, new cute skirt that I LOVE!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMH-LfxzJGGygkZ8Il1iupQ3rjRA9Z-2ybe49O3CXxkISseN5Taceu6WLytvsQXG4mjOMUTxZre5GJ2Za94utmZa2XZR4eXWhDM4t4AnO2mKpSn8jaOrDtjGMFDOjBIhDA1qtckP8UMme/s1600-h/Picture+1125.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMH-LfxzJGGygkZ8Il1iupQ3rjRA9Z-2ybe49O3CXxkISseN5Taceu6WLytvsQXG4mjOMUTxZre5GJ2Za94utmZa2XZR4eXWhDM4t4AnO2mKpSn8jaOrDtjGMFDOjBIhDA1qtckP8UMme/s320/Picture+1125.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449376042612569410" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjYX0gAlSpNguEOMHm3DjXXnqiscW4z-L2ZYPf-VgBpN92f71QF4JAFAZb-gIlgFyOPzvl0nuuiizWuP1VB4w3xrAXU4XsnDX9yjHghbwfBKT9_lGg9k7nTlv6mwHr-Ke6UgWImgYJlI5/s1600-h/Picture+1127.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjYX0gAlSpNguEOMHm3DjXXnqiscW4z-L2ZYPf-VgBpN92f71QF4JAFAZb-gIlgFyOPzvl0nuuiizWuP1VB4w3xrAXU4XsnDX9yjHghbwfBKT9_lGg9k7nTlv6mwHr-Ke6UgWImgYJlI5/s320/Picture+1127.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449376050563440674" /></a><br /><br />It was easy, but a little more detailed than I originally thought. I ended up having to detach and reattach the top. But from there I just had to move the zipper in the back down, and shorten the hem... a lot! I love the way it turned out... and I love living on a working "farm"... so many fun, outdoorsy backgrounds available for unique pictures!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-86766130442105264992010-03-13T21:36:00.005-05:002010-03-13T21:46:35.572-05:00My Favorite BootsSo, anyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with shoes. Really, it's a bit ridiculous, but I just can't help myself. I'm totally loving these boots right now... they are the perfect addition to any outfit. The thing about boots is where they hit your leg... I hate boots that end in an awkward place. These go right up to the bottom of my knees, so they make my legs look longer... and really, what girl doesn't want that?!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW70md5rLb7XJPbi8Na8SeV7yMnceBHQvle6KTkDI51Ae68_vicDq0txRp71A5RMVZAfUinURm1SVoEpsHXN2LnJeQdyu1glk_1y_HRfz-oJtE6FP3BGjyJ6OMKyhBmJjhLcDvQDnqpHX/s1600-h/Picture+1117.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW70md5rLb7XJPbi8Na8SeV7yMnceBHQvle6KTkDI51Ae68_vicDq0txRp71A5RMVZAfUinURm1SVoEpsHXN2LnJeQdyu1glk_1y_HRfz-oJtE6FP3BGjyJ6OMKyhBmJjhLcDvQDnqpHX/s320/Picture+1117.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448314308383176338" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hAXronSJxtQLRxoHIJIQHqF0zRBGan0VIhh-obmY7RL8bDKpQ9CEG71k2UAeh0CCUxAzwr0qcKoHyaxnG-sqNK5LxuI1Z1whxKujjqlCT-k1ttyKIl50e4Wx3Ue165pFQanSDip7Vt_p/s1600-h/Picture+1111.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hAXronSJxtQLRxoHIJIQHqF0zRBGan0VIhh-obmY7RL8bDKpQ9CEG71k2UAeh0CCUxAzwr0qcKoHyaxnG-sqNK5LxuI1Z1whxKujjqlCT-k1ttyKIl50e4Wx3Ue165pFQanSDip7Vt_p/s320/Picture+1111.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448314304532255970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2vbMq_wDWvMHuD-C-cJAgvLzdWWSQMTk65yrUdTTl_sYnTmCF8r7Fv0ksnIEtzr88fBTF-PYDoHmfviAlu36m9grsmgoD8J4G6RFzWWuq-aVED2JGCBY7CIa19MHMdBSsiQjfhIXoRLK/s1600-h/Picture+1103.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2vbMq_wDWvMHuD-C-cJAgvLzdWWSQMTk65yrUdTTl_sYnTmCF8r7Fv0ksnIEtzr88fBTF-PYDoHmfviAlu36m9grsmgoD8J4G6RFzWWuq-aVED2JGCBY7CIa19MHMdBSsiQjfhIXoRLK/s320/Picture+1103.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448314296963538482" /></a><br /><br />"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."<br /> -Marilyn MonroeAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-11391950008110665192010-03-12T19:04:00.007-05:002010-03-12T19:32:19.658-05:00What Happiness is Made of...<strong>Happiness</strong> is...<br /><br />Uggs<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIrPmtROb2Fxu-IUoke8xQfFNJhei4mP4RsAnfYTm7A5Ie3hd-PqoFxb-nNnF_4_8UJ5nBObKwIqfKtfS8Ra4N6pFeQQzDXeP0x-WGEaFawTgKPMcNYlAC-Q6T9ve-XLw93w74UZsWnLi/s1600-h/Picture+1085.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIrPmtROb2Fxu-IUoke8xQfFNJhei4mP4RsAnfYTm7A5Ie3hd-PqoFxb-nNnF_4_8UJ5nBObKwIqfKtfS8Ra4N6pFeQQzDXeP0x-WGEaFawTgKPMcNYlAC-Q6T9ve-XLw93w74UZsWnLi/s320/Picture+1085.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447905916370149858" /></a><br /><br />Holding hands<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMmOlpEyQH98N1DgBSpBlihOd7KWl8DTgLh24KfujhZFiuQvKNpHiwGUhxd938vM_d-CKcIVLnGzHCPAJMmVVxKjYOlEK5cIEqu3_eYCbB1sWmxJYYKh5zbzr5BjACDvG2fjxce_a-2mu/s1600-h/Picture+1087.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMmOlpEyQH98N1DgBSpBlihOd7KWl8DTgLh24KfujhZFiuQvKNpHiwGUhxd938vM_d-CKcIVLnGzHCPAJMmVVxKjYOlEK5cIEqu3_eYCbB1sWmxJYYKh5zbzr5BjACDvG2fjxce_a-2mu/s320/Picture+1087.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447907065306169938" /></a><br /><br />Swinging with the little girls<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6yX7YJUESUHPysG4-pu-713ZTmIqC_YbUWh4vBKd5BCVQEy4yBqIU4Kr_pTy9w8GVDmHT3-3m8XaGpoCmUo-0A-KqCmx_Xc0Y5c96IRirwEfspG0Y90Buyehmq51TASxGBJB_bBA9HG_/s1600-h/Picture+1089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6yX7YJUESUHPysG4-pu-713ZTmIqC_YbUWh4vBKd5BCVQEy4yBqIU4Kr_pTy9w8GVDmHT3-3m8XaGpoCmUo-0A-KqCmx_Xc0Y5c96IRirwEfspG0Y90Buyehmq51TASxGBJB_bBA9HG_/s320/Picture+1089.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447907464796130882" /></a><br /><br />Pretty floral flats<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUOy4T2ngRClLsd2-yECYLMPjp7HavdMSo4M5alSyW9aRYcZnBdBkPtCv1AtKeIyqU8uazdDuAAtLNOqbRp9ikAtEY7S4_OfP8XNxrbbqRtpur6oFccM62z9LGBCfdR_ep7utYbvY4x-T/s1600-h/Picture+1094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUOy4T2ngRClLsd2-yECYLMPjp7HavdMSo4M5alSyW9aRYcZnBdBkPtCv1AtKeIyqU8uazdDuAAtLNOqbRp9ikAtEY7S4_OfP8XNxrbbqRtpur6oFccM62z9LGBCfdR_ep7utYbvY4x-T/s320/Picture+1094.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447907849505715106" /></a><br /><br />Obnoxiously pink nail polish<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXr0qL3CNWBRis_1UcioFzBc90sMDjJSsR4ixrYaJwZT-fhbIY73ADi7zTXwJVxearWoWOTK85BIMVRaWJAIPgZ0T_6a1xh7KbRgJlDG9IntjKVKK7uIGwGum1QeYv4vvnLRwQ9ReGrUb/s1600-h/Picture+1097.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXr0qL3CNWBRis_1UcioFzBc90sMDjJSsR4ixrYaJwZT-fhbIY73ADi7zTXwJVxearWoWOTK85BIMVRaWJAIPgZ0T_6a1xh7KbRgJlDG9IntjKVKK7uIGwGum1QeYv4vvnLRwQ9ReGrUb/s320/Picture+1097.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447909503931394450" /></a><br /><br />and being a South Carolinian<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg1a41iFlJoZjhf4jkDfe_Qwx4l31r2w8G737PBFV06u_-pxTxrst26XukjrVqauzo3Y3AlmnRFAEkCRLBglbrcSiXLezijJMtb8k_a6_glETL0zEePQihIsXsQPb8lOjLp9soP8JhDOV/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg1a41iFlJoZjhf4jkDfe_Qwx4l31r2w8G737PBFV06u_-pxTxrst26XukjrVqauzo3Y3AlmnRFAEkCRLBglbrcSiXLezijJMtb8k_a6_glETL0zEePQihIsXsQPb8lOjLp9soP8JhDOV/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447908296172984738" /></a><br /><br />Happy Friday!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-43320666355712955092010-03-10T17:52:00.001-05:002010-03-10T17:53:39.712-05:00Posting: limitedPosting is going to be limited over the next few days... I'm working on something that I'm really excited about! I'll make sure to share when I'm finished!<br /><br />HAPPY HUMP DAY!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-3747622688855419712010-03-08T19:05:00.002-05:002010-03-08T19:32:08.320-05:00It's a WONDERFUL LifeFirst off, I know I've been slack on the posting over the weekend. I have several projects I've been meaning to post, but time escapes me. I WILL get to those this week. Hopefully. :)<br /><br />Secondly, this is a disgustingly happy post. Read at your own risk.<br /><br />Today has been so perfect, my joy is boundless. There were a few rough spots this weekend, but things are looking up, and all I can do is feel so incredibly thankful for the life that I live and the amazing people in it.<br /><br />The weather here is beautiful. Seventy degrees, I believe. Perfect weather for swinging all afternoon with the little loves of my life. I really, really love South Carolina.<br /><br />Granny is home from the hospital and although she's still sick, she's feeling a little better. As almost every cancer family can tell you, it's a love/hate relationship with chemo. It kills the cancer, but its effects on the body can be equally devastating. I hate cancer, but I'm praying everyday for a cure, and all I can be right now is grateful for people who dedicate their lives to fighting this killer.<br /><br />I love, love, love playing the farmer's daughter. I love being outside and helping/learning/carrying on. There's definitely something to be said for a peaceful life... and the smell of hay.<br /><br />It's a new project day! I LOVE new project days. I love looking at something and seeing things in my head and then making it happen. <br /><br />Here's the kicker... more of the same tomorrow! Although I have troubles, I've been positive today, and I think that's made all the difference. What the world could be, if only we always magnified our blessings the way we do our trials. Life goal: be better at this!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-91490449515327010732010-03-05T20:20:00.004-05:002010-03-05T20:31:54.851-05:00Pretty Little HeadbandsI don't like to wear headbands much myself (I always get an awful headband headache), but I love love love to see them on cute little girls. Here are a pair I did recently for two pretty princesses.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDO3LCxehph73mvhA7c6blCLtSLtfPs0q4l1yn2WnST16mJE7f5J0EFyBC5PT-zmCj5bTORnO8rNJowjcPEKs4PzqY8YY5JUIxyXxcYSPTVn_S3x-jkK-snAtxTcRrqWaSCmSL5PXTWQk/s1600-h/Picture+938.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDO3LCxehph73mvhA7c6blCLtSLtfPs0q4l1yn2WnST16mJE7f5J0EFyBC5PT-zmCj5bTORnO8rNJowjcPEKs4PzqY8YY5JUIxyXxcYSPTVn_S3x-jkK-snAtxTcRrqWaSCmSL5PXTWQk/s320/Picture+938.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445326064729782290" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5mDpdcbkTPs9NnC4n3a8sGKXM_1z1EZ0l6oqZZnFho9ztpaMn4IXvlfdeD1MmAGMTr49d2giR1p7iMJM8tnryNRCHU0OHmz8sXEyc4xdi57G8B25vRazkRZHIdr_5EWZ4n114iZb3kZr/s1600-h/Picture+935.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5mDpdcbkTPs9NnC4n3a8sGKXM_1z1EZ0l6oqZZnFho9ztpaMn4IXvlfdeD1MmAGMTr49d2giR1p7iMJM8tnryNRCHU0OHmz8sXEyc4xdi57G8B25vRazkRZHIdr_5EWZ4n114iZb3kZr/s320/Picture+935.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445326050675179522" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuJpl_E3Jj8YKyK4vF3IOOoOAk9a4IBN9D0au7Ke73MSTnTWTrAIkXapLQUmpXlogcGAbQP06Gqkj7ZEca8MzbpZVoxIYgeVeA_i6hByeiJ951QARi1rD9u4XlcVJdCxxVeOmepC5OpwN/s1600-h/Picture+934.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuJpl_E3Jj8YKyK4vF3IOOoOAk9a4IBN9D0au7Ke73MSTnTWTrAIkXapLQUmpXlogcGAbQP06Gqkj7ZEca8MzbpZVoxIYgeVeA_i6hByeiJ951QARi1rD9u4XlcVJdCxxVeOmepC5OpwN/s320/Picture+934.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445326061979315202" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_otmU1HYIYD1SCgcUbw9xxqISppE9k0o1IUz6pIglZpwLs-Yq1-pT9GZ7SUxWpiFnsBL8m7yMvVYcmfLJmVyEoOtJtYmDLnh8s5U88s9t1xLLw4pIwAcGamG_zTdvZqBn6FU3fiDCukc/s1600-h/Picture+931.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_otmU1HYIYD1SCgcUbw9xxqISppE9k0o1IUz6pIglZpwLs-Yq1-pT9GZ7SUxWpiFnsBL8m7yMvVYcmfLJmVyEoOtJtYmDLnh8s5U88s9t1xLLw4pIwAcGamG_zTdvZqBn6FU3fiDCukc/s320/Picture+931.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445326046650024754" /></a><br /><br />Just a blank headband I bought in a pack at Wilson's wrapped in fabric from Hobby Lobby topped with a ruffled chiffon flower. Extremely easy to do, and it looks so cute on a pretty princess' head!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-79874009351512209242010-03-05T19:35:00.011-05:002010-03-12T19:32:56.513-05:00What Happiness is Made of...<strong>Happiness</strong> is:<br /><br />Making it through a <strong>CRAZY</strong> week to Friday<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mXhtyHmy9K_p8DnFPWGVg6DxW5RrF_t1IZI3tCQNTeqm4G_F7dvyOIns5-kXAtU8ft2XLHT6pVJIJphvB75KaeelfAHBQg_DX_QAUchdzFLhK1DjYzTVRxhZcUZR3YHIhlbDOBINKcgR/s1600-h/Picture+1027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mXhtyHmy9K_p8DnFPWGVg6DxW5RrF_t1IZI3tCQNTeqm4G_F7dvyOIns5-kXAtU8ft2XLHT6pVJIJphvB75KaeelfAHBQg_DX_QAUchdzFLhK1DjYzTVRxhZcUZR3YHIhlbDOBINKcgR/s320/Picture+1027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445313338997083826" /></a><br /><br />A third cup of coffee<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuvd42UuUBqunvuNHHy7MiFQWDNMSUU7r3Xaz7aP-D-6TsA6ObGoMLiKoXBqAktyWcieVYG8zn-ryjxJsVPk1JpRhHWwGzCj0xfLx0BkOvdjtiguwFudU_abzpWMWMZRRaP5nRmZ8a5_-/s1600-h/Picture+1000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuvd42UuUBqunvuNHHy7MiFQWDNMSUU7r3Xaz7aP-D-6TsA6ObGoMLiKoXBqAktyWcieVYG8zn-ryjxJsVPk1JpRhHWwGzCj0xfLx0BkOvdjtiguwFudU_abzpWMWMZRRaP5nRmZ8a5_-/s320/Picture+1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445314036788597506" /></a><br /><br />Pretty pink polka dot bows<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sTDA4zqGYy3PO3sJgAw21f9yb0J2sOr0dXQGGtODQ4b5tODlk8XAMQdRMxrYqCLDhJTG6zuLtPhK7OVVRY13VcHrqUBr1CLeu-6ua4wFxUo896Z4qEW-kKjyq2BgpiJLumzafVkuMjbc/s1600-h/Picture+1047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sTDA4zqGYy3PO3sJgAw21f9yb0J2sOr0dXQGGtODQ4b5tODlk8XAMQdRMxrYqCLDhJTG6zuLtPhK7OVVRY13VcHrqUBr1CLeu-6ua4wFxUo896Z4qEW-kKjyq2BgpiJLumzafVkuMjbc/s320/Picture+1047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445314663279059874" /></a><br /><br />New "ink" and gigantic statement rings<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdYAU7lsdLz0axOp8G-eW1XRhQnbwraTAQaAM7Kz1DHSR4-AgtgkyrApU9KgG65mmJORi9upIdq9zorj_HuI_LS9oySvAAgHSfSPoBQTXje_L0DZwm19pnmjd0MCBcRimK7_ZaoBe1Jkg/s1600-h/Picture+1055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdYAU7lsdLz0axOp8G-eW1XRhQnbwraTAQaAM7Kz1DHSR4-AgtgkyrApU9KgG65mmJORi9upIdq9zorj_HuI_LS9oySvAAgHSfSPoBQTXje_L0DZwm19pnmjd0MCBcRimK7_ZaoBe1Jkg/s320/Picture+1055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445315781788864658" /></a><br /><br />Seeing the sun<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9HYqYLgLwP2c8zurmrHn_3Vw1n5BiQYujZfyrNetQTVSileC8grmt9n2-MG6ZACYDgufgVS3E4o9r_a3WTvKpH0xdO52LFAZcMSBsNXFlgynvE-nppx_3kuDm-4fT9h7ScRkg9yr6sKH/s1600-h/Picture+1028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9HYqYLgLwP2c8zurmrHn_3Vw1n5BiQYujZfyrNetQTVSileC8grmt9n2-MG6ZACYDgufgVS3E4o9r_a3WTvKpH0xdO52LFAZcMSBsNXFlgynvE-nppx_3kuDm-4fT9h7ScRkg9yr6sKH/s320/Picture+1028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445316375026708562" /></a><br /><br />The tall swing on the end<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaKZeqOrb2e8_bh5m_cDs-_rZEz9lsBGU22IgAE2Q7z782_IbD5R8HZkHrgZb1BCG_G7Syf4e3NuASoKScPxPyp5gFVEUUiniu02karFttS1_6aXPDM8JtpP1aAwrNXIjoqd6WXYXPN6I/s1600-h/Picture+1070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaKZeqOrb2e8_bh5m_cDs-_rZEz9lsBGU22IgAE2Q7z782_IbD5R8HZkHrgZb1BCG_G7Syf4e3NuASoKScPxPyp5gFVEUUiniu02karFttS1_6aXPDM8JtpP1aAwrNXIjoqd6WXYXPN6I/s320/Picture+1070.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445316825501115106" /></a><br /><br />A completed to-do list<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBu25k8O8tXOkbPrPGfC49bw0N_9Hc6V9c6_9RC01Ip9mwVLQnIayBFLjneKLU107UArf_J87Gpfld4gBEf4h2Ozi8yzY995V9hFGjCdhw4f-TYbBL9IACUvJgfbvwv7mY4DSwF8QSy4u/s1600-h/Picture+1035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBu25k8O8tXOkbPrPGfC49bw0N_9Hc6V9c6_9RC01Ip9mwVLQnIayBFLjneKLU107UArf_J87Gpfld4gBEf4h2Ozi8yzY995V9hFGjCdhw4f-TYbBL9IACUvJgfbvwv7mY4DSwF8QSy4u/s320/Picture+1035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445317345007779602" /></a><br /><br />Boots over jeans<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaw3uMnl-KL0vGjqSIZtzkFioEhgT8KhWQhc4_hAFA8OYddQ2pgNfhj5u4UldtgGwrGGBTtRxOSU3puoPQ-k7Kb05Vk5-S7p7vta6TKt1FJzR866-LTpsiRs0a12y0cmkTCRnJ9PvuYPw/s1600-h/Picture+1008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaw3uMnl-KL0vGjqSIZtzkFioEhgT8KhWQhc4_hAFA8OYddQ2pgNfhj5u4UldtgGwrGGBTtRxOSU3puoPQ-k7Kb05Vk5-S7p7vta6TKt1FJzR866-LTpsiRs0a12y0cmkTCRnJ9PvuYPw/s320/Picture+1008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445317916459377826" /></a><br /><br />and Realizing the space poster in my classroom can double as a full length mirror.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiG9-rUeRa1mm3tWSrXKx128BC5ZYvu_g7fky_WiQN_SZTCZPUsfeiclTqr_d_LRD9VjJM2lnZXydVCWukjOH-F56JzLKbAHe0pAJjr3VxXm2n8QfVNmDkmNCCS69V1K2EWR8cCZ3K7RNZ/s1600-h/Picture+1045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiG9-rUeRa1mm3tWSrXKx128BC5ZYvu_g7fky_WiQN_SZTCZPUsfeiclTqr_d_LRD9VjJM2lnZXydVCWukjOH-F56JzLKbAHe0pAJjr3VxXm2n8QfVNmDkmNCCS69V1K2EWR8cCZ3K7RNZ/s320/Picture+1045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445319481635760850" /></a><br /><br />Happy Friday!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-27888045280021594542010-03-02T18:52:00.003-05:002010-03-02T19:03:00.889-05:00Patchwork PincushionsI'm going to go ahead and admit something... I've never had a pincushion, until now. I've never found one that was cute enough to buy, and I always intended to make one... I just never got around to it. That was until I saw all these cute patchwork pincushions, and I wanted to make one. Trouble is, I didn't know how, and I didn't want to buy a book simply for a pincushion pattern... so, I figured it out on my own. It took all of 30 minutes to figure it out, cut it out, and sew it up... so easy! Plus, the end result is super cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZdvkFlAVO27Apo8LDNP8mZ7XL0G8su8cGZwxYn8VCBzzu4eqrMkoP3p2amB7QV8az4lRb1xMhk8AHY7mPp8iiCAlRKZr9nJWbI-bey-lPeroYiW5ZQqVUUj9J4gWlCb32j1v-I6Uh4Hs/s1600-h/Picture+915.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZdvkFlAVO27Apo8LDNP8mZ7XL0G8su8cGZwxYn8VCBzzu4eqrMkoP3p2amB7QV8az4lRb1xMhk8AHY7mPp8iiCAlRKZr9nJWbI-bey-lPeroYiW5ZQqVUUj9J4gWlCb32j1v-I6Uh4Hs/s320/Picture+915.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444190108766919138" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZew4NpJEQZw0RSl0dW3W95aVZ_CZ5bLlJ3nZyM1tdDluyDECrtbDiitUVngI6OWXSXCoyc0HgzGkx6zinHQ87siHjklRAYO8Kv9GOUVOH5AEt9QspN2OZ5RmrLnRMjvKSRdeWwHu10LV/s1600-h/Picture+921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZew4NpJEQZw0RSl0dW3W95aVZ_CZ5bLlJ3nZyM1tdDluyDECrtbDiitUVngI6OWXSXCoyc0HgzGkx6zinHQ87siHjklRAYO8Kv9GOUVOH5AEt9QspN2OZ5RmrLnRMjvKSRdeWwHu10LV/s320/Picture+921.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444190112392508770" /></a><br /><br />They are even reversible... well, you can use both sides! Now, if only I could get myself in the habit of using them!<br /><br />I plan on making another one in the next few days as a gift for my granny (yes, I do call my grandmother granny) and I'll post a how to here.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-91865693101542119642010-03-02T18:03:00.008-05:002010-03-02T18:37:55.608-05:00Dressed to a TeeI've seen all these super cute tee refashions on the blogosphere, so I decided to try it myself. I have a ton of plain tees, so I started with a plain grey one from Target (these are my FAVORITE tees... the cut is perfect, and they are super comfortable) that I wouldn't miss if I messed up. My end result turned out way better than I expected... I will be trying this again!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ26Oel1kVQVCkKP1t6uI8fXdCq6SylMZqQ_gwyqRI0rYoUK-Z-5eqPNnInN8NWCmBE-zdpb_MJbOMQdr_jUX0CVo_4ABAp7omtL-So-jRFTL5jv5_6apw9w02Dn3VvW38FLpagxoMl2Zo/s1600-h/Picture+923.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ26Oel1kVQVCkKP1t6uI8fXdCq6SylMZqQ_gwyqRI0rYoUK-Z-5eqPNnInN8NWCmBE-zdpb_MJbOMQdr_jUX0CVo_4ABAp7omtL-So-jRFTL5jv5_6apw9w02Dn3VvW38FLpagxoMl2Zo/s320/Picture+923.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444178946296652562" /></a><br /><br />I started with a 5in by 25in piece of ivory chiffon, ruffled. I twirled and gathered and played with it until I had a flower, which I stitched together with three pearls in the middle. I then hand-stitched this to the shirt. It looked a little plain, and I was trying to figure out what to do to it, when I dropped the string of pearls I was holding and it landed on the shirt pretty much the way you see in the picture. It looked pretty, so I decided to go for it! I just left the pearls on the strand they were on, threaded the ends into a needle, put them to the back and tied them off. Then I took an ivory thread and stitched in between each and every pearl. It took a long time, but the end result was pretty and totally worth it. <br /><br />P.S. It's snowing in SC again... perfect weather for taking pictures!<br /><br />...and a great excuse to donn my favorite white coat<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye1He7amNfjyqe9ywpV4NLjIFW-XJ5aqlm8ghL2XcFamcKF8otUjbdA44lyHRmnDFA4nb_xUAi9jOs2OtfJwfnB1ExtN1WY_j9BjPYfihtOnHDYs_Y4uoDrVSxWDVFWrpuZUPouQoy410/s1600-h/Picture+906.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye1He7amNfjyqe9ywpV4NLjIFW-XJ5aqlm8ghL2XcFamcKF8otUjbdA44lyHRmnDFA4nb_xUAi9jOs2OtfJwfnB1ExtN1WY_j9BjPYfihtOnHDYs_Y4uoDrVSxWDVFWrpuZUPouQoy410/s320/Picture+906.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444181569592248082" /></a><br /><br />I think the chiffon flower is my favorite part!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGY3UkPm1t4bmTlQHOfguyRnJPTUMJGulrUUhBrVKNtH3lMm8x9JwczR1m0al1s-NO-unCjda_bWX8w8xbjSqgRdXCAeZzOrSSBVgD5oPdMYwox6iPn16qOJ43OXbwFRcMOvQ78Huzs_M/s1600-h/Picture+907.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGY3UkPm1t4bmTlQHOfguyRnJPTUMJGulrUUhBrVKNtH3lMm8x9JwczR1m0al1s-NO-unCjda_bWX8w8xbjSqgRdXCAeZzOrSSBVgD5oPdMYwox6iPn16qOJ43OXbwFRcMOvQ78Huzs_M/s320/Picture+907.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444182113266550418" /></a><br /><br />Definitely makes a little grey tee more interesting<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZczJevRV1wvi5lmc9PwLN3enb6bnWulNc05N5XfoonxOMMgWpvLzU8LUzfiROG1eyi_FX_G1SSD-3OMnmfV7hkMoAomRkafpXJqperFBDWfduD4HJWcREd0PnqdMLT26Mtp5_pMy3AwVH/s1600-h/Picture+910.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZczJevRV1wvi5lmc9PwLN3enb6bnWulNc05N5XfoonxOMMgWpvLzU8LUzfiROG1eyi_FX_G1SSD-3OMnmfV7hkMoAomRkafpXJqperFBDWfduD4HJWcREd0PnqdMLT26Mtp5_pMy3AwVH/s320/Picture+910.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444183284111592274" /></a><br /><br /><br />I apologize for the pictures... that's what happens when you have your 15 year old brother take them for you :)Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-53629928412605843572010-03-01T22:00:00.014-05:002010-03-02T16:56:06.827-05:00Happy Birthday to You, Dr. Seuss!I love, love, love everything by Dr. Seuss, and tomorrow is his birthday! I love his simple wisdom, and the incredible way he puts so much imagination into his stories. The very first book I ever read by myself was Green Eggs and Ham, and it remains a favorite to this day. In fact, I'm pretty sure I could recite it entirely from memory. "That Sam-I-Am, that Sam-I-Am, I do not like that Sam-I-Am..." I can't pick a favorite from his stories, because I love them all. Every story holds a special memory, some of the magic of learning to read. So, thank-you, Dr. Seuss, for writing stories I wanted to read and inspiring a world of imagination only a truly great children's book can create. <br /><br />So, in honor of Dr. Seuss, I give you my top secret recipe for...<br /><strong>OOBLECK</strong>!<br />While I'm no magician, and I can't make it fall from the sky, it is super fun to make and play with, and really easy to do with kids. <br /><br />Before you make it, I recommend reading Bartholomew and the Oobleck. If you are a teacher, this is a great book to read when discussing weather or matter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8iA3SkEqbIZBDSOkRQr_wLQVl_4FEUvo2vT5LNl_13Vwbt8Xcjxaj9ULqXacBR7Kx1pyvTnQ6DucHMlIA-B192wWYtoGz83kLBTTk8AKqDfoA34p1zyFbNfnuGIQ2GCCTAP2fveDoO-I/s1600-h/Picture+904.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8iA3SkEqbIZBDSOkRQr_wLQVl_4FEUvo2vT5LNl_13Vwbt8Xcjxaj9ULqXacBR7Kx1pyvTnQ6DucHMlIA-B192wWYtoGz83kLBTTk8AKqDfoA34p1zyFbNfnuGIQ2GCCTAP2fveDoO-I/s320/Picture+904.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444158196496901458" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now, on to <strong>oobleck</strong> making!<br />All you need is 1 1/2 to 2 cups cornstarch, 1 cup water, and some green food coloring.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVN5ivQINcSwqvZ5nf4NCrjBwoPcpuJAk6X42axcmp8udgTPClC05RArVqYwGtey8eNUXAEr9t_XUIbcyaxgKQSN2J_yYM4Rz6dhdIhhyphenhyphen8EWUaTcOPbQdVtxb7QNF5XsWM3enP7TnS_HC/s1600-h/Picture+886.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVN5ivQINcSwqvZ5nf4NCrjBwoPcpuJAk6X42axcmp8udgTPClC05RArVqYwGtey8eNUXAEr9t_XUIbcyaxgKQSN2J_yYM4Rz6dhdIhhyphenhyphen8EWUaTcOPbQdVtxb7QNF5XsWM3enP7TnS_HC/s320/Picture+886.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443880378213605906" /></a><br /><br />Start by measuring out cornstarch into a bowl. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKciz3zBiM3tO38NUwI5GJnS4v5Fv0MsLwIIjVq613A56cEjN9Y43brsOZIxtJSqdPx1iIeeRg3eCFevDm-sXg4PY928JWFABCu6sXu8F-GxoA7c34lOJA1dBe9T3436BZOQ3gMzbdZaVq/s1600-h/Picture+887.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKciz3zBiM3tO38NUwI5GJnS4v5Fv0MsLwIIjVq613A56cEjN9Y43brsOZIxtJSqdPx1iIeeRg3eCFevDm-sXg4PY928JWFABCu6sXu8F-GxoA7c34lOJA1dBe9T3436BZOQ3gMzbdZaVq/s320/Picture+887.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443881050530455602" /></a><br />Add water, a little at a time. If you dump it all in at once, it's going to be really hard to stir, and it will take a lot more time to dissolve. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TRXXUZi3BWbe7G76Bsf5SCJaivms3_j_fMWC2mKgP9YKTkcmh3GJMw5ek44KfQ6814R3y6d3TsWrV8bIVxTaU5ZyKtcnwBDFcTs7WYsj9ddtZ68iue0wEw7JZFiTGOHfF-19Pl4nJn11/s1600-h/Picture+889.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TRXXUZi3BWbe7G76Bsf5SCJaivms3_j_fMWC2mKgP9YKTkcmh3GJMw5ek44KfQ6814R3y6d3TsWrV8bIVxTaU5ZyKtcnwBDFcTs7WYsj9ddtZ68iue0wEw7JZFiTGOHfF-19Pl4nJn11/s320/Picture+889.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443881497183187634" /></a><br /><br />Once you have added all the water, put in a few drops of green food coloring<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wCR89-rgql1sEJiDi4QiELGmu-y_P7t4m4eSimMQrZC3e1oNpWNW3hAdZ5_Rkz8ioVyCi84RY9G7JbZRDHP8hk1643f1b5v5pqw3QqbWk8LIAZVuXwYMzBdaKnbcPu6RYM3NUNDifOKy/s1600-h/Picture+893.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wCR89-rgql1sEJiDi4QiELGmu-y_P7t4m4eSimMQrZC3e1oNpWNW3hAdZ5_Rkz8ioVyCi84RY9G7JbZRDHP8hk1643f1b5v5pqw3QqbWk8LIAZVuXwYMzBdaKnbcPu6RYM3NUNDifOKy/s320/Picture+893.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443881859540310850" /></a><br /><br />stir (Am I the only person who loves the way food color swirls look? So pretty!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOss3JbLdphyphenhyphenM4Wm_7pHtelGquX6XX5lUAhclt-5wiNimNGnpmvgtMecag2ctbKuZja6xF8MyE60Hj2bQbE7D2SZU5NaUQiyRht8uvr3X63mMJ0NO7kPOHOhAHI1SQsx5E-Ss0Vy99pXO/s1600-h/Picture+895.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOss3JbLdphyphenhyphenM4Wm_7pHtelGquX6XX5lUAhclt-5wiNimNGnpmvgtMecag2ctbKuZja6xF8MyE60Hj2bQbE7D2SZU5NaUQiyRht8uvr3X63mMJ0NO7kPOHOhAHI1SQsx5E-Ss0Vy99pXO/s320/Picture+895.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443882493265141394" /></a><br /><br />and you're done! Easy, easy <strong>oobleck</strong>! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0ypl_2Ki_12dI2bgXsH8w5Xa9RYeYRxXilChHkw5Mr2AFK1FnOzKnPklq9N87XVlmNc3AabkeQzDwy0dq3YMbllKABtNTAZrhtXv5UDA7kdMD7ZFy8B3U2ZVky1N1BxcoVRRYL9ahNss/s1600-h/Picture+899.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0ypl_2Ki_12dI2bgXsH8w5Xa9RYeYRxXilChHkw5Mr2AFK1FnOzKnPklq9N87XVlmNc3AabkeQzDwy0dq3YMbllKABtNTAZrhtXv5UDA7kdMD7ZFy8B3U2ZVky1N1BxcoVRRYL9ahNss/s320/Picture+899.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443882896110347794" /></a><br />You really can't appreciate how amazing this stuff is from a picture... you just have to make it and feel it for yourself!<br /><br />If you are making this with children, I highly recommend switching out the food coloring for <em>green tempera paint</em>. It won't stain little hands or clothing the way food coloring will.<br /><br />I'll leave you with a few photos of some Seuss-inspired classroom decorating ideas:<br /><br />Oh, the Places You'll (We'll) Go bulletin board... perfect for the new school year<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq5PABrU0AjxgW9LyzxbpJBW12z02NiijIWZVXtqu1Ser5YySE02mAz4b_dH0Yn0cs7LO48P8OkyDxYhfmy5t-gX5D9b95s9DKnxjZvnnZai-kBtbwKL5-Ji8kLXLMCbXRES-1DY7EGS_/s1600-h/12631_637177988254_21306379_37446570_7865843_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq5PABrU0AjxgW9LyzxbpJBW12z02NiijIWZVXtqu1Ser5YySE02mAz4b_dH0Yn0cs7LO48P8OkyDxYhfmy5t-gX5D9b95s9DKnxjZvnnZai-kBtbwKL5-Ji8kLXLMCbXRES-1DY7EGS_/s320/12631_637177988254_21306379_37446570_7865843_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443884538130793346" /></a><br /><br />and matching hook tags made from construction paper<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z-_w81rOAYLBC4hyUJEL-u10tPmvx0YCPOqpcYmMJMiln_yc4UC6nM3YCYfNldWSV7aEeRK_66Mh2JvlCt6ut_5snXQQ-L9yCXWSpqx20tdUijE8D-9fpyDINhED1SlxGN6d-bkpB07P/s1600-h/12631_637177998234_21306379_37446572_2551699_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z-_w81rOAYLBC4hyUJEL-u10tPmvx0YCPOqpcYmMJMiln_yc4UC6nM3YCYfNldWSV7aEeRK_66Mh2JvlCt6ut_5snXQQ-L9yCXWSpqx20tdUijE8D-9fpyDINhED1SlxGN6d-bkpB07P/s320/12631_637177998234_21306379_37446572_2551699_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443884538604999074" /></a><br /><br />and Dr. Seuss quotes die cut from construction paper... inspirational, and the kids love to pick out their sight words in them (We're learning to read!) (Please excuse the Halloween decorations, these were the only quote photos I had.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVdEQbmaJ6davopm_Ygl4fnNT264GeUGlTbUmrpPRTgMSH1XBeaKuCwpBUxcaOWQm4VZwW6F0vbtw7mqJ-hb6yZzkqXjGVlkxqpVu1m0-TdBtKxaaRZx6VI8II16ttZNsSnAEIKcksxtq/s1600-h/untitled5454.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVdEQbmaJ6davopm_Ygl4fnNT264GeUGlTbUmrpPRTgMSH1XBeaKuCwpBUxcaOWQm4VZwW6F0vbtw7mqJ-hb6yZzkqXjGVlkxqpVu1m0-TdBtKxaaRZx6VI8II16ttZNsSnAEIKcksxtq/s320/untitled5454.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443886190173912834" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8yRhRSHE_5wRC2KNSkkXKqtBOTJ8Jh5owu5gHpkpmZ0zaZt2XgjhXA-g2sczmSG2vojtCBVpKfcj10GZICdYvQ9VksVdOTwoBM08kTQSjtJC-2Snoe2dKGAjMKR7UI6_8mOSERszoX3b/s1600-h/untitledff.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8yRhRSHE_5wRC2KNSkkXKqtBOTJ8Jh5owu5gHpkpmZ0zaZt2XgjhXA-g2sczmSG2vojtCBVpKfcj10GZICdYvQ9VksVdOTwoBM08kTQSjtJC-2Snoe2dKGAjMKR7UI6_8mOSERszoX3b/s320/untitledff.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443886195339345682" /></a><br /><br />"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." -Dr. Seuss; Happy Birthday to You!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-70699064960639550052010-02-28T20:13:00.009-05:002010-02-28T20:45:23.712-05:00In Which I Create a Useful Gift for a Sweet LadyI learned to sew from my granny. She taught and is still teaching me everything she knows... which is A LOT! She used to make everything you could imagine, until she got cancer and lost a lot of feeling in her hands. Luckily, her last PET scan showed no signs of cancer, so she has to finish this round of chemo, take a scan, and if that scan is clean, she's in <strong>remission</strong>! Thank God for <strong>miracles</strong>... she was in <em>stage 4 lung cancer</em>. Anyway, the chemo makes her extremities cold... and hurt. Her hands are freezing all the time, but gloves hurt her... kind of a rock and hard place situation. So, being the brilliant mind that I am (hahaha, yeah, right!), I decided I was going to fix this. I didn't know how, but I knew I was going to... and that's just what I did. I came up with this little design here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGogcRXFJFkTZmsurQgw6As49sv7b0JqBvS0CCTfnuZxi1ahP6YOrFYGEsV0SyM0tNiElJhPdAl9NHHiH4pJ-NPu4pEYfeA8xfd9_IgLOel0Lj73MKPOsjy-PsnPekYvKqwiiE28xVrEK/s1600-h/Picture+875.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGogcRXFJFkTZmsurQgw6As49sv7b0JqBvS0CCTfnuZxi1ahP6YOrFYGEsV0SyM0tNiElJhPdAl9NHHiH4pJ-NPu4pEYfeA8xfd9_IgLOel0Lj73MKPOsjy-PsnPekYvKqwiiE28xVrEK/s320/Picture+875.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443470361868440434" /></a><br /><br />It's a hand warmer. Probably not the best name, or the best way to do it, but it works. The two little pink pouches in front are filled with rice... just pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, and they will hold their heat for a little while. The hand warmer is made with a double layer of soft fleece inside. Stick the rice pouch in the middle of the hand warmer, insert hands and voila! Heat without pain! It looked a little plain though, so I added a little hot pink chiffon flower with pearls in the middle:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpOHmgRAQEYizwqEu2XdROuwa0E60zswPFRE2gA8whuH1iyCE7M7S57WEEf3FXeBpc7y1BdP16ovTXxgKq2Q2-WW877biJbmNqcqvCt-9JqWNbqbnWTPYWu2wkXzg-aMaDI3bue1eu3Y8/s1600-h/Picture+877.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpOHmgRAQEYizwqEu2XdROuwa0E60zswPFRE2gA8whuH1iyCE7M7S57WEEf3FXeBpc7y1BdP16ovTXxgKq2Q2-WW877biJbmNqcqvCt-9JqWNbqbnWTPYWu2wkXzg-aMaDI3bue1eu3Y8/s320/Picture+877.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443471863014851858" /></a><br /><br />I wrapped it up in pretty pink tissue paper (Can you tell, I adore pink... don't worry, she does too): <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_09bieSp8kWrrE1tRxHz-RyVBlq1J52en7xWQGsK6XhdtwN4biXEPq_8Vl1i1ls8zmH-XvmjxLlaUeyoVyxJJXXycD79WVVJv250ZcD7QQsM7E-gLKIY_vyEXIdlgtqvvT9trruiEoj2j/s1600-h/Picture+881.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_09bieSp8kWrrE1tRxHz-RyVBlq1J52en7xWQGsK6XhdtwN4biXEPq_8Vl1i1ls8zmH-XvmjxLlaUeyoVyxJJXXycD79WVVJv250ZcD7QQsM7E-gLKIY_vyEXIdlgtqvvT9trruiEoj2j/s320/Picture+881.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443473185151515410" /></a><br /><br />and took it to her this afternoon. She was happy to have it and even happier I stopped by for a visit... she's so sweet, she even agreed to pose for a picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXY74WieLYa65KlvB2D7Cvm1uvFsCTCY8o9QF70xhJRLIvrpFBkT1CX-noqKqdVfCNPgPZXVh-iksKe77_7Dh1IjmyEIjhZPLIF4_BpliIcemf-91A2GLZKU_zKJsgOGcuOTfJJFYwjbI/s1600-h/Picture+882.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXY74WieLYa65KlvB2D7Cvm1uvFsCTCY8o9QF70xhJRLIvrpFBkT1CX-noqKqdVfCNPgPZXVh-iksKe77_7Dh1IjmyEIjhZPLIF4_BpliIcemf-91A2GLZKU_zKJsgOGcuOTfJJFYwjbI/s320/Picture+882.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443473788108930178" /></a><br /><br />She's not smiling in this one, but the other one was a little blurry. She has a beautiful smile.<br />And so was the best Sunday I've had in a while. Lovely.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-68011116601090667242010-02-24T22:01:00.004-05:002010-02-24T22:10:56.121-05:00warning: extreme negativity ahead... read at your own risk :)Do you ever have those days that make you go "What the hell?!" Today has so been that kind of day for me. I think somebody had it out for me today, and boy did they get me good! I'm trying so, so hard to remember that my worst days are better than most people's best days, but man, sometimes you just have to cry into your coffee cup. Or just laugh at how ridiculously awful everything has gotten mixed up to be. It's comical, really. I think I could fix a lot of this if I was more assertive. Damn that southern hospitality! I was raised to be a pleaser and an accomodater... which can really take a toll on your sanity. I don't have the energy for the post I was going to write... it'll be here tomorrow. Or Friday.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-26197600762611893352010-02-23T21:34:00.004-05:002010-02-23T21:54:27.272-05:00Marbles = foundI love, love, love how funny little kids are without even meaning to be... They make me laugh all the time! We had one of those funny moments today. When someone is being extra silly, I always say "Are you crazy? Have you gone bananas? Have you lost your marbles?" The kids have picked it up too, and usually I have a chorus of little voices saying the words with me. They say it to each other, too. It's just one of those silly things we say, but it usually reminds them to take the crazy down a notch. I don't allow marbles in the classroom, because they are just the perfect size for sticking in one's nose, mouth, ears, and other body cavities... I would just rather not go there. I've confiscated several and I have them in the top drawer of my desk. I was hanging a bulletin board today, and asked one of my kids to grab something out of my desk drawer. She opened the drawer, and her face lit up. I was wondering what was so exciting when she reaches in, pulls out two marbles and says, "Miss Ashley! I found your marbles!" I just died, it was the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. Then came the conversation about how funny things we say don't mean exactly what the words mean. It ended with a lot of laughs all around, the best possible way.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-83028902398468533952010-02-22T22:13:00.008-05:002010-02-22T23:09:43.741-05:00busy as a beeOne of my favorite state of beings is being busy. I'm always doing, and while I'm doing, I'm thinking about other things I should be/want to be doing. It can be a little bit overwhelming at times, but I love it. I love all of my to-do lists, especially the projects list(s). Here are a few things that have gotten crossed off lately:<br /><br /><br />1. Apron for our Homeliving Center<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuuClqHbggKoQBU4vhrHsbFdKoL-B2ctVjPM9X9S1skUlHiEHbqapt0QN9tkduIehVTYvfze2RHRjvooDN6jwo4rhSPiCDkR5NdXuf7Kt7eLKkzbplYtnAgd9ILxaB6U-dwONKbntC2R8/s1600-h/Picture+845.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuuClqHbggKoQBU4vhrHsbFdKoL-B2ctVjPM9X9S1skUlHiEHbqapt0QN9tkduIehVTYvfze2RHRjvooDN6jwo4rhSPiCDkR5NdXuf7Kt7eLKkzbplYtnAgd9ILxaB6U-dwONKbntC2R8/s320/Picture+845.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441274668577613170" /></a><br />It's made with cute Pooh fabric that matches the curtains in my classroom. More matching aprons and a how to coming soon. <br /><br /><br />2. Fabric colored pencil roll<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ECq5LlRk53aE5OwZI25vTp5GsUHFhrbXMmj6SxBYwQPEyl8FRx0Im66bkDFk7xAYA5uESwwyL-lfNsX_CWq9DVEWSblZcfhQFl3XcdSHYruzMozpzmmEzwGv3iblJT2ofA5CdmmzvIyD/s1600-h/Picture+856.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ECq5LlRk53aE5OwZI25vTp5GsUHFhrbXMmj6SxBYwQPEyl8FRx0Im66bkDFk7xAYA5uESwwyL-lfNsX_CWq9DVEWSblZcfhQFl3XcdSHYruzMozpzmmEzwGv3iblJT2ofA5CdmmzvIyD/s320/Picture+856.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441275775446106770" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Q3c_7gRZWOfeI8mkAL7sc19_POrOPeA6oJjvHLitSslS3-EGXS0fgk4wkL26lKrWOx2ibMbPqCV3rjSfPwZNNMg66lGSfGMmeFcnmN1P2cukG7v4ke0BOk5fBBFQsmbmKqsNnG5J_qX0/s1600-h/Picture+860.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Q3c_7gRZWOfeI8mkAL7sc19_POrOPeA6oJjvHLitSslS3-EGXS0fgk4wkL26lKrWOx2ibMbPqCV3rjSfPwZNNMg66lGSfGMmeFcnmN1P2cukG7v4ke0BOk5fBBFQsmbmKqsNnG5J_qX0/s320/Picture+860.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441275787097989714" /></a><br /><br />I couldn't make it through a day without these. Seriously, I use them for everything... they really come in handy when you work with kids. I did just have them all in a drawer in my desk with an ugly rubber band around them... but I like this way better. It's cuter, more organized, and easier to get to. Lovely.<br /><br /><br />3. Organizational tray for my desk<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2WD5hFqLyBxItDV8dZRafqxHIBjaX8_-4C93hC4cZH_EsNETU_4GjsWt8kA-PZZavP43Ia7YpTVUTQfhyTOGiSdPnqnsnEyaaCYlAQrs8fAGhH66GNOuAddhTMSzKTLqxveCopWAnG8D/s1600-h/Picture+854.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2WD5hFqLyBxItDV8dZRafqxHIBjaX8_-4C93hC4cZH_EsNETU_4GjsWt8kA-PZZavP43Ia7YpTVUTQfhyTOGiSdPnqnsnEyaaCYlAQrs8fAGhH66GNOuAddhTMSzKTLqxveCopWAnG8D/s320/Picture+854.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441278245188590882" /></a><br /><br />I'm a mess. I'm always cleaning up messes I constantly make... which is where a nice little place to put all those things I use too often to throw in a drawer, but looked really cluttery (Yes, it's a word. Why? Because I said so!)just laying around on my desk to get pushed wherever comes in handy. (Wow, longest run on sentence ever!) Mod Podge, paint, and scrapbook paper gave me the creative solution. Plus, who doesn't need a little splash of color?<br /><br /><br />4. The first of my <a href="http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/">Little Dresses for Africa</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY07P7uYFQJDDul8eCBmlqfPge-6vTFwLxq0lOPbISRkR9DOJfSETeQX7ZpPbXe4h-CY9-tNz_1ZIb_91V9Gi_CiHsTtzGBbgXD1f5Mv96rQYPzD-lrVvVKdrFs9pnuHlG5KXYj19-ATrk/s1600-h/Picture+871.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY07P7uYFQJDDul8eCBmlqfPge-6vTFwLxq0lOPbISRkR9DOJfSETeQX7ZpPbXe4h-CY9-tNz_1ZIb_91V9Gi_CiHsTtzGBbgXD1f5Mv96rQYPzD-lrVvVKdrFs9pnuHlG5KXYj19-ATrk/s320/Picture+871.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441284367400735474" /></a><br /><br />I LOVE this idea! When I came across it, I knew it was something I had to do. This organization is so amazing, I had tears in my eyes just reading their blog. They have people all across the country making beautiful dresses out of pillowcases, and they distribute them to little girls in Africa to raise self confidence and spread the love of God. They have ideas for sewing parites, but I don't know of anyone else that sews... but I decided I would still do it, just one little dress at a time. If you do sew, live in the area, and you want to work together on this project, please let me know! Also, if you have any extra pillowcases, don't get rid of them, give them to me! I will be doing a longer post dedicated to LDFA when I finish the first batch to send. Even if you don't sew you can make donations of pillow cases, bias tape, money for shipping, etc.<br /><br /><br />There are a few other things, but I haven't taken pictures yet, so I will post them when I find a few minutes to snap a few pictures. I started a brand new project today, involving this beat up, ugly old table I had in my classroom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjiUTOBOyq-mti-7ZI-XtqD9dHdSFSiJ7DXIsec7Ge8fgboflGvMEy6mMcE3up10hwHEBg2PrTKToNRsXzwPUOycun4jhdzehYdWAzIi_X-eBG78Y436SZpRFaK2eig-KQe53C4fQ4sE5/s1600-h/Picture+846.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjiUTOBOyq-mti-7ZI-XtqD9dHdSFSiJ7DXIsec7Ge8fgboflGvMEy6mMcE3up10hwHEBg2PrTKToNRsXzwPUOycun4jhdzehYdWAzIi_X-eBG78Y436SZpRFaK2eig-KQe53C4fQ4sE5/s320/Picture+846.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441285706583131650" /></a><br /><br />Can't wait to share the finished project! I'm half way through, and it's already super cute and kid friendly!<br /><br />Last thing to celebrate- Monday is over! Least favorite day of the week down, six more lovely days to go!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-48517125699823924412010-02-20T21:01:00.004-05:002010-02-20T21:31:56.831-05:00Confessions of a Tanning AddictHave you ever seen those drop dead gorgeous pale, porcelain skinned models? I don't look like them. My pale skin is hideous... so I started going to the tanning bed religiously. I've spent at least four years visiting the tanning bed on an almost daily basis, and a small fortune funding that oh-so-bad-for-you habit. Don't get me wrong, I never let myself get so dark that it was scary, but I always had a nice little bronze glow. After a recent skin cancer scare I decided enough was enough, that I was going to give up tanned skin for safe skin. That was all well and good, until a month went by and I wasn't so tan anymore. I hated the way my clothes looked against my pale skin, I hated the way my not-naturally so dark hair looked against my pale face. I felt... ugly... and every girl out there knows what a confidence killer <em>feeling</em> unattractive can be. So I relapsed to the tanning bed a few times, but I always felt super paranoid that a malignant tumor was invading my body and all I could think about was that being tan wasn't worth dying for. So, I began my quest to find a self tanner I could live with. Now, I HATE self tanners. I hate the way they smell, I hate the orange tinge they give your skin, I hate putting them on, I hate the way they streak, I hate the way they make your hands look dirty. That is, until I found the wonder of wonders. A self tanner I actually liked.<br />TA-DA! Fake Bake!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAWvXmE4AxvpT7cyo9ir1-msBn87pHnOii6A6FzLiYEgvQY6DxpAGYt6wja7iwNgYIfRajSro-9tERbX1JegccoUfrEcID5HE0P5Qwo_OOdnbUqZhs-GDdgV83clIyp4jxCUFWml_nDFS/s1600-h/untitled66.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAWvXmE4AxvpT7cyo9ir1-msBn87pHnOii6A6FzLiYEgvQY6DxpAGYt6wja7iwNgYIfRajSro-9tERbX1JegccoUfrEcID5HE0P5Qwo_OOdnbUqZhs-GDdgV83clIyp4jxCUFWml_nDFS/s320/untitled66.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440515002204125746" /></a><br />I was really skeptical at first, but Rebecca had it in stock when I got my hair done, so I figured, really what do I have to lose... and thus my newest addiction was born. It's wonderful. It takes me less time to put it on than it did to lay in the tanning bed. It's a little pricey for a self tanner, but way cheaper than my roughly $80 a month tanning habit. Best of all, it's way healthier than all those cancer-causing UV rays. It comes out brown so you can see where you put it. YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS (duh, but you never know...), but the results are beautifully realistic. It was a nice day today, so I wore a short dress and boots, and at least three people commented on my "beautiful tan". They couldn't tell it was from a bottle, and if I didn't put it on myself, I wouldn't be able to tell either. One of the entries on my life's to-do list was to quit the tanning bed. Check- I finally cancelled my tanning membership today, and I couldn't be happier with my bottle tan.<br />For more information- <a href="http://www.fakebake.com">www.fakebake.com</a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213515791620374632.post-23574928936738252332010-02-17T19:30:00.005-05:002010-02-17T20:54:41.974-05:00Happy (late) president's dayOn this day, we are supposed to celebrate our presidents. While I have the utmost respect for the office of president, and our government as the founding fathers intended it, there are a few presidents who have forever altered our form of government... and not for the better.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmch8dWyM0RTBA3GwNPE7qjwXp5jtTJtzJprem-KSFhWEkGwVBktdb-D_RDTwVlArFPe-1aFcMbJLEIF_13wQDcOI8aPOvC6gELPID9jDN4egNi6SDhdCgupbsyWVpg-Y78LItMYPVXqx9/s1600-h/untitled55.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmch8dWyM0RTBA3GwNPE7qjwXp5jtTJtzJprem-KSFhWEkGwVBktdb-D_RDTwVlArFPe-1aFcMbJLEIF_13wQDcOI8aPOvC6gELPID9jDN4egNi6SDhdCgupbsyWVpg-Y78LItMYPVXqx9/s320/untitled55.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439374461629124370" /></a><br />Abraham Lincoln is one of those presidents. It annoys me to no end to hear people sing his praises. Do they not realize the irrevocable damage this man did to our country, to our freedom? The purpose of this post is to dig a little into the "Lincoln myth" and find a little truth... however ugly it may be.<br /><br />Before we continue, there are a few key points of knowledge I must give to you. <br />1. The south seceded from the United States of America and formed a new country, the Confederate States of America. Thus, the term "Civil War" is wholly inaccurate, as these were not two factions of the same country fighting for control of said country, but one country led by a merciless dictator invading and conquering another country that was just trying to live free. I prefer the term "War of Northern Aggression", but "War for Southern Independence" will do just as nicely.<br /><br />2. The War of Northern Aggression was NOT fought to end slavery. It was fought over unfair tariff practices, and the North turning the South into a pseudo-mercantilist state. If you have no idea what mercantilism is, look it up. Seriously. Basically, cotton was king in the agricultural south, and the industrialized north needed cotton to make it's goods. The north passed tariffs to encourage the sale of southern cotton to northern manufacturers and discourage the sale of southern cotton to foreign competitors. Southern cotton farmers could not get a fair price on their cotton. So the north had all this cotton and was making all these goods. Trouble is, they needed a place to sale them. They passed protectionist tariffs to keep the south buying more expensive northern made goods by upping the tariffs on foreign competitors. Can you see how the south was getting a raw deal here? Let me ask you one more question... what does this remind you of? If you said England and the American colonies shortly before the Revolution, you hit the nail on the head!<br /><br />3.The Confederate States of America had every right to exist. Why, you ask? Um, hello, look at how the United States of America was founded! We declared our independence from a government that had gotten completely out of control and was trampling our inalienable rights and freedoms... just like the North was doing to the South. When the northern states threatened to secede from the union (bet you didn't know that, huh?!) Thomas Jefferson (a founding father, BRILLIANT mind, and my favorite of all the presidents) said to let them go in peace. He understood that the union of states was a voluntary one, with the concentration of power in the states themselves. This is almost the exact opposite of the system we have today. Thank you, dishonest Abe.<br /><br /><strong>Myth #1: Lincoln saved the union</strong><br />Stating that Lincoln saved the union is the blackest blasphemy against our Constitution. Lincoln destroyed the voluntary union of states our founders created for us by using deadly force and total war to coerce and conquer the Confederate States of America. He basically invented the notion that secession was illegal... most states had not bothered to write secession into their constitutions, because it was taken as a given. Lincoln had the entire state legislatures of Kentucky and Maryland (border states with important munitions manufacturing capabilities) arrested so that they could not vote to secede and join the Confederacy. He obliterated the basic premise of our government... that we were a loose federation of states, with extremely limited central authority. He may have forced all the states into one country, but he destroyed forever the voluntary union our founding fathers fought and died to create.<br /><br /><strong>Myth #2: Lincoln freed the slaves</strong><br />Lincoln was not the Great Emancipator. Slavery was outlawed with the ratification of the 13th amendment, on December 6, 1865. Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. So, I guess he didn't free the slaves after all. Oh, you mean he freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation? Wrong, try again. Have you ever read the Emancipation Proclamation? No? Ok, read it <a href="http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/transcript.html">here</a> What did you find? That Lincoln only declared slaves to be free where he had no authority and could not possibly grant freedom, but held them in captivity where it was within his power to set them free. The Emancipation Proclamation was a political ploy to keep foreign countries from intervening on the side of the Confederacy. He had to make the war appear to be about slavery, to turn foreign people (and their newly emancipated ex-slave populations) against the South. Before this, Lincoln helped to outlaw blacks in Illinois... meaning, they could not reside within it's borders. He also advocated moving the black population to Liberia or Mexico... anywhere but the United States. Lincoln was a white supremacist and no friend of the blacks. Remember that next time you are singing his praises.<br /><br />I've only scratched the surface of the Lincoln myths with my snippets of true history. It is my hope that you will do your own research and come to your own conclusions... that everything you have always been taught isn't exactly the truth. That you have to fight for your own knowledge and understanding. If you would like to know more, google. PLEASE refer to primary sources... they are the most true. I'm just a girl from small town, South Carolina. If I can do it, you can too.<br /><br />For further reading, see The Real Lincoln by: Thomas DiLorenzo or Lincoln: Unmasked, also by Thomas DiLorenzoAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895609039926954064noreply@blogger.com2