tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67962440279847107382024-03-13T16:29:36.065-05:00Claremont Avenue...a place to store life's little memories.Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-89446998687007897752011-07-08T13:49:00.053-05:002011-07-21T10:30:28.812-05:00Dollar Pail Project<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Confession: I started this post like two months ago but never got around to finishing it... so here we go!</i></div><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Okay... who doesn't love the Target dollar aisle? I mean, as long as you can ignore the cheesy dog clothes and awful toys... there are some good finds every once in awhile! A few months ago, I was paroosing said aisle when I spotted these beauties:</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eswEXh20ZSI/TayxQbDN3PI/AAAAAAAAAd4/8Gdj2SHnM3M/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_01_Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eswEXh20ZSI/TayxQbDN3PI/AAAAAAAAAd4/8Gdj2SHnM3M/s640/DollarPailMakeover_01_Before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Little galvanized pails for $1 each! I bought 5... but wish I had gotten more! They are so very useful for many different things. My first thought upon seeing them was that they would be perfect to plant herbs in. Last year we had gotten a basil and rosemary plant to keep out on our porch and I LOVED being able to walk out and grab a few fresh ingredients for our dinners.<br />
<br />
So with this in mind, I decided to add a strip of blackboard paint to each pail so that I could label them with the herb they contained. This was a pretty simple project and only took a Saturday afternoon to complete <br />
<br />
Step one was to tape off the area I wanted to paint since I like straight, perfect lines... no eyeballing it for me!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLAk_ICiW_g/ThcuwWy7IqI/AAAAAAAAAvI/A26ChPX86N0/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_06_Sanded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLAk_ICiW_g/ThcuwWy7IqI/AAAAAAAAAvI/A26ChPX86N0/s640/DollarPailMakeover_06_Sanded.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once all the pails were taped I gave them each a light sanding over the exposed area to make sure the paint would adhere properly. I'm a big advocate of always sanding when painting... it gives the paint something to grip to so that it will adhere better. I figure that if I'm going to go through the effort of painting something then I want to make sure it's done right and will last! Unfortunately sanding is probably the least enjoyable part of any project... even if it's just a little pail.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My next step was to prime the pails. For this I chose to use a spray primer that I already had in my stash. Using a spray primer meant I needed to add plastic bags around each pail to protect the part that was not to be primed:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cqsn6uaHi0c/Thctno4W5sI/AAAAAAAAAu8/6AtXUIIkRW4/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_20_PrimingCombined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="517" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cqsn6uaHi0c/Thctno4W5sI/AAAAAAAAAu8/6AtXUIIkRW4/s640/DollarPailMakeover_20_PrimingCombined.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lined up like this the pails were so easy to prime. I did two very light coats and then let them dry for about ten minutes before moving on to the blackboard paint. (It was a warm and sunny day so I didn't need to wait long for the paint to dry between coats.) For the blackboard paint I used a flat, soft bristled watercolor brush that I had on hand so that I would leave as few brush strokes as possible. The smoother the paint is the better it will be for the chalk writing when finished because it will be easier to read. It took three thin coats to fully cover the primer on each pail...</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Coat one: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X78_jUC1MTI/TayxYXAVPZI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/C6w_vIxBaTI/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_23_Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X78_jUC1MTI/TayxYXAVPZI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/C6w_vIxBaTI/s640/DollarPailMakeover_23_Painting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Coat two: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2eoU-oOJ_E/TayxXSwM74I/AAAAAAAAAfE/ZxWacEAWtHo/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_20_Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2eoU-oOJ_E/TayxXSwM74I/AAAAAAAAAfE/ZxWacEAWtHo/s640/DollarPailMakeover_20_Painting.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Coat three: </div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mblvV2AeQa0/TayxY-AGDWI/AAAAAAAAAfU/xWv2Inyyl3M/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_24_Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mblvV2AeQa0/TayxY-AGDWI/AAAAAAAAAfU/xWv2Inyyl3M/s640/DollarPailMakeover_24_Painting.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As you can see I got excited after the final coat had dried and started peeling off the tape before remembering to take a photo :-) Here they are with all the tape removed:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xs4-0j7M7i4/TayxaK5g2mI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Qowbu7tc06Y/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_28_Painted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xs4-0j7M7i4/TayxaK5g2mI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Qowbu7tc06Y/s640/DollarPailMakeover_28_Painted.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTaouupKmTo/TayxZRDyiwI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KWAtT2CDJ18/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_26_Painted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTaouupKmTo/TayxZRDyiwI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KWAtT2CDJ18/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_26_Painted.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After they were all painted I had to do something that was oh-so-difficult for me... I had to WAIT 72 HOURS before I could write on the chalkboard paint!!! GAH! So loooooooong! But wait I did (like a good little instructions-follower) and finally after trying to forget about the pails for a few days I was able to break out the chalk!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With chalkboard paint you need to prime the painted area with chalk before you write on it... this just means you rub the side of a piece of chalk all over the painted area like so:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyv9-ciHrkE/TayxbvgxL8I/AAAAAAAAAf4/k7aPOOAfTvk/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_33_Chalked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyv9-ciHrkE/TayxbvgxL8I/AAAAAAAAAf4/k7aPOOAfTvk/s640/DollarPailMakeover_33_Chalked.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Then wipe off the chalk with a dry cloth and it's ready to be written on:</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki4sGTUcKts/TayxiDyKumI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Jt3KF95308Q/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_48_Erased.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki4sGTUcKts/TayxiDyKumI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Jt3KF95308Q/s640/DollarPailMakeover_48_Erased.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Before I labeled my pails I quickly drilled a hole in the bottom of each so that water could drain out:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKSudybCl1Y/TayxkteRWfI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/zJL-If9NLb0/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_55_Drilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKSudybCl1Y/TayxkteRWfI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/zJL-If9NLb0/s640/DollarPailMakeover_55_Drilling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pJDPDf55J0/TayxPq_cuiI/AAAAAAAAAd0/WDc6FoGimc0/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_57_Drilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pJDPDf55J0/TayxPq_cuiI/AAAAAAAAAd0/WDc6FoGimc0/s640/DollarPailMakeover_57_Drilling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Ready to see the finished product??? Here they are:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHIoWk4YYXY/Tayxj5GfqNI/AAAAAAAAAhI/ZUlpA2Ku6Iw/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_53_Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHIoWk4YYXY/Tayxj5GfqNI/AAAAAAAAAhI/ZUlpA2Ku6Iw/s640/DollarPailMakeover_53_Complete.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4k-dpARUptk/TayxjWZtl2I/AAAAAAAAAhE/c6Un4842Es0/s1600/DollarPailMakeover_52_Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4k-dpARUptk/TayxjWZtl2I/AAAAAAAAAhE/c6Un4842Es0/s640/DollarPailMakeover_52_Complete.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Right now I have three planted with basil, rosemary and chamomile... good thing the labels weren't permanent since I hadn't planned on getting chamomile!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And now it's time for a weekend full of family! My newly married sister and her husband are coming into town to see our newly born nephew... and there's a carnival just down the street from our house so we'll just HAVE to go to that I guess :-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a good weekend everyone!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you SO much to those who featured this project: </i></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/07/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_20.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D5fANCcEMK8/TWkrcVOXL-I/AAAAAAAABJk/v66BBtOIEaI/s200/Inspiring+Thursday.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2011/07/link-love-no-61.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r-hfhq1dCxo/S9JjrPCEWCI/AAAAAAAACaQ/vuLSiUvTF3Q/s200/GrabButton1Featured.jpg" /></a><a href="http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/finding-vintage-inspiration-at-share.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/VeryMerryVintageStyle/VeryMerryVintageStyleFeatureButton.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I've linked this post to the following: </i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.504main.com/2011/07/tickled-pink-no-56.html">504 Main </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/07/a-day-in-the-life-winter-down-under.html">A Beach Cottage</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/07/73-rd-table-top-tuesday.html"><b>A Stroll Through Life</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2011/07/tuesday-garden-party-july-highlights.html"><b>An Oregon Cottage </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2011/07/show-and-tell-saturday-070911.html"><b>Be Different, Act Normal </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/07/pottery-barn-inspired-flag-for.html"><b>Between Naps on the Porch</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2011/07/under-100-linky-party_13.html">Beyond the Picket Fence </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/2011/07/bacon-spinach-and-mushroom-macaroni-and.html"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Bouffe e Bambini</b></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/time-travel-thursday-53-talented-time.html">Brambleberry Cottage </a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2011/07/flaunt-it-friday-62.html">Chic on a Shoestring </a></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2011/07/making-monday-marvelous-62.html"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2011/07/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no71.html"><b>Coastal Charm</b></a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2011/07/making-monday-marvelous-62.html"><b>C.R.A.F.T.</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com/2011/07/its-tgif-thank-goodies-its-friday-day.html">Craft Goodies </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/2011/07/craft-o-maniac-monday-link-party_10.html"><b>CraftOManiac</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.creationsbykara.com/2011/07/look-what-i-made-7-13-2011.html">Creations by Kara </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://delicateconstruction.blogspot.com/2011/07/delicately-constructed-friday_15.html">delicateCONSTRUCTION </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/07/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_13.html">Delightful Order </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/white-wednesday-108.html"><b>Faded Charm</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://faithgracecrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/pearls-and-lace-thursday-53.html">Faith, Grace and Crafts </a> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/2011/07/frugalicious-friday.html">Finding Fabulous </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2011/07/show-off-your-stuff-party-83.html">Fireflies and Jellybeans </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/cottage-flora-thursdays-27.html">Fishtail Cottage </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/feathered-nest-friday-giveaway.html">French Country Cottage </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/07/sat-nite-special-89-fabulous-mirrors.html"><b>Funky Junk Interiors</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/07/amaze-me-monday-32.html"><b>Dittle Dattle</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/07/super-easy-cheap-no-sew-tutu-tutorial.html"><b>The DIY Showoff</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2011/07/just-something-i-whipped-up-with.html"><b>The Girl Creative </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/07/preparedness-challenge-16.html"><b>Homestead Revival </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-tuesday_11.html"><b>Hope Studios</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/2011/07/show-off-your-cottage-monday_10.html"><b>The House in the Roses</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/07/13/hookin-up-with-hoh-57/">House of Hepworths </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://ironvioletdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/fantastic-friday-27.html">Iron Violet Design </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://itsacraftylife.blogspot.com/2011/07/saturday-swagger-21.html"><b>It's a Crafty Life</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/2011/07/definition-of-hodgepodge-odds-and-ends.html">It's a Hodgepodge Life </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/friday-fun-finds_15.html">KojoDesigns </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://ladybug-blessings.com/?p=1787"><b>Ladybug Blessings</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.laughloveandcraft.com/2011/07/share-wealth-wednesday-link-party.html"><b>Laugh, Love & Craft</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/2011/07/welcome-to-life-made-lovely-monday.html"><b>Life Made Lovely</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/mad-skills-link-party-60.html"><b>Mad in Crafts</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/2011/07/making-world-cuter-monday_10.html"><b>Making the World Cuter</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://memakingdo.blogspot.com/2011/07/youre-so-very-creative-link-up_10.html"><b>Me Making Do</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.michellamarie.com/2011/07/show-me-how-friday-tips-tricks.html">Michella Marie </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/2011/07/creative-juice-30-freshly-featured-and.html">Momnivore's Dilemma</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2011/07/show-and-tell-friday_14.html">My Romantic Home </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2011/07/tuesdays-treasures.html"><b>My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://ninthstreetnotions.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-made-it-monday-linky-week-26.html"><b>Ninth Street Notions</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrilling-thursday-linky-party_13.html">Paisley Passions </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/2011/07/tuesday-time-out-link-up-party-18.html"><b>Reasons to Skip the Housework</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/07/remodelaholics-anonymous-80-blog-link.html">Remodelaholic </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/07/glitter-link-party-17.html"><b>Running with Glitter </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/2011/07/t2t-tuesday-is-here.html"><b>Sassy Sites</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/wow-us-wednesdays-22-and-features.html"><b>Savvy Southern Style</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/2011/07/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_15.html">Serenity Now </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com/2011/07/sugar-and-spice-6.html"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Seven Thirty Three</b></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2011/07/we-did-it-wednesday_12.html"><b>Sew Much Ado</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2011/07/transformation-thursday-giveaway.html">The Shabby Chic Cottage </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2011/07/frugal-friday_14.html">The Shabby Nest </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-things_10.html"><b>Simple as That </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/07/11/made-by-you-monday-57/"><b>Skip to my Lou </b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/whatever-goes-wednesday-74.html">Someday Crafts </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2011/07/blog-link-party-with-apron-features.html">Somewhat Simple </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2011/07/take-look-tuesday_11.html"><b>Sugar Bee Crafts</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2011/07/market-yourself-monday-strip-rag-baby.html"><b>Sumo's Sweet Stuff</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.suzyssitcom.com/2011/07/creating-success-around-world-interview.html">Suzy's Artsy-Crafty Sitcom </a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2011/07/link-party-no-61.html"><b>Tea Rose Home</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thethriftyhome.com/2011/07/94th-penny-pinching-party.html"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>The Thrifty Home</b></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-712/"><b>Tip Junkie</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-14/">Today's Creative Blog</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/using-good-stuff-vintage-silver-every.html"><b>Very Merry Vintage Style</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/2011/07/making-it-with-allie.html">What Allie's Making Now </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/2011/07/who-i-am-jamielyn-from-i-heart-naptime.html">WhipperBerry </a></b></span></div><b><br />
</b></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-83059397890830733332011-07-07T14:27:00.005-05:002011-07-07T16:01:21.857-05:00A Letter to My Very First Nephew<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nA9xAcbdbyo/ThYKeosr-DI/AAAAAAAAAu4/NkkVbbzyhIs/s1600/Nolen_2011-07-05_Face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nA9xAcbdbyo/ThYKeosr-DI/AAAAAAAAAu4/NkkVbbzyhIs/s320/Nolen_2011-07-05_Face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sweet little Nolen,</div><br />
Finally you're here! It was only two days ago that you came into the world... and I couldn't wait to meet you when I found out you had arrived! I loved you the moment I saw you. When I held you in my arms I couldn't take my eyes off your perfect little face... truly you're a gift from God, fearfully and wonderfully made! <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">People say that you're big for a new baby but to me you're so very little... little hands, little feet and the cutest little nose I've ever seen. And your tiny little mouth is constantly at work while you sleep, making sweet baby sounds as you smack your little lips. It amazes me to think that one day you'll grow into a man! For now I am simply looking forward to seeing you open your eyes and begin to absorb the world around you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So far you seem content to sleep quietly while you're passed from person to person. I hope you behave as well for your parents tonight when you're finally home together for the first time. They're new at this so make sure to let them get a little sleep from time to time. Know that you're a blessed little boy who has been given two amazing parents that will love you, teach you, and encourage you as you grow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And I will do the same in my role as your aunt. I'm thankful to live so near to you that I'll be able to see you as often as your parents will let me! And I guess I'll learn to share you with your other aunts and uncles :-) Sweet little Nolen, how happy I am that you are here to stay.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Love,</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAFiZFMZSag/ThXjDT6sVZI/AAAAAAAAAu0/5jradin9LqA/s1600/Signature_2011-06_Aunt+Christie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="noshadow" height="68" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAFiZFMZSag/ThXjDT6sVZI/AAAAAAAAAu0/5jradin9LqA/s200/Signature_2011-06_Aunt+Christie.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-11551462658307485192011-07-06T16:00:00.001-05:002011-07-07T08:33:27.140-05:00An Orange and Purple Affair... The Day Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Guess what day today is?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-size: large;">It's my little sister's 24th birthday!!!</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And I thought in honor of Brittany's special day I would share some pictures from another very special day that took place a few weeks ago... her wedding day! But there are so many photos I want to share that I decided I can't do it all in one post (or this post would go on for days) so consider this Part One.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh and I better warn you in advance... These are some seriously. gorgeous. photos. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">(If you're getting married in the Indianapolis area I strongly encourage you to check out <a href="http://linnealizphotography.com/">LINNEALIZ Photography</a> who took all these amazing photos!)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day began at Brittany's house with a little hair and makeup:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2FaowMXyz0/ThR4PmHgBXI/AAAAAAAAAqU/DcocsHU8axQ/s1600/Hair_02_CurlyStraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHIyGaNjy4s/ThR4QK6Mq2I/AAAAAAAAAqY/QEeLYy6tgh8/s400/Hair_03_CurlyStraw.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo65GKts_0k/ThR4PTEcKfI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/-lRAlrJ0ka8/s1600/Hair_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo65GKts_0k/ThR4PTEcKfI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/-lRAlrJ0ka8/s400/Hair_01.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDM1hB-Nwmc/ThSH4hzev1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/EH6SoMjwOBw/s1600/MakeUp_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDM1hB-Nwmc/ThSH4hzev1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/EH6SoMjwOBw/s400/MakeUp_01.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7bx_CwClv-M/ThSH63FN8bI/AAAAAAAAAqo/jbH8xlcDS8A/s1600/MakeUp_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7bx_CwClv-M/ThSH63FN8bI/AAAAAAAAAqo/jbH8xlcDS8A/s400/MakeUp_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And if anyone noticed or is concerned by the fact that Brittany chose to wear a t-shirt... don't worry... we cut her out of it so that her hair and makeup didn't get messed up :-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Josh was also preparing for the big day:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piNhpZcIEA0/ThSJNFNlUOI/AAAAAAAAArc/EjwAK_D7gQQ/s1600/JoshShaving_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piNhpZcIEA0/ThSJNFNlUOI/AAAAAAAAArc/EjwAK_D7gQQ/s400/JoshShaving_06.jpg" width="262" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSscoEHet7A/ThSKj-JtN3I/AAAAAAAAAr8/uzCWpInHh9Q/s1600/JoshDressing_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSscoEHet7A/ThSKj-JtN3I/AAAAAAAAAr8/uzCWpInHh9Q/s400/JoshDressing_03.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBFoO1EyMdU/ThSKk2WFY7I/AAAAAAAAAsI/RIBcnGgGZ5U/s1600/JoshDressing_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBFoO1EyMdU/ThSKk2WFY7I/AAAAAAAAAsI/RIBcnGgGZ5U/s400/JoshDressing_06.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw137g7W6VU/ThSKipRtyKI/AAAAAAAAArw/z-KafHypDc8/s1600/JoshDressing_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw137g7W6VU/ThSKipRtyKI/AAAAAAAAArw/z-KafHypDc8/s400/JoshDressing_08.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After hair and makeup, all the bridesmaids gathered at the Mansion where the wedding was being held in order to finish getting Brittany ready. First we tried to get her dressed... which was no easy feat with the 5 million layers of tulle and fabric. Then Brittany (reveling in the moment I think) started to slowly spin as we lowered the dress over her head... making it even more difficult!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SZVrGDN73ow/ThSME01CukI/AAAAAAAAAsY/2dzacsyGHpQ/s1600/BridalSuite_02_DressingBrit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SZVrGDN73ow/ThSME01CukI/AAAAAAAAAsY/2dzacsyGHpQ/s640/BridalSuite_02_DressingBrit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT-oq_Qu-ok/ThSvihoFysI/AAAAAAAAAuA/FsnWi-aJaVI/s1600/BridalSuite_03%252604_DressingBrit_StopSpinning%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="473" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT-oq_Qu-ok/ThSvihoFysI/AAAAAAAAAuA/FsnWi-aJaVI/s640/BridalSuite_03%252604_DressingBrit_StopSpinning%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"Brittany, why are you spinning???" Megan asked with a laugh. Silly Brittany :-) Once we got her to stand still the dressing process went a lot faster!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqNL9xf7Kt0/ThTA57FwoBI/AAAAAAAAAuk/cTS10W4mRls/s1600/BridalSuite_08b_DressingBrit_FinalButtons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqNL9xf7Kt0/ThTA57FwoBI/AAAAAAAAAuk/cTS10W4mRls/s640/BridalSuite_08b_DressingBrit_FinalButtons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">After she had her dress on we added the necklace and earrings: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-go2JNeWFm3U/ThSxSfGQCNI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/8bkBC1wiEyA/s1600/BridalSuite_11b_DressingBrit_NecklaceCombined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-go2JNeWFm3U/ThSxSfGQCNI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/8bkBC1wiEyA/s640/BridalSuite_11b_DressingBrit_NecklaceCombined.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8kL-srplJo/ThS2XX-5zII/AAAAAAAAAuU/4RGSDdTkCMw/s1600/Earrings_03_Combined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8kL-srplJo/ThS2XX-5zII/AAAAAAAAAuU/4RGSDdTkCMw/s640/Earrings_03_Combined.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And finally it was time to put on her veil:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-St9Bmmpboww/ThS_NYw8kkI/AAAAAAAAAug/FnglXd3vjAM/s1600/BridalSuite_29_Combined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-St9Bmmpboww/ThS_NYw8kkI/AAAAAAAAAug/FnglXd3vjAM/s640/BridalSuite_29_Combined.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ready everyone? Let's get these two married!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4uBsWX0vvc/ThTIXqY2K5I/AAAAAAAAAus/dSsc-MRIJIk/s1600/Portrait_Brittany%2526Josh_Combined_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4uBsWX0vvc/ThTIXqY2K5I/AAAAAAAAAus/dSsc-MRIJIk/s640/Portrait_Brittany%2526Josh_Combined_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I LOVE YOU LITTLE SISTER! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Don't Forget to visit LINNEALIZ Photography to view more of their amazing work!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.linnealiz.com/"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GZyyWc3Yv0/ThTMUTDF6-I/AAAAAAAAAuw/meanuzzYsQU/s640/LINNEALIZ+masthead_image1_1300305922.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-46629338805614250072011-07-05T10:12:00.001-05:002011-07-05T10:18:16.107-05:00It's a Boy!<div style="text-align: justify;">Meet Nolen, my new little nephew! He was born this morning after what seemed like the longest wait ever! Mom and Dad are happy and healthy as is Nolen :-)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD-mgZYoyYY/ThMb1H1kckI/AAAAAAAAAqA/MuA_fKJ00hM/s1600/Nolen_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD-mgZYoyYY/ThMb1H1kckI/AAAAAAAAAqA/MuA_fKJ00hM/s1600/Nolen_04.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByJKvloJJJg/ThMpFdA4hoI/AAAAAAAAAqI/zRsfY4a10hE/s1600/Nolen_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByJKvloJJJg/ThMpFdA4hoI/AAAAAAAAAqI/zRsfY4a10hE/s1600/Nolen_06.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Welcome to the family Nole!</i></span></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-625214884650298072011-06-28T22:11:00.001-05:002011-07-06T16:21:37.240-05:00Oh Hello There!<div style="text-align: justify;">Let me start by apologizing to my loyal readers (Stacie) for my impromptu absence. It's been a busy year so far! I started this blog to chronicle everyday memories but lately I haven't had the energy to actually write any of those memories down. And I'm not even the one going through any major life changes right now! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Between a sister and friends' getting married, a sister and friends having babies, hosting two showers, bachelorette parties, wedding and baby showers, birthdays, mother's/father's days and trying to keep up with house work while working 40 hours a week... I just haven't had the time. Plus I'm the type of person that needs a little downtime to recharge my brain in order to prevent mental breakdown mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But all this business has been happy & joyful business! So even though I was pretty tired and stressed for a bit, one weekend absent of social activities and instead consisting of yard work and sleeping in was all I needed to get me back on track! Though I don't think I'm ready to start working on any extra curricular projects yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So please consider this post my re-commitment to my little blog... and I hope you're all ready to see and hear about this GORGEOUS wedding I was just at. Here's a little preview:</div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsmfj7nBpUQ/TgUFbSHounI/AAAAAAAAAlc/ddLTBu6SwBg/s1600/BridalSuite_25_Veil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsmfj7nBpUQ/TgUFbSHounI/AAAAAAAAAlc/ddLTBu6SwBg/s640/BridalSuite_25_Veil.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://linnealizphotography.com/">LINNEALIZphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">And maybe someday I'll be able to tell you whether I have a new niece or nephew if she/he ever decides to come out and say hello...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stay tuned!</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-64287891177628732272011-05-19T11:04:00.001-05:002011-05-19T11:06:27.279-05:00Baby Shower Countdown: 3 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uU_eqwzN3fQ/TdU-80HFnjI/AAAAAAAAAjo/7cG94cLY9OI/s1600/Shower_16_PaperCircles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uU_eqwzN3fQ/TdU-80HFnjI/AAAAAAAAAjo/7cG94cLY9OI/s640/Shower_16_PaperCircles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-32940806659672302842011-05-18T10:33:00.003-05:002011-05-19T11:06:09.326-05:00Baby Shower Countdown: 4 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdodkzxMyYE/TdU9N3ifpnI/AAAAAAAAAi4/A3AKX7ZpZFY/s1600/Shower_10_SheepOnsie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdodkzxMyYE/TdU9N3ifpnI/AAAAAAAAAi4/A3AKX7ZpZFY/s1600/Shower_10_SheepOnsie.jpg" /></a></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-88898228925952604522011-05-17T16:50:00.000-05:002011-05-17T16:50:13.715-05:00Baby Shower Countdown: 5 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mzZ7p_I8VM/TdLrnJTE_uI/AAAAAAAAAiw/NfZ3B4no7XU/s1600/Shower_08_Paper+Circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mzZ7p_I8VM/TdLrnJTE_uI/AAAAAAAAAiw/NfZ3B4no7XU/s1600/Shower_08_Paper+Circles.jpg" /></a></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-49503050342389801052011-05-16T14:57:00.000-05:002011-05-16T14:57:10.358-05:00Baby Shower Countdown: 6 Days<div style="text-align: justify;">Let the countdown begin!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6dS3jDbAGfM/TdGBR-HOheI/AAAAAAAAAiM/x1W2LvK7W3Q/s1600/BabyLetters_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6dS3jDbAGfM/TdGBR-HOheI/AAAAAAAAAiM/x1W2LvK7W3Q/s1600/BabyLetters_07.jpg" /></a></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-62844542570073031062011-05-03T16:13:00.001-05:002011-05-03T16:23:08.708-05:00Their Trash = My TreasureSo last night I saved this little lovely from our neighbor's trash:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zc1nexZrs0/TcBQ4ALYuoI/AAAAAAAAAiI/UxhkAZlMoXw/s1600/BarnDoor_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zc1nexZrs0/TcBQ4ALYuoI/AAAAAAAAAiI/UxhkAZlMoXw/s1600/BarnDoor_01.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Old, weathered and gorgeous! (As well as <i>extreeeeeemely </i>heavy!) I saw it yesterday morning but waited until the cloak of darkness fell before nabbing it so that I wouldn't be recognized. After all, I don't want to become known as the crazy garbage-picking lady from down the street... even if that's what I am.... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The same neighbors may also be throwing out an old record player cabinet... which I may have to go back for tonight... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">...maybe...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But as for the little door, there are so many possibilities! I could hang it on a wall, use it as an actual door to one of our attic crawl spaces, make it into some sort of table, or just prop it in a corner like the photo above. I'm leaning towards the first option if it isn't too heavy to hang. I think it could use just a touch more distressing as well :-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What do you guys think?</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-52353461367580795482011-05-02T17:03:00.000-05:002011-05-02T17:03:55.735-05:00Our One and Only Tulip Finally Bloomed!<div style="text-align: justify;">But then Lucy decided she did not like our one and only tulip. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And so within hours of finding our cheery red friend... we were left with this:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6MLDGcgu2I/Tb8mXXPeHCI/AAAAAAAAAhY/yG0EKBmW6UU/s1600/Tulip_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6MLDGcgu2I/Tb8mXXPeHCI/AAAAAAAAAhY/yG0EKBmW6UU/s1600/Tulip_10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwzPOHSWcMM/Tb8mhOIbCuI/AAAAAAAAAiE/AunvRQunpPg/s1600/LucyWithTulip_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwzPOHSWcMM/Tb8mhOIbCuI/AAAAAAAAAiE/AunvRQunpPg/s1600/LucyWithTulip_01.jpg" /></a>Eek! Look at that ruffian! (Get it? RUFF-ian??? HA!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSvZ08i70tk/Tb8mg9Jah_I/AAAAAAAAAiA/IyRgUZ08m_c/s1600/LucyWithTulip_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSvZ08i70tk/Tb8mg9Jah_I/AAAAAAAAAiA/IyRgUZ08m_c/s1600/LucyWithTulip_02.jpg" /></a></div><br />
All you tulips out there better watch out!Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-82255292980321603372011-04-19T09:34:00.001-05:002011-04-19T09:35:31.619-05:00The Words of Christ from the Cross<div style="text-align: justify;">My friend Stanley wrote a <u>great</u> post in celebration of Holy Week. I highly recommend reading it as you prepare your hearts for this coming weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can read Stanley's post here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://onedeepwell.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/the-words-of-christ-from-the-cross-part-1/">The Well & The Shallows</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-81591198949617640612011-04-17T15:02:00.000-05:002011-04-18T10:02:47.910-05:00Gearing Up for the Next Shower...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nywy5D2GGU/TaxOwvXGG9I/AAAAAAAAAdg/fltfVfXic4E/s1600/LucyWithBabyLetters_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nywy5D2GGU/TaxOwvXGG9I/AAAAAAAAAdg/fltfVfXic4E/s1600/LucyWithBabyLetters_05.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Good thing I have a cute little helper!</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-60327183248092523572011-04-15T09:28:00.006-05:002011-04-15T10:08:59.305-05:00I Was Featured!<div style="text-align: justify;">Yay! My "<a href="http://claremontavenue.blogspot.com/2011/04/light-fixture-refurbish.html">Light Fixture Refurbish</a>" project was featured on three other blogs! I'm so happy that others enjoyed the results as much as I did... and it's SUCH an easy project! Especially since the light I used already had a wonderfully aged patina... no painting involved! All you need is an old light, cutters, candles, and some creativity! It literally only took a couple of hours to complete in full (except for the new glass panels that I still need to buy... which I would have already bought if Menard's sold glass). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So thanks to "<a href="http://wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com/2011/04/tuesday-treats-featuringyou.html">Craft Goodies</a>," "<a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/talented-time-travelers-in-focus-39.html">Brambleberry Cottage</a>" and "<a href="http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/vip-party-11.html">Designer Garden</a>" for your kind words! Make sure to stop on by their sites. All three blogs are full of inspiring photos and ideas :-)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/talented-time-travelers-in-focus-39.html"><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">B<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>R<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>A<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>M<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>B<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>L<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>E<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>B<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>E<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>R<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>R<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>Y</b></a></span><br />
<a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/talented-time-travelers-in-focus-39.html"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">C<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>O<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>T<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>T<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>A<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>G<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>E</b></span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></b></span></div><div class="titlewrapper"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/talented-time-travelers-in-focus-39.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qgtkLPD-3BY/S4V-Ymn69_I/AAAAAAAABJY/bqjx_wFHBKc/S660/Collages11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KF1xb_iBxcs/TTC3mmN8hvI/AAAAAAAABdg/QPt9bbD_yPk/S1600-R/Sommer+Header+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KF1xb_iBxcs/TTC3mmN8hvI/AAAAAAAABdg/QPt9bbD_yPk/S1600-R/Sommer+Header+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-55432603708151494142011-04-12T14:53:00.000-05:002011-04-12T14:53:57.747-05:00The Perfect Saturday<div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday we had Kevin's Parent's and Grandparents over for lunch. In Kevin's family, Saturday tradition is to have hot dogs for lunch... and for those of you who don't know:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Family</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> + </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Warm Weather</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> + Chicago Style Hot Dogs = the PERFECT Saturday </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin's grandpa had a special treat for us when he came... You see I had gotten Kevin an old phonograph this past Christmas:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DmRVB-6XYQ/TaNeGJSmMeI/AAAAAAAAAcY/K1i2frAO4p0/s1600/Phonograph_01_Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DmRVB-6XYQ/TaNeGJSmMeI/AAAAAAAAAcY/K1i2frAO4p0/s1600/Phonograph_01_Full.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I bought it off someone on Craigslist who had inherited it from another family member. I couldn't believe he wanted to sell it! And yesterday, since Kevin's Grandpa knew we had a phonograph, he brought over a few records to give us!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0O3hTeuYfM/TaNeRht4SUI/AAAAAAAAAcc/qMZRF17vcfk/s1600/Phonograph_02_Zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0O3hTeuYfM/TaNeRht4SUI/AAAAAAAAAcc/qMZRF17vcfk/s640/Phonograph_02_Zoom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Would you like to here how it sounds? I bet you do! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Please excuse the wind noise and nauseating filming)</span> Here's a song from one of Grandpa's records called "Lillian" by King Cole and his Trio:</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KEYipuxTDL8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And wouldn't you know it, the next day our phonograph <b>broke</b>! There I was, sitting on our front steps listening to a Charlie Parker song waft through the open windows and thinking, "It's amazing we have this old machine that still works, I wonder if our future kids will be able to enjoy it." and as the song came to an end, so did our phonograph. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, it's probably not the end of it, I think the coil/spring that you wind up snapped or detached because all of a sudden it made a shuddering sound and the handle started rapidly spinning backwards by itself. <i>Sigh</i>. Anyone know a good phonograph repairman? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's hoping it's relatively easy and inexpensive to figure out myself...</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-13302759165423967182011-04-10T20:18:00.001-05:002011-04-11T14:34:00.109-05:00A Simple Sunday......spent outside in the sunshine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgBrenCo3ys/TaNXTMWWApI/AAAAAAAAAbk/QJvvhR_V_hw/s1600/Lucy_027_SmilingOnASunnyDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgBrenCo3ys/TaNXTMWWApI/AAAAAAAAAbk/QJvvhR_V_hw/s1600/Lucy_027_SmilingOnASunnyDay.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
And it was enjoyed by all the residents of Claremont Avenue :-)Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-30163431816455404712011-04-08T17:07:00.008-05:002011-04-08T19:17:22.453-05:00Please Excuse the Construction<div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't settled on a permanent design for my blog yet... though it's getting there. One thing I just learned how to do was to make my blog w i d e r overall. Notice how the gray strips on the side are smaller?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For those of you that have Blogger blogs <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I like saying that, haha)</span> you know that the Template Designer provides an easy way to change the size of your blog under the "Adjust widths" tab... and yet the widest setting still wasn't as wide as I'd like. And it seemed that some other blogs out there ARE wider then the widest setting... Hmmm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I knew that anything the Template Designer can do can also be done through html coding (plus more!) but that's something I have noooooo knowledge of. So I searched "how to adjust width of entire blog html code" on Google and found <a href="http://www.bloggersentral.com/2010/04/template-designer-how-to-change-column.html">this</a> site on my second click. Exactly what I needed to know!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I made the change to 1200px... but widening Claremont Avenue has messed with the original alignment of all its content. Eek! This means I now need to go through and correct everything little by little.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope that you will forgive the messiness while I work to correct everything!</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-83040744621717408832011-04-05T09:31:00.006-05:002011-04-08T17:34:24.355-05:00My First (Real) Follower<div style="text-align: justify;">I just wanted to take a moment to thank Brandy over at "Just Our Style" who became my very first *REAL follower!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*aka someone other than my husband and myself</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Check out her Blog here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://brandyanddave.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YeHaF-VLt50/TOxTlFJkwEI/AAAAAAAADFQ/pFwfDZO_EAA/S675/Hof3_RFHousewarming_Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">She has a beautiful site with a ton of amazing ideas!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thanks Brandy!</b></span></i></div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-44641693782120780692011-04-04T19:48:00.073-05:002011-07-22T09:34:19.392-05:00Light Fixture Refurbish<div style="text-align: justify;">My grandpa is an avid garage saler and known for bringing family members surprise "gifts" that he thinks we'll like. Fortunately I LOVE this about him because I am a big fan of all things old and beat-up. At the shower this weekend he dropped off this interesting salvage from my aunt's old house:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozeb0mcEbeA/TZo3b_EnCJI/AAAAAAAAAYs/j0HXx3Y_1sE/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_03_CompleteBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozeb0mcEbeA/TZo3b_EnCJI/AAAAAAAAAYs/j0HXx3Y_1sE/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_03_CompleteBefore.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: justify;">It was outdated, dusty, and a little more Indian themed then my taste prefers... but I saw some potential here. Little did my grandpa know, I had been looking for an old light fixture that I could refurbish into a candle chandelier for our back porch. The glass panels and open top meant this fixture would be perfect for just such a thing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9lg6WpdhW4/TZo3eBST1OI/AAAAAAAAAY0/kHGRoHU-Hv4/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_05_ApartBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9lg6WpdhW4/TZo3eBST1OI/AAAAAAAAAY0/kHGRoHU-Hv4/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_05_ApartBefore.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started by taking the whole thing apart. I needed to remove all the electrical components so I could replace the white tubes with candles! I also took out the black glass panels since I wanted to replace them with clear glass.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RfYvyLbgf8/TZo_GJH8ZCI/AAAAAAAAAaE/GW-7tHL5QUY/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_12_BlackGlass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RfYvyLbgf8/TZo_GJH8ZCI/AAAAAAAAAaE/GW-7tHL5QUY/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_12_BlackGlass.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's what I found inside the base of the fixture:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMvEcPdqagQ/TZo3f2JRKrI/AAAAAAAAAY8/fom2s1Ai_oQ/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_07_ApartWires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMvEcPdqagQ/TZo3f2JRKrI/AAAAAAAAAY8/fom2s1Ai_oQ/s640/LightFixtureMakeover_07_ApartWires.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wires ran up the white tubes to each bulb as well as up through the center of the fixture to the would-be ceiling wires. A few snips with a pair of garden cutters (shears?) and it all pulled free.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is how it looked laid out:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqbNg3SQF2g/TZo3hfW_ncI/AAAAAAAAAZA/in-MZqhE_5A/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_08_ApartAll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqbNg3SQF2g/TZo3hfW_ncI/AAAAAAAAAZA/in-MZqhE_5A/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_08_ApartAll.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The little black cups towards the right used to hold the white tubes on the left. I decided I would reused the black cups to hold candles just like they did the white tubes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It turned out real candles were a little wobbly in the black cups so I needed to find something to help hold the candles securely. I also needed some new bolts to reattach everything because the old ones weren't going to work. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Me: "Kevin? You want to go with me to the hardware store?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span>Kevin: <i>Groan</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So off to the hardware store we went :-) Here's what I got:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1H-hEUKl6c/TZo_EAfurUI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/SoRUKbr0yK8/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_09_Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1H-hEUKl6c/TZo_EAfurUI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/SoRUKbr0yK8/s640/LightFixtureMakeover_09_Supplies.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Washers, bolts and some chair tips.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2H45TMFLWI/TZo_FL5_I1I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/5sUN5B5nCDI/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_10_Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2H45TMFLWI/TZo_FL5_I1I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/5sUN5B5nCDI/s400/LightFixtureMakeover_10_Supplies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turns out the chair tips fit PERFECTLY into the black cups:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMLT18_W9_A/TZo_FptTWCI/AAAAAAAAAaA/mbtE8c32Ru4/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_11_CompleteBase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMLT18_W9_A/TZo_FptTWCI/AAAAAAAAAaA/mbtE8c32Ru4/s640/LightFixtureMakeover_11_CompleteBase.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So now that my candles were sure to be snug, I put everything back together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HkbXcEe0s4/TZo_IuKMlMI/AAAAAAAAAaM/kAGc3XUpgnE/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_14_Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HkbXcEe0s4/TZo_IuKMlMI/AAAAAAAAAaM/kAGc3XUpgnE/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_14_Complete.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And as soon as it got dark I decided to give it a try!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ss82Fdf88qE/TZo_JNa9n_I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/oF40JmL0Dkk/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_15_CompleteLit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ss82Fdf88qE/TZo_JNa9n_I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/oF40JmL0Dkk/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_15_CompleteLit.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't have the new glass in yet, so the flames blew out whenever a big gust of wind came. But it sure provided a good amount of light when lit!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZq_rf6R3ME/TZo_K_kSVaI/AAAAAAAAAaY/DSGQwwvYHgg/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_17_CompleteLitBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZq_rf6R3ME/TZo_K_kSVaI/AAAAAAAAAaY/DSGQwwvYHgg/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_17_CompleteLitBW.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can't decide whether I want to use it as a hanging light like I originally intended or as a table-top lantern... What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leyUjE7dphw/TZo_Lf8s04I/AAAAAAAAAac/Mxx04KaqqCA/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_18_CompleteLit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leyUjE7dphw/TZo_Lf8s04I/AAAAAAAAAac/Mxx04KaqqCA/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_18_CompleteLit.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The shadows it threw on the ground were very pretty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrLZO1_ycpI/TZo_D1aiXqI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/02_bbSxfIVs/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_21_CompleteLitSepia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrLZO1_ycpI/TZo_D1aiXqI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/02_bbSxfIVs/s1600/LightFixtureMakeover_21_CompleteLitSepia.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thanks Grandpa!</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-add-yours-6/">Tip Junkie</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-6/">Today's Creative Blog</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com/2011/04/idea-sharing-wednesday-27.html">Very Merry Vintage Style</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/2011/04/making-it-with-allie-global-astronomy.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What Allie's Making Now</b></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com/2011/04/idea-sharing-wednesday-27.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>WhipperBerry</b></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com/2011/04/idea-sharing-wednesday-27.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Women Who Do It All </b></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Since I'm trying to spread the word about my blog I've chosen to link up to a LOT of parties... I'm guessing in doing so I may have unintentionally made some errors in my links. Let me know if you find any such errors or if I forgot to add your link altogether!</i><b><br />
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<center></center>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-46078321206580281802011-04-04T16:06:00.001-05:002011-04-08T18:15:38.193-05:00Bridal Shower Success!<div style="text-align: justify;">I don't have pictures ready to post yet... but Brittany's shower was a wonderful time! Thank you to everyone who was able to be there, the turnout was amazing. The bride-to-be looked beautiful and I'm sure she had as good a time as I did :-) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Congratulations Brittany and Josh! I can't wait for the big day!!!</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-75992827976010162242011-03-31T15:40:00.001-05:002011-04-08T18:28:35.324-05:00Bridal Shower Countdown: 2 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgAhrIJJfDA/TZTlANZkk4I/AAAAAAAAAYc/hOY-nt6x6r8/s1600/BrittanyShower_003_Prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgAhrIJJfDA/TZTlANZkk4I/AAAAAAAAAYc/hOY-nt6x6r8/s1600/BrittanyShower_003_Prizes.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Who's going to get to keep one of these???</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-82113202497068398072011-03-30T13:43:00.004-05:002011-04-08T19:28:01.924-05:00Bridal Shower Countdown: 3 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hqRfz8wzM8/TZN5Zq5fDQI/AAAAAAAAAYY/rIPDUnQRAT8/s1600/BrittanyShower_003_Letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hqRfz8wzM8/TZN5Zq5fDQI/AAAAAAAAAYY/rIPDUnQRAT8/s1600/BrittanyShower_003_Letters.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">...curiouser and curiouser...</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-11539611493752207162011-03-29T21:22:00.005-05:002011-04-08T19:48:05.468-05:00Bridal Shower Countdown: 4 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ec8bX6bRKbQ/TZHqbZoliQI/AAAAAAAAAXw/c_W5Yqzlvoc/s1600/BrittanyShower_002_EmbroideryHoops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ec8bX6bRKbQ/TZHqbZoliQI/AAAAAAAAAXw/c_W5Yqzlvoc/s1600/BrittanyShower_002_EmbroideryHoops.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">No mom, these are not plates...</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-69195025165271576972011-03-28T20:45:00.006-05:002011-04-08T19:51:22.315-05:00Bridal Shower Countdown: 5 Days<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm throwing a bridal shower for my little sister this Saturday! Yay! Here's a little preview of what to expect:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG7RCo0qQ8A/TZDyvVbeR2I/AAAAAAAAAXg/aHMzsdl8-As/s1600/BrittanyShower_001_YarnBalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG7RCo0qQ8A/TZDyvVbeR2I/AAAAAAAAAXg/aHMzsdl8-As/s640/BrittanyShower_001_YarnBalls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I bet you'll never guess what these are for...</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796244027984710738.post-26360492341345633482011-03-19T21:25:00.005-05:002011-04-08T19:53:14.515-05:00I Feel the Garage Sale Bug Beginning to Bite!<div style="text-align: justify;">Even though I didn't find this at a garage sale... it awoke the same thrifty spirit you get at one. I've been wanting a sewing cabinet for awhile now and finally I found one on Craigslist for just slightly more then I wanted to pay. So being the wheeler and dealer that I am I offered the guy $25 less then he was asking and wouldn't budge when he countered for a bit more. (I figured that if he really wanted the cabinet gone then he would take a low offer and if not... I would just keep looking.) But he accepted so today Kevin and I went and picked it up. Here it is in its new home:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjgAa8iMjMw/TZD6_G7ocyI/AAAAAAAAAXo/KlpOgRcWDTo/s1600/SewingTable02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjgAa8iMjMw/TZD6_G7ocyI/AAAAAAAAAXo/KlpOgRcWDTo/s1600/SewingTable02.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I had to scrub off a layer of smoker's grime but now it's <strike>sparkly</strike> moderately clean. The side compartments (which flip open at the top) will be perfect for umbrellas and the drawers already hold some of Lucy's walking items (sweaters, leash, treats and baggies for her... ahem.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And our lamp from Kevin's parents looks perfect here :-) But the little box next to it won't be staying for long since it's for Brittany's shower and something she gets to keep. More on that laaaater!</div>Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037808479105442314noreply@blogger.com0