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art"},{"term":"wreath"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Midwestern Girl"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"by maggie massey"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/-\/guest+post?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=30"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/search\/label\/guest%20post"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"14"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"30"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-5764699233479972348"},"published":{"$t":"2012-10-01T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-10-01T06:00:02.706-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"digital scrapbooking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Halloween"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Let the Halloween crafts begin! Today I'm at Sew Woodsy..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Today you can find me at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sewwoodsy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESew Woodsy\u003C\/a\u003E where Katie is having a month-long Halloween fest!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's a little sneak peek of my project...head on over to check it out!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cDquCa_njYk\/UGjHSEXOA_I\/AAAAAAAAHiM\/bAVCm0nTwTM\/s1600\/spookybox.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cDquCa_njYk\/UGjHSEXOA_I\/AAAAAAAAHiM\/bAVCm0nTwTM\/s1600\/spookybox.gif\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;\"\u003E***amazing Halloween digital elements from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/rhonnadesigns.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERhonna Farrer\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/5764699233479972348"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/5764699233479972348"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2012\/10\/let-halloween-crafts-begin-today-im-at.html","title":"Let the Halloween crafts begin! Today I'm at Sew Woodsy..."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-cDquCa_njYk\/UGjHSEXOA_I\/AAAAAAAAHiM\/bAVCm0nTwTM\/s72-c\/spookybox.gif","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-8883819748243386663"},"published":{"$t":"2012-07-25T08:39:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-07-25T08:39:29.704-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"back to school"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bts"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Today I'm guest-posting at Dukes and Duchesses!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EMy darling friend, Randi, from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/dukesandduchesses.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDukes and Duchesses\u003C\/a\u003E, invited me to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dukesandduchesses.com\/2012\/07\/guest-post-school-year-albums.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eshare a project on her blog\u003C\/a\u003E today...so, of course, I said \"YES!\" If you've never seen her blog, then you are definitely missing out...her family-friendly projects and recipes are so inspiring...head on over and take a look!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's a little sneak-peek of what I'm sharing...you may remember this post from the end of last summer...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qvEy_Lt9vEM\/UA_12TX8faI\/AAAAAAAAF6Q\/NDy_0LDXdAU\/s1600\/backb.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"425\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qvEy_Lt9vEM\/UA_12TX8faI\/AAAAAAAAF6Q\/NDy_0LDXdAU\/s640\/backb.gif\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI hope you're having a fantastic week!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI am getting my house re-straightened\/organized\/cleaned this week...oh my gosh, it's driving me crazy, but it feels so good to have some order back up in here..."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8883819748243386663"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8883819748243386663"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2012\/07\/today-im-guest-posting-at-dukes-and.html","title":"Today I'm guest-posting at Dukes and Duchesses!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qvEy_Lt9vEM\/UA_12TX8faI\/AAAAAAAAF6Q\/NDy_0LDXdAU\/s72-c\/backb.gif","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-2836710190755328037"},"published":{"$t":"2012-05-17T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-05-17T06:00:06.912-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"out of my comfort zone"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"wall art"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"step outside your comfort zone...with Shelley of Crazy Wonderful"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"It's time for another installment of Step Outside Your Comfort Zone! Yay!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis time around the amazing Shelley from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/westermanfam.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrazy Wonderful\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;is here sharing her project.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EShelley has magnificent taste and her design style makes me wish I lived closer to her so that I could have her come rearrange my living room. I find it hard to believe that there is anything she feels challenged by...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gLUOlj4XDSo\/T7RaUrAzVII\/AAAAAAAAFV0\/Yci0ddwM8Qg\/s1600\/crazywonderful.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gLUOlj4XDSo\/T7RaUrAzVII\/AAAAAAAAFV0\/Yci0ddwM8Qg\/s1600\/crazywonderful.gif\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EIf you're a new reader, let me give you a quick rundown on this series...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAs crafters, diy-ers, moms, (dads?), humans, we often get stuck in our \"comfort zones.\" We find a place in our lives where we're comfortable. And we stay there.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThis series challenges bloggers to \u003Ci\u003Estep outside their comfort zones\u003C\/i\u003E (hence the catchy name), to try something they don't normally do...to do something that may scare them a little, frustrate them a little...whatever.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI think it's good for us to shake things up a bit...it keeps things from getting stale...and it keeps us on our toes...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ESo, let's meet our challenger, shall we?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #3d85c6;\"\u003E*******\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EHello everyone!\u0026nbsp; I'm Shelley from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/westermanfam.blogspot.com\/\"\u003ECrazy Wonderful\u003C\/a\u003E, and I'm ubber\u0026nbsp;excited to be here posting for Outside My Comfort Zone!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI've done a\u0026nbsp;couple pieces of art in the past, but\u0026nbsp;this time I\u0026nbsp;wanted to try something different\u0026nbsp;that didn't involve paint.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EHere's what I came up with!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-52gz4caOKMk\/T628lk1QUSI\/AAAAAAAACCY\/eRLbItVe6ug\/s1600\/IMG_4703-edited.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-52gz4caOKMk\/T628lk1QUSI\/AAAAAAAACCY\/eRLbItVe6ug\/s640\/IMG_4703-edited.jpg\" width=\"547\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003ESupply List:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Esilver leaf\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Emetal leaf adhesive spray\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Eplain paper (I used a few sheets of computer paper)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Ebackground paper (I used a thicker paper so it wouldn't buckle)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Epencil and object for tracing\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Escissors\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003Eglue stick\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EWhat I did:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ESTEP ONE:\u0026nbsp; Spray your plain paper with the metal leaf adhesive spray.\u0026nbsp; A light coat should be sufficient.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ESTEP TWO:\u0026nbsp; Start laying down the sheets of silver leaf.\u0026nbsp; Cover the entire piece of paper.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eFWSE4MYurY\/T6nNj-ifEmI\/AAAAAAAACAw\/yQLZ01pc2NE\/s1600\/PicMonkey-1,2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"216\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eFWSE4MYurY\/T6nNj-ifEmI\/AAAAAAAACAw\/yQLZ01pc2NE\/s640\/PicMonkey-1,2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESTEP THREE:\u0026nbsp; Flip the paper you just silver leafed over, and trace circles using the lip of a glass.\u0026nbsp; If you want a smaller circle, a large circular punch would make this much easier and save you the tracing and cutting out time.\u003Cbr \/\u003ESTEP FOUR:\u0026nbsp; Cut out your traced circles.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-36HZc6EoQLs\/T6nNlVAvuUI\/AAAAAAAACA4\/uXLvkERpDTg\/s1600\/PicMonkey-3,4.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"216\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-36HZc6EoQLs\/T6nNlVAvuUI\/AAAAAAAACA4\/uXLvkERpDTg\/s640\/PicMonkey-3,4.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESTEP FIVE:\u0026nbsp; Use a glue stick to coat the back of your cut outs.\u003Cbr \/\u003ESTEP SIX:\u0026nbsp; Arrange circles onto your backing paper.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-85mkZApK_rI\/T6nNoXkVc0I\/AAAAAAAACBA\/wxHIq-yUzM4\/s1600\/PicMonkey-5,6.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"216\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-85mkZApK_rI\/T6nNoXkVc0I\/AAAAAAAACBA\/wxHIq-yUzM4\/s640\/PicMonkey-5,6.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EFrame and you're done!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EMy favorite part about this piece is how it changes\u0026nbsp;at different angles. These aren't\u0026nbsp;the most glamorous photos, but it shows you how different it looks when you see it's reflection in the mirror.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-JYXc9hvZZF8\/T63BlezbXxI\/AAAAAAAACCk\/m238sis0F1Y\/s1600\/PicMonkey-silverleaf.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"296\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-JYXc9hvZZF8\/T63BlezbXxI\/AAAAAAAACCk\/m238sis0F1Y\/s640\/PicMonkey-silverleaf.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ESo, another use for good ol silver leaf!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EThanks for having me over today, Maggie.\u0026nbsp; I had fun, and definitely enjoyed stepping outside my norm!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;******* \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;\"\u003E*If you love Shelley's art, please Pin It! But first, please head over to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.westermanfam.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EShelley's site\u003C\/a\u003E and pin it from there to ensure that she gets proper credit...thank you!*\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThank you so much for sharing your project, Shelley! I LOVE the way this looks. It really reminds me of something you would see in a high-end gallery...it's just gorgeous. And I can't believe you cut out all those little circles by hand...they look perfect! Great job!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDo you have something you'd like to try that is outside of \u003Ci\u003Eyour\u003C\/i\u003E comfort zone? Just contact me at msgirlblog@hotmail.com and I'll set up a date to feature you!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/2836710190755328037"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/2836710190755328037"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2012\/05\/step-outside-your-comfort-zonewith.html","title":"step outside your comfort zone...with Shelley of Crazy Wonderful"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-gLUOlj4XDSo\/T7RaUrAzVII\/AAAAAAAAFV0\/Yci0ddwM8Qg\/s72-c\/crazywonderful.gif","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-8842188163646090489"},"published":{"$t":"2012-04-12T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-04-12T06:00:02.440-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"rustic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"tutorial"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"a rustic welcome sign...with kassi from truly lovely"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #134f5c;\"\u003EToday the gorgeous Kassi from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETruly Lovely\u003C\/a\u003E is here! Woo hoo! Kassi is one of the sweetest girls I've met blogging and I'm so happy she agreed to blog-swap with me today! Now, take it away, Kassi!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EHello there lovely MSG readers!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EMy name is Kassi and I blog over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/\"\u003ETruly Lovely\u003C\/a\u003E. It's an '\u003Cem\u003Eall things lovely\u003C\/em\u003E' blog created by myself and my sister, Kayli.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Kassi and Kayli\" border=\"0\" class=\"aligncenter\" height=\"313\" src=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Kassi-and-Kayli.jpg\" style=\"border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px;\" width=\"452\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI am thrilled to be blog swapping with Maggie today! She has always been one of my most FAVORITE bloggers! For reals, there is no one nicer or more encouraging!!! :) She is over \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/\"\u003Eat my place as we speak\u003C\/a\u003E sharing some of her AWESOMEness so I'm sure she'd love a visit when you're done here...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EToday I have a fun DIY\/Craft to share with you dolls.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EThe hubs and I made Pallet Welcome Signs for some friends of ours and I'd love to share the tutorial with you!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EFirst, hubs cut up an old pallet into several similarly sized pieces. We decided three pieces would make a decent sized welcome sign. Next, I cut out some words in vinyl using my Silhouette SD to make some stencils.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI stenciled the words onto the pieces of pallet using the vinyl stencils, a small paint brush and some black acrylic paint.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EWe let them dry for several hours.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3751.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2617\" height=\"430\" src=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3751-1024x768.jpg\" title=\"Pallet Sign - Stenciling\" width=\"574\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EOnce they were dry, we took the three stenciled pieces (per sign) and connected them using two \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.homedepot.com\/h_d1\/N-5yc1v\/R-100375120\/h_d2\/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053\u0026amp;langId=-1\u0026amp;keyword=strap\u0026amp;storeId=10051\"\u003EStrong-Tie straps purchased from Home Depot\u003C\/a\u003E, and a few well placed screws.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3775.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2616\" height=\"498\" src=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3775-1024x1024.jpg\" title=\"Pallet Sign - Back\" width=\"498\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EYou can also see our sign \"hanger\" in the above photo. The barbed wire was the hubs' genius idea. Adds to the rustic look, don't you think?? We simply cut a small piece of barbed wire, bent it to our liking, then screwed each side down on the back of the sign.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ESo.... What do you think??\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3784.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2623\" height=\"378\" src=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3784-1024x969.jpg\" title=\"Pallet Welcome Sign\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EHubs' was a great help on this one... It would appear he's got an eye for rustic design. ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3772.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2621\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/DSCF3772-894x1024.jpg\" title=\"Pallet Welcome Sign\" width=\"558\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EMy thanks to Maggie for having me over to share with you lovelies! It's been a pleasure!!! :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EHope you'll pop over to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/\"\u003ETruly Lovely\u003C\/a\u003E and say hello sometime!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E~Kassi\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #134f5c;\"\u003EUmmmm....LOVE this project. What a fantastic idea for a housewarming gift or for a newly-married couple! So cool...and isn't Kassi absolutely darling? Head on over to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trulylovelyblog.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETruly Lovely\u003C\/a\u003E to check out more of Kassi \u0026amp; Kayli's projects...you'll be happy you did...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8842188163646090489"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8842188163646090489"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2012\/04\/rustic-welcome-signwith-kassi-from.html","title":"a rustic welcome sign...with kassi from truly lovely"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-328988430659343931"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-03T15:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-02-03T15:00:00.146-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"10 uses for old clothing...guest post at A Simply Klassic Home"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\"\u003ECome on over to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com\/\" style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\"\u003EA Simply Klassic Home\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;to see my post on Creative Uses for Old Clothing...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pqZ1hOI2g04\/TywS4qNuY5I\/AAAAAAAAEBo\/YXvywNCkzM4\/s1600\/SKH+Header.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"174\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pqZ1hOI2g04\/TywS4qNuY5I\/AAAAAAAAEBo\/YXvywNCkzM4\/s640\/SKH+Header.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EKristin\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;has this awesome series focusing on creative ways to use common items...come check it out!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/10-creative-uses-for-used-clothing.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Photobucket\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/i848.photobucket.com\/albums\/ab44\/midwesternsewinggirl\/10CreativeUses.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/328988430659343931"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/328988430659343931"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2012\/02\/10-uses-for-old-clothingguest-post-at.html","title":"10 uses for old clothing...guest post at A Simply Klassic Home"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pqZ1hOI2g04\/TywS4qNuY5I\/AAAAAAAAEBo\/YXvywNCkzM4\/s72-c\/SKH+Header.png","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-5139235460172822020"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-12-12T06:00:00.083-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"handmade ornaments"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Wanna know where I'm guest-posting today?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Well, today is Day 3 of my blogville guest-posting tour...I'm sad now that my journey is coming to an end...but it'll be good to be home...I'm tired...and the road is a hard place to live...(alright, enough...right?)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway...today I'm at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sewwoodsy.com\/\"\u003ESew Woodsy\u003C\/a\u003E with sweet-faced Katie! I'm sharing a handmade ornament for Katie's 12 Days of Handmade Ornaments Party!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sewwoodsy.com\/\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"button\" border=\"0\" height=\"125\" src=\" http:\/\/sewwoodsy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/12-days-of-Handmade-Ornaments-text.jpg\" width=\"125\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's a little preview...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qjinbkZ95mE\/TuLW_XjW7hI\/AAAAAAAACyg\/4R2zxc72nho\/s1600\/2011.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qjinbkZ95mE\/TuLW_XjW7hI\/AAAAAAAACyg\/4R2zxc72nho\/s1600\/2011.gif\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECome on back a little later today (2 pm Central) when we'll be starting the Christmas Tree Linky Party! Yay! I CAN NOT WAIT to see what your trees look like!!!! Woo hoo!!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/5139235460172822020"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/5139235460172822020"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/12\/wanna-know-where-im-guest-posting-today.html","title":"Wanna know where I'm guest-posting today?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qjinbkZ95mE\/TuLW_XjW7hI\/AAAAAAAACyg\/4R2zxc72nho\/s72-c\/2011.gif","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-1149492959057390535"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-11T08:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-12-11T08:00:07.665-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Guess where I am today?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I'm at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EA Simply Klassic Home\u003C\/a\u003E! Yay! I'm sharing a Christmas printable at Kristin's 12 Days of Christmas Printables party!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca border=\"0\" href=\"http:\/\/www.asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/i166.photobucket.com\/albums\/u87\/auntdoi\/12DaysButton.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy project is the second-to-last one...so, if you've missed the first 10, head on over there to grab 'em! They are all fantastic...you won't want to be without them this Christmas!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's a little clue to my printable...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7Jr-2eyRtV4\" width=\"420\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EConfused? (smile...)"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/1149492959057390535"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/1149492959057390535"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/12\/guess-where-i-am-today.html","title":"Guess where I am today?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/7Jr-2eyRtV4\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-6823594933608045453"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-10T13:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-12-10T13:00:00.121-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"printables"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Queen of the Guest-Posters...that's me...today I'm at EUTM!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"3 days...3 different guest-posts...3 awesome blogs...thus, my self-given new title...Queen of the Guest-Posters...oh. yes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EToday I'm over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EEverything Under The Moon\u003C\/a\u003E with the fabulous Nikki...showing off my Christmas craft in her 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Party!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/12-days-of-christmas-holiday-party.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Photobucket\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/i848.photobucket.com\/albums\/ab44\/midwesternsewinggirl\/holidaypartyEUTM2-s-1.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's a little sneak peak at what I'm sharing today...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XCOog-pKKpo\/TuLO7K7PzJI\/AAAAAAAACyQ\/z9NCP2ezVJE\/s1600\/reindeerfoodcloseup.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XCOog-pKKpo\/TuLO7K7PzJI\/AAAAAAAACyQ\/z9NCP2ezVJE\/s1600\/reindeerfoodcloseup.gif\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EPlus, there's a printable...don't miss it!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ESee you tomorrow when I'll be sharing another printable at my girl, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EKristin's\u003C\/a\u003E, blog!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7H2El12GTsk\/TuLPq_oaoOI\/AAAAAAAACyY\/FCxJa1gj20Q\/s1600\/Untitled-3.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7H2El12GTsk\/TuLPq_oaoOI\/AAAAAAAACyY\/FCxJa1gj20Q\/s1600\/Untitled-3.gif\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/6823594933608045453"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/6823594933608045453"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/12\/queen-of-guest-postersthats-metoday-im.html","title":"Queen of the Guest-Posters...that's me...today I'm at EUTM!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XCOog-pKKpo\/TuLO7K7PzJI\/AAAAAAAACyQ\/z9NCP2ezVJE\/s72-c\/reindeerfoodcloseup.gif","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-1600683270517766235"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-12-01T16:32:20.996-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"decoupage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holiday"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"paper"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"J-O-Y - with decoupage..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I originally shared this project over on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com\/\"\u003ELines Across My Face\u003C\/a\u003E as part of Rachel's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/11-midwestern-sewing-girl-13-crafts-of.html\"\u003EThe 13 Crafts of Christmas\u003C\/a\u003E series...but I wanted to run it again, just in case you may have missed it...(smile)...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sbcrb46k8G4\/TtaKfUNTAPI\/AAAAAAAAB7Y\/JSVaIoWEavE\/s1600\/postdivider.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"32\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sbcrb46k8G4\/TtaKfUNTAPI\/AAAAAAAAB7Y\/JSVaIoWEavE\/s320\/postdivider.png\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EToday I want to share a little project I did to spruce up some cardboard letters I had left over from my kids' Christmas card photo shoot...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThese are the letters pre-makeover...they are about 24\" tall and are made of cardboard (I got them at Jo-Ann)...I had spray-painted them white for the photos, but they got kind of nicked up and dirty from being outside for the photos...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z-5DUCsvLI4\/TrsJJtKneGI\/AAAAAAAABvs\/YVZoYEyyHCA\/s1600\/pre1.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z-5DUCsvLI4\/TrsJJtKneGI\/AAAAAAAABvs\/YVZoYEyyHCA\/s400\/pre1.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI knew I wanted to add some design and color to them, but I wasn't quite sure how...I CAN NOT hand-paint anything (except walls and stuff that can be messy...painted details ain't my thang)...so I knew I would probably have to decoupage them. But with what paper? These letters are big...and paper's not...hmmm...AHA!!! Wrapping paper! The perfect sized-paper for the big ol' things! And I had just the stuff...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe were at IKEA last week and I picked up some of the most darling Christmas items...including this fantastic wrapping paper...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ahnN_9EE3RM\/TrsJKTww71I\/AAAAAAAABv0\/CYgBSurncfE\/s1600\/supplies.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ahnN_9EE3RM\/TrsJKTww71I\/AAAAAAAABv0\/CYgBSurncfE\/s400\/supplies.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESee it over there on the left? It's really cute...white w\/charcoal grey snowflakes...\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also gathered up my white acrylic paint \u0026amp; decoupage...both by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/decoart.com\/\"\u003EDecoArt\u003C\/a\u003E...and my repositionable spray adhesive from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.krylon.com\/\"\u003EKrylon\u003C\/a\u003E...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI spread out the wrapping paper and laid each letter face down...make sure you lay the letters \u003Ci\u003Eface down\u003C\/i\u003E if you are tracing onto the white side of the paper...that way you can ensure that you cut the printed side so that it fits the letter...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-e_rv_kY1GLw\/TrsLq425kUI\/AAAAAAAABv8\/ozQONfJUOdU\/s1600\/lettertrace.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-e_rv_kY1GLw\/TrsLq425kUI\/AAAAAAAABv8\/ozQONfJUOdU\/s400\/lettertrace.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter you finish tracing all of the letters, cut them out...don't worry about fussy-cutting, the edges won't really matter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI then sprayed each of my letters with adhesive and laid my cut-out letters on top. I do this only because I find it easier to just lift up a corner of the paper and spread on some decoupage, rather than try to spread the glue all over the piece and then struggle to get the paper on right...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDecoupage your paper cut-outs onto your cardboard letters following the directions on the bottle...I ADORE the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/decoart.com\/\"\u003EDecoArt\u003C\/a\u003E Decoupage because it comes in a squeeze bottle...I just squeeze some of the glue directly onto my project...no need to pour a bunch into a bowl to work with. This decoupage is also a little thinner than some, so I've found I don't need to water it down at all to get it to spread nicely...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8xJCV35ucAc\/TrsNcfNR8ZI\/AAAAAAAABwE\/WYL1unohDPU\/s1600\/decoupage.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8xJCV35ucAc\/TrsNcfNR8ZI\/AAAAAAAABwE\/WYL1unohDPU\/s400\/decoupage.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce the decoupage dried, I turned my letters over, and, with a craft knife, I cut the hangy-over paper off...(now you see why fussy-cutting is not necessary)...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QKdX5zJg_-8\/TrsNsMjHj8I\/AAAAAAAABwM\/RbRX19v0OEg\/s1600\/cutextrapaper.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QKdX5zJg_-8\/TrsNsMjHj8I\/AAAAAAAABwM\/RbRX19v0OEg\/s400\/cutextrapaper.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENext I took one of my little cheap paint brushes and dry-brushed the white paint over the edges of the letters...this gives them the effect of age and wear...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jeaHzcIn_EM\/TrsORQ2sEQI\/AAAAAAAABwU\/si_7rDE-BmE\/s1600\/drybrush.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jeaHzcIn_EM\/TrsORQ2sEQI\/AAAAAAAABwU\/si_7rDE-BmE\/s400\/drybrush.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EFinally, I spread one final coat of decoupage over each letter and let them all dry...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-exFLXK0unsA\/TrsQE-CjfWI\/AAAAAAAABws\/_fzJQd5YAis\/s1600\/Triptych.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-exFLXK0unsA\/TrsQE-CjfWI\/AAAAAAAABws\/_fzJQd5YAis\/s640\/Triptych.gif\" width=\"291\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAnd here's the final product!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QKrbu71Pghk\/TrsOrPvFHzI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/kJ4q-3_V22w\/s1600\/final1.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg \"=\"\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QKrbu71Pghk\/TrsOrPvFHzI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/kJ4q-3_V22w\/s550\/final1.gif\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI really like the way they turned out...right now they're hanging on a wall all by themselves in our family room...love 'em...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com\/p\/link-parties-i-love.html\"\u003EHere's where I'll be sharing this project...\u003C\/a\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/1600683270517766235"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/1600683270517766235"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/12\/j-o-y-with-decoupage.html","title":"J-O-Y - with decoupage..."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sbcrb46k8G4\/TtaKfUNTAPI\/AAAAAAAAB7Y\/JSVaIoWEavE\/s72-c\/postdivider.png","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-6078963915038499651"},"published":{"$t":"2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-11-30T06:00:09.639-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garland"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Tree Garland with Nikki from Everything Under the Moon"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #45818e; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EI have another wonderful blogger here today sharing her adorable Christmas project...Nikki is one of the sweetest people I've met while blogging...she, too, was a competitor in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/naptimecrafters.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EAmerican Crafter\u003C\/a\u003E competition with me (and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EAngela \u003C\/a\u003Efrom \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/muffin-tin-advent-calendar-with-angela.html\"\u003EMonday's post\u003C\/a\u003E!)...she has an amazing amount of talent and the most darling little girl in the world - just look at that photo of them! LOVE! Here she is...I know you'll love her, too...\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;\"\u003EHi!!! My name is Nikki and I am the crazy mind behind \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EEverything Under the Moon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"\u003E. \u0026nbsp;I am so super excited to be over here at \u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMidwestern Sewing Girl\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E sharing this super simple but snazzy Christmas craft with you! \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7JOSTwKwSJQ\/TqNn5Hj-RgI\/AAAAAAAABMw\/WswbRdl97-w\/s1600\/featurepic.jpg\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #cc4d22; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" height=\"239\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7JOSTwKwSJQ\/TqNn5Hj-RgI\/AAAAAAAABMw\/WswbRdl97-w\/s320\/featurepic.jpg\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #e2dbd1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(209, 191, 166); border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 191, 166); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(209, 191, 166); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: baseline;\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EA little about me, I am mommy to our beautiful ZeeBee Moon and an aspiring photographer. \u0026nbsp;I blog about crafts, photography, food, hair, and of course motherhood! \u0026nbsp;I {super} love what I do and love being able to share it with all of you! \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;\"\u003E:)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #333333; font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E* * *\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI've see some of the nicest Christmas garlands this year on other blogs and on Pinterest and I wanted to give one a try of my own. This is such a simple and fun tutorial and it really adds some\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E pizzazz\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E to your holiday decor!  I started off by finding a Christmas tree template online. I used \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/familycrafts.about.com\/od\/treeornaments\/ss\/FirTreeOrnamentPattern.htm\"\u003Ethis one\u003C\/a\u003E. I cut out the template onto a piece of white cardstock and then traced the tree onto the back of some holiday cardstock paper from Michael's.  \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AUEv1jegfyY\/TtFtqb9DkpI\/AAAAAAAACG4\/Wc3upFTIA1k\/s1600\/collagetree1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AUEv1jegfyY\/TtFtqb9DkpI\/AAAAAAAACG4\/Wc3upFTIA1k\/s400\/collagetree1.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI cut out each tree and hole-punched the top and bottom.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ug56G0mo5S4\/TtFvENu0oWI\/AAAAAAAACH0\/-A0mAbvzDvI\/s1600\/IMG_6450-1r.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ug56G0mo5S4\/TtFvENu0oWI\/AAAAAAAACH0\/-A0mAbvzDvI\/s400\/IMG_6450-1r.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI strung the trees onto a piece of yarn with the yarn running through the back.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UIBBhU5y3wI\/TtFvEuzLxGI\/AAAAAAAACH8\/fkJ_xx4Ua5k\/s1600\/IMG_6457-1r.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UIBBhU5y3wI\/TtFvEuzLxGI\/AAAAAAAACH8\/fkJ_xx4Ua5k\/s400\/IMG_6457-1r.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI spaced each tree the distance I wanted them and then put a dot of hot glue in the back to hold the yarn in place so the trees wouldn't slide up and down and...  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IXz8uhbawDg\/TtFvEz1OptI\/AAAAAAAACIE\/mmPGIxN-AvE\/s1600\/IMG_6459-1r.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IXz8uhbawDg\/TtFvEz1OptI\/AAAAAAAACIE\/mmPGIxN-AvE\/s400\/IMG_6459-1r.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003ETa Da!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c6rFoApfZBQ\/TtFvF4vYFoI\/AAAAAAAACIU\/K3jS00qlzY4\/s1600\/IMG_6472-1r.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c6rFoApfZBQ\/TtFvF4vYFoI\/AAAAAAAACIU\/K3jS00qlzY4\/s550\/IMG_6472-1r.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThere you have it. Super simple but pretty \u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EChristmas tree garland\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E:)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VW3kd45Zdjg\/TtFvFb_thvI\/AAAAAAAACIM\/XqjqjUuxloE\/s1600\/IMG_6468-1r.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VW3kd45Zdjg\/TtFvFb_thvI\/AAAAAAAACIM\/XqjqjUuxloE\/s550\/IMG_6468-1r.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI hope you all enjoyed this tutorial and I would love it if you would stop by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EEverything Under the Moon\u003C\/a\u003E December 10th-22nd for my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/12-days-of-christmas-holiday-party.html\"\u003E12 Days of Christmas Holiday Party\u003C\/a\u003E. There will be lots of great bloggers there sharing their holiday projects, including Maggie!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/12-days-of-christmas-holiday-party.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http:\/\/i73.photobucket.com\/albums\/i203\/niquealodeon\/holidaypartyEUTM2-s.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Thank you so much Maggie for having me at Midwestern Sewing Girl. \u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EYou totally rock!! ~xoxo\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EHappy Holidays!!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zUV7uwoBxkU\/Trb1ztBlzuI\/AAAAAAAABf4\/iXKbmCHdtAY\/s1600\/signature4.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zUV7uwoBxkU\/Trb1ztBlzuI\/AAAAAAAABf4\/iXKbmCHdtAY\/s1600\/signature4.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/6078963915038499651"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/6078963915038499651"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/11\/christmas-tree-garland-with-nikki-from.html","title":"Christmas Tree Garland with Nikki from Everything Under the Moon"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7JOSTwKwSJQ\/TqNn5Hj-RgI\/AAAAAAAABMw\/WswbRdl97-w\/s72-c\/featurepic.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-8430933488969440953"},"published":{"$t":"2011-11-28T07:28:00.001-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-11-28T09:53:34.151-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Advent calendar"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Muffin Tin Advent Calendar with Angela from Love Sweet Love"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #134f5c;\"\u003EI have an amazing guest today, guys...I first met Angela right before we both participated in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/naptimecrafters.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EAmerican Crafter\u003C\/a\u003E competition...and I immediately was struck by her kindness, beauty, creativity \u0026amp; talent...she is one remarkable woman...you will love her \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/\"\u003Eblog\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026amp; you will LOVE this project...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EHeLlO hElLo \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 130%;\"\u003Em{s}g \u003C\/span\u003Ereaders!!! I am Angela, the voice behind\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/\"\u003E Love Sweet Love,\u003C\/a\u003E and I am super-duper EcStAtIc to be here doing a guest post for the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003Efantastic\u003C\/span\u003E Maggie today!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EMaggie is one of my all-time favorite bloggers and Christmas is my all-time favorite holiday so putting these two together is like unwrapping the perfect gift on Christmas morning! Thank you for inviting me today Maggie!!!!  \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI  use my little  corner of the blogging universe to share my creative    ideas that  involve easy \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/2011\/05\/bean-balls.html\"\u003EDIY projects for the home\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/2011\/06\/drive-in-movie-cars.html\"\u003Ecraft ideas for kids\u003C\/a\u003E,    thrift  store makeovers like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/2011\/07\/sweet-tute-tuesday-family-rules-canvas.html\"\u003Ethis \u003C\/a\u003Eand\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/2011\/08\/picture-frame-jewelry-organizer.html\"\u003E this\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/american-crafter-round-2-vintage.html\"\u003Eorganization ideas\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/p\/holiday-inspiration.html\"\u003Eholiday decorating \u003C\/a\u003E(the reason I started     blogging!). My life is over-flowing with \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ESweet Love\u003C\/span\u003E   and I needed a place\u0026nbsp;to share it!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aHdaec0qaCg\/TlAd8i5kboI\/AAAAAAAAIiY\/WLfSWZyRgls\/s1600\/love%2Bsweet%2Blove.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643043259092856450\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aHdaec0qaCg\/TlAd8i5kboI\/AAAAAAAAIiY\/WLfSWZyRgls\/s525\/love%2Bsweet%2Blove.PNG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI Love LOVE Love everything about Christmas! The decorations, the lights, the music, the colors, the smells, giving gifts, mistletoe :), and the pure JOY and excitement that those 24 days leading up to it entail! I created a fun way to help your sweet families kick off your Christmas season and squeeze every ounce of tradition, laughter, service and  creativity out of the month of December...a Christmas Advent with 24 Christmas activites.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-WqwIB_eiKrg\/TtM6BjzbPdI\/AAAAAAAAJ_0\/SxfyCppTmAY\/s1600\/IMG_2671-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947353509543378\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-WqwIB_eiKrg\/TtM6BjzbPdI\/AAAAAAAAJ_0\/SxfyCppTmAY\/s550\/IMG_2671-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  I first got this idea, of using a muffin tin, from my sweet neighbor (who's not a blogger :) ). I've been wanting to make an advent for the last TWO Christmas's but couldn't find the *perfect* one for us, so when I saw this style I knew it would fit our family perfectly! I got on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/\"\u003Epinterest\u003C\/a\u003E (BAD idea) to see if I could find an example of how to make one-thinking just because \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EI\u003C\/span\u003E hadn't seen it before it would be a rare, if not original, idea. HA! \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 85%;\"\u003E(Is there anything now that hasn't been done in some way before?!?!) \u003C\/span\u003ESooooo, there are LOTS of muffin tin advent ideas on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/\"\u003Epinterest\u003C\/a\u003E if you care to look, but I \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003Ewas\u003C\/span\u003E surprised to find that a lot of them are just for sale, or no tutorials are offered along with the picture.  SO just in case you ARE interested in the 'how-to', I have written up a tutorial with some pictures to walk you through it. This would be the perfect sort of advent to make if you're looking to do something quick, cheap, easy and\u0026nbsp;FuN!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-oqBQ9XE_9dk\/TtM5GsyjdEI\/AAAAAAAAJ90\/8we1nJZXhwY\/s1600\/IMG_2642-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946342309524546\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-oqBQ9XE_9dk\/TtM5GsyjdEI\/AAAAAAAAJ90\/8we1nJZXhwY\/s550\/IMG_2642-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ESupplies:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EYou'll start with: -A mini 24 cupcake muffin tin (about $5 at Walmart) -A few sheets of scrapbook paper and coordinating cardstock -embellishments (stickers, buttons, ribbon, etc) -Magnet roll -glue dots  If you have a device that cuts paper (cricut, silhouette, punches,etc) this will be LOADS easier for you :). I started by cutting out 24 small circles (using my cricut) to place into the bottom of each muffin tin.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FMhRrGWwtBo\/TtM5GrrzO9I\/AAAAAAAAJ-A\/yUjsqUas8UU\/s1600\/IMG_2645-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946342012763090\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FMhRrGWwtBo\/TtM5GrrzO9I\/AAAAAAAAJ-A\/yUjsqUas8UU\/s550\/IMG_2645-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  I used mini glue dots to adhere them to the pan. **TIP**since mine is a non-stick tin just one glue dot doesn't hold it in place so you'll need to use about 3 per circle.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-N8xvO1TbHlE\/TtM5GzytJLI\/AAAAAAAAJ-Q\/Ga5oXUn4P6k\/s1600\/IMG_2647-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946344189207730\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-N8xvO1TbHlE\/TtM5GzytJLI\/AAAAAAAAJ-Q\/Ga5oXUn4P6k\/s550\/IMG_2647-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  I wasn't sure if I was going to hang mine up or just string some ribbon through it for a little added embellishment, but either way I needed 2 small holes at the top of the pan, so the hubby drilled them right out for me! :) (you can buy pans with holes already in them, but they're about double the price).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c7hcLbo2MxQ\/TtM5HaDe6LI\/AAAAAAAAJ-Y\/cOOSTwZvdmo\/s1600\/IMG_2658-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946354460125362\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-c7hcLbo2MxQ\/TtM5HaDe6LI\/AAAAAAAAJ-Y\/cOOSTwZvdmo\/s550\/IMG_2658-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ENext I cut 12 scalloped and 12 regular circles out of 4 different types of holiday paper big enough to cover the hole. (my paper is from Hobby Lobby) I also cut 24 smaller circles out of cardstock to place one on top of each of the bigger circles so the numbers would stand out better.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wkNyP4PxQvM\/TtM5Uak-X7I\/AAAAAAAAJ-w\/qWE6DotXIMc\/s1600\/IMG_2648-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946577938898866\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wkNyP4PxQvM\/TtM5Uak-X7I\/AAAAAAAAJ-w\/qWE6DotXIMc\/s550\/IMG_2648-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  Then I decided to vintagey them up a smidge so I used some brown ink and a paper towel to distress up the sides of all the paper circles. (I did not use the circle below as it turned out to be a total flop-ha! It took me a couple tries to figure out what I was doing!)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vrFAJBMFEhw\/TtM5UcaU0qI\/AAAAAAAAJ-8\/UX6Sb7r7fMM\/s1600\/IMG_2649-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946578431103650\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vrFAJBMFEhw\/TtM5UcaU0qI\/AAAAAAAAJ-8\/UX6Sb7r7fMM\/s550\/IMG_2649-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  To get the look below, I found that I needed to press the paper towel into the ink and then, while the paper circle was lying flat on another paper towel, lightly swoosh the ink, quickly, back and forth around the outer perimeter of the circle. (I'm sure you all already know this but just in case there are some newbie ink distresser's out there... :) )\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YnvdoDtB3jI\/TtM5UjaPB3I\/AAAAAAAAJ_I\/RkD5Gpxa2tI\/s1600\/IMG_2650-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946580309772146\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YnvdoDtB3jI\/TtM5UjaPB3I\/AAAAAAAAJ_I\/RkD5Gpxa2tI\/s550\/IMG_2650-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  I think the added step gives it \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003EJUST\u003C\/span\u003E the touch it needs to add some character to the project!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ZARDNCtD1M\/TtM5U-Z2JII\/AAAAAAAAJ_Y\/9xM4XxjoUGs\/s1600\/IMG_2679-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946587555898498\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ZARDNCtD1M\/TtM5U-Z2JII\/AAAAAAAAJ_Y\/9xM4XxjoUGs\/s550\/IMG_2679-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  And then the BEST part about this project...embellishing!!! This is where this project becomes ALL your own!! Your style, your talent, your ideas shine through right now and it doesn't matter how many of these you find online, yours will be unique and special to you!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-GQWT7zlGaq0\/TtM6BlsNoHI\/AAAAAAAAJ_s\/Tk5RzIkixX4\/s1600\/IMG_2654-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947354016161906\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-GQWT7zlGaq0\/TtM6BlsNoHI\/AAAAAAAAJ_s\/Tk5RzIkixX4\/s550\/IMG_2654-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  Detail is everything to me! I love a little bling here, a little saying there, a little glitter pretty much everywhere! So for mine, I made sure to include little tags on the presents that say 'from santa' (they were stickers I didn't actually MAKE all the tags-ha ha even I'm not that crazy), glittery numbers (stickers) for the countdown, tree toppers, tags (cut from my cricut) with some of our favorite Christmas songs hand written on them, your imagination is the limit!!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kiChVLU8K7w\/TtM6CGY7iBI\/AAAAAAAAKAQ\/OQMzg8astWk\/s1600\/IMG_2684-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947362793654290\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kiChVLU8K7w\/TtM6CGY7iBI\/AAAAAAAAKAQ\/OQMzg8astWk\/s550\/IMG_2684-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  Once each circle is decorated the way you want it and they're all numbered you're ready to add some magnet to the back. I used a magnet roll I already had and just cut pieces off of it and that white part peels off and it sticks right to your paper! So easy!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8JDRSx5y-XI\/TtM5VEwgKdI\/AAAAAAAAJ_g\/bSf3EbFOcAs\/s1600\/IMG_2653-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679946589261539794\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8JDRSx5y-XI\/TtM5VEwgKdI\/AAAAAAAAJ_g\/bSf3EbFOcAs\/s550\/IMG_2653-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EBehind each day is a *Kiss* and an activity to do for that day (24 activities at the end of this post). The Christmas season is always busy so I didn't want this to become something that stressed us out and made us feel obligated to add ONE more thing to our day, so most of these activities are things we would already be doing, it just make it more fun to pull it out of a tin and get a treat! :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Y6GOjzoAgkU\/TtM6PF_lsmI\/AAAAAAAAKBA\/2rohDLtrIBE\/s1600\/IMG_2693-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947586025665122\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Y6GOjzoAgkU\/TtM6PF_lsmI\/AAAAAAAAKBA\/2rohDLtrIBE\/s550\/IMG_2693-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E9CfeIf-8-g\/TtM6PeJOWmI\/AAAAAAAAKBQ\/lXcNlfl65QM\/s1600\/IMG_2700-2.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947592508529250\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E9CfeIf-8-g\/TtM6PeJOWmI\/AAAAAAAAKBQ\/lXcNlfl65QM\/s550\/IMG_2700-2.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E  And that's all!   You could whip this up in 1 or 2 days EASY and your kids will LOOOOVE it, I promise!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4SROD_u-twU\/TtM6Ozj0Q3I\/AAAAAAAAKAw\/tqFKVNkoxxI\/s1600\/IMG_2688-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947581077341042\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4SROD_u-twU\/TtM6Ozj0Q3I\/AAAAAAAAKAw\/tqFKVNkoxxI\/s550\/IMG_2688-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kcWsmSb55H0\/TtM6B0DdiZI\/AAAAAAAAKAE\/QBjgqx2sVJ4\/s1600\/IMG_2677-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947357871770002\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kcWsmSb55H0\/TtM6B0DdiZI\/AAAAAAAAKAE\/QBjgqx2sVJ4\/s550\/IMG_2677-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E    My kids have been DYING to start doing this right away since we put it up this weekend! They love opening the little magnet \"doors\" and seeing their treat in there waiting for them!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DFZum45fuhY\/TtM7EKuP1eI\/AAAAAAAAKBk\/om_UNkHye3I\/s1600\/IMG_2709-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679948497828173282\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DFZum45fuhY\/TtM7EKuP1eI\/AAAAAAAAKBk\/om_UNkHye3I\/s550\/IMG_2709-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IQX7YxDlCXY\/TtM6CXRUbVI\/AAAAAAAAKAc\/Dp_FG9LsHLE\/s1600\/IMG_2686-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947367325134162\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IQX7YxDlCXY\/TtM6CXRUbVI\/AAAAAAAAKAc\/Dp_FG9LsHLE\/s550\/IMG_2686-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI opted to set mine on an easel to display and just tie a simple bow on the  top because I think there's enough going on on the advent itself and a  fancy bow on top would just be distracting. Buuuut if you did simpler  embellishments, a big poofy, sparkly bow would be perfect! :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ubwzAqgBKvU\/TtM6PnzjzCI\/AAAAAAAAKBY\/309Ulls1mqw\/s1600\/IMG_2705-1.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679947595102014498\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ubwzAqgBKvU\/TtM6PnzjzCI\/AAAAAAAAKBY\/309Ulls1mqw\/s550\/IMG_2705-1.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E24 Christmas Activities: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPut the star on the top of the Christmas tree\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFirst gift of Christmas *Our first gift of Christmas is a gift we set aside for our Savior. We each write down what we would like to *give* Jesus this year (talk kinder to our siblings, do one act of service everyday, etc.) and we put all the papers in a gift box and put it under the tree. A great reminder of  'the reason for the season'!\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWrite letters to Santa\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWatch\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lds.org\/study\/prophets-speak-today\/unto-all-the-world\/first-presidency-devotional-emphasizes-remembering-christ-at-christmas?lang=eng\u0026amp;query=first+presidency+christmas+devotional\"\u003E the First Presidency devotional\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDecorate Gingerbread Houses\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMake a Christmas craft\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EServe a neighbor\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESnow day (sledding, build snowman, etc)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELeave love notes for daddy around the house\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChristmas craft\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDrive around to see Christmas lights in the neighborhood\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPick out and donate toys to an organization\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStart our '12 days of Christmas' project for a needy family \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo see the newest Christmas\/kids movie at the theater\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBaking Day\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo out to dinner and anonymously pay for another family's meal\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDeliver Christmas treats\/goodies to friends and neighbor's \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInvite a new family or widow over for dinner\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChristmas craft\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo see Santa\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChristmas movie with popcorn night at home\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo to Salt Lake City to see the lights on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lds.org\/church\/events\/temple-square-lights-up-the-season?lang=eng\u0026amp;query=Temple+square\"\u003ETemple Square\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERead Christmas stories by the tree with Hot Chocolate and cookies\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen one present!\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMerry Christmas! (our family pic last year :) )\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-aWy3r8TQ7b4\/TtNR0VswBbI\/AAAAAAAAKBw\/aP_dHX90AzI\/s1600\/family%2Bpicture.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679973514664215986\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-aWy3r8TQ7b4\/TtNR0VswBbI\/AAAAAAAAKBw\/aP_dHX90AzI\/s500\/family%2Bpicture.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThank you so much Maggie for letting me share a little of my passion for Christmas with your readers today! Isn't Maggie one of the most beautiful, and talented, and stylish people you have ever met?!?! I'm one lucky girl that's for sure! Stop over at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/loveseweetlove.blogspot.com\/\"\u003Emy place\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for a visit anytime; Merry Christmas friends!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #134f5c;\"\u003EWhat did I tell you? Isn't that a wonderful project??? And I love love love that Angela shared her Christmas photo...what a lovely family...and she is definitely a girl after my own heart...details can make or break a project (in my opinion) and this girl is right on...every detail is just perfect...thank you so much for being here, Angela!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8430933488969440953"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8430933488969440953"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/11\/muffin-tin-advent-calendar-with-angela.html","title":"Muffin Tin Advent Calendar with Angela from Love Sweet Love"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aHdaec0qaCg\/TlAd8i5kboI\/AAAAAAAAIiY\/WLfSWZyRgls\/s72-c\/love%2Bsweet%2Blove.PNG","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-6921010766040965897"},"published":{"$t":"2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-11-21T16:02:30.433-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thanksgiving"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The 13 Crafts of Christmas - Today it's My Turn..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Today I'm over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/11-midwestern-sewing-girl-13-crafts-of.html\"\u003ELines Across My Face\u003C\/a\u003E, sharing my project for Rachel's 13 Crafts of Christmas series...yay!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/11-midwestern-sewing-girl-13-crafts-of.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Photobucket\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/i848.photobucket.com\/albums\/ab44\/midwesternsewinggirl\/the13craftsofchristmas-2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECome on over to see what I did with these...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wHLrsSfjy4c\/TsQ57ato-WI\/AAAAAAAAB3Y\/vUhei1JKHeA\/s1600\/supplies.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wHLrsSfjy4c\/TsQ57ato-WI\/AAAAAAAAB3Y\/vUhei1JKHeA\/s400\/supplies.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EOne other small thing...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThis week I'm sharing with you some things that I'm thankful for...I don't think I express my gratitude for these things often enough...hopefully writing them down will remind me...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for my children...for their health, for their energy, for their love.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for my husband...for his patience, for his pragmatism, for his support.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for my Mom...my best friend...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for my Dad...for all he's taught me...I love him so much.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for our house and for the neighborhood it's in...we're safe, we're warm \u0026amp; we have wonderful neighbors...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful that we always have enough food to eat...we are never hungry...in fact, we undoubtedly eat too much...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for my husband's job...that he gets paid enough that we want for nothing...we are not rich, but we ALWAYS have more than enough...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for my kids' schools...the teachers are wonderful, the classrooms are small \u0026amp; my kids are learning...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E*I'm thankful for our church...for all of it's work in our community...for the friends we and the kids have there...for an escape from the everyday chaos of life...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EMore tomorrow...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHave a wonderful day...and be thankful...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-USDQVn6iKAU\/TsQ9zkgcR1I\/AAAAAAAAB3o\/utsD1HwvvVk\/s1600\/tumblr_ln098towgq1qk1141o1_500.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-USDQVn6iKAU\/TsQ9zkgcR1I\/AAAAAAAAB3o\/utsD1HwvvVk\/s400\/tumblr_ln098towgq1qk1141o1_500.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/6921010766040965897"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/6921010766040965897"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/11\/13-crafts-of-christmas-today-its-my.html","title":"The 13 Crafts of Christmas - Today it's My Turn..."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wHLrsSfjy4c\/TsQ57ato-WI\/AAAAAAAAB3Y\/vUhei1JKHeA\/s72-c\/supplies.gif","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-8166603349280848498"},"published":{"$t":"2011-09-05T04:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-09-05T04:00:05.995-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"candlesticks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"diy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"{Guest Post} Lisa from The Pennington Point"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #a2c4c9; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;\"\u003EI'm so so excited!...Lisa, from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thepenningtonpoint.com\/\"\u003EThe Pennington Point\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Cstrike\u003Efinally gave in and\u003C\/strike\u003E\u0026nbsp;graciously accepted my invitation to come guest-post for me! Not only was she the first place winner from last month's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.onemonthtowinit.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EOne Month to Win It\u003C\/a\u003E, she is also one of the most clever, funny \u0026amp; wonderful bloggers I've come across...her posts never fail to have me laughing out loud...go check out her blog...I promise, you won't be disappointed...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #a2c4c9; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #a2c4c9; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;\"\u003EHere she is...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThanks Maggie, for letting me come visit you over here at Midwestern {Sewing} Girl.  I'm excited to share my latest project with you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the fall coming up I wanted something new for my mantle.  My method of decorating is to find something cheap (or free!) and see what I can make with it.  The challenge is making it not LOOK cheap, right?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI decided to make some fall candleholders using porch spindles.  I found these spindles at Home Depot and made four candleholders out of each spindle.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks031.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3827\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks031.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks03\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELet's get started!  Cut a 1x3 board into squares (which end up measuring 2 1\/2\" x 2 1\/2\").  Cut the spindle into four pieces.  Here's my fancy diagram:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks22.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3842\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks22.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks22\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EReally impressive, right?  I am starting to see why I don't write many tutorials.  Maybe I should just show you a picture of the cut pieces.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks041.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3828\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks041.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks04\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPre-drill center holes in both ends of the cut spindles and through the 1x3 squares.  In order to get it right in the middle, I tapped a little starter hole with a screw.  A nail would have been better, but I am too lazy to stop and go get anything once I have gotten started.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks21.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3826\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks21.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks21\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUsing your drill, screw the 1x3 squares to the bottom of each spindle, you will need a helper for this part (unless you have an extreme workshop equipped with vises in which case you are probably thinking this is the dumbest thing you have ever read). Be sure the screw is sunk slightly into the bottom or the candleholder will rock back and forth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESince 2 of the spindle sections are straight, I rounded the corners with my orbital sander and curved the tops just a bit.  The look is completely worth it even though my arm continued to shake for 45 minutes after I was finished.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks06.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3829\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks06.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks06\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe candle cups come 6 to a pkg from Hobby Lobby and with a 50% off coupon they don't add much to the cost.  I had the wooden beads left from another project, but any large wooden bead would do.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks10.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3830\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks10.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks10\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EScrew the cups directly to the top of the notch\/bulb sections and add the wooden bead between the cup and the straight spindles.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks08.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3831\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks08.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks08\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow we're getting somewhere.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks09.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3832\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks09.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks09\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELooking at that picture proves I have made something very simple seem entirely too complicated.  It really is easy, I promise!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI sanded them a bit to smooth the rough edges, caulked and painted (then sanded the corners after painting) and we're ready for fall!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks12.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3833\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks12.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks12\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIsn't it pretty?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks16.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3834\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks16.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks16\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe whole project took about an hour (not counting breaks for my nap and answering children's questions).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks18.jpg\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3836\" src=\"http:\/\/thepenningtonpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/candlesticks18.jpg\" title=\"candlesticks18\" width=\"500\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI love the way they look and will definitely be making lots more.  Wouldn't they be great for Christmas?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaggie, thank you so much for having me here!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #76a5af; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;\"\u003EWell, thank you for being here, sweet darlin'! I'm definitely going to making some of these...please make sure to stop by Lisa's blog, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thepenningtonpoint.com\/\"\u003EThe Pennington Point\u003C\/a\u003E, and have a look around - it will be time well-spent...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #76a5af; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;\"\u003EAaaand, one last thing...if you love these candle holders, but just don't have the time\/inclination to make them, Lisa is selling them in her etsy shop, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/Shop24\"\u003EShop24\u003C\/a\u003E! Yay! Get them \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/80646498\/four-fall-candlesticks\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThese are the materials you'll need to make 4 candle holders: 1 spindle, 1x3 board at least 12\" long, candle cups (Hobby Lobby), wooden beads, 8 wood screws 2 1\/2\" long, sandpaper, caulk \u0026amp; paint\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETools I used: Miter saw, drill, orbital sander, paint brush and an extra set of hands for about 5 minutes of the project"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8166603349280848498"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8166603349280848498"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/09\/guest-post-lisa-from-pennington-point.html","title":"{Guest Post} Lisa from The Pennington Point"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981348492850110172.post-8467968910182437234"},"published":{"$t":"2011-05-23T06:00:00.003-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-05-30T13:18:51.799-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guest post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Guess who's here today? It's Rachel from Maybe Matilda!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EOkay, you're about to meet one of the coolest girls I've found in blogland...her blog is absolutely awesome and her \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.maybematilda.etsy.com\/\"\u003Eetsy shop\u003C\/a\u003E has the most adorable crocheted baby \u0026amp; adult (!) hats you'll ever see (as well as other amazing things)... seriously, Rachel is fantastic...and her sense of humor and the way she writes has me laughing out loud. Reading her blog is always a bright spot in my day...but, enough of my gushing...here she is...you're gonna love her...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHi there! I'm Rachel, the brains \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(or not; sometimes I wonder)\u003C\/span\u003E behind \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.maybematilda.com\/\"\u003EMaybe Matilda\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E, where I blog about clothing refashions, sewing, crochet, and whatever crafts strike my fancy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MIzb-wnnGoE\/Tc6UbuagMKI\/AAAAAAAAAto\/KaftWJ2aF1w\/s1600\/DSC_0088-2.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MIzb-wnnGoE\/Tc6UbuagMKI\/AAAAAAAAAto\/KaftWJ2aF1w\/s320\/DSC_0088-2.JPG\" width=\"319\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm really excited to be here today--Midwestern Sewing Girl is one of my absolute favorite craft blogs to read, and I'm still a little surprised that Maggie would want me here. But it's too late for her to back out at this point, so while you're stuck with me I'll go ahead and share how I made this adorable \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Epeekaboo lace slip!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-BexM34jPmDY\/Tc6JEpTUFpI\/AAAAAAAAAtk\/4d5G6H6RpOU\/s1600\/slip.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-BexM34jPmDY\/Tc6JEpTUFpI\/AAAAAAAAAtk\/4d5G6H6RpOU\/s400\/slip.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EI don't know about you ladies, but I \u003Ci\u003Elove\u003C\/i\u003E to wear skirts--they're breezy and cool for the summer, and I never feel prettier than when I'm in a skirt or a dress (I clearly haven't yet outgrown the little girl princess fascination). But I sometimes feel like my skirts need a little something extra . . . this is where the peekaboo lace slip comes in! With one simple, easy to sew piece, you can add a whole new look to the wardrobe you already have and really spice up your outfits. Let's get real; what outfit \u003Ci\u003Ecouldn't\u003C\/i\u003E use a little extra lace? Think it over, and when you've decided that \u003Ci\u003Ethey all need more lace\u003C\/i\u003E, let's get to work!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EYou won't need much, and might even already have all the materials on hand:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1quGsgnXYgI\/Tc6HduFO9wI\/AAAAAAAAAsg\/iEA4k9TJLNo\/s1600\/DSC_0236.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"303\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1quGsgnXYgI\/Tc6HduFO9wI\/AAAAAAAAAsg\/iEA4k9TJLNo\/s400\/DSC_0236.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EI used:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E- a bit of muslin (no need to buy fancy fabric for a piece of clothing that's going to be hiding underneath other clothing!)--I believe I used about 1 1\/2-2 yards\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E- elastic (cut to fit snugly around your waist)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E- lace (you won't believe it, but the pretty lace peeking out from under that skirt? It came from this goofy old curtain panel that I picked up \u003Ci\u003Efor free\u003C\/i\u003E at a craft swap. I see these curtains at thrift stores all the time for super cheap . . . bet you never thought they'd come in handy!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EStart by cutting your muslin for the slip--you'll need to cut it to your waist measurement times 1.5 (mine came to about 50 inches) for the long end, and the length you want your slip to be plus about 2 inches (to allow some extra room for the hem and elastic casing). You can cut it a tad on the short side since you'll be adding length with the lace at the bottom.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESew the 2 short ends of this rectangle together to make a big tube, then finish the edges to prevent fraying (either with a serger, if you have one, [I don't] or by just sewing a zig zag stitch over the rough edges)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ENow we're going to make the casing for the elastic waistband. Fold over one end of your muslin tube roughly 1\/4\", then fold again to the width of the elastic (I believe my elastic was 1\"). Begin sewing this casing down as close to the edge as you can.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_WWxdUr1-S0\/Tc6HfPE8IJI\/AAAAAAAAAsk\/VTgCJ6_UGMw\/s1600\/DSC_0237.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_WWxdUr1-S0\/Tc6HfPE8IJI\/AAAAAAAAAsk\/VTgCJ6_UGMw\/s400\/DSC_0237.JPG\" width=\"311\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E(Rather than pinning the casing in place, I like to just plunk the elastic where it needs to be and fold the fabric over it as I sew. That way, I can be positive that the casing is the right size for the elastic to fit through without measuring and pinning. Just make sure not to sew through the elastic!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EStop sewing about an inch before you get back to your starting point--you need to leave an opening to feed the elastic through.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HnxvylnTKvQ\/Tc6HgcMYK0I\/AAAAAAAAAso\/Zdw5HiDQnJE\/s1600\/DSC_0238.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"355\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HnxvylnTKvQ\/Tc6HgcMYK0I\/AAAAAAAAAso\/Zdw5HiDQnJE\/s400\/DSC_0238.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAttach a safety pin to one end of your elastic and feed it through the casing, using the safety pin to pull it through. Make sure you're keeping the safety-pin-less end of the elastic outside of the casing and not letting it get pulled in and lost inside. (I've done that before . . . )\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWhen the elastic has been pulled through, overlap the ends and securely stitch them together (make sure you sew back and forth quite a few times--you need that to be a strong seam!), then sew down the last inch of open casing.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QJYZcycfJd4\/Tc6HheFJfxI\/AAAAAAAAAss\/UC6Yv3C1EzM\/s1600\/DSC_0239.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-QJYZcycfJd4\/Tc6HheFJfxI\/AAAAAAAAAss\/UC6Yv3C1EzM\/s400\/DSC_0239.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow to create the bottom hem (you're almost to the fun part!)--just fold up the bottom end by 1\/4\", fold it again another 1\/4\" (so the rough, cut edge of the fabric is completely covered), and sew it down. I feel like I should tell you to iron and pin, but I rarely do that myself. But it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CTDocRMzi-g\/Tc6HlUgUjbI\/AAAAAAAAAs0\/UTIN9GGNXhY\/s1600\/DSC_0241.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"397\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CTDocRMzi-g\/Tc6HlUgUjbI\/AAAAAAAAAs0\/UTIN9GGNXhY\/s400\/DSC_0241.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Nice manicure, eh?)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is the best part! Take your lace (or, in my case, ridiculous curtain panel) and, if necessary, cut to the size you need--I cut about a 4 or 5\" wide piece, right through the center of the sheep motif. Lay it on top of the hem you just created and stitch it on, ruffling as you go. Rather than sewing a wide stitch and gathering it up, I prefer to just bunch up the lace in front of the presser foot, like so:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-alvkIxpfrz4\/Tc6Hp1vDWpI\/AAAAAAAAAs8\/JrR25pcqtQ4\/s1600\/DSC_0243.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"361\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-alvkIxpfrz4\/Tc6Hp1vDWpI\/AAAAAAAAAs8\/JrR25pcqtQ4\/s400\/DSC_0243.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EMuch easier, and it comes out just as nice!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen you get back around to where the lace begins on your slip, cut any remaining lace length.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-T8rPMSEhK8g\/Tc6HrgYwALI\/AAAAAAAAAtA\/tPLUViye9-M\/s1600\/DSC_0244.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"271\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-T8rPMSEhK8g\/Tc6HrgYwALI\/AAAAAAAAAtA\/tPLUViye9-M\/s400\/DSC_0244.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOverlap the ends and sew them together.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yDE9ZPQK05M\/Tc6HtzeRgiI\/AAAAAAAAAtE\/ega6brUSAE4\/s1600\/DSC_0245.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yDE9ZPQK05M\/Tc6HtzeRgiI\/AAAAAAAAAtE\/ega6brUSAE4\/s400\/DSC_0245.JPG\" width=\"345\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003ENow try it on underneath a skirt that needs some extra flair, and you're good to go!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI love what it adds to this basic pencil skirt: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-DvZXipYshzM\/Tc6H7-9ZHuI\/AAAAAAAAAtQ\/o6EC1Fw76lk\/s1600\/DSC_0281.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-DvZXipYshzM\/Tc6H7-9ZHuI\/AAAAAAAAAtQ\/o6EC1Fw76lk\/s400\/DSC_0281.JPG\" width=\"257\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd it looks equally cute under a casual A-line style as well:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hsw4mPADCJU\/Tc6IQNM_hpI\/AAAAAAAAAtY\/qLFzZQsXdVE\/s1600\/DSC_0047.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hsw4mPADCJU\/Tc6IQNM_hpI\/AAAAAAAAAtY\/qLFzZQsXdVE\/s400\/DSC_0047.JPG\" width=\"340\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThere you have it! A simple, flirty peekaboo lace slip. Thanks for having me, Maggie, and I hope you'll all come by and visit me at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.maybematilda.com\/\"\u003EMaybe Matilda\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ENow, seriously, isn't that about the most fantastic tutorial? I love it...and I can't wait to do this for some of my skirts...thank you so much, Rachel, for coming today!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8467968910182437234"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2981348492850110172\/posts\/default\/8467968910182437234"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.midwesterngirldiy.com\/2011\/05\/guess-whos-here-today-its-rachel-from.html","title":"Guess who's here today? It's Rachel from Maybe Matilda!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Maggie Massey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13921006709589676894"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MIzb-wnnGoE\/Tc6UbuagMKI\/AAAAAAAAAto\/KaftWJ2aF1w\/s72-c\/DSC_0088-2.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"}}]}});