tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28895227873534275212024-02-06T22:11:58.910-05:00Boutique Girl GiftsOne girl's adventures of all things craftyBoutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-47595921796052779882012-12-09T20:27:00.003-05:002012-12-09T20:27:53.088-05:00Exactly What You NeedYou never know when exactly the "right" thing is going to happen in your life.<br />
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This could be something big, like an unexpected raise, an invitation to something you've been dying to do...or it can be something small.<br />
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After a day filled with unpleasant unexpected surprises, I got a very special request.<br />
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A couple from the midwest contacted me thru my <a href="http://www.boutiquegirl.etsy.com/">Etsy </a>store. They are adopting two little girls from Russia and wondered if I could make them another blanket so they could bring both girls home wrapped in them. <br />
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Who could say no to that?<br />
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Their sweet sweet story is exactly what I needed.<br />
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I had no idea. <br />
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<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-87502712901385203362012-12-07T22:54:00.003-05:002012-12-07T22:54:51.800-05:00It's the Holiday Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I found some new pals for my vintage christmas ornament collection a few months back.</div>
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So many pink ones!</div>
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I cannot wait to get out the rest of my ornaments and start decorating.</div>
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What do you mean it's already December 8th?!?!?!</div>
Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-86187252195049809962012-10-31T21:43:00.000-04:002012-10-31T21:43:44.850-04:00All Hallows Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last moments of light tonight</div>
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Thrifty score of the night</div>
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2.99 Minnetonkas</div>
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A good Halloween</div>
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Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-35076033496418400162012-08-04T22:59:00.000-04:002012-08-04T22:59:10.771-04:00Turning 1 is a big dealI can't believe I haven't shared the custom 1st birthday bibs I made for a couple clients this year!<br />
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They were super cute...and the special recipients were pretty adorable wearing them.<br />
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I love them. I hope to make more...'cuz turning 1 is a big deal. Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-43823906004406385552012-07-25T05:19:00.000-04:002012-07-25T05:19:18.869-04:00The Lucky OnesMy cousins and I? We are the lucky ones.<br />
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We got to spend summers at my grandparents farm, learning lots of useful skills, without actually knowing it. I perfected my top stitching there. I learned where the phrase "like a chicken with it's head cut off" comes from first hand. I learned how to herd sheep (sort of).<br />
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We had popcorn and apples for dinner when cooking just wasn't on the menu. There was always some kind of baked good stashed in the freezer, or if it was winter, on the stairs leading up to the north and blue rooms. If you're lucky, I'll make you one of my favorite treats -- Bugles with peanut butter dipped in chocolate. Salty sweet goodness.<br />
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We learned valuable math skills while playing gin rummy, spelling (with the assistance of a huge ancient dictionary sometimes) by playing Scrabble and all around sportsmanship because Grandma didn't let us win.<br />
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Later, while in college a funny shaped box would show up in my SPO now and again. Always recognizable on site, Grandma liked to reuse boxes from granola bars, cut down cereal boxes, etc. Friends would wonder why I was getting a box of granola bars in the mail, but I knew there was homemade goodness to be found inside. And I was happy to share...if I had to.<br />
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The lessons we didn't know we were learning were about being strong, and independent. Always willing to lend a hand to someone in need...but unwilling to take any guff from anyone. The bank teller always greeting my grandfather with a smile, he with a twinkle in his eye, taught kindness...even though our eye was on getting the lollipop for the drive home.<br />
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Honesty. Intrgrity. Compassion. Kindness. <br />
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Some would say these lessons are rooted in small town, rural middle America. I say they are rooted in family, and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.<br />
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May I strive to be the kind of woman that has a stream of guests coming to see her because she's been away from them from too long. With a twinkle in my eye, and kindness in my heart I hope to always be a living example of all these lessons, even in what seems to be the darkest of hours.<br />
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See? I told you.<br />
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We are the lucky ones.<br />
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(This is a rendering of a drop for THE ORPHANS HOME CYCLE) which hangs in my office and reminds me of my Grandparent's farm.) </div>
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<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-12835969818648685552012-07-15T15:32:00.001-04:002012-07-15T15:32:41.043-04:00MosaicThis is what happens when you find black dishcloth cotton on clearance, and the sale of the day is 50% off all red tag clearance items. You KNOW how I can't pass up a good deal. So much inspiration in .97 worth of yarn.<br />
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Four pink mosaic ballband dishcloths! I love how the pink and white variegated yarn can produce such different results depending on where you start. Plus, the cloth in the top left used up three tiny balls of left overs. Some were so small to call them a ball is pushing it. Gotta love NO WASTE!<br />
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I can't stop...three more small balls of leftovers is going into this one...<br />
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Coming soon to an <a href="http://www.boutiquegirl.etsy.com/">etsy store</a> near you!<br />
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<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-57475886883551993722012-07-08T18:42:00.002-04:002012-07-08T18:42:45.391-04:00Shoppes on Grand<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section" style="clear: both;">
I've been rearranging things lately. Furniture, cabinets, what have you.</div>
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<br />I came across these gems and immediately was transported to visiting my grandparents. Most vividly, I remember getting lunch with my grandma on a girls only outing. It involved a cup of soup, and probably 1/2 a sandwich. But this was normally in the summer...did we really have a cup of soup in the summer? I guess we did.<br /><br />And now, it's time for me to continue the tradition...even if it is in my own kitchen, after running errands and cleaning house.</div>
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<br /><br /> Here's to you, Grandma!</div>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-71388970013197289942012-06-12T20:54:00.002-04:002012-06-12T20:54:50.680-04:00Sometimes Trash is a TreasureWhen I was in 6th grade, my mom picked me up from school in they alley that ran into the staff parking lot outside the 6th grade door. To this day (and let's be honest, I was in 6th grade A WHILE ago) I can remember the day I got in the car and she said "we're going around the block and back down the alley." As we drove down the alley, back toward the middle school I was instructed to get out and pick up the wheeled office chair that was out in someones trash. <br />
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I was mortified.<br />
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That chair was missing a wheel (duh...it was in the trash) but otherwise in decent shape. But not for long. A replacement wheel (a wooden one at that) soon took it's place on that chair, and suddenly we had two chairs for the sewing room that had wheels. Awesome.<br />
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Remember how I said I was mortified?<br />
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Sunday I was taking a box of things I no longer needed to goodwill...along the way I spotted an older blue suitcase on the left side of the road. I passed it by, but continued to think about it. I almost turned around. But I felt like I'd gone too far. Then I passed a huge basket on the right that looked like it was full of frames. I'm in the market for some different, low cost artwork for my house, and since this was the second curbside find I'd driven past, I drove around the block and stopped back at the basket of frames. I picked out two, put them in the trunk and went on my merry way to goodwill.<br />
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But I couldn't stop thinking about those suitcases!<br />
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On my way back home (after a trip to the grocery and a long line at the goodwill drop off) I drove home, fingers crossed that my blue suitcase would still be there.<br />
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It was. And there was a bonus inside. A smaller version of it's self. Both are in excellent condition. <br />
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<br />I guess I owe my mom a big thank you for making me get over my own pride, and pick that chair out of the trash. I scored some great new craft show display items!<br />
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<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-9266425941881597122012-02-29T21:43:00.001-05:002012-02-29T21:43:39.156-05:00Thrifting in your own homeSometimes the thriftiest things don't cost you a dime.<br />
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I "discovered" a box in the basement this week which contained various antique linens that I didn't know I had. Admittedly, once I started looking thru the box, I did vaguely remember where these items had come from, but hadn't considered them for years, and certainly wouldn't have remembered them if I was in the market for some linens for decorating.<br />
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Here are some of my faces<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfbSiKigEQEDrZ-WC3ezx3VcNxoxKWC4EPNm-ZZFw8mXFkKuIyX3KFDcu_57IcfOMkowTn6rjNB6At2h6uh0mTGU6mxihD-XHrTmqA-agUHcPW7sucBAicVPtwvxum-j_ojuOIMvEMWs/s1600/DSCF3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfbSiKigEQEDrZ-WC3ezx3VcNxoxKWC4EPNm-ZZFw8mXFkKuIyX3KFDcu_57IcfOMkowTn6rjNB6At2h6uh0mTGU6mxihD-XHrTmqA-agUHcPW7sucBAicVPtwvxum-j_ojuOIMvEMWs/s320/DSCF3356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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How sweet is that middle one with the hand appliquéd flowers? It's currently trying out a new spot on top of my treadle sewing machine toped with my retro "rotary" dial phone. See that plaid pile? That is a card table tablecloth with matching napkins which have hand embroidered scottie dogs. CUTE! I feel the need to have a card party...hmmm...<br />
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This hankie has got to take the cake however. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOChEG1oS6-fayt9jHuhLDm9WFG1gjiAp7IDT5CVstjKzVb8WJBaALx8MCbwniZI7OuMA48aHkM-5wTDcdb153mpRlKFV2zJ9Mr-xtYs00Kqd52xWmLRoIKUlXGJt7WLVhB63Yf_3pTY/s1600/DSCF3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOChEG1oS6-fayt9jHuhLDm9WFG1gjiAp7IDT5CVstjKzVb8WJBaALx8MCbwniZI7OuMA48aHkM-5wTDcdb153mpRlKFV2zJ9Mr-xtYs00Kqd52xWmLRoIKUlXGJt7WLVhB63Yf_3pTY/s320/DSCF3357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Connecticut living. Hilarious. I actually found TWO of these...wonder who I should gift one to?<br />
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What'd you find on your latest thrifty excursion?<br />
<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-19445419078189755262012-02-23T22:28:00.001-05:002012-02-23T22:28:10.761-05:00They're heeeeeeeeeere!The droolies have arrived!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dF9Aa1lMLBk5eFLfUQXyG6Tyg_hV0M2fLGMeJMMeq0tEPzuZWbmgQBBPR9HH6rn3acmYyK5MzPIRiqYCpq9MVDRQYfEiCC_GFaX2mTsm_sr3PurxMk1eqodLTVJ4ZmMdLfvUCuJx02o/s1600/DSCF3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dF9Aa1lMLBk5eFLfUQXyG6Tyg_hV0M2fLGMeJMMeq0tEPzuZWbmgQBBPR9HH6rn3acmYyK5MzPIRiqYCpq9MVDRQYfEiCC_GFaX2mTsm_sr3PurxMk1eqodLTVJ4ZmMdLfvUCuJx02o/s200/DSCF3246.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zB1AKrLbtMUzz1dLrw4cSTKjQf2WR34CpldjSPNv3ozj1nQqielzLD_ncfue0z41oeRYNOzPqoVqDHjgr2DZvY5jKn58FBJ45ApyWql6jMB6qiIHLi4wrrkt7b6pTCcnDd4VZ4ZZn1U/s1600/DSCF3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zB1AKrLbtMUzz1dLrw4cSTKjQf2WR34CpldjSPNv3ozj1nQqielzLD_ncfue0z41oeRYNOzPqoVqDHjgr2DZvY5jKn58FBJ45ApyWql6jMB6qiIHLi4wrrkt7b6pTCcnDd4VZ4ZZn1U/s200/DSCF3248.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChcDzk20DN3pBRNOWLEW8EHnCUfxglH9LFUK-z1wAgDVemwXQHpJQ078ffLvYgy6ZvWIHKUNsDgHr0nx9H0H-61NpBXY9CY3hiB_UaIbSkLBzhyYKObcr9Hf6qLG0HqBuVGzlQTUuqHI/s1600/DSCF3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChcDzk20DN3pBRNOWLEW8EHnCUfxglH9LFUK-z1wAgDVemwXQHpJQ078ffLvYgy6ZvWIHKUNsDgHr0nx9H0H-61NpBXY9CY3hiB_UaIbSkLBzhyYKObcr9Hf6qLG0HqBuVGzlQTUuqHI/s200/DSCF3252.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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Check them out in our easy shop -- <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/boutiquegirl?section_id=11078748">Boutique Girl -</a>- the perfect gift for the next baby shower you need to attend.Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-90757487738091586692012-02-19T12:11:00.003-05:002012-02-19T12:11:46.833-05:00Sweater -- second time aroundMany of you may remember the <a href="http://boutiquegirlgifts.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-hope-it-fits.html">sweet sweater</a> I made for a friend whose baby was due last February.<br />
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I have had the great fortune of getting to know that sweet baby over the past year, and luckily she seems to like me *almost* as much as I like her. The sweater was a huge hit with her parents, and only recently was it packed lovingly away, waiting for the next child to be born into this amazing family. <br />
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Baby's first birthday was last weekend, and I decided that since she, and her mama, seem to be fans of handknits, that I would knit her another sweater. <br />
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So I whipped up this little ditty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuL8tnOIGh3VT0O0xJjGafA-4JmIwmSrNdjrXuQBiZZVYagV1NvftVjHSv7VSM02e7ndl_vsU6Q4aG0jx7pldnHl9VbbhdPVA8bBjMGhg2FNSLsv2HUOaQ4Sl35GQov1rHNR3TWEpCaM/s1600/DSCF3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuL8tnOIGh3VT0O0xJjGafA-4JmIwmSrNdjrXuQBiZZVYagV1NvftVjHSv7VSM02e7ndl_vsU6Q4aG0jx7pldnHl9VbbhdPVA8bBjMGhg2FNSLsv2HUOaQ4Sl35GQov1rHNR3TWEpCaM/s320/DSCF3313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had made the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saroyan">Saroyan</a> shawl for myself this fall, and had a great time with the fun leaves on the edge, so knew that those same leaves down the front would be super cute. This is my first top down raglan pattern, and was so much easier than I thought "real" sweater knitting would be. I have been thinking about making one for myself (a top down raglan, that is) but fear I am delusional about how much knitting time one for me will take. I'm significantly larger than a 1 year old.<br />
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I wasn't around for present opening time, but have been told that after the sweater was opened, Lady Z walked over to it, picked it up and started rubbing it against her face. A lover of handknits turned one last Friday, to be sure.Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-5597531342430534012012-02-09T21:14:00.000-05:002012-02-09T21:14:17.963-05:00Keeping it SimpleWhen I decorated for Christmas I used less than 1/4 of the decorations I own. I needed my house to seem like Christmas, but I needed it to be simple. Not a lot of time putting things up, and not a lot of time taking them down. I put up some of my favorites (remember the <a href="http://boutiquegirlgifts.blogspot.com/2009/12/joy.html">bowl of antique ornaments</a>) and called it a day.<div>
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I don't normally decorate for Valentines Day. It's all I can do to get Christmas put away in a timely manner. But this year, I wanted to. I was sure I had decorations waiting in a bin that never get put out.</div>
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I found one ornament.</div>
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One.</div>
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Then I remembered some springy wreaths I'd thrifted a while back. </div>
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So I put them together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIOV6zctsIDEYrHLDx45g3EDjyLq3uo3GaFQSG8nq1oSssjt-enbqf791rLh1AxCJkEjj9pLznNFFCZ7c6iwvWtsT6Fz-i4yN5jfNsgsbRosGKAoWr62MV5zo-5GtKARoSOtcHTzhs4w/s1600/DSCF3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIOV6zctsIDEYrHLDx45g3EDjyLq3uo3GaFQSG8nq1oSssjt-enbqf791rLh1AxCJkEjj9pLznNFFCZ7c6iwvWtsT6Fz-i4yN5jfNsgsbRosGKAoWr62MV5zo-5GtKARoSOtcHTzhs4w/s320/DSCF3308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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It makes me smile.</div>
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Sometimes keeping it simple is all you need.</div>
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<br /></div>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-12516628419669782002012-01-16T22:31:00.000-05:002012-01-16T22:31:00.849-05:00New CalendarsWe've finished the third week of 2012.<br />
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I've spent 9 days in the office.<br />
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I have no 2012 calendar.<br />
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It's making me batty.<br />
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So many things that I do on a daily basis revolve around dates. Reviewing contracts. Making season calendars. I sent out an email to the board committee I'm responsible for about an upcoming meeting, and after I hit send I panicked that the 19th is not actually Thursday. And I had nothing to look up and reassure myself that I was remembering the schedule correctly. (It is Thursday, by the way.)<br />
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Usually I spend the days following Christmas looking for a deal on the next year's calendar. I mean why pay full price? This year I was blessed to be gifted two calendars. One of scenes Iowa in all seasons. It's pretty great to see fantastic photos of the place I grew up every month...some are of places I've actually been!<br />
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The other is a great indy designed calendar my sister found on Etsy. I've been looking at it every night on my kitchen calendar, in it's plastic sleeve thinking how I needed to get a frame for it. And then I remembered I had a frame that I had from my first craft shows that I wasn't using anymore. It was on top of the dryer. And had been for some time.<br />
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I finally pulled it up from the basement (why is it so difficult to walk down those stairs sometimes?) scrubbed off the caked on dryer lint (ok, not really, that makes my laundry situation sound like a fire hazard. It was just dusty.) and put it together.<br />
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On Friday I gave it a place of honor on top of my (also dusty) PC tower.<br />
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Watcha think?<br />
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I rather like it.<br />
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Maybe next year the "indy designer" who supplies my office calendar will BE my sister. Check out some of the great stuff she's <a href="http://jlynn-musings.blogspot.com/search/label/design">designed</a>!<br />
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<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-40340422546049623842011-12-04T20:56:00.001-05:002011-12-04T20:59:16.303-05:00Saving the PlanetSometimes recycling in your own home isn't enough. Sometimes you have to bring recycling across state lines.<br />
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Fortunately that isn't a punishable offense.<br />
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Saving the planet, one bag of number 5 recycling at a time.Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-56014165981126622602011-11-20T20:06:00.001-05:002011-11-20T20:21:21.601-05:00New product lineWell, I did it.<br />
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I introduced droolies to this weekend's craft show. (remember this <a href="http://boutiquegirlgifts.blogspot.com/2011/09/time-for-something-new.html">post</a>?)<br />
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Although I have some left, I sold quite a few. I'd say they were a hit!<br />
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Look for these beauties coming to an etsy shop near you soon!<br />
<br />Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-54614429998106626672011-11-13T12:47:00.001-05:002011-11-13T20:20:32.298-05:00And then? It snowed.<br />
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I'm a bit behind in posting the video I took of snowtober.</div>
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Little did I know when I took this video that there would be many downed limbs in the backyard and that the house would be without power for three days. Thankfully, the natural gas furnace, water heater and stove all remained working. I'm so thankful I was not one of the folks who had no heat or hot water. I'm also thankful the power came back when it did. Many went without for a week or more. No thanks. I can do a lot of "pioneer women" type things. Surviving in the dark of night is not one of them.</div>
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Enjoy our first snowfall in CT!<br />
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ETA: just kidding. I can't get the video to load. Imagine big thick flakes, 32 degrees on the thermometer. And all the leaves on the trees were still green. Snowtober. I'd rather not meet you again.</div>
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<br /></div>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-19078756678135598392011-10-09T20:37:00.000-04:002011-10-09T20:37:13.890-04:00Hey Pumpkin!5 hrs ago, all that was on my fireplace mantel was just a spot to collect things...speakers, birthday cards, photos of my god daughter which are considerably older than she actually is. Red metallic candles from holiday decorating still hung on the sconces above. The wreath on the front door was sporting sunflowers, and a tired orange ribbon that I *meant* to replace all summer. <br />
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Today was the day to clean up all the riff raff and get out the fall themed decorations. I've been enjoying the battery operated candle that is set to come on around dusk and flickers in the front window when I pull in the drive, so it was time to pull out the coordinating decorations. Gone is the wreath with the sad floppy bow. It it's place a lovely harvest wreath with acorns and an appropriately fluffed leaf themed bow. I know the mailman and paperboy will approve. <br />
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This, however, is my favorite Halloween decoration.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiT1HruW1dgwggcirNHXtVHdCpIN9sTRuPKzBPjBvsgMj9neFik22rCGefO_IeMxLFGJSvIOOEtZIdr65WcdACt_q9SOkwl_898fxHxEPouFjYRWc-XRpU3Vnq93KvBA4nRukbnNLoxQ/s1600/DSCF3212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiT1HruW1dgwggcirNHXtVHdCpIN9sTRuPKzBPjBvsgMj9neFik22rCGefO_IeMxLFGJSvIOOEtZIdr65WcdACt_q9SOkwl_898fxHxEPouFjYRWc-XRpU3Vnq93KvBA4nRukbnNLoxQ/s320/DSCF3212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Yep, that pumpkin is from a ceramics place my grandmother frequented when I was a small child. I can remember putting the candy I got trick or treating inside. Somehow, I was allowed to keep that pumpkin and the candy in my bedroom. <br />
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In case you were wondering, the ghost I've had ten years or less...doesn't look much different than the crafty punkin' does it? Not ALL 1970 something crafts look dated...now where did I put that macramé book?<br />
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And in case you thought I had it ALL together, I found this lurking in the breakfast nook...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFy6eZ7acod2Bw1ePhZa5J4VvGGUKze9tJT6PARJvWuKIVr3KvhXsf0wYM7QBB94kVb_2fU_il_H90Uw_DsU7GsKfni0VIfnTnKJ_rvOp8H6IdAxGgyXpVA9CIwqyfxC8JdmAu7dHXmU/s1600/DSCF3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFy6eZ7acod2Bw1ePhZa5J4VvGGUKze9tJT6PARJvWuKIVr3KvhXsf0wYM7QBB94kVb_2fU_il_H90Uw_DsU7GsKfni0VIfnTnKJ_rvOp8H6IdAxGgyXpVA9CIwqyfxC8JdmAu7dHXmU/s320/DSCF3219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yep. A snowman. Maybe he'll just stay there for a couple more months...Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-63520086140856364482011-09-30T21:52:00.000-04:002011-09-30T21:52:59.142-04:00Time for something new?I recently was asked to make some bibs in a smaller size than I normally do. I have spent time "perfecting" my standard pattern, and really wasn't interested in going back to the drawing board, and doing it all again. To me the bib size is part of my "signature" and I wasn't sure I wanted to change all that. <br />
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But the request was from a friend, and I just couldn't say no. So I made them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Vl4wluTtvO4P7RrR8gEtEHy70s7RE7tD3AYkXcVGgqwvny1J5780dpXifrXM0kC_JkBkVL9_VVIuDiQ03c_t3jItx_3hVcNg_za_K6re5fh_9f2TsJMEhsxTBh1yU5pw5o3hf9jc2Kg/s1600/DSCF3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Vl4wluTtvO4P7RrR8gEtEHy70s7RE7tD3AYkXcVGgqwvny1J5780dpXifrXM0kC_JkBkVL9_VVIuDiQ03c_t3jItx_3hVcNg_za_K6re5fh_9f2TsJMEhsxTBh1yU5pw5o3hf9jc2Kg/s320/DSCF3171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are so adorable. And they use up those pesky scraps that are too small for my "usual" projects (or some of them anyway).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now I'm torn. Do I take my bibs in a whole new direction and add this smaller, newborn friendly size? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-82922855804238162642011-09-08T23:23:00.001-04:002011-09-11T17:32:09.059-04:00Hey Monkey!So I turned a year older this week.<br />
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My amazing co-worker, Lauren, made me the bestest birthday cake I've had in a long, long time.<br />
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Read all about it <a href="http://stubborn-angel.blogspot.com/2011/09/attack-of-evil-sock-monkeycake.html">here</a>. Lauren's telling of the making of this cake is the icing on the cake (so to speak).<br />
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And she's right.<br />
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I loved it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSADIfv7RtXFiI1Jw9JYXar3k7uQed_A42gr5DlwarCpbuWFJAnAoblRauYQnE9T82Wdd90Jsv3xfo72e_3sxJ2jqvFwE3hwUniCYSM3qhuQDzOO4Y9JSPRRP7gccKF1rUADNnFqfSkRg/s1600/IMG_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSADIfv7RtXFiI1Jw9JYXar3k7uQed_A42gr5DlwarCpbuWFJAnAoblRauYQnE9T82Wdd90Jsv3xfo72e_3sxJ2jqvFwE3hwUniCYSM3qhuQDzOO4Y9JSPRRP7gccKF1rUADNnFqfSkRg/s320/IMG_0387.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-6423407304080502722011-08-27T16:43:00.000-04:002011-08-27T16:43:24.762-04:00So....there's this thing called a hurricaneI've never experienced a hurricane before. Tornado, yes. Hurricane, no.<br />
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It's been all about preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I've learned a lot -- like why you fill up your bath tub, and that putting tape over your windows is mostly over rated. My car's got a tank full of gas, so I can charge my cell phone if the power is out (j/k -- kinda). We've been filling various jugs with water so we've got something to drink. I'm doing laundry. Not because we'll run out of clean clothes, but to be sure there is sufficient fabric for projects.<br />
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I'm resisting the urge to cook and bake up anything I can think of. Today is not the day for filling up the freezer...although I did fill up various containers with water to freeze to help retain the cold in our currently fairly empty freezer in the case of a power outage.<br />
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I did, however, bake zucchini bread. <br />
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We needed SOMETHING to eat in the dark. Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-91227046474987661552011-07-28T22:15:00.000-04:002011-07-28T22:15:20.613-04:00Keeping Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">By now I'm sure you've surmised that I love thrifting and vintage and things that remind me of people near and dear to me.<br />
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This week's vintage, thrifty find has to do with my grandmother's cookies.<br />
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Both my Grandmothers were great bakers. Each had their own style and specialties...not only in what they made but how they were stored and delivered.<br />
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This lovely find </div><div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2NJ4u6lQWUZY9UttMfYVowwMC428btbk_1ZA1JzSfBSyolyguIslwodYwKYCcx4VgJaQHuY3dJqjw0ppTKkrjH_-NfuuAFXMtEETAmE5Rsl9xUXw4WWKtJnNcwb7NB9zxQFAqAM5uFU/s1600/DSCF3001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2NJ4u6lQWUZY9UttMfYVowwMC428btbk_1ZA1JzSfBSyolyguIslwodYwKYCcx4VgJaQHuY3dJqjw0ppTKkrjH_-NfuuAFXMtEETAmE5Rsl9xUXw4WWKtJnNcwb7NB9zxQFAqAM5uFU/s320/DSCF3001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">reminds me of sugar cookies. My grandmother would make what seemed like endless sugar cookies decorated to perfection for most holidays. Orange pumpkins with current eyes for Halloween, hearts for Valentines day. For Christmas I remember a cookie cutter she had that outlined a mother and child which my grandmother frosted with a toothpick to get different colors in the outlines. (Note to self...ask what happened to that cookie cutter...). Grandma's tin was larger and deeper, but the top is exactly the same. We still have cookies of some sort stored in her tin every Christmas in Iowa.<br />
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My other grandmother stored her cookies in an equally unique tin...a storage/shipping tin for a film reel. They also make great storage for a pie, if deep enough. Haven't found one of those... yet...</div><div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section"><br />
</div>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-49248180217717912532011-07-20T22:34:00.000-04:002011-07-20T22:34:17.186-04:00A long time ago...In a land far away...<br />
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(ok, not that far, but a few states from here)<br />
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I was going to my weekly ceramics class, and made a mirror for my new baby sister who had been born that day. <br />
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It was a simple mirror, with a chunky, clunky rattle on it and if I remember correctly my new little sister's initials. <br />
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Happy Birthday! I'm so glad you were born!Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-80078597350991796232011-07-04T21:44:00.000-04:002011-07-04T21:44:37.241-04:00Happy Independence Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLvM0C4HiFnywD-lEkkfN58mj7N7j2aQonxZyxiaKZ4DJIyy18Fj1GehqaBHMro92QlHN4-saFKTcM2TYriJ9BWj4Ig6xrJz7zXMfR-cpYjf6t4hm7l6SHyX_OA3T_9EwTyGGyGSuzUI/s1600/MP900441011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLvM0C4HiFnywD-lEkkfN58mj7N7j2aQonxZyxiaKZ4DJIyy18Fj1GehqaBHMro92QlHN4-saFKTcM2TYriJ9BWj4Ig6xrJz7zXMfR-cpYjf6t4hm7l6SHyX_OA3T_9EwTyGGyGSuzUI/s320/MP900441011.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
Hope y'all had a great three day weekend celebrating all the 4th of July means to you.<br />
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Special thanks to all who have served, are serving, or will serve to preserve the freedom that is easy for us to take for granted every day.<br />
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I'll share some more of the weekend adventures later this week!Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-81947897820953988882011-06-12T20:35:00.002-04:002011-06-12T21:01:48.960-04:00Progress?I've mentioned it before, and I'll say it again.<br />
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A good sewing day is one where the garbage can is full. In my quest to destash and USE the fabric I have, here is the great accomplishment of this weekend:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievKIPUd7zZy6y-sYOtlGKlm4DMRWK6J-OhOUvWCnQY-ObrCPnEMWENfRaYfmi1JCuIwp0bO_1AC9NLG_dZLAsFrDyzm_cjfIc83aNhgFrJpqZzjWs5Ddztev4bhAoVCjs8lwp35Lqf5g/s1600/sraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievKIPUd7zZy6y-sYOtlGKlm4DMRWK6J-OhOUvWCnQY-ObrCPnEMWENfRaYfmi1JCuIwp0bO_1AC9NLG_dZLAsFrDyzm_cjfIc83aNhgFrJpqZzjWs5Ddztev4bhAoVCjs8lwp35Lqf5g/s320/sraps.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
(if I can figure out how to get the photo off my iphone and into my computer it will appear here...technology, why do you challenge me so? Hey look! I figured it out!)<br />
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So it's one small garbage can of scraps. But it's full. And I have stacks of bib pieces on the cutting table waiting to be put together in addition to the dozen that are waiting for me to turn them inside out. Progress.<br />
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The failing this weekend was in my fancy sewing machine that has the fancy stitches I use to finish off the gems I sell in my shop. The tension stopped working. No amount of re-threading or cajoling resulted in a seam with an appropriate tension. It's a problem when you can just pull the bobbin thread out, right? So off to the machine doctor we go...I hope I can get out there this week before Thursday!<br />
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Luckily I have a back up plan. My trusty machine that has been with me almost 20 years. (How is it possible I can write that? 20 years? WHAT?!?!?) Thanks, Mom, for the best high school graduation present a girl could ask for.Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889522787353427521.post-90029207483480769582011-05-31T22:53:00.001-04:002011-05-31T22:53:46.229-04:00To Stash or Not to Stash <p><p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>That is the question.<br><br>I listened to a podcast a couple nights ago and the podcaster was talking about sewing thru all her fabric stash. I mean all of it. She had one piece of denim left. She was debating how much stash she felt like she should have. What was the right amount to feel like you could just decide to go sew and have options of what you want to create but not so much that it would feel overwhelming. <br><br>I gotta tell you. The idea of walking into my sewing room and having neat, clean, uncluttered shelves sounds like a dream. I would be delighted. But the idea of walking in and seeing just one piece of fabric? That makes me uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable.<br><br>I've gotten very used to being able to solve a sewing challenge with whatever supplies I can find in my studio. In fact, I've started to feel proud about not always having to run out to get something (thread, elastic, etc) to finish a project. But how much it too much? How do you know when to say when? How many fabric bins in the basement of things that no longer fit in the studio is too many?<br><br>I recently visited a friend who has always been a person where there is a place for everything and everything is in it's place. Always. That's never been me. But it's sooo appealing. Realistically I won't likely ever be that kind of organized, but I'm definitely more conscious about how much might be too much.<br><br>So I've started. I'm attempting to use up my stash. If the perfect fabric or notion doesn't immediately make itself apparent, the project goes off to the side. The perfect thing is in there somewhere...I just haven't searched to the bottom of the right tub yet. No really.<br><br>Wish me luck. And if you're in the market for some sewing supplies...give me a buzz...I might have just what you're looking for! </p></p>Boutique Girl Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702160349397424648noreply@blogger.com3