tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17809333697497183912024-03-12T20:57:18.908-07:00Mr. and Mrs. BMr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-43394778806932353612016-10-30T21:51:00.000-07:002016-10-30T07:16:54.652-07:00Before and After Bathroom Reno from the Undead blog!<br />
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I figured Halloween would be an appropriate time to publish a new blog post. Its been eerily quiet here on the old blog. So this post is like a posting from the beyond the...grave!</div>
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A few reasons are to blame for the lack of posts, mainly I don't have time for blogging, although we have had many projects over the years that were blog worthy. I simply post pics on social media keeping loved ones in the loop and using that as my main way to show off our accomplishments. Also Blogger has been really difficult to compose on, it takes way too long, and I just don't like it anymore. I'm sure there is a way to make it more user friendly, but I just don't want to put my time into researching that fix...I've got things to craft.<br />
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I did however block out some time for this project. The main reason I've always been pro blogging is it gets the information "out there". I am always so pleasantly surprised at the good DIY renovation pics you can find online. It gives me inspiration, ideas, and hope that we can DIY this kind of project, and that's HUGE! <br />
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So without further gabbing, and for those that clicked beyond the facebook post for more details here is our guest bath renovation, before and after!<br />
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On September 12th I text messaged Mr. B at work saying "I think I want to renovate the guest bath" and soon after that text, our 3 year old and I took out the glass shower doors and track, while he was still at work.<br />
It took us just under 6 weeks start to finish, of after work and weekend time to get it all done. A few hiccups as usual, but I'm really happy with the results! We (when I say we I mean Mr. B mostly) did 95% of the work, building, installing, and creating. We hired out a drywall texture guy to spray match the existing texture, and had to hire a bathtub chip repair guy when demo got a bit out of hand, and dinged up the cast iron tub. But other than that it was all us! <br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">Before</span><br />
Of course I was so excited to start ripping the bathroom apart I forgot to take nice "before" shots, so I apologize for my afterthought messy pics.<br />
1975 original vanity and cabinets. <br />
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Tile counter top, in a non offensive white. But you know I like to spice things up more than just white tile.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4LKF3vPR2WYA0TEvSIBTCD9_3e1l2uwuynyC4gDno3idQr2Slby9kjs7Pi1oELRRwSEYjA8qX4H9jFORBTKRXumtjitxtU_p5nOTbBpJJYOQRW6WKUjnBk2AE0Htppe1Cy9SuVedUdY/s1600/blogger-image--1770361993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4LKF3vPR2WYA0TEvSIBTCD9_3e1l2uwuynyC4gDno3idQr2Slby9kjs7Pi1oELRRwSEYjA8qX4H9jFORBTKRXumtjitxtU_p5nOTbBpJJYOQRW6WKUjnBk2AE0Htppe1Cy9SuVedUdY/s640/blogger-image--1770361993.jpg" width="480" /></a><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7P9XJZ58gjb7DOtxQXcFbzs3kPkiUaI9UE4WbFS-24M-FQ0ucmZgQxJqHtkDUD_NqDKNDhmdP1Wmt-Pf1wr6pd5G3Afm3v_9tNvq28_3Za2PFU2oTdILbZq-PY-B41o9-wTmiwc53wU/s640/blogger-image--402139227.jpg" width="480" /> </div>
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The frosted sliding glass doors had to go, I know they are practical while showering and I prefer them to a curtain for use, but not aesthetically. Someday we might have some frameless clear glass doors installed, but it wasn't in the budget this go around. So the doors were the first to go. Plus look how many towels I had hanging around on that frame, what a mess!! </div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGmi0UeLtAxEhAf-UEXMbQHVm2V6Gd-8eQi6fXFmfdvMFpxYWBE3SLJXLifx1thH5VbjFCDA9AIpR1ugMJGkEIa-UeLDLeiqS0D9d_nUxnInHi80spEr9hF6mDcdnxGLkiZpWKSiJ510/s640/IMG_5079.JPG" width="480" /></div>
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The second thing to go was the lowered soffits above the bathtub, and vanity. For some reason the builders of our home in 1975 , thought it would be a good idea to lower sections of the ceiling, to give our house that cavernous small feeling everyone loves. So Mr. B lifted those sections right up to where they belong. Just as we did when we renovated our<a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2010/06/master-bathroom-done.html" target="_blank"> master bath</a>. </div>
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrhZTVS-DWgUp-L6JoWUJ_FMQpweu7qFuui3Oe5SoLot-N1MRs45LXPbPeqfgjYELNtUH8CFL2boXT-icIWmeqLYxGXZJ8QZhK9tIJIJDisFdgyy5PJlbiJ9LjKuCRzNzule1xnxFcvA/s640/IMG_5236.JPG" width="480" /><br />
You can see the studs here showing the area that the ceilings were lowered to, about 12" down.<br />
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Here the drywall was replaced above the vanity after the 12" soffit was lifted, waiting for the can lights to be cut back in and re textured. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LSC6WytKD4YFnwLHr21S4-ZKZuNOKGwgl4iCfdjZpkm6KtQbEPzaA9JmruioQjY-cl4-xzDL9Ys7rShso9K78JuCPSUZtv6RQwvo4uM3j2yTDQuF-NTTERrYFLy39mL_to9Mntcs654/s1600/IMG_5235.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LSC6WytKD4YFnwLHr21S4-ZKZuNOKGwgl4iCfdjZpkm6KtQbEPzaA9JmruioQjY-cl4-xzDL9Ys7rShso9K78JuCPSUZtv6RQwvo4uM3j2yTDQuF-NTTERrYFLy39mL_to9Mntcs654/s640/IMG_5235.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
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Then there was a ton of tile demo.</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-3QdMWHrbg6c_wCmmyfCcHGSWIHPq16XDqVKwGM0nLiA3lASF4nz2oCEcXk8GhR0KvYVAwA37qobQarPxSWeNh065H_LlIQ63YRQ6id5_pLWFYkLe7SqI-WBL8I_zjAf8p0MpNV2fo4/s640/IMG_5230.JPG" width="480" /> </div>
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Mr. B made new doors for the vanity, and a template for the concrete counters. We kept the vanity box, except for the super tall cabinet on the top right, we deleted that one. We filled all the imperfections on the vanity box, sanded, primed and repainted it white. I used a foam roller to simulate a sprayed application and I was pleasantly surprised. </div>
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Here are the concrete counters drying out of their molds in the garage. Mr B had made <a href="https://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2009/08/sealing-counters.html" target="_blank">concrete counters</a> in our kitchen, and they were such a nice, affordable, modern, sustainable choice. I really wanted them again. </div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWBcBJNsUXUCAF3NIaBfCmikyQC-cq81tfwTt_zUlZp3FL6SpHZw7rSByKat9wENZReje3E05ATdgL3IKX9eMHxTuzx_dMwvEC3EuXhOjbOG78NKQ156__E6tay2L_PZ0d1xf6j2CI1Q/s640/blogger-image-728195030.jpg" width="480" /> </div>
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The beginnings of the tile going up! Super exciting, and a lot more work than all that <a href="https://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/search/label/Tile" target="_blank">square 4x4 tile</a> we've laid in the past. </div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3flqTOWVV7GP3ViGv1j7EOq-tr7nyY9fRCodBy03EiqFX-XDn1BXKYnNPOMYZnWiOcYCe7nPCfNxfWba8CVuHMPrglpRFYG5BGvkhFlG5DBUoEJ_CWp8ickgQleoyhIqZxqRNEdGqJo/s640/blogger-image-1657213198.jpg" width="480" /> </div>
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The list of the changes included: </div>
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New cabinet doors, drawers, and drawer boxes built by Mr. B</div>
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All new faucets and fixtures, and hardware</div>
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New sink</div>
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Replace shower door with curtain</div>
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Lift ceilings</div>
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New lighting</div>
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New tile</div>
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New mirror, with a frame</div>
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Shelving above toilet</div>
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Replaced all the shower walls </div>
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Re dry walled some walls, and textured</div>
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Painted the whole bathroom, and vanity box </div>
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So after that long list of things, we got this as our final result. </div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">After! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ra9_sNtsN-pZoeaK7xRFJ9zXwtof7r72b2BWyqUv4F9QvbPHgTAyQIwRWfAQ5OVU8YAupq-sMojphzzDuK1Hwjo8ITelzoYg2I_CDhr257r4qpnkGnXaQDhpEsXNrOXFCPxO7jzCFqM/s1600/IMG_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ra9_sNtsN-pZoeaK7xRFJ9zXwtof7r72b2BWyqUv4F9QvbPHgTAyQIwRWfAQ5OVU8YAupq-sMojphzzDuK1Hwjo8ITelzoYg2I_CDhr257r4qpnkGnXaQDhpEsXNrOXFCPxO7jzCFqM/s640/IMG_5414.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FBz_mXEU79gKhG3iwWCiHXNFoaqPk6voscyXFo-MFq5OnrdXAkRncY8N3pE2-DWwKZS_lsl3W0ZXGGsCKoBEypV4717vmMl5GzhkJwlTSVNwgTn5svFyN0PV3m0qLHvfrMc-1ojShE0/s640/IMG_5415.JPG" width="480" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZEXjy0tTE0WKN56gZ_CjEXHz8t9SZK_LmDbuCjVQupDByCte_cvSbX3trZbqZ97m1VG9_2shOm88gS8dprpcsRQmn9P0ZTbDxTblLWJR9Erz-AnFXGWFmv7RSCbER2U9fdz6M1qeVIU/s1600/IMG_5424.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZEXjy0tTE0WKN56gZ_CjEXHz8t9SZK_LmDbuCjVQupDByCte_cvSbX3trZbqZ97m1VG9_2shOm88gS8dprpcsRQmn9P0ZTbDxTblLWJR9Erz-AnFXGWFmv7RSCbER2U9fdz6M1qeVIU/s640/IMG_5424.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
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I just realized the under sink cabinet isn't shut or latched, but I'm posting it anyway! ha, that's reason #108 of why I'm not a professional blogger. They do close flush, in case you were wondering :P </div>
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You can see in the pic below, where the basket is, there used to be an upper cabinet, we that took out to open the room up even more, and added another concrete counter up there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmocx0OhxHQeo_yA13qErCA7ODxxSD1Z3b-pyBjnv1ASy1UkHkYfg7YgjEfuyeGS4GbRqX2kCBu0DKW1ChBhCWMQw-5E_u9Ag3GOsBmh4Hya3rqEDwGPjLfpxQcqDxs6WgrHXWezh_jJQ/s1600/IMG_5435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmocx0OhxHQeo_yA13qErCA7ODxxSD1Z3b-pyBjnv1ASy1UkHkYfg7YgjEfuyeGS4GbRqX2kCBu0DKW1ChBhCWMQw-5E_u9Ag3GOsBmh4Hya3rqEDwGPjLfpxQcqDxs6WgrHXWezh_jJQ/s640/IMG_5435.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Once again before and after.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4LKF3vPR2WYA0TEvSIBTCD9_3e1l2uwuynyC4gDno3idQr2Slby9kjs7Pi1oELRRwSEYjA8qX4H9jFORBTKRXumtjitxtU_p5nOTbBpJJYOQRW6WKUjnBk2AE0Htppe1Cy9SuVedUdY/s400/blogger-image--1770361993.jpg" width="300" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmocx0OhxHQeo_yA13qErCA7ODxxSD1Z3b-pyBjnv1ASy1UkHkYfg7YgjEfuyeGS4GbRqX2kCBu0DKW1ChBhCWMQw-5E_u9Ag3GOsBmh4Hya3rqEDwGPjLfpxQcqDxs6WgrHXWezh_jJQ/s400/IMG_5435.JPG" width="300" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Thanks for reading! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Mrs. B</span></span></div>
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Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-19226624529090298492015-03-20T22:03:00.005-07:002015-03-22T20:54:19.699-07:00We took a wall out!I finally talked Mr. B into taking our entryway wall out!!<br />
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We always wanted to, but after 5 years of other <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/search/label/Home%20Renovations" target="_blank">renovations</a> it was forgotten about. Recently I have been reminded how much I disliked the close quarters that our entryway wall caused, it was especially bad when company came over. They would walk into this small, low ceiling room where I was standing, and immediately we would all need to go left or right. It was always pretty awkward. </div>
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I did like the decor in there, the lighting and wall were a perfect space for my painting, and the entryway table held my absolutely favorite birthday present ever, the cobalt and white chevron striped Ginger jar, hand made from Mexico, Mr. B got it for me years ago. It was quite a way to showcase those pieces.<br />
But....the ceiling was literally almost 9" lower than the rest of the
house in there, and you had to walk through a narrow area to walk into our
house to the right, or step left into our sunken living room.<br />
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The space was just not very comfortable to be in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlcRJhXy58qYQRFkEsWXZwkiPeambFlupyKBdxdP_EljTef9TQWSfvOJLUJyF6QFcmHfrP2fcolBV8I_VURTPkcBf2fyFLOiWUDGN_tov0J0498QFBdM6s4O-6SfYhxipY6rZzkTta2g/s1600/2bcjf9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlcRJhXy58qYQRFkEsWXZwkiPeambFlupyKBdxdP_EljTef9TQWSfvOJLUJyF6QFcmHfrP2fcolBV8I_VURTPkcBf2fyFLOiWUDGN_tov0J0498QFBdM6s4O-6SfYhxipY6rZzkTta2g/s1600/2bcjf9.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">Entryway with wall</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79YXX7FI-QmQqN0y5_ef_30Z4-Sep6HCOB8icIVy9qaNjYiaIBJ3GW_PmqXYo7mEpxxUxfCRYXlFaO9PHvE2NkA2KdDHZUqXXRiuYiHAUbFDO5ot6H3tyKQ_MRj8D4q-6b27KOTrqs_w/s1600/2z7394w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79YXX7FI-QmQqN0y5_ef_30Z4-Sep6HCOB8icIVy9qaNjYiaIBJ3GW_PmqXYo7mEpxxUxfCRYXlFaO9PHvE2NkA2KdDHZUqXXRiuYiHAUbFDO5ot6H3tyKQ_MRj8D4q-6b27KOTrqs_w/s1600/2z7394w.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is the view of the back of the wall, from the family room. We never really used that couch, it didn't lend itself to a nice place to sit. Bye bye wall! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjk1Q3w06wP9yTSKWWNm7Mh6vDQjflLfp8osrDySrahqHjBlTnxmGUxEs5o3ADn9SQ7q3HHwIDdWRkcrfwo5ZNL1DlbCTh9tb-pR3APVvoChV4unIP28D3CVcw52cQhTTLoZNq2xgEMs/s1600/IMG_7829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjk1Q3w06wP9yTSKWWNm7Mh6vDQjflLfp8osrDySrahqHjBlTnxmGUxEs5o3ADn9SQ7q3HHwIDdWRkcrfwo5ZNL1DlbCTh9tb-pR3APVvoChV4unIP28D3CVcw52cQhTTLoZNq2xgEMs/s1600/IMG_7829.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Here is a view of the wall from our bedroom hallway (this was mid kitchen cabinet remodel)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUfQ-CBsRwljm-7yIczeAu0OdurwO9eJyrUNUWco5SlR64Hv5aItaMkzx3Ig39dy7_AyDgbMqzqE5Y68nApao66SYo0a-E-VKswANVHedSmhDGHlazjkK2XByaZLXNb58HSbuebEvkXk/s1600/IMG_7830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUfQ-CBsRwljm-7yIczeAu0OdurwO9eJyrUNUWco5SlR64Hv5aItaMkzx3Ig39dy7_AyDgbMqzqE5Y68nApao66SYo0a-E-VKswANVHedSmhDGHlazjkK2XByaZLXNb58HSbuebEvkXk/s1600/IMG_7830.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our framer was telling me that we may have to keep this small 18" part of the wall
depending on the load bearing issues we would face once they tore into
the drywall. I was really hoping that wouldn't be the case, having a weird vertical little wall would have been so hard to decorate around, let alone walk around. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcPXT1uQWyOmcYC25UIbNE31cAUU6I17O1BAIVhD7lEHBAveWNByOuw_HhoBxILCf7XzxiUpJb7ChMkjcGXXk4jDkc_Axv88Io9MRQ1NAiqZh9H1LjuJTIcM1sVDY6GSchA_3Vw5jq9g/s1600/IMG_7860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcPXT1uQWyOmcYC25UIbNE31cAUU6I17O1BAIVhD7lEHBAveWNByOuw_HhoBxILCf7XzxiUpJb7ChMkjcGXXk4jDkc_Axv88Io9MRQ1NAiqZh9H1LjuJTIcM1sVDY6GSchA_3Vw5jq9g/s1600/IMG_7860.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Demo day! The guys found a large load bearing beam running along the ceiling, and it had to stay, but the whole wall was able to be removed. Yay!</div>
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<span id="goog_1694188800">We also had our guys rip the drywall off the
ceiling in the entry way and raise it up 9" to match the ceiling in the family room. It was then covered in the same tongue and groove wood and beams to match as well. </span><br />
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<span id="goog_1694188800"><span style="color: #45818e;">What a mess!!! But it was looking better already :) So open!</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-to6Ed6DHHf0L1ACmQGDnhmGW1t6MBHoelzqV0QfyyHzL27vEO7lIPkfIT8P8_1Sjc6qKlZjNNupNGlNjyIixGV4tKL8_BzFcPpQSEtf59OpsuwE4RYlGDmcrbHQypFKfUX_zEJj0DM/s1600/IMG_7973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-to6Ed6DHHf0L1ACmQGDnhmGW1t6MBHoelzqV0QfyyHzL27vEO7lIPkfIT8P8_1Sjc6qKlZjNNupNGlNjyIixGV4tKL8_BzFcPpQSEtf59OpsuwE4RYlGDmcrbHQypFKfUX_zEJj0DM/s1600/IMG_7973.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The ceiling being elevated was a huge help, you can see it here just
slightly, but in person the feel is really quite a difference.<br />
You can see here where the ceiling started in the entryway (the yellow drywall stopped where the ceiling was). Bringing it up to match was a great help. But like I said, that giant beam running through the room had to stay, I would have preferred it gone, but we plan to paint it all white to blend in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DCcTf99zxr1rOmcI2rxAea1FyMoGeNp1jdiP7N0B06bRZztGS43z3Z8-Wd3bMJFgC5AmUmLuAYNKMrI4jghifLGIIPuoYJzTRmtm7jGLjziipONJiX-zmG4JwXjfO-gm4zH3vflT8tM/s1600/IMG_7987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DCcTf99zxr1rOmcI2rxAea1FyMoGeNp1jdiP7N0B06bRZztGS43z3Z8-Wd3bMJFgC5AmUmLuAYNKMrI4jghifLGIIPuoYJzTRmtm7jGLjziipONJiX-zmG4JwXjfO-gm4zH3vflT8tM/s1600/IMG_7987.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The craziest thing about this wall removal, is that we discovered the wall was at some point an addition! Must have been added sometime in the late 1980's. I thought for sure it was part of the original 1970's cavernous design, but in this photo you can see the original tongue and groove is painted brown, showing that the room was once all opened up, just as we would have liked it (well aside from the color scheme, who paints a ceiling dark brown?). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSzr6cQ1HBiTgWRuzttwOmfQJRIE8_6Ev2xRauC9Pw-XLb5ODZ5y6OnAKYRJCJNV0avQe9Ym8mlAknxDB6fUlHlUsxqsSJz2cvCi8z4-z2IP5J4XZlsZyVtj8dbn0Cei8N48YEe8w9ug/s1600/IMG_7992.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSzr6cQ1HBiTgWRuzttwOmfQJRIE8_6Ev2xRauC9Pw-XLb5ODZ5y6OnAKYRJCJNV0avQe9Ym8mlAknxDB6fUlHlUsxqsSJz2cvCi8z4-z2IP5J4XZlsZyVtj8dbn0Cei8N48YEe8w9ug/s1600/IMG_7992.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is a view from the kitchen to our front doors. It's so much brighter in our family room, I just love it! Now we just need, drywall, tile, and then paint. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g4pvMVW2pTfNkxEPQfxaUfzqEf_MIeThhf7a8TXETWo037RDKPnYrd2F6_c2sBk5UFeLa23HncPc3r_jhSpFvslfXAIkCvSEaMSuEMZVM_J5bSf1PRSeg5ykEicNqduy7X_GEP_n-LM/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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The drywall guy did a fast and a great job matching our texture. Our Saltillo tile floor was in need of some patching. Our tile guys popped out the partial tiles and matched (as well as possible) the older tiles. </div>
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You can see the newly laid tile here, before sealer. They should darken up to match the older ones, with a few coats of glossy seal. Mr. B got right on paint, here is a shot of the first coat on the ceiling and beam, the walls are done. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaCfG0DO3OUg4FMs-v1tSZvHFeqJIGzpfgSFVtA6ZrWgoOAdqyVL8VgTe9lthcm2HJyjNP33q2KdErXsw79OP3W1_v0EunddAkCb6od7Cy57sYv8Ux6ebszk8VtZIcCJRVJT9bD-o7V0/s1600/IMG_8116.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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Mr. B also cut in the holes for our can lights to go back in for the entryway. Looking better with paint!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZec0Xkcf2L_cTPLLXExfiJNXFcOc325-wBxbg4DBsAMmX0qa3XQKj01BaPf7rkbcniBTXLlXS1k4Aie1l-6mc9b5xuuB8M3NjU0sRJdiILKCJW2nNJatyRsGSwtWvWkqfmHzi04ZUywc/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">• • • </span></div>
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All done!!!<br />
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Here is our new entryway/family room! One step closer to an open concept home. I think it's made a HUGE improvement. It has brightened the whole living space up. The flow of the house just feels better, and certainly makes more sense. We are actually using the room, where before we just used it as a walkway to the kitchen. Its so much more inviting and comfortable, it's one of my new favorite rooms to hangout in now. </div>
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Every time I walk in the front door, I'm pleasantly shocked at how open it is. </div>
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Just a little fun before and after, I think its like having a new house! </div>
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Till the next project!</div>
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Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-44058787273633688902015-03-06T20:55:00.001-08:002015-03-22T20:31:05.357-07:00Kitchen Cabinet Reface!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I never blog anymore.. I'm a bad, boring Mrs. B<br />
But in reality I have been doing blog worthy things, just never taking the time to record them on the interwebs anymore.<br />
So here is my attempt at getting our recent remodel permanently out to the world wide web.<br />
<br />
Mainly
I wanted to post about our very recently completed (today actually was
the last day in this month long journey) kitchen cabinet refacing we had
done, because when searching for inspiration I couldn't find many blog
posts about it. I was nervous to invest time, money, and emotion in a
refacing not knowing if it would be enough of a change, and concerned
that a complete gut and all new cabinets may have been a better choice,
eeek! <br />
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Well in the end I am really glad we went with a refacing, it was a huge improvement and a big money saver too! We got to keep our <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2009/08/sealed-and-ready-for-wax.html" target="_blank">concrete counters</a> that Mr. B <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2009/08/counters.html" target="_blank">built</a> in 2009 before we moved in. <br />
The
cabinets we had in our kitchen I imagine were installed around the late 80's to early 90's,
so they were somewhere in the 20-25 year old range, and for particle
board, painted cabinets, they had some major wear starting to show. I
had thought about just repainting them, but I hated to put that kind of
money into a style door I didn't like, and with the doors and hinges that didn't well I decided to go for it.<br />
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Here are our before and after photos of the kitchen cabinets. <span style="color: #76a5af;">(we also did our laundry and hall cabinets doors to match) </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">First major change we removed the hanging cabinet above the large peninsula, to give the flow from kitchen to dining room a more open feel.</span><br />
I love the removal of the hanging cabinets, yes I lost some storage, but
those polls holding it up drove me crazy! Good grief, who designed
that?<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDveNMI1wNk4M-I8dYuoZj7xXd9Nqr_3losmSH6Q7WDeNtCK1bhO_aRDA3iefQSthQikKz920SiGvBzWCLEG0MdU1JTUUKdT_hElIP3fdnMxtXYQubwtujgPXp9bcygOc7FUuc2rIIpUc/s1600/IMG_7670.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_oe5efXtb3_9luaI4Q2v5_0M56djPsllkFpPZsMB8Iwsr1au5s2Gmky5wDPulcvZx1uE4OruJDsJfSl9rK9kAVLAEMlZaW2XPd7RI9Pp3webIWuu2lt5vzrsFwKPfhiJE05Ynkkv61Q/s1600/IMG_7896.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /><br />
We
also had about 4 sections of cabinet doors converted into large drawers,
you'll see lots of drawers in this kitchen now, but its a look I wanted
and a functionality Mr. B really pushed for. <br />
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Oh we also deleted the two pull out cutting boards, because eew. Those things gross me out, and they killed the clean lines of the cabinets, so bye bye!<br />
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The original cabinet boxes all stayed, we removed all the old arched topped doors and drawers, hinges and slides. The remaining boxes patched sanded and were spray primed and painted in Dunn Edwards Swan White in a low sheen finish. </div>
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Worst part about that was the spray primer smell, although our painters did a great job plasticine off the kitchen like a spray booth the smell was super overwhelming for a couple days. We had to camp out at my moms, (thank you mom) and when we came back the smell lingered for a couple weeks!<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKToETeTsEsS3UfXT07F3mMidG9vzKbJKcIExZcvHoaXBhM0YTf-WGAVAlfOMN_n1XmlU_0fxP51lgk65aRHyG0lpjG60biXmemfjdPK_zNSyFYpEbCucyM3XzCTc_ORLjVecC1qd0Zg/s1600/IMG_7579.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxKNC1748rrMQ8hZx-Yjr8nJ1cFCo5xZRdSOqzj-CxsMNokTstk6OQcE13gFJbiT1HcSbE-TV42f8qhc5nCpQe8Z-FjJMU__n34YVrfZjQrHveEVfBWbci1SMLCpUL_CtC4-9xTg3h5U/s1600/IMG_7898.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /><br />
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The style door we picked is a standard "shaker" door. We upgraded all the interior drawer boxes to pre-finished maple, all the interior shelves were remade, and all the hinges and drawer slides are soft closure Blum hardware all hidden. That upgrade really made a huge difference with it feeling like a total new cabinet remodel, for just a bit more cost. I highly recommend that if you are thinking of refacing your cabinets instead of getting all new.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pzsquYjSy4OaYiPzW9BwmDO_J3OcIt24ePB0z0XFmVdFs4cayq7is5v38DEkDb-F_s0u0LMAMLIBCaNJNzclZFWC364mMYAmw1ZLKCwaMCmkRHWJuGvt9OjEeIl5z9BAen8_Oy79-OE/s1600/IMG_7640.jpg" height="640" width="480" /><br />
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The cup pulls and knobs are by Top Knobs, and I L-O-V-E them!<br />
<a href="http://www.topknobs.com/ViewSimilarFinish.aspx?hm_search=M1300" target="_blank">m1211 cup pull </a><br />
<a href="http://www.topknobs.com/ViewSimilarFinish.aspx?hm_search=M1315" target="_blank"><span style="color: #45818e;">m25 knob</span></a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPCTmP9YA9lh_3_GmkZ8sqzpup2sLV2YtWIBpWZuZRU_KqXTHpvhox2wAMuSVpTmQfa0U-pBy7hfbj8-YeZPA90AUOQDqAgek-iOag8KssaENi5p0hGRF6qngeO-MhGneRXx8ySNtzKY/s1600/IMG_7900.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /><br />
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I christened our beautiful new kitchen with a marvelous new baked good that I plan to keep in my permanent recipe book.<br />
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My mom has a very giving kumquat tree on the property, that always graces us with a bounty of these amazing fruits. I looked up some inspiration online for something to do with them, other than marmalade. I saw a post on kumquat upside down cake! I used my go to recipe from my red and white <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Better-Homes-Gardens-Sixteenth-Plaid-ebook/dp/B00HK3ETVG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425704022&sr=8-1&keywords=better+homes" target="_blank">Better Homes and Garden book</a>, and I subbed out the pineapple for kumquats, increased the brown sugar in the topping a bit to help with the sourness of the fruit. I added a little clove and cardamom to the cake to add a little spice to go with that burst of citrus, so the cake wouldn't get lost, and it was almost <i>too</i> good.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_0tTKtxndXHl_k-EaS3grwzw7b9Ipx5u-bXal1iyowQeEVAIsPwc8-ZDhMOcWTs7ETD3ILZwuKqABpQbQmf9s8r4qmRp_wSNUvg7VZoG3p01utrkZCPH7yRA4-ACFzNRDxP5PU30XJo/s1600/11053204_764394393646854_1676522919119625994_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /><br />
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From now on I'll know exactly what to do with all those
kumquats, and I will have a beautiful kitchen to cook them in for years
to come!<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></div>
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As you may have noticed my blog has not been updated for just as long as I've been a mom. My life hasn't left much room for blogging, and I'm fine with that. I don't really have the same free time that I once had.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCeyQUFJXP7dEuhOzZY_dX_ACd8h8_LsTZRXfWqaeZpp_P7Z-jxr0F385PvGhV1JDnTC1XkpofhvCLzPxabJqqx3oQr5tvvcejPb3uNIidap7JL9ATFIpaAo7eVTNdoFBw8xzY_w16AQ/s1600/DSCN5178.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCeyQUFJXP7dEuhOzZY_dX_ACd8h8_LsTZRXfWqaeZpp_P7Z-jxr0F385PvGhV1JDnTC1XkpofhvCLzPxabJqqx3oQr5tvvcejPb3uNIidap7JL9ATFIpaAo7eVTNdoFBw8xzY_w16AQ/s1600/DSCN5178.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the set for Sasha's "Cake Smash" photos that I put together for the day of her birthday. <br />
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For her 1 year birthday I found so many wonderful inspirational images to theme the party for "under the sea" Go ahead search the theme for birthday parties, and you will see gorgeous parties with every detail adorably mermaidy and sparkely goodness that any girl would give her long flowy red hair to go to! So I thought I would post some of my creations based off the inspiration for others to see.<br />
Sometimes its nice to see them in non staged, non photoshoped or without fancy editing to the images.<br />
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Here is the cover of the invites that I made, they were so much fun, but time consuming!<br />
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This was the way the party looked before everyone got here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIu_alyAUAbhMscYYkKW5gBWWuV78eBwYvy6ePrkk1HeIN-aUIiwm9JAac36Y9_6cCc6kLPFDu3M_UlnxIZdQcnMKJkexPH-mBusgG-EBIAttFxtdCWUD1oFHuuh1GbV-DNhpcL4tYsc/s1600/DSCN5222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIu_alyAUAbhMscYYkKW5gBWWuV78eBwYvy6ePrkk1HeIN-aUIiwm9JAac36Y9_6cCc6kLPFDu3M_UlnxIZdQcnMKJkexPH-mBusgG-EBIAttFxtdCWUD1oFHuuh1GbV-DNhpcL4tYsc/s1600/DSCN5222.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign on our front door. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front entrance, I reused the circle banner I made for Sasha's cake smash photos. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The backyard party area, we have a pool so it was the perfect entertainment with little effort</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This net holding the balloons was an adorable idea (thank you pinterest) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beverage Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made pork carnitas tacos and all the fix'ns</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Fish crackers in this plastic fish bowl with scoop were a great snack! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were the party favors for all the kiddos to take home, new beach buckets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. B and I both L-O-V-E shortbread iced cookies, so I had to make some, in starfish and shells</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cupcakes were topped with chocolate seashells</td></tr>
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I hope to find time to blog about other wonderful things, we shall see...<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" />Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-66907957188840622782013-05-25T18:59:00.001-07:002013-12-16T18:54:27.460-08:00Baby B! <br />
Baby B has arrived!<br />
Our little girl was born on Thursday May 16th. We couldn't be more excited about being new parents. It has been wonderful and challenging already, with much more to come I'm sure.<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-70709397062727715902013-05-12T09:22:00.002-07:002013-05-13T11:13:28.218-07:00Nursery complete, well minus one thing...The final touches are done and we are ready for baby. The nursery has had a lot of additions since the baby shower. We received so many wonderful gifts, & I picked up all the other little necessities and I've had so much fun setting them all up!<br />
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I finished the final painting that hangs above the crib. It says, "Keep clever little FOX" "Be brave little BEAR" & "Grow wise little OWL"<br />
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The wall of books is really filling up, with some adorable stuffed animals from our shower gifts here and there.<br />
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Mr. B installed a closet rod in our existing TV armoire and I converted that space into a little closet for all of her adorable things!<br />
Some of the dresses are just so cute, I can't wait to see them on her.<br />
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The "changing station" is all ready to go! Mr. B picked up this awesome
stainless steel diaper pail in the cutest color, Robins Egg Blue, its an
Ubbi brand pail. <br />
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The bassinet has been set up for a while, and I plan to keep it just by my bed for the first few months for convenience during night time feedings.<br />
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I picked up a few organizing baskets to keep all the
important items right there at hand. Including this adorable Fiestaware
turquoise creamer at a barn sale to store pacifiers and other
detrimental tools!<br />
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Yesterday I went to a fun event at a friends Ranch. It was a collection of different local artists, craftswomen & men selling their goods for a benefit. I had a great time, and picked myself out a few early Mothers Day gifts.<br />
My favorite is this handmade Turquoise leather clutch bag. The photo doesn't do it justice, the quality of the leather is so wonderfully soft and touchable, yet thick and durable. It holds my giant wallet and phone and few other important items and fits perfectly in my diaper bag...which I assume is going to be my new purse.<br />
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The Laundry room got a new decor piece too, I picked it up at the Barn Craft Fair as well. It's a handmade wooden sign with just my colors, and the cutest saying. As you may know I will be spending more time in my laundry room, so I might as well love the way it looks!<br />
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The best part is that the sign completely covers the ugly plumbing for the washer!<br />
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Now we are just waiting for Baby B to make her appearance!<br />
Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful moms out there! Mom you are the best!! <br />
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<br />Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-2282117798384948672013-02-26T16:27:00.002-08:002013-02-27T06:19:40.642-08:00Paper lanterns, improvedWhile searching the web I came across a simple and impressive looking paper lantern idea that involved one of my favorite kinds of crafts, a mindless repetition that can be done in front of the TV on the couch with little to no concentration! Yay! Sometimes you just need a craft like that. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiRRJsC2MDZVAixelekwOyjL7-a8P3pVYTUgttcg7dLEY2FJ5ARtIVl-w2KF4r9pZBRkfb9-lLWhDMW07HK9GzBtSiVNr_9U1XvvPxuV3gxGJuys9k_4GROhL58xe7VL8Hyj3LcoM6JY/s1600/DSCN4275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiRRJsC2MDZVAixelekwOyjL7-a8P3pVYTUgttcg7dLEY2FJ5ARtIVl-w2KF4r9pZBRkfb9-lLWhDMW07HK9GzBtSiVNr_9U1XvvPxuV3gxGJuys9k_4GROhL58xe7VL8Hyj3LcoM6JY/s320/DSCN4275.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I had quite a few pale blue & white paper lanterns of assorted sizes that I ordered a while back for a different project. So I made use of them. <a href="http://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/2011/05/paper-lanterns.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is the link to the tutorial. It's a Martha of course!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSD4queHTHudqhrXF8hIt-hO24oqu0HneZSiHPL_NYA93cW_YCUDzpDDvQr4TLX9mMFz9KD2dvv4kV-99Uib094Poi7_uPk1AR8i8tvZj8dpmbp5qXIz6E26LMaaGSI6A7NnXFrOVVKU/s1600/DSCN4270.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSD4queHTHudqhrXF8hIt-hO24oqu0HneZSiHPL_NYA93cW_YCUDzpDDvQr4TLX9mMFz9KD2dvv4kV-99Uib094Poi7_uPk1AR8i8tvZj8dpmbp5qXIz6E26LMaaGSI6A7NnXFrOVVKU/s320/DSCN4270.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpsZvzRRbRYy_Ze2ST-dLyJcrZqBpRecp0cOFrcAL3u6kXObSyV3cR5Ijs1hyphenhyphenVWNIGxWVhqzqmCIPbWANl5v15thReQfTKgYchqokcl-rmzaTLrMWzcojonTRYH0UYzikk500ivkxHY4/s1600/DSCN4268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpsZvzRRbRYy_Ze2ST-dLyJcrZqBpRecp0cOFrcAL3u6kXObSyV3cR5Ijs1hyphenhyphenVWNIGxWVhqzqmCIPbWANl5v15thReQfTKgYchqokcl-rmzaTLrMWzcojonTRYH0UYzikk500ivkxHY4/s320/DSCN4268.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Basically you cut out a bunch of tissue paper circles, which was very easy as you can cut through many layers at once. I used double sided tape to stick them to the paper lanterns. How simple is that?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg437IfsNICY0TmaXHotF09x3RMmcEuUJofBqVJpi5noGIfR-ziNlhDd85iA58gejeRXrIJ6Y4o72jAYmpU7Zz7Uncwh7t6cPgfCPRMdjwPzbamqC1Vit0HTT_z7NzIXiLMyGzoPOVQ7rw/s1600/DSCN4267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg437IfsNICY0TmaXHotF09x3RMmcEuUJofBqVJpi5noGIfR-ziNlhDd85iA58gejeRXrIJ6Y4o72jAYmpU7Zz7Uncwh7t6cPgfCPRMdjwPzbamqC1Vit0HTT_z7NzIXiLMyGzoPOVQ7rw/s400/DSCN4267.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2gkuGfIAyHtouW_cd3jUhCiZNpITn0KMf91M9UKQkeVJq9pkAYOHpG4gCq2PCOQxVpoKdyCN4LXrLZk6aeUtCKy9HHy7-Z5Q9pNK3eZm0McjzxMK3GMVPJVrkFx65cs34hUmSySzHgQ/s1600/DSCN4269.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2gkuGfIAyHtouW_cd3jUhCiZNpITn0KMf91M9UKQkeVJq9pkAYOHpG4gCq2PCOQxVpoKdyCN4LXrLZk6aeUtCKy9HHy7-Z5Q9pNK3eZm0McjzxMK3GMVPJVrkFx65cs34hUmSySzHgQ/s400/DSCN4269.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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I decided to hang the lanterns from a rustic branch structure. Because we have a bit of a nature theme going in the nursery, trees & birds are my thing and the branches just go. Plus they were free! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVCNoJDEtK2XFx6WkbVzsS7W5QdLSOpGc-mCp3rFL04w_0bm9f4GrLpYggSSnk8nvsKB_XsG5wTIXHcdPmPRiQwiqwz5r5fkILWW2MDbY_dOgIYUVVElTzTRHZgR5a5oUZjtGqf1rFU/s1600/DSCN4266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpVCNoJDEtK2XFx6WkbVzsS7W5QdLSOpGc-mCp3rFL04w_0bm9f4GrLpYggSSnk8nvsKB_XsG5wTIXHcdPmPRiQwiqwz5r5fkILWW2MDbY_dOgIYUVVElTzTRHZgR5a5oUZjtGqf1rFU/s400/DSCN4266.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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The branches are from my parents property, they were cut down from a lilac tree that needed some trimming, I found them in the back on a burn pile, cut them to length, them Mr. B drilled through them and I threaded in the metal loop screw thing...I think it's called a screw eye.<br />
I hung the lanterns with some fine jute twine. I think they look like cloud puffs floating above my nursing chair, they are very calming, and gently move around just a bit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06O6k5F2tigxzHTz7UKOdprqfe24jZjSZwGPxJPPSit7t78NwgPCswAipJV-EFECNhUQpXmNzxbQihsIeWGnLEwc87w5_1go2wgRU2A36FdqCUzyMMvWcFm28v6mysvgJ9BLZ0H_ZQqM/s1600/DSCN4273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06O6k5F2tigxzHTz7UKOdprqfe24jZjSZwGPxJPPSit7t78NwgPCswAipJV-EFECNhUQpXmNzxbQihsIeWGnLEwc87w5_1go2wgRU2A36FdqCUzyMMvWcFm28v6mysvgJ9BLZ0H_ZQqM/s400/DSCN4273.jpg" width="300" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj31_ZlX5Zlx6t7hN-RqLREupqy5doGWLOymRPNyhKg3n70F4w-sFf3Avyx9qx7OTRlO2zO4MgS1AU0CG2cohM84CKUPidDsYMCC_ObUrb2LwnXnjq3_sChzukRHxfgqWWd2Ep1RyLg0o/s1600/DSCN4271.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj31_ZlX5Zlx6t7hN-RqLREupqy5doGWLOymRPNyhKg3n70F4w-sFf3Avyx9qx7OTRlO2zO4MgS1AU0CG2cohM84CKUPidDsYMCC_ObUrb2LwnXnjq3_sChzukRHxfgqWWd2Ep1RyLg0o/s640/DSCN4271.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here are some other photos of the nursery in its current condition. Its starting to fill up with wonderful gifts sent to us by guests coming to the baby shower. <br />
Our awesome stroller, with car seat installed, there is a painting I finished a few weeks ago of a tree, and of course the beautiful bassinet, which will be moved into our room when baby gets here!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnB_2rFMaG0RCNQe-30qbLb_BDRgnDcreRP5ppMAls_nLyFCgEQqfcAIwKiJTgYBSfvkkXR2b3DOWE_5f40tB0QoTMMyWG5pzNLCj3w3Pr5IsiZNKIk2OMOBUvwuKsj3Z-rjeZaZEdRg/s1600/DSCN4277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnB_2rFMaG0RCNQe-30qbLb_BDRgnDcreRP5ppMAls_nLyFCgEQqfcAIwKiJTgYBSfvkkXR2b3DOWE_5f40tB0QoTMMyWG5pzNLCj3w3Pr5IsiZNKIk2OMOBUvwuKsj3Z-rjeZaZEdRg/s400/DSCN4277.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcm1ta6hSLyCAtZxQSobCV4t5OdEm58-uhIYi5khSp8M3lFRLFF2ABzSGpUJd4VuweFMTeRwQY6MGV6obddA37Ybjannrne7D-U2CdBAdO4KMAqscfcr9QppTaJFziugKMH4qMXMmLIU/s1600/DSCN4276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcm1ta6hSLyCAtZxQSobCV4t5OdEm58-uhIYi5khSp8M3lFRLFF2ABzSGpUJd4VuweFMTeRwQY6MGV6obddA37Ybjannrne7D-U2CdBAdO4KMAqscfcr9QppTaJFziugKMH4qMXMmLIU/s400/DSCN4276.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd71OSrQKJOZVv0-Aa8NeqSSZJYoxPilTzZe-zzkcOhE1XLkPF3q3CffXKSbgmYTAnlI0fbsf8zHx2UPaXA9HnF9XZmUvf0ClOVhh0Ec1_ILJRqjjD-RBtA4pzMF6DS_bGNpT0LxhRkGY/s1600/DSCN4278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd71OSrQKJOZVv0-Aa8NeqSSZJYoxPilTzZe-zzkcOhE1XLkPF3q3CffXKSbgmYTAnlI0fbsf8zHx2UPaXA9HnF9XZmUvf0ClOVhh0Ec1_ILJRqjjD-RBtA4pzMF6DS_bGNpT0LxhRkGY/s400/DSCN4278.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I hope to get started on that last canvas painting soon!<br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-57999055373938194242013-01-14T18:41:00.001-08:002013-01-14T20:16:48.687-08:00Baby bookshelves<div style="text-align: left;">
Mr. B built the baby some new shelves. After I requested some of course, he would prefer to spend every minute in the garage working on the car project. Good thing these shelves took hardly anytime for him at all!</div>
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I got the idea for these narrow picture gallery style shelves for the nursery after searching for it on pinterest. I started shopping on Amazon for shelves like this to purchase. They were around $25 -$35 a shelf, plus shipping!! I was not thrilled about that. The total cost in materials was $22.00 in molding, screws and anchors. He made me 3, 4 foot shelves.</div>
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We didn't want to make an entire gallery wall like the inspiration photo below, although I love it, it feels busy for us.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Inspiration</span></span></div>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Mr. B built the shelves in about 20 minutes. </span><span style="font-size: small;">They are
constructed out of baseboard molding pieces, primed MDF 2"x 1" and 3"x
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I then <span style="font-size: small;">painted the shelves, with two coats <span style="font-size: small;">of some paint we had laying around from when we <span style="font-size: small;">bought our home. Its Behr paint and primer <span style="font-size: small;">in one, in "C<span style="font-size: small;">otton Whisper<span style="font-size: small;">".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here they are installed up on the wall parallel with the window wall. </span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-26.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The best thing about these shelves is the low profile they have. They
work great for areas that you can't afford to fit an entire deep
bookshelf. Also they display the adorable children's books so much
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<span style="font-size: small;">We have added a few of our own children's books from way back when.... I
also added a couple pictures of Mr. B when he was younger and a couple
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<span style="font-size: small;">I loved being read to
as a child, and I cannot wait to share that experience with our
daughter. It leaves such a lasting impression on young children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I kept my favorite books in such great
condition too, even though for years I read them nightly they hardly
look used. I've had fun adding some great new books to our baby
registry, hope she loves them all!</span><br />
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Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-35327857401428751232013-01-12T14:24:00.002-08:002013-01-14T19:28:37.595-08:00Nursery Art: 1 down, 2 to goI posted last week about how I plan to paint the 3 canvases I have had laying around, and use them as art for the nursery. After all we do need something fun and cute to fill up the walls until she is painting for herself!<br />
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I have another project going on in the meantime (I'll post when it's done), I only got one painting done this week, but it's my favorite.<br />
The Owls!<br />
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Here is a close up of the little guys. </div>
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I plan to paint a Tree on the next canvas, and the last one will be her name. That one may have to wait until she is born, as we haven't chosen one yet! I just hope I have time to paint it after she is born...</div>
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I am excited about all the joys our little one will bring, but I am not oblivious to the reality that it will be hard. This video I found, takes the burdens of motherhood to a hilarious level. Hope you enjoy it!<br />
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Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-65369683143155071442013-01-05T12:35:00.002-08:002013-01-05T19:57:23.173-08:00Let the Nesting Begin! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have begun to have that "nesting" feeling happen, and I am loving it! After over 3 months of literally zero energy, I am very happy to say that I have been able to start our nursery decorating and moved our guest bed into my craft room. I am now into my 21st week of pregnancy. </div>
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<a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/7a914117.jpg" target="_blank">Here</a> is a previously taken photo of the guest bedroom (now our future little one's room). </div>
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We have a 3 bedroom home, that is shrinking by the minute. My craft room is something I cherish, and use on a daily basis. I am coming to grips with the fact that I may not use it as much once little B makes her way into our lives. But for the next 4 1/2 months, I plan to use it every minute I have to myself. So the queen guest bed has moved in on my space in there, (thank goodness they are large rooms) but I am making good use of it. In fact I am blogging while sitting on the bed right now. Its kind of nice to have a soft place to lounge while researching craft ideas, inspiration, or while blogging!</div>
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I have also begun a complete clean out and organization of my craft room, so I will have a useful space and know where everything is. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Now for the Baby's room! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Originally I was <span style="font-size: small;">going t<span style="font-size: small;">o<span style="color: #b01200;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;">paint the room a turqu<span style="font-size: small;">oise<span style="font-size: small;">/</span></span>sea glass gre<span style="font-size: small;">en<span style="font-size: small;">, but the more I thought about the <span style="font-size: small;">neutrality</span> of the current paint color and how muc<span style="font-size: small;">h I love it<span style="font-size: small;">, I decided to <span style="font-size: small;">keep it this pale <span style="font-size: small;">green and go with a nature inspired nur<span style="font-size: small;">sery. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">It<span style="font-size: small;">'s "Outback" b<span style="font-size: small;">y B<span style="font-size: small;">ehr. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We bought a crib! <span style="font-size: small;">It was a Costco special<span style="font-size: small;">, and I just couldn't <span style="font-size: small;">pass it up. You know <span style="font-size: small;">how Costco is, sometimes they get things in for only a week, and with only 4 in st<span style="font-size: small;">oc<span style="font-size: small;">k, it being a 4 in 1 <span style="font-size: small;">crib to bed <span style="font-size: small;">convertible</span> with all <span style="font-size: small;">accessories</span> inclu<span style="font-size: small;">ded</span>, and a solid hardwood <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">construction</span>, <span style="font-size: small;">it was a no-brainer. Sure the crib is a dark <span style="font-size: small;">espresso s<span style="font-size: small;">tain<span style="font-size: small;">, and <span style="font-size: small;">doesn't</span> match <span style="font-size: small;">the golden oak <span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;">mo<span style="font-size: small;">ir or dresser, but who cares?! It<span style="font-size: small;"> works, and it<span style="font-size: small;">'s just mis-matched wood colors<span style="font-size: small;">, not the end of the world. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We also picked up the<span style="font-size: small;"> comfy </span>chair in the corner, just yesterday. It<span style="font-size: small;"> matches my already <span style="font-size: small;">existing</span> ottoman, and i<span style="font-size: small;">s also a removable slipcover st<span style="font-size: small;">yle, so it<span style="font-size: small;">'s</span> easy clean up if anything should get on it. I love washable furniture. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As you can see I have blank canvases all over the room<span style="font-size: small;">,</span> <span style="font-size: small;">3 to be exact. I bought these years ago at a<span style="font-size: small;">n art suppl<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">y's </span>50% off canvas sale. I<span style="font-size: small;">'ve </span>nev<span style="font-size: small;">er gotten around to painting <span style="font-size: small;">masterpieces</span> on them and I <span style="font-size: small;">thought I could easily paint <span style="font-size: small;">n</span>ursery art <span style="font-size: small;">for so<span style="font-size: small;">me</span> cheap decor</span>!<span style="font-size: small;"> The one abo<span style="font-size: small;">ve her be<span style="font-size: small;">d<span style="font-size: small;">, I plan to paint her name on i<span style="font-size: small;">t in a branch <span style="font-size: small;">style font. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-22.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">This one is most likely going to be a whimsical tre<span style="font-size: small;">e. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I have been pinni<span style="font-size: small;">n<span style="font-size: small;">g (on pinterest) <span style="font-size: small;">inspiration for Nature Themed nursery art. Most<span style="font-size: small;">ly Owls, which I love, and trees. In c<span style="font-size: small;">olors that lean a little more in the girl<span style="font-size: small;">y direction, because after all we are having a little girl :) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here<span style="font-size: small;"> is <span style="font-size: small;">a s<span style="font-size: small;">ketch of the painting to go to just the right of the window<span style="font-size: small;">. It's little owls sitting in a tree, in a night s<span style="font-size: small;">cene<span style="font-size: small;">. I hope to start on this painting today. I'll post a photo when <span style="font-size: small;">it's done. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here <span style="font-size: small;">is</span> my latest purchase, and hopefully one of the last for decor in here. I picked up these sheer window panels from Cost Plus World Market yesterday when we bought the chair. <span style="font-size: small;">I was planning on sewing curtains in a plain white solid fabric, but when I saw these I just knew they <span style="font-size: small;">would be perfect<span style="font-size: small;">. They are light and airy, with a botan<span style="font-size: small;">ical them<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">, and a little felt birdie ever so often that </span></span></span>matches the green wall color so well<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just hung them up last nigh<span style="font-size: small;">t after Mr. <span style="font-size: small;">in<span style="font-size: small;">stalled the curtain rod, and I haven't gotten around to ste<span style="font-size: small;">aming the fold lines<span style="font-size: small;"> out yet, don't judge me! </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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It's coming along well! I just love going in there and dreaming of things to come. I'll try to post any updates as well, I know I've been a bad blogger. Hopefully a new year will change that. <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-39875280103444739422012-12-08T09:18:00.002-08:002012-12-08T09:22:23.367-08:00Latest knitted gift, and other news...I haven't been a very good blogger lately and I apologize but I have a pretty good excuse for it this time :)<br />
Mr. B and I are expecting our first child! As it goes with some women in my condition I haven't had the easiest time with it. Not to compare myself to royalty or anything...ugh hmm, but I feel for the Duchess of Cambridge and her recent bout of dehydration and sickness. It hasn't been easy but I hope it will be over soon for her and for myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-P5QEokHHWKdAyyFHWAh4NNRBFtE2WpfS2pNJbxdQr0Z8ybBS7T6BLXlrOlBi2lDb0kbCVJVRK_FwwR7xQOqamKjG2v523UN6HC3u08YC6FzKkmKCsPfbJ5J_mbFSMdQNy9duwByQr0/s1600/532427_515716571785274_1559689382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-P5QEokHHWKdAyyFHWAh4NNRBFtE2WpfS2pNJbxdQr0Z8ybBS7T6BLXlrOlBi2lDb0kbCVJVRK_FwwR7xQOqamKjG2v523UN6HC3u08YC6FzKkmKCsPfbJ5J_mbFSMdQNy9duwByQr0/s320/532427_515716571785274_1559689382_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am almost 17 along, here is my photo from earlier this week at the 16 week mark. </div>
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Being pregnant has taken a lot out of me, I have pretty much halted my typical crafting, only making a few things here and there. I have almost completely stopped cooking as well, fancy food just isn't a priority to me now. Oh and I can't even eat desserts, not fair!</div>
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I did manage to finally finish my mom's beautiful knitted cowl. Made from the most wonderful yarn I have ever worked with. Madeline Tosh "Pashmina" which is a splendid blend of Merino Wool, Silk and Cashmere! Hello!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIpFPs31vvUzQuk3HUriF7Z1Cl2UYZCHeMkZzaF4yJhqozP2QSLztr860NHILsv4_R7gLEufqMMEyIOGHF65ipAn89NCh9chqikx5a0153sywj-Xip9EAfmBcnWqFyPsutaHES6_rFW0/s1600/87406d4b-1afc-4554-a563-8b7e8d784e54-893-000002797013ec34_medium2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIpFPs31vvUzQuk3HUriF7Z1Cl2UYZCHeMkZzaF4yJhqozP2QSLztr860NHILsv4_R7gLEufqMMEyIOGHF65ipAn89NCh9chqikx5a0153sywj-Xip9EAfmBcnWqFyPsutaHES6_rFW0/s400/87406d4b-1afc-4554-a563-8b7e8d784e54-893-000002797013ec34_medium2.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfuX37JHkEPL1KWG6IUBQirGRZEW42VdPBBBljmBQBqx92hMJ-TmZEAh9DPicvg6h0B-8F_P6tlnQZjWRr1FP5acXz5bDHDRoGd5E6pBzbyJVHNJXKpxB2HCGJPm8ymmVzpRsth-g6bo/s1600/3e76bd44-dfc1-4efd-8f28-bbfa8c40b6e2-12495-00000e4ac1962deb_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfuX37JHkEPL1KWG6IUBQirGRZEW42VdPBBBljmBQBqx92hMJ-TmZEAh9DPicvg6h0B-8F_P6tlnQZjWRr1FP5acXz5bDHDRoGd5E6pBzbyJVHNJXKpxB2HCGJPm8ymmVzpRsth-g6bo/s400/3e76bd44-dfc1-4efd-8f28-bbfa8c40b6e2-12495-00000e4ac1962deb_medium2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Its so squishy soft, I am in love with this yarn. It doesn't come at a cheap price, but with a 25% off coupon and only needing one skein to make this cowl it was a totally affordable luxury accessory. <br />
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Here I am modeling it with my new tummy showing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQrEz1KlitlWRE6Ph8_qCOMPaEAN9O1M1JiKuNh6mZQ9rJtbtn2taegl9jD0Hym4ys4c7Mk_-samSD45f1Bs8cDUfmtX7-B2iiy60TRIu0ermAUj2uiK06UZR-coFfdeAgdz8DcI3WDE/s1600/0aee721b-a862-438e-9735-89d22b8a102b-12495-00000e4aed25e220_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQrEz1KlitlWRE6Ph8_qCOMPaEAN9O1M1JiKuNh6mZQ9rJtbtn2taegl9jD0Hym4ys4c7Mk_-samSD45f1Bs8cDUfmtX7-B2iiy60TRIu0ermAUj2uiK06UZR-coFfdeAgdz8DcI3WDE/s400/0aee721b-a862-438e-9735-89d22b8a102b-12495-00000e4aed25e220_medium2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFF6toHEdUG59Z3-FIkrG-_3swzqGP0UBvwcp-MiZrIGEyGrXay1ai1nCH53Kl0xjvVtJVwo_4AzvAj67estI-7iOQQGqOCkkCkQdXdHoJe55i08q1AOWTETUJ7WIeaSGN5SMx39JEH4/s1600/7a6908b8-4bc1-4cd5-8292-c0c230618218-12495-00000e4a1e5a378f_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFF6toHEdUG59Z3-FIkrG-_3swzqGP0UBvwcp-MiZrIGEyGrXay1ai1nCH53Kl0xjvVtJVwo_4AzvAj67estI-7iOQQGqOCkkCkQdXdHoJe55i08q1AOWTETUJ7WIeaSGN5SMx39JEH4/s400/7a6908b8-4bc1-4cd5-8292-c0c230618218-12495-00000e4a1e5a378f_medium2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I hope to get back to posting some of the other happenings around here soon. I made a new craft using those amazing <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2010/11/hot-glue-wine-barrels.html" target="_blank">wood roses</a>! Just in time for Christmas decorating. <br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-9039286162300235022012-10-11T16:41:00.001-07:002012-10-11T16:43:37.357-07:004th Anniversary Four years ago today Mr. B and I were married. The time has really flown by!<br />
We have both been very busy lately with our projects, he has really been trying to focus as much as possible on his <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-old-project.html" target="_blank">car remodel</a>. I apologize for not posting more updates on the car but, I have been very busy with a project of my own, that has left little time for blogging!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFX8evC5pn0vKzbbqD6AHpFtxunsHK_Rj_RT1zhzSFUH4ncQRoyR48g4bo_RCeW76lC9kTyKrj8C3arcD3OSnTDKns012WSS6d10OldbTI-xa563ALsAOzTjbDgha6rUd62ylGQuedIo/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFX8evC5pn0vKzbbqD6AHpFtxunsHK_Rj_RT1zhzSFUH4ncQRoyR48g4bo_RCeW76lC9kTyKrj8C3arcD3OSnTDKns012WSS6d10OldbTI-xa563ALsAOzTjbDgha6rUd62ylGQuedIo/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciWHqkeXwNBptrtweBqj_cBVUr2Tm3N82FQZRw2q_EsFhYZeiH1lLETRE9mA-fnfVVf3-CYvda5frErx82gouGRG61XqeCoh0KwFgHq6jSkcEkhyphenhyphenYXsKB2TwacoWHb5T8hTPKLdDfVGI/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciWHqkeXwNBptrtweBqj_cBVUr2Tm3N82FQZRw2q_EsFhYZeiH1lLETRE9mA-fnfVVf3-CYvda5frErx82gouGRG61XqeCoh0KwFgHq6jSkcEkhyphenhyphenYXsKB2TwacoWHb5T8hTPKLdDfVGI/s400/22.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I also have been very deterred by the new format the blogger.com site has forced on me. Although I am typically very tech savvy this new format has a lot of restrictions and I literally almost canned the whole blog the last time I tried to upload and place photos for my cardigan post. I promise to give it another attempt soon and hopefully I can get a bit more familiarized with the new <strike>restrictions</strike> format. </span></span><br />
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Like the past 4 years this next year in our married lives will bring lots of new things changes and I hope that the two of us can grow closer together because of them! Wish us luck and love!<br />
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<a href="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-27697003882088072332012-09-19T18:35:00.000-07:002012-09-19T18:38:47.080-07:00Fall CardiganJust in time for Fall, I finished my gray Cardigan!<br />
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I started it back in June after finding this fantastic hand dyed yarn in a knit shop up north in Cambria for my birthday weekend. Its a light weight non itchy Merino wool and so soft, made in Uruguay, and it just happened to be 40% off!!<br />
Good thing too, because I needed 5 skeins to get this project done. <br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Gem11/107515376/rittenhouse-519-dove_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Gem11/107515376/rittenhouse-519-dove_medium.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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It took me a while to finish because its been in the 90's plus here for 2 months and I just can't knit in that weather. This photo was taken back in the begging of July, before the sleeves and collar were added. <br />
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Here I am iphone modeling it. </div>
I can't wait for it too cool off more, I have a lot of knitting I want to get done, and a few garments to show off.<br />
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All finished and blocked, drying on my body form. <br />
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<a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/65316E2A-7448-4249-B9AC-C8AC2A6B8320-16107-000018E70E317ACC_zps74772659.jpg?t=1348098597" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/65316E2A-7448-4249-B9AC-C8AC2A6B8320-16107-000018E70E317ACC_zps74772659.jpg?t=1348098597" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-24949051401462844582012-09-01T17:05:00.003-07:002012-09-01T17:18:20.474-07:00Clothespin bag project<a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-19.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-17.jpg"></a><br />Well not much of a project at all really, it only took a few runs through my overlock and a couple runs on the sewing machine, about 10 min total.<br /><br />I have been hanging more items up outside lately because it has been in the 90's + and running our dryer is just not something I want to do in this heat.<br /><br />I haven't had the most convenient container to transport my pins from laundry room to outside. So I whipped one up out of scraps I had in my overflowing scrap basket.<br /><br />This is a plastic coated wire hanger that I snagged from Mr. B's closet <span style="font-size:85%;">(I don't have any wire hangers in my closet, watching Mommy Dearest as a kid scared me from using them)</span> The scrap canvas fabric is from our curtains that I hemmed during our office remodel, and the red and white French ticking cotton was from these custom seat cushions I made for my mom a couple weeks ago.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-16.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I thought I was going to use that piece of clear plastic packaging, but I ended up skipping it, the wire hanger did just fine.<br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-17.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So much more convenient now to have it hanging right here and a breeze to transport outside. <br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-18.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-18.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-14079300717661213732012-08-26T15:40:00.007-07:002012-08-26T20:12:33.763-07:00The Engine is Out! Progress on the '55 has been made. Well I guess it's technically considered the dis-assembly part of this process but it's progression none the less.<br />The last update I made, Mr. B had removed mostly everything that could come off of the car, excluding the parts that make it a driving vehicle. He was still able to get it in and out of the garage by turning it on a driving it.<br />Well not anymore!<br /><br />This Friday he and I removed the engine, transmission, drive shaft, and shifter. Well I watched as he removed the engine, but I did put together the engine hoist all by my myself!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here is the engine still in place getting it ready to be removed.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />There are a lot of hoses and bolts to remove first.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-12.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a little video of the engine being removed.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwz-MiTZUrYrQlQvSIih4JLdMKmw5sQW-jGw1WcWZV7RsiThkQRu8UzvUwXfDw2Q8BJGgg6cYl30GgiJiHYBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />All gone!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-13.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />On to the next issue, the rust..and bondo removal & repair.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The floor is a bit holey here. Mr. B has some welding to do.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This morning I woke up at walked out to the garage, and saw him hard at work doing this at 7:30 am. I'm sure he was dreaming about it all night.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-14.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-15.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Much more to come!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a><br />Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-66957830556040405012012-08-18T18:20:00.002-07:002012-08-18T18:31:02.100-07:00And it begins!Well we haven't owned it very long, and its coming apart!<br />Mr. B has begun ripping out the interior and some exterior off of the '55 Chevy.<br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The seats, carpet, trim, trunk, hood and bumpers are now in there temporary home and our extended garage, aka the covered patio.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The wheels and engine are all still in place, so Mr. B has been moving it around with his temporary seat. This just cracks me up.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Does he look happy or what? You know its something that brings him joy when he spent his entire Saturday in 100 degree weather sweating over it with that smile.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lets hope we are both smiling when its finished!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/file-3.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-9159036150752061702012-08-12T13:21:00.004-07:002012-08-12T13:41:29.039-07:00New Old ProjectMr. B and I bought ourselves a New (Old) car!<br /><br />We decided we needed a new project, since our house is pretty much where we want it for now. Of course we will probably be working on changing a few things around our home, but this little beauty is our number one priority for now!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/d9462f1c.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/d9462f1c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />First things first, we needed to clear out some space in our 2 car garage that we have been using as a one car for too long.<br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=4d5e1b1c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4d5e1b1c.jpg" alt="4d5e1b1c" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well in the heat we have been having Mr. B and I decided to get up early Saturday Morning and start while it was a cool 75...<br />A few hours of lifting and organizing really paid off.<br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=1bbfed77.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/1bbfed77.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yay!! They fit :) We knew they would, and now our little Cheri has a safe parking spot.<br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=22bcb9f8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/22bcb9f8.jpg" alt="22bcb9f8" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=fd609f30.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/fd609f30.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I had planned on doing a photo shoot of her, and us all dressed up in 1950's attire, but we hit a few road bumps Friday afternoon. First off its bloody hot, like 104 and I just didn't feel like dressing up in much of anything. Then...we were driving it and the back wheel almost fell off. Yeah, that happened, so we took her home and inspected the under carriage a little closer, she has a bit of rust people!! I think we may tear her apart sooner than later.<br /><br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=acc9115c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/acc9115c.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I hope to be able to photograph and blog about our project as she progresses. Mr. B has big plans for her, and I just can't wait!<br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=fbeae813.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/fbeae813.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-43441578191171033872012-06-21T20:20:00.004-07:002012-06-21T21:20:55.267-07:00Blow off & blow glassFirst off, I am sorry about the blog "blow off", I know its been way too long since I have updated my blog and that really bums me out. I have been very preoccupied and also lacking in interesting blog materials. So I hope you can forgive me? Hello, anyone still out there?<br /><br />Now to the fun stuff! Both Mr. B and I turned 30 the last couple months. I can hardly believe it!!<br />So we decided to check off some the things on our list that we have always wanted to do.<br />Blowing glass was one that we have been talking about for almost 10 years, so it was about time.<br />We headed up north to a little town called Harmony population 18. It was on my birthday weekend, so we made a few pit stops to some yarn shops on the way. Where I bought about 1200 yards of some great yarn for a cardigan I am making myself.<br />(anyway back to the badass stuff, forget about the knitting Mrs. B!)<br />Here is Mr. B doing what he does best, learning and paying attention to a cool skill he is hoping to master in a few minutes.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f9121219.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f9121219.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We quickly discovered that blowing glass was something that takes people years to even get the basics down, let alone master.<br />Of course Mr. B took to it like a jet ski to water.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/04a5f954.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/04a5f954.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/5e9efdeb.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/5e9efdeb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a video I made of his lesson. I hope you are able to see it, this uploader made it so small. <span style="font-size:85%;">haha, I fixed it! I am so much smarter than you blogger.com!</span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='532' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxig8dJqB8WKXrfl2rfSUUDojTraXlr5NJ8dNCp7p0NfqVBrbOCMgLYEKU32Gjvf31U7X9C01pf56d4s6kJPQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Here are our 4 glasses that we made in class.<br />We each made one clear glass, well more like watched our teacher make it, and then we were more hands on while making the colored glass.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/2690ceae.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/2690ceae.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mr. B picked a ocean blue color for his colored piece.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/197ef1c7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/197ef1c7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/2690ceae.jpg"></a><br />I went with more of a teal blue color, but they came out almost like a set.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/6d940669.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/6d940669.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/60176fc9.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/14dab4ea.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/fbfe8e85.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/5e9efdeb.jpg"></a><br />We had a FANTASTIC time on our trip too, here we are in the Harmony wedding chapel.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/de8a3874.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/de8a3874.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The door is epic.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/a02dd8b3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/a02dd8b3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Also in Harmony (there are only like 3 buildings there) is this amazing pottery studio. The glazes on some of the pieces there blew me away. I couldn't take my eyes off of this black and blue combo. Drool!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/9e227132.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/9e227132.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here is a foggy shot of the famous Morro rock from Cayucos. We stayed the night in the really cute town of Cambria, and we brought back some great souvenirs from a local craft fair that we will always remember from our trip, not to mention the yarn from before :)<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/242c139c.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/242c139c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f9121219.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br />I hope to blog more, and more often!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-90497265579106398722012-05-04T10:33:00.004-07:002012-05-04T12:05:45.732-07:00Mom's Sunny KitchenMy Mother's beautiful kitchen, needed a bit of a face lift this spring. So at her request while she was out of town, I removed the pink floral wallpaper that was installed before they bought their home and then painted it a totally different color.<br /><br />Here it is before.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/43d4e832.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/43d4e832.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This angle is really hard to capture due to all the light coming in from the high windows. You can see the wallpaper continued up to the ceiling WAY up there.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f485ba92.jpg?t=1335245389"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f485ba92.jpg?t=1335245389" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Luckily Mr. B has a good friend that owns a wallpaper business, and he came by and removed all the paper for us, and did it in no time! Plus no mess. It was SO worth it.<br />Mr. B patched any holes and sanded. I primed and then we tested swatches. My mom really wanted a sunny yellow, which is some what of a risk, especially with all that golden rich oak.<br /><br />Picking the right yellow was the hardest part! First we painted some of my moms choices on cardboard pieces.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/081edd39.jpg?t=1335223262"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 534px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/081edd39.jpg?t=1335223262" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then we tweaked the colors and put those up on the wall.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/bf76620b.jpg?t=1336153121"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 533px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/bf76620b.jpg?t=1336153121" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We ended up going with the second swatch from the bottom, it's a custom color in flat using Benjamin Moore paint.<br /><br /><br />Here it is! Complete with ceramic speckled chickens, our favorite kind of chicken.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/68387cf2.jpg?t=1336153363"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/68387cf2.jpg?t=1336153363" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I mean how cute is this chicken?<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4cb6ea2c.jpg?t=1336153329"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4cb6ea2c.jpg?t=1336153329" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I had to adjust this image to be able to view the color. I have no idea how to take a picture with my phone against such bright windows. </span><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/7e50b539.jpg?t=1336155315"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/7e50b539.jpg?t=1336155315" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/99b4a64c.jpg?t=1335380808"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/99b4a64c.jpg?t=1335380808" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also painted a quick kitchen still life for my moms corner, mainly to cover up a phone jack that was unattractive to look at. The painting still needs a frame, but it works for now.<br />You can really get a good view of the wall color in this shot.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/photo-5.jpg?t=1336156030"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/photo-5.jpg?t=1336156030" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I think the improvement is clear. She is really happy with our choice of yellow, and that's all that matters. I just wanted to give her a great (early) Mothers day gift that she loves! '<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Before</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">& </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> ..................................................After!</span><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/43d4e832.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/43d4e832.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"></span><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/68387cf2.jpg?t=1336153363"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/68387cf2.jpg?t=1336153363" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-88316964423655389202012-05-03T18:11:00.004-07:002012-05-03T21:06:32.293-07:00Dulce de LecheI first tried Dulce de Leche years ago after my parents brought back jars of it from their trip to South America.<br />This delicious and hard to find sweet, it a real treat. It has a caramel like taste with a creamy texture. It's made by cooking down milk and sugar, very very slowly until this spreadable texture and caramel brown color are achieved. You can find it in some specialty stores here in the US and all over South America.<br />Unfortunately we don't have any stores in my area that sell it. The way people have made this dessert at home for years is by cooking an unopened can of Sweetened Condensed milk in a crock pot (slow cooker) for 8 hours. It works well, but I have a few problems with that process.<br />1.) I don't like the idea of cooking anything in a can. BPA can leach into the food that is in it, especially when heated to a high temperature! Yuck!<br />2.) I don't own a crock pot, or slow cooker.<br /><br />So I came up with a very fast and safe solution to making my own Dulce de Leche at home.<br />In a glass jar, and in my pressure cooker.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/8eca97d0.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/8eca97d0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pour the contents of one can of sweetened condensed milk (I used Organic) into a pint Ball jar and tightly secure the lid.<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/b85499e7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/b85499e7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Put the jar in your pressure cooker and fill half way up with water.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f4c43303.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f4c43303.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I closed up the pressure cooker and turned it up to high for 18 mins. After it was done cooking, I turned off the pressure cooker and let it release all the pressure slowly on its own. I opened the lid removed the very hot jar carefully and placed it on the counter to cool.<br />It's a much prettier color now!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/d50f8f47.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/d50f8f47.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the really cool part. The Dulce de leche continues to cook on the counter, actually it starts to boil after about the first minute out of the cooker and continues to boil for about 15 mins.<br />I took some video of it so you can watch in amazement as I did!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzwOwThUZjtSSOdk25mxd10htMAMytMFGOLFie1x9nV_-9z_dc9b6cpXl6gVCEEzegLjJUk9ym6DSqKi61X' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Here it is all cooled and done. Yum, yum.<br />Now you could certainly cook it longer to the desired color, getting darker and thicker the more you cook it, dulce de leche is good at all stages really.<br />I prefer it a little lighter, and more spreadable.<br />I just love how fast this is, its like instant gratification!<br /><a href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/0363c745.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/0363c745.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-49274775099832557812012-04-04T19:09:00.004-07:002012-04-04T22:20:36.887-07:00Blue eyes, blue eggsAfter a bit of advice <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">**cough, criticism, cough** </span></span>I decided that my faux chocolate Easter bunnies needed a certain feature added to their cute little faces.<br /><br />Here are the bunnies I painted <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2012/03/fake-chocolate-craft.html">last week</a>, plain faced and just missing something.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4fdf9df8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4fdf9df8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here they are now! I went with blue eyes after a bit of inspiration from my aunts new Easter banner. She sent me a picture of it and it was clear that my bunnies needed baby blues.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4c5ba230.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4c5ba230.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I finally put out the rest of my Easter decor, here are the birds nests and eggs I display on my milk glass pedestal and domed plate for our dining table.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/9c8668ba.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/9c8668ba.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/004d2e65.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/004d2e65.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/ed2110dd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/ed2110dd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also hung my favorite DIY wreath so far, my egg wreath. I made it <a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2011/03/egg-wreath.html">last year</a> using acrylic paint and cheap plastic eggs, oh and a lot of hot glue.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f7c8a990.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/f7c8a990.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/a8eabdcb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/a8eabdcb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />So for our traditional Easter dying this year, I am going all natural. I am tired of doing the same old artificial dye for our hard boiled eggs.<br />I found this beautiful <a href="http://www.boulderlocavore.com/2011/04/naturally-dyed-easter-eggs-and-best.html">blog</a> on how to dye your eggs vibrant, and not so vibrant colors using real food. I plan to try out this bright blue that is achieved by soaking eggs in purple cabbage water!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KEkfBESUMFlx9Nwat5gZfjJ597EOMQt0bqQQaoZYHxKgNPl3xxWyQCThyuz_oKqi08lHrvZGujU2QfomZ2TRnRuhiLJ7ZFrD1X1teEQKETlIhy0vY-beCVqokCbwwOyfBjrHrHAbuGc/s1600/DSC_0643.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KEkfBESUMFlx9Nwat5gZfjJ597EOMQt0bqQQaoZYHxKgNPl3xxWyQCThyuz_oKqi08lHrvZGujU2QfomZ2TRnRuhiLJ7ZFrD1X1teEQKETlIhy0vY-beCVqokCbwwOyfBjrHrHAbuGc/s400/DSC_0643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727736466286091634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Wish me luck,<br /><br />& Hope you all have a wonder Easter weekend.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-51378108926814804282012-03-24T17:05:00.006-07:002012-03-24T17:53:26.576-07:00Fake Chocolate! A craft.I know that title sounds so wrong, I agree but sometimes for decor purposes we need to make fake things that look edible things.<br /><br />Easter is right around the corner and I love to put out candy eggs, jelly beans, & chocolate bunnies. Well this year that just isn't an option. We have had rainy weekends lately and the ants are venturing in with a purpose. A purpose to find any tiny little crumb that resembles something edible (or not) and charge it! So I have been doing a lot of cleaning lately, and ant proofing everything in our home.<br />This ant attack has actually had a silver lining, I am getting quite organized and my cupboard is looking better than ever. Giant tupperware is my friend, giant tupperware is my friend!<br /><br />Okay my problems aside, here is my fast and easy Easter craft.<br />Faux Chocolate Bunnies!<br /><br />I went to the local craft store and picked up these cheap paper mache bunnies, for $3 each. I had the acrylic paint, the satin clear coat and grosgrain ribbon already in my craft stash.<br />Other materials used, • small paint brush •scissors •that's it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/93cdbb29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/93cdbb29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All I needed to do was to make them look like this!<br />Easy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPOCLb0Wduff5uphSr6YAwwnizdyO-8h42c9W7PfccmF1n816Duds18Oya24YpWF2qHCBeqJwaqK6QVzF2l7UHKmnTu5ll4JmBLqVQV71CkiLvBv7_CeCEypjMP6bHwvv0wLBL3d4-Qk/s1600/chocolate-bunny.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPOCLb0Wduff5uphSr6YAwwnizdyO-8h42c9W7PfccmF1n816Duds18Oya24YpWF2qHCBeqJwaqK6QVzF2l7UHKmnTu5ll4JmBLqVQV71CkiLvBv7_CeCEypjMP6bHwvv0wLBL3d4-Qk/s400/chocolate-bunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723627413333465570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Two coats of acrylic paint in "Dark Chocolate" I'm not kidding that was the actual name of the color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/53ca0be9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/53ca0be9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They were looking just like the shade of delicious chocolate, but slightly too dull in finish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/29e9cbc7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/29e9cbc7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I gave them a light spray with satin clear coat to make them appear like shiny molded tempered chocolate bunnies.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/363dfb63.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/363dfb63.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dressed them up with a grosgrain bow around their necks, and put them on out table.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4fdf9df8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/4fdf9df8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/83214bdd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/83214bdd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mr. B will be headed up to the attic to fetch the rest of the Easter decor tomorrow so I can put it out tomorrow. It's supposed to be a rainy Sunday, so I will have fun putting it all out.<br />These guys actually are quite believable, every time I walk by I am tempted to bite their ears off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/97d263c1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/97d263c1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I got the idea from my idol <a style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);" href="http://www.marthastewart.com/266876/faux-chocolate-bunnies">Martha</a>, but her version seemed way more time consuming and the materials would certainly cost much more than my project.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-72907095001033511432012-02-22T20:54:00.000-08:002012-02-22T21:32:03.260-08:00Laundry quandaryAh the great debate begins. With the options available these days for full size washer and dryers that can be stacked or built under a counter, I am finding it hard to commit to a plan.<br /><br />I am seriously considering demoing our current laundry hall and building a new one from scratch. Here is our current laundry room. It has large upper cabinets, my side by side top-loader washer and dryer, & a large broom closet that we use but it's way too big.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtHQx0WsgbckStpkzuWOomGTS3lqnut4RuQp2EiqWsXg27jyoi4yM4HMO18gfy1HYFQHDgsk9n3PwPmqEKUqXIptQK6yRlS1U0Zpk4H4lJI8PbnUzf9sVCynwalQfEFWwEuwAr8qBXJ4/s1600/DSCF0880.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 473px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtHQx0WsgbckStpkzuWOomGTS3lqnut4RuQp2EiqWsXg27jyoi4yM4HMO18gfy1HYFQHDgsk9n3PwPmqEKUqXIptQK6yRlS1U0Zpk4H4lJI8PbnUzf9sVCynwalQfEFWwEuwAr8qBXJ4/s1600/DSCF0880.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/de856c62.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/de856c62.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The trouble is I don't know what I want, or what I will love more... I never have this problem, so maybe you can help?!<br /><br /><a href="http://roryandnicole.blogspot.com/2010/10/hall-laundry-plan-take-1.html">Here</a> was my plan back in 2010, it's morphed a bit but pretty close to the dream I had of built in hampers and some counter space.<br /><br />These are the 2 choices I am considering today. Keep in mind, I am not sold on the model or color of the washer and dryer I put in my plans, nor the tile choice for the backsplash. I have just figured that I can only do the remodel if we choose to buy front loaders.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">I am wavering on that as it is...is a front loader washing machine really going to be as great as my top loader? Please share your experience!</span></span><br /><br /><br />Option #1<br />Side by side front loaders with solid counter top above.<br />Counter space for laundry baskets, folding and what not.<br />Hanging area to dry delicate clothing.<br />Plenty of upper cabinet space for storage, a narrow broom closet, and pull out shoe drawer or Baxter food drawer, and one hinging hamper built in to the lower cabinet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Screenshot2012-02-22at85204PM.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 458px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Screenshot2012-02-22at85204PM.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Option #2<br />Stacked front loaders with small cabinet above, that I won't really use daily it's too high.<br />Small counter space for laundry baskets, folding and what not.<br />Hanging area to dry delicate clothing.<br />A laundry sink, for soaking and hand washing.<br />One large upper cabinet space for storage, and one below sink, a narrow broom closet, and pull out shoe drawer or Baxter food drawer, and one hinging hamper built in to the lower cabinet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Screenshot2012-02-22at85148PM.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 460px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Screenshot2012-02-22at85148PM.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />On one hand I get a lot of counter space, and on the other hand I get a sink. Either way I would need front loaders, not sold on those yet. Either way I think I will prefer it to what we currently have.<br /><br />Please vote below on the one you think will be the most practical and enjoyable!<br /><form action="http://www.acepolls.com/votes" id="poll_id_1245812" name="new_vote" class="content" method="post" charset="utf-8"><div style="display: none;"><input name="_method" value="POST" type="hidden"></div> <div style="padding: 10px 0pt; border: 1px solid rgb(15, 120, 224); background-color: rgb(107, 207, 238); width: 250px; background-image: url("/images/designs/blue_bubble.png");"> <input name="data[new_vote][poll_id]" value="1245812" id="new_votePollId" type="hidden"> <p style="color: rgb(16, 73, 189); text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.acepolls.com/polls/1245812-which-laundry-room-do-you-prefer">Which Laundry room do you prefer?</a> </p> <ul style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0pt; padding-left: 10px;"> <li style="text-align: left; color: rgb(9, 38, 95);"> <input name="data[new_vote][choice_id]" id="vote_choice_id_6932065" value="6932065" type="radio"> Option #1 Side by side </li> <li style="text-align: left; color: rgb(9, 38, 95);"> <input name="data[new_vote][choice_id]" id="vote_choice_id_6932066" value="6932066" type="radio"> Option # 2 Stacked w/sink </li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"> <input name="commit" id="submit_1245812" value="Vote!" type="submit"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.acepolls.com/" style="color: rgb(9, 38, 95);">Acepolls</a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px; text-align: left; margin: 0pt 5px;"> More polls: <a href="http://www.acepolls.com/tag/hotels" style="font-size: 10px; color: black; text-decoration: none;">Hotel polls</a> <a href="http://www.acepolls.com/tag/dating" style="font-size: 10px; color: black; text-decoration: none;">Dating polls</a> <a href="http://universalladdare.com/" style="font-size: 10px; color: black; text-decoration: none;">universalladdare.com</a> </p> </div> </form><br /><br />If you have any other helpful advice or experience please leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-6612555947547452522012-02-13T16:25:00.006-08:002012-09-01T16:38:10.354-07:00Mega Knitting!!<span style="color:#339999;"><span style="font-size:85%;">**Update, I have had a few readers ask questions in the comment section below. I have tried to comment and answer them there. **</span><br /></span><br />I have an announcement, I have officially lost my marbles, but in a creative way. Oh, also I may need to rename my blog "Mrs. B Knits", because that seems to be the way my posts are going these days.<br />The knitting bug has bitten be pretty hard, along with some other creative bugs that cause me to make things with an uncontrolled passion (some say obsession) and determination.<br /><br />This giganto craft in particular sparked me right away. About a year ago I taught myself how to knit, and I quickly started googling inspiration for extreme knitting (sounds like an oxymoron, as knitting is usually associated with grandmas sitting on there doily covered couches). I occasionally saw really large gauge blankets or throws that looked so plush and exaggerated, but in my search for large yarn I was coming up unsuccessful.<br />Until I found a pattern and how to make your own mega huge yarn! Then it was on, like Donkey Kong.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Pattern found </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;" href="http://nocturnalknits.com/">here</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> at nocturnalknits.com</span><br /><br />First I needed giant needles. Although the pattern suggested using PVC pipe with duct tape tips, that was just so not my style. Plus I wanted something I could keep and display in my crafting room. Something classic, so we went with wood.<br />5 foot tall just over 1.5" in diameter or 40mm thick needles. Mr. B crafted these babies out of a giant 10 foot long dowel, think of the rods in your closet, and two fence finials for the ends. I finished them in a Minwax finish that was perfect and dried in no time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/54331d44.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/54331d44.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I needed the wool. I had to start with roving. Its basically sheep's wool that's in a long continuous strand of combed fibers. Here is my box of 7 pounds of Merino sheep wool in superwash un-dyed natural color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/48182bfc.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/48182bfc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is what it looks like when its "out of the box" it's on long continuous super soft ribbon of cotton candy like wool fibers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/f2b8a17e.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/f2b8a17e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/17a29454.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/17a29454.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />To prepare the roving for knitting I needed to "felt" the wool to make it stronger by tightening the fibers together and also making it less prone to shedding. This process was time consuming but actually fun. I rolled the long strand of roving into white sheets.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/c725ae22.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/c725ae22.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here I am rolling....and rolling. It took 4 king size sheets total to roll up the 7 lbs of roving.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/975c2e84.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/975c2e84.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/a9092dd4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/a9092dd4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Each sheet was tied up like a sausage to keep everything in place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/c7f6b30e.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/c7f6b30e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I tied all 4 sausages together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/f99cb7f9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/f99cb7f9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then it was time to Felt! I got the bathtub going with the hottest water possible, a bit of detergent and that's all you need.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/7a7a6b64.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/7a7a6b64.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well there is a bit of exercise to it as well. I put on my goulashes (they are really heavy) and got to agitating. Basically your feet act as a washing machine, turning up the water, stomping the hot water through the fibers and really moving the wool around. I did this for 5 minutes, then ran clean water through it and then smashed most of the water out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/a5e804a0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/a5e804a0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/cf74cbd7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/cf74cbd7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The sausages took a couple rounds in the washing machine in the spin cycle to remove the majority of the water. This worked really well actually, I was quite surprised.<br /><br />I laid out a large thick comforter in our sitting room floor, and zig-zaged the damp roving out over it to dry.<br />I have to say if you are going to do this be prepared for a very strong wet animal odor. It smelled like there was a wet sheep herd in our house "something fierce". I then made the fantastic mistake to light some incense, and immediately our house smelled like you had walked out into the streets of another country. It was not really pleasant, but luckily it didn't last long.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/b595a38f.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/b595a38f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This lengthy process is basically to make the fluffy delicate wool strands go from this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/9361bfd5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/9361bfd5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To this.<br /><a href="http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/?action=view&current=21e0b6f5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/21e0b6f5.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/414ea798.jpg"></a><br /><br />After the wool dried on the floor overnight, I split it in half vertically to cut the diameter of the strands in half. The pattern said to do it this way, but if I had to do it again I would split it first and then felt it. It would be way more work, but I think the end product would be better.<br />Here are the two giant balls of yarn being made from the split up large strand of roving.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/ef42006f.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/ef42006f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tada!<br />All ready to knit! Finally :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/8a670d4d.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/8a670d4d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And I'm ready to cast on!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/612eb16d.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/612eb16d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's when Mr. B went for a ride on his newly rebuilt Triumph, he took Yoda with him and left me to my knitting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/9843fd9b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/9843fd9b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />He came home to this! It's not a great shot but I'm at the half way point here, and just after this was taken I quit knitting for the evening.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/1420a3bc.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/1420a3bc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is where it got pretty heavy. The next day I finished the rest with some help. The needles got so heavy and my arms were sore, so it was a two person effort from then on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/c0713bdd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/c0713bdd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is my mini ball leftover from the project.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/216e341a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/216e341a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here it is!<br />The pattern asked for a slightly different number of stitches, I changed it a bit. Mine ended up being 50"x60"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/657d1f07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/657d1f07.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So Mega Throw is pretty awesome. It's the plushest thing in our home. It is like a knitted sheep skin rug. It's so cushy you could sleep on it like a mattress. I don't think I need to mention how heavy it is.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/40fb2c84.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/40fb2c84.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a close up of the stitches, they are about 2.5" wide each.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/abf10350.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/abf10350.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now that it's done I am really enjoying it. I don't know what my next crazy project might be but I know when I get tired from it, I'll have this plush beauty to cuddle up with when I need to.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/3d005157.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/Mega%20knit%20Large/3d005157.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >**updated 2/16/12***<br />I decided after living with Mega Blanket for a few days that the shedding and amount of wool it was leaving on everything it touched needed to be controlled. Now I knew it would do this, but to prevent it from happening as much I ended up "felting" it again after it was knitted up. I wrapped the blanket in one large sheet and threw it back in a tub of soapy hot water, put my boots on again did a little dance on it, then put it in the washer for the spin cycle once more and laid it flat to dry.<br /><br />This is pretty much the process it will go through every time it needs to be washed so its perfectly fine for the blanket and it helped a lot with its shedding issue! YAY!<br /><br />It does still shed a bit but not as much as before. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780933369749718391.post-52811967409881871792012-02-06T17:02:00.002-08:002012-08-24T22:56:46.997-07:00Baby leg warmers!Baby legs are probably one of the best things ever. Kicking and crawling with cute little cubby rolls, how could they be any cuter?<br />Leg warmers! That's how.<br />It all started when a busy mom I know asked me about hand knitted legwarmers she saw on Pinterest. I said "I could do that" as I usually do and also convinced her she could too (with some free time which is hard to come by for some).<br /><br />So I knitted these Wasabi & Bark colored warmers for our nephew Arlo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/5f83096b.jpg?t=1327522459"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 667px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/5f83096b.jpg?t=1327522459" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are knit out of an amazing superwash merino sock yarn called Shibui. It's one of the best quality yarns I've knitted with. I also made Mr. B a thin light weight beanie out of the same yarn.<br />Here he is wearing the beanie holding Arlo last month.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/January%202012/IMG_1157.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/January%202012/IMG_1157.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is my favorite picture of all. Just sent to me today, from Montana!<br />3 1/2 month old Arlo wearing the warmers I knit for him :) I hope they keep him nice and toasty.<br /><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Gem11/92064729/e5ab452b_medium2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Gem11/92064729/e5ab452b_medium2.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="533" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PzThycrWhlUamzQGsniBRH2WRdVRUAZUX7dujsHFQMnq3Z2iABsGegloUTmxHWF_bH7laY7tg089bpnpijDMLSSzrATqLdKKscxxDFEfL9IiYbH_BGGifSrHameUKGMxdPVa0Z1eRrw/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+7.07.33+PM.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PzThycrWhlUamzQGsniBRH2WRdVRUAZUX7dujsHFQMnq3Z2iABsGegloUTmxHWF_bH7laY7tg089bpnpijDMLSSzrATqLdKKscxxDFEfL9IiYbH_BGGifSrHameUKGMxdPVa0Z1eRrw/s400/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+7.07.33+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706225295360001570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also just finished up the pair requested for a little girl, Nora who is 18 months.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/9ec0a80a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/9ec0a80a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are the same size as baby Arlo's but will be worn like the two girls in the picture towards the bottom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/nevernotknitting/35585148/2197234026_1f01b670f5_m_medium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 260px;" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/nevernotknitting/35585148/2197234026_1f01b670f5_m_medium.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/legwarmies">here</a> on Ravelry.<br />They are a really quick knit, probably 2 to 3 evenings to finish a paitr.<br /><br />The hot salmon pink and creamy white are a really bright combo and fun. They will look super cute over jeans.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/c7044b10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab153/photogem11/c7044b10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now do I need a pair? Maybe something a bit more neutral...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/100/15DDF7D121CB9288B41BDCD827E52EAE.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Mr. + Mrs. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517976284887059952noreply@blogger.com3