tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60546220659700031442024-03-04T22:26:07.487-08:00Happy Yellow BumblebeeVintage love, creative arts and crafts!Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-24595013920633847662014-04-16T11:12:00.000-07:002014-04-16T11:12:08.555-07:00Lenora's sweet vintage nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNaR989GFdHAuW92z8BVMgiIXaJ0KVaCk2rVdE58LY1Apmsw7W22IxeZBRig0VsduBEmbycrSjUp5ok4JbPZBnrU082T7HsHfcjtQ0zXx52c72XEINlDtfX-k55JoJCiiPzQIVHIYZtBO/s1600/fallish+13+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNaR989GFdHAuW92z8BVMgiIXaJ0KVaCk2rVdE58LY1Apmsw7W22IxeZBRig0VsduBEmbycrSjUp5ok4JbPZBnrU082T7HsHfcjtQ0zXx52c72XEINlDtfX-k55JoJCiiPzQIVHIYZtBO/s1600/fallish+13+068.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Check out my nursery on <a href="http://projectnursery.com/projects/lenoras-vintage-nursery/">Project Nursery</a> and give it a rating. <br />
<br />
Eclectic, vintage, and pretty. That's how I describe my daughter's nursery. I had so much fun decorating her little space in anticipation of her arrival. She just turned one and it's about time I wrote a blog about her nursery and how it came together.<br />
The room started as her brother's room, with superheroes painted on the dark periwinkle textured walls. This was not going to be an easy transformation. I searched my photos and could only find this action shot of the boys with one of the 4 superheroes in the background. (That's a Transformer arm and leg in the right top corner).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSADXdmv9PMNihTTn5m3jePslRfI7QN5ljbxLcUwrw4-oDDWi6UYnGfnqC2cnNqFiqLrizMPLm8Xp-_FjRPj9WJQSTg6W84GVPwlZJ3GXk1s5fkeJraJQ_joKYxBesvnr0X_WAT5JPjs-j/s1600/jump+charlies+room+mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSADXdmv9PMNihTTn5m3jePslRfI7QN5ljbxLcUwrw4-oDDWi6UYnGfnqC2cnNqFiqLrizMPLm8Xp-_FjRPj9WJQSTg6W84GVPwlZJ3GXk1s5fkeJraJQ_joKYxBesvnr0X_WAT5JPjs-j/s1600/jump+charlies+room+mural.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We started with a few paint color choices, including pale pink, peach, spring green, and a golden yellow color. I painted a square of each on the wall and looked at them for a few days. Surprisingly I liked the spring green, which was probably my last choice. It was so bright and warm in the sun and yet soothing in the nighttime. Perfect for a nursery. I used the quilt that I found at Land of Nod Outlet for color selection. It had many colors on it, stripes of different patterns, with magenta, peach, pink, gold, and green. I think it was called patchwork paisley or something like that.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTN61asBfKazzwGns_7dqBmJ15U5vikqgCRYZwuunWS8gKKhKKXVwq3D9ufHBJNXehHOc1xGgVAAgkH9x5wtRj-B7RdofdYXs_PvgF0L8XeVoSfCazVNQomnyNfS8jrpRq4bEdr-aKSpo/s1600/inspiration+in+a+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTN61asBfKazzwGns_7dqBmJ15U5vikqgCRYZwuunWS8gKKhKKXVwq3D9ufHBJNXehHOc1xGgVAAgkH9x5wtRj-B7RdofdYXs_PvgF0L8XeVoSfCazVNQomnyNfS8jrpRq4bEdr-aKSpo/s1600/inspiration+in+a+quilt.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeGnu6TqZcmzceeq1j_HjFv4LelNCa1b_wXcsoaVOYTX5kk235BnfEf8hCqK3DNfZhnl2qvDB5Zm8g3rISU4PwLaOAAcmm8QfUbGp6OWLmvTk2o9r33rHqvEuC15jpjGU_jIKsilaEemL/s1600/shadow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeGnu6TqZcmzceeq1j_HjFv4LelNCa1b_wXcsoaVOYTX5kk235BnfEf8hCqK3DNfZhnl2qvDB5Zm8g3rISU4PwLaOAAcmm8QfUbGp6OWLmvTk2o9r33rHqvEuC15jpjGU_jIKsilaEemL/s1600/shadow2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> To paint over the mural we chose a quality paint and we did not do a coat of white first. We did 2 coats of green and made sure and go over where the heroes were painted a few extra times. The end result was a gorgeous green, kind of pretty green, like new buds on the trees in the springtime. The color looked really nice on the walls and really gave the room an earthy feel, especially with the nice brown hardwood floors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NVsQgadX_v4JEpJZCDYxlIUkXEs4c_KrTeA70rMYqQJ0_gGeppax3dNlJZGRW7Xl7_t59msWK6xOd32VKTQL_5k4Zhmdu8VU56VxAAe3AKy4btFXDmSx2rDBTtHo8xJQxQLDPwwBh9TC/s1600/super+fresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NVsQgadX_v4JEpJZCDYxlIUkXEs4c_KrTeA70rMYqQJ0_gGeppax3dNlJZGRW7Xl7_t59msWK6xOd32VKTQL_5k4Zhmdu8VU56VxAAe3AKy4btFXDmSx2rDBTtHo8xJQxQLDPwwBh9TC/s1600/super+fresh.jpg" height="240" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once the walls were done, we added the boys' old white crib (good thing I saved that!) and dresser and a pretty little vintage side table. Now came the fun part, decorating! <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/niccicoco80/baby-girl/">Pinterest</a> was a big source of inspiration, in fact I had a whole board dedicated to decorating the nursery. In fact it might have made it harder for me because I wanted to do so many of the cool ideas I found. Scouring local boutiques, thrift shops, and discount stores (TJ Maxx, Big Lots) we found tons of great stuff to make this nursery one of a kind. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3yQTfN_50LyapUOzX_3VFwFtMK3utf3CDd6BRcksUB8xzYHbNAaUcRTS8CLYS9DxypZq3xrsByF3gB4Pm1GO96SuENGr_OWkVl_oIUvS60p4FBVi-vWFk9CoB8T9R818lnKJLy2IwTIV/s1600/room3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3yQTfN_50LyapUOzX_3VFwFtMK3utf3CDd6BRcksUB8xzYHbNAaUcRTS8CLYS9DxypZq3xrsByF3gB4Pm1GO96SuENGr_OWkVl_oIUvS60p4FBVi-vWFk9CoB8T9R818lnKJLy2IwTIV/s1600/room3d.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-TnzY-l12YA0wnBDzpGSbj8jJBkQPVzrJvtgpxeT8OXl8pw2wMqhvS7A7AiX5QFkA3XYqEOrIRxrqp_VXdqxOyRaWuyb57KYQbZVolI67wGRiJPqjUDnrhzv0p3lkjPencbZFf-f93yf/s1600/Room2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-TnzY-l12YA0wnBDzpGSbj8jJBkQPVzrJvtgpxeT8OXl8pw2wMqhvS7A7AiX5QFkA3XYqEOrIRxrqp_VXdqxOyRaWuyb57KYQbZVolI67wGRiJPqjUDnrhzv0p3lkjPencbZFf-f93yf/s1600/Room2B.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUvO3MXqtY3gz_jGM2kRt6QC7ha8jf6-tbKB6HcV1LKIgslRON1yL8w0XSlbCFdQuzX24YGiKbX8KfmEcP2ecPWTfAClg4xL8cxrHBwwY_9_J5fmvkSqHRhngi-pMK8OmIQCxY0T_-_p9/s1600/fallish+13+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUvO3MXqtY3gz_jGM2kRt6QC7ha8jf6-tbKB6HcV1LKIgslRON1yL8w0XSlbCFdQuzX24YGiKbX8KfmEcP2ecPWTfAClg4xL8cxrHBwwY_9_J5fmvkSqHRhngi-pMK8OmIQCxY0T_-_p9/s1600/fallish+13+049.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a>Peoria is lucky to have some super sweet small shops that have handmade or one of a kind items. <span class="post-meta-value"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Relics-Funky-Hip-Shop-in-Peoria/211026470718" rel="nofollow" title="Relics">Relics </a>is
an awesome local shop we hit up for some of the decorative items in the
nursery. We found the sweet fairy print and statue there. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/checklostfound" rel="nofollow">Lost and Found </a>is where I found the re-purposed frame turned photo display, which was painted pink and then strung with chicken wire. (I later added some branches and birds and yarn). <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RestorationStudiosOnSheridan/327893717303147" rel="nofollow">Restoration</a>
is a very cool shop in the Sunbeam building. We found the shelf for
above the changing table there as well as some vintage ballerina prints. The sweet vintage dress was from the Moss Avenue Sale, which happens once a year in June.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZpiPDU7F5r15yyZ6E_gF2E7t6jv7PHx3n7oME9PC8hFgPPdNhRf9JuSOg_TvD9iGTZNI__afuvBGfoSVNnyhaiJqhiLHN5F0KcUAfkHDAtlNdA42TLWt_9VybpIfFBo3badR33U2i1WU/s1600/fallish+13+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZpiPDU7F5r15yyZ6E_gF2E7t6jv7PHx3n7oME9PC8hFgPPdNhRf9JuSOg_TvD9iGTZNI__afuvBGfoSVNnyhaiJqhiLHN5F0KcUAfkHDAtlNdA42TLWt_9VybpIfFBo3badR33U2i1WU/s1600/fallish+13+059.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wHD1yAM2k3vyJNJL3364x8XXe_SMqIHY4LHYHx4h2Uki-7GUmMHlbmBTFlPPAt9XffVA-3nT4HOoiepP4Pdv4s8-rn3OdfUa_OIiOCZfjsUU8jOwRzTdGyUa-y2QQqoRkTmZBQqBeytk/s1600/fallish+13+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wHD1yAM2k3vyJNJL3364x8XXe_SMqIHY4LHYHx4h2Uki-7GUmMHlbmBTFlPPAt9XffVA-3nT4HOoiepP4Pdv4s8-rn3OdfUa_OIiOCZfjsUU8jOwRzTdGyUa-y2QQqoRkTmZBQqBeytk/s1600/fallish+13+057.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a><span class="post-meta-value"> The dresser/changing table and the green wardrobe are both from <a href="http://projectnursery.com/projects/lenoras-vintage-nursery/www.ikea.com/us/en" rel="nofollow">IKEA</a>.
The lamp and the sweet fox, carrot, and strawberry softies are also
from IKEA. I also hit up many a Goodwill, Salvation Army, and church
thrift shop. That is where many of the knick knacks, frames, and other little pieces came from. The dollhouse is mine from childhood and I was so happy to break it out, though it will be a few years before she can actually play with it. </span><span class="post-meta-value"><span class="post-meta-value"> </span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="post-meta-value"><span class="post-meta-value">During December, a friend and I went to the </span><span class="post-meta-value"><a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/chicago" rel="nofollow">Renegade Craft Fair </a>in Chicago, where I found the </span> </span><span class="post-meta-value">perfect art print to hang in the nursery. The colors were so complimentary to what we were using, and I loved the silhouette or the tree and children playing instruments. </span><span class="post-meta-value">Next came the DIY projects inspired this <a href="http://aedriel.blogspot.com/2009/05/sweet-girl-deserves-sweet-wall-decor.html">website</a>
that was found on a pinterest pin. I thrifted some embroidery hoops at
the local Goodwill and added some pretty fabrics and hankies. They were
then hung above the crib. Super easy and cheap project that looks
AWESOME! </span><span class="post-meta-value">love this idea!</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0UZ7Qq8RWwoVGUzBpwX43hyphenhyphenQJgCqY-nAYPTbUaFNk-ephXeIcOxM3PHFDs-pYlypXrh7T6yhdvZadZ6XjAhM2A-gM1W4TuBvXlsAJo0Kd8sYlQIURCmUNyjxgx9gh32orVUTcaJMolIb/s1600/fallish+13+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0UZ7Qq8RWwoVGUzBpwX43hyphenhyphenQJgCqY-nAYPTbUaFNk-ephXeIcOxM3PHFDs-pYlypXrh7T6yhdvZadZ6XjAhM2A-gM1W4TuBvXlsAJo0Kd8sYlQIURCmUNyjxgx9gh32orVUTcaJMolIb/s1600/fallish+13+047.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="214" /></a><span class="post-meta-value"></span><span class="post-meta-value"><span class="post-meta-value">I really wanted a branch with birds as a
mobile, but I couldn't figure out how to use it in the space. Instead I
added branches and birds to the chickenwire frame/photo board. It looks
really cool hung on the wall next to the embroidery frames and I like having somewhere to display photos, cards, and other items. The room looks so unique and eclectic, with all of the neat vintage and handmade pieces.</span></span><span class="post-meta-value"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RmFW8mqWC3Dknrw1MetDe2xEPKgZ1IqieKGOszulqCTWtIxIRShjDxPow18w48lK0YJjQsy_eOxh00wjg-wWJZrjTyuOjD3Dfv0_goiNRLWuphihUx22K260Gx8b8PNOF4LYNlzpquzs/s1600/fallish+13+072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RmFW8mqWC3Dknrw1MetDe2xEPKgZ1IqieKGOszulqCTWtIxIRShjDxPow18w48lK0YJjQsy_eOxh00wjg-wWJZrjTyuOjD3Dfv0_goiNRLWuphihUx22K260Gx8b8PNOF4LYNlzpquzs/s1600/fallish+13+072.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></span><span class="post-meta-value"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUvO3MXqtY3gz_jGM2kRt6QC7ha8jf6-tbKB6HcV1LKIgslRON1yL8w0XSlbCFdQuzX24YGiKbX8KfmEcP2ecPWTfAClg4xL8cxrHBwwY_9_J5fmvkSqHRhngi-pMK8OmIQCxY0T_-_p9/s1600/fallish+13+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="post-meta-value">I made </span><span class="post-meta-value"><span class="post-meta-value">the crochet blanket on the bed. I found the free pattern on ravelry, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rainbow-ripple-baby-blanket" rel="nofollow">rainbow ripple baby blanket</a>. I bought gorgeous yarn from a sweet local store, <a href="http://thefiberuniverse.com/" rel="nofollow">Fiber Universe</a>.</span> We took the sliding doors off of the closet because we wanted to utilize the space. We pushed the vintage bookcase in the closet, stuck in some baskets for above the head storage and bought a corner fitting hamper. I found the sweet maroon curtains and pretty embroidered bird pillow at the local Big Lots. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAAZSHseAgmudhGHkga6VoaIhLf30zXf0mG-_fXHnsju6fayS2j-7ekCxL8X_bQLtIzJFqqrShNwlKNIN6zkPu9Yi_8xV_J94R6EtAQptfIyfDuyw6xteEYvL0YZzeddAtErNmhWHPpxv/s1600/fallish+13+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAAZSHseAgmudhGHkga6VoaIhLf30zXf0mG-_fXHnsju6fayS2j-7ekCxL8X_bQLtIzJFqqrShNwlKNIN6zkPu9Yi_8xV_J94R6EtAQptfIyfDuyw6xteEYvL0YZzeddAtErNmhWHPpxv/s1600/fallish+13+093.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlt0w-fexLrpK-BsNYgYhZCtCrO1D2ZAb_-wKQLH8Ev0GF8aXxNeQN06g3HRFJXsLCPIH6-Qy1CNADaarXPQTQsJCqnFAQCU7kxR_V77KBctjSRuK1ci6m3DZ4A3_ThdJcFndckcbLa9z/s1600/fallish+13+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE3Gd8DvtntjOSGVBisy08-pQjY618anyeV2_OaHZdwXnbvjR5tlY0IZj-3PqeIRBnN9zA1k3Taau4iaE1JoJWOVtjdwfuf38n8PYBLDc24U49GFCz-Ws8oM6eJVUN3DAXwHkcJEALmPD/s1600/fallish+13+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE3Gd8DvtntjOSGVBisy08-pQjY618anyeV2_OaHZdwXnbvjR5tlY0IZj-3PqeIRBnN9zA1k3Taau4iaE1JoJWOVtjdwfuf38n8PYBLDc24U49GFCz-Ws8oM6eJVUN3DAXwHkcJEALmPD/s1600/fallish+13+055.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBWQxqzP_lXIQQTgPS7ADK7Sywhga8JGPkKX6DddnT664mr6rCJfL4u5x3-oUVFPfQnBWSE1uwnjrMiSqK0Hw5P-QsudkvHam4mXWMyNYbuT8Qq-k2b9c3kaBBMx9BvAUIeVTk2vUqf6R/s1600/fallish+13+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBWQxqzP_lXIQQTgPS7ADK7Sywhga8JGPkKX6DddnT664mr6rCJfL4u5x3-oUVFPfQnBWSE1uwnjrMiSqK0Hw5P-QsudkvHam4mXWMyNYbuT8Qq-k2b9c3kaBBMx9BvAUIeVTk2vUqf6R/s1600/fallish+13+083.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a><span class="post-meta-value"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXtl9fO-izVyus-cjj-K34dZNgZhMlpBqrQx_naGbZje_E99i-1wF5KH9BIoqMI95zJo1p5tU-DxEZkx3QBRhfFHJT_oW1mk59Z37lk28580mbPnQH5osTfGBz9dEMS010lx49pTgGDzq/s1600/fallish+13+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXtl9fO-izVyus-cjj-K34dZNgZhMlpBqrQx_naGbZje_E99i-1wF5KH9BIoqMI95zJo1p5tU-DxEZkx3QBRhfFHJT_oW1mk59Z37lk28580mbPnQH5osTfGBz9dEMS010lx49pTgGDzq/s1600/fallish+13+070.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlt0w-fexLrpK-BsNYgYhZCtCrO1D2ZAb_-wKQLH8Ev0GF8aXxNeQN06g3HRFJXsLCPIH6-Qy1CNADaarXPQTQsJCqnFAQCU7kxR_V77KBctjSRuK1ci6m3DZ4A3_ThdJcFndckcbLa9z/s1600/fallish+13+058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlt0w-fexLrpK-BsNYgYhZCtCrO1D2ZAb_-wKQLH8Ev0GF8aXxNeQN06g3HRFJXsLCPIH6-Qy1CNADaarXPQTQsJCqnFAQCU7kxR_V77KBctjSRuK1ci6m3DZ4A3_ThdJcFndckcbLa9z/s1600/fallish+13+058.jpg" height="214" width="320" /> </a>Check out my nursery on <a href="http://projectnursery.com/projects/lenoras-vintage-nursery/">Project Nursery</a> and give it a rating. Had a blast putting it together and now Lenora has fun playing and chasing her kitty around her room.<span class="post-meta-value"></span></div>
<span class="post-meta-value"></span><span class="post-meta-value"></span><span class="post-meta-value"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span id="goog_162867378"></span><span id="goog_162867379"></span>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-12909967396578216362013-10-02T22:55:00.001-07:002013-10-02T22:56:26.190-07:00Can you feel the creepy in the air? Day of the Dead art project to kick off fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7f5IGT5kOSbsgmP1ufKWOQI_8qF9AdZf8p5ZisRNssyGIT4YBiAysi_ZsaNbcBIgCUDhUUNaKCgiXU4kUxKyNqm-Bzu6fHYoTy2Wao41YVuQYH33KtMkjn0qeTVuAczNARP3-c83aveQ/s1600/october+11+174.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7f5IGT5kOSbsgmP1ufKWOQI_8qF9AdZf8p5ZisRNssyGIT4YBiAysi_ZsaNbcBIgCUDhUUNaKCgiXU4kUxKyNqm-Bzu6fHYoTy2Wao41YVuQYH33KtMkjn0qeTVuAczNARP3-c83aveQ/s400/october+11+174.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPcHPm4iynl7FpFhkXhrA0zr2BgvWkLmnQNPUcN-40y4x6AENqqdHF0N6yHM1DE1dWmWybP8yxDrx2AeISqgriG3gi8CFfzYH2IN5VnO52oYRniArEboxjor7I6_HXeFDLqZ-0rJvAecp/s1600/fall+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
October is HERE! It's the most wonderful time of the year!! Well some of us think so! I love the fall, almost as much as the summertime, especially because of a little thing called Halloween. Dia de los Muertos is an awesome celebration of death, life, and family. Last year I did an art project with my son's 4th grade class that was a total hit. I found the idea on an awesome blog <a href="http://modernart4kids.blogspot.com/2011/11/day-of-dead-in-classroom.html">Modern Art 4 Kids</a>, for Day of the Dead Skulls.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPcHPm4iynl7FpFhkXhrA0zr2BgvWkLmnQNPUcN-40y4x6AENqqdHF0N6yHM1DE1dWmWybP8yxDrx2AeISqgriG3gi8CFfzYH2IN5VnO52oYRniArEboxjor7I6_HXeFDLqZ-0rJvAecp/s1600/fall+120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPcHPm4iynl7FpFhkXhrA0zr2BgvWkLmnQNPUcN-40y4x6AENqqdHF0N6yHM1DE1dWmWybP8yxDrx2AeISqgriG3gi8CFfzYH2IN5VnO52oYRniArEboxjor7I6_HXeFDLqZ-0rJvAecp/s320/fall+120.jpg" width="214" /></a><br />
<br />
The craft was done on black paper with bright colors pastels. The kids were informed to draw a BIG skull, to fill up the page, then to decorate their skulls with colorful patterns, designs, and funky lines/shapes. They turned out amazing, and the kids had a blast. They were all different, gorgeous, creepy, and funny. Each one as unique as the child who created it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxqMAOrjRJhQuuDghum_vhONz7F7hGVWcJWb4m_WBmMq8tty4KTbhgGc-35jUIhSJTl7H-XxTNPqTC3jazA1TBxEZBw7ip0W9TZIyDtTLFvqSHAvXbR0-WuxTyJuzMuptZrMhLzBKC3uE/s1600/fall+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxqMAOrjRJhQuuDghum_vhONz7F7hGVWcJWb4m_WBmMq8tty4KTbhgGc-35jUIhSJTl7H-XxTNPqTC3jazA1TBxEZBw7ip0W9TZIyDtTLFvqSHAvXbR0-WuxTyJuzMuptZrMhLzBKC3uE/s320/fall+127.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-IgteEGWNmQzCIC6CWo1nJztozLROaAM_sjKqoIxaDebDkm_aEaQXF1qzAPjgGpQVenmzwO2NJ3aDCxJFsHADNQJ8XiYk9OpZnAEbRLzHBfDp0Ips_4MJOaMOj4-jLaTzYgZ2zT-ohxW/s1600/fall+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbbLUA88e1MemO-8Lua8Cy5bnE9bJBTLTJqO2W4D9t8mvoYeMCu5dVUrSUs6N1vNRKc9LecbNiVs7ialWUOShdS6TxyTksYt7WGi9ZkjTna4z53rbd6HSYsJUoT0e5v6i4Gnx5rE89HE1/s1600/fall+118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbbLUA88e1MemO-8Lua8Cy5bnE9bJBTLTJqO2W4D9t8mvoYeMCu5dVUrSUs6N1vNRKc9LecbNiVs7ialWUOShdS6TxyTksYt7WGi9ZkjTna4z53rbd6HSYsJUoT0e5v6i4Gnx5rE89HE1/s320/fall+118.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5gyaENa9klRXxuy7ppwt__2v3S_KxUGUOxY-AnAgifUa3xbAjy_cYFk42keBXaOMn9uHdW5Zlcg7G9cEbk7hOhehQrld5veo22E3JgG7cq4eHg6BsFNn9OWrODY4umplym0N_ThHeWX/s1600/fall+129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5gyaENa9klRXxuy7ppwt__2v3S_KxUGUOxY-AnAgifUa3xbAjy_cYFk42keBXaOMn9uHdW5Zlcg7G9cEbk7hOhehQrld5veo22E3JgG7cq4eHg6BsFNn9OWrODY4umplym0N_ThHeWX/s320/fall+129.jpg" width="221" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbbLUA88e1MemO-8Lua8Cy5bnE9bJBTLTJqO2W4D9t8mvoYeMCu5dVUrSUs6N1vNRKc9LecbNiVs7ialWUOShdS6TxyTksYt7WGi9ZkjTna4z53rbd6HSYsJUoT0e5v6i4Gnx5rE89HE1/s1600/fall+118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DQl6Q54-kAS48rbfFocWKfBCbGp-bTSfT3SnDVMe_20x0qCytJbMUltTtWNNtuy0Etl9I-Ik6M2BkmMazZwxxB7nFNUzsBXFvjdEQgBwqWjKwTtsB_fOP4m_IzCblqJs3VqQMeiE3fej/s1600/fall+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DQl6Q54-kAS48rbfFocWKfBCbGp-bTSfT3SnDVMe_20x0qCytJbMUltTtWNNtuy0Etl9I-Ik6M2BkmMazZwxxB7nFNUzsBXFvjdEQgBwqWjKwTtsB_fOP4m_IzCblqJs3VqQMeiE3fej/s320/fall+122.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<br />
We did this project along with a lesson about Frida Kahlo, the passionate Mexican artist. The kids were very interested in the Day of Dead Celebration, which takes place on November 1 &2. Basically it is a holiday to celebrate and remember the loved ones who have passed away. This tradition goes back as far as the Aztecs, although today is predominately Mexican holiday. This holiday is celebrated by making little offerings for the deceased and basically having a party for them. Sugar skulls are plastic or paper mache or perhaps real, decorated with flowers, glitter, cloth, ribbons, gold, and silver, and beautiful adornments. These are not meant to be creepy or scary, but in fact to show that loved ones are remembered and not forgotten.It is really a sweet, wonderful tradition, that is something we could all benefit from.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p-BK9e3KSTWFIGL7Hp9bzs7wWkcE9wgTzigFShl542OJbX2pxS6n1junm0ugcac_QZ6y5T-ppZWXTegpD4dzVrZqgfL5SEqcIiHIRHdaxSpUAoSzSyayVNRtcbOFR8fMFcabA9FQsz-t/s1600/skulltemplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p-BK9e3KSTWFIGL7Hp9bzs7wWkcE9wgTzigFShl542OJbX2pxS6n1junm0ugcac_QZ6y5T-ppZWXTegpD4dzVrZqgfL5SEqcIiHIRHdaxSpUAoSzSyayVNRtcbOFR8fMFcabA9FQsz-t/s320/skulltemplate.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There are some other great project ideas for Day of the Dead on the blog <a href="http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2010/10/14/dia-de-los-muertos/">Deep Space Sparkle. </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7f5IGT5kOSbsgmP1ufKWOQI_8qF9AdZf8p5ZisRNssyGIT4YBiAysi_ZsaNbcBIgCUDhUUNaKCgiXU4kUxKyNqm-Bzu6fHYoTy2Wao41YVuQYH33KtMkjn0qeTVuAczNARP3-c83aveQ/s1600/october+11+174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-32234861985838765992013-08-29T22:28:00.001-07:002013-08-29T22:36:09.469-07:00A Hoosier is not just a resident of Indiana....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvUkCr589BwyrH3_nqSANRuowYVri8hJze-BxfoFJg0tlgwQtaf1nfB5CGXmzUy2tGBee59uXj3yGfddBnwvdh3BNHDEjAB4WKdaWDgNknW69UCCHsSJ8CkxtQdFfhDr_TgHZ-BkhVCpE/s1600/hoosier+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvUkCr589BwyrH3_nqSANRuowYVri8hJze-BxfoFJg0tlgwQtaf1nfB5CGXmzUy2tGBee59uXj3yGfddBnwvdh3BNHDEjAB4WKdaWDgNknW69UCCHsSJ8CkxtQdFfhDr_TgHZ-BkhVCpE/s400/hoosier+old.jpg" width="307" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9Sl8RPPs7ZyURJUTaHv8yZ3CdXAq1M4zWVbi-NXYWB6seqUwHL2aGJhfeDn8rwK3bvmk3aTRXnFlutY-a_p-FwoGoTqIRowNsfno5z4h7FSdH996TQV1W9aTULXHQGHMYVfZupSCkTAZ/s1600/nye+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9Sl8RPPs7ZyURJUTaHv8yZ3CdXAq1M4zWVbi-NXYWB6seqUwHL2aGJhfeDn8rwK3bvmk3aTRXnFlutY-a_p-FwoGoTqIRowNsfno5z4h7FSdH996TQV1W9aTULXHQGHMYVfZupSCkTAZ/s400/nye+029.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd been looking for years for a cool furniture piece to put in my kitchen, to display my junk but also look super cool. Junk shops, flea markets, church thrift stores, yard sales, and resale shops are the best places to find something old to make new. We are really lucky in Peoria to have tons of great thrift and resale shops. There are about 5 <a href="http://www.goodwillpeo.org/stores-donations/locations">Goodwills</a> in the tri-county area, along with 2 <a href="http://www.tsaspringfield.org/thriftstorelocations.html">Salvation Army</a> stores and 3 <a href="http://www.southsidemission.org/mission-mart">South Side Mission Marts</a>, and tons of other hidden thrift shop gems. I found this awesome piece at a little thrift shop called God's Mission Thrift Store on McClure St, off Knoxville, in Peoria. It is a great little shop packed to the brim with good junk at pretty cheap prices. Like I said, the search for my kitchen hutch thing had been on for years, and I was really looking hard over the summer and into the fall. It was actually a pretty memorable day when we found this piece, because we had been to the doctor to find out the sex of our new baby (girl!!!). We swung by the thrift shop to kill some time and right inside the door was this cute, but battered up vintage hoosier kitchen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0CbQUE6XhHBKVU7bOAQc-VlpbPJU6epTJTapthgOofP3oL_CGiHQNoUMbGaYqz9255DMH_u4x4J1ESt7m-tlGDeN7oxlVKKEN5GpTer-mTMbIxCE-3I_qLn_B1FYuXKrzR8OrgF8PONS/s1600/nye+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0CbQUE6XhHBKVU7bOAQc-VlpbPJU6epTJTapthgOofP3oL_CGiHQNoUMbGaYqz9255DMH_u4x4J1ESt7m-tlGDeN7oxlVKKEN5GpTer-mTMbIxCE-3I_qLn_B1FYuXKrzR8OrgF8PONS/s320/nye+002.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was a little rough looking, with some terrible tacky stained paper on the insides. It needed some TLC and we were the ones to give it. We snatched up the cabinet and stuffed it into the back of my car. Luckily it separated into 2 pieces so we could sorta stack it in there. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwn7uojOQoJnJiDjEihE1Sa6kQ_X6i6AiApqkX4JhnqJ98dUebGiRjn5mIswyJk6ZvPWzUzocyx51GvgOIgIWU0m6RpMNx0-6YQXrCNiqQbyCL0AhfPhUR6qE_P8iZ660y1-gV52t1IKL/s1600/nye+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwn7uojOQoJnJiDjEihE1Sa6kQ_X6i6AiApqkX4JhnqJ98dUebGiRjn5mIswyJk6ZvPWzUzocyx51GvgOIgIWU0m6RpMNx0-6YQXrCNiqQbyCL0AhfPhUR6qE_P8iZ660y1-gV52t1IKL/s320/nye+001.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The good things about the Hoosier, it had all the original hardware, which just needed shined up. Also it had a cool glass display window and a sweet cutout shelf too. It had a pull out iron table/work space that was in great shape with only one major scrape on one of the corners. It also had the flour sifter still in the top left cabinet....complete with some dusty old flour!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH28_zWfQwXgjAkFXyQurxuYS1whxNIfYSh7bVcznYKr_HhXarQIWWdjOLvguOxYPppte2E4ArHDnxHBqmnQcBMF0OOgpeYuR9MS0zrOiy_Mil3i7pRdCysGrOmY_ZpV0BfvIocb9B6Se4/s1600/nye+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH28_zWfQwXgjAkFXyQurxuYS1whxNIfYSh7bVcznYKr_HhXarQIWWdjOLvguOxYPppte2E4ArHDnxHBqmnQcBMF0OOgpeYuR9MS0zrOiy_Mil3i7pRdCysGrOmY_ZpV0BfvIocb9B6Se4/s320/nye+005.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our first thing to do was sanding. My dad helped me sand the cabinet doors until they were smooth and striped of much of the gunk. I had found a cool decorative paper on Etsy that was a retro 40's reproduction. It had a few different colors in it, and initially I wanted teal, but then, after my mom's suggestion, I decided on yellow. We found a pretty bright golden yellow paint at Menards and set to work painting. The paint was REALLY thin.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4uQxHEyjU0MXXDRPWuJA1BEs5HOFH4GtznFAs65AAkPlCt1H20QkW-7yGGVRGqwPTqYA6rd6i5p8xDgY3Zg2z_Rfp-CYD9S6vCKWPZkgUEoW-n1-clqdF3Sc9rXuq1eFKU8xiLPN6nGW/s1600/nye+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4uQxHEyjU0MXXDRPWuJA1BEs5HOFH4GtznFAs65AAkPlCt1H20QkW-7yGGVRGqwPTqYA6rd6i5p8xDgY3Zg2z_Rfp-CYD9S6vCKWPZkgUEoW-n1-clqdF3Sc9rXuq1eFKU8xiLPN6nGW/s320/nye+017.jpg" width="320" /></a> At first, any little variety in the color or texture of the piece was showing through the paint. We put on coat after coat after coat after coat of paint and then coat after coat after coat after coat. I went home and my dad continued to add coats of paint. Eventually the paint looked bright and smooth like we wanted. Next we had to measure and cut the paper to fit inside the cabinets. I really wanted paper on the backs, sides, and bottom of each cabinet. We had just enough paper to cover each cabinet with just a few scrapes left behind. We used a spray glue to attach the paper to the cabinets...that stuff was STICKY. Gloves were a must!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYc1g63WeDG_TuV_HZaAyGnZtIcZEtELe5Er-kVyzpJIf7QuZMigsAce0DnjgtMTmbuf3Gkl0vb_8WaoA66JDls3rduJbcSLtJbL66_sIJmcZHnFiVj2pZXQUjkUzj1lQN-iuEdrDujaP/s1600/art+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYc1g63WeDG_TuV_HZaAyGnZtIcZEtELe5Er-kVyzpJIf7QuZMigsAce0DnjgtMTmbuf3Gkl0vb_8WaoA66JDls3rduJbcSLtJbL66_sIJmcZHnFiVj2pZXQUjkUzj1lQN-iuEdrDujaP/s400/art+paper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPlujHP4qNFom5WIFOt1MjbbKygkxXU4thIVc6m_ralvhxB01OItK_f_V2SncUahtcNKq9DHBvPxTNurbmMovUKfDONIX4W5FsI2suTF2T08LZwguwcn7uIC8wGLNVtB2Wq-9-0tFDltl/s1600/nye+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPlujHP4qNFom5WIFOt1MjbbKygkxXU4thIVc6m_ralvhxB01OItK_f_V2SncUahtcNKq9DHBvPxTNurbmMovUKfDONIX4W5FsI2suTF2T08LZwguwcn7uIC8wGLNVtB2Wq-9-0tFDltl/s320/nye+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgFdRTwRRpBckFfqzbzM14VWnbxURYUVGgVzjEumyM17lREJgIlAKJCxpqgo6y8q8gij_GGP5fAsnUV8vLq_XgYKOlkI1iP8xpCW5iF9iyX5CpHR1CzNphSPvG6LV9fZS2cwhQLeblWFS/s1600/nye+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgFdRTwRRpBckFfqzbzM14VWnbxURYUVGgVzjEumyM17lREJgIlAKJCxpqgo6y8q8gij_GGP5fAsnUV8vLq_XgYKOlkI1iP8xpCW5iF9iyX5CpHR1CzNphSPvG6LV9fZS2cwhQLeblWFS/s200/nye+013.jpg" width="150" /></a>Here are some random shots of the progress of the Hoosier cabinet. It was about a week long project, with help from both of my parents and with my boys in school during the day. The final finished project was a super awesome kitchen hutch that I can proudly say is redone by yours truly. It was a fun but challenging project and I was lucky to have help from my parents and my dad's giant garage, tools, and<br />
his painting expertise (he paints hot rods professionally).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKlsQPYFwmAgbtipiz9zlMqLjp79kAZp7-eROePhLKD3DdOMu6VJ_P-fU6lzDg6Hs1yna7LQ1PQ4btJOGxr71CQOsQB1MJcZX41YsA5pKcvfyX0T3BaYJGlrSn3GtJZf0XImo7CpSR7oH/s1600/nye+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKlsQPYFwmAgbtipiz9zlMqLjp79kAZp7-eROePhLKD3DdOMu6VJ_P-fU6lzDg6Hs1yna7LQ1PQ4btJOGxr71CQOsQB1MJcZX41YsA5pKcvfyX0T3BaYJGlrSn3GtJZf0XImo7CpSR7oH/s320/nye+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS7ZfHY4UvMts9U7h9H63r6_p_i5rHI2ip3jKZOhVuBPdj_SjkdQFFre8hYhQYsu1jSSbaU2H6OrYhXVfX_rLxfQAtmoVqxvJU_uMyzJL-NRN0apLPBlaQz6r5LGQdMLYjCPm4hT1hYEe/s1600/nye+011.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/AVvXsEiwS7ZfHY4UvMts9U7h9H63r6_p_i5rHI2ip3jKZOhVuBPdj_SjkdQFFre8hYhQYsu1jSSbaU2H6OrYhXVfX_rLxfQAtmoVqxvJU_uMyzJL-NRN0apLPBlaQz6r5LGQdMLYjCPm4hT1hYEe/s320/nye+011.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was about 7 1/2 months pregnant during this cabinet recreation, so I wore a mask when sanding and painting. It was a good project to help with the pregnancy waiting game!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ldr-Il1-L75W4jEXa5tcHUDs3McGteyKYuEne6pajkwKc9Adm2wgUoUuak3UfOWY5jOhLv_MXQPGLlh3KQ6Dxmh_KyULtxY1a63D1gP8og1oS6Bu5rXyfObjcGD-WNFoaGq0ftZ-OZsp/s1600/nye+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ldr-Il1-L75W4jEXa5tcHUDs3McGteyKYuEne6pajkwKc9Adm2wgUoUuak3UfOWY5jOhLv_MXQPGLlh3KQ6Dxmh_KyULtxY1a63D1gP8og1oS6Bu5rXyfObjcGD-WNFoaGq0ftZ-OZsp/s400/nye+025.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A <b>Hoosier cabinet</b> (also known as a "Hoosier") is a type of cupboard<span style="color: black;"> popular in the first decades of the 20th century. Named after the Hoosier Manufacturing Co. of New Castle, Indiana, they were also made by several other companies, most also located in Indiana.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6jgcGxh9MarftFgOCPR-qWAebLULvEpPh_MJ5KEvl8-S7iqynE7yXRZhssp3JAB4GYX_soz58tP-p0gKDZ8taGblkQJulzY4aOeRL5V9Kg6E7Zt12Sp2HNApJDawKVY2iq7PeJanO65A/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6jgcGxh9MarftFgOCPR-qWAebLULvEpPh_MJ5KEvl8-S7iqynE7yXRZhssp3JAB4GYX_soz58tP-p0gKDZ8taGblkQJulzY4aOeRL5V9Kg6E7Zt12Sp2HNApJDawKVY2iq7PeJanO65A/s320/kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t_O22gUq2v-yRTSaMsE1Orl4qqVSqFG35XK7L9dbk4gVTs1z7GgrTxIDnldATxd0Kf7XmfhplU0bCW4RZjuOp9JWeF3GtLKkRQei_HB1EeEhcMLoHXCO1AjJbncqcqLNNy2K_nHwI5hG/s1600/nye+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t_O22gUq2v-yRTSaMsE1Orl4qqVSqFG35XK7L9dbk4gVTs1z7GgrTxIDnldATxd0Kf7XmfhplU0bCW4RZjuOp9JWeF3GtLKkRQei_HB1EeEhcMLoHXCO1AjJbncqcqLNNy2K_nHwI5hG/s400/nye+034.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="color: black;"> Houses of the period were frequently not equipped with built-in
cabinetry, and the lack of storage space in the kitchen became acute.
Hoosier adapted an existing furniture piece, the baker's cabinet, which
had a similar structure of a table top with some cabinets above it (and
frequently flour bins beneath). By rearranging the parts and taking
advantage of (then) modern metal working, they were able to produce a
well-organized, compact cabinet which answered the home cook's needs for
storage and working space. </span><span style="color: black;">Hoosier cabinets remained popular into the 1920s, but by that time
houses began to be built with more modern kitchens with built-in
cabinets and other fixtures. Thus supplanted, the Hoosier largely
disappeared. They remain common on the antique market, however, and are
still used as supplemental cabinets.(wikipedia)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t_O22gUq2v-yRTSaMsE1Orl4qqVSqFG35XK7L9dbk4gVTs1z7GgrTxIDnldATxd0Kf7XmfhplU0bCW4RZjuOp9JWeF3GtLKkRQei_HB1EeEhcMLoHXCO1AjJbncqcqLNNy2K_nHwI5hG/s1600/nye+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0OYWTeo2SY_OM__M7CYgGpExAGct4XNzIY-3koBA9NsJpQi7k0C82b46ihC6oGAdrA8oXlUAzsJg7vJIzIh37A18i6Sq77haAdTdUcwtJRvmcblElKvSSoaMi8Y7RrSfA5PSpJpc2AWw/s1600/nye+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0OYWTeo2SY_OM__M7CYgGpExAGct4XNzIY-3koBA9NsJpQi7k0C82b46ihC6oGAdrA8oXlUAzsJg7vJIzIh37A18i6Sq77haAdTdUcwtJRvmcblElKvSSoaMi8Y7RrSfA5PSpJpc2AWw/s640/nye+039.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Finished product in my kitchen. It is a little more piled up with stuff now, but I admire it everyday! I imagine a mother in 1910 preparing a meal for her family around this cabinet, with a kiddo on her hip and bread in the oven. Love the fact that this piece of furniture has a history to it. Wish I could see where it has been.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhcJgdEYUnZvgNNT1rV_tlkQ7pmm6IDpfYqWurFbOxEj0kJXWdbKp88KD8PJOEicUgl15eExe0DLguHfRELFeSyqGAcw0Pe4-P8jCWcvoTZv51STctl30q3k72b1M8l7Gz0kRedw1dvVV/s1600/kitchen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhcJgdEYUnZvgNNT1rV_tlkQ7pmm6IDpfYqWurFbOxEj0kJXWdbKp88KD8PJOEicUgl15eExe0DLguHfRELFeSyqGAcw0Pe4-P8jCWcvoTZv51STctl30q3k72b1M8l7Gz0kRedw1dvVV/s640/kitchen2.jpg" width="401" /></a></div>
<br />Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-49852780173598787762013-08-21T20:56:00.004-07:002013-08-21T21:01:00.364-07:00Hello old friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6054622065970003144" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREr2Uh88P3L54_quLLlhwM2yZfmBz4LGP5uWxJIpuNC0uNglADpjyIFv57CnwODvD07xnsH_lqxfqp0rzyALVeHwgua07EcxoY9OZDMVMCGlX-BLaa5KvS8Q7tZdvC5Bmr2Ffm7hJwPIL/s1600/belly+3-20-13-27.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/AVvXsEjREr2Uh88P3L54_quLLlhwM2yZfmBz4LGP5uWxJIpuNC0uNglADpjyIFv57CnwODvD07xnsH_lqxfqp0rzyALVeHwgua07EcxoY9OZDMVMCGlX-BLaa5KvS8Q7tZdvC5Bmr2Ffm7hJwPIL/s320/belly+3-20-13-27.JPG" width="214" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin327uwBnhatjVzgkdtzZHN98AJoocG63HxZQ28uhnPX8zWg8-6QnX_UYXqjMvkfYT_sWyKXKKKElhBCAr1yHZNAPoh0xIAduevYIgi3XBYnZtFeXQN0fFGi2nhp07OxtQzCSJDh5W7Jmu/s1600/IMG_20130331_095841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6054622065970003144" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin327uwBnhatjVzgkdtzZHN98AJoocG63HxZQ28uhnPX8zWg8-6QnX_UYXqjMvkfYT_sWyKXKKKElhBCAr1yHZNAPoh0xIAduevYIgi3XBYnZtFeXQN0fFGi2nhp07OxtQzCSJDh5W7Jmu/s1600/IMG_20130331_095841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6054622065970003144" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I've been majorly neglecting this blog for way too long. Got my laptop
fired up for some late night blogging. Much has changed in our household
since my last post 2 Februarys ago. We had a new little bumble-bee join
our hive in March of his year. Baby Lenora Rose made our family
complete. I've got lots of projects to post, but just have to find the
time to get them all written up! It had been about 8 years since my
last pregnancy, so I learned a lot this time around. I wanted to attempt
a natural childbirth, labor & delivery. I dove headfirst into
all things NATURAL childbirth...books, movies, websites, groups, etc.
Childbirth and motherhood is completely inspiring and I had a ton of
support from my husband, my family and all the wonderful women in my
life. Hoping to share all the good (and bad) info I have learned on the
subject as well as fun baby experiences, ideas, projects, and info. I
also have some great nursery project ideas, crochet projects, and other
crafting ideas I am hoping to share. Now if I can just get the little
one to let me set her down for a few minutes I can get to typing. (:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6054622065970003144" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6054622065970003144" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cODrg6wWJp7nwCb0_DolNKKmj7sY_ASJnpEsP0TzOqxeHTA8-5Vbjr24fgW9mnoJimYoRNqpzCy8spEffpTH1ibnQMrwsD8pP_wfNhJtQ1AtjrYQupXxhr1WwMHqbIPfQlY7o_9VsZOl/s1600/IMG_20130331_095841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cODrg6wWJp7nwCb0_DolNKKmj7sY_ASJnpEsP0TzOqxeHTA8-5Vbjr24fgW9mnoJimYoRNqpzCy8spEffpTH1ibnQMrwsD8pP_wfNhJtQ1AtjrYQupXxhr1WwMHqbIPfQlY7o_9VsZOl/s320/IMG_20130331_095841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-90247255749113431272012-02-10T09:02:00.000-08:002012-02-10T09:02:03.460-08:00Lawrence, Van Gogh, & Frankenthaller ProjectsIt's been a whirlwind of a year so far! Our house has been feeling particularly creative, with my impromptu gallery show, picture person projects, and now valentines day is right around the corner!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxzSM1UIsKioaHVZsJBkE2-j2JnFNr4dNzIGRysq54XsGfvqZvzRPK-adcj8rPVuoR8Q000igKhzu_qXzHv86MJvMagiTBpZkOTTjIrZSsB9IymnQX1zuTkwZLi4ff-d7pA1AB31UNSi1/s1600/j+lawrence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxzSM1UIsKioaHVZsJBkE2-j2JnFNr4dNzIGRysq54XsGfvqZvzRPK-adcj8rPVuoR8Q000igKhzu_qXzHv86MJvMagiTBpZkOTTjIrZSsB9IymnQX1zuTkwZLi4ff-d7pA1AB31UNSi1/s1600/j+lawrence.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrnZ3Q-M8IQEN_K54dTb8fvAJSKEAefpjcwo79Ma0fjGrhV-Ngtfl_yEF5bvl1A1sqK63Zovpg9sh20ZViN0m_EJVffTWF3xpL3_lvMCh9v9hBBDFvY07QLmsNVSjX4clgKzi-k4oCQn0/s1600/end+summer+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrnZ3Q-M8IQEN_K54dTb8fvAJSKEAefpjcwo79Ma0fjGrhV-Ngtfl_yEF5bvl1A1sqK63Zovpg9sh20ZViN0m_EJVffTWF3xpL3_lvMCh9v9hBBDFvY07QLmsNVSjX4clgKzi-k4oCQn0/s320/end+summer+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The first graders had fun doing a pattern project for Jacob Lawrence's, the Parade. We did this earlier in the year, but it would be a good one for Black History Month. I pre-cut strips of colored paper and they choose three colors they wanted to draw on. We talked about the print and the colors, lines and patterns. They were to make their own pattern, with characters in a parade, in the same style as Lawrence. Most kids stacked them in a line, although some staggered them more like the figures in the print. They had a blast drawing different parade characters. Since this project is basically drawing and gluing, it is nice and mess free! They were proud of their results. Thanks to my friend, Sharon, for this project idea!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfDRePG6qKgy8UcSwRbgWOd8bUkMULqiFkSVkVaXXoOhI4r_-Pxk_btAfZ8u90p6Dx0lWOj84W0ZKk1TaVf9FunRyJZzzHevjhFNOy77OTEvWuhdlIWAzmqOnZI2e5mKyAisy-7Xw6tWt/s1600/pp+2012+004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfDRePG6qKgy8UcSwRbgWOd8bUkMULqiFkSVkVaXXoOhI4r_-Pxk_btAfZ8u90p6Dx0lWOj84W0ZKk1TaVf9FunRyJZzzHevjhFNOy77OTEvWuhdlIWAzmqOnZI2e5mKyAisy-7Xw6tWt/s320/pp+2012+004.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaG6VMA3EUidoSjaEaqVG5rmQHg4BFOsh0DOAq8l-zkD1m0jsi61bafQXEfhzxpVFriRVZYRhGf7PhAQwDNbPJosEhbzI3Dy1dXChad_R2gQFI66QrD2NiSSoLURkEaSAA8Ior-rEs0Cl/s1600/pp+2+002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaG6VMA3EUidoSjaEaqVG5rmQHg4BFOsh0DOAq8l-zkD1m0jsi61bafQXEfhzxpVFriRVZYRhGf7PhAQwDNbPJosEhbzI3Dy1dXChad_R2gQFI66QrD2NiSSoLURkEaSAA8Ior-rEs0Cl/s320/pp+2+002.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfDRePG6qKgy8UcSwRbgWOd8bUkMULqiFkSVkVaXXoOhI4r_-Pxk_btAfZ8u90p6Dx0lWOj84W0ZKk1TaVf9FunRyJZzzHevjhFNOy77OTEvWuhdlIWAzmqOnZI2e5mKyAisy-7Xw6tWt/s1600/pp+2012+004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
In December, the kids learned about Vincent Van Gogh's, Starry Night. After learning about the edited version of Van Gogh's life, the kids painted their own Starry night with thickened paint on cardboard. I added glue & flour to tempera paint so the kids could really glop it on! They were instructed to create a landscape with a house or trees and a sky. I showed them how to use a fork or toothpick to draw into the thick paint to make a design. These projects turned out awesome! A bit messy, and they need to dry at least overnight. The kids had a blast and really got into painting. These projects went home right before Christmas, so hopefully some parents got a work of art for a gift.<br />
<br />
The other day, I ran into an awesome <a href="http://www.susanstriker.com/index.html">website/book called the Anti-coloring book by Susan Striker</a>. There are a few sample pages on her <a href="http://www.susanstriker.com/index.html">website</a> that would be really fun to incorporate into a picture person project. The first one could be used in many projects, the 2nd one is specifically for Picasso.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqUPEWDrXNDThyphenhyphen9QM6SKdvUZ0sWbyk-VB02tC7uioVCZODLXxD6-Zoa8m5nxiJq9FLtsXqJMmmm965snEQkMTPN1fpG0B1gH0taR5kXDmzWapEHhWaEP-9x9KUsjFJ16Hj4Aax4uWCuJy/s1600/anti+coloring.gif" 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/AVvXsEjiqUPEWDrXNDThyphenhyphen9QM6SKdvUZ0sWbyk-VB02tC7uioVCZODLXxD6-Zoa8m5nxiJq9FLtsXqJMmmm965snEQkMTPN1fpG0B1gH0taR5kXDmzWapEHhWaEP-9x9KUsjFJ16Hj4Aax4uWCuJy/s320/anti+coloring.gif" width="241" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOhyn2mrBrFXyvLU6cayOOA9HN1d5ES9aMBQ0XkqtRkmSjuJpUx15101xktQGsfbHFG5q0Nlr9eaDNMFl6NgHocxYyQPXqc1MWcNcI7RzPUlClb4qyU_Tjx1vejvVzWg5_X-5mOYzSvUh/s1600/anitpicasso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOhyn2mrBrFXyvLU6cayOOA9HN1d5ES9aMBQ0XkqtRkmSjuJpUx15101xktQGsfbHFG5q0Nlr9eaDNMFl6NgHocxYyQPXqc1MWcNcI7RzPUlClb4qyU_Tjx1vejvVzWg5_X-5mOYzSvUh/s320/anitpicasso.jpg" width="247" /></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif;"><---A famous artist needs your help. The artist started this picture but was stung on the thumb by a bee. Turn the picture any way you’d like and finish it. </span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfDRePG6qKgy8UcSwRbgWOd8bUkMULqiFkSVkVaXXoOhI4r_-Pxk_btAfZ8u90p6Dx0lWOj84W0ZKk1TaVf9FunRyJZzzHevjhFNOy77OTEvWuhdlIWAzmqOnZI2e5mKyAisy-7Xw6tWt/s1600/pp+2012+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.susanstriker.com/picasso.html"><span>What do you think this woman sees when she looks in the mirror?</span></a>--------------><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>The 2nd Graders learned about abstract art and Helen Frankenthaller, who invented the soak/stain art technique. It was amazing how interested the kids were in the abstract piece, Blue Atmosphere. The first image below is Frankenthaller, the 2nd was created by a 3rd grader.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><br />
</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR9dyEsKTPR_KqyeRKwPcV-FRWb5ZyLLKkmMlwFKRgBdg5MvneqE3RPgr7o4otvKeV_Bf4HY8sViGowc7XMVn9Z0rL4yE7PljMXJhdwnmCe5O9FL0oay_kjXyCeVvb3MvdSP9u-H32_oA/s1600/frankenthaler-helen-blue-atmosphere-7900137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR9dyEsKTPR_KqyeRKwPcV-FRWb5ZyLLKkmMlwFKRgBdg5MvneqE3RPgr7o4otvKeV_Bf4HY8sViGowc7XMVn9Z0rL4yE7PljMXJhdwnmCe5O9FL0oay_kjXyCeVvb3MvdSP9u-H32_oA/s400/frankenthaler-helen-blue-atmosphere-7900137.jpg" width="312" /></a><span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietufknA0DcomodmPfj6-RoCkh2ZwLXU2PklY4_dIF39bRnSx3kf8bFG5BuI7NkCRnLM7BgnanrtsOz35q_YRABsvfONiF7Ogs0iUcWPdLLcHhnqD-BMnHkBtcZtRZxCRxO6jE_zvbW15t/s1600/pp+2+006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietufknA0DcomodmPfj6-RoCkh2ZwLXU2PklY4_dIF39bRnSx3kf8bFG5BuI7NkCRnLM7BgnanrtsOz35q_YRABsvfONiF7Ogs0iUcWPdLLcHhnqD-BMnHkBtcZtRZxCRxO6jE_zvbW15t/s400/pp+2+006.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They had me turn the print many times to view it at different angles, and they took turns telling me what it looked like! Then came the project. We threw a drop-cloth on the floor and the kids took turns dumping watered down tempera paint onto watercolor paper. They would tip the paper to make the paint run down and create drips and splashes, 3 colors total. They used sponges and brushes to gently cover the entire page and just let the paint soak in some spots and saturate the paper. They also decorated greeting cards using this same technique, for our school's spaghetti supper auction. This is definitely a messy project, maybe even an outside one. Have plenty of paper towels on hand and a space cleared off to lay the finished project to dry overnight. </span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcNYGjgWS20cV9fMjMODGl6Tk7aXiYl57SOV2LZS3rjHQVmj_CI6Q8pzp0Jp9ag89aStmScQI9_jG7eN0pEvAo_CpUWqWHxvheB633hD1djoXAk8ezelza4WOErf8KnzhNFU1sMbs3Nli/s1600/pp+2012+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcNYGjgWS20cV9fMjMODGl6Tk7aXiYl57SOV2LZS3rjHQVmj_CI6Q8pzp0Jp9ag89aStmScQI9_jG7eN0pEvAo_CpUWqWHxvheB633hD1djoXAk8ezelza4WOErf8KnzhNFU1sMbs3Nli/s320/pp+2012+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-83517587980942429882011-08-20T11:39:00.000-07:002011-08-20T11:39:04.561-07:00Lunch MunchIs summer seriously almost over? It has literally flown by. The kids are back to school, some already, some this week, and us parents are preparing, mentally and physically for the school year to begin. Food is at the top of my list: packing lunches, healthy after school snacks, quick evening meals. I have been reading a lot of food blogs with some great ideas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNgIrkKDIB3T318gKqwPLh-QPdv5JJz8udn6_luL4rDtoHQD8vt0xzY9undZrTkr3E8eR4KwDS82w8lj9Tmd9zJSPry8PDEx2O2O3BdVrLfVwwT5D0OUPD2FFy-9AGMCxl2MuiqhR2QNC/s1600/banana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNgIrkKDIB3T318gKqwPLh-QPdv5JJz8udn6_luL4rDtoHQD8vt0xzY9undZrTkr3E8eR4KwDS82w8lj9Tmd9zJSPry8PDEx2O2O3BdVrLfVwwT5D0OUPD2FFy-9AGMCxl2MuiqhR2QNC/s320/banana.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I love this idea of adding a secret note onto a banana with a toothpick! <a href="http://cutefoodforkids.com/">Cutefoodforkids.</a><br />
Here are some more lunch box ideas I borrowed from <a href="http://wendolonia.com/blog/bento-box-basics/lunch-box-idea-list/">Wendelonia</a>. I am just becoming aware of Bento Boxes, and I am very intrigued and hoping to make packing lunches for the kids more enjoyable for all of us!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4wBRvm4lCNtjcvvb6epPNeHOqupui4PEtIzrRLne1lWWVPIJ-RtvnEabmui4RVN1toBQdzBVbniNqoHvjbMa5hLfg8Tt58GEXd2FdjbEOH2MRsh4duw5Z9MeVKbuPy3ydLvXkizgGtCv/s1600/crazy+cool+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4wBRvm4lCNtjcvvb6epPNeHOqupui4PEtIzrRLne1lWWVPIJ-RtvnEabmui4RVN1toBQdzBVbniNqoHvjbMa5hLfg8Tt58GEXd2FdjbEOH2MRsh4duw5Z9MeVKbuPy3ydLvXkizgGtCv/s320/crazy+cool+lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<h4>Carbohydrates</h4><ul><li>whole grain crackers</li>
<li>pretzel sticks</li>
<li>mini-muffins</li>
<li>goldfish crackers, cheddar bunnies or other snack crackers</li>
<li>pretzel thins</li>
<li>bagel chips</li>
<li>mini-rice cakes or rice crackers</li>
<li>cooked ball of rice</li>
<li>leftover pasta or pasta salad — toss with some chopped veggies and vinaigrette or a little olive oil, garlic salt and parmesan.</li>
<li>granola bars</li>
<li>banana bread, zucchini bread, or other quick breads</li>
<li>cereal bars</li>
<li>dry cereal</li>
<li>mini-bagels</li>
<li>hot dog buns, hamburger buns or dinner rolls</li>
<li>garlic toast</li>
<li>pita bread — I usually toast these so they don’t get soggy. Mini pitas are fun or you can cut a big one into wedges.</li>
<li>leftover pancakes or toaster waffles — mini-waffles go over especially well. </li>
</ul><b>Dairy</b><br />
<ul><li>yogurt</li>
<li>cheese cubes</li>
<li>cheese slices</li>
<li>cottage cheese</li>
<li>string cheese, Laughing Cow, Babybel or other small single-serving cheeses</li>
</ul><h4>Vegetables</h4><ul><li>carrot sticks</li>
<li>sugar snap peas</li>
<li>red bell pepper strips</li>
<li>cucumber slices</li>
<li>celery sticks</li>
<li>grape tomatoes</li>
<li>steamed green beans</li>
<li>steamed broccoli spears</li>
<li>frozen peas — run them quickly under warm water to start them thawing</li>
<li>frozen corn</li>
</ul><b> Protein</b><br />
<ul><li>leftover meat from dinner cut into chunks — you can send almost anything: roast chicken, pork roast, chicken legs and carne asada leftover from tacos are all things my kids have enjoyed.</li>
<li>chicken or turkey sausage with bbq sauce or catsup for dipping</li>
<li>deli meats — turkey, ham, salami</li>
<li>beans</li>
<li>peanut butter “sandwiches” made with crackers or graham crackers</li>
<li>taquitos with salsa for dipping</li>
<li>baked tofu</li>
<li>quesadillas</li>
<li>mini-burritos</li>
<li>mini-pizzas — top mini-pitas with sauce, cheese and pepperoni</li>
<li>hard boiled eggs</li>
</ul><br />
Here are a few slow cooker recipes that I have tried and have been huge hits with the kids and the husband.<br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-enchilada-slow-cooker-soup/detail.aspx">Chicken Tortilla Soup </a><br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-pork-chops-ii/detail.aspx">Seasoned Delicious Pork Chops </a><br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-stroganoff/detail.aspx">Chicken Stroganoff</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-3944206427443264642011-02-13T18:56:00.001-08:002011-02-13T19:19:32.483-08:00happy valentines day<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/5441905047/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/5441905047_2260f5857d.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/5441905047/">happy valentines day</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cocomama/">cocomama1</a>.</span></div>Last night was our annual sweethearts dance and rock show, and I have been a busy busy bee making and finding decoration, planning, and promoting it. We had a huge turnout and the bands were AMAZING. I love theme parties, so I had a blast making stuff to hang up and make the back room of the pizza works a little more romantic. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fxgd-DZooTd7PO3VFe75iBpixZgcAs2wgC_aHMafqYOIaH8PrDfAaMWdKwNerz4pzcoAbHjaFsa9u6rQB3roH5196XkRhkE547cpdZkWoiMFqyu5Z5rr5__RRnVzYh-CA8OTulRZ1Iwo/s1600/DSC06362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fxgd-DZooTd7PO3VFe75iBpixZgcAs2wgC_aHMafqYOIaH8PrDfAaMWdKwNerz4pzcoAbHjaFsa9u6rQB3roH5196XkRhkE547cpdZkWoiMFqyu5Z5rr5__RRnVzYh-CA8OTulRZ1Iwo/s320/DSC06362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My sister, mom and I made the backdrop for school dance type photos. It turned out really cute. My sister bought a full size black flat sheet for the background. The numbers were cut out of felt and so were lots of the hearts. The pink animal print heart fabric was a fun added touch. Fabric glue held everything on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6SkXATv-LEPifru4f_d7lh96kuiWfgvTn-kDUxytjGHj7dB8_0SZr8GzXP0ndOWnIrSqjPVp_nvPZyBoLMoVUl2be4F2iUYNwRmNsVvbUwrHwpoI_0fczfUQovIxX5cAR-aMf9gyu4nH/s1600/DSC06366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6SkXATv-LEPifru4f_d7lh96kuiWfgvTn-kDUxytjGHj7dB8_0SZr8GzXP0ndOWnIrSqjPVp_nvPZyBoLMoVUl2be4F2iUYNwRmNsVvbUwrHwpoI_0fczfUQovIxX5cAR-aMf9gyu4nH/s320/DSC06366.JPG" width="214" /></a></div> I found some cute vintage cupid and heart cutouts at a local antique mall. I punched holes through them and used clear fishing line to tie them together with doilies and other heart shapes. They look quite adorable if I do say so myself. The most fun things to make were the large tissue paper pom pon flowers that we hung from the ceiling. My friend Laura tipped me off on them, they were totally easy and fun to make. Here is the link to make them<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to">- Martha Stewart tissue pom pons</a>. I took some photos while I was making them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfMeNLlOmIYGLD_RojSr3ioqy3rRfqiRZS9CToy4IoewLIppg7JyKXK2JvS2lB1OipvOItSIJpU7ku5_NTmJmBrpTVlUV2SMDI_NOdSv1qBnIf6XCcXzhmIKVN9HfT5Y3h5u_zhUVV9ax/s1600/DSC06371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfMeNLlOmIYGLD_RojSr3ioqy3rRfqiRZS9CToy4IoewLIppg7JyKXK2JvS2lB1OipvOItSIJpU7ku5_NTmJmBrpTVlUV2SMDI_NOdSv1qBnIf6XCcXzhmIKVN9HfT5Y3h5u_zhUVV9ax/s320/DSC06371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGORC87DiKGzciQpQdit4E28mPt7FNJ3xXUIT5S8g9_mXYAqDY9eDjdmyJIOi46qjGdc4tPlfH_dT0qFRCB3Q3Rjo5giu2NHityNrvtW3bo1_4bM1t9_nS7kYRbxDZ26N1NsFh29kt4tKP/s1600/DSC06373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGORC87DiKGzciQpQdit4E28mPt7FNJ3xXUIT5S8g9_mXYAqDY9eDjdmyJIOi46qjGdc4tPlfH_dT0qFRCB3Q3Rjo5giu2NHityNrvtW3bo1_4bM1t9_nS7kYRbxDZ26N1NsFh29kt4tKP/s320/DSC06373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz9nVY9tMxI/TVibNSQRsSI/AAAAAAAAAZI/s1600/DSC06375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz9nVY9tMxI/TVibNSQRsSI/AAAAAAAAAZI/s1600/DSC06375.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhAWTOmkLJNNU1OuKDJrsI-LQRySgD_fCnoGv70Bp_mZ9I8fk34b-yfPiAII6UY9hRn01LHgzDphR4nMy_m7D5mywL_HeGDGDXj4c3qfeJ1Qn-FaZaeKG0R12DAnbSTRLScSbLK6ocQOk/s1600/DSC06377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhAWTOmkLJNNU1OuKDJrsI-LQRySgD_fCnoGv70Bp_mZ9I8fk34b-yfPiAII6UY9hRn01LHgzDphR4nMy_m7D5mywL_HeGDGDXj4c3qfeJ1Qn-FaZaeKG0R12DAnbSTRLScSbLK6ocQOk/s320/DSC06377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOXzzrn1lSSUfcvgZ3Hl6TK-Dux1SwGIFG0JU-iV398i2tfxsKtcirJGHRKuhulHx2t6DbwAJRUVwpcbidju8llFTZ2-R_aXjIfXvfYgFteQDgh-UqXmcDi1k3LgQih7gH91WU3bECssb/s1600/DSC06381+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOXzzrn1lSSUfcvgZ3Hl6TK-Dux1SwGIFG0JU-iV398i2tfxsKtcirJGHRKuhulHx2t6DbwAJRUVwpcbidju8llFTZ2-R_aXjIfXvfYgFteQDgh-UqXmcDi1k3LgQih7gH91WU3bECssb/s320/DSC06381+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Here is the finished backdrop below. It was super cute with kissing couples in front of it! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eQ75i80OZUmMrP2SOLa0I1gzm7RJlxdSCft-mxTYhAuZ99iF9UAkxTn61uY11rok2lggecC6ePd6D_lRPkkOz_ls56yluxjCob4GxbDFBJsnn4f-oEb7ejMrlekzATc7PyWCiFwRg_jL/s1600/DSC06395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eQ75i80OZUmMrP2SOLa0I1gzm7RJlxdSCft-mxTYhAuZ99iF9UAkxTn61uY11rok2lggecC6ePd6D_lRPkkOz_ls56yluxjCob4GxbDFBJsnn4f-oEb7ejMrlekzATc7PyWCiFwRg_jL/s320/DSC06395.JPG" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjRGn_nQRGgkxQSC9jhNGKB7SH-zTmZnYVXqDRrvC9MbHzZxsYWkC8hcyNX2mo6acgnJvi4byfhyphenhyphenBBlvaXgZJgwwJwxHFaP2yo2FCf-Zjq5SAZADPLT8Yf7TA5alWYKhUSD8tcvAgBjG6/s1600/DSC06405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjRGn_nQRGgkxQSC9jhNGKB7SH-zTmZnYVXqDRrvC9MbHzZxsYWkC8hcyNX2mo6acgnJvi4byfhyphenhyphenBBlvaXgZJgwwJwxHFaP2yo2FCf-Zjq5SAZADPLT8Yf7TA5alWYKhUSD8tcvAgBjG6/s400/DSC06405.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Happy Valentines day friends! XOXOXOXOXOXOMama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-36707134262833109912010-12-15T19:55:00.000-08:002010-12-15T19:55:13.564-08:00Shop, make, bake...The holidays crept up SUPER FAST this year. I can't believe there are only 10 days left until Christmas. People are almost starting to panic that their holiday shopping is not done. I am CLOSE to being done. There are just so many people to remember....Teachers, Aunts & Uncles, 2nd Cousins twice removed, your sister-in-law's boyfriend (is he even COMING to Christmas). It's overwhelming when you make a list of everyone to buy for.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5G3YPi9dtNpkDOlqzMnj2px_Wh-iT_i8oxiGA4SHBX5PCS1oG-6IsO1gG09024pWt7bIHW0wWYobBk9i-JN44fuhc6beqj2lSa3nw0NRbeoPpqqKrdKj35gbMSJeJ784CsdlnKajka7V/s1600/relics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5G3YPi9dtNpkDOlqzMnj2px_Wh-iT_i8oxiGA4SHBX5PCS1oG-6IsO1gG09024pWt7bIHW0wWYobBk9i-JN44fuhc6beqj2lSa3nw0NRbeoPpqqKrdKj35gbMSJeJ784CsdlnKajka7V/s320/relics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you are around the Peoria area and shopping for your mom, girlfriend, sister, friend, or other lady in your life, you have to go into my favorite shop, <a href="http://www.relics.typepad.com/">Relics</a>. It is one of Peoria's best kept secrets, on Adams across from Hardees, next to Cracked Pepper. I tell everyone to go there if they like adorable housewares, vintage conversation pieces, affordable jewelry, books, and funky stuff. Crossing my fingers that my husband will go there and pick out Christmas gifts for me. Absolutely anything will do, but I love the jewelry...hint hint honey.<br />
<br />
Homemade presents are cheaper (most of the time) and go over pretty well. I am crocheting my fingers to the bone to try and get gifts done. This site, <a href="http://www.thecraftycrow.net/">The Crafty Crow</a>, has great ideas for handmade ornaments and other gifts. I love the ideas for gifts that kids can make. Next week the kids are off school, and we always make some handmade ornaments to handout to relatives. I think we are going to make the bell flower ornament. Although I really love the little owl ornament from <a href="http://thatartistwoman.blogspot.com/2010/12/snowy-owl-ornaments.html">that artist woman</a> blog. So I might have just showed some of you your presents...whoops. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZGkwRSkVqFK49cZyWzTrxr0d6r3sQh_4I-ke0JaVDcZQb8O52n_m3frkdZarGW99x_xchfJvRaxhjMy7ied8OOZTDNLf44axIJq0uUaPwxr7_rhoy9iG8ObYLV6dO0vSavWn7vnfLhLR/s1600/ornament+bell+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZGkwRSkVqFK49cZyWzTrxr0d6r3sQh_4I-ke0JaVDcZQb8O52n_m3frkdZarGW99x_xchfJvRaxhjMy7ied8OOZTDNLf44axIJq0uUaPwxr7_rhoy9iG8ObYLV6dO0vSavWn7vnfLhLR/s200/ornament+bell+flower.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvFmQ1cF2Ri75f7YDSK3TGdxw2cG2XDrsxTkDN2TUcDs8O2uMSvUOT_HnnScz7D6-fU4KdIPIMmu__r8GRTQPs5yFN4MbcfvAhhzuEa6mGa4JJFuqpjRMg8M7FlxKPVuXvvD-Z-kzAgDT/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvFmQ1cF2Ri75f7YDSK3TGdxw2cG2XDrsxTkDN2TUcDs8O2uMSvUOT_HnnScz7D6-fU4KdIPIMmu__r8GRTQPs5yFN4MbcfvAhhzuEa6mGa4JJFuqpjRMg8M7FlxKPVuXvvD-Z-kzAgDT/s200/owl.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Last year I made treat bags with Chocolate Chip Biscotti, a few fancy Tea Bags, and some candy, to pass out to extended family, friends, teachers, and people I worked with.<br />
Here is the yummy Biscotti recipe I used. It was super easy, if you are good at burning chocolate chip cookies then you can make these! They are also vegetarian!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdg6VWYxS8YS-M7lJDe0VkB3XP0tWr3Lgy5VIM386f2GxxrV65rWCLAn5-RlD_YIFumddONt1U1nXlPyq3Wb6C4-NwkRuMHZTjNuBgk28GoZ8_WKfRrB8hwYj7wvgqrcmUMaxaGX5Ak8o/s1600/biscotti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdg6VWYxS8YS-M7lJDe0VkB3XP0tWr3Lgy5VIM386f2GxxrV65rWCLAn5-RlD_YIFumddONt1U1nXlPyq3Wb6C4-NwkRuMHZTjNuBgk28GoZ8_WKfRrB8hwYj7wvgqrcmUMaxaGX5Ak8o/s1600/biscotti.jpg" /></a></div><ul><li>2 cups all purpose or whole wheat flour</li>
<li>2/3 cup sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, semisweet or milk chocolate</li>
<li>3 eggs, beaten</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>4 squares of semisweet bakers chocolate </li>
</ul>Preheat oven to 350. Mix together dry ingredients and chocolate chips. Add eggs and vanilla. Knead dough on a floured surface a dozen times or so. Form the dough into a long log 2 inches wide and 15-16 inches thick. Place long on baking sheet coated with nonstick spray. Bake for 30 minutes, remove from oven and let cool. Cut diagonally with a serrated knife, into 1/2" slices. Change heat to 325 a d bake for 10 more minutes, then flip the slices over and cook for 10 more minutes or until golden and crunchy. The centers may look a little soft, but will harden as they cool.<br />
<span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Melt the chocolate in the microwave, following directions on the package. Allow chocolate to cool but not harden before dipping one side of the biscotti into it. Place cookies on wire racks, chocolate side up, until cool. Place in airtight container to store. Dip in your tea or coffee and enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Good luck with finishing your holiday shopping, making and baking! </span><br />
<br />
<span class="plaincharacterwrap break"><span id="goog_1903819365"></span><span id="goog_1903819366"></span> </span>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-81110761126758988472010-11-15T09:34:00.000-08:002010-11-15T09:36:47.115-08:00Costume Bonanza<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdPG_2ONMTQAWoemKiKsKWhhvdEwMA5PK7zTojF0oWFCjP4MmJ67aiS5MMnV0e_XleBTnYnOoJBhvsvsHb9cLWC9rT551q4EiicgyVEmpL-Q4tCYMhw4HUFS1m5Aae0_HIzDaLJBKkO6y/s1600/prehalloween+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdPG_2ONMTQAWoemKiKsKWhhvdEwMA5PK7zTojF0oWFCjP4MmJ67aiS5MMnV0e_XleBTnYnOoJBhvsvsHb9cLWC9rT551q4EiicgyVEmpL-Q4tCYMhw4HUFS1m5Aae0_HIzDaLJBKkO6y/s320/prehalloween+173.JPG" width="214" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWc6quNdd-fArTf0woVO8yTVUlgfXtJhY-H4beG3tIHmmU0ec-_-KH2UD04HR7yZWoUMKU8ffPBsF6fUP3jB-wd7D0aabY2frW-MRtBYzAIxdzuu8NeqC89kh5U-WQlmLoLTjanNsx0Pl/s320/prehalloween+007.JPG" width="214" /> </div><br />
Halloween is my favorite time of the year. It is over and I am a little depressed, but I can look back at all the awesome photos I took and feel a little bit better. Pretty much the only time I use my sewing machine is to make Halloween costumes. This year Charlie wanted to be a mummy and Jack wanted to be a ninja. I was hyped up to make both. I know I could have bought them both, but I love the challenge of creating something from nothing. The ninja costume I sewed out of a shiny black material, added a patterned black band for a belt, and a red sash. A black set of long under-ware went under his costume. I found a simple way to make a <a href="http://www.somethingreallyfunny.com/turn-an-ordinary-t-shirt-into-a-ninja-mask.htm">ninja mask</a> out of a black t-shirt. My husband helped Jack make throwing stars which we attached with hot glue. The ninja swords he broke after the first time wearing his costume...they were cheap plastic. His crotch ripped out of his pants the first time he jumped into a ninja crouch, but I was ok with that, since I have no formal training in sewing, and my sewing machine decided to stop working. I hot glued them back together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCN1nMwFvGY3B0WTdQ3o9ASEP8YzZrjVYBuBrJNnIRtwabRyLH9pO3QnLVsDcwVXbaghuQF5kc1zn-RxOo0PWD1fLur8GRMZCPEV7FgoeAUuuw1jCixsuC9WE0oMc6V3Bue-3tpZpi1ox/s1600/prehalloween+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCN1nMwFvGY3B0WTdQ3o9ASEP8YzZrjVYBuBrJNnIRtwabRyLH9pO3QnLVsDcwVXbaghuQF5kc1zn-RxOo0PWD1fLur8GRMZCPEV7FgoeAUuuw1jCixsuC9WE0oMc6V3Bue-3tpZpi1ox/s320/prehalloween+171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For the Mummy I took tips from a cool <a href="http://www.365halloween.com/mummy-costume">website</a>. I tore the gauze material into strips, dyed them with tea, dried them in the dryer (BAD idea. Next time lay them out to dry), and hand stiched most of them to his white long under-ware. I learned that you can NOT actually wrap the strips around the long under-ware or it will not come back off your child. So instead I draped and pinned each one and stitched it into place. Charlie was pretty patient for a 5 year old boy! He had to try the costume on about 4 times. We ended up hot gluing on the final strips and the spider on. The headpiece was pretty fun to make. My grandma recommended making a paper mache base. I measured Charlie's head, blew up a balloon to that same size, then used loads of modge podge to glue on cheesecloth. Once it dried I popped the balloon and sewed the gauze strips onto it. It turned out comfortable and awesome. Charlie got a lot of compliments at school on his awesome mummy costume, as did I! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA-OJl2DSYWK49dZih3jb_XQc4WSd2uqkCtr7cFA4KKQsRtciaLS5NJffIzynYZ3F4HY4hAyhyzfIPcMJNgC5EJVZo836Q8_kZoWopiJBBpl56zlTtDL3qnk7yUyiKGDfVLeisSUVFeSO/s1600/halloween+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA-OJl2DSYWK49dZih3jb_XQc4WSd2uqkCtr7cFA4KKQsRtciaLS5NJffIzynYZ3F4HY4hAyhyzfIPcMJNgC5EJVZo836Q8_kZoWopiJBBpl56zlTtDL3qnk7yUyiKGDfVLeisSUVFeSO/s320/halloween+031.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwbvSesCZshnlvo8l0DDJbkKeYey0mYWCoPhcqlGbt69trnp0B-e7M-MDRTgqcW-N5oebkJNhIGtKIytPcQSIkdqd_RNm1cWRgA4nld128jHH5fwtOpiCNGdIA34ekgMYC8U0qUT4DdH0/s1600/prehalloween+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwbvSesCZshnlvo8l0DDJbkKeYey0mYWCoPhcqlGbt69trnp0B-e7M-MDRTgqcW-N5oebkJNhIGtKIytPcQSIkdqd_RNm1cWRgA4nld128jHH5fwtOpiCNGdIA34ekgMYC8U0qUT4DdH0/s320/prehalloween+038.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO99-cyRQ6YTluoi1_nyrfYzFqYd4HS1uKbKkt1vP0qxNErB3kjy2ZpmgCe_GMkhfKrl0DoJVcgPHhMF86piI-cOVeD_S0nAU0OQqwZlpdn_dWI10hUzlJBxhhnluRaayr1_TrnBOpRC_/s1600/prehalloween+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO99-cyRQ6YTluoi1_nyrfYzFqYd4HS1uKbKkt1vP0qxNErB3kjy2ZpmgCe_GMkhfKrl0DoJVcgPHhMF86piI-cOVeD_S0nAU0OQqwZlpdn_dWI10hUzlJBxhhnluRaayr1_TrnBOpRC_/s320/prehalloween+162.JPG" width="214" /></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6syxLgbue3kT8qjxE2oeUUGgss99qYdfIR2NjxazHdkL-_SCwslEfttCSrCSBZFe-mZosq1wb7SEYwjtuMinnr522SfAFq_oRexRTqnIb4sO_FcckIkqVyvvunZmYWGOOTWli8ujaLuPO/s1600/halloween+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4_SZGY-KHQuljCrumMbHE31JZkEe8rLjG2kD1vEpgVj_bxPIQ5uOWq8ooY8rJv2gGRN_HdWV6s_hQLXP5LAwRtL7f4USRa2Yq7_C0MSI0CPE_G90DtDWGvoIesPniWPEiGpqXnD7gRtO/s1600/halloween+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4_SZGY-KHQuljCrumMbHE31JZkEe8rLjG2kD1vEpgVj_bxPIQ5uOWq8ooY8rJv2gGRN_HdWV6s_hQLXP5LAwRtL7f4USRa2Yq7_C0MSI0CPE_G90DtDWGvoIesPniWPEiGpqXnD7gRtO/s320/halloween+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The kids had a blast at school, at the Water Street Spooky Fiesta, where they saw the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile and ran around like spooks! Then of course there was trick or treating. There are a few houses that go ALL OUT for Halloween, decorating their entire yards and front porches. I want to be one of those people someday.<br />
<br />
I also saw lots of great adult costumes at my work,all Halloween weekend. Below are some of the best costumes I have seen. Many are my friends. Great costumes guys! My husband and I are in there as hobo clowns. I found most of the pieces for our costumes at Goodwill. I also attached lots of patches and altered my dress to be puffier. I was pretty proud of our makeup too, especially my husband's. He won the costume contest at <a href="http://www.rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.biz/">Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe</a> for his awesome costume!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqf9TKXP_k7QhC-mMw1R0i3djBSeU5TdY7bMHSTWPRLimVYo7GUulX1Ru9wJvqGRQnh0n7fkMzrwUmpuA1wLp1p4vePwDusUX8AG40G-SBGc0RRk2pYVYdW_yVnbsetZybwJNCVqWim6n/s1600/prehalloween+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqf9TKXP_k7QhC-mMw1R0i3djBSeU5TdY7bMHSTWPRLimVYo7GUulX1Ru9wJvqGRQnh0n7fkMzrwUmpuA1wLp1p4vePwDusUX8AG40G-SBGc0RRk2pYVYdW_yVnbsetZybwJNCVqWim6n/s320/prehalloween+185.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R1kpTobo5nG9CBVEZZut5YzDi6h9iY7Jz1k7A3K1q1CvPZv1Nf8CgDtqUG6TsT6XhOrKuryXrLGJLNHW3yHsHlViLC7h2UEt63-GSh6cs3gQFXi_jvi8Ab70FBc3t0edCWB6CSVRabv9/s1600/prehalloween+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R1kpTobo5nG9CBVEZZut5YzDi6h9iY7Jz1k7A3K1q1CvPZv1Nf8CgDtqUG6TsT6XhOrKuryXrLGJLNHW3yHsHlViLC7h2UEt63-GSh6cs3gQFXi_jvi8Ab70FBc3t0edCWB6CSVRabv9/s320/prehalloween+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQwlJzG8a-8YUkkW8aYgBXORgOgI0iFV155ttyWmEnPIpxEKFdH737eoBMJ3X15T6dFgjmGYLjTxnHVv01c4nZtOzmqgFHleCz3ZLQYW0nmL8HlSLSaNgF2CQm2hk7eGB1PYAK4i2SV3Q/s1600/prehalloween+208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQwlJzG8a-8YUkkW8aYgBXORgOgI0iFV155ttyWmEnPIpxEKFdH737eoBMJ3X15T6dFgjmGYLjTxnHVv01c4nZtOzmqgFHleCz3ZLQYW0nmL8HlSLSaNgF2CQm2hk7eGB1PYAK4i2SV3Q/s320/prehalloween+208.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qtSoWJlb6MR8ukK9IffFLCxjEwFaS_lsCAlgbtadnVND0N-Qd_z6LRlo0tcmqCZP3KQh3JIhtz6bJMEpFXkT6B_zcKFYSD66yQOvf-KbmlDnq3eJ318HOsvF_ShHW4RDd930KsI9Y5Ho/s1600/prehalloween+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qtSoWJlb6MR8ukK9IffFLCxjEwFaS_lsCAlgbtadnVND0N-Qd_z6LRlo0tcmqCZP3KQh3JIhtz6bJMEpFXkT6B_zcKFYSD66yQOvf-KbmlDnq3eJ318HOsvF_ShHW4RDd930KsI9Y5Ho/s320/prehalloween+209.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGTV5KWeUg8IPHslvn6LWY82leDe1Zuou0ePXqXUa2yVTXtaiTiN-m5j8mV3ELsT2egTiqxnzhJAk3D-bDzCCZX625YVs3Hd1m759YWrrFwPm76xGFnRqfEWuwJ2p9bx152p31Dg3UgYT/s1600/dress+up+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGTV5KWeUg8IPHslvn6LWY82leDe1Zuou0ePXqXUa2yVTXtaiTiN-m5j8mV3ELsT2egTiqxnzhJAk3D-bDzCCZX625YVs3Hd1m759YWrrFwPm76xGFnRqfEWuwJ2p9bx152p31Dg3UgYT/s320/dress+up+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4KKS22o39Ew0B9q1dRUpWVWXv2kpgmIaKyGrcwJWYjpW1WEQvDBvF9LhG8pBY8HXo4rc1fq6xvXuqzOzfS0z26f6aRQe5kebiy0W06sQjo7jXB2eoVszrfnbc7-CQW2-6PlFI-1eZI6y/s1600/dress+up+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4KKS22o39Ew0B9q1dRUpWVWXv2kpgmIaKyGrcwJWYjpW1WEQvDBvF9LhG8pBY8HXo4rc1fq6xvXuqzOzfS0z26f6aRQe5kebiy0W06sQjo7jXB2eoVszrfnbc7-CQW2-6PlFI-1eZI6y/s320/dress+up+012.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TN9Ao3HbbRU3ZijYoN8TbyYBwk-Y6XKyCF1VurjddjPZNF8kLnVufpQ818TXAmeHldajDd8hAObQqoL65o4X0Lpbf06D1gfOePdBVyWK_a1DbYV3ORoecB0tz6XPLLIpl3unBV9pOe6Y/s1600/dress+up+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TN9Ao3HbbRU3ZijYoN8TbyYBwk-Y6XKyCF1VurjddjPZNF8kLnVufpQ818TXAmeHldajDd8hAObQqoL65o4X0Lpbf06D1gfOePdBVyWK_a1DbYV3ORoecB0tz6XPLLIpl3unBV9pOe6Y/s320/dress+up+018.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHzCkEG3mqey5OGycWFpc8CRQ5WZnaXFYdbyPxCucqAPGUjfup7tHsa3nnkEI-gC-wRPHem9N0-NNNBVZ11Uqegr_LUaHXhBLVYqv76aO3wd_OjUCqi3CdgD-9B0p5U-2hWSBlV4HzBQF/s1600/dress+up+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHzCkEG3mqey5OGycWFpc8CRQ5WZnaXFYdbyPxCucqAPGUjfup7tHsa3nnkEI-gC-wRPHem9N0-NNNBVZ11Uqegr_LUaHXhBLVYqv76aO3wd_OjUCqi3CdgD-9B0p5U-2hWSBlV4HzBQF/s320/dress+up+025.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI5vjHbF2B4Re4tWiGhqrkbfnjGi8FBCTYYbRToSRjWZcOTaSObdsdkMsGGS0k7SRS8LYrbkhq1hQQ4OPrJXCkK7zfZIfHZ5RKTvrJ5irhGd5x3zzUrmRgHfWj7wwsD_TSdeWBtG1MgzP/s1600/dress+up+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI5vjHbF2B4Re4tWiGhqrkbfnjGi8FBCTYYbRToSRjWZcOTaSObdsdkMsGGS0k7SRS8LYrbkhq1hQQ4OPrJXCkK7zfZIfHZ5RKTvrJ5irhGd5x3zzUrmRgHfWj7wwsD_TSdeWBtG1MgzP/s320/dress+up+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53OO4-blf9YqnT5miqkvGea4e59K95cdPprohyphenhyphen4us-1PVyqsvKs9epLTV-LK49XVPbgJ72G3hYGZBX2PBHQhfNZd4PFNY4p_2A4UsZ1Hg3PLs0D2M6ltwEKIp33PEr-XX_EnSounZkQxl/s1600/dress+up+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53OO4-blf9YqnT5miqkvGea4e59K95cdPprohyphenhyphen4us-1PVyqsvKs9epLTV-LK49XVPbgJ72G3hYGZBX2PBHQhfNZd4PFNY4p_2A4UsZ1Hg3PLs0D2M6ltwEKIp33PEr-XX_EnSounZkQxl/s320/dress+up+030.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7mxlPGlzbDjAD3uwowrMwFm4M5F2VMcAK5uckICSR7DBwrTwgkLoFpdYKji_AwfepJGIKtyxOBRi1Rrd6_4z9xTsBypW418tIoKTpeJHKk4JouLoAxD7345l_Sis7BVZ_T148wwaIYjL/s1600/dress+up+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7mxlPGlzbDjAD3uwowrMwFm4M5F2VMcAK5uckICSR7DBwrTwgkLoFpdYKji_AwfepJGIKtyxOBRi1Rrd6_4z9xTsBypW418tIoKTpeJHKk4JouLoAxD7345l_Sis7BVZ_T148wwaIYjL/s320/dress+up+049.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGuVLsXTAUATnfrACTDqhvqdS317EqgBMrwx_eMfErURh30-dNbkNqaUhxiLV_QUyfEV5lNlHFcOYM0m3sJsK7LlJzycHiqG2X1wQyFRhqMWs341ToOTdw2DgMsG75Y4JktBi3ixVeSj6/s1600/dress+up+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGuVLsXTAUATnfrACTDqhvqdS317EqgBMrwx_eMfErURh30-dNbkNqaUhxiLV_QUyfEV5lNlHFcOYM0m3sJsK7LlJzycHiqG2X1wQyFRhqMWs341ToOTdw2DgMsG75Y4JktBi3ixVeSj6/s320/dress+up+053.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRP43_2y9oILPEqlzLxvMlzmTvSnVONV7HgZUrM_EU82s8PyQQPBupYPNWV8CY3US9qoMdQVmucp3mqMq-lp2d4ePn5bfYxrRMmEgvJem-4EwDlWWYuCUAmccWGD6a_UfHjVoUqm2b9hR/s1600/dress+up+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRP43_2y9oILPEqlzLxvMlzmTvSnVONV7HgZUrM_EU82s8PyQQPBupYPNWV8CY3US9qoMdQVmucp3mqMq-lp2d4ePn5bfYxrRMmEgvJem-4EwDlWWYuCUAmccWGD6a_UfHjVoUqm2b9hR/s320/dress+up+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next year, HAPPY HAUNTING!</div>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-42233656144744378342010-10-28T07:28:00.000-07:002010-10-28T07:28:50.240-07:00Pumpkins and Gourds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3ZqCNYjF6xYDh83rTAOw0hB0LeRyHdsCHWiO0LNTODoexoEoevV9NwsE2_dLhFT5goLmSmrxFsONiwTZF7_y722UYgLZRierMNKha1O9LYxrLJvLVZJwt8Ra1xBUC8YaPYy7azajEAPe/s1600/first+days+of+fall+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3ZqCNYjF6xYDh83rTAOw0hB0LeRyHdsCHWiO0LNTODoexoEoevV9NwsE2_dLhFT5goLmSmrxFsONiwTZF7_y722UYgLZRierMNKha1O9LYxrLJvLVZJwt8Ra1xBUC8YaPYy7azajEAPe/s640/first+days+of+fall+015.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-zUZbQ_TRNAFTqQ3Ep8vN-Tbm-lXJ1jug8p_Klm3HZYXChPs382tBnhwLZG-8GAG613mHgJqAyFCJKUD5s5UImiM9IoSWAE57g9Gu8QEwOCrH0owl7Cb8nXvQncVy01L38q_iy0IbOFW/s1600/first+days+of+fall+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-zUZbQ_TRNAFTqQ3Ep8vN-Tbm-lXJ1jug8p_Klm3HZYXChPs382tBnhwLZG-8GAG613mHgJqAyFCJKUD5s5UImiM9IoSWAE57g9Gu8QEwOCrH0owl7Cb8nXvQncVy01L38q_iy0IbOFW/s400/first+days+of+fall+008.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These photos are from our favorite local market, Schaer's country market. It is a family owned and run business and it is a tradition of ours to go there for pumpkins in the fall and a Christmas tree in the winter. We love it because it's in walking distance of our house, although we drove this time. It would be a little difficult to walk and haul a bunch of pumpkins. Just wanted to share these lovely fall photos from one of our favorite places. </div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDwzB7JL-zBK5G7bKx3vxG9MnDB8kf9h_NpuRQvqQCeJwEichX2fVEnn9kPzZNOd8d1zgyL3-0phk8ScLiLWVR5auSww8NtGscZhrHXSDLEufYewj0DHnU0IBbFLw78ca4ob0slYIG_1Y/s1600/first+days+of+fall+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDwzB7JL-zBK5G7bKx3vxG9MnDB8kf9h_NpuRQvqQCeJwEichX2fVEnn9kPzZNOd8d1zgyL3-0phk8ScLiLWVR5auSww8NtGscZhrHXSDLEufYewj0DHnU0IBbFLw78ca4ob0slYIG_1Y/s400/first+days+of+fall+014.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrrhVxQpymGrWtgu8m-Domke_exMIIpWUoVrZxjMjM5qLkceW7AuFjeXaOArDelimumdyJDhVbD01KPY6jdgAFqH3xWGEKzFPQp4GEGlvKbh4BU5whcKAhBOW3K5tBm8dm6kxoRpp06w3/s1600/first+days+of+fall+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrrhVxQpymGrWtgu8m-Domke_exMIIpWUoVrZxjMjM5qLkceW7AuFjeXaOArDelimumdyJDhVbD01KPY6jdgAFqH3xWGEKzFPQp4GEGlvKbh4BU5whcKAhBOW3K5tBm8dm6kxoRpp06w3/s640/first+days+of+fall+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS39Ug8YfqnchBuPQy-kXnvNGeAbG8OnlBxwn-3WlN6rgUdb-Xkybfuj7DuKn269PVkdZxcvoxlDEjnppSP6E3aVefXIms5cnwAsIEYhyphenhyphengbJTPLZQVj-sDrwBFkqYj5BahAEqjYrSd3OdB/s1600/first+days+of+fall+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS39Ug8YfqnchBuPQy-kXnvNGeAbG8OnlBxwn-3WlN6rgUdb-Xkybfuj7DuKn269PVkdZxcvoxlDEjnppSP6E3aVefXIms5cnwAsIEYhyphenhyphengbJTPLZQVj-sDrwBFkqYj5BahAEqjYrSd3OdB/s400/first+days+of+fall+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa5MnHc8TlJp2wUDi40z8wbrOpHjM8m6R96WhWweotv8eiW-LKAcUaGas-MWL-_6ExW2NhfFEo0TxLe5dvbI1vuuQi5lxXlXRIsvphrhBzfcWcHYCJjDv6JLxW_AWT8sO6bBWfq7SNm4w/s1600/first+days+of+fall+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa5MnHc8TlJp2wUDi40z8wbrOpHjM8m6R96WhWweotv8eiW-LKAcUaGas-MWL-_6ExW2NhfFEo0TxLe5dvbI1vuuQi5lxXlXRIsvphrhBzfcWcHYCJjDv6JLxW_AWT8sO6bBWfq7SNm4w/s400/first+days+of+fall+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-58553885507510672842010-10-12T19:55:00.000-07:002010-10-12T19:55:18.695-07:00First chili cookoff - some tasty stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0i3_msHJTgdXRFpNuzm6N7vtZXYPt2ErQm_bA6r3aCTPd_eGEs9cpSO6bIfxFMiuesZTsR8smdqq0aBHo2O5rFCAcwRWF2gpFAq6EFs5afeeSoNv9i5J_3Htv3zQ6MkhICL_m-JXbHIS/s1600/first+days+of+fall+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0i3_msHJTgdXRFpNuzm6N7vtZXYPt2ErQm_bA6r3aCTPd_eGEs9cpSO6bIfxFMiuesZTsR8smdqq0aBHo2O5rFCAcwRWF2gpFAq6EFs5afeeSoNv9i5J_3Htv3zQ6MkhICL_m-JXbHIS/s320/first+days+of+fall+030.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVtXf7y24Z727A3gUEF7g2F7pODaOlvy0Y5NsmPKyB8D0CnSPAlliBKriF3VNT5Ol5upTaXAJO7UI_ZEFW9Q9G-xVvjAdWKipy7nspWxUjIyIuk_ZkwN8OZLJlgerlR8yV8CiH7uxIHg5/s1600/september+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVtXf7y24Z727A3gUEF7g2F7pODaOlvy0Y5NsmPKyB8D0CnSPAlliBKriF3VNT5Ol5upTaXAJO7UI_ZEFW9Q9G-xVvjAdWKipy7nspWxUjIyIuk_ZkwN8OZLJlgerlR8yV8CiH7uxIHg5/s320/september+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Earlier this fall, we had a chili cook-off to celebrate the end of summer, beginning of fall, and my husband's 31st birthday. A few people brought chili, a few brought soup, and a few brought some other delicious creations. We had some really good entries! we had everything set up with signs and people painstakingly voted on their favorites. First place was taken by Kelly with her Polish Mistakes, neither chili or soup, but totally scrumptious. Below are some of the winning recipes.<br />
<b>Polish Mistakes</b> by Kelly S<br />
(seen on the photo to the right at the bottom left side)<br />
I used 1lb turkey sausage (you can use regular sausage and ground beef)<br />
1lb ground chicken meat<br />
1 medium onion chopped<br />
oregano<br />
garilic salt<br />
velvetta cheese<br />
rye cocktail bread (small squares)<br />
<br />
Preheat oven 350<br />
Brown the meat with a little olive oil and add onions<br />
Add oregano and garilic salt to taste (don't have exact measurments)<br />
add the velvetta cheese until melted(i used about 1/2-3/4 of a block of velvetta chesse cut into cubes)<br />
Stir together until well blended<br />
Add a spoonful of mixture to each cocktail square and place on cookie sheet<br />
Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes until toasted and enjoy! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjHWpl2yOcAZV830rB2oKtKPqx8VOVt0wluJBliUo69vCGuXt0lk3lEUchEv9Ew1bxBzrFX83kKQ2KmkadXg_2LP3DitvFhif1ErHc1XQrjhEKzDtwnQIh0eBW1lvcqUmBajZZenEoKZ0/s1600/september+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjHWpl2yOcAZV830rB2oKtKPqx8VOVt0wluJBliUo69vCGuXt0lk3lEUchEv9Ew1bxBzrFX83kKQ2KmkadXg_2LP3DitvFhif1ErHc1XQrjhEKzDtwnQIh0eBW1lvcqUmBajZZenEoKZ0/s320/september+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>Chipotle Chili</b> by Joe H.<br />
1 LB Ground Meat<br />
<div>1 Red Onion, Diced</div><div>4 Garlic Cloves, minced</div><div>1 Can Diced Tomatoes with Jalapeños, Drained</div><div>1 Lrg Can Tomato Sauce (~30oz)</div><div>1 Can Light Red Kidney Beans, Drained, Rinsed</div><div>1 Can Dark Red Kidney Beans, Drained, Rinsed</div><div>1 Chipotle Chili Pepper, Minced (or Chipotle Chili Pepper Powder)</div><div>1 Bay Leaf</div><div>Chili Powder, Salt & Pepper</div><div> </div><div>Brown the meat and season lightly with chili powder, move meat to crock pot and leave about 3 tablespoons of fat in pan. Sauté onions and garlic in fat until soft, add to crock pot. In crock pot, add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, and chili pepper (or 2 teaspoons of chipotle chili powder, to taste). Add bay leaf, 4 tablespoons of chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low at least 5 hours. Add more spices to taste. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjbK2NA-RKeLzCadfFiNZL-NqVQmTgeR0Xkgy_TWiaGgAEBGR4Aloe5OZTFqTlA6q29epuc5YpR5FqkXn2fky4wWRtb-a2AVitqifJ2l6-h5z4AWgKTfw9y6HQ-ByYJZUJ3wK2DFKC5IV/s1600/first+days+of+fall+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjbK2NA-RKeLzCadfFiNZL-NqVQmTgeR0Xkgy_TWiaGgAEBGR4Aloe5OZTFqTlA6q29epuc5YpR5FqkXn2fky4wWRtb-a2AVitqifJ2l6-h5z4AWgKTfw9y6HQ-ByYJZUJ3wK2DFKC5IV/s320/first+days+of+fall+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div><div><b>Chilli Mac-Attack</b> by Me! (first photo at the top) </div><div>1 onion chopped</div><div>1 green pepper seeded, veins removed, and chopped</div><div>1 pound of ground beef or turkey</div><div>1 packet of chili spices</div><div>1 tsp chopped garlic </div><div>1 large can of tomato juice</div><div>1 can of chopped tomatoes in their juices</div><div>1 can of black beans (drained)</div><div>1 can of red kidney beans (drained)</div><div>1 can of chili beans in seasoning</div><div>1 Tbsp cumin </div><div> salt and pepper to taste & macaroni and cheese, prepared as package says. </div><div>Brown meat in a large pot, drain off grease. Add onions, garlic and green peppers. Cook for 4 minutes or until they have softened a bit. Then add spices, tomato juice, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil then turn heat back down and cover and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add the beans and let them heat up for 5 minutes or so before serving. Scoop some mac and cheese into the bowl, then top with chili and add some crackers or cornbread to the side. This kid-friendly chili-mac attack, is the only way I can get my kids to eat chili, and also by crushing up the beans so they are hidden in with the meat. Its good with shredded cheddar cheese or sour cream. </div><div>Thanks for submitting recipes friends! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7b87POYCz-7bWTl0NghmtOFNOw5puoMrs0XjMHMtaJDJxT8P4b5LYrkkrNo7UMJy8NVBCzLWl92KEergfLPkhp83hmFgNVdmZrd2CD7unlxS08UdN8kuh60QngfWLPBszUqKSLlS9R2Ef/s1600/september+016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-10800131637339881472010-09-23T09:33:00.000-07:002010-09-23T10:11:01.234-07:00Summer is over TOO SOON!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cEM3-lQ_CF_1nabULSUMGGw0itbAHdQ9a8pRianKQU0hbbw7iEWGpldFVw1YoIbmPTn8UtILaEbxPnk-dmDvbfR-Zr0-ieehiS3NxhSMEfMkFH0Z-pPjXSi1Jn3Dpwe5YdiIztNKE3LZ/s1600/May+Day+006.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2Hjykzi9Zb7WPM2PbeMb8pnh3qN2z9-zQ3-boq84WF4kYAUpzcXn1OQOcBlu8OKPWGksa0EOUwZh0raZYZl5-ryvceViBo5zNuQ0Lc3PfXCn1GaTRWr0XvilS4LMw3yi2o6qOog0LtG_/s1600/spring+is+here+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2Hjykzi9Zb7WPM2PbeMb8pnh3qN2z9-zQ3-boq84WF4kYAUpzcXn1OQOcBlu8OKPWGksa0EOUwZh0raZYZl5-ryvceViBo5zNuQ0Lc3PfXCn1GaTRWr0XvilS4LMw3yi2o6qOog0LtG_/s320/spring+is+here+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520154091219740946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHhATAtRI4KoEIBVxfegGsLKjafbhukf-2IS6WNfZssWXAtisQxbYyPxOSTZfBqRsiJBxj9rShFlaqSFffEP6Zsg2oFiypupzISijYegy0BbT8NsbterGzMPJPIRsneDSzY37qWuaw_1N/s1600/May+Day+008.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHhATAtRI4KoEIBVxfegGsLKjafbhukf-2IS6WNfZssWXAtisQxbYyPxOSTZfBqRsiJBxj9rShFlaqSFffEP6Zsg2oFiypupzISijYegy0BbT8NsbterGzMPJPIRsneDSzY37qWuaw_1N/s200/May+Day+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520152856171202146" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />This summer went by entirely TOO FAST! I still am not into the swing of things: the kids' school, volunteering @ school, weekend work, puppy time, volunteering after school, soccer practice, parent club meetings, attempting to exercise and eat right, cub scouts, and attempting to keep the house semi clean. Not that I am complaining, I love my life, it's just a bit insane right now and I need to get my schedule worked out a little better.<br /><br /><br /><br />This summer we kept the kids pretty busy, which is essential in keeping myself sane. I didn't have a lot of time to do arts or crafts, but there are a few things I made that I am pretty proud of. I made a whole slew of crochet critters for a Benefit for my friend's son earlier in the spring. They turned out quite cute, went up for auction or raffle for a great cause, and contributed to the final total of over $30,000!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATBcKM5dk25HM6FpwOs-MVyqtfPTRnANP6Vw1mmHH9RcmomZUMw42xoL64dkTgyDbh7d2BIFUQvWcDmaE8ZveTHEFV-V8JikVL6iwufr7ZosUv1squS8SKfVo1N50hsZk3qvj5jN7HHmy/s1600/spring+is+here+002+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATBcKM5dk25HM6FpwOs-MVyqtfPTRnANP6Vw1mmHH9RcmomZUMw42xoL64dkTgyDbh7d2BIFUQvWcDmaE8ZveTHEFV-V8JikVL6iwufr7ZosUv1squS8SKfVo1N50hsZk3qvj5jN7HHmy/s200/spring+is+here+002+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520152827315789394" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsdq87-4xRKQcgF9x_9oJbkh79PcoOn5ugcPOfxJXK2vp_lMwrbCWS5OfMBLu7_ROj0zBONzyhL5RqtTcyv4fHMJDWVfSuSi-Z6NWolwVaIo0JW_NAiaP0w4ohDxofqokG1d0Hbu4C-b0/s1600/spring+is+here+005.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsdq87-4xRKQcgF9x_9oJbkh79PcoOn5ugcPOfxJXK2vp_lMwrbCWS5OfMBLu7_ROj0zBONzyhL5RqtTcyv4fHMJDWVfSuSi-Z6NWolwVaIo0JW_NAiaP0w4ohDxofqokG1d0Hbu4C-b0/s200/spring+is+here+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520152839779754338" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7noy-bBm9dNIo1U8BwNbfegXR5Qkuw4K9FtRIT8o7HuVtUTTP7sUmsBfolNUME5f4qpEPrviW1xh-XGaJtjRmhtnwoWbw9k-SACr7JcJ2SsEQ-LQfCtWHuMhK3xXysLzwTG3hyphenhyphenmq3Gw5X/s1600/spring+is+here+014.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7noy-bBm9dNIo1U8BwNbfegXR5Qkuw4K9FtRIT8o7HuVtUTTP7sUmsBfolNUME5f4qpEPrviW1xh-XGaJtjRmhtnwoWbw9k-SACr7JcJ2SsEQ-LQfCtWHuMhK3xXysLzwTG3hyphenhyphenmq3Gw5X/s200/spring+is+here+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520152841372017186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq2LKeIfNv4ne-kJx6tdW_STe4BPakiTknRjSIE8IY-BDLxXCw8bKzsnFi-MQwJ3sSNdQwgcXS5l6xxReUpykNJkiI03QTBDJCFzTdeT1hXeW0bXOUgO2Lgae89NUyEwKpU8_g8SBEMMi/s1600/May+Day+021.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq2LKeIfNv4ne-kJx6tdW_STe4BPakiTknRjSIE8IY-BDLxXCw8bKzsnFi-MQwJ3sSNdQwgcXS5l6xxReUpykNJkiI03QTBDJCFzTdeT1hXeW0bXOUgO2Lgae89NUyEwKpU8_g8SBEMMi/s200/May+Day+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520152846204993602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My favorite is probably the robot or the beaver....maybe next time I could combine the 2?<br /><br />Most of these patterns I got from 2 books by my favorite author and Amigurumi crochet guru, Ana Paula Rimoli. Her books are wonderful, that is where I learned how to do Ami, and her blog is adorable and funny <a href="http://amigurumipatterns.blogspot.com/">http://amigurumipatterns.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cEM3-lQ_CF_1nabULSUMGGw0itbAHdQ9a8pRianKQU0hbbw7iEWGpldFVw1YoIbmPTn8UtILaEbxPnk-dmDvbfR-Zr0-ieehiS3NxhSMEfMkFH0Z-pPjXSi1Jn3Dpwe5YdiIztNKE3LZ/s1600/May+Day+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cEM3-lQ_CF_1nabULSUMGGw0itbAHdQ9a8pRianKQU0hbbw7iEWGpldFVw1YoIbmPTn8UtILaEbxPnk-dmDvbfR-Zr0-ieehiS3NxhSMEfMkFH0Z-pPjXSi1Jn3Dpwe5YdiIztNKE3LZ/s320/May+Day+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520154104295273954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have been attempting to design a few of my own Ami designs lately, I hope to put them up on my blog or Ravelry eventually.<br /><br />One of my friends from high school recently started a wonderful do it yourself craft blog, <a href="http://howdiy.wordpress.com/">howd.i.y. blog.</a> It is a great blog, with tons of cool do it yourself projects, gift ideas, and crafts. Check it out. (:Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-34055302814142373462010-04-09T08:17:00.001-07:002010-04-09T08:27:17.379-07:00ABC, as easy as 123.ABCs are so important for kids to learn and understand. Of course they learn at school, but at home is where you can really help them get the concepts that eventually lead to reading.<br /><p><br />Letters have been a main focus for our 4 year old for the past year or so. He is going into kindergarten next year, as a freshly turned 5 year old, one of the young ones. 2 years of preschool have taught him a lot about how to act in a classroom setting, sharing, picking up, and of course the pledge of allegiance. He loves his friends and his teachers, who are the sweetest ladies in the world.<br /><br />I had been getting a little nervous as he nears kindergarten, and has shown ZERO interest in letters, numbers, writing, or drawing. Our oldest always loved to draw, and write, where Charlie would rather set up all of his action figures into a neighborhood and then play with them,. He is a really imaginative player. He also loves to make up stories and tall tales. They are just so different, which means they become interested in things in different ways. The things that grabbed Jack's interests may not grab Charlie's. So we had to get a little creative when it came to letters and writing.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1c4WgNit8tKjBDX5j46aRd7JmcRU6Myotmsvwz7uBlEzAYG6Lgrzu1p_yeVyrEZBWTqhk1fEjd5coNwzUt8cXxb9HoyfHAFsVMUWVFbAj8C8mO7lStrlcfFZP1eY5AlfkjBH5ZaugBF6/s1600/abcs-of-art.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1c4WgNit8tKjBDX5j46aRd7JmcRU6Myotmsvwz7uBlEzAYG6Lgrzu1p_yeVyrEZBWTqhk1fEjd5coNwzUt8cXxb9HoyfHAFsVMUWVFbAj8C8mO7lStrlcfFZP1eY5AlfkjBH5ZaugBF6/s400/abcs-of-art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458158167872082306" border="0" /></a><p><br />We have been reading Baby Einstein's, ABCs of Art, about 4X a week for over a year now. We did this with Jack,when he was in preschool, and he picked them up pretty quick. We read each letter and look at the picture on the page to represent it. In the last 6 months,Charlie has been remembering some of the letters, but then he would forget them and remember others. We reached a milestone last week when he read EVERY LETTER in the book. But reading that book was definitely not the only tool we used. There are so many helpful resources out there, fun and imaginative things that make learning fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGVFcSTF22Fdu_hDPmGKmQz97nbd3cqhiVq-ot96B2h_MOGUUZFwNAlCZfqE6sYyg-z-DyklIOpFpCl2TAIsAZuYx2TfWzgNHYuCZcdC2wye1iPS9mPmdUJm-Tp_VWbRysfy3_uMZIwnE/s1600/album-here-come-the-abcs-cddvd-combo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGVFcSTF22Fdu_hDPmGKmQz97nbd3cqhiVq-ot96B2h_MOGUUZFwNAlCZfqE6sYyg-z-DyklIOpFpCl2TAIsAZuYx2TfWzgNHYuCZcdC2wye1iPS9mPmdUJm-Tp_VWbRysfy3_uMZIwnE/s400/album-here-come-the-abcs-cddvd-combo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458158164574923682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some friends gave us, They might be Giants, Here come the ABC's, video/cd, for one of the kids' birthdays. There are songs about different letters that are catchy, fun, and hilarious. Alphabet lost and found makes you want to dance. This was really helpful because i could remind Charlie, BIG FAT......(and he would think of that song)....W! It was probably this video that sparked his recent interest in letters and writing.<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">I have been sitting down a few times a week and practicing writing letters of the alphabet with charlie. This was frustrating at first, but I tried to make it fun. He could draw something that started with the letter A after writing it. This encouraged him to think creatively about letters and connect a letter with a picture. We only did a few letters at a time and then tried to repeat them the next day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/4435513959/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4435513959_e031871828.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; padding: 3px;"><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/4435513959/">ABC cookies with Hunter & Charlie</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cocomama/">cocomama1</a>.</span></div><br />Back in December I dug out my alphabet cookie cutters, surprisingly they were all there. Charlie had a playdate with his friend Hunter and we made the entire alphabet in cookies! They got to roll out the dough, pick out the letters in alphabetical order and cut them out. We never got to decorating them with frosting, but they tasted good anyway!<br /></div></div><p><br />Now Charlie can spell and write his own name. He sees letters he recognizes everywhere, and we often play the which letter is this game (Charlie writes a letter in the air and asks me which one it is).<br /><br />Jack on the other hand is reading chapter books! Reading is the next hurdle after learning letters and it is another slow going process. Repetition and patience are the things to remember when helping your child read. Every night before bed we read to the boys, then it switched to us helping Jack read an easy reader, then he read it himself with a little guidance and now he is a fairly confident reader. I remember being encouraged to SOUND it OUT, but at Jack's school they recommend not doing that. They want the kids to recognize the words and look at the pictures in the books and figure it out that way. I have to admit, I have been known to help him sound the words out, but I try to stick to the same thing they teach at school in order to be consistent. It is crazy to look back to Jack's reading level a year ago and compare it to today, he has improved so much!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUS0UJFNuX0RvZNrPVztIcK8sEAgZmrXuuc-p3TiqyJqU5Umfjcsu0I8bOPmNnGXeW68R9nKfWOXw4KxrOriz95DnUDc0RXQSLX4SeZqXv-WolksJU8VAfB-DMbpsSwdgK3YgSH92j80LE/s1600/stanley.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUS0UJFNuX0RvZNrPVztIcK8sEAgZmrXuuc-p3TiqyJqU5Umfjcsu0I8bOPmNnGXeW68R9nKfWOXw4KxrOriz95DnUDc0RXQSLX4SeZqXv-WolksJU8VAfB-DMbpsSwdgK3YgSH92j80LE/s400/stanley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458158159230185474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Flat Stanley was the first chapter book he read. There are some big words in it, but with our help he got through it. Now he is on his fourth Flat Stanley book! We always discuss what happens in each chapter because I want him to really understand what he is reading and not just zip through the words.<br /><br /><br />It has been a long road learning ABCs and now reading, but it has been fun and interesting. Each child learns differently and it is important to find what interests them and to go in that direction.</p>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-18491634299025393042010-02-22T14:10:00.000-08:002010-02-22T15:02:33.668-08:00Fun and YumJust a quick little blog note. I somehow stumbled upon this REALLY COOL site called <a href="http://www.humanclock.com/">Humanclock.com</a>. Super cool photography, put into a clock that changes every minute. Click on "view the clock" to watch the minutes flash by in photos. You can submit your own photos too!<br /><br />Once you get done there, feel free to whip up some delicious rice pudding. My mom used to make this all of the time when we were kids, for a cheap and easy dessert. Warm up those cold bellies after an afternoon of snowball fights.<br /><br />Rice pudding (for 4 or 5 chilly people.)<br />1 cup(or more) cooked white or brown rice (short/medium grain) Leftover from dinner?<br />1& 1/2 cups skim milk<br />1/3 cup sugar (you can use splenda too but I don't know the amount)<br />1/4 tsp salt<br />2/3 cup raisins or golden raisins (or I like craisins)<br />1 large egg beaten<br />1/2 cup milk<br />1/2 tsp vanilla<br />1/2-1 Tbsp butter or margarine<br />Sprinkle of brown sugar or cinnamon.<br /><br />In a medium saucepan, combine rice, milk, salt, and sugar over medium heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically, until it's thicker and creamy. Combine the egg & 1/2 cup of milk then add to the pan along with raisins. Stir constantly for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add vanilla, butter, and raisins. Stir it up. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy warm. (:Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-17805797677666603422010-02-19T16:24:00.000-08:002010-02-19T18:36:44.349-08:00Hopper Picture Person Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw25qTQVLZzbJMiRIfyJWjlUS-Du_Nyu7pvNPR0ZC3XCoYuPODl6entFKmGqFAWuWKjeTC4bmZfsZEsXMJZLYe-bU_7b32knrygKwsCjANC2ShtjZNjr48x5WUAXByKDloIOOkEoQi1Iu/s1600-h/ground+swell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw25qTQVLZzbJMiRIfyJWjlUS-Du_Nyu7pvNPR0ZC3XCoYuPODl6entFKmGqFAWuWKjeTC4bmZfsZEsXMJZLYe-bU_7b32knrygKwsCjANC2ShtjZNjr48x5WUAXByKDloIOOkEoQi1Iu/s400/ground+swell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440148941353966370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ground Swell, by Edward Hopper was the latest work of art I discussed with my 1st grader's class. The kids liked it because of the boat and the ocean, and in the middle of a harsh Illinois winter it seems almost like paradise. Hopper is a famous American realist painter, most known for his painting, Nighthawks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L-HyLuxd0kCIWsQjRI4IByHeQHGVACcwKJ7DVyNUi0Ul9aK0oMzCEL93I468SsKG3x-x-Pf_ND9otDNszWZqQrIXNhTlrmLCCA8KhrCC_5ebOT4uOZo2NiVGZuZlMl6Ri7rPMA9kNn9W/s1600-h/hopper.nighthawks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L-HyLuxd0kCIWsQjRI4IByHeQHGVACcwKJ7DVyNUi0Ul9aK0oMzCEL93I468SsKG3x-x-Pf_ND9otDNszWZqQrIXNhTlrmLCCA8KhrCC_5ebOT4uOZo2NiVGZuZlMl6Ri7rPMA9kNn9W/s400/hopper.nighthawks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440134551578674722" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway, Hopper is known for painting everyday realistic themes that evoke feelings of loneliness and sadness. His use of color is an important factor in his work and for the kids' project we used color to create an emotion. We talked about Hopper's life and how his work was different than most artists at the time. He painted things to look realistic in a time when abstract art was all the rage. He loved to paint boats and the ocean and other everyday scenes.<br /><br />I found the project in this AWESOME book. It is a great project that even Charlie (who is 4) loved. The finished project is totally frame worthy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh6l22h14REXMNJqJU1o5n2WhP4roNdW8didHKh3KV2_7j9V4K08VImkSJczu9z3a1ZlVgAOePajvGITgLPUeQyXQfRicgVJtrgc_yaRRj6aJClQI8atuH79LqzSsvmGspPopI8rYkhf4/s1600-h/GAAK.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh6l22h14REXMNJqJU1o5n2WhP4roNdW8didHKh3KV2_7j9V4K08VImkSJczu9z3a1ZlVgAOePajvGITgLPUeQyXQfRicgVJtrgc_yaRRj6aJClQI8atuH79LqzSsvmGspPopI8rYkhf4/s320/GAAK.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440138738919366290" border="0" /></a><br />First off I mounted drawing paper (not sketch) on a board. My makeshift "boards" were made<br />from free USPS shipping boxes cut in half. I used thick blue artist tape to tape the edges of the paper to the board, covering about an even strip around the edge to create a border when removed. I brought a ton of black permanent markers and told the kids to draw something emotional, something that would create a feeling. I had them name some feelings and then we asked them to tell us what they could draw.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-w0NQjwwcKldUEnyQCkYzPrU1z45FnJNNhJ67KuqOf2o4qftFF92lJk8NfiKkm20eAzyU6RkEXw8TbpTVsWS8lBz1yM2n7TDX2ljXxGtDAQOc1pYdeP2Q-sknXnuEQWZ-FkvXW6BNnBK/s1600-h/snow+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-w0NQjwwcKldUEnyQCkYzPrU1z45FnJNNhJ67KuqOf2o4qftFF92lJk8NfiKkm20eAzyU6RkEXw8TbpTVsWS8lBz1yM2n7TDX2ljXxGtDAQOc1pYdeP2Q-sknXnuEQWZ-FkvXW6BNnBK/s400/snow+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440141573568515842" border="0" /></a>We practiced it at home, like we always do, to test the time and mess factors that will be involved in the project.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsymxfp8qK2HDldouT_PhPlSm7wBdHTgPAwF57bL1X9HduVw1CfpYl2_N6DiauaMQYrYqfIPNtZTEvTX-WXej3DuUmVMC5o-gOr3K_TJWgUwr3znni5V4W8IC84M4Ne3-BtI_0JJtgWDV3/s1600-h/snow+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsymxfp8qK2HDldouT_PhPlSm7wBdHTgPAwF57bL1X9HduVw1CfpYl2_N6DiauaMQYrYqfIPNtZTEvTX-WXej3DuUmVMC5o-gOr3K_TJWgUwr3znni5V4W8IC84M4Ne3-BtI_0JJtgWDV3/s400/snow+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440141580008975826" border="0" /></a>Jack drew a dog and Charlie a happy face. Once they drew their main subject, we put the permanent markers away. I then had the kids color with some washable markers, letting them know that those colors would fade and spread out. Some kids colored with crayons too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxR_uj4mpi-42sXn-oP8n4UlUWNGxSLxJL0gZ2-FKxeMsLiyzvmaQDGyZ_snGJPOXtX5uW4dFjS7lclwvg1ZUzwZsNjAQuyYVZi2bVk0ly8Hh1Aud4iz4losp1VLmnMcu_LeWq_zEmvWL/s1600-h/snow+007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxR_uj4mpi-42sXn-oP8n4UlUWNGxSLxJL0gZ2-FKxeMsLiyzvmaQDGyZ_snGJPOXtX5uW4dFjS7lclwvg1ZUzwZsNjAQuyYVZi2bVk0ly8Hh1Aud4iz4losp1VLmnMcu_LeWq_zEmvWL/s400/snow+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440147242989274530" border="0" /></a><br />As the kids finished up I took them back to a table where I had watered down about 5 different colors of acrylic paint. I had them pick a color to represent the emotion they were showing in their picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckLDbCIoYv5kx4OkM_ZDItJekBEdubIfohZ1U0Xdy0RSco4EXo4UnKEqW89XU2b5dm2NsAPd_oc6Wenhqr-oD5WxNNy3O_WcKDXxLMJtKpmzgRO7coxIiEW6D3kqiK5ChNPyqAbs6zpC6/s1600-h/snow+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckLDbCIoYv5kx4OkM_ZDItJekBEdubIfohZ1U0Xdy0RSco4EXo4UnKEqW89XU2b5dm2NsAPd_oc6Wenhqr-oD5WxNNy3O_WcKDXxLMJtKpmzgRO7coxIiEW6D3kqiK5ChNPyqAbs6zpC6/s400/snow+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440141602173251074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Most kids chose 2-3 colors, but it was ok since they were really watered down. If they got too much water on the paper we used paper towels to dab up some. They liked the effects the wash had on the marker areas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3em9Wvem15jcTq8GvT4FVUPpMiCI3awAnFq7cWKU2bXV-M_xkPijbUff7iMRxmIUS_1dcydCWU4CZFWA6uViuJZD3_PtpMqZ4H91TCH3-ttbdKycY4Z92PF39eJDPypIJIKtxyhrvKip/s1600-h/snow+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3em9Wvem15jcTq8GvT4FVUPpMiCI3awAnFq7cWKU2bXV-M_xkPijbUff7iMRxmIUS_1dcydCWU4CZFWA6uViuJZD3_PtpMqZ4H91TCH3-ttbdKycY4Z92PF39eJDPypIJIKtxyhrvKip/s400/snow+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440141592853616498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWdTCxDsdq_E_zypwah1v6Bta7hqInU_pZNCOxV3gFzGmRDACgjpcc6i8pZceF9vtOab5GN0A7KU141F91RC_DJbUgq4jhvHw8FsvwsvB70g6-2j4lcqsjLFiTlG23741BF5Kcrtoygrj/s1600-h/snow+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWdTCxDsdq_E_zypwah1v6Bta7hqInU_pZNCOxV3gFzGmRDACgjpcc6i8pZceF9vtOab5GN0A7KU141F91RC_DJbUgq4jhvHw8FsvwsvB70g6-2j4lcqsjLFiTlG23741BF5Kcrtoygrj/s400/snow+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440141585404198050" border="0" /></a>The end results were so awesome. My husband actually thought that the dog Jack did was the print we were discussing!! I let the pictures dry in the hallway for a few hours and then removed the tape (carefully). There were so many cool different pieces.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M07_Uql3s1NECwWUqNMuPerCkCe_5h7hL82I_e3p2a1ZFIpk2Y0wF0-8gCovQyK4ArLJykSKTaonLXRkBgkRdBDJdhk9Hj4dzg6r3tZ5MVS7-JptuR_dbqzy98OG7rXVHOVbehSF6DzV/s1600-h/snow+012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M07_Uql3s1NECwWUqNMuPerCkCe_5h7hL82I_e3p2a1ZFIpk2Y0wF0-8gCovQyK4ArLJykSKTaonLXRkBgkRdBDJdhk9Hj4dzg6r3tZ5MVS7-JptuR_dbqzy98OG7rXVHOVbehSF6DzV/s400/snow+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440147235885636578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LOhPihWom-YPm_7xh6qDtxOFMDbHYIm6y7g6co-5vnRNsRZGd82EM_y87iYErxrsHgPdKJjjt6gl0nUHBtQqyMEiCyX7ABj06ph-BaMdOnCaV0ES7XUFrofe-ZcVfblisU8aw-EjFP85/s1600-h/snow+011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LOhPihWom-YPm_7xh6qDtxOFMDbHYIm6y7g6co-5vnRNsRZGd82EM_y87iYErxrsHgPdKJjjt6gl0nUHBtQqyMEiCyX7ABj06ph-BaMdOnCaV0ES7XUFrofe-ZcVfblisU8aw-EjFP85/s400/snow+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440147233115909730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41lLmeJB395x5SLN-dkF5crOEb5h6pV-d_j5-tMnvQZzxiqACr_2z3VNP9Y_qc7u23ZT025UF-UR3_m508Zgqu6Y0FZObI-5CoHtsaO_CR6ay7jRbt4EoZQv6FEY97U_lfKMeVsBJDwlj/s1600-h/snow+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41lLmeJB395x5SLN-dkF5crOEb5h6pV-d_j5-tMnvQZzxiqACr_2z3VNP9Y_qc7u23ZT025UF-UR3_m508Zgqu6Y0FZObI-5CoHtsaO_CR6ay7jRbt4EoZQv6FEY97U_lfKMeVsBJDwlj/s400/snow+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440147221106861714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAvegUOogwwI5jaAngc_cti_Q3CcBZi5WNt3eKip1Ty407wQgz5YyQYUL5jnR0PBAr9zYIy_rklfATBnHc3DcNfCkao9WpmrMLTVeiO0YDBDoSXo6GpZGpzFRVMNcmeMnV0phK1Btvbky/s1600-h/snow+009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAvegUOogwwI5jaAngc_cti_Q3CcBZi5WNt3eKip1Ty407wQgz5YyQYUL5jnR0PBAr9zYIy_rklfATBnHc3DcNfCkao9WpmrMLTVeiO0YDBDoSXo6GpZGpzFRVMNcmeMnV0phK1Btvbky/s400/snow+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440147217254804930" border="0" /></a><br />My kids pictures are hanging up in our house!Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-89958553311150963762010-01-17T16:57:00.000-08:002010-01-17T18:28:27.166-08:00A few yummy recipesWinter means lots of time indoors, which for us means stir crazy kids. I have been trying to include the kids in cooking or baking lately to keep their little hands and minds occupied. Here are a few recipes that the kids can help with and everyone can enjoy. These recipes are from my recipe box of hand me down recipes and I also consulted <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx">allrecipes.com</a> for more great ideas.<br /><br />Cranberry Almond Bread Pudding (thanks to Stephanie and Matt from the Rhythm Kitchen with help on this one).<br /><br />1 loaf of bread torn into bite size pieces (KIDS are great at this part)<br />8 eggs beaten<br />4 tablespoons butter melted<br />4 cups of milk<br />1 1/2 cups of sugar<br />2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />2 teaspoons vanilla<br />1 cup craisins<br />1/2 cup sliced almonds<br /><br />Preheat oven 350<br />Fill up a 9x13 pan with torn bread. Drizzle butter over bread. Combine milk, sugar,eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla. Pour over bread until it is saturated. Toss craisins and almonds over the top of the bread. Bake for 45 minutes. Test to make sure top is firm and springs back when touched. Mix up a sauce of butter and powdered sugar (roundabouts 1 stick butter 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon) to put on top for a little extra sweetness. Serve warm for dessert or breakfast.<br /><br />Yellow-jacket Cookies<br />1 box yellow cake mix (18.25 ounce)<br />1/2 cup rolled oats<br />1 tsp baking powder<br />2 eggs<br />2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted<br />1 cup semisweet chocolate chips<br />1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)<br /><br />Preheat over to 375. Mix dry ingredients. Make a well in the middle and add eggs and melted butter. Mix well. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. ENJOY! We took these cookies to a potluck and they were gone before we knew it! The kids loved being able to take credit for making them.<br /><br />More recipes to come! Enjoy baking with your kids this winter!Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-5580858388230290232009-10-26T07:03:00.000-07:002009-10-26T07:55:57.615-07:00Halloween Costumes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI3QOWt8r23ekRsFz5t7to9zPR5EDraOMyeZ8L2KDw7bsp7wM49FCrbvMGJVqibO2d4RKrnSPSJ3L02V81NnzlUssdDL8bKIoy-v-cwZaSe_3P3gjyD7xIwQHqP7_1TQQnat6YFeZ2hQb/s1600-h/halllloooo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI3QOWt8r23ekRsFz5t7to9zPR5EDraOMyeZ8L2KDw7bsp7wM49FCrbvMGJVqibO2d4RKrnSPSJ3L02V81NnzlUssdDL8bKIoy-v-cwZaSe_3P3gjyD7xIwQHqP7_1TQQnat6YFeZ2hQb/s400/halllloooo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921727492403506" border="0" /></a><br />How excited is everyone for halloween? cause at my house we definitely are! Halloween is like Christmas for us!<br /><br />I am making costumes for my boys and my husband and I. So far they are going well, I am almost done with the kids costumes. Last year I made the boys' costumes also-Spongebob and Patrick Star. I submitted their costumes to a c<a href="http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/coolest-homemade-spongebob-and-patrick-star-costumes-2.html">oolest homemade halloween costumes website</a>. There are tons of great ideas for halloween costumes there. Homemade costumes are my favorite! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10_MHQVRlvKZX8Lc4BA8OHlRAfOVuB97TFqqdBtPW6F1A2x87IU8w2d2BINhE1yHVgVaNg6eeBkJbArp2IDJrx1rmlGdYKrA3ygpFoDtC0C3ORfS_ThpNUEPr7HiIkh7nDXI9Qy_Vn9z8/s1600-h/fall-o-ween+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10_MHQVRlvKZX8Lc4BA8OHlRAfOVuB97TFqqdBtPW6F1A2x87IU8w2d2BINhE1yHVgVaNg6eeBkJbArp2IDJrx1rmlGdYKrA3ygpFoDtC0C3ORfS_ThpNUEPr7HiIkh7nDXI9Qy_Vn9z8/s400/fall-o-ween+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921722024475186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1WiHnWh9YNBFTlrrqupvKzrRmexETuzvmM-2nUuijNuiCLF54F2ElbDuQdqLTzWenjvKG8eoiGSjPyTc_Inj0BDkfBSdcb-lQMDg8xMCGy7dV9mGShoCBbVxEmwPyyJRnf3pOtGImKu7/s1600-h/fall-o-ween+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1WiHnWh9YNBFTlrrqupvKzrRmexETuzvmM-2nUuijNuiCLF54F2ElbDuQdqLTzWenjvKG8eoiGSjPyTc_Inj0BDkfBSdcb-lQMDg8xMCGy7dV9mGShoCBbVxEmwPyyJRnf3pOtGImKu7/s400/fall-o-ween+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921732888604002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTWjlz4pEBOrLOzXBhrEvGAhKUiTer0H0OztaaXyP42JPOs8gmPtWLbfuTcYCgfGsycD8RL5jB9-0ZzNGIncXKZVVBkTto30AFBOydCm1xgkzU6gloLBua6d-QY08QV6neGR1LwR2eIdL/s1600-h/fall-o-ween+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTWjlz4pEBOrLOzXBhrEvGAhKUiTer0H0OztaaXyP42JPOs8gmPtWLbfuTcYCgfGsycD8RL5jB9-0ZzNGIncXKZVVBkTto30AFBOydCm1xgkzU6gloLBua6d-QY08QV6neGR1LwR2eIdL/s400/fall-o-ween+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921713180239634" border="0" /></a><br />Last year our friends had some GREAT costumes. I am so excited to see what everyone comes up with this year.<br />So what are YOU going to be for Halloween? Are you making or buying your costume? What is the best costume you have seen?Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-40214775555523411852009-08-17T18:54:00.000-07:002009-08-20T20:40:26.564-07:00Yo Gabba Gabba T-Shirts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2So_2-s55Qrt-E_xug4IQLLiFq7zCiLW1agsbNlYy8bk2GrDtgWfgEQvaSvnJZ1P046oMxDpY5FnnCTL1cA1hV3kAOjuPX6QY2JNEdfLU6Txz1BL0GLWtf8JElyCFp1Hnhi-LL99XB37N/s1600-h/august-C+bday+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2So_2-s55Qrt-E_xug4IQLLiFq7zCiLW1agsbNlYy8bk2GrDtgWfgEQvaSvnJZ1P046oMxDpY5FnnCTL1cA1hV3kAOjuPX6QY2JNEdfLU6Txz1BL0GLWtf8JElyCFp1Hnhi-LL99XB37N/s400/august-C+bday+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372253467544503346" border="0" /></a><br />For Charlie's 4th birthday we decided to do a <a href="http://yogabbagabba.com/">Yo Gabba Gabba</a> theme. That should not surprise those of you who know me, I am as obsessed with that show as Charlie is (maybe more). There is nothing about that show that is NOT awesome....best kids show ever!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I have been working on some homemade decorations for the party for a month now. I had tons of ideas for party games, a cake, decorations and so on, many which I saw on <a href="http://www.gabbafriends.com/">Gabba Friends</a>. My main project was making t-shirts for all the kids attending the party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSmm_BJgw_2Xho17bjeDqI_l5cK30snm_QQW41_VJtvdYN_htOJACBzOOUdhg8NryLCOxtw311sP3UFttCxOop0xUGJB177DMlANGZ4L8R0DiGnNBiRarrvfMHx3iOsANQ4KMjvvjRmOg/s1600-h/august-C+bday+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSmm_BJgw_2Xho17bjeDqI_l5cK30snm_QQW41_VJtvdYN_htOJACBzOOUdhg8NryLCOxtw311sP3UFttCxOop0xUGJB177DMlANGZ4L8R0DiGnNBiRarrvfMHx3iOsANQ4KMjvvjRmOg/s320/august-C+bday+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372237727627167762" border="0" /></a>First I looked at the characters and made rough sketches for the shirts. I bought bright colored shirts at a local craft store, once I had polled the kids' parents for their shirt sizes and favorite characters. Each shirt was a basic color of the character- yellow (Plex), green (Brobee), Blue (Toodee), Pink (Foofa), and Red/Orange (Muno). That background color was their "body" and I painted each face on the shirt! I used freezer paper to make a face stencil, referencing my sketches for help. I cut out the areas that would be painted on, eyes, mouth, ears, or other distinguishable features.<br /><br />It is helpful to have a piece of cardboard or a t-shirt form (found at craft stores) to hold the shirt in place and to keep the paint from bleeding through. I used regular acrylic craft paint.<br />Placing the freezer paper stencil on the shirt (slick side down) where I wanted it, I ran a hot iron over the stencil to affix it to the shirt. You only have to hold down the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lxxaFzntYcpwLmuSbLjSY_Zl-a2_eUbksKNspslPM3_fHpga-jXCfompCJOdJngyvRXKqqb__WsqPiEUPzQPjynPcEL3C5vRc9h1C6Ff0FQL-YPB910mBPIFclE8EyOpzNwTF2Sx_l3t/s1600-h/august-C+bday+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lxxaFzntYcpwLmuSbLjSY_Zl-a2_eUbksKNspslPM3_fHpga-jXCfompCJOdJngyvRXKqqb__WsqPiEUPzQPjynPcEL3C5vRc9h1C6Ff0FQL-YPB910mBPIFclE8EyOpzNwTF2Sx_l3t/s320/august-C+bday+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372239118721396594" border="0" /></a> iron for a few seconds and the paper is lightly attached, it is super cool! Next I just painted in the eyes, noses, and mouths, and let those dry. The eyes took a few coats of white before the background was covered. When doing multiple coats, I stuck a paper towel between the shirt and cardboard to prevent it from gluing itself to the cardboard and ripping off once it dries (learned this the hard way). I let the shirts dry for a few hours, or overnight, then pulled off the stencil to reveal the face. Some things I hand-painted on, once the face was dry-pupils, teeth, flower accents. It took about 1 week to plan, get supplies, and then paint all the shirts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_LNTnL7TQNCn3zYiqOCI5B9Cu5iMoKgh43KmWo6S5AXWQPbGoS0n3xTDVWPAqJFBzrnZ8AihzbJMfF3vZnbrw2UzsUYQPu_r28TreDmXWOPGyFWwbAxWBECcUTirSw4MYfJDIlbTocsc/s1600-h/august-C+bday+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_LNTnL7TQNCn3zYiqOCI5B9Cu5iMoKgh43KmWo6S5AXWQPbGoS0n3xTDVWPAqJFBzrnZ8AihzbJMfF3vZnbrw2UzsUYQPu_r28TreDmXWOPGyFWwbAxWBECcUTirSw4MYfJDIlbTocsc/s320/august-C+bday+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372243569562904002" border="0" /></a>The birthday boy had Muno with a few extra accents!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgUQ-ZeN_LVkx6T1egVMOf-WcnP5LjJf-wSLAs_xoUucJnepWhqjN-n7VGL8jSNPRIsOBFeGrh3Yfg1mrnE7HjP3JCjWl1_YGLxXVMoC3QXZQZXUUPT5gkDMtRpsr24M5fnPkS6ojjVhe/s1600-h/august-C+bday+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgUQ-ZeN_LVkx6T1egVMOf-WcnP5LjJf-wSLAs_xoUucJnepWhqjN-n7VGL8jSNPRIsOBFeGrh3Yfg1mrnE7HjP3JCjWl1_YGLxXVMoC3QXZQZXUUPT5gkDMtRpsr24M5fnPkS6ojjVhe/s320/august-C+bday+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372243589749228898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHluMpeC3lI1yYIWqdLLL9daytX7JBQiRPe3pWVFNMopn2qv8jmOi6Dg4pnxr-vaC_cFASx8_Yrk07s_fFE1cK1zQ9n3oS4rvAPCpbDOPRdFlYvZA6vi6-jIJ_lUPdu1XwfzOsLJWuklW/s1600-h/august-C+bday+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHluMpeC3lI1yYIWqdLLL9daytX7JBQiRPe3pWVFNMopn2qv8jmOi6Dg4pnxr-vaC_cFASx8_Yrk07s_fFE1cK1zQ9n3oS4rvAPCpbDOPRdFlYvZA6vi6-jIJ_lUPdu1XwfzOsLJWuklW/s320/august-C+bday+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372246685499199730" border="0" /></a>Muno and Brobee were the most simple, and definitely the most hug-able.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGCbUJNHUZayPiVPmZJ40w4lBlX42iceXVAB_lhZ0wayaHcJ629OLMBm_bKmtjT2Cr0TsZ6PiewGdSJw3MeVuJ0bEx7mc-DD32l-wUDdMpcPGefsD_jq9aLlnJPeMv730Fd0akvA_PWY_/s1600-h/august-C+bday+004+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGCbUJNHUZayPiVPmZJ40w4lBlX42iceXVAB_lhZ0wayaHcJ629OLMBm_bKmtjT2Cr0TsZ6PiewGdSJw3MeVuJ0bEx7mc-DD32l-wUDdMpcPGefsD_jq9aLlnJPeMv730Fd0akvA_PWY_/s320/august-C+bday+004+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372246717990086738" border="0" /></a><br />Plex was the most complicated, but turned out super cool.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwr6HoaBkt0zjhKeMqzJ2MbWBHqyq6gYfWAIanuCFkAzhvbvJvawIG7DM3zPuq7TgnUm0GckcbOwbstVRShWIrIeCY_S9fycsoPf16qjozMLy9eXCFTXL8DgsnZLdAP3Oc5gpMSYGqv8P/s1600-h/3829137464_2b1ce89746_b+-+Copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwr6HoaBkt0zjhKeMqzJ2MbWBHqyq6gYfWAIanuCFkAzhvbvJvawIG7DM3zPuq7TgnUm0GckcbOwbstVRShWIrIeCY_S9fycsoPf16qjozMLy9eXCFTXL8DgsnZLdAP3Oc5gpMSYGqv8P/s320/3829137464_2b1ce89746_b+-+Copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372246707145939394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of the girls wanted Foofa, since she is PINK!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVLhLj4nFEJjw3Zrj7FeI-p_Xk__7Ao2tIipeuISFRmJHw72jwPsg_82-dGAYM0ZWl_l7XqLtmXKk40J-0o-Nt7oy8IeV0JHpvVPkoNGu7IO7UQA7-lS2yswK2BkWjBqvqhLRxF3PBE0V/s1600-h/august-C+bday+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVLhLj4nFEJjw3Zrj7FeI-p_Xk__7Ao2tIipeuISFRmJHw72jwPsg_82-dGAYM0ZWl_l7XqLtmXKk40J-0o-Nt7oy8IeV0JHpvVPkoNGu7IO7UQA7-lS2yswK2BkWjBqvqhLRxF3PBE0V/s320/august-C+bday+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372246692005318370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My oldest son wanted DJ Lance, so I improvised and hand painted him without a stencil.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n2f5lQ4LfEFnUNiFmGKeW_0H9XGWDkxQiZK4W__Wr929EUeOKE8XOO2xMJDjGkuE5-8q_PH-jXuvyD0NtdO1KKSxMq6Jhqilri2oH9OEMCPVRRmb2caKt76msPxB3hncZAGMPqvy6swY/s1600-h/august-C+bday+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n2f5lQ4LfEFnUNiFmGKeW_0H9XGWDkxQiZK4W__Wr929EUeOKE8XOO2xMJDjGkuE5-8q_PH-jXuvyD0NtdO1KKSxMq6Jhqilri2oH9OEMCPVRRmb2caKt76msPxB3hncZAGMPqvy6swY/s320/august-C+bday+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372246668358165826" border="0" /></a>My husband and I had to have shirts too, so I chose Toodee and he chose Muno (well I chose for him).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq5MYOgTYV9d-cgaEm0ty742k6ul-yBAe_JGiFgVrV4qzH_qbWRHS0dhG24h6vH-RtG9ADiyIZNTxA48S6eFETyC5ZBBL2XtE2MDJYvQQDCRdY4pgNmwf2dgozd8b3H_4CjFHsct5lMCY/s1600-h/august-C+bday+065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq5MYOgTYV9d-cgaEm0ty742k6ul-yBAe_JGiFgVrV4qzH_qbWRHS0dhG24h6vH-RtG9ADiyIZNTxA48S6eFETyC5ZBBL2XtE2MDJYvQQDCRdY4pgNmwf2dgozd8b3H_4CjFHsct5lMCY/s320/august-C+bday+065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372250620991452626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FSJOVxttwbM9zNJ10me7VY6hvLoY324p8H62__f5Oi9cP4lzbzvj55Lz3sB85OdRyA9lPu_RcOny_jZlwQcxzIw4fJJ3iqZplZXrtotUFBuh0Sm8-ZO_tmM7g9lPuMnfFbTMGw7rdENM/s1600-h/august-C+bday+050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FSJOVxttwbM9zNJ10me7VY6hvLoY324p8H62__f5Oi9cP4lzbzvj55Lz3sB85OdRyA9lPu_RcOny_jZlwQcxzIw4fJJ3iqZplZXrtotUFBuh0Sm8-ZO_tmM7g9lPuMnfFbTMGw7rdENM/s320/august-C+bday+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372250605199120098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I rolled up the shirts and tied them with a ribbon and name tag.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqj0qMKzHe75Gj967I0KsxW1qaIM6_Y44p8xUWsT1JUXnMc6JbdIDsEWQPzKb4B8zYj3tNO-y2gUzuIlwhyphenhyphenGy_TC3MObo1Qj4SBX_Z0NxAComydFNPttlgZQ6M0Q0WkUYPOPs0S2hi3cU/s1600-h/august-C+bday+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqj0qMKzHe75Gj967I0KsxW1qaIM6_Y44p8xUWsT1JUXnMc6JbdIDsEWQPzKb4B8zYj3tNO-y2gUzuIlwhyphenhyphenGy_TC3MObo1Qj4SBX_Z0NxAComydFNPttlgZQ6M0Q0WkUYPOPs0S2hi3cU/s320/august-C+bday+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372243603205970466" border="0" /></a>The shirts were a huge success, the kids and parents loved them. Made a great "treat" for the kids to all take home and enjoy.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3PXd7r8Myznu7LBuIjqxAUB2cZqJtL7sv4grZZ-rQEs_RUIteHNJJ5sLLIlh0UU85_VXWImruo2v0H-gYeJgmsnIfAZpaXy6uKi4NwW5_maoX0LOe3kW1Ev5Ck3QkDaCulXvh4RCjTAa/s1600-h/august-C+bday+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3PXd7r8Myznu7LBuIjqxAUB2cZqJtL7sv4grZZ-rQEs_RUIteHNJJ5sLLIlh0UU85_VXWImruo2v0H-gYeJgmsnIfAZpaXy6uKi4NwW5_maoX0LOe3kW1Ev5Ck3QkDaCulXvh4RCjTAa/s400/august-C+bday+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372252695066175410" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">RAZZLE DAZZLE!<br /></div><br /></div><br /></div>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-87604611265928863482009-05-26T09:08:00.000-07:002009-05-26T09:23:35.291-07:00Herb Gardens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdRru0Y6mtCeTyE2JgPM6t6KVxbQafVcdpqNSXQ6juOTdPsBct1ETcOKnn_ZyT1gMLiykNK0dgG9oCl48zlGUgQTPJwZulJUp1QqHsuRipokZQTxdMmlkMeNbJ2kkxipH1Wjc64OzDGgN/s1600-h/springsation+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdRru0Y6mtCeTyE2JgPM6t6KVxbQafVcdpqNSXQ6juOTdPsBct1ETcOKnn_ZyT1gMLiykNK0dgG9oCl48zlGUgQTPJwZulJUp1QqHsuRipokZQTxdMmlkMeNbJ2kkxipH1Wjc64OzDGgN/s320/springsation+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340167417686922818" border="0" /></a><br />For mothers day I prepared some herb gardens for the 2 main mothers in my life, my mom and mother in law. I bought the herb plants, each pot contained 3 plants, so I separated them. I also found the cute planters. You can get herbs at most farmers markets and local farms. This is a great time of the year to start one. They you just bring it inside when the weather gets cold and you have fresh herbs all year long. Don't forget to water them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGhnGuqtRX-KvWUQ6WsgK7ot6X2ULeWVjR5b45jyATl-cbKdle3UVEbpExgWM9FXA3oeZL8MaHIZlKnzBzkvJP-Vit8zmSKmKyGdOCoswjm5jZVx68YHDzykprYwgj9TcJUIwy4OQabi0/s1600-h/springsation+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGhnGuqtRX-KvWUQ6WsgK7ot6X2ULeWVjR5b45jyATl-cbKdle3UVEbpExgWM9FXA3oeZL8MaHIZlKnzBzkvJP-Vit8zmSKmKyGdOCoswjm5jZVx68YHDzykprYwgj9TcJUIwy4OQabi0/s320/springsation+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340167415409191202" border="0" /></a><br />The herb gardens turned out really cute, and I was excited to get them each something they did not already have. Each garden held basil, thyme, cilantro, and sage, which I labeled with some cardboard cutouts and permanent markers. I have been wanting an herb garden forever, so of course I made myself one too! They made great presents, I think it was probably around $20 for each garden. Here are a few more photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcjUx8HtAAiu2EzSr9CvmWWGtGeMya-DumwfSN8AUzvSD9YVlpdKBPeNUaMUjYkV5cDNwYKAIDOqXT26CBHRxTcHVh8GJ_s772bSwiAUhAjGj6p_qbt4a1xKtv9Al0IzryadP-uHfq4qu/s1600-h/springsation+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcjUx8HtAAiu2EzSr9CvmWWGtGeMya-DumwfSN8AUzvSD9YVlpdKBPeNUaMUjYkV5cDNwYKAIDOqXT26CBHRxTcHVh8GJ_s772bSwiAUhAjGj6p_qbt4a1xKtv9Al0IzryadP-uHfq4qu/s320/springsation+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340167412354074738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzPeH6oL6PCAWywJg2BVnEeGGtJ9jUDEoQQeQ55fSOEK8ogXu75bxfRbReE8xwTpN4XBsW9b6Ph8-L6KWP3FJgJRnfiStu6kTUABxp02wp_ljCJBeL1d3fXE_xq1YC6hRrjFwEtKqlAYo/s1600-h/springsation+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzPeH6oL6PCAWywJg2BVnEeGGtJ9jUDEoQQeQ55fSOEK8ogXu75bxfRbReE8xwTpN4XBsW9b6Ph8-L6KWP3FJgJRnfiStu6kTUABxp02wp_ljCJBeL1d3fXE_xq1YC6hRrjFwEtKqlAYo/s320/springsation+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340167402026159746" border="0" /></a><br />I also potted up a few aloe plants for my sister and sister in law. I figure those are pretty easy to care for and they are useful for minor scrapes and burns. They were under $8 for each plant and pot! Really affordable gifts!Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-33143392343297790992009-01-28T18:14:00.001-08:002009-01-28T18:49:19.324-08:00Andy Warhol- Picture Person Project<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/3234704383/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3234704383_469728938e.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /></div><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/3234704383/">boys testing out my art project for picture person</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cocomama/">cocomama1</a>.</span></div><p>Today I went to my son's kindergarten class as Picture Person, to talk about Andy Warhol. There were lots of artist's we could pick from, as Picture Person, and Andy Warhol was NOT one of them. I wanted to do him anyway, because he is one of my favorite artist's and my son really likes him too. So i searched around town and ended up calling our local museum, Lakeview. Even though they did not have a copy of the print I wanted, they were very nice and printed me a good color copy of the print, Grevy's Zebra, along with some info on it.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfN8e_6VHDcw8iDwHFVK8hKJKYQB7zIg3euZzDvL0rMNDdaqyAHjGA-yvzte4RvaQVkZqClDFZuVls-mNMoLO48J_Lovzm5eUOYYu_V0ZtZC0So8-zE00ND5JF1kn6mUi3m1bLBDmbkjF/s1600-h/WarholZebra.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfN8e_6VHDcw8iDwHFVK8hKJKYQB7zIg3euZzDvL0rMNDdaqyAHjGA-yvzte4RvaQVkZqClDFZuVls-mNMoLO48J_Lovzm5eUOYYu_V0ZtZC0So8-zE00ND5JF1kn6mUi3m1bLBDmbkjF/s320/WarholZebra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296536456563278802" border="0" /></a></p><p>For the project, I wanted to let the kids decorate their own Zebras. I traced a simplified version of the Zebra onto a thin piece of cardboard, then using am exacto-knife, I cut out a stencil. After the stencil was done I used white acrylic gesso and painted the image onto black paper.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ3nZnW2aSv0H9A2rpZkK0xJfSLzbDchOy30kGl2VSwC8u0cZEONAtR4za1XqdTnOs7Up0IwQ_YaBH06DtiLr1qrgBhReUmEtTzKWmmHvwqhhvmvxEY9-mWUZa2MybSBFWUSxUACvPynB/s1600-h/winter+blah+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ3nZnW2aSv0H9A2rpZkK0xJfSLzbDchOy30kGl2VSwC8u0cZEONAtR4za1XqdTnOs7Up0IwQ_YaBH06DtiLr1qrgBhReUmEtTzKWmmHvwqhhvmvxEY9-mWUZa2MybSBFWUSxUACvPynB/s320/winter+blah+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296535319194761746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcUeyQ7GlQ-6PO0kWv0uhl0FwqPCZJJdfZLAr8kW-fOI5xJ28gjusg_tMfOhQHI2awZdknXSSS-1SpEheT62mNPigkwSmrjLWpxqu6zdIJNINM41e8sgWI7CRzC28Gb9HiVyqTbzgmv7m/s1600-h/winter+blah+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcUeyQ7GlQ-6PO0kWv0uhl0FwqPCZJJdfZLAr8kW-fOI5xJ28gjusg_tMfOhQHI2awZdknXSSS-1SpEheT62mNPigkwSmrjLWpxqu6zdIJNINM41e8sgWI7CRzC28Gb9HiVyqTbzgmv7m/s320/winter+blah+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296535347357345650" border="0" /></a></p><p>Once the copies were dry, I let the kids test out their some different things on the paper. They tried multi-colored chalk, bright crayons, glitter glue, and bright colored puffy paint. Everything worked well except for glitter glue. Crayons showed up best on top of the white lines. The puffy paint really added a lot to zebra, traced along some of the white lines. We made sure and did the paint last. For an added texture effect we took a comb and went over some of the lines.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAd13a7K6IhX22UkoNBZ-N856U2hVT5q-P2MW3vVi_BiNJB26Z05s0VFuDXmOsRPuKJkrogma_Hf4BugBRvI2DSwKZPjK8WGdiCYG61GQbcU7Uxayexm74IJFc8yj8Yg7vtdB4Xo1q3kE/s1600-h/winter+blah+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAd13a7K6IhX22UkoNBZ-N856U2hVT5q-P2MW3vVi_BiNJB26Z05s0VFuDXmOsRPuKJkrogma_Hf4BugBRvI2DSwKZPjK8WGdiCYG61GQbcU7Uxayexm74IJFc8yj8Yg7vtdB4Xo1q3kE/s320/winter+blah+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296535360576506354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ52OMickFPFr7k11riTu59YRray_52MowH8oH_yPjQpjXESwU9Zi4zDTHbp7NJjuwatB9BB11GNpIpDZj9YCQb-Qai_XbEmlNdhXlaxY0HNLUWron7oYhrQtciGBVAcNOt76ujLwi8nWY/s1600-h/winter+blah+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ52OMickFPFr7k11riTu59YRray_52MowH8oH_yPjQpjXESwU9Zi4zDTHbp7NJjuwatB9BB11GNpIpDZj9YCQb-Qai_XbEmlNdhXlaxY0HNLUWron7oYhrQtciGBVAcNOt76ujLwi8nWY/s320/winter+blah+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296535353071095746" border="0" /></a></p><p>Here is the end result. The kids in my son's kindergarten class really enjoyed this project!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eGKeKrxarC4olTP1HjBS1PAozXRnrHXViT2Ku1aPrQ5xk1RSFWsHPMumDMwtPA_iAu_0JCWmr8HqUX8ZRa32bvaV3NlGnZrwKtURot7DlisAvBKmia1YR6lQDhGgMSuoDVsiycWVJ5uN/s1600-h/winter+blah+009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eGKeKrxarC4olTP1HjBS1PAozXRnrHXViT2Ku1aPrQ5xk1RSFWsHPMumDMwtPA_iAu_0JCWmr8HqUX8ZRa32bvaV3NlGnZrwKtURot7DlisAvBKmia1YR6lQDhGgMSuoDVsiycWVJ5uN/s320/winter+blah+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296535364669351506" border="0" /></a></p>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-13043893480625180772009-01-26T07:39:00.000-08:002009-01-26T08:25:13.948-08:00Multiple child family portrait<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklP2zFW6u7ZZ8nQnwMKWjtEcL2SDfrhbC4jXdySubde_cwEWpsufvQgR9a-bhZ2n_sPW7wvigY9f9g4HIMAFuY3CwEJAnFlh5SP3ZNADmC_mewh4F9wHVaZgKQep3_r2ZdlKoNBxjDQZj/s1600-h/creations+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklP2zFW6u7ZZ8nQnwMKWjtEcL2SDfrhbC4jXdySubde_cwEWpsufvQgR9a-bhZ2n_sPW7wvigY9f9g4HIMAFuY3CwEJAnFlh5SP3ZNADmC_mewh4F9wHVaZgKQep3_r2ZdlKoNBxjDQZj/s320/creations+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295637620329016002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">11 grandkids!<br /><br /></div>This past holiday I did a portrait commission for a friend of mine. She wanted a portrait of all the grandchildren in her family, for her mother. This is meant putting 11 kids from 11 different photos into one 18 x 24 sheet of paper. We went through the photos and picked out the best ones of each child. Then i scanned each one, cropped I started by lightly (almost invisibly) sketching the shape of each head onto the paper, just to get the space divided evenly, and making sure I can make them all fit proportionally.<br /><br />Honestly as portraits go, this is one of the hardest thing to do, in my opinion. Taking different photos and combining them into one portrait offers many options, but also lots of challenges. Photos are often different sizes, colors, and light/dark levels. This is one reason that i scan each photo and then adjust the contrast, color, and crop them to make them each a little more similar. It is easier for me to see the drawing boundaries when the photo is cropped, otherwise I often draw too large.<br /><br />The last 2 portrait commissions I have done, have both been like this. They have turned out well, though I still like a couple portrait or single child portrait, they are just simpler projects.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwgtrSvvlW55aaEeUH0DB7lIY_V9YL2hzXgvYdkECESimTl1ZaNc6eMvYSK6Mh97cDba_h3kTMYnVORPEfzNdPPkFHIIr7gumq2HXy8SABp4N_j045FARdWbzauUlg-YbEcoR07A5y9cq/s1600-h/8+gradkids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwgtrSvvlW55aaEeUH0DB7lIY_V9YL2hzXgvYdkECESimTl1ZaNc6eMvYSK6Mh97cDba_h3kTMYnVORPEfzNdPPkFHIIr7gumq2HXy8SABp4N_j045FARdWbzauUlg-YbEcoR07A5y9cq/s320/8+gradkids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295637625178380610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">8 Grandkids<br /></div>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-18955894723972755812009-01-15T11:51:00.000-08:002009-01-15T12:27:31.573-08:00Mr. Panda Crochet Pattern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAWBYDCJCIPGkRpml9gurQnNJjvfWXG97HUqPNAziBQDvMs7Ob4KPrsUDebvfnOfPnLToiFUzzjK7rswerG2KIvtAhvIK8MFP0R-vf4l5XqslerVfjJU68cp913cekpBJjk1YFZ-lKvXy/s1600-h/creations+009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAWBYDCJCIPGkRpml9gurQnNJjvfWXG97HUqPNAziBQDvMs7Ob4KPrsUDebvfnOfPnLToiFUzzjK7rswerG2KIvtAhvIK8MFP0R-vf4l5XqslerVfjJU68cp913cekpBJjk1YFZ-lKvXy/s200/creations+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291612998845261890" border="0" /></a><div class="notes markdown"> <p><br /></p><p>This is the first pattern I am putting out there for people to use! Hopefully it is well written and it turns out for you, like it did for me. Feel free to add comments or questions. If you see a mistake please let me know!<br /></p><p>It is pretty basic amigurumi style animal. The parts are all separate and you have to sew them together at the end.<br /></p><p>1 skein white worsted weight yarn</p><p>1/2 skein black worsted weight yarn</p><p>F (3.75mm)hook, yarn needle, poly-fil stuffing, 2 safety eyes, 1 safety nose-you could also use buttons, or felt shapes and embroider those on if you are planning to give this to a baby or young child. </p><p>Head<br />sc 5 into magic ring<br />mark first stitch to indicate beginning round<br />2 sc in each stitch around (10)<br />(sc 1, 2sc into next stitch)around (15)<br />(sc 2, 2sc into next stitch) around (20)<br />(sc 3, 2sc into next stitch) around (25)<br />(sc 4, 2 sc into next stitch) around (30)<br />(sc 5, 2 sc into next stitch) around (35)<br />sc around<br />(sc 6, 2 sc into next stitch) around (40)<br />sc around 6 rounds<br />(sc 6, sc2tog) around (35)<br />sc around<br />(sc 5, sc2tog) around (30)<br />(sc 4, sc2tog) around (25)<br />(sc 3, sc2tog) around (20)<br />(sc 2, sc2tog) around (15)<br />(sc, sc2tog) around (10)<br />(sc2 tog) around (5)<br />fasten off. leave long tail for sewing head to body.</p> <p>Body<br />sc 5 into magic ring<br />2 sc in each stitch around (10)<br />place marker to mark 1st stitch<br />(sc 1, 2sc into next stitch)around (15)<br />(sc 2, 2sc into next stitch) around (20)<br />(sc 3, 2sc into next stitch) around (25)<br />(sc 4, 2 sc into next stitch) around (30)<br />(sc 5, 2 sc into next stitch) around (35)<br />(sc 6, 2 sc into next stitch) around (40)<br />next 2 rounds~ sc around (40)<br />(sc 7, 2 sc into next stitch) around (45)<br />next 6 ROUNDS sc around<br />(sc 7, sc2tog) around (40)<br />next 2 rounds sc around<br />(sc 6, sc2tog) around (35)<br />(sc 5, sc2tog) around (30)<br />(sc 4, sc2tog) around (25)<br />(sc 3, sc2tog) around (20)<br />(sc 2, sc2tog) around (15)<br />(sc, sc2tog) around (10)<br />(sc2 tog) around (5)</p> <p>Arms<br />with black-<br />sc 4 into magic ring<br />(sc1, 2 sc into next stitch) until you have 12 stitches<br />place marker to begin round<br />next 4 rounds sc around<br />(sc2, 2sc into the next stitch) around 16<br />sc around 12 rounds<br />fashion off using slip stitch. leave tail for attaching to body and sewing shut.<br />Stuff half full.<br />sew shut before attaching to body</p> <p>Legs (make 2)<br />with black<br />5 sc into magic ring<br />2sc into each stitch around (10)<br />(1sc, 2sc into next stitch) around (15)<br />(2sc, 2sc into next stitch) around (20)<br />next 5 rounds sc around<br />(2sc, 2 sc tog) around (15)<br />sc around next 9 rounds<br />fashion off leaving a tail</p> <p>Eyes (make 2)<br />with white-4 sc into magic ring<br />with black- 2sc in each stitch around (8)<br />(1sc, 2sc into next stitch)around (12)<br />(2 sc, 2sc into next stitch) around (16)<br />fashion off, leave tail to sew onto head<br />add safety eye to center of the circle<br />make sure it is securely attached</p> <p>Ears, make 2<br />4 sc into magic circle<br />(2 sc in next stitch)around(8)<br />(2 sc in next stitch) around (16)<br />(2 sc in next stitch) around (32)<br />sc around<br />fashion off, leave long tail for sewing.<br />fold circle in half and using yarn needle sew together around around circle<br />sew straight edge to head over eyes</p> <p>mouth/nose<br />with white<br />sc 4 into magic ring<br />2 sc in each stitch around (8)<br />(1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch)around (12)<br />(2sc, 2sc in next stitch) around (16)<br />(3sc, 2sc in next stitch) around (20)<br />attach safety nose or embroider it and mouth<br />stuff lightly if you want to<br />sew mouth to face</p> <p>tail<br />sc 4 into magic ring<br />2sc in each stitch (8)<br />(1sc, 2sc in next stitch)around (12)<br />sc around next 2 rounds<br />fashion off, leave tail<br />sew to body<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zdI2QOGzPWdFFN1D4NNr7JOt3MdHiBmuXdXYFo2OumXEalIny5LRgepGZv0lVpurlH1XR2jAzQ4zXw6Oe7Rg2NafSx3ILA3rB5Ih4LQh5hXixH8KfdgvOGx2cQGk6h2Thnv6nsWeVNr_/s1600-h/creations+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zdI2QOGzPWdFFN1D4NNr7JOt3MdHiBmuXdXYFo2OumXEalIny5LRgepGZv0lVpurlH1XR2jAzQ4zXw6Oe7Rg2NafSx3ILA3rB5Ih4LQh5hXixH8KfdgvOGx2cQGk6h2Thnv6nsWeVNr_/s200/creations+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291613007431752194" border="0" /></a></p> </div>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-14668315823417258232008-12-10T20:54:00.000-08:002008-12-10T21:10:11.388-08:00projects....So I hope everyone is keeping busy and warm this chilly December.<br /><br />Lots going on in our house....<br />of course we are preparing for Christmas, which means I have been making some handmade gifts as usual. Crochet is my poision this year. So far I have 5 scarves, a few critters, & a baby doll finished. I am working on the final scarf and a guitar strap for my hubby (shhhhhhhhh).<br /><br />Also I am working on a portrait commission for a girl I work with. She is giving to her mother for Christmas and there are 11 grandkids in it from 11 different photos. I have until January 2nd to get this done....and I am about 1/3 of the way done.. So I have a lot to do! I was thinking of doing a portrait for my parents, but may have to hit JC Penney's for a christmas photo of the kids instead.<br />One can only draw so fast!<br /><br />Here are a few of the crochet patterns I have been utilizing~<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-skein-scarf">one skein scarf</a><br /><a href="http://1craftyboy.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/okey-dokey/">queen anne's lace scarf</a><br /><a href="http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/bitty-babies/">bitty baby</a><br /><br />And here is Charlie modeling the hat I made for Jack's birthday~<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3047576871_4ef385d0e4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3047576871_4ef385d0e4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />complete with earflaps<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3048415346_ff54cfaf49.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3048415346_ff54cfaf49.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>it turned out a lil big...can't remember where i found the pattern. Im sure it is on knitting pattern central under earflap hat or something.<br /><br />HAPPY HOLIDAYS!<br />ps<br />a few of my own pattern designs coming in January!Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-29928239432040695642008-11-21T07:51:00.001-08:002008-11-21T08:36:39.469-08:00crochet madness<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/3030054504/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3030054504_6accdf6c57.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/3030054504/">lurkey</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cocomama/">cocomama1</a>.</span></div><p>It's been a while since I have blogged here, and the reason is that I have been crocheting my fingers to the bone. Along with the holidays I also have my son and nephew's birthdays approaching, and all of these things call for HANDMADE GIFTS!<br /><br />Before this summer I called myself a knitter. I taught myself to knit a few years ago and have made a handful of hats, bags, socks, wrist-warmers, baby items and critters. I was never all that confident in my knitting skills, though I got to the point where I could knit and watch tv, without staring at my hands.<br /><br />This summer I really got into AMIGURUMI style of crochet. I bought a book, and taught myself the basics of Ami crochet and crochet in general. I am really loving it. I use the website <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">RAVELRY</a> a lot, it has tons of patterns and links to crochet/knit tutorials. The crochet projects use a lot more yarn than knitting, but they are much faster. I like the look of the critters also. I am just starting to stray from critters to wearable crochet: scarves, hats, etc... I figure adults will like wearable crochet items as gifts this Christmas rather than a stuffed critter. So if you are in my family, or you are one of my close friends, please let me know the color of your winter coat! <br /><br />The other day I ran into my grandma at the craft store. She is a crocheter. She has been crocheting for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite memories is getting all kinds of hand crocheted Barbie clothes, as a kid. She would make use the coolest little clothes and accessories. It is nice to have another thing in common with my maternal grandmother, and also someone to call when I run into an unfamiliar stitch or pattern.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving (almost everyone!) here is the link to the crochet pattern for the cute little ami turkey~ <a href="http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2006/11/07/gobble-gobble/">http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2006/11/07/gobble-gobble/</a></p><p>The above link has tons of great free crochet and knit patterns! I also made the Bitty Baby for my niece for Christmas!<br /></p>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054622065970003144.post-15543455891443084402008-10-19T07:39:00.001-07:002008-10-19T07:46:39.883-07:00fall is in the air<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/2949725842/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2949725842_dcba32c39a.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a></div><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocomama/2949725842/">halloween fall display</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cocomama/">cocomama1</a>.</span></div><p>I get really excited for fall mostly because of Halloween. It is great to go to the local farm and pick out some pumpkins, gourds, and mums, then throwing them into a cool little display. I am always in awe of those great fall displays in Martha Stewart magazines and other publications. So this year I put out a few pumpkins and gourds and random little spooky trinkets on this little wire rack thing. I planted my 3 little mums in these skull pirate trick or treat buckets that I had leftover from my son's Pirate Birthday party last November.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd96lWStl-i7TjDcJuLs8pBMNqyDEZQ9UsKrY7XdLmO0JbMKWvTjqWtvN1KvOKg8ROlEF166RlUhwSoR61wvZZYCOeNV63H4kHLMGb0XjAWKJjOFXFbnWYXcutINMWt0bS7jkn4HA0qLq/s1600-h/Isbel+wedding+012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd96lWStl-i7TjDcJuLs8pBMNqyDEZQ9UsKrY7XdLmO0JbMKWvTjqWtvN1KvOKg8ROlEF166RlUhwSoR61wvZZYCOeNV63H4kHLMGb0XjAWKJjOFXFbnWYXcutINMWt0bS7jkn4HA0qLq/s320/Isbel+wedding+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258875489975206994" border="0" /></a>I highly advise everyone to take advantage of after Halloween sales and use whatever you find for theme parties, birthdays, kids gifts and save some stuff for halloween next year. It is the best surprise to get out your Halloween stuff and find some surprise decorations you bought and put away!</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakfdiUjCtrjufPqm_AqBJQ2gXnZZfpHrdEZbgLjOsS3SbqMVTojtkhMdxVOsnQ2Nd8yupi6t9kaq-QtJ5sAvQ9WKVwWjqEB8VEuQRl7nCqS9RHdg0uRv_iuUuuJFHo1egD_m1RgzIcUqZ/s1600-h/Isbel+wedding+013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakfdiUjCtrjufPqm_AqBJQ2gXnZZfpHrdEZbgLjOsS3SbqMVTojtkhMdxVOsnQ2Nd8yupi6t9kaq-QtJ5sAvQ9WKVwWjqEB8VEuQRl7nCqS9RHdg0uRv_iuUuuJFHo1egD_m1RgzIcUqZ/s320/Isbel+wedding+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258875478356952226" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p>Mama Niccicocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694339787894148215noreply@blogger.com0