tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786655870995720742024-02-19T01:10:24.012-08:00TangarangKira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-41891397222006291782012-04-18T19:38:00.000-07:002012-04-18T19:38:55.561-07:00oh yeah!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9zNIfHr6f75mZTwPUyOLbNttz8iQ9IA8qiHap5pd-poMKNVcYlvyxdKnq4MpIDy-kDMMAa5EB3CBSk70hldtXKXFwKdCfMzPP9qeSW_GLmISX9qvqgQPAZWrGjt5NzimbPJOpk5GsN0/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9zNIfHr6f75mZTwPUyOLbNttz8iQ9IA8qiHap5pd-poMKNVcYlvyxdKnq4MpIDy-kDMMAa5EB3CBSk70hldtXKXFwKdCfMzPP9qeSW_GLmISX9qvqgQPAZWrGjt5NzimbPJOpk5GsN0/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-65919126800608931832011-12-07T14:33:00.000-08:002011-12-07T14:33:15.494-08:00Bah Humbug!...and this would be the diy holiday gift that is <i><b>so</b></i> not going to plan... (hopefully plan-G will work a little better). I've been through candlesticks, cake-stands, ornaments and more glitter than you can imagine....<br />
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I'd feel better if Plan-H was baking, but I'm the worst cookie maker in the world. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LqeqHAfYPLcjj-oimkjltnhyphenhyphenVvwHd-bRJS_3g0bNQRzKVVl82lKQdeQJZVCD7_-_QKs_5cAkukQKezDAT44sz8NntZsqlMoEX_yaaJsqsxmByy5_vmGDQJbiQr-lyztyGs7gpIcZ50M/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LqeqHAfYPLcjj-oimkjltnhyphenhyphenVvwHd-bRJS_3g0bNQRzKVVl82lKQdeQJZVCD7_-_QKs_5cAkukQKezDAT44sz8NntZsqlMoEX_yaaJsqsxmByy5_vmGDQJbiQr-lyztyGs7gpIcZ50M/s640/DSC_0074.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(it looked really fantastic in my imagination...really)</td></tr>
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</div>I've totally lost my craft-mojo; not a good time.<br />
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BAH HUMBUG!Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-8235626442748689182011-11-15T13:56:00.000-08:002011-11-16T12:50:13.005-08:0040th Birthday Party DeetsAnd yes, I'm still cleaning up... I don't have a ton of pictures ~ I was having too much fun dancing with a bunch of thirty-and-forty-somethings in my living room!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj3Mskjsb_DHsNxDkGWoJLGXgntwn6rIwjxEK6gCT_fpYzvx6bKar6fRJjCzP-0NNCyJ5vlx-K0plQKpLUVIWa2G0gmR5W2v1y8B3rekAVDSYUn3ljRG417FrBRWsJzn5mXggSAvEwqk/s1600/DSC_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj3Mskjsb_DHsNxDkGWoJLGXgntwn6rIwjxEK6gCT_fpYzvx6bKar6fRJjCzP-0NNCyJ5vlx-K0plQKpLUVIWa2G0gmR5W2v1y8B3rekAVDSYUn3ljRG417FrBRWsJzn5mXggSAvEwqk/s640/DSC_0067.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">the girls getting ready for our photo-booth with neon fingerless net gloves & other 80s accessories</span></i><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But I did want to share some of the fun details and give you the printables that I made to go with the 80s theme.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Invitations</b>: I made a simple <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/72827888/80s-Blank-Invite">mixed-tape</a> invitation from some clip-art that you can fill-in by hand (or if you want a type-in version, post a comment and I can send it to you).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwNrCZcFh3uRfDNIxULOiVl4RIu0yYFhix0yiOw6PoiSrnNqJYQpSbxNN4XyBgOiwM4jMlwkbmH8w8LXcbwDBjmPaCs06O8Meh36DDB0sFWYvj4Ji8NBxLV8dBR3KNax7wcZVqtFsUEM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-15+at+12.21.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwNrCZcFh3uRfDNIxULOiVl4RIu0yYFhix0yiOw6PoiSrnNqJYQpSbxNN4XyBgOiwM4jMlwkbmH8w8LXcbwDBjmPaCs06O8Meh36DDB0sFWYvj4Ji8NBxLV8dBR3KNax7wcZVqtFsUEM/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-15+at+12.21.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Decorations</b>: I didn't do a whole lot in the way of decorating, just some tiny <a href="http://party411.makesparties.com/Catalog.aspx?intDisplayableCategoryID=3478&intDisplayableProductID=73999">disco balls</a> in the windows with some hideous hot pink zebra print fabric & neon tulle draped here & there. I did find a great deal on three small party lights; and let me tell ya what happens with a bunch of moms, Just Dance on the Wii and a tiny party light...well, maybe I shouldn't tell you...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmJ4Dyixfxad2HH3y6EEahfT4M4TzSHwCDb1R3MN3NHXnCFILhxTQ271UbY2Gtmrh8XiaXBia2g_NzbA2pEpmlHUOMf6t8rMXahke1ENz7JIqAUWo9su4kuRH8JXn-ITESRqUP9V42c0/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmJ4Dyixfxad2HH3y6EEahfT4M4TzSHwCDb1R3MN3NHXnCFILhxTQ271UbY2Gtmrh8XiaXBia2g_NzbA2pEpmlHUOMf6t8rMXahke1ENz7JIqAUWo9su4kuRH8JXn-ITESRqUP9V42c0/s640/DSC_0054.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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I also melted some records to use as bowls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CqC5HanycS1Tomwj5_L2jAdxJLnY0uCv61l6ix5QCemGqvH0EU88DV3wJUh1KaKB3o6OvDvxeyZvoFbicSAUWXeiQQvKFhzvncKEMmHHIaJ3ujtXHvfauNyhBJRQCiKHQ8fWJ-cmd74/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CqC5HanycS1Tomwj5_L2jAdxJLnY0uCv61l6ix5QCemGqvH0EU88DV3wJUh1KaKB3o6OvDvxeyZvoFbicSAUWXeiQQvKFhzvncKEMmHHIaJ3ujtXHvfauNyhBJRQCiKHQ8fWJ-cmd74/s640/DSC_0065.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>to make your own: heat oven to 200 degrees, place record over metal bowl for 8 - 10 minutes. Shape.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>Food</b>: I had two tables that I covered with neon-paint-spattered white tablecloths. For the dessert table I went all out 7-Eleven: fun-dips, pop-rocks, blow-pops, pixie-sticks, red vines, twinkies & ho-hos, etc... And a friend surprised me with this hysterical Birthday Cake...Hello-40!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRq3dM2c0YR965PucGmiJCZz7EGJl_ApIOWNfjVGLLbXAp8mf8owCiSQvDC2bibBl2Z8qKu50uyOg3Zg65K3HbK_nUqFcqIWTY-KkfLO2xPeg6BkNGimDdCDDlO_BamRJow-9d1bTVMpY/s1600/DSC_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRq3dM2c0YR965PucGmiJCZz7EGJl_ApIOWNfjVGLLbXAp8mf8owCiSQvDC2bibBl2Z8qKu50uyOg3Zg65K3HbK_nUqFcqIWTY-KkfLO2xPeg6BkNGimDdCDDlO_BamRJow-9d1bTVMpY/s640/DSC_0060.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuR6-TMooz3Q4eO4JY2qR6iOTj5lQywisRzV6dzgW-Fp_f5ARJqkjAyQMl_0ojP0xZxNmss5M3ksiSlgVSUYJOfBSDspAwVVZ_-RAuuSAkU1Xb2d9IDX1HtGW9HozNYPdJyV55HTIS7kA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-14+at+10.47.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuR6-TMooz3Q4eO4JY2qR6iOTj5lQywisRzV6dzgW-Fp_f5ARJqkjAyQMl_0ojP0xZxNmss5M3ksiSlgVSUYJOfBSDspAwVVZ_-RAuuSAkU1Xb2d9IDX1HtGW9HozNYPdJyV55HTIS7kA/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-14+at+10.47.12+AM.png" width="430" /></a></div><br />
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For the other table I made goat cheese-stuffed turkey sliders with an amazing roasted pepper relish, veggie-burger-sliders with fontina, french fries & sweet potato fries with a bunch of dipping sauces (curry-ketchup, rosemary aioli, cranberry-gorgonzola, etc...)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Y40WG1fDH6pKIeJNOh45owKWu5mDEd60TElVsFu611ZIPAYqRImP-GvuBMCW8YSK6miY_lUNpoke-53U_JYJpCTDeLofxDvJCMrq2Y3iE3eaBIL_pucPx8OAU7jIy1ahHBi9ubm_qM/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Y40WG1fDH6pKIeJNOh45owKWu5mDEd60TElVsFu611ZIPAYqRImP-GvuBMCW8YSK6miY_lUNpoke-53U_JYJpCTDeLofxDvJCMrq2Y3iE3eaBIL_pucPx8OAU7jIy1ahHBi9ubm_qM/s640/DSC_0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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And for cocktails I made <b><a href="http://www.drinkswap.com/blow-pop.htm">Blow-Pop Martinis</a></b> and one brilliant mama brought the makings for the "She Blinded Me with Science" martini (recipe at the end of post).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6Z2xt23atmRBsDHFKgO3gihqvSOdLvgkQTUG9ivcFQR_AUIWjFjf2PmsYTpfJk_qiOMLThlEAsCadXgCVjwAAvtU4dpYi_b6g5MDzRLkPVEQLeNCFEIa_gYaOsLzsDT2c4s01z-CNRM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-14+at+10.48.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6Z2xt23atmRBsDHFKgO3gihqvSOdLvgkQTUG9ivcFQR_AUIWjFjf2PmsYTpfJk_qiOMLThlEAsCadXgCVjwAAvtU4dpYi_b6g5MDzRLkPVEQLeNCFEIa_gYaOsLzsDT2c4s01z-CNRM/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-14+at+10.48.46+AM.png" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>She-Blinded-Me-with-Science-Martini</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I also made a few <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/72829132/80s-Party">80s printables</a> like these candy vase labels, drink tags, and favor-bag tags. Here are a few for your next 80s night. (The favor bags included: leg warmers, neon fingerless-net-gloves, lip-smacker lip gloss, 80s earrings, a ring pop, a Jem pin, and a ribbon barrette!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJsLhQFifurud3eXt9VZwI9nPFXe-OPK8Vfj-TPCr6Vido8Lmy6PsIcr-IjNrJ3dPmwQlF7VPupdy5XO6uedQAUVB2PeDQa3TmblFiKNwwr2fCaTveAehyphenhyphen7tKG6SGbz5pYvRZwqSW_Ug/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJsLhQFifurud3eXt9VZwI9nPFXe-OPK8Vfj-TPCr6Vido8Lmy6PsIcr-IjNrJ3dPmwQlF7VPupdy5XO6uedQAUVB2PeDQa3TmblFiKNwwr2fCaTveAehyphenhyphen7tKG6SGbz5pYvRZwqSW_Ug/s640/DSC_0054.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">"She Blinded Me with Science Martini" Recipe (for one serving)</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">4-5 </span></span></i></span><a href="http://www.orientalsuper-mart.com/ourstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33&products_id=401&zenid=c6a5764c1285647e260025db57e438e7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">tapioca pearls</span></span></i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> in green & black (available at your local asian grocery)</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">shot of vodka</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2 shots of prosecco</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">for a reddish hue: shot of black currant liquor or for a neon-lime hue: shot of sour apple pucker schnapps</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Place tapioca pearls in bottom of a martini glass.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Add all other ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Pour into glass.</span></span></i></span></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-6112801742871401622011-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:002011-11-14T13:56:56.042-08:00Cootie Catcher Party FavorI'm still cleaning up the after-math of my "Totally-Awesome-80s-Dance-40th-Birthday-Party". <br />
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I have a bunch of fun 80s printables for you, recipes (hello martinis two ways: "Blow-Pop" or "She Blinded Me with Science"), decoration ideas, easy favors, activities, a simple but "totally rad" dessert table plan and a chic make-ahead menu.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSIK-z4hqrGrY05gTw8SuWHMtoZYSDZxnYbreVUaHI8gBqNFIudWDFO4r12V8976XyhhmdXlfMWoFplzIlIdoKheQPpgpCgsTAS-GeEmSfENwyrrd5Ci8IOMYIBSnflNG193mBxAmMdA/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSIK-z4hqrGrY05gTw8SuWHMtoZYSDZxnYbreVUaHI8gBqNFIudWDFO4r12V8976XyhhmdXlfMWoFplzIlIdoKheQPpgpCgsTAS-GeEmSfENwyrrd5Ci8IOMYIBSnflNG193mBxAmMdA/s640/DSC_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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But to start, I made these fun 80s cootie-catchers. Here's my <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/72726701/Cootie-Catcher">cootie-catcher</a> template download, or you can make your own by tracing the guidelines and adding your own spin...truth or dare anyone? (Or you can simply take an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper and fold one corner down to make a square and draw your own...c'mon we did it in 5th grade EVERY DAY!)<br />
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And since it took me a while to remember how to fold those darned things, I thought a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/72726701/Cootie-Catcher">DIY cootie catcher</a> tutorial might be in order.<br />
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1. print cootie-catcher template (or cut a square of paper)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfPJRfvjOBCoE0U04oTQU7pUiO5giSU1_KVy3_AgWGN_krVm5_8HVtXAz98NR4tMZhpH0np02ulZsGmFY222a2QCQQ7XbPiFrhIDWEk7EwF9UJNB2donK2oSCcsQ4JBipYY89mFLZydE/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfPJRfvjOBCoE0U04oTQU7pUiO5giSU1_KVy3_AgWGN_krVm5_8HVtXAz98NR4tMZhpH0np02ulZsGmFY222a2QCQQ7XbPiFrhIDWEk7EwF9UJNB2donK2oSCcsQ4JBipYY89mFLZydE/s640/DSC_0055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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2. fold diagonally, corner to corner. Un-fold, and repeat with other corner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AI93PHWRj1MsUxHpPxvF3YQeGx06EAz8OOWc51UJj_d7WYbAZdLX_MhBxe1SiiWoZEHug5YPFLT-QC5xqRAq784ZJWzh_Ht1dxtHtPWNNxiK3VAzp5qiXCkow9F-USncA9NhbEBklSA/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AI93PHWRj1MsUxHpPxvF3YQeGx06EAz8OOWc51UJj_d7WYbAZdLX_MhBxe1SiiWoZEHug5YPFLT-QC5xqRAq784ZJWzh_Ht1dxtHtPWNNxiK3VAzp5qiXCkow9F-USncA9NhbEBklSA/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW4896comMQ9TwSqDOdcqryAgJgDgduujdzv7I5dgEFFuCd-yULoy8G7ANqK3ASYVljbmTjr-_xLweF7Xa_ep7jykPTJNhMcn24Ir2NhA6cogZZHMZi4Y9BrxmvjFHidlYE1_2bK_ri4/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW4896comMQ9TwSqDOdcqryAgJgDgduujdzv7I5dgEFFuCd-yULoy8G7ANqK3ASYVljbmTjr-_xLweF7Xa_ep7jykPTJNhMcn24Ir2NhA6cogZZHMZi4Y9BrxmvjFHidlYE1_2bK_ri4/s640/DSC_0063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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3. Un-fold, and turn square face-down. Take one corner and fold so that the corner of the sheet meets the center of the square. Repeat with all four corners. (Oh, come ON....you can do it!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVQU2pSQPwWXwDKCmHHheSCqQZQUg755nwQGUioXztb9EB5YIxdyc3luXyOd8UBoR7E_twtVM6SFgV-uH-KyfInSuxq5TYPbIGO3fl_hfwgu3DixkIbjQfhArZ2mtnJAXSh1ZJVJQcBA/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVQU2pSQPwWXwDKCmHHheSCqQZQUg755nwQGUioXztb9EB5YIxdyc3luXyOd8UBoR7E_twtVM6SFgV-uH-KyfInSuxq5TYPbIGO3fl_hfwgu3DixkIbjQfhArZ2mtnJAXSh1ZJVJQcBA/s640/DSC_0066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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4. Flip the square over. Fold each corner towards the center.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKe9wcs5dILgczddTmT44QYxgSTBalfD4DCmDOfIaFWHoOJSOIbkBIfdYaxxhm-UrZmQgv6uApzA1Pj5htXiWQRAUO9R87DTcepjDMiC2UARlYwbkNhuqY0LT-vtWK8plvmNUtYxIP4k/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKe9wcs5dILgczddTmT44QYxgSTBalfD4DCmDOfIaFWHoOJSOIbkBIfdYaxxhm-UrZmQgv6uApzA1Pj5htXiWQRAUO9R87DTcepjDMiC2UARlYwbkNhuqY0LT-vtWK8plvmNUtYxIP4k/s640/DSC_0071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFah_3_r6b8pn0YctUboFCCP1WaQJoNsVCELB0dLf_akJ9CaWheT3Y2om6vELTQcZ8nY_i8kxRoyZWR79IwBdKyzDBmn0cAGjkP6leyW1hkDfp1wdwkZ__ubCB_eSpgSmjAO0zUldkekA/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFah_3_r6b8pn0YctUboFCCP1WaQJoNsVCELB0dLf_akJ9CaWheT3Y2om6vELTQcZ8nY_i8kxRoyZWR79IwBdKyzDBmn0cAGjkP6leyW1hkDfp1wdwkZ__ubCB_eSpgSmjAO0zUldkekA/s640/DSC_0075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(see how Totally Awesome you are?)...</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
5. Fold in half. And then the other half. (You can do it.... you were born in the 80s... or even earlier, like, I don't know... 1971 even.... now figure this sh#t out; people are depending on you.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k8nE2t4iquYrJNZZ3g4fTnVBtvkuzGGGnOSfLe63WZbY55mWQK4oaIvtoRwjuGaP8SF8COFLl74G2ng5z_UYw8xEpluVpAlzfZ7jQJsWXbvJVuYtUqiAri0ribPW6Tgm5tv4Ebrs9GU/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k8nE2t4iquYrJNZZ3g4fTnVBtvkuzGGGnOSfLe63WZbY55mWQK4oaIvtoRwjuGaP8SF8COFLl74G2ng5z_UYw8xEpluVpAlzfZ7jQJsWXbvJVuYtUqiAri0ribPW6Tgm5tv4Ebrs9GU/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
6. Using your forefinger and thumb, pull out the outer-most squares. (Almost there....)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaewA8xL-FiNqk19jNDpAdvldRhR9SPMFvvETEkY4lgY8UGRmExKPEqYWLaljgG-3iKf-0wdKKaPBfjY8QkyIJka7-rSOr9I3BtADTKPa8NFg56mAgkRqh79BaMk-thKDstwYq42nDTS8/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaewA8xL-FiNqk19jNDpAdvldRhR9SPMFvvETEkY4lgY8UGRmExKPEqYWLaljgG-3iKf-0wdKKaPBfjY8QkyIJka7-rSOr9I3BtADTKPa8NFg56mAgkRqh79BaMk-thKDstwYq42nDTS8/s640/DSC_0081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DONE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and I don't know if you remember how to play....but here's the gist of it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the player picks a word on the outer squares, you spell it opening & closing the cootie-catcher with each letter. Then the player chooses a number (open & close that many times). And on their final choice, you lift the tab and it tells them a fortune.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HDu8HgW5l_QJBfVG0OrVhZVW4HQX9hf4UgfZf6uJpgtIZr8zxRn1t2OWaS9zBfnhFyIQG_tjrGiYqm2RDW8eHy8pElEMEUe77Kbn4dEPEt6IzuGA7XAA-qbG6kd5LUcyVOus8c_waN4/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HDu8HgW5l_QJBfVG0OrVhZVW4HQX9hf4UgfZf6uJpgtIZr8zxRn1t2OWaS9zBfnhFyIQG_tjrGiYqm2RDW8eHy8pElEMEUe77Kbn4dEPEt6IzuGA7XAA-qbG6kd5LUcyVOus8c_waN4/s640/DSC_0082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>WHAT's YOURs?Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-24229732532400814202011-11-02T13:35:00.000-07:002011-11-02T13:37:28.479-07:00Jem....Truly Outrageous!I've got lots of craft projects in the works...all for the surprise party I'm throwing for myself.<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://remarkablydomestic.com/2010/05/13/remember-these-80s-braided-ribbon-barrettes/">Ribbon Barettes</a> (this is the best tutorial from <a href="http://remarkablydomestic.com/">Remarkably Domestic</a>).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oG5NK-47BMi8wFfcrHXwSPO1AFP0EzU_hdWwVq3Xolt34AADMX-5q9OgJ2pf9IeJUoh_EL1dXrGsgbrHDVUyhrK8fejFnQ3eFuh7DLsctsbEDj8qILpyhI_JPPHBbn6_MWKA_UMHwOM/s1600/barrettes_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oG5NK-47BMi8wFfcrHXwSPO1AFP0EzU_hdWwVq3Xolt34AADMX-5q9OgJ2pf9IeJUoh_EL1dXrGsgbrHDVUyhrK8fejFnQ3eFuh7DLsctsbEDj8qILpyhI_JPPHBbn6_MWKA_UMHwOM/s640/barrettes_thumb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
2. Friendship Pins (these are crazy-easy) stuff some small beads onto a safety pin. Add them to your Polo Collar or Sneakers....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3APJFqzzyQ_0ULxy2p0MuOKbVLymDxT9MSogZJt4wj7IqpXaulEIeBMyUhOa-BHkBHW_5vyBISWzFQ7O5uJt_TVTBB8jvbGVfHHFhXPq7RfJwZpigQIpmEI7a8S8IHrZn6io3sJFCnHk/s1600/friendship+pins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3APJFqzzyQ_0ULxy2p0MuOKbVLymDxT9MSogZJt4wj7IqpXaulEIeBMyUhOa-BHkBHW_5vyBISWzFQ7O5uJt_TVTBB8jvbGVfHHFhXPq7RfJwZpigQIpmEI7a8S8IHrZn6io3sJFCnHk/s640/friendship+pins+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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3. Leg Warmers. I danced (from age 3 up through 20); and while I wouldn't say I was a "Dancer", I certainly got my groove on. There was nothing better than putting on that leotard with a pair of parachute pants and topping it all off with leg warmers. I loved that mine would get that hole in the bottom from dancing on my jazz shoes... Here's a fun <a href="http://ladymake.hubpages.com/hub/Do-it-yourself-arm-and-leg-warmers">DIY leg warmer </a>tutorial.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOBmpO-8oYtQqfQRu4UgirMk87OxC5QiGh6WTXBVOup3BMztniyYhGI_tEj4Ktkr-APPlgKPthc2UkPhfOXY-BShrWGQ8aMWglhbglJCgnz5ai6Y1Bct8ISY3cl5pkcNo5I24Mmz8ZI4/s1600/leg-warmers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOBmpO-8oYtQqfQRu4UgirMk87OxC5QiGh6WTXBVOup3BMztniyYhGI_tEj4Ktkr-APPlgKPthc2UkPhfOXY-BShrWGQ8aMWglhbglJCgnz5ai6Y1Bct8ISY3cl5pkcNo5I24Mmz8ZI4/s640/leg-warmers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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4. And we can't forget the lipgloss! Here's a fantastic DIY Kool-Aid-<a href="http://www.elleandblair.com/post/beauty-diy-yummy-lip-gloss">flavored lip gloss</a>. Those Lip-Licker tins were so awesome!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd59-r3bBk0RcT7tgM9NufKRDCoc-YSbitBn4vvC_LvkClmXOo4snMrB-b7RAE_o7vvHcnX63obPk10GjFN-M6Ao2Ht6BA2FR3y7kxq2lovT8_njVqiR8Bps4qabgg5DGJWP0B5PhRQE/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd59-r3bBk0RcT7tgM9NufKRDCoc-YSbitBn4vvC_LvkClmXOo4snMrB-b7RAE_o7vvHcnX63obPk10GjFN-M6Ao2Ht6BA2FR3y7kxq2lovT8_njVqiR8Bps4qabgg5DGJWP0B5PhRQE/s640/Picture+2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
5. I'm also trying to make little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59109532/tulle-bag">tulle shopping-bags</a> like these... any DIY advice would be very much appreciated...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o_UKPrzns8msjsGmJ_PZ5vFZcG7WfqLA7Gvbz7rsbOYDwhFrZpfkjrPYkU11r6WEW2qeeKjlcQbOKD8119DDRkxAw2o4EbYbckKk_JGz9kWQPcIiyR8w7R-E0I8U-yOa7e9ecSPIpmk/s1600/tulle+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o_UKPrzns8msjsGmJ_PZ5vFZcG7WfqLA7Gvbz7rsbOYDwhFrZpfkjrPYkU11r6WEW2qeeKjlcQbOKD8119DDRkxAw2o4EbYbckKk_JGz9kWQPcIiyR8w7R-E0I8U-yOa7e9ecSPIpmk/s640/tulle+bags.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will let you know how it all works out....next week!</div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-45385502876690225222011-10-30T10:40:00.000-07:002011-10-30T10:40:59.405-07:00Birthday Party Mood Board<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfSdehGLlrXgNBBKitNfgOGxfJVdkjmKnExSNV1VAIXQzDCbKwl6Ql2kL05C6WP-RwxNbfAJRotkfvPsfoBzoOpaBPp7I35H_j3NjrnmuE4x8c5JIFb3Mzpfs3dLq_m_lKltiF06e-bE/s1600/jem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfSdehGLlrXgNBBKitNfgOGxfJVdkjmKnExSNV1VAIXQzDCbKwl6Ql2kL05C6WP-RwxNbfAJRotkfvPsfoBzoOpaBPp7I35H_j3NjrnmuE4x8c5JIFb3Mzpfs3dLq_m_lKltiF06e-bE/s640/jem.jpg" width="592" /></a></div>Here's the inspiration for my upcoming 40th Birthday... think <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz4QRB25DSI">Jem & The Holograms</a> meets pajama party!Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-30870154702539878812011-10-27T11:57:00.000-07:002011-10-27T11:57:56.898-07:00Easy Halloween Craft...Just in TimeI can't take credit for this super fun idea (this Halloween craft has been around the blogosphere for a couple of years now).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUe1iKxHIk1C3nbcmBODzi3Ga7pjJkbqQYQqNZcv28GTIBd2VJw7gC31kFVByVc78BqKgu3FI8LZKgVJayTsn2yi2CRQLeCTarbzicmIKJjSlGBhGXtcMorKhrp97rIceCUl61fqiAa8/s1600/DSC_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUe1iKxHIk1C3nbcmBODzi3Ga7pjJkbqQYQqNZcv28GTIBd2VJw7gC31kFVByVc78BqKgu3FI8LZKgVJayTsn2yi2CRQLeCTarbzicmIKJjSlGBhGXtcMorKhrp97rIceCUl61fqiAa8/s640/DSC_0064.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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But, if you, like me have yet to take out that box of Halloween Decorations, and don't feel like digging around the attic or garage ~ try this easy, inexpensive & <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">quick</span></b> craft to add just a touch of spooky to your house before the kids start ringing your door bell on Monday night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHCAdsEV_-6fkYFtPIMFPQtTZ9PPtjF2197owDeGwdHprHQUNTWUM-ZmtaIBIgaq0BkJPlBDcF_XELyGp-k-V5a74dKgxB9CeO70iEy8ied69VmPjY3iqiocx88fAnniBSUW-yDQWy2U/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHCAdsEV_-6fkYFtPIMFPQtTZ9PPtjF2197owDeGwdHprHQUNTWUM-ZmtaIBIgaq0BkJPlBDcF_XELyGp-k-V5a74dKgxB9CeO70iEy8ied69VmPjY3iqiocx88fAnniBSUW-yDQWy2U/s640/DSC_0061.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Supplies</b>:<br />
<i>Wooden embroidery hoop</i>s (small and/or medium): $1.29 from Joann's<br />
<i>Doilies</i>: $.99 a piece from local thrift stores<br />
(optional): <i>black spray paint</i>: free from husband's stash<br />
<i>Spider Ring</i> (or two): $1.99 for a bag of a gazillion (I glittered mine at the awesome Seattle WitchCraft Night hosted by <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/">Marie</a> & <a href="http://the-stationery-place.blogspot.com/">Lyndsey</a>!)<br />
<i>Ribbon</i>: $1.99 from Joann's<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeD7lYt2tNc7VVnartfynqHrWMpCV8vhe9LX3I4ZcvQog2-3st9NoIYME4PquF9EilrxYxjZg4a2SIQRoXr1I4UqaiS9W_TWiqZmbPO2BNTtMNQwfkxJUt5XSrBN8lhN7NsCWEQqeX_I/s1600/DSC_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeD7lYt2tNc7VVnartfynqHrWMpCV8vhe9LX3I4ZcvQog2-3st9NoIYME4PquF9EilrxYxjZg4a2SIQRoXr1I4UqaiS9W_TWiqZmbPO2BNTtMNQwfkxJUt5XSrBN8lhN7NsCWEQqeX_I/s640/DSC_0067.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
<b>Steps: </b><br />
1. Paint the hoops black<br />
2. Place a doily over the inner hoop (sometimes you can get the doily to look more "webb-ish"<br />
by moving it around over the hoop)<br />
3. Fit the outer hoop over the "doily-ed" inner hoop and twist knob to tighten<br />
4. Trim excess at back & hang with a ribbon<br />
5. Add spooky spiders<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGvIRlSuf7dnG2IAut-RywM4cDGhpMcrJxVovIsjN30vtgTUoS2vKf5BA8aXPk7aDKHvIk5wXmbp09yGetmq8arFDPgVQVoISCpKXg9jzKjzXKdbFMzdKX0uyyE0Q21wtocCp8RCttfc/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGvIRlSuf7dnG2IAut-RywM4cDGhpMcrJxVovIsjN30vtgTUoS2vKf5BA8aXPk7aDKHvIk5wXmbp09yGetmq8arFDPgVQVoISCpKXg9jzKjzXKdbFMzdKX0uyyE0Q21wtocCp8RCttfc/s640/DSC_0062.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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Total Time (for 6 hoops): 20 minutes <i>(not including the dry time, which took about 30 minutes in the sun)</i>.<br />
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Ah, now I feel ready for Halloween!Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-51607271255259954002011-10-24T13:12:00.000-07:002011-10-27T12:08:07.991-07:00Need Ideas...My 40th Birthday is fast approaching. I used to host a<a href="http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/dia-de-los-muertos-mood-board.html"> Dia de Los Muertos</a> shindig (being born on the <i>Day of the Dead</i> makes for a super-easy go-to theme), but this year... well, it's a big one right? And I wanted to do something different.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTvsq3nvo5SZM1ueZW4x0qmsuXjFT9CmBEqovMIK-9Gs9QqHQZbcbpEPq23JMEWaD0wHwXAt1L9cB91QK7vS5QVaOymrHuSlwiHW3vpmOXuTGgpWEH151njDdPZ8BGJHT7cC7eUKrrik/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-22+at+10.59.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTvsq3nvo5SZM1ueZW4x0qmsuXjFT9CmBEqovMIK-9Gs9QqHQZbcbpEPq23JMEWaD0wHwXAt1L9cB91QK7vS5QVaOymrHuSlwiHW3vpmOXuTGgpWEH151njDdPZ8BGJHT7cC7eUKrrik/s640/Screen+shot+2011-10-22+at+10.59.36+PM.png" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><br />
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My husband suggested a couple's dinner at our new favorite restaurant <a href="http://labeteseattle.com/food">La Bete</a>, and I thought it might be fun to host a family <b><i>Halloween Party</i></b>. Both sounded pretty great, but just not quite right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1R1N0rke3AOKyUbZ9PtdOVY4KBqXw5vCBx7yF-07iQS0o43H73t3f5zu1Qlh_kYqtz_5vSSN2YskLdi1Bn9DL-jp8W_wcKLRHL9pASVhjgQYH5mmuQ8NU9dZsyheMUcUmfznKjAqso0/s1600/16966_1307805970372_1087240085_30966549_5932071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1R1N0rke3AOKyUbZ9PtdOVY4KBqXw5vCBx7yF-07iQS0o43H73t3f5zu1Qlh_kYqtz_5vSSN2YskLdi1Bn9DL-jp8W_wcKLRHL9pASVhjgQYH5mmuQ8NU9dZsyheMUcUmfznKjAqso0/s640/16966_1307805970372_1087240085_30966549_5932071_n.jpg" width="640" /></a>I really just wanted to ring in my 40th birthday with my best girlfriends, wearing my jammies; with maybe a little dancing, good food and cocktails... So I thought a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">70s/80s-ish theme</span></b> might be fun (basically a-little-wii-just-dance-disco-ball-some-kind-of-wonderful-grease-slumber party).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div></div>Here's my invite (thanks to Mr. Spooner for his <a href="http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/freebies/1985-a-free-vector-pack-of-your-favourite-80s-icons">free 80s vectors</a>...totally awesome!). But now, I need a little bit of help.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any advice on: Music? Decorations? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">(</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">all of the pre-made 80s party stuff is pretty lame...</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">) </span></div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span>Food? Cocktails? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>(</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><i>I admit to having a wine cooler or two during the latter part of the decade, but, ewwww...)</i></span> </span>Favors?</div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-76145174555231312292011-10-21T14:39:00.000-07:002011-10-21T14:39:25.428-07:00Halloween Craft Gone Wrong...I had this idea to create an elegant<b> Dia de Los Muertos Skull</b> for the one shelf I have for such inanities in my house. But it went pretty horribly wrong. <br />
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I started by finding a foam skull at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/">Michael's</a>. I was hoping for one less detailed, but one does what one can right?.... I shoved a skewer into its brain (feeling very Halloween-ish & wicked) and affixed to a floral foam brick. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QLE93cLQ13MK84U-DInO4Tvr3hLfU3ZTrzz5vva8-UFuKkL2wS_caWQ3XXImadw21naROwxajeNnfR63U2nLudg4b_oZn1CTYbS1MC5gINkm6cj0Pc8r0sSjE9fPqsOFgINOKHYioXo/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QLE93cLQ13MK84U-DInO4Tvr3hLfU3ZTrzz5vva8-UFuKkL2wS_caWQ3XXImadw21naROwxajeNnfR63U2nLudg4b_oZn1CTYbS1MC5gINkm6cj0Pc8r0sSjE9fPqsOFgINOKHYioXo/s640/DSC_0057.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Step #1: spray paint it white. This part worked ok, I guess...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOuSVJWc9VL4GyIcmzqsYc4PTgXbH1ErbW1bhtZHHkMYKh6CzxSyf0cq2lqdO610RlA_36GyRvddewIdP7ytuU4e0WiDGktt6DJ4peZjAOHqo2SZDhwGwFkfjNQ5O_5qQKJFQczC97kg/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOuSVJWc9VL4GyIcmzqsYc4PTgXbH1ErbW1bhtZHHkMYKh6CzxSyf0cq2lqdO610RlA_36GyRvddewIdP7ytuU4e0WiDGktt6DJ4peZjAOHqo2SZDhwGwFkfjNQ5O_5qQKJFQczC97kg/s640/DSC_0062.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div><br />
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Step #2: cut-out fantastic <a href="http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/dept_view.php?DPath=BASICS~foam~GLITTFOASH&Page=1">glitter-foam-paper shapes</a> to mimic a cool <b><i>Day of the Dead</i></b> skull. Totally sucked at it. The flower petals were all wonky and when I realized how lame they were, tried to yank off...but they left...well...leftovers. Poo!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBdak3FQt71IIwZt8YLX2czqf-3BrzWc9DcuIoSebnhRZEb6ifaHyAaeWHz8-RoOQZe5mNw7wQpbEnF5N7qw1ODPXsZlwa7XyP7rfE1qYmWAX3Qv5xbTL2xbneUsWuHAcauU_FSvTTeY/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBdak3FQt71IIwZt8YLX2czqf-3BrzWc9DcuIoSebnhRZEb6ifaHyAaeWHz8-RoOQZe5mNw7wQpbEnF5N7qw1ODPXsZlwa7XyP7rfE1qYmWAX3Qv5xbTL2xbneUsWuHAcauU_FSvTTeY/s640/DSC_0167.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
Step #3: <b>Re-group and START OVER.</b> Glitter & Glue are hardly ever wrong, right? I think I was a bit hasty and haphazard in my "design". Glue started glopping and the glitter should have been that wonderful fine-grain, not this stripy kind. Grrrrr...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5g1LhBKYWfWdNXmiI309S9jsGYhahz2yv6GRI1IVK7vh26V0z2J7XtQn7XdozHlb9I9hqEe2Cc52WBFN_dN0aG5n4Uf_ydqt3euCjd1DhcufbsFmeLeNKm6bgiXQKLuq3rmPQLySnkE/s1600/DSC_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5g1LhBKYWfWdNXmiI309S9jsGYhahz2yv6GRI1IVK7vh26V0z2J7XtQn7XdozHlb9I9hqEe2Cc52WBFN_dN0aG5n4Uf_ydqt3euCjd1DhcufbsFmeLeNKm6bgiXQKLuq3rmPQLySnkE/s640/DSC_0168.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF4luX3hbhgGRXCarNPkKfgBWveujE6zpKjK3fu2JkMcJcnC5nL80RAA-Av1PUYHjZLolQuIp8vkJ6kJT53sZzbN_hqA2tlbGIEYoCRjjZmKVjq6j1EE9rUtdw96uQUutFDvaIRSrpUM/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF4luX3hbhgGRXCarNPkKfgBWveujE6zpKjK3fu2JkMcJcnC5nL80RAA-Av1PUYHjZLolQuIp8vkJ6kJT53sZzbN_hqA2tlbGIEYoCRjjZmKVjq6j1EE9rUtdw96uQUutFDvaIRSrpUM/s640/DSC_0175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5g1LhBKYWfWdNXmiI309S9jsGYhahz2yv6GRI1IVK7vh26V0z2J7XtQn7XdozHlb9I9hqEe2Cc52WBFN_dN0aG5n4Uf_ydqt3euCjd1DhcufbsFmeLeNKm6bgiXQKLuq3rmPQLySnkE/s1600/DSC_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy2UgHxHkIIg54xWhSr46hhEC9O_8B0Rlm_6XY2pVP3fQbSLGCa74PVoWFYnPrW0PMEhcscSVOGH-DWS1y_3W4IJT7Wy4HwL-qoaDSDbjbfQVcL_PnVYhmP61oEssPnxLhjOVKH9OWas/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy2UgHxHkIIg54xWhSr46hhEC9O_8B0Rlm_6XY2pVP3fQbSLGCa74PVoWFYnPrW0PMEhcscSVOGH-DWS1y_3W4IJT7Wy4HwL-qoaDSDbjbfQVcL_PnVYhmP61oEssPnxLhjOVKH9OWas/s640/DSC_0195.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So, lesson learned: <b>PLAN that craft girl! </b> (Confession: I even tried to photograph it in the dark recesses of my dark bookshelf to make it look better. It didn't. Can I say "Poo" twice on a blog?)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH5DzsHleZtCTk2ftF1PiFFak4oN61mG0icFK_fAsKIxh1zp9zvHKgEWKLDR9rCc3mfPvky9Iiq2PQ0EpC1NO1manQqDxIIk7veGQcwRu4q454unznfB_CeTSiMEgMyaiiF_VvggCjnA/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH5DzsHleZtCTk2ftF1PiFFak4oN61mG0icFK_fAsKIxh1zp9zvHKgEWKLDR9rCc3mfPvky9Iiq2PQ0EpC1NO1manQqDxIIk7veGQcwRu4q454unznfB_CeTSiMEgMyaiiF_VvggCjnA/s640/DSC_0061.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGB0emhRoCO8swBMJbErzxhGng0LXH-xoCD6yNKh3XY3XWA6il9ebOqyd9KR2EGc4LfugWXNK2ttmEDaKzKH0Q1gi-UDyoaUdaAaVlw8Yoc4yItTa-OpSiTq9oUQKcXtfWO7VWfg64qg/s1600/DSC_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGB0emhRoCO8swBMJbErzxhGng0LXH-xoCD6yNKh3XY3XWA6il9ebOqyd9KR2EGc4LfugWXNK2ttmEDaKzKH0Q1gi-UDyoaUdaAaVlw8Yoc4yItTa-OpSiTq9oUQKcXtfWO7VWfg64qg/s640/DSC_0192.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I do however love the<b> wee-white pumpkin</b> I got to make at <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/">Make 'N Takes</a> wonderful Witch-Craft night here in Seattle. That part I did ok...but only with help from Marie & <a href="http://the-stationery-place.blogspot.com/">Lyndsey</a>.</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK7vteEIBTi6Qj5-7h8xjwbkIFKQElSAvdjEQ3OL6Qu9zF6MTASuSf7BDazpU9zml4BaqhVotVlpgO_pwcCqGioDJOHZ7irgxrwAS8EmxJDUYRgInFZDn_BT0vlmYOx096o5e9tbfkeQ/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK7vteEIBTi6Qj5-7h8xjwbkIFKQElSAvdjEQ3OL6Qu9zF6MTASuSf7BDazpU9zml4BaqhVotVlpgO_pwcCqGioDJOHZ7irgxrwAS8EmxJDUYRgInFZDn_BT0vlmYOx096o5e9tbfkeQ/s640/DSC_0054.jpg" width="433" /></a><br />
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And look at what happened to my attempt at the spider-card stitchery...ooops!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUDZ4xTQWwo1vkwn9mMVqkiFodhwlhbSve7-IL0wjmCbWWT9uhjozTxH9DVCs2jjHTR4XapYNe2vve2Mk4lb2VQLK8iG7MYociDEK_S6iWdcz_7nzxegxw0E9Zixc6s15E1x3DG1Xiho/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUDZ4xTQWwo1vkwn9mMVqkiFodhwlhbSve7-IL0wjmCbWWT9uhjozTxH9DVCs2jjHTR4XapYNe2vve2Mk4lb2VQLK8iG7MYociDEK_S6iWdcz_7nzxegxw0E9Zixc6s15E1x3DG1Xiho/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here's what it was supposed to look like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx6EeLyYaGo34kb8YbbdUEeUW0twY46JIwvzWlGVm-Vggwrknt_YrVGkakEFG-z07ZTCmJm0kGHCEi3UUbUR3bQO8rbhh4eiXbbAadXGKcISH3Vv_2RRDUUvAFziaWmNvvyWXY6xXfwI/s1600/front-bright-spider-stitched-card-033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx6EeLyYaGo34kb8YbbdUEeUW0twY46JIwvzWlGVm-Vggwrknt_YrVGkakEFG-z07ZTCmJm0kGHCEi3UUbUR3bQO8rbhh4eiXbbAadXGKcISH3Vv_2RRDUUvAFziaWmNvvyWXY6xXfwI/s640/front-bright-spider-stitched-card-033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Halloween & I are not faring so well this year.<br />
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May need to make some offering to the craft-gods; cuz they are not happy with me....Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-53495550186436892242011-10-19T14:26:00.000-07:002011-10-19T14:26:23.299-07:00A Free Set of Spooky Stickers!Here's a set of Scary (if slightly elegant), <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/69502891/Halloween-Spooky-Stickers">Halloween Stickers</a></span></b> that you can use on treat-bags, cards, or just about anything else <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Spooktacular</span></b> that you can think of...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfYjhECzQUM1Uyq6R3hsPJUjlqSKCOkp-Lijvx0Dbms9oeSxwzoU7XmnZ2ji_UPFiMlpB4lv5aoj7kfSE9aVQ3qpkj0HtROOuaMphPUism24QvzqSe_UdsuI89AjBepzNH6Ipc3ztO_w/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfYjhECzQUM1Uyq6R3hsPJUjlqSKCOkp-Lijvx0Dbms9oeSxwzoU7XmnZ2ji_UPFiMlpB4lv5aoj7kfSE9aVQ3qpkj0HtROOuaMphPUism24QvzqSe_UdsuI89AjBepzNH6Ipc3ztO_w/s640/DSC_0077.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
These are made to fit the <a href="http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Labels/Branding-%26-Merchandising-Labels/Easy-Peel%28R%29-Permanent-Glossy-White-Round-Labels-Laser-InkJet-2in-Print_To_The_Edge_22807.htm?N=0&Ns=&refchannel=c042fd03ab30a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD">Avery 2-inch Round Labels</a> (#22807), or you can just print onto card stock and use a 2" punch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1ThsnZnHCQjxTcu_WeASmKjJnz3M6kiiyCpc6-Ph-sRBZD5fyp23G72ohB_kegxAzCcbMFQZQ0ZDyjEggfV8jYYDSdNXo2-OVlOUn2xFLiZwnUzJlaNknrXLEt2mEpQq2C8eVXZX6nY/s1600/halloween-stickers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1ThsnZnHCQjxTcu_WeASmKjJnz3M6kiiyCpc6-Ph-sRBZD5fyp23G72ohB_kegxAzCcbMFQZQ0ZDyjEggfV8jYYDSdNXo2-OVlOUn2xFLiZwnUzJlaNknrXLEt2mEpQq2C8eVXZX6nY/s640/halloween-stickers.png" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-16911141262659679282011-10-14T07:50:00.000-07:002011-10-15T15:26:34.563-07:00Halloween VillageA bunch of folks have been asking for the <b>Halloween Village Download.</b>.. Here's a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/68929091/Haunted-Houses-Color">full-color version</a>. And <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/68929387/Blank-Haunted-Houses">a blank version</a> that you can use to cut-out from your own patterned paper, or better yet, have the kids color...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-thHKmaBbBcsxq2_D4p5SdUfRFel_u2m2mXD07KrpFtLVjr-sFU22ESjRcg3UD9Qibe7Rr-MYIkpM5l3FKcGYY8t2d3W1ZPDyykYPB_kSmQj0yzx8ax8kq6JrCrkXwTzH93OQPoh5QU/s1600/village+halloween+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-thHKmaBbBcsxq2_D4p5SdUfRFel_u2m2mXD07KrpFtLVjr-sFU22ESjRcg3UD9Qibe7Rr-MYIkpM5l3FKcGYY8t2d3W1ZPDyykYPB_kSmQj0yzx8ax8kq6JrCrkXwTzH93OQPoh5QU/s640/village+halloween+122.JPG" width="618" /></a></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-79949363707055457932011-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:002011-10-13T09:43:01.182-07:00Muffin Tin ManiaI know that I'm not the first to discover the joys of <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">muffin-tin cooking</span></b>, but I must say; since its "discovery" in our household, its made dinner much easier, and more fun for everyone.<br />
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My kids have what we like to call "<b><i>selective</i></b>" palates. Oh, all right: they're the pickiest, finickiest eaters I know.<br />
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So I often found myself making three different dinners. (And, yes, I know we're not supposed to do that; but after a long day I like to have a happy dinners, not confrontational ones...)<br />
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Anyhoo, introduce the old muffin tin and voila! <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">muffin-tin pizzas</span></b>, muffin-tin eggs & toast, muffin-tin burrito-stacks, muffin-tin meatloaves, muffin-tin apple pie; you get the idea. See, the muffin-tin allows everyone to add their own ingredients, but we're all having the same dinner. Love it.<br />
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Here's my favorite <a href="http://www.justhungry.com/2004/01/basics_pizza_do.html">pizza dough recipe</a> (from Julia Child of all pizza people) if you want to start off with the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">individual deep dish pizzas</span></b>. <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HOW-TO:</span></b><br />
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1. Just spray you muffin-tin with oil. <br />
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2. Divide the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">dough</span></b> into 8-12 small balls (a bit bigger than a golfball) and dust the dough with flour. Stretch and plop into the muffin-tin (don't worry if they sag, the sauce can help pull the sides back up).<br />
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3. Add a dollop of <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">pizza sauce</span></b> or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>pesto</b></span> (and spoon up onto the sides of the dough. Add a bit of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>shredded mozzarella</b></span>, then pile on the good stuff (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>pepperoni</b></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>mushrooms</b></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>peppers, </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">etc</span></span>...) and top with a second bit of cheese.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc7rwUcNGEEdkaea-9AkHwxtBRTPKx6QngoU6dDRyPvpKP2kH5gMVjD6Q2hLsk9WrwjP7FhGDGa2VUrPwQHjQjflCwmzdRWYRfZo3-gVllhc5TGcN-gkhO8caKXjUaeCiP6OiZQXpDV4/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc7rwUcNGEEdkaea-9AkHwxtBRTPKx6QngoU6dDRyPvpKP2kH5gMVjD6Q2hLsk9WrwjP7FhGDGa2VUrPwQHjQjflCwmzdRWYRfZo3-gVllhc5TGcN-gkhO8caKXjUaeCiP6OiZQXpDV4/s640/DSC_0056.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
4. Bake in a <b>450 degree</b> pre-heated oven for 12-13 minutes. Yum!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwmNlV0F7znh1r5_PFd6Jfa91zwaTDYXSc23IE5AF7sgBuSGJ0T9Vzw2921zvwsKqxNVRqHIOgPEbeAFUhwIbnQ2-JNXvKHlI7f4hz7WufbU2qYwHJLSUeM470SMNp5UBzTj9CWBE7bM/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwmNlV0F7znh1r5_PFd6Jfa91zwaTDYXSc23IE5AF7sgBuSGJ0T9Vzw2921zvwsKqxNVRqHIOgPEbeAFUhwIbnQ2-JNXvKHlI7f4hz7WufbU2qYwHJLSUeM470SMNp5UBzTj9CWBE7bM/s640/DSC_0077.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
And here are a few more links to fantastic muffin-tin recipes: <a href="http://www.doyouknowthemuffinpan.com/2010/12/muffin-pan-tacos_03.html">muffin-tin tacos</a>, <a href="http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2010/11/04/petite-lasagnas/">mini-lasagna</a>, <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/314507/eggplant-feta-phyllo-pies">savory-phyllo pies</a>, <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2009/08/21/bacon-egg-and-toast-cups/">breakfast-for-dinner</a>.<br />
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<i>Funnily enough, haven't made actual muffins in a long time...</i>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-13180762338569173342011-10-12T06:00:00.000-07:002011-10-12T07:40:23.767-07:00Edible Sea Glass TutorialThis was by far the hit of our Ocean-Institute-but-Cute Party! It does take a wee bit of patience, but is actually quite easy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjyrx9IjqIcYFocmc7WDT4rN2VuvyefbUo5WX3Xl2BeWU5y27cf1jEzi7Ua6p9yA3v0N9yxihb8rn3IBpC0JyDxxBRVh-zQxe9WhDki6ynu7GvYb4Q-sEY8HvjXKj6J8X6PqmUef1FPs/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjyrx9IjqIcYFocmc7WDT4rN2VuvyefbUo5WX3Xl2BeWU5y27cf1jEzi7Ua6p9yA3v0N9yxihb8rn3IBpC0JyDxxBRVh-zQxe9WhDki6ynu7GvYb4Q-sEY8HvjXKj6J8X6PqmUef1FPs/s640/DSC_0001.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Ingredients</b>:<br />
2 cups granulated sugar<br />
2/3 cup light corn syrup<br />
3/4 cup water (at room temperature)<br />
6-10 drops food coloring (we used green, blue & varying combinations of both)<br />
2 teaspoons flavoring (we tried chocolate, which was very mild and peppermint, which turned out to be the most flavorful. Next time I'd like to try a berry flavor...)<br />
cooking spray (veggie oil, don't use olive oil, yuck!)<br />
confectioner's sugar<br />
candy thermometer (a MUST; I found mine for $10 at my local kitchen supply store.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpdfiu_hG8IizmTIxZqCyOoMssfrpPJVShDXCjv3llzAOiMuLuJPFpSfwuU7TvC8O9pLxEIOjc8dJsQSSJdqOrksQ1vm93S0P3P1a_0i1xp8UI0ibaOdeRjhgMO4zEbJG0UYk5RTDSnI/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpdfiu_hG8IizmTIxZqCyOoMssfrpPJVShDXCjv3llzAOiMuLuJPFpSfwuU7TvC8O9pLxEIOjc8dJsQSSJdqOrksQ1vm93S0P3P1a_0i1xp8UI0ibaOdeRjhgMO4zEbJG0UYk5RTDSnI/s640/DSC_0007.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Directions</b>:<br />
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Spray a small cookie sheet with cooking spray. (I found that if I wanted a nice thick sea glass, I had to set a small square cake pan on my cookie sheet to halve the surface area).<br />
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Attach the candy thermometer to the side of a small or medium non-stick pot.<br />
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Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium and stir until the sugar dissolves.<br />
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As soon as it starts to bubble, DON'T TOUCH IT, let it bubble away until the thermometer reads 250-275 degrees. <br />
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Add the food coloring, but don't stir. It'll take care of itself. (And be careful of spatters: ie: no children allowed).<br />
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Let it bubble until the thermometer reaches 300 degrees. Remove from heat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHO6vSwue5DadXLkJzycI1I8AJKXTmwH8c1dTy1KFyS3D-dFTO0sJaqDabeqpNWZ6q1OCDGlIBZ2rtdGLfHWvpmZLp1KYbSCmvVUNoswTxJEhXr5aclGKvBEbyWAOqpF28H2zO3RIhlM/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHO6vSwue5DadXLkJzycI1I8AJKXTmwH8c1dTy1KFyS3D-dFTO0sJaqDabeqpNWZ6q1OCDGlIBZ2rtdGLfHWvpmZLp1KYbSCmvVUNoswTxJEhXr5aclGKvBEbyWAOqpF28H2zO3RIhlM/s640/DSC_0002.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
Add your flavoring, again being cautious of spattering.<br />
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Pour (CAREFULLY) into your prepared cookie sheet. Let cool (for about 1-2 hours).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcmId5c68_mnzh8e56RjOBQLTE5U9LRTXYTMBcxmja35-g5BH-EeI_Hn7xURT6nh0TXNNLl_LfANN5BldgFkIIwkzV-3EHaMJlOo1vyvJTmhmjndNwVDm1Nm3ZQ6n0q8DoVqqOYuoSwI/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcmId5c68_mnzh8e56RjOBQLTE5U9LRTXYTMBcxmja35-g5BH-EeI_Hn7xURT6nh0TXNNLl_LfANN5BldgFkIIwkzV-3EHaMJlOo1vyvJTmhmjndNwVDm1Nm3ZQ6n0q8DoVqqOYuoSwI/s640/DSC_0012.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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And then (the FUN part), cover with a dishtowel and whack intermittently with a mallet or rolling pin (check often to make sure you're not making sugar dust).<br />
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Pull out the cracked bits & pieces, and sand sharp edges (you can do this by just rubbing with a pot-holder or dishtowel). <br />
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Put confectioner's sugar into a small bowl and rub each sea-glass piece with the sugar to give a matte look.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUQt_MBlQs8JZ9kTGHVTtejXGeYiuyztkP28jt8h2WdDtcGfMs0lGEqyVHEhsI3tQPlq3bWzvGDTlS_6X5x7Zb7zl7T1a18UnDCn70byb-qx-W6jibsEZs9iz3YkQEeio-ylYb4YNIYQ/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUQt_MBlQs8JZ9kTGHVTtejXGeYiuyztkP28jt8h2WdDtcGfMs0lGEqyVHEhsI3tQPlq3bWzvGDTlS_6X5x7Zb7zl7T1a18UnDCn70byb-qx-W6jibsEZs9iz3YkQEeio-ylYb4YNIYQ/s640/DSC_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-86290833587520993422011-10-11T11:57:00.000-07:002011-10-11T11:57:52.837-07:00Ocean Life Felt Pencil ToppersMore easy-felty fun! <br />
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For my daughter's 6th birthday, we did an "<i><b>ocean-institute-but-cute</b></i>" theme. The favors were a little activity book that I made (similar to the one I did for my son's <a href="http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/lego-knights-party-part-ii.html">Lego Party</a>), a couple of markers and a whale pencil with these <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">super cute felt pencil toppers</span></b>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7ZCTY4nK-Q5NDqT5fU24iAetYAuWNuRJJoFkWFHl7j1-zo_7vBJ8OCkdbOJZGuBUMnWmX2E8penMSWvErhFcSzqcAcYe7H2mOMEGADnnBhtjYCdYdQ61v2Pbh3PfJ8dZ70JpfcM72cA/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7ZCTY4nK-Q5NDqT5fU24iAetYAuWNuRJJoFkWFHl7j1-zo_7vBJ8OCkdbOJZGuBUMnWmX2E8penMSWvErhFcSzqcAcYe7H2mOMEGADnnBhtjYCdYdQ61v2Pbh3PfJ8dZ70JpfcM72cA/s640/DSC_0070.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><br />
We invited her whole kindergarten class (plus siblings), so I made 32 of these little guys.<br />
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To make your own, just download the <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/68377956">felt patterns</a> here. Print onto <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/327537/Office-Depot-Brand-Light-Fabric-Inkjet/;jsessionid=0000HUgng-77ab8PstmKaz9vvx0:13ddq0uth">iron-on transfer paper</a>, iron onto felt (this will make your felt kind of pleathery, which I actually kind of like). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9eJx3iRhOEZ_0BcbZQLQhMmQ6XfSGlIL9y8jQ4pLqVdeLablAPVOYUt4t0_TAhK66BRo_NM3ZP7_WCtZFcfQaMfeVG1PBX0UloD0M2_oswQJQnF3kC2oomckf5EBcqxg2RW-nuOhMSs/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9eJx3iRhOEZ_0BcbZQLQhMmQ6XfSGlIL9y8jQ4pLqVdeLablAPVOYUt4t0_TAhK66BRo_NM3ZP7_WCtZFcfQaMfeVG1PBX0UloD0M2_oswQJQnF3kC2oomckf5EBcqxg2RW-nuOhMSs/s640/DSC_0075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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And then <b>embellish</b> with embroidery and sequins. You can find a more <a href="http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/monday-craft.html">in-depth tutorial here</a>. (Can you tell I'm addicted to felt and sequins?)... Finally, stitch both front & back together, leaving a 1/4 -inch opening for the pencil.<br />
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Here are a few more pictures from the party...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik10sjqGl3iwsf5BJ3keUokOZH-p0JRGVra2dbuhuMUJLKa40eyXZdznPh3-kUFwf51xBy4IWlUv7527PgioKGbze4GoaMsF6ivgH1MD1P_tb0rwmIe9g1TMqI82M9Cre3UMbKx_VU6PM/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik10sjqGl3iwsf5BJ3keUokOZH-p0JRGVra2dbuhuMUJLKa40eyXZdznPh3-kUFwf51xBy4IWlUv7527PgioKGbze4GoaMsF6ivgH1MD1P_tb0rwmIe9g1TMqI82M9Cre3UMbKx_VU6PM/s640/DSC_0001.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>ruffled streamers, garland and blue cello-phane</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbWvqk6BA3ZZGo_sjJK9_Hptt2txC_1uhVFu5G_DGK-e3bMpmT544vu_2ha0NOH6Xq3hzjNbVONObiiVl-2UnVjUYA8l7Cfsp1PiyV-J91T8Pak7UnF2r6uqtAi6k9N79ipQP074m7eY/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbWvqk6BA3ZZGo_sjJK9_Hptt2txC_1uhVFu5G_DGK-e3bMpmT544vu_2ha0NOH6Xq3hzjNbVONObiiVl-2UnVjUYA8l7Cfsp1PiyV-J91T8Pak7UnF2r6uqtAi6k9N79ipQP074m7eY/s640/DSC_0005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>ruffled streamers (I'll share a tutorial in a couple of days...I LOVE the way they turned out!)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigew9O80FoCvl7JGxvfG6cRh8GGEXltGBNxF1B249XgBQ75s0lSOGxWDLEkbWbcdc2sbFnyVihdRyBE-6HVytKHpeMCyGO6jdtXaNSsA1w3zIveylIS1naIWWwo9Px2xGAymTmHy7av9Y/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigew9O80FoCvl7JGxvfG6cRh8GGEXltGBNxF1B249XgBQ75s0lSOGxWDLEkbWbcdc2sbFnyVihdRyBE-6HVytKHpeMCyGO6jdtXaNSsA1w3zIveylIS1naIWWwo9Px2xGAymTmHy7av9Y/s640/DSC_0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"sea-sponges"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDV2OgJwOA88GgdjOoDQFPVqP0JV1gcvUP-gk80KUuUGe6HpsHLtUjA0NuiO6h5sb8f6-Nh9us1SihrcbVo4Hlugo2g75ceIyZsMqriQroDZVpjTKY3EJoYj6UZYFtFteNVmoP9sK0vI/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDV2OgJwOA88GgdjOoDQFPVqP0JV1gcvUP-gk80KUuUGe6HpsHLtUjA0NuiO6h5sb8f6-Nh9us1SihrcbVo4Hlugo2g75ceIyZsMqriQroDZVpjTKY3EJoYj6UZYFtFteNVmoP9sK0vI/s640/DSC_0077.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>individual fish-bowl jell-o</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_USakPGv7wRRy-84DYzKVA1LiFf-OWmIc-FXGDJwbG2sckTALl6xq4cveJvfyxVyHqckB2y5mUAEudOsuYlsRAGxtwVEQ5FMYar-e5JMUB4hnKOslFMT-ROo4s1qn7lMDklozaV4TuI/s1600/DSC_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_USakPGv7wRRy-84DYzKVA1LiFf-OWmIc-FXGDJwbG2sckTALl6xq4cveJvfyxVyHqckB2y5mUAEudOsuYlsRAGxtwVEQ5FMYar-e5JMUB4hnKOslFMT-ROo4s1qn7lMDklozaV4TuI/s640/DSC_0079.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>lemon-parsley fish-cakes for the grown-ups</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC2hF1mnWR67N9qbWyZUpnGR_MaMLCIClt20ugbC91RyD7Tfn8jhvenBFCJPnDgK_JMRYBjOQoDLVCvZN0LlhqaXNaxBLpfFqM2DriDw9yMP9vC1Zs9mtE4VlNZtnUQuy9p69YdM6mu8/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC2hF1mnWR67N9qbWyZUpnGR_MaMLCIClt20ugbC91RyD7Tfn8jhvenBFCJPnDgK_JMRYBjOQoDLVCvZN0LlhqaXNaxBLpfFqM2DriDw9yMP9vC1Zs9mtE4VlNZtnUQuy9p69YdM6mu8/s640/DSC_0081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>customized water-bottles </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkAH6WKJ5_WOUARdnQxrEadJHmBP4IngKNyP9BsCZSFZFMKb-N0NaQ3-YqT-5tmiwUVH_0_9w_Ii46eVDpdwyxv34KxbOcFa3kqrU4UUA5_rVG6zvb6KDara5_8NBQRqNziDxRHd614U/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkAH6WKJ5_WOUARdnQxrEadJHmBP4IngKNyP9BsCZSFZFMKb-N0NaQ3-YqT-5tmiwUVH_0_9w_Ii46eVDpdwyxv34KxbOcFa3kqrU4UUA5_rVG6zvb6KDara5_8NBQRqNziDxRHd614U/s640/DSC_0108.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"sand-castle" ice cream towers, served with brownie bites</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETxpktMd0RUWIJiIL24yvZD1_FzUpSdb6yRVsunfg6RzH-4zeaE3kx8eeuD7w0Gf69TBeT-rtA9J6BcJ2N-EWjBnlxTEKKn-WAfTj2x3ODnFhxk4sWZpCuvZZhfTeOIXYYDYzsoNbsrk/s1600/DSC_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETxpktMd0RUWIJiIL24yvZD1_FzUpSdb6yRVsunfg6RzH-4zeaE3kx8eeuD7w0Gf69TBeT-rtA9J6BcJ2N-EWjBnlxTEKKn-WAfTj2x3ODnFhxk4sWZpCuvZZhfTeOIXYYDYzsoNbsrk/s640/DSC_0120.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>giant jelly-fish in the living room: everything is super blue because we lined the walls, ceiling & windows with blue cello-phane </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And tomorrow, I'll show you how I made <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/">edible sea-glass</a></span></b> for the party. Here's a sneak-peek:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPCKwhHvt5MnhZjZ7XcLnMh94ytnsOavOcImzdDrZDXL_U47-Pb-Vj4sccQBRw8lMXw3CtNCyb5U1FYYb8BVx9uUq5rclfEDnFPJjBSFmMJDVwHCmf1gOser9P2H3lPaJLb4Azr5r7WA/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPCKwhHvt5MnhZjZ7XcLnMh94ytnsOavOcImzdDrZDXL_U47-Pb-Vj4sccQBRw8lMXw3CtNCyb5U1FYYb8BVx9uUq5rclfEDnFPJjBSFmMJDVwHCmf1gOser9P2H3lPaJLb4Azr5r7WA/s640/DSC_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>edible sea-glass: tutorial tomorrow</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-30661135205684035462011-10-10T12:04:00.000-07:002011-10-10T12:35:13.615-07:00Back to Businessok, so not really "Back-to-Business".... more back-to-basics. <br />
<br />
I've spent the last year worrying about kids, not crafts; and playdates instead of paychecks.<br />
<br />
But now that we're all settled (well, mostly) in our new and wonderful city... its time for this mama to get back to it. Back to crafting, cooking, drawing, painting, sewing, and throwing parties.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsSATuHsHZYSajy_L8JCWTl4KKPe6W7j21Y0Ur2Vju5w3CEK4a4LBVS3gXwLYEyaZFtH8U541R1sDTDhEmNAGaFjA8WmRU6u7ZK2605_9mgLoG5obTGFBCq0g4rbOAoW8FVqy0GjxMiY/s1600/DSC_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsSATuHsHZYSajy_L8JCWTl4KKPe6W7j21Y0Ur2Vju5w3CEK4a4LBVS3gXwLYEyaZFtH8U541R1sDTDhEmNAGaFjA8WmRU6u7ZK2605_9mgLoG5obTGFBCq0g4rbOAoW8FVqy0GjxMiY/s640/DSC_0064.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(felt pencil-topper favors)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGikrqFfZZn6sznrwGGnqcgyUZmu-nSO8tkPR3BYg432MGwplxRTN0TzQPQn1wtB0vlySuz4ItgX0_FOmszpx_MWWLaTGXyu-MLsQ1cXwhDBn-ZAT-mngzijFzR1gjDIjf5oWRnLx13E/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGikrqFfZZn6sznrwGGnqcgyUZmu-nSO8tkPR3BYg432MGwplxRTN0TzQPQn1wtB0vlySuz4ItgX0_FOmszpx_MWWLaTGXyu-MLsQ1cXwhDBn-ZAT-mngzijFzR1gjDIjf5oWRnLx13E/s640/DSC_0065.jpg" width="588" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(the jellyfish was the cutest)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE6812mRnV7uLCNsMWk3JxamCsecAWD5yh0hny2ErbdfFl5PcBr0UzvT66U0chb4Cs8hv6aENIoxbetDdsBW5Kzh6D9-73KJWxT0701DoJ5gJyQxK_h31wTYw48qJsBCSacU0Pq4sZyo/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE6812mRnV7uLCNsMWk3JxamCsecAWD5yh0hny2ErbdfFl5PcBr0UzvT66U0chb4Cs8hv6aENIoxbetDdsBW5Kzh6D9-73KJWxT0701DoJ5gJyQxK_h31wTYw48qJsBCSacU0Pq4sZyo/s640/DSC_0066.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(or maybe the clam?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>so welcome back.... I missed you. <br />
<br />
It'll take me a few days to get back up to a healthy posting speed; but come back soon for fun craft projects, party ideas, easy recipes, embroidery patterns, felt crafts, design finds, kid crafts, trend spotting, and other random cool stuff.<br />
<br />
The first will be a tutorial on these fantastic (and inexpensive) felt-pencil-topper party favors.<br />
<br />
<i>oh, and I know many of you have been asking for downloads that no longer exist (so sorry), but I promise to re-create one old download a week (I promise!).</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <br />
<i>So, if you want one in particular, please post a comment and I'll put them in order of request... </i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <br />
<i>xoxo, kfk</i>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-78068463579706094682009-12-21T14:18:00.001-08:002009-12-21T14:52:39.422-08:00Home Made Beer Gifts<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417823608263711106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlkTfSx7P8M5yW2KxJLcPHoReUWGOsMOqyYUaZzssUD2NlVYcED3SrUYF2Xk0qPWxqdnHdogNJDzUTciZMxHSZi2x3oGwMO64Xg0sDwV21Xhk5HWcyyO7WxnmyR65QaLz48ixnq4UbeA/s400/beer+028.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My husband and our next door neighbor brew their own beer (guys gotta have hobbies too). We like to give a few bottles as gifts over the holidays (not everyone likes hot cocoa you know:) And their latest batch is a steamed lager/ale (very tasty I might add). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417824296912160562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 364px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku5iUqxDsPtBDLbXwqVRBCgvJ2RxqZnJ43dk31rvJYnK8A6obHRJDCICmC6gyAt6xkCCu3b2lZlf_3_j-_iu79pUdcwZu29iFYLw3_-XOtITT_6kF9TWfyeEvRC3QUfdZBXMO4fCI8Ao/s400/beer+002.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So I designed these labels last night doing a quick illustration based on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Mulligan-His-Steam-Shovel/dp/6302309662/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&s=video&qid=1261435219&sr=8-49">Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel</a> children's book...and I think they turned out pretty cute...</span><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417823713217521778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhassFCkWh8S1SNVNruv7hxujymIZ3UC38YESOVO4etlIuEv63muuJb2FA9v-DQV2_j_Mnl7yJymTeJAGq7_ToVmVQ0IpDOSIBenQSgX0SGkKvVZIh9mvdPDG9DHo0N3CDW-t3zp5QDA/s400/beer+006.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>My super cute husband <strong>Ben</strong> proudly showing off a bottle of his CB Steam Beer (clearly he and <strong>Chip</strong> are super creative with the whole naming thing ...)</em></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just wanted to share... </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">oh and by the way, this is the last tangarang post for the forseeable future. </span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417823838390256834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrfXHQVRjbjEbY9j2HQXB7fTz6kjQxvyhe92JLRUlj1HzTEbebN3dLXxS_S8qlZ9sTqlzO8qpgRjgAIWI6InbNufV18rJbqV4KK2o1P0ZF5f6t-j_ExGAriT7u2ZSYYkK0anmkF0KCrc/s400/beer+003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Changes are afoot at <a href="http://www.paperandcake.blogspot.com/">Paper&Cake</a> and I'll be blogging daily over there about <strong>all things party</strong>: <strong><em>etiquette</em></strong>, <em><strong>DIY party crafts & games</strong></em>, easy make ahead <strong><em>recipes for entertaining</em></strong>, and we'll have a bunch of <em><strong>freebies</strong></em>...so check it out. And not to worry for my felty-embroidery readers, as much as possible I'll make felt gift tags and favors and have embroidery downloads for gift giving... </span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417825766436635778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkb4yaRkgvRywCKAQUGcyYmslVt7TwuCOuoPzKTROrpjYthXz1Rpu5LfM0jtbzuujcCywdWSQExkoYO70yxBeodEoJclnpOFX_1p51hPGWTthqN88R2nPcEmEQqgeGRlJzu4thaiCm-I/s400/P&C" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thanks for putting up with the zebra sweatpants and my </span><a href="http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/monday-craft-circus-comes-to-town-again.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">felt circus critter obsession</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">!</span>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-80962285167991948922009-12-17T17:46:00.000-08:002009-12-17T18:09:02.257-08:00Bah Humbug...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSddc1SdpuWtO8GEKgTCFpdrADhmU7j5SFbAkadMgvuBCr8OWt-tXOHsrG1Zow586aRmfaAVzanfIYai5E6F_qOM-X8ZASBX0Ml51hhI1JEcD1n9pEMsIW-j9_2fpcnJVWI-QhkqHitc/s1600-h/zebra+187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416392231221328274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSddc1SdpuWtO8GEKgTCFpdrADhmU7j5SFbAkadMgvuBCr8OWt-tXOHsrG1Zow586aRmfaAVzanfIYai5E6F_qOM-X8ZASBX0Ml51hhI1JEcD1n9pEMsIW-j9_2fpcnJVWI-QhkqHitc/s400/zebra+187.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You know its bad when you don the zebra-print-velour-sweatpants and the over-sized-yellow-plaid-button-down...</span> <div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I thought I was way ahead of the holiday game; gifts purchased, check; gifts shipped, check; cocoa jars made and ready for happenstance visitors, check; volunteer hours logged, check; tree trimmed, check; lights up, check...but wait, what's this?</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416391683165875986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSAd0UAyGD85xfNrSU24OTseM7NuDlz2KpaJOZwSzwGDe6iijy0tyrlcv3xItClzhnJuZ24E7gbKKm7AlyRgfLTRQncKhA3DuLxcf5xnFZPuH8jThUEoKEA9EuuNmAiJA3dhdM4BtqHs/s400/rain+day+004.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...I forgot teacher gifts and wrapping and those pesky cards...#$&%(*&@</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who invented this holiday? what about that great idea of dressing up and going house to house for candy... I like that one...or what about that one with the cards with hearts, that I can do...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">this is just too much...laundry is piled, gifts are unwrapped, dinner is a bunch of chicken nuggets, I feel guilty about not being able to visit deserving and patient grandparents and I just realized that the kids are home AS OF MONDAY....when am I gonna wrap this stuff? </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">plus I really, really need a haircut... </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">BAH HUMBUG!</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416391537133817458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AurVMRRnmumUlf-y1yp2xgFex4c4adEXLCb3SRBwhxD7Ti3tJC_C8D8rEy_rXgb_JVe3SJkmLVCMYEsEeytFfDTH1_zzW5GeO4McEqtMSdOG7v25TCtzywZNLPALgNZs29XdnsKQkLI/s400/DSCF4067.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">ok...now I remember...</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">off to wrap I go...</span></div></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-65383165418291803682009-12-17T13:37:00.001-08:002009-12-17T13:39:40.752-08:00Hot Cocoa!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d3YGblQxx0kcwn02_QoJVE8qvgVUdVj-jgTRIWxsTaZnJ5J9Z0d7tW6t1B035Z5ijpWf0xbgXXZWjj6BVlfTf3yZLKOsbs3gZaRePsmsodPhK0DDtywzyzO9xYLwJcmfjspX_9aL8tg/s1600-h/DSC_0286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416322903075167314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d3YGblQxx0kcwn02_QoJVE8qvgVUdVj-jgTRIWxsTaZnJ5J9Z0d7tW6t1B035Z5ijpWf0xbgXXZWjj6BVlfTf3yZLKOsbs3gZaRePsmsodPhK0DDtywzyzO9xYLwJcmfjspX_9aL8tg/s400/DSC_0286.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Head on over to the <a href="http://paperandcake.blogspot.com/">Paper&Cake blog</a> for my cocoa-in-a-jar holiday gift idea!</span>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-84656465535805178082009-12-06T15:17:00.000-08:002009-12-06T16:08:37.738-08:00Felt Advent Stocking Project<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-b9pN0XB7kLp6y2i6tHUfnKiC1dhT-XIIv3eUKWOdn_VwsWUtgNwlsAEAa91WcAQNHYSxl5E_dbQf9TzT1Hn4DnQ8PyY7njYlr1a8K22yM9IuYbib1rd9GQFfeCdi7-TQJwEi7fN9M8/s1600-h/stockings+2009+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412277213039945762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-b9pN0XB7kLp6y2i6tHUfnKiC1dhT-XIIv3eUKWOdn_VwsWUtgNwlsAEAa91WcAQNHYSxl5E_dbQf9TzT1Hn4DnQ8PyY7njYlr1a8K22yM9IuYbib1rd9GQFfeCdi7-TQJwEi7fN9M8/s400/stockings+2009+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's my take on an advent calendar... Tiny felt stockings that get filled each night with a little goodie. Click here for a <a href="http://www.tangarang.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/stocking1.pdf">simple christmas stocking</a> pattern and here, for an <a href="http://www.tangarang.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/stocking2.pdf">elvish stocking pattern</a>.</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412277394849039442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-eWvGen-I5wVWxJkX5qohP7rQ9CYbIj-sUyxbQ28sNp3ZbjXBuR0x_wch2DxPo8rc3dsRtzFzZzyoMwPSl7uhhJv5xaH_97Tg3BhpdSvJXAAx6c5c_ZbSaHjuYc4xxWmOLp9iO2ZOqE/s400/stockings+2009+005.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-30001294131412540952009-11-23T15:21:00.000-08:002009-11-23T15:38:17.335-08:00Elf Embroidery Download<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgxCV7aWfQ7fsQ1bqKoqvf6M_ycO9hiTYmYWqxcV0_6lXuiKU8Kj4xQ7yiBuKGRHtJRzzHeYqynsSUQbO5JOccZvrmTtHm1TgA-aLg4UzZ1yzIiymq689EbG2zz6QjhgKNcUWTSvoj_M/s1600/elf-embroidery.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407445391082003890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgxCV7aWfQ7fsQ1bqKoqvf6M_ycO9hiTYmYWqxcV0_6lXuiKU8Kj4xQ7yiBuKGRHtJRzzHeYqynsSUQbO5JOccZvrmTtHm1TgA-aLg4UzZ1yzIiymq689EbG2zz6QjhgKNcUWTSvoj_M/s400/elf-embroidery.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm really liking <strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">ELVES</span></strong> this holiday season... probably because three years ago I made 25 tiny <strong>felt stockings to use as an advent calendar</strong>... Each morning in <strong>December</strong> I dropped a little gift in a stocking for my kids (a pencil, a little note, a chocolate, etc...), but last year the whole thing became its own story with an Elf that visits our house during advent (every house has an elf dontcha know)... ours is Elimiah-Jerimiah.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So in the spirit of our Elf, I've created this <a href="http://www.tangarang.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/elfembroidery.pdf">little embroidery pattern</a>. I think Elimiah-Jerimiah might use it to emblazon his likeness on tiny canvas art bags, pencil cases or bathroom towels...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who's your <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Elimiah-Jerimiah</strong></span>? Oh, and yes, as soon as I dig them out of the garage I will show you the tiny stockings and give you patterns to make your own felt advent stocking calendar...</span></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-77420203170545045592009-11-19T11:56:00.000-08:002009-11-19T19:35:10.196-08:00We Three Kings...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIjdyChWbxCwsfmuC89kfWuxGfgawn1XslBqlpTL9rnA0VsJV3YELww0advtpABq1iIGGcpoi9c5qpkj0RSX31Tv21iTWkQs0gxT19fblQXX-DOA-nu0tKKTjfmtEaJxats7Krpogrjg/s1600/lego+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405909564191227746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIjdyChWbxCwsfmuC89kfWuxGfgawn1XslBqlpTL9rnA0VsJV3YELww0advtpABq1iIGGcpoi9c5qpkj0RSX31Tv21iTWkQs0gxT19fblQXX-DOA-nu0tKKTjfmtEaJxats7Krpogrjg/s400/lego+028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Abigail and I are happy to introduce our latest <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/product/peace-on-earth-christmas-printable-party-and-tablescape">Holiday Printable Party</a> Collection over at Paper&Cake..."Peace on Earth"...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's an elegant and EASY way to decorate your tree (haven't you always wanted one of those fancy themed trees? we've got you covered!).</span></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405907945053925090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SzPVWYQX22DnHvtD9UQr5-JnfXNSBH0Z7JtVX5Qx_VRNz8QqbDJkYtI6XlkbpcdAzMR5pKAMc3DQSnxnI6Fe8XN2AhItHFSlz6SIwta9mnA1l9MIZRzoYJak5AdKy_A1gIBj99UFkUE/s400/gold+xmas+062.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> It also makes a lovely tablescape on a budget.</span></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405908264694492338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO9YbKQecseSKwPqOijJHo7T7IEtmUwnaQIRuCzfzydgYQ1Z6B8UVNzez8fulazpMAurL_U6p9ny-q_46palCVYruaGtR14MG3Lc1ySxID5orGbKUghkw7wPeHRRR7lXqCf2kGnikPjs/s400/gold+xmas+068.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And...for those of you who love sparkles (who doesn't?)... this collection looks beautiful when <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/martha-stewart-glitter-products">glittered (thank you Martha</a>)!</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405908666285168722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xisTpOdW7Y4BjgMIfpjzfGRO_i2AfPQMsi_bZ57jerezASwI3KNEepuPE4ude5s9Y5BzOrKqkxyD6Az9Be0eRaXMuVKZT56OIKCejAzg-UD8ncH4m3he_PPiIU7gvuiPWUF-rpF-iOo/s400/gold+xmas+084.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh, and I almost forgot the best parts...a lovely little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperandcake">advent calendar</a> to hang on your door, a photoframe to send as a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperandcake">holiday card</a> and a DIY wreath!</span></div></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-65062475454308807852009-11-14T08:09:00.000-08:002009-11-14T08:43:01.669-08:00Super Hero Craft<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Paper Dolls are a big deal in my house... I have a huge collection left over from childhood and my four-year-old daughter is addicted to the magnetic kind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My son likes the idea of the magnetic ones too, but alas there are few options for boys who are into legos and alien-super-heros. A while ago he found this really fun online superhero design program at </span><a href="http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/heroMachine2/heromachine2.asp"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">HeroMachine.com</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and then yesterday the lightbulb went off...</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403997202360269778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdmV4h3b6RFqnr5qmDzlhd59bsk88siPfXbnF8OR4K67votpIaGDoRvTGnPBvZ0iFR03766v2mahd1qO4sVy2bHTJ__URMoqFvSoJDLB_2CKoyoOFO8A7xebFJVrHnVrsu-qGSH53GfU/s400/magnetic+025.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I purchased <a href="http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=108491&pid=_Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=674488">magnetic printer sheets</a>, then using the <a href="http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/heroMachine2/heromachine2.asp">HeroMachine</a> program created a super simple base body (the "doll"), printed and cut out...easy!</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403996069000129074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E1JzLWJ9uEeCj4hO_vpWZH_3Fxc4YYufDW49bJKKA4thEUzgkr_mtqKAVbril08ph-6BI7rx3SsonOiObDOHSvROnemxKyIF3uvO334dnZ_9p-Sm1p47KVqBWoTxgnWhuPv7__aooWI/s400/magnetic+045.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My son then designed a bunch of outfits for his guy...and again we print out and cut out.</span> <div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403995696269247458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvehDMmIFbo0QqfSZtXYwJwxL4SlEg1s5sMabISdprODf0t03WdTP8c0tZLUFgYxqI_5FFo8Me0JyBURk42LIZoDHb4sDDUHJEEK8BER3nL1sbKX3iSgNwEMSGH5cZAIATfxjM91QMuz0/s400/magnetic+053.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had a tin lying around so that became the container. I'd like to get a bigger one and create "scenes"..maybe next week...</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So anyway, my son now has a customized magnetic paper doll (although he doesn't call it a paper doll, he calls it "MAGNET HERO"....can't you hear the theme music...</span></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403996923705485890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvFSxinlSqwff7vs9WXAqmqX-sX1RCQwXBKypKWJBxad4vNuMeC5Kxsbc92D4-i8SOarVeKYYYTrMhwXOx6z9XkaWQiqp9dSl4SySqqXJzD6xrt-LIEqJtD46BYkyi9QDzPxOKiR_vdo/s400/magno2+003.JPG" border="0" />Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-29826568996745844642009-11-03T17:01:00.001-08:002009-11-06T09:50:24.674-08:00Its Turkey Time...Pass it Along!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rZtrK0ybcHbH-UPVW7JprdBnuQuvWDNfp9Tv4fS3u_7-kaLPpbiQyV9InxfT_iL0lIpBZT1IFL7vEhyknIzWNzPDsgfffrPMpyOnOlWP8t-yGE1y7sZqugRGRI4LimwPpHrjCpKe7To/s1600-h/PaperandCake_Thanksgiving_download%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400047392065820754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rZtrK0ybcHbH-UPVW7JprdBnuQuvWDNfp9Tv4fS3u_7-kaLPpbiQyV9InxfT_iL0lIpBZT1IFL7vEhyknIzWNzPDsgfffrPMpyOnOlWP8t-yGE1y7sZqugRGRI4LimwPpHrjCpKe7To/s400/PaperandCake_Thanksgiving_download%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">This Thanksgiving marks the one year anniversary of <em><strong>Paper & Cake</strong></em> </span><a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">printable partyware</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">, and it has been quite a year - we've done <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/product/birds-nest-baby">Baby Showers</a> to <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/product/wild-bachelorette-party">Bachelorette</a> Soirees, <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/product/fairy-wonderland-printable-birthday-party">Fairy Parties</a> to <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/product/sail-away-printable-party">Farewell Parties</a>, <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/product/pirate-party">Pirate Parties</a> to every <a href="http://paperandcake.bigcartel.com/">Printable Party</a> in between!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">We want to show our appreciation for all of the support you have given us - with your business, your blog postings and your kind responses to this creative endeavor - by offering you a little thank you gift.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Paper & Cake "Thanksgiving" collection includes all you will need to entertain your family in style: </span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* Invitation + Envelope</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">* Menu* Place Cards</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">* Wine Glass Tags</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">* Napkin Rings / Vase Wrap / Candle Wrap</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">* Party Food Label</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">* Recipe Card</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">* Favor Box</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.tangarang.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/thanks2.pdf">Download yours </a></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.tangarang.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/thanks2.pdf">here</a>, and thank you again for a great year!</span> <div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sincerely,kira & abigail</span> </div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-59804067558730946872009-10-31T12:08:00.000-07:002009-10-31T12:17:53.324-07:00BIKE DAY!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT6XQElZN2SNaMKqq2wCkzuEh0JGSBgBGeW3xlVfkhH_kmEGIEcoaCo8EIOMKvvev-n3pDu7D6uqK-fBipohJvrpaw8pCnpRS3VjY1-gF-FvV2EfxGqTjnxWAnNkStxX2cPy4y4T3KF4/s1600-h/bike+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398844463617249906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT6XQElZN2SNaMKqq2wCkzuEh0JGSBgBGeW3xlVfkhH_kmEGIEcoaCo8EIOMKvvev-n3pDu7D6uqK-fBipohJvrpaw8pCnpRS3VjY1-gF-FvV2EfxGqTjnxWAnNkStxX2cPy4y4T3KF4/s400/bike+003.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">My incredibly talented husband built me this grocery-getter-kid-transporter bike...Love it!</span> <div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398844253123056146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyurCurkdeUzJ2i2Dy5Xun0EcLlszpCa_nIL96kWvwusCFywBuEoeeSQ96hIgT2xMSkl8PK6M-OkEOvpvtM79JFZVvSQR7PEcfvXyYP5KJBEeXdnCEjIYsToEr6E_ZlP8EmTa5phw2zEA/s400/bike+001.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He made it from an old tandem, then added a custom wood deck with handles for strapping kids and/or groceries...oh, and it has two pannier-styled baskets for carting stuff.</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398844781813151490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbuvdiOpPieVXlaqb-N6A-9u50jaCI4_MFWdJIkYgl18IzVMCRQ_smLWdIDZ3FWd0Y154hco4KRZzLTw5ZXC1vCSlsK6BVMHSm-mYVHJn6HBccrtuVTZzRAXQLBQsIyoZ_x6ZF5BER_8/s400/bike+021.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Makes quick runs to the grocery store pure joy! But it needs a name. We name them all (yes, there are 9 bikes in my garage for a family of 4). My beach cruiser is "Gertie"... any ideas?</span></div></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178665587099572074.post-90073594610867746312009-10-25T12:14:00.000-07:002011-10-15T15:30:28.407-07:00Halloween Village Craft<div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396630050013257858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINUcFBvAA8UwLBBvpNrJaUtDpJ8Al-IMtsEAhzxh4hx2P2tGYfMXi_lX5ijRaYBgAq_5Pr9p7n8Bbm0qmv4OUiHqAwiTtlIAmJiftX9MZz7V9SULUUeHYajU8Q3D5MLMXPkLAkezWSkg/s400/village+halloween+137.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Last Christmas I made a little <a href="http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/monday-craftiness.html">paper village</a>; the kids liked it so much they asked if we could do one for Halloween.</span><br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396630634973032146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNgN51f1qKzSGZIuEXUixizzN-Osv4dux3_shAZOOuWBE0f_WpWye7pxyB12yaV4iatPHPF4_XkabFFp0oj-6TactlzanW3h01TizasYvKBgohtByLfQ0eMY9H_E62i6uCsl568rr1oo/s400/village+halloween+122.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 387px;" /><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Using the same idea, I created a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/68929091/Haunted-Houses-Color">Halloween Village Template</a> to share. (There's also a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/68929387/Blank-Haunted-Houses">blank version</a> in case you want to use it to cut-out from your own patterned paper, or let the kids have at it with the crayons!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Just cut them out, and decorate! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I also cut out tombstone shapes (and a little crow) out of black construction paper and glittered...</span> <br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396630476979972018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC-JgxjGT83BmGjKCS8vnbPjeMrfvou1alZcmGLIMwB_iUQ2KPMvE3kVLY_LfSy3YFXURRL281NbKP6qUxQu-qx3ZQVfz8FkLmU42bszqaWOJcVkhM2GwvGtpCg1uz4ZStjBAfSxjetI/s400/village+halloween+129.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 268px;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 85%;"><em>Boo!</em></span></div>Kira Franz-Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08928954112804566088noreply@blogger.com3