tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26226412554539150632024-03-15T05:54:29.440-04:00Piccalilli Daysnatalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.comBlogger649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-71291504259816780852017-07-30T13:27:00.002-04:002017-07-30T13:27:52.344-04:00Right Around the Corner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjch5gUCo-QUXxHqz17_qRywB_8DpIxM1pGNEfqzBNaVMBi3zHEnwIXf4F39g853gc8XGg_xVZtbrWzS8e1ieHo2sdmyKJP1IvRjKVQa2eCjMVMd07LIY_G4ERMvncXcwXwI-iqtAXFFI0/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjch5gUCo-QUXxHqz17_qRywB_8DpIxM1pGNEfqzBNaVMBi3zHEnwIXf4F39g853gc8XGg_xVZtbrWzS8e1ieHo2sdmyKJP1IvRjKVQa2eCjMVMd07LIY_G4ERMvncXcwXwI-iqtAXFFI0/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite times is coming up!</div>
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It involves a lot of preparation,</div>
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a little lack of sleep,</div>
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and quite a bit of slippage in the housekeeping department</div>
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but...</div>
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I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!</div>
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Yup <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/783198835184389/">it's doll show time</a> and it's right around the corner.</div>
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Yet when I had a peek back at past years I was surprised to see I really didn't </div>
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start preparing until mid to late August...hmmmmm.</div>
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Could it be I finally paid attention to that note I wrote to myself on the </div>
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July page of my calendar to </div>
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"Get ready earlier!"</div>
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Maybe it's the fact that "Back to School" hits full force the very same week as the show</div>
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and this time around not only will preschool will be back open for business </div>
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but I'll be heading off to college myself for a wee refresher.</div>
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Or perhaps it's because I've had it on my radar </div>
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for the past several months </div>
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due to this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAUFtI6Jr2L3MVz0mXZ8kOSjOVkVW0Q_2I0T0uRFk1wrFpqvDI6E-ktQj_IEUT392UpUaCcmswYh-VAhT1YFDMt2oJy1EAmKQnavbtSecA0kVHm5HAoKMj-Xm3mp4MsrclHZYv1x2rGw/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAUFtI6Jr2L3MVz0mXZ8kOSjOVkVW0Q_2I0T0uRFk1wrFpqvDI6E-ktQj_IEUT392UpUaCcmswYh-VAhT1YFDMt2oJy1EAmKQnavbtSecA0kVHm5HAoKMj-Xm3mp4MsrclHZYv1x2rGw/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...our annual flier layout for the show.</div>
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Minus the fact that this is an amazingly terrible photo </div>
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(compliments of my phone) let me just say I love this little flier. </div>
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It's familiar and cozy and for me represents tradition and dependability. </div>
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The biggest excitement of receiving them each year is to see what color they will be printed on.</div>
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I even like the fact that the directions are written out for you since I can't </div>
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quite seem to entirely trust the whole Mapquest mentality yet.</div>
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But considering I'm not the norm, </div>
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ramblings under way in the </div>
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revamp department.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5rcyU45poTshp-3HQcipcVfwtm70hIEc4wLYPVwQBbAvoCo3Qnr_Jymd4I02A-5OY_qjYqovWUbpa6Uat8y-IO0Ca5TRXYM_GdNtsK7jvop4oopdF_-q-U5oSEsFlDbyjjVuXvHMOPI/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5rcyU45poTshp-3HQcipcVfwtm70hIEc4wLYPVwQBbAvoCo3Qnr_Jymd4I02A-5OY_qjYqovWUbpa6Uat8y-IO0Ca5TRXYM_GdNtsK7jvop4oopdF_-q-U5oSEsFlDbyjjVuXvHMOPI/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And so a while back I was put to task with a bit of sketching....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkMNWtmsAJh46br_rbjJrgXJD1errz796mv2EAe9yvT8Sh72kl8b-7WXec-xUWKW7_TfDA0pcj2DG35EWpziKO057G6RYvD-YEB2ajq1_a8XEGS4Ts6GidXoNhgGuV_fsoJ0HH-Akacg/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkMNWtmsAJh46br_rbjJrgXJD1errz796mv2EAe9yvT8Sh72kl8b-7WXec-xUWKW7_TfDA0pcj2DG35EWpziKO057G6RYvD-YEB2ajq1_a8XEGS4Ts6GidXoNhgGuV_fsoJ0HH-Akacg/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...which progressed to some layout planning,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW67ivJfoJW_Mue7eFm6wDB3v9nZMa4k1z-57_CnyEd3prZ9OYe-5B8YocJwHfDkeeyLekDmbhVvUQiLYGxd9uvZ_7KG0eRw0HaxxWD2lSbqcxnrTZBClD0wicHCsn5DCEa4TnNbYoHc/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW67ivJfoJW_Mue7eFm6wDB3v9nZMa4k1z-57_CnyEd3prZ9OYe-5B8YocJwHfDkeeyLekDmbhVvUQiLYGxd9uvZ_7KG0eRw0HaxxWD2lSbqcxnrTZBClD0wicHCsn5DCEa4TnNbYoHc/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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followed by a little line drawing,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMLm_rvcCAbAkq9rNBU-l_wVwn8-hrXUOyp6AhogmRIqL-xnDNDQOAoO7tbgLO0MUOfE_vs3AXZRdjxiUtF-d9Ot7Zp1E3fr2GnUc0VM7JqCdAp5w3f4HvlyDx53dwhXgQpr2Emgs9yc/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMLm_rvcCAbAkq9rNBU-l_wVwn8-hrXUOyp6AhogmRIqL-xnDNDQOAoO7tbgLO0MUOfE_vs3AXZRdjxiUtF-d9Ot7Zp1E3fr2GnUc0VM7JqCdAp5w3f4HvlyDx53dwhXgQpr2Emgs9yc/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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until finally a rainy day was made bright with coloring fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRRC9urYyUKtnJafW8OhlFhJrCk455P1Y3wQhDo_mdp4wRHQqUMCah7pRkpgr_rPKZ9sbNz3A5CQIaWQy1VZowUIDE2CgeoNkUG7g4zzpf_VERo9QNtIwIWnRzCv07y6qTG-H6e_tGGo/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRRC9urYyUKtnJafW8OhlFhJrCk455P1Y3wQhDo_mdp4wRHQqUMCah7pRkpgr_rPKZ9sbNz3A5CQIaWQy1VZowUIDE2CgeoNkUG7g4zzpf_VERo9QNtIwIWnRzCv07y6qTG-H6e_tGGo/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It seems with that mission accomplished</div>
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I've got the inspiration needed to push full steam ahead </div>
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in the production of inventory...</div>
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wee wooden dollies,</div>
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pincushions galore,</div>
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and an assortment of itty bitty go along goodies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXVPiZDvPlzJBZKbMJ_9BConBbE8Z14f7rY1L8Rk3XU-ISKo4HRS3_V8GwKyg2KGuIUoqFM2LTy0lkzU8TFbxBA35EsYbK3hEU2DpEj5sOUQ-rObDBaejT27jsDBdtJIqQE6X_QXpa2Q/s1600/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXVPiZDvPlzJBZKbMJ_9BConBbE8Z14f7rY1L8Rk3XU-ISKo4HRS3_V8GwKyg2KGuIUoqFM2LTy0lkzU8TFbxBA35EsYbK3hEU2DpEj5sOUQ-rObDBaejT27jsDBdtJIqQE6X_QXpa2Q/s400/7-30-17+right+around+the+corner+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Considering I'm not on the show committee </div>
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I honestly don't know the ins and outs of how or even if my flier will be used. </div>
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What I do know, however, is that I can't wait!</div>
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If anyone is interested in joining the fun, please do!</div>
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You can find all the info <a href="https://www.etsy.com/local/event/160941470487/southern-new-hampshire-doll-show-and-september-17">here</a></div>
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or</div>
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if you'd like a little flier of your own just let me know...</div>
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I'd be delighted to send one your way!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-1592079209765591472017-07-19T09:21:00.000-04:002017-07-19T09:21:01.266-04:00Summer Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht42K9n2SGSIhKkqUBnIFs4QBfa0nGeX40PrwKZnuvJ3U5TtORZjEa8_ajiZb-l-Vp1p0mLOVSUuIIODXbWuO3-QpuWIqJH9QOVB4CJxnV8PcBaQkwBTtPwf4eyG8qIW3x2KM-sqNg8TQ/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="1600" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht42K9n2SGSIhKkqUBnIFs4QBfa0nGeX40PrwKZnuvJ3U5TtORZjEa8_ajiZb-l-Vp1p0mLOVSUuIIODXbWuO3-QpuWIqJH9QOVB4CJxnV8PcBaQkwBTtPwf4eyG8qIW3x2KM-sqNg8TQ/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Within our walls exist </div>
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a dear hubby that works from home,</div>
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three quite grown up "children,"</div>
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and a bichon pup with severe separation anxiety issues.</div>
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To expect our day to day</div>
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(or night to night)</div>
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to flow in a leisurely summer manner</div>
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would be asking a miracle...</div>
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and so I don't.</div>
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Instead, I read.</div>
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This year I even went so far as to create a </div>
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summer reading curriculum. It includes a selection of books </div>
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picked with lifestyle dreams in mind since I figure you </div>
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can't redirect your daily path if you're</div>
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not quite sure where you</div>
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want to go</div>
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yet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vRBIe3dyYdrOdHvtmtwgMtzDbgYviEcd5PbsM4C2E9xmDe_6KYiD7hBCzI2i6s8ShTIfR890QyA5yHcRzAKk1F8zM1XV3qv8ZfgRi0kyypQuZd16pZHEVCR0h2W2ZRLWMDCzMcw26-4/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vRBIe3dyYdrOdHvtmtwgMtzDbgYviEcd5PbsM4C2E9xmDe_6KYiD7hBCzI2i6s8ShTIfR890QyA5yHcRzAKk1F8zM1XV3qv8ZfgRi0kyypQuZd16pZHEVCR0h2W2ZRLWMDCzMcw26-4/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I started with a few favorite authors....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlTjqQuOZFvApQQdfMcFzyoxZTcmWx29hCbqV8rgaxjj3XgINZNuh4HVo1uK2HHgA_aYnL9APjmLIHD4b2eR7w6MCiJ0yXc1klw_JGyBVJKg4yGvFJlqNWwAyXyKOs8iCtJcVKyoFjhY/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlTjqQuOZFvApQQdfMcFzyoxZTcmWx29hCbqV8rgaxjj3XgINZNuh4HVo1uK2HHgA_aYnL9APjmLIHD4b2eR7w6MCiJ0yXc1klw_JGyBVJKg4yGvFJlqNWwAyXyKOs8iCtJcVKyoFjhY/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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combined with an interest in remote coastal living,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN2RsYlJ4zGJ4SAYhu3mOGgXQpLeVCOT-lnCyXuoi3NL_NqLqHlZaqiWkRyNNyGlQKH8nWft70A_QKyASE4MnXH6l4CrKwASVIDVOmIPOvKKGieg6LfH1LOEL0hMY7Ns01BeuU20bN1o/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsN2RsYlJ4zGJ4SAYhu3mOGgXQpLeVCOT-lnCyXuoi3NL_NqLqHlZaqiWkRyNNyGlQKH8nWft70A_QKyASE4MnXH6l4CrKwASVIDVOmIPOvKKGieg6LfH1LOEL0hMY7Ns01BeuU20bN1o/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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a tad of cozy housekeeping love,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVe7SaOdVAq7SgE5gY_ZzPdCTpENllHieM9_l8nJ4qBjzx-DCLR7O1gyootbK8M108EbGF6iuGszPNSY9xOFKFyslU0a4d4V369GShou0-9HNPmMpPjC38TlaeMV52uF3Rw9an4wbMtU/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVe7SaOdVAq7SgE5gY_ZzPdCTpENllHieM9_l8nJ4qBjzx-DCLR7O1gyootbK8M108EbGF6iuGszPNSY9xOFKFyslU0a4d4V369GShou0-9HNPmMpPjC38TlaeMV52uF3Rw9an4wbMtU/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and a hint of New England nostalgia.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9Z8HQcGfEMhGTNzXpaNTihVFW9n11qllNJH-ZfYB_NUzqSl3WQkRFTQq0RO6iSGzo7mfwMjeTJCgf0V3FWBasALEYRPAkmVJrziKkXvfckDjOhq49L62ecOjy9afhFYPUpvEPD9UWUg/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9Z8HQcGfEMhGTNzXpaNTihVFW9n11qllNJH-ZfYB_NUzqSl3WQkRFTQq0RO6iSGzo7mfwMjeTJCgf0V3FWBasALEYRPAkmVJrziKkXvfckDjOhq49L62ecOjy9afhFYPUpvEPD9UWUg/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suppose the cherry on top is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Island-Garden-Celia-Thaxter/dp/0395485916/ref=la_B001ITYEZO_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500470361&sr=1-1">this one</a>...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvahptDRNNECSEKSPYLQLJwERRgCF8VYHfYxWHOYfYPSoAR_CVWzI6Im5ye4zVF2ITKvHS25DacI3OIV4J4mHOvolLfFBIj1O_0YNp6rlzDD4MyZt9Y0BYGRegLAxOC213YUGytnNQaM/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvahptDRNNECSEKSPYLQLJwERRgCF8VYHfYxWHOYfYPSoAR_CVWzI6Im5ye4zVF2ITKvHS25DacI3OIV4J4mHOvolLfFBIj1O_0YNp6rlzDD4MyZt9Y0BYGRegLAxOC213YUGytnNQaM/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've had it in my possession for ages and am shamed to say have not yet even </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
browsed it's pages. Strange, especially considering Tasha Tudor </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wrote the introduction. Perhaps it needed to be saved </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially for this summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_uRH-7pQJQ5nqUu_5gVsK7fAKOSBn2WPezy04XU2p0AU5UoHH-Bi6246gmxlCZ4mMNFXczRazz1GlcwJ_0x2ei5qx_UDL_ErE5dzlVprOemlgz4pKt6SrdaJls8krmVUFvUYEzxqluQ/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_uRH-7pQJQ5nqUu_5gVsK7fAKOSBn2WPezy04XU2p0AU5UoHH-Bi6246gmxlCZ4mMNFXczRazz1GlcwJ_0x2ei5qx_UDL_ErE5dzlVprOemlgz4pKt6SrdaJls8krmVUFvUYEzxqluQ/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It might be just the inspiration needed to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hurl myself out and actually go visit someplace beyond my own dooryard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They do have <a href="https://www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org/event/celia-thaxters-garden-tours">tours of the island</a> you know!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHlWdBJo1oe5cFBfFP51-ZaKX6EfSb_2pPU7F18w0BwKkWS24uVuOmM2KYNsmm8vBNyjHPhtu-A4sRYZTJDN-SmGK_uEJrc7UUUmx-bE7hMfNTEbYdMUZRRk9vxgcs23-HkGuT6OAoUg/s1600/7-19-17+summer+reading+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHlWdBJo1oe5cFBfFP51-ZaKX6EfSb_2pPU7F18w0BwKkWS24uVuOmM2KYNsmm8vBNyjHPhtu-A4sRYZTJDN-SmGK_uEJrc7UUUmx-bE7hMfNTEbYdMUZRRk9vxgcs23-HkGuT6OAoUg/s400/7-19-17+summer+reading+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Speaking of traveling out and beyond....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a gathering of wee friends made their way out into the world this week.</div>
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What brave little hearts they have!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only two remain.</div>
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Both also have a bent for adventure </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I've promised to provide just that by posting them </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over Etsy way come Friday morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do believe a few Pinelopes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
intend to join the fun </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as well!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-78323392587133093572017-07-02T13:33:00.002-04:002017-07-02T13:33:50.184-04:00What's Up?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt7w_CZTFFu3X0UOafn7T9eqbAfZ7-DtFoq9rqAQjEHXMHozOEWS3rh-Cm63XxNdtESdUC0yUmYTNzXlgf0O0JA0jzGgXprM0jM_IMcVrukFHvcsxEc0Dk0BLhsgzT8YZoJf6WJT9wTs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1158" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt7w_CZTFFu3X0UOafn7T9eqbAfZ7-DtFoq9rqAQjEHXMHozOEWS3rh-Cm63XxNdtESdUC0yUmYTNzXlgf0O0JA0jzGgXprM0jM_IMcVrukFHvcsxEc0Dk0BLhsgzT8YZoJf6WJT9wTs/s400/1.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quite literally the most exciting thing up in our neck of the woods </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is a brand new chandelier....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever live in a home with such elegance,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like Cinderella! Our previous boring old light fixture developed a habit </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of popping and smoking whenever the switch was turned on </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and so a venture out to Home Depot was in order.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I found an amazing assortment of sleek and oh so grown up specimens to choose from, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
unfortunately I am not a very sleek or grown up individual.</div>
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In fact I felt very Goldilock-ish in that nothing felt just right.....</div>
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too big,</div>
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too bright,</div>
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and</div>
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too boring.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But then, way down low I spied something of interest, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a relatively tiny box with a hint of glimmer to it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The home improvement fairies must have secreted it away just for me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the box contained what was marketed as a </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Miniature Chandelier."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh the power of words....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I</div>
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was</div>
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SOLD!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Add to that a can of Robin's Egg Blue spray paint,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an agreeable dear hubby, a bewildered electrician and here I am,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
living like a princess!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55zSp3jLY3ZA3XpDP8wn0EKUIlpOIciLwF3qrA1V7Q5LWNU8rVFKIQLS4UI-YxdSPQDqtrT7dXLV_nTCE1H0XViaWbBG98YyBAC8s8Me579rzTfCB_HWne0xKioblAqRYmwbAt6a2AY/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55zSp3jLY3ZA3XpDP8wn0EKUIlpOIciLwF3qrA1V7Q5LWNU8rVFKIQLS4UI-YxdSPQDqtrT7dXLV_nTCE1H0XViaWbBG98YyBAC8s8Me579rzTfCB_HWne0xKioblAqRYmwbAt6a2AY/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But what else do I fill my days with aside from selecting ball gowns and eating bonbons?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well I'm trying to remember how to take photos for some listings I </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
want to get in the shop....the poor thing has been </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as empty as Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard for ages upon ages now!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoAB4U1Slwj5ws8NM1xE34LqRl-0PVshQ84UCx9rw6jRimVyLiJJxDZ6DEj7e0SkPv4wIJKE8EsRGQRhoznhZ_esQyOLsqjrQxB_F9DEUiib0UngfKL0mwHKTbfYG9aETMh3tnmpg92w/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoAB4U1Slwj5ws8NM1xE34LqRl-0PVshQ84UCx9rw6jRimVyLiJJxDZ6DEj7e0SkPv4wIJKE8EsRGQRhoznhZ_esQyOLsqjrQxB_F9DEUiib0UngfKL0mwHKTbfYG9aETMh3tnmpg92w/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've also a fair share of goodies I need to get delivered....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQZbo07xaxolgPrLLifabUHR3fUCzwfKHser-m3VrDc4o_PdjFB83aZBUMRkEuf9xH_sLqJblVy3aUKD5xPa1f8MlbcKo1Pram1mUdyqrgRd7stGg2Tbo2Wo3dvCzYWB7ITVY3tD4ht4/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQZbo07xaxolgPrLLifabUHR3fUCzwfKHser-m3VrDc4o_PdjFB83aZBUMRkEuf9xH_sLqJblVy3aUKD5xPa1f8MlbcKo1Pram1mUdyqrgRd7stGg2Tbo2Wo3dvCzYWB7ITVY3tD4ht4/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.....and so many more in the works!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-p-dhvQMPsZYzlah7MmMzuAubhEeP9KEUgs7jXyyMJN38GWEScQXgJ7ekm0oX5f6Cs-jopHHjjuh1dvcsZ-7i93Cn1SqF7pyup1sQDi0amZBbZEuGar1yjg1CyKaH_cWiGc0akDxJZA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-p-dhvQMPsZYzlah7MmMzuAubhEeP9KEUgs7jXyyMJN38GWEScQXgJ7ekm0oX5f6Cs-jopHHjjuh1dvcsZ-7i93Cn1SqF7pyup1sQDi0amZBbZEuGar1yjg1CyKaH_cWiGc0akDxJZA/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've got a wish list of inventory I'm hoping to take with me to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/local/event/160941470487/southern-new-hampshire-doll-show-and-september-17">Southern New Hampshire Doll Show and Sale</a> this September and a lack of available elves to help with the production so it looks like my fingers will be busy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P8grwmNrgu28kO4dmMObFQprX-U96QH03aIcX6wITSOO98mkvieiegKBqf7iFIXTUSBNwwQ2wdElDzC3nj7IdYzXWoZEytzTDNtaOt3BUFbScRJVvf6QDnEfs5UbkIjHwqS2if5Zcs0/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P8grwmNrgu28kO4dmMObFQprX-U96QH03aIcX6wITSOO98mkvieiegKBqf7iFIXTUSBNwwQ2wdElDzC3nj7IdYzXWoZEytzTDNtaOt3BUFbScRJVvf6QDnEfs5UbkIjHwqS2if5Zcs0/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All in all I'd say it's a happily ever after adventure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-16400943229679925022017-06-21T17:44:00.001-04:002017-06-21T17:45:58.151-04:00Well Lookie There!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4yPeeWVHJXS_AKI9mK2AK7iHYYyJbJ_oJrpOFa2WgcwgEMW0EA-Rhp1quSwFSU3ukkfBWqXS8rV26RWowRSi1tNxZDAdlBemKsRnQR67pFWasEYL6tgS4id96pdNk3S7WtkUHdpG88g/s1600/20170621_121810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="1533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4yPeeWVHJXS_AKI9mK2AK7iHYYyJbJ_oJrpOFa2WgcwgEMW0EA-Rhp1quSwFSU3ukkfBWqXS8rV26RWowRSi1tNxZDAdlBemKsRnQR67pFWasEYL6tgS4id96pdNk3S7WtkUHdpG88g/s400/20170621_121810.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Long time no see....at least around these parts that is!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like everyone else I've been busy with this, that, and the other but as of today...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
IT"S OFFICIALLY SUMMER!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To say I am delighted is an understatement.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so looking forward to the longer days, the warmer weather, and a chance to really </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
enjoy the pleasures of taking stitches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm even hoping to pop in here much more often....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but if not so frequent as planned</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I already know the culprit to be that dratted phone of mine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it's ever so easy link to the world of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/piccalillipatchwork/?hl=en">Instagram.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's quick, it's fun, but also lacking in ways I can't quite wrap my head around.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quite simply...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Miss</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blog.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm so glad your still here!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-35051994442574747102017-02-01T20:02:00.000-05:002017-02-01T20:02:33.523-05:00Maybe Someday, Maybe Never<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPuJMiNBEmfk_AdSx6KeygFjM8XPX3xDkT7zyQ34VK3F_IVugjpAnL8zSs75wxpMIIWZI2UOzTNZl0Cvl6EUKbTSHAE5ssH2_Fpn1vSwjCRHdeNwG05Ui-tDyrQnTXE25H3EpFnwpz-A/s1600/IMG_6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPuJMiNBEmfk_AdSx6KeygFjM8XPX3xDkT7zyQ34VK3F_IVugjpAnL8zSs75wxpMIIWZI2UOzTNZl0Cvl6EUKbTSHAE5ssH2_Fpn1vSwjCRHdeNwG05Ui-tDyrQnTXE25H3EpFnwpz-A/s400/IMG_6764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So the New Year's plan was to orchestrate a series of monthly shop updates.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each was to be developed around a theme of sorts such as Hitty goodies, doll beds, or pin toppers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought this plan of action would keep me organized and focused.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trouble was, I thought wrong.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It turned out to be a case of too many pots in the fire.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chaos reined in my work spaces and in my head</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and as a result</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not one item made it into the shop</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nor into the hands of some VERY patient individuals.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's no longer a new year, but it is day one of a new month.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And for this fine month of February ahead I have developed a new plan.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's called the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I'll Do What I Can Plan."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What it means is this...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll do what I can with what time I am afforded and only with a feeling of joy in my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want each individual stitch to be enjoyed, each paint stroke applied with peace, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and each completed project to smile back at me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Working under a deadline and at the expense of family, friends, and sleep </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is the perfect recipe for mishap and mayhem on the work table. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(It also makes for one cranky mama</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and more than a few </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
miserable meals...just ask the kiddos!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Items made under an air of misfortune are not something I wish to share with others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To do so would turn all of this into a job and not a joy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That would be sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll still be creating on a small scale and curating my little shop...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
day by day,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
stitch by stitch,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
item by item,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but always with a whole lot of happiness in the heart!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-64839500520095212902016-10-14T08:58:00.000-04:002016-10-14T08:58:34.065-04:00My New Best Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzgWLTAD5mfmlrZOf2mxFvv4bVHhP_zYSC945fMdAdCxlRvpboErcKzmXjS-47TmCqyPQCtSfIanEBNw-1g-eSTFqRUv2ipvCGtZ3Vsy2kBkUb-Z4hvyNPSBkZGngDknkhCr1wf14W_c/s1600/a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzgWLTAD5mfmlrZOf2mxFvv4bVHhP_zYSC945fMdAdCxlRvpboErcKzmXjS-47TmCqyPQCtSfIanEBNw-1g-eSTFqRUv2ipvCGtZ3Vsy2kBkUb-Z4hvyNPSBkZGngDknkhCr1wf14W_c/s400/a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apologies for the omission of an introduction!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please do meet my now "not so new" helper,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the Lap App.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a "whim" purchase last spring. One of those "I'VE GOT TO HAVE IT" acquisitions that are made without really rationalizing whether or not the item is really suited for you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most often I come to regret such impulses and yet continually fail </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to learn from such impulses....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to which I say,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"THANK GOODNESS!!!!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is sold <a href="https://lapappstore.net/">here at The Lap App Store </a>under the premise of being a lap table, which it is to be sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But....using it atop my work space has proved to be my favorite means </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of hanging out with my new friend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFb1CyTa4kbePweSxcu4LDAj9d4o3ksZ6twHPXbVU3UxXn98E-s6CaDF_oGv77xT8J-siMoG9UmEEs1BQ_VPpicKypAmuSeN7T-LDnDWq85kDNLaJHBoA9U9DVBIwp_8HvIlU2LQvNw/s1600/b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFb1CyTa4kbePweSxcu4LDAj9d4o3ksZ6twHPXbVU3UxXn98E-s6CaDF_oGv77xT8J-siMoG9UmEEs1BQ_VPpicKypAmuSeN7T-LDnDWq85kDNLaJHBoA9U9DVBIwp_8HvIlU2LQvNw/s400/b.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The added height and the ability to adjust the angle of my work surface </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are benefits I would not have anticipated. The thimble printed cover is removable and underneath is a non slip surface for tracing. An alternate heat resistant cover for ironing is also included.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Handy extras can be found in the three spindles for thread storage, a magnet for keeping needles safe, and my very favorite... a petite pocket for holding scissors.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do think we will be friends for life!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-46438439229249272182016-09-25T23:32:00.000-04:002016-09-26T00:08:56.653-04:00The Castaway Returns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MSUHys2GxGnFqK4p-8k7TsO3LUK5eB3GKh4O78gAEbuQBO9mLf0hoEMGu7BcIXOu49XHAmEZojPeQf88yaboFa_-jbNlFDtB-CFF614M0hoF6fyykKrKUOPh9L3DktnFjS5qaIzgcZw/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MSUHys2GxGnFqK4p-8k7TsO3LUK5eB3GKh4O78gAEbuQBO9mLf0hoEMGu7BcIXOu49XHAmEZojPeQf88yaboFa_-jbNlFDtB-CFF614M0hoF6fyykKrKUOPh9L3DktnFjS5qaIzgcZw/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Long time no "sea" dear friends!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So long in fact that my secret project is no longer undisclosed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As such, how about we start back at the beginning.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.....the very beginning, which just so happens </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to involve an introduction to this young at heart lady here,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/2aa/2aa610.htm">Miss Martha Cahoon</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having once lived a good number of years on Cape Cod it was a given </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I would be familiar with the whimsical work of <a href="http://www.afanews.com/articles/item/622-chasing-mermaids-the-paintings-of-ralph-cahoon-a-centennial-retrospective#.V-hIofkrLIU">Ralph Cahoon</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reproductions of his seaside paintings were in abundance as framed prints, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his museum was passed many a day as I made my way to Dick and Ellie's Flea Market, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I do believe I received more than one birthday card featuring his lovely mermaids. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It wasn't until many moons later, when I actually took the time to step foot into the museum,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I discovered the remarkable Martha. She was an artist in her own right both before </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and after her almost 50 year stint of marriage to Ralph and, in my mind at least, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a huge inspiration behind the direction his work took.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is also a tremendous inspiration to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wife, mother, housekeeper, cook and still quite prolific in her work...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...what is there not to admire about such a woman?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81rucNE93zW0PVx9OHN-zMD6qpelWulptPQDdj1hVCAe_t88qw8sHdjBNuQrbHIj6sWOpJoHf-bd-cpxcMPA6UerpwgOMVs_gFGINicbjO95ETopdddXYVuCr1Sf87Q7Ea1bBqK1Bg28/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81rucNE93zW0PVx9OHN-zMD6qpelWulptPQDdj1hVCAe_t88qw8sHdjBNuQrbHIj6sWOpJoHf-bd-cpxcMPA6UerpwgOMVs_gFGINicbjO95ETopdddXYVuCr1Sf87Q7Ea1bBqK1Bg28/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Simple Pleasures: The Art of Martha Cahoon </i>while visiting <a href="http://cahoonmuseum.org/">the museum</a> that day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a little gem of a book that led me to explore seacoast themes in art of all sorts....paintings, hooked rugs, and especially Sailor's Valentines. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The thought of creating something in that vein tickled my fancy </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but the outlet in which to do it had long evaded me until dear hubby gifted me the solution in the form of a book that celebrates the art of "painting" with fabric...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Story-Quilts-Through-Yukari-Takahara/dp/0985974699/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1474844156&sr=1-1&keywords=story+quilts">Story Quilts: Through the Seasons</a> </i>by Yukari Takahara.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This book is almost as amazing as Takahara herself.<br />
Being another one of those "young at hearters," I cannot help but imagine<br />
she and Martha would have gotten along fabulously!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb4Tgu6aEf0MMTcw-g51LxKLox8moZUTE9Dc8aukyENh6eqBMuRcodAOotuo9j7S57csIsY7Cy00nndhFgboQ3JCkeUqDZvIKgN_E1LCi0DzYdkPDfb7AZcc5GPIAnJAWZOHGu6dpqaA/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb4Tgu6aEf0MMTcw-g51LxKLox8moZUTE9Dc8aukyENh6eqBMuRcodAOotuo9j7S57csIsY7Cy00nndhFgboQ3JCkeUqDZvIKgN_E1LCi0DzYdkPDfb7AZcc5GPIAnJAWZOHGu6dpqaA/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, somewhere along the way in this story a wedding invitation was received. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had I thought it through I would have taken a picture of it </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but since I didn't I'll substitute this one of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the courting Martha and Ralph instead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kinda cute isn't it?<br />
<br />
My own courting couple is pretty cute too, but better yet, they are very much<br />
kindred with the Cape and Islands. Their wedding was to be on the the Cape, they often visit Nantucket, and nautical themed art frequents their walls.<br />
<br />
In them I found the kick in the pants I needed to try my hand<br />
at some whimsy and should all go as planned<br />
I'd have a wedding gift to boot! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMZiUjDhyphenhypheny4Sntct3LKxwauy30AfN8Cg4ugTjLNmfK9ASFDhK1CPr8wWYgnVcG_bQ5oIUdIX6Kem6YjzzPrSZx9o0xOmnOkayJayCRwJnQV9rraDV34KUT2cRFkj2lxu6lxDeZEn5feg/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMZiUjDhyphenhypheny4Sntct3LKxwauy30AfN8Cg4ugTjLNmfK9ASFDhK1CPr8wWYgnVcG_bQ5oIUdIX6Kem6YjzzPrSZx9o0xOmnOkayJayCRwJnQV9rraDV34KUT2cRFkj2lxu6lxDeZEn5feg/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some serious perusing of the ins and outs of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sailor's Valentines.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
,,,along with an exploration of the more romantic mermaid depictions, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDv8WQGCQ1ew5iYXD3n5JfPClfIsa6lZasYOLVnTBfOOm9WUy-KdwKRQMnbPOcvQIPdjdgPw89mIHGpIabbC_Wq3aPLenEPhdVQz1SeHWTUyvo7FCvSD1TRU1rTBfhEm7hkWro3Zr6vM/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDv8WQGCQ1ew5iYXD3n5JfPClfIsa6lZasYOLVnTBfOOm9WUy-KdwKRQMnbPOcvQIPdjdgPw89mIHGpIabbC_Wq3aPLenEPhdVQz1SeHWTUyvo7FCvSD1TRU1rTBfhEm7hkWro3Zr6vM/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
led to a shopping trip for fabrics inspired by my discoveries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-FT4tXtyxqgh5QBYiXvGL6uA5U2FaL3qhJ4_jwNJhItSHbKaOiI_iVwu043lFhkc2jgjbhvBDJsetyUsJPXzEHxMzDXYxlSAk8u9sY9dU2lvkMjClAbYLKalBoiBJq-eWF7NsCNbqr4/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-FT4tXtyxqgh5QBYiXvGL6uA5U2FaL3qhJ4_jwNJhItSHbKaOiI_iVwu043lFhkc2jgjbhvBDJsetyUsJPXzEHxMzDXYxlSAk8u9sY9dU2lvkMjClAbYLKalBoiBJq-eWF7NsCNbqr4/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The day I actually sat down to set sail with my first stitches was very exciting to say the least.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It also looks a bit crowded but I don't seemed to remember feeling that way at the time,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
probably because I was so hyper focused on that 8x8 inch </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"canvas" sitting in front of me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFEeGxTYacmsa0PngfUv8n_5mIgCiBZRhoLEp_FD11E5VMN3FKYFtKLOXsFVp4Ywl8Jx1M30zljxHCXdEwps7bjGTNwUhsWNpP4HsASZ2HijHZUJBF3JE6zA9tNMRwuSxVQ5wxvduH-Y/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFEeGxTYacmsa0PngfUv8n_5mIgCiBZRhoLEp_FD11E5VMN3FKYFtKLOXsFVp4Ywl8Jx1M30zljxHCXdEwps7bjGTNwUhsWNpP4HsASZ2HijHZUJBF3JE6zA9tNMRwuSxVQ5wxvduH-Y/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At first it was truly smooth sailing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the only waves were friendly ones!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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As the project progressed however, and the applique pieces became smaller and smaller, </div>
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the devil in the details reared his ugly head. There was definitely a learning </div>
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curve involved in this process.</div>
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Round about the "hankie"clouds on the horizon is where I left off with my earlier blogging posts.</div>
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Not only was the stitching time consuming but I often spent just about as</div>
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much time ripping things out as I did putting them in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJEr6Dh6Ud3IZsLAc_JMXaO8bWXwlREaeBp5MF0Ib_Mrm7dqJ_CUUViNK9ulQlTEy4Cs6LcMXo9KkAQcCJlnfsSOe3V_UeDTVBIiDME9DaNYMPMD9i4i6OWjt4ICAl0zvRLM2vBHcGyk/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJEr6Dh6Ud3IZsLAc_JMXaO8bWXwlREaeBp5MF0Ib_Mrm7dqJ_CUUViNK9ulQlTEy4Cs6LcMXo9KkAQcCJlnfsSOe3V_UeDTVBIiDME9DaNYMPMD9i4i6OWjt4ICAl0zvRLM2vBHcGyk/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The islands were my turning point. </div>
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While the pieces might have been on the smaller side </div>
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the fabric itself was sturdier </div>
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and my needle skills a bit more practiced.</div>
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I found I could telescope my vision and see the ultimate destination within reach.</div>
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Bit by bit pieces fell into place...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAOz_i11oefS1SqKCAZCUQZA8MlV-CpIE3e8UOXxImkcWjX4yAC5jopRad4Y0u1lTX2CnFkAnmr3wRUh6kuLb31HjCmCdqXn8HGzP11-vYAe8AbFEpgg0yTvKmiQ5_bAohWGssPSgHXM/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAOz_i11oefS1SqKCAZCUQZA8MlV-CpIE3e8UOXxImkcWjX4yAC5jopRad4Y0u1lTX2CnFkAnmr3wRUh6kuLb31HjCmCdqXn8HGzP11-vYAe8AbFEpgg0yTvKmiQ5_bAohWGssPSgHXM/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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...until a cute little couple of my own making came to be!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcemXuqNjO3LVYzxCW4ft1a8WhS-OGsNK_wWmeGic-RJrgIFdTt1dBPlLordMnBSBIl9kJc3FjwzkBAPsTkkCCgoE0Lpn7F-x3Xn0JB-ncvNWZ6rlMJmRPAvHVpMOJ2satn9G7JLsSzo/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcemXuqNjO3LVYzxCW4ft1a8WhS-OGsNK_wWmeGic-RJrgIFdTt1dBPlLordMnBSBIl9kJc3FjwzkBAPsTkkCCgoE0Lpn7F-x3Xn0JB-ncvNWZ6rlMJmRPAvHVpMOJ2satn9G7JLsSzo/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+16.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another vintage hankie was put to use. </div>
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I loved the trim on this one and thought it would be </div>
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lovely along the border edge...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYCPxblIJaNuMNG6h7eKZHAag7Xpb964BrzcOkCJvoDEGbiifNXxhQKjhBl7BpOH5GsS7unOcMQm6empaquL5znXecJkIug4M37wuOrT93zJzU1ulEC6xIQtUydIDSQuU6S-FeSSsshI/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYCPxblIJaNuMNG6h7eKZHAag7Xpb964BrzcOkCJvoDEGbiifNXxhQKjhBl7BpOH5GsS7unOcMQm6empaquL5znXecJkIug4M37wuOrT93zJzU1ulEC6xIQtUydIDSQuU6S-FeSSsshI/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+17.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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...but I will admit it was very hard to make the first cut into it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrQ3dbdWmNF5HQZzF83enCKyYi6yY1uvLx_GFTYZdCLoJTjXQZQbH6M5Pnu-u08CxT2ON8IJU0PUA4loMZ1uH8e-nV1R8-HIxXuNo5PKpCa5a3Iar-CQA-0_Hmues8uNp-ZPAsRkwLU0/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrQ3dbdWmNF5HQZzF83enCKyYi6yY1uvLx_GFTYZdCLoJTjXQZQbH6M5Pnu-u08CxT2ON8IJU0PUA4loMZ1uH8e-nV1R8-HIxXuNo5PKpCa5a3Iar-CQA-0_Hmues8uNp-ZPAsRkwLU0/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+18.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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English paper piecing lent a hand,</div>
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and what better function for some miniature hexie pieces...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomuXgEdvjEh3I0HIwJjqlud1lTUya_ct8pIl6P1N0uMC2VM-jmDpnGXfIiIVrXQzHSuQIw1XApp7JrlV1q6IytuFtGgvNStNmt3Ro7c2NTawGYKZe1PdXA3YM1wQXgui3jE5OVCkn-ZE/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomuXgEdvjEh3I0HIwJjqlud1lTUya_ct8pIl6P1N0uMC2VM-jmDpnGXfIiIVrXQzHSuQIw1XApp7JrlV1q6IytuFtGgvNStNmt3Ro7c2NTawGYKZe1PdXA3YM1wQXgui3jE5OVCkn-ZE/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+19.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...than to use them in the construction of some corner units that help create an octagonal frame<br />
reminiscent of those that house a Sailor's Valentines? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDlNH4iV6V894oMRTkbsmnTRKnIbezqSupyBKnEJ4cq1o-cMRa3B7N-NmdibFVFYlDkuuXp4-Scfj5nnokHdlkp023V0AmyK3Jj_PnfP1Ooz8Mcw8f-7KxFbEfW94Kaj95BNGpBI1T_U/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDlNH4iV6V894oMRTkbsmnTRKnIbezqSupyBKnEJ4cq1o-cMRa3B7N-NmdibFVFYlDkuuXp4-Scfj5nnokHdlkp023V0AmyK3Jj_PnfP1Ooz8Mcw8f-7KxFbEfW94Kaj95BNGpBI1T_U/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since every sea needs some shells I considered myself very fortunate to get access</div>
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to a handful of teeny tiny specimens to scatter about.</div>
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This lead me to become severely tempted to nestle a single pearl<br />
in the half shell on the bottom but, since pearls at a wedding are considered </div>
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bad luck, I played the superstitious sailor </div>
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and refrained.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK0QwDabBKqdeqvb1cDNG2xd2YNXLs5BdxMWYHAU2nyZ-a5MgFIMMm5EEDuDH3eDvwBkNQiJEXUpbwclEK37eY1QD_kEbLTnRSniUc3YjqQrHFLoGPNwF82UNbLW1oWPGSo67ryQlAXQ/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK0QwDabBKqdeqvb1cDNG2xd2YNXLs5BdxMWYHAU2nyZ-a5MgFIMMm5EEDuDH3eDvwBkNQiJEXUpbwclEK37eY1QD_kEbLTnRSniUc3YjqQrHFLoGPNwF82UNbLW1oWPGSo67ryQlAXQ/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+21.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A desolate horizon was remedied with a lighthouse,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2buahAagxPNXl3aSwdWNclcdXv5BwqlavksmVcMbhplfmwaFMaeq8Y8NS0WnPpSfFybhZZy4Gjz3XzberZ_1ipfel_KvqYJIL-Nj25iffMi9ARVbcu_bMS0mEncROxy3eu6s6TYrMTkI/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2buahAagxPNXl3aSwdWNclcdXv5BwqlavksmVcMbhplfmwaFMaeq8Y8NS0WnPpSfFybhZZy4Gjz3XzberZ_1ipfel_KvqYJIL-Nj25iffMi9ARVbcu_bMS0mEncROxy3eu6s6TYrMTkI/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+22.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a ship, and of course some seagulls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhncwSTVpwThD2dwzgIA7acYGcOMWxfFweKx8OPS4V7CTJK70u87gSu7snWmT06rzA7ejRw8lwo_bkWEgeGsUvkX0rE9b2fNZ47SJwUE_M7hNzN6GBRJ5xrOcb5BJuTwWKNPyfPTq575o/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhncwSTVpwThD2dwzgIA7acYGcOMWxfFweKx8OPS4V7CTJK70u87gSu7snWmT06rzA7ejRw8lwo_bkWEgeGsUvkX0rE9b2fNZ47SJwUE_M7hNzN6GBRJ5xrOcb5BJuTwWKNPyfPTq575o/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+23.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then, all at once, it was done.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypveAD7vZropCq3F3fgM5KKXEKF-gKJtfvkSMlzLpnRhx-c5yEZCh3MMLmYSGAjA7HvgpcmP4leDeDaW8AyNvUOSdpMlcLgf-iPsfyuXT32xkRtRPajGVt7OB6j65tmgyUUzzLL9Ni9s/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypveAD7vZropCq3F3fgM5KKXEKF-gKJtfvkSMlzLpnRhx-c5yEZCh3MMLmYSGAjA7HvgpcmP4leDeDaW8AyNvUOSdpMlcLgf-iPsfyuXT32xkRtRPajGVt7OB6j65tmgyUUzzLL9Ni9s/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+24.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My first story block...</div>
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but fingers crossed, not the last.</div>
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Next time I'd like to see more english paper piecing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more 3-D elements,<br />
more varied materials,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and of course a pearl or two!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until then, however, this one still had a journey to complete...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZCNYoOPwE6vChn_puVaYvJ_X6EyIGi5DmCzB-KHkpf6KK7lkcc-aUEdQqfyuAvhMTSV-HLAD2aDna0RCRxNfKPyiVYzn16PJiSCCGrn13wwWh95-XDzzKKiQf5zQ9tP3uusxohJKJNI/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZCNYoOPwE6vChn_puVaYvJ_X6EyIGi5DmCzB-KHkpf6KK7lkcc-aUEdQqfyuAvhMTSV-HLAD2aDna0RCRxNfKPyiVYzn16PJiSCCGrn13wwWh95-XDzzKKiQf5zQ9tP3uusxohJKJNI/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+25.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
thus it was signed,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJmWe9QZDT9FMJ_dTvY1KTj0OkQJwHEI3ZacG9ITTsFTPcD7uYxtXwhLZvv-1GkW2w21NNW1nAQTVK4nU-vCeu_Qk04smV4FedhBgcBFILQ7HKWdHd4ZelyPCZkrEw02enb0jpDvLVjY/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJmWe9QZDT9FMJ_dTvY1KTj0OkQJwHEI3ZacG9ITTsFTPcD7uYxtXwhLZvv-1GkW2w21NNW1nAQTVK4nU-vCeu_Qk04smV4FedhBgcBFILQ7HKWdHd4ZelyPCZkrEw02enb0jpDvLVjY/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+26.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sealed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVGrQbG6CoNdrMgJAb_hTxSVJEqVTgB2fHRHZZLREbCcUw4i5wZfzh4V_iyjQIG4hsPO9URybA7bzDw09-fECoSsG7yti914sOi2eZddwmwkmH9tQnXa-OurCll4GbysTybuctzDLE88/s1600/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVGrQbG6CoNdrMgJAb_hTxSVJEqVTgB2fHRHZZLREbCcUw4i5wZfzh4V_iyjQIG4hsPO9URybA7bzDw09-fECoSsG7yti914sOi2eZddwmwkmH9tQnXa-OurCll4GbysTybuctzDLE88/s400/9-25-16+the+cast+away+returns+27.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and delivered.</div>
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May they sail away </div>
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into the land </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of</div>
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Happily Ever After!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-54240187959162781222016-08-09T19:51:00.002-04:002016-08-09T19:51:49.251-04:00Back to Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiIPKQ0LR6iu9hvXZm05amnqWKoXNpsm6HfIVLmWyLImcU_rx9sab9-7gGmI1R646lZvNKMMD8zsVtLFyq5Y-c7r-SEh-LYU__-mVUQobJsLeXnIa4gXGIzmXaxtZMLeA-Kk7plUP2Vk/s1600/IMG_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiIPKQ0LR6iu9hvXZm05amnqWKoXNpsm6HfIVLmWyLImcU_rx9sab9-7gGmI1R646lZvNKMMD8zsVtLFyq5Y-c7r-SEh-LYU__-mVUQobJsLeXnIa4gXGIzmXaxtZMLeA-Kk7plUP2Vk/s400/IMG_6303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is a lot I can't show yet without spoiling the "giftie surprise" of the project but.....</div>
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I did want to let you in on the double duty my hankie washing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other day provided.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not only did it alleviate my frustration, </div>
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it also supplied perfect fabric needed for a more "wispy" area.</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-87012358397750168352016-08-02T19:27:00.001-04:002016-08-02T19:27:58.044-04:00It Was a Wash....Literally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeZ9i2aZETE5hvdoxyoS4yCV9QboUzEEOcVr95fH0AeaKRckoLtDdS_25Txzpr-oea77HdAcc0hQFm49aIyQOuF9RANN97SM_JKvWCSRZYjl-nhz21MCHUAiGNijrYJkOr3fVFfr9ThQ/s1600/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeZ9i2aZETE5hvdoxyoS4yCV9QboUzEEOcVr95fH0AeaKRckoLtDdS_25Txzpr-oea77HdAcc0hQFm49aIyQOuF9RANN97SM_JKvWCSRZYjl-nhz21MCHUAiGNijrYJkOr3fVFfr9ThQ/s400/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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No I did not know what I was doing the last time I popped in around these parts. </div>
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Several times over I appliqued pieces on and then promptly removed them. Let me just say my frustration level was near to having me jump ship. Luckily, I decided it was myself </div>
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I needed to remove.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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......and so I did!</div>
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I put my hands to work on a bit of housekeeping that involved</div>
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a recently acquired stash of vintage hankies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nmwDFL-JqdaEiYPGBP7M0gEF27iNS5scJ_W2Rtkg0bygOJYjEwq9WfwSX7bnm5ssBt7gQM8phWV7E6tVXG2J_b2P06I3EDt3PImhyMKtJwK8klmHEm1akZ8Dtk5GM_5CQJWjvQzMWWE/s1600/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nmwDFL-JqdaEiYPGBP7M0gEF27iNS5scJ_W2Rtkg0bygOJYjEwq9WfwSX7bnm5ssBt7gQM8phWV7E6tVXG2J_b2P06I3EDt3PImhyMKtJwK8klmHEm1akZ8Dtk5GM_5CQJWjvQzMWWE/s400/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This little dapper duck was especially charming, even if he was of the applique variety!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii02673hqWFSDZ1rHeVSUUDIRGKOpn3JivhieKlfWNR1ixxGUwk2B4gJuIKfp0YE-ivT7Ds1DkRDrOq4eeKDxZEfIjugLj6ipd_IVawxqfn2rtOC08VHvzc33UJ0oSF9KzR8kAPhGhB9o/s1600/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii02673hqWFSDZ1rHeVSUUDIRGKOpn3JivhieKlfWNR1ixxGUwk2B4gJuIKfp0YE-ivT7Ds1DkRDrOq4eeKDxZEfIjugLj6ipd_IVawxqfn2rtOC08VHvzc33UJ0oSF9KzR8kAPhGhB9o/s400/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Several good soaks were required to remove years of mustiness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT8Wibi4_GJHI6sm5NMYo-8BrEmnDRnjj6WSjI6AoiEsw7ktyCkKv4FTbTt-KsXmgwmP3u0Czp708XiiDms6jiK8IwzmeYC22qmHemKqZklF3ggTWpUFeKq6sBQCARooEd_rNw2kagBc/s1600/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT8Wibi4_GJHI6sm5NMYo-8BrEmnDRnjj6WSjI6AoiEsw7ktyCkKv4FTbTt-KsXmgwmP3u0Czp708XiiDms6jiK8IwzmeYC22qmHemKqZklF3ggTWpUFeKq6sBQCARooEd_rNw2kagBc/s400/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, a quiet spell hanging them up to dry.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmm8CMU_OApI26aO2jMA4VMsoVO0RMqmhjb0UzzLs8GUQ8OkTCoBY2JKafB8ZWqHq_1YfpIkIuT8jolxHXvK9wEQzoEi7JTAYhGx6qT6ApS1OWvGb4dO5P1O6jwel_mXMveUKOnqktqc/s1600/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmm8CMU_OApI26aO2jMA4VMsoVO0RMqmhjb0UzzLs8GUQ8OkTCoBY2JKafB8ZWqHq_1YfpIkIuT8jolxHXvK9wEQzoEi7JTAYhGx6qT6ApS1OWvGb4dO5P1O6jwel_mXMveUKOnqktqc/s400/8-2-2016+it+was+a+wash+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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.....and my mood was officially lifted!</div>
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I was back to the drawing board this morning and am delighted to say </div>
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things are smooth sailing now.</div>
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<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-2952903676359731072016-07-25T23:19:00.001-04:002016-07-25T23:33:30.664-04:00Lost at Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuhaIfKU8sLOJH5Wi85bS5-Jvn7TVBw1bPQUgscYL4vfdNajob8dHje3SjoKFDE0BzlVOHDMkDER0zwc9xliZvAlfrasnBiPNLiYsfMsp5EmIR4wCmPhvxsqvmAKbeqojRVrvmFB4j80/s1600/7-25-2016+lost+at+sea+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuhaIfKU8sLOJH5Wi85bS5-Jvn7TVBw1bPQUgscYL4vfdNajob8dHje3SjoKFDE0BzlVOHDMkDER0zwc9xliZvAlfrasnBiPNLiYsfMsp5EmIR4wCmPhvxsqvmAKbeqojRVrvmFB4j80/s400/7-25-2016+lost+at+sea+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, I officially have no idea what I am doing!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-22729656649474385642016-07-24T23:36:00.000-04:002016-07-24T23:36:10.638-04:00Scallops Anyone?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm8k5TgBmfdym5Jv8sYYKkLpBChTr6PhcpSbVKCGgtYhqD-qbYffgXUZlN_KxJ8vDRhxonukXL40IqYhfLoX-hfAPx_hs7gNzlLQQnr6DhQQSU2g3IRQQx6-6STe7Sn3we3_bczLFvw0/s1600/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm8k5TgBmfdym5Jv8sYYKkLpBChTr6PhcpSbVKCGgtYhqD-qbYffgXUZlN_KxJ8vDRhxonukXL40IqYhfLoX-hfAPx_hs7gNzlLQQnr6DhQQSU2g3IRQQx6-6STe7Sn3we3_bczLFvw0/s400/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Back,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQNaVlGTLy_BvAQ8qWpriLjbkLtYRkohLmDsEp5IkFXRWJ4zE7yUNQlFiILFkCUyomppry5KH-KaY-63IFyyBwc9SbQHQ5JwStvViQOeacPQ4Qh5-n8wbS99FLQGW6n9_rAjvZpH0oCc/s1600/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQNaVlGTLy_BvAQ8qWpriLjbkLtYRkohLmDsEp5IkFXRWJ4zE7yUNQlFiILFkCUyomppry5KH-KaY-63IFyyBwc9SbQHQ5JwStvViQOeacPQ4Qh5-n8wbS99FLQGW6n9_rAjvZpH0oCc/s400/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and front,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErJow7VLZdbARh1JVKun9azuN2X7UWIdFJPzig0XdDaWW8G4LiRcr23j__SAZWfPXqwEyntqwtnRbd7XnQSHUbsAhUHu_QYoMj4n2DA1mMYSnQnU1yOWddWFuKICWCm1rpbFIYtCiL00/s1600/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErJow7VLZdbARh1JVKun9azuN2X7UWIdFJPzig0XdDaWW8G4LiRcr23j__SAZWfPXqwEyntqwtnRbd7XnQSHUbsAhUHu_QYoMj4n2DA1mMYSnQnU1yOWddWFuKICWCm1rpbFIYtCiL00/s400/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and back, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-es5VHevpSDSN1kzOXitoCb95iIZTegI7DlhzT4v7OFw0tol6HVbKaUY7Y73jnzYQq9u_BFb5chuRkc58wz_UazfZQTtS4az_JaJLJFrHPhB82N9AWNbjEQLwxR3vsWNw5ITj84Bmgp4/s1600/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-es5VHevpSDSN1kzOXitoCb95iIZTegI7DlhzT4v7OFw0tol6HVbKaUY7Y73jnzYQq9u_BFb5chuRkc58wz_UazfZQTtS4az_JaJLJFrHPhB82N9AWNbjEQLwxR3vsWNw5ITj84Bmgp4/s400/7-24-2016+scallops+anyone+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and front again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-23944957800097178732016-07-23T21:03:00.003-04:002016-07-23T21:03:55.320-04:00Smooth Sailing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILHGD-Keh_kT365PNISWMrjdZCB7odjeSbzazzqVsb0IFAj6gUuYMK5coPkWyHbdSkLclprmVhb1XyYv8bEP1Y7bord8UI5CK1hYqY8Iaq_VIXGiP97YH4XMceUb_KSy7uKt2FAICKVI/s1600/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILHGD-Keh_kT365PNISWMrjdZCB7odjeSbzazzqVsb0IFAj6gUuYMK5coPkWyHbdSkLclprmVhb1XyYv8bEP1Y7bord8UI5CK1hYqY8Iaq_VIXGiP97YH4XMceUb_KSy7uKt2FAICKVI/s400/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Applique work is proving quite pleasant.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPeigJqsnDYeAB1j1orBK3Q2WOe_YKCgOZQrIdpjmkSs9INrrJ8g3hFXZge6BWJnJoFPIVZ1TRQz9U1Yfcdv3-D3UKGFf3WE7Ff5uIOLqJDjL6Ji6UKUOBwuG2ZEWObTPgkcLjlESWaE/s1600/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPeigJqsnDYeAB1j1orBK3Q2WOe_YKCgOZQrIdpjmkSs9INrrJ8g3hFXZge6BWJnJoFPIVZ1TRQz9U1Yfcdv3-D3UKGFf3WE7Ff5uIOLqJDjL6Ji6UKUOBwuG2ZEWObTPgkcLjlESWaE/s400/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
It seemed barely a blink of an eye before I was done with my first piece and working </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to remove the basting stitches.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ncPVw8iAlz2GtnzxaoQxnvcoS_lm4yfjIp1tiSlw7pQEzOOW6dxRcy3PHQMnq-PAwLyWTX_zb7wFnu1KLDQhr4goL3Pu1fOz4BH7tafl5L7990SYCQ4yp0rWo5CQ433oXV61d5bGHOc/s1600/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ncPVw8iAlz2GtnzxaoQxnvcoS_lm4yfjIp1tiSlw7pQEzOOW6dxRcy3PHQMnq-PAwLyWTX_zb7wFnu1KLDQhr4goL3Pu1fOz4BH7tafl5L7990SYCQ4yp0rWo5CQ433oXV61d5bGHOc/s400/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Piece #2 I decided to try out with a slight contrast.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bit of fussy cutting within the vertical band....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvAPCyxr9GWTKgeNPTNeHDhpudtb4w7CoUouiqEhReR8dFzU94AKnrZBlKwvLhVHLWmx8LPy9OScjPgDG9N1zg1W-LjD57QjFR1Mv4sEhvYxpHnCCNSF7JvI85lal20Dkx7cpmHvQyWM/s1600/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvAPCyxr9GWTKgeNPTNeHDhpudtb4w7CoUouiqEhReR8dFzU94AKnrZBlKwvLhVHLWmx8LPy9OScjPgDG9N1zg1W-LjD57QjFR1Mv4sEhvYxpHnCCNSF7JvI85lal20Dkx7cpmHvQyWM/s400/7-23-2016+smooth+sailing+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...did just the trick!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-33164446801265482002016-07-22T23:51:00.000-04:002016-07-22T23:51:02.483-04:00Uncharted Waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaNU81HDNsgTY9xNLGJig6OAJF6aN-bR7x_ciyRR9yn3bbDz08A69Fs4ZudTwjTzBPPl3E7fULG-VrD3nHDG4UuCA-MmSWCNcGIzgl7shf3fmi_xS5Olnh-5hGBODpt2QZquYqOoPeLY/s1600/7-22-2016+uncharted+waters+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaNU81HDNsgTY9xNLGJig6OAJF6aN-bR7x_ciyRR9yn3bbDz08A69Fs4ZudTwjTzBPPl3E7fULG-VrD3nHDG4UuCA-MmSWCNcGIzgl7shf3fmi_xS5Olnh-5hGBODpt2QZquYqOoPeLY/s400/7-22-2016+uncharted+waters+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The best thing so far about this new sewing adventure I'm on is that it gave me the perfect excuse to finally treat myself to some of these needles. They come highly recommended but honestly I think it was the cute little box that so attracted me to them.</div>
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And look what I found inside...an even cuter little storage tube.</div>
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Putting them to use for the first time was pure bliss!</div>
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I do believe with their assistance, applique work and I will become very good friends!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-53735589951402569752016-07-21T23:11:00.003-04:002016-07-21T23:11:44.047-04:00This, That, and the Other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzbfFZOw7C_ZgaLJg0rX1jbgwJlN46_7r5Zg3Tora-P2eNDLoxIcWqIM12WFLfawSUj4Rp9Ik97vR5X29tU0Pt-yCcCQlul1SInbxvNmTZDQX3pjIN8EhxVsAiaR6aa0FQ_suoSJtW-o/s1600/7-21-2016+this+that+and+the+other+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzbfFZOw7C_ZgaLJg0rX1jbgwJlN46_7r5Zg3Tora-P2eNDLoxIcWqIM12WFLfawSUj4Rp9Ik97vR5X29tU0Pt-yCcCQlul1SInbxvNmTZDQX3pjIN8EhxVsAiaR6aa0FQ_suoSJtW-o/s400/7-21-2016+this+that+and+the+other+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This...,,</div>
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that...</div>
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and the other!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-8880283992831021232016-07-20T21:15:00.003-04:002016-07-20T21:15:57.279-04:00Ready, Set, Go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9dwD0xKWJsD3RmsFhpCidi22p3ActEqOtiNK7XeiQ5jinvRKxMTE2CM1NPdrwTslXvgZkPU2kCBqHaDCnQtdFDm685qm-T_kH-_VYs4FMur178MPX_FaEJASDj1pOqKsOcFtuE5Ccqw/s1600/7-20-+2016+ready+set+go%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9dwD0xKWJsD3RmsFhpCidi22p3ActEqOtiNK7XeiQ5jinvRKxMTE2CM1NPdrwTslXvgZkPU2kCBqHaDCnQtdFDm685qm-T_kH-_VYs4FMur178MPX_FaEJASDj1pOqKsOcFtuE5Ccqw/s400/7-20-+2016+ready+set+go%2521.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The very first stitches....</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-12565295758567927142016-07-19T20:10:00.000-04:002016-07-19T20:10:03.907-04:00First Things First<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdxWjONQ-EYOsvHTN22bRQtFC2w8kw6StvCk7tQOksz80APV92zNXv1O4mE7JjTTjDNVvZaiFNozkdb6XAjFQkRwlwfloK9zI_cdDslsHSMQd-7KiX8cP1HjWfB1soSUkF5_5GokilzI/s1600/7-19-2016+first+things+first.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdxWjONQ-EYOsvHTN22bRQtFC2w8kw6StvCk7tQOksz80APV92zNXv1O4mE7JjTTjDNVvZaiFNozkdb6XAjFQkRwlwfloK9zI_cdDslsHSMQd-7KiX8cP1HjWfB1soSUkF5_5GokilzI/s400/7-19-2016+first+things+first.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Back to the drawing board for a little planning!</div>
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<br />natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-1668753454710559552016-07-18T00:43:00.000-04:002016-07-18T00:47:19.010-04:00Clearing the Deck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Orders and prep work for September's doll show have pretty much<br />
filled the summer agenda so far.<br />
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Most of it the same old same old, not that that's a bad thing.</div>
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I actually thrive on doing the same thing many times over. It's both relaxing and comforting. </div>
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And, believe it or not, it's when most of my new ideas come to be.</div>
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Case in point....</div>
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I received an order for some of my little wooden houses.</div>
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Not quite the "same old" however as this batch was getting a gabled addition.</div>
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Along with a coat of green paint.</div>
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Yep, a Green Gables edition!</div>
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A handful of doll pincushions were also in production.</div>
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They worked up fairly quickly but gave enough quiet thinking time for my brain </div>
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to wander back through my love of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Prince Edward Island, </div>
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and finally the romance of coastal living.</div>
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By the time theses little goodies were ready to pack up </div>
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and ship out on adventures of their own...</div>
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...I had assembled my summer reading collection, the contents of which I might add share not only a common coastal theme but each and every one has been previously read. </div>
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I told you I enjoy repetition!</div>
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And all the while through I had been floating these bits and pieces on the back burner.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl8pEBu9fbQ7mgzs1IouA2umwBOAtZGJ8r_ZCT39bc3t3dSc2AJgt1vXcKjjmJg1xpqFUZFLrA-SLaah6n3ZFi3ZZEAwGSBN0nDH_QZyS6OwMBWNhn66gsSoEwCiqk5S-uobPWJnrdgs/s1600/7-17+clearing+the+deck+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl8pEBu9fbQ7mgzs1IouA2umwBOAtZGJ8r_ZCT39bc3t3dSc2AJgt1vXcKjjmJg1xpqFUZFLrA-SLaah6n3ZFi3ZZEAwGSBN0nDH_QZyS6OwMBWNhn66gsSoEwCiqk5S-uobPWJnrdgs/s400/7-17+clearing+the+deck+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stitch by stitch they came together into a scaled up version of <a href="http://piccalillidays.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-dollys-bed-and-lily-red-spark-joy.html">Lily Red's cozy quilt</a>.</div>
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It might have been ninety degrees out but I was determined </div>
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to complete the bedding ensemble</div>
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with a soft wool blanket.</div>
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A little crochet edging extended my quiet time even more, </div>
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until eventually....</div>
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...I had one, two the same!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9wSSuZlUrniEWjtLfvUxBnad1cHCT6EZOh3mDS2T1Uhy5MV3n6wu4NhYjy9Ex93rTsQRPctpf7D74dW5T4wLDyfXYfBuh5Y7AXJ2l7QC-fWW4jMJnZwLu7UUSXZcjR07kfNQ5Vtd7Lk/s1600/7-17+clearing+the+deck+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9wSSuZlUrniEWjtLfvUxBnad1cHCT6EZOh3mDS2T1Uhy5MV3n6wu4NhYjy9Ex93rTsQRPctpf7D74dW5T4wLDyfXYfBuh5Y7AXJ2l7QC-fWW4jMJnZwLu7UUSXZcjR07kfNQ5Vtd7Lk/s400/7-17+clearing+the+deck+12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But I had something else as well.</div>
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An idea had taken root.</div>
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At first I thought it would peter out, nothing more than a passing whim.</div>
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Yet over time the technical details began to fall in place.</div>
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The fabrics I fantisized about magically crossed my path.</div>
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And the perfect occasion for its creation arose.</div>
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Will it work?</div>
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Maybe.</div>
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Maybe not.</div>
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I'll never know if I don't try though.</div>
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Let's see what happens...</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-68597235371835289672016-04-02T12:20:00.003-04:002016-07-17T20:33:38.260-04:00The Spark of Inspiration - Item # 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPWkVYVGVVTgGhGO_cJPV388PYeMhzcPwD2rDNU5p_JX030F7rWbH79riD_j2JKq2LzWs2WWKs_bA9Jf4gIyxn7KjsmhPV4va2gMtWFO0ovCtTFSxBseDhaWMyUwWU7So6c6Z8yygZX0/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPWkVYVGVVTgGhGO_cJPV388PYeMhzcPwD2rDNU5p_JX030F7rWbH79riD_j2JKq2LzWs2WWKs_bA9Jf4gIyxn7KjsmhPV4va2gMtWFO0ovCtTFSxBseDhaWMyUwWU7So6c6Z8yygZX0/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love everything about this book.</div>
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The story is delightful.</div>
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The illustrations are peaceful.</div>
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And it's messages....</div>
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the joy found in crafting, </div>
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the importance of friendship, </div>
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and the power of a smile....</div>
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the messages are magnificent!</div>
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It continually amazes me that a book so small in size can be so big in inspiration.</div>
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</div>
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I first wrote about <span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">M. B. Goffstein's <i> Goldie the Dollmaker </i>several years ago </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">when I hosted it as <a href="http://piccalillidays.blogspot.com/2013/01/made-with-joy.html">book of the month for January</a>. Of all the books I featured that year</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">this one definitely sparks the most joy for me when I hold it in my hands.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Goldie herself has become a friend of sorts.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">I think about her when I craft my own little dolls.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">During the construction,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the painting,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QRnLGej2mMfgFup11hd7nH6T2BBLlDoCN3yteB1tMzeo3jSriulND_q-WSwmKTxdGFWc_G3yXWxyHfUeaVE1TnW_TxWVaXIrq1jEkD18y7NV9O_rI2xpEjE9sPJDS8HoPaPI6uww520/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QRnLGej2mMfgFup11hd7nH6T2BBLlDoCN3yteB1tMzeo3jSriulND_q-WSwmKTxdGFWc_G3yXWxyHfUeaVE1TnW_TxWVaXIrq1jEkD18y7NV9O_rI2xpEjE9sPJDS8HoPaPI6uww520/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and especially when I gather a batch of completed lovies </div>
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together on the worktable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_sTj-lsA9WyeVz_WaSJJk2kczZZVshMScnwReci7fT65RJqZnK2gq7dO3hNyHrcIJnSEYZrnh7JTpwyXLDvLduyyJOz_8dJA-p6FMad73wdVZFYNU37G0rGCYjDnr2BSe3XROVdDBbo/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_sTj-lsA9WyeVz_WaSJJk2kczZZVshMScnwReci7fT65RJqZnK2gq7dO3hNyHrcIJnSEYZrnh7JTpwyXLDvLduyyJOz_8dJA-p6FMad73wdVZFYNU37G0rGCYjDnr2BSe3XROVdDBbo/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I remember her with each Pick-a-Lily I make up...</div>
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...and with every petite Pinelope.</div>
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She even lent me a helping hand in my most recent project.</div>
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It's auction time at the preschool again and I wanted to donate something </div>
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that had as much love put into it as I receive when I walk </div>
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through those doors every day.</div>
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Another dear friend </div>
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(from real life, not the pages of a book mind you)</div>
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clued me in on a delightful <a href="http://blog.modafabrics.com/2015/10/meet-lil-red-and-new-moda-designer-stacy-iest-hsu/">Moda panel by Stacy Iest Hsu</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_egyYol_SxtgYNoK3iSmrsIxKCT9kCbDtzz6CHm6AwWt2QO5v9g27aANm_yrl2FVFq_MWUIxhRdULhVFJRP5_Zpm5djY77IBOE1qSf7azB2oiqNlFdDHw46tblqst0YxJ_XD9Qrk04yE/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_egyYol_SxtgYNoK3iSmrsIxKCT9kCbDtzz6CHm6AwWt2QO5v9g27aANm_yrl2FVFq_MWUIxhRdULhVFJRP5_Zpm5djY77IBOE1qSf7azB2oiqNlFdDHw46tblqst0YxJ_XD9Qrk04yE/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It featured Little Red Riding Hood, an admiring wolf, and the sweetest </div>
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color combinations you could ever hope to work with.</div>
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The makings for a mini quilt and pillow were also included </div>
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to which I added a few extras of my own.</div>
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I made a few adaptations,</div>
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bestowed a few embellishments,</div>
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and in general mixed things up a bit.</div>
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Dressing Lil' Red was the most fun of all!</div>
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Two shiny buttons and a pom pom collar,</div>
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a cozy wood walking cape, </div>
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and a tiny pair of red mary janes of which I myself am most envious.</div>
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Her quilt was reassembled as was....</div>
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a companion comforter for Mr. Wolf.</div>
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All could have been said and done except for the fact that I had some leftover </div>
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scraps and a snippet of an idea I wanted to try out.</div>
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What if I made a teeny tiny Lil' Red?</div>
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She could have a flouncy skirt...</div>
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....and a pincushion of her very own.</div>
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Of course a cape would be required,</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
as would some bitty blossoms that Lil' Red could pick for grandma.</div>
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I'm pretty sure Goldie would approve...mostly because I had so much fun in the process!</div>
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The love of and attention to each action...</div>
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be it a cut of wood, a paint stroke, or a tiny stitch...</div>
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always brings peace of mind.</div>
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Sharing creations with others however...</div>
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that is pure joy!<br />
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-5281560466708508312016-01-31T20:36:00.000-05:002016-07-17T20:32:19.173-04:00A Dolly's Bed and Lily Red - Spark Joy Items #2 and #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once upon a time I imagined myself stitching up an army of aprons, </div>
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fashioning more than a few frocks, </div>
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and queuing up quite a number of quilts. </div>
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I purchased a Featherweight 221 for sewing fine seams and soon after began </div>
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collecting threads and fabrics in every color of the rainbow.</div>
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Scissors...check.</div>
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Pins...check.</div>
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Rulers.</div>
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Rotary cutters.</div>
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Needles.</div>
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Notions.</div>
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Check,</div>
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check,</div>
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and check!</div>
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Unfortunately, while I could envisioned the piecing process,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...the completed projects,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQ_QYATGKz_oaFL6g4SaY_frV071yoO5AABbQmH47nhMfl4wpFHdc7Wvi1r5xpgAzapTCAyoLF7mBiG2iN3oFvRzdujr_YvDul0SYadwiUIu8AopUNYPU4qd9e6UZ5r1dAHyVu6UNINY/s1600/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQ_QYATGKz_oaFL6g4SaY_frV071yoO5AABbQmH47nhMfl4wpFHdc7Wvi1r5xpgAzapTCAyoLF7mBiG2iN3oFvRzdujr_YvDul0SYadwiUIu8AopUNYPU4qd9e6UZ5r1dAHyVu6UNINY/s400/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
...and even the way they would fit into my daily life, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the actual practice of producing these creations was a struggle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It wasn't the Featherweight, it ran like a dream.</div>
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Patterns and instruction books were readily available and my technical </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
skills were able to perform the directions I found in them. I had every supply needed and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an ever growing stash of fabric. Something, however, was definitely missing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkCiqwuzMl5MVMuFcms7GweHpUuWv8TH0iTqIwFVarAoinreLkX9iqQI7z5H-AYGDJd-ZnZIbf8JLXYMu3vLxzyvkZia_qAgHbdzTu6CL4dSj7uWmnDL9Qpgks4tc28RcZY9G8n_PQrM/s1600/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkCiqwuzMl5MVMuFcms7GweHpUuWv8TH0iTqIwFVarAoinreLkX9iqQI7z5H-AYGDJd-ZnZIbf8JLXYMu3vLxzyvkZia_qAgHbdzTu6CL4dSj7uWmnDL9Qpgks4tc28RcZY9G8n_PQrM/s400/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then.....<br />
<br />
...she arrived.<br />
I named her Lily Red.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7L9wHXh0HYCfLkyws-IxAFhc8Zkqjj8hLvqX9ZS3mTYaRy9Bu8pegHKGqzh0dcV_kB6Tfv_Px-OsAzh-qgzXwiVp96ORBZDVCYzQbwLKNcU9HFC-vzL4Mse-NJUMFrgiDB91cAHOMaM/s1600/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7L9wHXh0HYCfLkyws-IxAFhc8Zkqjj8hLvqX9ZS3mTYaRy9Bu8pegHKGqzh0dcV_kB6Tfv_Px-OsAzh-qgzXwiVp96ORBZDVCYzQbwLKNcU9HFC-vzL4Mse-NJUMFrgiDB91cAHOMaM/s400/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+7.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Measuring in at a mere four inches I would have never guessed what an enormous influence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she would have on my creative aspirations. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI9Q3v_LGJZsJw-xhtYELSXPneAeRx8g32hyphenhyphenV7yI__5JhVpjtzVIXVk3FLpKahdNWGLdaWPGuOnl-bGekHFMiJcaUD4V21XzY3J4t4zzYpRPbDcOL0tGfP6BhKM9WX39ye-ENfQe0ps0/s1600/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI9Q3v_LGJZsJw-xhtYELSXPneAeRx8g32hyphenhyphenV7yI__5JhVpjtzVIXVk3FLpKahdNWGLdaWPGuOnl-bGekHFMiJcaUD4V21XzY3J4t4zzYpRPbDcOL0tGfP6BhKM9WX39ye-ENfQe0ps0/s400/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
Suddenly the projects were practically creating themselves.<br />
Aprons, frocks, and quilts were being produced, only on a much, much<br />
smaller scale than I first imagined.<br />
<br />
As I concentrated on outfitting Lily Red's world I soon discovered<br />
a passion for hand sewing, a love of all things tiny, and a desire to be more<br />
playful in the creative endeavours I took on.<br />
<br />
I wanted to have fun.<br />
And so I do!<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEj-8yskqXZrhjGye2vqwINQU_NI8hlBmlAKn4gli_RgRUVwJ-9k80rn4r9S-erEM4NwK9NW-B7Eyr80WbXrWguwidov6jUoKWFutdk_ZtEnqTOgtonUl6PRatLATNlbCX2d0wx46Qig/s1600/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEj-8yskqXZrhjGye2vqwINQU_NI8hlBmlAKn4gli_RgRUVwJ-9k80rn4r9S-erEM4NwK9NW-B7Eyr80WbXrWguwidov6jUoKWFutdk_ZtEnqTOgtonUl6PRatLATNlbCX2d0wx46Qig/s400/1-31+spark+joy+items+%25232+and+%25233+-+adolly%2527s+bed+and+Lily+Red+10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Except, unfortunately, when remnants of supplies from </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
those long ago ambitions cross my path.</div>
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What a killjoy that is!</div>
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<br /></div>
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A stack of quilts by my hand will probably never reside in our linen closet </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so why do I still have yard after yard of fabric stashed away for the backings of them?</div>
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A couple years ago I did start to scale back a bit...if I had eight yards of a print I would part </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with half, keeping the rest just in case I ever decided to make </div>
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a frock or some such wearable with it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So while Lily Red and her little bed can stay, perhaps it's </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
time to revisit my scale back process. The chances of me actually whipping </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
up a dress or two in the near future are slim to none, especially if a zipper is involved. </div>
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Putting zippers in makes me want to rip my hair out! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Hmmm....</div>
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...strange I've held onto a pile of zippers then isn't it?</div>
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They spark something but it certainly isn't joy!!!</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-60041294585857765272016-01-18T16:57:00.002-05:002016-07-17T20:31:36.623-04:00A Spark of an Idea and Item Number #1 - My Thimble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIw3T2t_sNpp76C17HbdI_WyOE5Rs2OaO1pcQNWvPBdXwA0Es8hFS-1uqERqulb9ciDUR4zUga6nLaYm4vloPt56ufAVZPF-ZCM5MCNRqFSo8JZJ04pWGaoAr-CeScOvHVtrLJacwtC0/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIw3T2t_sNpp76C17HbdI_WyOE5Rs2OaO1pcQNWvPBdXwA0Es8hFS-1uqERqulb9ciDUR4zUga6nLaYm4vloPt56ufAVZPF-ZCM5MCNRqFSo8JZJ04pWGaoAr-CeScOvHVtrLJacwtC0/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look what fell into my hands the other day. </div>
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It was delivered via a kindhearted and kindred soul I have luckily crossed paths with.</div>
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Funny thing is, it was exactly one year ago that I had <a href="http://piccalillidays.blogspot.com/2015/01/ive-been-seeing-quite-bit-of-this-book.html">a similar thing</a> happen </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with <a href="http://konmari.com/en/">Marie Kondo's</a> first book, "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up."</div>
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<br /></div>
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While reading that first book I was truly inspired to declutter my way to peace and serenity. </div>
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By year's end, however, it was apparent that not much progress had been made.</div>
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Trouble was, no matter how much I organized and tidied I had failed to grasp the idea</div>
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that a substantial number of material possessions needed to</div>
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go</div>
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away</div>
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forever!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Not to the basement, or the attic, or to a nifty storage container.</div>
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Nowhere they could easily be retrieved and reinstated into my day to day.</div>
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And definitely not given "just in case" or "maybe someday" justifications.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Remember this from last time?</div>
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<a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/wake-up/"> <span style="color: #990000;">"The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don't,"</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>This is what I need to do.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thank you Joshua Becker!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDwNIpm8ag9490RhPHF8yDWmgqqjAjvzDlm9sQroc1j2bUyvk9RDbvVBYUGAlX4gfKvfS0oIG0AJAemhQzMsh7RmKPpqqAzQX8nh-6miTmKXs2BqVYs_DyC78lpL1CHrDxbNACAB-9zo/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDwNIpm8ag9490RhPHF8yDWmgqqjAjvzDlm9sQroc1j2bUyvk9RDbvVBYUGAlX4gfKvfS0oIG0AJAemhQzMsh7RmKPpqqAzQX8nh-6miTmKXs2BqVYs_DyC78lpL1CHrDxbNACAB-9zo/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And this is going to help me.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Notice it's a library book....that means I have no choice but to get it out of here when I'm done reading it!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47TXzhuS81agrKFV59rZRC3WD7q2NVuVYiGchX3_-l5hO7r-rNFRXCTOfrGG5qXD7CrYwTCKxhy0XYJoLfiq37udC9U1KTsmwnqjCee_oTbRsJSUHzG00iFLbqdq8dcLk9QqJUh_ItTY/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47TXzhuS81agrKFV59rZRC3WD7q2NVuVYiGchX3_-l5hO7r-rNFRXCTOfrGG5qXD7CrYwTCKxhy0XYJoLfiq37udC9U1KTsmwnqjCee_oTbRsJSUHzG00iFLbqdq8dcLk9QqJUh_ItTY/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Marie Kondo sets the best criteria for knowing what to get rid of...</div>
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determine those items that bring you joy </div>
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and </div>
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ditch the rest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjOPpcgRfmbCHpxboa6tcAZfqh8fKdzK3BDQ7j0a5bYfCCLYzU5-cKyWQQhmoaKyyH1qOGmKlTmpHk1-Y4WQqs4_EE7zxvzHu26w9aVSqBuEpT_baTW36RnEzvPHsszScXrIZ2iX2MEo/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjOPpcgRfmbCHpxboa6tcAZfqh8fKdzK3BDQ7j0a5bYfCCLYzU5-cKyWQQhmoaKyyH1qOGmKlTmpHk1-Y4WQqs4_EE7zxvzHu26w9aVSqBuEpT_baTW36RnEzvPHsszScXrIZ2iX2MEo/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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How do you know if an item "sparks joy?"</div>
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Well first off you hold it.</div>
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You see how it makes you feel.</div>
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What are its' ins and outs?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nxtko5WRYCzWcEQYzGkG07_8xMjd26Hpze1jAW1hQa5TJA-fwWR7CTpMy8wTkJoZydXNa_sC8AKwYzyBjJB_qfStR0fhf0mrNCS1tY5nx3zGONLY-RhfRQHjXQcKzSshEL_RUF5NcoM/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nxtko5WRYCzWcEQYzGkG07_8xMjd26Hpze1jAW1hQa5TJA-fwWR7CTpMy8wTkJoZydXNa_sC8AKwYzyBjJB_qfStR0fhf0mrNCS1tY5nx3zGONLY-RhfRQHjXQcKzSshEL_RUF5NcoM/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's ups and downs?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmb9CEU61O8OQeqdqvDQKjz6rS4zTOyE3EfVZPe1ggUode2DJSQ9TyGmv3x_RLUtB02yhozfdpiCBGPS-vc51HZB2xCS94rly2WcpSGWrdL694MBzDj9u8Q3qPiWMbsN8ur_nldbsbq4/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmb9CEU61O8OQeqdqvDQKjz6rS4zTOyE3EfVZPe1ggUode2DJSQ9TyGmv3x_RLUtB02yhozfdpiCBGPS-vc51HZB2xCS94rly2WcpSGWrdL694MBzDj9u8Q3qPiWMbsN8ur_nldbsbq4/s400/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my thimble. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It fits my finger perfectly.</div>
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It used to float around in an old tin of buttons, I remember seeing it there when I was little.</div>
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Without it my finger suffers at the end of a needle and so it serves a function.</div>
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In the summer it tends to get sticky but in winter it spins in circles.</div>
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Wearing it means I am doing something fun.</div>
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It brings me joy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLgxnBkPutl-IFGNmD0EiLHcBFcWIZ1ssnwwTElAfYY11YCbujvjd8mWT1dhyphenhyphen6sp_Ls37AeaIyo-NuAiRk5jfPb-c4KbpeFj-AoXvTWMxCeYmEIdsBzpXFH82Q9XPptu_a17o2tGQyG8/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLgxnBkPutl-IFGNmD0EiLHcBFcWIZ1ssnwwTElAfYY11YCbujvjd8mWT1dhyphenhyphen6sp_Ls37AeaIyo-NuAiRk5jfPb-c4KbpeFj-AoXvTWMxCeYmEIdsBzpXFH82Q9XPptu_a17o2tGQyG8/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll be keeping this thimble.</div>
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I had a fitting session with the rest and found only one other that fit me as well. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't have the memories this one does so I declared it to be my travel thimble since losing it would not bring heartache.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of the others went to the supply bin to turn into <a href="http://www.piccalillidays.blogspot.com/2015/09/thimble-full-of-fun.html">thimble pincushions</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I even flattened the tips with a hammer so there would be no take backs on the decision!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And one more thing....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thinking about my thimble made me realize how much I enjoy the time spent wearing it and making things. I wanted more of that and less finger surfing on the phone so I disposed of every single unnecessary app on it. I guess that phone is not so smart now is it!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-3295988863660832122016-01-02T21:49:00.000-05:002016-01-02T21:50:10.912-05:00Crafting or Crippling?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgkGhbd4-hzCnEjvYo2pr-iUoQF3bIpvFtjRK_R3ndwg-W1k-BaZyxtAW6IgXcL5Wm-EqWxshWgTftQfUbRu60-TFnsHyW6Gthz3_GuKAQVpopmINvj8TSM-D6U1y8eaE5663ZFs5NAE/s1600/1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgkGhbd4-hzCnEjvYo2pr-iUoQF3bIpvFtjRK_R3ndwg-W1k-BaZyxtAW6IgXcL5Wm-EqWxshWgTftQfUbRu60-TFnsHyW6Gthz3_GuKAQVpopmINvj8TSM-D6U1y8eaE5663ZFs5NAE/s400/1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I got a "smart" phone awhile back.</div>
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It was awesome.<br />
The internet was literally at my fingertips.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUhhxumEFUuxEFxCkM7_IDwbcMPDeNEF_b2orj6jSsu2O9B2qpiWjnFy9cDGlSf3mGJp-gK7YHB7NJFPb2pqLYGu2sB6z8uZsmzPobL4GpQW1QTQD8xbn_MBgD3ubqSeBPu_ivyhvJjU/s1600/1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUhhxumEFUuxEFxCkM7_IDwbcMPDeNEF_b2orj6jSsu2O9B2qpiWjnFy9cDGlSf3mGJp-gK7YHB7NJFPb2pqLYGu2sB6z8uZsmzPobL4GpQW1QTQD8xbn_MBgD3ubqSeBPu_ivyhvJjU/s400/1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In two shakes of a lamb's tail I could acquire recipe details pertaining to </div>
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edible greenery for Christmas cookie plates.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAbgr1raaaPrgziBFvT0uws1NJbbTHK3aeVT8oumPBt_QPVeBcxiRTMKeAkVcYqdHW9XilYUwhO3oMRLFO3L5tgF18jwBxRtrvLkwfOQUSEIDj0K-mYqMaalXoV6M9UeCf9GeaWV8V4g/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAbgr1raaaPrgziBFvT0uws1NJbbTHK3aeVT8oumPBt_QPVeBcxiRTMKeAkVcYqdHW9XilYUwhO3oMRLFO3L5tgF18jwBxRtrvLkwfOQUSEIDj0K-mYqMaalXoV6M9UeCf9GeaWV8V4g/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks to Pinterest (<a href="http://www.rockpapercricut.com/2011/12/snow-cute.html">and Ally Egass</a>) I could mastermind the perfect holiday favors...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomfKuPCnvnEsxQ24_8K-FRCvAm6X3Gzq5SFZIREs3Nk25qLPRqsugwVbt9duOuRjp0-6-EYjUyQ7nX4M55fPyn0Fe7_kx30unhwA8vqS6cXJjQkRyRyUrIDGMw20R9YN540VfUImS3c0/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomfKuPCnvnEsxQ24_8K-FRCvAm6X3Gzq5SFZIREs3Nk25qLPRqsugwVbt9duOuRjp0-6-EYjUyQ7nX4M55fPyn0Fe7_kx30unhwA8vqS6cXJjQkRyRyUrIDGMw20R9YN540VfUImS3c0/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...right down to their clustered basket presentation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDzR4saXrV9od8U4LsrD45tGTQ3uPUC4ewdTf5_hOyJC7KHhEpbegwRepOkZ4_LPUvKQLUHa8eSe4RUftRGZwltaIaoB_OBwhxc4gY2tERCTbkgR0cvmvg5MARBD9mL8jRB014a70IuE/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDzR4saXrV9od8U4LsrD45tGTQ3uPUC4ewdTf5_hOyJC7KHhEpbegwRepOkZ4_LPUvKQLUHa8eSe4RUftRGZwltaIaoB_OBwhxc4gY2tERCTbkgR0cvmvg5MARBD9mL8jRB014a70IuE/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+5.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I even discovered the most amazing process to track anything and everything in your life...</div>
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<a href="http://bulletjournal.com/">the Bullet Journal</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU79jsx0UcvUwv3z9mvFYR35Na9b2u98aky3iKdSwSvh7As-jmhzbggwGJisL1flANj7wuRTwm41ZusrnxuUBWP7w5CA-fbetOP_aSzuLf3WclvC4vHekSv4y127ikUYIrC6wp5_lHc1o/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU79jsx0UcvUwv3z9mvFYR35Na9b2u98aky3iKdSwSvh7As-jmhzbggwGJisL1flANj7wuRTwm41ZusrnxuUBWP7w5CA-fbetOP_aSzuLf3WclvC4vHekSv4y127ikUYIrC6wp5_lHc1o/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was quite the rabbit hole I traveled down in my obsession to transfer every paper snippet in sight...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tPeCBh0-vaYMwd9gaks_DK0OgdYyb_l-Y_-IjSuAs-BiINke7pvUsKL0oHwGeoyWL6OV2AaEcnS4fI46-8YimXd5VGS3wcFFIjMtuVRxk3WehKHlZb35vv7nglyvu0ARS4arWqxKdEA/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tPeCBh0-vaYMwd9gaks_DK0OgdYyb_l-Y_-IjSuAs-BiINke7pvUsKL0oHwGeoyWL6OV2AaEcnS4fI46-8YimXd5VGS3wcFFIjMtuVRxk3WehKHlZb35vv7nglyvu0ARS4arWqxKdEA/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...onto the pages of a new moleskin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqBgnZlK896CacpsOlkxjWUMBqKYF4T1CN1UAjg4V6cO55Q9wjwWV8jb_eQ1tumi92on1p4EeNlujLNUmuyFVvQUVxZo_5OJfllWB2Zl2lw4ZMmxDLE7rkCASLsqAiedRR61PMSiShgc/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqBgnZlK896CacpsOlkxjWUMBqKYF4T1CN1UAjg4V6cO55Q9wjwWV8jb_eQ1tumi92on1p4EeNlujLNUmuyFVvQUVxZo_5OJfllWB2Zl2lw4ZMmxDLE7rkCASLsqAiedRR61PMSiShgc/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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By the time I finally resurfaced it was to discover I was </div>
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sitting in the same old chair,</div>
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looking at the same old walls,</div>
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and feeling very...</div>
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very...</div>
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nothing.</div>
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Luckily some wise words of wake up by<a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/wake-up/"> Joshua Becker</a> came my way</div>
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and culminated with this quote.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"The first step in crafting the life you want </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">is to get rid of everything you don’t."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was huge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">In so many ways.</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">Sadly, my first instinct was to make a list of everything I didn't want.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">A bullet list.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">In my bullet journal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">But...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">somewhere in Becker's post </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">I recalled </span>a bit about getting up and living.</div>
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So instead I turned off the phone,</div>
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closed the journal,</div>
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and picked up a brush.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6tlTBo9PxOFWdhQvGbeU-2qn_ZwXgq6juVPzJwhUi3MKh3JlfPpkxkkCGmmggi9qkC89F786v994IbnsvNJ40CtXXCkOaC7oKidVwhL-3rVaFaYDvZnjcvRPzK6dI12BWZk2UrfVI3g/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6tlTBo9PxOFWdhQvGbeU-2qn_ZwXgq6juVPzJwhUi3MKh3JlfPpkxkkCGmmggi9qkC89F786v994IbnsvNJ40CtXXCkOaC7oKidVwhL-3rVaFaYDvZnjcvRPzK6dI12BWZk2UrfVI3g/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'd lived with those "Dewy Twig" green walls for fifteen years.</div>
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Another day with them was something I truly didn't want.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSAAx0_CcnwoM17eWexgQwOo90EUkVpOvadQMbBxVkmqWd6Ae_KzShqV1OtSbF4GJkcFhIgiSeRH1GrbaHXtVlhDTdqGZXmchoHiW3ETyhsITxism3eSjbCBF-nr0AOmKTmSImx2n-3A/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSAAx0_CcnwoM17eWexgQwOo90EUkVpOvadQMbBxVkmqWd6Ae_KzShqV1OtSbF4GJkcFhIgiSeRH1GrbaHXtVlhDTdqGZXmchoHiW3ETyhsITxism3eSjbCBF-nr0AOmKTmSImx2n-3A/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+10.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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No more peering through the looking glass,</div>
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wishing for a life lived in a Pinterest board.</div>
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I'll make my own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TPaMFuj9ICG8IoKrhrxDXwv-UzHVv2cUnkFVIpfbHd2y0UUwyQMc6Zg21fPtBbpBPz_WmGlSOmrGsVL_nuKv4pNCbqiUghguxRELtHLGljrG_24fq_YPvAfA4znUyKldy3_byShgiak/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TPaMFuj9ICG8IoKrhrxDXwv-UzHVv2cUnkFVIpfbHd2y0UUwyQMc6Zg21fPtBbpBPz_WmGlSOmrGsVL_nuKv4pNCbqiUghguxRELtHLGljrG_24fq_YPvAfA4znUyKldy3_byShgiak/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Culling and curating by instinct rather than instruction...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-oyrlwgJTawCt6ENcCAOwt1PpP7dlc_MoOplUJjwtMTyao5zTlAF4OXSQ7nbcZYTXIZm8ZCT36p_gtK0g8aB0W7Vv5VPITR3opAn4B9fOh9zIxqXB3FgnYlT1-PXif6DbpdAXzcwokE/s1600/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-oyrlwgJTawCt6ENcCAOwt1PpP7dlc_MoOplUJjwtMTyao5zTlAF4OXSQ7nbcZYTXIZm8ZCT36p_gtK0g8aB0W7Vv5VPITR3opAn4B9fOh9zIxqXB3FgnYlT1-PXif6DbpdAXzcwokE/s400/+1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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....to create a home...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9gViaO1OwwwEWYel_LfL7i8lKqIuM6iAIsVeQFPsBwSzz3d7uV_k0LeeLE-IQnoC43scwAalKUGcpWZ1iyyrJ7IEXG38i4n4T3zpL_Vc37AeVLgmgA8Wyks3XSbc-aXOyOa4S8IjFzw/s1600/1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9gViaO1OwwwEWYel_LfL7i8lKqIuM6iAIsVeQFPsBwSzz3d7uV_k0LeeLE-IQnoC43scwAalKUGcpWZ1iyyrJ7IEXG38i4n4T3zpL_Vc37AeVLgmgA8Wyks3XSbc-aXOyOa4S8IjFzw/s400/1-2-16++Crafting+or+Cramping+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and craft a life.</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-36068967254310600252015-10-15T18:18:00.001-04:002015-10-15T18:18:10.119-04:00Shop Ship Shape!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPQVq23xLqdcwIcTUytrbkbED64LEr1WEgdCmxGrhpznFl0q4Ro-3SYcVWn-bsUgvMLGkCVz7NbAOh6QJSY6eCx4V4oK6J_54FP2s-KqIvObAImMtHIjWVbWDVK9fA9T3VosttgOPQqw/s1600/10-13+shop+ship+shape%2521+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPQVq23xLqdcwIcTUytrbkbED64LEr1WEgdCmxGrhpznFl0q4Ro-3SYcVWn-bsUgvMLGkCVz7NbAOh6QJSY6eCx4V4oK6J_54FP2s-KqIvObAImMtHIjWVbWDVK9fA9T3VosttgOPQqw/s400/10-13+shop+ship+shape%2521+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The wee girlies are all aflutter...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9M968OW55TtvjXuXMeMIMGRWetuEZwxmbLhsgRmHF5q8hLx3pRp0LU3RySOsD37VUGzLRXjPukEtrv2_QYHuAgXfXJV0-Eg_3d8XK-JaVUIR5VfVYxth9s7h5e-PUlIKgvh_J_AWG_o/s1600/10-13+shop+ship+shape%2521+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9M968OW55TtvjXuXMeMIMGRWetuEZwxmbLhsgRmHF5q8hLx3pRp0LU3RySOsD37VUGzLRXjPukEtrv2_QYHuAgXfXJV0-Eg_3d8XK-JaVUIR5VfVYxth9s7h5e-PUlIKgvh_J_AWG_o/s400/10-13+shop+ship+shape%2521+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...recently listed...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXRiZYXs8QjxdLPhlKAwFijTd2HVaxdfrW5L2o4nld7EgWVVe4rxeAher5XpOYimi3PKiiUEn9Y5t2ViCg3obbssVnDOTzgJWMhtn-6hPjpPGfETBr4iSJ0mw2_eextBbYBxiX0HPsMg/s1600/10-13+shop+ship+shape%2521+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXRiZYXs8QjxdLPhlKAwFijTd2HVaxdfrW5L2o4nld7EgWVVe4rxeAher5XpOYimi3PKiiUEn9Y5t2ViCg3obbssVnDOTzgJWMhtn-6hPjpPGfETBr4iSJ0mw2_eextBbYBxiX0HPsMg/s400/10-13+shop+ship+shape%2521+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and awaiting new adventures!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-60788503287277308392015-10-13T18:16:00.001-04:002015-10-13T18:18:32.375-04:00Serving Up Some Sweetness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCLB4pVRsjKrb55mekcmQY9AGJ3rlvfFGBx59hFcTjCuZMiNTaWFvN1PprSSp3LvtMMx1Ls7A1A2J_ZRJt_sf0K0WDm9kFZ_Abeo6PNHnTKbPp5gl-cop-W52chK3YVHuXJkdNo-MA5U/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCLB4pVRsjKrb55mekcmQY9AGJ3rlvfFGBx59hFcTjCuZMiNTaWFvN1PprSSp3LvtMMx1Ls7A1A2J_ZRJt_sf0K0WDm9kFZ_Abeo6PNHnTKbPp5gl-cop-W52chK3YVHuXJkdNo-MA5U/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bit by bit the Pinelopes are coming together. </div>
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The plan is to take their photographs tomorrow and begin listing them in the shop</div>
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Thursday, October 15th </div>
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somewhere round about the 5 o'clock hour.</div>
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They are quite giddy with anticipation to say the least!!!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-16954963972214558852015-10-03T19:49:00.001-04:002015-10-03T19:50:07.843-04:00The Fun of Making a Mess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQa13M5APYVwmm10nObdo8sv_tmU3g_pIxz8X608P3GFt1em4_I15U3-9LNGWE98wdNrbK1Lk2-wouqgiQStaCpS3PzzAOR1nigAUUgwMdtew3-hx_4oaDDu2gti-yDm3Q_mFuenFvX8/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQa13M5APYVwmm10nObdo8sv_tmU3g_pIxz8X608P3GFt1em4_I15U3-9LNGWE98wdNrbK1Lk2-wouqgiQStaCpS3PzzAOR1nigAUUgwMdtew3-hx_4oaDDu2gti-yDm3Q_mFuenFvX8/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even with my little fuzzy friend I was finding it a bit lonely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioof_RHeTHeqkdhdEVEbZcNqo6AZ_GDi709753euzXNuaqFhNjxy72VlR7QdrPvV6ThNyvxocCPIOhS1cnDP2vCKUYOWQ9E2WEv_D8Cw3CwbWzG4k5TI_Ww8p7FXEToU9YTG4ZsKVrG1A/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioof_RHeTHeqkdhdEVEbZcNqo6AZ_GDi709753euzXNuaqFhNjxy72VlR7QdrPvV6ThNyvxocCPIOhS1cnDP2vCKUYOWQ9E2WEv_D8Cw3CwbWzG4k5TI_Ww8p7FXEToU9YTG4ZsKVrG1A/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So I decided to make a mess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyBuOMaDPblSwadIansYVnjyYL3NuWIXKHQY5v1NZtTS2LGITz10i0ojpXvVFDDW68qQXJSvStW6PBiDJT1v_5sfqhuXF6pZT8t8_VqXF1tznEh_yaqU3F5wdF2KqkGB0soVMj9Y3BL8/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyBuOMaDPblSwadIansYVnjyYL3NuWIXKHQY5v1NZtTS2LGITz10i0ojpXvVFDDW68qQXJSvStW6PBiDJT1v_5sfqhuXF6pZT8t8_VqXF1tznEh_yaqU3F5wdF2KqkGB0soVMj9Y3BL8/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A mess of Pinelopes that is!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96W2VjbWtb6FEZRe1FduYBhA9GxLDr9Zeum1I_mLBdS0GO-x4YGZ2zWWzLV4NgIsOEyg4_u8SEs554SNY591fHX-7vCPsUtrybjq4B5DMT9jqcMnknmdaIFf7nhgXHWUw-IbO7HWk7pM/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96W2VjbWtb6FEZRe1FduYBhA9GxLDr9Zeum1I_mLBdS0GO-x4YGZ2zWWzLV4NgIsOEyg4_u8SEs554SNY591fHX-7vCPsUtrybjq4B5DMT9jqcMnknmdaIFf7nhgXHWUw-IbO7HWk7pM/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was cutting and drilling and gluing galore.</div>
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Sanding and painting and a little bit more....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuz1eckOa5MMn-f8LSWNs_JrQmzvbCzpDGuttkqtBgJY_Xk299KDW82yW0npAWwMRY65BLYf1blh7LJy-JU-R-k-6iCEt4ADcMWIEnAPAyz4P9WzfF4VZw9Rl-O3MO8tfPbxpM_vuTy8/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuz1eckOa5MMn-f8LSWNs_JrQmzvbCzpDGuttkqtBgJY_Xk299KDW82yW0npAWwMRY65BLYf1blh7LJy-JU-R-k-6iCEt4ADcMWIEnAPAyz4P9WzfF4VZw9Rl-O3MO8tfPbxpM_vuTy8/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...as I put my hand to the task of attempting a signature.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPCdr74FHOs4BOjHLLb0LfRbNC2pwM5SjGlv2ZXh8XYd8-kdhnRcG99cy7gIpyb_itIwp2Wk44N4VS50ImpaxyOpR9FxqC6tXs-YXpcH7x5sfbhooXUfPxycWWXAORqrNqTxNalYqms0/s1600/5b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPCdr74FHOs4BOjHLLb0LfRbNC2pwM5SjGlv2ZXh8XYd8-kdhnRcG99cy7gIpyb_itIwp2Wk44N4VS50ImpaxyOpR9FxqC6tXs-YXpcH7x5sfbhooXUfPxycWWXAORqrNqTxNalYqms0/s400/5b.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The results were shall we say "interesting" but no worries...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4nbB_Q61GDV4HqkReKqxjtGG2_QTl-vpPF1as4jYMuyJteGk8LA8qpvv37RiF2SU8eZLjhcM8sZxl5nSiYSblvgiImi3D3Kf3oiz990z9WGFJGDdqpCqocvGX8JENb1nq1W71J01mf0/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4nbB_Q61GDV4HqkReKqxjtGG2_QTl-vpPF1as4jYMuyJteGk8LA8qpvv37RiF2SU8eZLjhcM8sZxl5nSiYSblvgiImi3D3Kf3oiz990z9WGFJGDdqpCqocvGX8JENb1nq1W71J01mf0/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...as wardrobe production will cover the results!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2622641255453915063.post-19688218590738745092015-09-24T22:32:00.003-04:002015-10-02T15:32:13.275-04:00Out and About and Back Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOKlP2AjL9zb5w5FcEvi1FsC2okSpzPmleQFPAV-7EJlicZ7k4jKVh0GX9rYngITOMrzU9TFWUx_0zsn_Y115LDiFsgH6E6PzWSYiKsijnda4QU6eqIigLpU0C1bLXTbFMP6fEDWRdu4/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOKlP2AjL9zb5w5FcEvi1FsC2okSpzPmleQFPAV-7EJlicZ7k4jKVh0GX9rYngITOMrzU9TFWUx_0zsn_Y115LDiFsgH6E6PzWSYiKsijnda4QU6eqIigLpU0C1bLXTbFMP6fEDWRdu4/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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At first there were pins,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDMMqXqepTaQtRIRRidyhtP8mz0b2GsCOFfwW_-8bVjx8EUDxZSz3jDEkODw5zT9K8Yn_noAY17cwrzHV0XwiNbd_Q9_ODKRtMWOModj_27C7k4TVigmqD6RuIO1V0jUEsmcs1qtS3_s/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDMMqXqepTaQtRIRRidyhtP8mz0b2GsCOFfwW_-8bVjx8EUDxZSz3jDEkODw5zT9K8Yn_noAY17cwrzHV0XwiNbd_Q9_ODKRtMWOModj_27C7k4TVigmqD6RuIO1V0jUEsmcs1qtS3_s/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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thimbles,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwj8HJfzadL9-BPo0kwZ93KuIaWEdXOGYn7E9G5-rFFOOnv3xqBcWeaUZr1nCVKn4_H7Ddu8JtGEDCQIZDnXHYuXkKhPG8AvSQ8xN-31XjRCxmxBjnreHjCBiar6Cp9nTIZ-hlx3ppVQ/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwj8HJfzadL9-BPo0kwZ93KuIaWEdXOGYn7E9G5-rFFOOnv3xqBcWeaUZr1nCVKn4_H7Ddu8JtGEDCQIZDnXHYuXkKhPG8AvSQ8xN-31XjRCxmxBjnreHjCBiar6Cp9nTIZ-hlx3ppVQ/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lucys,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmKN-6S4N9BE4UKUw7NJ2uNrn6pbbUtkB8ZXg3OXxb0rIk0hzpj114dAX7EtWNuh3uKPheCP1vehtuiWPftx2HneIN4u7E9Qqx0E5WGnUYUdgn9JF1xRdMEr6XVRQk0vitnx2RGbAcKE/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmKN-6S4N9BE4UKUw7NJ2uNrn6pbbUtkB8ZXg3OXxb0rIk0hzpj114dAX7EtWNuh3uKPheCP1vehtuiWPftx2HneIN4u7E9Qqx0E5WGnUYUdgn9JF1xRdMEr6XVRQk0vitnx2RGbAcKE/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Pinelopes in a row.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UiKiDQPHIyUbxHiPHN_A4JhKl1KiSuHTyFbhG8RabplqGSH0KoRKbNZ8slMJkYY6Q_OTQXcdAJHZLcCrxoQGoZCBttsQjnwpiNtAW7abVhiO3BSGKgN_r43J8okulmLYIJ6-4_iGHoo/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UiKiDQPHIyUbxHiPHN_A4JhKl1KiSuHTyFbhG8RabplqGSH0KoRKbNZ8slMJkYY6Q_OTQXcdAJHZLcCrxoQGoZCBttsQjnwpiNtAW7abVhiO3BSGKgN_r43J8okulmLYIJ6-4_iGHoo/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+5.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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But then they were gone...off to good homes of course, yet it left me feeling a little empty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lucky for me I was in the perfect location for a bit of retail therapy!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH332QiBBUPxl9XF8j6dlkVjm__yWe4u4eHh1XWTnjMpj5-Q3zJU7o1ngJDPxFMCPLJMo9j45h1FjTcIGncRjaqzmhZzsoDOjn0oB-oz_Aae9z_3CpLGiuBH6H4AHuGZSDfMeDzynmaAw/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH332QiBBUPxl9XF8j6dlkVjm__yWe4u4eHh1XWTnjMpj5-Q3zJU7o1ngJDPxFMCPLJMo9j45h1FjTcIGncRjaqzmhZzsoDOjn0oB-oz_Aae9z_3CpLGiuBH6H4AHuGZSDfMeDzynmaAw/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A hop, skip, and a jump away from my own booth I found a treasure trove<br />
of miniature millinery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeJlskPDIi1Xd3ARMGtGpATK0qeLAAEtDbnVjFeRXc0L9mVVh_ie3hVydBJSRGEcdAZwvlKXtL5qpVBDfPstOl90NCakyOTes5LS-G9kFNaeHKl7fgD6Tt6QmZAjp3V79Gi84AFURPyI/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeJlskPDIi1Xd3ARMGtGpATK0qeLAAEtDbnVjFeRXc0L9mVVh_ie3hVydBJSRGEcdAZwvlKXtL5qpVBDfPstOl90NCakyOTes5LS-G9kFNaeHKl7fgD6Tt6QmZAjp3V79Gi84AFURPyI/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I am truly delighted to now be the proud owner of a <a href="http://piccalillidays.blogspot.com/2013/10/f-is-for-fun.html">Judith Phelps</a> creation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZegtBAYfJgq55DTboLbXuR-M_JJ5vCBt4KR7yax0GGPc9o6mgYKG_MIInfWCewPsquJk3SPNxCgFyOiMcMVZTT7dyZ8oL8VpHhKwJ3DJaf2ik6wJZufyRacvyR63KgK8YYUakro-C5vc/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZegtBAYfJgq55DTboLbXuR-M_JJ5vCBt4KR7yax0GGPc9o6mgYKG_MIInfWCewPsquJk3SPNxCgFyOiMcMVZTT7dyZ8oL8VpHhKwJ3DJaf2ik6wJZufyRacvyR63KgK8YYUakro-C5vc/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It cost me a dip into my penny purse and a promise to Judith herself that I use it as inspiration to finish my Hitty who will be expected to attend next year's doll show along with me!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1zcNbr6d0mVLB5eUZjgEzG6ZDc-hTC3OR1E4nfpbRgHn6AFttXwYBzsderYYzAfZnV-ArzTQJ9E19g5d7NyehFxi-rn6a0sHjxxakKq0ZC-JLSzXWnLG-PmyTDnCKxA4132h47CJUes/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1zcNbr6d0mVLB5eUZjgEzG6ZDc-hTC3OR1E4nfpbRgHn6AFttXwYBzsderYYzAfZnV-ArzTQJ9E19g5d7NyehFxi-rn6a0sHjxxakKq0ZC-JLSzXWnLG-PmyTDnCKxA4132h47CJUes/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Several bundles of trimmings also hold the promise of future inspiration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs60D78fndc4ucqzfwIOZKy3jUhIMyUJKlVk-04lmqQVyjKwUVzolzyswvm383ZrDDv2HPNBNoUWDVspYamXkRxxkIUDlC4XRHFhp4-NdqkXP5P2T0z4ZLwOWZY2Jy8gx_tKQkQOE4iU/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs60D78fndc4ucqzfwIOZKy3jUhIMyUJKlVk-04lmqQVyjKwUVzolzyswvm383ZrDDv2HPNBNoUWDVspYamXkRxxkIUDlC4XRHFhp4-NdqkXP5P2T0z4ZLwOWZY2Jy8gx_tKQkQOE4iU/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+10.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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But my greatest find of the day....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjPDfygoUmEVUCygt0kK6iyqfkQhraPpJQfNxlA9VnxpBLtmIfxmUyPgZ2f1xyE6CwyhgndCt_cibv_lL9kFa4xG2A1P9zm0UKibeUvsElch8qZPm7svKepfYdP7rbbh3prG2YOrJjSw/s1600/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjPDfygoUmEVUCygt0kK6iyqfkQhraPpJQfNxlA9VnxpBLtmIfxmUyPgZ2f1xyE6CwyhgndCt_cibv_lL9kFa4xG2A1P9zm0UKibeUvsElch8qZPm7svKepfYdP7rbbh3prG2YOrJjSw/s400/9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+11.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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...a puppy hugging lovie with red shoes!</div>
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I snatched her up quick as could be and headed home to give my real life fuzzy friend<br />
a hug of his own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPehYA6-xlMf0WJMP8V0GSIHkOmd3Qqm0BsSOqvRseVgs6eyoAoCjB_hrdXGzNTs4GJ5x1L46RyZkvDEsWLkwrjohRN1dFeOdQhAYbWHN5BcRs5UXGR2RJKofp1eOR_cJzF3ibI46qxc/s1600/+9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPehYA6-xlMf0WJMP8V0GSIHkOmd3Qqm0BsSOqvRseVgs6eyoAoCjB_hrdXGzNTs4GJ5x1L46RyZkvDEsWLkwrjohRN1dFeOdQhAYbWHN5BcRs5UXGR2RJKofp1eOR_cJzF3ibI46qxc/s400/+9-24+out+and+about+and+home+again+12.JPG" width="381" /></a></div>
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Stormy!</div>
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natalie johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030766724925628930noreply@blogger.com4